In its second year, the Lytle Love program has more than doubled in nominations - 112 messages of appreciation offered by community members, parents, students, and Lytle coworkers. You can send some love, too! bit.ly/LytleLove

These inaugural members of the Teacher Leadership Academy enjoyed a year of learning, sharing and growth. Ideas and resources shared by Alamo Heights ISD helped launch this new program at Lytle!

Scott and Leslie Milder provide Ambassador Training for Lytle Leadership and that training continues throughout the school year in six sessions. Forty staff members across the district and twenty community members learned how to be important, effective Ambassadors and supporter of Lytle ISD.

Mr. Tim Gover joined our High School Staff this school year to transition our Plumbing Program to a broader program of study for our students: Construction Trade and Industry Education. In just a few short months, our construction students have worked to build and complete their own classroom! Mr. Glover says, "This was a small project, but included skills for framing, layout, measuring, electrical, drywall, insulation, door/window installation and tool safety." Take a look at the photos and you'll see clearly - under Mr. Glover's guidance, the kids have done a fantastic job finishing challenging tasks! Once their classroom project is complete, they'll move on to build a small, portable storage building in the spring that will be available for purchase. This next project will allow students to problem-solve and put new skills into practice as they plan an 8’x10’ or 8’x12’ wood frame structure with panel siding, shingle roof, 36” entry door, and possibly windows and electrical. We are blessed to have Mr. Glover's many talents at work and guiding our students. Pirate Pride!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/koK8Q2fc4bYfeA1a8

This video features a cool project that Ms. Morgan Clyde guided in her Art class. Her students researched comparisons between contemporary media and art history in the form of character studies from “Across the Spider-Verse.” Ms. Clyde had many students turn in astounding work, but there was one who stood out. Says Clyde, "Cellest Guerrero put together a presentation that was both well-researched and beautifully designed. I was particularly impressed with her ability to make comparisons to design elements from a wide variety of visual artists and identify their influence on modern media." Watch the video for more of this superpower story! We'll embed Cellest's slideshow as well.

Lytle High School Economics and Government teacher, Mr. Antonio Gonzalez sent an email to staff praising three of his students who were going above and beyond in his classes. See and hear for yourself why he wanted to spotlight them and recognize their efforts.

Instructional Rounds continue to happen four times a year and include Leadership Team members, teachers from all campuses and this past year, we invited parents to join our observations. These regular learning walks are critical to improve support for instruction and promote a shared understanding of high-quality instruction.

Trinity Baptist Church Pastor Shaun Leverton and his wife Courtney are both teachers at Lytle Junior High. Says Leverton, “I ask my congregants to serve ‘the least of these.’ Where in our community are there more to serve than right here in our schools?” The Leverton’s two daughters are also Lytle Pirates! In this photo, the Levertons are proudly showing off two artifacts from N.A.S.A. One is a tile from a space shuttle and they stand in front of a piece of art created from a photograph from the Hubble space telescope. Pastor Leverton says, “Last year I discovered the NASA artifact program that allows schools and other organizations to receive items directly from different missions and programs.” The artifact program opens four times a year and it is Mr. Leverton's hope to build a collection of artifacts for Lytle ISD.

Each year, 50 additional staff members are trained in the Flippen Group’s Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) to ensure leaders and instructional Pirate Staff are fully trained. It’s working! The Junior High is a first-year, Capturing Kids’ Hearts Showcase campus, while the Primary and Elementary have been CKH Showcase campuses for the past seven years. For the first time, Lytle ISD has been named a National showcase district! Watch the announcement video: https://youtu.be/DJv2pV0KFQE?si=LSujhM_WpdlUcQJb

Lytle campuses are three of the 469 Capturing Kids' Hearts® (CKH) campuses receiving the 2022-2023 National Showcase Schools Awards. Because of the rigor of our evaluation process, this award is both a high aspiration and an exemplary recognition of excellence as schools celebrate positive outcomes using the Capturing Kids' Hearts® Process. Capturing Kids' Hearts is proud to recognize the outstanding educators who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in student’s lives.

CKH National Showcase Schools are chosen annually through a careful selection process, which includes:

• measuring key performance indicators

• gathering campus data

• surveying staff and students

Across all criteria, award-winning campuses demonstrate a high level of performance and a positive culture and climate for learning. Lytle ISD is one of 19 districts receiving the 2022-2023 Capturing Kids' Hearts® National Showcase School District Award. Capturing Kids' Hearts recognizes districts that go the extra mile each day to build an environment where students and staff feel safe and connected. We celebrate these district leaders and campus staff members who implement and model the Capturing Kids' Hearts Process.

Enjoy this video from the second annual Lytle ISD Readsgiving. This tradition gives our district and campus leadership a chance to read a favorite book to students at any of our four campuses. Watch and enjoy excerpts of books chosen by Junior High Principal Jennifer Sprenger, High School Academic Coach Tracy Emerson, Elementary Academic Coach Ann Littleton, Superintendent Michelle Carroll Smith, Primary Academic Coach Crystal Schott, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Tanya Tate, Junior High Assistant Principal Rachel Reyes, Junior High Academic Coach Shelley Armentrout, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Dustin Breithaupt, Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Funding Juliana Lingo and Primary Principal Shavan Galindo. Others who read include Elementary Assistant Principal Dale Hendrickson, K-5 Literacy Coach Samantha Martinez, High School Principal Elizabeth Stewart, High School Assistant Principal Jacob Escamilla, Primary Assistant Principal Cora Beth Roberts, Director of Human Resources Laura Uribe-Center and Director of Facilities and Operations William Cross. See the photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4SHujNYH95ryo9kp9

"What a joy it was to see the read alouds and added activities - even dancing - at each of the campuses. Our Superintendent, Mrs. Smith, was able to read to a class of one of her former students who is now the teacher! Shout out to Samantha Martinez, our K-5 Literacy Coach, for helping to coordinate both days. AND…kudos to Lorrianne Migura and her Skull Studios team for capturing some photos and video. Whether you read to a class or opened your classroom for us, you helped create a memorable and educational experience for everyone involved."

-Tanya C. Tate, Ph.D.
Lytle ISD Director of Curriculum and Instruction

In September 2022, the Lytle Love program was introduced. Described simply as a way for any one to salute a Lytle ISD employee who goes above and beyond, the response of lovely words that flooded in were overwhelming. Community members, parents, students, and Lytle coworkers nominated 45 Lytle Pirates during the 2022-2023 school year.

Each year, 50 additional staff members are trained in the Flippen Group’s Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) to ensure 100% of leaders and instructional Pirate Staff are fully trained. It’s working! Lytle Primary and Elementary were named CKH Showcase Schools for the sixth year in a row.

Junior High theater teacher, Mrs. Belinda Hughes (28 years with Lytle) does an amazing job with her students and directing their plays. In 2022, One Act Play won first in district UIL competition with their performance of The Dear Departed, A Comedy in One Act by Stanley Houghton. Three sixth grade students were cast in lead roles. Watch their award-winning performance, brought to you by high school video students in Skull Studios.

Convocation at Lytle ISD is like a Pep Rally for our Pirate Staff Family as we launch a new school year. See highlights of the band, cheerleaders, dancers and speakers in this short visit to our annual convocation. Plus, see how we celebrate employees for their milestone years of service in our great district.

Also, enjoy photos in this album: Lytle ISD Convocation and Service Pin Awards 8-4-2022

Our custodians are amazing people who work hard to keep our schools clean, comfortable and safe. Junior High students created more than 20 of these posters to let them know they are very important to all of us.