Get in the holiday spirit with the Spirit of Joshua Band. They will be performing their annual Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 15th, 2022, at 7 pm at Acker Auditorium.

Featuring:

Concert Band-Brandt McKinzey Conductor

NRG Jazz Band-Stephen Smoot Conductor

Symphonic Band-Lonnie Foster Conductor

Honor Band-Stephen Smoot Conductor

Christmas is just around the corner and so is Winter Break!

Joshua ISD will have an Early Release on Wednesday, December 21st.

Elementary Schools: 12:15 pm

Middle and High Schools: 1 pm

All campuses and district offices will be closed from December 22nd-January 6th. In addition, January 9th is a Teacher Workday/Student Holiday. We hope our families have a safe and happy holiday break!

Joshua ISD is grateful to those that participated in the Angel Tree drive. We had 484 angels this year! It's because of your generosity that we are able to do this. We would like to thank each of you for all that you do to support our district!

Families in Joshua ISD's Emergent Bilingual program are invited to our inaugural Emergent Bilingual Family Night on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 6-7 pm at the R.C. Loflin Middle School Cafeteria (please enter through Door #5.)

Please join us for our first annual family night to celebrate the languages in our community and learn about district assessments and resources. We will serve nachos.

Discussion topics include:

• Student Presentations
• TELPAS and STAAR Testing
• Instructional Support and Resources
• Family Literacy Program
• Adult ESL Classes

Please fill out this form if you would like to attend:

https://bit.ly/3Fu0PMA

The Plan Your Path parent presentation will be on January 12, 2023, at 6:00 pm. The parent's presentation will be virtual again this year.

The student field trips will be as follows:

Nichols Middle School, January 18th

Loflin Middle School, January 19th

Students will get a sneak peek at the many pathways offered in Joshua ISD that they can choose from as a Freshman. They will tour facilities and have the opportunity to ask questions to current high school students and teachers.

The 8th graders from Nichols Middle School spent their Wednesday morning away from campus for a great cause!

Students and staff participated in the "NMS Acts of Service" field trip, stopping by various locations, businesses, and charitable organizations across Joshua and Burleson to provide community service. They focused on the importance of being good citizens and serving others. Services ranged from spending time with elementary students, working in gardens, picking up trash at parks, serving as Salvation Army bell ringers, and so much more!

On December 2, Joshua Navy ROTC hosted the Area 10 Rifle Championship, which includes some of the best rifle teams in Texas. Joshua Sporter and Precision Rifle teams took the top two spots in each category, as well as third place in Precision.

Congrats to our students and instructors Lt. Col. Jim Davidson and Master Chief Charles Linville!

The Joshua Sweetheart Dance Team and Royal Belles' performed at the Dallas Holiday Park Saturday, December 3rd! The ladies did a fantastic job on a cold, but memorable day!

The Joshua FFA Public Relations Team competed at the State LDE event at Sam Houston State University on December 2nd, and placed in the top 24 teams in Texas!

Teams members include- Caroline Moffitt, Macey Boroson, Hunter McKenzie, Lexie Tucker, and Emery Jarrel.

Our Annual Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon was a huge success! We had over 130 seniors attend this year. Thank you to all who attended, honored guests, and staff! The event included a chance to reconnect with our seniors, a welcome message from Superintendent Marek, a performance from the Joshua High School Choir, and food prepared by the Child Nutrition Department!

STEAM Week allows students to study science and math on another level. In science, they worked with organisms and how they adapt to different environments to survive. While with math, they researched the many different environments of leaves to predict their growth. All elementary campuses participated in these activities throughout STEAM Week.

The Joshua ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hire of Kyle Smoke as the new Assistant Principal of Loflin Middle School during Monday night's regularly scheduled meeting.

Mr. Smoke was previously an 8th Grade Math teacher at Loflin Middle School. Smoke came to us from Burleson ISD where he taught 6th Grade Social Studies and before that, he taught 6th Grade Reading at Birdville ISD. He spent time working for MurphyNasica managing portfolios for clients as well as Data Collection.

Mr. Smoke received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas-Dallas, Certification Preparation Program from ACT Houston at Dallas, and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas.

During their regular November meeting, the Joshua ISD Board of Trustees recognized several students and staff for their recent accomplishments.

Spelling Bee Champion Leo Shoemake

The Board congratulated Leo Shoemake, a fifth grader from Caddo Grove Elementary, for winning the District Spelling Bee on November 4th. Leo won in the 22nd round by correctly spelling the word "Smidge."

Nichols Middle School 8th Grade Volleyball A Team

The Board recognized the Nichols Middle School 8th Grade Volleyball A team for their undefeated season that led to back-to-back District Champion titles. Players recognized were: Jolie Cox, Dillyn Hammons, Braedyn Holland, Lauren Jones, Madilyn Lacey, Irene Loeak, Kenlee Mason, Zaylee Masters, Baylie McClinton and Ruby Vincent.

Nichols Middle School 8th Grade Volleyball B Team

Nichols Middle School 8th Grade Volleyball B Team

The Board honored the Nichols Middle School 8th grade Volleyball B Team for their District Champion title earned this season. Players recognized were: Kaylee Corral, Brinley Gray, Braighley McBeath, Isla McDaniel, Austyn Miller, Naomi Ortiz, Faith Rice, Leilanie Sam, Julia Stewart, Anna Terrell and Kaitlyn Van Riper.

Middle School Elite Choir Students

The Board recognized members of the Loflin Middle School and Nichols Middle School choirs that represented Joshua ISD at the Region 30 middle school choir clinic and concert on November 5. These students were part of the 340 out of 1,002 students that were selected for the elite choir after auditioning in October. Students recognized were: Haven Riggs (LMS), Shelby Horn (NMS), Carlyanne Lummus (NMS), Jenna Milotte (NMS) and Aubrie Castilleja (NMS).

The Joshua FFA was well-represented at the Holiday Classic Jackpot Show & Clinic in Belton. It was a full weekend of learning, fellowship, and fierce competition.

Results are as follows:

Steers:

Caden Graham- Reserve Grand Champion Steer!!

Reserve Champion Novice Showmanship.

1st place class 1 ABC. Champion ABC

Lexie Tucker- 3rd place Class 1 British

McKenzie Mounger- 1st place class 1 Exotic.

Novice Showmanship Finalist

Montana Aikman- 3rd class 3 exotic

Goats:

Mikah Wallace- 1st place and Medium Weight Division Champion

Maggie Eggleston - 1st place

Camille Peters- 1st & 2nd place

Greyson Boedeker- 2nd place & 5th place Novice Showmanship

Caden Graham- 2nd place

Jarik Bond- 3rd place

Carson Graham- 3rd place

Brylee Rheames- 3rd place

Alyx Walker- 3rd place

Michaela Baxter- 4th place & Reserve Champion Novice Showmanship

Danielle Hernandez- 4th place

Easton Story- 4th place

Payton Walker- 5th place

Hailey Mitchell- 6th place

Sheep:

Taylin Bernard- 1st place & Reserve Champion Dorper

Dani Bernard- 1st place Southdown

Jasmine Watson- 8th place MW

Salena Watson- 12th place MW

Hailey McCready- 12th place MW

Heifers:

Lexie Tucker- 3rd place Class 2 Exotic

Pigs:

Cassidy Clancy- 4th place

Ryder Aikman- 3rd place

Cimarron Aikman- 5th place

Jose Jiminez- 5th place

Alex Jiminez- 3rd place

Emery Jarrel- 3rd & 5th place

As a reminder: parents, students, and community members can report bullying in Joshua ISD using three platforms:

StayAlert

STOPit

Let's Talk

Effective Friday, September 23rd, Joshua ISD implemented a Clear Bag Policy for all JISD home athletic events to further ensure the safety of all students, spectators, and workers. Exceptions include bags for credentialed media, medical necessities, and diaper bags after inspection at the gate. Please see the graphic for additional information.

Joshua ISD has implemented iWatchTexas. iWatchTexas is a system to report suspicious activity in the state, including criminal, terroristic, or school safety-related threats to law enforcement. This site is not designed to report emergencies. If you should have an emergency, call 911. Every report will be reviewed by analysts. This report should take less than 5 minutes to complete.