The La Porte ISD family was shocked and saddened by news of the charges against former LPISD trustee Larry Cox. The charges are out of character with respect to the Board member that we knew.

On Jan. 6, subsequent to a conversation with Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham, Mr. Cox resigned from his position on the Board for personal reasons. Upon recommendation of Mr. Graham, the Board held a called meeting on Jan. 11 to formally accept Mr. Cox's resignation. The Board appointed former trustee Gene Horn to serve in the Position 4 seat, and Mr. Horn accepted, effectively completing the resignation process as required by law.

At the Jan. 19 regular meeting of the Board, trustees called for a regular election on May 8 for Positions 6 and 7 and a special election for Position 4. The candidate elected to Position 4 will serve the remaining two years of the term.

Mr. Cox worked in LPISD as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal from 1974 to 2002. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2007 and was re-elected in 2009.

LPISD respectfully refers all questions about the investigation to the La Porte Police Department or the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

At the Jan. 19 meeting of the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees, the Board approved a change to the 2009-2010 instructional calendar.  The change added a student early release day on Thursday, March 11, to accommodate campus open houses for parent conferences.  Below are the links to the revised elementary and secondary calendars.

Revised School Calendars and Letter to Parents

 La Porte ISD has earned 30 Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the Texas Education Agency for student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test.

The Gold Performance Acknowledgment (GPA) system acknowledges districts and campuses for high performance on indicators other than those used to determine accountability ratings. These acknowledgements are only awarded to campuses in districts rated Academically Acceptable or higher.

According to Linda Wadleigh, LPISD deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, the district as a whole earned a Gold Performance Acknowledgement for Commended Performance in social studies. In addition, the district increased the number of acknowledgements earned in the areas of math and science, the hardest growth areas, from 2008 to 2009, she explained.

LPISD campuses received the following Gold Performance Acknowledgements:

• La Porte High School-Texas Success Initiative in English Language Arts (ELA)

• La Porte Junior High School-Commended Performance, Social Studies

• Lomax Junior High School-Commended Performance, Social Studies

• Baker Sixth Grade Campus-Commended Performance in Reading/ELA and Math; Comparable Improvement in Reading/ELA and Math

• College Park Elementary-Commended Performance in Math and Science; Comparable Improvement in Reading and Math

• Heritage Elementary-Commended Performance in Science; Comparable Improvement in Reading/ELA

• La Porte Elementary-Commended Performance in Math and Science, Comparable Improvement in Math

• Lomax Elementary-Commended Performance in Reading/ELA, Math, Writing, and Science; Comparable Improvement in Reading and Math

• Jennie Reid Elementary-Commended Performance in Reading/ELA, Writing, and Science

• Leo Rizzuto Elementary-Commended Performance in Reading/ELA, Math, Writing and Science

"We are extremely proud of our campuses for their hard work and commitment to increasing student performance.  To achieve academic gains in a year challenged by Hurricane Ike illustrates the importance our school community places on high quality education for all students," Wadleigh said.  "Students and teachers alike worked very hard to keep their focus on learning, and these results demonstrate their outstanding efforts and tremendous dedication."

In a called meeting on Jan. 11, the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees appointed former trustee Gene Horn to serve in the Position 4 slot until the May 8 election.

Horn was selected to fill the position vacated by Larry Cox, who submitted his resignation from the Board due to personal reasons on Jan. 6.

Horn previously served on the LPISD Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2007. A long-time La Porte resident, he is originally from the Corsicana area and earned his degree in engineering at the University of Houston. After working over 30 years in engineering, he now owns his own home inspection business.

Horn and his wife, Charlotte, have three grown daughters--Linsey Allnatt, Emily Horn, and Jennifer Horn.

La Porte ISD Board of Trustees member Larry Cox, for personal reasons, has submitted his resignation from the Board as of Jan. 6, 2010.

The Board will be meeting early next week to take appropriate action with regard to the resignation.

"There's no place like home" was the slogan on the T-shirts of Bayshore Elementary School teachers and staff as they welcomed students to the new Bayshore on Jan. 4. For the first time in over 15 months, the Bayshore family is together under one roof, and the first day "back home" was quite a reunion.

"It is absolutely beautiful," Bayshore enrichment specialist Sandra Warren said of the new facility.  "It's perfectly suited for the needs of Bayshore students and the community."

The former Bayshore, located at 301 Fairfield, was heavily damaged following Hurricane Ike, and students were relocated by grade level, with their same classmates and teachers, to five other La Porte ISD elementary schools. 

When it was determined that the damage was such that students and staff would not be able to return to the old Bayshore, LPISD quickly began planning to provide a new school for residents of the Shoreacres/southeast La Porte area. The new Bayshore is located at 800 McCabe Road.

Parents who walked in with their children on the first day in the new school expressed their excitement about the new facility. 

 "It's great," said Megan Williams, mother of second grader Michael Williams.  "I know the kids have been real excited.  It's nice, it's new, and they deserve it after everything they've gone through this past year."

In addition to enjoying the new building, parent Heather Thompson is happy "because I don't have to go to two schools now."  Her three children-fourth grader Tatelyn Hartwell, second grader Kara Thompson and kindergartner Clay Thompson-are once again on the same campus.

"We like it," added Brittani Chapman, whose daughter, Madison Chapman, is a Bayshore second grader.  "She was excited.  She's been up since early this morning!"

"Awesome!" was the word Madison used to describe the new school.

As parents signed in at the front office and then stepped into the main corridor, their first view was of the archway entrance to the library. The archway was created with bricks from the former Bayshore and includes the cornerstone from the original school. 

Several fourth- and fifth-grade students helped direct children to their new classrooms, located in grade-level pods off the main hallway.  Many students enjoyed breakfast in the cafeteria, which is separated from the gymnasium by walls that can be retracted to create a large multi-purpose space for assemblies and other gatherings.

Teachers were all smiles as they greeted their students and showed them their new classrooms.

 "I think it's beautiful! I love the space-it's going to take a while to get used to the long walk to the gym!" teacher Scottie Anderson said with a laugh.  "I think it's going to be wonderful once we get acclimated."

 "I like it very much," agreed teacher Sara Woods. "It's gorgeous. We're just so excited to be together again."

Bayshore students in kindergarten through fifth grades moved to the new school for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year.  Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education, explained that children in the prekindergarten and preschool program for children with disabilities (PPCD) programs remained at their host campuses so that they did not have to make the transition to a new school.  In early spring, principals and administrators will begin working on placement of special programs for the 2010-2011 school year, she said.

The dedication ceremony for the new Bayshore is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the school cafeteria. The public is invited, and parents and other interested citizens will have the chance to tour the new school.

Activities will also include the official leveling of the cornerstone by the Grand Lodge of Texas, hosted by La Porte Masonic Lodge #857, at 4 p.m. A shuttle service will be available from Bay Forest Golf Course, 201 Bay Forest Dr., beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Tours of other new LPISD facilities made possible by the community's support of the 2005 bond program will be available during open houses scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.  Citizens will have the opportunity to visit the new Instructional Technology Center, located on the Baker Sixth Grade Campus; Support Services Center, 2015 Sens Road; Agricultural Science Center, 2015 A Sens Road; and the Physical Education Center and renovated competition gym on the La Porte High School campus.  Bayshore will also be open for tours during this time.

For more information, please call the LPISD Communications Department at 281-604-7001.

La Porte High School freshman Melissa Hinojosa was one of six students selected to serve on a student panel at the Virtual School Symposium 2009. The event, sponsored by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL), was held on Nov. 16 at the Hilton Downtown Convention Center Hotel in Austin.

Melissa participated in a discussion on online learning led by Susan Patrick, iNACOL chief executive officer. Student participants were asked questions about the online classes they have taken, including how online learning has made a difference in their education and how it has helped them to prepare for their future.

Over 1,200 individuals were present during the student panel discussion, according to LPISD Board of Trustees Vice President Jim Schul, who attended the conference.

" Melissa did an outstanding job of representing La Porte ISD at the Virtual School Symposium, and I am so proud of her," Schul said.

La Porte ISD has recently opened a new Instructional Technology Center (map). During the move to the new facility, the district web site content was relocated to a backup site to make sure that it was available while the fiber optic network was moved.

While at the backup site, the email log froze and some of the messages and questions that should have been forwarded as email to district employees were held up. When the web site content was relocated back to La Porte, the emails were all sent. All messages to the district web site are now being forwarded correctly.

If you recently sent a message to the district through the web site and have not yet received a response, please accept our apology.  The emails have been received and we will reply as soon as possible.

La Porte ISD had added a new online resource for parents, the CSCOPE Parent Portal, where parents can go to learn more about the curriculum in their child's classroom. Research has confirmed the positive impact of parental involvement on their child's academic performance. In addition, we have received feedback from our campuses that their students' parents would like to have access to information about their child's curriculum.

The CSCOPE Parent Portal currently contains:

• three videos (one each on vertical alignment, the Instructional Focus Document (IFD), and the 5 E model), 
• helpful websites for parents in each content area, and 
• access to the concepts and key understandings for every unit in each content area at each grade level (just click on the subject and grade level from the drop-down list).

In the future, we plan to add sections with frequently asked questions, additional videos, and other helpful information for parents.  To access this site, please go to http://www.cscope.us/parentportal. (This link will be permanently available from the main LPISD web page, in the right column under Quicklinks.)

The top 100 academic achievers in the La Porte High School Class of 2010 were recognized at a dinner in their honor on Nov. 12.  The event, held in the LPHS Student Center, was sponsored by the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation.

Helen Crowder, president of the Foundation, congratulated and encouraged students as she spoke to them during the event.  "Life is like a picture," she told them.  "Paint your picture beautiful!"

Also in attendance were Marilyn Sims, member of the Foundation Board of Directors, and a number of LPHS and La Porte ISD representatives.  During the program, honorees also heard from Lloyd Graham, LPISD superintendent; Kathy Green, president of the LPISD Board of Trustees; and Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal.

The honorees were recognized individually, with each receiving a personalized sweatshirt denoting their achievement.

The top 100 members of the Class of 2010 include Jonathan Abbott, Kurt Adams, Andrew Adler, Courtney Allen, Caitlyn Avina, Krystle Bain, Bernadette Baker, Patrick Blume, Heath Bottoms, Shelby Bray, Elizabeth Bright, Danielle Ceron, Christian Cervantes, Aric Cisneros, Joshua Conatser, Marshall Copous, Desiree Dawson, James Dossey, Ashley Drew, Brittney Druckenbrodt, Michael Duncan, Edgar Estrada, Warren Febbo, Celina Fontenot and Nicholas Frobenius.

Also honored are Michael Galvan, Chealsy Gans, Angelina Gaspero, David Giang, Max Godinez, Anita Granados, William Green, Mayra Gutierrez, Herman Haggerty, Jessie Hampton, Gabrielle Hart, Daisy Hermosillo, April Hernandez, Rebekah Hernandez, Taylor Holt, Meghan Isbell, Brittany Johnson, Dana Johnson, Michael Jones, Jonathan Klinkerman, Amanda Ladd, Maegan Laiche, Robert LeBlanc, C.J. Martin and Justin Martin.

In addition, top students are Joshua Martinez, Sierra McCaleb, Katie McKinley, Megan McNair, Amy Melancon, Mason Moore, Victoria Mouton, Brienna Nelson, Levi Noble, Andrew Parker, Chanse Parra, Brittany Peake, Americo Perez, Jessica Pierson-Turner, Dustin Porier, Heather Prigmore, Jason Ramirez, Vanessa Rios, Rebecca Robson, Alexander Sabadosa, Jesse Sanchez, Quinton Sartor, Julia Schmidt, Jacob Stamps and Paige Teague.

The top 100 honorees also included Amber Tempel, Zachary Thomas, Allan Thompson, Brenda Torres, Bryce Tracy, Linda Trevino, Brittany Turner, Jeremiah Turner, Kelsi Ural, Joshua Van Horn, Midori Ventura, Leticia Villarreal, Taylor Wachel, Samantha Wakefield, Michael Walters, Daniel Ward, Lindsay Waters, Marissa Weghorst, Brett Welch, Alana White, Marc Whitmore, Jared Williams, Ryan Williams, Cody Witucki and Devin Zemanek.

  La Porte High School senior Ryan Williams was one of 25 outstanding students honored at the Greater Houston High School Football Scholar-Athlete Luncheon sponsored by the Touchdown Club of Houston on Nov. 11.  The event was held at the J.W. Marriott in Houston.

  The luncheon recognized starters on Houston area high school football teams who were judged on athletics, academics and citizenship.  Honorees were nominated for the honor by the head football coaches at their respective schools.

"Ryan has been a key to the success of our football program the last season and this season," said LPHS head football coach Jeff LaReau, who nominated Ryan for the award. "His leadership as our starting quarterback was one of the keys to our four-round playoff run in 2008 and is also an important factor in the success we are having in the 2009 season."

  Each of the finalists received a certificate from the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame as well as a $500 scholarship.  Their names also will be entered into the database at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana. The top three finalists received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. 

  Guest speaker was Dr. Rod Paige, seventh U.S. Secretary of Education, and retired KHOU sports director Giff Nielsen was master of ceremonies.  

  Ryan, the son of Bill and Robyn Williams, is a two-year starter and All-District honoree in football as well as a three-year varsity baseball player named to the All-District Team.  He was also named to the All-Greater Houston Baseball Team and was selected for the Texas Rangers Area Code Tryouts.

  In addition, Ryan is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and National Honor Society and was recently selected to the Homecoming Court.  He participates in the First Baptist Church of Pasadena Youth Ministry and has served as a volunteer and coach for the La Porte Boys Baseball Association.

The school district requests comments, questions, and preferences from parents and community stakeholders regarding the proposed 2010-11 school calendar options.  The district point of contact is David Knowles, email knowlesd@lpisd.org .  Feel free to email Mr. Knowles directly with your ideas.  Thank you for your support and involvement.

On Saturday, October 24, students from Region 19 met at Pasadena Memorial High School and auditioned for placement in one of two Region 19 Orchestras. Tryouts were heard by a panel of five judges and consisted of two etudes.  Nine students from La Porte High School were selected.

Selected to the Philharmonic Orchestra were violinists, Khadijah Erskine, Miguel Archundia, and Aleena Velasco. The Philharmonic Orchestra is an all-string orchestra and is geared toward younger high school students as well as older students who have not had much instruction.

Selected to the Symphony Orchestra were violinists Joseph Redd and Giovanni Fuentes; violist Michael Walters, cellist Katrina Hilson; and Bassists Robert Green and Chanse Parra. In addition, Brandon Wood was the first alternate on viola. The Symphony Orchestra is a full orchestra of strings along with the highest ranked wind and percussion players in the Region as selected by tryouts for the Region Bands later in December.

Bassists Robert Green and Chanse Parra both continued on to the Area competition on October 31, at Dobie High School in Pasadena. Both bass players recorded audition tapes consisting of etude music from the region audition and excerpts from the All-State Orchestra programs to be performed in San Antonio in February of 2010. Recordings made by students representing all 30 regions of Texas will be judged by orchestra directors across the state the first weekend in November with the top students chosen to perform at the 2010 TMEA All-State Convention. Each year over 30,000 band, choir, and orchestra students participate in All-Region and All-State audition process.

The Region Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras will rehearse the weekend of January 22 and 23, 2010, at Deer Park High School. All students chosen will audition for chair placement at the beginning of rehearsals. A performance for the public will be given on Saturday afternoon, January 23rd, at Deer Park High School.

Region 19 consists of school districts on the east side of the metro Houston area, including Pasadena, South Houston, Humble, Atascocita, Kingwood, Galena Park, Deer Park, and La Porte.

The La Porte Junior High School eighth-grade B football team captured the district championship on Nov. 4.  The team , which was undefeated, played McAdams Junior High and won the district title, 24 - 20.  Congratulations to the Bullpups! 

The varsity girls' cross country team advanced to the regional meet for the 20^th straight season by placing third at the district meet on Oct. 30.   The regional meet will be held Saturday, Nov.7, in Humble. The team secured a third-place finish behind the strong effort of Imani Mark, who finished third overall, and  Nikki Rhea, who was the number two runner on the team, finishing in 17^th place.  Others running were Connie Lindsay, Meagan Lindsay, Allie Hyder, Courtney Butler and Anna Richburg.

The Junior Varsity, led by Alexus Brown, who finished in first place overall, won the district championship with a low score of 42 compared to runner-up Deer Park's 64 points.  The girls had an outstanding performance with Ashley Reister, 7^th; Marian Palacios, 9^th; Jackie Reyes, 12^th; Kristie Coleman, 13^th ; Nicole O'Guinn, 17^th and Kayla Blanchard, 18^th. 

  Bayshore Elementary School students and staff are celebrating the news that their campus has officially earned an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency.

  Bayshore was one of five La Porte ISD campuses that met the standards for Exemplary status based on student performance on the 2009 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) testing. However, due to state crisis coding following Hurricane Ike, Bayshore was originally categorized as "Not Rated: Other."

  The original school, located at 301 Fairfield in Shoreacres, was flooded during the storm, and students were relocated to five other campuses by grade level and classes.  The agency extended the crisis coding to campuses that were dealing with the impact that the hurricane had on their schools.

  Following the release of state accountability ratings in August, La Porte ISD appealed the "Not Rated: Other" ranking, asking Texas Commissioner of Education Robert Scott to change Bayshore's rating to Exemplary.  Superintendent Lloyd Graham received a letter from Scott on Oct. 28 confirming that the appeal had been granted.

  "In spite of the challenges of moving to a different campus, and with many of our students and staff coping with the ways that Hurricane Ike impacted their own families, our Bayshore Elementary students made outstanding progress and performed well on state-mandated testing," Graham said. "Throughout the year, they maintained their focus on educational excellence, and they are truly deserving of this Exemplary rating."

  Because of extensive damage to the former facility, Bayshore students spent the remainder of the 2008-09 school year at their host schools as the district began construction of a new Bayshore Elementary at the corner of McCabe Road and Highway 146.  Bayshore students and staff will again have cause for celebration when the new school opens in January 2010.

  The La Porte High School Bulldog tennis team is the District 22-5A champion and will compete in the first round of the regional meet at Clear Lake High School on Friday, Oct. 30.  The Bulldogs will play Clear Creek High School at 7:45 a.m.

  According to Coach Tom Shope, the team entered the season with 14 returning players.  Led by nine seniors, the team went undefeated in District 22-5A play and entered the district tournament as the number one seed, with a record of 15-2 (7-0 in district play). 

  At the district tournament, the Bulldogs defeated the Dobie High School Longhorns in the semifinals to enter the Oct. 24 showdown against Deer Park High School. La Porte defeated Deer Park 10-5 to win the district championship.

  "What a season to remember," said Shope.  "These types of seasons don't come around very often.  I am so proud of these guys; they have worked hard all season for just this reason."

  La Porte ISD was recently named CSCOPE Outstanding Mentor District for the district's leadership in guiding other districts as they begin using the kindergarten-through-12^th grade curriculum management system.

  According to Lindy Haley, curriculum and instruction assessment coordinator for Region VI Education Service Center, LPISD was chosen for the honor for providing service and assistance to incoming CSCOPE districts.  She and Dr. Melinda Perzan, Region VI component director for curriculum, instruction and assessments, presented the award to LPISD at a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.

  Haley praised the efforts of Linda Wadleigh, deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education, for their work in helping other districts. 

  "Being a mentor meant that (Linda and Isela) were always willing to answer questions for new districts coming on and were always there to give ideas and support," Haley said.  "They were wonderful at helping other districts."

  Haley noted that LPISD also agreed to be a hub for area districts, offering training at the district every six weeks.

  According to information from Region VI, CSCOPE is a comprehensive, customizable, user-friendly curriculum management system built on the most current research-based practices in the field.  Haley told Board members that the curriculum is currently in over 600 districts across the state of Texas.

 La Porte High School senior Jesse Sanchez has been named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program based on his outstanding scores on the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

 Jesse is among approximately 34,000 students who will receive letters of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

 Jesse, the son of Lori and Mark Lambert, is involved in Voices for Africa, National Honor Society, Earth Care Organization, Photography Club and Anime Club. He plans to study engineering at the University of Texas or Texas A & M University or enter the U.S. Army to become a combat engineer.

La Porte High School senior Jesse Sanchez, center, is congratulated on being named a National Merit Commended Student by senior counselor Al Nolen, left, and principal Joanne Kolius.

"La Porte ISD has been chosen as the 2009 Business of the Year honoree by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce. The district will be recognized at the Annual Business Excellence Awards Dinner hosted by the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region at the Hilton Americas-Houston on Oct. 19.

"As a member of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, the Chamber annually honors one member organization based on outstanding contributions to the area by overall economic impact and community involvement. 

"While some people may think that the school district is not technically a business, we all know that it is-your business is teaching students," said Colleen Hicks, president of the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, in making the announcement to the LPISD Board of Trustees at a recent Board meeting. "But in addition to that, you have a huge economic impact on the community, and many of you and your employees serve in leadership capacities in the community, so we are very pleased to present this."

"Honorees selected by Chambers of Commerce in the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region also will be featured in a presentation during the dinner, Hicks explained.

"We in La Porte ISD are very grateful to have the support of parents, community members, area leaders and business and industry partners who genuinely care about our students and their success," Graham said. "The La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce continually demonstrates our community's commitment to quality education, and we are honored to be the Chamber's selection as Business of the Year."

"Past honorees have included Las Hadas Mexican Restaurant, 1988; Roelof's Antiques, 1989; Main Properties, 1990; Bayshore Sun, 1991; Bayshore National Bank, 1992; Force Corporation, 1993; La Quinta Motor Inn, 1994; La Porte State Bank, 1995; Mechanical Repair and Engineering, 1996; Pfeiffer and Son Electric, 1997; Les Marks Chevrolet, 1998; Du Pont La Porte Federal Credit Union, 1999; Petro-Chem Refrigeration, Inc., 2000; Forrest Services, Inc., 2001; Kroger, 2002; Ruede M. Wheeler, DDS, Inc., 2003; Houston Yacht Club, 2004; Gringo's, 2005; Fischer's Hardware, 2006; Bayou City Industrial Contractors, Inc, 2007; and Amegy Bank of Texas, 2008."

Texas Department of State Health Services
NEWS RELEASE
September 29, 2009

Dial 2-1-1 for Flu Advice

Texans can now dial 2-1-1 to receive over-the-phone medical guidance about what they should do if they or a family member have flu symptoms.

The state's 2-1-1 health information helpline is now staffed with medical professionals who can provide information about managing flu symptoms and advice on when to seek medical care from a physician or emergency room.

"We want to help people make informed decisions about how to care for themselves and their families," said Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. "Most H1N1 and seasonal flu cases can be successfully treated at home, without having to go to the doctor or without an unnecessary trip to the emergency room."

The guidance is not intended to replace specific instructions people receive from their physicians, Lakey said.

The 2-1-1 staff also can provide general flu information and vaccine availability information for individuals and health care providers. Calls are answered round-the-clock. Callers are instructed to choose a language and then press "6" for flu information and guidance.   

Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat that usually come on suddenly. Most cases are relatively mild to moderate and do not need emergency treatment. Most people who have H1N1 flu or seasonal flu just need appropriate fluid intake, fever-reducing medication, rest and careful monitoring, Lakey said. Recovering at home also lessens the burden on the health care system.

People with underlying health conditions who think they have the flu should contact their health care provider.

The flu information and guidance service is provided through a DSHS contract with the 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

For more information about flu in Texas, visit DSHS' www.TexasFlu.org .

Nineteen La Porte High School students or recent graduates have been named Advanced Placement Scholars in recognition of their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 18 percent of the nearly 1.7 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students' performance on AP Exams.

According to Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal, three students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are Adam Kley, Kellie Roop and Jack Swearingen.

Five students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Andrew Adler, Mayuri Bhakta, Edgar Estrada, Gabriel Fluentes and Taylor Ralston.

Eleven students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Sarah Barnett, Sara Carney, Molly Duncan, Brittany Ellenberg, Celina Fontenot, Jonathan Machemehl, Brittany McDonald, Jennifer Morgan, Madison Payne, Sydnie Suggs and Michael Walters.

AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admissions process. At LPHS, 16 different college-level courses and exams are offered through the AP program. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation's leading liberal arts and research institutions.

According to information from the College Board, more than 3,600 colleges and universities annually receive AP grades. Over 90 percent of four-year colleges in the United States provide credit and/or placement for qualifying exam grades. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,600 schools, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board services seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the Advanced Placement Program.

La Porte High School 2009 graduates Christina Gallegos, third from left, and Sarah Torrez, fourth from right, are awarded $2,500 Farmers Way scholarships by David Sewell of Sewell Insurance Agency this summer.  From left are Joanne Kolius, La Porte High School principal; Sewell; Gallegos; Brenda O'Banion, LPHS AVID teacher; Torrez; Judy Hicks, LPHS senior counselor; David Drake, LPISD deputy superintendent for administration and operations; and Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent.

Once in a while in these days of economic turmoil, opportunities arise to reward achievement and hard work while building a better community for the future. This summer, two young hard working La Porte High School graduates have reaped the benefits of a local business putting something back into the community that drives their business results.

Christina Gallegos and Sarah Torrez, members of the AVID Program at La Porte High School, were recent recipients of "The Farmers Way" Scholarship, provided by David R. Sewell of Sewell Insurance Agency, a representative of Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. At the recent award presentation attended by school officials and family members Sewell stated, "As a former graduate of La Porte High School, it is a great honor to have an opportunity to jump start these two young people's future and to promote such a great program as AVID. Education is a vital part of our community and I am so proud to be a part of a company, Farmers Insurance, that truly believes in education and the concept of putting something back into the communities that we make our living from."

The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program believes that education is the key to success. It is a college preparatory program open to all students with the mission of ensuring that students will succeed in an advanced rigorous curriculum. The involvement of parents is a priority as each student is instructed to participate in mainstream activities of their school, striving to become educated and responsible participants and leaders in society.

 "The AVID program is extremely appreciative for the support of Farmers Insurance and David R. Sewell.  Their actions have made a great impact in the lives of these two motivated and hard working young women who are committed to earning a college education," acknowledged  Senior AVID advisor Brenda O'Bannon.

Christina Gallegos ranks in the top 21% of the 2009 graduating class and intends to become a nurse. She is enrolled at San Jacinto College in the fall and is thrilled about her scholarship. "Our community is very lucky to have people like Mr. Sewell, that help people meet their educational goals," she said.

Sarah Torrez is a 2009 LPHS Honor Graduate with plans to one day become a teacher. She will be attending the University of Houston and is ready to begin a new chapter in her life.

"I thank the AVID Program for providing a great deal of support and guidance during high school to achieve my goal of attending college. I am also thankful to David Sewell and Farmers Insurance for 'The Farmers Way' Scholarship. It will truly help in achieving my future goals," she said.

Sewell's hope is that this partnership with the AVID Program will turn into an annual event and that other businesses will follow his lead and support local schools and the community in general.

"It is so rewarding to give back to the community. The families of Christina and Sarah should share in their accomplishments and be extremely proud of their character and work ethic," he said. "These two young people represent the future leaders of our community. It is truly special to be a part of something so powerful."

  The La Porte Education Foundation held its annual Breakfast with the Stars on Aug. 17, bringing in over $11,000 to enhance education in La Porte ISD schools.

  The event, which was held at Heritage Elementary School, showcased the efforts of teachers who were awarded grants by the Foundation during the 2008-09 school year.  Over 400 community members, business and industry representatives, and teachers were in attendance to show their support for education in La Porte. 

  Rick Ewan, president of the La Porte Education Foundation, served as master of ceremonies for the event.  Music was provided by the LPISD string quartet of faculty members Debbie Barker, Rachel Carlton and Clint Brown and La Porte High School student Katrina Hilson.

"The La Porte Education Foundation's Breakfast with the Stars brought our entire community together to celebrate the start of another school year in La Porte ISD," Ewan said.  "We greatly appreciate the support of the many business and industry representatives and community members who attended this annual event to help us recognize our 'Stars,' the outstanding teachers who were recipients of Foundation grants during the 2008-09 school year.  Thanks to this support, the breakfast brought in over $11,000, which will help the Foundation to award approximately $70,000 in grants to deserving educators during the 2009-10 school year."

The guest speaker was Linda Larsen, who discussed "How to Stay Right Side Up When Everything's Upside Down."  Larsen has worked in the field of education for almost 20 years as a guest adjunct faculty member for two Florida State University graduate programs and Stetson Law School.  She also is the author of True Power, which is based on her real-life experience of being kidnapped by an escaped convict and held hostage at gunpoint for over five hours.

The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation was the Solar Spectacular breakfast sponsor for the event, with numerous other companies and individuals serving as breakfast or table sponsors. 

The event also included a silent auction for items donated by Foundation directors and Friends of the Foundation as well as a text-message auction for a generator donated by DuPont.

Ewan recognized 2008 grant recipients, noting that the Foundation awarded 83 grants totaling almost $70,000 this year.  Foundation Board members are currently preparing for the 2009-10 grant cycle, with grant applications due by Sept. 25.  Applications are available on the LPISD web site at www.lpisd.org.

The mission of the La Porte Education Foundation is to enhance education by funding innovative, creative instructional projects for students and teachers in La Porte schools.  To date, the Foundation, established in 1993, has awarded 714 grants totaling over $602,693.

These grants have impacted 823 teachers and all 12 LPISD schools.  In addition, the Foundation has awarded over 70 student scholarships through designated funds and sent 40 La Porte High School students to China through the Global Studies Exchange Program.

  For more information on the La Porte Education Foundation, call the LPISD Communications Office at 281-604-7001.

Students who are zoned to Bayshore Elementary School are attending five other La Porte ISD campuses while the new Bayshore facility is being constructed at 800 McCabe Road.  The new school is expected to open for the spring semester of the 2009-2010 school year.

Bayshore students began attending school at these host campuses after  Bayshore Elementary was damaged during Hurricane Ike.  In anticipation of the opening of the new facility in January 2010, La Porte ISD wanted Bayshore students to make as few school moves as possible.  Therefore, most Bayshore students will remain at the same host campus they attended during the 2008-09 school year.  Locations are listed below:

• Prekindergarten and Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities-La Porte Elementary, 725 S. Broadway, 281-604-4700 (will remain at La Porte Elementary for entire 2009-2010 school year)
• Kindergarten and first grade-Heritage Elementary, 4301 East Blvd., 281-604-2600
• Second grade-Lomax Elementary, 10615 North Ave. L, 281-604-4300
• Third and fourth grades-Rizzuto Elementary, 3201 Farrington Blvd., 281-604-6500
• Fifth grade-College Park Elementary, 4315 Luella, 281-604-4400

For more information, click on the school links above or contact the host school.  Information is also available at the Bayshore Elementary campus web site.  Questions about LPISD elementary campuses may also be directed to the Elementary Education Office at 281-604-7030.

  La Porte ISD is celebrating the success of district students on 2009 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) testing.

  Five LPISD campuses met the standards for earning Exemplary ratings from the Texas Education Agency based on student performance.  This marks the first time that multiple campuses have attained this distinction during a school year, according to Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent.

  Exemplary campuses include Baker Sixth-Grade Campus, Jennie Reid Elementary School, Heritage Elementary School and Lomax Elementary School.  Bayshore Elementary School also officially met the standards for Exemplary status but is listed as "not rated" due to state crisis coding following Hurricane Ike; Bayshore students were relocated to five different elementary schools after the storm caused significant damage. 

  LPISD is appealing Bayshore's "not rated" categorization, and Graham expects that Bayshore will be added to the Exemplary list.

  College Park and Leo Rizzuto elementary schools were named Recognized Schools, just missing Exemplary distinction by a small margin.  La Porte High School, La Porte Junior High School, Lomax Junior High School and La Porte Elementary School earned Academically Acceptable ratings, as did the district as a whole.

  "I am extremely proud of our La Porte students and staff for making such outstanding progress in spite of the challenging circumstances our community faced this school year," Graham said.  "Although we are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of our Exemplary campuses, it also bears noting that students at other campuses made significant gains across the board, and these improvements are indeed cause for celebration as well.  The growth throughout the district is a result of the tremendous commitment of our students, parents and all employees, and I commend them for their efforts."

  State accountability ratings are based on the performance of all students tested at each school as well as the performance of student subpopulations (African American, Hispanic, White and Economically Disadvantaged) that meet the minimum size requirement.

  More information on accountability ratings is available on the Texas Education Agency web site at http://www.tea.state.tx.us.

Parents of incoming seventh graders need to be aware that immunization laws have changed, and most incoming seventh graders will need three more immunizations (in addition to those previously required) to meet state attendance mandates.

According to LPISD lead nurse Laura Lynch, state law prohibits inadequately immunized students from attending school. Beginning August 2009, students entering seventh grade will be required to show proof of the following new immunizations:

1 MCV4 (meningococcal) immunization

2 Varicella (chickenpox) immunizations

1 Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and Pertussis) immunization, unless the student can show documentation of a tetanus vaccine received within the past five years.

Lynch urges parents to obtain these immunizations right away to avoid being inconvenienced by possible localized vaccine shortages or long waits. Parents of students who will attend La Porte Junior High School are asked to take documentation of the immunizations to the La Porte Junior High campus this summer. Parents of students who will attend Lomax Junior High should take their documentation to the Baker Sixth-Grade campus, as the Lomax Junior High staff has relocated there this summer due to construction.

"If you wait until the first day of school to send in the documentation, your child may be delayed in starting his first day of school," Lynch advised. "Please assist us in helping your seventh grader have a smooth start to the school year."

For the convenience of parents of seventh graders, local immunization resources are listed below:

La Porte Health Center: 1009 South Broadway, La Porte--Charges a sliding scale fee but will provide immunizations free if you are unable to pay. Call 281-471-4202 for clinic hours and to verify vaccine availability.

Southeast Community Health Clinic: 3737 Red Bluff, Pasadena--Charges a sliding scale fee but will provide immunizations for free if you are unable to pay. Call 713-740-5000 for clinic hours and to verify vaccine availability.

Pasadena Health Center: 908 East Southmore, #100, Pasadena--Charges $5.00 per vaccine. During August the fee will be just $5.00 for as many vaccinations as a student needs. Call 713-554-1091 for clinic hours and to verify vaccine availability.

La Porte EMS Headquarters: 10428 Spencer Hwy, La Porte--Free immunizations offered the 2^nd Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 281-471-9244 for more information and vaccine availability.

July Free Mobile Immunization Clinics

July 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., San Jacinto Mall, 6900 Garth Rd., Baytown (HDTP)

July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., La Porte Elementary 725 South Broadway, La Porte (HCPHES)

July 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pasadena Town Square Mall (HDTP)

July 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sagemont Church, 11300 South Sam Houston Parkway (HCPHES)

August Free Mobile Immunization Clinics

Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Houston High School (enter Gym on Edgebrook) (HCPHES)

Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Neighborhood Center, 720 Fairmont, Pasadena (Ronald McDonald Care Van)

Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Channelview ISD, 828 Sheldon, Channelview (HDTP)

Aug. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Deer Park High School, 402 Ivy, Deer Park (HCPHES) 

Aug. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Strawberry Health Center, 927 E. Shaw, Pasadena (HDTP)

Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dabbs Elementary, 302 East Lambuth, Deer Park (HCPHES)

Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Richey Elementary, 610 South Richey, Pasadena (HDTP)

Aug. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Kohls, 10318 Broadway, Pearland (Ronald McDonald Care Van)

Aug. 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Channelview ISD, 828 Sheldon, Channelview (HDTP)

School Supply Lists are posted on each campus web site, or can be found at the links below:

• Bayshore Elementary
• College Park Elementary
• Heritage Elementary
• La Porte Elementary
• Lomax Elementary
• Reid Elementary
• Rizzuto Elementary

• Baker 6th Grade Campus

May 18, 2009

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to inform you about new guidelines from the U. S. Department of Education (USDE) regarding the collection of data on race and ethnicity for public school students and staff.

The USDE requires all state and local education institutions to collect information on ethnicity and race for students and staff. This information is used for state and federal accountability reporting, as well as for reporting to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The federal government has developed a new standard for collecting and reporting this data in order to provide a more accurate picture of the nation's ethnic and racial diversity. These reporting categories were used in the 2000 Census.

This new standard enables individuals to be identified in both ethnic and racial classifications and in more than one racial category if applicable. In the past, enrollment forms allowed individuals to be identified in only one category.  

Beginning with the 2009 - 2010 school year, we will ask the families of newly enrolled students and all returning students to complete a brief form to collect information on the student's ethnicity and race using the new federal standard. For the first year only, this information will be collected using the current standard as well as the new standard. Beginning in 2010 - 2011, this information will be collected using the new reporting categories only. 

Enclosed is the standard form required by the Texas Education Agency for collecting this information. Please complete the form and return to your child's school by Friday, May 29, 2009. Parents will have an opportunity to re-identify their students' information annually.

Respectfully,

Lloyd W.  Graham
Superintendent of Schools

Ethnicity and Race Data Questionnaire (English | Espanol)

Summer Reading assignments for 6th to 12th grade Advanced Placement classes are now on the district website. Check the link below for grade level reading assignments, suggestions for where to purchase the books, due dates, and reading lists.

• Summer Reading Assignments

20 LPHS students and their chaperons have arrived in Beijing, China to visit their "China Buddies" at Nankai High School (LPHS's sister school).

Today (Thursday) they visited TsingHua University and Quinghua University and then after lunch...the Olympic sites. Pictures are below. You can receive live updates of their trip on Twitter by "following" principal @joannekolius (http://twitter.com/joannekolius).

Their trip is sponsored by the La Porte Education Foundation.

Members of the Facilities Planning Committee and Citizens Bond Committee heard an update on the 2005 bond program and an overview of projects underway during a recent joint meeting of the groups.

The May 14 meeting included a review of the bond project status by Perspectiva, program manager for the La Porte ISD bond program.  VLK Architects presented an overview of the renovations and additions at Lomax Junior High School, and PBK Architects provided an update on several projects.  These projects include La Porte High School Improvements, Package 2, Phases 1 and 2; the new Physical Education Center, Instructional Technology Center, and Operations/Agricultural Science Centers; and the new Bayshore Elementary School.

• Bond Oversight Committee Update
• Bond Program Accounting Update
• Facilities Commitee Update

Parents, please be advised:

PayPams, the online payment system, will not be available during summer vacation beginning Monday, June 8th due to website maintenance.  Student account balances will not be affected and will carryover for use during summer school and next school year.  Students may still prepay for summer school meals with cash or check at the cafeteria.

Please contact the School Nutrition Department for more information at 281-604-6950.

LPISD has scholarships available for Texas Virtual School this summer for Grades 8 - 12

To participate, visit the website at http://www.txvsn.org to review potential Summer School session I courses. Texas Virtual School Network provides:

• Great opportunity to earn additional credits or accelerate credits
• Allows you to fit classes into your busy schedule
• Helps you catch up if you have fallen behind
• Helps prepare you for college or helps you graduate from high school
• Courses available for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters
• Cost varies per course
• Not a correspondence course
• A high level of student-teacher online interaction with participation requirements

Contact your Campus Coordinator/Counselor to review your course choice and align it with your graduation plan, or your career plan, and your schedule.

La Porte High School - Andre Credit - 281-604-7500
De Walt Alternative School - Dr. Gary Holmes - 281-604-6900
La Porte Jr. High - Esther Norton - 281-604-6600
Lomax Jr. High - Dawn Wisnoski - 281-604-6700

Scholarship applications are due by May 22. The application require signatures of parents and the campus coordinator.

For further information you may contact La Porte ISD Coordinator Dr. Vonn Murray, Executive Director of Educational Initiatives and Program Evaluation, or Brenda Vojacek at 281-604-6909.

    Three La Porte High School seniors are among 300 students from across the nation to be named as Dell Scholars for the 2008-2009 school year.  Donalyn Allen, Ana Gonzales, and Oanh Pham each received $20,000 to continue their higher education over the next six years.

  According to the scholarship criteria, Dell Scholars are students who demonstrate their desire and ability to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.  The scholarship program, an initiative of the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, has provided students with $19 million in college scholarships since 2004. 

  In addition, the Dell Scholars program provides students with technology, a private scholar networking community, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a college degree.  The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation believes that funding a significant percentage of the scholars' college expenses will enable these students to focus on their college studies and complete their bachelor's degrees.

"All of these scholars are in our AVID program at LPHS and receiving this honor is a direct result of not only all of their hard work, but all the hard work of their teachers and supporters at LPHS" said Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal.

  Donalyn plans to attend Stephen F. Austin State University, while Oanh will enroll at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Ana at the University of Houston.

  Three La Porte ISD elementary robotics teams brought recognition to their schools and the district at the first All-Earth Ecobot Challenge held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on April 25.

  Over 50 teams from Harris County and surrounding areas participated in the competition.  Students in grades five,six, seven and eight were charged with transforming robots into instruments of change as they built their LEGO creations to "Recycle, Reuse and Reduce Waste."

  Two teams from College Park Elementary School advanced to the finals of the robotics competition, with Team 1 earning 10^th place and Team 2 winning 16^th. Team 1 included Alanis Bing, Yessy Hinojosa, Kevin Clark and Hanna Guerrero, and Team 2 included Braulio Garza, Tommy Freeman, Jacob Edwards and Julienne Agarrado.

  Sponsors of the College Park Robotics Club are principal Deborah Shearer and enrichment specialist Linda Hyde.

  "We are very proud of our students in the Robotics Club and their teamwork for success in the EcoBot Challenge," Shearer said.  "Our students proudly represented College Park and the La Porte School District. We look forward to next year and working for first place."

  Other members of the College Park Robotics Club who attended the event were Luis Atilano, Anthony Atilano, Kylee Duree, Desmond Pelt and Maddie Riggenbach.

  The Leo Rizzuto Elementary School Rizz Kids advanced to the finals of the marketing competition, placing 12^th. Members of the team included Alexis Webb, Bennie Flores, Ashton Cole and Rhett Cook.  The sponsor of the Rizz Kids is fifth-grade teacher Pat McBride.

  "The Lego robotics program is an excellent learning experience for the kids," McBride said.  "They learn the basics of programming and then have to problem-solve to complete a challenge.  The team has to cooperate and share responsibilities to be successful.  At every step of the process, the kids are in control - the coach just acts as a compass."

  The event was hosted by the Education Foundation of Harris County in partnership with the City of Houston Convention Entertainment Facilities Department, Houston Galveston Area Council and Harris County Department of Education.  Other corporate sponsors included Cole Chemicals, Rehak Creative Services, Continental Airlines and Minh Tran, P.C.

  In addition to participating in rounds of competition throughout the day, team members enjoyed a robotics demonstration by Naoki Maru and his sons, who are from Japan.  The Maru family has won numerous championships in the ROBO-ONE humanoid robot competitions.

Parents and community members may have heard that, on the morning of May 7,  La Porte ISD received a report of a second attempted abduction of a student.  Thanks to the expedient professional response of the La Porte Police Department, this report has been resolved.  After speaking with the driver of the vehicle, the investigating LPPD personnel concluded that the situation was misinterpreted by the student and that there was not a threat.  We appreciate the student's quick reaction and the response of the community member who opened his/her home to the student and reported the incident.  Because safety is so important, it is our strong preference that students err on the side of caution.

When today's incident was reported, our campuses and district responded immediately.  We appreciate the quick actions of our employees to ensure the safety of all our children.  La Porte ISD will remain in a state of heightened vigilance until the May 5 incident is resolved.  Thank you for your concern for our students.

Registration for Kindergarten at Lomax Elementary that was scheduled for May 9th will be rescheduled to a future date. Please watch this site for further updates.

  La Porte ISD Board of Trustees President Kathy Green has been elected as second vice president of the Gulf Coast Area Association of School Boards (GCAASB) for the 2009-10 school year.

  Green, who has been a GCAASB member for the past five years, served as secretary-treasurer of the organization for the 2008-09 school year.

  GCAASB is a voluntary organization made up of more than 50 school boards in the greater Houston area.  The mission of GCAASB is to enhance the quality of education for public school children in the Texas Gulf Coast area by providing education and information to local school boards and creating an opportunity for local school boards to impact legislation affecting public schools.

  The dues paid by GCAASB member school boards and associate members, who are supporters of public education, provide state-required training for local trustees at quarterly meetings, produce a regular newsletter, and support educational excellence at the local school level through a scholarship program.

  "The experience that Mrs. Green has gained on her local Board of Trustees will benefit all of the students, staffs and schools in the Gulf Coast Area Association, as it is combined on the Executive Board with the experience of trustees from 14 other school districts," said GCAASB Executive Secretary Jerry Smith.  "That leadership will be meaningful!"

  In addition to Green, trustees serving as 2009-10 GCAASB officers are Marine Jones, president, of Aldine ISD; Jimmy Zepeda, first vice president, Hempstead ISD; Becky Streetman, secretary/treasurer, Huffman ISD; and Kathy Hanson, past president, Tomball ISD. 

Trustees serving as 2009-10 directors include Sarah Winkler, Alief ISD; Pete Vincent, Alvin ISD; Linda Huebner, Columbia-Brazoria ISD; J.T. Floyd, Dickinson ISD; and Greg Meyers, Houston ISD.  Also serving as 2009-2010 directors are Joe Adams, Katy ISD; Steve Symczak, Klein ISD; Frank Braden, Pasadena ISD: Fred Rivas, Sheldon ISD; and Wayne Schaper, Sr., Spring Branch ISD.

According to the University Interscholastic League, Texas UIL schedules have been altered due to the H1N1 (swine) flu. Additional information is available at the UIL web site at http://www.uil.utexas.edu/db/press_release_detail.lasso?-Search=Action&-Table=table&-Database=press_releases&-KeyValue=312

More information on rescheduled La Porte High School baseball games will be posted as soon as the dates are finalized.

La Porte ISD will open its doors and allow students who live outside the district's boundaries to apply for enrollment in the district this year. The district will accept applications for enrollment at all grade levels except Pre-K and De Walt.

Applications are available at each LPISD campus and this website [see below] and must be returned in person to the campus where you are requesting Open Enrollment.

Applications will be evaluated by a small panel of district administrators and approved by the campus principal. Students whose applications are approved will be eligible to attend LPISD schools for the 2009-10 school year.  Applications must be filled out every school year to continue at LPISD.

Parents of students who enroll through the Open Enrollment program are also responsible for transporting their children to and from school.

For more information about La Porte ISD's Open Enrollment program call 281-604-7035.

Open Enrollment Application Form

The girls had a very successful District Meet this week.

Varsity girls scored 170 points. Deer Park was 2nd with 129 and Pearland was 3rd with 127.

• 4x100 Relay placed 2nd  Hannah Smith, Connie Lindsay, Kiara Moore and Montrell Freeman
• 4x200 Relay 3rd Hannah Smith, Melissa Carter, Kiara Moore and Nicole Garcia
• 4x400 Relay 1st  Harmony Phillips, Imani Mark, Nicole Garcia and Connie Lindsay
• Lauren Hebert placed 3rd in the 3200 and 4th in the 1600
• Montrell Freeman placed 5th in the 100 and 4th in the 200
• Imani Mark placed 4th in 800 and 7th in the 400
• Anna Richburg placed 6th in the 800
• Brittany Johnson placed 2nd in the shot
• Jazmyn Randle placed 4th in the shot
• McKenna Schoppe Placed 6th in the Discus
• Sabrina Starr placed 2nd in the 100, 1st in the 100 hurdles and 2nd in the 300 hurdles
• Harmony Phillips placed 2nd in the 100 hurdles and 1st in the 300 hurdles
• Jillian Humphrey placed 3rd in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles and placed 2nd in the high jump, 5th in the long jump and 5th in the triple jump.
• Connie Lindsay placed 1st in the 400 and 3rd in the long jump
• Meagan Lindsay 6th in the 3200

Also participating in the district meet were Megan Schoppe shot and discus Courtney Butler 3200 and Ashley Munoz 800 and 1600. Those placing in the top 3 will complete in the Regional Meet May 1-2 in Humble.

• Jackie Reyes 4x1 & 4x2
• Jasmine Ware 4x1, 2nd in the 100, and 1st in the 200
• Demetria Lister 4x1, 4x2 and 5th in the 200
• Kendall Womble 4x1
• Emma Richburg 4x2
• Sirrah Harris 2nd in the 100 hurdles, 3rd in the 100 and ran a leg on the 4x2
• Raven Moore placed 3rd in the 300 hurdles and ran the 4x4
• Alexus Brown placed 4th in the 300 hurdles
• Danielle Sowell placed 3rd in the 100 hurdles and 1st in the 300 hurdles
• Kristie Coleman placed 3rd in the 400 and ran the 4x4
• Nikki Rhea placed 1st in the 400 and ran the 4x4
• Yesenia Rocha placed 1st in the 800 and ran 4x4
• Marian Palacios placed 4th in the 800 and the 400
• Alli Hyder was 1st in the 3200 and 1600
• Kueresa Munoz was 3rd in the 3200
• Ashley Reister also competed well in the 1600 and 3200
• Brittany Turner 2nd in the shot and 4th in the discus
• Jasmine Singletary 4th in the shot and 2nd in the discus
• Annalisa Garcia 6th in the discus
• Lindsay Holloway ran the 100
• Kayla Cordova ran the 200.

Congratulations goes out to the Boy's Tennis Team as they collectively captured the District 22-5A Tennis Championships this last weekend.

CJ Martin and Jake Stamps fought it out for first and second place with CJ Martin claiming the district championship. Both CJ and Jake will represent La Porte at the regional meet next week.

In doubles action, Nate Brock and Jeramiah Turner took third place with a possible birth in the Regional Meet.

Congratulations CJ , Jake, Nate , Jeramiah , Tyler , Alex, Dalton, Steven; what a great year.

The Girls team lead by Jessie Hampton and Danny Ceron took third place in girls doubles with a possible birth into the Regional Meet also next week.

Great job by all players this week. La Porte was well represented.

La Porte High School students competed in the District 22 AAAAA UIL Academic District Meet at Sam Rayburn High School on April 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We're proud of the students that represented us. The students and coaches listed below earned special recognigion.

Current Events, Deron Entler, Coach

• Bernadette Baker-1st place

Accounting, Joel Fagan, Coach

• Team-1st place Team
• Alexander Sabadosa-2nd place
• Broderick Kearney-3rd place
• Joshua Conaster-4th place

Computer Applications, Sharion Parker, Coach

• Ashley-Ann Millar-5th place

Feature Writing, Journalism; Susan Roberts, Coach

• Lauren Bittler

Informative Speaking, Chris Beasley, Coach

• Jack Swearingen, 1st place
• Jonathan Machemehl, 5th place

Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Chris Beasley, Coach

• Jack Swearingen, 2nd place
• Jessica Pierson-Turner, 3rd place

Ready Writing, Jennifer Humphrey, Coach

• Celina Fontenot, 5th place

Science, Art Decker, Coach

• Erin Cordova, 6th place Science; 2nd place Chemistry

Social Studies, Jaime Licon, Coach

• Team-1st place
• Andrew Adler, 1st place
• Kellie Roop, 2nd place

The Dogs won their 3rd consecutive district title, and finished the season at 28-10. Contratulations to Coach Mason and the entire team. The team members pictured below were selected for All-District honors.

From left to right:

• Cedric Jones: 6'4 Jr (22 AAAAA 1st team all-district for a 2nd consecutive year)
• Titus Edwards: 6'1 Sr (22 AAAAA 2nd team all-district)
• Coach Chris Mason: 22 AAAAA Coach of the Year( 3rd consecutive year, 4th overall)
• Randy Collins:   6'5 Jr (22 AAAAA MVP for the 2nd consecutive year, led the district in scoring)
• Drew Parker:   6'2 Jr (22 AAAAA 1st team all-district for 3rd consecutive year, led the district in assists)
• James Evans: 5'9 Sr (22 AAAAA 2nd team all-district)

La Porte High School senior Ian Ogando earned the status of Division 1 Super Heavy Weight State Champion in powerlifting on March 28.  The state championship took place at Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Ian lifted a total of 1,875 lbs., including 780 in the squat, 470 in the bench press, and 625  in the dead lift.   He is coached by Kevin Berneathy.

Ian plans to attend Eastern New Mexico University on a football scholarship this fall.

Mrs. Brenda Crager's second grade class at Lomax Elementary won the top prize of a pizza party for collecting $314.40 for Pennies for Patients. This money helps in the fight against Leukemia and Lymphoma cancers. As a school, Lomax Elementary students collected $2,897.28.

Mrs. Crager's class, along with Mrs. Torres, the school nurse/campaign coordinator, are pictured at right.

The De Walt School held its first graduation ceremony on January 16, 2009. See the slide show.

The next graduation ceremony will be on June 4th, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Sonja Angelo Theatre.

The auto accident was not real, nor was the funeral, but these activities that were part of "Shattered Dreams" at La Porte High School made students seriously consider "what if?"  The two-day program designed to help prevent teenage drinking and driving was held at the campus on March 11 and 12, with widespread community support to make the event successful.

 "Shattered Dreams is ultimately about making good choices, and we want to really get the message across to all of our students that the choices they make today affect tomorrow's future," said Jason "Mac" McConnell, LPHS assistant principal and Shattered Dreams coordinator.

"Don't Wreck Your Life" is the theme for the program, which began on March 11 with a mock crash scene on San Jacinto Street at H Street.  Emergency medical services, police department and fire department responders enacted the rescue of student volunteers who were made up as crash victims. 

Throughout the day, student volunteers were removed from their classes to demonstrate that a life is lost due to drunk driving every nine minutes.  These students, who represented the "Living Dead," left the room as their "obituaries" were read to their classmates.  They were escorted by other student volunteers serving as "Guardian Angels" and did not communicate with anyone the remainder of the day. 

In addition, student participants attended an overnight retreat in the girls' gym.

On March 12, students attended assemblies at which mock funerals were held for students who had "died" as a result of the crash.  Parents of the students who portrayed the victims as well as the drunk driver read letters they had written, and a video showing scenes from the accident, the drunk driver's time in jail and court, and notification of the victims' parents was shown.  Individuals who are now incarcerated because they were responsible for someone's death while driving drunk also spoke at the assemblies.

"Yesterday and today I visited numerous classrooms and asked students what they thought," said Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal, the day after the event.  "Shattered Dreams has made an impact on every student. They all thought it was a powerful and meaningful experience."

Members of the "Shattered Dreams" cast included Sabrina Starr, Kayton Geddes, C.J. Martin, Kodi Wright, Zach DeLong, Delaney Burton, Courtney Dunkin, Mackenzie Weller, Lauren Bunch, Sarah McKinley, Matt Moreno, Ali Hager, Jacob Lozano, Devon Sutherland, Kyle Juel, Kurt Adams, Taylor Holt and Rand Cook; and parents Lou Ann and Doug Martin, Tanya and James Wright, and Jodi and Billy Starr. 

Other students participating as "Living Dead" or "Guardian Angels" were Bernadette Baker, Andrea Balderas, Shelby Bray, Nicole Bush, Laura Buttler, Stefanie Clingan, Caitlyn Curnutt, Kasandra Day, Nicole Deleon, Lauren Despain, Molly Duncan, Brittany Dyer, Celina Fontenot, Angelina Gaspero, Joseph Graham, April Hernandez, Haley Hernandez, Kailie Hyde, Meghan Isbell, Brooke Jackson,  Jillian Jones, Kimberlee Langston, Haley Linthicum, Justin Martin, Sierra McCaleb, Krista McPhail, Victoria Mouton, Michael Newman, Lacey Olive, Crystal Padilla, Jessica Pierson-Turner, Julio Portillo, Leyna Saultz, Ranais Serna, Samantha Shepard, Erica Staska, Sydnie Suggs, Kayla Syzdek, Amber Tempel, Brittany Turner, Ariel Vega, Jessica Wachel, Jordyn Watson, and Erin Wolfe.

  Members of the Shattered Dreams planning committee included Jason "Mac" McConnell, coordinator; Sam Zaborowski  and Steve Regan, LPTV; Karen Hall, PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership) Christy Crislip, TRUTH (Teens Reaching Upward Toward Health); Mary Wacey and Jaime Orlando, Student Council; Kathy Kimball, American Sign Language and National Honor Society; Christina Tschappat, historian; Jerry Herd; Vanessa Ayala; Josh Conaster; Terri Cook; Jake Evans; Will Joiner; Lana Listi; Allison Morrow; Santos Ramirez; Lisa Syzdek; Ronnie Thibodeaux; Jeff Tippit; and Lisa Waligora.

Student Planning Committee members were Josh Conaster, Rand Cook, Krystal Dearman, Michael Galvan, Shelby Slate and Erin Wolfe.  The Shattered Dreams film crew included director Sam Zaborowski, assistant director Steve Regan, and students Chris Warner, Taylor Holt, Kurt Adams, Kyle Juel, Rand Cook and Erin Wolfe.

Portraying the "Grim Reapers" were Kevin Dorsey, Matthew Parsons and Thomas Sephus.

  Also helping to make the event possible were Sheila Henderson, Don Horton, Joanne Kolius, Pam Woolie, La Porte Rotary Club, La Porte Lions Club, La Porte Optimist Club, Houston Safety Council, TDC Inmate Outreach, La Porte Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Bayshore Hospital, Bayshore Sun, DeWalt Towing, La Porte Emergency Medical Services, La Porte Fire Department, La Porte High School Faculty and Staff, La Porte ISD, La Porte Municipal Court, La Porte Police Department, La Porte Police Officers Association, PHI Helicopters, LPISD Maintenance Department, Pasadena Police Department, Paul U. Lee Funeral Home, Kroger, Dina's Floral,  Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, La Porte Automotive Towing and KP Photography.

La Porte High School students in automotive technology department enjoy working on new state-of-the art automotive repair equipment made possible by the 2005 bond program.  According to instructor Daryl Leonard, the equipment includes a Hunter WA240 Camera System Alignment Machine, along with a 15,000-pound four-post lift and the Snap-on D-Tac Plus Electrical System diagnostic tool. "These are industry standard pieces of equipment found in many of the nation's top repair facilities," Leonard said. "This means our students will learn on the same equipment that they will encounter on the job."

  La Porte ISD's Lomax Elementary School has been selected as a 2008 Just for the Kids Higher Performing School in Texas based on student performance in mathematics.  The campus was selected as higher performing based on analyses conducted by the National Center for Educational Achievement, sponsor of the Just for the Kids Campaign.

  Vicki Defee, former principal of Lomax Elementary and current principal of La Porte Junior High School, and Vickie Gentile, principal of Lomax Elementary and former assistant principal at the campus, were honored, along with other representatives of the Lomax staff, during the Feb. 10 LPISD Board of Trustees meeting.

"We are very proud of the Lomax Elementary School students and staff for earning this recognition, which was based on consistent outstanding performance in mathematics over several years," said Isela Montes, LPISD executive director of elementary education.  "The teachers, administrators and support staff at Lomax Elementary, as well as throughout the district, are committed to providing the very best education possible for their students, and this is a reflection of their ongoing commitment and hard work."

  NCEA is the national sponsor of Just for the Kids, which provides school, district and other education leaders with essential system performance and best practice information needed to make sound decisions.  NCEA identified consistently higher performing schools in many states across the country, showcasing those that exhibit outstanding performance across multiple grades and years.

Sharing insights into what makes schools successful is an important aspect of the Just for the Kids Campaign.  The organization's Core Practice Framework, built upon eight years of study of more than 500 schools across 20 states, identifies core practices important to district leaders, school leaders, and teachers.  Success stories from Higher Performing Schools may be featured on the Just for the Kids web site (http://www.just4kids.org) so that other school communities can learn from what they are doing to improve student achievement.

  Brittany Ellenberg is the valedictorian of the Class of 2009 at La Porte High School, and Mayuri Bhakta is this year's salutatorian.

  Brittany is the daughter of Jeff and Tanya Ellenberg, and Mayuri is the daughter of Ishvar and Ramila Bhakta.

  Brittany plans to attend Harvard University or Princeton University, where she will major in political science and minor in philosophy.  After completing college, she is considering a career in law or politics.

  While at LPHS, Brittany has been a member of the Earth Care organization all four years, serving as both secretary and president.  She also has been a member of Interact and Thespians for four years, holding the offices of vice president and president of both groups.

  Brittany was a lead character and assistant director in the LPHS musicals and has also been active in the one-act play.  Throughout high school, she has been involved in the competitive speaking team (speech and debate) and has held the offices of vice president and president in this organization as well.

  In addition, Brittany has served as a junior class and senior class officer and has been involved in Student Council all four years, serving as parliamentarian.  Other activities include National  Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, HOPE (High School Outreach to People Everywhere), TRUTH (Teens Reaching Upward Toward Health), Citizens Advisory Council to La Porte Industry and Progressive Thinkers Club.  She also served as vice president of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Executive Board and was a Global Studies Program ambassador to China in March 2008.

  Mayuri will enroll in the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.  She plans to major in either business or biology and is considering careers in accounting or medicine.

  At LPHS, Mayuri participated in UIL spelling during her sophomore year and was a member of the teams participating in Academic Worldquest academic competition as well as the Academic Decathlon.

  Mayuri was named Best Algebra II Student and Spanish III Student her sophomore year and Outstanding Female Science Student her junior year.  In addition, she was involved in HOPE (High School Outreach to People Everywhere) and was an alternate for the Global Studies Program's trip to China.

  She served as secretary of the Teen Leadership Club her sophomore and junior years and has been active in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, in which she serves as secretary.

"It has been a blessing for me that I have had the opportunity to get to know these two students over the years," said Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal.  "We can all be very proud of them, their accomplishments at LPHS, and their future accomplishments."

Seeing and responding to a need led to a celebratory event on Feb. 18 at Lomax Junior High School, where a "Partner in Education Program" was kicked off with announced plans for a volunteer educational mentoring program and the donation of two laptop and 10 desktop computers.  Air Products, a local industrial gas and technology supplier, agreed to establish a volunteer educational volunteer mentoring program with Lomax Junior High designed to support students and also provided two computer systems to individuals selected by school staff and 10 computers for the school.

Air Products made a commitment to provide volunteers to mentor students for the rest of the school year.  It is the company and the school's intention for the mentoring to become an annual program at Lomax Junior High. In addition, Air Products plans on continuing to offer the school other programs such as Liquid Nitrogen (LIN) demonstrations, tours of its facilities and other opportunities to broaden and strengthen the relationship between the two.

The 10 donated desktop computers will be used at Lomax for a computer lab that is utilized by both teachers and students. The two laptop computer recipients, selected by the Lomax staff, were presented by Lomax principal Stephanie Cox to teacher Tina Imme and student Katie Brown.

Imme teaches seventh-grade language arts at Lomax.  As with many local residents, Hurricane Ike destroyed Imme's home, and she was living with family until recently when she moved into a travel trailer in her old drive way while she reconstructs her home. 

Imme did not allow the storm to diminish her own spirit of giving.  After the storm, she began and continues to provide for an adolescent child who did not have any family, even after her own personal loss.  When asked for one of the reasons why the school staff chose Imme to receive the donated laptop, Cox replied, "She comes to work each day with a smile and positive attitude to give to her children."

Katie Brown is a seventh grade student at Lomax.  Katie was living in Shoreacres when Hurricane Ike destroyed her home as well.  Katie had to change schools from La Porte Junior High to Lomax, which required a move away from her home and friends.  When asked why the staff chose Katie to receive the laptop, Cox replied, "Katie is a great student with a positive attitude.  She works hard and always wants to do well, and she volunteers often to help others." 

"We have a longstanding tradition of supporting and helping our communities where we live and work. We realize that Air Products' continued growth and success is closely tied to the vitality of these communities, and the quality of the community's educational system is key to the skills of our employee workforce. We need healthy communities to operate a healthy business. But most importantly, we are committed to our communities because it is clearly the right thing to do," said Dave Hefele, regional operations manager for Air Products.

Alton Porter, mayor of La Porte stated, "I am very pleased with the continued involvement and investment in our community by Air Products. They have long been an active valued part of our community through a number of vehicles. They are a great partner in our La Porte Education Foundation, our La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, and are very active working directly with our schools. We are very fortunate to have the tremendous industry support throughout our community but Air Products in particular has an outstanding reputation for their active, valued contributions. This donation of computers to two very worthy recipients who were both victims of Hurricane Ike is especially heartwarming. Our community took a serious hit from Ike but we have all pulled together and become stronger because of it. This is a great community and a great place to call home and I am very proud to have Air Products as a neighbor and good friend."

Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia said of the donation, "This sort of commitment to education is so important at any time.  Since Hurricane Ike though, Air Products' commitment to our community stands out even more.  I applaud both student and teacher who represent the student body and faculty and their high standards of education."

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment.

  The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of just under $18.8 million for building a new Bayshore Elementary School during its Feb. 24 meeting.  By doing so, the Board prompted the final purchase of the proposed Bayshore site at McCabe Road and Highway 146, and as a condition of the approval, required ABS Consulting to do a Phase 2 risk analysis of the site.

  Earlier that day, LPISD received a report on the Phase 1 risk analysis of the site conducted by ABS Consulting.  The report considered several worst-case scenarios for maximum credible fire, explosion and toxic release as well as hurricane hazards. 

  Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham explained that the Phase 1 risk analysis did not recommend abandoning the proposed site; however, LPISD will stop the project if the Phase 2 risk analysis determines that the site is unsafe.  In its Phase 2 risk analysis, ABS Consulting could find a reason that the school should not be built at the proposed site, but current indications are that this is not very likely, he added.

  Information from the Phase 1 risk analysis is being used in designing the building and mechanical system of the school and has helped to determine where the building would be placed on the proposed site.  The Phase 2 analysis, which will be more in-depth and provide greater detail, will help the architects and engineers as they design and construct the school, but will also provide valuable information for the safety, security and emergency response plans for Bayshore and all other LPISD campuses.

  "While many of us would have liked to build at the existing site, our studies have shown that this is not practical due to several factors, including the average elevation, the site's size and configuration, and the limitations these impose on overall site usage and design," Graham said in a Feb. 27 letter to parents of current Bayshore students.  "Be that as it may, the district remains committed to providing an elementary school in the southeast La Porte/Shoreacres area and has been working diligently to make this happen for our Bayshore families."

  The Phase 1 risk analysis, as well as other information related to the proposed new Bayshore Elementary School, is available on the LPISD web site at www.lpisd.org.

Congratulations to the La Porte High School boys' basketball team, which defeated Channelview High School on Feb. 24  in the bi-district round of the playoffs.  The team will now advance to the area round, where the Bulldogs will face Fort Bend Bush High School.  The game will be played on Friday, Feb. 27, at Houston ISD's Barnett Field House.  The game start time is 7 p.m., and gates will open at 6:15 p.m.  Tickets will be sold at the gate for $4.

Only one entrance will be open at Barnett Field House, which is on the west side, or press box side, of the football stadium. The football stadium is positioned directly in front of the field house.  To get to Barnett Field House from La Porte, take TX-225W toward Houston.  Off of TX -225W, exit left I-610W onto I-610W.  Once on I-610W, go to exit #33 Woodridge/Telephone Rd.  Turn left on Telephone Rd., and then turn right on Golfway Street.  Once you are on Golfway, go to Tilfer Street and turn left on Tilfer. Go down Tilfer until you get to Fairway Drive and then take a right on Fairway Drive.  Go down Fairway Drive and you will see Barnett Stadium and Field House on the left.  Go to the second entrance, which will be the west side of the stadium and field house, to park your vehicle.

Texas Virtual School Network is now available through LPISD for Grades 8^th - 12^th  

· Great opportunity to earn additional credits or accelerate credits

· Allows you to fit classes into your busy schedule

· Helps you catch up if you have fallen behind

· Helps prepare you for college or helps you graduate from high school

· Courses available for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters

· Cost varies per course

For additional information contact your Campus Coordinator and visit the website at www.txvsn.org:

La Porte High School - Andre Credit - 281-604-7500

De Walt Alternative School - Dr. Gary Holmes - 281-604-6900

La Porte Jr. High - Esther Norton -  281-604-6600

Lomax Jr. High - Dawn Wisnoski  - 281-604-6700

For further information you may contact La Porte ISD Coordinator Dr. Vonn Murray, Executive Director of Educational Initiatives and Program Evaluation, or Brenda Vojacek at 281-604-6909.

La Porte High School junior Robert Green will bring recognition to his school and community on Feb. 14 as he performs as a member of the Texas All-State Symphony Orchestra at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio.

The orchestra is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Lila Cockrell Theater of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Robert has been playing the string bass since he began at Baker Sixth-Grade Campus. Five years later, he has become one of the most accomplished young bassists in the Houston area, according to LPHS orchestra director Dr. Geoff Carlton.

In November, Robert became the first orchestra student from LPHS to be named to the All-State Orchestra since 2000. Robert ranked sixth in the All-State Symphony Orchestra, which is the first of two All-State Orchestras.

In order to qualify to try out for All-State, students must first rank highly in their All-Region tryouts. Robert ranked first chair string bass in the All-Region 19 Symphony Orchestra auditions held last October.

Along with the other qualifiers, he recorded a rigorous tryout consisting of music from the original region tryout and excerpts from music to be performed by the All-State Orchestras this weekend. All recordings are judged at one site by orchestra directors from the entire state of Texas.

The All-State Bands, Choirs and Orchestras perform annually at the convention in early February.

Robert supplements his orchestra studies in La Porte by performing in the Houston Youth Symphony. He has been a member of the Houston Youth Symphony Program for five years and is currently the second chair performer in the HYS Symphony Orchestra. He has also placed first chair string bass in All-Region Orchestra Tryouts four of the past five years.

Robert studies locally with Adrian Washburn, but he has also taken some lessons with Jeff Braditich, bass professor at the University of North Texas.  Robert also had the opportunity to take some lessons with Robert Oppelt, who is the principle bassist in the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C.  He has received Superior ratings on all of the solos he has performed at Region and State Solo & Ensemble events.

Robert, who is also a third degree black belt in karate, resides in La Porte with his father, Billy Green.

The 24 students and two educators from Nankai High School felt the warmth of a La Porte welcome as their bus pulled into the La Porte High School parking lot late Thursday night.  LPHS students and their families who will be hosting the Chinese travelers greeted them with balloons, signs, and cheers of welcome as they began their week-long visit..

The students from Tianjin, China, will be in La Porte through Feb. 12 as part of the La Porte Education Foundation's global studies exchange program. As a result of the Foundation's support, students from La Porte visited China in the spring of 2008, and another 20 have been selected for a trip scheduled for June 2009.

The gathering was a reunion for some, as several participants will be hosting the same student with whom they stayed during their visit to China.  Some of the students from China are new to the program, and families hosting the visitors include those of students who went on the 2008 trip as well as a few who are preparing for the June trip.

After boarding their flight in Beijing, the Chinese group, which also includes a Nankai High School vice principal and English teacher, made a brief stop in New York before traveling on to Houston.  During the bus ride from the airport, the visitors took in the sights of the Houston area at night, listening carefully as trip leader Nancy Li of Easton Resource Development explained their itinerary for the week.

"With a few months of work with the China side, as well as the endless efforts and support from the La Porte Education Foundation, LPISD and the whole community, I am so glad that La Porte's Global Exchange Project continues and starts this year by having 24 Nankai students and two educators arrive in La Porte," Li said.  " I have been very fortunate and grateful to serve as a bridge working with both sides of the world, helping to provide a global classroom so as to open the eyes and minds of young people in dealing with future challenges. I am so happy and proud to see this between La Porte and China Tianjin Nankai."

Li explained that this is the first trip to the United States for all of the Chinese guests.  They began their initial day in La Porte by attending classes with their LPHS buddies, while the Chinese educators had the chance to observe classes and discuss education issues with LPHS principal Joanne Kolius and her staff.

During their stay, the participants will attend the LPHS musical, "Anything Goes," and the La Porte vs. Dobie basketball game.  They will also have the opportunity to tour NASA, where they will hear a presentation by Chinese-American astronaut Leroy Chiao; see a Houston Rockets game; and participate in Career Day with La Porte area professionals who work in their field of interest.

In addition, the group and their La Porte buddies will travel to Round Top, where they will tour Festival Hill and Henkel Square and enjoy a hayride and trip to a farm.  The following day, they will go to Austin for a tour of the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum; that afternoon, they will be recognized by the Senate and have a tour of the Capitol led by Senator Mike Jackson's staff.

Throughout the week, the students will continue to go to classes alongside their La Porte hosts.  The night before their departure, the guests will be honored at a farewell dinner to be held at the San Jacinto Monument. 

"La Porte has opened its school, its homes and its heart, as was seen last night with the welcome of the Nankai High School from Tianjin, China," said Don Empfield, past president of the La Porte Education Foundation and chair of the Global Studies Exchange Program project.  "These young people from both sides of the world represent our future, and our future begins today with an even better tomorrow through this program. Our problems are global today, but so are our solutions."

The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees will hear a report on the due diligence process for the proposed new Bayshore Elementary School site during its Feb. 10 meeting.

The Board will receive an update on the necessary assessments being completed toward purchase of the 20-acre site, which is located at the corner of McCabe Road and State Highway 146.  Included in the assessments are location and area surveys, topographical surveys and drainage, geotechnical coring, phase 1 environmental study, traffic study, title search and policy, and discussions with city, county and state agencies.

After the due diligence process is completed, the Board will be able to consider scheduling the closing on the property.  PBK Architects, which is providing architectural services, and Tellepsen Builders, the construction manager at-risk, are targeting the Feb. 24 meeting to present to the Board the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction of the new Bayshore.

"At this time, our Bayshore children are displaced from a permanent home and are attending school on five different campuses," said LPISD Superintendent Lloyd Graham.  "Therefore, we are moving ahead with assessments on the proposed new site and not delaying the decision.  Our hope is that, once the assessments are completed, we can finalize the purchase and move forward with construction so that our students will have their own school again in January 2010."

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the LPISD Administration Building, 1002 San Jacinto.

These wonderful singers of Lomax Junior High recently participated in the Region XIX Choral Concert at Deer Park South HS auditorium.  They were chosen from over 800 students who auditioned for this honorable chorus. Only 200 students were actually chosen to perform.

Following a rehearsal and all-day clinic by two of the state's most recognized music directors, Mr. Robert Horton and Ms. Laura Farnell, the performance along with other top area rated student vocalists proved to be very entertaining.

Pictured from left to right are Lyndzie West, Jada Crossley, Ms. Cynthia Jackson, Director, Ashlyn Parks, Corbin Ayres, and Noelie Barbay.  Congratulations to all of you!

On January 20th, the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees approved the official school calendar for elementary and secondary campuses for the 2009 - 2010 school year.

• 2009 - 2010 Official School Calendars

The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees will discuss the design and development of the new Bayshore Elementary School at its Tuesday, Jan. 20, meeting.  The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Board Room of the LPISD Administration Building, 1002 San Jacinto Street.

The Board will consider approval of the design development plan as developed by PBK Architects.  Trustees will review the floor plan, site plans and elevations for the new school, which will be located at McCabe Road and Highway 146.

Also on the agenda for the meeting is a review of the 2008 district Academic Excellence Indicator System data led by Linda Wadleigh, executive director of secondary education, and Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education.

The Board also will consider approval of the 2009-2010 school calendar during the meeting.  A full agenda for the meeting is available on the "School Board" section of the LPISD web site, www.lpisd.org , as well as outside the front door of the Administration Building.  

Tickets for the La Porte High School production of "Anything Goes" will go on sale to the public on Monday, Jan. 26. Tickets will be sold from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday in the foyer of the Sonja Angelo Theater at La Porte High School.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, 30 and 31 and Feb. 5 and 6. A 2 p.m. matinee performance also will be held on Jan. 31. Performances on closing night, Feb. 7, will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

All seats are reserved, and tickets are $10. Payment may be made by cash or check.

Tickets may also be purchased before each show. The box office opens 30 minutes before show time.

For more information contact Karen Hall at 281-604-7573.

  At a Jan. 7 special meeting, La Porte ISD's Board of Trustees approved the purchase of land for relocating Bayshore Elementary School, which was damaged as a result of Hurricane Ike.

  After months of discussion about the school, the Board voted to purchase a 20.1-acre tract of land at the corner of McCabe Road and Highway 146.  The property, which is zoned as residential, is adjacent to the Bay Forest Golf Course, and planned housing developments are located to the north and south of the site.

  The earnest money contract on the property will enable the district to conduct all of the engineering and other studies that are necessary prior to building a new school. The new facility is expected to be completed for the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year.

  LPISD began addressing the recovery of Bayshore immediately following the storm.  On Monday, Sept. 15, the district began working on clean-up at the campus. 

Because of the significance of the damage, plans were made to relocate Bayshore students to five other LPISD elementary schools when classes resumed on Sept. 29.  A public hearing was held on issues related to Hurricane Ike impact and recovery during a special meeting of the Board on Sept. 23.

  At the Oct. 14 Board meeting, Superintendent Lloyd Graham told trustees that several issues of concern--including water infiltration, air quality, and structural damage-made it uncertain as to whether or not students would be able to return to Bayshore.  The agendas for the Oct. 14 and Oct. 28 Board meetings also included specific time for public comments following the reports on Bayshore.  During the Nov. 11 meeting, the Board approved Tellepsen Builders, L.P., to serve as construction manager-agent and PBK Architects to provide architectural services for the estimation of repairs needed at Bayshore.

  On Dec. 3, a joint meeting of the Board of Trustees, Citizens' Oversight Committee and Facilities Planning Committee was held to provide information on the preliminary findings of Tellepsen and PBK.  The estimate for Bayshore included repairs necessary due to Hurricane Ike as well as required Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and replacement of mechanical and/or building systems at the practical ends of their life cycles.

  The estimate for repairing/renovating Bayshore was approximately $8.5 million.  With this option, Bayshore students could possibly return to the campus with the start of the 2009-2010 school year; however, future concerns about flooding would remain.  The current building elevation is 10 feet above sea level, he explained.

  The estimated cost for land acquisition and construction of a new school is $20 million, Graham said.  The majority of the cost of the construction of a new Bayshore could be covered by $10.3 million in unallocated funds from the 2005 bond issue as well as $2 million in bond funds allocated for Bayshore renovations. 

  Although the district also is pursuing FEMA and insurance dollars for Bayshore, a portion of the 2005 bond program funds will need to be reallocated for the new campus. However, Graham noted that increasing the Bayshore capacity will delay any immediate need for Elementary #8. 

The Board agenda for the Dec. 16 meeting also included specific time for public comment.  After hearing comments, the Board then voted unanimously to replace the school rather than repair the current facility.  Trustees authorized Graham to negotiate the purchase of property, subject to Board approval, specifying that the new location  should be west of Old Highway 146/Broadway, east of new Highway 146, north of Shoreacres Blvd., and south of Fairmont Parkway.

  The disrtict's decision to relocate Bayshore was not taken lightly, Graham said.

 "We considered a wide variety of options to serve our Bayshore students, including using the capacity of previously planned additions to permanently rezone students to other LPISD schools, renovating the current facility, and rebuilding Bayshore either on the current site or a different one.  Ultimately, we felt that the best decision for our Bayshore students, and for our district as a whole, was to serve our patrons in the Shoreacres/south La Porte area with this new facility."

  Although plans for the current Bayshore site are uncertain, Graham said that he wanted to reassure residents that LPISD will not be repurposing the facility as any type of warehouse or storage facility, nor will the building be left to deteriorate.  The district is discussing other uses for the site with municipal representatives, and Graham asked those in attendance at the Jan. 8 Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee meeting to consider ideas for the site.

  "Bayshore has a long, proud history, in some cases serving generations of our La Porte ISD families, and it grieves us all that Ike has claimed her as a victim," Graham continued.  "It has been noted along the way that what makes Bayshore special is the people who nurture the children that go to school there-our teachers, staff, and volunteers.  Indeed, Bayshore is a close-knit family focused on educational excellence, and we are looking forward to continuing the traditions of Bayshore in its new home."

  At its Dec. 16 meeting, the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees approved the replacement of Bayshore Elementary School, which has been closed since September after sustaining damage during Hurricane Ike.

  The Board first voted unanimously to replace Bayshore rather than repairing the current facility.  This was followed by a unanimous vote to construct the new facility at a different site, with trustees authorizing Superintendent Lloyd Graham to negotiate the purchase of property, subject to Board approval.  The Board specified that the new location should be west of Old Highway 146/Broadway, east of new Highway 146, north of Shoreacres Blvd., and south of Fairmont Parkway.

  Bayshore students have been relocated to five different LPISD elementary campuses since the district's schools reopened on Sept. 29.  Construction of the new facility is expected to be complete in January 2010.

  Also during the meeting, the Board approved PBK Architects, Inc., to provide architectural/engineering services for the new school and Tellepsen Builders, LP, as construction manager at-risk for the project.

  According to Graham, the district examined several options in deciding whether to repair or replace Bayshore.  At the Nov. 11 Board meeting, trustees approved the selection of Tellepsen and PBK to provide services for the estimation of repairs needed at the school. 

The estimate included repairs necessary due to Hurricane Ike as well as required Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and replacement of mechanical and/or building systems at the practical ends of their life cycles.  The cost for repairing Bayshore would be around $8 million, while the total cost of building a new school would be approximately $18.5 million.

  Because students will not be in their new facility until January 2010, Graham explained that most Bayshore students will remain at their current host site until the new school opens.

  "We want our Bayshore students to be able to stay where they currently attend school until their new facility is completed," Graham said.  "Therefore, we will shift our grade levels at the host sites rather than move our children to another different campus before the new Bayshore opens in January."

  For example, Bayshore first graders who currently attend school at Lomax Elementary School will remain at Lomax for second grade during the first part of the 2009-2010 school year.  Other host schools for next year include La Porte Elementary, prekindergarten; Heritage Elementary, kindergarten and first grade; Rizzuto Elementary, third and fourth grades; and College Park, fifth grade.

  Students in Bayshore's four-year-old Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) will join the five-year-old PPCD program at La Porte Elementary for 2009-2010.

  In addition, the district is offering transfer opportunities to Bayshore families with two or more children assigned to different elementary schools.  Acknowledging the difficulty that assignments to different schools cause parents,  the district will accept transfer requests from parents (or those standing in parental relation to a student) so that siblings will attend the same school until the new Bayshore opens.

  Beginning Jan. 5, transfer request forms may be picked up from the receptionist at the LPISD Central Administration Building, 1002 San Jacinto St.  Completed requests should be returned to the office of Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education, by Jan. 9, 2009.  Transfer requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, with parents notified no later than Jan. 15.

  The district must adhere to student-to-staff ratios when making the decision to place siblings in one school; therefore, parents will be unable to request the school to which their child/children will be transferred.  Transfer students will be withdrawn from Bayshore and enrolled in the "transfer to" school.

  The current placement of students also will be considered, and parents must provide transportation.

  For more information, contact Isela Montes at 281-604-7030.

La Porte ISD continues to recover from Hurricane Ike, and our thoughts are with our families who have been impacted by the storm.

LPISD welcomed students back to school on Monday, Sept. 29. Twelve instructional days were lost as a result of the hurricane evacuation and recovery.  After exploring several options for regaining the lost instructional time, LPISD decided to change the Oct. 9 and 10 early release days and the Oct. 13 staff development day/student holiday to full instructional days.  In addition, the school day was extended on the following schedule beginning Oct. 13:

Elementary Schools--8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (day extended by 30 minutes)
Baker Sixth-Grade Campus--8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (day remains the same with incorporation of guided learning time, "Bear Time," from 8:15 to 9:00 a.m.)  
Lomax and La Porte Junior Highs--8:15 a.m. to 4:06 p.m. (day extended by 21 minutes; instructional day had already been extended for 2008-09)
La Porte High School--7:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (no late start on Wednesdays; day extended by 30 minutes) 
De Walt School--7:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. (no late start on Wednesdays; day extended by 30 minutes)

Letter to Parents from Superintendent Graham regarding the revised schedule ( English | Espanol )

Letter from TEA Commissioner Scott regarding Hurricane-related Waivers

Updated Bus Stop Information

In collaboration with students, teachers, and parents, LPISD has made a change to the Wednesday high school schedule for the second semester.  At the beginning of the second semester, high school students will resume the late-start schedule on Wednesdays but will continue to end the school day at 3 p.m.  According to LPHS principal Joanne Kolius, the late start will enable the school to recapture the tutorial time prior to 9 a.m. as well as the common planning time for teachers.  During this time, regular tutorials as well as TAKS tutorial sessions are offered.  This also will enable the school to resume the modified block schedule, with 90-minute classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Clean-up, stabilization, sanitation, and restoration efforts at Bayshore Elementary are ongoing. Because of damage to Bayshore, arrangements were made to welcome students at other LPISD elementary schools (Superintendent Graham's Letter to Bayshore Parents).

La Porte ISD's Global Studies Program receives statewide recognition
from Texas School Business magazine

LA PORTE, TEXAS- Texas School Business magazine has announced that La Porte ISD's Global Studies Program is one of 12 programs to be honored in the magazine's second annual Bragging Rights special issue. Bragging Rights recognizes school districts that have implemented programs that are bettering the lives of students, schools and communities. The special issue was distributed on Dec. 1 to more than 25,000 readers with a vested interest in Texas public education.

Twenty La Porte High School students traveled to China in March 2008 as the first participants in the Global Studies Program, which was organized and funded by the La Porte Education Foundation.  Three educators and a Foundation representative accompanied the students on the trip, where they had the opportunity to attend Nankai High School, stay with a Chinese family, and visit sites such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City.

Twenty-four students from China, along with their vice principal and teacher, will visit La Porte in February 2009, staying with families of La Porte students who participated in the spring.  Another group of 20 La Porte students will be chosen to travel to China in June 2009.

"We were impressed by La Porte ISD's ingenuity in establishing an exchange program so that students can experience an education beyond books and borders," said Texas School Business Editor Katie Ford. "La Porte ISD's China exchange initiative is a model program, and we're proud to highlight it as an example of excellence in Texas public education."

"It's a great honor for our district to be recognized by Texas School Business magazine," said La Porte ISD Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham  "Our Global Studies Program has made a tremendous impact on the students and teachers involved.  We are grateful to our Board of Trustees for supporting the program, former Superintendent Dr. Michael Say and his Administration for facilitating it, and La Porte Education Foundation leaders for spearheading this project and offering this special opportunity to our students."

Don Empfield, 2007-08 president of the La Porte Education Foundation, worked with Foundation members and representatives from La Porte High School in implementing the project. 

"The China Project 2008 was a great opportunity for our students of La Porte ISD, our teachers that participated and the entire community that came together for this event," he said.  "It has become a 'life changing event' for our community through the enhanced knowledge of a significant part of the world that was isolated from us just 30 years ago, but now has been seen and experienced by our youth of La Porte. Relationships have been formed, eyes have been opened and communications established from Tianjin, China, to La Porte, Texas, through this project."

Students and teachers prepared for the trip through "China School" classes held after school and on weekends.  Nancy Li, executive vice president of Easton Resource Development, Inc., worked with the teachers leading the program to help all participants learn about Chinese culture, language, historical sites, and much more.  Li also is working closely with representatives from Nankai High School as they prepare to visit La Porte in February.

"The China Project for La Porte ISD was greatly envisioned and sponsored by La Porte Education Foundation, and I am so happy to see its success and impact on the students and faculty members, as well as the whole community," Li said.  "It is my great pleasure to work with the Foundation in that we brought to La Porte not only a new China, but also a new global vision to our next generation. We are very confident that with the continuing efforts of this project, the seeds of friendship, cooperation and communication with the other side of the world will continue growing and the harvest will be surely greater."

Students who participated in the program continue to keep in touch with their "China buddies," and many feel that they will be lifelong friends.  The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing was a special opportunity for La Porte students to correspond with their friends from China, text-messaging back and forth about sites that they had seen first-hand during their visit.

Participants are chosen through an application process in which they answer essay questions about their desire to participate in the trip.  Identifying information is removed from the essays, which are then reviewed and ranked by members of a Foundation committee.  This year's trip participants will be informed of their selection on Dec. 19.

For 55 years, Texas School Business has served as the independent voice for public education in Texas. The magazine, which is produced in Austin and distributed 10 times a year, is read by educators and school administrators across Texas. Nominations for the 2009-2010 issue of Bragging Rights are now being accepted. For more information, visit www.texasschoolbusiness.com.

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  La Porte ISD's Board of Trustees, Citizens' Oversight Committee and Facilities Planning Committee met in joint session on Dec. 3, reaching a consensus that a new Bayshore Elementary School should be constructed on its current site.

  Although no formal action was taken, Superintendent Lloyd Graham polled committee and Board members present, and support for a new facility was unanimous.  The Board of Trustees will consider the replacement of Bayshore as an action item at the Dec. 16 Board meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. at the LPISD Administration Building, 1002 San Jacinto St.  The Board and Administration also will receive public comment on Bayshore during the meeting.

  Bayshore, located at 301 Fairfield in Shoreacres, has been closed since Hurricane Ike, when the school was flooded by up to 16 inches of storm surge water.  Recovery efforts began immediately following the storm, and Bayshore students were relocated to five other LPISD elementary campuses when schools reopened on Sept. 29.

The meeting began with representatives from Perspectiva, the district's construction program manager, providing a status report on existing bond sales and construction projects from the 2005 bond program.  They also reported on project costs and up-to-date expenditures.

Following the presentation, Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham led the discussion about Bayshore, presenting the preliminary findings of Tellepsen Builders, L.P., and PBK Architects.  At its Nov. 11 meeting, the Board approved Tellepsen to serve as construction manager-agent and PBK Architects to provide architectural services for the estimation of repairs needed at Bayshore. 

The estimate included repairs necessary due to Hurricane Ike as well as required Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and replacement of mechanical and/or building systems at the practical ends of their life cycles.

Graham explained that approximately $8 million would be needed to make the repairs at Bayshore that resulted from storm damage as well as to complete the ADA requirements and life-cycle replacements.  By repairing the school, he anticipated that Bayshore students could return to their building with the start of the 2009-2010 school year.  However, no reasonable amount of repairs or upgrades can raise the current elevation from 10 feet above sea level and alleviate future concerns about flooding, he said.

Graham added that the hard construction cost of a new elementary school with a capacity for 750 students would be approximately $15 million on a clean, green-field site.  When necessary soft costs (architectural/engineering fees, permits, furnishings and contingencies) are considered, the preliminary estimate totals approximately $18.5 million. The current Bayshore facility would need to be demolished and the site raised approximately four feet, with the cost estimated at $750,000, he said.

The majority of the cost of the construction of Bayshore could be covered by $10.3 million in unallocated funds and $2 million in funds allocated for Bayshore in the 2005 bond program, Graham said. 

In addition, FEMA dollars are being aggressively pursued by the Administration; however, when these avenues are exhausted, the Bayshore project will likely create the need for reallocation of a small portion of 2005 bond funds.

The new facility can be scheduled for substantial completion on Dec. 30, 2009, which would allow Bayshore students to begin classes in the new building in January 2010, following the winter break.

  "Our Board of Trustees, Administration and Staff, and citizens on our Oversight and Facilities Planning Committees recognize that we need to move as quickly as possible to provide our Bayshore families with a school in their area," Graham said.  "We believe that a new state-of-the-art educational facility will not only benefit our Bayshore students, but also provide the potential for consideration of elementary magnet programs and, furthermore, address our extended school family's desire to help our community heal."

  The current Bayshore facility has been the hub of the Shoreacres area since its construction in 1966. 

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  The highest ranking seniors at La Porte High School were honored at the Top 100 Academic Achievers dinner held on Nov. 20 in the LPHS Student Center.  The event was made possible through the Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation.

  Honorees were presented with sweatshirts acknowledging their accomplishments. Representing the Crowder Foundation at the dinner were Jim Keeney and Marilyn Sims, members of the Board of Directors.   

  Remarks were made by Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent of schools; Kathy Green, president of the LPISD Board of Trustees; and Joanne Kolius, LPHS principal.

  Honored at the event were Donalyn Allen, Pedro Alvarado, Brittney Archie, Scott Babb, Sarah Barnett, Mayuri Bhakta, Britney Bierman, Bailiegh Bostick, Kirsti Bostick, Amanda Brown, Sharayah Brunson, Kelsey Burg, Delaney Burton, John Buys, Justin Carnes, Sarah Carney, Chance Collard, Erin Cordova, Caitlyn Cornutt, Ciara Davis, Krystal Dearman, Zachary DeLong, Molly Duncan, Courtney Dunkin and Brittany Dyer.

  Honorees also included Austin Ehlers, Brittany Ellenberg, Samantha Flynn, Gabriel Fuentes, Cheyenne Garcia, Ashleigh Glassco, Ana Gonzales, Hunter Gould, Jordan Hall, Joshua Hand, Saba Haroon, Lauren Hebert, Haley Hernandez, Zachary Hillis, Lyndsey Holloway, Lindsay Holt, David Johnson, Jillian Jones, Adam Kley, Katy Knox, Daniella Longoria, Jonathan Machemehl, Sara Malik, Blake Marchal and Arturo Marrero-choe.

  Also in the Top 100 are Cecilia Mauricio, Brittany McDonald, Sarah McKinley, Krista McPhail, Lindsay Miller, Jennifer Morgan, Heather Murray, Larry Nguyen, Austin Nguyen, Lacey Olive, Tyler Otwell, Stpehanie Patterson, Madison Payne, Juan Pedroza, Oanh Pham, Calvin Pineiro, Taylor Ralston, Jorge Rangel, Jennifer Reister, Vincent Rivera, Andrea Rodriguez, Aerial Ronell, Kellie Roop, Ryan Roy and Savannah Salazar.

  In addition, honorees were Leyna Saultz, Megan Schoppe, Derek Scott, Kyle Sessions, Ryan Simmons, Shelby Slate, Amara Smallcombe, Holly Smith, Madison Steinberg, Kelsey Stovall, Krystal Stutzman, Sydnie Suggs, Jack Swearingen, Kayla Syzdek, Heather Tobeck, Sarah Torrez, Jessica Vanderbrink, Victoria Velasquez, Jessica Wachel, John Walker, Brooke Ward, Christopher Warner, Cassandra Wilson, Brynn Wittie and Kodi Wright.

  Nine La Porte High School Orchestra members earned top honors during the Oct. 25 Region XIX All-Region Orchestra tryouts at Pasadena Memorial High School. Auditioning students chose whether to try out for the Symphony All-Region Full Orchestra or the Philharmonic String Orchestra.

  Those making the All-Region Symphony Orchestra include Robert Green, first, string bass; Chanse Parra, seventh, string bass; David Giang, fifth, cello; Amanda Ladd, who made the second violin section; and Michael Walters, who made the viola section.

  Four students made the All-Region Philharmonic Orchestra.  Giovanni Fuentes placed second on first violin; Bailiegh Bostick and Joseph Redd were named to the second violin section; and Kellie Roop placed in the cello section.

  La Porte orchestra students will compete for chairs in playing tests based on the concert music with other students who were named to the orchestra.  The tests will occur prior to the All-Region Orchestra performance in January 2009.

Thirty orchestra students from La Porte High School attended the All-Region tryouts.  In addition to LPISD, Region XIX is made up of school districts on the east side of the Houston Metro area and includes students from Humble, Deer Park and Pasadena.

  Students trying out for the Symphony Orchestra also qualified to attend All-State Recording auditions, and Robert Green and Michael Walters participated.  All qualifying orchestra students from Texas are judged by panels of judges comprised of orchestra directors from across the state.  The panels choose students for two All-State Full Symphony Orchestras and an All-State String Orchestra.

A total of 168 La Porte area residents turned out for the Oct. 23 Community Spaghetti Dinner hosted by the Parent-Teacher Organizations of La Porte and Bayshore elementary schools.  The event, held at La Porte Elementary, benefitted area families impacted by Hurricane Ike.
 
CenterPoint Energy, Kaneka and Neighborhood Centers, Inc., also joined in the effort, providing spaghetti sauce, noodles, paper products and beverages for the event.  Neighborhood Centers, Inc., provided cookies, and the Bayshore PTO contributed meatballs and salad.
 
Those who attended the event were asked to bring donations such as pots and pans, dishes, silverware, kitchen appliances, irons, can openers, glass and plastic cups, storage containers, cleaning supplies, toiletries, sheets and towels for families whose homes were damaged or destroyed during the storm.  According to Jewel Whitfield, principal of La Porte Elementary School, plans are to provide families with gift baskets of household items during the holidays.
 
Staff and PTO members from both elementary schools greeted guests, cooked and served spaghetti, and accepted donations from parents and community members.  For more information on the project, call La Porte Elementary School at 281-604-4787.

The 4th Quarter update to the La Porte ISD Long Range Plan is now available.

La Porte High School students raised over $2,000 for those who were impacted by Hurricane Ike at a benefit concert held Oct. 23 in the LPHS Sonja Angelo Theater.

Students in the orchestra, choir, band, and American Sign Language programs joined together to produce an evening of entertainment to help provide warm clothing for students affected by the storm.  Dr. Geoff Carlton, LPHS orchestra director and one of the organizers of the event, explained that many students evacuated for the storm in shorts and flip-flops; with colder weather on its way, the groups wanted to help provide jackets and shoes for students.

The event began with a performance by the LPHS Varsity Orchestra, under the direction of Carlton, Clint Brown and Rachel Carlton.  "Bridging Hearts," the American Sign Language group under the direction of Kathy Kimball, also performed.

Choral director Sandra Strickhouser led performances of the Women's Chorale and A Cappella Singers, and Margaret Bardin accompanied the choir on piano.  The combined choirs were joined by LPHS graduates and former choir members from the audience for the final selection.

The Bulldog Marching Band ended the program with a performance of the LPHS Fight Song and School Song. The band is under the direction of Kevin Poe, William Hoffman and Brian Hanner.

Members of the Student Council, under the direction of Mary Wacey and Jamie Orlando, greeted guests at the door and took in donations. Dina's Florist donated a large stuffed bulldog for a silent auction item; auction winners Randy Watkins and Lloyd Graham donated the bulldog to Project Graduation for its fund-raising efforts.

According to Wacey, the Student Council's Ike Relief efforts total approximately $2,400.  Additional projects are planned for later this semester.

Several student groups from La Porte High School were in the spotlight as they greeted and entertained participants at the recent Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conference in Galveston.

The LPHS Varsity Orchestra performed for the opening of the general session of the 61st annual conference, which was held Oct. 19 through 21 at Moody Gardens. Music performed at the conference covered a range of different styles.

Included on the program were Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Henry Mancini's Pink Panther, Eleanor Rigby by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Cotton-Eyed Joe, and a string-bass feature titled Bass-ically Bluegrass. The orchestra also performed Palladio by Karl Jenkins, which became well known as the music for a national jewelry commercial. Selections from the soundtracks of Star Wars and Mission Impossible also were performed on the program. The orchestra is led by Dr. Geoff Carlton, Clint Brown and Rachel Carlton.

At the end of the 30-minute concert, the orchestra began the TASCD business meeting alongside a contingent of students from the high school's "Bridging Hearts" American Sign Language group, sponsored by Kathy Kimball. Nine members of "Bridging Hearts" joined the orchestra in performing The Star-Spangled Banner in sign language.

The La Porte JROTC, under the direction of Sergeant First Class Joseph Glennan, also presented the colors during the opening ceremony.

The LPHS Cheerleaders and Bulldog mascot greeted conference attendees and performed cheers and stunts during the ribbon-cutting ceremony to the exhibit hall. The LPHS Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of William Hoffman, provided music for the opening of the exhibit hall as well.

On Oct 20, members of the LPISD Faculty String Quartet performed at the President's Reception. They included violinists Rachel Carlton of La Porte Junior High School and Debbie Barker of Baker Sixth-Grade Campus, violist Clint Brown of La Porte High School, and cellist Alex Pancheri of Baker Sixth-Grade Campus.

LPHS band director Kevin Poe served on the 2008 TASCD Local Arrangements Committee.

TASCD is comprised of public, private and university administrators, counselors and educators from throughout the state of Texas. The conference was among the first to be held in Galveston at Moody Gardens since Hurricane Ike struck the island in September.

Fourteen students or recent graduates from La Porte High School have earned Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students' performance on AP Exams.

Lauren Rigsby qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Justin Chelette and Kellie Roop qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of the exams.

Eleven students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. AP Scholars are Chelsea Bethancourt, Mayuri Bhakta, Erika Cordova, Austin Crager, Gabriel Fuentes, Hayden Hernandez, John Lawler, Nicole Lea, Steven Reiss, Jack Swearingen and Richard Walls.

Of this year's award recipients at LPHS, Mayuri Bhakta and Jack Swearingen were both juniors, having another year in which to complete college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level AP Scholar Award.

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment and teaching and learning.

Over 450 teachers, business and industry representatives and community leaders attended the La Porte Education Foundation's "Breakfast with the Stars" on Aug. 20.   In spite of stormy weather, supporters of education in La Porte turned out for the annual event showcasing the efforts of teachers who were awarded grants by the Foundation in 2007-08.

The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation and Bracewell and Giuliani were Solar Spectacular sponsors for the breakfast with $1,000 donations.  The success of the event also was made possible by Shooting Star breakfast sponsors and table sponsors ranging from Shooting Star sponsors, making a donation of $300, to Solar Spectacular sponsors, with a donation of $1,000.

Don Empfield, current president of the La Porte Education Foundation Board of Directors, served as master of ceremonies for the event. 

"The La Porte Education Foundation is very proud of our Stars, the educators, as it is truly a 'work of the heart' from each one of them," Empfield said.

Motivational speaker Eileen McDargh, a former educator and Teacher of the Year in Nassau County, Florida, talked with guests about "The Energy Connection," noting that "innovation, creativity and productivity are the results of people who are highly energized by what they do, how they do it, and who they do it for."

During the 2007-08 school year, the foundation awarded 76 grants, for a total of $65,000, to LPISD teachers and administrators.  Over 700 educators at all 12 LPISD schools have benefitted from these awards, which have totaled over $543,000. 

The foundation plans to award $70,000 in grants during the 2008-09 school year.

The 2007-08 grant winners included Jo Ann Holt, Mona Gibbs, Steven E. Robson, Barbara Davis, Mona Gibbs, Scottie Anderson, Linda Lahaug, Becky Joseph, Rene Gibson and Jennifer Engels of Bayshore Elementary School; Debbie Alli, Mary Lynn Teutsch, Andra Mazariegos, Latisha Peltier, Beth Northcutt, Jana Stuzman, Melissa White, Betty Walker, Laura Teepe, Ashley Fish, Donna Simons, Julie Wilson, Linda Hyde and Rhonda Jones of College Park Elementary; and Debbie Alli, Melissa Champion, Danette Tilley, Becky Wingstrom and Lisa Tupper of Heritage Elementary School.

The list of grant winners also includes Pam Dunham, Mary Cummings and Sharla Northcutt of La Porte Elementary; Brenda Crager, Felicia Shindler and Diane Weeden of Lomax Elementary; Nancy Ojeda, Julie Banks and Catherine Casper of Jennie Reid Elementary ; and Christine DeLong, Dana Harmon, Laura Garcia, Denise Harrison-Fitzmaurice, Donna Bracewell, Christi Miller, Melissa Hattaway and Erin Stackhouse of Rizzuto Elementary.

Also earning Foundation grants are Sheryl Alexander, Celinda Bennett and Angela Watts of Baker Sixth-Grade Campus; Catherine Richard of Lomax Junior High School; Karan Ann Lee, Amanda Mueller, Melissa Harrison and Cristy Williams of La Porte Junior High School; Jo Claire Hall and Kathleen Restrepo of De Walt Alternative School; and Robert Miller, Kathy Kimball, Michelle Napier, C.J. Odam, John Guthrie, Hope Salas, Daniel Seibert and Christie Hamilton of La Porte High School.

Any LPISD teacher or administrator can apply for a Foundation grant.  Grants provide educators the opportunity to obtain funding for projects they may not otherwise be able to implement.

Applications for this year's grant program are available on the LPISD web site at www.lpisd.org .  This year's application includes instructions for filling out the application template.  Applications are due in the district's Communications Office by Sept. 26. 

In addition to providing grants to educators, the foundation has awarded over 59 student scholarships through designated funds and sent 20 LPHS students to China through the global studies program.

Parents of La Porte High School seniors will have the opportunity to place an ad celebrating their child's high school years in the Homecoming issue of the LPHS football program. The Homecoming football game will be Friday, Sept. 26, against Sam Rayburn High School. 

Ads may include photos and messages, with the cost $50 for a full page, $25 for a half-page, and $15 for a quarter-page.  All ads will be printed in black-and-white, and photos will be returned.  Parents should lay out their ad as they would like for it to appear in the program.  Ad deadline is Sept. 17.

Interested parents may send their ads to Mary Wacey and Jamie Orlando, LPHS Student Council sponsors, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, TX 77571, with checks made payable to LPHS Student Council.  A Texas Driver's License number should be included on the check.  Ads may also be sent to school with students.

For more information, call 281-604-7601 or e-mail waceym@lpisd.org.

Richard Floyd, State Director of Music for the University Interscholastic League (UIL), recently notified LPHS flutist Kirsten Hilson that she was receiving the "State Champions" Medallion awarded to all Texas State Champions in UIL events. Mr. Floyd's communication stated "On behalf of the University Interscholastic League please allow me to congratulate you for being selected as an OUTSTANDING PERFORMER at the 2008 Texas State Solo-Ensemble (TSSEC) Flute Solo Contest. Of the approximately 85,000 students participating in the regional UIL music contest and the 22,000 musicians who performed at TSSEC, only 256 students earned the distinguished honor of being recognized as an OUTSTANDING PERFORMER. This achievement is truly a mark of musical excellence". Kirsten performed the First Movement of the Mozart Flute Concerto in D from memory. Ms. Hilson has been a regular participant in the TSSEC for the past three years, receiving numerous Superior ratings for both Solo and Ensemble performances on the flute.

Her parents Rachel Carlton and Philip Hilson are both accomplished violinists and music educators. 

Kirstin is pictured on the right standing between Band Director Kevin Poe and Principal Joanne Kolius.

2003 LPHS Graduate Kerron Clement has won the Silver Medal in the 400m Hurdles at the Beijing Olympics.

Recap

400m Hurdles Final Results

Bio

All LPISD campus ratings and data are found on the Accountability section of the TEA website. While there are many highlights, Lomax Elementary received an Exemplary Campus rating for 2nd year in a row, which is a first for LPISD in the TAKS Accountability System.

Six campuses received a Recognized Rating and the remaing 5 campuses received an Academically Acceptable Rating. Click on the school name in the table linked above for individual Campus Accountability data.

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2008/static/summary/d101916.html

La Porte ISD has announced the 2008-09 Dress Code for the Baker Sixth Grade Campus.

The District's dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, prevents disruption, and minimizes safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student's personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following:

Clothing Basics:

• Appropriate fit

• Shirts must be tucked in - all layers

• All clothing must be in good repair; no holes in pants/skirts/shorts

The following are prohibited :

Pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing or jewelry that

(1) Are lewd, offensive, vulgar or obscene;

(2) Advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons, violence, satanic symbols, blood, or death (including skulls);

(3) Are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang, unauthorized club or organizations;

(4) Any clothing that allows undergarments to be exposed or bares the mid-riff.

Slacks/Jeans/Pants//Capri's/Shorts :

• Any color (designs included) that does not violate the clothing basics

• No sweat pants/wind suits/sport shorts

• No form fitting pants

• Shorts must be fingertip length or longer

Dresses/Jumpers/Skirts/Skorts :

• Any color (designs included) that does not violate clothing basics

• Must be a length of mid thigh or longer

Shirts:

• Any color or pattern that does not violate clothing basics

• Collared

• Turtle neck (mock included)

Shoes:

• Any color

• Closed toe and heel (no sandals or clogs)

• No skate shoes (including Heelies)

• One colored shoe laces only

Socks/Hosiery:

• Worn at all times

• Leggings may be worn under skirts and dresses for hosiery purposes

Sweaters/Jackets/Vests/Sweatshirts:

• Any color or design that does not violate clothing basics

• A collared shirt or turtleneck underneath

• All hoodies and over-sized sweatshirts must be removed in the building

• Any jacket/sweater with a zipper or buttons must remained unzipped/unbuttoned in the building at all times to expose waist

Hair:

• Clean, neatly groomed and non-distracting

• No designs in hair

Accessories:

• No chains

• Sunglasses, hats, bandannas, gloves or head/hand coverings indoors

• Pierced jewelry worn only in the ear

• Tattoos and other drawings on the skin must be covered

Other:

• No make-up

• No notched eye brows

School Spirit Shirts:

• School spirit shirts, with or without collars may be worn everyday

"In addition, La Porte ISD has documented the existence of some gang-related behaviors on campuses. The rules regarding baggy pants, over-sized clothing, students wearing one color of clothing on a consistent basis and clothing depicting association in a gang or secret society are intended to inhibit gang-related conduct. Gang related clothing will not be permitted in school or at any LPHS school events. Students not willing to be in compliance during LPHS school events will be asked to leave. LPISD is working closely with law enforcement specialists on identifying gang behavior in our area."

**If a student is in violation of the dress code or grooming standards, the parent will be contacted either by phone or student delivered copy.

**The principal or designee has the authority to determine the suitability of student dress.

The principal, in cooperation with the sponsor, coach, or other person in charge of an extracurricular activity, may regulate the dress and grooming of students who participate in the activity. Individual campuses may develop and enforce additional dress and grooming guidelines that meet the standards of the campus. These guidelines may be more restrictive than those prohibited by the district. However, these additional guidelines shall adhere to the general guidelines for the district and be developed with advice of the campus committee.

  La Porte ISD has announced the secondary dress code for the 2008-09 school year.

  Backpacks for LPISD junior high and high school students must be made of material that allows the contents to be visible.  Clear or mesh backpacks are required.  Backpacks that do not meet this requirement will not be allowed on campus.

  Other highlights of the secondary dress code include the following:
Clothing shall be cinched at the waist.  Baggy pants that sag or do not sit on the waistline, hip-hugger or low-rise jeans/pants/skirts/shorts are not permitted.  Tie wraps that cinch the pants at the waist will be provided for students that do not have a belt.

  Hair shall be clean, neatly groomed, and non-distracting.  No unnatural hair coloring, designs cut into the hair or Mohawks will be allowed.

  Pierced jewelry is to be worn in the ears only; no facial piercing will be allowed.  Covering a visible piercing will not bring a student into compliance with the dress code.

  All clothing, including shorts, skirts and dresses, cannot be shorter than one inch above the knee.  Slits, flaps and other openings in skirts must meet the same criteria for all clothing in length.  Wearing leggings under these garments does not put a student in compliance.

  La Porte High School students are required to wear garments with hemmed sleeves.  Jackets/sweaters or similar coverings over sleeveless garments will not bring a student into compliance with the dress code.

  All students must wear appropriate undergarments.  Necklines for tops cannot reveal cleavage, and male students may not wear sleeveless tops, T-shirts or jerseys without a sleeved garment underneath.

  Clothing shall be clean and in good repair with no holes.  This includes jeans and pants with holes.

  Sunglasses, hats, bandannas, gloves or any head/hand coverings are not allowed indoors.  Head coverings worn indoors will be confiscated.  Tattoos and/or any other drawings on the skin must be covered at all times.

  Prohibited items include chains (such as billfold chains and chains on pants), pajama pants or sleepwear, blankets, house shoes, baggy pants/shorts or athletic shorts, body suits, bike pants, leggings, and tight or cotton sweat pants.  Undergarments worn as outer garments will not be permitted, nor will writing on the seat/bottom area of shorts or pants or other garments.

  Items that are not allowed also include items with pictures, emblems, or writings on jewelry that are lewd, offensive, vulgar or obscene; advertise or depict tobacco products,  alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons, violence, satanic symbols, blood or death; and/or are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang, unauthorized club or organization.  Examples include bandanas, shirts with known gang members' pictures or gang emblems, skulls and satanic symbols.

  See-through garments and clothing that allows undergarments to be exposed or bares the midriff will not be permitted.  If a student's undergarments or midriff can be seen when the arms are raised above the head, the clothing is too short. 

The complete LPISD secondary dress code is available on the district web site.  For more information, call your child's school.  

  The La Porte ISD elementary dress code will include only a few changes for the 2008-09 school year.

  According to Isela Montes, executive director of elementary education, LPISD elementary principals discussed the dress code at a recent meeting and updated the guidelines. 

  For example, gym shorts and low or revealing tops will not be permitted.  Pants with holes, tears or rips, including those purchased with "fashion tears," also will not be allowed.

  Guidelines for hair now include "natural coloration" and "non-distracting."  Mohawks and other designs cut into the hair are prohibited.

  Below is the complete LPISD elementary dress code.  The elementary dress code also is available on the LPISD web site.

  For more information, contact your child's school.

LPISD Elementary Dress Code

• Clothing Basics:
• Appropriate fit
• Shirts must be tucked in
• The following are prohibited.  Clothing, pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing, or jewelry that:
  • (1) Are lewd, offensive, vulgar or obscene;
  • (2) Advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, weapons, violence, satanic symbols, blood, or death;
  • (3) Are evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang, unauthorized club or organization;
  • (4) That allows undergarments to be exposed or bares the midriff.

Slacks/Jeans/Pants/Shorts:

• Any color (designs included) that does not violate the clothing basics
• No holes, tears, or rips in pants, including those purchased with fashion tears
• No sweat pants/windsuits/gym shorts
• No form fitting pants
• Shorts must be fingertip length or longer

Dresses/Jumpers/Skirts/Skorts:

• Any color (designs included)
• Must be a length of mid thigh or longer

Shirts:

• Any color or pattern that does not violate clothing basics
• Shirts with collars
• Low cut or revealing tops are not permitted

Shoes:

• Any color
• Closed toe and heel (no sandals, flip-flops, or clogs)
• No skate shoes (including Heelies)

Socks/Hosiery:

• Worn at all times
• Leggings may be worn under skirts and dresses for hosiery purposes

Sweaters/Jackets/Vests/Sweatshirts:

• Any color or design that does not violate clothing basics
• Over-sized or bulky hoodies and sweatshirts must be removed in the building

Hair:

• Clean, neatly groomed, natural coloration, and non-distracting such as Mohawks or designs cut into the hair

Accessories:

• No chains
• No sunglasses, hats, bandannas, gloves or head/hand coverings indoors
• Pierced jewelry worn only in the ear
• Tattoos and other drawings on the skin must be covered

Other:

• No make-up

Fridays Only:

• School spirit shirts may be worn

  Any form of dress or appearance determined by the principal to be disruptive to the learning environment will be prohibited.



 

La Porte ISD has received preliminary results on the Spring 2008 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The table below shows the preliminary 2008 scores with comparisons to scores from 2006 and 2007. Preliminary results indicate that Lomax Elementary may be rated an Exemplary Campus. This will be the first campus to receive
consecutive Exemplary ratings (2006-2007 and 2007-2008) in LPISD under the new TAKS system (TEA).The official ratings will be released August 1st.

• Preliminary District Results of 2008 TAKS Tests (updated 7/21)
• Estimated District and Campus TEA Accountability Ratings and District and Campus Ratings by Accountability Subpopulations (updated 7/21)

The 2008 La Porte Education Foundation Grant Application is now available on the La Porte ISD website home page.  Any LPISD teacher or administrator can apply for a Foundation Grant.  These Grants can give teachers the opportunity to obtain funding for projects they may not otherwise be able to implement.  This year's application includes instructions for filling out the application template.

The La Porte Education Foundation was founded in 1993 with the mission of enhancing education by funding innovative, creative instructional projects for students and teachers in La Porte ISD schools.  This year the Foundation will award $70,000 to teachers and administrators through the Grant process.

Questions regarding the application or the Grant process can be directed to the Communications Department at (281) 604-7001.

2008 La Porte Education Foundation Grant Application

La Porte High School baseball player Aaron Spaugh has been selected by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association to the Academic All State Team. A 2008 LPHS graduate, Aaron participated in Bulldog baseball all 4 years and was an integral member of the pitching staff that helped the Dogs make a playoff run against Westbrook and Elkins this season. He had a record of 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA, and 2 saves, and he led the Bulldogs in innings pitched in the postseason with 10. He picked up a victory in game 3 of the bi-district round and was the starting pitcher in the opening game of the Area round against Elkins, a game the Dogs won.

Aaron plans to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Houston. He finished his academic career with a 4.67 GPA and was ranked 41 out of 506 seniors. Earlier this year, Aaron was also awarded The David Foundation Grant, Lyondell Engineering Scholarship, Galena Park Class of 57 scholarship, LPHS Baseball Booster Club scholarship and PPG Industries grant. David has a sister, Kelly, who is a graduate of Texas AM, and his proud parents are David and Donna Spaugh.

LPHS Alumnus (2003) Kerron Clement will be competing in the 400 m Hurdles for the United States in the Beijing Olympics. Kerron is the current world champion. Kerron earned his place on the Olympic Team Sunday night, June 29, at the Olympic Trials in Eugene Oregon.

CBC Olympics | U.S. hurdler Clement aims for Beijing
2003 Graduate Clement Breaks World Record

The La Porte Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 6:00 PM, June 24, 2008 in the Board Room, Administration Building, 1002 San Jacinto St, La Porte, Texas. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district's budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The tax rate that is ultimately adopted at this meeting, or at a separate meeting at a later date, may not exceed the proposed rate shown in the Public Notice (linked below) unless the district publishes a revised notice containing the same information and comparisons set out in the Notice and holds another public meeting to discuss the revised notice.

Full text of Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate

Summary of 2008 - 2009 Proposed Budget 

Congratulations to the Lomax Elementary Team, "The Pawsomes", who were invited to compete in the TOYchallenge Competition this spring. The team traveled to San Diego, CA with their sponsor, Mrs. Jones, to participate in the national competition, where their Monkey-on-a-Stick received Honorable Mention for Most Inspirational!

The TOYchallenge Competition is sponsored by Sally Ride Science and is a fun-fueled, inventors contest designed to encourage students to become scientists and engineers. Over 400 teams participated in the event and 48 were invited to compete in the Nationals on May 31st. The LXE team also won 5 round-trip airfare tickets from Southwest Airlines (SWA) to go to the contest. SWA and Grumman Aircraft strongly support and encourage young adults to participate in the competition while making their creation as they follow the process engineers use to problem solve.

Pictured are 5th graders: Brynna Farmacka, Stephanie Rubach, Shayna Morton, Mrs. Suzanne Jones, Cullen McDonald, Koby Torres, and Lane Pfeiffer.

Dear Parents,

Summer is an excellent opportunity for students and families to enjoy spending some time together reading and discussing a good book. Like a good movie, books create conversations about our life's experiences and the world around us. 

Educational researchers have found that there is a strong correlation between reading and academic success. A student who is a good reader is more likely to do well in school and pass exams than a student who is a weak reader. Research has also shown that summer is a time when students lose ground. Reading is one way to help keep skills sharp.

With these ideas in mind, our district has put together an abbreviated recreational summer reading list. These books are taken from the Texas Library Association's lists of books which can be found at http://txla.org/html/reading.html. You can access further recommendations from the list.

In order to help students choose books on their reading level, it is helpful to know about the Lexile Framework for Reading. This framework is a scientific approach to measuring readers and reading materials. The Lexile measure reflects the difficulty of a text. Your child's Lexile measure indicates his or her reading ability. Knowing the Lexile level of a book and the Lexile measure of a reader helps predict how the book matches the student's reading ability. The recommended Lexile range for choosing reading text is 50L above and 100L below their Lexile measure. This means that if a child's lexile level is 880L, they should choose books in the lexile range from 830L to 990L. Keep in mind that lexile levels measure the reading difficulty of a book; they do not take into account the maturity level of the reader so choose books wisely.

Student lexile level's can be found on the TAKS Confidential Student Report under the "Reading" category in the lower left corner which will say:

Lexile Measure
880L (numbers will be different)

Within every classroom, students' Lexile levels will vary. Lexiles track a student's reading progress over time, no matter what grade they are in.

Many libraries have access to databases which can help your child find reading materials on their Lexile level. For book suggestions visit the free Lexile Book Database at www.Lexile.com. This can be used to find books and create booklists. The Lexile Framework provides an easy way for readers to keep track of their growth and progress.

Happy summer reading!

Recommendations for Recreational Summer Reading

La Porte ISD

2008

Age 1-Second Grade

On the Go With Mr. and Mrs. Green by Keith Baker

Move Over, Rover! by Karen Beaumont

Cork & Fuzz: Short and Tall by Dori Chaconas

Duck & Goose by Tad Hills

 
Third through Sixth Grades

The Blue Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer

Roxie and the Hooligans by Phillis Reynolds

Down Girl and Sit: On the Road by Lucy Nolan

Who Stole Halloween by Martha Freeman

Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddeix

George Crum and the Saratoga Chip by Gaylia Taylor

Sixth through Eighth Grades

The Lambkins by Joanna Cotler

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick

Runaway by Van Draanen

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Ninth through Twelfth

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Code Orange-by Caroline Cooney

Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth & John Wilkes (nonfiction) by James Cross Giblin

Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks

Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr

What Are You Afraid Of? Stories About Phobias by Don Gallo

Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? by Melissa Kantor

La Porte High School senior Vanessa Rodriquez has signed a soccer scholarship to Dakota Wesleyan University. Vanessa has played soccer 3 years for La Porte and is a 1 year letterman. Vanessa earned All-District Award 2008 sportsmanship.

Pictured below (left to right: Todd Schoppe (Athletic Director), Roberto Perez (Dad), Vanessa Rodriguez (seated at desk), Seferino A. Rodriquez (Brother), Roberto T. Perez (Brother), and Coach Brandy German.

Summer School 2008 will be conducted in two sessions. Session One will be in June and will consist of focused TAKS tutoring for students that are required to re-test in TAKS during July. These students will be in grades 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11/12. (Note: 4^th grade students will not be required to test in July but have been recommended by their principals for extra tutoring during the summer.)

Session Two will be in July. This is the traditional summer school where we provide reading improvement instruction for 1^st and 2^nd graders, course remediation/credit recovery for 6-12^th grade students and initial credit acceleration opportunities for high school students (including rising ninth graders).

The district will also provide extended school year instruction for certain students that receive special services and for Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in Kindergarten and 1^st grade. These two groups of students and families will be notified by their campus of the dates, times, and procedures for your summer programs.

• Additional information on schedule, hours, location, registration procedures, tuition, transportation and food service
  

Yolanda Joseph, first-year PASS (Positive Approach to Student Success) teacher at La Porte Junior High, was named the La Porte ISD Rookie of the Year for 2007-2008.  Ms. Joseph exemplifies the professionalism and high standards which can serve as a model for new teachers entering the teaching profession.  Her dedication to students and commitment to La Porte Junior High teachers and staff have earned her the respect of her peers and the recognition as this year's Rookie of the Year.

Pictured below, left to right:
April Fox, La Porte ISD Director, Special Education; Wohn Harden, La Porte Jr. High Assistant Principal; Yolanda Joseph; Dr. Mike Thomas, LPJH Principal; Barbara Farmer, LPISD Coordinator, Staff Development

LPHS Senior Joyce Martinez has signed with the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she has received a Golf Scholarship.  In the photo (front row L-R) LPHS Principal Joanne Kolius, Annette Martinez, Joyce Martinez, Larry Martinez and LPHS Golf Coach Billy Stout.  Back Row:  Athletic Director Todd Schoppe and LPHS Counselor Christy Crislip.
 

The Sonja Angelo Theater is now once again officially open.  Monday evening, May 5,  La Porte, Morgan's Point and Shoreacres community members gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Sonja Angelo Theater.  On hand to help celebrate were over 70 elementary students from all 7 of La Porte ISD's elementary schools, La Porte High School Thespian members in abundance, district faculty and staff members, plus many area community supporters of the district's theater program. Due to the Bond Referendum of 2005, the theater has been renovated and many needed updates added.  Additional classrooms were included in the renovations.

Theater teacher Kerry Regan said it best.  "The Sonja Angelo Theater is more than a building or a theater.  This is our home."  She and Steve Regan graduated from La Porte High School in 1974. Fellow theater teacher Kelly Nelson graduated from La Porte High School in 1982.  Welcome home, Kerry, Steve and Kelly. The community has given a wonderful home where present and future high school stars can perform and grow.  

Ed Matuszak, Board of Trustee Facilities Chairman, Rob Roy, Citizens Oversight Committee Chairman and Roy Montalbano, PBK Architects

As part of the opening, La Porte High School "One Act" cast performed "It Runs In The Family"
L to R: Chelsea Robinson, Chris Sauceda, Marshall Copous, Jennifer Wade, Jacob Lozano, Shelby Bray, Samantha Gomez, Harrison Smith, Rachel Turner, John Lawler, Katie McKinley, Clayton Reichelderfer, Tyler Torres, Zach Ellenberg

(April 26, 2008) LyondellBasell's day of giving back began in the rain last Saturday, April 26, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the 106 LyondellBasell volunteers who came out to help Bayshore Elementary School during LyondellBasell Global Care Day.

"We braved the rain and the mud, but what we created together will increase awareness of the environment with the kids," said Shujath Masarath of the LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant, co-champion of the Global Care Day project at Bayshore. "All of us came together and worked as one group and got everything done. It was nice to see the families of people we work with helping employees, along with the Bayshore teachers."

LyondellBasell Global Care Day is a worldwide community-service initiative that this year involved 3,000 employees, friends and family members in 56 communities in 11 countries where LyondellBasell has operations. Each project receives funding as well as free volunteer labor.

"It's very important to me that I work for a company that supports the community," said Maria Medrano of LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant, co-champion of the Global Care Day project at Bayshore. "It makes me feel proud to help people in need."

Twelve projects were held in the greater Houston area, with three others in Bay Area Houston: the city of Shoreacres City Hall Garden, Armand Bayou Nature Center and The Bridge Over Troubled Waters' emergency women's shelter, which serves Pasadena, La Porte, Shoreacres, Morgan's Point and Deer Park.

At Bayshore, volunteers from the LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant built a nature habitat that will serve as an exploratory classroom with 780 square feet of native Texas plants from different ecosystems. The area will be used as part of the curriculum to teach children about the environment and the importance of protecting it.

"I have never seen such an organized group of volunteers willing to take time out of their busy schedules to help schools develop a habitat that will capture the minds of students with science," said Bayshore Principal Patricia Herrera-Johnson.

A 300-foot irrigation system was installed in trenches dug by volunteers and a 200-foot fence was raised. The focal point is a large stunning pergola, under which classes can congregate. The pergola is nearly 11 feet tall and is 16 feet by 16 feet big.

"Our community, our schools in La Porte ISD and our environment are very important to us," said LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant Manager Steve Wood. "When we can combine all of that in a great day working side by side with our co-workers and families, it means a lot to us."

The school discussed at length with the LyondellBasell volunteers and with habitat curriculum specialist Sheila Brown of the Environmental Institute of Houston how to sustain and maintain the habitat, said Herrera-Johnson.

"We are prepared to maximize its use by integrating science learning for our students," said Herrera-Johnson. "This is truly a gift for our students in the name of science."

The company began Global Care Day in 2000 to challenge employees at each of its worldwide locations to participate on the same day in community service above and beyond ongoing community involvement activities. Employees organize their activities around one of the company's three community focus areas: environment, education and community sustainability.

Worldwide activities range from landscaping and habitat development to carpentry and maintenance at children's or seniors' centers, to construction of wheelchair ramps and flagpoles.

LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies, producing chemicals used in everyday products, such as medicines, foods, food packaging, paints and plastics.

In Bay Area Houston, LyondellBasell has five facilities with more than 3,000 employees and contractors providing more than $1.4 billion to the local economy through payroll, benefits, purchases and taxes. They produce chemicals used in everyday products, such as medicines, foods, food packaging, paints and plastics. Lyondell Chemical and Basell merged in December 2007 to form LyondellBasell Industries.

Bayshore Elementary and La Porte ISD say a big "Thank You!" to LyondellBassell employees for their Global Care Day work at Bayshore Elementary.

La Porte High School students participated in District and Regional UIL meets this Spring.  Some of the students who were part of this rigorous competition, and their coaches, are pictured above.

Front row:  Amanda Woods, Lolie Martha, Karolyn Power, Kendra Foree

Second Row:  sponsor Kelly Cyr, Melissa Nunez, Kaitlyn Hawkins, Chelsea Bethancourt, Brittney Archie, Crystal Shivers, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelby Bray, Katie McKinley, Amanda Ladd, Celina Fontenot

Third Row: sponsor Susan Roberts, sponsor Sharion Parker, Sable Beale, Kaz Wheeler, Robert Swain, Curtis Wyche, Justin Chelette, Cody Garza, John Lawler, Tyler Torres, Tim Brown, Jacob Lozano, Rachel Turner, sponsor C.J. Odam

Fourth Row and to top:  sponsor Joel Fagan, sponsor Deron Entler, sponsor Blake Haygood, Chris Sauceda, Marshall Copous, Joshua Emhuff, Clayton Reichelderfer, Zach Ellenberg, Harrison Smith 

Stanford 10 Overview Slideshow

Stanford 10 Web Site 

On Saturday, April 12th, members of the LPHS Choir competed in the Lonestar Music Festival in Dallas Texas. The group's hard work during after school rehearsals paid off as they received not only SUPERIORs from all of the judges but also won BEST IN CLASS for Treble groups and BEST OVERALL CHOIR PERFORMANCE for the Contest site.

They performed "Vere Languores" (Latin piece), "Mbiri Kuna Mwari" (a piece from Zimbabwe), and finally "Sign No More Ladies" with text by William Shakespeare.

Students participating in the trip to Dallas were: Brittany Druckenbrodt, Kristina Goodrich, Hanna Vergara, Megan Cox, Natalie Munoz, Courtney Allen, Jennifer Willis, Megan Ayers, Latoya Phillips, Deja Wrought, Maya Wrought, Myranda Gill, Zoe McCourt, Delaney Knight, Jordan Tracy, Sierra McCaleb, Alexis Lawrence, Amanda Barnes, Isaiah Martinez (playing percussion), Cameron Valencia (playing percussion), Michael Hayes (playing percussion), Joey Grahm, and Doug Bailey. Congratulations to these students! The Choir is directed by Mrs. Sandra Strickhouser.

The LPE Odyssey of the Mind team competed in state competition on Saturday, April 5th and walked away with another first place trophy. The team has been working all year to prepare for competition through problem solving, critical thinking, dramatic acting, script writing and costume and prop design and construction. This first year team has perfected their technical performance to portray a unique theory of why the dinosaurs became extinct. This championship title earns them a place in world finals to be held at the University of Maryland on May 31st - June 4th. World finals will be comprised of more than 800 teams across the globe coming together for a once in a lifetime multicultural experience.

Students left to right: Armando Arizpe (5th grade), Haden Powell (5th grade), Lindsey Witt (4th grade), Isaac Garcia (3rd grade), Emilly Baker (5th), Chloe Siller (4th grade), Chyanne Munoz (5th grade)

Adults pictured:  left - Coach -Anjanette Siller, right side - Coach Faustino Ceyanes and Head Coach Mary Cummings

Lomax Jr. High participated in the UIL One Act Play competition at Alvin Community College on Saturday April 5th and received 2nd place for their performance of Of Winners, Losers and Games. 

In the picture are: bottom row: Drake Shrader (best actor), Demetris Guzman. Second row: Taylor Crawford, Sarah Hinds, Mrs. Baccaro (2nd place trophy), Desiree Gaines, Stephen Mabry.  Last row:  Damian Kinney, Claudia Pool, Corbin Ayers, Nicole Troup, Tyler Smith - Honorable Mention All Star Cast, Ally Oliphint - All Star Cast, Desmond Antoine, John Dunn, Jeffery Adams, Brianna Garcia.

The La Porte High School girl's and boy's varsity bowling teams competed in the State Championship Tournament for High School Bowling at Copperfield Lanes in Houston.  The girl's team was making its second straight trip to the state tournament.  The boy's team was competing in its first state tournament. 

The La Porte girls improved on their 17th place at last year's tournament by placing 15th in this year's qualifying rounds and making the 16 team playoff.  The first round of playoffs consisted of the best of three games. The Bulldogs, seeded 15th, bowled against the 2nd seed from Plano South High School.  The Bulldogs won the first game (137-128) but dropped the second game (160-127), which set up the winner-take-all third game.  The La Porte girls kept pace with the Plano South girls until the last frame in which Plano South was able to take the game by a slim margin of five pins (148-143).  Members of the girls' varsity bowling team that competed at the state tournament were Brynn Witte, Lauren Bittler, Ashley Price, Lindsay Waters, and Ana Gonzalez.

The La Porte High boys were very close in their first appearance at the state tournament as they missed the 16 team playoff with a 19th place finish.  The La Porte boys surprised a lot of the veteran high school teams with their outstanding performance in the qualifying rounds.  Members of the varsity team that competed at the state tournament were Justin McDonald, Zyne Mendez, Travis Williams, Corey Williams, Kevin Benson, and David Johnson.

In the individual portion of the state tournament, Brynn Witte placed 11th in the Girls' Singles Division.  Brynn qualified for the round of 16 with a solid 592 series (200, 212, and 180). Although Brynn posted a 600 series in the first playoff round, she was unable to advance past the round of 16.  In the first playoff round, which was the best of three games, against Caney Creek's Kristen Davis, Brynn lost the first game 256-213, won the second game 222-211, but lost the third game 237-221.  Justin McDonald and Travis Williams were participants the Boys Singles Division.  The bowling team was coached by John Mullins and Kathy McDonald.

"The Pawsomes" of Lomax Elementary recently competed in a national toy invention contest sposored by Sally Ride Science whose aim is to encourage young inventors to become interested in science and math endeavors . They cooperatively created the "Monkey-on-a-Stick" toy for kids from 4 years old to 99 years old!

The judging team was most impressed with the innovative toy and the proposal the students developed and researched. The competition judges, scientists and engineers across the USA, chose the team to advance to Nationals at the Qualcomm Center in San Diego to present and display their invention.

The team members include 5th graders: Brynna Farmacka; Shayna Morton; Stephanie Rubach; Cullen McDonald; Lane Pfeiffer; Koby Torres; and, Coach Suzanne Jones, Enrichment Specialist at LXE. Congratulations to an awesome team who deserves the best! Go Monkey-on-a-Stick!

Congratulations to the La Porte JV Softball team! The Lady Dawgs won the championship of the Deer Park JV Tournament this past weekend. Highlights of the tournament included a solo homerun by freshman Krystal Villarreal in the first round victory over Santa Fe.  The Lady Dawgs met Clear Creek in the second round and defeated the Wildcats 2-0 behind stellar pitching performances by Ashleigh Brownback and Victoria Brown. In the third round, the Lady Dawgs defeated Deer Park 3-0 to advance to the championship game against Brazoswood. Victoria Brown was the winning pitcher in the championship game, giving up two hits and no runs. The Lady Dawgs defeated the Lady Bucs 4-0, with RBI's from Amanda Brown, Megan Hogan and Victoria Brown. The tournament championship was a total team effort. Congratulations Ladies!

Pictured from left to right:
Coach Elisha Thompson
Top row: Sarah Hyde, Lauren DeSpain, Kirsten Hall, Brittney Bierman, Jordyn Watson, Victoria Brown, Desiree Dawson, Kacey Brock, Megan Hogan
Bottom row: Courtney Hutchins, Ashleigh Brownback, Krystal Villarreal and Amanda Brown

On Wednesday and Thursday, March 12 and 13, six orchestras from La Porte High School, Lomax Junior High School, and La Porte Junior High School competed in the UIL Region X Concert and Sightreading Contest. The event was held at Baytown Sterling High School. Two panels of UIL Judges awarded five different ratings during the two day event, ranging from superior to poor. Participating groups performed two selections from the UIL Prescribed Music List based on school size and one selection of the director's choice. After the concert performance a piece of music that the group had never played before was also required for rating by a separate panel of judges. Groups that received superior ratings in both concert performance and sightreading were awarded a UIL Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest award given by UIL.

Four LPISD orchestras were awarded UIL Sweepstakes Trophies: the La Porte High School JV/Sinfonia Non-Varsity Orchestra, LPHS Varsity Orchestra, La Porte Junior High School 8th Grade Orchestra, and the Lomax Junior High School 7th Grade Orchestra all were awarded superior ratings in both concert and sightreading. Both the La Porte High School JV/Sinfonia and Varsity Orchestras are under the direction of Dr. Geoff Carlton. The Lomax Junior High School 7th Grade Orchestra is under the direction of Cristina Reyes, and the La Porte Junior High School Orchestra is under the direction of Rachel Carlton.

Two LPISD orchestras: the La Porte High School Freshman Orchestra and the Lomax Junior High School 8th Grade Orchestra received Excellent Ratings in concert performance and plaques for Superior Ratings in sightreading. The LPHS Freshman Orchestra is under the direction of Clint Brown, and the Lomax Junior High School 8th Grade Orchestra is under the direction of Cristina Reyes.

Amanda Barnes signs with Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Left to Right: Coach Vance Edwards, Lamar State College; Teresa Buchanan (Amanda's mom); Mark Buchanan (step dad); Amanda Barnes; Curtis Barnes (dad); LPHS Athletic Director Todd Schoppe; Ed Sosa, Houston RBI-Select Team; not pictured sponsor CJ Barnett of Baytown Hyundai

On Saturday, March 1st, La Porte Elementary students competed in the regional Odyssey of the Mind Tournament at North Shore Middle School and came away with a first place finish. They also won the prestigious Ranatra Fusca Award for exceptional creativity. The team; consisting of 4 fifth graders, 2 fourth graders and one third grader will now go on to the state competition at Spring Woods High School on April 5th. A win at state would send the team to World Competition in Maryland or Eurofest in Hungary. Coaches Mrs. Cummings, Ms. Siller and Coach Ceyanes feel the team is very strong and they have a good chance of going all the way. Good luck to our La Porte Elementary team!!! 

After a rigorous application process, twenty La Porte High School students have been selected to go to China on Sunday, March 16th for a two week cultural experience. Thanks to funds raised by the La Porte Education Foundation and contributions from both local industry and small businesses, the twenty students plus three teacher chaperones will be visiting Beijing, Xian, Tianjin, and Shanghai in an effort to build relations between the two countries. Accompanying them will be Education Foundation representative Gloria Lair as well as Nancy Li from the Easton Development Company, who put the trip together and serves as our main contact to China. In addition to experiencing all the cultural interests China has to offer, the students will also have the opportunity to stay three days with a student from Nankai High School in Tianjin in order to really experience the day-to-day life of China and what it is like to be a student there.

Be sure to look for upcoming events as the students will be presenting projects to the school and community in the near future.

(Contributed by Jack Swearingen)

The Famous Kamas Kids' Signatures in Space poster has finally arrived! Back from the International Space Station, it was a long awaited arrival. In 2002-2003, Mrs. Sharon Kamas's fifth grade class participated in Space Day challenges and coordinated several events for the entire school in celebration of Space Day. The most exciting event was signing the Signatures in Space poster. 

The poster, signed by the entire school, was scheduled to fly to the ISS sometime in 2004. Due to the Columbia tragedy, the program was put on hold. Finally, after five long years, their poster is back. The poster will be on display at the Administration building through March 25th, when it will be placed on permanent display at Lomax Elementary. If you attended Lomax Elementary in the 2002-2003 school year, come by and see your signature and learn about the flight your poster took. Don't forget to bring a camera and take your picture!

The LPHS percussion ensemble performed at the Oak Ridge High School percussion ensemble festival on Saturday, March 1.  The ensemble earned a superior rating from all judges, and they were named the outstanding high school varsity percussion ensemble for the entire contest. 

Pictured Below:

Back Row (L-R) Joey Ramirez, Ryan Clipper, Michael Peña, Jake Stamps, Andrew Mueller, Eric Ramirez, Erin Prasek, Eric Johnson, Chad Verbeck, Arnoldo Vazquez, Nick Garcia, Bobby Hopper, Jillian Joiner

Kneeling in Back (L-R) Seven Reiss, Travis Kime, Michael Farias, Bryan Hershberger

Kneeling in Front (L-R) Micah Guajardo, Thomas Lara, Chris Kimball

La Porte Independent School District's Spelling Bee was held Tuesday, February 26th at the Administration Building. The spelling bee went 18 rounds, and winner Christopher Dlouhy had to spell blitzkrieg and then sauerbraten to win first place. Christopher is the son of Felix & Lynnesa Dlouhy and is a 7th grader at Lomax Jr. High. He was also the 1st place winner last year.

The 1st runner up was Tessa Esquivel, the daughter of Anna Esquivel and a 5th grader at Jennie Reid Elementary.

Pictured are (L to R):  Anna Esquivel, Tessa Esquivel, Dr. Alfreddie Felder, spelling bee administrator, Christopher Dlouhy, and Felix and Lynnesa Dlouhy.

La Porte High School senior Paige Priest has a softball scholarship to Bacone College in Oklahoma. Paige has played softball since she was 5 years old with the La Porte Girls Softball Association. She is a 2 year letterman in both basketball and softball and was awarded 2nd team All District Outfielder in 2007. Paige will major in sports management.

Her Parents are Sam and Pam Priest. Paige is pictured below with family and coaches.

Left to Right:
LPHS Softball/JV girls basketball coach Elisha Thompson, Wilson Priest, LPHS Athletic Director Todd Schoppe, Sam Priest, LPHS Associate Principal Jerry Herd, seated Paige Priest, LPHS Softball Coach Bryant Upshaw, Pam Priest, Jill Crocker, Lethal Weapon coach Albert Ramirez

La Porte ISD welcomes Lloyd Graham as our new Superintendent, starting March 1, 2008. The Board of Trustees is confident that he is the right choice to continue leading the district forward in the positive, progressive direction that former superintendent Dr. Michael W. Say established.

Kathy Green, La Porte ISD Board of Trustees' president stated, "Through the leadership of Dr. Say and our board, the district is in solid financial shape for the future and we have a long range plan in place that will provide us the roadmap to continue climbing to a higher level of student success. We as a board are confident that Mr. Graham is the right person to help us continue to climb. We interviewed a number of highly qualified, outstanding applicants. Ultimately, we really feel that Mr. Graham is the very best fit for La Porte ISD and our community. We look forward to his leadership."

Graham's credentials are strong. In 1994 he was named State Regular Educator of the Year by the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education. Honors and awards also include being Regional Superintendent of the Year for Educational Service Center XIII in June 1999. He was then named as a Finalist: State Superintendent of the Year, October 1999 by the Texas Association of School Boards. That same year in August 1999, his Board of Trustees was recognized as the Regional Honor Board of Trustees by Educational Service Center XIII. He is active and committed to many educational boards, including serving as the Executive Director for the Hunt County Head Start; a VP and director for the Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools; a Director on the State Board for the Texas Academic Decathlon; and a current member on the Administrative Services Committee for Texas Association of School Administrators.

Prior to coming to La Porte, Mr. Graham was the Superintendent of Schools for Greenville Independent School District. He plans to complete his Doctorate of Philosophy Educational Administration through the University of Texas at Austin in May 2008.
 

The Speech & Debate team recently competed at the Needville High School Invitational Tournament. The team took home its first Overall Speech Championship.

The team victory was led by individual performances by: Molly Duncan, 1st place Storytelling, Jack Swearingen, 1st place, Extemporaneous Speaking, and John Lawler & Chelsea Bethancourt, who swept 1st and 2nd place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Molly Duncan and Crystal Shivers were recently announced as one team of just four selected as National Finalists in the Great Debaters video contest, sponsored by The Princeton Review, The National Forensics League, and the movie, The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington. Now, they will submit a six minute video for finals. 

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, the LPHS Orienteering Team defied all odds with all four of its teams placing in the top three in the USA this past weekend at Athens, Texas.
 
Winning its fifth consecutive national junior varsity championship were team members Allix Johnson, Dana Johnson, Arthur Santee, Daniel Ward and Sam Wilborn.
 
Dethroning three time national champion Woodinville from Washington State, were the La Porte Freshmen Team of Taylor Daughtry, Nicole O'Guinn, Drew Girton, Jacob Velez and Alex Gomez.  Taylor and Nicole finished with the individual gold and silver medals as the top two females in the USA.
 
The varsity team nearly made it a trifecta, finishing second with its rebuilt team of junior Chance Collard and sophomores Rebekah Hernandez, Manny Solis, Terrance Sowell and Paris Wallett.
 
La Porte fourth team in the competition was a second freshmen "B" team that also defeated Woodinville and finished as the third best freshmen team in the country.  Led by Mark Block's overall silver individual medal, the other team members were Ryan Vargas, Phillip Matczak, Jordan McAnally and Tara McClennen.
 
This marks the first time any school in the USA placed all of its teams in the top three.
 
This now give LPHS its eleventh and twelfth national orienteering championship in the last eight years!
 
Congratulations to them on continuing to represent LPHS with a winning tradition.

On Tuesday, February 12, La Porte High School junior Crystal Shivers was given the honor of reading her poem "Remember Me" to her idol, Diana Ross as part of the Capital One Brilliant Lecture Series Presents A Conversation with Diana Ross. 

Education in Action offers summer Lone Star Leadership Academy programs for outstanding Texas 5th-8th graders.  Participants travel to Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin or Houston/Galveston to develop leadership skills and experience what they are learning in school through visits to significant Texas sites.  Program facilitators are Texas teachers.  These weeklong residential programs are Monday-Friday and are offered throughout the summer.  Selected students maintain an 85 or higher average, receive an educator recommendation based on demonstrated leadership ability and are involved in school/community activities.  Early application deadline:  March 1, 2008.  Final application deadline:  April 26, 2008.  For more information, including an informational video and program application, visit http://www.educationinaction.org.

On Tuesday, January 29th, LPHS sophomore orchestra member, Robert Green, performed with the Houston Symphony in Jones Hall.  Robert is a second year member of the Houston Youth Symphony bass section.  In celebration of their 60th Anniversary, the Houston Youth Symphony participated in a side-by-side concert.  Each youth musician had the experience of performing side-by-side with a professional musician.  The concert was titled "A Salute to Educators".  The concert featured the 2007 Houston Symphony League Concert Competition Gold Medalist, eighteen year old, Julia Li, performing Prokofiev's Violin Concert No. 1 in D Major as well as the collaborative performance of Elgar's Enigma Variations with the Houston Youth Symphony. 

Outstanding music educators were honored with the presentation of the Fidelity Future Stage awards.  The recipient for the strings category was Mrs. Shirley Astwood, former orchestra director of LPHS.

Individual medals:

• Brett Burdeaux: 2nd Place Silver in Varsity Speech
• Jack Swearingen: 1st Place Gold in Honors Interview (with a perfect score of 1,000)
• John Lawler: 1st place Gold in Scholastic Interview (with a perfect score of 1,000)
• Karolyn Power: 1st place Gold in Varsity Interview (with a perfect score of 1,000)

• Top Honors score was by Justin Chelette (6,280)
• Top Scholastic Score was by John Lawler (6,158)
• Top Varsity Score was by Karolyn Power (6,236)

Overall the Bulldogs won 3rd Place Bronze in Super Quiz Relay!

The LPHS team also medaled at 5th place overall out of 14 teams with a score of 36,534. The Bulldogs scored 2,000 points higher than we did in December's San Antonio meet and 6,000 points better than last years 8th place finish.

This years team members included: Justin Chelette, Jack Swearingen, Kellie Roop, John Lawler, Chelsea Bethancourt, Jennifer Morgan, Brett Burdeaux, Karolyn Power, Andrea Monteilh. Jaime Licon is the Academic Decathlon/Academic Octathlon Coach.

The La Porte ISD Career and College Readiness Program is designed to prepare students for a seamless transition to post secondary opportunities. It does this by providing junior high students with rigorous, high quality, integrated academic challenges, as well as pre-professional experiences, and planning a sequence of courses. The Career and College Readiness Program is designed to result in students who are college and/or workforce ready upon graduation.

Overview of LPISD Career and College Readiness Program
(Powerpoint presentation to LPISD Board of Trustees, Jan 15, 2008)

Enrollment is now open for the 4th & 5th grade Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP). The 4th/5th Grade Talent Search can help academically talented young people become inspired to learn through exciting educational opportunities.

Through the 4th/5th grade Talent Search, Duke TIP provides:

• Parents with information about how they can help their children develop their talents, and
• Students with encouragement to continue challenging themselves during a pivotal stage in their growth.

The students who participate in the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search are formally recognized, praised for their performance, and sent a clear message that continuing to develop their intelligence can be fun and fulfilling.

For more information and an application, look at the Duke TIP Brochure, or visit the Duke TIP web site.

The following volleyball players have made Academic All-State:

• Katy Anagnostou
  
  
• Kara Buse
  
  
• Kyla Schmidt

The Gifted Education Press is offering a complimentary copy of Gifted Education Press Quarterly Online. You can email the publisher directly to receive the Twentieth Anniversary WINTER 2008 Online issue. His address is:

gifted@giftededpress.com

Coach Mason and his boy's basketball team left Pasadena's gym last night obtaining not only the 17^th win for the season and a 3-0 district record, but Coach Mason also acquired his 200^th career win. The Dogs won 60-28 with 25 points coming from the bench. Randy Collins and Kendall Hays led scorers with 11 points each, with Randy grabbing 6 rebounds and Kendal 5. Cedric Jones also had 5 rebounds. The Dogs have a key district match-up against Pasadena Memorial on Friday, who comes in with a 3-0 district record as well. Friday's games are at home with sub-varsity beginning at 4:30 and varsity at 7:30. Congratulations to Coach Mason and his basketball team.

Before the winter break, the LPHS Academic Decathalon Team finished 9th overall (out of 39 teams) at a local meet and had the following medals:

• Karolyn Power: 3rd Place Varsity Math, 3rd Varsity Language and Literature, 4th in Varsity Speech 
• Andrea Monteilh: 1st Varsity Interview
• Curtis Wyche: 5th Scholastic Interview
• Chelsea Bethancourt: 5th Scholastic Interview
• John Lawler: 2nd Scholastic Interview, 3rd Scholastic Speech
• Jack Swearingen: 1st Honors Speech
• Andrea Rodriguez: 6th Scholastic Math
• Brett Burdeaux: 6th Varsity Math,  6th Art, 6th Speech, 5th Super Quiz
• Jennifer Morgan: 6th Interview Scholastic Interview ,
• Jerri Rubio: 5th Varsity Math

School Health Advisory Council

Vision: La Porte ISD students, staff, and community members living healthy and productive lives as the result of increased awareness for components of healthy living and access to health care resources.

Mission: The La Porte ISD School Health Advisory Council strives to improve student and staff performance by promoting age-appropriate wellness programs and healthy, balanced, and active lifestyles.

The School Health Advisory Council met on November 26^th at 6:00 p.m. The Council accomplished organizational tasks including the following:

• Chairperson - Jo Johnson, Community Representative

• Secretary - Mondee Dugué, La Porte HS counselor

• Staff facilitator - David Knowles, Director of Instructional Support Programs

The Council also set some priorities for the year, including the following:

• Continue to encourage broad-based participation from the community on our Council, especially parent representatives from the Hispanic and African-American groups.

• Develop a scope and sequence for sexuality education and provide guidelines for health teachers to use at each level for age-appropriate sexuality education.

• Review district nutrition guidelines.

• Support the district initiative to improve health care for uninsured children by offering vouchers for doctor visits.

The next meeting will on February 25^th, 6:00.

For questions or comments on the School Health Program, please contact David Knowles at 281-604-7027, or email knowlesd@lpisd.org .

Dr. Michael W. Say, Superintendent of Schools
Kathy Green, President, Board of Trustees
Jim Schul, Vice President, Board of Trustees
Bill Snead, Secretary, Board of Trustees
Craig Hulcy, Trustee
Ed Matuszak, Trustee
Charlcya Wheeler, Trustee

The Gold Performance Acknowledgment (GPA) system acknowledges districts and campuses for high performance on indicators other than those used to determine accountability ratings. These indicators are in statute (Texas Education Code) or determined by the Commissioner of Education.

2006-2007

2006-2007

College Park Elementary
Texas Education Agency
Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Math
Commended Writing
Commended Science
CI Reading
CI Math

2006-2007

Lomax Elementary
Texas Education Agency
Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading
Commended Math
Commended Writing
Commended Science

2006-2007

Lomax Junior High
Texas Education Agency
Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading
Commended Writing
Commended Social Studies

2006-2007

Jennie Reid Elementary
Texas Education Agency
Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Writing
Commended Science

2006-2007

Leo Rizzuto Elementary
Texas Education Agency
Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading
Commended Math

2006-2007

La Porte Elementary
District Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading

2006-2007

La Porte High School
District Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading

2006-2007

La Porte Junior High
District Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading

2006-2007

DeWalt Alternative School
District Gold Performance Acknowledgement

Commended Reading

2006-2007

The School Health Advisory Council plans for the first meeting on Monday, November 26th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Administration Building Training Room. The purpose for the Council is to explore issues and programs relating to the health and wellness of district students and staff, then to make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Parent and community volunteers are encouraged to participate in the School Health Advisory Council. For further information, please contact David Knowles, the District Director of Instructional Support Programs, at 281-604-7027 or email knowlesd@lpisd.org.

• Wash your hands frequently. Use soap and water or an alcohol-base hand sanitizer. Experts suggest that you wash your hands for as long as it takes you to recite the alphabet.
• Cover cuts and scrapes with a clean bandage. This will help the wound heal. It will also prevent you from spreading bacteria to other people as well as prevent a ready opening for the introduction of germs.
• Do not touch other people's wounds or bandages.
• Do not share personal items like towels or razors. If you use any shared gym equipment, wipe it down before and after you use it. Drying clothes, sheets, and towels in a dryer -- rather than letting them air dry -- helps kill bacteria.

The flu vaccine is now available at the La Porte Health Center (1009 S. Broadway St., La Porte; 281-471-4202) for children age 3 and older and adults.

The cost is $12 per person. The flu shot is given on a first come first served basis.

Flu Vaccine Brochure 

• Program open to sophomores and juniors only
• Students must attend China School on weekends and after school for a minimum of 12 hours regardless of jobs and other school events, dates TBA
• Students must help plan a La Porte community and school exchange for 20 students from China, tentatively scheduled for February, 2008
• Students will travel to China for a two week trip to Beijing, Tianjin, Xi'an and Shanghai and a school visit with our Chinese students, currently scheduled for March 15 - March 29, 2008
• In addition to China School, students must keep a journal and create a final project to be completed and presented to the appropriate audience by May 16, 2008
• While the trip is paid for by the La Porte Education Foundation, students are responsible for:
  • Passport and Chinese Visa application and all fees
  • Spending money
  • Traveler's insurance
  • Any cost incurred by the students for their projects, gifts or special plans they have for their Chinese counterparts.

• Free admittance to school programs, plays and musical performances.
• Free general admission seating at all La Porte ISD athletic events – home games only.

New state legislation has caused the 2007-2008 student assessment (testing) calendar to be revised.

Link to Revised Assessment Calendar

• Immunization Requirements
• Requisitos de Inmunización
  
• Texas Department of State Health Services

Jamelle Hays, a 6'6 forward for the La Porte basketball team has signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Richland College in Dallas. Jamelle was a 23 AAAAA all-district performer and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 28-10 record and a regional quarterfinal berth.

Prices for school meals will increase when school begins in August. The new prices are listed on the School Nutrition web site.

The La Porte Independent School District will hold a public meeting at 6:00 PM, June 26, 2007 in Board Room of the Administration Building. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school district's budget that will determine the tax rate that will be adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited.

The official Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate and a Summary of the budget proposed for adoption is posted on the Business Office web site.

• Inconsistency with the secondary dress code
• Inconsistency between boys and girls requirements
• Volume of parent questions
• Amount of instructional and administrative time spent on enforcement

• Slacks, jeans, pants, and shorts are no longer required to be a solid color.  Patterns and/or trim are acceptable.
• Belts are no longer required for pants that have belt loops.  However, all clothing must be properly fitted.  Sagging of pants will not be permitted.
• Cargo shorts and pants are permitted.
• Leggings are no longer restricted, but they must be worn under a properly fitted skirt or dress.
• Solid black shirts are no longer restricted.
• Baggy/oversized sweatshirts and "hoodies" may be worn to and from school, but must be removed during the school day.  Suitable attire must be worn under the sweatshirts and "hoodies."

Parents and Students,

La Porte ISD has put together a list of novels for summer reading for grades 6-12. All of these assignments are required elements for Pre-AP and AP classes. Even if your student is not in a Pre-AP or AP class, they are welcome to read any of the books on the lists. Your child might be able to conference with their English teacher next year over the books they read for some extra credit.

Summer Reading List 2007 

Baker 6th Grade Campus will close for re-construction beginning May 26th through August 13th, 2007. No one will have access to the building during this time.

The office  & summer staff will re-locate to Lomax Jr. High on May 29th.  Calls to Baker will be forwarded to Lomax as well.

La Porte High School will be closed May 29 and May 30 due to asbestos/abatement treatment in the Student Center/Cafeteria. This includes the offices, band hall, vocational building, and athletic offices. No one will have access for any reason into LPHS. Students needing to pick up their diploma will have to wait until the office reopens on May 31st.  Also, students needing to do a course request on these days can either fax the request to the high school, contact their counselor via email, or wait until then the office reopens on May 31st. Course request deadline originally set for June 1st will be extended until June 5th.

All summer LPHS staff will relocate to the JROTC Building on Broadway Street (across from La Porte Elementary) beginning June 7th through August 13th. The athletic offices will relocate to the visitor's dressing room at the Bulldog Stadium. Students needing to pick up their Diploma can pick them up at the JROTC Building during this time.

These closures will not affect the summer athletic camps already scheduled in the main gym.

Finally, due to construction registration will occur on the first day of school. There will be no early registration. Ninth grade students report on August 27th and grades 10-12 on August 28th. Students will register in homeroom on those days. Monitor the LPHS website for additional information regarding registration.

The PE Dance Department DVDs are here! Please pick them up at the Financial Office (Mrs. Perry) in the High School this week. After May 25th, you can pick them up at the JROTC building on Broadway Street.

La Porte High School Junior, Lynsey Carrier, has made the 5A Region III All Region Girls Soccer Team. Lynsey is the first player under Coach German's tenure to make the All Region Soccer Team.

Lynsey is a 3 year starter on the Varsity soccer team. She is a very hard worker and a great team leader. Lynsey is expected to be a key component in another playoff run for the Lady Bulldogs in 2008.

Coach Brandy German (left) and Lynsey Carrier (right) are shown in the photo. 

• Front row: Games division -Corey Nelson(1st); Barbara Saltsman (Honorable Mention);
• 2nd row: 3rd grade division -Lindsey Witt(honorable mention); Joe Gonzalez(3rd); Ashley Turner(2nd); Adela Torres(1st);
• 3rd row: 4th grade division -Jacob McGhee(honorable mention); Emilly Baker(3rd); Ashley Mongiello(2nd); Chyanne Munoz(1st);
• Back row: 5th grade division -Tiffany Huerta(honorable mention); Caitlin Pope(3rd); Abby Northcutt(2nd); Thomas Hootman(1st). Not pictured -Emily Vega(5th grade honorable mention)

• Front row left to right - Makayla Banks, Ashley Ellison, Sarah Gomez
• Middle row - Jennie Reid teacher Joan Glover(25 years), Dan Eubank(Principal), Jennie Reid teacher Nancy Jones(25 years), Lyndzie and Dalton West
• Top row---  Peyton Shipwash, Alicia Upchurch(Assistant Principal), Sammi Oliphint, Jill Miller, Enrichment Specialist

The 5th Grade broadcast team from Jennie Reid, sponsored by Allison Timm and Jill Miller, recently visited the ABC Channel 13 studios and had the opportunity to watch the live 11:00 news broadcast and visit with Melanie Lawson, Minerva Perez and Don Nelson. They also got to meet Mr. Marvin Zindler, take a tour of the studios and make an appearance on the live broadcast.

Pictured from left to right

• Bottom row - Lyndzie West, Mikayla Larkin, Cody Hartt, Ruben Barrera,
• Top row - Sammi Oliphint, Kirsten Dunkerson, Dallas Burton, Brittany Bradshaw, Peyton Shipwash, Matthew Hochadel, Marcus Ramirez

Santana Williams, La Porte Elementary 5th Grader, is the second place winner in the middle school division of the Library of Tomorrow Teen Essay Contest, sponsored by the Houston Public Library and its foundation. Santana will be recognized at the awards cermony on April 28 in Houston. Santana's mom is LPE 1st Grade teacher, Lisa Hart.

Use this link to read Santana's essay. It will also be published on the Houston Public Library web site (www.houstonlibrary.org).