Last week Vernon ISD scheduled a Gifted and Talented (GT) meeting for parents to learn more about the program and how week it could benefit their children. We sent flyers home with our elementary and middle school students, and posted information about the meeting on our Facebook and website. We expected and planned for 75 parents -- and only 3 showed up.
We know this is a very busy time of year and the reasons behind this lack of attendance may vary, including conflicting work schedules, transportation challenges, conflicts with a child’s extracurricular activity, a community event, or perhaps a lack of awareness about the significance of this meeting. Maybe VISD encouraging parental involvement through alternative means, such as virtual participation or providing meeting summaries, could help bridge this gap and foster a more collaborative approach between educators and parents.
The low attendance of parents at the after-hour GT meeting raises Vernon ISD’s concerns about the level of engagement in a child's academic journey. Children benefit greatly in the classroom when their parent or guardian are engaged in their education. The meeting last week offered a valuable insight into our district’s newly adopted GT selection criteria and our student's specialized educational needs and progress.
Collaboration is a two-way street and Vernon ISD will continue to search for ways to connect with parents supporting the unique educational requirements of our GT students.
Congratulations to VHS graduate Hunter Koch and his roping partner Luke Brown for winning Round 5 in Team Roping at the National Finals Rodeo last night with a blistering time of 3.8 seconds. Hunter is the heeler, while Luke is the header. They are currently fifth in the average at the NFR. In the race for a world title, Hunter is in ninth place for Heelers. Hunter is the son of Shelly Koch, who is an Instructional Coach at VISD. GO HUNTER!! Good luck in next 5 rounds of the NFR!!
After school Tuesday, VISD Supt. Dr. Kermit Ward and VHS Principal Cynthia Jackson took a turn ringing the bells and manning the Salvation Army Red Kettle set up at United. The Salvation Army relies on volunteers to ringing the bells for the Red Kettle campaign, which is conducted between Thanksgiving and Christmas. All the funds raised during the Red Kettle campaign stays right here and helps residents in our community.
Our Students of the Week for this week are: Pre-Kindergarten -- Michael Crosthwait, Kapton Hilbers, Malaki Shivers, Liam Price, and Aaryanna Taylor; Kindergarten -- Vincent Madrigales, Elijah Collier, Peyton Green, Justice David, Henry Duncan, Ivy Jones, and Shepherd Kimmey; 1st Grade -- May Htoo, Arzie Jackson, Brodi Andrew, Ivyana Sandoval, Addyson Allen, Claire Gilot, Davi Sarinana, and Savannah Wilson. Congratulations!!! Great job!!! Their photos will be displayed on our digital sign and the digital sign at the Admin Building next week.
Don't forget our VISD Gifted and Talented Program parent meeting at 6 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday, in the VHS Media Center. This meeting is intended to provide information to parents who are deciding on whether to nominate their child for Gifted and Talented testing. We will have a meeting for parents of identified GT students in the spring. Please contact Amanda Brown at 940-553-1900 ext 2247 with any questions.
This morning our 1st grade students made their annual visit to the Waggoner National Bank and the Herring Bank and performed songs from their "Christmas Magic" program for bank employees and customers.
We had a great time last night at our annual Holiday Hallway Stroll. Our students enjoyed strolling the halls with their families and showing them all of the decorations. A big shout out and thumbs up to our staff who did an AWESOME job on decorating their hallways! It's like we're walking into a winter wonderland every morning!
Please remember that if you are going to one of our school campuses during school hours, you must have your driver's license or other form of photo ID when you check in at the office. And, you must check in at the office. You will be issued a name tag that must be worn while you are on our campus and returned to the office as you leave the campus. Thank you for understanding and for helping us keep the learning environment for our students and your children a safe place.
Vernon ISD is currently taking nominations for our Gifted and Talented Program, which we have on each school campus. However, some parents may not exactly know what our Gifted and Talented Program is all about and if their child should be nominated. We are holding a parent information meeting for our Gifted and Talented Program at 6 p.m., Thursday, at the VHS Media Center. If you have questions about our GT Program, please join us.
Our 1st Graders performed their "Christmas Magic" program last Thursday night at the Wilbarger Auditorium. They performed nine songs including "Santa Claus is on His Way;" "He'll Be Comin' Down the Chimney;" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." And, they received a surprise visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the end of the show.
Our 1st Graders performed their "Christmas Magic" program last Thursday night at the Wilbarger Auditorium. They performed nine songs including "Everybody's Goin' on a Sleigh Ride" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
Our 1st Grade students presented their "Christmas Magic" program last Thursday evening at the Wilbarger Auditorium. The students performed nine songs, including "Away in a Manger;" "Play the Bells;" "I'm a Little Snowflake;" and "Frosty the Snowman."
Receiving Student of the Week honors this week were: 1st Grade -- Saul Cordoba, Scarlett Lowery, Arya Coleman, Jaylee Cherry, Myla Sparkman, Foster Bell, Tomas Gilley, and Blossom Lar; Kindergarten -- K'siyah Guerra, Elizabeth James, Xxavier Hall, Violet Paw, Gavin Hernandez, and Macy White; Pre-Kindergarten -- Emilia Mullins, Semaja Junaid, Jesus Andres Lora, Monserrat Balderas, and Frank Vanek. Congratulations!!! Great job!!! Their photos will be displayed on our digital sign and the digital sign at the Admin Building next week.
First grader Xavier Valtierra was our announcement helper this morning, helping Mrs. Bloom with, among other things, the joke of the day. Here, with aid from Mrs. Bloom, Xavier leads the students in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is an Early Release Friday for VISD.
Here is our cafeteria menu for the December.
It's a McCord thing! You won't want to miss this JOLLY event!!!
We are currently taking nominations for our Gifted & Talented Program for every campus. If you know a student you would like to nominate, please contact the counselor at the student's campus for more information.
McCord Elementary Students of the Week for the week of Nov. 13-17, before our Thanksgiving break were: Pre-Kindergarten -- William Flud, Bentley Carr, Zachary Pierce and Annzley Maldonado; Kindergarten -- Khloe Herring, Logan Echols, Valencia Nuncio, Eli Albineda, Jeremiah McBride, Alyas Stanley, Messiah Stanfill and EhSunny Poe; 1st Grade -- Sofia Salas, Winter Escobar, Ivan Clemente, Gracie Crespo, Jaylin Stanley, Dexter Shelton and Grace Vasquez. Congratulations to all of these students. Great job!!
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear! You won't want to miss McCord's 1st grade students performing their Christmas Program THIS THURSDAY! We hope you can join us!
