Students to Attend Summer Program

A total of seven Irving ISD students have been selected for Education in Action’s Lone Star Leadership Academy for summer 2009.

Megan Lloyd, eighth grader at Crockett Middle School, was announced as a program attendee earlier this month. Joining Lloyd are IISD students: Kayla Ortego, seventh grader at Austin Middle School; Bethany Cheyney, fifth grader at Brandenburg Elementary School; Richard Tanimoto, sixth grader at Crockett; Alejandro Vadillo, fifth grader at Davis Elementary School; Matthew Jauregui, seventh grader at Lamar Middle School; and Mason Shelley-Cieslawski, seventh grader at Lamar.

Fifth and sixth grade students will attend the summer program in Dallas/Fort Worth, sixth and some seventh graders will attend in Austin, and some seventh graders and eighth graders will attend in Houston/Galveston. In order to be selected, students must be recommended by a school official, display academic success, and demonstrate leadership ability. The week-long program includes sessions to develop leadership skills and learning about Texas and state government. Sessions also include exposure to career and internship opportunities and visits to many significant Texas landmarks.

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During the annual awards ceremony at The Academy of Irving ISD, 32 seniors were recognized for completing independent original research projects during the school year.

Seniors in the Gifted & Talented Independent Study Mentorship (GTISM) program conducted research and developed a portfolio of their findings. Portfolios were presented to a panel of judges in the categories of advanced technology, legal, visual arts & communications, and medical & dental studies April 21 and 23. For the first time since the program began, two Academy students earned perfect scores for their projects: Lena Abuhandara, “Dentistry”, and Lindsey Gillespie, “Workshop for Caretakers of Special Needs Children”. For a complete list of students and the projects they presented, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/ism2009.htm.

Learn more about the GTISM presentations:

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Students Lock Up State Wins

Students in the criminal justice specialty at The Academy of Irving ISD won four top awards at Texas Public Safety Association state competition at Sam Houston State University May 18-20.

Students winning awards include: Seslie Rico, first, report writing; Karla Camarena, second, opening statement; Veronica Mentado, second, fingerprinting; and DeShavia Patterson, second, female obstacle course. In addition to the these categories, students competed in 12 other events including building searches, felony stops, traffic stops, crime scene investigations, criminal justice quiz bowl, traffic investigation, criminal case analysis, criminal incident, report writing, defensive tactics, foot pursuits, and team obstacle course.

Prior to competition, students toured the Walls Prison Unit, Wynn Prison Unit, and the Holiday Prison Unit in Huntsville.

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Middle School Solo & Ensemble Results

In the second IISD middle school solo & ensemble contest of the semester on May 9, 118 students earned superior ratings, nine earned excellent ratings, and 18 were awarded outstanding musician medals.

For a complete list of students performing solos and as ensembles, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/SoloEnsemble2009.htm. 

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MacArthur Gymnast Returns with Honors

Breanna Fields, senior at MacArthur High School, won the silver medal in all-around competition during the Senior All-Star Gymnastics Championships in Chicago May 22-23, contributing to the Texas women’s team’s overall win at the competition.

Fields was named to Texas National All-Star Gymnastics Team earlier in May. In addition to her second place finish in the all-around, Fields placed fourth in vault, second in balance beam, and third in floor exercises. She was also named to the Dallas Morning News SportsDay all-area girls’ gymnastics team on May 14.

Fields will attend Stephen F. Austin State University after working during the summer as a camp instructor with Universal Cheerleaders Association.

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ISF Announces May Teacher Grants

Irving Schools Foundation (ISF) has awarded $1,287 in Teacher Enrichment Grants to five teachers for the month of May.

May grant recipients are: Maria Chavira, Pierce Early Childhood School; Jessica Lynch, Townsell Elementary School; Amy Moore, The Academy of Irving ISD; James Newman, Irving High School; and Julie Lewis, Lamar Middle School.

Teacher Enrichment Grants are awarded for as much as $500 and provide funding for professional development opportunities including attendance at seminars and workshops. Applications from teachers and school administrators are due by the 10th of each month and are distributed September through May. For more information about ISF or Teacher Enrichment Grants, please visit www.irvingisd.net/foundation.

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Irving ISD Middle, High School Registration Schedule

Irving ISD has announced middle and high school registration guidelines for the 2009-2010 school year.

Middle school students new to IISD may register at their neighborhood middle school from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. August 14 and 17, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. August 18, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. August 19 and 20. There will be no registration August 21.

High school students new to IISD may register by appointment only.  The high schools can be contacted by phone beginning August 10 to make an appointment and receive information about how to pick-up registration materials.

All students who are entering school for the first time and who speak a language other than English must be given an oral language test to evaluate their language skills. Testing will be available 8 a.m.-4 p.m., May 11-15, May 18-22, May 25-29, and June 1-5 at the IISD Language Test Center, 820 O’Connor Road. Testing will resume August 10, but will be available by appointment only by calling 972-273-6688. The test is mandated by law and is a necessary part of the student’s school record.

For more information regarding new student registration and for school attendance boundaries, access www.irvingisd.net/ppage/registration.htm.

The first day of school for IISD is Monday, August 24.

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Anthony Rodriquez, child development/education student at Union Bower Center for Learning, leads second graders from Ashley Private School in a learning tour through Cedar Ridge preserve in Dallas.

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Academy Construction Update

The construction project at The Academy of Irving ISD is progressing with the exterior and interior walls having finishes applied, and glass and storefront door openings being installed. Classroom areas will be complete for use in August 2009 and the auditorium and fine arts areas are scheduled for completion in October 2009. For more information access www.irvingisd.net/facilities/construction.

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