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.
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.
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.
The names of VHS students who had perfect attendance and no tardies over the last two weeks were put into a drawing for a free Kona Ice treat today. Winners were Jacobo Soto, Melina Moralez, Mason Ballard, Peter Din, Claire Mayo, Courtney Saylor, T.J. Thomas and Jairy Vasquez.
VHS teachers, students and staff are enjoying a "10 Days of Christmas" countdown to our Christmas break. Today's theme was "Feliz Navidad" with students and teachers wearing sombreros.
Our Vernon Lady Lions open District 7-3A basketball action tonight as they host the Holliday Lady Eagles at D.O. Fulton Gym. The JV game will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the varsity action set to start at 6 p.m. Good luck Lady Lions!!! Spoil Holliday's holiday!!
VHS teachers, students and staff are enjoying a "10 Days of Christmas" countdown to our Christmas break. Today's theme was "Here Comes Santa" with students and teachers dressing like Santa.
Selected as the Teacher and Staff Member of the Month for November were Elly Gonzales and Randy McWilliams. Congratulations and thank you for teaching and caring for our students. We appreciate you!!
FCA Christmas Party!
RSVP at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXNpHYjPWhv9tD3m1s1yw2vYI7XjLwMc5AQlqoYEFaBrBzog/viewform
Here are more pictures of the Christmas-themed door decorating contest. The winning door was the Gingerbread House and the winning class received a donut party.
Students in our English IV and Yearbook classes were challenged to create and decorate the best Christmas-themed door. They had to make the decorations and were not allowed to print something out and hang it on their door. Check out some of their work.
Receiving VHS Student of the Month honors for November were: 9th Grade -- Nicole Calderon & Matthew Calderon; 10th Grade -- Ragan Jones (not pictured) & Tru Gipson; 11th Grade -- Josslyn Fuentes & Ethan Evans (not pictured); and 12th Grade -- Analena Guerrero & Kaiden Ortiz. Nicole Calderon was selected as the overall Student of the Month. Congratulations!! Job well done! Their photo will be displayed next week on the digital signs at VHS and the Admin Building.
Fun times ahead at VHS! Join in the fun for the next 2 weeks before Christmas Break.
If you are a grandparent, aunt or uncle and you just don't know what to buy that teenager that attends VHS, we've got an idea for you -- a 2023-24 VHS Yamparika Yearbook. The yearbook will include the entire year, from the first day of school through graduation. You can preorder the 2023-24 Yamparika here https://yearbookforever.com/schools/vernon_high_school_buy_yearbook_891/xWk5Ywn27748H1QPcXnEpu6b
We also have 2022-23 VHS yearbooks available, which contains the entire 2022-23 school year.
The Roarin Lion Band took the stage and closed out the VMS & VHS Band Christmas Concert last night at the Wilbarger Auditorium. The band performed four songs: "Reindeer Rang;" "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!;" "Christmas in Mexico;" and "Christmas Grab Bag."
We are hosting a Class 2A, Div. 1 State Semifinal game tomorrow evening. It should be a great game and great weather. Head on out to Leo Brittain Field at Lion Stadium and catch the action. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.vernonisd.org/page/ticket-purchases
Don't forget our VISD Gifted and Talented Program parent meeting at 6 p.m., tomorrow, Thursday, in the VHS Media Center. This meeting is intended to provide information to parents who are deciding on whether to nominate their child for Gifted and Talented testing. We will have a meeting for parents of identified GT students in the spring. Please contact Amanda Brown at 940-553-1900 ext 2247 with any questions.
Here is a link to the VHS Powerlifting Store. https://shop.signonsigns.com/collections/vernon-powerlifting-pre-order
Wear your powerlifting gear with pride and help raise money for the program.