Midlothian ISD has been selected to be featured in the national Raptorware marketing program, and will be the face of the national marketing campaign. Raptor is the nation’s leading provider of integrated visitor, volunteer, and emergency management software. Raptor Reunification uses technology to increase speed, accuracy, and efficiency in reuniting students and parents during an emergency. Raptor eliminates pen and pencil, the result saves time in critical situations.
While many school districts in Texas and across the country use Raptor software for security, Midlothian ISD is the only school that has used the emergency management software in a reunification full scale exercise. Commander Hicks said it’s a huge operation that takes a lot of people. On April 15 Midlothian ISD ran a full scale reunification exercise with the help of about 50-60 city employees. They did a tornado simulation that impacted three different campuses and illustrated how city services and infrastructure are impacted.
Working together with city services and district employees they ran a reunification drill using the MISD multi-purpose stadium. Raptor was invited to come out and observe the drill. They brought a film crew and are using the footage in their national marketing campaign.
Midlothian ISD Opens Middle School Tennis Courts
MISD player Jaelee Young is the Tennis Regional Champion in Girls Singles, she qualified for the State tournament, and she was also named the District MVP. She had 44 wins and only six losses.
Midlothian ISD also announced they’re opening the tennis courts at the middle schools (Walnut Grove open by July 1 & Dietrich opens June 22) to the public.
Dieterich Middle School – Summer hours are from dawn to dusk. When school is in session, the courts are open to the public during non-school hours.
Walnut Grove Middle School – Opening by Thursday, July 1 after scheduled resurfacing. Summer hours are from dawn to dusk. When school is in session, the courts are open to the public during non-school hours.
Midlothian High School Practice Courts – Opening Tuesday, June 22. Summer hours are from dawn to dusk. When school is in session, the courts are open to the public during non-school hours. Please note, these courts are behind the high school. The competition courts near the baseball and softball fields are not open to the public.
Frank Seale Middle School – These courts are owned by the city and are available for public use. The lights are on from sundown to 10:00 p.m.
Additional District News
The MISD Board also recognized Heritage High School student Amelia Castillo, who medaled in the regional, area and state levels of the Visual Art Scholastic Event for her piece “Red Lipstick.”
Jean Coleman Elementary broke ground on Monday June 21 and will be the 8th elementary school in Midlothian ISD.
While the district was considering a virtual learning option for the 2021 – 2022 school year, the corresponding bill did not pass legislation. Therefore MISD will not offer virtual options this fall, parents with concerns are encouraged to contact their campus principals.
District Leadership Positions Approved
Source: Midlothian ISD
At the June 21 Board meeting, Midlothian ISD’s Board of Trustees approved Shelle Blaylock as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Shorr Heathcote as Executive Director of Human Resources and Sheri Brezeale as Executive Director of Communications.
“We are excited to continue the great work in MISD and elevate our district to the next level,” Dr. Jo Ann Fey, Superintendent of Schools, said. “I believe wholeheartedly in the leadership Ms. Blaylock, Dr. Heathcote and Ms. Brezeale have shown, and I look forward to the great things we will accomplish in MISD in the future.”
Shelle Blaylock
Shelle Blaylock has 25 years of public education experience, beginning her career as an elementary teacher in Bastrop ISD, Cedar Hill ISD and Waxahachie ISD. She served in the curriculum department, as a campus principal and as the assistant superintendent of leadership and academics in WISD before joining Midlothian ISD in 2019. Here, she was the administrator of our MISD MILE and currently serves as the senior executive director of curriculum and instruction. Ms. Blaylock earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M and master’s degree in educational leadership from Texas A&M – Commerce. She also holds her superintendent’s and principal’s certification.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, and I am excited to continue fostering relationships in our department and with our campuses,” Ms. Blaylock said. “We have a fantastic team whose hearts and souls are in education, and we will work together to create the best environment for our students where everyone can discover their passions and unlimited potential.”
Shorr Heathcote
Shorr Heathcote has 15 years of experience in public education, serving as a color guard and winter guard director for Dallas ISD and Little Elm ISD, later becoming a teacher and campus administrator in Dallas ISD. She joined Midlothian ISD in 2017 as a campus administrator for Frank Seale Middle School. Dr. Heathcote currently serves as the director of human resource services. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, her master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University and her doctorate in education from Baylor University. She holds her superintendent’s and principal’s certification.
“I look forward to stepping into this new role and continuing to serve our MISD family,” Dr. Heathcote said. “Our goal is to provide our teachers and staff members with the best resources so they can be their greatest selves each day. I am excited to continue this work and to do everything we can to support all of our staff members.”
Sheri Brezeale
Sheri Brezeale is a graduate of MISD and has many years of experience in both communications and education. She previously worked with National Instruments specializing in editorial writing, internal communications, marketing and community relations. She has been with Midlothian ISD for 12 years, serving as a teacher at J.A. Vitovsky Intermediate, Frank Seale Middle School and Dieterich Middle School. She joined the MISD communications department in spring 2021 and currently serves in a dual role in MISD communications and as the Midlothian ISD Education Foundation executive director. Ms. Brezeale earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Texas Tech University and her master’s in educational leadership from Lamar University. She also holds her principal’s certification.
“I am thrilled and honored to further merge my career in education with my career in communications here in Midlothian ISD,” Ms. Brezeale said. “The Midlothian community and the students and staff of MISD have my heart and my loyalty. It is a great joy for me to serve this district daily.”
