IISD Employees Living United

Continuing the district’s tradition of generosity, Irving ISD employees donated $33,462 during the 2008 United Way giving campaign.

Thomas Haley Elementary School led the campaign with $4,263 followed by Townsell Elementary School’s total of $2,935. The Administration Building and MacArthur High School reported the third and fourth highest totals of $2,922 and $2,002, respectively. Schools raising more than $1,000 included Keyes Elementary School, Lively Elementary School, Clifton Early Childhood School, and Irving High School.

In total building participation, Keyes led the district with 88 donors, followed by Townsell with 69 and Thomas Haley with 42. IISD pooled a total of 747 donors for the 2008 campaign, improving from the previous year by 47 and helping to increase the district’s total donation by 2.3 percent.

According to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, United Way organizations are independently incorporated and operated across the country. Donors may contribute to any United Way agency, but contributions collected by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, such as those collected by IISD, go directly to fund programs in this area.

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Strong Fathers Gaining Popularity

Since October, the Strong Fathers/Strong Families program has been presented in 14 IISD elementary and prekindergarten, averaging more than 200 parents per event.

According to Jose Villaseñor, prekindergarten-12 parent/student services program director, the events have become very successful with parents and support the district’s emphasis on family inclusion in education.

Guest speaker J. Michael Hall, Strong Fathers/Strong Families executive director, leads events that take the form of Problem Solving for Pops, Dad & Kid Strong Science Night, or Building Strong Readers Day. According to Strong Fathers/Strong Families, the ultimate goal is “to improve the educational environment in order that men may become more involved in the lives of their children.”

J. Michael Hall, executive director of Strong Fathers/Strong Families, speaks to parents of Schulze Elementary School students during Bring Your Dad to School Day December 9.

The next Strong Fathers events are: Brown Elementary School, Reading Night, 6-8 p.m., December 9; Pierce Early Childhood School, Bring Your Dad to School Day, 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., December 11; Britain Elementary School, Math Night, 6-8 p.m., December 11; Good Elementary School, Bring Your Dad to School Day, 7:30-9:30 a.m., December 12; and Farine Elementary School, Bring Your Dad to School Day, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., December 18.

For more information regarding the complete Strong Fathers schedule in IISD, and to learn more about the program, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/StrongFathersFamilies.htm.

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Athletes of the Month

Amy Villarreal, senior at The Academy of Irving ISD, is IISD Female Athlete of the Month for December, and Rickey Scott, junior at MacArthur High School, is Male Athlete of the Month.

Amy Villarreal

Rickey Scott

Villarreal is the captain of the MacArthur Swim Team, and also serves as Student Council President and anchor on Academy News Now. She maintains a 4.0 grade average, swims with Irving Swimmers club team, and is a member of National Honor Society.

Scott is a captain on the MacArthur varsity basketball team, averaging 21 points per game. He also records an average of 7.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. In addition to success on the court and in the classroom, Scott takes an active role in the youth activities of his church.

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Irving ISD Winter Break Schedule

Irving ISD schools will be closed December 22-31 and January 1-2 in observance of the winter break holidays. Classes will resume January 5, 2009.

The IISD Administration Building will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with limited staffing on December 22, 23, 29 and 31. The Tax Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. five days during the IISD holidays: December 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31. IISD will resume normal business hours January 5.

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District Videos on Website

Since the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year, Billy Rudolph, IISD television specialist, has produced 46 video features highlighting the various accomplishments of students, staff and administrators.

All features produced for Irving ISD since August 2006 are available via streaming video on the web by accessing www.irvingisd.net/television/ISTV.htm.

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Wheeler Education Service Center partners in education Washington Mutual Bank and Volunteer Center of North Texas worked November 15 to install the school’s outdoor learning center.

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