Cougar Community Newsletter

Hello Cougar Nation,

It's the last full week of April, and as we reflect on this year, there are many reasons to smile and celebrate our students. This year our students have advanced academically to state competitions. Our FFA students will compete this week in the Free Range State Competition in Stephenville. Our Winter Guard team won the state championship. Our high school theater department advanced to the Area One-Act Play Competition. Middle school theater students won nine individual acting awards at their UIL competition. There are many more celebrations and recognitions. It brings great joy to hear our kindergarten students share all they have learned this year and say how much they love their teacher, to hear our middle school students talk with excitement about the new classes they are taking, and it is humbling to see our seniors grow into young adults sharing their dreams about life following high school. What resonates throughout each conversation, no matter the age, is the pride in being a Jarrell Cougar and how grateful they are to have extraordinary educators help them reach success.

The Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees sees these results and recognizes the staff's role in these achievements. To show their sincere appreciation, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a 3% salary increase for all the staff for the 22-23 school year at its April 20th school board meeting. In addition, a budget workshop is scheduled for May 4th to discuss additional stipend opportunities for employee retention, recruitment, and longevity. The pay increase goes into effect at the beginning of the 22-23 school year.

Finally, the month of May is on the horizon, and we're planning many end of the year celebrations. We look forward to sharing these memorable moments with you.

Your proud superintendent,

Toni Hicks, Ed.D.

At the April 20 Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the Board recognized our Cougar Champions of the Month.

The Board:

• Approved the Consent Agenda
• Reviewed a monthly bond update
• Reviewed and discussed the "District of Innovations" renewal process

Action Items:

• Approved the TASB Interlocal Participation Agreement going into effect on May 1, 2022
• Approved the issuance of JISD Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds
• Approved a 3% raise for all staff and set up a budget workshop for May 4
• Approved renewing teacher contracts and additional positions

Kooper Hernandez, Jarrell Elementary School student, National Wheelchair Youth Basketball Tournament.

Join us in welcoming Lupita Luna to the Cougar family. Ms. Luna is joining Jarrell ISD as a new Assistant Principal at Jarrell Elementary School in the 22-23 school year.

“I look forward to working with Mrs. Hutchinson, Mrs. Bizzell, our amazing teachers and staff for the 2022-2023 school year!” she said.

Luna was born and raised in El Paso, TX, and moved to Round Rock, TX, in 2014. Shortly after, in 2020, she purchased a new home in Jarrell.

She has four children, Jackie (26 yrs.), Tannia (25 yrs.), Gilberto (18 yrs.), Teresa (17 yrs.), and my beautiful granddaughter, Mia (almost 2 yrs old).

She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She taught as an Instructor for the University of Phoenix for 13 years in the Business School. In 2002, she got her Certification as a Bilingual Educator and had taught for 19 years in an elementary school environment.

Welcome to Cougar Nation, Lupita Luna!

Seniors, please use this link to search scholarship opportunities. The deadline to apply for many scholarships is in April and early May.

https://sites.google.com/jarrellisd.org/jhscollege-career-center/home?authuser=0

April 27th is Administrative Professionals Day

We're hiring! Share the news. Click on the image below to learn more.

Please remember to use our anonymous alert system to report bullying, illegal activity, or a safety risk.

Got celebrations to share? Send them to Nicholas.Spinetto@jarrellisd.org.

Jarrell ISD is located in northern Williamson County. The mascot is The Cougars. It has four campuses: Jarrell High School, Jarrell Middle School, Igo Elementary School and Jarrell Elementary. The district is home to more than 2,800 students. Enrollment is projected to double in the next 10 years.

Email: communications@jarrellisd.org
Website: www.jarrellisd.org
Location: 108 East Avenue F, Jarrell, TX, USA
Phone: 512-746-2124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JarrellIndependentSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @Jarrell_ISD

We are proud to showcase excellent students and staff. To see more, follow us on Twitter @hicksJISD ; @Jarrell_ISD; @JES_cougars; @IEScougars; @jarrell_ms; and @JarrellHS.