Happy holidays!
With winter break upon us, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into a safe and restful break. While we each celebrate this season’s joys, it’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and reach out for help if needed.
Vernon ISD has partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of our community. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. This is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Vernon ISD. If you would like Care Solace to help you find a mental health care provider, below are ways to contact them:
Call 888-515-0595. (Multilingual support is available 24/7/365).
Visit www.caresolace.com/vernonisd (or scan the QR code).
May you enjoy your break and return rested and reinvigorated for a fantastic new year!
Selected as the McCord Students of the Week for this past week were: Pre-Kindergarten -- Isabella Allen, LaDarius Pitts, Keenan Sowells, and (not pictured) Zoey Torres and Willow Bell.
Kindergarten -- Thin Khine, Tayson Williams, Leyana Guerra, Samara Reyes, Kamryn Castillo, Ryder Balay, Meredyth Ballard, and Xaven Hardeman.
1st Grade -- Anibal Medina, Cameron Minor, Kimberly Paw, Erick Simaj, Anthony Burns, Adelina Moralez, and Kaylee Bennett.
Congratulations!!! Great job!!
Your photo will be displayed on our digital sign and on the digital sign at the Admin Building.
VHS teachers, students and staff are enjoying a "10 Days of Christmas" countdown to our Christmas break. Today's theme was "Santa's Helper" with students and teachers dressing up like a Christmas elf.
The VMS Winter Formal will be held next Thursday, and there will be a King and Queen of the Winter Formal crowned from each class during the event. Sixth grade king and queen nominees include Tyler Bohannon, Bryson Boswell, Jaiden Scales, Blut Soe, Thony Teng, Payzlee Brannon, Bryn Gardner, Kynsleigh Hamm, Jazlynn Herrera, and Praylee Patterson.
Seventh grade nominees include Marco Galvan Garcia, Xaven Leija, Jadarious Scales, Ywa Soe, Aiden Trejo, Nyairah Massenburg, Leah Mena, Austyn Moore, Maritza Ornelas, and Plar Shee.
Eighth grade nominees include Ehpolo Htoo, E.J. Knight, Jesse Mejia, Carlito Rodriguez, Julian Rodriguez, Ysabella Ampig, Katie Caveness, Jacqueline Diaz, Maddie Sanchez, and Shaelee Stroud.
Our Lady Lion and Lion wrestlers have been busy. Last week, our Lady Lions competed in a tournament in Azle and four of them -- Juanita Salazar, Emily Rodriguez, Kellan Byars, and Jairy Vazquez -- all took third in their weight classes. This past weekend, the Lions and Lady Lions competed in a tournament in Lubbock. Jayden Martinez was the highest placer, taking second in his weight class.
Our McCord honors for November went to: Tina Nava, Staff Member of the Month; Melissa Singleton, Teacher of the Month; and Jenny McIntosh, Specials of the Month. Congratulations!!! Thank you for all that you do for our students! You guys ROCK!!!
Sophomore have been studying the Middle East in World History classes and yesterday their class project was to make a turban. Looks like they all did a great job!
Our Lady Lions will be at home tonight taking on the Iowa Park Lady Hawks in a District 7-3A battle. JV action starts at 4:30 p.m., with the varsity game scheduled for 6 p.m. Head on out to D.O. Fulton Gym and cheer on our Lady Lions!!
VHS teachers, students and staff are enjoying a "10 Days of Christmas" countdown to our Christmas break. Today's theme was "Mad About Plaid" with students and teachers wearing their favorite flannel or plaid.
Our Vernon Middle School cafeteria crew look over bags of hair nets that Tyson Foods donated to Vernon ISD. The cafeteria at each campus received at least three big bags of hair nets. A big thank you to Tyson Foods for their donation. Vernon ISD appreciates your support.
Our VMS Band Spaghetti Supper fundraiser is tomorrow!!! The supper will begin at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m., at the Vernon Elementary School Cafeteria.
Dine in or carry out available. Enjoy spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, dessert and water for $10 per ticket. At 7 p.m., the VMS One-Act Play will be presented. Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance from 6th and 7th grade band members, and band directors.
Last week Vernon ISD scheduled a Gifted and Talented (GT) meeting for parents to learn more about the program and how week it could benefit their children. We sent flyers home with our elementary and middle school students, and posted information about the meeting on our Facebook and website. We expected and planned for 75 parents -- and only 3 showed up.
We know this is a very busy time of year and the reasons behind this lack of attendance may vary, including conflicting work schedules, transportation challenges, conflicts with a child’s extracurricular activity, a community event, or perhaps a lack of awareness about the significance of this meeting. Maybe VISD encouraging parental involvement through alternative means, such as virtual participation or providing meeting summaries, could help bridge this gap and foster a more collaborative approach between educators and parents.
The low attendance of parents at the after-hour GT meeting raises Vernon ISD’s concerns about the level of engagement in a child's academic journey. Children benefit greatly in the classroom when their parent or guardian are engaged in their education. The meeting last week offered a valuable insight into our district’s newly adopted GT selection criteria and our student's specialized educational needs and progress.
Collaboration is a two-way street and Vernon ISD will continue to search for ways to connect with parents supporting the unique educational requirements of our GT students.
Some of our 4th & 5th Grade students competed in the UIL Academic competition held last week. Placing in the Top Six in their events were: Brazos Eakin, 3rd place, 4th Grade Ready Writing; Clara Perez, 4th place, 4th Grade Spelling; Braxton Nail, 1st place, 5th Grade Spelling; Berenice Serrano, 5th place, 4th Grade Chess Puzzle; Nillianna Hines, 3rd place, 4th Grade Chess Puzzle; and Luke Parmer, 3rd place, 5th Grade Chess Puzzle. We are proud of all of you!! Great job!! Congratulations!!!
Some of our 2nd & 3rd Grade students competed in the UIL Academic competition held last week. Placing in the Top Six in their events were: Anabell Perez, 2nd place, 2nd Grade Chess Puzzle; Ainsley McIntosh, 5th place, 2nd Grade Creative Writing; Camila Alvarado, 3rd place, 3rd Grade Ready Writing; Camila Parmer, 5th place, 3rd Grade Ready Writing; Lucia Hamer, 5th place, 3rd Grade Ready Writing; and Lilly Hawkins, 6th place, 2nd Grade Creative Writing. Congratulations!!! All of you did a great job!! We are proud of you!!
Last week VMS students competed in the UIL Academic contest. Aislyn Williams claimed first place in Social Studies and in Spelling, while Kynsleigh Hamm was first in Ready Writing. Others placing in the Top 6 of their event included: Tyson Qualls, 3rd, Science; Kelsi Burke, 3rd, Editorial Writing; Paw Say, 3rd, Ready Writing; Flor Ortega, 3rd, Ready Writing; Jonathan Fuentes, 4th, Chess Puzzle; Aislyn Williams, 4th, Science; Gabriel Juarez, 4th, Social Studies; Emily Contreras, 4th, Editorial Writing and Maps/Graphs/Charts; Ehpolo Htoo, 5th, Mathematics; Jacobi Pedigo, 5th, Social Studies; Natalee Knight, 6th, Art Smart; William McArthur, 6th, Calculator Applications; Julian Rodriguez, 6th, Calculator Applications; Amari Garcia, 6th, Ready Writing; Carlito Rodriguez, 6th, Social Studies; Aylin Cordova, 6th, Spelling; and Brayden Morgan, 6th, Spelling. Great job to all!! Congratulations!!
VHS teachers, students and staff are enjoying a "10 Days of Christmas" countdown to our Christmas break. Wednesday's theme was "Candyland" with students and teachers dressing like a candy cane.
Selected as VMS Teachers of the Month for November were 6th Grade -- Hagan Northcutt; 7th Grade -- Robby Spencer; 8th Grade -- Julie Terry; and Specials -- David Garza. Co-Staff Member of the Month were Kimberly Adams and Stacy McGowen. Congratulations to you all!! Thank you for what you do to support our students at VMS!!! We appreciate you!!
Last weekend, Vernon Lion Tennis Coach Carrie Castleberry was presented her plaque for being named the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Class 3A Coach of the Year. The award was presented at the TTCA convention held in Marble Falls. Castleberry was also recognized for being selected as the Class 3A Region 1 Coach of the Year. Coach Castleberry, thank you for all you do for our VHS tennis program!!
Congratulations to VHS graduate Hunter Koch and his roping partner Luke Brown for winning Round 5 in Team Roping at the National Finals Rodeo last night with a blistering time of 3.8 seconds. Hunter is the heeler, while Luke is the header. They are currently fifth in the average at the NFR. In the race for a world title, Hunter is in ninth place for Heelers. Hunter is the son of Shelly Koch, who is an Instructional Coach at VISD. GO HUNTER!! Good luck in next 5 rounds of the NFR!!
After school Tuesday, VISD Supt. Dr. Kermit Ward and VHS Principal Cynthia Jackson took a turn ringing the bells and manning the Salvation Army Red Kettle set up at United. The Salvation Army relies on volunteers to ringing the bells for the Red Kettle campaign, which is conducted between Thanksgiving and Christmas. All the funds raised during the Red Kettle campaign stays right here and helps residents in our community.
