With the first six weeks of school complete and homecoming week in progress I wanted to pause and write a personal letter of thanks for the support Italy Independent School District receives from parents, grandparents, and community members.  Additionally we offer special thanks for the trust we are afforded in providing a safe and effective learning environment in which each student can reach their full potential. 
 
To help insure our academic success teachers have been hard at work implementing new curriculum in preparation for the challenge of STAAR testing.  As I am sure you are aware, STAAR is the new state mandated testing that replaces TAKS, and will test students at a much higher level of academic rigor.  We are confident in our student’s ability to rise to the academic challenges that lie ahead, and a strong curriculum is a key component in helping achieve success.
 
Central to any organizations success is the identification of the core beliefs that shape the mission and help hold everyone accountable.  In an effective school, parents understand and support the basic mission of the school and are given opportunities to play important roles in helping the school to achieve its mission. We very much want parents and community members to be a part of this collaborative team, and in that regard we ask you to mark Saturday, October 15th as the date to attend a community wide breakfast hosted by Italy I.S.D. Pancakes will be served beginning at 8:30 a.m.  There is no charge for the breakfast, and those in attendance will have an opportunity to learn and be involved in a systemic process of change.  In conjunction with the event, the district will present a “Living Legacy” award for a community member who has demonstrated a willingness and commitment to become engaged in and be involved in promoting the school and community partnership.
 
Despite budget cutbacks Italy I.S.D. continues to provide a quality education while taking part in leading the fight for equity in state funding.  Look for future correspondence regarding our challenge to the legislature’s method for funding public schools in Texas.
 
Once again, we share thanks to all for the opportunity we have been given to serve our students as well as our community.  I look forward to seeing everyone for our homecoming events and our upcoming community breakfast.
 
 
Sincerely,
Barry Bassett
Superintendent
Italy Independent School District