November 2016
November and December are great months that have celebrations that yield themselves to embracing family and spending time with loved ones both near and far. We recently celebrated Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and are on the brink of celebrating the holidays of the winter months.
This is our third month providing you this informational resource that highlights what's happening in Lancaster ISD and hope that you are enjoying what you are reading.
In this issue, we share recent activities, district bond progress, upcoming activities and educational programming and much more! We appreciate you being a valuable part of the Lancaster ISD family.
Lancaster ISD Trustees are the 2016 NABSE School Board of the Year
We truly do have the 2016 Most Outstanding School Board in the state! Now, our trustees can add a national accolade to their credit as they were most recently named the 2016 School Board of the Year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) during its recent conference.The school board trustees are receiving great rewards for their hard work!
Parents, you can share your congratulations via the Let's Talk Application! Select Thank an Educator and let them see your appreciation.
Lancaster ISD Held Its First Strengthening Families Event of 2016
Parents were able to gain information on the following topics: Emotional Disturbance/Other Health Impaired and ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Digital Technology while their children enjoyed fun activities including crafting, reading dancing and more.
Region 10 ESC Service Center Field Consultant, Layne Patrick spoke to the attendees in his breakout session about self-regulation in regards to Autism & Behavioral differences.
"Being able to sit with parents and let them talk openly about their issues that they may have and the progress that they desire to make with their children allow me to offer the best help that I can and it is always time well-spent."
This event had some first-time attendees that just heard about the event and wanted to stop by and learn more about it.
"A card came in the mail and we were not quite sure what it was all about so we decided to come and see," said Debra Andrews, district parent who was glad that she decided to attend. "I enjoyed the information given in the session and the student talent show."
The evening of information was concluded with a student talent show and many took the opportunity to also get immunizations and enjoy dinner with their family.
The Strengthening Families Initiative is a program hosted by the Special Education and Special Programs Department. There are four sessions held each year. The Winter session planned for Thursday, December 15.
Lancaster ISD to Participate in the Global Hour of Code on December 5 to kickoff of Computer Science Week
Lancaster ISD is preparing its students for future careers by participating in the Hour of Code December 5, 2016 as part of the larger Computer Science Week observation from December 5 – 11.
“All of the students throughout the district will be exposed to coding this week to raise awareness of and be exposed to careers in computer science,” says Lancaster ISD Blended Learning Specialist Nicholas Keith.
Each district campus will host an Hour of Code Kick-off rally that will feature guest speakers from the computer science industry. Additionally, for one full hour, students, district administration, city leaders, and community members will participate in interactive coding tutorials designed to introduce basic coding skills. This is the second year that the students are participating in this global awareness event. Learn More at CODE.ORG
The Lancaster STEM Early College High School (LSECHS) Will Host an Informational Meeting
New Pathways Announcement and Applications - December 2016
Lancaster ISD will soon begin accepting applications for the Lancaster STEM Early College High School (LSECHS) scheduled to open in the Fall of 2017. Students who are currently in the eighth grade are invited to enroll.
Applications will be available online and at the meeting in December 2016.
The benefits of attending the meeting is that you will be able to retrieve applications and the admissions timeline, learn about the new LSECHS learning pathways (Computer Graphic Arts and Core Complete) that have been recently made available that will allow students to have the opportunity to earn their associate's degree or up to 60 hours of college credit all for free.
The next informational presentation for interested parents is scheduled for on December 13 at the Lancaster High School Auditorium at 7 PM.
For more information, please visit the district website, email or speak with LMS Counselors.
Donate to the Lancaster Education Foundation to help Support Student Learning
The LEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing grants and scholarships to the teachers and students of Lancaster ISD to enrich student-learning experiences. It is through generous donations and fundraisers that the education foundation is able to award grants annually to Lancaster ISD staff.
If you desire to contribute, you can make checks payable to the Lancaster Education Foundation and mail to P.O. Box 1144 Lancaster, TX 75146. You can reach the LEF office at 972-227-7010.
Elementary Parents, Use the ChatterPix Kids App to Make Reading with Your Child Fun Anytime!
ChatterPix Kids
If you’re looking for an easy, creative app for your primary age student, check out ChatterPix Kids. ChatterPix Kids lets users take any photograph, add a mouth, and then record a 30-second voiceover to make the character “talk.”
This app can help literary characters "come to life" for your child! When you read with your child at home, they can draw a picture of a character from the story, take a picture with their device, and then literally put words in the character’s mouth and retell important parts of the story.
ChatterPix Kids is a perfect way to build the critical thinking skills needed in literacy in a fun, engaging way. Go to smart device app store and check out the free ChatterPix Kids app today!
Bond Construction Update
As part of the recent bond package, Lancaster ISD is replacing two elementary schools—West Main and Pleasant Run—and closing Lancaster Elementary which will soon be converted to a ninth grade center. Because the district is moving from 7 elementary schools to 6, Lancaster ISD will have to redraw its attendance zones.
District leaders have been gathering and studying demographic information and are starting the conversations about Rezoning, so stay tuned for periodic updates. Also, if you have any questions, please share them via the Let's Talk application on our district website, www.lancasterisd.org.
As far as construction, every week (if the weather permits) we are flying our drones to get real-time progress on the construction taking place at Pleasant Run and West Main Elementary.
Click HERE to see the latest Pleasant Run construction video.
Click HERE to see the latest West Main construction video.
Stay connected with our progress at LancasterISDBond.org.
Other Important Information
Lancaster ISD Athletics Announces the Banner Raising Celebration for LHS Running Tigers
The community is invited join us for the official 2016 State Basketball Banner Raising Celebration on Tuesday, December 6 in the LHS Coliseum. The banner ceremony will be prior to the Lancaster Running Tigers vs. South Garland Colonel which starts at 8:00 pm. Contact the LHS Athletics department for ticket prices and additional information at 972-218-1837.
The Nomination Period for the Lancaster ISD Gifted and Talented Program is Now Open
It’s that time of year again! Lancaster Independent School District will accept nominations for first through twelfth grade students from November 7, 2016 through December 9, 2016 for the gifted and talented program. A teacher, previous teacher, counselor, parent, administrator, or community person may nominate students. Students may also self-nominate. If a student has been previously identified as gifted, the child does not need to be re-assessed.
Nomination materials may be picked up by parents or students in the counselor’s office of the student’s assigned school. The nomination form should be returned to the counselor’s office no later than December 9, 2016.
Tiger Dads: "All Pro Dad" Has A Chapter in Lancaster ISD!
All Pro Dad is the fatherhood program of Family First, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization. The goal of the program in Lancaster ISD is to foster opportunities for dads and father-figures to connect and participate in the learning environment, mentor and build a strong positive relationship with their child.
Be a part of something great and join a group that is committed to bringing back an intentional focus to fathers and fatherhood.
Some of our district dads have already signed up to participate in the program this year and we would like to extend the opportunity to those who have not yet confirmed their participation. Please see your campus All Pro Dad's representative to be a part of this collaboration!
In Lancaster ISD, our VISION is 2020 and We Believe In Excellence, Every Day!
Lancaster ISD Beliefs:
We believe that:
- Equity in education is a human right.
- Educators, parents and students share in the responsibility of developing well-rounded individuals.
- Engaged, relevant learning experiences provide for a quality education leading to a quality life.
- Learning is a life-long process that is enhanced by taking risks.
- A person has the capacity to learn from past experiences.
- Purposeful planning to meet individual students needs leads to intentional outcomes for student success.
District Upcoming Events
November 30: School Board Meeting
December 3 & 4: Lancaster Education Foundation Basketball Tournament
December 5: Hour of Code
December 6: Winter Choir Concert (LHS Auditorium), 7 PM
December 8 : Winter Band Concert (LHS Auditorium), 7 PM
December 10: City of Lancaster Holiday Parade, 4:30 PM
December 12: School Board Meeting
December 14: Winter Theater Showcase (LHS Auditorium), 7 PM
December 15: Winter Dance Concert (LHS Auditorium), 7 PM
December 19- January 2: District closed for Winter Break
Campus Calendars for December 2016
News from Our Community
Lancaster Education Foundation To Host Basketball Tournament December 3 &4
The City of Lancaster Invites You to Enjoy the 63rd Annual Christmas Parade
The Mission of Lancaster ISD
Email: info@lancasterisd.org
Website: www.lancasterisd.org
Location: 422 S Centre Ave, Lancaster, TX, United States
Phone: 972-218-1400
Facebook: http://facebook.com/golancaster
Twitter: @LancasterISD