ICE, Golden Apple
Nominations Open
Nominations are now open
for the district’s most prestigious awards. On February 28, 2008, Irving
ISD will honor two community partners with Golden Apples – the highest
praise available for IISD volunteers. Eighteen ICE (Irving Celebration
of Excellence) Awards also will be presented to teachers and students
who have achieved excellence in their respective fields.
Two Golden Apple Awards
– one for an individual and one for a business or organization – are
given each year to community partners who enhance quality educational
opportunities for IISD students. Golden Apple nomination forms are
available from school principals, from the office of the
superintendent or the district website (click
here). Entries must be received by the superintendent's office
by Friday, November 2 to be considered by the IISD Board of Trustees.
The ICE Awards recognize
outstanding achievements in six categories: Humanities (English/Language
Arts, Reading & Social Studies), Math/Science, Fine Arts, Athletics &
Physical Education, Community Service & Citizenship, and Special Campus
or District. Humanities and Math/Science are new categories this year.
Nominations may be made
by an IISD staff member with principal approval. Nomination forms are
available from school principals, the office of the assistant
superintendent for personnel & administration, or the district website
(click here).
Entries are due to Neil Dugger, assistant superintendent for personnel &
administration, no later than Friday, October 26. Excellence Now
Committee members from the community select the recipients of the ICE
Awards.
The awards will be
presented at the eighth annual ICE Awards ceremony beginning at 7 p.m.
on Thursday, February 28, 2008 in the auditorium at Nimitz High School.
Back to
top
Teachers of the Year
Honored by District
Chris Barnes |
Greg Jackson |
Chris Barnes, fifth
grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School last year (who is a Title I
support teacher focusing on science this year at Lively Elementary
School), and Greg Jackson, math teacher and Academic Decathlon head
coach at Nimitz High School, were honored as this year’s Elementary and
Secondary Teachers at the Board of Trustees meeting held Monday at
Nimitz. Thirty-six other teachers were also recognized as Campus
Teachers of the Year.
Both teachers received
$750 from Irving Schools Foundation, the use of a car for one school
year from Don Herring Mitsubishi, a cell phone from Nokia, a piece of
jewelry from Gold ‘n Carats, and engraved plaque, and a photo from
Lifetouch.
Barnes and Jackson were
chosen from among 38 Campus Teachers of the Year across the district.
For a complete list of Campus Teachers of the Year
click here.
Irving Community
Television (ICTN) will replay the board meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, 4
p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, and 7 p.m. Sunday. ICTN can be seen on Time
Warner Cable Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 32. Irving Schools
Television (ISTV) also is airing a Teacher of the Year segment daily at
11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 11 p.m. ISTV can be seen on Time Warner Channel 98
and Verizon FiOS Channel 33.
Back to
top
IISD Wins Best of Web Award
Irving ISD has been
awarded the Best of the Web award in the K‑12
District Website category from the Center for Digital Education.
The
website – www.irvingisd.net – is
one of four K‑12 district websites in the nation to receive this
distinction. The other K‑12
district winners are: Clayton County, Georgia; Hillsborough City,
California; and Olathe, Kansas.
Back to
top
Nimitz to Present Tom
Sawyer Musical
Nimitz High School
students and staff will present the stage musical, The Adventures of
Tom Sawyer, Thursday through Saturday in the school auditorium at 7 p.m.
All tickets will be sold
at the door for general admission seating. Tickets are $10 for adults
and $6 for students.
Back to
top
Festival de
Independencia at Nimitz September 29
The Latinos Stand Up
student organization at Nimitz High School will host a Festival de
Independencia event from 7−10 p.m. on Saturday, September 29 at the
school auditorium and cafeteria.
The event will begin
with a panel discussion in the auditorium titled The Path to
Independence: Latinos and Education. Panelists include: Irving Mayor
Herbert Gears; Dora Morón, director of bilingual/ESL/migrant; José
Villaseñor, director of responsive counseling services; Jaime Nissháuz,
UT-Arlington professor; and María de la Luz Flores, president of Latinos
Stand Up parent organization.
Dinner and entertainment
will follow in the cafeteria, including a performance by the Nimitz
Ballet Folklorico. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Nimitz
Parent Center, room 132, or by contacting Netanya Even at 972-273-8674
or netanyaeven@irvingisd.net.
Back to
top
John Haley to
Host Celebration of America
In observance of
Celebrate Freedom Week (September 16-22) and Constitution Day (September
17), John Haley Elementary School is hosting a Celebration of America
event on Thursday, September 20.
The event will feature
student performances of patriotic songs such as The Star-Spangled
Banner, as well as information regarding the U.S. Constitution and
U.S. flag. Performances will be held at 2 p.m. and also at 7 p.m. to
coincide with a meeting of the John Haley PTA.
Back to
top
Blackboard Training
Conducted at Lamar
More than 200 people
representing 80 families attended the first of two Blackboard training
sessions Thursday, September 13 at Lamar Middle School.
Faculty members and
administrators assisted parents in accessing and setting their students
up in the web-based Blackboard communication tool. The intention is for
Blackboard to facilitate communication between teachers, students and
parents.
Students and parents may
access Blackboard from any Internet-connected computer to retrieve
information regarding assignments and activities. The technology
initiatives of Irving ISD have enabled schools to make this tool
available to parents, students and educators.
 |
 |
Parents and students participated in
Blackboard training at
Lamar held September 13. |
Back to
top
PSAT/SAT Prep
Seminar September 26-27
A five-hour prep seminar
on the PSAT and SAT tests will be held over two days, September 26-27,
from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at The Academy of IISD Conference Center. It is being
presented by Test Prep Seminars. The seminar offers tips and strategies
regarding college admission exams. Cost is $85 per student. Check
payments will be accepted at the seminar. To learn more, visit
www.testprepseminars.com.
Back to
top
Sign Language
Classes Begin Monday
Irving ISD is offering a
Beginning Sign Language class that will be held each Monday between
September 24 and December 3 from 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Britain
Elementary School cafeteria.
The
class is free to families with deaf students, $15 for IISD employees,
and $20 for community members. For more information, call 972-554-3800.
Back to
top
PTA Council Reports
Hours
The IISD Council of PTAs
reports a total of 31,357 volunteer service hours during the months of
May through August.
Early childhood schools
totaled 181, elementary schools totaled 18,913, middle schools totaled
3,843, and high schools totaled 8,420. Top performing PTA units were
Clifton Early Childhood School, Elliott Elementary School, de Zavala
Middle School, and Irving High School.
To learn more, visit
www.irvingisd.net/pta.
Back to
top
