Pride Preview: Aug 17, 2025

Good Evening Pride,

I hope you enjoyed a restful weekend after such a strong first week back. As we begin Week 2, we do so with exciting news—our campus has earned an 88 accountability rating, placing us just two points away from an A. While two points may sound small, the work required to reach that next level will challenge us even more than the climb it took to move up two letter grades in just two years.

But what I know with certainty is this: the potential is already here within our walls. It lives in our students, in our staff, and in the daily decisions we make about how we show up, hold ourselves accountable, and set the bar for excellence. Lipscomb is you. It is what each of us chooses to make it each day.

This year, we have the chance to write history together. I ask each of you to raise the standard—for yourself, for your colleagues, and for your students. To our new Pride members, your fresh energy and talent will help us roar even louder. And to our returning staff, your commitment is what has carried us this far and what will carry us the rest of the way.

If we unite behind the belief that we are capable—and act on it daily—we can turn this “almost A” into a story of how Lipscomb became the most sought-after school in East Dallas. Let’s embrace this week with purpose, pride, and the relentless effort that defines us.

Excellence, Not Without Effort.

click the image above to see the live campus calendar!

Through Wednesday, enrollment count will tally students physically present PLUS any that are absent and report them HERE each morning between 9:30am and 10:00am

• As planned, we will shift to Breakfast In The Classroom for grades PK-2nd grade, and Grab-N-Go for Grades 3-5 starting Monday, August 18th.
• Teachers, please ensure you are in the Auditorium no later than 7:50 am tomorrow to escort your students to class. Kiosks will be available on the 2nd and 3rd floor.
• Arrival locations will remain the same.

Access a step-by-step guide and training materials by clicking the link below. Completing the training is mandatory, followed by a brief exam to ensure everyone is prepared to support the program effectively. The documents can be accessed on our website FCNS BIC website.

Please complete BIC Training by August 29, 2025.

The links are below:

1) Counting and Claiming Quick Guide (accessible on FCNS BIC website)

2) Online training with a quiz. Click on the link provided below:

Training: 25-26 Teacher BIC training

Quiz: 25-26 Teacher BIC Quiz

• Prohibits Assistance with Social Transitioning

• This new law prohibits school district employees from assisting students with "social transitioning" per section 11.401.
• Social transitioning means a “person’s transition from the person’s biological sex at birth to the opposite biological sex through the adoption of a different name, different pronouns, or other expressions of gender that deny or encourage a denial of the person’s biological sex at birth.”

Effective immediately, school district employees must not assist students in any way with social transitioning.

Social Transitioning includes:

• Using names that reflect a gender identity different from the student’s biological sex at birth,
• Using pronouns that differ from the student’s biological sex at birth; or,
• Providing information, resources, or guidance related to social transitioning.

Social Transitioning does not include:

• Using nicknames such as Charles to Charlie, Henry Adams III to Trey, or name variations not considered “social transitioning”,
• Using last names; or,
• Using safety plans for use of single stall bathroom(s).

• Promoting differential treatment or providing special benefits to individuals on the basis of race, color or ethnicity;
• Develop or implement policies, procedures, trainings, activities or programs that reference race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation except:
• compliance with state or federal law or for purposes of student recruitment by colleges designated as historically black colleges and universities.

If you are unsure whether a situation falls under SB12, contact Principal Carter

Employee Right to Prayer SB 965

Explicitly permits school district employees to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty, unless the infringement is:

(1) necessary to further a compelling state interest; and

(2) narrowly tailored using the least restrictive means to achieve that compelling state interest.

Senate Bill 571 amends the Texas Family Code by shortening the time (from 48 hrs to 24 hrs) for reporting child abuse to law enforcement.

Professionals must report suspected child abuse to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours after the professional first has “reasonable cause to believe that the child has been or may be abused or neglected”

Definition of “child abuse” amended to include “sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes an improper relationship between an educator and a student under Texas Penal Code 21.12”

In accordance with state law, we will enforce the restrictions on cellular devices on campus this year. We do not typically have an issue with cell phones or cellular watches, but please review the policy linked here. The new rolling carts in each classroom are perfect locations for you to identify for your classroom as the secure location to store student devices.

Please help by overcommunicating this policy to parents, especially if you have had students bring these devices in the past. The best thing to do is to highly encourage students to leave those devices at home.

• The Dual Language Academy for the 2025-2026 stipend is available on Cornerstone.

• Each year, this 3.5-hour professional development module is required for eligible bilingual teachers and/or qualifying licensed professional support who meet the bilingual stipend requirements listed in the Dallas ISD 2025-2026 Compensation Handbook (pages 54-57)

• Eligible employees must complete this training by November 1, 2025, to be eligible to receive the bilingual stipend.

• On or after August 1, 2025, eligible employees can enroll in the session by logging into Cornerstone and selecting 2025-2026 Dual Language Academy for Bilingual Teachers and/or Qualifying Licensed Professional Support

We are thrilled to announce an incredible opportunity for our second-grade students to build confidence and learn life-saving skills through the Dallas ISD Water Safety Program!

In a partnership between the YMCA and the Dallas ISD Health & Physical Education Department, this program empowers students with fundamental swimming skills and water safety awareness. Over a two-week period, participating classes will attend eight fun, hands-on lessons at a district natatorium during the school day, creating a memorable and impactful learning experience.

This program is open to all second grade classes. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't delay!

• To register our campus, please complete the Water Safety Interest Form today!

• 1st Semester - November 7th
• 2nd Semester - April 10th

All field trips and buses MUST be submitted at least 14 instructional days prior to the trip. The last day for field trips is May 3rd. We will have a new field trip platform coming soon through the DISD Portal but for now we are still utilizing Laserfiche.

Please login to Laserfiche for submission and approvals for field trips, fundraisers, etc. using your email address and password. The forms are accessible through the District’s Portal titled Laserfiche.

Enjoy two complimentary tickets and spend the day exploring the Dallas Arboretum! Enjoy full access to the 8-acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, where interactive science exhibits bring classroom concepts to life.

“Preparation doesn’t guarantee success, but lack of it guarantees failure.” Benjamin Franklin

The measurable academic progress students make as a result of rigorous instruction and systems that ensure access to learning for all:

• Progress Monitoring

• Half Band Goals

• Data Meetings

The relationships, routines, and shared values that create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both students and staff thrive:

• Respectful Collaboration and Relationships

• Honest and Meaningful Feedback

• Recognition of Good Work

The consistent use of research-based strategies and aligned curriculum that actively engage students in learning and set the foundation for academic success:

• Standards Based Instruction

• Fidelity to the Curriculum

• Coaching and Feedback

• PLCs: Alignment

1. Clarity and Alignment of the Lesson Objective: Is the instructional purpose aligned to the TEKS and clearly communicated to students.

2. Student Engagement Through Voice and Ownership: Who is doing the thinking, talking, and work?

3. Checks for Understanding in Action: How are we monitoring what students are learning—and adjusting in real time?

4. Demonstration of Learning (DOL) Quality and Alignment: Do students have an opportunity to show what they’ve learned at the rigor of the TEKS?

• HERE is the Assignment/Appraiser List for 2024-2025

• i-Ready (K-5) Students in grades K-5 will take the iReady BOY Diagnostic Assessment for both reading and math. These assessments should be completed during the testing window of August 18-22.

• For students in K-5 dual language programs, the teacher of record, in collaboration with the campus LPAC, will determine the most appropriate language of assessment for each individual student based on classroom observations and student data. See the iReady Language of Assessment Guidance for further information.

• In preparation:

• A self-paced module has been created for testing coordinators and can be accessed through Cornerstone.

Additional resources to support can be found on the Assessment website using this link.

• In addition to BOY i-Ready Reading and Math, kindergarten students will be assessed with Circle Kindergarten Progress Monitoring (KPM) (formerly known as TX-KEA) at BOY only. KPM will capture K-Readiness that will be reported to the state, and in a change this year, only the three subtests (Vocabulary, Spelling, and Letter Names) that comprise this measure will be required. All the rest are optional.

• Here is a a KPM Teacher Assessment Guide – BOY 2025 to provide support for kindergarten teachers. This step-by-step guide informs you about assessment preparation and includes sample schedules. If you are unfamiliar with administering KPM, use the Step-by-Step Self-Paced Training Guide and the KPM User Guide.

Students in Grades 3-5will use i-Ready.

• Students who take the iReady Reading Diagnostic in English will be placed on an individualized, automated pathway.
• Students who take the iReady Reading Diagnostic in Spanish will be placed on a pathway set by i-Ready that will appear on the teacher assigned side of the student screen.
• Recommended time for elementary students is at least 30 minutes per week, per subject.
• Recommended time for secondary students is 30 minutes per day.

• i-Ready Preparation Guidance and Supporting Documents:

  • SSO iPad Instructions

  • Use data to plan instruction

  • Deep Dive: Using i-Ready as a Student Growth Measure

Reminder: Nurse Wilcox has to provide a scheduled medical procedure each day in the TC classroom from 1:50 pm to 2:35 pm. Please try to send passes before this time period and alert the office of any urgent or emergency concerns.

Remember...passes at / after 2:45 pm, close to dismissal time, can make it difficult to get students picked up if I cannot reach parents.

Covid and influenza cases are on the rise. I have seen confirmed cases of Covid and Influenza Type A at Lipscomb. You can get up-to-date information here: https://texas-respiratory-illness-dashboard-txdshsea.hub.arcgis.com/

If you don't see your name, be sure to fill out the Staff Info Form!