Academy HOSA Chapter Wins at Nationals

Students in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter from Jack E. Singley Academy won top awards at the HOSA National Leadership Conference June 23‑27.

The medical reading team, comprised of 2009 graduates Angelique Ramirez, Irtiza Sheikh, and Faisal Choudhury won first place. Medical Reading encourages students to improve reading comprehension, oral communication and teamwork skills.

Irtiza Sheikh, Angelique Ramirez, and Faisal Choudhury, members of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter medical reading team from Jack E. Singley Academy display their first place medals won at the HOSA National Leadership Conference June 23-27.

For the second consecutive year, the Academy Senior HOSA Chapter was recognized as Outstanding HOSA Chapter. Represented by 2009 graduate Sean Diaz, the chapter presented a plan of yearly activities that aligns with the goals and purpose of HOSA. Activities benefit HOSA members, the school, the community, and include participation in state events.

In addition to the medical reading team and senior chapter representatives, Academy students and faculty attending and competing at the conference included Linh Vo, Sofia Malik, Eilaf Osman, Anthony Anosike, HOSA advisor Debra Johnson and Vice Principal Manual Reyes.

The HOSA National Leadership Conference provides a showcase for students’ talents through the competitive events program. At this year’s conference, more than 4,500 competitors participated in 57 events. In the organization’s 23rd year of existence, HOSA has more than 107,000 members.

Back to top   

New Phone Numbers Active July 15

Effective July 15, new phone numbers for the IISD Administration Building and new numbers for all other support buildings will be activated. The new main number for the Administration Building is 972-600-5000.

New school phone numbers will be effective by August 24, 2009.

The new telephone system in all schools and support facilities will create a common exchange of 600. The common exchange, or three-digit prefix following the area code and before the four-digit extension, allows calls to be transferred between buildings within the school district. Prior to implementation of the new system, callers were required to disconnect a call to one building before calling a new location.

For a complete list of new IISD phone numbers, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/phones2009.htm.

Irving ISD Early Childhood School Registration Schedule

Irving ISD has announced early childhood school registration schedules for the 2009-2010 school year.

Prekindergarten registration is July 28-30 at Austin Middle School, located at 825 E. Union Bower. Registration is open to students who will be at least age four on or before September 1, 2009. Eligibility requirements are based on income, language, homeless status, military dependent status, and/or in foster care.

Students will only be enrolled during their school’s scheduled dates and times. The registration schedule at Austin is as follows:

Students entering school for the first time and who speak a language other than English must be given an oral language test to evaluate their language skills. Testing will be available at Austin and will be administered to students on their school’s registration day. This test is mandated by law and is a necessary part of your child’s school record.

For more information regarding information sessions, registration, and required documents, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/PreK_Registration.htm.

Back to top   

Student Interns Ready to Work

Jack E. Singley Academy has approximately 200 senior high school student interns ready to work in area businesses for the upcoming school year.

These students, who are 17-18 years of age, have qualified for the Student Intern Training Experience (SITE) program. This unique internship program gives seniors the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned during their three years of education and training in their career specialty area.

Olga Chavez, graduate from Jack E. Singley Academy, works at the 303rd Family District Court in Dallas through the Student Internship Training Experience Program.

Students must meet the program’s qualifications to participate. The qualifications include:

• Completion of 300-plus hours of specialized classroom training in their career area

• High employability skills grade (timeliness, professionalism, meeting goals, teamwork, and technology ethics)

• Proficient in use of technology

Companies who integrate interns into their business reap the rewards of utilizing young talent with fresh ideas and perspectives in a cost-effective manner. Hiring interns also gives staff members within a company the opportunity to mentor and supervise young persons exploring their industry.

Businesses interested in placing one or more interns in their workplace may interview and select from a pool of candidates. Students are available to work from August 31, 2009 to May 28, 2010. Internships can be paid or non-paid, depending on the industry standard. Interns can work 15-20 hours each week, and schedules can be set individually.

Interns are available in the following areas: Medical/Dental, Engineering & Advanced Technology, Education & Early Childhood, Legal & Criminal Justice, Marketing, Visual Arts & Media Technology, and Culinary Arts & Hospitality.

For more information, contact Thelma Cantu, partnerships in education coordinator, at 972-600-5363 or tcantu@irvingisd.net.

Back to top   

Academy Teacher Meets with National Council

Elaine Plybon, instructional technology specialist and science teacher at Jack E. Singley Academy participated in the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council Symposium in Silver Spring, Maryland, June 25-26.

Elaine Plybon, instructional technology specialist at Jack E. Singley Academy, meets with Discovery Education Director Lance Rougeux at the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council Institute June 26.

Plybon, who is a member of the Texas Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council, was among 60 teachers from across the country who took part in the event. Hosted by Discovery Education, symposium presentations included new technology leadership strategies, presentation methods teachers can use to encourage and support their peers, and integration of the latest educational technologies into classroom activities. In addition, Plybon networked with the members of other states’ leadership councils, sharing ideas and best practices to help their peers improve student achievement.

Discovery Education is a division of Discovery Communications, whose television networks include Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and the Science Channel. Discovery Education, and different state Discovery Educator Networks, strive to combine standards-based digital media with a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement.

Back to top