STOP! When You See School Bus' Flashing Red Lights and Stop-Arm

Midlothian ISD has over 4,800 students who ride a school bus. Although school buses remain one of the safest modes of transportation, the safety concern is when motorists do not stop when students are loading and unloading the bus.

In one single day, MISD bus drivers reported eight vehicles that did not stop while their bus’ flashing red lights and stop-arm were activated. This snapshot report was in participation with the Texas Department of Public Safety School Bus Illegal Passing Driver survey.

When the stop-arm is activated, Texas state law requires drivers approaching from either direction to stop until: 1) The school bus resumes motion;
 2) The school bus driver signals the motorist to proceed; OR 
3) The stop arm is no longer activated. Violating this offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $500 to $2,000 and additional citations.

Please do your part to contribute to our mission of safe transportation in Midlothian ISD.

Tennison Hired as New Head Girls' Basketball Coach for Lady Panthers

Midlothian ISD Director of Athletics, Steve Keasler is proud to announce the hiring of Amy Tennison as the new head girls' basketball coach of the Lady Panthers at Midlothian High School. Tennison replaces Glen Hartson who will be retiring at the end of this month.

Coach Tennison graduated from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor of science in kinesiology. Tennison later earned her Masters in Educational Administration from Lamar University in 2011.

Her 15-year coaching experience includes high schools in Mansfield, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and Fossil Ridge. In addition to her high school career, Coach Tennison was an assistant basketball coach at Texas A & M University in College Station from 2003-2007. Amy has been selected Coach of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, & 2009.

Athletic Director Steve Keasler states, “Amy Tennison will be a great assets to our kids, staff and community. She is enthusiastic and thrilled to begin her journey at Midlothian ISD. Amy is a perfect fit for the girls' basketball program at Midlothian ISD. She will have a positive impact on the basketball program for years to come.”

MHS Seussical Production Earns Five Nominations

Midlothian High School's cast for Seussical

The Midlothian High School's outstanding production of Seussical earned five nominations for this year's Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards. This recognition will be announced during a special ceremony at the Music Hall at Fair Park on April 30 and it will be broadcast on WFAA this summer. Students nominated for acting categories will perform live at the show and winners of the Best Actor and Best Actress categories will go on to compete at the national competition in New York City this June.

The five nominations received are for Best Actor - Ashton Smith (Horton), Best Actress - Ana Berthelsen (Gertrude), Best Supporting Actress - Megan Johnson (Sour Kangaroo), Best Orchestra, and Best Music Direction.

The MHS Seussical show was one of 57 shows in competition this year.

Ashton Smith (Horton)

Ana Berthelsen (Gertrude)

Megan Johnson (Sour Kangaroo)

Wilkenson Named Top Bus Driver in Texas

Shelley Wilkenson, PCAT Statewide Bus Driver of the Year for 2013-2014

Congratulations to Midlothian ISD bus driver Shelley Wilkenson who was named Texas Bus Driver of the Year sponsored by Property Casualty Alliance of Texas (PCAT). This prestigious award is based on leadership, attitude, perseverance, student and parent relationships, and technical skills.
 
Wilkenson was recognized for her great achievement during a School Board meeting on March 24. She was extremely honored when PCAT director Aaron Ramsey presented her with a $1,000 check, plaque and monogrammed jacket.

“Shelley has overcome many obstacles and setbacks in her personal life, but she continues to maintain a great attitude and serves as a positive role model among her students, parents and co-workers,” said Deanna Cannon, Transportation Coordinator.

Drivers are nominated by their peers for the local school district award and the winner is then considered at the state level. Wilkenson was chosen among six drivers across the state.

Property Casualty Alliance of Texas is a nonprofit school-risk program that provides coverage for school property, students and employees throughout Texas.

Director of PCAT Aaron Ramsey, Brooklynn W., Shelley Wilkenson, MISD Transportation Coordinator Deanna Cannon

Grand Central Station Labs Win GCS Spirit Award

Frank Seale Middle School and Walnut Grove Middle School Grand Central Station Labs have been chosen by the Center for Learning and Development to receive the “Spirit of GCS Award” for the 2013-2014 year. This special award recognizes outstanding teachers and administrators who support struggling at-risk learners using the structure of Grand Central Station. Teachers address the needs of the whole child individually from academics to organizational skills and proactive learning strategies.

Congratulations to Gayle Stack, Tamara Hanson and Tammy Harris at FSMS and Kim Rawlinson and Carey Thompson at WGMS for their outstanding work with students in the GCS labs.

ExxonMobil Grants $9,000 To Midlothian Schools

Midlothian ISD received $1,000 for each of its nine campuses from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program.  Walid Alameddine, vice president & COO of Victron Energy, presented principals with checks this morning bringing the total donated through this program to over $23,000 since 2009.

Grant monies will be used to purchase educational support materials for math and science to expand and enhance learning opportunities. Superintendent Dr. Jerome Stewart shares, “MISD is blessed with teachers that pride themselves in seeking new and creative teaching tools for their students. This grant will aid them in these efforts of innovative learning.”  Over 7,700 students throughout the district will be impacted.  “We are excited to put these funds to use in our math and science classes. STEM education is an essential aspect in our students’ learning and we are thankful for the continued support from our community partners,” says Beth Van Amburgh, principal of LaRue Miller Elementary.

The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program is designed to provide its retailers an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools. Distributors and station owners must meet stringent criteria before applying for and being awarded this grant. Mr. Alameddine, a Midlothian resident and parent states, “We take pride in helping the schools in our communities.  We will always work hard to ensure we secure these grants on a yearly basis.”

Invitation to MISD Coffees

Parents and Midlothian ISD community members are welcome to attend any of the coffees hosted by the MISD administration. The purpose is to discuss the recent HB-5 graduation requirements, Midlothian Heritage High School update, and other topics that may arise. There will be time for questions and open discussion with the administrative team. Coffees will be held at the following locations and times:

• January 21 - LaRue Miller Elementary, 10:30-11:30am
• February 5 - T.E. Baxter Elementary , 10:30-11:30am
• February 11 - Walnut Grove Middle School, 7-8pm [NEW!]
• February 14 - Frank Seale Middle School, 10:30-11:30am
  
• February 15 - L.A. Mills Administration Building, 9-10am [NEW!]
• February 20 - Frank Seale Middle School, 7-8pm [NEW!]
  
• February 26 - Mt. Peak Elementary, 10:30-11:30am
• March 5 - J.R. Irvin Elementary, 10:30-11:30am
• March 21 - Midlothian High School, 10:30-11:30am
• March 25 - J.A. Vitovsky Elementary, 10:30-11:30am

MISD's Got Talent Show Auditions

Entry forms are now available for MISD's Got Talent Show. High school, middle school and elementary school students are encouraged to showcase their talent as singers, musicians, dancers, comedians, videographers, artists and more. Auditions will be held February 10-14 and the talent show will be February 28 for elementary students and March 1 for secondary students. Don't miss a special performance by guest judge Brandon Chase from “The Voice” on March 1. For more talent show details email midlotalentshow@gmail.com. Download entry forms: Talent I Art I Video and flyer [PDF].

Kindergarten GT Nomination Window Is January 21-31

MISD will begin the annual nomination and screening process for all students by opening the Kindergarten nomination window on Tuesday, January 21. The window will run through January 31. All other elementary and secondary GT screenings will be conducted in April, with testing being conducted in May. Parents may request a nomination packet by contacting your child’s teacher. If you have any questions regarding the nomination or screening process, please contact your child’s counselor. Parents, students, and community members are welcome to nominate students for the GT Program. Kindergarten students identified as gifted and talented will be served by March 1.

Gifted & Talented Presentation for Elementary Parents

The elementary counselors will be presenting a program regarding the nomination and screening process for the Midlothian Independent School District’s Gifted and Talented Program on Tuesday, January 14, at 6:00 p. m. at the L. A. Mills Administration Building, 100 Walter Stephenson Road. 

The Kindergarten nomination window will run from Jan. 20 through January 31, 2014.  Students identified as gifted and talented will be served by March 1, 2014.  All other elementary and secondary GT screenings will be conducted in April, with testing being conducted in May.  Parents of elementary students may request a nomination packet by contacting your child’s teacher. If you have any questions regarding the nomination or screening process, please contact your child’s counselor.

MISD Observes School Board Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month and Midlothian ISD will take this opportunity to thank the leaders who voluntarily serve countless hours in the best interest of the District.

Great leadership always begins with a willing heart, a positive attitude, and a desire to make a difference. Please join us as we applaud these local leaders for truly caring about our kids. The 2013-14 board members are Wayne Shuffield (president), Cindy Williams (vice-president), Todd Hemphill (secretary), Duke Burge, Keith Hitt, Jim Mentzel, and Matt Sanders.

In appreciation for caring about MISD children, campuses have adopted a board member for the month of January and are celebrating their contributions. They will also receive a certificate of appreciation honoring their leadership at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, January 20 at 6:30 p.m. located at the L.A. Mills Administration Building. Learn more about each board member here: http://www.midlothian-isd.net/schoolboard/members.html.

Mark your calendar.... Invitation to MISD Coffees!

Parents and Midlothian ISD community members are welcome to attend any of the nine coffees hosted by the MISD administration. The purpose is to discuss the recent HB-5 graduation requirements, Midlothian Heritage High School update, and other topics that may arise. There will be time for questions and open discussion with the administrative team.

All coffees will be held from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the following locations:
January 8 - Walnut Grove Middle School
January 10 - Longbranch Elementary
January 21 - LaRue Miller Elementary
February 5 - T.E. Baxter Elementary
February 14 - Frank Seale Middle School Cubs
February 26 - Mt. Peak Elementary
March 5 - J.R. Irvin Elementary
March 21 - Midlothian High School
March 25 - J.A. Vitovsky Elementary