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Author Visits
Inspire Students and Support Teachers
Throughout the year, schools in Irving ISD host visits from authors,
artists and performers from an array of genres. The visits not only
serve to entertain and inspire students, but the visitors often speak
about concepts that support what teachers cover in class.
Started in 1977, the A.I.R. – Authors, Illustrators and Readers –
Program allows IISD students to “make personal connections that continue
to build their love of reading,” said Renee Newry, librarian at Farine
Elementary School.
It was Newry’s
connection to authors Claire and Monte Montgomery that enabled a visit
from the authors to Farine. Their book, Hubert Invents the Wheel,
was being read in several Farine classes and though the characters are
fictional, the concepts in the book directly support many of the TEKS
the students learn in science.
 Visiting
during the month of January as part of the A.I.R. Program are Sally
Cook, author of Good Night Pillow Fight, and Alan Stacy, a
well-published illustrator from Arlington, Texas. In addition to the
A.I.R. program, schools often play host to presenters who help bring to
life the subjects kids read about in class. On January 24, Hanes
Elementary School fifth grade students viewed a one-act play presented
by local story-teller Catherine Whiteman. Through narration, excerpts of
spirituals and dramatic portrayal, Whiteman’s play told the story of
Sojourner Truth. According to Jill Kaut, instructional technology
specialist at Hanes, Whiteman was scheduled as a prelude to the school’s
oratory contest, in which students participated in recognition of Martin
Luther King, Jr. day and Black History month.
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Local illustrator Alan
Stacy demonstrates to Townley Elementary School students how
to use simple techniques to create life-like illustrations.
Stacy visited Townley, Britain Elementary School and Davis
Elementary School as part of IISD’s
Artists-Illustrators-Readers program. |
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Sally Cook, author of
Good Night Pillow Fight, visits with students from
Brandenburg Elementary School, reading various passages from
her books and sharing her experiences as an author. Cook
Brandenburg and Lively Elementary School as part of IISD’s
Artists-Illustrators-Readers program. |
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Catherine Whiteman presents
a one-act play, describing the life of Sojourner Truth, to
students at Hanes Elementary School. The play was presented
as a prelude to the school’s oratory contest, in which
students participated in recognition of Martin Luther King,
Jr. day and Black History month. |
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ISF Welcomes
New Executive Director
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Pamela Ducas |
Irving Schools Foundation recently hired Pamela Ducas, 20-year veteran
of the sales and marketing industry, to serve as executive director for
the organization.
Growing up in Hollywood, Florida, Ducas comes to Irving from Mission,
Kansas, where she served as president and CEO of the Northeast Johnson
County Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her non-profit experience, Ducas
honed her business skills in the private sector, working for such
Florida firms as Mitel, Inc. and Cross Country Healthcare in Boca Raton
and Racal-Datacom and G. Neil Companies in Sunrise.
After graduating with honors from high school, Ducas attended Broward
County Community College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, transferring to
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton to complete her bachelor’s
degree. She holds a masters of business administration degree from
Nova-Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale.
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Grant Supports
City, District Recycling
Keep Irving Beautiful, Inc. has received a $5,000 grant from the Embrey
Family Foundation of Dallas to support the recycling program at Irving
ISD. Earmarked to initiate a program encouraging principals to show
leadership in recycling, the “Green Principals Awards” will go to the
most improved school recycling program.
Paper, aluminum and cell phones are the targeted materials and awards
will be presented to one high school, middle school and elementary
school that, per capita, shows the most improvement in their respective
programs. In addition, the school with the most improved program in the
district will receive $1,500 toward the purchase of a school mascot
costume.
According to officials with Keep Irving Beautiful and IISD, the grant is
a “much appreciated boost” to the community’s 20-year effort of
environmental stewardship.
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Gifted &
Talented Association Hosts Scholarship Meeting
Irving Association for Gifted & Talented will meet at 7 p.m.,
February 5, at Lamar Middle School.
The organization will conduct a business meeting in the Lamar cafeteria,
then attendees will move to small-group sessions focused on writing
successful scholarship entries. Group instruction will be offered in
both English and Spanish and applications for the Lori Lorenz Memorial
Scholarship will be available.
Lamar is located at 219 Crandall Road in Irving.
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