Ten Saturdays to Success is the name of the 2006 Optional Extended Year Program in Irving ISD. This supplementary instructional program, also known as Saturday School, is offered to struggling students in grades 3-8 for 10 Saturdays that began January 21 and continues through April 8 (with March 11 and 18 off).

Students were nominated by their teachers and attend with parental permission. Saturday School will be provided at one location in each of the high school zones: Travis, de Zavala and Lamar middle schools. Enrollment is projected at 650 students per school for a total of close to 2,000 students.

Engaging lesson plans were developed by content area experts in reading, English language instruction and math. For elementary students, integrated lessons use science concepts and science experiments as a common thread for all activities in reading and math.

Approximately 140 of IISD’s most enthusiastic teachers were invited to participate. Teachers were recommended by their school principal or content area coordinators to teach in the program. Transportation from neighborhood schools to the Saturday School site is provided as well as breakfast and a late morning snack.

Since parental involvement is critical to the success of the program, plans are to communicate frequently with parents about their child’s progress in Ten Saturdays to Success. Funding for this program is derived from a combination of state and Title I funds.

For more information, contact Judy Rudebusch at
972-215-5050 or jrudebusch@irvingisd.net.