November 2023

Hello LISD Families!

Last week we celebrated the approval of a VATRE and more than 84 percent of bond funds we asked voters to consider. I want to share my gratitude with everyone who voted, and let you know how much I appreciate your willingness to get informed and make your voice heard. Although the legislature has not taken any action to address per student funding for public schools, I am grateful to our community for their support in helping reduce our $48 million deficit through the approval of the VATRE. In case you missed it, watch my video message I shared last week.

There are several important updates in this newsletter, including an opportunity to provide input as we consider options for the 2024-25 Academic Calendar. I also want to thank those of you who submitted feedback in our fall parent survey. Your input is crucial as we plan for the future of LISD.

I hope you'll keep reading to read more important updates, including some truly outstanding student accomplishments and heartwarming moments from the past few weeks. As we approach next week's holiday break, I hope you enjoy the time off making memories with those you love. I look forward to seeing your students when we return to finish out the fall semester strong.

Thank you for your partnership in the education of your child!

Dr. Lori Rapp

Superintendent of Schools

Follow along with me:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LISD.net/superintendent

Nov. 17 | Substitute Educators Day

Nov. 20 - Nov. 24 | Student and Staff Holiday

Dec. 11 | Regular Board Meeting

Dec. 15 | Student Early Release

To view the 2023-24 LISD Academic Calendar visit LISD.net/cal. For school hours, including early release times, visit LISD.net/hours.

The options for the 2024-25 Academic Calendar are now available for review and input. There are three options to consider, with major differences centered around the first and last day of school. Review the options and submit your input at LISD.net/calendarsurvey by Nov 30.

The Board of Trustees met for the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Students from Camey Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the JROTC from The Colony High School presented the flags. Several elementary student councils, Marcus High School Boys Water Polo, and FMHS Junior Page Matthews were recognized for their achievements. DATCU presented the Board with a $1.5 million donation, cementing their place as the official credit union of Lewisville ISD! Read the full recap HERE.

At their regularly scheduled meeting, the LISD Board of Trustees canvassed the votes of the Nov. 7 Bond and VATRE Election. Administrators are now moving into the next phase of planning for the projects that were approved, and we will keep you updated with the plans to address the projects that were not approved by voters.

With the Thanksgiving holiday on the horizon, Board Member Allison Lassahn shares her gratitude for the role of education in her life. Click the button below to read her blog, and visit the LISD Board Blog for additional Board spotlights.

On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Governor Greg Abbott called for a fourth special session to once again address school funding issues and education savings accounts, otherwise known as vouchers. This week, the Texas House will consider House Bill 1, which includes a voucher system with universal student eligibility. According to the Legislative Budget Board, the voucher program will cost $2 billion in the second year of the program and continue to grow each year. This creates a significant new financial commitment for the state while public schools remain underfunded by more than $14 billion.

The legislature has a rare opportunity to invest in our public schools in a way that enables us to keep up with rising costs, attract and retain high-quality educators, provide safe learning environments, and strengthen the economic engine of our state. It has never been more critical for you to reach out to your lawmaker and make your voice heard. Use the resources below to contact your representatives, and ask them to focus on funding public schools instead of diverting taxpayer dollars to private entities.

1. Share what you've learned with your circle of influence.
2. Share positive stories happening in LISD on social media.
3. Determine who represents you (lisd.net/reps)
4. Make phone calls or write emails/letters to your elected officials.

The Fall Transfer Window is now open. Families can request enrollment at a school other than the one zoned for their address during specific time frames throughout the school year. Transfer request forms are available in Skyward Family Access accounts under “Online Forms."

The LISD Collegiate Academy at TCHS gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree or up to 60 hours of dual credit before they graduate. Applications will be open Nov. 17 through Dec. 11 in Skyward Student Access.

The LISD STEM Academy for middle school students will expand to Griffin Middle School for the 2024-25 school year, giving LISD families a TCHS feeder pattern middle school STEM option for the first time. Information about enrolling in a STEM Academy, and parent information sessions is available at LISD.net/STEM.

The LISD Adopt and Angel Gift Program was created in 2002 to provide a wonderful holiday experience for students in need across LISD schools. The deadline to Adopt an Angel is Dec. 6, and gift delivery begins Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 9. For details, to adopt an angel, and to make a donation, visit LISD.net/angel.

The Taxpayer Liaison Officer at Denton Central Appraisal District (DCAD) is now accepting applications for the Denton County Appraisal Review Board(ARB) for a 2-year term, to begin on Jan. 1, 2024, and ends Dec. 31, 2025. The ARB is a board of citizens that determines taxpayer protests of property appraisals made by the Denton CAD.

To read more about role requirements and apply for the ARB, click HERE.

As a reminder, Lewisville ISD and the LISD Athletics Department have issued a reminder of guidelines for spectators at all district athletic events. The rules have been put in place to encourage a positive atmosphere during competitions, and spectators that do not abide by the guidelines may be asked to leave athletic events. To read these guidelines, click HERE.

We have received more than 3,200 submissions already for this school year, with more than 35% of those submissions coming from parents or community members. We are proud of the work our staff is doing, worthy of recognition! Visit LISD.net/Recognize to highlight a staff member today!

The LISD app gives the community access to grades, attendance, lunch menus, bus routes, emergency notifications…and more! Click HERE to download on the Apple App Store and HERE to download on the Google Play Store. Or search "Lewisville ISD" in either app store.

We are committed to building positive partnerships between staff and communities with clear communication. As the school year starts, we want to remind families of our LISD Communication Commitments.

This month's commitment is: Be courteous in communications and always assume positive intent. To view the Communication Flow, click HERE.

At last week's Veterans Day ceremony at Parkway Elementary, 5th grader Charlotte and her classmates sang a song called “Welcome Home” in honor of all of the service men and women, like her father HMC Michael McNett, who were waiting to come home. What Charlotte didn’t know is that her father was in the audience watching.

LEF awarded 8 campus grants this week! Congratulations to the recipients and thank you to the donors who make these grants possible. SEE PHOTOS

The success of Lewisville ISD’s fine arts programs continued this week with three marching bands placing in the top four at the 2023 6A UIL State Marching Contest. Marcus High School claimed second place, Hebron High School placed third and Flower Mound High School earned fourth. This is the eleventh-straight contest that an LISD program has finished in the top three of the UIL’s highest class, dating back to 2006. READ MORE