Cougar Community Newsletter
Community Newsletter - April 21, 2021
Board Briefs
At the April 21 meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board began the meeting by recognizing district-wide celebrations, including Administrative Professionals Day; 2020-21 Employees-of-the-Year; the One-Act-Play; the Jarrell Middle School and Jarrell High School band programs; as well as student accomplishments in the Tennis, Track and Field, FFA, and Academic UIL programs.
During Cougars Roar, 29 students and staff were celebrated during Cougars Roar. Each received a certificate and a “Proud Jarrell Cougar” yard sign.
Igo Elementary: Alyssa Merrill, Evelyn Salas, William Wood, and Jack Nunis (students); Martha Diaz (staff)
Jarrell Elementary: Macsonny Le (student) and Mahaley Walker (staff)
Jarrell Middle School C.J. Larremore (student) and Mandy Crane (staff)
Jarrell High School: Heather Padilla (student) and Tara Granberry (staff)
Academic All-State Girls Athletics: Andrea Barrientos, Jasmine Benavidez, Carrie Clawson, Crystal Collins, Ta'Lincia Dewitte, Colleen Dundas, Rachel Harville, Reina Lawson, Macy Taber, Melissa Tschoerner, Danna Verastegui, Alexiz Quintanilla.
Academic All-State Boys Athletics: Aden Edgar, Gabriel Macedo, Weston Miller, Cole Rogers, Brennam Wilson, and Joseph Woolsey.
The Board unanimously approved the consent agenda:
Minutes of the March 10 and March 31 meetings
Budget Amendment
Financial Reports
Check Register
Principal's Report
Enrollment Report
The following items were addressed by Dr. Hicks during Communications:
COVID-19 update - While Williamson County is in stage Orange, JISD cases remain low with less than 1 percent.
Bond Communication Update - To date, Dr. Hicks has hosted 23 meetings to educate the community about the Bond Election. Three presentations were provided online with one presentation in Spanish and English. The district also distributed factual information through a 5 minute video, 80 signs, 5,000 flyers, 1 banner, two news media outlets and social media posts.
The Board unanimously approved Option 1 for the 2021-22 Academic Calendar, as presented by Director of Instructional Support Vanessa Ashcraft. Option 1 was the overwhelming choice by the community. We celebrate the high level of feedback received on the calendar.
Executive Director of Human Resources, Pennee Hall, reviewed the results of the staffing survey, which was conducted last December.
New Positions
The Board unanimously approved the following new positions for the 2021-22 school year:
17 Teachers
1 Assistant Principal
2 Dean of Students
1 Counselor
1 LSSP or Diagnostician
1 Speech Language Pathologist Assistant
New Hires
The Board unanimously approved the hiring of Kelly Blair as principal for Jarrell Middle School and Andrea David as the director of special education for the district.
The next regular Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Admin Annex.
CELEBRATIONS
Waitrek Takes 5th at Regional UIL Meet
10 Head To Regional Track Meet
Jarrell ISD is very proud to send 10 students to the Regional Track Meet! From the men’s team: Emerson Kirby - Shot Put, Discus; Joseph Shamburger- 4X200, 110H, 300H and Triple Jump; DJ Warren- 4X200, Long Jump; Jake Brown- 4X200; Jamarri Price- 4X200; Alek Castro- 4X200; and Khi’Ryn Tillman Johnson- 4X200.
From the women’s team, advancing to Regionals are: Jasmine Benavidez - 800m run, 1600m run; Saniya Anderson - 800m run; and Gianna Wilson - 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles.
One-Act-Play Students Honored
Jarrell High School’s One-Act-Play made history and competed at Regionals last week. Although they did not advance to State, Leo Chavez won Honorable Mention All-Star Cast and Heather Padilla won All-Star Cast. Valerie Wiatrek won Outstanding Technician as our Lighting Technician.
News and Information
Andrea David to Serve as Special Education Director
The Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees approved Andrea David as the district’s director of Special Programs to oversee special education services.
“As a former dyslexia teacher, Ms. David brings valuable insight to this important position. Under her leadership, the special education department will collaborate with students, families, staff, and the community, to ensure all students are on paths toward bright and meaningful futures,” Dr. Toni Hicks said.
Ms. David is currently serving as principal of Jarrell Elementary School where she’s led since November of 2018. She served as an assistant principal for five years in Jarrell ISD. During her career, she has also worked as a reading interventionist, dyslexia specialist, second grade teacher, and pre-k teacher.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support student learning in this role,” Ms. David said. “My passion has always been centered around serving students and it will be an honor to continue to do so as the director of special education.”
Ms. David earned a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s of education specialization in reading instruction from Texas State University and her principals certification from Lamar University.
Kelly Blair Chosen to Lead Jarrell Middle School
The Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees approved Kelly Blair as the new principal for Jarrell Middle School at their meeting on April 21.
“We welcome Ms. Blair to the Cougar Family!” Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. “Ms. Blair is an experienced campus leader and passionate educator. Her proven ability to implement professional learning communities and build collaborative teams focused on individual student success made her the right choice to lead Jarrell Middle School.”
Ms. Blair is currently serving as the principal of Rockdale Junior High, where she’s been since 2016. Previously, she served as an assistant principal at the elementary and middle school levels and taught math and science at the middle school level.
“I am deeply honored for the opportunity to serve as principal at Jarrell Middle School,” Ms. Blair said. “I am eager to meet with students, staff, and the community to learn how I can best support them in this role. Our partnerships will be essential as we continue improving student outcomes for all!”
Ms. Blair earned an associate’s degree from Temple Junior College, a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree from Lamar University.
Meet-and-Greet with Coach Marty Murr on April 28 from 5-6 p.m.
Tell your friends: Job Fair on April 29 from 5-7 p.m.
Come to the job fair and meet the principals from Jarrell High School, Jarrell Middle School, Jarrell Elementary, and Igo Elementary and department directors for Transportation, Custodial, Maintenance, and Food Service. Bring your resume.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrollment Days
Packet Pick-up is May 3-7 at Igo and Jarrell Elementary. All paperwork should be completed at home. Call your child's school and set up an appointment at Igo Elementary on May 18 from 2-7 p.m. and Jarrell Elementary on May 19 from 2-7 p.m. Only completed packets with all of the required documentation will get processed during scheduled appointments.
Two-Way Dual Language Program: Opportunities for children to become bilingual, bicultural, biliterate
Informational video English and Spanish.
Contact Esmeralda.Espericueta@jarrellisd.org for more information about this great program.
Scholarship Database Available for Seniors
Register Today! Healthy Kids Running Series
Summer Meal Program Begins June 1
Children need nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive — even when school is out
With the Summer Meal Programs, children and teens ages 18 and younger, and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old can continue to eat healthy throughout the summer at no cost.No form of identification is required, kids simply show up. Meal service begins June 1, the meal site will be Igo Elementary.
We will be serving breakfast & lunch for Summer School/Summer Feeding serving breakfast from 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. and lunch service from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Events
- April 19-27 Early Voting (No Sunday Voting)
- May 1 - Election Day
- May 19 - Board of Trustees Meeting, Admin Annex, 6:30 p.m.
- May 27 - Last Day of School
- May 27 - Graduation, Cougar Stadium, 8 p.m. (capacity limit = four guests per graduate)
- May 31 - Memorial Day
- June 1 - Summer Meal Program Begins
About Jarrell ISD
Email: communications@jarrellisd.org
Website: www.jarrellisd.org
Location: 108 East Avenue F, Jarrell, TX, USA
Phone: 512-746-2124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JarrellIndependentSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @Jarrell_ISD
Got celebrations to share? Send them to communications@jarrellisd.org. Thank you!