National Merit Semifinalists Named

Heather Quinn, senior at MacArthur High School, and Ethan Henderson, senior at Nimitz High School, have been named semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Quinn and Henderson join approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationwide in the 54th year of the program. Semifinalists will compete for 8,200 National Merit Scholarships to be awarded during Spring 2009. Ninety percent of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, with half of the finalists winning the title of National Merit Scholar.

Qualification for the National Merit Program is based on a student’s performance on the preliminary Student Aptitude Test (PSAT), academic record, endorsement and recommendation from the student’s principal, and scores from the SAT that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors become semifinalists.

Photos – Heather Quinn (left), senior at MacArthur High School, and Ethan Henderson, senior at Nimitz High School, were selected as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.

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Nimitz Homecoming

	Nimitz High School Vikings celebrate homecoming this week. Highlights of the homecoming schedule include:
Parade    – Thursday, 3:15 p.m., Nimitz Pep Rally & Lighting of the V    – Thursday, 7 p.m., Nimitz Nimitz Vikings vs. Arlington Lamar Vikings    – Friday, 7:30 p.m., IISD Stadium Crowning of Homecoming Queen    – Friday, halftime of homecoming game Dance    – Saturday, 7-10 p.m., Texas Stadium

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Trustees Honor Teachers of the Year

Melissa Kinkeade, reading recovery and literacy teacher at Townsell Elementary School, and Sharon Gross, choral director at Irving High School, were honored as Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year at the September 15 Board of Trustees Meeting at Nimitz High School Auditorium. Trustees also honored the 35 Campus Teachers of the Year.

The evening began with a reception in honor of the Teachers of the Year. As IISD Teachers of the Year, Kinkeade and Gross received $500 from Calvary Church, $250 from Irving Schools Foundation (ISF), the use of a vehicle for one year courtesy of Don Herring Mitsubishi, an engraved plaque, and a portrait from Lifetouch Studios. Campus Teachers of the Year received $250 from ISF, an engraved plaque, and a portrait from Lifetouch Studios.

This year’s Teacher of the Year Selection Committee consisted of: Paige Hollis, community/parent/IISD graduate; Dr. Bill Labarr, community/senior pastor, Plymouth Park United Methodist Church; Cynthia Daly,

MacArthur student; Lynn Terrill, community/retired IISD educator; and Robyn Wolters, director of personnel. For a complete list of Campus Teachers of the Year, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/teacher_of_the_year_reception.htm.

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Athletes of the Month

Shaey Ellis, senior at Irving High School is female Athlete of the Month for September. She is a three-year letterman for the Lady Tigers and also plays club volleyball. Ellis has an “A” average and is a member of student council.

Tariq Allen, senior at MacArthur High School, is male Athlete of the Month. He is a three-year-starter at the position of linebacker for MacArthur and was elected team captain. Allen has verbally committed to play football at University of Texas and was selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

On October 13 Townley Elementary School will host Camp Airways, a free day camp for children with asthma sponsored by Baylor Medical Center at Irving. Children ages 8-12 are invited to register. Activities, including asthma education, games and a field trip, will take place between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The camp is free but registration is required and space is limited. For more information call 1-800-422-9567.

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Credit by Exam Deadline

Credit By Examination (CBE) for advancement in grades 6-12 evaluates mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for a particular subject or grade level and the deadline to apply for testing is September 24.

In grades 6-12, two options are available. Without prior instruction, CBE is offered to students as an opportunity to receive credit for a course in which the student has received no prior instruction. A student may advance one grade level (6-8) or one course per subject area (9-12) in each testing period. Scores of 85 percent or above on an approved exam is required to receive credit. With prior instruction, students may earn CBE if they have received prior instruction in the subject for which the exam is taken. Scores of 70 percent or above on the course examination and/or completion of applicable projects is required.

Applications and information are available from the student’s school counselor. Testing dates will be November 1, 8 and 15 at de Zavala Middle School, 707 W. Pioneer Drive, in Irving. For more information, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/credit_by_exam.htm.

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