THE MUSTANG MESSENGER

Overton Independent School District - Community Newsletter

It's a Great Day to be a MUSTANG!

Nov 2023 - Thanksgiving Edition (revised)

A Season For Thanksgiving!

It's a sentiment that has been echoed at events and on Social Media a lot lately, and it seemed appropriate to begin this month's newsletter with a message of gratefulness and thanksgiving. There is so much to be grateful for, and the support of our community is near top of the list. With all the wonderful accomplishments and high achievements of our students, our community has been with them all the way. Our teams travel as well as any district in the state - whether the event is next door or several hours away, our fans show up and show out EVERY TIME. You're there through thick and thin - cheering them on, picking them up, demonstrating your love and devotion to our students, our school and our community. Thank You!

Overton students and staff have been working hard and all that work is paying off! The results have been phenomenal, and it is only November. There are great expectations for even more good things to come. Overton added the sport of cross country this year. FFA has been winning something, somewhere, every weekend since school started! Overton students had incredible turnouts at "See You at the Pole" and Fields of Faith. The Overton Band marched right back to state! Volleyball made the deepest playoff run (regional semi-finals) in 20 years, and our Football Team was bi-district champion and won 10 games for the first time since 1995.

It was heartwarming to see our Mustang students and staff give honor and sincere appreciation to our Veterans, and watch them interact with the heroes that attended our Veterans Day program. Then, just an hour later to see the community come together to fellowship and enjoy one another at our Thanksgiving Fall Feast. Earlier this year, the school, several civic organizations and the City of Overton joined forces to celebrate Overton's Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary.

These are only a few of the highlights, but they illustrate why Overton is a small town treasure, and why it's always a Great Day to be a Mustang! We Love our Community; we're SO grateful for you, and we wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

OISD "White House" to be Auctioned Online

The old maintenance building at the corner of E Henderson Street and Mustang Alley is up for Auction. This building has been part of the campus for many years, and has served Overton ISD as the administration building and more recently the maintenance and transportation building/offices.

The district recently acquired the house next door at 405 E. Henderson Street. This new acquisition will become the Secondary Campus welcome center where all visitors to the Secondary campus will check-in. The rooms in the rear of the building will also serve as the offices for buildings and grounds, and transportation.

Online Pros is handling the auction for Overton ISD, and all prospective buyers should work through them to register to bid. If you are an interested buyer, you can preview the property by scheduling and appointment. Prospective buyers must agree to move the building. Once moved, the extra space will be used to create additional parking for Overton ISD vehicles and visitors to the campus.

The online auction is open, and ends on December 13, 2023. Click the link to the auction for more information.

Link to House Auction

CommUNITY Conversations

with the Superintendent

Wednesday, November 29th, 5:30-6:30pm

CommUNITY Conversations is an informal, monthly gathering on the last Wednesday of each month. Parents and community members are invited to stop in for casual and candid conversation regarding Overton ISD, our programs, and our community.

It's an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, provide feedback, and create relationships built on communication and trust. We'll have coffee, soda and cookies available too. We look forward to seeing you.

"We're better when we listen, and smarter when we share."

3 Overton ISD Buses

to be Auctioned Online

Overton ISD will be auctioning 3 buses from its fleet. Buses #9, #12 and #13 may be seen by appointment. Please contact Overton ISD Transportation Director, Sarah Tharp if you are a prospective buyer and would like to make an appointment to preview one or all of these buses.

The auction is being conducted by Online Pros, and is entirely online. Buyers must register with the auction company in order to bid. The auction is currently open, and will close on November 30, 2023.

Link to Bus Auction

OVERTON ISD Launches New Website and App

Overton ISD's new website is up and running. Additional updates and new pages are still under development for various campus groups, and the site will be maintained to ensure it is up-to-date and current moving forward.

We think you will find the new website much more user friendly - making information more easily accessible and navigation more intuitive.

Along with the website, we have launched the new Overton ISD app. The app provides a live feed, access to staff directory, athletic schedules, district events, cafeteria menu and more. Users of the app can customize their notifications, and use filters to access specific information. The app will also be used to communicate a wide range of information and notifications to parents and community members. Search for Overton ISD and download the app today.

Elementary Building and Auditorium Doors

(Replacement makes the originals available to Community Members)

As part of our efforts to come into compliance with the latest Texas Safe Schools guidelines, Overton ISD is replacing several doors on campus that do not meet the standards. Among those doors that need replacing are the two, south-facing double doors on the elementary building on East Henderson street, and the double doors at the entrance of the auditorium.

Several community members have suggested these doors have nostalgic value and have asked what was planned for the doors after replacement. Some have asked if they can be made into art pieces, some believe they should be used as fundraisers in some way, and still others have expressed an interest in installing them in their personal homes, etc.

At the November meeting of the Overton ISD school board, the board decided to give community members the opportunity to purchase the doors. Each double door, any existing frame and surrounding windows as pictured above will be sold as a single unit (3 units total).

For convenience, we will be using an online auction tool such as ebay or givebutter for easy access. The items will be available for local pickup only. Please look for details coming next week regarding specific links to review and/or bid on these items.

Safety Installation Review & Updates

As most of our community is aware, our fencing was installed months ago, but the gates have been delayed. Fortunately, the gates have finally arrived from the manufacturer and will be installed this week and next. After the physical installation, the gates will be tied into our computer system to allow for badge access as well as remote automation. The gates and automation install are estimated to be completed by mid December.

In addition to the gate installation, the elementary office, the secondary main office, and the new secondary welcome center will be equipped with video intercom systems. These will allow our office staff to communicate audibly and visually with visitors to our campus before they are able to enter the building/campus.

All required door replacements have been completed on the elementary and secondary campuses. Door replacements are still needed for the welcome center entrance. The lead time for this project will push the installation to near the end of second semester.

Wind screen will be placed around the south, east and north fences on the elementary playground. The windscreen will provide some visual barrier, but is also required as an additional anti-scaling measure. In addition to complying with basic safety standards, we will use the windscreen as a way to incorporate Mustang Pride with printed logos and text on the windscreen.

Over the summer, Overton ISD acquired two-way radios for key staff members in administration, security, maintenance and transportation. These radios provide improved communication for a variety of needs, but serve the primary purpose of having real-time communication with all areas of the campus during any emergency.

Overton ISD also installed the Raptor Visitor Management System and the Raptor Alert system. Visitor management allows our office staff to scan the visitor's ID for a quick background check, and then print a specific visitor badge complete with a picture for each visitor. Raptor Alert provides access to ALL employs to initiate an emergency if needed through the required Silent Panic Alert Technology. It also allows Overton ISD to manage all required drills and outcomes.

Last year, the OISD school board approved implementation of the school guardian program. As a result - In addition to a full-time Overton PD law enforcement officer on campus as our School Resource Officer, Overton ISD now has trained staff that are armed and equipped to respond to any potential violent threats.

Finally, Overton ISD is beginning a complete rekeying of all external door locks and a new master key system. There will be a centrally managed key distribution list, and the list will be maintained and updated with any staff turnover and/or new employees.

Some of these updates will require changes to our procedures and protocol. With any change there is a period of acclimation that can be frustrating. We thank you for your patience and cooperation as we make the transition. We are excited and grateful for these improvements, and know that any small inconvenience is easily outweighed by the safety and security of our students and staff, and peace of mind for parents and families.

Overton FFA Hosts Successful Auction

Overton FFA shifted the date of its annual auction to Thursday, November 16th. The dinner and auction were held at the New London Baptist Church. The dinner was delicious with tasty chicken spaghetti, salads and several choices of homemade desserts and sweets.

The auction was equally fun with lots of great merchandise handmade by FFA students and/or donated by FFA supporters. The event raised over $4200 to help provide materials and funding for future FFA activities.

Lady Mustangs

4 Rounds Deep

Record Setting Season

The Lady Mustangs had one of the best seasons ever. The set a school record for most wins in a season. Their overall record was 35-8. They went four rounds deep, making it to the Regional semi-finals before losing to the eventual state champion, Iola, and the individual Lady Mustang players were well recognized with post-season honors.

District MVP - Catherine Dennis
Co-Newcomer of the Year - Kaylee Stevens
Co-Defensive Player of the Year - Avery Smith
1st Team All District - Kayla Nobles, Ja’Miya O’Neal
2nd Team All District - Halle Mayfield, Annalise Perkins
Honorable Mention - Sarah Emery, Mason Fenter, Lila Gurley, Anaisha Tilley
Academic All District - Sarah Emery, Halle Mayfield, Catherine Dennis, Lila Gurley, Anaisha Tilley, Bree’Ohna Sublett

Mustang Football

Goes 10-2

Bi-District Champs

The Mustang Football Team had a phenomenal season! They won their first nine games in a row, and gained state-wide recognition.

Offensively the Mustangs averages over 40 points and 400 yards per game. Defensively, they racked up 13 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries, and a blocked punt while holding opponents to an average of less than 21 points per game.

Throughout the season, this team showed the ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball.

They became Bi-District Champions, winning their first round playoff game against Evadale 40-9.

In the second round, they drew perennial playoff contender, Mart. The combination of Mart's explosive running game, and untimely turnovers got the best of the Mustangs on that night, but it does not diminish what this team was able to accomplish.

This group of young men made a historic turnaround, and created excitement that electrified the entire community. We say thank you to this year's Mustang seniors for their leadership and setting the bar for the future. For the underclassmen, we are excited for the future and to see them extend the legacy that was rekindled this season.

The fall post-season run(s) meant very few practices for both the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs before competition began. With only a practice or two under their belts, the Lady Mustangs have played 4 games, and earned their first victory on Tuesday, November 21st - beating Wells in nail biter 50-49. The Mustang Men had exactly one practice before playing two games back to back. They won 53-44 over Union Grove before falling 34-46 to Hawkins. Both teams are banged up and/or short handed due to injury, but it promises to be another exciting, fun-filled season.

Schedules are subject to change, particularly early as teams make the transition from fall to winter sports. Check the app and website for the most up-to-date schedules.

Overton ISD Event Schedule 11/22 to 12/17

Nov 23 - Thanksgiving Day

Nov 27 - JH Basketball v Mt Enterprise

Nov 27 - Overton Christmas Parade

Nov 28 - One Act Play public performance

Nov 28 - JV/Var Girls/Boys v Christian Heritage

Nov 29 - CommUNITY Conversations

Nov 30 - Boys/Girls LCH Tournament

Dec 4 - JH Basketball at Carlisle

Dec 4 - Mustang Student Ambassador Mtg

Dec 4 - OISD Safety & Security Meeting

Dec 7 - Girls Tournament at Gary

Dec 7 - Boys Tournament at Union Hill

Dec 7 - Elementary Christmas Program

Dec 11 - JH Basketball v Cushing

Dec 11 - OISD Board Meeting

Dec 12 - Var Girls v New Summerfield

Dec 12 - JV/Var Boys at Alba-Golden

Dec 15 - OISD Intervention Day

Dec 15 - Var Girls vs Ore City

Dec 15 - Var Boys at White Oak

Overton ISD's 2023-2024 Academic Calendar

4-Day Instructional Week

Per the OISD academic calendar, no school on Fridays Dec 1 and Friday Dec 8. Friday Dec 15 will be a day for students to receive extra help and instruction - look for additional information coming.

The district academic calendar is also available on our website: https://www.overtonisd.org/

The Mustang Messenger is published monthly during the school year. Each edition is published during the week following the regularly scheduled board meeting.

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