November 2024

November brings new opportunities to celebrate our students’ accomplishments and engage with our community. Join us as we spotlight recent achievements, honor our veterans, and look ahead to a season of gratitude and growth!

Mark your calendar! Killeen ISD will be closed on Monday, November 11, for Veterans Day, and will also be closed for Thanksgiving Break from November 25-29, 2024.

Nov. 8-22 – Food for Families Food Drive

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day, District Closed

Nov. 11 – City of Killeen's Veterans Day Parade, 11 a.m., City Hall

Nov. 12 – KISD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Central Admin

Nov. 13 – World Kindness Day

Nov. 20 – SHAC Advisory Council Meeting, 12 p.m.

Nov. 25-29 – Thanksgiving Break, District Closed

Looking Ahead to December

Dec. 3 – KISD School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Central Admin

Dec. 10 – Board Workshop, 9 a.m., Central Admin

Dec. 20 – Student Early Release

Dec. 23-Jan. 3 – Christmas Break, District Closed

Embrace the falling leaves and cooler weather with a month full of early literacy activities that children can do together with their families. This month’s calendar is filled with craft ideas, math and science activities, and book suggestions to celebrate Author’s Day, STEAM Day, Picture Book Month, Thanksgiving, and much more!

We are excited to announce that our eighth-grade students enrolled in the College and Career Exploration course are currently building their four-year plans in Naviance. Naviance is an educational platform that supports students in setting academic and career goals by providing tools to explore colleges, careers, and course pathways. This activity allows them to set high school academic goals, ensuring they select courses that align with their interests and future aspirations. Students enrolled in Technology Applications will begin planning their high school courses next semester.

We ask that you review the four-year plan your student has created. Please sign the copy your student brings home and return it within three days of the assigned date. This is a great opportunity to review the plan together and ensure it includes the courses they need and want for their high school journey.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact your student’s campus counselor. Below are the session dates at each middle school for the fall semester:

• Oct. 30 – Rancier Middle School
• Nov. 1 – Nolan Middle School
• Nov. 4 – Audie Murphy Middle School
• Nov. 5 – Liberty Hill Middle School
• Nov. 6 – Smith Middle School
• Nov. 7 – Palo Alto Middle School
• Nov. 8 – Manor Middle School
• Nov. 12 – Union Grove Middle School
• Nov. 13 – Eastern Hills Middle School
• Nov. 15 – Live Oak Middle School
• Nov. 18 – Patterson Middle School

Thank you for your continued support in guiding your student’s academic journey!

A plethora of champions were crowned in October.

At the high school level, the Chaparral volleyball team, Ellison’s boys cross country team, the Eagles’ Ethan Carranza, and Harker Heights’ Kaitlyn Jackowski won district titles. Carranza also qualified for the state meet, which is Nov. 2.

Speaking of cross country, Patterson’s seventh- and eighth-grade teams swept the middle school district team titles, with Luke Adamczyk (Audie Murphy), Ian Rodriguez (Rancier), Kaylani Bostic (Smith) and Kylie Girdy-Terrell (Liberty Hill) winning individual championships.

Staying in middle school, the Smith eighth-grade and Nolan seventh-grade teams claimed volleyball titles, while Patterson (eighth) and Smith (seventh) took home the football championships.

Fall sports at the high school level are wrapping up! Shoemaker, Harker Heights and Ellison were team tennis playoff qualifiers, while Chaparral, Ellison and Harker Heights qualified for the volleyball playoffs.

There are two weeks left in the football season. So far, Harker Heights has its playoff spot, while Shoemaker and Ellison look to be in prime position.

Visit killeenisd.org/athletics for schedules. For stories, photos, results and more follow Facebook.com/KISDSports and X.com/KilleenISD_.

Early Literacy Clubs help prepare young learners for the classroom. Designed for 3- and 4-year-olds who are not yet enrolled in school, the clubs feature engaging stories and activities that strengthen reading, fine motor, and social-emotional skills. Parents also receive tips to support learning at home. For more information, contact your child’s school or the parenting specialist at 254-336-0211.

This month, our character trait is Teamwork — the essential skill of working together to reach a common goal. Professional School Counselors and Social Emotional Learning Specialists will guide students through lessons centered on Teamwork.

Additionally, in recognition of November as Military Family Month and World Kindness Day on November 13th, students will participate in activities focused on gratitude, self-compassion, and mindfulness.

The 2024–2025 KISD High School All-Star Marching Band, composed of students from all five high school bands nominated for their playing skills and dedication, will represent the district in the City of Killeen Veterans Day parade at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 11.

Later that evening, the celebration will continue with a Veterans Day Concert at the Harker Heights High School auditorium at 6 p.m., featuring performances from all five high school bands.

Jordan Love, a visual art teacher at Union Grove Middle School, has been honored as the 2024 Outstanding Middle School Art Teacher of the Year by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA). This statewide recognition is awarded to educators whose dedication and contributions to art education embody the core values of TAEA and elevate the field at a state level. Mr. Love leads a successful visual arts program at Union Grove, providing diverse visual arts experiences to the entire campus. As a mentor for teachers within his school and across the district, he serves on the Killeen ISD Visual Arts Leadership Team. Additionally, Mr. Love contributes to TAEA as the Region 12 Chair for the Junior Visual Art Scholastic Event. He will be formally recognized at the TAEA Annual Conference in Galveston on November 15.

Nov. 7, 9 — Freaky Friday, 7 p.m., Ellison High School Auditorium
Nov. 9 — Central Texas Art Competition & Exhibition Opening, 6 p.m., Temple College Visual Arts Center Gallery
Nov. 10 — Freaky Friday, 2 p.m., Ellison High School Auditorium
Nov. 14 — Alice in Wonderland, 5:30 p.m., Charles Patterson Middle School
Nov. 14-15 — The Addams Family Musical, 7 p.m., Shoemaker High School Auditorium
Nov. 16 — High School Region Choir Concert with Region 8 Choir, 5 p.m.
Nov. 21 — Visual Art College Portfolio Review, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jackson Professional Learning Center

Contact each school for specific ticket information. Visit www.killeenisd.org/arts for more info.