Cougar Community Newsletter

Hello Cougar Nation,

On behalf of the Jarrell ISD staff, thank you for the outpouring of love and support for our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. You made our teachers and staff feel special and valued.

It's a big week for our elementary and middle school students. STAAR testing is this week and Igo, JES, and JMS are closed to visitors during these testing days. We know our students are ready and prepared. It also helps if they get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time.

Please join us in welcoming our new principal at Igo Elementary, Dr. Brenda Jirasek who will join us this summer. Dr. Jirasek has administrative and teaching experience at both elementary and secondary levels. Since 2013, she has served as Principal in Cotulla ISD. We posted more information below so that you can learn more about her. We're excited to have her join Cougar Nation.

Our registration and enrollment portals for the 2022-23 school year are now open. Parents of students returning to Jarrell ISD will need to log into Ascender to verify your child’s information is up to date. You can check your child’s information through Ascender and follow the instructions.

Finally, we have more celebrations ahead this month. We will honor our student-athletes, employees of the year, and retirees. Plus, campuses are hosting end-of-the-year assemblies. Many events are planned for our seniors, who will graduate in a few short weeks. A senior events calendar is posted below. Please be sure to mark your calendars or print the one below.

Your proud superintendent,

Dr. Toni Hicks Ed.D.

At the May 4, 2022, special board meeting, the Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Brenda Jirasek as the incoming Principal of Igo Elementary.

"Dr. Jirasek has an impressive record working as a Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dean of Instruction in school districts across central Texas. She has the leadership experience and skills to serve as our Principal at Igo Elementary. We are confident she'll be an advocate for staff and students while building strong relationships with our Igo families," said Crystal Phalen, President of Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees.

Dr. Jirasek has administrative and teaching experience at both elementary and secondary levels. Since 2013, Dr. Jirasek has served as Principal in Cotulla ISD where she leads staff in implementing active cognitive engagement, student-centered learning, and questioning techniques. Under her leadership, the school earned six out of seven academic achievement distinction designations from the Texas Education Agency.

"Her professional background, enthusiasm, and student-centered approach is what our Igo families and staff want in their new Principal. Dr. Jirasek is an exceptional leader with a proven track record in developing curriculum and instruction, organizing professional development for teachers, and helping students achieve academic success. We are honored to have her as part of our Cougar family," said Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks.

Dr. Brenda Jirasek starts in June, “I am excited to be a member of the Jarrell ISD family. I look forward to meeting each of the teachers, staff, students, and their families at Igo Elementary School. Working together we will have an amazing year!”

Dr. Jirasek earned her bachelor's degree and doctorate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Her master's degree from the University of Houston.

Happy School Nurses Day! Thank you to our terrific team of nurses for taking care of our sick kids and staff. We appreciate all you do.

Seniors, please use this link to search scholarship opportunities. There's still time to apply.

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

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.