This week is the first week of the 2nd six weeks! It's amazing how quickly time flies when you're having fun! The first grading period was a time for getting used to new teachers, rekindling friendships, and learning our new normal. The second six weeks is exciting because our Jr. Jags get to take their learning to places it's never been before. As parents, we get to see the excitement in our kids as they learn new things and things they already knew start making even more sense!

We are also super excited this week because our new 4th grade teacher has joined us! If you see Ms. Dixon around the campus, be sure to give her a warm welcome!

As a reminder, if your child is out because he/she is sick, please send in a note or a doctor's note if out for more than 3 days. If your child tests positive for COVID, please notify our nurse, Jennifer Risinger at jenniferrisinger@misdmail.org.

Monday is our annual Dallas Cowboys dress up day! Dress up in your favorite Dallas Cowboys gear or, if you're not a Cowboys fan, represent your favorite team!

It's going to be a great week! As always, don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything!

There will two informational meetings on the Penny-Swap Election:

Tuesday, October 5th at 6:00 pm - Facebook Live

Tuesday, October 12th at 6:00 pm - Danny Jones Middle School Cafeteria

During a called board meeting on Aug. 10, the Mansfield ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), or Penny Swap, for Nov. 2.

With voter approval, the Penny Swap would restructure the MISD tax rate, swapping 13 pennies from the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate to the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate. Doing this would allow the district to maximize state funding, bringing approximately $24.7 million in additional revenue to the district each year.

The additional revenue generated on the M&O side of the district’s budget would be used to maintain quality instruction, student programs, schools of choice, teacher salaries, and safety and security initiatives.

If passed, the total MISD tax rate would remain at $1.4183, the same total rate it is prior to the Penny Swap election. The total rate of $1.4183 with voter approval is approximately 3 cents less than the overall tax rate of $1.4464 in the 2020-21 school year.

“Compared to our surrounding districts, we bring in far less revenue per pupil. In some cases, the number is around $1,300 less per student,” said Superintendent Dr. Kimberley Cantu. “With a Penny Swap, we’ll be able to continue making Mansfield ISD a destination district committed to excellence that offers the best programs for students and retains the best educators—with no change to the current total tax rate.”

Residents are encouraged to visit www.MISDpennyswap.org for more information about the impact the Penny Swap would have on the district. The website also provides an explanation of how the Penny Swap works, lists frequently asked questions and provides a place for citizens to submit their own questions.

In addition to the website, MISD officials will hold several informational meetings that will be open to the public. As presentation schedules are finalized, meeting dates and other details will be shared with the MISD community.

Voters who reside within Mansfield ISD will see the VATRE proposition on their Nov. 2 ballot. Early voting will take place Oct. 18-29.

Watch the video below for more information.

Our Mansfield ISD Fine Arts team is launching a bi-monthly community newsletter. Click here to subscribe!

Please remember that our drop-off and pick-up procedures have been designed to do what's best for our students, especially during dismissal. We ask that you comply with our teachers' directions while loading your children. This includes remaining in your car. We understand you want to put your child's seatbelt on, as do we. We just ask that you pull forward to the side and get them situated there. When you get out of your cars and attempt to do that in the loading lane, the flow of traffic is disrupted, which could cause unsafe situations for other students and our staff. We also ask that you stop at the crosswalk where our teacher with the stop sign is. We use the crosswalk to get students to their cars safely. Do not move forward until the teacher on duty sees it is safe for cars to move. Please be kind to our staff. They are doing their best to get our students home safely.

We have received several Special Diet Request forms from families that do not eat pork. This form is only needed to be filled out if your family is requesting special menu modifications for medical purposes, such as severe allergies or food texture modifications. Most allergies and lifestyle or religious restrictions are easily accommodated by our menu as we offer a variety of options daily for the students to choose from. There will always be an alternative menu option if pork is ever on the menu, even for pre-k students. If you would like us to flag your child’s account to double check the tray, they can simply call or email MISD Nutrition services, and they will take care of it!

Our PTA needs YOU! We partner with PTA to provide resources and support to all of our staff and students. It can't function without parents. We have a fall carnival coming up in October and need your help! Please consider joining and sharing your time and talents with us. I am including several forms/letters regarding PTA. Visit their website for more information.

We also have a few classes without a room mom/dad. We also have many chair positions available.

A "suggestion box" has been placed in the front office if you would like to leave us a note. You can also fill out the Google Form named, Leave Us a Note, below. We value your feedback!

Email: cristinahernandez@misdmail.org
Website: http://tipps.mansfieldisd.org/
Location: 3001 North Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX, United States
Phone: 817-299-6920
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtipps/
Twitter: @RobertaTipps_ES