Italy High School

Senior Parents: LAST CHANCE TO ORDER SENIOR RECOGNITION ADS. We are offering the opportunity to purchase a recognition ad for your child. Yearbook ads are a great way to celebrate student success and milestones and reflect on the person your student has become. Show your pride and support your school at the same time. Visit https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1079390 to create your recognition ad. Ads will be available for purchase until Friday, March 10th. This offer is available for senior students only. Win the Day, Go Gladiators!

Italy ISD is processing through the tragedy that occurred on Friday and are preparing to support our students and staff as they return to school on Monday. We are working closely with the crisis team from the Region 10 Education Service Center during this difficult time. Additional counseling staff will be available at school for the students and at Central Baptist Church main campus on Monday morning at 10:30 AM for families and community members. We are asking that visitors refrain from coming to the campuses during this week before Spring Break so that we can maintain routine and structure for our students and staff which can provide a sense of safety and security. Please reach out to your child's campus if we can support your family in any way and thank you for your help during this difficult time. Rachel L. Kistner Italy ISD Superintendent

March 3, 2023 Italy ISD is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred off-campus this evening. Words cannot express the overwhelming grief felt by the district and the community hearing of such a tragedy. We are a tight-knit, small community and as such many students will be impacted by this incident. Italy ISD will have counselors available on Saturday morning at 8:30 am at Stafford Elementary for anyone needing support and all next week at the school should your child need to speak to someone. Next week if any family or community members need support there will be counseling available at Central Baptist Church main campus on Monday beginning at 10:00 am. The District will be cooperating with local law enforcement regarding the investigation, however, all media inquiries should be directed to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Respectfully, Rachel L. Kistner Superintendent

Italy ISD welcomes the new Athletic Director & Head Footbal Coach Mike Loveless to ITALY!

The PreACT for all 10th graders has been changed to Thursday, March 23rd.

The Italy ISD District Site-Based Committee will be holding a Public Meeting on February 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Italy High School Conference Room (old cafeteria) to consider an amendment to the 2022-2027 District of Innovation plan.

Senior Parents: We are offering the opportunity to purchase a recognition ad for your child. Yearbook ads are a great way to celebrate student success and milestones and reflect on the person your student has become. Show your pride and support your school at the same time. Visit https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1079390 to create your recognition ad. Ads will be available for purchase until Friday, March 10th. This offer is available for senior students only.

Parents of all Junior High and High School students: All students were given a permission slip to attend the YES Sexual Education Program next week. Please ask your student for it! PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS AN OPT IN PROGRAM, THEREFORE A PERMISSION SLIP MUST BE RECEIVED BY NURSE HOPGOOD NO LATER THAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023 IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE! Parents check you email for the forms or visit our website.

Dear Parent/Guardian: Italy ISD has a partnership with ACT, a not-for-profit organization that provides educational assessment, research, information, and program management services. In Texas, all tenth graders take the PreACT. This assessment measures what students have learned in their courses and helps educators identify the information that students still need to learn to succeed in college or a career. The PreACT simulates the ACT testing experience by providing students early exposure to ACT test-quality questions. The PreACT is reported on the same 1–36 score scale as the ACT, but PreACT has a maximum score of 35. The PreACT also provides a predicted ACT composite score range. Italy ISD will be administering the PreACT exam on Wecnesday, March 1st, 2023. The PreACT assessment includes four multiple-choice tests: English, math, reading, and science. The PreACT is designed to help parents and educators identify areas where students may need additional academic support or remediation. The PreACT can also help to initiate strategic conversations between parents and schools regarding dual enrollment decisions, identifying curriculum gaps, implementing interventions on behalf of students, and choosing Advanced Placement classes. Your student has access to study material in their Google Classroom. If you have questions or concerns about the PreACT, please contact Mrs. DeBorde at medeborde@italyisd.org. Thank you, Meredith DeBorde Italy Junior High/High School Academic Counselor 972-483-7411, ext. 1214

Dear Parent/Guardian, Our school has partnered with Youth Equipped to Succeed (YES) to provide information on relationships and sexual health. Through these programs, students are provided research-based information on how to achieve optimal health and are encouraged to focus on their dreams and goals. Please join us for the Parent Presentation to preview what the students will see and receive tools and strategies for communication with your child. Parent Program Location: Italy High School Old Cafeteria or virtually at meet.google.com/iob-rxms-mkz Date: Monday, Feb 6, 2023 Time: 6:00 p.m. The student program will be presented on: Wednesday, February 15, 2023_ Youth Equipped to Succeed believes strongly in connecting students to positive messages and healthy relationships that will help them navigate cultural pressures. Through their programming, students of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances are equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to achieve more healthy and successful futures. Youth Equipped to Succeed mission: Growing value and vision in youth by combating isolation and imparting hope Our students will be participating in Aim for Success which focuses on the health benefits of waiting for sexual activity. Topics included are teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional hurts. Students in 7th-12th grade also receive information on contraception and establishing their own boundaries. To view an outline of the program content, please visit the Youth Equipped to Succeed website at: https://justsayyes.org/program-outlines/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE RETURN A FORM FOR EACH STUDENT IN GRADES 7-12 BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023. THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED WITH A “YES” RESPONSE IN ORDER FOR YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND / VIEW THE PROGRAM. Written permission is required for students to receive sexual health information. YES, I do want my child to attend/view the Determined to Succeed presentation. NO, I do not want my child to attend/view the Determined to Succeed presentation. Child (printed name): ___________________________________________________________________ Parent or Guardian (printed name): _______________________________________________________ (Signature): ___________________________________________________ (Date): ______________ Click Link below to donwload and print form. https://5il.co/1od0t

Dear Parent/Guardian, Our school has partnered with Youth Equipped to Succeed (YES) to provide information on relationships and sexual health. Through these programs, students are provided research-based information on how to achieve optimal health and are encouraged to focus on their dreams and goals. Please join us for the Parent Presentation to preview what the students will see and receive tools and strategies for communication with your child. Parent Program Location: Italy High School Old Cafeteria or virtually at meet.google.com/iob-rxms-mkz Date: Monday, Feb 6, 2023 Time: 6:00 p.m. The student program will be presented on: Wednesday, February 15, 2023_ Youth Equipped to Succeed believes strongly in connecting students to positive messages and healthy relationships that will help them navigate cultural pressures. Through their programming, students of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances are equipped with the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need in order to achieve more healthy and successful futures. Youth Equipped to Succeed mission: Growing value and vision in youth by combating isolation and imparting hope Our students will be participating in Aim for Success which focuses on the health benefits of waiting for sexual activity. Topics included are teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional hurts. Students in 7th-12th grade also receive information on contraception and establishing their own boundaries. To view an outline of the program content, please visit the Youth Equipped to Succeed website at: https://justsayyes.org/program-outlines/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE RETURN A FORM FOR EACH STUDENT IN GRADES 7-12 BY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2023. THIS FORM MUST BE RETURNED WITH A “YES” RESPONSE IN ORDER FOR YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND / VIEW THE PROGRAM. Written permission is required for students to receive sexual health information. YES, I do want my child to attend/view the Determined to Succeed presentation. NO, I do not want my child to attend/view the Determined to Succeed presentation. Child (printed name): ___________________________________________________________________ Parent or Guardian (printed name): _______________________________________________________ (Signature): ___________________________________________________ (Date): ______________ Click Link below to donwload and print form. https://5il.co/1od0t

Due to ongoing inclement weather, Italy ISD will be closed on Thursday, February 2nd. Even though the afternoon forecast for tomorrow shows temperatures increasing, the morning will still have significant icing that will be treacherous for our buses and families to be on the road. We plan to see everyone back on Friday! Continue to be safe if you have to venture out.

Due to ongoing inclement weather, Italy ISD will be closed on Wednesday, February 1st. Please be safe if you have to venture out.

Italy ISD 2023 Yearbook price will increase after this Friday. Share in the savings by placing your order today! The current sales price is $50 which will last until Friday, February 3, 2023. If you are unsure that you have already purchased this year's book, contact Mr. Glover at jglover@italyisd.org. HURRY, ACT NOW! ONLY 5 DAYS REMAINING FOR THE SPECIAL YEARBOOK OFFER! ORDER YEARBOOK › https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1079390/Italy-High-School/2023-Yearbook/20220927211503373125/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_content=453273&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=YBK_CMP_HS_BE_LC2_NL_E3_20230124&utm_source=sfmc&utm_id=8788018a-f7cc-4223-90ca-1747777f160a&utm_term=All+Subscribers

Due to the quickly changing weather conditions, Italy ISD will be closing early today. Stafford Elementary will dismiss at 2:00 and Italy JH/HS will dismiss at 2:15. School tomorrow, January 31st, will also be cancelled as conditions are not expected to improve within the next 24 hours. The Boys and Girls Basketball games in Hamilton originally scheduled for Tuesday evening have been rescheduled for Thursday, February 2nd in Hamilton at 4:00 and 5:30 PM..

Due to the weather forecast, all after-school activities for Italy ISD have been canceled for today. We will continue to monitor the evolving weather situation and will let you know if there are any further cancelations.

ITALY ISD celebrates BLACK HISTORY MONTH with the community by making our DIVERSITY SHIRT design available again to pre-order. Forms are also available at the high school front office and the elementary front office. Return completed form along with payment to either location. **Cash accepted. Make checks payable to Italy ISD.** Order deadline: • Wednesday, February 8, by 2:00 p.m Sizes currently available and pricing: • YOUTH S — Youth XL = $12 • ADULT S — ADULT XL = $12 • ADULT 2XL — Adult 4XL = $14 NOTE: Shirt Availability Subject To Change. Contact: • lboyd@italyisd.org Thank you all for supporting the students at Italy ISD. ihs.italyisd.org #OneTeamOneItaly

THERE'S ROOM FOR EVERYONE Representation is more important than ever. Celebrate school pride, a sense of belonging, and the diverse communities that make Italy ISD Schools great with the 2023 yearbook. Share in the savings by placing your order today! The current sales price is $50 which will last until Friday, February 3, 2023. If you are unsure that you have already purchased this year's book, contact Mr. Glover at jglover@italyisd.org. HURRY, ACT NOW! ONLY 10 DAYS REMAINING FOR THE SPECIAL YEARBOOK OFFER! ORDER YEARBOOK › https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1079390/Italy-High-School/2023-Yearbook/20220927211503373125/CATALOG_SHOP/?utm_content=453273&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=YBK_CMP_HS_BE_LC2_NL_E3_20230124&utm_source=sfmc&utm_id=8788018a-f7cc-4223-90ca-1747777f160a&utm_term=All+Subscribers ---------------------------------------------- BUDGET FRIENDLY PAYMENT PLAN JPay® is the affordable, easy way to pay for your yearbook. Spread the cost over three payments and enjoy no interest or fees.* *Credit card installment plan available on orders of $30 or more. Win the Day, Go Gladiators! Jeremiah J. Glover Italy Yearbook Teacher Jglover@italyisd.org (972)483-7411 x1307 Room 307

Italy Independent School District 300 College Street Italy, Texas 76651 972-483-1815 Italy ISD Approves 2023-2024 4-Day Instructional Week School Calendar On Monday, January 23, 2023, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the Italy ISD Board of Trustees, the 2023-2024 School Calendar was approved. The 2023-2024 school calendar will be different from previous calendars as it includes a 4-day instructional week for students and staff. Students and staff will attend school Monday-Thursday with most Fridays set aside for campuses to use as Intervention and Support days or for staff to attend and participate in professional development. Fridays will also include opportunities for extra-curricular activities. The research and planning for the possible change in the calendar began earlier in the fall with a general staff survey on how much interest there might be in pursuing the change. District representatives also attended workshops in the area being conducted for other districts interested in the alternate calendar. Campus presentations were made to provide additional information as well as meetings with the district’s site-based decision making committee. Finally, a survey along with a draft calendar and frequently asked questions were made available to students in grades 7-11, parents, families and community members via Facebook and the district website. Why did Italy ISD consider a four-day instructional week and approve the change? The primary reasons are to retain and attract quality teachers and staff, provide stability and quality instruction for students, boost student and staff well-being, maintain strong student attendance and give time back to students and staff to improve overall performance and quality of life. Italy ISD is unable to pay employees the same salaries as the larger school districts that are in the area. The district hopes this helps give Italy ISD a competitive edge in hiring employees. By being able to hire and retain the highest quality and experienced teachers and support staff, the quality of instruction and student success should increase. The 4-day Instructional week also has the potential to attract more students to the district. Making this change should have a positive effect on student and staff morale and having off one day a week will help with attendance rates of students and staff alike. Staff and families can use the day during the week to schedule appointments, take care of family obligations, etc… that often take them out of school. The 2023-2024 board-approved calendar and FAQ document can be found at this link: https://5il.co/1li36 https://5il.co/1li37 Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Attention Seniors Deadline approaching, see fliers.