MarchParent Newsletter
From the Desk of: Dr. Elna Davis, TISD Superintendent of School
As we continue working toward the future of Tarkington ISD, I want to encourage our community to seek out accurate and reliable information regarding the upcoming bond election. (www.tarkingtonisd.net/bond-2025) This bond represents the effort of the staff and community collaborating on projects identified in the facility studies. I am incredibly proud of the dedication our teachers, administrators and central office staff show every day as they work to increase student achievement.
I ask that you take the time to learn about the bond, ask thoughtful questions, and consider how this bond will shape the future growth of our students and community. The upcoming Bond 2025 election presents an opportunity to invest in our facilities by providing updated and modernized spaces that aim to foster safety, innovation, and academic excellence. I encourage everyone to seek out accurate and reliable information about the bond by visiting the Bond 2025 website and/or submitting a question. We respond to ALL questions submitted and as appropriate add them to the FAQ list.
Concern #1: “My taxes will go up a huge amount if this bond passes.”
The district has worked to minimize the financial impact on taxpayers. Visit the Bond 2025 website for detailed tax rate tables and see how the bond affects different property types, including 65+/disabled exemptions and agricultural land. Homesteads with a value of $100,000 or less are fully exempt from school district taxes. The Texas Legislature is also considering legislation that could increase this exemption. Also, those with 65+/disabled exemptions are entitled to a property tax freeze that ensures that taxes cannot exceed the frozen amount. –See below for Tax tables
Concern #2: “The district doesn’t really need these new facilities — our schools are fine.”
The age of our facilities are as follows: Early Childhood- 68 years old/ built 1957, Elementary- 54 years old/ built 1971, Middle School – 51 years old/ built 1974, and High School -20 years old/ built 2005. Some of the projects identified in the study aim to address critical infrastructure updates, classroom space, and modern learning environments to help students succeed in today’s world.
Concern #3: “We’ve tried to pass a bond twice already — why keep trying?”
The projects identified in the facility study have not gone away. By constructing projects now, the District locks in the costs of the projects and avoids any future construction inflation costs.
Concern #4: “This bond only benefits the schools, not the community.”
The bond proposes a number of improvements throughout the District. Though the District’s focus in this bond is on the students, the bond includes spaces like gyms and auditoriums that may be used by our entire community.
Concern #5: “The district isn’t being transparent about how the money will be used.”
The District’s goal is to provide transparency in this bond process. The Bond 2025 website (www.tarkingtonisd.net/bond-2025) lays out proposed projects, financial impact, voting information, and much more. Every dollar will be accounted for through regular updates and oversight. Pricing for projects are not determined/until we go out for bid, and the bidding process cannot occur until bond funds are available. The District’s goal is to complete all projects in a quality way following school building requirements at the best price possible. If you should have any questions that are not answered on the Bond 2025 website, please submit a question to us.
Tarkington Middle School
Middle School Attendance Challenge: Show Up & Shine!
Middle schoolers, it’s time to THRIVE! We’re kicking off an exciting attendance challenge this semester.Individual Attendance Incentives
- Each six weeks students who have perfect attendance will be entered into a raffle for a large prize at the end of the semester. Prizes may include sports equipment, headphones, hoverboards, electric bikes, etc.
- All students with perfect attendance will receive extra privileges on their incentive cards like permanent fast passes and homework passes.
Grade Level Attendance Incentives
- Each six weeks, when a grade level reaches 97% ADA attendance, the entire class will receive an invitation to a movie and popcorn privilege during a class period to be held in the auditorium. Students with excessive unexcused absences or major disciplinary issues resulting in ISS during the six weeks will be diverted to the commons to make up seat time.
Academic Update:
- TMS has shown some notable growth between Benchmark #1 (end of December) and Benchmark #2 (middle of February).
- All grade level math classes showed gains at the meets and masters level between the two assessments.
- Double-digit gains were made in Algebra 1 and 8th grade math. Our 7th grade advanced math students also take the 8th grade benchmarks and will take the 8th grade STAAR test!
- 6th ELAR showed gains in all performance categories from benchmark 1 to benchmark 2 and 7th grade ELAR showed gains at the meets and masters categories.
- Lastly, students outperformed the first benchmark on the second benchmark for 8th grade social studies.
As we prepare for STAAR in April, please note that TMS will offer High Intensity Tutoring on the following Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 am: March 7, March 21, March 28, April 4. Be on the look out for additional messages and invitations from your student’s teachers this week.
Tarkington High School
High schoolers, attendance matters—and we see your effort! Stay committed, stay focused, and let’s ACHIEVE greatness together!
97% weekly attendance average
Open Lunch: Students will have the opportunity to eat lunch in various supervised locations including outside.
Rule Free Lunch: One day students permitted to use devices at lunch.
Food Truck Day: Food Trucks will be available on a designated day.
3 and Under
No more than 3 absences and under for the 6 weeks -1st, 2nd and 3rd six weeks.
6 week gift card drawing.
Front of the line lunch passes.
Perfect Attendance
Attendance must be consecutive for 1st, 2nd and 3rd 6 weeks.
6 week gift card drawing.
Front of the line lunch passes.
Subway lunch of student’s choice.
Automatic admission to EOY fieldtrip (perfect attendance for the semester).
We are proud of our seniors and their path to graduation. We have the potential of doubling the number of the students graduating with associate degrees from Lone Star this year. Our students are being accepted into college and trade schools consistently. We appreciate our counselor, Mr. Patrick, and teachers for helping our students along the way.
THS is making the following academic strides:
- CTE classes are preparing students for IBC certifications
- EOC subjects are preparing for their subject blitz sessions with STAAR Right around the corner
- Students are learning through hands on experiences
- Dual Credit students are hard at work and several are on track to graduate with Associate Degrees
- Student average attendance for the month of February was 95%
Athletics
Students that are interested in being a student for our Longhorns Athletics teams? Applications will be in the front office starting tomorrow, March 4th and will be due no later than March 28th. Please email any questions to druzick@gmail.com.
February was a great month for the Longhorns!
Our boys’ basketball team made it to the playoffs, and the powerlifting team has brought home numerous medals at every meet. All District includes: 1st Team Calvin Ellington, Jackson Stoval. 2nd Team Michael Galvan. Girls powerlifting: Izabell Colbert placed 2nd at Regionals in the 242 weight class and will be going to compete in Edinburg, Tx at the state powerlifting meet. Preslee Sones placed 5th at Regionals in the 105 weight class.
Our athletes attended leadership meetings, while the girls kicked off their Strength & Conditioning training. The track team has consistently earned top-ten placements in recent meets, tennis dominated the courts with multiple first-place finishes, and the golf team took first place at the most recent invitational. As we move into softball and baseball season, we can’t wait to see our Longhorn athletes dig deep and knock it out of the park! Let’s keep that momentum going—Go Longhorns! For up to date athletic schedules; please visit: https://www.tarkingtonisd.net/departments/athletics
Attendance, PEIMS, and Registration
Longhorn families, did you know that every single day your child is in school directly benefits our entire district? Attendance doesn’t just support student learning — it also impacts the resources we can provide to help our students ACHIEVE!
For every 1% increase or decrease in attendance, TISD’s funding shifts by approximately $141,000. That’s money that goes directly toward improving academic programs, enhancing facilities, and expanding opportunities for our students. Consistent attendance means more resources for our classrooms, more support for our teachers, and more enrichment for our students.
Let’s work together to keep our attendance strong and our district thriving. Every day matters — thank you for helping us invest in a brighter future for TISD!
We are in the process of preparing 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 dates for this event are April 22nd from 6:00-8:00 and May 2nd from 1:00-3:00. For more information email Dana Burt at DBURT@TARKINGTONISD.NET
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Across our district, the growth we’re seeing in our classrooms is nothing short of inspiring, and it's all thanks to the dedication and hard work you put in every day. From improved test scores to heightened confidence and curiosity, our students are thriving because of the supportive and engaging environments you've worked tirelessly to create. Your commitment to their success, your creative approaches, and your willingness to adapt to their needs are paving the way for their bright futures. Every breakthrough, no matter how small, is a testament to your impact, and as a district, we are witnessing the incredible strides they’re making under your guidance. Keep up the amazing work—you are making a lasting difference, and student growth is proof of your unwavering dedication.
As we approach our upcoming benchmark testing, it’s a reminder of the valuable insights these assessments provide in tracking student progress and identifying areas of improvement. Benchmark tests give us a snapshot of where our students are in their learning journey, allowing us to adjust instruction and provide targeted support where needed. Let’s approach this time with a mindset of growth—both for our students and ourselves. Remember, these tests are not just about scores; they are a tool to guide our teaching strategies and ensure we are meeting the diverse needs of every learner. Let’s stay focused and use this opportunity to further support our students in reaching their full potential!
Child Nutrition & Custodial Services
Kicking off in February, students and staff at designated campuses will have the opportunity to sample foods and offer evaluations for the 2025-2026 school year's menu during Taste it Tuesdays.
National School Breakfast week is March 3-7. Every day should start with a Healthy Breakfast!
Custodial Services:
The custodial staff has been working as a team to clean the Elementary school to provide a clean atmosphere for learning. There are still lots of illnesses going around at each campus, and the custodians are disinfecting, but please remember to wash your hands and stay home if you are ill.
Communications
Upcoming Bond Election – May 3, 2025
To learn more about the bond projects, funding details, and how this will benefit our students and staff, visit our Bond 2025 Website: https://www.tarkingtonisd.net/bond-2025. On the website, you can find:
Voting locations and times
Bond survey results
Proposed bond projects
Over 65 information
Agricultural land tax tables
How school taxes work
How taxable values work
Financial impact (tax rate tables)
Frequently asked questions
And much more!
Fun Dates in March-
March 3-7: Read Across America Week
March 9: Time Change-Spring Forward
March 10: National Pack Your Lunch Day
March 10-14: Spring Break
March 14: Pi Day (3.14)
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 20: First Day of Spring
March 23: National Puppy Day
March 31: Crayon Day
Maintenance
March is here, and with it comes one of our busiest times of the year! Spring Break provides a prime opportunity for us to complete work orders and tackle maintenance projects without staff and students in the buildings. This uninterrupted time allows us to focus on necessary repairs and preventative maintenance that keep our facilities in top condition.
Work Order Statistics
Our maintenance team has been hard at work! In January and February, we successfully completed 155 work orders across the district. This is a testament to the dedication and efficiency of our team in keeping Tarkington ISD's facilities in top shape. Let's keep up the great work as we head into another busy next few months!
Special Programs
Thank you to our counselors who were recognized at our School Board Meeting Monday night. School Counselor Week was February 3-7th. Counselors wear many hats in a small district. We appreciate all you do for our kids!
We have a busy next couple of months in the Special Programs Department. Please check out the Special Programs Webpage on Tarkington ISD. You will find many resources and upcoming events.
Be sure to mark your calendars to attend our Parent Engagement Night on March 26th. The topic will be Cyber Security and how to keep our students safe. Everyone is invited to attend from 5:30-6:30pm at the HS Commons. Refreshments will be served and childcare provided.
All course selections have been entered, and master schedules are being made. If parents would like to discuss their child's course selections or have a question about any classes, please feel free to reach out to our counselors.
Technology Department
Tarkington ISD Technology Update:
We’ve had an exciting few weeks as we continue to enhance the technology experience for staff and students at Tarkington ISD. Here's what's been going on:
Infrastructure Upgrades:
We’ve continued to upgrade switches and access points to improve bandwidth and connectivity and are replacing older access points with newer, higher-capacity models. We’re also continuing to update projectors with interactive flat panels to create more engaging classroom experiences.
Data Maintenance:
Ongoing data maintenance ensures teachers and students have fast, reliable access to tech platforms.
TechTrek Document:
To help new hires, we’ve created the TechTrek document, a quick reference guide for accessing key tech platforms.
Longhorn Learning Nook:
We’ve also developed the Longhorn Learning Nook shared drive to provide instructional videos and resources for staff since our small department can’t always offer in-person training.
Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign:
With increasing cyber threats, we’re working on launching a new campaign to reinforce cybersecurity best practices and help staff stay informed about current risks.
Here’s an interesting tech fact: The first hard drive, introduced by IBM in 1956, weighed over 2,000 pounds and could only store 5 megabytes of data! To put that into perspective, today's smartphones can hold millions of times more data and weigh just a fraction of a pound.
Transportation
We are thrilled to share some exciting updates from the Transportation Department this month!
We are in the process of implementing the Here Comes the Bus app, which will allow parents to track their child's bus in real-time. Currently, we are testing the app to ensure everything is working smoothly. We will notify all families once the app is ready to roll out. This new tool will provide even more convenience and transparency, giving you peace of mind when it comes to your child’s transportation.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Juan Flores to our transportation team as our new mechanic. Mr. Flores brings years of experience and expertise to the role, and we are confident that he will help keep our buses running smoothly and safely. We’re excited to have him onboard!
On March 7, the transportation department will hold a staff safety meeting to review procedures for handling bus breakdowns and discuss ongoing improvements to enhance our service. Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority, and we’re dedicated to continually improving how we serve our community. In addition, we will be reviewing the proper procedures for when parents arrive at the bus stop to pick up their student before the new bus has arrived. We want to make sure that all students are safely handed off to their parents and that communication remains clear during these situations.
