IISD enrollment continues to grow at a record-setting pace with each school day.

On the first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year, total enrollment was 31,695. This total was 776 students above the first day last year. On day five, enrollment was 605 students above the fifth day last year, and on day 10 (September 4) enrollment was 33,601, which is 541 more students than the same day the previous school year.

IISD administration projected peak enrollment for 2009-2010 to be 33,343, which as of day 10 was surpassed by 258 students. District enrollment reached its historic-enrollment milestone on August 31, and has increased each day since.

Line graph comparing IISD enrollment between 2009-2010 and 2008-2009. (Click on graph for larger image.)

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Sign Language for Parents, Staff

For 30 years, the Irving Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (IRDSPD) has been offering community beginning sign language classes, and is again preparing for their first fall class September 14 at Britain Elementary School.

Community sign language classes are presented on Monday evenings for approximately nine weeks. The program is offered twice per year with the beginning class in the fall and intermediate class in the spring.

Sherry Clifton, supervisor for IRDSPD, said classes are taught using the Signing Exact English system, the same system taught to students during the school day. Clifton said having bilingual students in the deaf education program is typical, and for the evening classes, bilingual students often help their parents who may only speak Spanish. She said this process also serves to help deaf students who are learning English.

Clifton said IRDSPD serves students in Irving, Duncanville and Grand Prairie. According to Natasha Hernandez, teacher at the school for the deaf, community members from a variety of school districts attend the evening classes. She said several families with deaf children usually attend, and numerous district employees and community members comprise classes with an average size of 20.

Classes will be on Monday from 5:30-6:45 p.m., September 14 through November 16. The nine-week program is free for families of deaf students, $10 for IISD employees, and $20 for all others. Britain is located at 631 Edmondson in Irving. For more information, call 972-600-3800 or email to nahernandez@irvingisd.net.

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Technology Completes Significant Projects

During the summer months, the IISD Technology Department pulled out all stops to clear the slate of projects that would have hindered instruction at the start of school.

As of August 13, telephone installation at all 42 sites across the district was complete. IISD began installing the new voice over internet phone system from Verizon in June. Among the many upgraded features, the common exchange of 600 – the three-digit prefix following the area code and before the four-digit extension – allows calls to be transferred between buildings within the school district.

During the summer months, IISD technical services installed and serviced elements of the district’s technology infrastructure. According to Alice Owen, executive director for technology, more than 5,700 desktop computers, 400 projectors, 1,300 teacher laptops, and approximately 4,600 netbook computers were installed in middle and high schools. Also, Owen said approximately 4,227 repair projects were completed by technicians throughout the district, and 9,000 laptops computers were re-imaged for the one-to-one program at high schools.

Two new staff members were hired for the Technology Department due to a retirement and the need for a new position. Alvin McQuarters, director of infrastructure and information systems, was named to the position left by Lee Watts upon retirement. McQuarters formerly served as vice president of product development at Prodea Systems. Danielle Keith, coordinator for career & technical education (CTE), was named to a newly created position. Keith will primarily work with CTE Director Shawn Blessing to coordinate CTE programs in secondary schools.

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ISTV Airs Trustee Meetings Live

Irving community members, school district staff, and students who desire to stay informed about Irving ISD business can watch Board of Trustees meetings aired live on Irving Schools Television (ISTV), or streamed on-demand at www.irvingisd.net/ISTV.

Trustees meetings are called once or twice per month at 7 p.m. in the IISD Administration Building Boardroom, according to the schedule posted online at www.irvingisd.net/board_meetings.htm.  In a partnership with the local cable television stations, all regularly-scheduled Irving ISD school board meetings are broadcasted live on Time Warner Cable Channel 98 or Verizon FiOS Channel 33. The meetings are also re-broadcasted several times the following week on ISTV. By televising the meetings, the Irving ISD hopes to inform Irving residents about student achievements, teaching and learning, and financial matters.

To see a video archive of ISTV broadcasts or a schedule of weekly replays access www.irvingisd.net/ISTV.

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Follow IISD on Twitter

Keep up with the latest Irving ISD news and events. Follow Irving ISD on Twitter with your cell phone or online. http://twitter.com/IrvingISD. 

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