Cougar Community Newsletter
September 28, 2023
September 27, 2023 - Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees Meeting
Core Essential of the Month: Friendliness
Wisdom Rockett, a fourth grader at Jarrell Elementary School, wrote her essay about this month's Core Essential trait, Friendliness.
Cougar Champions
Our Cougar Champions of the month were recognized for their outstanding work.
- Jarrell Elementary recognized Khloe Estrada (Student), Daisy Gomez and Ruby Gamez (Dual Classroom Teachers)
- Igo Elementary recognized Dylan Mendoza (Student - not present) , Julie Faulkner (Staff - not present)
- Double Creek Elementary recognized Heriberto Sanchez Vasquez (Student - not present), Kacee Steinbeck (Staff)
- Jarrell Middle School recognized Diana Elena Belman-Guerrero (Student), Carla Clegg (Staff)
- Jarrell High School recognized Aley Bruner (Student), KC Hayes (Staff)
Khloe Estrada - Jarrell Elementary School
Daisy Gomez - Jarrell Elementary School
Ruby Gamez - Jarrell Elementary School
Kacee Steinbeck - Double Creek Elementary School
Carla Clegg - Jarrell Middle School
Aley Bruner - Jarrell High School
KC Hayes - Jarrell High School
Board Briefs
*All presentations are attached below*
Communication and Informational Items:
- Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks presented monthly student outcomes.
- Athletic Director Marty Murr presented his September athletic update.
- Sledge Engineering presented the monthly 2021 and 2023 Bond Update.
- Nick Spinetto gave an update about the 1916 Building History Committee and the interior designs they've chosen.
- Bob Templeton presented the newest demographic report.
-Action Items:
- Approved the consent agenda.
- Approved adopting changes the 2023 - 24 Board Operating Procedures.
- Approved ten non-business days in compliance with a new state law, HB 3033.
- Approved the 2023 Bond Elementary school #4 Schematic Design.
- Approved the 2023 Bond Elementary School #4 TEA Education Delivery Method.
- Tabled naming the new middle school.
- Approved the Certification of Unopposed Candidates for November 7, 2023 Board of Trustees Election for Place 1, Place 2, and Place 6. Place 3 has no candidates.
- Approved the Order of Cancelation of the November 7, 2023 Board of Trustees Election for Place 1, Place 2, Place 3, and Place 6.
- Approved joining a lawsuit regarding the TEA Accountability Rating System. Jarrell ISD joins as an intervenor in the lawsuit Kingsville Independent School District, et al. v Mike Morath, in his Official Capacity as Commissioner of Education.
- Approved hiring a new police officer. There is more information is below.
Communication & Informational Presentations
Action Items Presentations
Attendance Matters
Did you know missing 2 days a month means a student misses 10% of the school year? Being in school every day is critical to a student's success. To learn more about why attendance matters, watch the videos below.
Jarrell ISD Hires New Police Officer
At the September 27, 2023, Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the board unanimously voted to hire Valerie Adams as a police officer for the school district's new police department.
"Jarrell ISD is a leading advocate for public safety and the well-being of our students and staff. We're thrilled to hire highly skilled and dedicated police officers to be a part of our new ISD police department," said Board President Crystal Phalen.
Officer Adams most recently worked at the Liberty Hill ISD Police Department. She has law enforcement experience in school districts, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
"Hiring Officer Adams reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our staff and students while fostering positive relationships between police officers and the campuses they'll serve. She has nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience. I've previously worked with her, and she is an exceptional addition to the Cougar family," said Jarrell ISD Chief of Police Sharif Mezayek.
Officer Adams starts this week.
October Celebrations and Important Events
National Principals Month
Join us in celebrating our phenomenal Principals for the outstanding work they do daily. We appreciate and applaud you. We're happy to celebrate you all month long.
Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15th - October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the month long celebration, our students honor Hispanic Heritage Month by creating art celebrating the Hispanic culture and learning about famous artists/history makers who have broken barriers and made a difference.
Bully Prevention Month
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. Click on the link to learn more about our bully prevention information. Please remember, to use our Anonymous Alerts System to report bullying of any form.
2023 Homecoming King & Queen
Congratulations to Josiah Lopez & Kyndall Farmer.
The Addams Family
JHS Theatre students are performing The Addams Family School Edition in November. They are looking for elementary school students to be extras in the play. Click on the link to join the cast. http://bit.ly/jhsmusical. To buy tickets to the play, click on the image below.
Community Partnerships
Jarrell ISD is proud to partner with local organizations and businesses to offer our families additional educational opportunities and resources.
Healthy Kids Running Series
Grab a friend or two, and join the Healthy Kids Running Series. It's a 5-week youth running experience for ages 2-14 that promotes a healthy lifestyle! The first race is Sunday, October 1st.
Where: Jarrell Elementary Playground Area
Dates: Sundays - 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12, 11/26
Time: 3pm (We race youngest to oldest)
Cost: $45, includes a tech t shirt and week 5 finishers medal!
SIGN UP: https://runsignup.com/hkrsjarrell
Bluebonnet Trails
Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center
Farmers Market at JISD
The Farmers Market at JISD, is the first Saturday of every month. You can get up to 25 lbs of fresh produce for free! It's open to anyone at no cost to you!
It is at 508 N 5th St from 9 to 11 am.
Smart Tag Resources
Athletic Events
Clear Bag Policy
Got celebrations to share? Send them to Nicholas.Spinetto@jarrellisd.org.
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
Instagram: @Jarrell_ISD
Twitter: @Jarrell_ISD