Mesquite ISD to Host RegionalDestination Imagination Tournament

Thousands of students from Rockwall, Tyler, Royce City, Sulphur Springs and more will join Mesquite ISD students at the East Regional DI Tournament on Saturday, March 2. For the past decade, our district has sponsored this event in Mesquite for kindergarteners through seniors in high school.

DI stands for Destination Imagination, Inc., a non-profit that helps kids around the world discover their creativity. Not only do participants learn how to solve problems in astonishing ways, they also build a lifelong confidence in working together to solve any challenge.

More than 300 DI teams comprised of about 2,000 students will be competing at Poteet High School or Austin Elementary this weekend. Best of luck to our district’s teams, including New Middle School’s first DI team.

I so appreciate the hard work and preparation of each DI student and their coaches and parents. Thanks also to our staff members who plan and run the tournament. If you will be supporting the event as a judge, I also applaud you for dedicating your time to such a worthwhile learning opportunity for our students.

Next Chance to Support EducationFoundation Involves Concert & More

iPads for some elementary students. An Orbit Earth Expo that includes a 16-foot-tall model for middle schoolers. Orientation camps for incoming high school freshmen. Creative teaching tools and key programs like these are made possible through the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation. Since 2004, the foundation has awarded more than 300 grants totaling over $1.2 million to the district.

The foundation’s top fundraising event of the year is set for next Saturday, February 23. The Lone Star Legacy at Mesquite Arena will feature recording artist Clay Walker of Country-Western fame. Learn more about the gala, the online auction and other ways to participate at: http://www.mesquitefoundation.org/whatwedo.html

Please join us Saturday night to show your support to our foundation, which so generously gives to our students and teachers.

Acts of Kindness to Grow 26 Foldon Each Mesquite ISD Campus

Our district’s kindness initiative, K.A.R.E.S., will likely be busier than ever this month. Throughout February, we’ve asked every Mesquite ISD campus and department to support the 26 Acts of Kindness program initiated by Ann Curry of NBC News.

Recently a group of Mesquite ISD counselors developed ideas to celebrate and support Ann Curry’s campaign to commit to 26 acts of kindness in honor of the students and faculty who died at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Learn more about #26Acts here:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/20/16023912-inspired-to-spread-the-word-mans-26acts-facebook-effort-goes-viral?lite&gt1=43001

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/50265657/#50265657

It’s important to note that Acts of Kindness do not need to be grandiose or cost a dime.  Smiling at someone needing reassurance or just simply sharing encouraging words are ways to extend kindness to our friends and families.  

Multiply 26 by our 46 campuses, and imagine how much kindness will be extended to others! And let’s not even stop there. Please join us with your own gestures of goodness. What positive influences can you bring to your families, neighborhood, community or at your place of business? Together, our impact will be powerful.