MacArthur Homecoming

MacArthur High School Cardinals celebrate homecoming this week. Highlights of the homecoming schedule include:

• Parade
  Thursday, 3 p.m., MacArthur

• Senior Recognition, Spirit Rally & Burning of the “M”
  Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
  (following freshman game on junior varsity football field)

• MacArthur Cardinals vs. Cedar Hill Longhorns
  Friday, 7:30 p.m., Irving Schools Stadium

• Crowning of Homecoming Queen
  Friday, halftime of homecoming game

• Dance
  Saturday, 7:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.,
  The Studios at Las Colinas

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Students Win All-Region Seats

Irving ISD middle and high school students met at Irving High School October 11 to audition for placement in one of three Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 20 All-Region Orchestras.

String musicians from Irving, MacArthur and Nimitz high schools and from Crockett, de Zavala, Lamar and Travis middle schools won a total of 33 seats among the three performing groups: High School Honors Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra, and Concert Orchestra. For a complete list of Irving ISD students named to All-Region orchestras, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/allregionorchestra.htm.

Honors Orchestra is comprised of strings, wind and percussion performers and is for students in grades nine through 12. Only students who qualify for Honors Orchestra are eligible to advance to area and state competition. Auditions for All-Region wind and percussion students will be November 6^th and students selected from those auditions will join the All-Region Honors Orchestra. Symphonic Orchestra is for students in grades six through 10 and is comprised solely of stringed instrument performers. Concert Orchestra is for students in grades six through eight and is also only comprised of strings.

TMEA Region 20 aligns with University Interscholastic League Music Region 20 and is comprised of school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The three All-Region Orchestras will perform at 4 p.m., November 15 at Nimitz Auditorium.

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Students, Teachers Think Pink

In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many schools in Irving ISD have taken part in fundraising and support events.

Townley Elementary School conducted Pink Week with students and staff raising $250 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. At Stipes Elementary School, staff members formed a Race for the Cure team and the school sponsored a week-long “celebration of life” featuring pink treats and a Think Pink day on Friday before the Komen Race for the Cure October 18. Staff at Bowie Middle School celebrated Pink Day October 17. The school collectively raised $2,124 for their Race for the Cure Teams – Cindy’s Cubbies and Arsetta’s Army. At Irving High School, the volleyball teams have sold pink-out shirts with the theme “Cats for the Cure” at every home volleyball match during the fall. The team will conduct a pink out night during the Irving High-MacArthur High School match October 28.

Faculty and staff at Stipes Elementary School encourage support and awareness during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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Seniors Named to Leadership Forum

Three seniors at Irving High School have been selected to participate in the Texas Leadership Forum Class of 2008-2009.

Irene Alvarez, Jillian Attan, and Keenan Webster join 12 students from the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the leadership development program for high school students. The forum is designed for young people who have indicated an interest in becoming a more informed and effective leader. Students will meet with corporate leaders, elected officials, and community leaders in order to learn about North Texas, the business and professional community, operation of government, and important issues facing city, state and federal lawmakers. Students will travel to Washington, D.C. in July to witness legislation being debated and enacted.

The Texas Leadership Forum is sponsored by the Today Foundation and honorary chairman Congressman Pete Sessions.

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Union Bower Educational Activities

As Union Bower Center for Learning (UBCL) continues to realize a redesigned vision for 2008-2009, students are being exposed to a host of practical experiences related to career exploration and curriculum.

On October 2, Pat Lamb, director of security and operations, visited UBCL to speak with Lavonne Carpenter’s Exploring Education Class. Lamb, along with Security Manager Don Sturdivant and Security Supervisor Marion Amick, discussed district safety policies and procedures and scenarios the department has faced relating to school safety.

On October 10, students enrolled in the Technical Health Services program visited Ashford Hall, a skilled nursing facility in Irving. Students were taught the duties of a Certified Nursing Assistant and received a tour of the facility. As a result of the visit, 10 UBCL students enrolled as volunteers at the home.

Also on October 10, “edutainer” Dr. Frank Wang spoke with students. Wang is former CEO of Saxon Publishing and remains as textbook author for the company. He also is founder of Wang Education, a company that promotes mathematics education. Wang visited UBCL to provide students with a “pep talk” as they prepared for exit-level math tests.

Dr. Frank Wang (back row center), mathematics education entrepreneur, visited Union Bower Center for Learning October 10 to give a “pep talk” to students preparing for exit-level math tests.

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ISF Enrichment Grants Awarded

Ten Irving ISD teachers have been awarded teacher enrichment grants totaling $2,301 from Irving Schools Foundation for the month of October.

Teachers receiving grants are:

Grants are awarded monthly for IISD teachers to attend workshops not usually funded by the school district. For teachers interested in more information regarding applying for an enrichment grant, access www.irvingisd.net/foundation/teachenrichoverview.html.

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