LISD Expect Excellence Newsletter

September 3rd, 2024

Hello Levelland Lobos,

I hope you enjoyed your long holiday weekend and the beautiful fall weather. The school year is in full swing now and there are so many student events occurring. This makes me think of the words Jon Gordon offered in his weekly email. "When you're in a high-pressure situation and the game is on the line, and everyone is watching you, remember to smile, have fun, and enjoy it. Life is short; you only live once. You have nothing to lose. Seize the moment." Levelland Lobos - you are amazing and I hope you always make the most of each day.

Go Lobos!
Expect Excellence
Becky McCutchen, Superintendent

Thirty-one amazing Levelland ISD educators received their Teacher Incentive Allotment checks at the Night of the Stars event last week. These teachers #expectexcellence and have gone above and beyond as mentors and guides to our students, showing dedication and patience to engage students to be better learners. This is a rigorous procedure sent down from our Government and TEA in which teachers can participate for five years. The designated allotment from the government totaled $689,697. Congratulations to all these stars for making a difference in our student's education. We send out a special thank you to Levelland Country Club for your beautiful facility, to Allied Oilfield & Invicta for catering the delicious meal, and to our LHS Cheer Squad for being perfect hostesses. It's great to be in LISD!
https://files.gabbart.com/455/starstia.mp4

LHS sends out a huge thank you to First Bank & Trust for bringing the delicious Breakfast Pizza to the Faculty & Staff today! It was a great treat to feel appreciated! Thank you so much!

LMS Students in Mr. Hill's class have already hit the ground running with a fun start to the year. Mr. Hill #expectsexcellence and his class were engaged in a coke and mentos science experiment to represent states of matters. This explosive experiment taught students about physical reactions. During reading they also created dream catchers to follow along with the Big Friendly Giant story by Roald Dahl! Great job kids! We're glad you are already so involved in learning. (Photos courtesy Alexis Saunders)

Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with the ancient Greeks and Romans writing their names, poems, and drawings on buildings. The origins of graffiti art are difficult to trace, but not for South students. Art teacher Mrs. Mary Bara #expectsexcellence and used graffiti to introduce kids to one another. It also helped her learn all the new names of students at South. This was a fun way to tag and make new friends to start the year! Thank you, Mrs. Bara, for always engaging your students so they can express their creativity!

LMS held their annual information meeting about Drones, eSports, and Robotics. Over eighty students attended and heard about the awesome ideas these extracurricular courses offer. Any LMS student can apply to experience these courses. We are so thankful that LISD offers these extra courses that take students beyond the classroom, and we are excited to see what LMS kids learn this year.

Our LHS Patient Care Tech students took advantage of the crowd last weekend to practice taking patient vital signs. Students are learning and relearning to be Patient Care Technicians in the class under the direction of Mrs. Joan Sanders. LISD #expectsexcellence and is so proud that we offer this class for students who are looking to enter the medical field. This valuable career choice enables students to work one-on-one with patients while interfacing with the rest of the treatment team in various settings. We are always so proud of our students who earn this certification and go straight into the medical field after high school. Thank you to the public who stopped by their booth at the Home Sweet Hockley County Event to be practiced on....the diagnosis is "hot!"
https://files.gabbart.com/455/vitalsigns.mp4

Capitol Elementary PE classes recently competed in their own version of the summer Olympics under the direction of PE teacher Kristy Sanders. They competed in a 40-meter dash, Frisbee throw, Olympic torch relay, and a noodle/javelin throw. Students learned about Olympic history, trivia, and important physical education skills. They enjoyed competing, cheering for each other, and earning the bronze, silver & gold medals. We love that Mrs. Sanders is so creative in getting students to be physically active! Thank you Mrs. Sanders!
https://files.gabbart.com/455/olympiccapitol.mp4

LMS educator Gina Randol is recognized by the Texas Education Agency for spending her summer collaborating and reviewing potential test questions for state assessments. Over 1,100 educators participated in the 2024 item review committees. LISD #expectsexcellence and we are proud that one of our own stepped up to the plate to make a difference on the 8th Grade TTAP Math Assessment. During this process, Mrs. Randol reviewed and revised test questions, judged the appropriateness of item content and difficulty, and gained valuable insight into the development of state assessments. Her feedback will have a significant impact not just in LISD, but statewide. Ms. Randol states, "I am so glad I went. I suggest others in LISD do this! I learned so much about the process of how test questions are created and how they are put through a rigorous process before they get into the question bank. I can say this experience was better than many professional development workshops I have been to. I believe it will make me a better teacher. I hope to go again for my new subject and grade level!" Thank you, Mrs. Randol, for your knowledge and expertise in improving student tests!

Mrs. Young’s Lobo Diner class is up and ready for business. They plan, prepare and serve lunches to the Middle School teachers. Here are some exciting items now being offered. Shout out to Raeleigh for creating this awesome video. LISD is so proud of this awesome program that gives students a career after graduation!
https://www.facebook.com/LevellandMS/videos/1011386820724389

Email: rmccutchen@levellandisd.net
Website: www.levellandisd.net
Location: 704 11th Street, Levelland, TX
Phone: 806-894-9628
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LevellandISD/
Twitter: @LevellandISD