Anderson Represents U.S. Classrooms
Dr.
Jennifer Anderson, executive director of technology, has been invited on
a two-week speaking tour of Japan where she will present information
about e-learning to educators and political leaders in several major
cities. The tour, initiated by Microsoft Japan and sponsored by the U.S.
State Department, will feature two speakers – Anderson and a
representative from the U.S. Department of Education.
As an expert in instructional technology, Anderson
will demonstrate best practices for using computers in classrooms and
answer questions about everything from educational software to internet
security.
Though the itinerary isn’t finished, Anderson does
know that she is leaving on March 5. She has been in contact with
officials from the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and Microsoft Japan. The tour
is a cooperative effort with those agencies as well as Waseda University
and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology.
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CIGNA Offers New Health Improvement Programs
CIGNA HealthCare has added three new
options to its Healthy Rewards program that are available to IISD
employees now. The new amenities offer assistance in making significant
lifestyle changes in weight loss, stress and chronic pain management,
and quitting smoking. The programs, provided through Healthyroads, Inc.,
consist of coaching, motivational techniques, and practical education
support through telephone interaction, guidebooks, multimedia modules,
and web-based tools to encourage subscribers toward better health.
For more information or to enroll in
these programs, visit
www.cigna.com/healthyrewards or call Healthy Rewards at
800-870-3470.
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New Elementary School Named
Townsell died
of a heart attack in October. She was 66.
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Bamburg Named Service Center
Employee of the Year
Robert
Bamburg, lead carpenter for the Facilities Services Department has been
voted the Service Center Employee of the Year for 2002. Bamburg was
chosen for the award by his peers – other Service Center employees.
Bamburg began
his career at Irving ISD in 1985 as a night custodian. Now, 18 years
later, he supervises eight employees, an accomplishment that shows his
ambition, integrity and professionalism according to his supervisor,
Doug Hobbs.
“He is respected by all his peers
and has been a valuable asset to the district,” Hobbs said.
Along with an award certificate and
paperweight, Bamburg received a $50 gift certificate and his picture is
displayed on a plaque at the Service Center entrance.
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Free Tax Help at Nimitz
Students from Nimitz High School and
North Lake College will offer free tax filing help on selected days in
February at Nimitz. As a partnership with the IRS, Nimitz, North Lake
College, and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), the students have
been trained to file tax returns electronically. Nimitz High School
teacher Regina Brown, an accountant-turned-teacher, organized the
program to teach students about taxes as a life skill and possibly a
career.
The service is available from 9 a.m.
until noon on February 1, 8, 15, 22, and March 1, for low-income or
disabled residents or those with limited English skills.
No appointments are necessary.
Interested taxpayers should come to the school during the times listed
above with their 2002 tax forms, W-2s, Interest and Dividend Forms, a
copy of last year’s tax return, and social security numbers.
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MacArthur Student Is Presidential Scholar Candidate
Mingming Ma, a
senior at MacArthur High School, has been selected as a candidate for
the United States Presidential Scholars Program. The program recognizes
141 seniors every year and is considered one of the nation’s highest
honors for high school students.
Presidential scholars are chosen
based on academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in
school and community. Ma’s application will be considered for
distinction as one of 500 semifinalists first. If chosen as a
semifinalist, she will be considered for selection as a presidential
scholar.
Ma has also been chosen as a
semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and is awaiting
word as to whether she will be named a finalist. Ma posted a perfect
score on both the PSAT and SAT tests.
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All-Region Choir Named
Twenty IISD middle school students
were named to the All-Region Choir recently. They will perform at the
All-Region concert at Waxahachie High School at 5 p.m. on Saturday,
February 8.
The winning singers
are:
First Sopranos –
Princy George, eighth grade, Travis MS
Brettney Moore, eighth grade, Houston MS
Christy Morales, eighth grade, Lamar MS
Tessia Blakey, eighth grade, Crockett MS (alternate)
Second Sopranos –
Amber Ball, eighth grade, Austin MS (alternate)
Alyssa Burkett, eighth grade, Travis MS
Sarah Rutledge, eighth grade, Travis MS
Altos –
Meredith Lohn-Wiley, eighth grade, Travis MS
Emily Stringer, eighth grade, Travis MS
Victoria Wiley, eighth grade, Lamar MS
Tenors –
Jonathan Flores, eighth grade, Crockett MS (alternate)
Cory Ladd, seventh grade, Crockett MS
Luke Milam, seventh grade, Crockett MS
Jorge Monjarraz, seventh grade, Crockett MS
David Munguia, eighth grade, Lamar MS
Sean Patrick, seventh grade, Lamar MS
Bryan Rogers, eighth grade, Travis MS
Bass –
Michael Marquez, eighth grade, Travis MS (alternate)
Augustin Salas, eighth grade, Lamar MS
Artega Wright, eighth grade, Lamar MS
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