Utopia ISD

HS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE UPDATE: Tuesday, December 12th, will only be a Varsity Boys game VS IDEA @ Utopia. The Varsity game will begin at 5:30 pm.

JH BASKETBALL SCHEDULE UPDATE: There will be a Girls B team game VS Medina @ Medina Thursday, November 16th. Updated game times: B GIRLS - 5:00 PM, A GIRLS - 5:45 PM, A BOYS - 6:45 PM

Our 2023 Utopia volleyball season was a great success! Our Utopia Lady Buffs performed skillfully this season and were noticed by all. Meagan Cole was named Co-Offensive MVP for an amazing season hitting outside over 50 kills in district play. Not to mention her amazing digging and serving skills. Meagan was an instrumental, all-around player for our 2023 season. Kinsley Cox takes home the well-deserved Defensive MVP title for District 30-1A. Kinsley is an amazing all-around player as well and can anticipate a play with such ease. Not only does she get to what seems like an impossible dig, but she puts the ball right back to target for the kill. All-District Blocker was Hallie Moore, who has put up more than 40 blocks in district play. Hallie has been a big presence on our front row this season. Her blocking abilities alongside her front row attacks have been a key to our success. Lilly Moore, our setter with more assists than could be counted, has been placed on our district's 1st team. As setter, Lilly helped lead our team by playing smart volleyball. She has an impeccable talent for getting the ball up to our hitters even when out of system. She could turn a dig into an assist with such proficiency. Nicole Duke, even after what could have been a season ending injury prevailed and came back through true hard work and diligence to be named on All - District 30 - 1A 2nd team. Nicole not only leads on the court, but off it as well. She has been a constant encourager and cheerleader throughout our season. She has shown what true perseverance can achieve. Macee Rhodes, our little Mighty Mouse, was also named for 2nd team. She has a serve no one wants to be on the receiving end of. Earning her countless aces throughout this season. She has stepped up with building confidence, and with only being a freshman her future looks bright. Taya Bohannan is our bright shining light with a smile at every turn. All district honorable mention was awarded this year for her senior season. This team would not have been the same nor had the same success without her. We appreciate the true effort and dedication she put forth for her team. Our opposite hitter, Sabrina Nelson also named all district honorable mention, came through in many clutch plays throughout our season. She always seemed to surprise herself with her ability but was never a surprise to us. Her amazing hard work and dedication to better herself for her team did not go unnoticed. Riley McCutcheon also brings home all district honorable mention proving our entire team was noticed by our district this season as a true opponent. Riley is our comedian on the court always making light of even the hardest situations. She has been a true team player always playing where needed most and serving aces at game point. Academic All-District include: Lilly Moore Sabrina Nelson Meagan Cole Macee Rhodes Hallie Moore Kinsley Cox Taya Bohannan Nicole Duke All these beautiful, young ladies put forth great skill and effort this season on and off the court, and we congratulate them on all their hard-earned achievements. We could not be prouder of their dedication and teamwork. Way to go Lady Buffs!

UTOPIA ISD BOND RESULTS Combined results from Bandera, Medina, Real, and Uvalde County. All results are unofficial. For - 126 (18.95%) Against - 539 (81.05%)

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today released final financial accountability ratings for Texas public school systems. Utopia ISD received an ‘A’ or Superior Achievement rating for 2022-2023, exemplifying high-quality financial management practices. Established in 2001 by the 77th Texas Legislature, the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) encourages school systems to improve financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes. Ratings for 2022-2023 are based on annual financial reports provided to TEA by school systems for the 2022 fiscal year. These reports are subsequently reviewed by the agency and a rating is assigned. School systems are assigned one of four possible letter grades (A, B, C, or F) under financial accountability ratings, as well as a coinciding financial management rating (Superior Achievement, Above Standard Achievement, Meets Standard Achievement, or Substandard Achievement). FIRST ratings are calculated using 20 financial indicators for both traditional school districts and public charter schools, such as administrative cost expenditures; the accuracy of a district or charter school’s financial information submitted to TEA; and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor.   There are critical indicators that result in an automatic F or Substandard Achievement rating should a school system fail in that specific category – regardless of their overall score. Final FIRST ratings for charter schools operated by a public institution of higher education (IHE) are assigned separately. IHEs are assigned either a Pass or Fail rating based on seven different indicators. For 2022-2023, six out of seven charter schools operated by a public institution of higher education received a final FIRST rating of Pass. All Texas public school systems are required to share their financial accountability ratings with parents and taxpayers and host a public discussion or hearing regarding their financial report. To review the final 2022-2023 FIRST ratings for all school systems (plus view final FIRST ratings from previous years), visit the TEA School FIRST web page for school districts or Charter FIRST web page for charter schools.

JH BASKETBALL SCHEDULE UPDATE: There will be a Girls B team game VS Leakey @ Utopia Thursday, November 9th. Updated game times: B GIRLS - 5:00 PM, A GIRLS - 5:45 PM, A BOYS - 6:45 PM

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE UPDATE - There will be no JV game Friday, November 10th. The varsity girls game will begin at 6:00pm.

The Lady Buffaloes are now the Bi-District Champions after a victory against Austwell-Tivoli. The ladies came out strong in the first game with a dominating 25-6 win and then followed up with a second game victory of 25-17. The next two games the ladies fought hard, but the Lady Redfish were able to squeak out wins of 24-26 and 23-25. But the fifth and final game was all Lady Buffaloes! The ladies came together behind the serving of Lilly Moore, the digs of Kinsley Cox, and the kills of Meagan Cole, Hallie Moore, and Nicole Duke to display their dominance over the Lady Redfish with a perfect score of 15-0. The Lady Buffaloes will next take on the Cowgirls of McMullen County on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 4:30 PM at the high school gymnasium in Devine. Tickets for the game must be purchased online at the link below. https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/83ede1d8-fd42-4e02-9839-c879f547578e/events/1cedced3-a34d-4ed5-af2d-b4dd908200a8

FAN BUS If there is enough riders there is a possibility that a fan bus may be available to attend the Bi-District volleyball game in Tilden against Austwell-Tivoli on Monday, October 30, 2023. A $10 per person fee will be charged to cover fuel costs. A minimum of ten riders must commit and pay prior to noon on Monday, October 30, 2023. To reserve your position please call Elizabeth at (830) 333-9989 Ext. 208. Payment must be made at central office.

VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFF INFORMATION The Lady Buffaloes will face the Lady Redfish of Austwell-Tivolli in the first round of the playoffs on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 5:30 PM in the McMullen County ISD gymnasium. The Lady Buffaloe volleyball team will be hosting a warm up match against the Sabinal Lady Yellow Jackets on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Utopia ISD Gymnasium. Please come support the Lady Buffaloe Volleyball team as they begin their playoff run!!

UTOPIA ISD ALARM TESTS Utopia ISD will be performing several tests of the district's emergency alert system on Thursday, October 19, 2023 beginning at approximately 4:30 PM. Tests will be conducted for lockdown, fire, evacuation, and medical emergencies. Each of the tests will be a full scale test of the announcement system as well as calling all emergency personnel. The tests have been coordinated with emergency personnel and they are aware that this is only a test. Please be aware that the speakers on the inside and the outside of the school will be activated and may be heard for some distance. Once again, this is only a test.

Great fun was had by all at the annual Utopia ISD alumni volleyball game! Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a wonderful event!

UTOPIA ISD ALARM TESTS Utopia ISD will be performing several tests of the district's emergency alert system on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 beginning at approximately 4:30 PM.  Tests will be conducted for lockdown, fire, evacuation, and medical emergencies.  Each of the tests will be a full scale test of the announcement system as well as calling all emergency personnel.  The tests have been coordinated with emergency personnel and they are aware that this is only a test.  Please be aware that the speakers on the inside and the outside of the school will be activated and may be heard for some distance.  Once again, this is only a test.

REMINDER The alumni volleyball game will be held tonight, Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM in the competition gym. All former Utopia ISD Volleyball players are welcome to participate!

REMINDER The next Utopia ISD bond presentation will be given today at 10:30 AM at the Senior Center for the Sabinal Canyon Senior Council Foundation. The Foundation has invited anyone in the community that wishes to see the presentation to attend.

ATTENTION ALL FORMER VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS The annual Utopia ISD alumni volleyball game will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM in the competition gym. All former Utopia ISD Volleyball players are invited to help take on the 2023 volleyball team. In other volleyball news, all volleyball players and their parents will be recognized between the JV and varsity game on Friday, October 13, 2023. Senior volleyball players will be recognized during the final regular season games against Medina on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. Contact Coach Wengler with any questions.

Please see the attached flyer for the scheduled dates and times of the Community Bond Information Presentations. Please call (830) 333-9989 Ext. 211 or email mderry@utopiaisd.net lf your organization would like to schedule an information presentation.

September 7, 2023 Dear Utopia ISD Parents or Guardians: Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The attached information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms. In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide. It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence: • Failed to secure the firearm; or • Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two). Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax. Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com. Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies. Sincerely, Utopia ISD (830) 333-9989

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for the volleyball games in Uvalde on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Bags may be searched before entering the game. Clear bags are preferred, but not required. Use the link below to purchase tickets online. https://athletics.ucisd.net/tickets

Brackettville has just requested that the varsity volleyball game be played first at 4:00 PM this afternoon followed by the junior varsity game to allow the varsity girls to participate in their football game activities. The bus will still leave at the same time.