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Students Give Back to Local First Responders

September 9, 2016, 9:57 am
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On Sept. 11, the nation will pause to remember the 15th anniversary of the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Many ceremonies, memorials and special programs will be held to remember the lives lost; and at Roberta Tipps Elementary School, students and staff commemorated the day by showing their appreciation for local first responders.

Students enjoyed passing out drinks and cards
to the first responders.
Tipps Elementary held its fourth annual Patriot Day event on Friday, Sept. 9. Local police officers, firefighters and military personnel came to the campus to receive free water, sports drinks and snacks. Organizers say it was the least they could do to show their gratitude.

“As educators, it’s our responsibility to instill a sense of community within our students,” said Principal Cristina Hernandez. “What better way than to say ‘thank you’ to our public servants who protect us every single day.”

Students and staff stood in front of the school from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to hand out the beverages and personally thank the men and women in uniform. First responders who attended said it meant a lot to see the community give back.

Sgt. Robertson was overwhelmed by
the amount of gifts he received.
“It really is touching that they care in that way to provide those things to us,” said Sgt. Eric Robertson with the Mansfield ISD Police Department. “We had stacks of sports drinks to bring back with us, and that will help all of our officers throughout the year.”

Although the students at Roberta Tipps weren’t even alive during the attacks back on Sept. 11, 2001, events like this will continue teaching the next generation to never forget.

View a list of what other MISD schools are doing to commemorate 9/11 here.
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A Little-Known Resource for MISD High Schoolers

September 16, 2016, 1:59 pm
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Smith (middle) and Spikes (right) walked a student through
the college application process.
For high schoolers who need some extra guidance with anything and everything related to college, free help is only a hallway or two away.

Mansfield ISD partners with The University of Texas at Arlington and inspirED to provide each high school with GO Centers. The centers connect high school students with college mentors who help them throughout the year with topics ranging from college admission, career choices and scholarships.

“Sometimes parents don’t have the time or knowledge to give their children what they need for college,” said Michelle Smith, counselor at Frontier High School. “Students come in who are first-generation college goers or who don’t have the means to help themselves. The Go Centers give them that extra one-on-one time.”

Smith said the centers have been a great extension to the counseling program.

At Frontier High School, former graduates are the ones manning the booths. Graduate Abigail Spikes said she was ready for college, but decided to come back and help other high schoolers when she realized everyone wasn’t as fortunate.

GO Centers are located near the counseling office.
“A lot of my friends didn’t have everything together for college,” said the Dallas Baptist University freshman. “I felt called to come back because college is incredibly scary if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

Spikes wants each high school student to know that they are not alone.

“We are here to help. We can schedule college visits, register for the SAT/ACT, talk about dual credit—there’s so many ways to get you on the right track after graduation, and it’s right here on campus for free.”

Students can set up appointments to visit their school’s Go Center by visiting the campus website. After choosing a campus, select the “resources” option on the top menu and select “Counseling Center.”
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Vision 2020 Focus: Algebra I Mastery

September 26, 2016, 12:13 pm
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Mansfield ISD's mission is to inspire and educate students to be productive citizens. In alignment with this mission, one of the guiding statements in the district's Vision 2020 Strategic Plan is that students will demonstrate mastery of Algebra I by the end of ninth grade.

"The reason I'm teaching is to help kids love math as much as I do," said first-year teacher Kate Gustafson from Della Icenhower Intermediate School.

Watch more on how MISD teachers are laying that groundwork for students.


To view Mansfield ISD's full Vision 2020 Strategic Plan, visit the MISD website.
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A Soldier’s Surprise Return to His Mom

September 30, 2016, 1:04 pm
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For a pre-kindergarten teacher at Alice Ponder Elementary School, her day of usual lessons and activities turned into the best surprise she could have asked for. Lynne Sluder had no idea that her son, who had been deployed overseas for months, would come home and surprise her in her classroom.

“I was gone for about seven months,” said Owen Thompson, a U.S. Marine and Mansfield High School graduate. “I was part of what’s called a Marine Expeditionary Unit. I went to Hong Kong and a few of the Middle Eastern countries. I know it’s not the easiest thing for a mom.”

Sluder (left) said she hasn't seen her son in almost two years,
and they only talked on the phone a few times.
Thompson, his wife and his two children walked into Sluder’s classroom for the big reveal. When Sluder turned around to see who was at the door, all she could do was scream with excitement.

“I saw him once in the last almost two years,” said Sluder as she fought to hold back tears. “[Surprising me] was such an incredible and thoughtful thing for him to do.”

Sluder added that she is proud of her son for the decision he made to serve our country, and she is actually welcoming back two heroes.

“[Owen’s wife Rashell] has blessed Owen’s life, and that’s all a mother-in-law could ever ask for. I’m proud of both of them because military life is hard for families."

The teacher said she can’t wait to catch up with her son and daughter-in-law and spend time with her grandchildren.



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Military Dad Surprises Daughter with Homecoming

October 7, 2016, 9:03 am
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A late-night email from a kindergartner's mother caused staff from two Mansfield ISD elementary schools to pull together and give the five-year-old a surprise ending to her day.

The email stated that Brielle Garcia would not be in class on Friday because her dad came back from deployment. He had been gone for months and was going to spend some time with his daughter.

Wal-Mart donated small flags for the students to wave
during the impromptu assembly.
But employees at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School and Judy K. Miller Elementary School, who share the same campus, wanted to make the occasion a real hero's welcome.

"I came to school early this morning, sent out a couple emails, and everyone just got the urge and dedication to make something wonderful happen for Brielle and her dad," said Sheira Petty, principal at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School.

In an impromptu kindergarten assembly about heroes, students learned about the different branches of the military. Brielle was then called up to the front of the room because her dad is in the U.S. Air Force.

Brielle was shy but happy to finally see
her father after his deployment.
As the Air Force song played in the background, the curtains to the stage slowly opened to reveal Brielle's dad standing behind her.

She looked back in shock and gave her father a big hug and a kiss. The students who watched it all unfold waved their little American flags and cheered them on.

"I'm actually leaving again to Korea in either January or March; so any time I get to come home, I try to come back and see her," said Staff Sgt. George Garcia.

Brielle didn't have much to say, but her smile said it all. Her daddy was back, and she was going to cherish every moment of it for as long as she could.
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MISD Students “Nail It” for Families in Need

October 14, 2016, 9:07 am
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A stage usually set up for musicals and performances was transformed into a construction workshop filled with tools and supplies to see which North Texas high school team would be named the best builders in the region.

“We were trying to come up with a fun preliminary contest prior to our SkillsUSA contest,” said Gene Schramme, construction technology teacher at Mansfield ISD’s Ben Barber Innovation Academy. “We brought the ‘Nailed It’ idea to the staff at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts, and they helped it all come together.”

Students used teamwork and skill to build their playhouses.
The teams of four from Ben Barber Innovation Academy, Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning, Stephenville High School and Fort Worth’s Green B. Trimble Technical High School spent hours designing and building a playhouse that would be judged by a panel of industry professionals.

The inaugural contest wasn’t all about hands-on learning, though—it was also a way to give back to the community.

“I didn’t know these houses were going to Habitat for Humanity until two weeks ago,” said Jacob Dawson, high school junior and member of the Ben Barber Innovation Academy team. “It made it that much more important to do that job right.”

“The first thing I told [the teams] was, 'We want you to be safe, and we want you to have fun because we’re building these playhouses for kids.' At the end of the day, there are four families, and their kids are getting a playhouse,” said Schramme.

The MISD team was proud of their finished product.
After six intense hours of work, the judges made their final decision. MISD’s Jacob Dawson, Caleb Padgett, Logan Dawson and Hayden Zawodniak earned the coveted winner’s plaque. They were happy that their talents were recognized, but they were even happier to be helping a greater cause.

“About a month ago, we took a trip, and we helped Habitat for Humanity, and we got to meet a bunch of wonderful people,” said junior Caleb Padgett. “Now that we get to do these, it’s such an honor to be able to give those to families in need.”

DEWALT® Power Tools, Huckabee & Associates, Inc. and Upstage Center, Inc. were major sponsors of the Oct. 12 event.

Organizers hope the competition will expand to include even more area schools next year.
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Learning Through Immersion: The Foreign Exchange Student Program

October 21, 2016, 1:34 pm
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You can learn about different countries in geography books, but 11 new Mansfield ISD high school students have chosen to learn about the U.S. culture by traveling across the globe and immersing themselves in it.

The MISD Foreign Exchange Student Program provides teenagers from other countries the opportunity to learn about the history of the United States, see the workings of U.S. government and become more fluent in the written and spoken English language.

“There’s such hope and promise in what a foreign exchange student can glean from the year-long experience.” said Holly McCanlies, MISD director of guidance and counseling. “The purpose of the program is to gain a deep understanding of a culture that’s different from their own, to make life-long friendships and to experience an educational system that is truly great.”

Gregory (right) assists Dominguez (left) in computer technology class.
Federico Dominguez is originally from Spain and attends Timberview High School. He said the decision to come to America for a full year of learning was one he felt would set him up for a successful future.

“I want to learn English because it’s a global language. I will need it for my work and life,” said the 16-year-old. “I’ve learned that you can find a lot of people from different places.”

Dominguez said he loves soccer and is on the junior varsity team at Timberview. He keeps in touch with his family back in Spain weekly and is excited to be making friends here.

“He interacts a lot with the students,” said Timberview teacher and coach Duane Gregory. “I think he’s done a good job getting acclimated and familiar with how things work in our community and our culture.”

McCanlies said that students from all over the world have taken advantage of the MISD Foreign Exchange Student Program, and she has seen how the experience has helped them flourish into well-rounded individuals.

During their stay, foreign exchange students live with host families who reside within the district. MISD has space for five foreign exchange students at each of its traditional high schools. For more information about enrollment and eligibility, visit the guidance and counseling page.
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Cowboys Mascot Teaches Kids to Live Drug Free

October 28, 2016, 10:37 am
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Rowdy, the official mascot of the Dallas Cowboys, took time away from the gridiron to teach Mansfield ISD youth that you can’t score in life by doing drugs.

The mascot was the special guest at Danny Jones Middle School for Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide effort to visibly take a stand against drugs. He educated the seventh and eighth graders about the dangers of drugs and encouraged them to stay safe and smart.

In true Rowdy fashion, the program was filled with entertainment and dancing, which included dance-offs, crowd chants and giveaways. Event organizers hoped the upbeat pep rally would inspire students to make the right choices in life.

Rowdy pumps up the crowd at Jones Middle School.
“We wanted to get everybody’s juices flowing,” said Jones Middle School PTA President Lisa Huff. “I hope they take away the message that being drug free is valid and good and always something that we want to do as good people in the world, and that we make that commitment all of our lives.”

The 2016 theme for Red Ribbon Week was: YOLO. Be Drug Free. (YOLO stands for You Only Live Once.)

Schools all across Mansfield ISD held events that encouraged kids to say no to drugs. Several campuses wore red ribbons, took part in special activities and held dress-up days to show the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle.

Red Ribbon Week also motivates youth and parents to have open dialogue about the need to live a healthy lifestyle because children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don't.

The first Red Ribbon campaign began more than 30 years ago. Today, the Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation reaching millions of young people. View more information about Red Ribbon Week and sign the pledge.

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MISD Students Explore the Sounds of Strings

November 4, 2016, 11:47 am
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A new type of sound can be heard in the hallways of Mansfield ISD intermediate schools this year. Students are getting the opportunity to participate in the district’s new orchestra program.

“I love that orchestra is important to the district,” said Kevin Pearce, orchestra instructor at Mary Lillard and Mary Orr intermediate schools. “I think it’s an essential part of a well-rounded music program in school.”

For its inaugural year, the program serves as an exploratory class to expose fifth graders to string instruments. Students are learning various techniques, such as bowing and plucking. Pearce said he is impressed with how quickly his classes are learning the concepts.

Pearce led the orchestra class during a recent mini-concert.
“I’ve seen some really nice progress in them, especially considering how they’re not practicing at home,” Pearce explained. “They’re still moving as quickly through a method as other school districts where they did have instruments that they’re taking home.”

Lilan Jackson, fifth grader at Mary Lillard Intermediate School, said although she loves singing, being able to play a stringed instrument brings a different dynamic that she appreciates.

“For singing, it’s my voice, so I know how to control it; but for music, I can control it with my fingers, but I don’t control the sound,” said Jackson. “I like how it just comes out, and I like to hear that.”

The MISD orchestra program will expand in phases to the middle school and high school levels. For more information about the district’s fine arts programs, visit the MISD website.

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Senior Describes Father’s Fight with Stage 4 Lung Cancer

November 7, 2016, 7:43 am
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Nguyen said photography is his outlet, and
he plans on becoming a nurse.
Nam Nguyen has had his share of challenges. He moved to the United States from Vietnam when he was in the eighth grade and encountered a major culture shock. He said he had trouble fitting in and had to learn how to be comfortable in his own skin.

When he transferred into Mansfield ISD, Nguyen said everything was going well. Now that he’s a senior, he has a set routine of going to school during the day and earning college credits at night. But he said the news he received earlier this year nearly sent him on a downward spiral.

“In May, my dad started coughing so much,” said the 12th grader at The Phoenix Academy. “He went to doctors, and they kept giving him allergy medicine, but it kept getting worse.”

His dad underwent scans and blood tests to determine what was wrong. He was later diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in August 2016.

“I was so depressed,” Nguyen recalls. “He’s my only family here. Without him, I’m alone. I was shocked because he’s a non-smoker.”

Nguyen remembers spending two weeks at home grieving and crying. His dad eventually told him that being sad isn’t going to change anything, and that’s when the senior’s perspective changed.

Nguyen said he has five posters filled with well wishes for his father.
“I have to stay positive so that my dad’s positive throughout his chemo. My friends really helped me out during this hard time. Now, I see that I’m very fortunate for a lot of things in life, like a bright future and my career opportunities.”

Through his own experience, Nguyen said he realized how necessary MISD’s Colors for Caring initiative is. On the designated days, he said he will be wearing colors in honor of his dad.

“I’m also making a poster collage for him. A lot of people have already signed it,” he said. “It will mean a lot to him to see that others care about him. That’s why I know that Colors for Caring is helping other people feel that they’re not going through this alone.”

For information and a photo gallery of MISD’s Colors for Caring Days, visit the district’s website.
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Thanking Those Who Have Served Our Country

November 11, 2016, 12:26 pm
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 18 million people in the United States who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Several campuses across Mansfield ISD took the time to thank each of them in a very special way on Nov. 11.

Military veterans related to MISD students and staff were invited to a variety of Veterans Day events, ranging from breakfasts and luncheons to assemblies and parades. It was a day of appreciation, but also a time for students to learn why Americans have the freedoms they enjoy today.

“We know that we are the greatest country in the world because of the sacrifice that’s been given by our men and women in the armed forces,” said Dr. Michael Evans, school board trustee and military veteran.

Evans said he was proud to see all the veterans who were getting a hero’s welcome, and he salutes MISD for the many ways gratitude was shown toward them.

“It’s important for our students to recognize where all of their privileges come from,” Evans continued. “It comes from these people who have given their lives and who have laid it all on the line for them.”

Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1919 to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress later passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance. Armistice Day was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954.

View details about what each MISD campus did to honor the nation’s veterans here.

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Students Open for Grammy Award-Winning Artist

November 18, 2016, 10:35 am
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What’s it like to be the opening act for a man who has spent the last two decades topping music charts? The students in Mansfield ISD’s newly formed All-District High School Gospel Choir will be able to answer that on Friday night.

Kirk Franklin, who has won many prestigious awards for his singing, songwriting and producing on gospel songs, will grace the stage of the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 18.

Wright conducts his choir class at Mansfield High.
The concert will feature select students and community members as the opening act. The all-district gospel choir will then break away from the mass choir and perform to the crowd on their own.

Choir Director Reginal Wright from Mansfield High School said he envisioned having a gospel choir for all MISD high school students, and his vision quickly turned into a reality with a surprise visit from Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas.

“Dr. V walked into my office about two weeks after that and said, ‘We have Kirk Franklin coming to town, and I want a gospel choir,’” Wright recalled.

Auditions began in September. Katie Swan said she was thrilled to make the cut.

“Gospel music is a way to express yourself, and it’s energetic, and it’s fun,” said the sophomore.

The student gospel singers have spent hours each day perfecting the music.

The opening choir consists of students and community members.
Junior Dylan Ngo said he likes the music, but also enjoys the inclusiveness he feels among his fellow singers.

“It’s so hype,” Ngo explained. “It’s like you can be yourself around them, and there’s no judgement."

The fact that the students are going to open for Kirk Franklin is definitely an added bonus, especially for senior Anyse Dawson whose parents have been listening to Franklin before she was even born.

“That's the coolest part," she said. "I’ve never met somebody famous and someone of that relevance."

Wright said the choir gives students a change from the traditional classical music that is taught in the classroom. He added that he sees the choir continuing for years to come. 

More information about the Kirk Franklin concert is available here.
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MISD Kids Find Their Genius Through Clubs

December 2, 2016, 11:36 am
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On Fridays, there’s an extra pep in the step of the third and fourth-graders at Martha Reid Elementary School, but it’s not because the weekend is near.

The students know that if they do their school work Monday through Thursday, there’s a special period Friday morning where they can engage in different clubs.

Origami, the art of folding paper, is intriguing to the students.
Principal Rebecca Stephens said the idea was implemented in the second six weeks to coincide with one of the guiding statements of Vision 2020, Mansfield ISD’s new strategic plan, which states that students will participate in an extracurricular or co-curricular activity.

“Every kid has an interest; every kid has their genius,” said Stephens. “We’re giving them the opportunity to try different clubs to see what they like to do outside of school.”

She added that having the clubs during the day gives students who may not be able to come early or stay later an opportunity to participate in the different activities as well

Origami, science, music, drama, robotics, Legos and kindness are just some of the various offerings each six weeks. There’s also a Book Buddies Club in which the older children read to the younger ones.

Students said that reading is more fun with partners.
“I like reading because it helps me learn, and I can get a job one day because of it,” said third-grader Keller Johnson, who enjoys being a book buddy.

Stephens added that it’s not just about having fun. The Friday clubs give children something to look forward to throughout the week.

“It has made a difference because they have the intrinsic motivation to do well at school and be a part of school, and they take ownership in that.” she said.

Next semester, the club rotations will be available for the second-graders as well.
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MISD Students Crack the Code

December 9, 2016, 11:18 am
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Students at Perry Elementary complete a coding problem.
Coding can be an intimidating subject, but students all across Mansfield ISD are proving that it’s so easy, a kindergartner can do it.

Kids from various grade levels are engaged in learning computer science. It’s all part of the Hour of Code, a global movement where people of all ages spend an hour learning the basics of coding and solving problems in fun ways.

The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. This year, it landed on Dec. 5-11.

Technology teacher Jami Davis from Annette Perry Elementary School said she can see the difference in her students when they begin to decipher code.

“Code develops higher-level thinking and problem solving,” said Davis. “Once they start coding and solving the questions, they start feeling good about themselves and getting more self-esteem.”

Davis said she implemented the Hour of Code at her school three years ago when the worldwide initiative was launched because she saw how important the skill is for each child’s future.

“I believe that making these students efficient in technology is just as important as math and reading for future jobs,” she continued.

Source: HourofCode.org
Although the level of difficulty for coding varies by grade levels, Davis said one thing remains the same—student engagement.

She noted that students are wanting to code in their free time, and she has expanded her coding lessons to three weeks because one hour is not enough to her.

“I encourage any teacher who is hesitant about joining to just do it—even if you don’t know code. Code.org has made it very easy with videos and tutorials. It’s a great experience.”

To date, tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries have participated in the Hour of Code. One-hour tutorials are available in over 45 languages. For more information, visit the website.
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Middle Schoolers Adopt a Child for the Holidays

December 16, 2016, 11:07 am
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The holidays came a little early for some children at Alice Ponder Elementary School. Students at neighboring Rogene Worley Middle School adopted a few of the elementary school students and showered them with gifts, food and fun.

The Adopt-a-Child tradition has been going on at Worley Middle School for more than 20 years. The school gets a list of what some less fortunate Ponder Elementary students will need for the holidays, and the middle schoolers buy as many of the items as they can.

A Worley student presents a child with one of many gifts.
"It's just a wonderful day to see our students watch joy in the eyes of another person and know that they were a part of that," said Principal Julia McMains of Worley Middle School. "This is one of our best days of the year and one of our proudest moments."

One by one, the elementary students unwrapped their gifts, ranging from bikes to dolls and race cars. The look of excitement could be seen on the faces of the children and the older students who surrounded them.

"We decided that we need to make their Christmas happy," said eighth-grader Malachi Witherspoon. "It was all worth it when we saw the expressions on the children's faces."

Worley's Adopt-a-Child event is sponsored by the student council. The student body spends time decorating classrooms and providing snacks to make the day of opening presents extra special for the elementary students.
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“Sciyonce” Teaches Students Biology Through Popular Tunes

January 6, 2017, 12:33 pm
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With her cordless mic on, classroom lights dimmed and disco lights spinning, biology teacher Arlevia Davis is all set to do her lesson review.

To the tune of a popular hip-hop song, she starts singing one of her latest creations, which teaches about DNA.

“With the expenses of materials, you can’t always get the hands-on labs,” said Davis, who is in her third year of teaching at Legacy High School. “So I decided that I should start writing songs for the large amount of vocabulary that exists in the content area just to keep it fun and exciting and interesting.”

When she performs in front of her class, she said she turns into her alter ego, Sciyonce, to shake away her nerves and become as engaging as possible.

Davis tells her class to recall her song lyrics as they answer science questions.
Davis has biology renditions of songs from various artists and genres. She said she likes to keep it different to appeal to a majority of her class.

“Students love it,” she explained. “They know class is about to get a little more upbeat when I have my Britney Spears mic on. Some of them have even told me that they appreciate the time I take to write the songs, so that was very encouraging to hear.”

Most importantly, the 15-year educator has found that the songs help her students retain the information. To her, the more annoying the song is, the better.

“I tell them, ‘I want this to be irritatingly stuck in your brain whether you like the songs or not,’” Davis continued. “I feel accomplished when they say, ‘Oh no. That song is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.’”

Davis is currently working on a song about genetics. She said she hopes her performances will teach her students to be fearless in life.
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Mastering Reading by Increasing Vocabulary

January 13, 2017, 12:53 pm
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Through the hallways of Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary School, young learners can be heard shouting out some pretty advanced vocabulary words.

“Algorithm! Distinguish! Fiction!” the second-graders said as the teacher gave a definition of each term.

The elementary school, like many others across the district, is focusing on building vocabulary to strengthen reading skills. The emphasis on vocabulary lines up with Mansfield ISD’s Vision 2020 strategic plan, which states that students will read on level or higher by the beginning of third grade and will remain on level or higher as an MISD student.

“We believe that if the students master their academic vocabulary, they will be reading on grade level, especially our second-graders,” said Dr. Lori Ayala, assistant principal of Sheppard Elementary School.

A teacher reviews vocabulary in the hallway.
Teachers have started using several teaching techniques to make vocabulary fun and memorable. They utilize videos, games, flipbooks and vocabulary journals in which the student talks about the word, draws the words and writes the word in a sentence.

“The teachers are constantly reviewing the words, even when they have time in the hallways for restroom breaks,” Ayala explained.

Student progress is also tracked. Word mastery has increased across the campus, and each student keeps a journal of how they are improving.

“Everyone has met their goals so far,” Ayala continued. “Our goal at the beginning of the year was to pass with 70 percent. We’ve met that goal and went beyond that.”

For more information about MISD’s Vision 2020, visit the district website.
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A Small Team of Big Contributors

January 20, 2017, 12:55 pm
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A team consisting of only 10 people make all the deliveries and pickups to and from the 43 campuses and several department buildings within Mansfield ISD. Their services can sometimes go unnoticed; but when the devoted employees don’t do their jobs, everyone feels the effects.

“We distribute and collect mail, food and supplies, salvage and surplus, furniture, records, etc.,” said Brad Barker, MISD’s warehouse supervisor. “When schools move in or out of a facility, we’re the ones who move all of their assets too.”

The workers in the distribution center work in all types of weather conditions. Even though the conditions can be a bit unfavorable at times, Barker said he loves his crew, and they love their jobs.

An MISD employee stops to ask which surplus items are available.
“I have a great crew. I rely on them, and they rely on me,” Barker continued. “I don’t have a big turnover. Most of my guys have been here between three to 15 years. Without them, the district wouldn’t run as efficiently.”

The distribution workers are focused on not wasting money. Barker said that all collected materials are either recycled, put into surplus or auctioned away.

“A lot of staff do not know that they can come to our warehouse and look around to see if they see any pieces of furniture that will benefit them,” the supervisor said.

Putting items into surplus is one of the new ideas Barker was able to bring to the district. Along with surplus, he said he loves figuring out what the district needs in terms of supplies and being able to be of service to others.

“My guys get the job done pretty quickly. Mail is usually delivered the next day, and we can move an entire campus in or out in approximately three days. We just love what we do.”
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A Special Thanks to MISD’s All-Star Team

January 27, 2017, 12:22 pm
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They work tireless hours without getting paid a dime, and it’s all to make sure that the students of Mansfield ISD receive the best education possible.

The seven MISD board trustees are the elected public servants who play a major part in setting the vision and policy for the district. They carefully oversee a multi-million dollar annual budget for more than 34,000 students, approximately 4,000 employees and 43 schools.

January is School Board Recognition Month, and MISD wanted to make sure these public school advocates realize how much they mean to the entire community.

“The members of the MISD school board have a passion for children and work to provide them quality educational opportunities in a fiscally responsible manner,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas. “On behalf of the district, I want to send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the dedicated volunteers who serve on our school board.”

Some MISD campuses adopted a trustee for a day filled with pep rallies, food and fun. (View photos here.) Mansfield Mayor David Cook even proclaimed January 2017 as School Board Recognition Month in the city.

MISD is grateful for the time, energy and counsel given by the men and women who serve on the school board. Even though the month is designation for them, they are all-stars year-round.

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Retired NBA Superstar Teaches Students the Journey to Success

February 3, 2017, 12:23 pm
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Moncrief, nicknamed Super Sid, told the students about his NBA days.
He went from playing professional basketball to coaching it. Now, he uses his passion to coach people and inspire them to achieve greatness.

Five-time NBA All-Star Sidney Moncrief made a stop at Mansfield ISD’s Phoenix Academy and Behavior Intervention Center (BIC) to teach students about the road to his success despite his childhood difficulties.

“I used to get into trouble when I was younger,” the Milwaukee Bucks legend explained. “But once I got to high school, I found my calling, which was basketball.”

The 6-4 guard said he was very skilled in basketball, but his grades didn’t always make the score. Once he made the decision to apply himself, his grade point average (GPA) went from a 1.85 entering high school to a 3.85 by the time he graduated.

“I didn’t get smarter; I decided to put in more hard work and effort,” Moncrief said. “Here’s a guy that had everything going against him, and he was still able to do something very good. You have the same potential to be great. You just have to find a way to tap into that.”

The father of four detailed the habits needed to become a successful adult whom people can trust. Topics ranged from preparation and smart choices to kindness and respect.
Students were excited to welcome the Defensive Player of the Year.

Students like Ryan Redd said they connected to his message.

“I think it was the best presentation,” said the 11th-grader. “I relate to his situation more because I play basketball. I learned how key responsibility is.”

Moncrief is now a speaker, consultant and author. He said he wants to make sure everyone learns the real definition of success.

“Success isn’t only about who wins. Success is who gave all there was to give.”
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