Trustees Receive "Clean" Independent Audit Report:
During the Belton ISD school board meeting, trustees received the district’s Independent Audit report for 2017-2018. The report included an unmodified opinion, which indicates that the auditor had no reservations about the district’s financial statements. The audit also found no material weaknesses, no significant deficiencies and no noncompliance issues, and no costs were questioned.
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National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest Winner:
Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow (BNTHS@W) freshman Shivangi Ojha’s poster submission was chosen by the National Association for Pupil Transportation as the winning poster for the upcoming 2019 National School Bus Safety Week. Shivangi’s depiction of the theme, “My School Bus, The Safest Form of Student Transportation,” previously won first place in the Division III age group and took overall “Best of Show” at the state level, advancing her poster to the national competition.
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Principal for Charter Oak Elementary Announced:
When Charter Oak Elementary welcomes its first students to school in August of 2019 they will be greeted by Principal Jennifer Conner. A familiar face to many in the district, Conner was introduced as the principal during the meeting. In addition, Hope Orsag was named the principal of Miller Heights Elementary, replacing Conner.
Conner has been the principal at Miller Heights Elementary since 2011. She has 25 years of experience in education including 13 years in Belton ISD. Before becoming a principal, Conner was a dual language teacher, instructional coach and elementary assistant principal. She earned a master’s degree in administration from Tarleton State University and a bachelor’s degree from the Stephen F. Austin State University.
Orsag has been the assistant principal at Miller Heights Elementary since 2016. She has 17 years of experience in education, all in Belton ISD. Before becoming an assistant principal, she served as a middle school science teacher, an elementary math and science teacher, and a Title I teacher. She earned a master’s degree in administration from Tarleton State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
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Texas State Thespian Festival:
Twenty-five students represented Belton High School (BHS) Theatre at the Texas State Thespian Festival in November, with students achieving outstanding distinctions among the more than 8,000 attendees.
Six students competed and received a Superior ranking in individual events. Those include BHS Junior Evan Taylor who competed in monologue; BHS Junior Kara Fish and BHS Senior Kate Salters each for solo musical; BHS Senior Ahren Shorts achieved a superior ranking for competing in short film and BHS Junior Jamey Pearson competing in costume construction; and Jarryd Lara, a BHS senior, achieved a Superior ranking in costume construction and received a perfect score.
BNTHS@W Junior Kaitlynn Kempf, was selected as one of only 35 students from across the state to perform in the closing ceremonies. She performed with Annaleigh Ashford, Broadway performer and Tony Award winner, in front of an audience of 8,200 people.
BNTHS@W Senior Ian Farrell was elected last year as a State Thespian Officer and worked throughout the year as one of 19 officers from across the state to prepare for the festival. During this year’s event, BHS Junior Ethan Taylor was elected a state Thespian officer. In addition to helping plan next year’s festival, Ethan will also teach leadership workshops and junior festivals representing BHS in his capacity across the state.
This was only the second time for Director Melissa Stuhff and the Belton Thespian Troop to participate in this significant annual event.
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Big Red Community Partner -
Helping Hands Ministry of Belton:
A student’s ability to learn and achieve is impacted by much more than just what they experience in his or her classroom. As Belton ISD continues to prioritize creating safe, secure and inclusive educational environments, it is important to recognize the role that strong community partners addressing other needs for our students and families play in our success.
Each month, Helping Hands Ministry of Belton provides support to over 3,000 of our neighbors through aid with their food pantry, clothing, utilities and other relief ministries. Helping Hands is now home to Project Apple Tree, a significant volunteer effort that ensures so many children have what they need to successfully start a new school year. This summer, leading up to Project Apple Tree Distribution Day in August, Helping Hands supported our efforts to promote and educate more in our community about Pre-K enrollment at the Belton Early Childhood School.
In November, our FFA program organized and promoted the annual Food Rally hosted by Belton H-E-B to support Helping Hands. Not only does this serve as a fun and exciting tradition, it is an important community service project that teaches students lessons about demonstrating empathy in a real and meaningful way.
Representing Helping Hands Ministry of Belton for the recognition as Big Red Community Partner was Executive Director Tasha Roberts.
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Superintendent's Report
Elementary and Secondary Academic UIL:
Elementary UIL was held Saturday, December 1, at Belton High School, with writing events on the Wednesday prior to the event at Chisholm Trail Elementary. Approximately 558 students and over 100 staff members participated. First through sixth place event winners received ribbons and/or medals during assemblies held at each campus.
Participating in academic UIL is always a great experience for our elementary students, especially our high achievers who really enjoy the competition and opportunity to showcase their academic skills.
Middle school academic UIL will be held January 26 at North Belton Middle School with some events being held the day before. Over 50 staff members are coaching over 300 students in preparation for the event.
At the high school level, academic UIL consists of multiple meets. This year our students are participating in meets in Salado, China Spring, Austin, Midway, Westwood, and Pflugerville. Meets began at the end of October and will conclude with a district meet on March 30 at Belton High School. Qualifying students can advance to regionals at Baylor University on April 12 and State at the University of Texas in Austin on May 2.
This past weekend, the UIL Academic Speech and Debate teams competed in Salado with our students taking 1
st
place in Prose and 2
nd
place in Debate. In January, one of our National Merit Commended Scholars will compete in State Congress, and our next full academic meet will be held in China Spring.
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Magic Belles Performance at Tournament of Roses Parade:
In preparation for the upcoming Tournament of Roses Parade, our Magic Belles traveled to Houston to practice. We received great feedback that our girls impressed the choreographers and will be featured in the parade.
Be sure and tune in for the parade on New Year’s Day!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, including the Temple American Legion who donated $4,000 and Ty Taggart and John Holmes who cooked barbecue, raising nearly $6,000 to support the trip.
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Fine Arts Holiday Performances:
Thank you to our fine arts teachers for their hard work to make the holiday season special for our students and their families. A number of performances were provided at each of our schools in choir, band and orchestra. To view photos or special video clips from just a few of the over thirty festive fine arts performances, go to
www.bisd.net/photos
.
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BEEF Innovative Teaching and Paraprofessional Grants:
As a part of their December agenda, the Board officially accepted over $60,000 in donations from the Belton Educational Enrichment Foundation (BEEF) for innovative teaching and paraprofessional grants. Included in those grant awards this year was a special donation from CGI to support STEM education.
BEEF has done an excellent job of growing with the district over the last several years. To the amazing group of volunteers with
the Foundation, thank you for your hard work and support of Belton ISD.
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2019-2020 School Calendar:
The 2019-2020 school calendar has been drafted by the Districtwide Educational Improvement Council and will be presented for Board approval in January.
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