Cougar Community Newsletter

Hello, Cougars!

This week, we are celebrating the work Jarrell ISD is doing to develop leaders. The building-blocks of leadership - integrity, empathy, problem-solving, listening, responsibility, relationship-building - are refined through quality school experiences.

That's what is so powerful about opportunities like Jarrell ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE), fine arts, athletics, student councils, clubs, No Place for Hate and other activities. They give students practical experience in leadership roles. We applaud the students who are plugged into these activities and thank the teachers and sponsors who oversee them.

One of the most important facets to leadership is listening. As superintendent, it is my job to hear firsthand from our students, parents and staff and take action. We kicked-off another opportunity focused on listening just this week. The first Student Advisory Committee meeting was held at Jarrell Middle School on Feb. 5. It was a highlight of my week to meet with these engaging student leaders and hear about their school experiences. These students shared a lot and had great things to say about their teachers and the campus staff who support them.

Student Advisory Committees are scheduled at Jarrell Elementary, Igo Elementary and Jarrell High School in the coming weeks. Feedback from the Student Advisory Committees will be used along with our needs assessment survey data to shape our improvement efforts. I sincerely thank all of the students who are serving on these committees.

We have leadership opportunities for staff, too. For example, experienced Jarrell ISD teachers mentor new-to-profession teachers, and several teachers have taken on student teachers this year. Teachers and staff volunteer to serve on committees like our Facilities Planning Committee and our Long-Range Planning Committee. We strive to model leadership for our students, and we will incorporate more avenues for staff to grow.

And of course, our School Board continues to set an example of leadership in their balanced governance, proactive planning and decision-making. We continue to thank them for all they do.

Indeed, leadership opportunities abound in Jarrell ISD. Each and every leadership role is important and makes a difference in Jarrell ISD.

Thank you all and have a great week!

Dr. Toni Hicks

Superintendent

Jarrell ISD

The Jarrell ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to call for a $113,370,000 bond election to be held on May 1. If approved by voters, this bond will not increase the school district tax rate.

This decision was made following recommendations developed by a Facilities Planning Committee made up of parents, community members, business owners and staff.

The bond proposal will appear on the ballot as two separate propositions.

Proposition A, totaling $111,625,000, would allow for:

• Construction of a new elementary school, and expansion of both the middle and high school
• Expansion of the district transportation facility and additional buses
• Technology infrastructure upgrades and additional safety and security
• Land for future school sites and design for future facilities
• Athletic improvements at JHS to include baseball and softball turf, batting cages, and tennis court additions and lighting
• Renovations to preserve the 1916 building for future district use

Proposition B, in the amount of $1,745,000, would allow for expansion and improvements to the stadium that would include:

• Additional visitor seating; sidewalks for access to seating and restrooms; added visitor restrooms; and improvements for accessibility

Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming informational bond presentations to learn more about the bond.

Parents, please note Monday, Feb. 8 there will bus route adjustments for the Squirrel and Rhino buses.

These changes are for Monday, Feb. 8 only.

Route Information for Monday, Feb. 8

National School Counseling Week focuses on the unique and important contribution of school counselors. Jarrell ISD thanks our counseling team - Diane Klosterman, Heather Mills, Korin Hardt, Maria Garcia, Angela Entrekin, Kaitlyn Watson, Rebecca Taylor, Natasha Smith and Evelyn DeJesus.

Above: Congratulations! The Lady Cougar Basketball program advanced to the playoffs for 11th year!

Above: Jarrell High School student Reina Lawson joins Macy Taber and Jake Brown as Cougars who will go on to play at the collegiate level next year.

Jarrell Elementary students and staff are celebrating the 101 Days of School on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Students are making dalmation ear headbands in art class. Students and staff are encouraged to dress up like dalmations and wear black and white next Wednesday. Cruella DeVil and Jasper will make an appearance. Join the fun and wear black and white!

Above: Jarrell ISD is celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their contributions to U.S. history during Black History Month. Recent activities include: Igo Elementary Pre-K students have made kindness quilt (pictured right) to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Jarrell High School Library is recognizing the lives of Black leaders through their "Who am I?" online activity.

A sincere THANK YOU to the committee members who are serving on the Long-Range Planning Committee. It includes trustees, district administration, staff, parents, and community members.

This committee is working to identify the district's critical needs and develop a recommendation to the School Board. They are creating a strong foundation for Jarrell ISD to build on and guide the future for our students, staff, families, and community. The Cougar Family is grateful for your servant leadership.

As part of the No Place For Hate initiative, Jarrell High School students are learning about identity and diversity. See the slideshow created by JHS Counselor, Angela Entrekin.

The City of Jarrell and the Jarrell Police Department have generously donated $45,000 worth of radios to enhance the district's communication with local first responders.

In all, the district will receive seven radios, each one valued at approximately $6,500.

Jarrell ISD sincerely appreciates the support and partnership of the City of Jarrell and Jarrell Police Department.

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.

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

The Jarrell High School FFA will host a “drive thru” Pet Clinic on Wednesday, March 5, 2021 from 5-7 p.m. at the front of JHS. Ten people at a time will exit their vehicles to check in and begin the vaccination process. Masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced. See the map for instructions on traffic flow.

Have three or more pets?

Dr. John Tarlton will be providing the following vaccinations:

• Rabies: Dogs and Cats - $5

• Dog Vaccines: DHLP/Parvo/Corona - $15

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough) - $10

• Cat Vaccines: PRCC/Feluk - $15.00

• Complete Yearly Vaccine - $20

• Rattlesnake and flu vaccines available for $25 each

• Flea and Heartworm prevention medication

For more information, email: shandy.bizzell@jarrellisd.org

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jarrell FFA chapter.

It’s that time of year! Cheerleading tryouts are right around the corner. All paperwork is digital! Learn more about registration and everything you need to know about tryouts. Tryouts will be March 9-12. Eligible for eighth grade students or Jarrell High School students who passed Semester 1 classes. Question, email Kaila.coolidge@jarrellisd.org.

The Jarrell Education Foundation teacher grant application window is open! Completed applications must be submitted to Vanessa Ashcraft by Friday, Feb. 26 by 4:30 p.m. Learn more. Grants will be awarded later this spring.

Learn more about the Jarrell Education Foundation.

Earn $100 a week serving as a crossing guard! Jarrell ISD is hiring crossing guards, bus drivers, substitutes, kitchen and cafeteria employees and more! Apply today!

Candidates interested in food services should contact Maria Manzo at 512-746-2124 x 4410.

Jarrell ISD is reminding students and staff to wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and stay home if you are sick.

Please report to your campus nurse or the COVID 19 Coordinator at 512-746-4859 if your student or someone in the home has tested positive for COVID 19 or if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive.

If your student is having symptoms to the extent that they get a Covid test, your student should remain off campus while the results are pending.

Williamson County has set up a call center to serve as a resource for residents interested in COVID-19 vaccine information. The call center number is 512-943-1600.

The call center is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call center representatives can assist individuals with information such as how to sign up on the Family Hospital Systems vaccine waitlist by walking them through the process over the phone, confirm that someone is on the waitlist, give information about the County’s vaccine plan, and share details on the County’s Vaccine Registration Technical Assistance (VRTA) sites.

The first VRTA site open is at the Sun City Social Center ballroom, located at 2 Texas Drive in Georgetown. The Sun City ballroom VRTA site is for people who received an email from FHS stating they are next in line to receive a vaccination appointment, but who need technical assistance filling out their registration paperwork.

Please note, the call center representatives cannot issue COVID-19 vaccine appointment confirmations, check where someone is on the FHS waitlist, or give any medical advice.

For more information on the County’s COVID-19 response and information on other frequently asked questions, please visit www.wilco.org/coronavirus.

The community is invited to join Dr. Hicks on Feb. 24 for the next Community Coffee Chat at 8:30 a.m. at the Social Grounds Food Trailer.

Hope to see you there!

• February - Black History Month
• Feb. 11 - Long-range Planning Committee meeting, 6-7:30 p.m., Admin Annex
• Feb. 15 - Presidents Day/Student and Staff Holiday
• Feb. 17 - Jarrell ISD Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Admin Annex
• Feb. 24 - Community Coffee Chat, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Social Grounds Food Trailer

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 2,300 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