August 24, 2017
This week we welcomed another record number of students back for a new school year. It's always a joy to see the excitement on the faces of our students as they meet their teachers, tour their campuses, greet fellow classmates and get ready to learn.
 

On the first day of classes, I dropped by the Belton Early Childhood School to see our youngest learners as they started on their educational journey. There was a lot of excitement and even a few tears. (I consoled both students and moms.) It was a great way to start the new school year.
 
Those first day emotions aren't unique in and of themselves, but the educational experience that Belton ISD students will have this year is unique. It's a product of our culture, our mindset and our commitment.
 
Tomorrow, the Tigers will open their season with a scrimmage against Leander here at Tiger Field. It's always exciting to watch our student athletes take the field for the first time each year. It's even more exciting to see how the community comes together to support not just our football team but also the band, cheerleaders, dance team, trainers, and all of the students who make a Friday night at Tiger Field unlike anything else.
 
That's the culture we're building: a welcoming and inclusive learning environment where every kid has the opportunity to discover their passions and hone their talents - where every kid is a winner.
 
The reality is that we don't just build culture in the classroom. The success of our culture is also a reflection of this community's support for our kids.
 
The performances that you see at Tiger Field - from that great block on a critical play to the fight song that gets you on your feet - are the result of hours of practice and hard work. They reflect our students' growth mindset, a belief that with hard work they can develop their talents.
 
It's a mindset that our teachers share too. At the beginning of this month, more than 900 teachers and paraprofessionals participated in a two-day professional development conference organized by our curriculum department. It was an incredible way to get ready for our students, and it demonstrated that our educators are just as committed to honing their craft as our students.
 
And that commitment makes all the difference.
 
Those pre-kindergarten students that I met on Monday will graduate from high school in 2031. I don't know exactly what the world will look like then, but as they head off to college or start their career, some of the options that they're considering will be in fields that don't exist today.
 
Our commitment is to prepare them to excel in that world. That's our vision as a school district, and with your continued support, I'm confident that we'll be successful.
 
This is going to be a great year in Belton ISD!
 
Sincerely,

Susan Kincannon, Ed.D.
Superintendent


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Belton ISD employees gathered at the Bell County Expo Center for Convocation 2017 last week to celebrate a new school year. The Marching 100, Magic Belles, and cheerleaders performed, and the Marine Corps Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors. Our wonderful Sparta Tiger Choir gave an enthusiastic performance!

This year's theme was "Culture. Mindset. Commitment."  Quotes from each campus principal and department leader about this year's theme were shared with employees.
We are looking forward to another great year for all our athletes! Football, tennis, cross country, and volleyball teams are all working hard and competing in scrimmages until their regular seasons get underway. GO TIGERS!
The 5th Annual Belton Educational Enrichment Foundation (BEEF) Red Carpet Event will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Tenroc Ranch Blue Heron in Salado. The social and silent auction will begin at 6:00 p.m. and dinner catered by Pappasito's Cantina, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Please click here for additional details and sponsorship opportunities. We hope you will join us for the Foundation's annual fundraising event as they fulfill their mission to award grants to teachers and paraprofessionals and scholarships to graduating seniors.  
Message from the School Board President:

Our Schools! Our Community!
 
We have enjoyed a wonderful beginning to the school year with a record number of students again this year. It is always rewarding to see the excitement on the faces of our students as they meet their teachers, tour their schools, and engage in the learning process. Many of our Belton Tigers have already been practicing and competing for several weeks, demonstrating great dedication and pride. It's going to be a great year for our kids!
 
A smooth beginning to the school year does not happen by accident. It is the result of good planning and preparation by our administrators, teachers, coaches and staff. We are fortunate in Belton to have a great team working together to provide opportunities for our students to excel and succeed!
 
There are so many ways that our Big Red Community has come together to support the beginning of the school year. There have been numerous volunteers and Fort Hood soldiers assisting in our schools, and several efforts to collect school supplies, all providing assistance for our kids. Again this year hundreds of volunteers, along with numerous churches and businesses in our community worked together with Project Apple Tree to provide new clothing and school supplies for over 1,300 Belton students. This remarkable service is making a positive difference for our kids!
 
Another example of good planning was evident as your school board approved a balanced budget that will meet the needs of our students and help us achieve our ambitious goals, with the added bonus of approving a tax rate significantly lower than anticipated and authorized by our voters. This was possible despite the failure of the Legislature to provide any meaningful taxpayer relief or improvement in the equity and adequacy of funding for public schools. We have been committed to addressing our growth needs in a fiscally responsible way, and the recent sale of bonds to fund our new schools was successful because of good planning by our staff and financial advisors.

Press release regarding bond sale.
 
We want to encourage everyone to continue to find ways to engage in our schools. Partnerships between our schools and the community are vital to a successful experience for our children. There are many ways to get involved and support our kids, including joining a PTA or booster club, volunteering at a school, or cheering at a ball game or concert. I look forward to seeing you there!
 
Thank you for your support of our students, our schools and our community. Together we are making a difference for our kids, our schools, and our community!

I Love Belton!

Randy Pittenger
President, Board of Trustees


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We are so proud of the community's effort to support our children. Volunteers worked hard buying and sorting clothing and supplies up until distribution day, when over 1.300 students received a backpack, school supplies and an outfit for their first day of school. Jeannette Kelley started Project Apple Tree 17 years ago with the goal of ensuring all students, no matter their economic circumstances, have a great start to the school year. This will be Jeannette's last year to lead the program and we are so appreciative of all that she has done.
Belton ISD is seeking community input on the name, colors and mascot for the new high school. You can share your thoughts by completing this online survey by September 8.