December 14, 2018
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Many holiday activities and events were held in December including the Magic Belles Winter Show, the Tarver Elementary Christmas program, a Christmas concert by the Belton High School and Lake Belton Middle School orchestras, performances by Madrigal during the Salado Stroll and Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, caroling by the North Belton Middle School choir during Belton's Christmas on the Chisholm Trail, the Sparta Tiger Choir's trip to KPLE-TV studio, and of course, visits with Santa! 
 

As we wrap up the fall semester, I'd like to thank everyone who played a role in the many achievements of our students. Specifically, I want to acknowledge our teachers and staff who have created memorable moments for our children while staying focused on our 2018-2019 priorities. The ending of the calendar year is a great time to reflect upon our accomplishments, renew our commitment to the work that we do for our students, and identify ways we can continue to create great moments for our students.
  
Some of the most special moments of the year happen during the holiday season as our fine arts programs are showcased in performances and events on campuses and around the community. Choir, band, jazz and orchestra performances have been extraordinary this year. They are a true representation of the talent of our student body and the strength of our fine arts programs. Belton ISD is proud to offer students the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive offering of fine arts courses at the high school level.  With over 1500 students participating in these programs in grades 9-12, it is clear that the arts are highly valued in our community.

From Christmas caroling to choir programs and Christmas musicals, getting to see our elementary students perform is always a delight during the holiday season. The Sparta Elementary Christmas musical "On With the Snow" told a story about friendship and how real warmth can spread like a blizzard when shared with a song. Sparta's students and families, along with other students and families across the District, will carry special memories of elementary holiday programs with them for a lifetime.

Holiday performances will continue into 2019 as our Magic Belles perform at the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day. Approximately 40 students, along with parent and staff chaperones, will travel to Houston to practice on December 16 and make the trip to Pasadena, California later in the month for the parade. It was a tremendous honor for the Belles to be invited to perform at this event and also to be selected to participate at the beginning of the parade with musician and songwriter Chaka Khan. I hope you will join me in watching the Magice Belles perform on national television. These moments will definitely matter for the Belles and their families, and we are extremely excited for them!

If you're still looking for the perfect Christmas gift, I encourage you to buy tickets to Belton High School Theatre Department's  upcoming musical, "The Addams Family." Performances will be held January 25-27 at the Performing Arts Center and will feature a live orchestra and our very talented students.
    
Our ability to continue to create special moments for our students wouldn't be possible without your continued support and encouragement. Thank you for wholeheartedly supporting Belton ISD's students and staff. Together, we can create many more memorable moments in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Susan Kincannon, Ed.D.
Superintendent


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More than 100 students were recognized at the Belton High School Academic Awards Banquet. Seniors had the opportunity to acknowledge a teacher who had the greatest impact on their success. 
It was a wonderful night to honor the commitment each student has made to achieve academic excellence, as well as celebrate with the families and teachers who have supported them.
The Belton Educational Enrichment Foundation (BEEF) awarded  over $60,000 in grants for innovative instructional projects and to paraprofessionals for continuing education. It was an exciting morning as BEEF traveled from campus to campus to surprise recipients with awards. 
Message from the School Board President:

Santa, ugly Christmas sweaters and snowmen - oh my! What a fun time this is all across Belton ISD!
  
The Belton Educational Enrichment Foundation (BEEF) surprised teachers and paraprofessionals across the District delivering grants for an educational wish list of items to enhance learning opportunities for students and staff. BEEF awarded $60,041 in grants to elementary, middle and high school educators for resources such as robots to teach coding, virtual reality headsets for foreign language classes, and specialized classroom libraries.
  
Each grant demonstrates the continued commitment of our community to promote innovation and creativity in our classrooms, along with their support for the incredible staff that serve our students each day. We are so grateful for BEEF and those who support their mission!
  
A supportive and engaged community makes our public schools stronger, and we have seen first-hand how members of our community are working alongside district leaders through this fall's attendance boundaries planning process. Following months of work by an attendance boundaries committee, the District held three public forums to discuss proposed maps and listen to feedback.
  
Drawing new elementary, middle and high school attendance boundaries for our fast-growing district is a necessary challenge. To inform these important decisions, we have taken steps to ensure an open and inclusive process in order to develop boundaries that will serve our students, parents and community for years to come.
  
For all those who have served on the Attendance Boundaries Committee, asked questions during a public forum, or even discussed what you have read in campus newsletters or on the BISD website with your friends and neighbors - thank you!
  
We are blessed to live, work and raise our families in a community that recognizes the value of strong public schools. From the BEEF grant awards to the conversations that took place during the attendance boundaries public forums, the impact of an engaged and invested community can further strengthen our schools.
 
On behalf of your school board, we wish you a holiday season that shines with moments of love, laughter, and goodwill and a new year ahead that is filled with joy.

Have a Merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in 2019.

Sue M. Jordan
President, Board of Trustees
Don't miss our upcoming musical! The Belton High School Fine Arts Department will present "The Addams Family" on Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the BHS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are now at the Theatre Department's web page.
Belton ISD wishes you all a joyous holiday season as we look forward to 2019!