Mexia Junior High School

Afternoon parents and guardians of Mexia ISD students. We are asking you to complete this survey, which should take no more than five minutes, to help us identify the needs of our students. MISD has ESSER III funding to support 5 specific areas, from COVID learning loss to other health and safety concerns. Your input helps us to determine where our efforts are best spent. We appreciate your input and value your voice in this process. Thank you for being actively involved in helping Mexia ISD to shine our light on a better opportunity for all students. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HkkmooTkEe3f1tSKvHrAc5Zgs9mgJ2PkDxXeqEdKWcA/edit Buenas tardes padres y tutores de estudiantes de Mexia ISD. Le pedimos que porfavor complete esta encuesta, que no debería tomar más de cinco minutos, para ayudarnos a identificar las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes. Mexia ISD tiene fondos de ESSER III para apoyar 5 áreas específicas desde la pérdida de aprendizaje de COVID hasta otras preocupaciones de salud y seguridad. Su opinión nos ayuda a determinar dónde se gastan mejor nuestros esfuerzos. Agradecemos su aporte y valoramos su voz en este proceso. Gracias por participar activamente en ayudar a Mexia ISD a iluminar una mejor oportunidad para todos los estudiantes. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_oOhoRzUnqEErdU77W7sjMp0A0oB7XuCpJnpmdl26Mk/edit

Good Afternoon Mexia Blackcats, This morning a major water line broke between the JH and HS, which resulted in a 2-hour delayed start. This delay was necessary, because without running water, facilities would not be able to operate and function properly: i.e. bathrooms, hand washing, water fountains, and cafeteria operations shut down. As soon as district staff was notified, we initiated our established communication protocols to immediately notify stakeholders via social media and our integrated messaging system. The system pushed out text notifications to parents, guardians, and staff via their cell phone as well as posting to social media. It was soon discovered that some parents/guardians did not receive the message. It was determined that one of the data files linking the contacts to the messenger system failed to connect. This issue has since been resolved through the vendor. In times of need, we will continue to communicate with all stakeholders through our social media platforms, our district website, and through the use of integrated messaging systems. We will send out a message today at 6:00pm via text, email and phone call to test our communications.. If you do not receive this message in one or more of these ways, please report to your child’s campus tomorrow and they will help you in updating your contact information. Likewise, we encourage you to follow Mexia ISD on our Facebook page and Twitter.

Good morning Blackcats, Mexia ISD is proud to share our accountability rating summary for the 2021-22 school year from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Overall, Mexia ISD received a “B” (85) rating. Specifically, our district scored a “B” in Student Achievement, “A” in School Progress, and “C” in Closing the Gaps (see photo). In comparison to our scores from 2018-19, we can say with certainty that our schools, our students, and our teachers are continuing to grow together! In addition to our academic growth, MISD received an overall distinction in “Postsecondary Readiness.” This distinction is earned as a result of how our graduating seniors are so well prepared for college, career, or military opportunities once they graduate as a Mexia High School student. Specifically, this directly ties back to the dual credit opportunities and the industry-based certifications that our students are able to earn while at MHS. The high school has done so well this year that it, too, has received seven distinctions, and earned an overall “B” (84) rating. Similarly, Mexia Junior High received an overall rating of “C” (79), and although we came in just shy of an overall “B”, MJH still earned seven distinctions on its own. Lastly, R Q Sims Intermediate earned six total distinctions and an overall rating of “C” (71). This significant growth at Sims Intermediate has moved our campus off the TEA “improvement required” list. Way to go Sims Intermediate! Our district theme this year is “Shine Your Light” and as we continue into the 2022-2023 school year, we at Mexia ISD are committed to cultivating the light that is in EVERY STUDENT. Help us shine and celebrate the success of Mexia Schools. It’s a GREAT day to be a Blackcat!! For more information on district and campus performance of our Mexia ISD district and schools, please click here: https://www.mexiaisd.net/page/misd-accountability-rating

Substitute Teacher Training Wednesday, August 17, 2022 @10:00 a.m. Mexia ISD Administration Training Room

Blackcat Parents, Due to our new safety protocol and in trying to maximizing our efforts to keep our campus safe, we are asking that no outside food or drink be brought to students during their lunch. Thank you for your cooperation!

2022-2023 Bell Schedule

Good Evening Blackcats, We are so excited to see our students tomorrow morning! Please remember that extra safety measures are in place so entrance to each campus will take longer than usual. Please help us serve you better by not bringing the prohibited items listed below: * bags of any kind (with the exception of diaper bags) * knives of any kind, vapes/lighters/tobacco * weapons of any kind. We hope everyone has a fantastic evening and we can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Welcome Back, Blackcats! Mexia Junior High will start @ 7:50 am, breakfast will be served between 7:30-7:50 each day. https://www.mexiaisd.net/o/mexia-junior-high-school/page/mjh-school-supply-list-2022-2023

Hello Blackcat Nation, We are excited to remind you about Meet the Blackcats Ice Cream Social Wednesday night, August 10th 6:00pm at Blackcat Field. Please remember stadium entry may take longer than normal due to safety measures. Gates will open at 5:00pm and everyone will pass thru a metal detector and is subject to search. The following items are prohibited: • knives of any kind • vapes / lighters / tobacco • bags of any kind, except diaper bags. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we are prioritizing everyone’s safety for this event and future MISD events.

Texas Department of Agriculture Media Release July 28, 2022 Dear parent or guardian: We are pleased to inform you that Mexia ISD will continue implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for School Year 2022-2023. In CEP districts, applications for free/reduced meals are no longer required. Healthy breakfasts and lunches will be offered at no charge for ALL students enrolled at Mexia ISD during the 2022-2023 School Year. If you need more information, please contact us at Jonathan Lankford, Food Service Director 616 N. Red River Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-4000 ext. 1509 Sincerely, Jonathan Lankford Food Service Director​Mexia ISD

Texas Department of Agriculture | Media Release July 28, 2022 Dear parent or guardian: We are pleased to inform you that Mexia ISD will continue implementing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for School Year 2022-2023. In CEP districts, applications for free/reduced meals are no longer required. Healthy breakfasts and lunches will be offered at no charge for ALL students enrolled at Mexia ISD during the 2022-2023 School Year. If you need more information, please contact us at Jonathan Lankford, Food Service Director 616 N. Red River Mexia, TX 76667 254-562-4000 ext. 1509 Sincerely, Jonathan Lankford Food Service Director ​ Mexia ISD ha anunciado que seguira en su política para servir comidas a los niños atendidos bajo el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares y el Programa de Desayunos Escolares para el año escolar 2022-2023. Las escuelas que califiquen para operar la Provisión de Elegibilidad Comunitaria (CEP, por sus siglas en inglés) ofrecen desayuno y almuerzo a todos los niños sin cargo y eliminan la recolección de aplicación para comidas gratuitas, a precio reducido y pagadas por estudiantes. Este enfoque reduce las cargas para las familias y los administradores escolares y ayuda a garantizar que los estudiantes reciban comidas nutritivas. Para obtener información adicional, póngase en contacto con la siguiente persona: Jlankford@mexiaisd.net Jonathan Lankford Food Service Director

At this time, Mexia ISD will allow regular backpacks. The district is taking additional steps for safety and security. Thanks for your continued support!

SAVE THE DATE: Meet The Teacher is Monday, August 8, 2022 McBay: 5:00-6:00 Sims: 5:30-6:30 MJH and MHS: 6:00-7:00 We can't wait to see all our Blackcats back!

Happy New School Year Blackcats! New students should be enrolled online and ALL existing students registered online by August 1. If you need computer access or assistance, the District Office Computer lab will be open next week on Tuesday, July 26 from 11-12, Wednesday, July 27 from 2-6 and Thursday, July 28, 11-2. NEW students can bring enrollment documentation to the district office during those hours or the respective campus the following week when campus registrars return from summer break. Please email misdregistration@mexiaisd.net with questions. Thank you for the preparation of a great school year!

Good afternoon Blackcats, Last month I shared with you that the MISD Board of Trustees approved increasing the district contribution towards employee insurance from $275/month to $400/month. I also shared that they were considering additional employee benefits as the budget will allow. This is more than a good news update email, it is a GREAT news update email! Last night the Mexia ISD Board of Trustees demonstrated their commitment to our district by taking decisive action for ALL employees of our district. After several months of consideration and evaluating multiple options, the list of compensation and benefits below was unanimously approved: * Increasing the annual number of local leave days from 3 to 5 for ALL employees * ALL employees receive 10 additional days of leave for absences due to covid without using "normal" local and/or state days (just like last year) * ALL employees will now get 50% discount on cafeteria meals, breakfast and lunch; MISD will cover the other half * 4.5% raise for all non-instructional / auxiliary staff not on the teacher payscale * Longevity pay--The Mexia ISD school board wants to convey their belief that consistent service to our district is critical to student success. The chart below shows, in five year increments, the stipend amounts for years of service to Mexia ISD: 5 years--$1,000 10 years--$1,500 15 years--$2,000 20 years--$2,500 25 years--$3,000 30 years--$3,500 35 years--$4,000 40 years--$4,500 45 years--$5,000 In this first year of implementation, every MISD employee that has passed one of these 5-year thresholds will be paid on that number of years of service (example: 8 years of service in MISD the employee will receive the 5 year stipend this year, then receive the 10 year stipend two years later.) It is difficult to convey all the details in an all-user email; however, I will present this information in person during inservice and explain better (with more examples) how this longevity pay works. These will be paid in September. This is a TREMENDOUS statement of the MISD Board of Trustees' support for our employees! Also, your administrative team has worked extremely hard to identify these additional benefits while simultaneously ensuring that the district remains fiscally sound. Mexia ISD is already a fantastic place to work, and our Board continues to put action with their beliefs, boldly proclaiming their devout commitment to what makes our district such an awesome place to work: YOU!! It’s a great day to be a Blackcat! Be sure to thank your board members and administrators the next time you see them! What an awesome place to work!!

2022 STAAR Scores are now available through the Texas Assessment Portal. To view your student's scores use the following link: https://txparentportal.emetric.net/login

Good evening Blackcats, Tonight the Mexia ISD Board of Trustees voted to increase the District contribution for employee health insurance from $275/month to $400/month for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. This is a HUGE statement of their support for our employees! Mexia ISD is a fantastic place to work and tonight the Board made a bold statement of their commitment to our staff! They are considering additional employee benefits as the budget will allow, so more good news may be coming in the the next few weeks. It’s a great day to be a Blackcat! And be sure to thank your board members the next time you see them!

Good afternoon Blackcats, In observation of Emancipation Day, Mexia ISD will be closed tomorrow, June 20, 2022. Summer school classes will resume at normal time on Tuesday, June 21, 2022. The board meeting scheduled for tomorrow night will be rescheduled to June 27, 2022. Stay safe!

Mr. Appleton attends safety meeting with state and national leaders.

MISD Superintendent Ryder Appleton Attends Safety Meeting with State and National Leaders