News from Lubbock Independent School District

Today is the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week, and The Reporter encourages all students, parents and staff to send a message of gratitude to a teacher who made a positive impact on their life. To acknowledge a current LISD educator, visit the district web site and select "District Info and News" from the red navigation bar across the top of the announcements, then simply select "SHOUT OUT" from the blue pull-down menu.

Teachers carry a tremendous responsibility that extends far beyond imparting knowledge. They support, encourage, nurture and cultivate the young people who will be the leaders of tomorrow. Additionally, they lead by example to help instill character traits like determination, perseverance, self reliance and the pursuit of excellence.

Students receive Harrington Scholar grants

Three Lubbock ISD seniors were recently selected to receive the prestigious Don and Sybil Harrington Scholarship. The students were selected on the basis of their academic achievements and their determination to succeed as Harrington Scholars as they pursue degrees in mathematics, science or engineering.

The LISD recipients are Ruth Long and Andrew Cook from Lubbock High School and Lindsey Lewallen from Monterey.

Each recipient was eligible to receive up to $20,000 for the pursuit of their educational goals with awards of $5,000 for each year of their college studies, up to four years. The students will have to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and continue their studies in an approved field.

The Don and Sybil Harrington Scholarship Endowment was established at the Lubbock Area Foundation in late 2006 with a gift of $3 million.

UMC
Ladies Night
May 17

Thanks for limiting streaming video use

In response to an April 30 memo from Technology Support, there has been a reduction in the use of streaming video. This reduction has helped preserve the integrity of existing core instructional programs which use internet video. "We appreciate the way district personnel have cooperated," said Terry Driscoll, executive director of technology support.

On February 23, an announcement was made relaxing the district's staff filtering policies specifically in the areas of social networking and streaming media. "At the time, it was anticipated the district's internet provider, at&t, would be increasing the bandwidth during March. However, our current estimate is that at&t will not complete the upgrade until this summer," Driscoll said.

Users will receive notification once resources have improved. Employees should continue to refrain from using streaming video sites (i.e. YouTube, Pandora, SchoolTube, Hulu, Hudl, etc.) unless it is absolutely necessary for instruction.

Contact information for state legislators

Senate District 28

Sen. Robert L. Duncan

1500 Broadway,
Suite 902

Lubbock TX 79401

Phone: (806) 762-1122

Web site / email

House District 84

Rep. John M. Frullo

4601 50th St, Suite 216

Lubbock TX 79414

Phone: (806) 763-2366
Web site / email

House District 83

Rep. Charles Perry

11003 Quaker Avenue, Ste. 101

Lubbock TX 79424

Phone: (806) 783-9934
Web site / email

Council PTA announces scholarship winners

The Lubbock ISD Council of PTAs announced the PTA scholarship student winners at the spring awards luncheon on May 10. Each scholarship recipient plans to enter the teaching profession and received $1,000 to put toward their education. Scholarship recipients pictured above (L to R) are: Kayla Moody, Coronado; Kelsey Garcia, Coronado; Benjamin Jackson, Estacado; Lauren White, Lubbock High; Dominique Scott, Estacado and Jasdmere Barnes, Monterey.

The council also announced the end-of-year PTA awards. The Shirley Igo Outstanding Service award recipients are Kathy Hargrove, Whiteside ES, and Vernita Woods-Holmes, Board of Trustees. The winners of the Diane Pierce Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award are: Stacy Harvey, Whiteside ES; Sharon Johnson, Hutchinson MS; and Liz Lonngren, Lubbock HS. Educators of the Year are: Stacy Comer, Smith ES; Lisa Gilbert, Irons MS; and Melissa Durham, Talkington. The Elsie Smith Presidential Award winners are: Kathy Branch, Whiteside ES; Cray Pickering, Hutchinson MS; and Tiffany Robinson from Monterey HS. Linsey McCutchin, LISD Communications & Community Relations, was the winner of the Texas Life Membership Award and Karen Thornton, Waters ES principal, won the Extended Service Award.

Winners for the Outstanding Directory are Smith Elementary and Evans Middle School. Whiteside ES won the outstanding newsletter award, while Hodges ES and Hutchinson MS won for outstanding publicity/scrapbook. Outstanding Membership Chairman winners are Tracee Hoffman from Roscoe Wilson ES and Kati Adams from Evans MS. The Eadie Armstrong Outstanding PTA winners are Roscoe Wilson ES, Evans MS and Lubbock HS. Roscoe Wilson ES won the attendance award for having the most in attendance at the luncheon.

Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to the Council of PTAs for their service to LISD.

Board helps teachers with reimbursement

At their board meeting and workshop on May 10, the Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees voted to provide classroom teachers in the district with a check for $339.91 as an expression of appreciation, which includes compensation of $250 and an additional $89.91 to cover the required withholdings. The funds are intended to reimburse teachers for materials already purchased or for materials which will be purchased in preparation for the coming school year. The teacher checks were funded by a generous donation to the school district. The donor will be announced at a press event on May 17.

Historically, teachers have often used their own monies to purchase supplies for their classrooms. With the implementation of new state assessments and the necessary alignment of the curriculum to prepare students for the new tests, the need for the replenishment and updating of classroom materials has been even greater than usual.

Lemonade Day across Lubbock ISD

Many Lubbock ISD students participated in the recent Lemonade Day activity on May 5. Shown above are (clockwise from lower left) Christian Medina from Harwell Elementary, Tia Branscome from Maedgen Elementary and Katy Needham from Haynes Elementary.

Fiscal year change for dental plan

Lubbock ISD will be changing its fiscal year to July 1 effective this summer. The district will also change the Dental Reimbursement plan year from September 1 to July 1. The plan year for Dental Reimbursement will be July 1 to June 30. This means that employees will have the advantage of a ten month reimbursement year for the 2011-2012 plan year and begin a new reimbursement year on July 1, 2012 instead of September 1, 2012. "Beginning the plan year two months early seems to be an advantage for district employees," said Bill Tarro, director of risk management. For additional information, please contact the Risk Management office, 766-1109.

Mustang soccer standout signs with LCU

Coronado High School Head Soccer Coach Monte George (left) poses with Lady Mustang soccer forward Ryann Blount (center) and Lubbock Christian University (LCU) Assistant Women's Soccer Coach Lauren Denning (right) at a signing event earlier this week. Blount, the highest scoring player on the Lady Mustang soccer team this year, will play soccer for LCU.

Graduations scheduled, LISD-TV set to cover

Commencement exercises for Lubbock ISD seniors have been scheduled for Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, and will take place in the United Spirit Arena on the Texas Tech University campus. Coronado High School seniors will be the first to walk across the stage on May 25 at 6 p.m., with Monterey, Estacado and Lubbock High ceremonies following on Saturday.

Coronado          Friday,      May 25   6 p.m.        USA
Monterey          Saturday, May 26   9:30 a.m.   USA
Estacado          Saturday, May 26   1 p.m.        USA
Lubbock High   Saturday, May 26   4:30 p.m.   USA

LISD-TV will be videotaping the graduation ceremonies for each high school and will have DVDs for sale for $25. The ceremonies will be played back on LISD-TV the week following graduation for those who prefer to DVR them. A programming schedule and DVD purchase information can be found at http://lisdtv.lubbockisd.org/.

Pop Tart drive goes through tomorrow

United Supermarkets is teaming up with the Junior League of Lubbock to help at-risk students throughout the Lubbock Independent School District with a Food 2 Kids Pop Tarts drive now through Saturday, May 12.

Lubbock shoppers can donate toaster pastries at any of the city's nine United, Market Street or Amigos stores simply by purchasing and placing them in specially marked bins at the front of each store. Shoppers can also make a two dollar donation while at the check out.

All donations go to provide food to children who are potentially at high risk of suffering from hunger over the weekends.

Campuses celebrate Cinco de Mayo differently

During the Dunbar College Preparatory Academy Cinco de Mayo (photo on left) student Salvador Rodriguez plays guitar with his father Juan. In the photo on the right, Cavazos students were treated to a traditional piñata breaking. Blindfolded sixth grader Lizzeth Ramirez prepares to swing.

Teacher of the Year and finalist videos

If you'd like to know more about the 2012 Teacher of the Year winners and finalists, visit this web site to watch video vignettes about them.

Swap Shop, Cheers and LISD Family News

FOR SALE OR RENT: 3/1, FSBO or rental, cute starter home. North side, across from Wright ES. Please call 252-8155 for more information.
FOR SALE: 3/2 home located at 3505 83rd Drive. 1945 s/f with huge game room, covered patio, tile and brand new heater, A/C and compressor. $129,950. Please call 252-3875 if interested.
FOR SALE: 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport, 4x4, 42K miles. Hard top, soft top, two door, five speed, 2.5 liter. $10,000. Please call 928-5475 for more information.
FOR SALE: Bodyworks family membership with access to all Bodyworks facilities (excluding Women's). Year round pool privileges and discounts on birthday parties. One year left on contract (expires May 2013). $119.06 per month. Please email sarahcsmith@lubbockisd.org with your phone number and I will get back with you ASAP.
FOR SALE: Beautiful light, white-washed wood dining table with tile top and six chairs in excellent condition. $200 firm. Text or call Janey at
543-4510 if interested or for pictures.
GARAGE SALE: Fri. May 11 and Sat. May 12, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. 1900 block of 67th Street, entire block sale. Lots of good, cheap items.
GARAGE SALE: Sat. May 12, 8:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. 3618 68th Street. Huge garage sale! Lots and lots of teacher items, children and adult clothing, household items and so much more. You won't want to miss it!
WANTED: Used, black refrigerator in good condition. Please call Danny at 778-0677.
WANTED: Tennis racquets that you no longer want. I would love to have them and will pick them up. Please call Karen at 407-7200.

CHEERS TO: Natalie Anderson, fifth-grade teacher at Wheatley ES, on setting up and maintaining such a fabulous Twitter page for her campus. Nice job!--Communications & Community Relations. ♦ Talkington School for Young Women Leaders for helping assemble and deliver goodie bags for the Foundation for Excellence golf tournament. You girls are such hard workers and so much fun. You rock!-Linsey McCutchin, Communications & Community Relations.

CONGRATULATIONS TO: ♦ Coach Chad Jones and wife, Tammy, on the birth of their son, Tanner Alan on April 23. Chad teaches US History and is women's athletic coordinator and head volleyball coach at Coronado HS.
♦ Heather and Jody Bolin on the birth of their daughter, Linden Elizabeth on May 1. Jody teaches social studies and coaches tennis at Evans MS and Heather teaches choir at Evans MS. ♦ Megan and Robert Rush on the birth of their daughter, Olive Morrow June on April 24. Proud first-time grandparents are Kora and Ray Rush, creative services manager at LISD-TV. ♦ Pat Johnston, Family and Community Engagement Specialist, on the birth of her twin grandchildren, Harper Grace and Hayden Timothy. Babies were born March 30 to proud parents Meredith and Chad Salge of Dallas, Texas.

SYMPATHY TO: ♦ Ken Potter, husband of Tommi Potter, Data Clerk at Coronado HS for the past five years and previously at Estacado HS. Tommi passed away on April 27th after a courageous battle with cancer.

FAMILY BRAGGING TIME: ♦ Monterey HS senior Oscarr Douglas, son of Gail Douglas, Coronado HS teacher, and Danny Douglas, teacher at Estacado HS, will sign to play basketball with Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK. Oscarr also won a place on the first team all-district basketball as well as a scholarship from the 100 Black Men of West Texas. Coronado HS sophomore Duncan Douglas, younger brother of Oscarr, also made the first team all-district basketball, new comer of the year basketball, first team all-south plains basketball and first team all-academic basketball and football.

RETIREMENT RECEPTION: ♦ Roscoe Wilson ES invites you to a retirement reception honoring Holly Jo Camp and Annelise Chenault on Monday, May 14 at 3:45 p.m. in the Roscoe Wilson library. ♦ Please join us for a retirement reception at Coronado HS library on Monday, May 14, 4:15-5:30 p.m. We will honor Dennis Chance, Lynn Haley, Melinda McGaugh, Jonnette Piercy, Mary Jane Sampson, Rebecca Snider, and Phil Sutherland. Presentations will begin at 4:30 p.m.