News from Lubbock Independent School District

The 2012 March of Dimes "March for Babies" fundraising event will be held on Saturday, April 28 at Mackenzie Park, 600 E. Broadway. The Lubbock March of Dimes will host a fantastic event filled with fitness and fun.
Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. followed by a four mile walk beginning at 9:30. Please call the Lubbock March of Dimes office for fundraising or registration questions at 797-6771.

FFE Golf Tournament preparations in "full swing"

Thanks to Alderson Auto Group, participants in the upcoming Foundation for Excellence golf tournament on May 14 will have an opportunity to win a new car for a lucky hole-in-one. More than 280 golfers are expected to "come out swinging" on Monday, May 14 at Hillcrest Country Club with Alderson Auto Group once again serving as the valued hole-in-one sponsor.
To register for the tournament, please call Linsey at 766-1066. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, individuals and schools. All proceeds benefit scholarships granted to students and teachers for activities and programs related to student academic, leadership and performance development.
Come join the fun on May 14 at Hillcrest Country Club and support LISD students and teachers!

Iles/Wheatley to break ground on April 2

The architectural rendering above depicts the new Iles/Wheatley combined campus. Funded through the voter-approved 2010 Bond Program, groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m. just outside the current Wheatley Elementary library.

Incredible edible art at Irons Middle School

Irons eighth grader Haley Bray (left) poses with art teacher Nealy Holley (right) and proudly displays her cupcake caterpillar. The edible art project at Irons is a favorite among the students each year.

Students advance from regional science fair

Lubbock High School seniors Rohit Mittal and Adriana Aguilar placed first in the Grade 12 Physical Division. They entered the competition through their Raster-Based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class at the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center (ATC). The title of their research was "Geospatial Analysis Identifies 'Batastic' Locations in Caprock Canyons State Park Suitable for Bat Houses." In addition, Mittal and Aguilar were named the Overall Physical Division Gold Medalists. They also received scholarships from the Texas Tech University Natural Resources Management ($1,500 each) and Engineering departments ($1,000 each) and the Chancellor's Scholarship ($1,000 each). Mittal and Aguilar's project advanced to the State Science Fair being held this weekend in San Antonio.

Trophies were awarded to the top three winners in each category in each grade level: James Bentley from Honey Elementary took first place in the Grade 5 Biological Division; Audrey Caporale, from Murfee Elementary, took second place in the Grade 5 Physical Division; Sophia Medina, from Harwell Elementary, took first place in the Grade 4 Biological Division; Lauren Hutchison, from Roscoe Wilson Elementary, took first place in the Grade 4 Biological Division, and Clara Robinson, also from Roscoe Wilson, took third place in the Grade 4 Physical Sciences Division.

Sweepstakes awards are won by teachers with the highest cumulative point totals for their students in a particular grade level. Amy Rhoads, from Roscoe Wilson, won for fourth grade and Teresa Reed, from Honey Elementary, won for fifth grade.

According to Sandy Hancock, co-director of the SPRSEF, "In addition to the Trophy and Sweepstakes awards there were numerous special awards given out to LISD students and schools. The science fair was very successful and we appreciate LISD's participation."

SkillsUSA students perform well at state

Lubbock ISD students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes competed last weekend in the Texas SkillsUSA competition in Audio Video Production, Automotive Repair and Refinishing, Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Law and Justice and Welding. Of the total 76 students that qualified on the district level to advance to the state competition in Corpus Christi, 57 were awarded medals or ribbons for first, second or third place. Students competed in either Skills, Projects, Technical Tests, Leadership or Quiz Bowl categories.

Two LISD students achieved second-place honors in Audio Video Production in the TV Production Skills category. They are Lubbock High School junior Alejandro Trevino and Monterey High School senior Connor Wheeler. These students recorded video, wrote a script and edited their story in a timed competition.

Also recognized for their efforts are the third-place team in the Law and Justice Quiz Bowl Competition. Estacado High School students Kevin Mathis, Sierra Garcia, Janis Christophe, Darryl O'Quinn and Destiny Romo competed against 21 other teams from across Texas.

Lubbock ISD had twelve first-place, Blue Ribbon, winners in the Refinishing Project from the Automotive Repair and Refinishing class and ten first-place, Blue Ribbon, projects winners in Cosmetology. Skills USA

SkillsUSA competitions provide an opportunity for students to participate in industry-based competitions where they can practice technical skills, teamwork, team building, creativity and management. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to ensure America has a skilled workforce. For a listing of all LISD SkillsUSA winners click here.

Stipends offered for certain certifications

Stipends between $1,500 and $5,000 have been approved by the LISD Board of Trustees for teachers in some areas of high school math and science. The critical shortage area stipends are for specific certification and teaching assignments to assist in recruiting and retaining high quality teachers in the areas of mathematics, chemistry and physics. The areas are: Mathematics 8-12 certified teachers assigned to non-weighted Algebra 1, secondary science composite certified teachers assigned to non-weighted chemistry and physics, and physics and chemistry certified teachers assigned to teach non-weighted physics and chemistry. While based primarily on qualifying teacher certifications and teaching assignments, annual minimum performance standards will also have to be met in order for teachers to qualify for the stipend. Additional information about the stipends is available here.

In 2007, the Texas Legislature initiated a requirement for all students graduating under the recommended graduation plan to have four years of math and science. As the requirement phased in, the need for secondary math and science teachers mushroomed across the state, and teachers already in short supply became even more difficult to find. The stipend program is being funded through federal Title II monies and its continuation is dependent on the availability of local, state and federal funds.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Awareness month, a time to recognize that anyone can play a part in promoting the emotional and social well-being of children and families in the community. Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), in 1974.

Lubbock ISD employees play a vital role in children's lives and educating oneself is the first step to protecting LISD students. For more information about signs of abuse or neglect, please follow the link, www.childwelfare.gov. To report abuse, click, www.txabusehoteline.org.

Austin Symphony to premier work by Lubbock High student

The Austin Symphony Orchestra will premier an original composition by Lubbock High School student Behnam Arzaghi at the second annual Texas Young Composers Concert on Thursday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be in the Dell Hall, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive in Austin.

Arzaghi is one of nine young composers whose works have been chosen to be featured at the concert. The title of his composition is Bleak Dawn. Arzaghi began composing music at an early age and has been scoring for full orchestra for almost three years now. In addition to being a skilled composer, Arzaghi is also an accomplished violinist, placing in the top ten violinists in the Texas All-State Orchestra for the past two years.

Lubbock High School Director of Orchestras Alejos Anaya said, "What impresses me the most about Behnam is the relaxed ease with which he handles his gifts. By talking with him, you would never know that he was a violin virtuoso and composer who has already been accepted into the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, California, one of the nation's elite music schools, because he would never bring it up unsolicited. His demeanor is so easygoing and mature that it is immediately both relaxing and engaging."

In addition to his orchestral pursuits, Arzaghi plays soccer for Lubbock High, sings in the choir and is a National Merit Finalist.

Swap Shop, Cheers and LISD Family News

FOR SALE: Nook Color, like new. Rarely used and needs an owner. $70. If interested, please call 786-8538.
FOR SALE: Metal lockers, set of eight in great shape. $50. Please call or text 535-2825.
FOR SALE: Hunter brand white ceiling fan. Three speed with 22" blades and three globes. Approximately nine months old. $90 OBO. Please call 789-7767.
FOR SALE: Gorgeous five-piece queen bedroom suite in great condition. Includes bed frame, dresser with mirror, five drawer chest and two night stands. Does not include mattress or box springs. $700. Call/text 786-7163 or email tward@lubbockisd.org for pictures.
FOR SALE: Westminster Ridgeway grandfather clock in great condition. $375.00 OBO. Please call 438-0241 for more information.
FOR SALE: Oak wall unit with folding doors and shelves, will hold a large TV, books and CD's. $350. Three cushion fabric sofa. $75. Two side chairs, $50 each or less if purchased together. 37" Sanyo color TV. $200. 1998 Cadillac in mint condition with 83K miles, nice leather and all electric. $6,500. Please call 745-7443 or 778-5563.
GARAGE SALE: Sat. March 31, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 3801 106th Street, (on Memphis Avenue side between 106th and 107th). Toys, Advocare, men's, women's and girl's clothing, shoes, stroller, car seat, jewelry, perfume, gifts and more.
GARAGE SALE: Sat. March 31, 8 a.m. 4419 49th Street. We are moving and have a wide variety of items for sale.
GARAGE SALE: Sat. March 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 10702 Knoxville Avenue, off Indiana Avenue. Three family sale with lots of miscellaneous.

CHEERS TO: Lisa Powell, PE teacher at Waters ES on being a 2012 recipient of the Newton Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Beaumont Foundation. This is extremely prestigious award and the Waters ES staff is very proud of Lisa!--Karen Thornton, Waters ES

CONGRATULATIONS TO: ♦ Congratulations to J'Mea Randolph-Casteneda, kindergarten teacher at Waters ES on the birth of her son, Konnor Domingo, March 9. ♦ Congratulations to Allison Wideman, kindergarten teacher at Waters ES and Chad Wideman, PE teacher and coach at Hutchinson MS on the birth of their son, Brady, March 12.