Hay Branch Elementary School

Future Ready Career Exploration Event Inspires Next Generation

November 17, 2025

Killeen ISD Career & Technical Education proudly hosted the 2025 Future Ready Career Exploration Event on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Skipcha Elementary School—welcoming 437 s...

With Focus on Trust and Transparency, Killeen ISD Selects Dr. King Davis as Lone Finalist for Superintendent

October 21, 2025

The Killeen Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7-0 Monday to name Dr. King Davis the lone finalist for superintendent of schools, selecting an experienced educato...

Hay Branch teacher assistant STEEL Award

Beloved Teacher Assistant Named STEEL Winner

October 20, 2025

It doesn’t take long to see why Dorothy Ruffin has always seemed to gravitate toward children and why they appear to do the same. Kind, warm and visibly caring, Ruffin, a teach...

<p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">In a move intended to boost parent involvement in their students’ reading, Killeen ISD is using an online platform that gives parents access and voice inside their children’s school libraries.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">The service, called Bookmarked, allows parents to receive a notice when their child is checking out a book.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><img src="https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/killeen_isd_ar/picture/data/844142/content_R5VMVE1d5Hgg1Sb4kYow8g.png" alt="KHS library" data-link="" data-alignment="left" width="289" height="193" style="display: inline-block;padding: 0px 19px 19px 0px;float: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">Parents may also access book summaries and questions that can spark discussion.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">Reeces Creek Elementary School Librarian Rayanne Polm, the district elementary lead librarian, said the service could increase engagement between home and school.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">“Traditionally families connect with the teachers, since they have the most interactions with their students,” she said. “I think this is a great opportunity for the librarians and the families to strengthen our partnerships.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">A parent user guide is accessible through the KISD web site:</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);" href="https://www.killeenisd.org/o/kisd/page/bookmarked"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">https://www.killeenisd.org/o/kisd/page/bookmarked</span></a></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">Once a parent sets up their free account, they can see the books recommended by their teacher or librarian, books new to the library, their child’s check-out history, restricted books and approval requests.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt">“This program has a functionality that allows parents to see what their students are reading and provides them with talking points and discussion questions to engage with their student about what they are reading and ensure that students are comprehending their reading,” Polm pointed out. </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; white-space-collapse: collapse;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p>

Online Platform Gives Parents Voice in Children’s Reading

September 16, 2025

In a move intended to boost parent involvement in their students’ reading, Killeen ISD is using an online platform that gives parents access and voice inside their children’s schoo...

Keeping You Informed: What to Expect from KISD During School Safety Events

August 18, 2025

At Killeen ISD, our first priority is always student safety — and that includes making sure families feel informed and reassured when something unexpected happens at school. From...

Killeen ISD Superintendent Plans Transition to New District

July 23, 2025

KILLEEN, TX — Killeen ISD Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey has notified the Board of Trustees of her intention to submit her resignation letter. As a result, the Board of Trustees is...

Killeen ISD Clear Backpack Policy: What Families Need to Know

July 16, 2025

Killeen ISD is reminding families of the clear backpack requirement for all students for the 2025-2026 school year — an important part of districtwide safety efforts. Students m...

Killeen ISD Raises Pay, Increases Health Contributions

July 16, 2025

Killeen ISD employees will see a pay increase for the 2025-26 school year, following approval of a new compensation plan by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday. The plan includes a 3%...

Elementary Teacher of the Year Caitlin Dunnells

April 29, 2025

If it’s possible to be born and raised a teacher, then that description applies to Trimmier Elementary School teacher Caitlin Dunnells. On Tuesday, Killeen ISD Superintendent Jo A...