The Wildkat Word: October 2025

We’ve enjoyed a strong start to the school year here in Willis ISD! Since welcoming over 9,600 students back to our campuses in mid-August, our classrooms have been full of energy, curiosity, and new learning—and it’s clear that this year is already shaping up to be a fantastic one.

As we move into the fall season, we invite you to enjoy this newsletter for a snapshot of what we’ve been up to and a look ahead at the great things still to come—including the excitement of Homecoming celebrations and our upcoming Fall Safety Fair.

We can’t wait to see our community come together for these special events!

October 3rd (7 PM) - Varsity Football vs. College Park @ Yates Stadium

October 4th (7 PM) - Homecoming Dance @ Willis HS Cafeteria

October 6th (7:30 AM - 1:30 PM) - HOSA Blood Drive @ Willis High School

October 8th (5:30 PM) - October Board Meeting @ SHJ Admin

October 10th (10 AM) - Ambassador Academy @ SHJ Admin

October 10th - Early Release

October 10th (7 PM) - Varsity Football vs. New Caney @ Randall Reed Stadium

October 13th-17th - Fall Break

October 17th (7 PM) - Varsity Football vs. Conroe @ Yates Stadium

October 22nd (5:30 PM) - Fields of Faith @ Yates Stadium

October 24 (7 PM) - Varsity Football vs. Oak Ridge @ Woodforest Bank Stadium

October 26 (2 PM) - Calfee Dedication Ceremony @ Calfee Middle School

October 27 (6 PM) - College and Career Fair @ CTE Center

October 28 (5 PM) - SPED Sensory Friendly Halloween and October Parent Resource Meeting @ CTE Center

October 28 (6 PM) - Fall Safety Fair @ SHJ Admin

October 31 (7 PM) - Varsity Football vs. Grand Oaks @ Yates Stadium

Extra Information:

• Homecoming Game: TONIGHT, October 3, at 7:00 PM, the Willis High School Wildkats will take on College Park at Yates Stadium for one of the most anticipated matchups of the season.
  
  Join us under the Friday night lights as we celebrate school spirit and cheer on our Wildkats in front of a packed home crowd. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the excitement and tradition of Willis ISD Homecoming.
  
  Homecoming Game Tickets: SOLD OUT! Visitor Tickets are still available here.
  
  

  Home-side tickets are SOLD OUT. Please note that if you purchase a visitor's side ticket, you will NOT be able to SIT or ENTER on the home side. You will have to remain on the visitor’s side for the entirety of the game. (For the remainder of the season, NO tickets will be sold at the gate prior to the game.)

  
  Watch on Woodlands Online: https://tinyurl.com/WO10032025
  Watch on Hudl: https://tinyurl.com/HUDL10032025
  
  WHS is now in the running to be a finalist for the T-Mobile #FN5GL Sweepstakes GRAND PRIZE, and you can help us get there:
  
  1. Share your favorite gameday moments and memories on social media.
  2. Tag @willis_high_school on Instagram, @willis_hs_tx on X, and include @T-Mobile.
  3. Use the hashtags #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes.
  
  Let’s fill the stands, show our purple pride, and make it a night to remember!

• HOSA Blood Drive: Wildkats, it’s time to make a difference! Your donation can have a life-saving impact. This event is open to everyone in the community, so all are welcome.
  
  Donor Requirements:
  Must be 17 years old
  Bring a photo ID
  Weigh at least 110 lbs
  Eat a full meal within 4 hours before donating
  
  Make your appointment here.
  
  The Blood Drive will take place on Monday, October 6, from 7:30 AM-1:30 PM in the Willis High School Gym, 10005 TX-75, Willis, TX 77378.

• Ambassador Academy: At this special event, community members will have the opportunity to join Willis ISD’s Ambassador Academy to connect with district leaders, tour programs that fuel student success, and see firsthand how our schools and community work together to build brighter futures for students. Open to anyone interested in learning more about Willis ISD, the Academy is designed to be a welcoming and informative experience for those looking to get involved.
  
  

  The session will take place on Friday, October 10 from 10 AM–12 PM at the SHJ Admin Building, 612 N. Campbell St., Willis, TX 77378.
  
  

  Space is limited and spots fill fast. Please RSVP to Michelle Bischof at mbischof@willisisd.org.

• Fall Safety Fair - At this special event, families will have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of festive fall fun and Wildkat safety at Willis ISD’s inaugural Fall Safety Fair. Open to all ages, the fair is designed to be a free, family-friendly experience that brings the community together with trunk-or-treating, interactive booths, mini parent safety presentations, and hands-on activities like Touch-a-Truck with emergency vehicles.
  
  The event will take place on Tuesday, October 28, from 6-7:30 PM at the SHJ Admin Building, 612 N. Campbell St., Willis, TX.

Texas Free College Application Week is happening October 13-19, 2025. During this week, Texas public colleges and universities will waive all application fees for Texas residents, including first-year applicants and transfer students applying through the ApplyTexas applicant portal.

You can learn more about this initiative here.

On September 5, Willis High School traded its traditional purple for red, white, and blue as Wildkat Nation celebrated its first home game of the season against Klein Collins. The evening featured a special salute to veterans and active-duty military members, with reserved seating for these honored guests.

In addition to an exciting matchup on the field, attendees enjoyed student performances and a fireworks display at halftime. The Red, White & Blue Game brought the community together to show school spirit and recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes.

Every Willis ISD campus has a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) on-site each day. These professionals are more than law enforcement; they are trusted mentors who build relationships with students, support staff, and help create a safe and welcoming environment on our campuses.

Willis ISD extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing School Resource Officers. We are deeply grateful for your presence, professionalism, and partnership in keeping our schools safe every day!

Congratulations to the 2025 Willis High School Homecoming Court!

King Nominees: Guy Barker, Jakobe Blanks, Isaiah Higgins, Carter Williams, and Jax Yarborough.

Queen Nominees: Alexis Graham, Khloe Marin, Mia McGowen, Victoria Medina, and Avery Wood.

Junior Duke & Duchess: Brock Clark and Katie Cruz.

Sophomore Duke & Duchess: Cade Dewailly and Kylie McCorry.

Freshman Duke & Duchess: Maddyx O'Hagan and Maci Holliday.

The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime at the Homecoming game. Congratulations to all of these students on being selected to represent their classmates.

The atmosphere was electric as the Willis High School Wildkats faced off against The Woodlands Highlanders in an exciting Friday night matchup. Fans packed the stands to cheer on the team in a hard-fought game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

This home game also served as Junior High and Little League Night, welcoming middle school and youth players to experience the energy of Wildkat football firsthand. Before kickoff, the “Future Sweethearts” joined their high school counterparts on the field, and the “Little Cheerkats” brought their spirit during pregame and the first quarter, giving everyone a glimpse of the next generation of Wildkat pride.

It was a thrilling victory, and Wildkat Nation is ready to cheer this team and our future Wildkats on as they rise to even greater heights!

Freedom isn’t just taught in textbooks; it’s celebrated in our classrooms.

Last month, Willis ISD campuses observed Celebrate Freedom Week, a time for students to explore the history and principles of American freedom.

To help kick off the week, Regent Jan Cook and 2nd Vice Regent Helen Barley from the Coushatti Trace Chapter, NSDAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) delivered special Constitution Week Kits to 5th-grade teachers at Hardy, Parmley, and Cannan Elementary. In addition, the North Shore Republican Women continued their tradition of delivering class sets of the Constitution to every Willis ISD 5th-grade classroom.

Our students were reminded that the ideals of liberty and democracy are not just lessons from the past; they are the foundation of their future!

Willis High School has been selected as a recipient of T-Mobile’s $5,000 Fridays Sweepstakes. This award puts Wildkat Nation in the running to become a finalist for the T-Mobile #FN5GL Sweepstakes Grand Prize!

Community support can help the Wildkats advance. Families and fans are encouraged to share their favorite gameday moments and memories on social media, tagging the school’s official accounts: @willis_high_school on Instagram and @willis_hs_tx on X, and including @T-Mobile with the hashtags #FN5GL and #Sweepstakes.

By posting and tagging, you’ll help showcase Wildkat spirit and increase WHS’s chances of bringing home the grand prize!

Brabham, Calfee, and Lynn Lucas Middle School bands joined forces for the MegaBand Fall Concert at the Willis ISD Performing Arts Center, filling the auditorium with powerful music and school spirit. The event gave students from all three campuses the chance to perform together and create lasting memories.

Adding to the excitement, the Willis High School band performed as well, inspiring these future musicians with their vibrant and harmonious sound. The MegaBand Fall Concert was an outstanding showcase of talent, teamwork, and collaboration across Willis ISD’s music programs.

During September, Turner students put their character trait of the month, Respect, into practice in real and visible ways in Coach Z's and Coach McVey's P.E. classes.

Students learned and lived the P.E. expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe. Posters around the gym reminded them to play fairly, listen attentively, use kind words, follow directions, and take care of the equipment. During class, students worked together on hands-on activities, like the hula-hoop teamwork challenge pictured above, which encouraged communication, cooperation, and sportsmanship.

They also signed a “Respect Pledge” poster to show their commitment to respecting themselves, their classmates, their coaches, and the gym.

Brabham students just harvested their very first batch of fresh, homegrown lettuce!

Thanks to a grant from the Willis Education Foundation and generous seed donations from The Green Thumb and 3:16 Art of Gardens, students are transforming lessons into hands-on experiences that go far beyond the classroom.

As they roll up their sleeves to care for plants, students are gaining valuable skills in responsibility, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. This project is helping our Wildkats grow into future leaders who understand the value of sustainability, hard work, and giving back; lessons that will benefit them long after graduation.

The Calfee Middle School volleyball teams gave their all in tournament play last weekend, supported by dedicated parents and families throughout the event.

The 8A team achieved a campus milestone by earning the first piece of athletic hardware to be placed in the Calfee display case: a 2nd place plaque. This historic accomplishment reflects the team’s tireless work, unwavering perseverance, and determination in the face of tough competition.

Congratulations to all of our athletes on a memorable weekend of volleyball!

At Cannan Elementary, learning never stops, even in the hallway.

Ms. Cook, Cannan's August Teacher of the Month, has found a creative way to keep her third graders’ minds active throughout the day. While waiting in line for the restroom, students practice skip counting together, turning an ordinary transition time into an engaging math warm-up.

This simple exercise helps reinforce number sense, keeps students focused, and shows them that math can be naturally integrated into everyday life. By weaving instruction into small moments, Ms. Cook is helping her students build confidence and fluency while making the most of every minute.

Hardy Elementary truly brought Hispanic Heritage Month to life with a colorful celebration of culture and tradition.

On September 18, students paraded through the campus in vibrant attire, proudly carrying flags and posters that showcased the customs, history, and cuisine of various countries. They also made their way outside to greet parents, who lined the route with cheers and applause in recognition of the students’ hard work.

The festivities continued with a lively Family Fiesta Night, where families joined together to enjoy music, learning, and community. These events provided students and families with an opportunity to honor their heritage, share traditions, and celebrate the rich diversity that makes the Wildkat community so strong.

Lagway Elementary launched this year’s WATCH D.O.G.S. program with an outstanding kickoff event. The evening brought together an impressive number of dads, grandfathers, uncles, and other father figures who are eager to make a positive impact on our school community.

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) is a nationally recognized program that invites male role models to volunteer at school, providing an extra set of eyes, ears, and helping hands. These volunteers greet students, assist in classrooms, and offer a visible presence that helps create a safe and supportive learning environment.

We are grateful to everyone who attended the kickoff and signed up to serve. Your involvement sends a powerful message to our students about the importance of education, community, and the value of positive role models.

Lynn Lucas Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society members kept busy in September!

These students made a big impact at Open House this year. Students greeted families at the door, holding colorful, hand-made signs they created to help direct traffic, answer questions, and guide parents to classrooms and resources. Their warm welcome showcased leadership, service, and school pride in action.

In addition, NJHS launched a creative way to promote its current service project; collecting new socks for the Wildkat Resource Center. Members have started wearing “crazy socks” on campus to raise awareness and encourage donations.

Through both their volunteer work and their campaign, these students are demonstrating how small acts of service can strengthen the entire Wildkat community.

Meador Elementary’s PTO found a creative way to stir up some community fun this week by taking Deputy Sprayberry’s well-known Prize Piggy on an impromptu tour.

The piggy made stops around town, including Mucho Chaos Nutrition and Judge Wayne L. Mack’s office, sparking plenty of laughs and social media buzz along the way.

The light-hearted event showcased the strong partnership between Meador Elementary, law enforcement, and the wider Willis ISD community. Thank you to Deputy Sprayberry for his ongoing support of Meador and for the positive relationships he builds with students, staff, and families every day.

Parmley Elementary hosted a memorable Grandparents Day lunch that brought together hundreds of grandparents and family members eager to share a special meal with their students. The cafeteria buzzed with excitement as children proudly introduced their guests, enjoyed lunch side by side, and showed them around campus.

The celebration provided an opportunity for students to spend meaningful time with the people who support and encourage them every day, while grandparents got a glimpse into their students’ school life.

Willis ISD thanks all of the families who participated and helped make the celebration so meaningful for our students.

The district's littlest Wildkats at Roark Early Education Center showed up in style for Attendance Awareness Week, September 2-5. Each day featured a fun theme designed to help students celebrate the importance of attending school every day.

From “Show Your Pod Spirit” on Tuesday to “Mix & Match Socks” on Wednesday, “Crazy Hair Day” on Thursday, and “Bring Your Favorite Stuffy” on Friday, the week was filled with color, creativity, and smiles.

These spirited activities helped students learn that showing up matters: every day counts for learning, growth, and fun at school!

Seventh graders in Mr. Slovak’s class at Stubblefield Academy recently applied their research skills as they studied the four regions of Texas.

Working in groups, students investigated the unique characteristics of each region—such as geography, climate, and natural resources; and then created detailed maps to display their findings.

This hands-on activity not only deepened students’ understanding of Texas history and geography but also encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity in presenting what they learned.

Willis ISD is proud to recognize Ciara Cross, a Willis High School student who has turned a classroom project into a published work. As part of Ms. Parsons’ Child Development class last year, Ciara wrote and illustrated an original children’s book. With encouragement and guidance from Mrs. Smith, she refined her work and has now released it as a published title.

Ciara will present her book, Tiggy the Yarn, at the upcoming TAFE competition, showcasing the creativity, persistence, and initiative that make our Wildkats shine. Her accomplishment is an inspiring example of how learning experiences in the classroom can lead to real-world achievements.

The Board of Trustees of the Willis Independent School District met in a Regular Board Meeting on September 10, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sharon Hill Jennette Administration Building in the Willis ISD Boardroom. Details of the items discussed can be found at the link below.

The next meeting will be held on October 8, 2025, at 5:30 pm.

Welcome to the latest edition of the Willis ISD Guidance & Counseling Parent Newsletter, thoughtfully crafted by Kelly Locke, Director of Guidance & Counseling.

In this issue, we’re focusing on October’s dual themes of Bullying Prevention and Substance Use Prevention. You’ll find resources on how our schools teach emotional skills through “morning meetings” and Character Strong lessons, tips for keeping kids safe from substances, information about fentanyl dangers, and free parent presentations through Wildkat University. We’re also sharing book and podcast recommendations, tech-use planners, and on-demand parenting courses to support your family’s well-being.

The flu can spread quickly among children and often comes on suddenly with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue. Parents can help protect their families by encouraging good hygiene, keeping children home when sick, and knowing when to seek medical care.

Whether you’re a proud member of the Wildkat community or a future Willis family, we want YOU to stay in the loop!

Join our Wildkat Network, a community email list for anyone interested in staying informed and engaged, even if they do not currently have a student enrolled in the district. From inspiring student success stories to important district-wide events, this is your all-access pass to the heart of Wildkat Nation.

Have questions or want to opt-out later? No worries - just send an email to kbrocato@willisisd.org.

We’re proud of our schools, students, and community, and we can’t wait to share it all with you!

My Ride K-12 gives you instant access to your child’s bus route, pickup location, and schedule. It also enables the district to send real-time notifications about delays, changes, or other important updates. If your student rides the bus, this app is ESSENTIAL; it’s the primary way our transportation team communicates with families.

*Please note that this year, each student will be given a student ID to scan when boarding and exiting the 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 the links below.

In Willis ISD, safety is our number one priority, and we will not tolerate behavior that threatens the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

Students and parents can utilize the district’s anonymous alerts system to report any suspicious or known activity. K12 Anonymous Alert allows for anonymous reporting (or you can add your information, and we can reply). It also sends messages to school and district administrators 24 hours a day directly on our phones. The alert system can be accessed on the Willis ISD mobile app or on the website linked below!

Education is a team effort. When students, parents, teachers, and staff work together, we set the stage for a successful year.

Please take time to review the Student Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Dress Code with your student. These resources provide clear expectations, build consistency, and help ensure that every Wildkat can learn in a safe and positive environment.

Our "Calendars" webpage houses three calendars for community use: a district calendar, an athletics calendar, and a fine arts calendar. These calendars are updated routinely to keep you informed about upcoming events.

All Willis ISD campuses also have a campus calendar located on their homepage.

A.R. Turner Elementary Calendar

Brabham Middle School Calendar

Calfee Middle School Calendar

Cannan Elementary Calendar

C.C. Hardy Elementary Calendar

Lagway Elementary Calendar

Lynn Lucas Middle School Calendar

Meador Elementary Calendar

Parmley Elementary Calendar

Roark Early Education Center Calendar

Willis High School Calendar

As part of our efforts to be more environmentally friendly, embrace innovative technology, and maintain fiscal responsibility, we have transitioned from paper to electronic flyer delivery. Our district cooperates with approved community partners by posting digital flyers online and distributing them electronically through our service provider, Peachjar.

If you're a community organization seeking to have your flyer distributed to Willis ISD students and families via Peachjar, please follow these six steps:

1. Visit www.peachjar.com.
2. Hover over the tab titled Community Organizations.
3. Click on Why Peachjar?
4. Select "Get Started Now."
5. Register your organization.
6. Follow the steps to upload your flyer for approval.
   
   

If your event is free and benefits school-aged children, you may be eligible for the Peachjar Community Free Flyer Program. If you believe your flyer meets these guidelines, please submit it to support@peachjar.com for consideration.

You will receive periodic emails about local opportunities through Peachjar, but you can also view your campus Peachjar board anytime by clicking the “Campus Peachjar” button on your school’s website. There, you’ll find flyers relevant to your student.

A R Turner Elementary

Brabham Middle School

Calfee Middle School

Cannan Elementary

C C Hardy Elementary

Lagway Elementary

Lynn Lucas Middle School

Meador Elementary

Parmley Elementary

Roark Early Education Center

Willis High School

Texas Education Code 37.222 requires all Texas public school districts to share with parents and guardians information and resources about the safe storage of firearms including information on section 46.13 of the Texas Penal Code. Willis ISD is sharing this information with you, courtesy of the Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Stay up-to-date with all the wonderful things going on in our district by following our
social media accounts! Click on the buttons below and give us a follow.

A.R. Turner Elementary

Brabham Middle School

Calfee Middle School

Cannan Elementary

C.C. Hardy Elementary

Lagway Elementary

Lynn Lucas Middle School

Meador Elementary

Parmley Elementary

Roark Early Education Center

Stubblefield Academy
Willis High School