November 2018 - Monthly Recap
Expect the Best, Expect Success!
The month of November was bountiful with the football season, parent and community engagement activities, All-STAAR Celebrations. We are poised to enjoy the wonderful reflections of a productive first semester!
We are looking ahead to the great work that will occur within our classes in the short month of December as we celebrate the sights and sounds of the season with our various district Fine Arts and City Winter Celebrations.
As always, we are proud to have your partnership as a Lancaster ISD parent and hope that you enjoy this publication designed for you.
News From the Academic Services Team...
Celebrating Our Lancaster ISD All STAARs
While it is actually hosted at an elementary campus, the activities, explorations are for the entire family. There will STEM and Coding stations in various classrooms and hallways, the Perot Museum will be onsite to also host a series of interactive activities.
The event is FREE and designed with the whole family in mind. Come early and stay late! There will be light refreshments available.
Lancaster ISD will Celebrate Computer Science Awareness Week Dec. 10 -14 with the annual Hour of Code Kickoff Activities at your child's campus
Important Information From the Lancaster ISD Special Education Department...
The Dallas Children's Theater Presents Sensory-Friendly Productions
With the mission of inspiring young people to lead creative and productive lives through the art of the theater, the Dallas Children's theater is now proud to be able to create a positive, fun atmosphere for families with sensory friendly needs.
A child with autism or some other sensory challenge who loves theater and the arts will be excited about this new program at DCT and, hopefully, with the transformational experience of theater, will be inspired to creatively contribute to the world and their community in their own way.
The Dallas Children's Theater will offers various performances throughout the year and
We are so pleased to be able to offer you these specially-adapted plays for the enjoyment of those with sensory needs. Throughout the course of the year, Dallas Children's Theater will present a variety of plays from which you can choose.
If you desire more specific detail about how the story is presented, don't hesitate to call DCT for more details on the performances and also view the schedules attached below or click the website link to learn more about the plays.
Lancaster ISD Athletics Events and Schedules
Former Lancaster High School Two-Sport Athlete Inducted into TCU Hall of Fame
(Front row center of photo): LHS 1992 graduate Brashant Carter poses with other
TCU Hall of Fame Inductees.
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – As the 1992 Lancaster High School graduate and Texas Christian University (TCU) track alumni Brashant Carter stepped out of the tunnel at TCU’s Amon G. Carter Stadium and joined a group of six athletes being inducted into the TCU Letterman’s Hall of Fame, he began to reminisce on his journey from high school to college.
“I will never forget those coaches at Lancaster who made a difference in my life,” Carter said. “If they would not have inspired me, I may not have been a part of any Hall of Fame.”
Carter was a two-sport athlete at both Lancaster High School and TCU lettering in both track and football. He remembers clearly how his coaches Greg Williams (then, his football coach), David DeBorde (then, his track coach) and Coach Beverly D. Humphrey made a great impact on his life.
“There were times when I didn’t have the money to make it to a meet,” Carter said. “Those coaches would go out and raise money to help me so I could run and participate in events I would never have been able to attend because of my financial situation.”
During his days at Lancaster as well as at TCU, those who worked with Carter say he was one of the hardest working athletes. They also gained respect for him on an individual basis.
“I saw him elevate his level as an athlete as he moved on to college,” Williams said. “He is not only a great athlete, but he is a great person that I consider a true friend.”
Coach Williams also said Carter was a hard worker and loved what he did as an athlete. This carried over to his performance.
“He was an extremely coachable athlete,” Williams said. “He would practice hard and it showed in his game on Fridays when he took the field as both a defensive back and receiver.”
As a two sport athlete in high school, Carter recalled the intense commitment that it required.
“Academics was a challenge for me because while most athletes finished football and dedicated themselves to the books, I had to go right out and begin running,” Carter said. “I had to dedicate myself to academics so I could be successful both in the classroom and on the track.”
For TCU, Carter was a six-time All-American in men’s track & field and back-to-back conference champion in the outdoor 200m in 1995 and 1996. He was also the 1996 conference indoor champion in the 200m. He was a part of the 1995 4x100m relay team that won the NCAA Outdoor National Championship. Carter was also a four-year football letter winner at TCU playing defensive back and wide receiver.
Carter said he remembers very well the day he received the call that he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for TCU. He said this is something he will never forget.
“I never thought I would be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Carter said. “There have been a lot of great athletes to come out of TCU and for me to be one of only 200 inducted into the Hall of Fame it was such an honor.”
During his days at TCU, Carter was also a two-sport athlete. He ran on the 4X100 relay team for track and played on the football team as well. He said he had to work closely with his football coach Pat Sullivan because he did not allow athletes to play football and participate in another sport as well.
“He wanted me to be completely devoted to football,” Carter said. “I told him I would give 100% to both if he would allow me to run track and we finally came to the understanding that I would do both sports.”
Carter said the toughest thing for him at TCU was not winning the 4X100 relay during his freshman and sophomore years. He said they had the lead both years and lost his freshman year in the anchor leg to LSU and dropped the stick his sophomore year.
“When we won the National Championship my junior year, it was very special,” Carter said. “Not only was it my coach Bubba Thornton’s last year at TCU before he moved to UT to coach, but we won that race from the toughest lane to run in and that was lane 8.”
Carter still calls Lancaster home and wants the best for every athlete coming out of Lancaster High School. He was quick to give some Hall of Fame advice to those who might want to follow in his footsteps.
“Make sure you listen to your coaches and take their advice,” Carter said. “They know how to prepare you for the next level. You never know when your time to shine will come and you need to be prepared for that time.”
Lancaster ISD Athletic Team Schedules
Lancaster Basketball (Girls) ( Freshman/JV/Varsity)
- December 7 - Conrad at Lancaster 6:00 p.m./ 7:30 p.m.
- December 11 - North Forney Lancaster* 5:30 p.m./ 5:30 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
- December 14 - Lancaster* Forney (m) 5:30 p.m. /5:30 p.m. /7:00 p.m.
- December 18 - West Mesquite Lancaster* 5:30 p.m./ 5:30 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
- December 27 –December 29 Coca-Cola Tournament Dallas ISD (TBA)
- January 4 - Lancaster* at Terrell 5:30 pm/ 5:30 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
- January 8 - Mesquite Poteet at Lancaster* 5:30 p.m./ 5:30 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
- January 11 - Lancaster* at Kaufman (t) 5:30 p.m./ 5:30 p.m./ 7:00 p.m. (Teacher Appreciation night)
Lancaster Basketball (Boys)
- December 6-8 - Cy Falls Tournament Houston, TX (TBA)
- December 11 - Dallas Lincoln Ellis Davis 5/6:30/8 p.m.
- December 14 - Duncanville at Duncanville 5/6:30/8 p.m.
- December 15 - Huntington Prep (Wv) at Waxahachie 3:30 p.m.
- December 21- *West Mesquite at Lancaster 5:30/7:30 p.m.
- December 27 - 29 * D.I.S.D. Coca Cola Tournament (TBA)
- January 2 - *Bye
- January 5 - *Terrell at Terrell 5:30/7:30pm
- January 8 - *Poteet at Lancaster 5:30/7:30pm
- January 11 - *Kaufman at Kaufman 5:30/7:30 pm
Wrestling:
- December 14-15 - EMS Tournament at Chisolm Trail High School 7:00 a.m. V/JV G
- January 4 - Lamar Invitational at Arlington Lamar 3:30 p.m. G
- January 5 - Lamar Invitational at Arlington Lamar HS 3:30 p.m. JV
- January 5 - Kimball at Kimball 5:30 p.m. V / V
- January 11-12 - Trojan Classic at Trinity HS 2:00 p.m. V/JV/ G
Congratulations to LHS Head Football Coach Christopher Gilbert on His 100th Career Win!
News From the College and Career Readiness Department
The Lancaster STEM Early College High School Parent Meeting
Learn about the concept of the early college high school experience and also learn about the distinct benefits of this pathway to higher education.
Next Meeting : December 5 at 6:30 pm (LHS Auditorium) - Parent Panel Presentation
If you are a parent of a current eighth grade student, please be sure to attend one or both of these sessions. Also, please feel free to contact the Lancaster STEM Early College Campus at 972-218-1861 if you need additional information.
The enrollment deadline for the 2019-2020 school year is January 11. Complete the application online at www.lancasterisd.org.
Child Nutrition Meal Management Information
The Child Nutrition Department Food Service Provider is Sodexo. The mission of this department is to provide well-balanced meals for the students of Lancaster ISD.
All Lancaster ISD campuses provide students with breakfast and lunch daily. Please contact the campus to confirm the meal times.
Meal Prices:
Breakfast: K-12 Free for all district students
Lunch Full Paid: K-5 $2.35
Lunch Full Paid: 6-12 $2.60
Lunch Reduced: K-12 $0.40
School Lunch Application
We encourage parents to complete the school lunch application at the start of the school year during enrollment. Do you still need to complete the lunch application? Click Here
School Lunch Menus
You don't have to wonder what your child will eat each day. You can see the monthly take home menus for elementary students from our district web page.
Manage Lunch Accounts Easily Online
Do you need to add money to your child's meal account but cannot do it in person nor do you want to send the money via your child? You can add money to your child's meal account online through the My School Bucks link on the child nutrition home page.
News from the Communications Department...
The Lancaster ISD Board of Trustees welcomed Sherese Nix-Lightfoot to the district family as Chief of Communications during its November meeting. In this position, Nix-Lightfoot will serve as the principal advisor and provider of comprehensive and proactive communications to all Lancaster ISD stakeholders, with the distinct purpose of putting students first.
Ms. Nix-Lightfoot joins the district from Cedar Hill ISD, where she was the School Innovation Officer. She is a passionate educational leader who believes in leading with excellence while having an out-of-the-box approach to education.
“Lancaster is on the rise to becoming a premier district,” Nix-Lightfoot said. “As a team, we will strategically build mutually beneficial relationships with our stakeholders as we create brand awareness through effective internal and external communications to promote that we are the best district in the state of Texas. We will expect the best, and expect success!”
In addition to her former role as school innovation officer, Nix-Lightfoot has worked in multiple capacities in the field of education including a speech communications teacher (2004 - 2008), assistant principal (2008 - 2014) and a campus principal (2014 - 2018).
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Dillard University, a Masters of Education from the University of North Texas and her Superintendent Certification from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“We are excited about having Mrs. Nix-Lightfoot join our team,” Lancaster ISD Superintendent Elijah Granger said. “She comes to us with the necessary skills to take our communications department to the next level of success. Her proven record of success as a campus and district administrator is definitely an asset to the position of Chief Communication Officer and Lancaster ISD.”
Ms. Nix-Lightfoot said to truly understand something, you must have a perspective of the situation. Not only does she hold a degree in communications, but she has over 15 years of educational experience that will assist in translating the Lancaster ISD message in an effective and personal way.
“I bring the ability to tell our story through a different perspective,” Nix-Lightfoot said. “I bring creativity, excitement, innovation, passion, partnership, a proven record of effective rebranding, a servant’s heart and a spirit of excellence to Lancaster ISD.”
Superintendent Granger said in a time when the competition is fierce among educational entities, Lancaster ISD is excited to have someone like Nix-Lightfoot to lead the communications team.
“She is an excellent communicator and she has demonstrated the unique ability to effectively brand organizations,” Superintendent Granger said. “We look forward to the future of our communications department under the leadership of Mrs. Nix-Lightfoot.”
The 2018 Angel Tree Toy Drive is In Progress... Feel Free to Donate!
It’s a Lancaster ISD tradition for district offices and secondary campuses to adopt our Pre-K Angels for the holidays and present each one with a new, wrapped toy
This year, we have nearly 730 students in our Pre-K programs and if you want to help to bring that joyous smile to their little faces again this year, contact the Lancaster ISD Communications Department before December 14th at info@lancasterisd.org or 972-218-1400.
News from the Fine Arts Department...
The Lancaster Tiger Steppers at WME to Host Family-Friendly, City Wide STOMP Show Competition
Are you ready to STOMP? The Lancaster ISD Tiger Steppers from West Main Elementary will host a STOMP Competition at Lancaster High School December 15, from 2-6p. Ticket prices are $10 presale, through Eventbrite and $15 at the door. STEP teams throughout the city have registered for this competition. Concessions and vendors will be on-site. This is a family friendly event you won’t want to miss. For more information, please email tigerstepper@gmail.com.
Additional Campus Winter Concerts...
Tuesday, December 18
Lancaster ISD Collaborative Holiday Extravaganza
Lancaster High School Auditorium
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Winter Program
Houston Elementary
Pre-Kindergarten – 2nd
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
Christmas Piano Recital
West Main Elementary
6:00 p.m.
3rd – 5th Grades
Winter Program
Pleasant Run Elementary
6:00 p.m.
Choir Program
Houston Elementary
7:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19
GWC Winter Concert
Lancaster High School
7:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 20
LMS Winter Concert
Elsie Robertson Middle School
7:00 p.m.
News From the School Health and Safety Departments...
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent flu. The tips and resources below will help you learn about steps you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. There are several flu vaccine options for the 2018-2019 flu season.
- Avoid close contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu and other serious respiratory illnesses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), are spread by cough, sneezing, or unclean hands.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
Tips on hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
• It’s a SNAP Toolkit: Handwashing
Hand washing resources from the It’s A SNAP program, aimed at preventing school absenteeism by promoting clean hands. From the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention, a collaborative project of the CDC, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Cleaning Institute.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)
Everyday preventive actions, like nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), are actions – apart from getting vaccinated or taking medicine – that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like influenza (flu)
Student Affairs/Parent Engagement Activities:
Lancaster ISD Students Food Donations Provides Thanksgiving Meal Baskets for 200 Families
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD
Just as Lancaster ISD students left for their Thanksgiving holiday week, the students carried an extra sense of pride knowing that they collectively donated enough food to feed 200 families in their community this year.
Over the course of two weeks in November, students at every campus were assigned a food item to donate to help fill the Thanksgiving dinner baskets as a part of a district wide service-learning project. Most campuses quickly met and some even exceeded their collection goals.
Lancaster High School students were tasked with collecting 400 boxes of stuffing amongst other items. Rolling Hills Elementary collected over 1100 cans of green beans. Other campuses donations included cranberry sauce, cream of chicken soup, cake mix, icing, corn, macaroni and mashed potatoes. Each basket also included a turkey to complete the meal.
Rolling Hills Principal Cherish Pipkins was overjoyed with her campus’ support of the project.
“It gave me chills to see how eager students and parents were to bring in can after can of green beans,” Pipkins said.
Lancaster ISD Director of Family and Student Outreach Services Lisa Hill said that this project taught students to serve others. She further stated that the students really cared about the cause for which they were collecting.
“I had a parent call me and share that her child wanted to buy 40 cans of cranberry sauce. I explained that the request was for each child to only bring two,” Hill said. “Ultimately, the parent saw her child’s desire to help and said ‘Well, I guess I am buying 40 cans of cranberry sauce’.”
Each November, Lancaster ISD students participate in a district-wide service learning initiative which reiterates the concepts of service to others above self. This year, it was a project that directly helped to feed and support the needs of some of their peers and their families.
Upon collection of the items, members of the Sister 2 Sister student mentoring organization decorated the boxes and some even helped with distribution to the 200 families on Friday.
“It made me feel good and gave me a sense of pride to serve my school and community,” Elsie Robertson Lancaster Middle School eighth grader, Anaya Hairston said. “It is important for students in our community to help others in our community. Youth, my age, can have an impact in the lives of those in need, especially when they see young people who care.”
Hairston’s younger sister, Gabrielle, an Elsie Robertson Lancaster Middle School seventh grader, saw the opportunity to serve the families from a different perspective.
“It was a joy to see the smiles on people faces. It was also a reminder to be grateful for all I have and what my parents provide,” Gabrielle said.
Helpful Information from the Texas Education Service Center Family and Parent Services Division
The winter holiday can be frantic but try to slow down. Focus on activities that can build memories for a lifetime rather than stuff that is quickly forgotten. I wish for you a happy holiday, sharing and caring for one another. Be sure to check out the November newsletter, The Parental & Family Engagement CONNECTION, which is available in English and Spanish and now Vietnamese.
This edition of the newsletter includes articles about Helping Your Child Manage Test Anxiety, Teen suicide, Get into the Spirit of Giving, Safety Tips, Coping with Holiday Depression, and Raising Happy “Successful” Children.
We Have Room for You! - Lancaster ISD Transportation Is Looking for Some Excellent Customer Service Professionals...
Community Partnership Events
Lancaster ISD Proudly Welcomed Leadership Southwest to its new Barack and Michelle Obama 9th Grade Campus
This year, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce brought the Leadership Southwest class to Lancaster ISD to tour the new Barack and Michelle Obama 9th Grade Campus on Wednesday. The group of about 40 professionals from various industries entered the building to the sound of beautiful music by the campus choir. They were guided throughout their visit by the JROTC and student ambassadors and even enjoyed a remarkable performance from the campus dance ensemble!
In addition to absorbing the beauty of the edifice, the guests were informed about the district's overall success, the campus heritage and culture and the excellent programs and systems designed to ensure success for every student.
The Leadership Southwest guests left Lancaster ISD to the melodious sounds of the freshman campus band and in awe of the great experiences and commitment of Lancaster ISD and that the Barack and Michelle Obama campus has for its students.
Upcoming District Events
Join Us for the Next Lancaster ISD School Board Meeting on December 13
Lancaster ISD & City of Lancaster Winter Wonderland Kindergarten Bash - December 18
The City of Lancaster Police, Fire and Public Safety departments have teamed up with Lancaster ISD to offer all Kindergarten students in the district the opportunity to participate in a Winter Wonderland experience at the Public Safety building located at 100 Craig Shaw Memorial Parkway, Lancaster, Texas on Tuesday, December 18th from 9 AM to 1 PM.
“This is a great way for us to give back to our schools in the community,” City Police Department Administrative Assistant and Lancaster ISD School Board Trustee LaRhonda Mays said. “Some students will never receive a gift during the holidays and this is a way we can make sure they at least get one gift.”
The event will feature appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as various municipal leaders dressed as elves. During the event students will receive a free gift as well as a bag of candy and popcorn. Every class will also have the opportunity to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“Partnering with the school district is a significant part of our plan to increase awareness of fire safety and employment opportunities in our fire services,” Lancaster Fire Chief Kenneth Johnson said. “I am so committed to this plan that I will be this year’s Santa Claus.”
This event will allow those in the Lancaster public safety building to give back to the community. Lancaster Police Chief Samuel Urbanski said partnering with the school is a perfect way to provide students with something for Christmas.
“We want to make sure our children in the community have something for Christmas but this becomes difficult once school is out for break,” Chief Urbanski said. “This gives us a chance to have a captive audience while they are still in school to provide them some cheer during the holidays.”
The mission of Lancaster ISD in collaboration with parents and communities is to ignite learning that translates into sustainable success for all students in an ever-changing society. Working with the public safety department in the community to provide students with events like this is part of accomplishing the district’s mission.
“We are excited to work with our city municipalities on events such as this,” Lancaster ISD Superintendent Elijah Granger said. “We look forward to this event and many more to come.”
Assistant Fire Chief Chris Youngman said young people many times see public officers as a threat. He feels that with them partnering with the school for things like this will help students see them as someone who is there to help them.
District Holiday - Winter Break
Early Release for the Holiday
In Lancaster ISD, our VISION is 2020!
Lancaster ISD Beliefs:
Equity
Equity in education is a human right.
Community
Educators, parents and students share in the responsibility of developing well-rounded individuals.
Quality
Engaged, relevant learning experiences provide for a quality education leading to a quality life.
Courage
Learning is a life-long process that is enhanced by taking risks.
Growth
A person has the capacity to learn from past experiences.
Purpose
Purposeful planning to meet individual student needs leads to intentional outcomes for student success.
The Mission of Lancaster ISD
Email: info@lancasterisd.org
Website: www.lancasterisd.org
Location: 422 S Centre Ave, Lancaster, TX, United States
Phone: 972-218-1400
Facebook: http://facebook.com/golancaster
Twitter: @LancasterISD