MISD starts with 110+

By Sam Waller

Moran Independent School District began its new school year Monday, Aug. 7, ahead of where it began last year.

Principal Jo Hise reported that 105 students from all grades attended the first day with 110 the second day. Superintendent Dr. John Denson said the enrollment figure is expected to continue growing.

“Two said they’d be here Wednesday, so we should be at 112,” Denson said.

The growth appears evenly split between primary and secondary grades.

The secondary grades began the new year with an assembly and the start of a new program.

“We went over dress code and some of the new laws that have been passed,” Hise said.

The new program is designed to foster a positive climate and culture for students, the principal said.

“We haven’t decided if we’re going to call it Breakfast Club or Family Time, but the sixth through 12th graders are divided into families,” Hise said. “Each family has approximately one student from each grade level. Tuesday was the first day they got to meet with their family.”

Hise said the first session involved a variety of “icebreaker activities.”

“One was to make a list of 10 things all the kids had in common,” she said. “We did some get-to-know-you games since the students are spread across the different grade levels.”

Hise said the gatherings will be part of the daily schedule.

“Every morning, students will meet with their families and have some time together,” she said. “I think we had a good first day. There are still kinks to work out, but we’re getting there.”

Denson, who began his third year leading the district, said the new year appears to be off to a good start.

“We saw some familiar faces and some new faces,” he said. We’re fully staffed, and nobody is a first-year teacher here at Moran.”

Holdovers

Two programs instituted last year returned to the district. First is free breakfast and lunch for all students.

The other is the driver education program, which Denson said attracted eight students after having six last year.