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Henderson Named National Merit Scholar


Ethan Henderson

Ethan Henderson, senior at Nimitz High School, has been awarded a college-funded scholarship through the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Named as a National Merit Semifinalist in September 2008, Henderson has been offered a scholarship from Texas Tech University. College-funded scholarships range in size from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the awarding institution.

Henderson is among 2,800 winners of college-funded scholarships announced May 27. Another group of scholars will be announced in July and ultimately about 8,200 high school seniors will have been offered undergraduate funding.

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First 14 Complete Online Program

Fourteen teachers from eight different Irving ISD elementary, middle, and high schools earned a master’s degree in May from Lamar University as part of the Texas Academic Partnership program.

The IISD teachers were part of cohort group “A”, the first group of 143 teachers in Texas to graduate from the Academic Partnership through Lamar.


John Bowman, Britain Elementary School; Marilyn Mutchler, Keyes Elementary School; Frances Robertson and Sarah Tumlinson, Townley Elementary School; and John McFarland, Irving High School, earned Master of Education degrees in May from Lamar University as part of the Academic Partnerships program.

Three Master of Education degree options are available through the Lamar program: educational administration, teacher leadership, or educational technology leadership. The program is 18 months long with open enrollment and classes beginning almost each month. District officials estimate that following this first graduation of 14, approximately five to seven IISD faculty members will graduate each month. University of Texas at Arlington has also recently been added to the colleges participating in the program. Because of the increased interest and universities participating, the overall online program has been re-dubbed stateu.com.

For a complete list of the first 14 Irving ISD faculty and staff members to graduate from the Lamar University Academic Partnership program, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/tapp.htm.

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High School Solo & Ensemble

Band students from MacArthur High School and Nimitz High School competed at the state Solo & Ensemble Competition at University of Texas at Austin May 30.

Twenty-five IISD students were awarded medals for their solo or ensemble performance. Approximately 23,000 students competed in the annual event.

For the complete list of IISD solo and ensemble results, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/SEresults2009.htm.

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Supplies for Success

Irving businesses and individuals are invited to participate in the Fifth Annual Mayor & Firefighters’ Supplies for Success school supply drive. This city-wide event is held to collect school supplies for economically disadvantaged students who attend school in Irving ISD.

All Irving fire stations will be collecting donations from July 6–August 7. Persons wishing to donate supplies are encouraged to visit their neighborhood fire station. School supplies will be sorted and delivered by Chase Bank volunteers to counselors at every Irving ISD school. The counselors will give economically disadvantaged students supplies that they need at the beginning of the school year.

School supplies needed include: backpacks, manila paper, one-, two-, or three-inch notebook binders, one-subject spiral notebooks, construction paper, dry-erase markers and highlighter sets, pens, pencils, erasers, wide-rule notebook paper, colored pencil and marker sets, large glue sticks, and 16- and 24-count crayons.

Parents in need of assistance with supplies should contact their Irving ISD school counselors. Businesses interested in donating supplies are encouraged to contact Thelma Cantu, partnerships in education coordinator, at 972-215-5017, or via email to tcantu@irvingisd.net.

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Anniversary Softball Game a Tie

Damien Victor, fifth grader at Lee Elementary School, pitches to a teacher at Lee during the annual student-faculty softball game held at the school’s 50th Anniversary May 29. The game ended in an 8 to 8 tie.

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Rockin’ Lamb at Farine

Led by teachers Angelica Fernandez and Andrea Asbun, students at Farine Elementary presented Mary Had a Rockin’ Lamb May 15, a musical about not taking your friends for granted.

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Applied Technology Gets Call from City

Students in Union Bower Center for Learning’s Applied Technology program participated in a water leak detection study alongside representatives from City of Irving water department May 11.

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IISD Receives Loss Prevention Grant

T. Mike Rock (right), senior loss prevention consultant with Texas Association of School Boards, presented a certificate and $2,500 grant to IISD Risk Manager Judyann Robinson and IISD Interim Superintendent Neil Dugger May 28.

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Construction Update

Installation of structural block walls on the field house at Irving Schools Stadium is complete and the roof deck installation is in progress, the video scoreboard support columns are constructed and support structure is being installed. Construction officials estimate that all areas will be complete and in use in August of 2009. For the complete progress report, access www.irvingisd.net/facilities/construction.

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District Weekly Resumes in August

This is the final printed issue of the District Weekly for the 2008-2009 school year. An online version of the District Weekly will be continued throughout the summer, and the printed publication will resume August 19.

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100 Years of Learning

June 3, 2009

Singley Academy Dedicated

Robert Allsup, chairman of the Jack Singley Celebrations Committee, and Mandy Hamilton, executive director of the Irving Schools Foundation, wait to greet retired IISD Superintendent Jack Singley during the Jack E. Singley Academy dedication May 31.

Angelique Ramirez, senior at the Academy; Andy Garza, IISD regulatory compliance coordinator; and Parth Shah, junior at the Academy, visit during the reception prior to the Jack E. Singley Academy dedication.

Retired IISD Superintendent Jack Singley (left) and his wife Carolyn greet the audience during the Jack E. Singley Academy dedication May 31.

   

Team Farine Celebrates Service
Julie Miller, principal at Farine Elementary School, Janett Cruz, Farine first grader, and Angelica Fernandez, Farine first grade teacher, display the hair they – and at least 55 other students staff and parents – donated to Locks of Love during Farine’s Service Matters Day June 1.

Jaguars Visit Univision
The KJAG broadcast team from Johnston Elementary School visited Univision Studios May 28, where students met Anchor Wendy Cruz and toured the facility.

Appreciating World Cultures
Brown Elementary School hosted World Day for Cultural Diversity May 28 where approximately 1,300 staff, students and families enjoyed presentations related to different world cultures.

The Final Countdown
Students in Dr. Carl Lilly’s science class at Houston Middle School fire air-fueled rockets during class May 27.

PALS Program Partners Students
Trevor McDowell, senior at Nimitz High School, helps his “pal” Dalton Knowles, kindergartener at Elliott Elementary School, read a note on Dalton’s locker during their work together through the Peer Assistance & Leadership mentor program.

 

Calendar Highlights

June  2008

3-4 Early Dismissal - Semester Exams
4 Last Day of School for Students
4

Baccalaureate
Calvary Church, 7:00 pm

5 Teacher Work Day
5

Graduation Ceremonies
(Friday, June 5)

   • MacArthur High 2:00 pm
   • Irving High 7:00 pm
6

Graduation Ceremonies
(Saturday, June 6)

   • Nimitz High 9:00 am
   • The Academy 2:00 pm
15 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm

July 2009

3 Student/Teacher Holiday
20 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm
28 Prekindergarten Registration for Kinkeade Early Childhood School
at Austin Middle School, 8 am - 6:30 pm
29 Prekindergarten Registration for Pierce Early Childhood School
at Austin Middle School, 8 am - 6:30 pm
30 Prekindergarten Registration for Clifton Early Childhood School
at Austin Middle School, 8 am - 6:30 pm

August 2009

3 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm
12-14
         
Summer Technology Sessions for Teachers/Staff
Nimitz High School,  8 am - 4 pm
Keynote Speaker:  Marco Torres (August 13)
18 Summer High School Graduation
Nimitz High Auditorium, 7:00 pm
20 Staff Development Day
21 Teacher Work Day
24

First Day of School for Students
2009-2010 School Year Begins

31 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm

September 2009

7 Student/Teacher Holiday (Labor Day)
21 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm

October 2009

5 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm
8 Parent Teacher Conference Day
12 Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
19 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm

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