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Lion List

Lion List
Lion List

August 28, 2026 August 28, 2026

Welcome back to another edition of the Lion List! 🦁


This week, we’re sharing exciting news from across the district, including highlights from the 39th Annual Hippensteel Invitational, an update on Seawillow Middle School, our 2026–2027 attendance goal, and more!


Have a wonderful weekend, Lions! ❤️🔒#LockedInForLockhart

1. Our Lions Shine at the 39th Annual Hippensteel Invitational 1. Our Lions Shine at the 39th Annual Hippensteel Invitational

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Our Lockhart cross country athletes are chasing more than a finish line, they’re chasing excellence!


This morning, runners from across central Texas gathered for the 39th Annual Hippensteel Invitational Track Meet and it was an event to remember.


From performances from our Roaring Lion Band and Color Guard to getting hyped up by Lockhart Cheer, Lionettes, and Legacies, to the support of families, friends, and our community, today was a true celebration of these runners’ hard work, dedication, and determination!


A special shoutout to the event’s namesake, Coach Hippensteel, along with our volunteers and organizers who work behind the scenes each year to make this event a success. We are so grateful for your time, dedication, and commitment to our athletes and this tradition!


Thank you to every athlete who came out and gave it their all. We’re incredibly proud of our Lions for representing Lockhart ISD with heart, grit, and pride! From the starting line to the finish line, these Lions were #LockedInForLockhart every step of the way!


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Register today!

2. Seawillow Middle School On Time & On Budget 2. Seawillow Middle School On Time & On Budget

Seawillow Middle School Update - August 2026

Construction on Seawillow Middle School is on schedule and on budget, with the new campus set to open its doors in August 2027 for the 2027–2028 school year.


This evening marks an exciting milestone as the final concrete pour is being placed, officially completing the foundation. Looking ahead to September, the gym and athletic areas are expected to complete structural steel, while the sixth-grade wing will be fully dried in, including completed roofing and temporary windows, by the end of the month.


This week, we are holding the first of four Rezoning Committee meetings. Composed of community stakeholders, staff, and district leadership, the committee will collaborate and carefully consider rezoning options before bringing their recommendations to the Board of Trustees for a vote at the December Board Meeting.


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3. Spirit of 1.5 3. Spirit of 1.5

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The Spirit of 1.5 is about living and celebrating exceeding expectations and fostering a deeply caring environment that grows everyone within Lockhart ISD. This spirit encompasses a heartfelt devotion to people, coupled with a relentless pursuit of excellence that consistently delivers impactful outcomes.


This week, we are excited to celebrate Bailey Martinez from BLE, Dulce Bustos from ABS, Elvira Hernandez and Rosario Vazquez from NAV, and Coach Curtis Hawkins from LJHS.


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Bailey Martinez

Ms. Martinez may be new to our district, but she is already Locked on Excellence! She has stepped into her SPED Lead role without hesitation and continues to show how deeply she cares about doing what is best for our students and her team. She asks thoughtful questions, seeks out solutions, and doesn’t just bring concerns, she comes ready with ideas and a willingness to help. She is working hard to hold her team to high expectations while making sure our students receive the support they deserve. We are so lucky to have her leadership, heart, and commitment at BLE!
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Dulce Bustos

Dulce Bustos is a truly passionate and dedicated Manager whose hard work and commitment shine through in everything she does at ABS. She embraces every opportunity to excel and consistently goes above and beyond to achieve success. Dulce has a genuine passion for learning and eagerly shares her knowledge with her team, leading by example and inspiring those around her to grow, learn, and strive for excellence. Her passion for her students and her work is evident in her gentle, caring, and kind interactions with everyone around her. Dulce exemplifies what it means to be LockHeart for People through her caring leadership, Unlocking Potential by expanding her knowledge and sharing it with her team, and Locked on Excellence by consistently going above and beyond to prepare meals that are both visually appealing and delicious. Dulce’s passion, kindness, leadership, and commitment to excellence make her an exceptional Manager and a wonderful example of what it means to live out our LockHeart values every day.
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Elvira Hernandez & Rosario Vazquez

These ladies have been working tirelessly to get our campus ready this summer, even when not having their full staff. They have such pride in our campus, and always ensure everything is tidy and shining beautifully! When our staff came back, they were around checking in and supporting any needs. There is such an art to the way they are able to take care of our campus from top to bottom. We are so grateful for all the work these ladies do, and are excited to see how the year goes now that we have a full staff moving into the new school year!
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Curtis Hawkins

Coach Hawkins’s #LockHEARTForPeople doesn’t stop when the school year does. He exemplifies our values and lives the Spirit of 1.5 every single day. Beyond serving students at Lockhart Junior High, Coach Hawkins and Lions Legacy Community Development carried that same commitment to our Lions into the summer by hosting their second annual Kite Day. The event brought our community together for a day of fun, connection, and plenty of time to lift each other up! By creating opportunities for our students and community to connect, play, and simply enjoy being kids, Coach Hawkins is putting Childhood UnLocked into action beyond the classroom. His work strengthens our community, empowers our students, and reminds us that when we lift one another up, we all soar a little higher!

Do you know someone who exemplifies the Spirit of 1.5? Nominate them today by filling out this form!

Nominate a Leader for the Spirit of 1.5

4. Road to Success: 96% Attendance Goal 4. Road to Success: 96% Attendance Goal

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Attendance matters because our Lions matter. Last year, we achieved a 93% average daily attendance rate—the highest we’ve seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, we’re setting our sights even higher with a goal of 96% average daily attendance. Here’s why:


Chronic absenteeism, or missing 10% or more of the school year, or about 17 days, can have a lasting impact on student success. It is associated with lower GPAs, fewer credits earned, and a higher likelihood of dropping out.


Together, we can lead our Lions down the road to success. When our Lions show up every day, ready to learn and grow, they’re one step closer to reaching their goals.


Every day matters because our Lions matter. Let’s Lock In and lead our Lions to success! #LockedInForLockhart #AttendanceMatters

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5. The Lion's Share: Celebrating Teaching, Inspiring Learning, Growing Leaders 5. The Lion's Share: Celebrating Teaching, Inspiring Learning, Growing Leaders

Read the inaugural edition of The Lion's Share, the new Teaching and Learning newsletter from Lockhart ISD! Each month, we'll share a closer look at the incredible instruction, innovative strategies, resources, and learning happening across our district.


Click the link below and discover what's happening in Teaching & Learning across Lockhart ISD!

August Newsletter

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6. Reminders & Upcoming Events 6. Reminders & Upcoming Events

  • Saturday, August 29 - Spirit Clinic - 9:00am - 12:00pm (Lockhart HS) - Register here: https://lockhartisd.store.rankone.com/lhs-spirit-clinic-2026

  • Tuesday, September 1 - LHS Tennis vs. Long Creek HS - 4:00pm (Long Creek HS)

  • Tuesday, September 1 - LHS Away Volleyball Game vs. Del Valle HS (Del Valle HS)

    • Freshman - 5:30pm / JV 5:30pm / Varsity 6:30pm

  • Wednesday, September 2 - JH Football vs. Wallace Middle School

    • 7th Grade White - 5:00 PM at LJH Stadium / 7th Grade Maroon - 6:00 PM at LJH Stadium

    • 8th Grade White - 5:00 PM at Wallace MS / 8th Grade Maroon - 6:00 PM at Wallace MS

  • Thursday, September 3 - LHS Football vs. Leader HS

    • JV - 5:00 PM (Leander HS)

    • 9th Grade Maroon / 9th Grade White - 5:00 PM (Lockhart HS)

  • Friday, September 4 - LHS Home Volleyball Game vs Bastrop HS (Lockhart HS)

    • Freshman - 5:30pm / JV 5:30pm / Varsity 6:30pm

  • Friday, September 4 - LHS Varsity Football vs. Leander - 7:00pm (Lions Stadium)

7. One Thing that Made Us Smile this Week: 7. One Thing that Made Us Smile this Week:

The laughs, music, and learning in Mr. Robbins’s class! We love seeing our students playing a fun game that gets them moving, singing, and having fun while building connections with their peers. Because sometimes the best learning happens when you’re having a little fun along the way! #LockedInForLockhart #ChildhoodUnLocked
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We're always looking for great stories to tell that highlight our #LockhartLeading community. If you have feedback or want to share a good news story, email Communications Specialist, Dechanel Santos at dechanel.santos@lockhart.txed.net.

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