LISD Expect Excellence Newsletter

All across Levelland ISD, we are surrounded by leaders making a difference every day. As the school year comes to a close, we are relishing in the many moments that make our district so special! We loved celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, honoring our dedicated school nurses, recognizing students at honors banquets, and enjoying the incredible talents showcased through concerts and productions. And there's more to come! These events remind us of the hard work, heart, and commitment that fill our schools each day and I thank each of you for it!

Proud to be a Lobo,
Dr. Donald Heseman, Superintendent

https://secure.smore.com/n/j9n8t-levelland-isd

Last week, we celebrate our incredible teachers during National Teacher Appreciation Week! Every lesson taught, every encouraging word shared, and every extra moment given make a lasting impact on our students’ lives. Our teachers inspire confidence, build relationships, and help shape the future of our community. Thank you for your passion, your commitment, and for making a difference every single day. Levelland ISD is stronger because of you!

We celebrated National School Nurse Day last week for amazing nurses who do so much more than treat bumps and bruises. From managing daily health needs to responding in emergencies, from offering comfort to keeping our students safe and ready to learn, you are truly essential to our schools. Thank you for your compassion, your expertise, and the calm, caring presence you bring to every campus. You make a difference in the lives of our students and staff each and every day, and we are so grateful for all you do!

LHS is proud to announce that eleven seniors and one junior graduated from South Plains College last Friday! This is a huge accomplishment and puts these students ahead of the game after high school! What makes this even more incredible is that several of these seniors have now earned their college degrees before walking the stage for their high school graduation. Through hard work, determination, and a commitment to their future, they are already stepping into the next chapter with a major head start. We are so proud of these students for taking advantage of the SPC dual credit opportunity offered and for setting the bar high for what it means to be future-ready!
https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/8584/spcgradvideomay26_1.mp4

LMS students enjoyed presenting their GT research projects to parents and teachers to wrap up their year! Through speaking, answering questions, and presenting their ideas, students demonstrated confidence, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of their topics. They communicated their research clearly, engaged with their audience, and showcased the hard work and creativity that went into each project. It was a great opportunity for students to grow as presenters and share their learning in a meaningful way!

LMS 8th graders enjoyed their formal earlier this month!

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This was a fun activity for South Educators! They filled themselves with hot air and then participated in a Field Day Race of their own! They've set a new tradition that kids will expect every year!
https://files.smartsites.parentsquare.com/8582/southinflatablerace26tradition.mp4

Our LMS and LHS Bands performed their Western Extravaganza Band Concert last week! These kids put in a lot of work and learn so much throughout the year! We are so happy to see this program growing each year. Pictured are Ada Niederhauser and Nathan Ellis playing Lobo Loyalty for the last time in the LISD Band Career!

https://www.facebook.com/LevellandISD/videos/1680579766592575

LMS sixth-graders in Ms. Jackson's art classes participated in a contest to create what you would see looking while “Through the Keyhole” of their door. Ms. Jackson says, "They did an amazing job and were extremely creative! I’m so proud of my students' hard work!"

South students enjoyed preparing Mother's Day gifts in art class with Mrs. Mary Bara this week for Mother's Day tomorrow! We are so proud that our art classes encourage creativity, thoughtfulness, and self-expression while giving students a meaningful opportunity to show appreciation and love for the important people in their lives. Way to go Mrs. Bara!

Thank you to everyone who made the LOC 2026 Prom a successful night in Paris! Our kids had a wonderful time riding in spectacular cars provided by our local Car Club and being dropped off for the Red Carpet event! It was a night of dancing, dinner and fun!

Congratulations to Mrs. Oaks on being chosen as the WhataTeacher of the Year & being awarded $1,000 from Whataburger! LHS culinary teacher Mrs. Oaks is the perfect WhataTeacher, because she teaches the Culinary Arts & Food Science Program at LHS. Throughout her 22 years of teaching service, she has touched many lives & makes difference for LHS students every single day, giving them an opportunity they might not get otherwise. Khris Oaks is the kind of teacher who "serves up" success every single day as the Culinary Arts teacher & she’s built an award-winning program that’s "cooking up" opportunities for students at every level. From local competitions all the way to state, her students are always rising to the top! In Mrs. Oaks’ classroom, students don’t just follow recipes, they build real-life skills. She teaches food safety, food science, & gives students hands-on experience that prepares them for the real world. By the time they graduate, students have earned certifications that allow them to step straight into the workforce, help pay their way through college, jump into a Whataburger career, & work their way up, or continue their education in a culinary program. She seeks out help for students in the form of scholarships to aid them as they move forward in their culinary career. And if that wasn’t enough… she also "fires things up" as the coach of the Levelland High School BBQ Team! This award-winning team is bringing the heat & heading to the State High BBQ Competition, proving that under her leadership, success is always "on the menu." When she’s not in the kitchen or at the pit, Mrs. Oaks is busy creating unforgettable memories as the Chair of the Prom Committee, making sure LHS students have a night to remember year after year. She also gives her time to her church, pouring into the lives of young people & making a difference far beyond the classroom. Thank you Mrs. Oaks for what you do for so many LHS students! We also thank Whataburger for your amazing support of our Levelland ISD educators, time & time again! You are truly making a difference for the Levelland community!

LHS thanks our National Honor Society for collecting and donating used eyeglasses to the Levelland Noon Lions Club. This Lions Club Program takes the used prescription glasses, checks prescriptions & repairs the glasses, then donates them to people in need. This was a great NHS Community Service Project and we appreciate our young kids giving back time and time again!

Congratulations to our very own Ashley Howard and Lacey Doster on completing the Leadership Levelland 2026 program! No doubt many amazing things are ahead for these graduates! Ashley and Lacey have already shown a heart for service, leadership, and making a difference in Levelland ISD. We know they will continue to use their talents, vision, and passion to positively impact our Levelland community and inspire those around them for years to come! Go do great things! Thank you to The Chamber for helping LISD professionals become better leaders!

Our Middle School Art students were treated to a spectacle in The Wallace last week with the show Artragreous! There was music, dance, and live painting that collided in a mesmerizing fusion, leaving our Middle Schoolers on the edge of their seats. There was rock music, dancing, singing and an art history lesson all entwined into one great show! We thank The Wallace for hosting our LMS students and giving them a great experience and just a little bit of culture!

We send out a huge thank you to the Levelland Morning Rotary Members for finishing up the sales for the YELL (Young Emerging Leaders of Levelland) DuckPluck scholarship fundraiser. We appreciate your support and want you to know that you make a difference to so many students. The DuckPluck is May 14! Thank you all for your continued support in helping to grow our future leaders!

Our ABC Littles always celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the best way! We love that they learn about the Mexican culture! Way to go Littles!
https://www.facebook.com/LevellandISD/videos/2419475608562629

South Elementary GT students had an unforgettable learning experience on their recent field trip to the National Ranching Heritage Center with Mrs. Harkins, where they explored the rich history and impact of the ranching industry." Students discovered the hard work and dedication it takes to operate a ranch, from learning how windmills collect water to understanding the economics behind cattle feeding and the vital role ranching plays in our food supply. They also explored historic prairie homes, gaining insight into early architecture and daily life on the plains. Mrs. Harkins shared, “We were so engaged in learning about this important industry, and we observed the architecture behind past housing from prairie life. We had a great year of learning at South!"

We send out a huge thank you to the Levelland Noon Lions Club for once again supporting our Levelland Students of the Month! Each month, students are nominated by their LMS teachers for making an extra effort at school and going above and beyond "The LMS Standard." We are proud to celebrate these hardworking students who lead by example through their attitude, effort, and character. Thank you to the Lions Club for recognizing our students’ achievements and for providing Levelland gift cards to help celebrate their success! We appreciate your help in growing our future! Congratulations to Alexander Martinez, Elle Drachenberg, Myrcea Barber and Grayson Arteaga

Earlier this week, South Elementary students participated in "Ride Your Bike To School Day!" With the help of our amazing police officers and SROs, students rolled into school with smiles, fresh air, and lots of energy! Riding a Bike to School Day was a fun way to stay active, build healthy habits, and enjoy time with friends before the school day even began. Thank you to our families, staff and police for helping make it a wheel-y great day!

ABC enjoyed hosting Pastries With Parents this morning. There was such a great turnout of loved ones. Pastries With Parents is more than just a morning event; it is an investment in relationships, student confidence, and the foundation for lifelong learning. We thank ABC for building a strong support system that allows every child to thrive. Great things are happening in LISD!

The Levelland Athletic Boosters held their annual End of Year Sports Banquet and Honors last week. Congratulations to all of these amazing athletes! We are proud of your hard work in all these sports and in the classroom!

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Email: dheseman@levellandisd.net
Website: www.levellandisd.net
Location: 704 11th Street, Levelland, TX
Phone: 806-894-9628
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LevellandISD/
Instagram: levellandindschooldistrict