Saenz Named Principal at Academy

(June 16, 2009)  Irving ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Neil Dugger has announced that David Saenz has been appointed as principal of the newly renamed Jack E. Singley Academy.

Saenz joined Irving ISD in 2002 as sixth grade science teacher at Austin, and served in roles including teacher, team leader, instructional coach, and 21st Century Learning Center manager until 2005. Saenz was named vice principal at Austin in 2005 and has served as principal at Austin since 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Educational Administration degree from University of North Texas. Saenz is currently working toward his Doctor of Education degree at UNT.

Saenz’s appointment to the Academy fills the vacancy left by Robbin Wall following his resignation June 6.

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Scholarship Offers Total $21M

Scholarship offers for the Irving ISD Class of 2009 totaled $21,132,731. The record total was $39,886,730 set by the Class of 2006.

For 2009, Irving High School graduates were offered $4,077,590; MacArthur High School graduates were offered $6,858,506; Nimitz High School graduates were offered $5,524,181; and graduates from the newly renamed Jack E. Singley Academy were offered $4,672,454. IISD Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Neil Dugger announced the scholarship totals during graduation ceremonies June 5 and 6, during which IISD schools graduated 1,589 seniors.

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Irving ISD to Implement New Phone System

During the summer months, Irving ISD will be installing a new telephone system in all schools and support facilities, and creating a common exchange of 600.

The new IISD Administration Building main phone number will be 972-600-5000, and will be effective on July 3, 2009, as will new numbers for all other support buildings. New school phone numbers will be effective by August 24, 2009.

The common exchange, or three-digit prefix following the area code and before the four-digit extension, allows calls to be transferred between buildings within the school district. Prior to implementation of the new system, callers were required to disconnect a call to one building before calling a new location.

For a complete list of new IISD phone numbers, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/phones2009.htm.

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The Irving Schools Foundation (ISF) awarded $169 in a Teacher Enrichment Grant for June.

The June grant awardee was Michael Lewis, math teacher at Nimitz High School. Lewis will use the grant to attend “Teach Like a Rock Star”, a nationwide conference scheduled for June 25 in Arlington.

ISF teacher grants provide teachers with funding for professional development opportunities including attendance at seminars and workshops. Applications from teachers are due by the 10th of each month and are awarded for as much as $500 each. For more information about the Irving Schools Foundation or Teacher Enrichment Grants, please visit www.irvingisd.net/foundation.

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Members of the Irving Schools Foundation Board of Directors met June 2 at Nissan North America corporate headquarters in Irving for a strategy planning retreat and to set fundraising goals for the next school year.

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