JAGUAR NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

We are already one month into the semester, and it has been a busy one! As the semester progresses, it will only get busier. We encourage all students to stay present, engaged, and on top of their classwork and assignments to ensure success.

This week, we will continue benchmark testing for students enrolled in STAAR EOC courses, including Biology, Algebra I, and U.S. History. Attendance is crucial for these assessments, as the results provide valuable insights into each student's learning needs and help us tailor support accordingly.

Our collective goal at Heritage High School is to be an A-rated campus, and achieving this requires making the most of every instructional minute. We ask all students to be present, actively participate in their classes, and give their best effort every day.

Thank you for your commitment to excellence—together, we will make this a successful semester!

Expect Excellence and Go Jags!

#JagVibes

With Jaguar Pride,

Ketura Madison

HHS Principal

MONDAY 2/3

YES Program "Navigate" Presentation for 9th graders

YES Program "Power to Succeed" for 10th graders

Campus Tutoring - HHS Library - 4:30 - 5:00

TUESDAY 2/4

Jaguar Basketball (girls) @ Kaufman HS - 5:30pm

Jaguar Basketball (boys) @ Kaufman HS - 7:00pm

Jaguar Soccer (girls) @ Corsicana HS - 7:15pm

Jaguar Soccer (boys) vs Corsicana HS - 7:15pm - HHS Turf Field

Jaguar Softball vs Legacy HS (scrimmage) - 7:00pm - HHS Softball Field (JV 5pm)

WEDNESDAY 2/5

FAFSA Workshop - 6:00pm - HHS Library

THURSDAY 2/6

Jaguar Track @ Denton Ryan Invitational

FRIDAY 2/7

Super Bowl Friday - Wear your favorite team's jersey!

Jaguar Tennis @ Ennis HS - 8:00am

Jaguar Swim Region 2-5A Championships @ Mansfield Natatorium

Jaguar Wrestling Region Championships @ Loos Stadium

Jaguar Basketball (boys) @ Midlothian HS - 7:00pm

Jaguar Soccer (girls) vs Crandall HS - 7:15pm - HHS Turf Field (Teacher Appreciation Night)

Jaguar Soccer (boys) @ Crandall HS - 7:30pm

Jaguar Softball vs Aledo HS (scrimmage) - 7:00pm - HHS Softball Field

Saturday 2/8

Jaguar Swim Region 2-5A Championships @ Mansfield Natatorium

Jaguar Wrestling Region Championships @ Loos Stadium

Upcoming Events & Activities

2/14 - Professional Learning Day - No School for Students

2/17 - President's Day Holiday - No School for Students or Staff

2/25 & 2/26 - Cheer Tryout Parent Meeting

2/26 - Heritage Belles Prep Clinic

3/7 - Professional Development Day - No School for Students

We are excited to invite all Midlothian ISD staff, parents and community to nominate a deserving staff member for the prestigious Employee of the Year award. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of our team members who inspire others, develop meaningful relationships, and truly embody the values of being MISD Proud. Your nomination can shine a light on the individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our students and community.

Nominations for Employee of the Year are now open HERE and will close on Tuesday, February 4.

Employee of the Year Categories

There are TEN categories to choose from, and you can nominate someone in any or all of them.

• Child Nutrition
• Custodial Services
• First Year Teacher
• Instructional Aide
• Leadership
• Maintenance Services
• Paraprofessional
• Professional Services
• School Resource Officer

• Transportation

When submitting your nomination, be sure to include a description of why you believe this person deserves to be honored—just remember to keep the description free of any identifying information. Nominee identities will be hidden, and a panel of judges will review all nominations and select one Employee of the Year for each category.

🚨 Attention Class of 2026 & 2027! 🚨

Are you ready to make a difference? The Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) program is now accepting applications! This is your chance to step into a leadership role and positively impact your school community.

📅 Application Deadline: February 23
📍 How to Apply: Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit Room 114 for more information.
📧 Questions? Contact Mrs. Bienert at mandi.bienert@midlothianisd.org.

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a leader and make a difference! Apply today! 🌟

In a world where it's easy to focus on the negatives, let's take a moment to celebrate the positives. We're inviting you to help us shine a light on the incredible teachers and staff members at Heritage High School who go above and beyond to make a difference in our lives and community.

Please take a few minutes to complete a short survey and share your stories of how a teacher or staff member at Heritage High School has positively impacted you, your family, or our community. Your feedback will help us recognize and appreciate those who are dedicated to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for our students.

Together, we can spread positivity and gratitude throughout our school community. Click the link below to share your story and help us honor the everyday heroes at Heritage High School.

Thank you for continuing to highlight HHS Staff Members!

Athletic physical dates for the 2025-26 school year have been set. Physicals are required for all 7th-12th grade students involved in athletics, dance, cheer, ROTC, and the high school marching band. Incoming 6th graders are not required to have a physical.

Physical Dates:

• April 12th at Methodist Clinic Midlothian
• May 3rd at MHS Cafeteria

More information will be provided soon.

Thank you for your support as we continue to enforce the MISD Dress Code and ID requirements on campus. The vast majority of our students are in compliance and we are very appreciative!

Students are expected to follow the MISD Dress Code linked below:

https://www.misd.gs/student-life/dress-code

If a student is found to be out of dress code, they will be sent to their Assistant Principal (AP). If the student can correct the issue, they will be allowed to return to class. If the issue cannot be corrected, disciplinary action will be taken.

If a student is late to class because they are out of dress code and are trying to correct the issue, they will be counted tardy.

As we start this new school year, we want to address an important matter regarding the use of cell phones during instructional time and its impact on the educational experience of our students. Over time, we've noticed an increase in classroom distractions due to cell phone use, which interrupts learning. To ensure a focused and engaged learning environment, we will be strictly enforcing the District cell phone policy FULLY starting this week in a streamlined and structured manner.

Outlined below are the procedures designed to minimize disruptions caused by cell phones during each of the seven instructional periods, from the tardy bell to the dismissal bell of each class. Students will still be permitted to use their phones during passing periods as they transition to their next class and during lunch. We kindly ask for your support in ensuring that these procedural changes are followed.

Cell Phone and Electronic Device Procedures:

1. All Phones and Headphones Must Be Turned Off and Stored Away: During instructional periods, students are required to turn off their cell phones and store them in their backpacks. This will help maintain a more focused learning environment and prevent distractions.

2. Instructional Activities Requiring Apps: If a teacher initiates an instructional activity that requires the use of a cell phone app, they will set clear expectations for that activity to ensure that cell phones are used solely for educational purposes.

3. Restroom Pass: When students need to use the restroom, they must hand over their cell phones to the teacher to receive the restroom pass.

4. Consequences for Unauthorized Cell Phone Use:

   • First Violation: If a student is found with their cell phone out during instructional time when it should be stored away, the teacher will confiscate the phone until the end of class. This will serve as a warning.
   • Second Violation: An additional warning will be issued.
   • Third Violation: A referral will be issued, and the cell phone will be turned over to the Assistant Principal.
   • Refusal to Hand Over Phone: If a student refuses to surrender their phone when requested, an immediate referral will be written.
   • Handling Warnings and Referrals: For warnings, the phone will be returned to the student at the end of class. For referrals, the phone will be sent to the Assistant Principal's office.

These procedures are in place to create an optimal learning environment where students can fully engage in their studies. MISD’s Electronic Devices Policy can be found at https://www.midlothianisd.org/student-life/student-handbook starting on page 43. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your support and commitment to the education and success of our students. Together, we can ensure that each student reaches their full potential.

All students & staff members need a parking pass to park on MISD property. See Mr. Spradley or Mrs. Nichols to purchase a parking pass. Student parking passes are $45.00. Citations for not having a parking pass start on Monday, August 19th.

Seniors may pay an additional fee to reserve and paint their parking space. Please review the Senior Painted Parking Guidelines to reserve your space.

Heritage students may only receive lunch that is dropped off by a PARENT OR GUARDIAN listed on the student's Skyward account during the designated lunch time. We do not allow food deliveries from DoorDash, Uber Eats, or any other delivery service. If food arrives from a delivery service, the front office will not accept the food. Friends are also not allowed to drop off food for a student. Parents, please only deliver food for your student. We do not allow parents of other students to deliver food to their friends.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Student safety is our number one priority. We need your help with this when you pick-up and drop-off your student each morning. Please do not cut through the parking lot as this endangers our students walking home or to their cars.

Please take a few moments to view the map below which show the drop-off and pick-up locations/routes.

Car Riders:

Enter the student parking lot off of FM 1387.

Security Guards will open gates at 3:50pm for pick up.

Please do not cut through the parking lot.

Parents may not drop-off / pick up students at the front entrance drive. Any student dropped off at the front entrance will be required to walk to the back of the building to the student entrance. Any student attempting to exit the front of the building to be picked up at dismissal, will be redirected to the student entrance.