The Wildkat Word: April 2025
As we enter the final nine weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank our families, staff, and students for their continued partnership and support. Spring brings a busy season filled with activities, celebrations, and yes, state testing.
While testing provides important data that helps us evaluate progress and identify areas for growth, it is just one piece of the puzzle. True success can’t be measured by a single assessment. It’s reflected in the relationships we build with students, the joy we see in their eyes when a concept clicks, and the everyday moments that help them grow into confident, capable young adults.
At the same time, Willis ISD is entering an exciting new chapter. Through our Strategic Planning process, we are working alongside parents, students, staff, and community members to define a bold vision for the future of our schools. From an education summit of over 50 stakeholders to focus groups with more than 100 participants and a survey with over 1,000 responses, the input has been inspiring. Our design team is now refining the district’s mission, vision, goals, and action steps to guide our work for the next three to five years. We are grateful to everyone who has participated and look forward to the direction this plan will provide for our students’ success.
I would like to take an opportunity to remind you to check out our upcoming viewings of the Screenagers Film Series. This eye-opening documentary combines real stories with expert insight - and offers practical ways to help kids find balance in today’s screen-saturated world. The next sessions are on April 15, 17 and 30. Learn more HERE.
At Willis ISD, our focus remains on the whole child, academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being part of our WildKat family.
With gratitude,
Dr. Kimberley James
Superintendent of Schools
Recently, five dedicated members of the Willis High School HOSA Chapter competed at the HOSA Region 6 Competition at Nimitz High School. These students first took an online exam, with the top five in each category advancing to the next level.
We are proud to announce that six of our 39 competitors advanced to Regionals, showcasing their hard work and commitment to the medical field!
Local Competition Results:
- Teaghan DeMiere - 15th place in Medical Spelling
- Qudus Alabi - 4th place in Medical Terminology
- Ashley Pulido - 2nd place in Human Growth and Development
- Katya Bargerstock - 9th place in Clinical Laboratory Science
Regional Competition Results:
- Claire Mayronne - 5th place in Physical Therapy
- Adleigh Bagwell - 3rd place in Clinical Laboratory Science
Special Congratulations to Adleigh Bagwell, who is advancing to the STATE COMPETITION this month!
Keep track of daily transportation updates with the My Ride K-12 app!
This app will provide you with easy and fast access to your children’s bus route/pickup locations and times and allow the district to send you updates about early or late buses or other information related to your child’s bus.
To download the app: Visit the App Store or Google Play Store, type in "My Ride K-12" and select "Install/Download/Get," or click on the links below.
- 24/7/365 Multilingual Support - A multilingual team is available 24/7/365 to help you understand options, call providers on your behalf and schedule an appointment.
- Care Regardless of Insurance - Connect to care with any coverage including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.
- Easy Access to Care - Use Care Match, the self-serve website, to find a provider on your own.
For more information, visit caresolace.com/willisisd
