New teachers in Irving ISD now have their own page on the district’s website. Administrators created the New Teachers Liaisons page where new teachers can take online workshops, share information and hand-outs, check for upcoming new teacher events and more.

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The Nimitz High School library is among 100 middle and high school media centers from across the country selected to receive a free 3M library security system as part of the 3M Salute to Schools grant program. This is the fifth year that 3M, in partnership with the American Association of School Librarians, has awarded the systems, totaling $1.5 million to date. Last year, MacArthur High School won the same grant. Together, the two grants are worth more than $20,000 for Irving ISD.

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The second meeting of the Irving ISD Board of Trustees in May has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on May 24. Normally held on the third Monday of each month, the May meeting was moved back in order to allow time for canvassing and finalizing details of the May 15 election. New trustees will be sworn in and seated at the May 24 meeting, and new board officers will be elected.

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Fifteen Irving ISD middle school students have been recognized by the Duke University Talent Identification Program. The annual nationwide event seeks to identify academically gifted seventh-graders. Students are initially selected by their counselor, then they are given the opportunity to take the SAT1 or the ACT college entrance exam years before their peers. Students receive testing experience, an educational resource book and other literature, test results, and a Duke college guide. Those who score high enough are considered "recognized" and are invited to a recognition ceremony to receive an award.

This year, there are four recognized students from Crockett Middle School. They are Jillian Attan, Tyler Hodgson, Derek Nguyen, and Jessica Watson. Lamar Middle School has 11 recognized students this year. They are Amanda Peralta, Faisal Choudhury, Danh Doan, Skyler Gardner, Ethan Henderson, Alan John, Marcus Johnson, Paul Kim, Logan McTee, Heather Quinn, and Joshua Russell.

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The Irving School for the Deaf received a second installment of a grant it won weeks ago. Boeing representative Lonnie Hale presented a check for $10,000 to the school earlier this month to help purchase equipment to enhance classroom experiences for hearing impaired students. Last week, Hale returned to the school with an additional $5,000 from Boeing.

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National School Nurses Day will be celebrated May 12 this year as part of National Nurses Week May 6 - 12. Irving ISD employs 34 registered nurses and three clinic assistants. On May 7, Superintendent Jack Singley will express his appreciation for school nurses at a brief "thank you" event at the Administration Building.

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Students in the LIFE class at Keyes Elementary School have undertaken a "Work of Heart" to raise money for their school. They are designing and producing note cards, many decorated with hearts, to sell by the box. Students are required to create, sort, package, count, and sell the note cards, putting to use math, art and communication skills and helping them gain new levels of confidence and independence.

Each set of eight cards (including envelopes) costs $5. Sets of smaller cards are priced at four for $1. Buyers can specify their color preference. For more information, contact Brandi Smith, LIFE teacher at Keyes.

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With a "Spring Fling" theme, the Schulze Elementary School PTA is planning its annual spring carnival for Saturday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school. The fundraising event will include food, games and live entertainment including a performance by Schulze’s ballet folklorico dance troupe. Raffled door prizes such as a TV/VCR/DVD combo, bicycles, a Nintendo Game Cube, and a stereo will be offered. Tickets for the raffle are $1 and can be purchased at the door. Participants need not be present to win.

Proceeds from the event will be used to purchase school uniforms and literacy items.

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More than 170 students and staff donated blood at the Irving High School blood drive for Carter Blood Care last month. The three-hour event, organized and manned by students, drew 132 pints of blood which will be able to benefit 396 patients in North Texas area hospitals.

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Good Science Fair

Good Elementary School’s fifth grade students took part in the school’s first Science Fair recently. Every fifth-grader at the school developed his or her own science problem, tested it, and drew conclusions.