IISD Lives United, Gives Generously

Each November IISD staff and faculty demonstrate their support for the Irving community by contributing to the United Way, and 2009 was no exception with district pledges and donations totaling $36,863.

The 2009 total is the second highest in the history of the IISD United Way campaign. Pledges were highest in 2001 totaling $39,244, and the 2009 donations topped last year’s total by $3,376.

Thomas Haley Elementary School led the campaign with $4,454 followed by the Administration Building with $3,000. MacArthur High School and Irving High School reported the third and fourth highest totals of $2,826 and $2,717, respectively. Townsell Elementary School raised the fifth highest total with $2,541. Schools raising more than $1,000 included Lamar Middle School, Keyes Elementary School, and Lively Elementary School.

In total building participation, Townsell led the district with 75 donors. The Administrative Annex reported 100 percent participation from all employees and a 500 percent increase in donations from the previous year. Other buildings with at least 100 percent improvement include Davis Elementary School, 250 percent; Nimitz High School, 133 percent; and Travis Middle School, 100 percent. IISD pooled a total of 778 donors for the 2009 campaign, improving from the previous year by 30, and helping to increase the district’s total donation by 10 percent.

According to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, United Way organizations are independently incorporated and operated across the country. Donors may contribute to any United Way agency, but contributions collected by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, such as those collected by IISD, go directly to fund programs in this area.

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Peer Reading Program is Example to Others

The Reading Together program in Irving ISD was presented as a positive example for visiting representatives from area school districts, business and community leaders at Townsell Elementary School December 1.

Invited by Texas Association of School Administrators and The Learning Together Company, visitors were shown the successes of the cross-age, peer-tutoring program. Under the direction of Lisa Hill and Patti Hooten, Townsell’s Reading Together coordinators, visitors saw how the program matches fifth and fourth grade students with third and second graders.

To prepare for peer-teaching sessions, the older students are given necessary training two days per week to be effective helpers to their younger counterparts. Older students then are matched with younger students to help with reading.

According to IISD reading coordinator Paula Dugger, who administrates the Reading Together program district-wide, both the older and younger students benefit from the program. Dugger said students demonstrate academic growth, leadership skills, increased self-confidence, and intrinsic motivation to learn as a result of the program.

Reading Together has been used in IISD for seven years and is currently in place at 16 of the district’s 20 elementary schools. The program serves approximately 600 elementary students.

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Students Win at Math & Science Meet

Students from Jack E. Singley Academy competed at Texas Tech University in the South Plains Math & Science Competition November 14, bringing home seven top awards.

Students and the awards they won include: Daniel Park, first place in Engineering Design Challenge; Steven Topley, first place in Geometry and second place in Introduction to Physics & Chemistry; Claudia Chavez, third place in Algebra 2; June Ng’ang’a, third place in Pre-Calculus; Gossa Tafa, third place in Calculus; and Amanda Graham, sixth place in Geometry.

Students from Jack E. Singley Academy competed in the South Plains Math & Science Competition at Texas Tech University November 14.

Singley Academy students from the Engineering & Advanced Technology specialty, Mu Alpha Theta math club, and Chess Club comprised the group that competed at Texas Tech.

Hosted by the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) center at Texas Tech, the competition is a day-long annual event open to all students in grades 6-12. Each contest tests students’ abilities in core math and science subject areas. Students are tested on what is being learned in the classroom, and all contests are TEKS-based.

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Madrigal Feaste Opens December 11

The annual Nimitz High School Madrigal Choir Feaste is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. December 11 and 12 in the Nimitz theater.

Prices for the event are $15 per adult meal; $7 for adults having only wassail and bread; $10 per child meal; and $5 for children having only wassail and bread.

For more information or to make reservations, email to CathyGribnitz@irvingisd.net, or call 972.600.5700.

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Parent Engagement Survey

The Irving ISD is working with the National Center for School Leadership to conduct an online Parent Engagement & Satisfaction Survey. The purpose of the survey is to assess the level of parent satisfaction and dissatisfaction with IISD schools on a number of topics. Assessments will help administrators better understand parent needs, and better engage parents in the learning process.

The survey is available online in both English and Spanish by accessing www.irvingisd.net/ppage/ParentEngagement.htm

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Middle School One-Act Festival

Irving ISD Fine Arts department presented the IISD Middle School One-Act Play Festival at Nimitz High School November 21.

Theater troupes from Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, de Zavala Middle School, Houston Middle School, Lamar Middle School, and Travis Middle School participated in the event. Schools earning superior ratings were Bowie and Lamar. Schools earning excellent ratings were Crockett, de Zavala, Houston and Travis. All-Star and Honorable Mention Cast Members were also recognized.

For complete festival results, as well as the plays each school presented, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/MS-One-Act.htm.

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Partnering with Parents, Community for Learning

Several IISD schools have recently hosted activities to bring parents and the Irving community into a stronger partnership with the district in children’s learning.

(Click on image to enlarge.)

	On November 17, Clifton Early Childhood School hosted more than 30 parents in officially opening the school’s new Parent Center funded by a grant from Irving Schools Foundation.
	Students from Brandenburg Elementary School thank partner in education SAP America for continued support of the school’s Club Cougar after-school program.
	Johnston Elementary School hosted Family Math Night November 17 for third-fifth grade students. Pictured are (from left) Holly Harwood, third grade teacher at Johnston, with Genesis and Deanna Swindell playing a game of Yahtzee with their father Randy Swindell.
	The Parent-Teacher Association at John Haley Elementary School, in partnership with partner in education MJB Wood Group, Inc, hosted a celebration in honor of the school’s Exemplary Status November 6.
	Lively Elementary School hosted Family Literacy Night November 19, with teachers presenting games for families to take home and play with their children.
	IISD Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters hosted a Strong Fathers Strong Families meeting November 16.
	Lively Elementary School hosted Strong Fathers Math Night in the school cafeteria November 12, where families met and played games to strengthen math skills.
	Kindergarten students at Stipes Elementary School hosted a Thanksgiving feast in the Stipes gymnasium for their parents then sang a medley of Thanksgiving songs November 20.
	Bowie Middle School students visited neighbor Britain Elementary School as part of Bowie’s annual Buddy Reading event November 20.

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