The Wildkat Word: Oct & Nov 2026
A Strong Start, A Shared Commitment
Now that we are well into the school year, I have had the opportunity to see our campuses in a different way. The first-day excitement has settled into the daily rhythm of learning, and across Willis ISD, our students and staff are doing what they do best: showing up, building relationships, and getting to work.
One of the things I appreciate most about our district is the way people come together when our students need us. Our staff, families, community partners and first responders all play an important role in creating schools where students can learn and feel supported. That partnership has been especially evident this fall, and I am grateful for the many people who continue to invest their time, talents, and resources in our schools.
As a growing district, we have a responsibility to be thoughtful about how we prepare for what is ahead while taking care of the students and families in front of us today. That means continuing to focus on safe learning environments, strong instruction, meaningful opportunities for students and clear communication with our families.
There is a lot happening across Willis ISD, but at the center of it all is a simple purpose: helping every student grow, learn, and see what is possible for their future.
Thank you for being part of the work and for being part of our Wildkat Family!
One Team. One Purpose. One Community.
Dr. Kimberley James
Superintendent, Willis ISD
October 9 - Early Release
October 12-16 - Student Fall Break
October 14-16 - Staff Fall Break
October 20 (5-6 PM) - Sensory Friendly Fall Fest/Dyslexia Night @ Willis HS CTE
October 21 (5:30 PM) - October Board Meeting @ SHJ Admin
October 26 (6-8 PM) - College & Career Fair @ Willis HS CTE
October 29 (6-8 PM) - Fall Safety Fair @ SHJ Admin
October 30 (10 AM-12 PM) - Ambassador Academy @ Castleschouldt Elementary
November 11 (5:30 PM) - November Board Meeting @ SHJ Admin
November 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Keeping our students and staff safe is an ongoing responsibility, and it is one we take seriously at every grade level and on every campus.
Recent changes at Willis High School, including additional screening measures, are one part of the district’s broader commitment to continually evaluate our safety practices and make adjustments when circumstances or new information call for them. No single measure can eliminate every risk. Instead, we continue to build layers of protection, review what is working, listen to our students and families, and make informed decisions about how we can strengthen safety across Willis ISD.
We are grateful to our students and parents for their patience, flexibility and cooperation as these changes have been implemented. We also appreciate a community that has rallied around our schools and supported the steps being taken to create safe learning environments.
School safety is shared work. Students play an important role by speaking up when they see or hear something that could affect someone's safety, while families play an important role in reinforcing safe choices at home. We will continue doing our part by evaluating our practices, responding to concerns and communicating with our Wildkat Family as we move forward.
Our commitment remains simple: We want every Wildkat to feel safe, seen and supported while they are here, ready to learn, participate and thrive.
Free Gun Locks Available at Every Campus
Free gun locks provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office are available in the front office of EVERY Willis ISD campus. If you have a firearm in your home, we encourage you to take advantage of this resource and make sure firearms are securely stored and inaccessible to children.
Texas Penal Code §46.13 requires adults who control a readily dischargeable firearm to take reasonable steps to prevent a child under 17 from gaining access to it. Texas Education Code §37.222 also requires school districts to provide families with information and resources on safe firearm storage.
Safe firearm storage includes securely storing firearms, safely securing ammunition, and restricting access to stored firearms.
Learn more about safe firearm storage at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.
Threats are NOT a joke
If you see or hear something that could affect someone's safety, tell a trusted adult. Speaking up is not snitching. It is an important part of looking out for one another.
Students and parents can also use K-12 Anonymous Alert to report suspicious or known activity. Reports can be submitted anonymously, or you can provide your information so district staff can respond. Alerts are sent directly to school and district administrators 24 hours a day. You can access Anonymous Alert through the Willis ISD mobile app or website.
We also remind students that threats at school have real consequences. Threats can result in suspension or expulsion, and criminal consequences may also apply.
Thank you to our students, families, and community for continuing to work alongside us to keep our schools safe!
Starting October 19, students will need to badge on and off the bus each time they ride.
- Morning: Students may ride without a badge, but the missed badge will receive a referral.
- Afternoon: Students must have a badge to ride home. If they forget their badge, their campus will need to provide a temporary badge so they can ride home.
Temporary badges are intended for occasional use. Repeatedly arriving without a badge may result in progressive consequences, including loss of bus riding privileges.
Please help your student make it a habit to bring their ID badge to school every day. When students badge on and off the bus, families can also receive more accurate transportation information through MyRide K-12, including when their student boards and exits the bus.
🚌 Thank you for partnering with us to keep transportation safe and reliable! 🚌
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Willis ISD’s 120th Birthday Celebration and helped make our Homecoming Parade such a special part of the week. It was wonderful to see so many students, families, alumni, staff, and community members come together to celebrate the history and traditions that make Willis ISD so special.
The celebration continued Friday night at Yates Stadium as our Wildkats defeated Grand Oaks 51–21! Congratulations to our football team on a big Homecoming win!
We also want to congratulate our 2026 Homecoming Court, including Homecoming King Wesley Burns and Homecoming Queen Emma Stalder. We’re proud to celebrate all of our Homecoming Court nominees and the students who represented their classes and our school so well.
Thank you for making this a Homecoming to remember!
Stay connected with what’s happening across Willis ISD!
There’s always something happening across Wildkat Nation, and our campus newsletters are a great way to stay informed. This section features the latest newsletters from our campuses, with updates on what’s happening at school, important reminders, upcoming events, celebrations, and other information for families and our school community.
Take a look through the latest newsletters and stay up to date with what’s happening at your Wildkat’s campus!
Coming soon, Willis ISD families will have an opportunity to participate in the Texas School Climate Insights (TxSCI) survey. The survey gathers feedback about areas such as school safety, relationships, engagement, bullying, and campus culture.
Permission slips and additional information have been shared through campus communication. A separate parent survey will also be available soon, giving parents and guardians an opportunity to share their own feedback. We look forward to hearing from you.
WANT TO STAY IN THE KNOW ON THE GO?
Did you know that you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Nextdoor, and LinkedIn?
We love sharing all the incredible things happening across Willis ISD, and we want to make sure you’re seeing it all!
If you’ve noticed fewer of our posts showing up in your feed, here are a few quick ways to stay connected:
Like, comment, or share a few of our posts. This tells the platform you want to see more from us.
On Facebook, select “Favorites” under the “Following” tab to prioritize our updates.
On Instagram, tap the bell icon 🔔 on our profile and turn on Post and Story notifications.
Your engagement helps our stories reach more families and celebrates all the wonderful things happening in Wildkat Nation!
LET OUR STAFF KNOW HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THEY HAVE!
Paws of PRIDE is a recognition program designed to celebrate Willis ISD employees who truly embody the values of PRIDE: Passionate, Responsive, Innovative, Dynamic, and Empathetic. While all our staff strive to demonstrate these qualities, some consistently go above and beyond to support their colleagues and community members.
When you submit a Paws of PRIDE form, the recognized staff member will receive a virtual appreciation card that shares the kind words and details you’ve provided.
Help us honor outstanding staff members who are making a difference. Please click on the button below and let us know who deserves recognition for exemplifying PRIDE!
CONNECTING GENERATIONS. STRENGTHENING OUR SCHOOLS.
The Willis ISD Silver Kats are staying busy! This group brings together community members ages 60 and better who want to stay connected with Willis ISD, learn more about what’s happening in our schools, and find meaningful ways to support our students and staff.
Since launching this school year, our Silver Kats have gathered to learn more about Willis ISD and the many ways they can get involved across the district. Members also have opportunities to volunteer at campuses and district events, share their time and talents, and build connections with others in the Wildkat community.
Interested in becoming a Silver Kat? Membership is open to community members ages 60 and better. We’d love to have you join us!
FLYER APPROVAL & DISTRIBUTION
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:
- Visit www.peachjar.com.
- Hover over the tab titled Community Organizations.
- Click on Why Peachjar?
- Select "Get Started Now."
- Register your organization.
- 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.
