DISTRICT NEWS

Mesquite ISD will receive $1 million in federal funding to enhance crisis intervention and student support programs. The funding will support staffing and programming for three years at select campuses. With these resources, the district will implement a robust, multi-faceted support system for students facing adversity, including exposure to violence in school, at home, or within the community.

The grant will empower Mesquite ISD to broaden access to evidence-based interventions and critical community resources for at-risk students and their families. This initiative prioritizes the needs of vulnerable students, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. To accomplish this, Mesquite ISD will:

Expand Direct Support Services: The District will hire additional social workers to serve as student care specialists in a specific geographic area. These specialists will work closely with identified students and their families, offering dedicated assistance and personalized care to address their unique challenges. Tailored interventions and wrap-around care will address immediate concerns for student well-being and long-term mental health needs. 

Equip Staff with Enhanced Training: Teachers and staff will receive specialized training in trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques, and restorative practices. This will enable educators to understand better and address the needs of students exposed to traumatic experiences, fostering a supportive learning environment.

Broaden Career and Life Skills Education: Mesquite ISD will offer career exploration, future planning, and family education courses to further support students in defining and achieving their goals within and beyond the classroom.

“This grant will allow us to provide dedicated resources and direct support to some of our most vulnerable students and their families,” said Dr. Ángel Rivera, superintendent of Mesquite ISD. "Our priority is ensuring every student feels safe, secure, and has a sense of belonging. We are committed to providing the support they need to excel, no matter the challenges they face.” 

This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA-24-GG-04258-STOP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The current edition of the DOJ Grants Financial Guide provides guidance on allowable printing and publication activities. 

The Holdsworth Center recently published an article highlighting Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera, who joined the district in spring 2021. The feature explores his path to embracing his role and the impactful initiatives he has brought to Mesquite ISD.

Dr. Rivera brings a personal connection to the community and has worked to ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to meaningful educational and career opportunities. One of his primary goals has been to expand pathways for students to earn college credit and industry certifications, helping them save on future education costs and enter the workforce more prepared.

In the article, Dr. Rivera discusses the initial challenges he faced upon stepping into the role. Transitioning from deputy superintendent to the top leadership position, he encountered hurdles in adjusting his leadership style and mindset to meet the broader responsibilities of a superintendent. Dr. Rivera credits The Holdsworth Center’s leadership program with providing guidance and insight, allowing him to gain confidence and refine his approach to leadership. 

This story highlights Dr. Rivera’s commitment to student-centered leadership and his ongoing efforts to elevate Mesquite ISD. Click here to read the full article on Dr. Rivera’s leadership journey.

Mesquite ISD is proud to celebrate Board of Trustees member Kevin Carbo, who has been named a 2024 Distinguished Alumni by Dallas College. This honor acknowledges his strong commitment to education and community service, as well as his lasting impact on Mesquite ISD and the surrounding community.

Carbo graduated from Dallas College Eastfield with an associate degree before earning a bachelor's degree in finance from Dallas Baptist University and later obtaining a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Dallas.

Carbo’s dedication to educational leadership in Mesquite began in the 1980s with his active involvement in the PTA. He joined the Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees in 1996 and currently serves as the vice president. Carbo graduated from the Leadership Texas Association of School Boards program in 1998 and has held numerous leadership roles, including president of the North Texas Area Association of School Boards and chair of the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Risk Management Fund Board. He continues to serve as a TASB director and has represented Mesquite ISD on a national level as a director with the National School Board Association.

Carbo is recognized for his dedication to advocacy and youth development. He has chaired the National Hispanic Caucus, led the Tomahawk District of the Boy Scouts of America, and served as a youth coach and church leader.

Dallas College’s recognition of Carbo as a Distinguished Alumni highlights his longstanding commitment to leadership, service, and community involvement. Mesquite ISD acknowledges his contributions as a trustee and his dedication to supporting educational initiatives and student success in our district.

Two Mesquite ISD high schools have achieved a significant milestone: North Mesquite High School and Poteet High School have advanced to the UIL State Marching Band Competition.

On Saturday, October 26, North Mesquite High School’s Big Blue Band made history by earning first place at the 5A Area C regional competition. This victory secured their title as Area C UIL champions and marked their first-ever area championship. Their accomplishment earned them a spot in the state competition. Poteet High School’s Pirate Band also excelled, finishing in second place and joining the Big Blue Band in advancing to the state level.

A Historic Victory for the Big Blue Band 

For North Mesquite High School’s Big Blue Band, returning to the State Marching Band Championship carries an even deeper meaning this year. Under the direction of Scott Rives, who has been part of the Big Blue Band for a decade and led as head director for six years, the band achieved a historic milestone as the 5A Area C champions. “Qualifying for the State Marching Band Championship has been on our goal sheet for years,” he said. “Being able to accomplish that goal for the first time in 2023 and then do it again in 2024 means the students are continuing to build upon the Big Blue Band tradition that was started in 1969.”

Reflecting on the Big Blue Band's legacy, Rives shared, “Many students have gone through this program, which paved the way for us to be here.” He believes the band's culture fosters musical and personal growth for the students. “The Big Blue Band allows students to be themselves and strive for the highest levels of success, both in performance and the classroom. I am honored to be a small part of everything these students have accomplished,” he added.

Poteet’s Tradition of Excellence 

For over three decades, the Poteet Pirate Band has represented Mesquite ISD at the state level, qualifying every year they’ve been eligible since 1990. This year, in 2024, marks their 19th consecutive qualification for the State Marching Championships, reinforcing a tradition of excellence. Band Director Tish Downs, a Poteet alumna and a former member of the Pirate Band, describes this achievement with great pride. “The success and reputation of the Pirate Band are built on the contributions of every member who came before us,” says Downs, who began at Poteet in 2011 as an assistant director and took over as head director in 2020. “It is a significant achievement for any band director to qualify for State; however, for me, it’s all about the pride I take in continuing a tradition that I was a part of as a student in the Pirate Band. It’s my goal for my students to have the same experiences and successes that I had because they deserve it!"

This season, the Pirate Band student leadership created a mission statement that embodies their dedication: Be Your Best. Nothing Less. Pride in Progress. Downs says this mission statement has been their driving force. “We know that if every student commits to being their best in rehearsal, performance, and in everyday life, we will achieve our goals for the season.”

State Marching Band Competition

The 5A UIL State Marching Band Competition will begin on November 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Both Mesquite ISD bands will compete against Texas's best high school marching bands. 

Congratulations to the Big Blue Band and the Pirate Band on their remarkable accomplishments and on proudly representing Mesquite ISD!

Mesquite ISD’s Read Play Talk and Dallas Regional Medical Center are excited to announce a new partnership introducing the Baby Book Bag program. This initiative engages families from the earliest stages of their child’s development. The program serves as the district's first encounter with parents and newborns, providing important resources to promote early childhood literacy well before the child enrolls in school.

Starting this fall, every family that welcomes a new baby at Dallas Regional Medical Center will receive a Baby Book Bag. Each bag is filled with bilingual resources, including baby board books donated by ChildCareGroup, an ages and stages milestone chart connecting families to Mesquite ISD early childhood initiatives, information on how to access local libraries, and other community resources that offer parents guidance on supporting their child's development during the critical early years. The Baby Book Bags also contain items such as a baby bib, bookmark, and hand sanitizer.

This initiative is expected to benefit more than 1,200 families per year. "Parents are their children's first teachers, and by connecting with families right from the beginning, we hope to set the foundation of a lifelong learning journey by emphasizing the importance of early childhood literacy," said Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera. "The Baby Book Bag partnership is a way of saying 'Welcome to the Mesquite ISD family' and offering our support and resources as soon as families leave Dallas Regional Medical Center."

“We have partnered with Mesquite ISD on programs for years, so when their team told us about the need to promote early childhood literacy, we knew we had to be a part of it,” said Chief Nursing Officer Cindi Jobe. “Our two teams worked together to identify the best way to reach these families, and the ‘Baby Book Bag’ program is the result. We hope this will help set families up for success as their children enter the school system.”

The partnership between Mesquite ISD and Dallas Regional Medical Center has been in progress since February 2024. Dallas Regional Medical Center has generously pledged to cover over 50% of the $13,000 estimated cost of the program, with Read Play Talk raising funds for the remainder.

Thirty-six students from the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program at West Mesquite High School have received new laptops, thanks to a generous grant from Starbucks to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). The West Mesquite PAL program recently partnered with BBBS, empowering and furthering the efforts of West Mesquite students in mentoring younger students.

The PAL program is designed for junior and senior students and is a leadership initiative where participants mentor younger students at the West Mesquite feeder schools, both elementary and middle schools. To be part of this program, students must apply, have three teacher recommendations, and interview with the program’s coordinator. Each PAL student mentors two younger students and meets weekly with each one to provide guidance and serve as a positive role model. This new partnership with BBBS will now include bi-weekly group visits to Floyd and Seabourn Elementary, where the PAL students will mentor with the support of BBBS. 

Through Starbucks' grant, the laptops will provide West Mesquite students with a valuable resource to excel in their academics. This collaboration demonstrates Starbucks, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and West Mesquite High School's dedication to empowering students to become Difference Makers in their community.

KEOM 88.5 FM, a noncommercial, educational radio station owned and operated by Mesquite ISD, proudly celebrates 40 years of broadcasting excellence. Since its launch on Sept. 4, 1984, KEOM has been committed to delivering unique programming, including classic hits, essential local news, and Mesquite ISD high school varsity game broadcasts. It also serves as a unique training ground for MISD high school students pursuing their passion for radio production. This milestone marks a significant journey of growth and impact on both the education sector and the community.

KEOM is managed by professional staff and is the only high school radio station in Texas with student on-air DJs who can be heard throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The student radio production program provides live broadcasting experience to eleventh and twelfth-grade students and has helped launch numerous careers in media and communications. Over the years, students have gained valuable skills in audio production, announcing, news gathering, and on-air operations, making KEOM one of the few high school radio stations in the country to offer this level of professional training.

“Over four decades, KEOM 88.5 FM has not only entertained its audience but has also empowered countless students with practical skills, preparing them for successful careers in the broadcasting industry,” said Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera. 

“I am so proud of the remarkable accomplishments and growth of the station and the student program over the last 40 years,” said station manager Shondra Tharp. “From the 3,000-watt station we were back in 1984 to the 61,000-watt station we are today, our journey reflects the dedication of the staff and the talent of the young broadcasters we have had over the years.”  

KEOM has earned numerous accolades over the years, including first place for "Best Audio Entertainment Production High School" at the 2019 College Broadcasters, Inc. awards. The station is also a 10-time MARCOM award winner and was honored with the prestigious Bonner McLane Public Service Award for Texas Small Market Radio in 2017. Most recently, KEOM was named "Best Radio Station" by D Magazine in their 2024 edition of readers' choice award.