November 12, 2018
Trustees Received Update on Construction of Two New Campuses

The Board of Trustees received an update on the construction of Charter Oak Elementary and Lake Belton High School, two new campuses voters approved as part of the May 2017 bond program, and discussed next steps in the related Attendance Boundaries Committee process.

The framing for Charter Oak Elementary is approaching 100 percent completion, with power energized to the building and brick masons continuing their work on the exterior. Restrooms are prepped for tile, and drywall is being installed in the gym and cafeteria. Work at the Lake Belton High School site has progressed with significant structural steel erected, concrete slabs poured and tilt walls completed for both gyms. Concrete masonry for the auditorium has started and will continue through the next month.

Charter Oak Elementary will open in the fall of 2019. Lake Belton High School will open the next year, in August 2020, beginning with students in grades nine and ten. At the same time, Bhs9 will be repurposed as Belton Middle School. Due to these additions, new attendance boundaries for elementary, middle and high school are needed. 

Public forums are scheduled for December 4, 10 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pittenger Fine Arts Center at 400 North Wall, to allow the community an opportunity to provide feedback before new attendance boundaries are recommended by the Attendance Boundaries Committee to the Board of Trustees . The Board is expected to take action on new attendance boundaries at its regular meeting in January 2019.
School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest

Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow freshman Shivangi Ojha won first place in the Division III age group and took overall “Best of Show” for her design in the Texas School Bus Safety Poster Contest, advancing her poster to the national competition. Shivangi has competed annually in this Texas Association for Pupil Transportation competition since third grade as a student at Pirtle Elementary and then at Lake Belton Middle School, achieving recognition at the state level every year.  
Anonymous Alerts Mobile Reporting System

Belton ISD is introducing a new anti-bullying and safety reporting system called Anonymous Alerts® to empower students, parents and community members to voice concerns to school officials. With the patented Anonymous Alerts® system, the district community can engage in anonymous 2-way communication with school officials about situations such as bullying, weapons, drug/alcohol usage, potential campus threats and more. Once reports are received, school officials can quickly investigate and take appropriate action.

All district issued devices now include the Anonymous Alerts® app that students, parents and staff members can download on their personal Apple and Android devices for free. Users can then gain access to the app by typing in a simple activation code provided by the district at www.bisd.net/safety . Also, students, parents and staff members can send a web-based report online on Belton ISD’s website by clicking the Anonymous Alerts® web-button. The web-based reporting form is available in English, Spanish and a dozen other languages.
Big Red Community Partner:
Bell County Museum

Alongside many of our district’s outstanding history and social studies teachers, the Bell County Museum is a significant resource and partner in delivering engaging and innovative learning opportunities for our students at all grade levels. From field trips, through exhibits at the museum, to special museum trunk presentations made on campuses, students are experiencing history in a fun and exciting way. An exciting trunk presentation last week had all Pirtle Elementary third graders participating in a mock election and learning a special election day lesson that covered the three branches of government. The museum works with the district year round, partnering in professional development for teachers and participating in summer camp activities offered by Belton ISD.
  
Bell County Museum Education Coordinator Kayte Ricketts happily accepted the award on the museum's behalf as this month’s Big Red Community Partner .
Superintendent's Report

Veterans Day Activities

As November 12 was a holiday for our students, our schools celebrated Veterans Day early to honor veterans who served honorably in the military.

North Belton Middle School invited veterans and active duty military personnel to have lunch on campus, during which, Ft. Hood’s Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) presented its historical color guard ceremony, “I Am Sergeant.”

Belton High School Madrigal put on a performance at the Belton Senior Center.

Belton New Tech High School @ Waskow hosted an event called “Share Your Service Day” for veterans and those currently serving who shared their experiences with students during English and History classes.

South Belton Middle School participated in Take a Vet to School Day, where veterans were served breakfast and greeted by State Representative Hugh Shine before attending a school-wide assembly and participating in classroom visits.

Tarver Elementary students provided a patriotic performance during their annual flag pole assembly to recognize veterans. 

At Pirtle Elementary, veterans and active duty service members were invited to eat lunch with students.

Chisholm Trail Elementary students wrote letters to veterans which were delivered to the Temple VA.

High Point Elementary invited veterans to be special guest readers for students. 

Belton ISD wishes to thank our principals and teachers who provided our students with great experiences to honor our veterans. 
Professional Development

November 12 was a professional development day for our employees. Each of our schools focused on training sessions addressing the district’s priorities.

Enrollment and Demographic Update

October 26 was the official Texas Education Agency snapshot date. Our official student count was 11,883. That is an increase of 354 students from last year and represents approximately 3.02% increase in total enrollment.