February 20, 2015
RECOGNITIONS
Irving ISD Celebrates National AP Award
More than a thousand Advanced Placement (AP) students, teachers and supporters packed into the Irving High School auditorium Wednesday to celebrate Irving ISD’s National AP District of the Year Award. The celebratory assembly featured
performances by the Irving High School drum line, cheer squad, JROTC color guard and choir students.
Adam Grinage, Ed.D., associate superintendent for academic services, emceed the event, which included speeches by Superintendent Jose Parra, Ed.D., MacArthur AP Calculus teacher Jeff Tillerson and MacArthur High School senior Joseph Trujillo. A congratulatory video by Governor Greg Abbott was shown and high school
principals and AP teachers recognized 155 AP Scholars, 24 AP Scholars with Honors and 23 AP Scholars with Distinction. The event concluded with the presentation of the AP District of the Year Award by Dr. Richard Middleton, vice president of the southwestern regional office of The College Board and The College Board Trustee Paul Weaver to Dr. Parra and Irving ISD Board President Larry Stipes.
In addition to the ceremony, Irving ISD and the National AP District of the Year award were also mentioned during Governor Greg Abbott’s State of the State
Address in Austin Tuesday. Superintendent Parra was invited to attend the address, where Governor Abbott declared Irving ISD “the very best ISD for advanced
placement in the entire United State of America.” You can watch Governor Abbott’s remarks and congratulations to Dr. Parra during his State of the State Address about 15 minutes into this video.
Schulze Elementary Takes Home “Best in Show” at Annual ICE Awards
At the 15th Annual ICE (Irving Celebration of Excellence) Awards on Thursday, Schulze Elementary School earned the coveted Best in Show ICE Award for its Family Math Night at Fiesta Supermarket. Staff and students from Schulze
Elementary said taking over the grocery aisles of the local Fiesta Supermarket has never been so much fun or educational. Teachers partnered with Fiesta to create a parental involvement program called Family Math Night where students applied math skills in a friendly and engaging environment as the neighborhood
supermarket was transformed into a hands-on classroom. Schulze walked away with the ICE Award trophy and a $5,000 prize.
At the ICE Awards, students and staff from a number of Irving ISD schools were recognized for their achievements in seven different categories. The crystal award winner in each category was:
Category Elementary
School Division Middle School Division High School Division Humanities T. Haley E.S. -
#socialREADia
Travis M.S. – Battle of the Books
Cardwell Prep – Senior
Documentary Teen Parenting Math/Science Schulze E.S. –
Family Math Night at Fiesta Supermarket
Travis M.S. –
Algebra PALS Cardwell Prep – Junior Achievement Finance Park Fine Arts Elliott E.S. –
Mini DaVinci’s Present Art After Hours Lamar M.S. – Performance Series at Carnegie Hall Irving H.S. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream Physical
Education/Athletics Farine E.S. – Family Fitness Fun Night
Bowie M.S. – 7th grade boys undefeated football and track teams
Irving H.S. – Undefeated volleyball team Community
Service/Citizenship J. Haley E.S. – Socktober Austin M.S. – Houses for Change: Raising $ for Homelessness Irving H.S. – Football team community service Special
Campus/District Pierce E.C.S. – Outdoor Learning Classroom
Bowie M.S. – Cubbies for Cancer Scholarship Fund Cardwell Prep – ALLIANCE: Student Men’s Group Impacts Character Parent Involvement
Activities Kinkeade E.C.S. – Collaborating for Success Bowie M.S. – Parent Involvement Center Cardwell Prep – “I Dream a
World” ESL Adult English Class
Britain Elementary Inducts First NEHS Members
In its inaugural ceremony, Lee Britain Elementary School inducted 25 fourth- and fifth-grade students into the National Elementary Honor Society on January 29. Dr. Adam Grinage, associate superintendent of academic services, and Hallema Jackson, Britain Elementary School principal, addressed the young scholars. Each student lit a candle that symbolized their commitment to excellence.
Membership into NEHS is open to fourth- and fifth-grade students with a cumulative grade-point average of 85 percent or better and who exhibit good character.
Candidates must receive one teacher recommendation and exemplify leadership qualities, which includes all A’s in student conduct. Candidate’s attendance history also receives strong consideration.
ATHLETICS
Lady Cardinals Advance in State Basketball Playoffs
The MacArthur Lady Cardinals basketball team defeated Lake Highlands on
February 17 to advance to the area round of the state playoffs. The Lady Cardinals will play Killeen this Friday, February 20, in Glen Rose at 7:30 p.m.
Cardinals, Vikings Qualify for State Basketball Playoffs
The District 9-6A Champion MacArthur Cardinals and the Nimitz Vikings boys’ basketball teams have qualified for the state playoffs. Both teams compete in the Bi-District round of the playoffs on Tuesday, February 24, at The Colony High School. MacArthur takes on Richardson Pearce at 6:30 p.m., and Nimitz faces Richardson at 8 p.m.
Irving ISD Well-Represented at State Wrestling Meet
Each of the Irving ISD high schools will be represented at this week’s state wrestling meet at the Curtis Culwell Special Events Center in Garland. The state meet will consist of the top 16 wrestlers in the state within their respective weight class. Laura Borja (1st place, 95 lb. weight class) and Roberto Salmeron (3rd place, 113 lb. weight class) will represent Nimitz. Emmanuel Oni (3rd place, 138 lb. weight class) will represent MacArthur. Alonzo Herrera (1st place, 113 lb. weight class) and Samir Mussa (alternate) will represent Irving HS.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
MacArthur Student Earns State Honor
MacArthur Career and Technical Education student Hannah Edwards was
Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Edwards will travel to New York City in March as part of the annual NFTE Global Showcase.
HOSA Heads to State
The Irving High School and Jack E. Singley Academy HOSA chapters made their presence known at the Area 3 HOSA contest hosted by Irving. Students who placed in the top three of each category qualified for state competition in April at the Anatole in Dallas. The state qualifiers from Irving High School include:
Luis Govea, human growth and development, 1st place Jacqueline Portillo-Andrade, clinical nursing, 1st place Singley Academy students who advanced to state are:
Shamimma Mst and Sreya Chamathil, CPR/First Aid, 1st Emily Villegas, dental science, 1st
Brennan Miene and Siam Hashan, EMT, 1st Jella Samonte, nursing assistant, 1st
Daisy Aguilar, speaking skills, 1st
Pascaline Ibe and Yarelli Rojas, CPR/First Aid, 2nd Subatra Khan, dental science, 2nd
Afza Mohammed, Angelina Agu, Batul Shakir, Fatimeh Behnia, Sakina Vohra; parliamentary procedure, 3rd
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
FAFSA Workshops – February 21, 26, March 3
The Academic and Career Counseling Services Department will host free FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) workshops for parents of seniors at district high schools as follows:
• February 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Irving • February 21, 12 to 4 p.m., Nimitz
• February 26, 6 to 7 p.m., Singley Academy • March 3, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., MacArthur
The FAFSA is required for any student applying for college and university financial assistance. These workshops provide parents of seniors the opportunity to meet with financial aid professionals and school counselors who will help complete the forms needed to apply for grants, work-study, scholarships or loans. Please bring the following:
• 2014 Tax Information (students and parents) • W2 forms
• Tax Return
PreK Discovery Festival – March 28
Irving ISD will host its PreK Discovery Festival from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 28 at Singley Academy (4601 N. MacArthur Blvd.). Families with young children are invited to learn how PreK in Irving ISD can prepare their child for kindergarten and beyond. The festival will feature interactive learning stations, a mascot and princess playzone, refreshments, games, face painting and more. Parents will learn about PreK qualifications, benefits and curriculum.
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