February 26, 2018
Board Recognizes Impact of Community Partnerships

The Belton ISD Board of Trustees recognized an important community partner for their efforts to engage students in living history lessons and heard from students participating in two Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that are supported by local industry professionals.
 
Members of the West Belton-Harris High School Ex-Students Association were recognized with the District's Big Red Community Partner Award after a presentation from Belton High School teachers who worked with the Association to facilitate engaging field trips to the Harris Community Center in Belton. As a part of U.S. History lessons on the Civil Rights Movement and in conjunction with Black History Month, Belton High School students had a chance to tour what once was the segregated African-American school in Belton and view artifacts that further illustrated the personal stories shared by members of the Association.

The West-Belton Harris High School Ex-Students Association was recognized as the Big Red Community Partner.
All-State Band

Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow senior Alex Deaton was selected as a member of the Texas All-State Symphonic Band. Alex performed alongside the best musicians from across the state as a part of the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio earlier this month.  The Belton High School Band is directed by Ed Stein. Deaton previously was a member of the Lake Belton Middle School Band.
Belton ISD Career & Technical Education Programs Highlighted

In designing programs that prepare students for the workforce and post-secondary education opportunities, Belton ISD CTE programs forge important instructional partnerships with many business and industry professionals. During the meeting, Board members heard from students and instructors specifically about their experiences with SkillsUSA and the Automotive Technology programs.

Student leaders from Belton High School's SkillsUSA Chapter presented to the Board and described how participating in SkillsUSA is preparing them to be "Job Ready Day One," the competition theme for the 2017-2018 year.

In February, 85 CTE students participated in SkillsUSA competitions in the areas of culinary arts, forensic science, cabinetry and mill-making, construction, automotive technology, photography and audio/video production. This was also the first year for students to compete in engineering. Of these students, 46 will be advancing to the state competition April 4-8, 2018 in Corpus Christi.

In the fall of 2017, Belton ISD opened a new automotive technology building on the Belton High School Campus. As a part of the coursework, students have the opportunity to earn up to 13 different certifications and engage regularly with business partners. Establishing strong relationships with industry professionals ensures students are developing technical knowledge and skills that align with current trends.
UIL State Solo Contest Qualifiers

Four members of the Belton High School Orchestra qualified for the UIL State Solo Contest after their performance at the regional competition held in late January. Celia Bowen, a senior cellist from Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow, Antoinette Lynne, a senior violinist at Belton High School (BHS), and Mariah Montgomery, a junior violist at BHS, all earned a 1st Division "Superior" rating on their solos and qualified for state. 
 
Elizabeth DeVault, a senior at BHS, earned a 1st Division "Superior" rating and qualified for state on two different solos - violin and piano.
 
UIL State Solo-Ensemble Contest will be held in Austin on Memorial Day Weekend.  The BHS orchestra is directed by John Fairlie.
Trustees Nominate Superintendent for State Honor

In an unanimous vote, Trustees passed a resolution acknowledging the skilled leadership of Dr. Susan Kincannon and officially nominating her for the Texas Association of School Boards Superintendent of the Year award.

The Resolution serves as an initial public step in the process of the Board submitting Dr. Kincannon's first nomination for this honor. It reads in part, "Dr. Kincannon has worked tirelessly and enthusiastically to move the entire educational program of Belton ISD forward and advance the District's mission during a time of great change."
VASE Contest State Qualifier

Belton High School freshman art student Kaylee Combest qualified to advance to the state Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) Contest. A pencil drawing submitted by Kaylee was awarded the highest rating of Superior at the Regional competition earlier this month and will be advancing to the State VASE competition in April.  Alicia Stano is Kaylee's art instructor at Belton High School.
Swimming State Meet Gold and Bronze Medalist

Noah Henry brought home two medals from the UIL State Swimming and Diving Championships held earlier this month in Austin. Henry finished 1st place in the 100 Fly and set a new state record with his time of 47.07.

In the 100 Back he placed 3rd with a time of 47.67. That time qualifies as a new BHS record and ranks him as the number 5 fastest time ever for a Texas high school swimmer.
 
Henry, who has committed to swim at Arizona State University this fall, is wrapping up his BHS Swim career having been recognized as the Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet at District all four years and for the first time this year, he was acknowledged as the Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet at the Regional Meet in Rockwall.
 
Henry has achieved four All-America time standards this year alone to go with the five All-America standards he made in his first three years at BHS. Anticipating that Henry will again be recognized this summer by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) as an All-American, it will be his fourth consecutive year to achieve such a distinction. Henry is one of just three student athletes from BHS to ever be recognized as an All-American, and he is the first to receive the honor in multiple years.
Superintendent's Report

Public Schools Week Activities
Next week we will celebrate Public Schools Week with special activities and events across the District.  These events include Open Houses at many of our campuses, book fairs, PTA meetings and performances, parent meetings, Donuts for Dads, and opportunities for parents to eat lunch at school with their students.
 
One event that highlights the work that we are doing to support inclusive environments is the "Only One You" rock garden ceremony at Tarver Elementary on Thursday at 1:30 on the front sidewalk at Tarver Elementary. The rock garden project is one of the No Place for Hate projects that the campus is completing this year.
 
Our Public Schools Week luncheon will be on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at UMHB in the McLane Great Hall inside the Student Union Building. We will have special performances by our All-State Choir and band students as well as performances by the UIL State Solo orchestra students. We will also feature other students who will be guests at each table.

Coordination of Law Enforcement
The District is grateful to have a strong partnership with our local police departments.
 
The Administration, including campus principals and assistant principals, coordinate and collaborate with the Belton and Temple Police Departments on a daily basis. We greatly appreciate the partnership with both police departments and the guidance that they provide.
More photos of students and staff members recognized at this month's board meeting can be found on Belton ISD's Google+ page.