Westwood Way
Happenings In Panther Nation - May 2018
Panther Pride
Recently, I was watching a YouTube video of Lou Holtz on Leadership. At the 5:40 mark, he posed these three questions:
If I didn’t go home, who would miss me and why?
If I didn’t go to work, who would miss me and why?
If our organization went out of business, who would miss us and why?
As I listened, these questions generated deep thoughts and reflection. I have to be honest and admit that my first thoughts were personal and I spent time thinking about who would truly miss me and then I moved to why they would miss me. I believe it is valuable to spend time reflecting on both who and why but the power probably comes in the answer to the last part.
If people are authentically missing us, it is because we have developed a deep relationship by devoting ourselves to them. If we want an area of our life to have value, we invest in it by spending time and effort in developing it. This is especially true in developing relationships. People will miss us because we have added value to their lives and we are making a difference every day.
I would encourage you to be intentional in developing relationships. Search for ways that you can add value and make a difference in those around you!!
I have included a link to the video if you would like to watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k8oRjpaklg
Wade
School Board Update
During the March Board Meeting, the following items came before the School Board:
Phil Nedbalek presented an update on the operations and future plans for the transportation department.
Christine Bedre introduced data analysis by discussing the purpose behind it and also provided common definitions associated with data analysis.
The School Board and staff continued discussing the book Turning High-Poverty Schools into High-Performing Schools. The first part of Chapter 10 was discussed this month, and the board and staff will continue this discussion over the next several months.
The proposed 2018-2019 Instructional Calendar was presented as a 1st Reading. The administration and school board will continue to gather feedback from the staff and community and bring a final recommendation to the board at the April Board Meeting.
Policy Update 110 was presented as a 1st Reading. Policy Update 110 focuses on updating and reorganizing several policies addressing board member eligibility and qualifications, elections, and vacancies and removal from office. The board will review the update and this item will be presented for a vote at the April Board Meeting.
Tricia Wardell presented a 2017-2018 budget update that showed expenditures and remaining budget by function code.
The School Board unanimously approved the purchase of a 2018 Suburban, with a bid of $39, 500, from Cutshaw Chevrolet of Grapeland.
The School Board unanimously approved the purchase of a maintenance truck, with a bid not to exceed $33,827, from Hall GMC fo Tyler.
The School Board unanimously approved Wade Stanford to the Regional Advisory Committee Board at Region 7 Education Service Center.
The School Board acknowledged professional contracts as presented.
PEIMS
WISD PEIMS department has a new member! March 19th Amanda Kizer took the position as Elementary PEIMS Clerk. We are happy to have her on board.
Moving into April, we are wrapping up revisions for our online registration in preparation for 2018-2019 Pre-K and Kinder roundup. We have also been working with the technology department in finalizing the setup for our new Safe Arrival App. Spring is always a busy time preparing for the end of the year while looking forward to the year to come. We are pressing forward to improve not only our department but also the function and quality of PEIMS on a campus level.
Food Service
The last several weeks have been a whirlwind of activity for the Panther’s Food Service department. We are responding to the Texas Department of Agriculture’s review of our department and its activities. As many students and staff have noticed there were some changes to how and what are acceptable practices. The noticeable changes were no longer being able to provide bottled water or coffee to the students without a monetary charge and the increase in the adult meal price to cover the State and Federal reimbursement costs. The adult meal prices increased by 25 cents, and in the future, we will be able to sell water and coffee to the students.
The good news, tasty new menu items are being added to our selections each month. Our goal is to offer more fresh foods and choices on the lines to encourage the participation of both students and staff in our meal service. The Panther cafeterias are still the best place to eat for the value!
I want to recognize the dedicated Maintenance Staff members and the shared efforts of the Cafeteria staff for working over spring break to completely replace the walk-in freezer and cooler at the High School campus. They accomplished this feat while also repairing the large walk-in freezer unit at the Elementary campus. No child missed a meal, and no food was lost!
We are also working to requalify and continue the CEP (Community Eligibility Program) status for our district. The CEP status allows Westwood ISD to serve all district students as ‘free’ status breakfast and lunch. This is a much-needed program and is beneficial to all households in the district including our staff.
I look forward to answering any questions and taking suggestion concerning our Food Service; please feel free to contact me.
Facilities Services
Current Projects:
· Collecting bids for possible summer work
· Safety and Security Audit
· Improving accessibility at the stadium
· Improving outdoor lighting
· Improving door hardware for quicker intruder lockdown
Completed Projects:
· Moved teacher mailboxes at the Elementary
· Repaired all lighting at the baseball field
· Repaired entryway lights at the High School
· Installed new benches for tennis visitors
· Improved a sidewalk to meet accessibility needs at the Elementary
· Installed a new water heater at the Elementary
· Installed a new walk-in cooler/freezer at the High School
· Installed a new marquee sign at the softball field
· HVAC filter change