Mesquite ISD`s Newest Apple Corps Members

Mesquite ISD’s Newest Apple Corps Members
Apple Corps Teachers are nominated by their peers, approved by their principal and the administration and inducted by the Board of Trustees.
SEPTEMBER INDUCTEES
STACY COOK teaches first grade at Beasley Elementary. She
has been teaching for 22 years – 19 with MISD. She decided
to become a teacher because she loves kids, especially the
younger ones. She says, “I enjoy the excitement in a child
when he or she begins to read. Teaching is a rewarding
profession, and there are not many jobs in the world where
you can receive hugs daily and see little smiling faces.”
She believes that all students can learn if they feel trust and
compassion from their teacher. Her students inspire her to
be the best she can be on a regular basis. Stacy plans to
continue teaching first grade; and following retirement, she
hopes to volunteer in a school to give back in some way.
Stacy Cook
BEASLEY
Lighting Retrofit Pays
MISD Big Dividends!
Mesquite ISD has earned $371,730 in energy efficiency incentives
from Oncor Electric Delivery for completing a district-wide lighting
upgrade. The incentives are provided through the SCORE (Schools
Conserving Resources) Program. Representatives from Oncor were
on hand at the September Board meeting to present MISD a check
in the amount of $196,065 as the second installment of the refund.
Anne Goodner
PORTER
ANNE GOODNER is the librarian at Porter Elementary and
has been with MISD for six years. She knew at an early age
that she would become a teacher. She says, “I enjoy the
excitement a child has when he or she experiences the joy
of discovering a new book. Seeing students learn to treasure
reading is so rewarding because it is a skill that will serve
them for a lifetime.” She enjoys being a librarian because
she has the opportunity to introduce new concepts and ideas
through literature. Her family provides inspiration because
they are former educators and are always supportive in her
endeavors. Anne’s goal for the future is to continue teaching
students to love and appreciate the skill of reading.
MISD ALUMNI DIRECTORY
Mesquite Independent School
To make sure our directory is as up
District alumni are scattered across
to date as possible, our publisher,
the country and around the world.
Harris Connect, has already begun
But no matter where their lives
contacting alumni to verify that the
have led them, our alumni all share
information we will print is accurate
a common bond – the place they
and complete. Harris Connect has
started out.
more than 40 years of experience
researching and publishing alumni
That’s why Mesquite ISD is working
and membership directories.
on a new publication designed to
help bring our alumni back together.
Please help us make this publication
This new alumni directory will
full of the latest information about
include comprehensive biographical
you and your fellow alumni. It will
listings with contact information,
be a fun and useful reference as well
career overviews, and family
as helpful in keeping people in touch
highlights for our graduates.
with one another.
Mesquite ISD Implements
New Career Planning System
Andee Chamberlain, CLEAResult associate, and Chuck Maxwell, MISD director of
energy management, present a check for $196,065 to the district in recognition of the
district’s energy efficiency. The money comes from the state’s SCORE program.
A Bright Idea - Lifelong Learning!
Check out these great upcoming
classes!
TO REGISTER OR GET MORE
INFORMATION, please visit us at
www.communityedclasses.org
or call us at
972-882-5277
Take a bite
Volleyball For Beginners • Voiceovers/
Broadcasting • Recipes for a Scary Halloween
Bash • NEW Art Classes for Kids & Adults •
CPR Class • Couples Massage • Seasonal Scrubs
• NEW Parenting Classes • Easy Piano for Busy
People • NEW Sewing Classes • A-1 Customer
Service • Learn to Buy/Sell on eBay • Teen
Finances • Mystery Shopping • plus many more!
Join us for a Flapjack Scholarship Fundraiser!
Join us at Applebee’s of Mesquite on Saturday, November 10, from
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy all the pancakes and sausage you want
for $5 per person. Breakfast will also include the beverage of your
choice. All proceeds benefit the MISD Community Education
Scholarship Fund. What a great deal!
A great challenge facing students
is establishing a career path;
therefore, middle schools in MISD
are implementing the Internet-based
Kuder® Career Planning System
(KCPS) to help eighth-grade students
discover their career interests,
skills and work values and explore
associated career and education
options. This Internet-based system
will continue to be available to
students throughout high school and
beyond.
KCPS relates the results of three
brief assessments to occupational
information and provides a career
portfolio for each student. This
secure, online personal portfolio
allows each student lifetime
access from anywhere an Internet
connection is available. A student
may even send electronic résumés to
potential employers. KCPS provides
postsecondary options, financial aid
information, and additional career
development resources. With this
VOLUME XV • NUMBER 2 • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007
information, career exploration
becomes more exciting, and your
child better understands what
possibilities he or she has to consider.
We encourage your child to show
you his or her online Kuder® career
portfolio and review the assessment
results together. The online system
provides student assessment
results immediately and gives
parents additional opportunities for
involvement. As you discuss future
plans, you may help your child set
goals and input information into the
career portfolio.
The opportunities this program allows
for career and college exploration,
along with our district’s FutureQuest
initiative, will provide our students
with needed resources for making
informed decisions about their future.
Look for more information about
Kuder® to be sent home from schools
in the near future.
printed on recycled paper
REPORT CARD is published bimonthly by the Mesquite ISD Communications Department under the
direction of the Superintendent. Its purpose is to inform Mesquite ISD patrons about district programs,
student accomplishments and other school-related information. Some postal patrons not served by Mesquite
ISD receive this newsletter as a result of postal routes crossing over district lines. In an effort to save taxpayer
money, Mesquite ISD uses bulk mail to deliver this newsletter to an entire postal carrier route. We apologize
for any inconvenience this may cause for those who do not wish to receive this publication.
MESQUITE ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rita Crump
PRESIDENT
Kevin Carbo
MEMBER
Robert Seward VICE PRESIDENT
Randy Dobbs
MEMBER
Greg Everett SECRETARY
Cary Tanamachi, M.D. MEMBER
Gary Bingham MEMBER
Published by the Mesquite ISD Communications Office: 972-882-7404.
Linda Henrie, Ed.D. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
R
s
s
aper
BER
BER
BER
DISTRICT NEWS FOR MESQUITE ISD PARENTS AND PATRONS
MESQUITE INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE
—
SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS
EPORT
ARD
R
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VOLUME XV • NUMBER 2 • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007
IN THIS ISSUE
Summer Successes . . . . . 2
Superintendent Dr. Linda
Henrie gives an update on the
summer months’ happenings.
Student Spotlight . . . . . . 2
MHS Senior Jeremy Moore
makes a difference.
Community Ed . . . . . . . . 4
Find out about new
opportunities for learning!
Apple Corps . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Meet Mesquite ISD’s newest
Apple Corps Members.
MISD ONLINE
Answers are just a click away!
www.mesquiteisd.org
• School Locator
• Enrollment Information
• Links to Campus Websites
• Employment Opportunities
• School Calendar
• Student Handbooks
• TEA District and
Campus Reports
• Lunch Menus
• Student and Campus News
...and much, much more!
MESQUITE ISD
RECEIVES SUPERIOR
RATING FOR
DISTRICT FINANCES
For the fifth consecutive
year, Mesquite ISD has
received a “superior
achievement” rating
from FIRST – the
Financial Integrity Rating
System of Texas. MISD
Join the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation
for the First Annual Cowboys and Kids 5K Run!
Don’t miss the first annual Mesquite
ISD Education Foundation
Cowboys and Kids 5K Run
and 1-mile fun run on Saturday,
October 27, 2007. The event
starts and ends at Resistol Arena in
Mesquite. In addition to a lot of fun
and great exercise, participants will
have the opportunity to run with
the Mesquite Bulls! After the run
activities, participants can join the
sights and sounds, fashions and flavors
of a holiday marketplace with a Texas
twang at ‘A Cowgirl Christmas,’ hosted
by the Mesquite Service League.
All of the proceeds from the
event benefit the Mesquite ISD
Education Foundation, Inc.,
and the Mesquite Education
Association (MEA).
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit corporation dedicated to
enriching and enhancing the education
of Mesquite’s 36,000 students. The
Foundation supplies funds for projects
and programs outside the regular
school district budget through a grant
application process. The founders
of this organization come from a
cross section of the community
who have a vision of excellence
for the school district but realize
that the lack of state funding limits
programs and services to students.
For additional information about
the Foundation, please visit www.
mesquitefoundation.org.
The MEA is an organization that
supports the highest teaching
standards and instructional practices
for the benefit of our students. This
organization was formed for all MISD
employees and retirees alike, enjoying
a robust membership of over 4,000.
Each year, the MEA proudly presents
multiple scholarships to graduating
seniors from each of the district’s
high schools. In addition, the
organization funds scholarships for
paraprofessionals and student teachers
who aspire to become certified in the
teaching profession.
TO REGISTER:
Stop by your local
school’s office to pick up a
brochure or go to
www.cowboysandkidsrun.com
SUPPORT MISD TEACHERS BY GRANTING A WISH
Most teachers go above and beyond what
a school budget can provide and open
their pocketbooks to spend their own
money on school supplies. The Teacher
Wish List program is an easy way for
parents and businesses to help teachers
who wish to provide more for their
students.
Teachers can list classroom needs for
consumable student materials, up
to a maximum of $50; and parents,
community members, and business
partners can grant teacher wishes by
check or online.
TO FULFILL A TEACHER’S WISH:
1. Go to www.mesquitefoundation.
org/wishlist.asp
2. Choose a school from the dropdown menu
3. Select a teacher from the list
4. Click “Donate” to fulfill the
teacher’s Wish List
TO DONATE BY CHECK: Send a check to the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation at 405 E.
Davis, Mesquite, TX 75149, earmarked for the specific teacher and wish to be granted.
TO DONATE SUPPLIES: Donations of actual Wish List items are also welcomed in lieu of a
check or credit card donation. The items may be delivered to the campus clearly marked with
the teacher’s name. Please include your name, mailing address, e-mail address (if available),
and phone numbers so that the teacher can properly thank you.
GET YOUR BUSINESS INVOLVED: Businesses are encouraged to make donations of $1,000
or more to Title I Campuses so that multiple wishes can be granted on those campuses.
*Donations of less than the total amount of the teacher’s Wish List will be added to a general
fund to grant Teacher Wishes throughout the District.
answered affirmatively
on all 21 indicators used
by the TEA to determine
the district’s rating (a
perfect score).
MESQUITE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
405 East Davis
Mesquite, TX 75149
www.mesquiteisd.org
POSTAL PATRON LOCAL
MESQUITE, TEXAS
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Mesquite, TX 75149
Permit No. 147
Para recibir información en español llame a la Oficina de Comunicaciones de Mesquite ISD al (972) 882-8715.
From the Desk of
RED RIBBON WEEK –
OCTOBER 15-19, 2007
Linda Henrie, Ed.D., Superintendent
Mesquite ISD is joining with the
nearly 4,000 students in our elementary,
middle school and high school
summer school programs. These
programs focus on a variety of areas –
Department of State Health Services
to promote healthy, drug-free
lifestyles during Red Ribbon Week
such as reading and math acceleration,
bilingual/ESL study, special education
and TAKS preparation – all of which
2007. Did you know that children
whose parents warn them about
the dangers of alcohol and other
are designed to provide additional
academic assistance to students. This
effort requires the teamwork of many
teachers, administrators, bus drivers and
drugs are less likely to use those
substances?
Talk to your kids today and show
your support by wearing a red ribbon
for building a drug-free community.
504 CHILD FIND NOTICE
Pursuant to Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the
district has a duty to identify, refer,
evaluate, and provide a free and
appropriate public education to
disabled students who are eligible.
For additional information about the
rights of parents of eligible children,
This is our first issue of Report Card to
be published since the 2007-08 school
year began a few weeks ago. We have
had a wonderful start and are looking
forward to all that this year will bring in
terms of success for our students. But we
want to tell you about some additional
successes you may not have heard
about – successes that occurred over the
summer months.
As you probably know, Mesquite ISD
does not close its doors during June, July
and August. This summer, we served
or for answers to any questions you
monitors, nurses, therapists, secretaries,
custodians and teaching assistants. We
certainly appreciate their willingness
to serve students during the regular
summer break. This focused and targeted
instruction makes a tremendous impact.
While this academic work and other
preparations were taking place, the
summer of 2007 brought news of several
outstanding recognitions earned by
Mesquite ISD:
• Twenty Mesquite ISD schools earned
Exemplary or Recognized status for
the 2006-2007 school year.
• Two Mesquite ISD elementary
schools, Lawrence and Tosch,
evaluation and placement into
Section 504 programs, please contact
FINE ARTS
JROTC
the district’s Section 504 coordinator,
PHS student Connor O’Dell won a
first division state medal for orchestra.
The MHS Varsity Rifle Team of Courtney
Styles, Nicole Ferra, Jose Espinosa and
Misti Beardmore placed first at the NRA
National Army Postal Championships
Competition. Also, the Rifle Team of
Courtney Styles, Joshua Hernandez, Jose
Espinosa and Misti Beardmore placed
first at the Texas Junior Olympics State
Championship.
or by mail at 405 E. Davis Street,
Mesquite, TX 75149.
PHS students Luke Burnam, Arielle
Collier, Sarah Dickson and Jonathan
Shotts won first division state medals
for choir.
Under the No Child Left Behind Act,
Jonathan Shotts from PHS also won a
first division state medal for band.
parents may request information
regarding the professional
qualifications of their child’s
teacher(s). This information may be
obtained by contacting the campus
principal or through the district
personnel office.
• The Texas Association of School
Administrators selected Mesquite
ISD’s Board of Trustees as one of only
five Honor Boards. This program
recognizes school boards that have
demonstrated outstanding dedication
and rendered ethical service to the
children of Texas.
• The Texas Music Educators
Association chose Poteet High
School’s band as its 2008 Class 4A
Honor Band – the most prestigious
award given to a Texas high school
concert band.
• The Association of Texas Professional
Educators selected the Mesquite
Education Association as its Local
Chapter of the Year.
These awards validate what we
already know – that Mesquite ISD
is an outstanding district. We have
confidence in what we are achieving and
accomplishing, and we are working to
make this school year even better than
the last. Thank you for supporting our
ongoing efforts for excellence.
GOOD NEWS!
might have about identification,
Treva Franklin, at (972) 288-6411
were named to the Texas Business
Education Coalition’s Honor Roll.
Only 385 Texas public schools met
the qualifications for this honor.
MHS students Jency James, Westley
Rathbun and Robert Quigley won
first division state medals for choir.
Jeff James and Vanston Scott, also
from MHS, won first division state
medals for band.
LANGUAGE ARTS
JHHS students Andrew Byrd, Megan
Evans and Tiffany Evasco were selected
from thousands of applicants as top
ten essay writers in the Creative
Communication, Inc., Writing Contest.
The winners will receive special
recognition in the essay anthology
Celebrating What Is Important to
Me. Each top ten winner receives a
complimentary copy of the anthology
and a $50 savings bond. Essays
were selected for their literary merit,
creativity and social significance.
NATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY STUDENT
ASSOCIATION (TSA)
MHS student Kasey McIntosh placed
second in Scientific Visualization
at the National TSA Convention in
Nashville, Tennessee.
JEREMY MOORE, MESQUITE HIGH SCHOOL
her students. She is like a mother to us and is a fine example to those around her.”
When asked about student Jeremy Moore, Mesquite
High School choir teacher Georgia Kornegay
responded, “Jeremy is a great kid. He is a natural
Jeremy’s most rewarding experience in life thus far has been his participation in
leader, a hard worker, and he gives 100 percent
two church mission trips to Honduras, Mexico. He says, “Having the opportunity
to any activity in which he is involved.” After all,
to build fences and upgrade homes
Jeremy finds time to make good grades and be a
for less fortunate people was life
part of many organizations on campus. As a senior,
changing.”
he is the President of the MHS Choir, a member of
both Chorale and Pizazz, a Senior Leader, the lead
His kind nature and dazzling charm
in the MHS musical and a singer in the praise team
are the first things you notice about
at Highland Oaks Church of Christ.
Jeremy. It’s also hard to miss his
contagious smile. His advice to
Jeremy has been accepted to Abilene Christian
University and plans to major in Theatre and
Jeremy Moore with his choir
teacher, Georgia Kornegay.
younger students is to smile all the
time. He says, “You never know when
Worship Ministry. Following college he would like
someone might be having a rough
to work as an actor on Broadway and lead music at a church. Jeremy’s favorite
day. A smile can help lift someone’s
teacher at MHS is Georgia Kornegay. He says, “Ms. Kornegay truly cares for
spirit and change his or her life.”
Students featured in the “Student Spotlight” are nominated by campus administrators and teachers.
.
Mesquite ISD held a special graduation ceremony
for students who met all graduation requirements and
passed the exit level TAKS test this summer. Students
from all five high schools took part in the ceremony at
West Mesquite High School on August 16.
On August 24, McKenzie
Elementary hosted “Meet the
Teacher Night.” Kindergarten
teacher Pat Ankrum, (right)
welcomes Christi Duncan
and her daughter Sarah.
On Monday, August 27, Kimball Elementary faculty and staff
welcomed students back to school with a ‘50s Rock-n-Roll
surprise. Teachers and staff dressed up in ‘50s attire to show
students this is going to be a “Rockin Good Year!” A classic Ford
Mustang was parked in the parking lot and ‘50s music was playing
on the radio. Georgia Kimball, Kimball Elementary’s namesake,
even showed up to welcome students back to school.
MISD Superintendent Dr. Linda Henrie
and Beasley Elementary third-grader
Jaxson Ballast participate in the 2007
Convocation for employees. Dr. Henrie’s
charge to attendees was to remember
that we all have an important role in
helping students achieve their dreams.
Fine arts students from all five high schools
performed at MISD’s annual Convocation.
Students were nominated by band, orchestra
and choir directors for the honor of
performing for all of the district’s employees.
This summer, band director Scott Coulson celebrated with members of the Poteet High School
Honors Band for winning a prestigious award at the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in
July. The summer pizza party was held for all members of the winning band, including those seniors
who recently graduated last May. As the 2008 TMEA Honor Band, the remaining members of the
band will perform in San Antonio at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in February.
PHS is the first band from MISD to receive this honor.