September
September 28, 2022
Timberview Senior Earns Capstone Diploma Distinction
Senior Zoe Douglas is in a class by herself. As the only senior who will graduate from Mansfield ISD in May with an AP Capstone diploma, she exemplifies the district's vision of college ready. In addition to her good grades and work as an athletic trainer, Douglas will graduate this May as the only senior in Mansfield ISD with an AP Capstone diploma.
The AP Capstone program is a two-year commitment where students take additional courses called AP Seminar and AP Research. The classes develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing and presenting. Nationwide, just 1% of graduating seniors opt into the additional work.
“I thought it was a unique opportunity especially since Timberview High School is the only place in MISD that has it right now, and I wanted to see what skills I could learn by taking the course,” Douglas said.
College Board, which oversees AP courses taken by students in high schools across the country, developed the Capstone program at the request of higher education professionals who saw a need for students to acquire the more rigorous skills before entering college.
“The Capstone program allows colleges to see that students persevered through a rigorous two-year program, making them a valuable and desirable recruit,” said Teresa Francis, Director of Advanced Academics for Mansfield ISD.
Many students take the Capstone courses their last two years in high school, but Douglas completed hers by her junior year. She said the classes took some extra work but it was worth it.
“I think I learned more about how to write research papers and citing sources and finding good sources and I really enjoyed the AP research year because we got to choose our own topic,” Douglas said.
The class of 2022 produced two students with the AP Capstone diploma, Yousef Ali and Niladri Nath. Nationwide, fewer than 50,000 students earn the distinction each year. Zoe Douglas is one of around 4,000 seniors earning the AP Capstone diploma in 2023.
Thanks to MISD’s focus on Vision 2030, Douglas will be college and life ready when she graduates in May of 2023. Check out the district’s Vision 2030 strategic plan.
‘Hello Week’ Creates Connectedness and Increases Safety
Whether you're just starting kindergarten or a graduating senior, it's not always easy to feel like you fit in. During 'Start with Hello' week, teachers across the district planned projects and spirit days encouraging students to engage with each other. Third graders at Martha Reid Leadership Academy spent a class period writing kind messages.
“I’m writing this letter to my second-grade teacher Mrs. Roper because last year she was the best teacher, and I really wanted to write a note to her,” said Zaid Rahhal. “She treated us well and really loved us as students.”
Start with Hello week is a national program founded by the Sandy Hook Promise – a nonprofit created by parents who lost children in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The overall goal is to prevent violence by growing and nurturing a sense of community.
“Studies have shown those kids who feel disconnected from the rest of the school are the ones who are making those bad choices,” said Martha Reid Leadership Academy Counselor, Cheryl Ferrell. “We want to start early in elementary school making sure we teach children to look out for each other.”
At Charlene McKinzey Middle School, students in Tahara Williams' advisory class created a web circle showing how we are all connected. One person starts by sharing something they like or a life experience and then passes a roll of yarn to another person who shares the same thing.
“The students were able to find what they had in common with students they may not interact with a lot, and so it was a great way to show how much we have in common,” Mrs. Williams said.
“I like Hello Week because it helps you bond with people you don’t usually bond with and make a better friendship,” said third grader, Cassie Kilduff.
Mansfield Choir Invited to Perform at National Convention
Mansfield High School’s Varsity Treble Choir is receiving national attention. Director Reginal Wright recently learned his choir has been invited to perform at the National American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Convention in Cincinnati in February of 2023.
The Varsity Treble Choir is made up of 46 students who were chosen through an audition process. For the convention, choir performances are by invitation only and directors must submit samples of the choir’s performances from the previous two or three years. The Varsity Treble Choir was one of 28 ensembles selected from a pool of more than 175 choirs from around the country.
Board Attends Texas Public Education Conference
Mansfield ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberley Cantu and board members spent several days last week participating in the Texas Association of School Administrators/Texas Association of School Boards conference in San Antonio. The annual event provides educational opportunities and resources for improved governance and leadership in Texas public schools. #TEAMofEIGHT Find more information about TASA/TASB here.
Students Connect with College and Career Recruiters
What’s one of the ways Vision 2030 helps prepare our students to be college and career ready? By hosting our annual College & Career Night! This week more than 125 colleges, trade schools and military institutions came out to the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts to answer questions about their respective programs and campuses. Watch the video to learn more about how this event and others prepare our students to be life ready, career ready and college ready.
Common Ground Network Receives Community Partner Award
Partnerships with businesses and community organizations enable MISD to fund vital programs and events that enrich the lives of students, educators and families throughout the district. Through the Community Partnership Award, MISD is able to say, ‘thank you,’ to organizations that significantly contribute to the district.
At the MISD board meeting Tuesday night, members honored Common Ground Network for its volunteer efforts and financial contributions to the district. Common Ground is a group made up of volunteers from various churches, civic organizations and agencies who pool resources to assist under-resourced families in our community.
This year alone, Common Ground donated $100,000 to MISD with a portion earmarked to restart the district’s Partners in Education Program. The volunteer program was put on hold during COVID, but work is underway to relaunch a coordinated effort to bring volunteers back to benefit students and staff at all of the district’s campuses.
That same donation covered more than $20,000 in outstanding debt owed to student nutrition and an additional $20,000 to the MISD Back to School Bash! In addition to their financial contribution, Common Ground also provided volunteers to work the event.
Common Ground Network’s good deeds go back to 1998 when the group formed. Since then, the organization has worked to coordinate services for under-resourced families that live in the Mansfield ISD. They provide meals for students on weekends by filling hundreds of backpacks with food. The program runs for 36 weeks during the school year. Common Ground network also runs a 12-week summer program where parents can pick up food and children can take home free books to read. Common Ground hands out an average of 12,000 bags each summer.
Common Ground Network has also provided clothes and toys for MISD children for more than 20 years through its Christmas Program. For these reasons and so many more, MISD is grateful for the profound impact Common Ground Network and its partner organizations continue to have on our students and community.
Board Recognizes Elementary School Superstars
During the school year, elementary school students are selected to receive the School Board Superstar Award for outstanding citizenship.
At the September board meeting, the board welcomed students from Charlotte Anderson, J.L. Boren, Janet Brockett, Willie Brown, Louise Cabaniss, Anna May Daulton and Kenneth Davis Elementary Schools as well as students from Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners.
Click on board documents to see the full list of student names.
Mansfield ISD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Students in Mansfield ISD are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15, through Oct. 15. Schools throughout the district will be observing the impact and contributions people of Hispanic and Latino cultures have made to the United States through lessons, activities and projects.
Tarver Rendon Elementary
Dual Language Program
Donna Sheppard Leadership Academy
Vision 2030 Days Keep Focus on District Strategic Plan
MISD is adding a new celebration this year to keep our focus on Vision 2030 - making sure all students graduate college, career and life ready.
On one Wednesday each month, you're invited to wear your Vision 2030 t-shirt and jeans to work. Share a selfie on social media or send to the district's info@misdmail.org inbox with the hashtag #MISDReady.
For parents and students who would like to purchase a Vision 2030 shirt, the district is preparing to launch an online store where we will offer this design and much more Mansfield ISD merchandise. Stay tuned!
Texas Trust Donation Provides Shoes for Students
Texas Trust Credit Union, through its newly formed Texas Trust Gives Foundation, awarded Mansfield ISD $10,000 to benefit students in the district. MISD used the money to purchase hundreds of pairs of shoes to give away to students in need at its annual Back-to-School Bash in August.
Board Continues to Host Community Conversation Meetings
In an effort to promote more two-way conversations between the Mansfield ISD School Board and the community, the MISD Board of Trustees is continuing the community conversation meetings they began last school year.
The next community conversation for the 2022-23 school year will be held on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 - 10:00 a.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts,
(1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield).
Additional meetings will be held on various days and locations throughout the district to provide multiple opportunities for community engagement. The full schedule of community conversations is available here.
District Seeks Community Feedback on ESSER III Funding
As part of the Texas Education Agency’s ESSER III state plan, we are required to conduct a review every 6-months of the District’s Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan found on our website.
Please take a moment to review the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan located here and provide any feedback or comments to info@misdmail.org.
Upcoming Events
Colors for Caring, on Monday, October 3, wear the color that represents the type of cancer that has impacted friends or family and post on social media with hashtag #ColorsforCaring or send to info@misdmail.org
Student Holiday/Parent Teacher Conferences, on Friday, October 7, and Monday, October 10
Safety & Security Parent Information Meeting, on Monday, October 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at T.A. Howard Middle School, 7501 Calender Rd., Arlington
College Testing Day, on Wednesday, October 12. Find more information on the district website.
Miles for Meredith Fun Run and Walk, at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, at Vernon Newsom Stadium, 3700 East Broad St., Mansfield. Visit our website for more information.
MISD Power of Choice Expo, on Saturday, October 15, at from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield. Visit the district website for more information.
Vision 2030 Day, on Wednesday, October 19, wear your Vision 2030 shirt and jeans and post to social media with hashtag #Vision2030 or send to info@misdmail.org
MISD State of the District, on Thursday, October 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield
Board Community Conversation, on Saturday, October 22, from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield
WonderFALL Fest, on Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield. Get the details on our website.
Safety & Security Parent Information Meeting, on Monday, October 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Rogene Worley Middle School, 500 Pleasant Ridge Dr., Mansfield
Board Meeting, on Tuesday, October 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts, 1110 W. Debbie Lane, Mansfield