DISTRICT NEWS

As an added layer of daily security, all Mesquite ISD elementary campuses now have a designated armed security guard who will be on site each day. These security personnel undergo the same background checks and fingerprinting as other MISD employees. While they will serve as consistent, valued campus team members, the guards are not law enforcement officers. Guards will not:

• Discipline students
• Be asked to participate in student discipline
• Be asked to supervise a student one on one
• Counsel/meet/mentor students in a private setting
• Leave the campus for any reason prior to being relieved

This latest step ensures that Mesquite ISD complies with recent legislation requiring armed security for all public school campuses. Similarly, all MISD middle and high school campuses have at least one school resource officer (SRO) on staff to provide a daily law enforcement presence.

For the 10th consecutive year, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation has recognized Mesquite ISD as a “Best Community for Music Education.”

The award program acknowledges remarkable efforts made by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. The recognition is given to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

As part of Mesquite ISD’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety for students and staff members, a clear bag policy will be in effect when the 2023-24 school year begins. Only clear backpacks, purses and totes will be allowed for students on campus. All items inside a student backpack, purse or tote must be visible; however, students may carry a small nonclear bag to hold personal items, such as money and hygiene products. Additional details will be available soon.

Mesquite ISD will provide one clear backpack free of charge to any student who requests one. Elementary students may pick up a free clear backpack at their campus on School Supply Drop-Off Night (Aug. 3) or the first day of school. Middle and high school students may pick up their free backpacks on the first day of school. Clear backpacks will not be distributed at the annual Mesquite ISD Back to School Fair.

Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions – Haga Clic Aquí  Para Preguntas Frecuentes 

Following the Board meeting, the district heard concerns from families and employees about the 7:40 a.m. start time for elementary schools. To address these concerns, the MISD Transportation Department immediately began working on a solution that allows the operation to meet the district’s transportation needs. 

We hope these revised start and end times work better for our families and employees. Here are next year’s revised start and end times for elementary, middle and high school students:

Elementary 7:50 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Middle School 8:10 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.
High School 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

MISD will update the 2023-24 calendar on the district website soon with these new times, the A/B high school schedule and grading periods.

Mesquite ISD is pleased to announce that beginning Jan. 4, when students return from the Winter Break, our campuses will once again welcome our family members and other guests to visit during mealtimes. Because each school is different in size, space and enrollment, principals have the authority to establish guidelines to best manage their campus guests and ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all. 

Your campus principal will inform you about specific guidelines visitors must follow during mealtimes at your student’s school. Keep in mind that all campuses require visitors to present a valid ID that will be scanned through the Raptor security system. Approval through Raptor is required for all campus visitors.

Do you have at least 50 college hours and a heart to serve as a teacher? Follow this link to learn more about and apply for the PACE Program, where you serve as a teacher while completing an undergraduate degree. Applications are due by Jan. 3, 2023. Participants will be notified of acceptance by the end of January.

Contact Jennifer Hiser (jhiser@mesquiteisd.org or ext. 27533) for more information about pathways for employees who want to become a teacher in Mesquite ISD.

SB 463 was passed during the 85^th Texas Legislature (2017) and required the commissioner of education to establish criteria to allow individuals who entered high school prior to the 2011-2012 school year and who successfully completed all the curriculum requirements for graduation, but who did not perform successfully on the required state assessment (TAKS) after at least three attempts to qualify for graduation. The new rules establish which individuals may be eligible to graduate and receive a high school diploma by meeting certain alternative requirements.

Click here to learn more

Mesquite ISD homeroom teachers at Rugel Elementary were surprised last Friday, Aug. 12 by Kidoodle TV with $500 Amazon gift cards for their classrooms!!  

Second grade teacher Danielle Tresslar had initially written a letter to Kidoodle TV for a chance of being selected as part of their Clear the List campaign. After receiving this letter, Kidoodle wanted to go a step further and reached out to the school with plans to help a total of 18 teachers! 

What teachers thought would be a Friday afternoon meeting with the principal was actually a surprise when Kidoodle announced their support of $9,000 in gift cards evenly distributed among them.

Mesquite ISD was one of the various school districts in North Texas selected to receive free school supplies from Kroger. In total, Kroger raised $750,000 in school supplies for students across the region. 

MISD received 5,083 school supply kits this week and will distribute them across campuses. MISD Social Worker Jasmine Battles represented our school district in today’s check presentation. 

Many thanks to Kroger for their generous donation that will benefit our schools.