Superintendent’s Message

         Please allow me to take this opportunity to THANK YOU - our community and our parents. Thank you for entrusting your children to us each day. I feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful community and for you to have supported our Mathis mission and goals. I continue to be guided by “what is in the best interest of our students.” To that end, I continue to ask you as parents as well as our diverse publics to take an active part in the support and encouragement of schooling in the Mathis School District.

         Student success and achievement are at the highest priority of the school district. In order to accomplish our goal of excellence in educating children and youth, it is critical for us to build quality Communities of Learning; communities where stakeholders become invested in lifelong learning and celebrating achievement and positive growth. “As the school becomes a community of relationships, connections among people are close and informal, individual circumstances count, acceptance is unconditional, emotions are legitimated, sacrificing one’s self-interest for the community is common, relationships are intrinsically valued, knowledge is valued and learned, and students are accepted and loved. These kinds of relationships among people create a unity that is similar to that found in families and other close-knit collections of people.” (Sergiovanni, 2000).

         This is the time to move forward, envisioning and creating with “heart and courage.” In 21st Century Schooling it is essential to involve and engage all learners in a democratic process and form of education. The Mathis Mission is clearly before us. It will be an exciting journey; one filled with anxieties and concerns, yet full of so many rewards related to student success and achievement. Please allow me to thank you for the support of our wonderful Mathis Schools and the great education that your children are receiving. We have great teachers and principals that stand ready to embrace into parent involvement activities and groups. If you have not joined, do so as soon as possible. Remember that it is through collaboration that a bond between parents and schools is formed. Help us in helping your children succeed and plan for a bright future. My door remains open. Come by and visit at your convenience.

Best regards to all.

Luis B. Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Mission Statement

The Mathis ISD in partnership with parents and community will educate and provide a learning environment and the necessary resources that allows all children to achieve to their fullest potential.

Revised July 29, 2006

Vision Statement

Mathis ISD Students will be self-empowered to challenge their learning, to remain inquisitive, and contribute solutions to any concerns or issues that affect their academic careers.  Mathis ISD students will be productive, proud, respectable, well-rounded, life long learners that will contribute POSITIVELY to society!

We envision Mathis ISD providing a safe, trusting, and compassionate environment that challenges students and teachers to actively engage in the learning process through high expectations and relevant, rigorous curriculum with the opportunity to engage in meaningful discourse, and the creation of a positive learning community.

Families are the "first" teachers; therefore the environment they provide is essential to the growth and development of the whole child.  In support of these families, the district in partnership with the community will provide the necessary resources to enhance a positive and supportive learning environment.

We at Mathis ISD will provide a well defined, academically challenging curriculum that will ensure student success.  The curriculum will consist of a collaborative effort between district staff and educational partners (PK-16) to provide relevant and differentiated instruction.

Developed at the Mathis ISD Board of School Trustees Meeting/Retreat: Professional Learning Community Summit on Saturday, July 29, 2006

1. The District and all Campuses will achieve exemplary status.
2. The District will instill good citizenship in all students through a safe, drug free, and positive learning environment.
3. The District will provide an appropriate and well-balanced curriculum and utilize state of the art technology to educate all children to their fullest potential.
4. The District will empower, increase, and promote the involvement of parents and the community in the education of our children.
5. The District will increase student attendance and decrease the drop-out rate.
6. The District will develop and implement a long-range facility plan and demonstrate sound fiscal accountability, strategies, planning, and responsibility.

Revised July 29, 2006

Goals

Developed: Saturday, June 18, 2005

Little Theater at Hardin Elementary School

• that our greatest resource is our children.
• that local and surrounding community support and the people of Mathis are great resources.
• in unity.
• in teaching our children.
• that all children will learn.
• in teaching students to reach their fullest potential.
• in respecting and protecting the dignity of every human being.
• that we are here to serve.
• in being there for people and positively acknowledging each individual.

Mathis ISD

August 3. 2004