Ott's Outlook

As I reflect over the past two weeks, I am still in awe of how a community came together to support our residents in so many different ways.

When vaccine clinics had to be canceled due to weather and Bell County reached out to Temple ISD, our Wellness and Health Services Departments mobilized a staff vaccine clinic in less than 24 hours that administered 300+ vaccines to district staff and their family members. When people became stranded in their homes with no electricity and could not travel, our Transportation Department supported the City of Temple by transporting residents to medical appointments and warming shelters across the city. When extended power outages threatened food supplies, our School Nutrition Department moved food from locations without power to those with refrigeration/freezing equipment so that we would have enough supplies to feed students when school resumed. The Technology Department walked every district facility to assess and resolve infrastructure and network issues caused by the extended outages so that all systems were online when staff and students returned. And throughout the week our Maintenance Department winterized facilities, assessed damages and made facilities repairs in order for staff and students to return to campuses quickly and safely. I could not be more proud of these departments and how they responded to address district and community needs.

Our local county and city officials were outstanding heroes throughout this nine-day period. Calls with different agencies took place around the clock in order to mobilize warming shelters, provide access to food and water, and get people transported safely. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate Temple ISD’s relationship with Bell County, City of Temple, Chamber of Commerce and our local churches.

When everyone works together, you see the true definition of community. We all had the chance to witness this firsthand through this last crisis.

Included below are just a few of the incredible moments captured on camera throughout the winter storm.

Bobby Ott

The Board of Trustees adopted five legislative priorities and positions at their meeting on February 8, 2021. Local elected officials have solicited feedback on these topics from Temple ISD and district leadership has been in regular contact with them.

The Texas School Public Relations Association's annual Star Awards recognize outstanding education communications and projects state-wide. Temple ISD submitted three entries for 2020 and all three earned "Gold Stars" from the panel of judges! The award-winning projects published in the 2020 school year were the Campus Guide, Chamber Magazine Ad, and Campus Logos.

Our Varsity and Jr. Varsity Kittens dance teams were able to participate in their first competition of the season on February 13. Collectively they earned 24 awards including the coveted "Wow Factor Award" and "Most Outstanding Team Award."

Brian Aviles is a 1988 graduate from Temple High School who has dedicated his life to service and is a true hero in every sense of the word. After graduation, he joined the Navy and was stationed all over the world and on countless Naval vessels throughout his 24-year career. He retired from the Navy in 2012 and began pursuing his vision of a college degree. In 2018, Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and in 2020 he earned his Master of Science in Information Systems both from Texas A&M Central Texas. He currently works as an IT Tech and according to Brian, there is still “more to come….”

His many honors and accomplishments are commendable, but perhaps the most profound thing about Brian is summed up by his resiliency, perseverance and humility. In his own words, Brian describes what Temple High School meant to him:

“Temple High School is where I started to frame my dreams, wishes, and hopes into a vision template on what if’s and open-ended questions to achieve my future goals. Through frustrations, loneliness, homelessness at 17, and graduation in 1988 I knew Temple High School education would help spring- board me towards my framed vision, but what I came to understand then and after traveling the world and serving my country; is God had woven Temple High School into my very fabric that went around the world with me and continues to be a part of me today. Thus, it all started with Temple High School…”

When Brian retired from the Navy, he chose to return to Temple where “it all started” to raise his family with wife Lisa. His youngest son Jacob Cody Aviles is currently a sophomore at Temple High School.

Email: bobby.ott@tisd.org
Website: https://www.tisd.org/apps/pages/Superintendent
Phone: 254-215-6760
Facebook: facebook.com/templeisd
Twitter: @OttTempleISD