The Plan Your Path parent presentation is virtual and can be viewed at your convenience. Both Nichols Middle School and Loflin Middle School students toured Joshua High School to get a sneak peek at the many pathways offered in Joshua ISD that they can choose from as a Freshman.

The Joshua ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the hire of Jeff Adams as Interim Superintendent during a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. Joshua ISD staff attended a brief meet and greet upon their return from winter break.

Mr. Adams was the Superintendent of Schools for Farmersville ISD from 2000 to 2020, and he also served as the Superintendent for Big Sandy ISD from 1998 to 2000. While serving as Superintendent, Mr. Adams' schools showed continuous improvement. In his tenure, his districts received above-state standard testing 100% of the time.

Mr. Adams also has experience as a Junior High Principal and Assistant High School Principal. He also has 10 years of experience as a Teacher and High School Coach at Hallsville ISD, New Boston ISD, Pittsburg ISD, and Big Sandy ISD.

Mr. Adams earned his Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master's in Administration with Mid-Management Certification from Stephen F. Austin State University. He also holds a Superintendent's Certification from SFA.

Mr. Adams will officially begin on January 9, 2023.

Congratulations to A.G. Elder Elementary student Tristan C. for winning the 3rd Annual JISD Spanish Spelling Bee! Emma G, also a student at A.G. Elder Elementary, placed 2nd, and Caddo Grove Elementary student Sergio V. rounded out the top 3. Great job to all who participated!

We are extremely proud of all the students who competed in the Elementary Academic UIL Competitions! The event included Story Telling, Oral Reading, Art, Music Memory, Creative Writing, Ready Writing, Spelling, Chess Puzzle, Number Sense, Social Studies, Spelling, Listening, Dictionary, Maps, Charts, and Graphs. The students were awarded certificates, ribbons, and medals in 13 different categories at the UIL Academic Awards Ceremony. Thank you to all of our parents and staff who helped these children get ready for the competition throughout the year!

The Joshua ISD Board of Trustees is in the preliminary phase of their search for our next Superintendent of Schools. The board values and encourages input from staff, parents, and community members to assist in developing a profile that will be used during the hiring process. Please fill out the confidential survey linked below. Your response is completely anonymous and goes directly to the search firm which will share the survey data with the Board of Trustees. The deadline to fill out the survey is February 22, 2023

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5Q5NJKF

Thank you for taking your time to complete the survey. Your feedback will help guide the Board to select a candidate that will further enhance the district for our students, staff and the community.

The Spirit of Joshua Band had record-breaking results at this past Saturday’s Region 30 TMEA All-Region Band auditions. In all, the band had 22 students make the All-Region Bands, with another 7 earning alternate spots. Earning seats where Lilly Couey, Addie Argumaniz, Riley Husch, Melody Sanchez, Shane Waits, Luke Breedlove, Layton Haydin, Chance Lightfoot, Jaxon Dial, Nick Smith, and Cutter McBride making the Symphonic Band. Also, Taryn Lane, Esther Aguirre, Isabella Kirchman, Joey Buhl, Stetson Turnbeaugh, Aiden Gresham, Noah Johnson, Ashton Wood, and Zach Tomlin all made the Concert Band. We also had Martin Castillo and Nathan Aguirre selected for the Freshman Band.

In addition, Addy Argumaniz, Shane Waits, Luke Breedlove, Layton Haydin, Chance Lightfoot, Ashton Wood, and Jaxon Dial all advanced to the area audition to compete for a seat in the TMEA All-State Band.

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

Life Saving Award

On Tuesday November 15th, 2022, two Nichols Middle School students identified as Melody Aris and Summer McCormick observed an unresponsive female student in the girl’s bathroom. The students immediately notified Mrs. Rodriguez, who responded to the restroom, crawled under the stall door to unlock the door, and positioned the student on her side. Officer Thomas Catron and Nurse Stacy Hopingardner were notified of the unresponsive student in the girl’s bathroom. Both Officer Catron and Nurse Hopingardner responded immediately and notified EMS to respond to campus. The student was found to be unresponsive with labored breathing. Nurse Hopingardner administered “NALOXONE”, which caused the student to respond. The student went unresponsive again upon arrival of the EMTs and was transported to a local hospital.

I truly believe that due to proper training and the quick response of Nurse Hopingardner and Officer Catron, they in fact saved a human life.

Loflin 8th Grade "A" Team Volleyball Take 2nd Place in Lonestar 8 District

Congratulations to Loflin Middle School's 8th Grade A Girls Volleyball team, which was recognized for winning 2nd Place in Lonestar 8 District Volleyball. Team members include Cady Cory, Brynn Dodd, Kaylee Elrod, Rebecca Duran, Aly Merino, Presley Noojin, Whitney Roy, Evelyn Tate, Savannah Tammell, Heidi Walker, and Coach Bonnie Brooks.

Joshua NROTC Drill Teams

Joshua’s NJROTC has advanced to compete at the state level which will be held on February 24-25, at Texas A&M, College Station. The teams have attended competitions this year at Smithson Valley High School, La Vega High School, and Lehman High School all located in the central Texas area. Drill competitions include Academics, Physical Fitness, Personnel Inspection, Color Guard, Unarmed Drill Regulation, Unarmed Drill Exhibition, Armed Drill Regulation, and Armed Drill Exhibition. Drill Team Members include:

Seniors-Brandon Ellis, Austin Hill, and Sean McWilliams

Juniors-Ryland Aguzzi, Hunter Cook, James Jackson, Garrett Weber, and Courtney Womack

Sophomores-Clara Campbell, Emma Hand, and Haley Prescott

Freshmen-Aden Bohon, Rose Brown, Ashton Elliott, Brodee Jackson, Colton Weber, Wyatt Weber, and Clryssa Wood.

Joshua NROTC Rifle Teams

There are 700 NJROTC units worldwide, divided into 13 Areas. Joshua is in Area 10, which has 68 units. After a pre-qualification match in October, the 17 most competitive programs in Area 10 sent their top marksmen to Joshua, who hosted the championship from December 1st through 3rd. Joshua’s marksmen simply dominated in the two competition categories of Precision and Sporter, placing 1st and 2nd in both. Additionally, the top eight individual shooters in each category squared off for finals on the last day of the competition. Thirteen of the 16 finalists were Joshua marksmen.

1st Place Precision Team: Cadets Nolan Sharp, Carter Trahan, Brooklyn Reames, and Aren Golleher.

2nd Place Precision Team: Cadets Jaren Vickers, Christian Vyers, Hunter White, and Jaxon Bunch.

1st Place Sporter Team: Cadets Riley Woods, Hayden Miller, Sam Garci,a and Nathan Catoe.

2nd Place Sporter Team: Cadets Triston Rodrigues, Alex Glenn, Aidan Warmath, and Gavin Ross.

Precision 1st Place Individual Brooklyn Reames

Precision 2nd Place Individual Aren Golleher

Precision 3rd Place Individual Jaxon Bunch

Precision 4th Place Honorable Mention Diego Farzam

Sporter 2nd Place Individual Cadet Alex Glenn

Sporter 3rd Place Individual Cadet Riley Woods

Sporter 4th Place Honorable Mention Nathan Catoe

The teams will be traveling to Sandy, Utah in February to represent Area 10 for the Navy National Championship.

Joshua High School Theatre

The Texas International Thespian Festival hosts competitions in Grapevine and San Antonio, where over 10,000 students attend workshops and compete in different areas of Theatre.

Dani Bernard competed in the Texas Only Event for Props competition and was a top 8 Finalist with her prop for our Shrek Musical.

Russell Hollins and Ava Justice competed in the Monologue competition and were ranked Superior, making them National Qualifiers.

Kennedi Boren, and Jewell Bullard competed in the Acting Duet competition and were ranked Superior, making them National Qualifiers.

Congratulations to these students for competing at such a high level.

The National Qualifier's will compete in Indiana in June.

Joshua FFA Public Relations Team

The FFA Public Relations team placed 1st at the Burleson Centennial Invitational, 1st at the Tarleton Invitational, 2nd at the Chisholm Trail District, 2nd at the Area VIII contest, and ranked in the top 24 teams in the State of Texas.

Team members include Caroline Moffitt, Macey Boroson, Hunter McKenzie, Lexie Tucker, and Emery Jarrell.

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

Joshua High School All Region Band

The Board recognized members of the Spirit of Joshua band for their record-breaking results at the Region 30 TMEA All-Region band auditions held on Saturday, December 10th. In all, the band had 22 students make the All-Region Bands, with another 7 earning alternate spots. Earning seats for Symphonic Band were Lilly Couey, Addie Argumaniz, Riley Husch, Melody Sanchez, Shane Waits, Luke Breedlove, Layton Haydin, Chance Lightfoot, Jaxon Dial, Nick Smith, and Cutter McBride. Earning seats for Concert Band were Taryn Lane, Esther Aguirre, Isabella Kirchman, Joey Buhl, Stetson Turnbeaugh, Aiden Gresham, Noah Johnson, Ashton Wood, and Zach Tomlin. Martin Castillo and Nathan Aguirre were selected for the Freshman Band. Selected as alternates were Cadan Moran, Sophie Rodriguez, Tibor Hollman, Addison Zalazny, Julian Bustamante, Kellan Flannigan, and Allison Boyanton. In addition, Addy Argumaniz, Shane Waits, Luke Breedlove, Layton Haydin, Chance Lightfoot, Ashton Wood, and Jaxon Dial all advanced to the area audition to compete for a seat in the TMEA All-State Band.

Loflin Middle School All-Region Band

The Board recognized Loflin Middle School band students that participated in the Region 30 All-Region Band audition process. This year there were nearly 1,200 students in attendance at these auditions. It is truly an honor to earn a seat in the All-Region band, especially in Region 30. Loflin MS had three students earn a seat in this year’s All-Region Band. The students earning a spot were as follows: Aryan Hossain, Jordan Bustamante, and Tobias Hollmann.

Nichols Middle School All-Region Band

The Board recognized Nichols Middle School band students that participated in the Region 30 All-Region Band audition process. Nichols had a record number of students participate in this audition. This year there were nearly 1,200 students in attendance. It is truly an honor to earn a seat in the All-Region band, especially in Region 30. Nichols MS had eleven students earn a seat in this year’s All-Region Band which is a school record. The students earning a spot were as follows: Amaya Washington on flute, Mariana Dominguez and Charleson Loeak on clarinet, Lucas Hutto on bassoon, Zoe Smith and Connor Hait on saxophone, Austin Edge and Brody Dunson on trumpet, Jacob Fuchs on horn, and Demetrius Folsom and Matthew Carter on tuba.

Joshua ISD School Board of Trustees

The Joshua ISD School Board of Trustees were recognized in honor of “School Board Appreciation Month”. The love and dedication that these individuals have for the Joshua Community does not go unnoticed. They continue to help us move forward, so Joshua ISD will remain to be a highly acclaimed model of educational excellence.

During our professional development day, our staff attended a required workshop for CRASE training.

CRASE-Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events is a class that prepares a person to respond to an active shooter or active attack event. The class discusses the disaster response mindset focusing on denial, deliberation, and decisive action. Throughout the class, they are taught techniques to quickly progress through denial and into the deliberation phase where a course of action is formulated and then put into action through decisive action. Additionally, they review several historical events to learn attacker profiles and the need for good situational awareness.

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.