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IISD Well Represented at District Academics

MacArthur, Nimitz and Irving high schools traveled to South Grand Prairie High School March 29-30 to compete in the District 7-5A University Interscholastic League Academic Contests. 

Of the six schools competing, MacArthur won the overall Second Place Sweepstakes Title for the second consecutive year and Nimitz won third. MacArthur posted five first place team victories, and Irving High and Nimitz both fielded two first place team wins. Although The Academy of Irving ISD is an accredited high school, Academy students competed in the UIL events by representing the high school zone in which they reside – Irving, MacArthur or Nimitz.

Students advancing to regional competition can qualify for state if they place first, second or third. Regional competition will be at Texas Tech University April 11-13. For a complete list of district results, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/academic.htm.                                    

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Byron Nelson to Bring Dental Clinic for Children

In conjunction with the EDS Byron Nelson Golf Championship, the Christina Smile’s Children’s Dental Clinic will visit Brown Elementary School in Irving, April 21-23.

The non-profit dental clinic has worked in cooperation with the PGA Tour and Champions Tour in the Dallas area for several years. Christina Smile’s was founded by Dr. Richard Garza, an Austin dentist, to provide quality, comprehensive and charitable dental care to children in need.

Garza, along with local volunteer dentists and assistants, will visit Brown in order to provide dental care to about 120 Irving ISD students. In past years, 20 to 40 IISD students have traveled to Dallas for the clinic. This year Roadway Express, Brown’s partner in education, has worked with the school in laying the groundwork for the clinic to be hosted at Brown.

Christina Smile’s is operated from a self-contained, 48-foot trailer equipped with three dental treatment stations, x-ray equipment, and an instrument sterilization area. Approximately 40 children will be seen each day of the three-day clinic. Volunteer dentists will perform extractions, fillings, root canal treatments, and provide crowns and sealants valued at approximately $75,000 in dental care. Brown Elementary School is located at 2501 W. 10th Street in Irving.

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Student, Teacher Honored

On April 12, Razi Choudhry, senior at MacArthur High School, and Esther Martinez, third grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School, will be among the honorees at Junior Achievement’s Tenth Annual Dallas Business Hall of Fame.

Choudhry has been named Student of the Year and will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. The MacArthur senior was chosen because he has maintained a 3.87 grade point average while also working two jobs in order to help provide for his family. Choudhry represents the first generation of his family to receive formal education. Martinez is a bilingual third grade teacher at Elliott and works to ensure that her students not only learn core reading and math skills, but also life skills.

The Dallas Business Hall of Fame will be held at InterContinental Dallas Hotel. For more information, visit www.jadallas.org or call 972-690-8484, ext. 225.

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IISD Teacher Job Fair

The annual IISD Teacher Job Fair is scheduled for April 19 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at The Academy of Irving ISD.

Teacher Job Fair - Irving ISDApplicants should complete an electronic employment application at least three days prior to the job fair by accessing the IISD website at www.irvingisd.net/hr/default2.htm. Applicants should bring copies of their resume and teaching certificate, college letter of anticipated completion, or a letter of acceptance if the candidate is enrolled in an approved alternative certification program.

School principals will be present to conduct interviews, some of which are estimated to last until 3:30 p.m.

Representatives from various alternative certification programs also will be in attendance and if interested in alternative certification, applicants should bring copies of their college transcripts.

For more information regarding IISD job fairs, access www.irvingisd.net/page/job_fair.htm

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Students Perform in Zone Competition

Theater students from Nimitz, MacArthur and Irving high schools competed against five other high schools in Zone 2 One-Act Play March 20. The cast from Nimitz advanced to the district-level contest along with three other schools.

Several Nimitz students received individual awards at district for their work:

  • J.D. Zavala, Best Actor

  • Brooke Anderson, Outstanding Technician

  • Joe Morrel, All-Star Cast Member

  • Kaycee Reiniger, All-Star Cast Member

  • Stephanie Stockton, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast Member

  • Sammy Partida, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast Member

  • Chris Ramirez, Honorable Mention, All-Star Cast Member.

Nimitz performed Cinderella Waltz directed by Bruce Hermans, David Stone and Stephanie Ball. Irving High performed 1984 directed by Eric Domuret and MacArthur performed Tartuffe directed by Phillip Morgan and Laura Morgan.

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Spring Art Shows Scheduled

The IISD Annual Spring Art Show is scheduled for April 8-14 at the Irving Art Center (IAC). A reception commemorating the event will be April 10 from 6-8 p.m., with an awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. 


Irving Arts Center

333 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Art work will be displayed that high school students have created throughout the 2007-2008 school year. Works will include drawing, paintings, sculptures, jewelry and photography. 

The IISD Independent I Senior Art Show will be April 15-20 from 6-8 p.m., also at IAC. An awards presentation is scheduled for April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

The senior art show will display artwork from seniors in independent art study from all four high schools and each senior will have a portfolio consisting of 8 to 10 pieces of their best work.

The Irving Arts Center is located at 3333 N. MacArthur.

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Girls’ Technology Camp Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Microsoft DigiGirlz High Tech Camp.

Developed to provide girls with a better understanding of what a career in technology is involves, the camp is free of charge for participants and presents a learning opportunity for high school girls. The five-day experience provides opportunities to learn about careers in technology, talk with Microsoft employees about their life experiences, and enjoy hands-on computer and technology workshops.

To apply, high school girls need to complete the online application form by May 9. The application can be found on the Internet at www.microsoft.com/about/diversity/programs/camps.mspx.  In addition to the application, students will also be asked to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.

For more information, call Terry Buckerfield, BCIS teacher at Union Bower Center for Learning, at 972-273-6578.

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Week of the Young Child at Clifton

Clifton Early Childhood School will be conducting activities to commemorate the Week of the Young Child April 14-18. Week of the Young Child is celebrated nationally by the National Association for Educating Young Children and is designed to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families.

On Monday, a ribbon cutting ceremony will open the week’s festivities along with a door decorating contest and visit from the southwest mobile dairy classroom. Lucas Miller, “The Zoo Guy”, will visit on Tuesday, and Wednesday will be literacy day when community leaders will read to children. Thursday and Friday will include health & nutrition events and physical fitness activities.

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Be Aware & Take Care

During April, CIGNA will be conducting gift basket drawings for IISD employees who subscribe to the district’s health plan and take an online Health-Risk Assessment (HRA).

Employees subscribing to CIGNA can participate in the district’s annual health screening or have tests done at their physicians’ office. Once results are received, employees can login to www.mycigna.com and take the HRA online.

The goal of the assessment is to help make employees aware of health risks and guide employees toward needed care. Taking the assessment is voluntary and all information gathered during the online assessment will be kept private.

Contact IISD onsite CIGNA representative Mary Baron at 972.215.5243 for more information.

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Voter Registration Deadline

The deadline for registering to vote in the May 10 election is April 10. Applications are available at most county government buildings as well as public libraries and post offices. Applications may also be printed from the Dallas County Elections Department website at www.dalcoelections.org.

For early voting locations and polling places, access the information on the IISD website at www.irvingisd.net/page/election.htm.

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April 9, 2008

MacArthur Teacher Recognized by Mavericks
Courtney Johnson (back row, fourth from left), history teacher and athletics coach at MacArthur High School, was recognized by the Dallas Mavericks and the UPS Store as a Teacher Recognition Winner. Johnson received two tickets to the Mavericks vs. Golden State basketball game April 2, $1,000 for himself, and $1,000 for the school. Johnson and nine other teachers from area schools were recognized at the half-time presentation during the game.

Elliott Student Receives Citizenship Award
Jesus Vielma, fifth grader at Elliott Elementary School, received a Mirabeau B. Lamar Award of Excellence from Masonic Lodge 1422. Lodge leader Larry Bryant presented the award – including a certificate, medal, and U.S. savings bond – to Vielma for his exemplary personal achievement and positive, supportive attitude. Vielma is one of only 12 students in the DFW metroplex to receive the award.

Johnston Students Show Support
Students at Johnston Elementary School participated in Pennies for Patients benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Students raised a total of $1,528 during a three-week time period. Jennifer Anderson’s fifth grade class won first prize by collecting more than 26 lbs. of pennies. Susan Bitts, school nurse at Johnston, facilitated the project and awarded Anderson’s class a basket of school supplies.

MacArthur Students Host Voter Drive
The MacArthur High School Student Council held voter registration April 3-4 during all lunch periods.  With the presidential elections coming in November, students were eager to visit the table manned by the Southwest Voters Registration Education Project to fill out the necessary forms.

Art Program Recognizes Lamar Student
Make A Connection Thru Art, sponsored by Nokia, has featured Griselda Acosta, eighth grader at Lamar Middle School, in their informational brochure. Acosta’s reading teacher, April Brooks, congratulates her on being recognized for writing an original poem as part of her participation in Make A Connection at Lamar.

Nimitz Singers Superior at Regional
At UIL Regional Concert & Sight-Reading Contest April 3, the Nimitz Varsity Choir received superior ratings in the sight-reading competition and excellent ratings during the prepared concert portion. The choir is directed by Bob Jones and accompanied by Cathy Gribnitz.

Brandenburg Literacy Program Serves Families
Parents of Brandenburg Elementary School students attend Family Literacy and bilingual classes on Thursday nights. Classes begin at 6 p.m. and help parents to familiarize themselves with books children are reading in school, meet other parents, and learn Spanish and/or English to better help their children with homework.

Travis Students Visit Capitol
Students from Travis Middle School spent their spring break in Washington, D.C., visiting historic landmarks and touring government institutions.

 

Calendar Highlights

April  2008

21 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 p.m.

May 2008

1 Employee Service Awards Banquet
Travis Middle School, 7 p.m.
5 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 p.m.
7

City Council of PTA Meeting 
Administration Building,  9:00 a.m.

15 Retiree Awards Banquet
DFW Marriott Hotel, 7 p.m.
19 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 p.m.
23 Student/Teacher Holiday
(First Weather Day If Needed)
26 Student/Teacher Holiday
(Second Weather Day If Needed)

June 2008

4-5 Semester Exam Day (Early Dismissal Schedule)
5 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
5

Baccalaureate
Calvary Church, 7:00 pm

6 Teacher Workday
6

Graduation Ceremonies (Friday)

   • The Academy 3:30 pm
   • MacArthur High 7:30 pm
7

Graduation Ceremonies (Saturday)

   • Irving High 10:00 am
   • Nimitz High 2:00 pm
16 Board of Trustees Meeting
Administration Building,  7 pm

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more calendar information

 

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