Thank you for reading the first Growl newsletter of the 2017-2018 school year.

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McGregor Primary staff recently launched a supply drive to collect cleaning supplies for victims of Hurricane Harvey. Parents, staff members and local community members responded well to the campus’ effort when they donated enough funds to fill the entire bed of a pickup truck with supplies. The trash bags, mold cleaners, bleach, buckets and dish soaps were delivered to Huffman, Texas, where McGregor graduate Molly Hutchinson Smith’s home and neighborhood was flooded. Smith and her brother traveled back to McGregor to pick up the supplies and were overwhelmed by the support. Principal Cheri Zacharias explained that most of the homes in the Smith’s neighborhood were flooded and ruined on the inside, needing complete interior remodels.

The primary campus was not alone in its relief efforts. The officers of the high school’s National Honor Society organized a lunchtime fundraiser where they raised over three hundred dollars for the American Red Cross. Other efforts included the student council officers manning a booth at a football game where they raised just over three hundred dollars for the Texas High School Coaches Association Benevolence Fund and change drives at the elementary and junior high campuses.

The cleaning supplies collected by McGregor Primary to benefit families affected by Hurricane Harvey filled the bed of a pickup truck.

McGregor High School National Honor Society Officers Sonny Marquez, Cooper McCauley, Kennedy Hogan and Raven Carter collecting donations for the American Red Cross.

McGregor Elementary students Jase Taylor, Jadyn Austin, Aaron Austin and Kendall Alls present the proceeds of their campus change drive, a check for six hundred dollars, to HEB for disaster relief.

Kindergarten students receive their first activity from Mrs. Porter on August 15th.

Kiddos snag one last hug with mom and dad on the first day of school.

The 4th graders at McGregor Elementary enjoyed observing the solar eclipse by use of the cereal box pinhole viewers they made in Mrs. Foster's science class.

Students who read at least 8 books over the summer received a free snowball from Main Street Sno-balls in downtown McGregor. These cool readers are pictured below. Congratulations!

Cristian Guerra

Mickey Cook

Emma Barr

Ruben Sanchez

Andy Beiza

Kyla Shoppach

Alismar Pevia

Angalie Olvera

Abigail Nunez

Aracely Martinez-Salas

Javier Rebollar

Abrianna Cook

Bryan Suarez

Lydia Gonzalez

Evelyn Martinez

Haleigh Lanmon

Makenzie Hamilton

Madilynn Hamilton

Samantha Alvarez

Samuel Diaz

Raeven Millsap

Tracer Rice
Jillian Salazar
Shayla Craig
Tommy Marsters
Jacob Bell

McGregor Primary hosted a "Bulldog Tailgating" style burger luncheon on September 21st for Staff Appreciation Day. PEIMS coordinator Andrea Wright created the sign for the food table.

Elementary staff dressed up like their favorite super hero during Homecoming spirit week.

Junior high staff and students viewing the solar eclipse through their protective glasses on August 21st.

Front Row: Rylee, Galelia, Lena, Kaylee, Mollye and Karina

Second Row: Mascot Angelina, Daniela, Katherine, Selene, Aleah, Zoie and Jacky

Third Row: Paige

Not Pictured: Kati Paschall, Manager

Fourteen Bulldog Pride members attended the Texas A&M University Commerce (TAMU) Commerce Leadership Camp on June 18th through June 22nd. The camp was a three-part experience that taught Drum Majors, Colorguard and general leadership skills in performance, marching, leading and motivation.

The following students were fortunate to attend sessions led by Frank Troyka, education director for Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corp, Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, motivational and team dynamics expert and Koji Mori, former drum major for Phantom Regment Drum and Bugle Corps.

Drum Majors

Elizabeth Grace (Head) and Kennedy Hogan (Assistant)

Colorguard members

Adriana Macedo (Captain), Haley D'Angelo, Perla Reynoso, Breely Pabst and Nayeli Rodriguez

Drill Instructors

Dawson Brown, Marissa Licea, Frank Olvera, Sam Dutschmann, Seth Byas, Jacob Grace and Jocelyn Salazar

McGregor High School Senior Bertha Palma has been named a National Hispanic Scholar. Bertha received the news in March 2017 that she had scored in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT among all Hispanic and Latino test-takers in her region. As a result, she was invited to participate in the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP).

Bertha completed the online application process in the spring and has since been patiently waiting for the results. A letter addressed to High School Principal Seth Fortenberry on September 5th, 2017, declared Bertha’s application status as “Complete.”

Bertha is one of the 2% of Hispanic/Latino students recognized by the NHRP that took the PSAT/NMSQT their junior year. To be eligible to apply, Bertha had to achieve the minimum required PSAT/NMSQT selection index score in her region and earn a GPA of at least 3.5 by the middle of their junior year.

The 2017 McGregor High School homecoming court was presented during halftime of the McGregor vs. Mart football game on September 15th. The court included four Queen nominees and three Duchesses that were escorted by their fathers. Connie, escorted by her Father, Arturo, was crowned 2017 Homecoming Queen. Connie is a participant of the Peer Assistance and Leadership Program, a state band qualifier for three years and a class officer for three years.

Duchesses: Maria Z., Vanessa D. and Sydney K.

Princesses: Paige J., Connie M., Paige L. and Zoila V.

McGregor High School Senior Cooper M. was recently selected as the male recipient of the Burton Lawless Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship. Cooper was honored at a banquet held in conjunction with the Grant Teaff FCA golf tournament held at Ridgewood Country Club. He is pictured below with his father, Todd, his mother, Amy, and Grant Teaff, former Head Football Coach of Baylor University. Cooper is acting president of the McGregor Chapter of the F.C.A. and participates in football, powerlifting, golf and track.

Members of the McGregor High School student body recently participated in the annual “See You at the Pole.” The event is a non-denominational gathering in which students assemble at the flagpole to pray, hear a message and fellowship. Speakers at this year’s event were Cooper McCauley, a McGregor High School senior, and Cade Zacharias, a junior at McGregor High School.

McGregor ISD received a grant from the McGregor ISD Education Foundation and the Region 12 Technology Foundation in early spring to implement a Makerspace on each campus. These makerspaces are collaborative work environments where students use high and low tech materials to create and solve problems. Current materials in use by MISD students include but are not limited to 3D printers, snap circuits, building blocks, legos, robots, coding technology, cardboard connectors, 3D pens and hot glue. Keep up with the Growl to see more creations by McGregor ISD students!