Partners Support Student Needs

Whether a business has signed a formal Partnerships in Education agreement with a school or they focus their effort in informal volunteership with a specific program, those who partner with Irving ISD provide an invaluable resource to education.

At Travis Middle School, NEC Corporation of America donated backpacks with schools supplies to students at the school. NEC also donated eight musical instruments to Travis’ band program. NEC Corporation of America, headquartered in Irving, and Travis signed their official Partnerships in Education agreement today.

Representatives from NEC Corporation of America visit Travis Middle School in order to donate supplies and musical instruments the company collected for Travis students.

First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Irving, a formal Partner in Education with Keyes Elementary School, donated 146 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in the Keyes neighborhood. Church members purchased a backpack and filled it with school supplies listed for a certain grade level. On August 17, students and their families who would receive the supplies were invited to attend FUMC of Irving to receive the backpacks and words of support and encouragement from church members.

Telemundo, the Spanish television network affiliated with NBC, has volunteered to partner with the broadcasting class at MacArthur High School – known as KMAC – in order to provide mentors to students in the class. According to Lori Sims, career & technology and business teacher at MacArthur, plans have been made for experts in different areas to visit the broadcasting class. Likewise, KMAC students have been invited to visit and tour Telemundo studio operations. Sims said an ultimate goal is for MacArthur broadcasting students to produce a short segment to be aired locally on Telemundo.

Irving ISD and the individual schools boast more than 140 partnerships with Irving businesses and individuals. For more information regarding the Partnerships in Education program, or to become a partner, contact Thelma Cantu, Partnerships in Education coordinator, at 972-215-5017 or access www.irvingisd.net/pie.

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Enrollment Exceeding Expectations

Irving ISD student enrollment surpassed last year’s count by 75, with 32,830 enrolled on the sixth day of class.

District-wide, elementary enrollment has increased over last year’s day-six total by 8­­ students but middle school enrollment is 30 less. High school enrollment has increased by 75 students over the day-six total for last year.

The projected peak enrollment for 2008-2009 is 32,764, compared to last year’s peak enrollment of 33,189 which was reached on September 25.

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MacArthur Boosters to Recycle Electronics

The MacArthur High School baseball booster club will conduct a community electronics recycling drive September 20.

The booster club has partnered with Round2 Technologies for the event and proceeds from collections will benefit MacArthur’s baseball program. Round2 Technologies focuses on disposing obsolete and surplus technological equipment in a manner compliant with Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

The event will take place at MacArthur, located at 3700 N. MacArthur Blvd, in the parking lot adjacent to the school’s baseball field.

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Health Screenings Offered

Baylor Medical Center at Irving has announced a schedule of free medical screenings the hospital is offering in September.
On September 9, free prostate cancer screening will be available to men age 50 and older and for men age 40 and older who are at a high risk for prostate cancer. Screenings are available by appointment only from 4-6:30 p.m. and will be at Irving Cancer Center, 2001 N. MacArthur Blvd.

On September 13, the Live Healthy Community Health Event will be sponsored. Attendance is free, however attendance is limited and registration is required. The event includes blood pressure screening, body fat analysis, bone density assessments, and cholesterol level screenings. A panel of physicians will also be available to answer health questions from 8-9:30 a.m.

For more information regarding either of the free events, call 1-800-4BAYLOR or access www.baylorhealth.com.

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PIN Representatives Chosen

Irving ISD schools and departments have selected their Public Information Network (PIN) representatives to assist the Public Information Department during the school year. PIN reps are responsible for coordinating news information at their locations and sending announcements, news and photographs of school events to the Public Information Department for publication in IISD publications and to attract coverage from local news media outlets.

High school PIN reps for 2008-2009 are:

- Melissa Pardue, Irving High

- Connie Riley, MacArthur

- Tanya Jones, Nimitz

- Melinda Schott, Academy

- Donna Cagle, Union Bower

Middle school PIN reps are:

- Lariza Liner, Austin

- Cara Hinkson, Bowie

- Raymie Ramsey, Crockett

- Toscha Reeves, de Zavala

- Bonnie Richardson, Houston

- Patti Tiller and Carla Nutt, Lamar

- Scott Sralla, Travis

Elementary school PIN reps are:

- Gae Poulsen, Barton

- Diane Kerestine, Brandenburg

- Jason Barnett, Britain

- Barbara Schreyer, Brown

- Rosa Avendano, Davis

- Michael Mikkelson, Elliott

- Shannon Cole, Farine

- Jackie Swan, Gilbert

- Doug Love, Good

- Rhonda Phillips, Hanes

- Cynthia Erwin, John Haley

- Ann Taylor, Thomas Haley

- Debra Allen, Johnston

- Jorge Acosta, Keyes

- Aaron McAdams, Lee

- Angela Smyers, Lively

- Katiuska Herrador, Schulze

- Dawn Richardson, Stipes

- Sarah Tumlinson, Townley

- Patti Hooten and Lisa Hill, Townsell

Early childhood school PIN reps are:

- GayLee Schumann and Stacey Kincer, Clifton

- Delicia Dansby, Kinkeade

- Dorinda Fleming, Pierce

District facility PIN reps are:

- Joe Gloria and Marcela Montes, Administrative Annex

- Betty Davis, Ratteree Career Development Center

- Cherish Wright, Facilities Service Center

- Sam Bean and Annissa Macon, Wheeler Center

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