Lambert Named FCSTAT Teacher of the Year

Susan Lambert, hospitality teacher at Jack E. Singley Academy, was named State Teacher of the Year by Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers Association (FCSTAT).

According to FCSTAT, Lambert was recognized specifically for her innovative and creative strategies in the classroom involving the use of technology. Her award was also in recognition of involvement as a coordinator for an Achieve Texas grant and her commitment as an advisor to the youth leadership organization Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).  Lambert has sponsored five regional FCCLA officers, and her students have competed at the region, state and national levels. Susan Lambert has served as teacher in Irving ISD for 21 years. 

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IHS Students Return from Nation’s Capitol

Three students from Irving High School participated in the Texas Leadership Forum (TLF) during the summer, culminating in a weeklong conference in Washington, D.C.

Irene Alvarez, Jillian Attan, and Keenan Webster were hosted in Washington by congressmen Pete Sessions from Dallas and Louie Gohmert from Tyler. The students were among 13 from five Dallas-area high schools.

Irene Alvarez, 2009 graduate from Irving High School, attended the summer Texas Leadership Forum, culminating in a weeklong session in Washington, D.C. in July.

TLF conference activities included tours and meetings at the White House, Bureau of Engraving & Printing, Drug Enforcement Agency, and Taiwanese Embassy. Students observed House of Representatives hearings, attended forums led by leaders in Washington, and interacted with members of Congress.

Alvarez, Attan and Webster were chosen based upon their academic performance, community involvement, and application requirements. Students were required to submit a resumé, two essays, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher, principal or community leader.

The TLF is a program of the Today Foundation, an organization that seeks to foster civic involvement, leadership and character building among high school students. For more information about the programs, access www.todayfoundation.org.

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Trustees Approve DIC Membership

During the regular meeting of the IISD Board of Trustees on August 3, trustees accepted the recommended new members to the District Improvement Committee (DIC).

Parent representatives joining the DIC are Valerie Coleman, Abel Mercado, Lydia Webb, and Bridget Wiles. Community representatives are Deborah Wates-Gallaway, Michael Gallaway, and Don Miller. The business representative is Caroline Kelton.

The 43-member composition of the DIC includes: 10 parent members, four community members, four business members, five student members, six elementary classroom teachers, three middle school teachers, four high school teachers, one librarian, one alternative campus classroom teacher, one counselor, one elementary campus administrator, one middle school campus administrator, one high school campus administrator, and one district-level professional staff member. All except student members serve a 2-year-term on the committee.

The primary role of the DIC is to advise the superintendent and staff in the planning, operations, supervision and evaluation of the district’s educational program in accordance with Board of Trustees policy.

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MacArthur Reschedules Freshmen Orientation

Due to continuing construction at MacArthur High School, freshman orientation has been rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. August 18.

Known as “Flight School”, the half-day program is designed to give new students a head start on the high school experience, and to assist in providing an easy transition into high school life. Activities include an orientation meeting with parents and students, small group meetings with upperclassmen, campus tours, faculty and staff meetings with students, a pep rally, and extra-curricular information booths.

For more information regarding MacArthur freshman Flight School, call 972-261-2100.

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