Joaquin Munoz (left), president of the Atkins Middle School National Junior Honor Society, and Jordon Garza (right), president of the Atkins Student Council, present actor Terrence Howard (center) with an Atkins t-shirt. Howard spoke to students from O.L. Slaton Middle School and visiting students from Dunbar College Preparatory Academy. Howard was in Lubbock courtesy of Texas Tech University. 

On Monday, December 5, more than 2,000 fourth-grade students in Lubbock ISD will be treated to a wonderful holiday performance of The Nutcracker thanks to Ballet Lubbock.  Since 2006, the district's annual partnership with Ballet Lubbock has enabled fourth-grade students to enjoy and learn from a free performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. 
 

Each fourth-grade teacher receives a packet which contains a plot outline with discussion points, tie-ins between dance and traditional classroom subject areas, and fun facts about the upcoming performances.

In the weeks preceding the performances, Artistic Director Yvonne Racz Key made personal visits to several elementary schools, teaching basic ballet and preparing students for the experience.

For more than 25 years, Lubbock ISD has been in partnership with the South Plains Food Bank in the annual U Can Share Food Drive, which helps feed many hungry families in the Lubbock community and surrounding areas.  This year, the school drive will be December 5-10 with the Central Office drive December 5-16.  Many LISD schools will be featured on KCBD News Channel 11 during the 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. news cast.  Click here to see the schedule of featured campuses. 

Schools across the district are working to meet a 25 percent increase in people needing assistance in the Lubbock area and LISD campuses play a vital role in meeting this ever-growing need.  Lubbock ISD collected more than 96,000 pounds of food and cash contributions exceeding $4,600 last year.  

Talkington seventh graders Madeline Cushman (left) and Marie Cook-Hardaway (right) pose for a photo with NASA Flight Director Ginger Kerrick.  Kerrick spoke to Talkington students on November 18. As students in Mrs. Henrick's Journalism Newsletter class, Cushaman and Cook-Hardaway were chosen to interview Kerrick.

This evening and tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., December 2 and 3, the Coronado High School theater department will offer tasty treats for the palate and the funny bone with Christmas Follies 2011-Winter Dessert Theater!  The evening will consist of two original plays and yummy desserts from United Market Street.  The first play, Not Another Christmas Story by CHS senior Sydney Pasma, takes a more contemporary approach to the Charles Dickens classic tale of Scrooge by replacing the 19th century elderly miser with a modern-day selfish teenage girl.  The second play, Operation: Silent Night by CHS senior Evan James revolves around a kidnapping of Mrs. Claus.  Both plays are light-hearted family fare and will be performed in the "black box" theater, room 109.
 

Advance tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children.  Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children at the door.  Tickets may be reserved by calling 766-0655 before 4 p.m. each day.  Seating and the desserts are limited, so call now. 

Hailey Pena, a fourth-grade student in Natalie Firenza's reading class at Parsons Elementary answers reading comprehension questions on her Neo2.  Neo2s, keyboard devices designed to enhance student learning and engagement, and are one of the technology components of the 2010 bond program.  

Members of the All-Lubbock Marching Band will perform together in uniform for the first time on Saturday, December 10 during the Miracles Parade on 34th Street. The parade begins at 6 p.m. at Coronado High School, 34th and Vicksburg, and ends at 34th and University. The band will debut the new uniform jackets they will wear in the Tournament of Roses Parade. 

FOR RENT: 3/2/2 home in southwest Lubbock, approximately 1,100 s/f. $950 per month plus deposit. Smoke-free tenant. Call 785-8174 or email daflor08@gmail.com.
FOR SALE: 3/2/2 home located at 6705 Chicago Avenue in Whiteside, Irons and Coronado district. $155,000. If interested, please call 789-2297 or 786-9444.
FOR SALE: 2000 Dodge Durango with third row seat. 5.9L V8 engine. Good condition with power windows and doors, cassette/CD stereo system and cruise control. New battery, brakes and tires. Vehicle has been well maintained and recently serviced. $3,000. Please call 789-7466.
FOR SALE: 2005 Chevy Uplander with rear DVD entertainment system, seating for seven, new tires, rear parking assist and more. Super clean and road ready. 112K miles. $6,950. Call Chris at 928-0972 for further information or e-mail klamums@hotmail.com for pictures.
FOR SALE: 2011 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH travel trailer. 29 feet long and sleeps six to eight. AC/heat, three burner range with oven, microwave, shower/tub, flush toilet and plenty of storage. Must sell, price drastically reduced to $12,975. New 2012 models list for $24K+. Call 729-3949 or email robertedwards@lubbockisd.org
FOR SALE: Christmas trees and decorations, washer and dryer, beds, dressers, linens, dishes, tables with chairs, bicycles, toys and more. Please call Jeff at 793-6332 or 512-351-6465 to schedule appointment to view items.
FOR SALE: Beautiful medium oak entertainment center with storage. Smoked glass doors on left side and wood cabinet beneath. $75. Please call 789-7466.
FOR SALE: King-size Simmons Beautyrest mattress and box springs in great condition. $300 OBO. Please call 786-0333.
FOR SALE: Honda 18-inch commercial mower/trimmer. $600 OBO. Please call 789-3013.
FOR SALE: York 80,000 BTU up-flow furnace. Like new, used only two months. $700. Call 252-2066 for more information.
FOR SALE: Blue grey loveseat in excellent condition. $75. Call 798-1985.
FOR SALE: Mizerak eight foot pool table with seven cue sticks and all accessories. Black and red felt in good shape. Valued at $700-$800, asking $400. Call 241-6710 if interested.
FOR SALE: Barbie jeep, like new with rechargeable battery. Would make a great Christmas gift for your little princess. $75 OBO. Call Lori 786-6576.
FOR SALE: Old Singer sewing machine and cabinet. Would make a great decorator piece. $50. Antique baby cradle $75. Please call 793-3578 after 5:00 p.m. or email tureste@lubbockisd.org if interested. Will consider offers.
FOR SALE: Washburn bass guitar in great condition. Used only four times. $200 OBO.  Please email cmrogers@lubbockisd.org or call 773-9985 for more information.
FOR SALE: New twin-size, pink quilt. $20. Twin-size, white eyelet bed skirt. $5. Two floor-length pink and white curtain panels. $5. Various pink and white shabby chic picture frames, like new. Adorable pink and mocha wall prints from Hobby Lobby, set of two. $10. Vintage, pink chenille bedspread with some damage. $5. Other decor items for little girl's room, all in new condition. Text 317-2215 for more information.
FOR SALE: GE 3.4 cubic feet white washer and dryer. $150. Please call 789-7466 for more information.
FOR SALE: Two, oak student desks (chair with attached arm). $50 each. Right-handed with the lower book rack, purchased from Texas Tech years ago. Some writing on the desk tops from the students who once sat in them, which could be sanded off if desired. Email tgreen@lubbockisd.org or call/text 790-4531.
FOR SALE: Four brand new black and white decorative plates, purchased from Market Street. One is white with black Eifel Tower and PARIS on it; the other three are very striking black and white flourishes. Paid $36, will for $15. Text 317-2215 for more information.
FOR SALE: Brand new IP concert snare sticks, Firth TI Timpani mallet, IP medium yarn mallet, Kaces jumbo stick bag and Yamaha keyboard percussion. $225 for everything. Call 438-8984 if interested.
FOR SALE: Bowflex TreadClimber TC 3000. $1,500 OBO. Mat included, manual, digital control panel with weight, steps and speed controls. The treads can move up and down or remain stationary like a regular treadmill. Get an early start on your New Year's resolution. Call or text 790-4531, or email tgreen@lubbockisd.org.
FOR SALE: White, well-kept T-Mobile Samsung SGH-T559 cell phone. Full side flip key board. Valued at $400, will sell for $150 OBO. Please call 831-4623.

SERVICE: Let me paint your TOMS! Bring me your TOMS and I will decorate them to reflect your personality. These will make great Christmas gifts and I can usually have them back to you within a week or less. $25 per pair or $30 if you would like to add "bling". Call or text 790-4531 or email tgreen@lubbockisd.org.
SERVICE: Don't stress or worry about an unclean house, I will clean or decorate your home for the holidays. Call 438-8984 for estimates.
SERVICE: There is still time to transfer your VHS tapes to DVD's before Christmas. $10 per tape. Email vintagevacations@yahoo.com, cruzermom02@yahoo.com or call 441-6799.
SERVICE: Personalized children's books and music. Make your child a star! Christmas special, books $12.95 + tax each and music CD's $14.95 + tax each. Letter from Santa also available. $7. Call Janet Ryan at 786-9345 or email jryan@lubbockisd.org.

CHEERS: To all LISD campus nurses for their continuous dedication to giving the students and staff on their campuses great health care. LISD is so lucky to have you all!--Darla Thomason, Health Services
CHEERS TO: Aimee Ayers, sixth-grade science teacher at OL Slaton MS for completing her first marathon (26.1 miles) at the San Antonio Rock-n-Roll Marathon on November 13. Great job Aimee!--Kristi Starr, OL Slaton MS
CHEERS TO: Pam Pierce, PE teacher at Wheelock ES and Taunya Randolph, PE teacher at Murfee ES for completing their first half marathon at the San Antonio Rock-n-Roll Marathon on November 13. Way to go ladies!--Minnie Perez, Rush ES
CHEERS TO: Diandra Warden, Roberts ES counselor for doing an outstanding job scheduling events for Red Ribbon Week at Roberts ES. You're the best!--Shirley Hutchins, Roberts ES
CHEERS TO: Amy Hancock, PE teacher at Honey ES for her many hours of work putting together the LISD cross country meet for elementary students. It was a huge success and all of the runners did an awesome job! Thanks also to Coach Torres, Coronado HS, Coach Gallagher, Monterey HS, and their cross country teams for helping the day of the meet. Hip, Hip Hooray!--Minnie Perez, Rush ES
ON BEHALF OF: The Lubbock HS administration, faculty, and staff, we would like to recognize and thank our new attendance officer, Jennifer Quinones, on a fantastic start to the 2011-2012 school year. Jennifer has been a tremendous addition to the Lubbock HS family and we are extremely appreciative of all her hard work and dedication to the students at Lubbock HS.--Chad Elliott, Lubbock HS
CHEERS TO: Margaret Randle, principal at Wheatley ES for allowing the Fine Arts department to use their ticket tumbler for The All-Lubbock Marching Band Lexus give away on November 4. Also, thanks to David Wragg, art instructor at Wheatley ES for giving the ticket tumbler a new paint job and delivering to our office. Thanks a million!--Will Burks and Bobbie Sorensen, Fine Arts
CHEERS TO: Larry Bichsel, choir director at OL Slaton MS and the OL Slaton Madrigal Singers for their outstanding performance at the Lubbock Area United Way Victory Report Luncheon on November 29. You made LISD look great. Way to go Knights!--Linsey McCutchin, CCR 

CONGRATULATIONS TO: George and Juanita Guevara on the birth of their granddaughter Mia, on October 28. George is the attendance officer for Quadrant II and Juanita is a retired LISD teacher/counselor. Mia joins big brother Reyes Guevara. 

SYMPATHY TO: Shelly Reid, English teacher at Estacado HS on the loss of her daughter, Anabell Reid.