Stafford Elementary School

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

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 3rd - Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day! Thank you to our wonderful maintenance staff Brad, Bobby, JD, Lynn and Michael. Thanks for being flexible with your schedule, your willingness to do so does not go unnoticed. Your work and dedication are genuinely appreciated! Saturday, 4th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30am-12:30pm Theme - DONUT let the test sneak up on you! The grade with largest percentage of students wins a party. https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Tuesday, 7th – STAAR ELAR Interim 3rd-6th Grades Friday, 10th - Early release 12pm for Students and Staff Sunday, 12th - Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward an Hour Monday, 13th - Friday, 17th - Spring Break No School for Students and Staff Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OKBJ-Dt-Y6cmZtTaXNme0sG97NL2KXKa/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6400c766 Go Stafford!

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.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 24th **6th Grade Students: IHS Cheer will be at Stafford to recruit for the 2023-2024 Squad. A form has been placed into your google classroom. If you are interested in becoming a JHS Cheerleader, please fill out that form. Any questions please contact Coach Lacy Brown at lbrown@italyisd.org **Career Dress Up Day - Dress for success! Dress how you would for your future dream career! **Career Day, 2nd-6th grade students will meet with professionals and hear why they chose their career and ask questions. Saturday, 25th **Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm (Mardi Gras Theme) the grade with the largest percentage of students wins a party. https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Monday, 27th **School Board Meeting 5:30pm at the High School Thursday, 2nd **Dr. Seuss's Birthday a Nationwide Reading Celebration Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmoWk74mVxAJP3fNwh_ggeLkxUXr0q3b/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63f7a07d Go Stafford!

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.

Stafford Weekly Announcement: Thursday, 16th – 5th & 6th Grade Valentines Dance in the Stafford Gym 6:30pm-8pm. Candy, chips, and drinks $.50-$1.00 for sale by PTO. You can dress up or casual as long as it is school appropriate attire. Please use the gym door for drop off and pick up. Friday, 17th - Staff Development No School for Students Monday, 20th – Holiday Presidents Day No School for Students and Staff Tuesday, 21st - Career Dress Up Day – Our futures start now! Wear professional school attire! Wednesday, 22nd - Career Dress Up Day – What a bright future! Wear sunglasses or bright colors! Thursday, 23rd - Career Dress Up Day - Dreaming about the future! Wear school appropriate pajamas! Friday, 24th – Career Dress Up Day - Dress for success! Dress how you would for your future dream career! Career Day - Students will be able to visit with professionals and hear why they chose their career and ask them questions! Saturday, 25th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30am-12:30pm at Stafford (Theme Mardi Gras) Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y8RAl4RKcsrRvAa1EfK5L5gRWSUvIayo/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63ee5d8a Go Stafford!

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 10th **End of 4th Six weeks **Last Day - PTO selling Val-O-Grams during students lunch/PE they are $1 each (a blow pop, fun dip, or airhead will be attached). Delivered to the students on the 14th. Saturday, 11th **Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm at Stafford (Valentines Theme) https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA **Last day to register for IYAA Baseball/Softball at https://form.jotform.com/230046109444145?fbclid=IwAR3qlUeZVXsViLrig4wnkov27PEe_9bvLxPmF3etb_pStKzDYIbXzCMbg1E&mibextid=Zxz2cZ Wednesday, 15th **School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! Our SRO is a daily presence in the lives of Italy ISD. He routinely goes above and beyond throughout not just the school year, but the entire calendar year, to support our students and staff. Thank you, Officer Rumsey, for all you do! **Report Cards Thursday, 16th **Kinder-4th grades Valentines Dance during PE (students only), concessions for sale by PTO **5th & 6th Grades Valentines Dance, Stafford Gym 6:30-8pm, concessions for sale by PTO Friday, 17th **Staff Development - No School for Students Monday, 20th **Holiday Presidents Day - No School for Students and Staff **Spring and Class Pictures that were cancelled on 2/3 due to the weather, have been rescheduled to Thursday, April 20th. Video link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11XRrgPY5udMBmCEF7IxEXFXmdxDO_rCf/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63e52bf0 Go Stafford!

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

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 3rd - 2022-2023 Italy ISD Yearbook – Prek-12th Grades All in One Book! Share in the savings by placing your order today at www.jostens.com! The current sales price is $50 which ends today. Any questions please contact, Mr. Glover at jglover@italyisd.org Saturday, 4th – Learning Camp 8:30-12:30pm (3rd-6th Grades) Monday, 6th through Friday, 10th is School Counselor Week! They serve as advocates, mentors, coaches, cheerleaders, and teachers, and they are truly the glue that holds so many aspects of our schools together. Thank you, Mrs. Barrett, we appreciate your hard work and dedication! Monday, 6th through Wednesday, 8th – PTO will be selling Val O Grams during the students PE times they are $1.00 each (blow pops, fun dip, and airheads). Delivered to the students on the 14th. Tuesday, 7th - PTO Meeting Stafford Cafeteria at 4:30pm . If you are unable to attend but would like more information or to stay involved, please contact the PTO by emailing: staffordptopresident@gmail.com Carter Blood Care Drive that was scheduled on the 1st will be rescheduled to a later date. Spring and Class Pictures that were scheduled on the 3rd will be rescheduled to another date soon, the codes will be the same. With missing three days this week, attendance the rest of February will be very important. Please make it a priority. Mr. Bray could not be on video today but don’t miss next Thursday’s video. Go Stafford!

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..

2022-2023 Italy ISD Yearbook – Prek-12th Grades All in One Book! Share in the savings by placing your order today! The current sales price is $50 which will last until Friday, February 3rd. 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! Online orders only 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 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

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.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Tuesday, 31st - 100th Day of School - When the 100th day of school rolls around, the year is over halfway completed! It is a fun time to reflect on some of the major accomplishments that have been achieved in the school year and what they look forward to learning in the future. PTO Meeting Stafford Cafeteria 4:30pm, A few great reasons to attend: Connect with other parents. Hear about important news and upcoming events. Volunteer your time, at school or at home, to make a difference in our school community. If you are unable to attend but would like more information or to stay involved, please contact the PTO by emailing: staffordptopresident@gmail.com Wednesday, 1st - Carter Blood Care Drive 9-3pm at the High School Old Gym Friday, 3rd – Spring and Class Pictures - To order online and choose different background options please go to www.mylifetouch.com using picture day ID: EVTPWNH9X (Class) or EVTPPFPTJ (individual) Paper order forms were sent home with students and extras are available at Stafford. If you do not order online, on picture day please send in completed order form with exact cash or checks made payable to Lifetouch. Questions? Please contact customer service at 800-244-4373. Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13LHNPEA3s4DgWQzvuDlDdcxUcWwWASs4/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63d29cfb Go Stafford!

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.

Stafford Weekly Announcement: January is School Board Recognition Month! School boards are designed to serve as a link between the community and the classroom. We are grateful our board members support the work of this district and the ultimate goal of preparing students for success in school and beyond. Italy ISD’s Board of Trustees: President Allen Richards, Vice President Dennis Perkins, Jr., Secretary Courtney Janek, Tessa South, Kyle Holley, Ashton Russ, Shawn Holden, Superintendent Rachel Kistner. Monday, 23rd – School Board Meeting 5:30pm at the High School Thursday, 26th – Character of the Month SELebration Integrity – doing the right thing even when it’s hard or when no one is looking. Go Stafford! Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HuOyZHiId_ACPQ3ZUvaM-bo9KiLGlv38/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63c96da9

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 13th - 4th Grade Field Trip We have had a successful Safety Week! We conducted a drill each day: Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate (Fire), Shelter (Tornado), and Hold. Safety is our top priority! Monday, 16th – MLK Holiday - No School for Students and Staff January is School Board Recognition Month, and we are honored to celebrate our trustees for their dedication and commitment to the district’s schools and students. School board members are selfless volunteers who spend long hours at no pay working to ensure all our students have the same opportunity to learn and grow. We appreciate all they do! Italy ISD’s Board of Trustees: President Allen Richards, Vice President Dennis Perkins, Jr., Secretary Courtney Janek, Tessa South, Kyle Holley, Ashton Russ, Shawn Holden, and Superintendent Rachel Kistner. Video link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A2lLJ8T1bk9I9Xpgu9HRRoCEwdZqiCpY/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63c01b17 Go Stafford!