Newton walk the halls
By GENE ISABELL, Superintendent of Newton Independent School District

A big topic of conversation in the Newton Independent School District during the past couple of months has been whether or not to adopt a standardized dress code (uniforms) for the 2008-09 school year. A public forum was held Feb. 18 in the NISD Auditorium to discuss the issue. Parents, community members and students attended and expressed their views for consideration by the board of trustees.

Several participants were in favor of uniforms and several participants spoke against uniforms. The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the board followed the forum. Board briefs are available on the district website (www.newtonisd. net).

The fourth six week grading period ended Feb. 22 and report cards will go out this week. Parents are able to track student grades and attendance on the district website through the Parent Portal. This has been a great communication device between home and school.

TAKS testing begins in March for all campuses. Testing schedules are posted on the district website.

At Newton Elementary School, third graders are preparing to present a music program Feb. 28 at 1:15 p.m. (for fellow classmates) and again at 6 p.m. for parents and community.

Second graders went to the Lutcher Theater on Feb. 20 to see The Velveteen Rabbit. First graders have a field trip scheduled for Feb. 27 to attend a Stephen Fite concert in Beaumont. Newton Elementary hosted a Delta Kappa Gamma (educational sorority) meeting on Feb. 25.

Newton Middle School is celebrating a successful basketball season; the eighth grade boys were undefeated in district play. Track practice has started and track meets are scheduled for Feb. 29 and March 6 and 10. The district meets will be on March 24 (for girls) and March 27 (for boys).

The Newton High School boys' basketball team won district with a 13-1 record. Their first playoff game was Feb. 22 in Huntsville against Teague. The Lady Eagles basketball team finished the season 14-12. The Power lift team has won two of the threemeets they have participated in.

The Lady Eagles golf team has placed first in two tournaments; the next meet is at LCM on Feb. 25.

Seniors Logan Davis and Jeffery Byerly have committed to Kilgore Jr. College to play football.

Addison Staley, also a senior, has committed to McLennan Jr. College to play softball. Baseball, softball and track are now in full swing. A Valentine dance was held in February.