Virtual Voting Mirrors National Excitement

Every four years, the people of the United States elect a new president. Teachers throughout Irving ISD take the opportunity to capitalize on the teachable moment to educate students on the electoral process.

For 2008, district virtual voting resulted in 24,419 votes cast for presidential candidates. This total surpassed the previous record number of 21,506 votes cast in 2004. Every employee and student in Irving ISD was eligible to register to vote in the virtual election. The 2008 total represents ballots cast by approximately 65% of IISD employees and students. “Popular votes” cast for presidential candidates were: Senator Barack Obama, Democrat Party, 17,854; Senator John McCain, Republican Party, 5,921; Ralph Nader, Independent, 316; Cynthia McKinney, Green Party, 199; and Bob Barr, Libertarian Party, 129.

In addition to a website created by the district proving links to candidate websites and political educational resources, a web log was established giving teachers a framework for classroom discussions.

For a full list of 2008 virtual voting results, access www.irvingisd.net/vote08/results.asp.

Julius Steptoe, seventh grader at Houston Middle School, assists Dustin Wilson, inclusion teacher and coach at Houston, in voting during Houston's virtual voting program October 30.

A student in Angela Long's ESL class at Clifton Early Childhood School casts a vote for her favorite candidate during IISD virtual voting.

Cathlin Shahriary, fourth grade bilingual teacher at Lively Elementary School, leads her students through the voter registration process for virtual voting.

Lizeth Flores, fourth grader at Good Elementary School, helps Jennifer Aguilera, first grader at Johnston, navigate the virtual voting website as Aguilera chooses her candidate.

For more photographs from Project Vote election day visit: www.irvingisd.net/ppage/vote2008.htm.

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District Supports Hurricane Relief

On September 30, school districts served by Region 10 Education Service Center (ESC) were given the opportunity to provide assistance to districts affected by recent hurricanes and storms along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Region 10 raised $30,272 – $6,700 of which was donated by faculty and staff in Irving ISD. The IISD donation amounted to 22% of the total given by all districts in Region 10. Funds raised were sent to Region Four and Five ESCs to be distributed to 40 school districts identified as being in the greatest need.

Region 10 serves 710,000 students in 80 North Texas school districts and 36 charter schools including: Irving, Dallas, Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Coppell, and Grand Prairie.  IISD accounts for 4.7% of the Region 10 service area.

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ISF Annual Education Luncheon

Irving Schools Foundation (ISF) partnered with Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce to sponsor the Annual Education Luncheon October 29 at the Four Seasons Resort & Club, with financial services company Citi serving as presenting sponsor.

ISF presented two Fellows for Fall 2008, Peggy Masters and David Pfaff. Masters is vice president of Comerica Bank located in the Heritage District of Irving and Pfaff is president of Plastronics Socket Company headquartered in Irving.

Irving ISD Teachers of the Year were also recognized during the luncheon and Board of Trustees President Jerry Christian delivered State of Education remarks. Kent Hance, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, was the keynote speaker and discussed students' readiness for collegiate education.

Though not a primary fundraising source for the Foundation, approximately $40,000 was raised during the luncheon. To learn more about the Irving Schools Foundation and the Annual Education Luncheon, access www.irvingisd.net/foundation.

David Pfaff and Peggy Masters were designated as Irving Schools Foundation Fellows during the Annual Education Luncheon October 29 at Four Season Resort & Club.

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Allstate Makes Surprise Donation

Gilbert Elementary School signed a formal Partner in Education agreement with Allstate Insurance Company October 29.

Speaking on behalf of Allstate Foundation Manager Janemarie Clark, Kristen Beaman, a corporate relations representative from Allstate, presented an unexpected donation of $15,000 to Irving ISD and Gilbert. Though only formalizing the partnership October 29, Allstate has donated funds to IISD and Gilbert throughout the past year.

Allstate Insurance Company became Partners in Education with Gilbert Elementary School October 29. (pictured from left) Lynda Tilley, Allstate infrastructure analyst; IISD Superintendent Jack Singley; Linda Fitt, Allstate accounting analyst; Kristen Beaman, Allstate Texas corporate relations representative; and Gilbert Principal Michael Crotty.

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Parent Information Night

On November 6, the IISD Special Education Department will sponsor its annual parent information night from 6-8 p.m. at Irving High School library.

The event is designed to make families aware of the various agencies and community resources available in the Irving area. Representatives from area agencies will also be available to answer questions. Agencies represented will include: Dallas Metro Care, ARC of Dallas, North Lake College, Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services, and Special Care & Career Services.

Three concurrent information seminars will also be presented in two sessions throughout the evening: guardianship, social security, and “Special Ed 101: What You Need to Know.” Most sessions run in 30-minute periods from 6:15-6:45 p.m. and from 7-7:30 p.m., with the guardianship session running from 6:15-7:00 p.m. and again at 7:15-8 p.m.

The Irving High library is located at 900 N. O'Connor Rd in Irving. Child care and refreshments will be provided.

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Building Strong Families

Following an instructional report from the Department of Parent & Student Services to the IISD Board of Trustees, implementation of the Strong Fathers/Strong Families program began in Irving schools.

The programs and events designed by the organization are focused on father involvement and emphasize academic achievement, safe and drug free schools, how to counter tobacco use, and behavior intervention. Strong Schools programs – the umbrella organization for Strong Fathers/Strong Families – may be funded through Title I funds, Safe and Drug Free Schools Funding, PTA initiatives, and other grant funding.

For an up-to-date calendar of Strong Fathers/Strong Families events, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/StrongFathersFamilies.htm.

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