April District Newsletter
From the Desk of: Dr. Elna Davis, TISD Superintendent of School
As we step into April, I am excited to reflect on the accomplishments and activities that continue to showcase how our students are Striving, Thriving, and Achieving.
At our March Board of Trustees meeting, we received valuable updates from our Business, Maintenance, Transportation, and Technology departments. Their dedication ensures our schools remain safe, efficient, and equipped with the resources necessary to support student success. Additionally, the Board engaged in a thoughtful discussion about Update 124 from the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB). This update provides important insights into legislative changes that impact district policies and operations, helping us maintain compliance and uphold the highest standards in our schools. I encourage all members of our community to attend these meetings — they are a wonderful opportunity to stay informed and engaged.
We also had the privilege of celebrating many student accomplishments. Our early childhood and elementary schools recently hosted Pastries with Parents, a heartwarming event that fostered family connections and highlighted the importance of parent involvement. Also, last month, I had the pleasure of sharing an informal lunch with some of our high school students (Superintendent’s Lunch Bunch), listening to their perspectives and discussing topics that matter to them.
The Board recognized our outstanding Students of Character and celebrated those who earned honors at the Houston Livestock Art Show. Additionally, we applauded the achievements of our BETA Club members at the State Convention and cheered for the success of our UIL Powerlifting Teams at the State competition. In the classrooms, our students have been engaged in hands-on learning — from health science students practicing blood draws to second graders exploring environmental sustainability through lessons on reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Finally, I want to extend a special invitation to our entire Longhorn community. Please Save the Date for the M Club’s Annual Crawfish Boil and Fish Fry on April 26, 2025 at 4:30pm. A huge “Thank You” to the M Club members for supporting the effort of the Student Foundation to provide a scholarship offering to every senior. We appreciate everyone involved in this work. Tickets may be purchased at Cannons Grocery and Lonestar Cleaners. Mark you calendar to come have a great time with your family. It’s a fantastic community event.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement. Together, we are making great strides in ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Tarkington High School
Academic: STAAR Testing will begin at the start of April. We encourage our parents to encourage our students to get plenty of rest the night prior to the test. Our students and teachers are working hard to prepare for STAAR season. Much thanks to Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Pea, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Dugat for helping out with specific pull-out sessions.
THS Attendance had a monthly average of 94.19% for the month of March. THS will be rolling out some new and improved attendance incentives to encourage our students to finish strong for the rest of the year. Our goal is to end each weekly average at 97%.
Attendance, PEIMS, and Registration
Mark your calendars for PK/KG Round-Up. At this event parents will register their PK or KG student for the upcoming school year and students will get a chance to visit classrooms and experience a bus ride around the district. The dates for this event are April 22nd from 6:00-8:00 and May 2nd from 1:00-3:00. For more information email Dana Burt at DBURT@TARKINGTONISD.NET
Communications
Information is key! The Tarkington ISD website has an abundance of information waiting for you at your fingertips. For instance, under the "Families" tab on the website; you can find information regarding: Academic Calendar, Grievances & Concerns, Here Comes the Bus Pilot Program, ID Badges, Family Engagement, Meal Menus, Registration, Parent Portal, Student Handbook, School Supply List, Student Awards, and Volunteer Info. https://www.tarkingtonisd.net/families
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
The month of April brings many opportunities to say "Thank You."
April 4: School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 7-11 National Assistant Principal Appreciation Week
April 21-25 Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 22: School bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 23: School Secretary Appreciation Day
May 5-9 Teacher Appreciation Week
Health Services
Please join us for our last SHAC meeting of the year in the TISD Boardroom on April 4th. This is a great way to get involved and have positive impact on the health and wellness of our students!
Our last student immunization clinic of the year will take place on May 19th. We will send out the flyer as the date gets closer. Please continue to review your child's immunization record. As they receive other immunizations, please send that information to your campus nurse so that it can be entered into your child's student health record.
Human Resources
We are excited to have the Rose Mammogram mobile unit come to TISD for the second year to provide free mammograms for all employees. Shout out to Amanda Duncan for making that happen! We are in full swing for job fair season, attending SHSU, SFA and Lamar University education job fairs as well as the Cleveland Greater Chamber of Commerce job fair. Spring is a busy time!
Maintenance & Transportation
Maintenance Department
Congratulations to Jacob Dauenhauer, our March Maintenance Employee of the Month! Jacob's dedication and hard work continue to make a positive impact on our district.
We're excited to share that we have completed two of our four SMART goals for the 2024-2025 school year.
New Hire Onboarding Guide: We developed a comprehensive onboarding guide for both the Maintenance and Technology Departments to help new hires understand the work order system, where to find it, and how to use it effectively. This guide is emailed to the new hire when their account is created. It can also be found in the Longhorn Learning Nook.
Department Organizational Chart: We've also established a clear and detailed organizational chart for the department, ensuring everyone understands roles and responsibilities.
We're currently working on building a Preventative Maintenance (PM) schedule, which will be integrated into our work order system. This tool will enhance efficiency by allowing us to track, schedule, and complete maintenance tasks systematically. By streamlining processes, we can better prioritize tasks, minimize downtime, and ensure all district facilities are operating safely and efficiently. We’re making great progress, and we’re excited to share more updates as we continue toward our goals!
Transportation Department
In March, the Transportation department rolled out the Here Comes the Bus Program. This is a pilot program on a limited number of routes or buses. Letters were sent home to parents of students that ride those specific routes piloting the program. If you would like to know more about the Here Comes the Bus program; please go to the TISD website at: https://www.tarkingtonisd.net/families/here-comes-the-bus
School and Student Services
ID Badge Rollout:
After students returned from Spring Break; each campus distributed student ID badges. Each student received their badge, a lanyard, and a plastic badge sleeve. The campuses are making badges for those that did not receive one.
General Expectations:
All students must wear their ID badges at all times while on campus, whether before, during, or after school hours. Students that loose their badges will need to get a temporary ID badge until a new one can be made. Replacement badge costs are: $5 badge, $1 lanyard, $1 plastic sleeve.
Technology Department
We are in the final stages of preparing the network and district devices for the upcoming STAAR testing. Our team has been diligently working to ensure everything is running smoothly and that all devices are properly configured for testing. We are confident that this effort will help ensure a seamless experience for both students and staff during testing.
In addition to STAAR preparation, we are continuing to allocate a significant amount of our time and resources to the roll-out of the new badge system. We know how important this transition is, and we're working hard to provide ongoing support to staff and students as they get acclimated to the new process.
Finally, we are excited to share that we are currently in the process of earning certifications in several new software platforms that have been introduced to the district. These certifications will help our team gain expert-level knowledge, enabling us to better support the district and ensure that all technology is being used effectively across campuses.
Fun Tech Fact: Did you know that the first educational video game, The Oregon Trail, was created in 1971? It was originally designed to teach students about the hardships of 19th-century pioneer life. Ironically, the game is often remembered more for teaching players how to lose all their oxen than for its educational value. Who remembers this game?
