Lewisville Independent School District  |  Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014

Move Out!  

Lewisville High School Attends 27th Annual Student Council Friendship Dinner   
 

Marcus High School (MHS) hosted the 27th annual Lewisville ISD (LISD) Student Council Friendship Dinner, a social event that brings all LISD Student Council members together for a special night of dinner, games, reflection and team-building. Student Council members from all five LISD high schools - Flower Mound (FMHS), Hebron High School (HHS), Lewisville (LHS), MHS and The Colony (TCHS) - participated in the event.  

   

"I think that we can be big rivals outside of Student Council, but sharing ideas and being together during the Friendship Dinner helps us realize when we are at a football game cheering for two separate teams, we can still say we have a friend on the other side of the stands," LHS student Nnenna Ijoma said. "I like that Student Council brings a school together, especially at LHS. Also, it's an opportunity to share ideas, make new friends and help out the community."

 

This year's theme was "Nothing Basic About It," and students and staff dressed in camo ready to attend boot camp. The boot camp dinner benefitted Operation Gratitude - an organization that annually sends 150,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, plus personal letters of appreciation, to new recruits, veterans, first responders, wounded warriors, care givers and to individually named U.S. service members deployed overseas. Its mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the nation's active duty and veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of the U.S. military.

To read more about the event, click here. To see a photo gallery, click here. 

 

Lewisville, Marcus High School FFA Chapters

Host Annual Community Night

Farmers, Marauders Show off LISD Chester Boyd Agriculture Center
 

The Lewisville High School (LHS) and Marcus High School (MHS) National FFA Organization chapters came together as one Nov. 11 to host their third annual Community Night at Lewisville ISD Chester Boyd Agriculture Center.

 

"This is a great night because we get to broadcast our animals and get our first-year members involved with the community," LHS sophomore and FFA President Megan Wandell said.

 

Added MHS senior and FFA President Matt Bahr: "It is a way to show our passion. This is what agriculture is all about."

 

The free event featured student-led tours of the district's state-of-the-art facilities, which are shared throughout the year by both high schools. The students' heifers, steers, goats and pigs were on display. Guests also got a glimpse of progress being made on a brand new enclosure for the pig barn, as well as an arena cover.  

  

To read more about the event, click here.  

 

First Middle School Parent University a Success 
DeLay, Durham, Hedrick and Huffines Team Up for Central Zone Event 
 

DeLay, Durham, Hedrick and Huffines Middle Schools teamed up to host the first Lewisville ISD (LISD) Central Zone Middle School Parent University on Nov. 6 at Lewisville High School.

 

The event, which was orchestrated by the schools' counselors, was free and open to all LISD parents. The evening featured numerous local professionals speaking about topics such as: boundaries and communication; bullying and healthy relationships; cyber safety; drug trends; love and logic parenting; mental wellness; and middle school culture.

 

"We were pleased to have parents come to this event so they could be provided with relevant and practical information related to the hot topics with teens today," Huffines Middle School Principal Tim Baxter said. "The principals would like to thank our counselors for the great job in planning this powerful event."

  

To read more about the event, click here. To see a photo gallery, click here. 

 

Lewisville Learning Center Welcomes Community

First Food, Family and Fellowship Night Impresses 
 

The Lewisville Learning Center (LLC) hosted its first Food, Family and Fellowship Night Nov. 12, welcoming numerous parents, students and Lewisville ISD personnel on campus.

 

The group enjoyed dessert and coffee while LLC faculty and staff introduced themselves and talked about programs available for at-promise youth. LLC first-year Principal Kecia Theodore and her staff also provided tours of the building.

 

"There was positive energy in the air as we welcomed the largest turnout for open house in recent memory," Theodore said. "It was a great night to be a Maverick, as we reaffirmed that LLC belongs to the entire LISD community."

 

To learn more about the LCC, click here. To see photos from the evening, click here. 

 

Creekside Elementary Principal Profile

Meet Rod McGinnis 
 

Check out the profile about Creekside Elementary principal Rod McGinnis, who discusses his favorite thing about his job; what he enjoys doing in his spare time; and dishes some advice to someone who is interested in becoming a principal. McGinnis is in his sixth year as principal at Creekside.

 

Lewisville ISD (LISD): What has been the most valuable lesson you have learned as a principal?

 

Rod McGinnis (RM): My most valuable lesson as a principal has been to actively seek out the strengths in others that they don't readily see in themselves and then coach them into the light. I have and continue to benefit from this myself and enjoy supporting others in the same way. Really, it's not much different from working with students; it's just the impact becomes exponential.

 

LISD: What is your favorite thing about your job as an educator in Lewisville ISD?

 

RM: My favorite aspect of being an educator in LISD is acting as a connector. Working with our own fantastic campus team and specialists throughout the district, we become greater than the sum of our parts when we collaborate. Together we maximize the potential for everyone, especially our students.

 

LISD: What is something that most would not know about you?

 

RM: I spent two years in submarine school in Connecticut, three years on submarines based out of several east coast bases and three years as a submarine broadcast supervisor for the Submarine Atlantic Fleet Command in Virginia. Go Navy, Beat Army (again)!

 

LISD: What do you like to do in your spare time? 

 

RM: My bride and I spend our spare time in the crazy life of shuttling and participating with our 3rd and 7th grade kiddos in various activities in music and sports. As a family, we seek out trips and activities that make lasting memories. My Jon Gordon "One Word" is Family.

 

LISD: What piece of advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a principal or entering the education field?

 

RM: Personally, I've found education comes down to just two things: relationships and data. Everything we do can be traced back to these two things. Once you have a grasp of these, you can develop strategies and set goals for everyone's benefit. Understanding the data helps you set goals; understanding relationships helps everyone care about the data.

 

Stay tuned for our next Principal Profile, published on LISD.net every Friday morning. See all the profiles here. #LISDprofile

  

LISD Insights

Superintendent Speaks With Students About Technology

 

LISD Superintendent Dr. Stephen F. Waddell sits down with 5th grade students to discuss the start of their last year in elementary school and how they use technology in the classroom. Student guests include Meredith Doucet from Bluebonnet Elementary, Cathlene Lam from Independence Elementary and Trinity Townes from Vickery Elementary. 

Insights Season 4: Episode 3
"Insights" Season 4: Episode 3

Go Farmers!
Teacher and Student Highlights from Farmer Country

   

Hedrick Middle School's Mendonca is October Student of the Month

Michael Mendonca of Hedrick Middle School has been selected as the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce/NORTHSTAR BANK OF TEXAS October Student of the Month, the second honoree of the 2014-2015 school year.

 

Mendonca, an 8th grader and son of Joe and Carmen Mendonca, is involved in HMS Band, Theatre, National Junior Honor Society, Math Club and Science Club. He also reads the school announcements each morning and leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Mendonca's favorite subjects are math and science and he enjoys playing tennis in his free time.

 

"With a focus on academics, upbeat outlook and sweet disposition, I know Michael can achieve anything he puts his mind to," HMS Principal Barbara Hamric said. "Hedrick Middle School is lucky to have an amazing student like Micheal Mendonca to represent us." Read more 

 

Gold Medalist Swimmer McLean Visits LISD's Westside Aquatic Center

United States Olympic swimmer Matt McLean visited LISD's Westside Aquatic Center Nov. 15 for an All-Star Swimming Camp, featuring 14-and-under swimmers from around the state. McLean, who is pictured with Marcus High School student Brendan King, earned a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London as a member of the U.S. 4x200-meter freestyle relay team. The Lewisville High School swimming teams compete at the Westside Aquatic Center. 

  


Lewisville High School Feeder Veterans Day Ceremonies  

Across the Lewisville High School (LHS) feeder pattern in November, campuses held special Veterans Day ceremonies. Be sure to check out your campus' Facebook page to view celebration photos (like this one from Durham Middle School, where the guest speaker was Dr. Will Langstaff, Jr., a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, who is now a senior pastor of Servant House in Lewisville).

 

 

LHS Sign Language Class Travels to State Capital

Lewisville High School (LHS) students in Karen Bartz's American Sign Language class traveled to Austin Nov. 1 to visit the Texas School for the Deaf (TSD). The group of 30 LHS students took in the TSD's homecoming day festivities and football game. Numerous deaf people from around the state were present and the LHS students were able to converse, connect and communicate in the native language of the deaf: American Sign Language. At the football game, LHS students cheered on the TSD Rangers and even learned their school hand signal. 

 

LHS-Killough Students Help Keep Lewisville Beautiful 

LHS-Killough Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) students participated in the Trinity Trash Bash Nov. 15, as a part of Keep Lewisville Beautiful. The students cleaned out wetland areas around campus and along Summit Avenue for three hours, collecting more than 15 bags of trash!     

 

LHS-Harmon Teacher Gruman Wins Fort Worth Marathon

LHS-Harmon Spanish teacher Tracy Gruman finished in first place in the female division at the Fort Worth Marathon on Nov. 9, posting a time of 3:06.13. To see the full results, click here. 

 

 

 


 

Hedrick Middle School Industrial Art Students Study Eclipse

Hedrick Middle School (HMS) students in Casey McCluskey's industrial art classes studied the partial solar eclipse Oct. 23. The group, as well as their parents, gathered after hours at Bahama Bucks of Lewisville to view the event through McCluskey's high-powered telescope.

 

 

HMS 7th Graders Walk for Decimals

HMS 7th graders in Lorena McLemore's math class participated in a gallery walk for multiplying and dividing decimals Oct. 23. Students were presented with a problem they needed to solve and had to search for answers around the classroom in an art gallery-style atmosphere. If they did not find the correct answer, they would know it and need to find their mistake.

  

 

HMS Hosts First "Give Thanks for the Arts" Event 

It was standing room only Nov. 17 at Hedrick Middle School's first "Give Thanks for the Arts!" evening. The parents enjoyed performances from theater arts, varsity choir, boys choir, show choir as well as orchestra. Art classes decorated the walls with select pieces from their portfolios and students from robotics classes showed up to share their love for electronics.

 

College Street Elementary Celebrates Learning 7 Habits

College Street Elementary celebrated learning the 7 Habits - a part of its Leader in Me journey - on Nov. 14 with a student-led pep rally and the unveiling of a banner with a new pledge. The DeLay Middle School Stomp Team started the event and was followed by 4th grade speech students reviewing the 7 habits with personal examples of how they have applied them in their lives. The group of students then led the entire school in learning a new 7 Habits pledge. The pep rally ended with a surprise music video made and performed by CSE staff members. To learn more about the day and see a photo gallery, click here. To view a video, click here. 

 

Creekside Elementary Soccer League Receives Donation

The Creekside Elementary Soccer League recently received a $250 donation from Fred Whitfield of Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville for equipment and scholarships. Creekside Principal Rod McGinnis, Physical Education Teacher Laura Siebenmann and students were on-hand for the presentation. Last year, Creekside launched extra curricular soccer at the elementary level in LISD with 68 students. This year, that number has ballooned to more than 90 participants. Students practice weekly on campus and play matches each week with strong parent support at the Purnell fields, located on Mill Street in Lewisville.

 

Lakeland Elementary Hosts Book Parade

Lakeland Elementary hosted a school-wide Book Parade Nov. 14. The event was a culminating celebration of literature studies that the older grades did with the younger grades. Kindergarten through 2nd grade students marched in parade form throughout the hallways with banners and costumes related to their favorite books. All other students cheered them on. To see a photo gallery of the event, click here.

  

 

Lillie J. Jackson Students Learn from Lewisville Fire Department

Students at Lillie J. Jackson Early Childhood Center have been studying leaders in the local community. They were treated to the Lewisville Fire Department, who stopped by Nov. 10 and 12 to demonstrate how fire gear is used. Students were also given personal tours on fire engines and ambulances.   

  

  

Lewisville ISD 5th Grade Honor Choir Shines
5th graders across Lewisville ISD recently performed in the LISD 5th Grade Honor Choir Concert in Leo C. Stuver Auditorium at Lewisville High School.

 

   

CCE Hosts Fitness and Career Field Day

Nov. 7, the Criminal Justice Classes at Career Center East held a Fitness and Career Field Day, which helped educate and prepare Criminal Justice students for what to expect in the event they wish to pursue a career in public safety. During the hiring process for these paths, an applicant must pass a physical agility/assessment test, which includes (but is not limited to) sit-ups, push-ups, a run, an obstacle course, a dummy drag and pull-ups. The students participated in each event to evaluate their fitness for a future career in this exciting field. Members of the Lewisville, Carrollton and The Colony Police Departments; Lewisville Fire Department; and the Army, Air Force and Marines were on hand to help conduct this event.  

 

Farmer Varsity Athletic Scoreboard
Scores from Lewisville High School Varsity Sporting Events

Sport
Date
Opponent
Score
Football
11/7
Plano Senior
L, 7-45
Boys Basketball
11/18
Duncanville
W, 81-74
Girls Basketball
11/18
Ranchview
W, 49-37

Events & Announcements
What's Happening in Farmer Country?
 

Notice of Special Meeting: LISD Board of Trustees to Meet to Discuss Next Steps  

for Superintendent Search - Nov. 19  

Lewisville ISD's Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at Career Center East (2553 F.M. 544, Lewisville) to discuss next steps for the district's Superintendent Search. Please see the agenda here. 


Give Input on the LISD's 2015-2016 Academic Calendar
On Nov. 10, Lewisville ISD (LISD)'s Academic Calendar Committee, which includes students, parents, teachers and community members, shared two possible calendar options (Option A and Option B) for the 2015-2016 school year as an Information Item to LISD's Board of Trustees. LISD encourages its community to take a brief survey and vote for the calendar option they would like to see the district adopt for the 2015-2016 school year. The survey will be open through Tuesday, Dec. 2. For more information and to take the survey, click here.

Valley Ridge Elementary Turkey Trot - Nov. 21

Valley Ridge Elementary is hosting a Turkey Trot Nov. 21 to benefit the American Diabetes Association School Walk for Diabetes. Parents and students are invited to attend. For more information, email VRES Physical Education Teacher Theresa Downs at downstd@lisd.net.

  

Hebron High School Turkey Tennis Camp - Nov. 24-25
All LISD students - Kindergarten through 8th grade - are invited to attend HHS' Turkey Tennis Camp Nov. 24-25 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The camp will be led by HHS Varsity Head Tennis Coach CJ Cowgill, a certified tennis professional with 13 years of coaching experience. The camp is $45 per student. Please mail this form and the $45 check payable to: CJ Cowgill, 12771 Alfa Romeo Way, Frisco, Texas 75033. Contact Coach Cowgill with any questions: cowgillc@lisd.net.  

  

LISD Offering Community Flu Vaccinations - Dec. 1, 3, 8, 10, 11

If you have not received your annual flu shot, LISD and Passport Health are providing community members five more opportunities to do so. Clinics will be held from 4-7 p.m. on the following dates and at the these locations:

Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Humana and Cigna PPO insurance plans are accepted and cover the vaccination 100 percent. Please bring a copy of your insurance card and driver's license. Through the Texas Vaccines for Children program, the cost for children under 19-years-old with no insurance is $5. Children on Medicaid are free of charge. For all others, the cost is $10 ($35 for flu mist). Payments must be made in cash or check (made out to North Texas Flu Shots). No reservation is necessary. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For consent forms and more information, visit www.lisd.net/benefits. En Espańol    

 

Vickery Elementary Toys for Tots Collection - Through Dec. 5

Vickery Elementary (301 Wager Road, Flower Mound) is serving as an official site for Toys for Tots Foundation collections. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off outside the office near the trophy case until Dec. 5. VES will host a community-wide drop-off event Dec. 3 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. along the front circle drive of the campus. Students and staff members will be on-hand to assist. The VES Kindness and Compassion Club organized the campaign. For more information, email VES Counselor Allison Warren at warrena@lisd.net. 

 

Durham Middle School Student Council Pancakes with Santa - Dec. 6

The Durham Middle School Student Council is hosting Pancakes with Santa Dec. 6 from 8-11 a.m. in the cafeteria. The cost is $5 and all proceeds will benefit the Lewisville ISD Angel Tree. The family-friendly event is open to the public. Raffle items will be available. For more information, contact Jennifer Kajander at kajanderj@lisd.net.

 

Focus on the Future Starfish Café Dates; Starfish Coffee Shop Now Open

Focus on the Future will host Starfish Café Nov. 19 and Dec. 10 at Purnell Support Center (136 W. Purnell St., Lewisville) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Starfish Café is a student center business training program for young adults, ages 18-21, with significant disabilities that helps them gain meaningful employment skills in the restaurant and hospitality industries. They prepare four popular menu items (baked potato, chicken quesadilla, turkey club sandwich and grilled chicken Caesar salad) with a dessert and beverage choice for a $7 donation. All proceeds provide opportunities for developing new skills. For reservations, email starfishcreations@lisd.net. Also, Focus on the Future recently opened the Starfish Coffee Shop in the Purnell lobby. Watch a feature on NBC Channel 5 about it here, read an article in The Dallas Morning News about it here and see photos from the ribbon cutting here. Selections include freshly brewed coffees and teas, fresh baked cookies and muffins. Prices range from $1-$1.50 per item and hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Interested in Community Events Happening in Your Area?
Visit the LISD Community Activities page to find upcoming events and activities for your family! Select your student's high school feeder pattern to see the events in that community. For groups that are interested in promoting activities can visit the LISD website for additional information.  

 

LISD Student Film Festival Now Accepting Entries

LISD is proud to announce the first annual district-wide Student Film Festival, an opportunity to provide students with an authentic audience for the synthesis of their learning through the medium of short films. Using their unique voices, students will express their passion, interests and knowledge through the creation of a video. Entries will be accepted through April 17, 2015. The event will be held May 29, 2015. More information 

 

To see more family activities in the area, visit the LHS Community Activities page on LISD.net.

 
Stay Connected
Facebook Instagram 
 
Contact
Greg Weghorst
 Central Zone Communications Coordinator
1800 Timber Creek Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
469.948.8076

LISD logo
Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.