May District Newsletter
From the Desk of: Dr. Elna Davis, TISD Superintendent of School
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the journey we've shared and express my heartfelt gratitude to our parents and families. Your partnership, support, and encouragement have played a vital role in our students' success this year.
From the first day of school to now, we've seen growth, resilience, and achievement across our campuses. Together, we've continued to Strive, Thrive, and Achieve.
May is a month full of milestones, and we’re excited to honor our students’ accomplishments in special ways. We invite you to join us as we celebrate:
8th Grade Promotion – May 27 at 6:00 PM
Kindergarten Graduation – May 29 at 9:30 AM
High School Graduation – May 29 at 7:30 PM
These events are not only a time to reflect on all that’s been achieved, but also to look forward to bright futures ahead.
As we look ahead to summer, I hope everyone finds time to relax, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. Whether you're traveling, spending time with family, or simply enjoying a slower pace, take time to rejuvenate. We’ll return stronger and ready for another great year refreshed and ready for all that’s to come.
Thank you again for being such an important part of our school community. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead!
Early Childhood/Elementary
April Average Attendance:
TECS: 93.18%
TES: 94.5%
Upcoming April Events:
Thursday, May 1 - SpEd Field Trip - We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
Thursday, May 1, PK, K, and 1st Elephant and Piggie Performance TMS auditorium
Thursday, May 1 - Career Day- 3rd Grade
Friday, May 2 - PK/Kinder Round Up - 1:00-3:00 pm
Thursday, May 8 - 5th grade visit to TMS - 9:00-11:20
Week of May 5-9 - Teacher Appreciation Week
Tuesday, May 6 - 5th grade Field Trip (group 1)
Wednesday, May 7- 5th grade Field Trip (group 2)
Wednesday, May 7 - School Nurse Day
Thursday, May 8 - Progress reports distributed
Thursday, May 8 - 5th grade trip to TMS
Wednesday, May 14 - Careers on Wheels
Thursday, May 15th - Above and Beyond Tutorials Field Trip
Friday, May 16 - Mother and Son Night - PTO - 6:00-9:00 pm - TMS
Monday, May 19 - Glee Club performance at the Board Meeting
Thursday, May 22 - Field and Water Day
Tuesday, May 27 - 5th Grade Farewell Party
Thursday, May 29 - End of 6th 6 weeks
Thursday, May 29 - Kinder graduation
Thursday, May 29 - Classroom EOY parties
Students of the Week:
TECS: Every Monday, each classroom selects 1 student from each classroom to be the Student of the Week, and their names are announced on the PA.
TES: Beginning in March, teachers nominate students based on student achievement, behavioral/academic growth, leadership, creativity and/or modeling our core values of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Every week, campus administration selects 2 students from each grade level as the Student of the Week. They are recognized during their grade level lunch and receive a certificate.
Students of the Week:
TECS: Every Monday, each classroom selects 1 student from each classroom to be the Student of the Week, and their names are announced on the PA.
TES: Each week, teachers nominate students based on student achievement, behavioral.academic growth, leadership, creativity and/or modeling our core values of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Campus administration then selects 2 students from each grade level as the Student of the Week. They are recognized during their grade level lunch and receive a certificate.
Week of March 31-April 3:
1st Grade - Brody Hill, Jentry Morris
2nd Grade - Kirk Dutson, Skylar Love,Skylar Thomas
3rd Grade - Gunner Evans, Tinley Kirchner
4th Grade - Braylon Hickey, Braylee Potter
5th Grade - Johan Franco, Harper Tooley
Week of April 7-10:
1st Grade - Mackenzie Jarboe, Gabriel Pearson
2nd Grade - Nashton Mathews, Emma Whitmire
3rd Grade - Rhylan “Brazos” Orum, Adelynn Jarmillo
4th Grade - Isaac Linares, Jozlyn Decker
5th Grade - Bryden McKeever, Karlie Coker
Week of April 14-17:
1st Grade - Dakotah Pierce, Kay Parks
2nd Grade - Connor Hall, Alizae Guerrero
3rd Grade - Rhett Ward, Gabby Shelton
4th Grade - Gauge Burnett, Jazmin Bautista
5th Grade - Zachariah Parsons, Devanhy Cruz
Week of April 21-24:
1st Grade - Bowan Guynes, Lilian Becerril
2nd Grade - Waelon Holston, Jocelyn Sutton
3rd Grade - Connor Poston, Preslee Elmore
4th Grade - Grayson Odstrcil, Charlee Harrison
5th Grade - Layne Ward, Adalyn Villareal
Tarkington Middle School
With state testing coming to a close project-based learning is ramping up on campus. For instance, this week, Mrs. Wheeler, 6th grade math teacher, rewarded her students' hard work on the STAAR Tests with a popcorn and movie experience - with a catch. They had to first budget and pay for concession items and a movie ticket from Tarkington Theatre. With this activity, the student set up ratios, wrote and solved equations, budgeted, and wrote personal checks! It was a fun, hands-on, real-world lesson that all 6th graders enjoyed.
We have a little over a month left of school, and as the year winds down, our attendance percentages at the Middle School has been trending down. In fact, so far in April, our attendance percentage has dipped below 94%. Students are missing out on collaborative lessons and projects. To illustrate, this week, I was in a class when students were presenting skits of their own creation, but half of the performances could not be done because various group members were absent from school. Your student's absences not only impact his/her own learning, but often impacts others, especially when learning is collaborative. I encourage everyone, staff and students alike, to strive for perfect attendance from now until the end of school. We have several field trips and campus activities which are attendance-based, and I want as many students as possible to be able to take advantage of the fun experiences we have planned!
The extracurricular aspect of our campus is in full swing as well. This week, our STEM Club met to make tie-dye t-shirts. They will wear these shirts on their upcoming field trip to NASA! They are sure to have fun and will be easy to spot!
Tarkington High School
STAAR Testing has wrapped up with the end of April. We have 16 THS seniors who are slated to walk at Lone Star Community College graduation at the start of May. These seniors have worked hard to earn their respective associates degree. THS ended April with an average attendance rate of 94.3%. We look forward to seeing our parents, community and friends at the various banquets and awards nights that will take place in May.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
May 6: Legacy and Promise Banquet
May 12: Project Grad Meeting
May 15: Senior Trip
May 19: Top Ten Breakfast
May 20: Senior Breakfast and Walk
May 20: Grades 9-11th Awards Ceremony
May 22: Senior Awards Ceremony
May 29: Graduation
Athletics
Athletic physicals will be offered during the school day on Wednesday, May 14th in the gym.
Cost: $25 (CASH ONLY)
Students must have a completed and signed medical history form to receive a physical.
Physical forms can be found below, available on the athletics webpage, and will be handed out to students the week before.
Don’t miss this convenient opportunity to take care of your athletic physicals on campus! For more information or for questions; please contact: druzick@tarkingtonisd.net
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 date is May 2nd from 1:00-3:00. For more information email Dana Burt at DBURT@TARKINGTONISD.NET
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
This month has been a busy and productive time across our campuses! STAAR testing officially commenced and will be completed today—thank you to our students, teachers, and staff for their hard work and focus throughout the testing window.
We’ve also finalized our Summer School dates and times, ensuring families can begin planning ahead to support continued learning over the summer break. More details will be shared soon with registration information.
Additionally, the 2023 Accountability Ratings were recently released by the Texas Education Agency and shared at our latest board meeting. We are using this data as a tool to reflect, refine, and strengthen our instructional practices as we continue to prioritize student growth and achievement district-wide.
Looking ahead to next month, we’ll be wrapping up the school year with end-of-year celebrations, award ceremonies, and graduation activities. Stay tuned for campus-specific details!
Together, we are striving, thriving, and achieving—thank you for being a vital part of our journey.
Child Nutrition & Custodial Services
Shonna Evans, TES cafeteria manager will be the FIRST ever TISD Child Nutrition Employee to graduate from Manager's Academy! Way to go Shonna, we are proud of you!
TECS will have a brand new serving line installed later this month, it will have all the bells and wistles to better serve our students!
School Lunch Hero day is May 2nd. We will celebrate our Child Nutrition staff on May 1st!
Custodial:
It's a very busy time of year for custodians. We are in the beginning stages of summer cleaning plans.
Communications
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9, and it’s the perfect time for families to join us in celebrating the amazing teachers who make a difference every day! Here are some fun and meaningful ways parents and students can show their appreciation:
Write a Thank You Note – A heartfelt message from you or your child goes a long way. Have your child write a personal letter or card to their teacher.
Create Student Artwork – Have your child draw a picture or make a handmade craft to give their teacher.
Send a Small Gift – A favorite snack, classroom supplies, or a small gift card (coffee shops, bookstores, etc.) can brighten a teacher’s day.
Donate to a Class Wishlist – Check with your child’s teacher or the front office to see if they have a classroom wish list or favorite online store.
Join Campus Celebrations – Ask your child’s school how you can participate in or contribute to Teacher Appreciation Week events.
Health Services
The end of the school year is quickly approaching! If your child has medication in the nurse’s office, please make arrangements to pick up their medication on or before the last day of school, May 29th, 2025. If left in the clinic, these medications will not be retained over the summer and will be disposed of as per Tarkington ISD policy. Please remember that students are not allowed to transport medications and they will not be allowed on the bus.
Medication authorization forms are good for the current school year only. If your child will be taking medication during the 25/26 school year, please have your doctor fill out the attached form. ALL medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, now require a physician’s order.
In addition, if your child requires an action plan or to be kept on file in the nurse’s office (i.e., asthma, seizure, diabetes, food allergies) please ensure a new plan is obtained over the summer from your doctor’s office. Tarkington ISD policy requires that all action plans be renewed every school year.
Our last immunization clinic for the school year will be held on May 19th. See the attached flyer for details. Please continue to send in updated immunizations and other health related issues/concerns for your child’s health record. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your campus nurse.
Have a safe and healthy summer!
A quick reminder: National School Nurse Day is May 7th! Take a moment to thank your campus nurse for their compassion, care, and commitment to student wellness all year long.
We’re proud to partner with you in keeping our students healthy, happy, and ready to finish the year strong!
Maintenance & Transportation
Fleet Readiness: Preventive maintenance is in full swing to prepare buses for summer routes and fall readiness. Our mechanics are conducting full inspections and necessary repairs ahead of the hot Texas months.
Summer Maintenance Projects will begin in June—thank you in advance for your flexibility as we shift focus to deep cleaning, larger-scale repairs, and scheduled upgrades.
Technology Department
Tarkington ISD Technology Department Update
The Technology Department has been hard at work behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition into summer and beyond. Here's a quick look at what we’ve been up to:
Refining End-of-Year Tech Procedures: We've been evaluating and enhancing our end-of-year processes to streamline device collection, inventory, and staff/student transitions.
Providing Ongoing Support: Our team has continued assisting campuses with key processes, including STAAR tech preparation and support.
Planning for 2025–26: Believe it or not, we’ve already kicked off planning for the next school year with a focus on improved systems, smarter workflows, and a better user experience.
Launching Summer Data Cleanup: To improve system performance and accuracy, we’ve begun our annual data cleanup efforts.
New Staff Tech Prep: We're also updating and improving our new staff technology implementation process to ensure incoming team members have a smooth and efficient onboarding experience.
Tech Fact:
The first known use of computers in schools dates all the way back to the 1960s, when minicomputers were used in a handful of U.S. classrooms—mostly for math and science. Some students even learned to code in FORTRAN and BASIC decades before laptops were common in schools!
