Cougar Community Newsletter

October is dyslexia awareness month, a time set aside to further understanding of dyslexia. Watch this video for a walk-through of dyslexia resources!

Check out this Dyslexia Guidebook.

Jarrell ISD is seeking volunteers for its Reimagining Education Committee. Members of this committee will explore how we can work together and better serve students and support teachers in the years ahead.

Teachers, staff, parents, and students are invited to attend. The first meeting will be Nov. 9, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Admin Annex. Future meetings will be planned at a later date.

Early Voting is happening now.

Dates and Times for all Locations:

Monday, October 18th through Wednesday, October 27th - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

NO SUNDAY VOTING

Thursday, October 28th, and Friday, October 29th - 7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Jarrell ISD Administration, 108 East Ave F, is a voting location.

In our ongoing efforts to keep the community informed regarding the status of the 2021 bond projects, the next Community Bond Update will be October 27 at 5:30 p.m.

We hope to see you there!

Read more.

In August of the 2021-22 school year, Jarrell ISD implemented the SmartTag system for bus riders. The SmartTag system is designed to ensure authorized ridership on district buses and improve the safety and security of students who use bus transportation.

SmartTag provides live monitoring of where and when students load onto and unload off of their school bus. This information keeps transportation staff, school administrators and parents up-to-date with accurate information.

How SmartTag works:

• When a student enters a school bus, the student scans their SmartTag card using the card reader (installed on the bus).
  The SmartTag tablet confirms the student is board the correct school bus.
• When the student has arrived at his/her stop and gets ready to exit the bus, the student again scans his/her card ensuring it's the correct stop.
• Information is gathered by the bus driver and shared in real time using secured cloud technology.
• Parents are able to use the SmartTag portal for up-to-date information on their child's bus. Parents may also download the app and get notifications on their child's bus.

Student protocols
All students who ride a Jarrell ISD bus should have a SmartTag. New students will have a 2-day delay for processing.

What happens if a student forgets their SmartTag?

• Students will be allowed to board the bus in the morning and come to school.
• Once at school, the Jarrell ISD transportation department will contact the school and inform the school the student did not have a SmartTag.
• The campus will contact the parent or guardian to inform them that the student will not be able to ride the bus home without a SmartTag.

If a student does not have a SmartTag, parents may:

• Make arrangements to pick up their child from school that day
• Deliver the child's SmartTag to school so the student may ride the bus.
• Pay for another SmartTag through RevTrak for $5. With this new SmartTag, the student may ride the bus home.

More about SmartTags

Free COVID-19 PCR testing is now available at Jarrell City Hall (161 Town Center Blvd. in Jarrell), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Walk-ups are welcome. Tests are self-collected nasal swabs. Results will be available in 24-48 hours.

Click here to make an appointment: https://curative.com/sites/33177

To celebrate healthy choices, Jarrell ISD is participating in Red Ribbon Week activities in late October.

Remember the dress code still applies, and learning is always our top priority.
Monday, Oct. 25 – Wear Red
Tuesday, Oct. 26 – Camo Day “Drugs Can’t Find Me”
Wednesday, Oct. 27 – College and Career Day “Your future is bright without drugs” Wear a college or career shirt to show your plans
Thursday, Oct. 28 – Team Up Against Drugs Wear your favorite Sports Wear to Show Your Commitment to Staying Drug Free
Friday, Oct. 29 – Cougar Strong – Show your Jarrell Cougar Spirit

The Jarrell Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit founded to enhance student learning through innovative opportunities that promote academic excellence.

In their first-ever grant awards cycle, the Foundation distributed more than $19,000 in grants to Jarrell ISD teachers. This year, the Foundation hopes to have even greater impact. To do that, we need your help!

Foundation programs promote educational excellence and enhance lifelong learning. Currently, the Foundation is funding classroom grants that implement imaginative and progressive teaching initiatives.

The Foundation solicits, manages and distributes funds for enrichment purposes in program areas not funded by tax dollars. Funding is supplemental and does not replace or alter the use of tax-based revenue.

Donations are tax-deductible. 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly back to Jarrell ISD schools for the benefit of Jarrell ISD students.

Donate today!

The community is invited to join Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks on Monday, Nov. 1 from 5-6 p.m. at the Dairy Queen in Jarrell for Ice Cream and Conversations. Parents, students, and community members are invited to meet and get to know Dr. Hicks.

At the Nov. 1 event, there will be no set agenda. As part of the district's efforts to further establish a culture of listening and learning, Dr. Hicks will make herself available to share in celebrations and listen to any concerns related to Jarrell ISD.

Wednesday, Nov. 10 is now a student holiday and staff planning/workday. The Board of Trustees approved this change to provide teachers and instructional staff with additional planning time.

Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks said. "The feedback we have received from staff is they need more time to plan. I sincerely appreciate the Board of Trustees for responding to this need and providing additional time for staff."

Oct. 15 - Homecoming Football Game, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 - National Boss's Day

Oct. 15 - Jarrell High School Homecoming

Oct. 18-22 - National School Bus Safety Week

Oct. 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 24 - Healthy Kids Running Series Begins

Oct. 27 - Jarrell ISD Board of Trustee Meeting, Admin Annex, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. - Native American Heritage Month

Nov. 1 - Ice Cream and Conversations with Dr. Hicks, Dairy Queen, 5-6 p.m.

Nov. 2 - Election Day

Nov. 4 - District Educational Improvement Committee, Admin Annex Training Center (HUB) 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 - Standard Time Begins

Nov. 8-10 - National School Psychologists Week

Nov. 10 - Student Holiday/Staff Planning Day/Workday

Nov. 11 - Veterans Day

Nov. 15-19 - American Education Week

Nov. 17 - Education Support Professionals Day

Nov. 18 - National Parental Involvement Day

Nov. 19 - Substitute Educators Day

Nov. 22-26 - Student & Staff Holidays

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

Got celebrations to share? Send them to communications@jarrellisd.org. Thank you!

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.