Threats credits AVID with changing his life

Fred Threats Jr. is a threat.

The rising 11^th grader at Lamar High School鈥檚 P-TECH is a threat to all things negative. He turns every negative into a positive. And he鈥檚 spreading hope and inspiration everywhere he goes.

That鈥檚 exactly what he did for thousands of teachers from across the country last week.

Threat鈥檚 ability to find the positive in everything 鈥� paired with his gift of eloquence in speech and memorable voice 鈥� is what landed him behind the microphone in the cavernous Landmark Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas last Tuesday.

The aspiring constitutional attorney was one of only two high school students nationwide invited to speak at the AVID conference. is a program offered in 8,000 schools across the country that supports educators and helps students develop college and career readiness.

Earlier this year, Lamar completed the revalidation process to become a National AVID Demonstration School. During the process, AVID staff from various parts of the country visited Lamar鈥檚 classrooms, met with campus and district staff and heard from students, including Threats. They were impressed by Threat鈥檚 ability to articulate the impact of AVID on his education, and they asked if he would speak at their national conference.

So, there he was last week, a featured speaker at the AVID Summer Institute.

鈥淲e are Family鈥� blared over the loudspeakers as thousands of AVID teachers streamed in and took their seats. Threats, seated on the first row, gently bobbed his head to the beat, showing no signs of nerves.

Moments later he was on the stage, at the podium, representing Lamar in a sharp blue suit with a gold pocket square and American flag lapel pin.

Threats had his own cheering section in the audience 鈥� several Lamar teachers and administrators along with a few fellow Lamar students. They were loud in their support when Threats was introduced, but their cheers were soon drowned out by applause from the entire ballroom throughout the speech and during the standing ovation at the end.

Threats looked and sounded like a presidential candidate 鈥� only more well-spoken, more hopeful and with a messagethat resonated with everyone in the room. Threats shared his story of hardship growing up and how he has overcome and turned every negative situation into a positive. And he explained how moving to Texas and taking AVID at Lamar has changed his life and given him direction.

No one says it better than Threats, so here are a few snippets from his speech:

鈱�鈥淟ife has presented me several reasons to lose hope: inadequate education; untrustworthy peers with the exception of a few, disappearing opportunities and deaths of very permanent family members over the past four years of my life. However, I鈥檓 an individual who loves to dissect situations that may seem negative to find the positive 鈥� Had my parents not separated, I would not be standing before you here today. Had I not experienced bullying, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the desire to increase my physical activity. Had I not experienced bullying, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the desire to defy the odds. Had I not experienced the loss of loved ones, I wouldn鈥檛 have the emotional strength I have today, and had I not relocated to Texas, I wouldn鈥檛 have the amazingly devoted friends, mentors and opportunities I have today.

鈱�鈥淥ne of the opportunities of relocating to Texas was the discovery of AVID. When entering AVID, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer. But did I know which field of law best suited me? No. Did I even know how to become a lawyer? Absolutely not. But ask me now, two years into my AVID experience, and I can give you a detailed guide on how to become a lawyer.鈥�

鈱�While it is true I had expectations and goals for myself before AVID, the program has refined them and given me a whole new level of confidence and inspired me to work harder and achieve more.鈥�

鈱�鈥淵ou can find the positive in every negative situation. Often times, the most valuable lessons in life come from the negative situations if only you can find it.鈥�

As Threats concluded his talk, he acknowledged and thanked all teachers.

鈥淚 want to say to each of you that you are the reason that everything around us exists,鈥� Threats said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e the reason doctors are able to heal the sick, architects are able to design structures, automotive companies are able to manufacture vehicles, lawyers are able to apply the law and you yourself were able to become a teacher. You quite literally hold the future in the palm of your hands. You are heroes without capes. I don鈥檛 know where this world would be if God hadn鈥檛 blessed us with each of you.鈥�

One of those teachers Threats thanked was his ninth and 10^th grade AVID teacher, Melanie Drake. She was in the audience and one of the loudest supporters in the room.

鈥淚 knew he was going to blow me away,鈥� Drake said after Threats spoke, 鈥渂ut it was even on a level that I would have never imagined. He鈥檚 just so well-spoken and he鈥檚 so confident and he鈥檚 so different now 鈥� it validates everything that we do 鈥� That鈥檚 the whole point of AVID to build that confidence and that love as a student. That was evident in Fred ... I鈥檓 happy.鈥�

So was everyone else in the room. Threats just does that to you.

Pre-K starts Aug. 14

Is your child going to pre-K next year? It鈥檚 not too early to start getting ready because school starts August 14. That鈥檚 only seven weeks away.

Starting pre-K is really exciting, but it can also be a little scary. It鈥檚 a big change for a 3- or 4-year-old. (It鈥檚 a big change for mom and dad, too.) So, if you can do a few things to prepare, it will help your child 鈥� and you 鈥� have as smooth of a transition as possible.

Here are few things you can do over the summer to help your child be ready for pre-K.

鈱猂ead, read and read

Read aloud to your child everyday so they develop a love of reading that will help them in school and for the rest of their lives. Children who read improve their vocabulary, reading comprehension and standardized test scores.

It鈥檚 also great to visit the library and let your child pick out books. And go to the library during a read-aloud time so your child gets used to hearing someone other than their parents read aloud in a group setting.

鈱猂ead books about going to school

鈥淭here are PLENTY of books about first days at school,鈥� said Ken Foster, an early childhood learning specialist for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. 鈥淢y favorite is Eric Litwin鈥檚 鈥楶ete the Cat: Rockin鈥� in my School Shoes.鈥欌��

Dr. Hildelisa Diaz, the district鈥檚 early childhood coordinator, has some other book suggestions as well:

• • • 鈥淭he Kissing Hand鈥澨齜y Audrey Penn
    • 鈥淒avid Goes to School鈥澨齜y David Shannon
    • 鈥淲ill I Have a Friend?鈥澨齜y Miriam Cohen
    • 鈥淔irst Day of School鈥澨齜y Anne Rockwell

鈱狿ractice letters and numbers

Practice the ABCs and letter sounds. And count and work on numbers, basic shapes and colors.

鈱�Establish a routine

This will be especially important as we get closer to the first day of school, but it鈥檚 not too soon to start. Establish a routine of 鈥渆arly to bed鈥� and 鈥渟chool wake-up time鈥� several weeks before school begins so your child has time to adjust to the new schedule.

鈱猅alk about school and what it will be like

Have regular conversations with your child about school. Foster suggests asking some questions.

鈥淚鈥檇 start by daily talking with your child about school, asking them:

Where is the school located? How will you get there?

Who else goes there?听 Do you know other friends who attend this school?

What do you do at school? Where can you play outside?听 Where do you go when you want to read lots of books?听 Where do you think you鈥檒l go to eat?

Take time to discuss each of these in detail to help them create mental pictures of school.鈥�

鈱狿ractice school

Your child will do a lot of things at school that might be new for them and even a little challenging. Things like opening their backpack, putting on their shoes, eating by themselves and a lot more.

鈥淧racticing opening lunch items, opening and closing backpacks and zipping zippers or unbuttoning buttons will build confidence and independence in your child,鈥� said Cindy Brown, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 special education director. 鈥淩ole playing things like saying hello to their teacher, visiting the campus, talking about what they hope they will get to do at school and sharing stories of your own early learning memories will help your son or daughter transition smoothly to their own pre-K experience.鈥�

鈱狿ractice toilet procedures

Here鈥檚 something else they need to be able to do 鈥� use the bathroom without help. Practice at home so your child will be comfortable and confident when they get to school.

REGISTER NOW

色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 pre-K program has an innovative, play-based curriculum designed to give your child the foundation to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Pre-K is going to be great, and your child will have lots of fun and learn a ton.

If you haven鈥檛 registered yet, now is the time. You can get started online here. Or you can register in person for any elementary school in the district at听Kooken Educational Center听(). Staff there can answer your questions and help you get registered. Plus, you can tour a model pre-K classroom. Click here for the dates that Kooken is open.

You can also register at on July 16. It鈥檒l be a free, fun-filled event with registration assistance.

And as always, feel free to contact the pre-K team with any questions you have at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.

罢丑别听Citizens Bond Oversight Committee听gave its annual report at the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees meeting earlier this week. Will Deakyne, the committee鈥檚 interim chair, presented at the June 18 meeting and offered observations and recommendations related to the district鈥檚 2019 Bond program.

鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of substantial construction completed,鈥� Deakyne said to the board. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a lot more coming. There are a lot of moving pieces and it鈥檚 good to get all hands on deck and pay attention.鈥�

the presentation below.

[embed]https://youtu.be/OczR2r2P0yo?si=5HcH1hoz_K-7B2yS&t=1282[/embed]

鈥淢r. Deakyne, thank you so much to you and your board members who are here,鈥� said Trustee Melody Fowler following the presentation. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think people realize how many hours and hours and hours you and your board put into things like this. We depend on you to be our eyes and boots on the ground for all of these different bond programs that are going on. I just want to say thank you.鈥�

The CBOC was established to provide transparency and enhance public confidence in the use of proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 voters on Nov. 5, 2019. The 2019 Bond package includes $966 million to improve facilities, provide access and equity for all students and build on the progress recognized through the听2014 Bond program. This bond package is addressing needs in four areas: facilities; transportation; safety, security and technology; and fine arts.

The CBOC accomplishes its charge by following the district鈥檚 bond program progress and reporting its findings and recommendations to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees (read the CBOC鈥檚 charge). The oversight committee meets on a quarterly basis to receive updates on implementation progress and tour bond construction projects and then develops its annual report.

This was the third annual CBOC report for the 2019 Bond.

Learn more about the 2019 Bond.

Honor Roll represents Texas' top 12%

Four 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 schools were recently named to the 2023 Texas Honor Roll. The three elementary schools 鈥� Butler, Ditto and Duff 鈥� joined Arlington College and Career High School among the top 12% of schools in Texas.

The , presented by Educational Results Partnership (ERP), is part of the national听. The Campaign engages business leaders in recognizing successful schools and educational systems that are preparing听students with the fundamental skills needed to be successful in the workforce and in life.

ERP鈥檚 goal with the Honor Roll is to find and highlight successful schools and districts and听encourage collaboration among educators on best practices for raising student听achievement.

Student achievement is what Arlington College and Career High School is all about. ACCHS is an early college high school where students work to complete high school and an associate degree at the same time. In the State of Texas, approximately 40% of students at听听graduate with their diploma and an associate degree. At ACCHS, more than 90% of their students achieve both.

鈥淚 am so proud of the work put in daily by our teachers, staff and students, and they deserve all of the credit for this recognition,鈥� said ACCHS principal Ben Bholan. 鈥淥ur Titans have overcome many challenges and their ability to focus and dedicate themselves to achieving at a high level never ceases to amaze me. They are changing generational outcomes not only by succeeding in their high school courses, but also by succeeding in the very rigorous college courses they take for dual credit.鈥�

But a successful education doesn鈥檛 start in high school. It starts in elementary, where Butler, Ditto and Duff have become leaders in the state.

That leadership starts at the top with great principals. But all four principals are quick to recognize their incredible teachers, staff and students.

鈥淚 am very proud of our teachers, staff and students on receiving this recognition, and I love how we continue to work all together as a team to achieve high expectations,鈥� said Duff principal Cindy Harbison.听鈥淭he dedication, love and work everyone puts into our school helps it to reach these goals.鈥�

Butler principal Mark Basham feels the same way.

鈥淚 am immensely proud of our dedicated teachers and the entire school community for their outstanding achievement in receiving this prestigious award,鈥� Basham said. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to their hard work, passion and commitment to excellence for ALL students.鈥�

Ditto principal Margaret Minyard is grateful that her students are getting recognized for their achievement and looks forward to the school achieving even more.

鈥淚 am honored to be a part of a strong, collaborative community,鈥� Minyard said. 鈥淲e will continue to strive to meet our students' needs and strive for excellence.鈥�

Honor Roll schools represent those that were comprehensively higher performing on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Reading Language Arts and Math Assessments for all cohorts of student populations served and that are improving outcomes for historically underserved student populations. To make the Honor Roll, a school must have comprehensively performed above the mean at least 80% of the time for all cohorts of students served and for all grade levels served.

and the .

Bond Oversight Committee reports to Board

色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting on June 18, 2024, is in the books, and here are few highlights.

It鈥檚 budget season. The new fiscal year for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 starts on July 1, so the board approved the 2024-2025 budget. It includes a 4% raise and other compensation adjustments that will keep 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 one of the top paying school districts in North Texas. Like many other school districts across Texas, the budget shows a deficit for next year, but the district is fortunate to have significant reserves to cover the gap. The board knows the district cannot rely on reserves in the long run, so it directed the administration to continue 鈥� and significantly expand 鈥� deficit-reduction strategies that will make the budget sustainable, while still prioritizing staff and students.

The board also heard a report from the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. The CBOC is a group of 11 community members appointed by the Board of Trustees to provide findings and recommendations to the Board relating to the 2019 Bond program. They meet quarterly to assess bond progress and expenditures and to tour bond-funded construction projects. Watch the full board meeting to hear the report or visit the CBOC webpage in the coming days to read the presentation.

The board also appointed new members to the CBOC and the committee leadership for next year. It also appointed new members and chairs for the Financial Futures Committee. The FFC, comprised of 18 volunteers, advises the Board by providing findings and recommendations related to budgets and long-range financial planning.

Finally, trustees considered and approved the schematic design for a new 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Security and Transportation Center. This is a 2019 Bond project that will replace the current security and transportation facility on the same site that it was built when the district was a fraction of its current size. Designed by Corgan Architects in partnership with the facilities, security and transportation teams, the future facility will be much more functional and efficient and provide better circulation and parking for buses and security vehicles.听

Those are just a few of the items from this evening. If you would like more details on any of them or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please to watch the entire meeting.

The 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees followed many other school districts across the state when it adopted a deficit budget of $25.4 million for the 2024-25 school year during last night鈥檚 board meeting. The deficit will be covered by a portion of the district鈥檚 reserve funds. 听

The lack of additional funding from the Texas legislature last year is a significant factor in the deficit budget. The basic allotment per student has remained at $6,160 since 2019, despite a more than 20% increase in inflation. Texas ranks in the bottom ten states in the nation for per-student funding. And, while the state allocated $4 billion for Texas public schools last year, those funds have yet to be distributed.

Attendance rates have dropped from 95% pre-COVID-19 to 93%, impacting funding tied to daily attendance. Additionally, a drop in enrollment, with approximately 5,000 fewer students since the onset of COVID-19, exacerbates the budget shortfall. Factors contributing to this decline include the increased cost of living in Arlington, aging neighborhoods without children, and a predicted decline in the birth rate.

鈥淣o one likes a deficit, but the state leaves us no choice when it withholds promised funding and inflation adjustments,鈥� said Justin Chapa, president, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e have reserve funding for the short run, but hard decisions must be made to make our budget sustainable while keeping teaching and learning our top priority.鈥�

The district outlined several action steps to address the budget deficit, including:

• Engaging community stakeholders to assist with budget reduction planning
• Refining the strategic plan to align with community needs
• Reducing recurring costs by evaluating programs and their return on investment
• Aligning resources with strategic priorities

鈥淲e鈥檒l be working on these and additional measures to reduce our budget deficit,鈥� said Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. 鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to working in partnership with our board of trustees to consider every option to reduce the deficit, including ongoing conversations with our partners in the Texas legislature to fund public education now.鈥�

Smith also emphasized the importance of community involvement and urged members to engage with Texas lawmakers about the critical need for adequate public education funding which is the foundation of every thriving community.

Eagle Scout about to become a Naval Academy midshipman

Determined, passionate and fearless, he鈥檚 Martin High School graduate and soon-to-be midshipman Owen Hulme. 听

Hulme听is ready to听embrace the challenges of the four-year academy.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 been lots of running and lots of working out,鈥� Hulme said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also been lots of studying on naval history.鈥�听

For Hulme, his journey into the military is about more than just serving his country. It鈥檚 also about learning to lead those around him. 听

鈥淚 want to serve as an officer,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want to lead my brothers and sisters in arms. I鈥檝e always liked standing up and leading the people around me. I want to learn from the best.鈥�听

In fact, Hulme鈥檚 leadership has always been evident through his involvement at Martin as a swim team captain, roboboat member and active participant in his STEM courses. 听

Inspired by book 鈥�,鈥� Hulme felt destined to enter the Naval Academy after graduation. 听

鈥淩eading about his story and what he had to overcome, it really pushed me,鈥� Hulme said. 鈥淭he caliber of people I wanted to work with was exactly who was represented in the book.鈥� 听

That鈥檚 also why听 leader and former Army Ranger John Burdick has helped mentor Hulme along the way. 听

鈥淗e helped me a lot in figuring out what I wanted to do and what the best way to do that was,鈥� Hulme said. 听

As a thirty-year veteran, Burdick knows Hulme will make an outstanding officer one day.听

鈥淗e鈥檚 a great scout and a great young man,鈥� Burdick said. 鈥淲hen you think of an Eagle Scout and what comes to mind 鈥� a person always willing to take charge, be a leader, jump in to help wherever it鈥檚 needed, carries a great personality, upbeat and helpful 鈥� that's Owen.鈥�听

After submitting over 15 essays and earning a congressional听nomination, Hulme was accepted into the academy with a full scholarship. 听

For students interested in following the same path, Hulme鈥檚 advice is simple.听

鈥淕et started on the application process as early as you can and believe in yourself,鈥� he said. 听

Later this month, Hulme will make his way to the academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he plans to major in ocean engineering. After he graduates, he鈥檒l embark on an eight-year commitment in the Navy, five of which will be served on active duty.听

鈥淚 am so incredibly proud of him, and I am overjoyed that he made it in,鈥� Burdick said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 worked so hard to achieve this goal. Anybody who sees his success can take that from it. If you have a goal, it is absolutely possible to achieve it.鈥� 听

His story inspires his peers听to have the strength never to give up on their dreams.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of hard work, you鈥檝e got to want it,鈥� he听said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 so worth it.鈥�听

Read more about the . 听

Get to know Larry Mike

Last month, the newest member of the听色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees was sworn in, and we wanted to give you a chance to get to know him.

New Place 3 representative Larry Mike is a family law attorney and drug/DNA testing business owner.

鈱猈hat are your ties to the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区?

My ties to 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 are both professional and personal. I'm committed to ensuring that every child receives the educational opportunities they deserve, just as I did growing up in similar circumstances. This commitment is strengthened by my plans to raise my future children within this community, ensuring they and all children here benefit from a first-rate education.

鈱猈hy did you want to be on the school board?

I joined the school board to make a tangible impact on our educational system. With my background of overcoming economic hardships through education, I'm driven to ensure all our students have the support they need to succeed and thrive in an ever-evolving educational landscape.

鈱狝re you nervous at all?

Yes, I am somewhat nervous; it's only natural when carrying such significant responsibilities. However, these nerves fuel my dedication to carefully weigh and make the best decisions that will benefit both our children and the broader community.

鈱猈hy now?

Now is the time because our district is at a crucial point where the decisions we make can significantly shape the future of education here. My unique experiences and insights are particularly relevant to the current challenges and opportunities we face in education, making this the ideal time to contribute effectively.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about?

I'm most excited about the opportunity to directly influence positive changes that enhance our educational programs and support services. Being able to contribute to initiatives that empower teachers and engage the community is particularly fulfilling.

鈱猈hat are the biggest issues you think the district faces?

The district faces several key challenges, including adapting to changing educational needs, managing resources effectively to support both learning and safety, and enhancing engagement among students, parents and the community. Addressing these issues is critical to improving outcomes for all our students and ensuring they are prepared for the future.

10th Annual Back to School Kickoff is Near

It鈥檚 hard to believe that it鈥檚 been 10 years since the district started its annual Back to School Kickoff at AT&T Stadium, but Aug. 3 marks that milestone.

鈥淲e鈥檝e helped nearly 100,000 families get ready for the school year, which is an amazing accomplishment that wouldn鈥檛 be possible without community volunteers and sponsor support,鈥漵aid Aaron Perales, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 executive director of engagement, equity, and access.听

This in-person event offers students the opportunity to receive a free backpack full of school supplies and services in preparation for the 2024-25 school year. You can register for a backpack here.

Sponsored by the听, the event will provide haircuts, dental services, vision screenings, information about community resources and immunization opportunities, as well as the chance for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 students to receive a backpack full of school supplies.

Volunteers are also needed to help with checking in students and handing out backpacks. To volunteer, please sign up .

See you at the 10th annual Back to School Kickoff!听

Students learn coding to fly drones

This week, student coders and pilots took flight at the seventh and largest 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Camp Innovation yet.

Hosted by the district鈥檚 technology integration and innovation department at the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center, the four-day camp offers fourth through 10th-grade students a unique opportunity to dive into the world of computer science.听

And fly drones.听

Each week for three weeks, the camp hosted over 275 students, totaling over 800 鈥撎齛 jump of more than 150听from 2023. 听

鈥淭hese kids are having equitable experiences,鈥� said technology integration specialist Susan Anderson. 鈥淲e have students represented from every single campus across our district this summer.鈥�听

Campgoers' pre-camp experience with coding ranges from some to none. But by the end of the week, they all have a lot. From programming drones, , and , opportunities for engagement and learning are endless.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 all so interesting,鈥� said ninth grader Broden Clark-Davis.听鈥淚鈥檝e really been wanting to learn about Python, and this is helping me get that introduction.鈥�听

To measure the camp's impact, a pre-test and post-test were introduced this year, tracking each participant's growth.听

鈥淚n our first week, these kids showed听substantial growth between day one and day four,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淏oth of our secondary group's scores were up over 120%.鈥�听

Thanks to the help of 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 teachers, librarians and instructional coaches, each student rotates among听three different activities per age group.听

This year, activities ranged from choreographing robot dances, delivering pizzas with drones, competing in Sphero summer Olympics and more.

鈥淎 lot of these teachers even bring back what they learn at Camp Innovation and听introduce these activities to the kids in their own classrooms,鈥� Anderson said.听 听

For many students, Camp Innovation is a way to continue learning during the summer, a choice they eagerly make.听

鈥淭his is my third year at Camp Innovation,鈥� said incoming ninth听grader Elliot Bland. 鈥淐amp Innovation is so fun. I鈥檝e been here two times before because it鈥檚 just so cool.鈥�听

Beyond coding, the camp also fosters friendship and community.听

鈥淢y favorite part has been the friends I鈥檝e met and seeing other people that I already know,鈥� Bland said.听

Eighth grader Brent Richardson felt the same way.

鈥淢y favorite part has been meeting new friends like Elliot,鈥� he said.听听

That鈥檚 been the goal since the camp started in 2015. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 so special, and it鈥檚 grown so much since then,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淚t makes me very happy and very proud.鈥�听

Thanks to the support from 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 state and federal interventions and operations department, Camp Innovation offers all the fun and learning for free.听

If your student did not get the chance to attend Camp Innovation this year, equipment is always available for check-out through the technology integration and innovation department.听

And, if you鈥檙e ready to embark in a series of challenges where STEM meets the real world and express your creativity and imagination, keep an eye out for next summer鈥檚 registration window opening in spring 2025.

Pre-K and kinder registration support June 5-27 and July 8-18

It鈥檚 time to get your little one registered for pre-K or kindergarten! School starts in just about two months on Aug. 14.

If you would like in-person help with registration or have questions about 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 best-in-class pre-K, come visit us at Kooken Educational Center (). We can answer your questions and help you get registered. Plus, you can tour a model pre-K classroom.

Kooken is open for pre-K and kindergarten registration for every elementary school in the district on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon from now until June 27* and then again on July 8-18.*

Much of registration can also be completed online here. Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at鈥�aisd.net/prek鈥痑nd feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

*Kooken will be closed on June 19. And on July 16, the in-person registration support will move to Adams Elementary for Pre-K Palooza.

Seguin HIGH salutatorian Thao Ho

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Seguin High School鈥檚 salutatorian Thao Ho.

NAME:听Thao Ho

SCHOOL: Seguin High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Computer science

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Focus more on making friends, especially in your freshman year, because it鈥檚 going to be your easiest year in high school. I got to meet all my friends my freshman year and I was friends with them all four years and they were truly my support system to make it this far.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

The thing is I don鈥檛 watch that many superhero movies. The only one I really watched was Spiderman because I think he鈥檚 really cool. He鈥檚 very charismatic.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 pretty excited to meet new people because, especially at a small school like Seguin, I鈥檝e known these people for at least four years. One of my closest friends I鈥檝e known for 14 years. I鈥檝e known her since pre-K. I think going into college I鈥檓 going to see so many more people and so many different people from different backgrounds and I鈥檓 very excited to see that.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

This is a very easy question for me. It鈥檚 my oldest brother (Hieu) because he was the very first child in our family to ever go to college. He was very driven. He didn鈥檛 do extremely well in high school but in college he studied super hard and worked so hard on top of being the translator for my parents whenever they needed help with the bills or with the taxes or with the internet system. He was the translator on top of managing school. He even made it to dental school and he鈥檚 graduating this year, and his work and his determination and his passion really inspires me. I can work hard to support my family in the future.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

My favorite high school memory was the senior pep rally. I got to see a lot of people that I know, and I haven鈥檛 seen in a long time. I feel like it was a last goodbye because I may not be able to see those people at graduation. It was also really funny because our teachers got to loosen up and they performed a couple of dances. It was definitely memorable.

SEGUIN HIGH VALEDICTORIAN听Emma le

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Seguin High School鈥檚 valedictorian Emma Le.

NAME: Emma Le

SCHOOL: Seguin High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Biology

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

One piece of advice would be to not only focus on your long-term achievements, but also enjoy your high school life while you have it.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I would be Supergirl because even though she鈥檚 a superhero she also deals with personal struggles, and she learns along the way how to deal with those.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 most excited about branching out and seeing how I learn in an independent way and leaving the support of my parents and seeing how I grow as a person.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My oldest sister (Sophia) inspires me the most. She鈥檚 a role model for me. She inspires me the most to achieve success.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

Going to the homecoming football game my senior year. It felt very nostalgic to me. It was the last game I was at.

4% raise for fifth straight year

The 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Board of Trustees approved compensation increases for all eligible district employees at a Thursday night.

"After a thoughtful discussion, the board reached a consensus on a 4% raise," said Justin Chapa, board president. "This decision reflects our commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with the needs of our exceptional staff."

Teachers, librarians and other employees paid on the teacher salary scale will receive a 4% raise for the 2024-25 school year. This is the fifth year in a row the board has approved a 4% raise. The starting rate for new teachers is now $64,600 (up from $62,500), and stipends are offered for athletics, bilingual teachers, special education teachers and others. Substitute teacher pay remains competitive ranging from $120 to $175 per day with incentives. Bridge substitutes completing their teaching certifications will earn $225 per day.

Employees paid on salary schedules other than the teacher salary schedule will also receive a general annual pay increase of 4% on their 2024-25 pay grade mid-point.

Targeted adjustments will be made where appropriate to achieve market competitiveness and move staff members closer to the mid-point of their pay grade.

Annual pay for Licenced Specialists in School Psychology (LSSP) will increase from $67,648 to $80,186, and LSSP interns will earn $56,635 per year.

Classroom teacher assistants will see an increase from $17 to $19 per hour, and special education teacher assistants will increase from $18 to $20 per hour. Braillist positions will increase from $20.62 to $22.05.

鈥淲e appreciate the thoughtful decision our board of trustees made to provide a 4% increase for eligible 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 employees,鈥� said Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. 鈥淲e know these are challenging times in the educational field, and we want to continue to invest in our staff as they work to ensure 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 students learn, grow and thrive."

Compensation increases will begin in July. To learn more about open positions in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 visit .

Sam Houston HIGH Salutatorian Nestor Mejia Lopez

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Sam Houston High School鈥檚 salutatorian Nestor Mejia Lopez.

NAME:听Nestor Mejia Lopez

SCHOOL: Sam Houston High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Electrical and computer engineering

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Try new things. Don鈥檛 be afraid to be a leader even if others will judge you. Just go out and join any clubs or organizations and become the leader, become the president. Do something outrageous, something spontaneous. 听

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I鈥檇 be Batman because he鈥檚 a character who wants to make connections to solve crimes and solve problems on his own. He doesn鈥檛 like depending on individuals. He does things on his own and believes in himself.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Obviously go to college and finally meet individuals who have the same goals as me, more people in the school of engineering in the school I鈥檓 going to at UT-Austin. Hopefully work on a project that will change the world while I use my skills from my degree.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

For me it would be Dr. (Robert) Oppenheimer. He was the leader of the Manhattan Project that made the atomic bomb. That鈥檚 something I want to do. I want to make something that will revolutionize the world by bringing together a lot of individuals who will work on a common goal. I want to change the world through technology.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

When I went to go watch a soccer game where I saw all my old teammates and they won. It started raining, and that made it exciting. Afterwards we went to CiCi鈥檚 Pizza and we had a good time talking and catching up with each other.

MARTIN HIGH VALEDICTORIAN听LYNN CHANG

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Martin High School鈥檚 valedictorian Lynn Chang.

NAME:听Lynn Chang

SCHOOL: Martin High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Biochemistry

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

I would say don鈥檛 let yourself get pressured into things. I think that interests in subjects and organizations should develop naturally and not just because you want to be with your friends. If you want to go somewhere 鈥� to a meeting or event that your friends don鈥檛 鈥� don鈥檛 be afraid to go there alone. It鈥檚 your life and you should live it according to what you want to do.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I think I鈥檇 want to be Spiderman because I think it鈥檚 empowering. Most of what he does is with his own body and just to have that range of motion, imagine the tricks you could do as Spiderman. It would be really cool.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

It鈥檚 kind of clich茅, but honestly just meeting new people. I鈥檓 going to UT and it鈥檚 pretty large. I鈥檓 going to meet a lot of people in similar paths as me and people who also have different paths. I think that鈥檚 exciting.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

All of my family inspires me because they are so goal oriented, but my brother [Ray] is someone I鈥檝e been looking up to my whole life. He鈥檚 always been a few steps ahead of me because he鈥檚 a little bit older than me, but I think it鈥檚 really amazing he鈥檚 been able to pioneer his own path with basically no advice from anyone else.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

My favorite high school memory was the senior pep rally. I got to see a lot of people that I know, and I haven鈥檛 in a long time. I feel like it was a last goodbye because I may not be able to see those people at graduation. It was also really funny because our teachers got to loosen up and they performed a couple of dances. It was definitely memorable.

Sam Houston High valedictorian Luis Andrade

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Sam Houston High School鈥檚 valedictorian Luis Andrade.

NAME:听Luis Andrade

SCHOOL: Sam Houston High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Business

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Take a chance on yourself. Try that hard class. Even if you don鈥檛 get the grade you want, get the 100, challenge yourself. It鈥檚 all about growing as a person. 听听

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

听I鈥檇 be Captain America. There was a scene when he attempted to pick up Thor鈥檚 hammer. He moved it a little bit. He鈥檚 not worthy just yet. Later in Endgame, we see he carries a hammer and he鈥檚 worthy of the responsibilities. Even if you鈥檙e not ready for something, you鈥檙e going to work hard on it and be ready.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 excited to meet new people, all the new opportunities. Hopefully I鈥檒l get internships, jobs, network and have that exposure in the world and hopefully succeed.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My dad inspires me the most. He鈥檚 the reason I鈥檓 here. He鈥檚 the reason I have that drive to want something better in life. He鈥檚 my hero.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

When I got the school record for the 3,200-meter run in track. I was at Texas A&M. Having my friends there and the people I run with almost every day was just the best feeling. And receiving those phone calls from my parents, my other friends, people who have graduated, people back home, it was a blessing to know I was doing something that was getting recognized and it was something good.

MARTIN HIGH SALUTATORIAN听EMILIO REZA

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Martin High School鈥檚 salutatorian Emilio Reza.

NAME:听Emilio Reza

SCHOOL: Martin High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Computer science

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Have fun in high school. Try to do new things and see what stuff you like. Keep doing that throughout your four years. I meet a lot of friends through various competitions. We had a lot of fun working together. Also, don鈥檛 procrastinate. Everyone, including me, hears that and does so anyway. 听

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I鈥檓 going to go with the Flash. He鈥檚 one of the most overpowering superheroes and with super skills I could quickly train and gain a ton of skills. I also tend to run late sometimes so that would really help.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檝e heard a lot about Rice鈥檚 O-Week (orientation) so I鈥檓 looking forward to that. It鈥檚 the week before classes begin. I hear I鈥檒l have a great time and make a lot of long-lasting friends. I鈥檇 also like to see the Mavs maybe win the championship.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My parents. Seeing them work hard to establish life in Texas as immigrants has taught me I can do anything I set my mind to. They鈥檝e been my constant supporters and remind me when I have missing assignments or usually when the teacher hasn鈥檛 put in the grade yet.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

I鈥檝e had a lot of great moments. One of my favorites was winning the Lockheed Martin Cyberquest competition with my friends. We didn鈥檛 expect to do that well but got to grind for three hours together and took home a WWE-style championship belt.

Board approves staff raises for 2024-2025

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ntmpH78R4[/embed]

色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting on June 6, 2024, is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights.

School is out, but we鈥檙e still celebrating outstanding students and faculty. The board began the evening by thanking the students who served on the Student Leadership Advisory Board this past school year. This group of students includes representatives from the junior class at all eight of our high schools. They represent 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 students鈥� opinions and provide their voice to the Board of Trustees and the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 community. Trustees expressed their gratitude for the students鈥� impactful service.

Then the board congratulated the district鈥檚 principals of the year and assistant principals of the year.

They also thanked their own Melody Fowler for serving as president of the board for the last two years. While the board has a new president, Fowler is continuing her service as a trustee.

You heard in the last Board Brief that Scott Kahl, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 assistant superintendent of human resources, gave a compensation analysis and market review at the last meeting. He also discussed options for staff raises. At this board meeting, the trustees took that discussion further to determine what the raise for district employees will be for 2024-2025. The board voted to approve a 4% raise.

The board also approved the monthly financial report on operations and the district鈥檚 investment activity report through April.

There were several 2019 Bond items that the board approved as well. First, the trustees approved the contractor that will replace the north drive at the Career and Technical Center. They also approved additional scope to the Sam Houston High School bond project. There are some roof drainage problems over Sam鈥檚 library, so they approved that work to be done. And they approved November 1 as the new substantial completion date for the addition at Arlington High School.

Finally, board policy requires board approval for any 鈥渙ut of country trips鈥� taken by student groups. So, the board approved an exciting trip for the Martin High School orchestra and choir to Lima, Peru, next March, where they will perform with the Gabriel Alegria Afro Peruvian Sextet.

Those are just a few of the highlights from the meeting. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click to watch the entire meeting.

Wall of Fame honors legacy of Christa McAuliffe

Last week, the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 community celebrated more than 250 exceptional students and teachers at the annual Wall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner. 听

The district continues to honor the Educational Flag of Learning and Liberty and astronaut as symbols of the Wall of Fame. Inductees embody McAuliffe鈥檚 pursuit of knowledge, dedication to service and strong sense of mission.听

Nominations came from school principals, teachers and other staff members. Each honoree was recognized for achieving a top state or national honor in academic, co-curricular or extracurricular event.听听

Joined by 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Matt Smith and the Board of Trustees, inductees walked the stage and received their pin and certificate. A family member, friend or teacher pinned each honoree officially inducting them into the 2023-24 Wall of Fame.听听

Watch the full ceremony .听听

Join the Kooken family

It鈥檚 all about little learners at Kooken Educational Center. In fact, Kooken is the only school in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 dedicated exclusively to only one grade level 鈥� pre-K for 3-year-olds.听

But that鈥檚 not the only thing that makes Kooken so special.

鈥淲hat makes Kooken special is our ability to serve, make connections and design all learning experiences for our 3-year-olds and their families,鈥� said Kooken principal Elizabeth Huebner.

WHY PRE-K 3?

鈥淓arly childhood learning is crucial for building a strong foundation for students鈥� futures, both academically and socially,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淭hrough rich learning experiences, they experience valuable socialization skills and develop a strong and critical academic foundation.鈥�

Parents who enroll their children into pre-K 3 give their child a jump start on their peers.

鈥淜ids get their foundation in pre-K 3,鈥� said Staci Nelson, a special education teacher at Morton Elementary who also taught pre-K at Kooken. 鈥淭hey learn to self-regulate and learn how to be learners. When they move on to pre-K 4, they will be prepared for full-day study.鈥�

Pre-K 3 lays that foundation for a lifetime of success.

鈥淪eeing where the little ones begin in August and where they are in May is amazing,鈥� Nelson said.

The biggest reason the students experience such tremendous growth is because of the outstanding teachers and the opportunities they provide.

鈥淥ur teachers also provide such rich and bountiful opportunities extending past the classroom walls 鈥� through the STREAM Maker lab, Outdoor Classroom and pre-K yoga 鈥� while still focusing on social-emotional skills,鈥� said Stephanie Ross, Kooken鈥檚 instructional coach.

See a classroom at Kooken

Kooken is more than a school for pre-K 3. It鈥檚 one big family.

"When families walk through our doors, they are part of the Koala family, or what we like to call ourselves, the SUPER (Supportive, Unified, Positive, Engaging, and Responsible) Dream Team,鈥� Huebner said. 鈥淓very faculty member assists in family engagement. Whether it is enrollment, parenting classes, family nights or learning experiences.鈥�

Join the Kooken family and register your 3-year-old for half-day pre-K at Kooken today. There are morning and afternoon options, and it is free if you qualify. If you don鈥檛 qualify for free pre-K, Kooken offers an affordable tuition-based program.

You can start the registration process online鈥�here. Or you can come to Kooken and receive registration assistance Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon from now until June 27 and July 8-18. Plus, you can take a peek at a pre-K classroom!

Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at鈥�aisd.net/prek鈥痑nd feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

Lamar HIGH SALUTATORIAN Hannah Bunnag

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Lamar High School鈥檚 salutatorian Hannah Bunnag.

NAME:听Hannah Bunnag

SCHOOL: Lamar High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Computer science

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

There鈥檚 nothing that you can鈥檛 come back from, and it鈥檚 never too late to start trying. I know a lot of really smart, capable people could achieve what they want if they just had the motivation and support.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

Megamind. He鈥檚 not very serious, and he鈥檚 good natured despite his upbringing. His underdog story is really inspiring.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 most excited to start college because it鈥檚 an entirely different chapter of my life.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My older sibling (Sydney) because she鈥檚 always been a role model for me. She sets a good example for what I need to be.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

The eclipse. It was really beautiful to watch with my friends and it kind of put life in perspective for me. We watched it from school because they let us out for the peak of it.

UT Arlington will prepare 75 aspiring teachers for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区

The College of Education at The University of Texas at Arlington is creating a bridge to Texas classrooms through its Alternative Certification Program (ACP) 鈥� a 100% online program designed for candidates with a bachelor鈥檚 degree who are pursuing careers in teaching.

The 300-hour program is a non-credit approach to alternative teacher certification. It was designed by the college鈥檚 faculty and staff, in collaboration with district partners, using the framework of UTA鈥檚 existing educator programs.

During the two-phase program, candidates will receive training and mentoring to ensure their preparation for certification exams and their future roles as classroom teachers. ACP students will also complete either an internship or clinical teaching stint in a classroom to fulfill Texas Education Agency requirements.

鈥淭here are students who want to give back to their community by becoming teachers. This program is just another means of supporting their preparation as they embark on successful careers in the classroom,鈥� said College of Education Dean Tim Jacobbe. 鈥淭he ACP adds to our commitment to mobilizing highly-qualified educators who can meet the high demand in our state鈥檚 classrooms.鈥澨�

School districts in North Texas and across the state continue to struggle to fill vacancies with highly-qualified teaching candidates. According to state records, nearly one in three new teachers hired across Texas last year lacked certification. The ACP is an alternative pathway to combat the national teacher shortage and bring qualified teachers into classrooms.

To align with strategic plan and its aim to redefine the University鈥檚 community impact, UTA will be preparing 75 aspiring teachers for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. UTA currently fills nearly 33% of 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 teaching positions. The partnership will ensure schools have the teachers they need to educate the K-12 student population in Arlington.听听

鈥淭his new partnership with UT Arlington represents a groundbreaking investment in top-tier educators, ensuring our students have every opportunity to excel,鈥� said Dr. Matt Smith, superintendent, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome highly qualified and passionate teachers through this collaboration.鈥�

For more information, students interested in applying can visit the .

Lamar HIGH VALEDICTORIAN EMILIANO GUTIERREZ BERLANGA

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Lamar High School鈥檚 valedictorian Emiliano Gutierrez Berlanga.

NAME:听Emiliano Gutierrez Berlanga

SCHOOL: Lamar High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Government

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

The one advice I would give to an incoming freshman is to dare to go outside your comfort zone and try everything. My freshman year I didn鈥檛 really get to do that because we were hybrid, and we didn鈥檛 get to be on campus every day. Even sophomore year, some of the clubs seemed to fade out. But I would say try all the extracurriculars you can be part of, join every club. That鈥檚 coming from someone who did practically every club available.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

My answer is a little bit niche, but I would want to be The Flash Barry Allen, but an important little niche aspect is I would want to be Barry Allen when he is a Blue Lantern. The Blue Lanterns are similar to Green Lanterns, but they focus on hope. I think that would more encompass me as a person as well as some super cool speed and some Blue Lantern patterns.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Honestly just kind of having that independence of making my own schedule, learning subjects that I want to learn specifically, learning more about our government system and just having the overall freedom of not having the monotonous every day public school education. It was very tiring sometimes when waking up at 7:30 just thinking five more minutes, please, I just want to go to sleep. It鈥檚 about choosing your own schedule and I get to listen to your needs instead of having to go through a general system.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

The beauty in life is we find inspiration in everyone. If you don鈥檛 learn something new about yourself or the world from someone you encounter then you鈥檙e not really doing yourself justice. I think there鈥檚 inspiration in everyone. You can find inspiration from everyone you meet. If I had to isolate it to one person, I think it would be my mother. My mother is my biggest inspiration. She has always motivated me and always shown me what hard work and dedication can do. I truly respect her and she鈥檚 honestly kind of the one person I can always rely on to lead me towards my next goal.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

It would be March 28 鈥� Ivy Day. I remember I was so anxious that day I even told me my mother, 鈥榃ould you be OK?鈥� because she was as equally invested in my education in what happened after high school. I remember asking her in the car, 鈥榃ould you be OK if I don鈥檛 get into an Ivy, if I don鈥檛 get into any of these schools?鈥�

She said, 鈥榊ou know what, I think you鈥檙e going to get into at least four.鈥� At that point I thought it was just that mother support and she was trying to say things to calm my nerves.

Through the day teachers were asking me, 鈥楬ey, when鈥檚 Ivy Day. Isn鈥檛 it today?鈥� I asked them if they wanted to be added to my email list. That contributed more to my anxiety.

Once I got home, I think it was 5:04 when all the results came out. It was truly a whirlwind of emotions. I applied to all eight Ivys, and I decided to open them alphabetically. That was probably the worst decision I could have made that day. It messed with me.

I opened Brown鈥檚 letter 鈥� rejection. Columbia 鈥� rejection. Cornell 鈥� rejection.

So, after three rejections I was feeling emotionally overwhelmed and then I opened Dartmouth and got accepted and a weight lifted off my shoulders. Then I opened Harvard and got accepted. Princeton accepted. UPenn 鈥� waitlisted, and Yale 鈥� accepted.

It's so hard to remember that moment because I was feeling so many emotions. That is my favorite high school memory because it wasn鈥檛 just a moment of surreal joy, but then I immediately sent text messages to my closest friends and then emails to my teachers with screenshots of everything. I felt so much love and support. It was truly one of my favorite memories even with the low points.

ASPIRE develops school leaders

The 2023-2024 school year is over. The classrooms are empty, the hallways are quiet and graduation parties have been in full swing.

But before the school year ended, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 celebrated the tireless work of the principals, assistant principals and school leaders this year.

Its ASPIRE program recently recognized dozens of its teacher leaders, school administrators and central office leaders during its 鈥淟eadership Honors鈥� banquet at the in Arlington. Inside a ballroom decked with beaming blue and gold lights and chic decorations, the event highlighted the work of participants of a program conducted by the Office of School Leadership.

The department is responsible for the management, direction, supervision and evaluation of schools and school principals in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区.

It also ensures that adequate resources, support and accountability are provided to campus leadership teams in an effort to realize district student achievement targets.

While addressing the crowd, coordinator of leadership development Jennifer Fuller said APIRE鈥檚 mission is to 鈥渃reate, refine, and sustain exceptional leadership development programs for teacher, school and central officer leaders in order to positively impact students鈥� learning and well-being.鈥�

鈥淛ust as gold antique picture frames preserve and showcase cherished memories, our leadership programs serve as the framework for our participants鈥� growth and success,鈥� Fuller said, referring to the frame image on the event鈥檚 glossy program book.

Besides fruit, strawberry shortcake, key lime pie and apple crisp crumble, the educators were treated to humor from the event鈥檚 emcee, Micah Green 鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 fine arts coordinator of theatre and dance.

Before diving into the field of education, Green was a professional actor who performed in Broadway shows and musicals all over the country. He also sang with various symphonies and had a stint sailing the high seas with Disney Cruise Lines. So, it wasn鈥檛 hard for Green to keep the busy educators entertained.

Shortly after getting on the mic, Green reminded the educators of how the school year was quickly coming to an end.

鈥淏ut who鈥檚 counting, right?鈥� Green joked.

Making connections

During the event, Green called out the names of the celebrated individuals who spent countless hours learning to enhance their educational leadership skills. The different programs were the following: National Board Candidates, District Lead Teachers; ASPIRE Leadership Academy and Principal Residency; Microbadging Project Prodigy; Cahn Fellows and Allies; Learning Facilitators; Administrators in Mentorship (AIM) and Lead Principals. Each program had different expectations and lengths.

Regardless of their program, the participants were encouraged to network with one another. At the start of the banquet, they were asked to reflect on their proudest moment in leadership this year, as well as one piece of advice they wish they had received at the beginning of their leadership journey. And then they shared their responses with someone before switching partners.

The question 鈥淲hat do you listen to on your way to work each morning that motivates you?鈥� led to a candid reaction from the attendees. While pairing up, Monica Leal, an instructional coach for Rankin Elementary School, shared how she jams out to music by Elvis Presley with Ginger Cole-Leffel, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 director of professional development. Cole-Leffel loudly stated that Leal鈥檚 answer challenged her to give up her 鈥渂oring鈥� and 鈥渟erious鈥� podcasts.

鈥淪o, it鈥檒l be Elvis Presley tomorrow!鈥� Cole-Leffel said, drawing a roar of laughter.

Introduced by Green as the 鈥渙ne, the only Dr. Matt Smith,鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 superintendent offered some inspiring words. Having stepped into the position in January, Smith said he could relate to their journeys, reminding the educators that they don't have to be perfect. He also applauded their commitment to growing as leaders.

鈥淎t the heart of it all, we have people in this room who are dedicated to improving. Why? Because our kids deserve it,鈥� Smith told the attentive audience. He added that 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 needs leaders who are not afraid to 鈥渄o what is right for our students.鈥�

鈥淧ublic education, as you know, is at a very interesting crossroads. And there are a lot of opinions throughout the state and the nation about public education,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淏ut my answer to that is, 鈥榃atch what our leaders do.鈥� By taking bold steps forward for the sake of every student in our system, we鈥檙e going to make sure that that public trust comes back, and it comes back to 色窝窝无码一区二区三区.鈥�

Providing guidance

Dr. Stepanie Lee already leads 12 schools in her role as executive director of strategic support network (SSN). However, she was thrilled to attend the banquet as a participant of microbadging 鈥� a yearlong program that involves professional learning, application and coaching. ASPIRE is a key component for the educators鈥� success as leaders, she said.

鈥淚 think it is a critical step in their leadership journey to be able to be poured into by a department that is just focused on developing leaders,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淚t also gives them an opportunity to apply what they are learning in their current role. No matter what that role is, from teacher all the way up to executive director.鈥�

Lorena Carlton, an instructional coach at Bryant Elementary School who is aspiring to become a principal, was invited onstage to share how ASPIRE has boosted her communication skills when addressing her fellow educators, students and parents.

鈥淚 learned to adjust my language, tone and content to resonate with each group ... The sea of accountability has helped me to inspire, collaborate and connect with others on a deeper level,鈥� Carlton said.

Katina Martinez, principal of Patrick Elementary School, thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. A lead principal for the past four years, she has mentored 14 individuals, which she said involves giving them hands-on, learning experiences.

鈥淚 think (ASPIRE) is critical because everything that we try to do is job-embedded. We want to make sure that it is very practical. That they see the real experience of what principals go through, so it is not sugar-coated,鈥� Martinez said.

Sometimes, Martinez said, this means having tough talks.

鈥淚鈥檓 there as their thought partner,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 coach them. I give feedback. Sometimes, I have to have real conversations with them as they are aspiring into that next role.鈥�

Martinez, a 25-year educator and 14-year principal, said she tells them, 鈥淵ou gotta make sure you maintain that level of professionalism, follow-through. Because campuses are going to be depending on you.鈥�

Outside of her everyday principal responsibilities, Martinez has to work extra hours to prepare for her time spent with those she mentors. But she said, 鈥淭he work is really worth it when you see them go into their principalship.鈥�

听鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 not going to be here forever, I want to build capacity in future leaders to know that whatever our vision is, as a district, it鈥檚 going to sustain itself,鈥� Martinez said. 鈥淎nd that they can go, take that and apply it at a campus.鈥�

听鈥淎nd you can still then be there for them,鈥� she added. 鈥淏ecause even though they are not your mentees anymore, they are always your mentees.鈥�

BOWIE HIGH Valedictorian Lily Nguyen

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Bowie High School鈥檚 valedictorian Lily Nguyen.

NAME:听Lily Nguyen

SCHOOL: Bowie High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Biology

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Don鈥檛 do exactly what your friends do. That鈥檚 what I did. I would move away from what everyone did and try my own things. That鈥檚 how I made it to where I am today. It was a very good experience even though I didn鈥檛 do everything everyone else did.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I鈥檓 not really sure because I don鈥檛 watch a lot of superhero movies. I would like to be a princess from one of the Disney movies because I grew up watching them, and they are very wholesome and nostalgic for me.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 most excited to learn new things and meet new people. I don鈥檛 know how college is going to be, but I can鈥檛 wait to go on and live my life and get a job and start a family.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My aunt. Her name is Mary. She inspires me the most because she was valedictorian at my school 10 years ago. She sought out and became an optometrist and I want to do the same thing because she seems so happy, and she has so much free time to go on vacations and spend time with her family. I want to live like that, too.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

At the end of my junior year I was very close to my AP bio class and we all made t-shirts together and we wore them during tests and we took pictures everywhere together. It was a great experience. We shared a Google drive with our teacher, too.

Register now for Career Expo on June 8

From pay and career opportunities to mission and culture, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is the clear choice!

Join us for 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 Career Expo on June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon at Workman Junior High School to learn about and apply for all kinds of jobs in a variety of fields. Meet with hiring managers from various departments for on-the-spot interviews so you can start your new career in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区.

Register now .

Some of the open positions include:

Campus-based careers:

• • • Cafeteria monitors
    • Clerks
    • Teachers
    • Substitutes
    • Teaching assistants
    • Secretaries

Auxiliary careers:

• • • Custodians
    • Food service specialists
    • Food service managers
    • Groundskeepers
    • Campus security officers
    • Security corporals
    • Bus attendants
    • Bus drivers
    • Driver (CDL & Non CDL)

Some of the many benefits of working in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 include:

• • Competitive pay
  • Overtime opportunities
  • Year-round pay
  • Flexible schedules
  • Yearly pay increases
  • Working with a qualified team

Candidates should apply for positions at听aisd.net/jobs听before the Expo. If you are interested in multiple positions within the district, feel free to apply to all that interest you.

BOWIE HIGH CO-SALUTATORIAN Timothy Pham

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Bowie High School鈥檚 co-salutatorian Timothy Pham.

NAME:听Timothy Pham

SCHOOL: Bowie High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Biology

What is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

I would advise them to stay on top of the classes they wish to take. Of course, not procrastinate. I would also advise them to explore their options before they decide what they truly want to do and go to college because I feel like high school is that time where you鈥檙e open to a lot of opportunities and have that time for programs and try your hand at what might interest you later on.

If you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I guess I would be my favorite superhero Dr. Strange. Just because he knows a lot. He was also a medical professional before he became a superhero and I also think magic is really cool.

What are you most excited about after graduation?

It鈥檚 exciting and nerve wracking the opportunities that are opening up to me as I graduate high school like college and getting into my career pathway that I wish to take. Getting to meet people and experience the world as I go.

Who inspires you the most and why?

My father inspires me the most because he has succeeded after being an immigrant coming from Vietnam. It鈥檚 very difficult to do that, coming to America at such a young age and being able to succeed in America. He had hardships and all sorts of things, so he really inspires me the most to do my best and appreciate what I have.

What鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

Going on a BPA (Business Professionals of America) trip with my friends because we made it to state and nationals. The traveling times by ourselves, of course we were with the school, but we enjoyed the competitions and the time as we traveled. We did a lot of fun things there.

BOWIE HIGH CO-SALUTATORIAN ALYSSA VU

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Bowie High School鈥檚 co-salutatorian Alyssa Vu.

NAME:听Alyssa Vu

SCHOOL: Bowie High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Computer science

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Definitely don鈥檛 slack off, and try to plan a schedule so you don鈥檛 procrastinate. I would do assignments a week ahead so I would be caught up. A lot of assignments from different classes overlap.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I think I would just want to be Spiderman. He has such a good reputation, and it would be fun to swing around buildings.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Probably moving on to college and having more freedom as well as control over my academics.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My older brother Nhan inspires me the most since he is someone I look up to and he鈥檚 the whole reason I鈥檓 going into computer science.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

My favorite high school memory might have just been any event for getting money for senior prom such as Senior Sunrise or any of the fundraising campaigns. It was nice to collaborate with other people as well as to have a collective goal in mind. We were able to pay off our prom venue even though it was like $40,000 and we had no money to begin with.

Arlington High salutatorian Cooper Peach

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington High School鈥檚 salutatorian Cooper Peach.

NAME:听Cooper Peach

SCHOOL: Arlington High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Finance and engineering

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Really don鈥檛 chase the achievements of life. There鈥檚 a lot that comes with the glamour. It looks like it is a lot more than it is. The starting spot. Being second in the class. It鈥檚 very nice. It鈥檚 very cool, but it doesn鈥檛 beat the process. It doesn鈥檛 beat the abilities you gain along the way. Being able to spend time with friends, being able to enjoy the family that is your football team or your baseball team, nothing will beat that compared to the achievements. 听

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

How could you go against Superman? He flies. Super strength. He鈥檚 got a big weakness, but everybody鈥檚 got something. I鈥檇 be Superman.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Life. This starts the freedom and the next steps of beginning my actual life. For my entire life, it鈥檚 been Arlington, Texas, nothing else. Arlington High School, being around all the games and all the things. It鈥檚 going to be different, but it鈥檚 very exciting for me and the change is something I look forward to.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My dad (Arlington High football coach Scott Peach), no doubt about it. His smile. His good nature toward everybody and the way he can walk into a room, and everybody lights up when they see him. Seeing that everywhere I go to is completely inspiring. I aspire to be like that every single day.

鈱�What鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

It鈥檚 probably a combination. There were two or three moments when I would come off the football field and whether I scored a touchdown or made a big play or did something like that, and I crossed that sideline and I looked up and my dad was there smiling at me. Nothing beats that in my entire high school career, those Friday night lights. That鈥檚 what I dreamed of every moment of my life up to that point was being able to play under my dad, being able to do those things with him. When I was able to perform at a really high level, stepping off that field and seeing his face light up, nothing beat it.

ARLINGTON HIGH VALEDICTORIAN ADDISON GARDNER

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington High School鈥檚 valedictorian Addison Gardner.

NAME:听Addison Gardner

SCHOOL: Arlington High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Forensics and investigative science

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

The biggest thing I would say is to get involved in your school, whether that is with sports, clubs or fine arts. Finding that group of people where you feel like you belong is so important to the high school experience because having that community you feel comfortable in can help you through all the things 鈥� good and bad 鈥� while also giving you and helping you find those people that make high school a memorable experience.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I don鈥檛 know much about superheroes. I guess I would say Spiderman because of his passion for helping the community, not only the community but the entire world is admirable. And the way he鈥檚 able to balance his personal life and just being a normal person with his passion for doing good.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Just moving on to college and the next stage of my life and all the new opportunities and new connections and the new people I can meet is something I鈥檓 looking forward to. And just getting started with my career and all that. I want to get into the forensics field and that鈥檚 something I鈥檓 really looking forward to in college because that鈥檚 what I will be majoring in. I鈥檓 really looking forward to that.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My mom. She鈥檚 not just my mom but also my best friend. She is so patient and kind and has an incredible ability for problem solving. I just know that I can always turn to her when I need to no matter how stressed out I am or anything and she will always be there to calm me down and brainstorm solutions together. She just inspires me every day to want to be like her and have her patience and kindness and quick-thinking skills.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

I would have to say everything involving Friday Night Lights. I am a cheerleader and so getting to be on the sidelines with my best friends is just an unforgettable feeling. The unity and the excitement really with everyone at Arlington High at football games is just unmatched and something I will never forget.

Fiber network funded by the 2019 bond

It鈥檚 one of those things that has a big impact without you even noticing. In fact, if you don鈥檛 read this article, you鈥檒l probably never know about it. But if you鈥檙e a student, teacher or staff member in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区, it鈥檚 quietly a big deal.

Earlier this year, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 completed its own private fiber network. The project, funded by the 2019 Bond, required about two years to install over 85,000 feet of fiber. But now it鈥檚 all completely installed and connected to every campus.

So, what does that mean?

In a nutshell, that means better internet for every student, teacher and staff member.

It means ensuring students and teachers have access to all the online resources, learning materials and teaching tools that go into a 21^st-century education. It鈥檚 also about ensuring the demand for internet 鈥� which is growing all the time 鈥� is met now and for decades to come. And it鈥檚 about speed, stability and dependability 鈥� creating internet infrastructure designed to eliminate internet outages and guarantee smooth, uninterrupted access.

All of those internet needs are accomplished with the new private fiber network, which听utilizes a multi-ring, clover-shaped topology. That means rings of underground fiber 鈥� wire made out of pure glass that acts as the highway that internet data travels on in the form of light 鈥� was installed underground to encircle the entire school district and connect to every school.

This bidirectional ring allows data to flow both ways and includes significant resiliency. Fiber enters each school in two locations to ensure reliability even further. So, if there is an issue with the fiber at one entry, the second can be used.

In addition to reliability, the fiber network gives the district 10 times the bandwidth it previously had. Plus, with full control over the network, the district can implement increases to capacity whenever necessary and can do so by simply adding additional hardware. That means increasing capacity won鈥檛 require a network redesign, as was often the case when the district had to rely on outside vendors to provide internet services. In other words, this new fiber network infrastructure is a foundation built to support capacity needs well into the future.

Another critical advantage of the private network will be the lack of congestion and therefore the ability to host WAN services such as . No one else will have access to this network, so the only traffic will be from district users. With no other traffic to contend with and complete control over the network, it鈥檚 full speed ahead.

Now that 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 owns its own network, it no longer has to rely on leasing connectivity services from outside vendors. And that鈥檚 a big cost savings.

鈥淟ong term, this will give 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 a significant cost savings,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 assistant superintendent of technology Dr. Eric Upchurch. 鈥淲e鈥檒l stabilize the cost of our bandwidth for the next 25 years at the same time eliminating most of our commercial WAN service costs.鈥�

Already, the district expects to save $300,00 a year by eliminating WAN services.

Learn more about all the projects in the 2019 Bond.

ACHS VALEDICTORIAN SAMANTHA FERNANDEZ

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington Collegiate High School鈥檚 valedictorian Samantha Fernandez.

NAME:听Samantha Fernandez

SCHOOL: Arlington Collegiate High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Nursing

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

It鈥檚 OK to make mistakes. Try to learn from them and don鈥檛 beat yourself up about it because I did that a lot. Every little thing I was beating myself up about and it was so bad.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

Quicksilver. I鈥檓 always running late to things, and I don鈥檛 have a car. To be able to have super speed would be really useful.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Moving into my dorm because that would be the first time almost living alone. I鈥檓 going into more of an apartment. I鈥檒l have a sense of freedom and have to rely on myself.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

That would have to be Scooby-Doo. I love Scooby-Doo. He鈥檚 always there for his family and friends. He鈥檚 scared of his own shadow, but if any of the gang is in trouble he jumps in head first even though he鈥檚 scared of everything.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

It鈥檚 pretty recent, but our Senior Sunset. We couldn鈥檛 even see the sunset, but everyone was there together. That鈥檚 what I liked about it, the togetherness. Everyone was eating, taking pictures, signing yearbooks, signing t-shirts. That was very fun. Everything was so peaceful in that moment.

ACHS salutatorian Vanessa Trejo

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington Collegiate High School鈥檚 salutatorian Vanessa Trejo.

NAME:听Vanessa Trejo

SCHOOL: Arlington Collegiate High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Nursing

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Don鈥檛 stress yourself out too much. In high school, you don鈥檛 have to worry too much. It鈥檚 not the end of the world with grades. Just try and make the best out of everything. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

I think Batman. I would want to stop crime at night. That resonates with me because I鈥檓 more effective at night as a person than I am in the morning. I think that resonates with Batman because he鈥檚 always out fighting crime at night.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Being able to find myself and my sense of individuality and try and live by myself. I want to see how that goes. I鈥檓 ready to be by myself and not be surrounded by my family. I want to see what the world has to offer me.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My sister Alexandra. She inspires me because she鈥檚 my older sister, and I鈥檝e been looking up to her ever since I was a kid. She鈥檚 one of the reasons I鈥檓 the salutatorian because she inspired me to persevere and not give up. She鈥檚 been there for me every step of the way and has been a big inspiration to me. I look up to her a lot. She鈥檚 the person I strive to be a lot. She鈥檚 my role model.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

Whenever I would help with the adopt-a-street mile cleanup. It was for my community and with people who wanted to volunteer. I liked the whole thing. It was the first time I was able to help in the community. I got to meet the volunteer coordinator and she was great. I looked up to her. She was passionate about what she was doing and why she does it. I liked the sense of being able to help the community knowing how much it鈥檚 given me.

Pre-K classrooms designed for little learners

Everything in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 pre-K program is strategic 鈥� designed to inspire learning. That鈥檚 why every detail in pre-K classrooms was intentionally designed to launch our littlest learners on a lifelong journey of exploration and learning.

鈥淚n 色窝窝无码一区二区三区, we strive to create a magical learning experience for all of our pre-K students,鈥� said Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 director of early childhood learning.

PLAY

That magic starts in the classroom, which is designed to accommodate our new students and give them lots of opportunities to play. Play is how young children learn. They are innately curious, and they feed and foster that curiosity through play.

鈥淥ur pre-K curriculum allows preschool children many types of play throughout the day,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淥ur daily lesson plans allow children to participate in physical, cognitive, language and social play through structured and non-structured activities.鈥�

To promote that kind of purposeful play, each pre-K classroom鈥檚 design, furniture and toys enhance the curriculum and foster fun, creativity and exploration. Teachers help direct the play and use it to teach all kinds of lessons.

鈥淥ur classrooms are equipped with amazing early childhood resources that promote student engagement,鈥� Orsini said.听鈥淲ith thoughtfully designed lesson plans, activities, use of resources and fun learning centers, children flow from one activity to the next with a sense of purpose. They really have fun! The classroom library, block center, kids kitchen, math center, science station, book nook, dramatic play corner, sensory table, Lego wall and art center are just some of the many activities that students are invited to explore on a daily basis.鈥�

To give you an idea of what each classroom is like, here鈥檚 a little tour of some of the elements of the pre-K classroom that make a big impact in a child鈥檚 learning adventure.

TINY FURNITURE

You can鈥檛 just put pre-K students in a regular classroom. Everything is too big! So, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 pre-K rooms have small chairs, stools and tables sized just right for 3s and 4s. The furniture is flexible, allowing for a variety of seating options because they get used for lots of different activities. The tables and chairs are perfect for group learning activities and help children build social skills with their peers.

Each room also has a water fountain at the students鈥� height, along with a sink and bathroom. The bathroom is a must for this age group to prevent those unwanted accidents and to help teachers maintain constant supervision. They also help minimize interruptions to teachers鈥� lesson plans, which means more time for the children to learn and play.

CLASSROOM CENTERS

Each classroom is set up in centers to promote literacy, math, science and social-emotional learning. Pre-K students spend their day playing, singing and learning to gain skills that ultimately help them learn to read, write and build their math and science skills. Pre-K teachers are very creative and implement all kinds of activities at each center to maximize learning opportunities. Some of the most popular centers include:

• Dramatic Play Center

The dramatic play center includes fun-sized versions of items you find at home, like kitchen sets and dollhouses, filled with diverse baby dolls that promote role-playing. Dramatic play encourages creativity, self-expression and knowledge of the community.

• Literacy Center

The literacy center is a quiet area where pre-K students practice reading and looking at books. Kids explore their interests and have fun reading colorful stories that trigger their imaginations.

• Math Center

The math center is a special corner where kids learn how to use manipulatives, such as numbers, counters, blocks and geometric shapes to count, sort, add and subtract and build mathematical thinking skills.

• Free Choice Centers

Free choice centers allow less structured play time where kids get to pick their own activities from choices the teacher provides. These centers help develop creativity and imagination during crafts or pretend play.

• The Safe Place

The Safe Place is a cozy spot where kids can go sit if they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or just not having the best day. Students can look in the mirror while practicing breathing techniques and reciting affirmations to calm them down. Calming books, feeling buddies and other relaxation materials are also at the center to help kids cope with any difficult emotions. Learning fundamental academic skills are important, but it鈥檚 also important to help kids develop strong emotional and mental health at a young age. Teaching them now makes a huge difference in how they handle difficult situations as they grow up.

LABELS

Labels are vital in early childhood learning. Putting signs and labels on nearly every object helps students learn to read, write and spell at a much faster rate as they associate pictures with words they see and hear. Signs go on everything from cubby holders and lockers to chairs and toys. To solidify lessons, some teachers include 鈥淲rite the Room鈥� sessions that allow kids to write down the objects they are learning about or 鈥渂uying鈥� from the caf茅 or store.

STEM LABS听听听听听

Science and math have always been an important part of 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 pre-K, but now STEM is infused in the pre-K 4 curriculum. Our pre-K students take advantage of the STEM labs at every elementary school and learn and discover through hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiments and lessons.

OUTSIDE

Discovery doesn鈥檛 just happen inside. Outside is a classroom, too, with all kinds of games and activities. When classroom sensory tables are filled with water or sand, kids turn into little explorers as they dive into the daily lessons.

Playgrounds are a great learning space, too. And thanks to the 2019 Bond, all elementary schools now have new playgrounds. The new playgrounds are rock- and wood-free and have a soft rubber surface for safety to protect against those inevitable falls. Plus, they all have shade structures and accessible play equipment.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj__YXBEZlg[/embed]

REGISTER NOW

Pre-K in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is key to getting 3- and 4-year-olds off to a great start. Learn more about our innovative pre-K programs听and see what a day in pre-K is like in . Then head back to aisd.net/pre-k to register. Feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.

ACCHS SALUtatorian OYINlOLA Alokan

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington College and Career High School鈥檚 salutatorian Oyinlola Alokan.

NAME:听Oyinlola Alokan

SCHOOL: Arlington College and Career High School

COLLEGE:听

INTENDED MAJOR:听Biology

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

There are a lot of things I could say, but I would start with really go in with an open mind to experience and learn new things because when you鈥檙e close minded and you have made the conclusion that you don鈥檛 like math or you don鈥檛 like English or you鈥檙e not going to try in that class, it restricts you from doing good in that class. Be open minded in anything you do. Be open to getting those experiences. And don鈥檛 procrastinate. It鈥檚 something that can affect your grades. You should be determined and focused, especially if you have goals for yourself. It鈥檚 important to stay focused and determined. You can reach your goals if you鈥檙e persistent about it.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

WandaVision. I just like her energy, especially the show she was the main star of. She had to do to get what she wanted. Sure, it wasn鈥檛 the right means, because people couldn鈥檛 live their lives. She has the power to control her narrative, her story. I think that鈥檚 a big thing in this world. We have the power to control how we live, and we should take control and make that happen. Also, she has telekinesis and lasers.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Just to experience new things. It鈥檚 kind of scary leaving a sheltered environment and going to a university with new people. It鈥檚 that experience you can get, the stories you can tell your kids and everyone as you grow older. You鈥檙e making fun memories. It鈥檚 very exciting.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My parents just because growing up they didn鈥檛 have much, and they have done everything in their power to make sure myself and my siblings have a better life than they did. They brought us to America to get an opportunity they didn鈥檛 have back home where I鈥檓 from in Nigeria. I can take inspiration from that. They dared to be great. They鈥檙e inspiring.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

When it was after class and me and my two other friends we were in the library, and we just had taken a test and we were destressing and we were making jokes and watching shows that were funny and thinking about when funny things were happening and we were just laughing at the top of our lungs. I enjoy that because it was a way to come together and destress because exams can be really stressful.

Moore's perfect attendance started at Ashworth Elementary

Seguin High School senior Connor Moore has made it a point not to miss anything during his senior year of high school.

That should come as no surprise to anyone who knows Moore. He hasn鈥檛 missed anything since he started in the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 as a kindergartener at Ashworth Elementary in 2012.

When Moore graduates from Seguin later this week, it will cap an 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 career of perfection as Moore went 13 years without missing a day of school.

It鈥檚 a streak that took 13 years to happen and is a stunning achievement as Moore made it through COVID, the sniffles, the senior itch and every other obstacle that could stand between him and perfection.听听听听

鈥淚鈥檝e been sick a lot,鈥� said Moore. 鈥淚 was just kind of sick at breaks. My mom would say that my body has kind of trained itself to be sick when I鈥檓 on breaks and then be perfectly fine when I was at school.鈥�

It鈥檚 true. His mom Celeste Moore Cervantes, who happens to be a nurse, joked that he conditioned his body to get sick at just the right time. And that time was immediately once there was a school break.

It wasn鈥檛 easy, though.

There were some near misses for Moore, who plans to go to to start his career before moving to where he hopes to study forensics.

听There was a family funeral in elementary school when Connor had to leave early. But he made it past the time attendance was taken. And there were the well-timed trips to the orthodontist when Connor got braces. Then like everyone else, Connor had to navigate through COVID. Missing school wasn鈥檛 an issue, as it was easy for him to make classes when students were studying online. Of course, he did end up getting COVID. But like his mom said, that happened when school was out for summer.

The idea of the chance at perfect attendance has been with him since he was at Ashworth.听听

鈥淭hey had an award on a plaque, a perfect attendance award,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was around third grade-ish when I realized I had perfect attendance. My teacher at the time, Ms. (Kathryn) Kaju, she told me I had perfect attendance and should go for that. That was the award I was going for at the time, was getting my name on a plaque. Junior high (Ousley) it just kind of happened that I got through it. Then I was like, 鈥業鈥檓 just going to continue.鈥欌��

While the family played a role in helping Moore achieve perfection, his mom credits him.

鈥淚t was all Connor,鈥� Moore Cervantes said. 鈥淗e wanted it.鈥�

And it鈥檚 not like Moore made it this far while in a bubble. He played cello in the orchestra and the euphonium in band. He鈥檚 also an honor graduate. He鈥檚 just one that has shown up every day鈥�.. for 13 years!

鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the family,鈥� Seguin principal Billy Linson said. 鈥淭hey made sacrifices to ensure that he鈥檚 able to get here and able to get the education he needs from us on a regular, daily basis. He鈥檚 a great kid. It鈥檚 really a testament to him, too, fighting through those days when it was a struggle to get up.鈥�

ACCHS VALEDICTORIAN RICHARD AGUILAR

It鈥檚 graduation season and we听are celebrating the Class of 2024 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 high schools. Meet Arlington College and Career High School鈥檚 valedictorian Richard Aguilar.

NAME:听Richard Aguilar

SCHOOL: Arlington College and Career High School

COLLEGE:听 or the

INTENDED MAJOR:听Aerospace engineering

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

To live without regrets. Sometimes I feel like I didn鈥檛 do enough or try enough. Things could have gone better if I would have put more effort into them.

鈱狪f you were a superhero, which one would you be and why?

Superman. He can basically do whatever, and I think that level of freedom and that level of ability could allow me to be whoever I want.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I鈥檓 excited about a lot of things in life. Now I have to make my own decisions, and I will be able to succeed or mess up because of me, not anyone else.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

I don鈥檛 really have people I look up to for inspiration or anything. It just doesn鈥檛 make sense for me to look up to someone or be inspired by them.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 been your favorite high school memory?

The senior sunrise where I was at a pond watching ducks.

Young JH one of only 50 awarded a Moon Tree

Most everyone dreams of going to the moon one day. But if you can鈥檛 make it to the moon, maybe a from is the next best thing.听

At least that鈥檚 what Young Junior High principal Kirsten Lundin听believes. 听

Earlier this month, the school's eighth-grade community joined together to plant its own Moon Tree seedling. With , the seed traveled into lunar orbit aboard the Orion spacecraft spending four weeks in space before returning to Earth. 听

鈥淲e have a tree from outer space,鈥� Lundin said. 鈥淗ow many people can say that?鈥�听

Through partnership with the , it flew five species of tree seeds aboard as part of a national STEM engagement and conservation education initiative. Museums, universities, federal agencies and K-12-serving organizations were invited to apply for ownership of a Moon Tree seedling. 听

That鈥檚 when art teacher Diedre Grimm and Young鈥檚 eighth grade science teachers decided to take the chance. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting,鈥� Grimm said.听鈥淭o have this collaborative effort that everyone worked on together is so cool.鈥�听

With over 1,300 applications, the school was one of only 50 awarded a seedling. 听

鈥淲e were one of the lucky ones,鈥� said Lundin. 鈥淎nd now we have a tree from outer space planted right here in front of our building.鈥�听

The tree will serve as a living educational tool for students learning about Earth and space science as a part of the eighth grade curriculum. The school even plans to enhance the tree's significance through its next kindness campaign where students will decorate rocks to place around the tree, fostering a sense of community.听

"We are super excited," Lundin said. "It鈥檚 a unique opportunity to connect our students with the history of space exploration and the future possibilities that lie ahead."听

Learn more about the history of . 听

STAAR scores

For STAAR 2024 Grades 3-8 and High School STAAR End Of Course (EOC)

听The 2024 STAAR and STAAR EOC test results will be released for parents by TEA as follows:

• • STAAR 3-8 results will be released on June 14.
  • STAAR EOC Spring Administration results will be released on June 7.
  • STAAR EOC Summer Administration results will be released on August 2.

ACCESSING TEST RESULTS

Since school will not be in session, you will need to access the pass/fail results in the Parent Self Serve in TEAMS or in the TEA Family Portal at

To see results in the Parent Self Serve

• If you do not have access to Parent Self Serve, contact your child鈥檚 campus by May 23.
• Log in to the Parent Self Serve
• Click on the 鈥�Testing鈥� tab
  • Each subject area for grades 3-8 (math, reading, science and social studies) and each EOC test (Algebra I, Biology, US History, English I, English II) has a column in which test results may be displayed.
  • A 鈥�1鈥� or a 鈥�0鈥� should be indicated for any student who had a paper or online answer document submitted for the test.
    • 1 = Pass
    • 0 = Absent or Did Not Pass or Test Was Not Scored
  • There is also a column in the Parent Self Serve under the Testing Tab entitled 鈥�Portal Cd.鈥� The code found in this column will allow you to access the student鈥檚 complete test history in the TEA Family Portal.

To see your child鈥檚 test results and test history in the TEA Family Portal at www.texasassessment.gov, you will need your child鈥檚 unique access code.

• The access code can be located:
  • by looking in the Parent Self Serve; or
  • by using the 鈥�How do I look up my access code?鈥� link at texasassessment.gov (see Help Document).
• An 鈥淎pproaches Grade Level,鈥� a 鈥淢eets Grade Level,鈥� or a 鈥淢asters Grade Level鈥� indicates a passing score for the test.

Como Acceder a Los Resultados

de Las Pruebas STAAR 2024 Grados 3 a 8 y STAAR EOC (escuela secundaria)

听TEA publicar谩 los resultados de las pruebas STAAR y STAAR EOC del 2024 para los padres de la siguiente manera:

• • Los resultados de las pruebas STAAR de los grados 3 a 8 estar谩n disponibles a partir del 14 de junio.
  • Los resultados de las pruebas STAAR EOC de la primavera estar谩n disponibles a partir del 7 de junio.
  • Los resultados de las pruebas STAAR EOC del verano estar谩n disponibles a partir del 2 de agosto.

ACCESO A LOS RESULTADOS DE LAS PRUEBAS

Debido a que la escuela no estar谩 en sesi贸n, tendr谩 que acceder a los resultados de las pruebas en el Parent Self Serve en TEAMS o en el TEA Family Portal en

Para ver los resultados en el Parent Self Serve

• Si no tiene acceso al Parent Self Serve, comun铆quese con su la escuela de su hijo antes del 23 de mayo.
• Inicie sesi贸n en el Parent Self Serve.
• Haga clic en la etiqueta "Prueba."
  • Cada materia del los grados 3 a 8 (matem谩ticas, lectura, ciencias y estudios sociales) y cada prueba EOC (Algebra I, Biolog铆a, Historia de los Estados Unidos, Ingles I, Ingles II) tiene una columna en la que se pueden mostrar los resultados de las pruebas.
  • Se debe indicar un "1" o un "0" para cualquier estudiante que entreg贸 un documento de repuesta.
    • 1 = Satisfactorio
    • 0 = Ausente o no satisfactorio o la prueba no fue calificada
  • En el Parent Self Serve, tambi茅n hay una columna titulada "Portal Cd." El c贸digo de acceso que se encuentra en esta columna le permitir谩 acceder al historial completo de ex谩menes del estudiante en el TEA Family Portal.

Para ver los resultados de las pruebas de su hijo y el historial completo de las pruebas en el TEA Family Portal en www.texasassessment.gov necesitar谩 el c贸digo de acceso 煤nico del estudiante.

• El c贸digo de acceso puede ser localizado:
  • por medio del Parent Self Serve; o
  • por medio del enlace 鈥�驴颁贸mo encuentro mi c贸digo de acceso?鈥� en texasassessment.gov (vea el documento de apoyo).
• Un 鈥淎pproaches Grade Level,鈥� o un 鈥淢eets Grade Level,鈥� o un 鈥淢asters Grade Level鈥� indica una calificaci贸n satisfactoria para el examen.

Father Fest had games, entertainment and resources

听Micah Pollard is a new dad, new husband, new to 色窝窝无码一区二区三区, new to Arlington, period.

鈥淛ust new, new, new,鈥� he said.

He鈥檚 a newlywed and native Houstonian who followed his wife and her eight-year-old son here. On May 19, he was also a newbie attending 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 14^th annual Father Fest at the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Athletics Center.

There, he and his stepson, Johnathon, a third grader at Swift Elementary, played in the bouncy house, hit some golf balls, dribbled basketballs around obstacles and cooled off with a giant strawberry snow cone.

Through the play, he also met two other dads who were attending the event with their third and fourth graders.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of cool talking to them and hearing about their schools and the challenges of being involved with them,鈥� Pollard said.

Gary Rodriguez, an 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 parent facilitator in the families and community engagement department who helped organize Father Fest, said that鈥檚 the event鈥檚 core idea.

鈥淲hat I want parents to leave with is a great experience, a fun experience, but mostly to walk away with being exposed to something that will help them and their kids,鈥� Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez gushed about everything at Father Fest that was offered to help families with various resources 鈥� not to mention the free food 鈥� but he mostly wanted the festival to be a starting point for some fathers trying to find their way as parents.

He said Father Fest is a great place for parent networking, partly because of the community partners present, such as 色窝窝无码一区二区三区's early childhood and library services departments, the and , along with dance, mentor and tutoring services.

鈥淚t looks like pretty much everything is right here,鈥� said Joshua Petersen, who attended Father Fest with his 11-year-old son, Casey.

鈥淲e were here last year and had a good time. We remembered it was around this time of year. He reminded me about it. It鈥檚 nice, and not just because it鈥檚 something to do on a Saturday, but because it鈥檚 something that can help you down the road.鈥�

Father Fest not only fed its participants but also entertained them. The Bowie High School Drum Line played outside the front doors as everyone entered. And step teams from Farrell and Larson elementary schools and Nichols Junior High performed their latest routines inside.

鈥淲e want people to come out and have some family fun but also to be exposed to something they may not know exists in the community,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淭o say, hey, I didn鈥檛 know this was going on. I didn鈥檛 know this resource existed. To know that I could connect with this person. For example, I didn鈥檛 know there was a family and engagement team, that we have family facilitators that go to the cases, and we help support them.鈥�

Rodriguez said that it鈥檚 a celebration for fathers.

鈥淎nd we know in the school district fatherhood is not just limited to biological factors. We have a lot of grandparents who are raising kids in our school district. We have uncles, aunts and cousins and single moms doing both parts. Our fathers and families鈥� initiative is all about being inclusive.鈥�

Single mother Cherie Jamison was able to pick up some books for her daughter.

鈥淚 like the fact that most of the people here are specifically about helping families,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt a little weird being here at first because it鈥檚 supposed to be for fathers, but it鈥檚 been fun. My daughter just loved the 360-degree photo booth. She wants to do it again and again.鈥�

Rodriguez said the numerous dads鈥� clubs at various 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 campuses still ensure men remain involved in children's lives.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 an ever-going process,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淪ome elementary schools and some junior highs are already established. My goal and vision is to spread it throughout the school district. I would love to have a dad鈥檚 club at all 76 campuses. And I think we can get there. There are a lot of people in our community who want to support that. When I鈥檓 out in the community talking to people, fathers, and me, getting to know them, and doing my workshops, every father and father figure I have come across has always been ready to help.

鈥淲e have no barriers to that. What we need to do, and when I say we, I mean myself, family and community engagement, and AISD, is create access and opportunity for our dads to be more engaged. They need that support.鈥�

As Rodriguez put it, 鈥淭here鈥檚 no manual鈥� regarding parenting.

鈥淲e have many young fathers who need support. Father Fest and our initiatives say they don鈥檛 have to do it alone.鈥�

from Father Fest and learn more about 色窝窝无码一区二区三区's Fathers and Families Initiative.

Pre-K students ready for the next step

Donovan was ready.

When his teacher called his name, he bounded up the steps and strutted across the stage with man-sized strides and giant arm swings. Decked out in a sharp red polo and khaki pants, Donovan collected his pre-K diploma, found his spot on stage and flashed a million-dollar smile at all the family and friends in the audience.

There were lots of those happy smiles at Butler Elementary鈥檚 pre-K graduation this week 鈥� and at pre-K graduations all across 色窝窝无码一区二区三区.

Kathryn O鈥橬eal, one of Butler鈥檚 two pre-K teachers, thanked the parents and families for entrusting their little ones with her. She probably spoke for every pre-K class in the world when she described her students.

鈥淵our children are joyful and energetic,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd loving and energetic. And empathetic and energetic. And kind and funny. And did I mention energetic?鈥�

Butler鈥檚 other pre-K teacher, Brittany Lee, shared a moment she had in class recently when she realized the end of the year was fast approaching 鈥� and maybe a little too quickly.

鈥淭his is my little family,鈥� Lee said, 鈥渁nd I鈥檓 going to miss them.鈥�

Lee wasn鈥檛 the only one who got emotional at the graduation.

Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 director of early childhood learning, did too.

鈥淭here are tears in my eyes,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淎s an educator, I know how much it takes for kids to get to this point. They come to the school at the beginning of the year not knowing what鈥檚 going to happen. It鈥檚 a new world, a new environment. Seeing them now so confident, so happy, in love with school 鈥� it鈥檚 amazing.鈥�

The transformation that 4-year-olds go through from August to May is truly amazing.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about that safe, loving environment and making sure that in their first experience in school they feel loved, safe and nurtured,鈥� said Butler principal Mark Basham.

It鈥檚 also about a commitment 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 has made to pre-K students.

鈥溕盐盐蘼胍磺� is very special,鈥� Basham said to the parents during the graduation ceremony. 鈥淭hey committed that we are going to offer pre-K to every student in our district, and that is not available to every student across the state. Only a handful of districts have picked up this commitment.鈥�

That commitment is why Matthew Hall from 鈥� a non-profit that supports public schools and advocates for more pre-K in the state 鈥� came to Butler鈥檚 pre-K graduation. He brought refreshments for everyone to enjoy after the ceremony.

鈥淓arly learning education is critical for the future of our workforce in Texas,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淩aise Your Hand Texas is always grateful for opportunities to work alongside local partners, school districts and the business community to highlight programs like pre-K. We are honored to sponsor this awards ceremony.鈥�

Colorful Kooken

Kooken Educational Center 鈥� 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 only all-pre-K campus for 3-year-olds 鈥� held an end-of-the-year ceremony, too, but it was a little different than at other schools. Their ceremony wasn鈥檛 a graduation.

鈥淲e don't do a graduation, as our kids move on to 鈥榖ig school鈥� and continue in pre-K 4 classes next year on their home campuses,鈥� said Tara Lane, Kooken鈥檚 assistant principal.

But it was just as fun 鈥� and colorful.

A group of volunteer parents decorated the gym in a Crayola theme complete with four colorful photo booths. The students sang songs during the ceremony and the teachers celebrated the students鈥� growth before giving them their certificates of completion.

鈥淭his year all of our students are also receiving a Junior Master Gardner Award for participating in the Texas A&M Extension Program that teaches kids about healthy food choices, growing our own foods, how plants grow, etc.,鈥� Lane said.

Pre-K is the foundation

It鈥檚 time for this year鈥檚 pre-K students to move on to kindergarten or 鈥榖ig school,鈥� and like Donovan, they鈥檙e ready.

鈥淗aving had pre-K, they are just ready to take off,鈥� O鈥橬eal said.

色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 innovative pre-K lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, and it sets students up for success in kindergarten and beyond.

If you have a little learner ready for pre-K, we have a spot for them in 色窝窝无码一区二区三区. The next school year starts in less than three months, so register here today.

Needham is past president of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association

Craig Needham is the new assistant director of fine arts 鈥� performing arts for the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区.

Needham was the director of orchestras at Richardson Berkner High School for 16 years and has spent the last three years as the orchestra director at McKinney Boyd High School. Needham is the past president of the and past Orchestra Division Vice-President for the . He鈥檚 now the president-elect of that organization.

鈥淗is history of service is huge and is central to how he is wired 鈥� a factor that is echoed by everyone I have talked to,鈥� said Dr. Christopher Anderson, the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 director of fine arts. 鈥淗e is an incredible fit for the district.鈥�

Needham has also served as a TMEA Region Chair and UIL Sight Reading Committee Chair and as a member of the TMEA Honor Orchestra Committee, the UIL Music Advisory Committee and the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee.

Under Needham鈥檚 direction, his orchestras have achievements at the highest levels including being named the 2006-2007 TMEA String Honor Orchestra. In 2016, his full orchestra students received the coveted invitation to perform at Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, including a collaboration with the Canadian Brass.

Needham is taking over for Joe Munoz, who left the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 to become the executive director of the Texas Music Educators Association.

Destination Imagination inspires innovation

Seven fourth graders from Corey Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language are going to miss the last day of school tomorrow.

That鈥檚 because they left for Kansas City today.

The fourth graders are part of a team heading to the in Missouri this week.

The all-girl team 鈥� Annabelle Ellis, Eden Shelor, Sophia Kidwell, Eliana Trawick, Elle Whittenberg, Jenna Carlton and Penny Nutt 鈥� is the district鈥檚 only team to qualify for the finals after the girls won the Mid-Cities Regional competition and earned a state championship at the state meet.

鈥淭his is a huge deal,鈥� said Sonia Justl Ellis, the team鈥檚 manager and parent volunteer. 鈥淨ualifying for Global Finals is very difficult, and these empathetic, hard-working, smart girls are amazing!鈥�

Destination Imagination competitions require students to work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) challenges designed to teach the creative process. The goal is to inspire students to imagine and innovate today so they become the creative and collaborative leaders of tomorrow.

Corey鈥檚 students have definitley been inspired.

"I learned that anything is possible 鈥� anything!鈥� Annabelle said.听鈥淎ll you have to do is work hard and try your best. It's fun to be creative."

The Corey team鈥檚 road to Kansas City started months ago in the fall with a service-learning project. The students organized a blanket drive at Corey where they collected 345 blankets that they then donated to local shelters in time for winter.

The team then developed a presentation about the blanket drive that they delivered at the DI competitions.

鈥淭he presentation is the story of everything they did and learned through their 鈥� their blanket drive 鈥撎齞one through the lens of a fantasy story with a map they created using technical methods to show their progression within their story,鈥� Ellis explained.

It鈥檚 not your average presentation, but this isn鈥檛 your average DI team.

"It was really fun to hand out blankets to the homeless, and I'm really excited to do DI again next year,鈥� Eliana said.

Next year is going to have wait for now though. First, they have the Global Finals with teams from 26 other states and 15 different countries.

The team will be graded on its service project presentation and in a surprise STEAM challenge where they will have a limited amount of time to create something. The key to success will be working together.

"DI has taught me that it's always better to work together than by yourself,鈥� Elle said.

Go outside, have fun and learn

Dr. Jackeline Orsini, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 director of early childhood learning, has a message for pre-K and kindergarten students 鈥� and really every child.

鈥淕o outside!鈥�

It鈥檚 spring, and that means it鈥檚 time to go outside and play!

鈥淩esearch has shown that children who play outdoors regularly are happier, healthier and stronger,鈥� Orsini said. 鈥淲hen kids play outside, they get the opportunity to sing, skip, climb, jump and explore the world around them. Being outside and playing gives kids the opportunity to develop their physical, social-emotional, cognitive and language skills.鈥�

Orsini has some suggestions for parents to help make outdoor playtime fun and educational.

Keep it simple

Take a short walk and count or sort objects by color or shape. Go on a scavenger hunt or take a hike. Admire nature, listen to the birds, plant a tree or engage your child in a gardening activity. Integrate literacy by reading a book under a tree or by identifying the first letter, beginning sound or ending sounds of the things that you find. It鈥檚 also great to let your child play outside with their favorite toys.

Incorporate other elements

Include water, sand, glitter, rocks, Play-Doh, paint, things from your pantry and other household items to promote sensory play, which is very important in early years.

Anywhere works

Don鈥檛 get stressed about finding the perfect location. You don鈥檛 have to take your little one to a special place to experience the benefits of outdoor learning. A park close to your home or your backyard should be perfect. Outdoor games and activities are unlimited!

What does your child like?

Recognize your child鈥檚 interests and plan for fun activities that will get your little one excited about outdoor play. Does your child like science, arts, sports or nature? These are just some of the areas to consider when planning the perfect outdoor experience for your child. 听

Technology free

Put aside distractions and technology devices. This should be a time for you and your child to connect, bond and create beautiful memories.

Be safe

Remind your child of ways to play safely with other children and to follow instructions. Encourage your kids to use play equipment properly (like going feet first down a slide) and to be respectful toward nature. Check your local forecast before going outside. If it鈥檚 hot, don鈥檛 stay out too long, and use sunscreen often. And don鈥檛 forget to have your child wash hands after outdoor activities.

The most important thing is to have fun. Happy spring and summer!

When summer ends

Even though the summer break is just beginning, it鈥檚 time to plan for next school year and enroll your little ones in pre-K or kindergarten. Registration is open online now here. And learn more here about 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 pre-K 鈥� where outside play is important during the school year, too.

Idol singer motivates students at Career Day

Career Day at Dunn Elementary had the energy and excitement of the听TV show 鈥�鈥� last week.听

That鈥檚 because they both听aimed at inspiring individuals to live out their childhood dreams. It鈥檚 also because 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� season 22 contestant took the cafeteria stage.听

He shared the story of his听musical journey before kicking off Career Day with a performance of Donnie McClurkin鈥檚 鈥淐reate in Me a Clean Heart.鈥�听

Bunton is an 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 alum who graduated from Sam Houston High School. As a dad to three current Dunn Dragons and a brother to two former Dragons, he听also has听a long history with the elementary school. 听听听

鈥淭his is a full circle moment for me,鈥� Bunton said. 鈥淭o be able to come back and do this, it felt like a movie for a second.鈥�听

Singing since he was 6, Bunton鈥檚 journey has been听filled with lots of success, but also challenges and triumphs.听

A significant part of his story is his little sister Oddessty Bunton, who also attended Dunn.听Though she died in 2021, her memory and spirit remains a driving force in Bunton鈥檚听life and career. 听

Her influence was evident in Bunton鈥檚 determination to succeed when he received an unexpected email that changed his life 鈥� an invitation to audition for American Idol. 听

鈥淚t was scary, but I knew that this is exactly what I wanted to do,鈥� he听said.听

That鈥檚 when Bunton听headed to Nashville to perform in front of American Idol judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Receiving three yeses along with one of only three platinum tickets, he was sent straight to Hollywood.听

Over the past few months, Bunton advanced into the top 20 out of 80,000 auditions. He was eliminated in the top 14 round after his last performance of 鈥淲ait on You鈥� by Maverick City Music. 听

But a closed door opened a brand new one. The very next day, the group reached out to Bunton about a feature on their single 鈥�.鈥� 听

鈥淗e kept his eye on the prize, and he kept his goals in sight,鈥� said Dunn counselor Beth Lawrence.听鈥淭hat鈥檚 exactly what I wanted our kids to see.鈥�听

And that鈥檚 what Bunton wanted to teach them.听

鈥淚f you find something that you鈥檙e good at or love to do, do it, do it with all your might,鈥� he said.听鈥淒o not underestimate the power of your teachers and the authorities that have been placed in your life. Stay true to yourself. Know that you have what it takes, believe in yourself.鈥�听

Today, Odell is听working on an album titled 鈥淩oad to Recovery,鈥� which he described as a testimonial of听his experiences in life. 听

鈥淲e were so excited that he was one our Dunn dads,鈥� Lawrence said. 鈥淗e is so amazing.鈥�听

Career Day is dedicated to motivating the Dragons to follow their dreams, so there couldn鈥檛 have been a better surprise guest. 听

鈥淢y dream is to not just be another artist, I want to be someone that鈥檚 meaningful, someone that鈥檚 impactful,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 take these opportunities lightly, and I wouldn鈥檛 be spending my morning any other way.鈥�听

Building legacies

Everyone can see the construction going on at the front of Arlington High School.

But on a recent Saturday, there was construction in the back, too.

More than a dozen Arlington High students donning blue jeans, neon-orange T-shirts and white hard hats measured and sanded wood planks, drilled holes and hammered nails.

No, they weren鈥檛 working on the school鈥檚 rear. They were participating in the first-ever 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 Trades Competition led by Chris Grimaldo, who teaches a principles of construction course at Arlington High.

With a background in aviation and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management, Grimaldo spent a decade as a cabinet maker and lead installer. The six-year construction teacher joined Arlington High鈥檚 staff two years ago.

Grimaldo was inspired to host a competition after attending a construction workshop and becoming motivated to shed light on 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 students鈥� talents.

鈥淚 wanted these companies to see how great these Arlington students are. I told them that they are amazing. They have great attitudes. They work really hard,鈥� he said.听听听听听听听听听听听听 听听听听听听听

Grimaldo鈥檚 听students were divided into four teams and displayed their woodworking skills while building two picnic tables, a beverage center and a Jenga-style game set. The event鈥檚 theme: 鈥淏ackyard Projects.鈥�

On hand to observe and share their expertise were representatives of , the largest construction industry trade association in Texas, and , based in Dallas. The event鈥檚 other two big sponsors were the and (Live. Build. Lead.) Architects, also based in Arlington. Tim Thompson, a CTE specialist who supports the district's architecture and construction, manufacturing and engineering programs, said the competition was crucial.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important to get the kids excited and to show them that there is support from the district and from the community 鈥� that what they are doing is valued,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淭here is a need for this industry. Not everything is college-based.鈥�

Winning creations听

鈥淚鈥檓 in the field all day long and you can tell 鈥� we need trades bad!鈥� said Landon Miller, a senior combination inspector for the City of Arlington. 鈥淲e need carpentry. We need electricians. We need plumbing. Even if you don鈥檛 go into construction, you will use these skills for the rest of your life, and it is fantastic to have.鈥�

Glenn Grant, an LBL architect, echoed Miller鈥檚 sentiments.

鈥淲e need the people out there doing things; not everyone sitting at a computer,鈥� he said.

A former longtime teacher, Grant wishes he had the experiences that today鈥檚 CTE students are receiving.

鈥淚 had shop classes in high school, and I had drafting. But it didn鈥檛 go this far, where you have competitions and work collaboratively as a team.鈥�

After spending hours watching the competitors complete their projects, Miller and Grant judged the creations, offering constructive criticism. They asked each of the teams if they would have done anything differently and inquired about how each team divided tasks among its members.

Freshman Yozhbad Carlos led three other students as they built the beverage center that featured a drop-in spot for an ice cooler, a food cutting board space and storage space underneath. The 15-year-old has grown up learning the ins and outs of construction from his grandfather, dad and uncles.

鈥淚 felt it was really special that (Grimaldo) called me to be the leader of this group. And I wanted to show up and help them out,鈥� he said.

Carlos was elated to have the experience, humbly taking advice from Miller and Grant. The judges were pleased with the efforts all the teams gave and offered constructive critiques on all of the creations.

Vivaldi Lopez, Gabriel Bateman, Josue Garcia and Roberto Vencill earned the Best Teamwork recognition for the picnic table they built.

The Best Presentation award went to Juan Avendano, Desiree Bustillos and Eric Hernandez, who created the Jenga-style game set. The team was led by 18-year-old Nick Cortez. The senior said he thought the competition 鈥渨ould be fun鈥� when Grimaldo asked him to serve as an advisor for his younger teammates.

By the end of the event, Cortez was offered a job.

Grimaldo said more details about Cortez鈥檚 position still need to be determined, but 鈥渢hat鈥檚 the whole purpose of (the competition) 鈥� to get these kids jobs.鈥�

Isac Tavares, Larry Hurtado and Bobby White 鈥� all juniors 鈥� won the Best Leadership and Collaboration award for their picnic table version.

The grand prize winner? Carlos and his teammates 鈥� Jose Suarez, Richard Hernandez and Landon Henderson 鈥� won the Best Overall award for the beverage center. Hernandez, a senior, was also offered a job as a carpenter.

Each award was a rectangular lumber piece in the shape of a pencil, engraved with the category names. The students were also awarded with their choice of gift cards from local businesses like Raising Cane鈥檚, First Watch and Dutch Bros., as well as wireless earbuds.

Grimaldo was so excited about how the inaugural turned out that he humorously told the students and judges, 鈥淲e gotta go live.鈥�

Framing lives

Throughout the contest, signs that read, 鈥淒irty Hands, Clean Money鈥� and 鈥淪upport Blue Collar鈥� hung to inspire the contestants about their future careers in construction. Simultaneously, a football scouting session took place on the field on the other side of the gate from the trades competition.

Grimaldo was thrilled to know that his contest judges were keeping a close eye on his students鈥� efforts. Like the players on the gridiron, Grimaldo鈥檚 participants had opportunities to be recruited. For jobs. Right there on the spot.

While it was a true competition, Grimaldo continuously reminded them that it 鈥渨as all in good fun.鈥� After all, the teens had proven in front of industry experts that they had successfully learned how to handle power tools for which they first had to pass safety tests in the classroom.

鈥淭his was the best day ever, guys. I鈥檓 not lying,鈥� Grimaldo said. 鈥淏eing your teacher, I have never been prouder of you.鈥�

As the students helped him take the remaining materials and their projects from their 鈥渃onstruction site鈥� back into the school, Grimaldo made them all pause. Affectionately called 鈥淕鈥� by his students, the teacher belted, 鈥淗ey! Stay on your grind!鈥�

鈥淲hoop-whoop! the students shouted back.

The call-and-response interaction between Grimaldo and his pupils further demonstrated their respect for one another.

鈥淚鈥檓 so proud of you, guys. I love you. We鈥檙e family,鈥� Grimaldo said.听听

Texas Health and Atmos Energy install learning garden

The new pollinator garden at Crow Leadership Academy wasn鈥檛 just designed for butterflies and bees.

It was designed to pollinate young learners鈥� minds.

Those learners gathered outside last week to witness the installation of their school鈥檚 new learning garden.

鈥淲e are so excited for the beginning of the fulfillment of our vision of an expansive outdoor learning classroom and garden,鈥� Crow principal Liznel Gonz谩lez-Morales told the entire school. 鈥淥ur mission for the space is to provide students and teachers an inviting and comfortable natural environment that can be used in multiple ways.鈥�

Gonzalez was not exaggerating when she used the word 鈥渆xpansive.鈥� They have big plans, and last week was just the beginning.

That鈥檚 when nearly 30 volunteers from and spent a muggy spring morning shoveling dirt and installing 12 raised gardening beds.

鈥淓very grade level will have their own bed to maintain and come out and use throughout the school year,鈥� said Jennifer Ruby, Crow鈥檚 coordinator.

The volunteer team also planted shrubs around the outdoor learning area.

鈥淰olunteers, thank you so much for being here today,鈥� Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith said to the sweaty Atmos and Texas Health crew. 鈥淭he number one thing we believe in is a focus on our students, and it takes partnerships throughout our community to make that happen. The students at Crow Academy deserve the best we can offer. This outdoor learning space is going to take it to the next level.鈥�

Stephanie Jackson is a big reason the next level is really happening at Crow. She oversees school wellness for Texas Health in the DFW area and helped make this garden a reality. She also helped Wimbish World Language Academy install a learning garden in the fall.

鈥淭his is just the beginning of having the garden, and we also want to support them with some other fun things we do as well,鈥� Jackson said.

She believes the garden is going to make a big impact on students.

鈥淭he benefit is unbelievable,鈥� she said.

From getting more vitamin D to a better understanding of nutrition, the garden will help students physically and academically. Jackson said research shows that a garden can even help students perform better in the classroom and improve test scores.

That鈥檚 why Ruby has been pushing for this garden for two years. She鈥檚 led the charge for this outdoor learning space and has big plans.

The garden that was installed last week is just phase one. Next, a 20鈥檟20鈥� pergola will be built to serve as an outdoor learning classroom. Luffa vines will be planted this summer on the pergola roof to provide shade.

Plans also call for a pollinator garden 鈥� where kids will get to learn about the butterfly lifecycle 鈥� a tool shed, an early years outdoor play area and a fruit tree grove.

鈥淚t gives them all these hands-on experiences,鈥� Ruby said. 鈥淭hey can actually see the things they are reading about in books and seeing on videos inside the classroom.鈥�

It will also offer social and emotional benefits, she said.

鈥淏eing outside and engaging in the outdoors gives kids a sense of purpose, and we鈥檙e really hoping to give back to the community with some of the work we鈥檙e going to do here.鈥�

of from the garden installation last week.

Trustees plan for next school year

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色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 Board of Trustees meeting on May 16, 2024, is in the books, and here are a few of the highlights.

The evening started by administering the oath of office to the newest trustee, Larry Mike, and to two trustees who were reelected earlier this month, Melody Fowler and Sarah McMurrough.

As this school year comes to a close, the board is already planning for next. Last night, the board approved updates to the Student Code of Conduct for 2024-2025. The changes in the code came from a committee consisting of students, parents, community members, teachers and administrators who met this spring to review the code and make recommendations for additions, deletions and revisions. The revisions approved yesterday include departmental name changes and updated procedures for student use of district technology.听

Continuing to look ahead to next year, the board received two presentations from senior staff to help the board plan ahead. First, Darla Moss, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 chief financial officer, presented the preliminary budget for 2024-2025. The fiscal year starts July 1, but planning the budget is complex and starts months in advance. The budget requires a lot of careful development and is tied to projections for next year鈥檚 student enrollment.

Then Scott Kahl, 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 assistant superintendent of human resources, gave a compensation analysis and market review 鈥� explaining how 色窝窝无码一区二区三区鈥檚 pay rates compare to competitors. He also discussed options for raises along with changes coming next year to the Teacher Retirement System medical insurance rates.

The whole meeting wasn鈥檛 all about next year. The board also approved the monthly financial report on operations and the district鈥檚 investment activity report through March.

Finally 鈥� back to focusing on the future 鈥� the board approved a memorandum of understanding 鈥� or MOU 鈥� with to establish a recruiting pipeline of UTA students for entry-level teaching positions and provide mentoring support to new hires. The MOU will assist UTA students with applicant fees for the alternative certification program in exchange for their commitment to teach in Arlington for at least three years after they complete their intern certification. UTA will also provide additional support and courses for their students hired to teaching positions.

Those are just a few of the highlights from tonight. If you would like more details on any of these, or any of the items not covered in this Board Brief, please click to watch the entire meeting.

Take 25 minutes to talk about summer safety

With only a week remaining until summer break, it鈥檚 almost time to swim, play and relax.听

While classes may soon be out, safety precautions must stay in!听听

鈥淲e want kids to be safe, be happy, make good choices and continue learning over the summertime,鈥� said 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.听

That鈥檚 why Smith and Arlington Police Chief Al Jones joined forces to remind Webb Elementary fourth and fifth graders how to stay safe this summer.听It鈥檚 part of the annual Take 25 initiative. Through the campaign, parents and guardians are encouraged to take 25 minutes to talk to their children about staying safe.听 听

鈥淭oday is about taking 25 minutes to have a conversation about safety,鈥� Jones said.听

The chief, his team and Smith shared their tips and expertise while opening the floor for students to ask their own safety questions.听

Pool safety, park safety, internet safety, stranger danger, bullying and even shark attacks were all topics of conversation among Jones, Smith and the Webb Wallabies.听听

鈥淚 am very proud for the opportunity that we had for our students to gain some tips on safety and security,鈥� said Webb principal Evelyn Navarro-Gaspar. 鈥淎 lot of the topics that were presented today are hot topics for our youth. I am very thankful that moving forward they will be safe this summer.鈥澨�听

In any dangerous situation, students were urged to call 911, use their loudest scream and reach out to a trusted adult.听

鈥淭here are certain safe people that you can always reach out to,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淭hose safe people are right here in this room. Like myself, we鈥檙e in uniforms. You can come to us, let us know what happened and we can handle the situation.鈥澨�听

The is committed to the safety of the community every single day. Here are a few tips it shared:听

• Only talk to people you know on the internet and social media.听
• Be kind on the internet and social media.听
• Always use the buddy system whether you are at the pool, park, mall or any other public place.听听
• Use parental controls.听
• If you see something, say something.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 important for everybody to know what is supposed to take place if something happens to us, our friends or our family,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what this is all about.鈥�听

For more safety tips to practice this summer, check out our from the event.听

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