Hallsville Independent School District

Volunteer In HISD

Thank you for stopping in to check out the great things our parents and community members are doing to help us help all children experience success! If you would like to hear about school & community events and happenings, click here to SUBSCRIBE to our News & Needs Emails. Select the one you want to know more about: VIPS (Volunteers In Public Schools), Dads' Club, or Bobcat Moms' Club. You can choose more than one. (If you no longer want to receive them, scroll to the bottom of the email message and UNSUBSCRIBE.) If you would like to receive Remind 101 Text Messages, TEXT: 81010 and in Message put: @hisdvips (For VIPS texts) and/or @hvillebmc (For Bobcat Moms' Club texts)

Important Notice

Because of a new state law, and for the safety of the children, all volunteers must complete a background check and be approved every school year (August-August). Click the appropriate link below to download the Volunteer Form. Print and complete "Side A" totally. On "Side B" write name, sign & date where the asterisks are located, and send it back to Mrs. Jan Kramer, HISD Volunteer Coordinator. You can fax, scan, email, or send back to the school to the attention of Mrs. Kramer, or in the mail at address provided (P.O. Box 810, Hallsville, TX 75650).  You may also download the Volunteer Sign Up Form PDF, and let us know what you are interested in doing at the school. If you are unable to print the forms, please let us know and we can get them to you. We look forward to working with you as a volunteer in Hallsville ISD!

Bobcat Blessings is a program dedicated to supporting families in Hallsville ISD by helping parents provide gifts for their children during the Christmas season. Unlike many other programs, Bobcat Blessings continues to serve students all the way through their high school graduation.

How Bobcat Blessings Works

Each child enrolled in the program receives an outfit and two wishes, with a total gift limit of $100 per child. You can choose to sponsor a student individually, or your Sunday school class, Life Group, or organization can come together to sponsor one or more students. Some groups even sponsor entire families. The level of support is flexible and based on what you are able to provide. If you are unable to sponsor a full wish list, monetary donations are always appreciated.

Sponsorship Opportunities and Program Details

Formerly known as the Hallsville Angel Tree, the program was renamed Bobcat Blessings due to copyright regulations. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering to help organize events, please fill out the sponsorship form. Sponsors will receive more information by the first week of November each year.

The Care Closet is a resource available to all families with children attending Hallsville ISD (HISD) who may need assistance with clothing. The Care Closet provides essential items such as school clothes, jackets, and sneakers, ensuring that students are properly equipped for the school day.

Items include:

• Sneakers
• School clothes
• Jackets and hoodies
• New underwear (only)
• New socks (only)

Donations of clean, new, or gently used items are greatly appreciated! To volunteer or donate, please contact Diana Davidson at ddavidson@hisd.com. Monetary donations can be sent to Amy Whittle at PO Box 810, Hallsville, TX 75650. These funds will help provide for students who do not have a sponsor.

How to Access the Care Closet

If you would like to set up an appointment to visit the Care Closet, please contact Diana Davidson (available in English or Spanish) at ddavidson@hisd.com. Priority is given to families who qualify for McKinney-Vento services or Free and Reduced Lunch programs.

We understand that unexpected hardships can impact any family. If you are in need of assistance but do not currently meet these qualifying criteria, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The Care Closet is here to help all HISD families in times of need.

For more information or to contribute, feel free to reach out to Diana Davidson. Together, we can ensure that all children in our community have the clothing and support they need to succeed.

The Hallsville ISD Nutritional Backpacks for Kids Project is dedicated to ensuring that children who rely on the school cafeteria as their primary source of food have access to nutritious meals and snacks over the weekends and holidays. Each participating child receives a backpack filled with easy-to-prepare, nutritious food every Friday afternoon. The annual cost to provide a child with these essential meals is approximately $200, which is a small price to pay for the tremendous benefits to the child’s nutritional, mental, and physical well-being. The positive impact on the child's self-worth and overall well-being is enormous.

Programs like this have shown astonishing success across the country. Documentation and feedback from Hallsville ISD's administrative staff, faculty, parents, and the children themselves clearly demonstrate marked improvements in areas such as behavior, academic performance, social interactions, well-being, and attention span. Through this project, we aim to reach children throughout the community, establishing an effective outreach program to enrich the lives of those in need.

How the Program Works

Students who participate in the program are identified by campus counselors and teachers, who are provided with information to help them recognize children who are "chronically hungry." Once a child is identified, counselors contact the family to explain the program and gain permission for participation. Efforts are made to ensure that other children living in the same household are also included in the program. The names of all participants are kept confidential, and counselors meet privately with the students to explain how the program works, including where and when to pick up their food bags each Friday.

The bags, which are inserted into the children’s backpacks, are distributed weekly—typically on Friday afternoons—and include extra food on weekends that coincide with holidays or extended breaks.

How You Can Help

A donation of just $200 per year ensures that one child has food every weekend and holiday throughout the school year. Your contribution can make a tremendous difference in the life of a Hallsville ISD student. Hallsville ISD employees can also opt for payroll deduction, allowing them to make a monthly contribution directly from their paycheck.

The success of this project depends on the generous contributions from the Hallsville ISD community. This program is entirely self-sufficient and community-supported, thanks to the kindness and generosity of local residents. We are truly fortunate to live in such a loving and supportive community here in Hallsville, Texas, and the surrounding areas.

Thank you for your continued support of the Hallsville ISD Backpack Program!