Dear Team Lufkin ISD,
We have an amazing school district. There are many positive things going on at any point of the day on our campuses and in our classrooms. I have had the privilege of experiencing some amazing activities throughout Panther Nation, too many to mention all of them. I was able to see and smell firsthand the 7th graders dissecting sharks in the middle school science lab. It was incredible to see that the liver is actually 2/3 the size of the body and the heart is tiny. It looks like we have some future doctors or marine biologists at the middle school. I have also had the opportunity to watch some LHS tennis and volleyball, two of my favorites. I am super proud of our cross-country team for winning the recent 16-5A district cross-country meet. The athletic talent in this district is quite impressive, which is a credit to our coaching staff.
Literacy is one of our focuses this year, and I love seeing our staff and teachers model and share the importance of reading. At Lufkin Middle School and Anderson Elementary, teachers and staff are writing what they are currently reading on white boards or large posters that are mounted outside their classrooms. Our students need to know and understand the value of reading and see us reading, too. By the way, I am reading Word Class Learners by Yong Zhao right now. I also volunteered in the HOSTS lab this week, and that was such a rewarding experience for me. Our HOSTS lab has over 100 volunteers who come in weekly to read with our third graders at Brandon Elementary. It’s so organized and fun for both the volunteer and the student. Keep on reading!
The Realtors Breakfast at Lufkin High School was such a huge success. Local realtors joined us for breakfast and for a tour of the high school. There were three students who spoke after a brief welcome, introduction, and overview by the high school administrators. Our high school did an outstanding job sharing the success of our students, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our great staff. Our culinary arts classes cooked and served the breakfast. A lot of times, realtors are the first people who newcomers meet when they move to Lufkin. We will be hosting Realtor Breakfasts periodically to show them our district.
I appreciate all the hard work you do every day. May we continue to work toward our mission of educating and equipping all students for success through exceptional learning experiences. We are Team Lufkin ISD!
With Panther pride,
Dr. LaTonya Goffney 