Technology Receives National Award

Irving ISD Technology Department was awarded the 2010 Outstanding TEAM Achievement award by the national Consortium of School Networking (CoSN) during the organization’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. March 1.

According to Dr. Alice Owen, IISD executive director of technology, the district was nominated for the national award by the Texas K-12 Chief Technology Officers Council, who presented IISD with the same award at the state level. She said she considers the recognitions to be district-wide awards, and Irving ISD  has been commended for investing in successful technology programs.

Keith Krueger (right), chief executive officer of Consortium of School Networking (CoSN), congratulates IISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Neil Dugger and Executive Director of Technology Dr. Alice Owen for winning the 2010 Outstanding TEAM Award during the CoSN annual conference March 1.

In the award nomination, IISD fulfilled key areas such as effective technology leadership, community building, innovative applications, demonstrated impact on learning, and community partnerships.

At the CoSN national conference, IISD representatives presented Technology Trendsetters, a four-minute video highlighting each of these leadership areas, and participated in a winners’ forum to share best practices in education technology.

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Career Students Advance to State

Students in the DECA, FCCLA, SkillsUSA, and FFA organizations competed in their respective regional and state competitions in February, earning several top awards.

DECA: An Association of Marketing Students held state competition in Fort Worth February 19-20. Maria Duran and Anelly Grimaldo, Hospitality Services Team Decision Making members from Irving High School, won in their category. Duran and Grimaldo will advance to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, April 24-27. From MacArthur High School, the following DECA students were named alternates in their respective events: Raven Bullock, Principles of Marketing; Diane Ihezie, Principles of Finance; and Ivory James and Shequanna Philpot, Business Law & Ethics Team.

Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) regional conference was February 20 in Plano. Three students from Irving High School and 16 from Singley Academy qualified to compete at state competition April 8-10 in Dallas. Students participated in competitive events such as hospitality, and in leadership events such as etiquette and culinary arts. Additionally, Singley Academy Senior Amber Gill served as Region III vice president of projects during the conference. For the complete list of FCCLA students qualifying for state, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/career.htm.

SkillsUSA participants from Irving High, MacArthur, Nimitz, Cardwell Career Preparatory Center, and Singley Academy will advance to state competition following their top scores at district competitions in February. SkillsUSA students competed in the areas of cosmetology, collision repair, culinary arts, job skill demonstration, pin design, prepared speaking, and T-shirt design. Students also competed in electronic- and technology-oriented categories including advertising design, architectural drafting, geographic information systems, and technical drafting. Singley Academy student Raven Stevens was also elected district secretary.

IISD students who competed in the Advertising Design category at SkillsUSA celebrate winning several top awards following district competition in February.

From Nimitz High School, the FFA Veterinary Medicine Team won 16^th place out of 120 teams at the third annual veterinary medicine contest at Sam Houston State University February 5. Vet Medicine team members are Patrick Gloria, Baldemar Martinez, Erica Lopez, and Maricela Varela.

For a comprehensive list of all students, access www.irvingisd.net/articles/career.htm.

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Nimitz Academic Team Wins Fourth

Nimitz High School Academic Decathlon Team won fourth place among the 40 schools competing at Texas Academic Decathlon large-schools competition February 26-27 in Houston.

Nimitz also placed fourth in the Super Quiz Relay, answering 39 of 45 questions correctly, and placed sixth in the overall Super Quiz. Chris Rohrs was the top scoring Nimitz student, and was Nimitz’s top scoring “A” student. Ana Ibanez was Nimitz’s top “B” student, and Edgar Ibarra was the team’s top “C” student. Rohrs, Ibanez, Linda Dao, and David Orozco each won individual medals, and Orozco, Ibanez, Edgar Ibarra, and Maggie Stiggleman earned perfect scores in the Super Quiz Relay. The team’s fourth place finish is a step up from last year’s fifth place finish, and is the school’s tenth top-five finish in the last 11 years.

Katy-Seven Lakes High School, Katy-Taylor High School, and Pasadena-Dobie High School finished first, second and third, respectively. Two-time defending state champion Pearland High School was in fifth place behind Nimitz.

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Engineering Gaining Ground in IISD

More than 55 girls from Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, Houston Middle School, Lamar Middle School, and Schulze Elementary School participated in ExxonMobil “Introduce Girls to Engineering” February 18.

Students conducted activities designed to spur creativity, confidence and interest in engineering. Schulze — the only elementary school at the event — was represented by 11 members of the school’s Girls Exploring Math & Science (GEMS). Four of the GEMS students were part of the group that won a competition involving building models of a catapult and a boat using limited materials. Students also learned about the variety of career options available in math and science.

Students from Schulze Elementary School test their catapult they created during ExxonMobil “Introduce Girls to Engineering” February 18.

The day’s event was part of a broader, company-wide initiative to encourage girls’ interest in pursuing science, technology, engineering and math careers. A highlight of the event was students’ opportunity to meet with and hear a presentation from Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

At MacArthur High School, the school’s first Engineering Expo was February 19, with more than 100 MacArthur students participating.

Seven universities visited MacArthur, bringing information about their engineering programs and providing representatives to answer students’ questions. Universities included University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas, DeVry University, Oklahoma State University, Texas Tech University, and University of Alabama. Two members of American Society of Civil Engineering also served as keynote speakers for the event.

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Free Student Breakfasts, Prizes March 8-12

In celebration of National School Breakfast Week, March 8-12, IISD Food Service Department is offering free breakfasts to all middle and high school students, and prizes at breakfast for elementary and early childhood school students.

Breakfasts for middle and high school students will be in their school cafeteria. Students will need to show their school identification or be able to enter their ID number. Once a student has shown their identification, breakfast will be free for the remainder of the week.

Since breakfast for IISD early childhood and elementary students is already served at no charge, elementary and early childhood students will receive a prize that is designed to reinforce good health and nutrition.

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Public Information Wins State Awards

IISD Public Information Department was recognized by Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) with 15 awards for excellence in school communications.

Awards were presented February 23 during the TSPRA annual conference in Austin. Nine IISD entries received Gold Star Awards, and six received Silver Stars.

TSPRA is a professional organization with more than 900 members dedicated to improving public education in Texas by promoting effective communication.

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IISD Spring Break Holiday Closing Schedule

All Irving ISD schools and offices will be closed for student/teacher holidays March 15-19, 2010. The Tax Office will also be closed March 15-19. All offices will reopen and classes will resume Monday, March 22.

Please visit www.irvingisd.net/Calendars/highlights.htm to view the complete IISD calendar.

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Second grade students and parents at Hanes Elementary School performed to music such as Thriller, learning about patterns, rhythm, team work, and coordination at the PTA program February 18.

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