Dickinson High School will celebrate the Class of 2014 with a Graduation Ceremony planned for 7 p.m. Friday, June 6 in Sam Vitanza Stadium on the Dickinson High School campus.

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.

Dickinson ISD

will offer live streaming of the graduation ceremony that evening on the district's website at www.dickinsonisd.org

for family and friends unable to attend the ceremony.

For more information about graduation and details on the high school's plan in the event of inclement weather,

click here.

May is Better Speech

and Hearing Month

With 8%-9% of young children suffering from speech disorders, May's Better Hearing and Speech Month is the perfect time for parents to learn how to recognize the early signs of these disorders. Speech, language, and hearing disorders are among the most common disabilities in the United States.

However, unlike many other disabilities, these disorders often are reversible and even preventable with early intervention. In young children, early treatment can help prevent them from falling behind academically, socially, and in other key areas at a critical time in their development.

During the month of May, we suggest all families familiarize themselves with the early signs of these disorders and not assume a child will "outgrow" speech or language difficulties.

Week of May 19, 2014

Memorial Day is a regular school day...

Dickinson ISD campuses planning special Memorial Day programs

Patriotic music and programs and Memorial Day lessons will be part of the school day in Dickinson ISD on Monday, May 26. This day is now a regular school day in Dickinson ISD for students and staff since the district was closed on January 28 due to heavier than normal winter weather. The Texas Education Agency is requiring school districts to make up any days missed and Memorial Day was one of the designated bad weather makeup days on the 2013-2014 school calendar.

With students at schools, Dickinson ISD is using the opportunity to host special programs and other events in recognition of Memorial Day to honor and remember those men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Teachers are also incorporating Memorial Day lessons and activities into the day.

In addition, Dickinson ISD employees are participating in a "Jeans for Troops" fundraiser with employees donating $5 to wear jeans to work on Memorial Day. The proceeds will benefit the GI Go Fund, which assists returning veterans with their transition back to civilian life, by providing employment and educational opportunities as well as providing a direct path to their benefits. Here is a list of campus programs and events planned for Monday, May 26. Parents are invited to attend.

Bay Colony Elementary
Students will have a Patriotic Sing-Along in the gymnasium throughout the day during their "specials" time of art, music or physical education.

Calder Road Elementary
The school will host a Memorial Day Program and Ceremony at 9 a.m.

Hughes Road Elementary
A Memorial Day Program with all grade levels singing songs will be held from 9:15-10 a.m. Kindergarteners will participate in a Patriotic Parade through the school at 2:40 p.m.

K.E. Little Elementary

The school will host a Memorial Day Music Program from 8-8:30 a.m.

San Leon Elementary
The school will host their annual Talent Show at 1 p.m., followed by a Patriotic Sing-Along at 2 p.m.

Silbernagel Elementary
The school will host a Memorial Day Program at 2 p.m.

Barber Middle School
The school will host a Memorial Day Program at 8:15 a.m. featuring the drama, art, band and music students. During the day, each subject area will have lessons related to Memorial Day. Some of the highlights include hearing from guest speaker Army Specialist Monique Rodrigues, creating murals, completing a Civil Air Patrol activity that investigates flight and aerodynamics, learning about the Vietnam War, and more.

Dunbar Middle School

The school is planning a Memorial Day Program at 8 a.m. including music from band, choir and music students, a memorial from the drama department and a slideshow presentation from the art department.

McAdams Junior High
The school is hosting a care package collection to have items donated to send the troops through the organization HOME (Helping Our Military Endure). Armored vehicles will also be on display at the school for students to see during lunch.

Dickinson High School
The school is creating a "Lip Dub" to the song, "Living in America."

District welcomes Amy Smith and Kristi Peterson
as new Principals at Bay Colony and Hughes Road

Principal Amy Smith

Bay Colony Elementary

After an extensive search, Dickinson ISD has selected two new principals for its Bay Colony and Hughes Road Elementary campuses. Former Assistant Principal Amy Smith will move to the position of principal at Bay Colony and Kristi Peterson from La Porte ISD was chosen for Hughes Road. The two were selected out of more than 50 applicants for the position.

"Amy Smith is a great fit as principal of Bay Colony Elementary," DISD Superintendent Vicki Mims said. "She works well with the students, parents, and staff members and has a vision to improve student outcomes and lead the campus to even higher academic performance."

"We are excited to have Kristi Peterson as the new principal at Hughes Road Elementary. Her enthusiasm, passion for students, and high academic expectations for all children make her a wonderful addition to our district," Mims added.

Smith has 21 years in education, with the last three being at Dickinson ISD. Her first year in DISD was spent as an assistant principal at Calder Road Elementary before moving to Bay Colony. She takes over for Kathy Velghe, who retired from the district earlier this semester.

"As a campus principal I want to help teachers increase the rigor of their instruction for the benefit of all students," Smith said. "My vision is to help students learn academic content at a more rigorous level and be able to apply concepts across subject areas in meaningful ways so that they have a wider range of comprehensive skills. I will do this through focused data driven discussions with the teachers who are responsible for lesson delivery. At Bay Colony we will develop a culture of collaboration so that each individual teacher can be stronger and more skillful in reaching each individual student."

Principal Kristi Peterson

Hughes Road Elementary

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Business Administration in Elementary Education from the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Before DISD, she worked in Texas City ISD as an assistant principal.

Peterson has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in Education and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston - Clear Lake in Educational Management. She currently serves as assistant principal at La Porte Elementary. She takes over for Trish Lankford, who is the district's new Director of Career and Technology and Career Readiness.

"I am very excited to get started at Hughes Road," Peterson said. "I had heard so many great things about Dickinson ISD and the reputation they have for their kids. I am going to be a part of that. I look forward to many great things at Hughes Road."

Peterson started her new position at Hughes Road on May 19.

Several assistant principal positions
make moves to new campuses

Elementary school students will notice a new face on their campus as several assistant principals have been moved to different campuses this month to get them familiar with the campus before the start of the 2014-2015 school year.

Current Calder Road Elementary Assistant Principal Hayde Lopez is now the assistant principal at Hughes Road Elementary. Hughes Road Elementary Assistant Principal Deanna Goodlet has moved to the same position at San Leon Elementary. San Leon Elementary Assistant Principal Sherri Blackburn is the new assistant principal at Bay Colony Elementary. The district is currently interviewing for a new assistant principal at Calder Road Elementary.

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