EDICIÓN EN ESPAÑOL INCLUDA PÁGINA 10 AUSTIN InSiDer NEWSLETTER OF THE AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SUMMER/VERANO 2003

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AUSTIN HONORS OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS. SEE STORY PAGE 5. Dedicated Staff, Community Partners Equal Student Success This is a watershed year for the Austin more work to do—as the stakes get higher Independent School District. We have started to for our students and our funding resources see real returns from our determination to make grow thinner. sure that the same high standards apply to every I am fortunate to be Superintendent of a classroom in the school district. During the school district with the most dedicated teachers, 1999-2000 school year, the AISD community principals, and staff members in the country. began an important journey. It was a journey to Talk to a teacher, a bus driver, a custodian, a achieve academic excellence and equity for all budget analyst or a principal in this school dis- our students. It was a journey to prove that an trict, and you’ll quickly find out how dedicated urban public school district in this nation can they are to doing their part for the academic DR. PAT FORGIONE deliver a premier education for all its students, success of all our students. It’s amazing. to ensure that all Austin schools are as safe as that students in AISD can compete with the The other critical factor in our students’ humanly possible. As you will read on page 3, we best students from anywhere, and that all our success is the fact that Austin is the most deeply have formed a community task force on school students will be well prepared for college and a engaged community in urban public education safety. That task force will interact with every successful career. in the nation. It’s true for the families of our AISD campus in order to formulate a compre- We have some very promising indicators students as well as the legions of mentors and hensive district plan for campus safety. Out of that we’re on the right path. tutors and our other partners in educating our this tragedy, we hope to develop a more unified ■ More than 89 percent of our third graders children. I talk to urban superintendents from AISD community, in which all our schools are taking the TAKS test passed on their first try. around the country. They are envious of the safe and secure. That outpaced third grade results in Dallas, community support for public education that Houston, San Antonio and Fort Worth. we have in Austin. ■ Our SAT scores are higher than the state and In this school year alone, we’ve had the sup- Dr. Pat Forgione national SAT averages, while we have a greater port of more than 2,200 Partners in Education, Superintendent percentage of our kids taking the test than 2,500 mentors, and 16,000 volunteers, con- most urban school districts. tributing 538,000 volunteer hours. The breadth As the Austin Insider went to ■ AISD has gone from 16 Recognized and and depth of support our Partners provide for press, the Board of Trustees Exemplary Schools in 1999 to 48—triple our school district is phenomenal. the number—last year. We are very fortunate as an education and Superintendent Forgione ■ This includes schools all across the district, community. That doesn’t mean, however, that were finalizing the member- including 27 in which minority students we are immune to tragedy. Tragedy struck the ship of the Community Task make up the majority of the enrollment. AISD family earlier this year with the death Force on School Safety. To ■ AISD’s dropout rate decreased by 57 percent of Ortralla Mosley on the Reagan campus. learn about the members and over the last three years—from 3.7 percent We mourn her loss and our thoughts are with the work of the Task Force, (1,235 students) to 1.5 percent (527 stu- her family. check the AISD website at dents). These numbers show we are moving Here, again, the Austin community is in the right direction. But we have much pulling together to support Reagan students and www.austin.isd.tenet.edu

Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees

(Front row, left to right) Ingrid Taylor, Vice President, District 5; Patricia Whiteside, District 6; Doyle Valdez, President, At-Large Position 8; Cheryl Bradley, District 1; Johna Edwards, District 3.

(Back row, left to right) Ave Wahrmund, Secretary, District 4; Robert Schneider, District 7; John Fitzpatrick, At Large Position 9; Rudy Montoya, Jr., District 2.

2 Our Pledge: Safe Campuses Conducive to Learning by Doyle Valdez President, AISD Board of Trustees

he entire AISD family has been School Law specialist. stunned by the tragedy at the Reagan ■ Rafael Quintanilla, solo practitioner and T High School campus. The death of former Chair of the Mayor’s Education Ortralla Mosley has saddened us all. Nothing Task Force, is more devastating than the loss of a child. ■ Ken Oden, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our Sampson, L.L.P, and formerTravis County hearts go out to the families involved and to Attorney;and the students and staff of Reagan, who have suffered a personal tragedy and loss as well. ■ Leonard Woods, Davis & Wilkerson, P.C., Miss Mosley’s death necessitates a dis- and former Board Member of the Austin campus is beyond what exists at similarly trictwide review of safety policies, procedures, Center for Battered Women. situated campuses both locally and nation- and practices and District administration has Serving as consultant to the Reagan ally, and identify measures that could or developed an initiative to ensure that each Review Team will be the Texas School Safety should be implemented at Reagan (and AISD campus is safe, conducive to learning, Center of Southwest Texas State University. by implication at other campuses if not and free from disruption. A community task The School Safety Center will play an integral already there) to establish and maintain force has been created to lead this effort. role in the District’s upcoming review of the a learning environment that is safe, The charge to this Task Force is to review dis- safety policies, procedures, and practices on all conducive to learning, and free from trict policies and data related to school safety other Austin campuses, as well. disruption. and provide campuses with guidance in devel- The Reagan High School Safety Review oping comprehensive safety plans. These 2. Ascertain and advise the Board whether Team has already begun its work immediately plans will include campus safety needs assess- the death of Ortralla Mosley was reason- on Charge #1, to be completed on or before ments and actions to be taken to prevent ably foreseeable; and further ascertain and June 20, 2003. The Review Team will begin unsafe events from occurring, and interven- advise the Board whether the AISD its work on Charge #2 as soon as the Austin tion and recovery actions to be taken to deal Central Administration and the Reagan Police Department and the Travis County with unsafe and crises situations. High School Administration acted with District Attorney’s Office approve. The work This tragedy, however, necessitates a dif- reasonable prudence as to the events pre- on Charge #2 will be completed within 60 ferent approach on the Reagan campus. This ceding the death of Ortralla Mosley. days from that date. is to ensure the protection of student and staff The Reagan High School Safety Review The Board of Trustees has also directed privacy rights, as well as the integrity of the Team consists of four attorneys-at-law retained the Review Team to engage the Reagan com- ongoing investigations by the Austin Police by the Board of Trustees because of their per- munity to the maximum extent possible, as it Department and the Travis County District sonal integrity; investigative skills; relevant proceeds with both Charge #1 and Charge #2. Attorney’s Office. legal competencies; public sector experience; The final report of the Reagan Review It is for this purpose that the Reagan High community involvement; commitment to Team will be delivered directly to the AISD School Safety Review Team has been formed. seeking the truth; fairness and impartiality; Board of Trustees. The charge of the Review Team is as follows: and proven communication skills. We pledge to the Austin community that 1. Review the policies, procedures and prac- Members of the Reagan High School Trustees will objectively review the report and tices at Reagan High School to determine Safety Review Team are: take any action necessary to ensure that our whether the incidence of violence at the ■ Sara Leon, Powell & Leon, L.L.P., and campuses are as safe and secure as possible.

Reagan High School students in teacher Vanessa Connor’s English class plant a tree in memory of their classmate Ortralla Mosley.

3 AISD Third Grade Scores Match State in TAKS Reading— 89% Pass New Accountability Test

ustin third-grade students matched For Austin third graders passing the All Students + 7 percent their counterparts across the State in English reading exam, student subgroup results, Hispanic + 10 percent the new Texas Assessment of compared to the State’s, are as follows: African American + 13 percent A White + 3 percent Knowledge & Skills (TAKS) reading exam. Econ. Disadvantaged + 11 percent Ethnicity AISD State Test results received from the Texas Limited-English-Proficient 11 percent Education Agency show that 89 percent of the Hispanic 86 percent 85 percent 4,266 Austin third graders passed the English African American 76 percent 82 percent “We are especially proud of the gains White 98 percent 96 percent version of the new accountability test adminis- made by Hispanic, African American, and Econ. Disadvantaged 82 percent 84 percent Economically Disadvantaged students,” Dr. tered on March 4. In addition, 29 percent Limited-English- 88 percent 77 percent Forgione said. “Clearly, our efforts to close the of Austin third graders earned Commended Proficient Performance status, exceeding the State’s English-as-a-Second- 90 percent NA achievement gap are working. Our students 26 percent. Language are making notable progress.” Under Texas’ new accountability system, Special Education 77 percent 84 percent TAKS results also show that 75 percent of current third graders are the first who must pass Austin third graders who took the Spanish-lan- the TAKS reading exam to be promoted to Comparing these 2003 TAKS scores guage reading exam — a total of 1,062 students fourth grade. Students who did not pass the with third grade scores of the 2002 TAAS — passed the test, a total lower than the State’s test will have another opportunity to take the exam — Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, 82 percent. Nine percent of the Spanish-test test on July 8. the State’s previous assessment test — Austin takers earned Commended Performance status “Our third graders went to the head of the students made substantial gains: compared to 15 percent at the State level. class on this new and tougher exam,” Austin “The District has a plan and program in School Superintendent Pat Forgione said. place to provide intensive in-school, after- The Superintendent also commended the school, and summer school interventions to all District’s third grade teachers whose work in students who did not meet the passing standard implementing AISD’s new curriculum yielded on this first administration,” Dr. Forgione said. these TAKS scores. “At the beginning of the AISD’s Student Success Initiative (SSI) has school year, we said that Austin’s new curriculum been in place since early fall 2002 for students at was ‘TEKS-based and TAKS-ready’. That risk of not meeting passing standards. With the meant that our classroom instruction would results from this first administration, the SSI be fully aligned with state standards, the Texas program enters Phase II support for students Essential Knowledge & Skills or TEKS,” who failed the first examination. Dr. Forgione said.

As the Austin Insider went to press, the Texas Education Agency was preparing to release all other TAKS scores in grades 3-11. To learn about district and individual campus achievements, check the AISD website at www.austin.isd.tenet.edu

4 Academic Excellence Saluted — Six Austin Schools Named ’High Performing‘ by National Accountability Advocates

ix schools in the Austin School District — 2002. (In 2003, these tests were replaced by the ★ Bowie High School for End-of-Course EXCELLENCETAKS tests, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge Exams and Graduation. Anderson, Bowie, Crockett, and & Skills.) SMcCallum high schools, and Casis and ★ Crockett High School for 9th to 10th Austin Superintendent Pat Forgione said Doss elementary schools — have been named grade reading and promotion. High Performing by Just for the Kids and the Just for the Kids’ data analysis has been invalu- ★ National Center for Educational Accountability. able in achieving AISD’s dramatic testing gains McCallum High School for writing. These national organizations advocate for over the past three years. "Data analysis is criti- ★ Casis Elementary School for writing. cal to school improvement. It provides a tool to high academic standards and increased student ★ achievement. With a focus on data analyses, measure and clearly understand where Doss Elementary School for reading. sharing of best educational practices, and educa- improvement is happening or where it needs to Just for the Kids was founded in Texas as a nonprofit tor training, they analyze student demographic take place," he said. organization in 1995. The National Center for Educational Accountability was created in 2001 by the Education and performance data to assess schools’ effec- In placing the six Austin schools on their Commission of the States, The University of Texas at Austin, tiveness and foster improvement. High Performing list, the organizations cited and Just for the Kids. The Center offers resources for educators In Texas, they have used results of the TAAS sustained academic excellence as follows: and policy-makers in terms of educational policy development and review, research, and data-driven school improvement. — Texas Assessment of Academic Skills tests — ★ Anderson High School for 9th to 10th the statewide standardized tests from 1991- grade reading and mathematics.

ON THE FRONT COVER:

Kealing Junior High Teacher Is Honored Austin’s 2003 Teacher of the Year Named

SarahMorgan — a middle school Ms. Morgan was named AISD’s Middle School Teacher of the Year on April 8 in a sur- English teacher whose first career choice was prise classroom visit by Superintendent not education — has been named the Austin Forgione. School District’s Teacher of the Year for 2003. Other finalists for the District honor were Sarah Morgan has been a teacher for five years Elementary Teacher of the Year Judy Howard, and, despite her early reluctance to enter the T.A. Brown Elementary School; and High field, has since discovered that teaching offers School Teacher of the Year Linda Hammon, “more adventure, excitement, and glory” than Akins High School. anything she could have imagined. She teaches “I also extend congratulations to the other seventh grade Pre-AP English at Kealing Junior finalists on their selection,” Dr. Forgione said, High School. adding that the Austin Teacher of the Year search The announcement came at AISD’s annual process is an annual opportunity to celebrate Teacher of the Year Banquet and Partners in educational excellence. “As nominations are Education Salute, held Thursday evening, May reviewed, we gain an ever greater appreciation 1, in conjunction with the Greater Austin for the dedication and skills of many talented Chamber. teachers in our schools,” he said. Ms. Morgan will now represent the Austin The Austin Teachers of the Year for their School District in the search later this year for LEROY NELLIS NAMED AISD'S respective grade levels were selected from more the Texas Teacher of the Year. than 100 nominees at schools chosen at the MENTOR OF THE YEAR. “The exciting search for the 2003 Austin campus and Area levels by colleagues, and by Mr. Nellis, who works as the Travis County Teacher of the Year is complete,” said selection committees composed of administra- budget director, mentors an entire first-grade Superintendent Pat Forgione. “Ms. Morgan tors, parents, and professional association repre- class at Allan Elementary, and another brings to her classroom the highest ideals and sentatives. student at Pecan Springs Elementary. He was practices of the teaching profession, and repre- The campus nominees were each recog- honored at the May 1 Partners in Education sents the exemplary teaching that goes on every nized at the May 1 Teacher of the Year Banquet. Salute. To find out more about becoming a day across the Austin School District.” mentor in Austin schools, call 414-4512.

5 140 Total Awards Earned By Outstanding High School Students — Austin School District Honors 135 National Merit Scholars

he Austin School District National Hispanic Scholars— honored 135 outstanding Jorge Jamail-Gutierrez and Brian T students named 2002-03 Arsuaga. National Merit Scholars at an award ceremony on April 24. JOHNSTON HIGH Recognized students have SCHOOL achieved distinction for their National Merit Commended exemplary performance in the Student — Leah Stanley. National Merit Scholarship National Hispanic Scholar — Program, the National Hispanic Lia Powers. Scholar Award Program, and the National Achievement Scholarship LANIER HIGH SCHOOL Program. These students are now National Hispanic Scholar — eligible for scholarship awards Christopher Chupco. from institutions of higher educa- tion and other grantors. LBJ HIGH SCHOOL Five Austin students earned National Merit Finalists — two awards each, bringing AISD’s Margaret Galbraith, Lindsey Hoover, Emma National Merit total for 2003 to 140 total National Hispanic Scholars — Mark Johns, Sara Joiner, Nancy Lin, Veronica awards. A breakdown by scholarship category Cisneros and Alyson Garcia. Madrigal, Eric Panzer, Abigail Smith, and shows: AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL Alexander Wallisch. National Merit Semifinalist — Eliot Lyon. ★ 39 National Merit Finalists National Merit Finalists — Anne Marie ★ Cherry, Edward Cooper, Jason Long, Joseph National Merit Commended Students — 2 National Merit Semifinalists Carolyn Brown, Ellen Carnes, Lawrence ★ Michael, Elizabeth Wright, and Kristofer 63 National Merit Commended Students Chang, Vlad Codrea, Cristina Coupal, ★ 32 National Hispanic Scholars Zarling. National Merit Commended Students — Lindsay Gordon, Jonathan Hanson, Coynne ★ 4 National Achievement Scholars Brandon Bibeau, James Edsel, Megan Padden, Hume, Ari Kalish, Jon Lewis, Christopher Dennis Reyna, Alexis Richardson, and Patrick Loiselle, James Lundberg, Sarah Lynch, “We congratulate these students on earn- Shelton. Mohamad Makkouk, Mandy Schmidt, Evan ing this national-level recognition, and express National Hispanic Scholars — Bianca Smith, Alexander Starche, Joseph our appreciation for the honor they have Garcia, Rachel Galindo, Amanda Moya, and Straumbhaar, Dara Teibel, Phillip Thompson, brought to their schools and to the Austin Dennis Reyna. and Tanvir Vahora. School District,” Superintendent Pat Forgione National Achievement Scholar — Ashley National Hispanic Scholars — Veronica said. Martin. Madrigal, Melinda Bayer, Cidrick Espejel- “AISD is firmly committed to offering a Bilich, Mitra Miri, Jessica Morris, Danielle challenging program of study for all students Nunez, Arie Krumholz, James Plyler, and BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL so that they are well prepared for the chal- Sarah Timmons. National Merit Finalists — Lilith Duggins, lenges of higher education or the world of National Achievement Scholars — Edmund Hallie Graves, Isaiah Harp, Megan Meyer, work,” Dr. Forgione added. Gordon and Ariana Reis. Students recognized as National Merit and Alexander Spoth. National Merit Commended Students — Scholars are as follows: MCCALLUM HIGH SCHOOL Cecelia Dunn, Felix Duvallet, Merrill Eng, James Hatchitt, Kathryn Pate, Carrie Reed, National Merit Finalists — Nora Holzer, ANDERSON HIGH SCHOOL Beau Schmitz, David Swarbuck, Henry Usher, Abigail Loomis, Philip Redman, Frank National Merit Finalists — Leslie and Joyce Wright. Robinson, Elizabeth Roehm, Adam Rossano, Gluckman, Natalie Goodnow, Spencer National Hispanic Scholars — Michael and Morgan Wimberley. Granett, Shannon Greene, Rachel Haurwitz, Franco, Michael Hester, Catherina Lizcano, National Merit Commended Students — Joceline Liu, Edward Noyes, Daniel Olasky, Cynthia Munoz, Cameron Ortiz, M. Elizabeth Anderson, Emily Bridge, Catherine Nathan Shepard, and Vershanna Morris. Rhiannon Pimentel, Alexander Spoth, Foster, Katherine Kampschroeder, Abbey National Merit Semifinalist — Ekow William Ward, and Karen Zollars. Maedgen, Cailin McElrath, Kyle Rhodes, and Wellington Alexandra Solomon. National Merit Commended Students — National Hispanic Scholars — Mynor CROCKETT HIGH SCHOOL Laura Anderson, Cheska Burleson, Hershel Alvarado, Raul Aguirre, and Vanessa Loredo. National Merit Finalists — Ashley Spencer Chapin, Roy Cook, Elizabeth Cross, Jenny National Achievement Scholar — Katherine and Brian Arsuaga. Elder, David Fudman, Leah Hargrove, Joshua Webb. Krezinski, Emma Lance, Travis McKinney, National Merit Commended Students — Hannahlise Manifold, Briana Knox, and Jorge Anne Rickard, Stephen Sloan, and Ashley TRAVIS HIGH SCHOOL Jamail-Gutierrez. Szabo. National Hispanic Scholar — 6 Ian McGarrahan. AISD NewsBytes AISD NewsBytes AISD NewsBytes

The Ellie Noack Field Sports Complex is in Lanier Health Sciences the final stages of construc- Institute Formed with tion. The final project of the 1996 Children First Bond Community Support Program, it includes fields The Austin Independent School District for softball, soccer, and (AISD), in partnership with Austin Community subvarsity football. College (ACC), SETON Healthcare Network, The complex is St. David’s HealthCare Partnership, and the located in northeast Capital Area Training Foundation (CATF) offi- Austin at the cially announced the formation of the Health intersection of Sciences Institute at Lanier High Schoo. Classes Pearce students get hands–on experience from a professional DJ at Lazy Creek and will begin in August. the school’s Youth Empowerment Workshop. Crainway drives near This cooperative partnership will provide LBJ High School and the long-term solutions by preparing high school new Delco Activity Center. students for a variety of careers in Health ing and set high standards for excellence. The Sciences fields. Students will obtain a solid days’ activities allowed the students to gain a academic foundation by undergoing a rigorous greater self-respect for themselves, to understand curriculum, which includes classroom instruc- and see social responsibility, and to apply think- Austin School District tion, practical hands-on applications, and clinical ing and academic skills in the various workshops. Online Scholarship experience. This balance will prepare students to Resource Database enter postsecondary, pre-professional, nursing or Austin School Trustees allied health educational programs, or to obtain Now on the Web Name New Sports Field an entry-level healthcare job. Austin parents, students and counselors are now “The Lanier Health Sciences Institute marks Complex able to quickly access valuable scholarship infor- an exciting new chapter in the success of AISD’s Veteran PE Teacher, Athletic mation on the Austin School District’s website School to Career programs,” Austin School through a new online database at Superintendent Dr. Pat Forgione said. “The Administrator Honored http://www.austin.isd.tenet.edu/k12/ cooperation and support of Seton and St. Austin School Trustees studentsupport/scholarship/. David’s, and our excellent working relationships have named the “Our new online database contains an with both Austin Community College and the District’s newest facility extensive list of scholarship resources available Capital Area Training Foundation, are critical to — a field sports complex to Austin high school students,” Superintendent success for both the Institute and our students. — for Elnora “Ellie” Pat Forgione said. “We are confident this new, This new, integrated approach to preparing stu- Noack, who rose from the efficient resource will allow Austin parents eas- dents for college and careers will serve the Austin ranks of Austin physical ier access to numerous schol arship oppor- community well for generations to come.” education teachers to become tunities.” Students enrolled in the Institute may earn AISD’s Athletic Director. AISD’s new scholarship resource database college credits in general education and in health Ms. Noack began her 35- contains current information on many scholar- sciences specific courses, which are transferable year career as a PE teacher in 1954 and served at ship opportunities available to Austin high to ACC and other participating Texas communi- several campuses including Austin and Lanier school students. More than 60 scholarships are ty colleges. high schools. She served as the District’s Assistant listed detailing their eligibility and application Athletic Director from 1974-80 and as Athletic requirements. During the 2002 year, 795 Pearce Holds Youth Director from 1980 until her retirement Austin students received scholarships in an in 1989. amount totaling more than $22 million. Empowerment Workshop The online scholarship information is Pearce Middle School eighth-graders got an updated regularly by the Austin School up-close look at the world of non-traditional District’s Office of Guidance and Counseling. careers during the first annual “LOOK: I Can See the Future” youth empowerment conference in April. Austin-area artists, musicians, dj’s, entrepre- neurs, dancers, creative writers, and journalists led interactive workshops on their chosen careers and gave students an inside view of how they have pursued and achieved their professional goals. The conference, a first for Austin middle schools, forms part of AISD’s Blueprint for Success initiative. As a Blueprint school, Pearce works to create a positive environment for learn- 7 Hannah Chung, a sopho- Roach Scholarship is a plaque and cash award more at the Science and given by the family of Julia Mellenbruch, Liberal Arts Academy at LBJ AISD’s first foreign language coordinator. Eloise High School was a member Roach was a remarkable Spanish and French of the team of students who teacher at Austin High School from 1935 to earned First Place at the 1963. Ms. Kasmiroski will use the scholarship 2003 Alamo Regional to supplement her studies abroad in Burgos Science and Engineering Fair Spain. in San Antonio. Several novice teachers in the Austin School Five Bowie High School District were recognized as Teachers of Promise students were selected to for demonstrating outstanding teaching prac- join the Honor Band of tices during their first year in the classroom.. America, an ensemble com- Akins Diamond Dazzlers Dance Team earned the title of National Grand Champions in March at a competition in Galveston. Team members are: The AISD teachers, who were nominated by prising some of the nation’s Michaela Kovaric, Kimberley Isabel, Corinne Hughes, Osagie Ehigie, Monica Aguilar, their colleagues are: Akins High School, Leslie finest musicians. The stu- Alana Villegas, Jenice Gutierrez, Brianna Shannon, Sheena Corbitt, Sarah Williamson, Sarah Williamson, Brittney Swyhart, Megan Peterson, Kristie Dye, Bonnie Flentge, Garner, Allan Elementary, Crystal Marchand; dents, who performed at the Andrea Hernandez, Monica Lopez, Ashley Medina, Laura Atkins, Leticia Hernandez, Allison Elementary, Michelle Sprowl; Bands of America National Nerissa Ranstrom, Melissa Richards, Jacqueline Segura, Casey Shannon, Espi Valdez, Tammy Chappell, Ashley Mitzel, Valarie Garza, Garrett Dominguez, Sesar Sandoval. Alternative Learning Center, Randall Ball; Concert Band Festival in Anderson High School, Amy Becker; Bailey Indianapolis, are Daniel Middle School, Jennifer Odom; Baranoff Chapa, euphonium; William Fisher, trumpet; Casey Elementary; Marcia Rossi, Hill Elementary, Meredith Parrish; Barrington Daniel Frost, tuba; Davis Jones, saxophone; Elementary, and Sheila Anderson, Small Elementary, Jamie Brubaker; Becker and Rachel Peace, E Middle School, for providing exemplary leader- Elementary, Laura Palomo; Blanton flat clarinet. ship in literacy instruction on their campuses. Elementary, Kristien Delgado, Boone Elementary, Catie Luedtke, Brooke Elementary, Metz Elementary students’ Marcos Uribe’s The Kealing Junior High School student David Paige Davis; Burnet Middle School, Amelie Bird and Melissa Rivera’s Three Pigeons were Price placed first place in the Texas Noble; Campbell Elementary, Katherine selected to be included in the Austin Younger MathCounts contest in March. More than McEnroe; Casis Elementary, Michael Griffith; Poets Award Anthology. The first graders’ were 280 middle and junior high schools students Covington Middle School, Lisa Garcia; also invited to read their poems participated in the 20th annual math compe- Crockett High School, Christine Vanda Sande; at the Barnes and Noble bookstore in April as tition, sponsored by the Texas Society of Dawson Elementary, Nancy Pfeil; Fulmore part of the International Poetry Festival. Their Professional Engineers. Middle School, Norma Martinez; Govalle teacher is Olga Milk. Elementary, Marlena McConnell; Hart Karen Kasmiroski, a Spanish teacher at Elementary, Nora Love; Houston Elementary, Bowie High School Girls’ Swim Team earned McCallum High School, has been awarded the Julene Adams; Joslin Elementary, Jill the State Championship Title. The members of Eloise Roach Award, by a committee of (Webber) Delgado; Kealing Junior High, the Girls’ Swim Team are: Andrea Axtell, Dana Languages Other Than English (LOTE) teach- Kristin Nason; Kiker Elementary, Heather Davidson, Hayley McGregory, Becca Rogers ers in the Austin School District. The Eloise Holt; Langford Elementary, Catherine Rogers; and Alexi Spann. Their coach is Maurice Linder Elementary, Mackie Flansburg; Culley. Mathews Elementary, Heather Adair; Menchaca Elementary, Five Austin students were selected as winners Carrie Kesler; Mendez Middle of the New Jersey Writing Contest, an annual School, Suzanne Cooley; Metz statewide writing contest. The winners, in Elementary, Alina Adonyi; the poetry and pose categories are: Kocurek O. Henry Middle School, Elementary students Courtney Jackson and Laura Tolly; Oak Hill Jonathan Duarte. Their teachers are Susan Elementary, Jennifer Ewald; Keller and Livier Suniga. Baranoff Elementary Pearce Middle School, student Sydney Spicer. Her teacher is Kaye Shannon Padgett; Pecan Dunn. Langford Elementary student Mason Springs Elementary, Robert Solimine. His teacher is Linda Checkley. Corbett; Pillow Elementary, Covington Middle School student Katie Kellye Moore, Pleasant Hill Villarreal. Her teacher is Karrie Wheatley. Elementary, Jennifer These students’ compositions were chosen Kauffman; Reagan High from among 1,000 entries statewide. Fulmore Middle School students collected more than 12,000 pencils this School, Vanessa Connor; The New Jersey Writing Project recently rec- year to donate to children in Guatemala, who need school supplies. The project, led by Rodriguez Elementary, Pilar ognized three Austin principals: Dottie Riemer, Social Studies teacher Douglas Rhodenbaugh is in its 6th year. Mr.Rhodenbaugh travels Vasquez; Sanchez Elementary, to Guatemala to personally deliver the pencils. Guatemalan children enjoy the pencils they received from Fulmore Middle School students. (Photo by Douglas Rhodenbaugh) 8 Kristen Childers; St. Elmo Elementary, Norma Vasquez; Webb Middle School, Julie McGuane; Winn Elementary, James Butler, and Wooten Elementary, Cinthya Saavedra.

Victoria Baldwin, Principal of Gonzalo Garza Independence High School, received the Hero of Safety Award from the Texas School Safety Center. Ms. Baldwin was honored with this award for her leadership in creating and sustaining a violence free high school which had previously been recognized nationally by the Vera Institute for Justice, as well as the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education. The Texas School Safety Center is a a collaborative effort of the Governor’s Office/Criminal Justice Division, and Southwest Texas State University. It serves as an ongoing resource providing training and technical assistance in Texas to reduce youth Webb Middle School Landscaping Day —Students, parents and Austin Partners in Education volunteers spent an violence and promote safety. entire Saturday in April planting hundreds of trees, shrubs and plants at Webb Middle School. The landscaping materials were donated by many Austin partners, including Wells Fargo and the Travis High School Education Foundation.

Murchison Middle School 8th graders Nathan who bring new and innovative opportunities Trenholm and Eric Zimmerman earned first into their classrooms to raise student interest place in the Exxon Mobile Texas Science and and achievement in math, science and econom- Engineering Fair for their project “Amazing ics. The individual grants of up to $3,500 may Mice II” in the team life sciences division. be used for materials such as microscopes, cal- culators, and books; for professional develop- Capital Area Crime Stoppers has named ment to learn new teaching methods or to fur- AISD Police Sgt. J.J. Schmidt as 2002 Law ther content understanding; or as a summer Enforcement Crime Stopper of the Year. Sgt. stipend for coursework development. Schmidt coordinates the highly successful 3M awarded 50 grants totaling almost Campus Crime Stoppers program for all $120,000 to teachers in four states. AISD schools in AISD and Travis County. teachers received about 45 percent of grant funds, which was awarded in five 3M commu- Kirstin Busch, a teacher at the Liberal Arts and nities across the nation. Overall, AISD teachers Science Academy of Austin, received a $10,000 submitted 33 proposals with 19 proposals grant from the Toyota corporation for a project winning funding. on population studies. Her students will work “We are very grateful to 3M for encourag- with the Texas Parks and Wildlife GIS Lab ing and supporting innovative projects — and to conduct population studies of plants and exemplary teaching — in Austin classrooms,” animals in Austin area parks using Geographical Austin Superintendent Pat Forgione said. “3M Information Systems (GIS) applications. is an outstanding example of private sector part- nerships that can make a difference for Teachers in the Austin Independent School students.” District received 3M Ingenuity grants totaling Winners of the 3M Ingenuity Grant $54,667 for 19 classroom programs ranging Awards are: Brenda Hammer, Mickey Walden, Mary Smith, Pat Watson, Elsa Kick Butts Day—In honor of “Kick Butts Day,”Four from renewable solar energy projects to Lamar Middle School 8th graders Audra Randell, Taylor microscope purchases. Gonzales, Matthew Hall, Sally Hunter, Garrison, Rachel Jonkers, and Kelsey Donovan, spear- The 21 individual and team recipients were James Scott, Sharon Ciccarelli, Carol headed a campaign to encourage their fellow students Dickson, Amanda Braziel, Pauline Walker, to pledge to live tobacco free. recognized on Wednesday, May 7 at 3M’s 1st annual Ingenuity Grant Awards reception. Pauline Walker, Pamela Cox, Caron Sharp, The grants are designed to encourage and Valorra Berry, Karen Ciesla, Judy LeMoine, recognize public school teachers in grades 3-8 Caron Sharp, Sharon Granett, Lynn Conroy, and Jon Reyes. 9 KEALING JUNIOR HIGH SCIENCE EL EQUIPO DE CIENCIAS DE KEALING OLYMPIAD TEAM EARNS FIRST PLACE JUNIOR HIGH OBTUVO EL PRIMER IN STATEWIDE COMPETITION— LUGAR EN COMPETENCIA ESTATAL— Individual Students also Recognized at National También se brindó reconocimiento a otros Tournament estudiantes en el Torneo Nacional Kealing Junior High students earned first place in the Texas Science Estudiantes de la escuela Kealing Junior High obtuvieron el primer lugar Olympiad competition in April at Texas A&M University. The Kealing en la competencia Olimpiadas de Ciencias de Texas realizada en abril en la Science Olympiad Team won 8 gold medals for first place finishes, and Universidad Texas A&M. El equipo de ciencias de Kealing ganó 8 medallas scored in the top three in many other events. Several students also earned de oro por primeros lugares y se colocó entre los primeros tres lugares en high rankings in the National Tournament, in Columbus, Ohio in May. muchos otros eventos. Varios estudiantes también obtuvieron muy buenos Members of the Kealing team are: Maggie Albrecht, Amalia Beckner, lugares en el Torneo Nacional celebrado en Columbus, Ohio en mayo. Los Natalie Bixler,Herakles Boardman, Doan Dao, Trang Dao, Angelica miembros del equipo de Kealing son: Maggie Albrecht, Amalia Beckner, Duron, Camille Estes, Erec Hillis, Karthish Manthiram, Ryan Newton, Natalie Bixler, Herakles Boardman, Doan Dao, Trang Dao, Angelica Gerber Olvera, Arianne Panzer, Isadora Rochin, Mari Serna, Michael Duron, Camille Estes, Erec Hillis, Karthish Manthiram, Ryan Newton, Singerman, Rohit Sinha, Ellie Sounganidis, Sean Spector, Andrea Gerber Olvera, Arianne Panzer, Isadora Rochin, Mari Serna, Michael Walker and Sasha Woldman. Their coaches are: Adrian Carrales, Singerman, Rohit Sinha, Ellie Sounganidis, Sean Spector, Andrea Tom Campbell, Larry Diamond, Don Holzgrafe, Lynn Kirby and Walker y Sasha Woldman. Los entrenadores son Adrian Carrales, Tom Dennis Ruez. Campbell, Larry Diamond, Don Holzgrafe, Lynn Kirby y Dennis Ruez.

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Austin Insider is published by AISD’s Office of Communication Services. Editor: Nicole Kaufman, Communication Specialist Director of Communication Services: Andy Welch Katherine Anthony, Communication Specialist Translator: Dolores Godinez

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