May 2017 Recap
In May, we celebrate the successes and joys of the school year with our students as we transition to summer extended learning.
This is our ninth month to provide you with timely, relevant information about recent happenings and upcoming opportunities to be connected to the learning environment in Lancaster ISD.
We value your partnership and are truly grateful that you allow us to prepare your child to obtain sustainable success. It is truly our pleasure to serve you and your child each day. Please enjoy this edition of a newsletter especially designed for you because We Believe in YOU!
Thank you for staying connected!
On June 5, the Class of 2017 will graduate with More than a Diploma as they will have choices and opportunities after they leave Lancaster High School and we could not be prouder!
More than 90% of the 2017 senior class has been accepted into a university, college, trade school, or military and we believe that it is because of the college and career readiness initiative and culture that exist throughout the district. In Lancaster ISD, we believe in early preparation and love it when our students believe in it too. Watch the video below to see just how college and career readiness is helping one 7th grader prepare to walk across the stage in 2022 and jumpstart her career in the medical field.
#NeverTooEarly #WeBelieve #LMS #CollegeAndCareerReadiness
Highland Park ISD Staff Enjoyed Learning About STEM Education In Lancaster ISD
The Highland Park site visit focused on STEM education, its sustainability integration into all content areas even the Arts, our problem-based learning approach and leadership and staff development. During the visit, members of our team shared insight on our service-focused learning and programming that helps our students learn beyond the classroom with camps and opportunities such as working in the aquaponics lab, building a car and an airplane to name a few.
Attendees stated that they were very inspired by our student achievements, organizational structure, professional learning models and our collaborative partnerships that aid our students in achieving more than a diploma.
The Eye of the Tiger Celebrates the Lancaster ISD Teachers and Employees of the Year
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – The Lancaster Education Foundation (LEF), in partnership with the Lancaster Independent School District recently hosted the Eye of the Tiger Evening of Excellence. The sixth annual banquet-styled event was held on May 1 to celebrate district employees of the year, campus teachers of the year, campus students of the year, and teachers who have influenced the lives of Lancaster High School seniors.
Lancaster Education Foundation President Ellen Clark created the event as an avenue to promote and share the academic success stories within Lancaster ISD as well as publicly acknowledge Lancaster ISD teachers and students.
“It’s very important that we recognize the teachers and students who have worked hard throughout the year to make the district successful,” Clark said. We believe in honoring our own and simply saying, thank you.”
Each honoree is nominated and selected in mid-April by his or her department, campus colleagues or school principal. During the program, the honorees receive acknowledgement for their hard work in Lancaster ISD.
J. D. Hall Learning Center Teacher of the Year, Reginald Johnson is in his first year on the campus as a special education teacher. During the event, he became overwhelmed with emotion while listening to his campus principal speak about his positive impact on her campus.
“Hearing Mrs. Eleanor Webb speak positively about me during the program was awesome,” he said. “I knew at that very moment [that] the Lord put me in my teaching position for a reason. She is a mentor and a mother figure to me and I love her so much. I couldn’t ask for a better principal.”
The LEF believes in highlighting student excellence and celebrating achievements with the community and student families.
VIDEO: Lancaster ISD Administration Surprises Teachers and Employees of the year with gifts!
Scenes From the Lancaster ISD Teacher and Employee of the Year Luncheon...
College and Career Readiness: Time to Walk the Stage... For Parents of LHS High School Seniors
TIPS FOR PARENTS OF GRADUATING SENIORS
Month of June - Congratulations, graduation is just days away! Hopefully, you are on the cusp of celebrating this remarkable moment and already have prepared your "to-do lists for the college years transition. Here are a few more tips to help you along the journey to higher education:
- Review and update your college “to do list” of items that require your attention with deadline and completion dates to ensure your college journey begins smoothly (i.e. complete housing forms, schedule orientation, prepare to register for classes and/or placement tests, etc.)
- Parents, If your child does not plan to enroll in a four-year college next school year, please help him or her explore educational opportunities at a community, vocational, or career/technical college this summer. Whether, he or she begins with one class or a full schedule, ensure that your child understands the benefit of continued learning.
- Sure, you want to savor what could potentially be your last summer at home, but consider securing a job to add a line of experience to your resume and earn some pocket money for the upcoming year.
- Even if your student is going to a four year college, one summer course is still a good idea to get a head start on basic courses and college credit hours. Or, consider helping to secure a summer job or an internship to acquire money for the first semester and get in the habit of good time management.
- Remember, the work doesn’t end after the admission decisions have been mailed out. It is very important that have your child to send the final high school transcript to your chosen school.
- Then, the fun begins as you start planning and prepping your child for college! There are usually a lot of forms to complete and some with hard deadlines. Make you and your child you read everything carefully. You don't want to miss any major steps in the transition.
- Be sure to register for an introductory or school orientation program. The events and activities provide a great transition into college life and ensure you’ll see some friendly faces around campus when school starts.
- If you are staying on campus, which is probably a good first-year decision, please know that the vast majority of college freshman are assigned roommates. This can be an opportunity to have some built-in companionship as you adjust to your new surroundings. If you find out who your roommate is before arriving, please reach out and introduce yourself. You can gauge each other’s sensibilities, discuss personal habits and most importantly, decide who is bringing the mini fridge.
- Unless you plan on commuting chances are you’ll have to furnish your dorm room. While your school will obviously provide the basics (bed, dresser, etc.), there’s plenty you’ll need to bring. From laundry bags to comforters, sit down and make a list of possible items. This will save you from making multiple trips to the local Target or Wal-mart when moving day arrives.
- Enjoy this last hurrah, before you make the wonderful and exciting transition to higher education!
Class of 2017 Parents: Make Plans to Celebrate Your Child's Graduation on Monday, June 5
The Lancaster High School Class of 2017 will turn their mortarboard tassels on Monday, June 5 at 7 PM at the UT Arlington College Park Center on the UTA campus. This is a ticketed ceremony, so not everyone can be there and celebrate in person, but it will be livestreamed so be sure to look for the link online at www.LancasterISD.org and on our social media pages.
We are excited to report that our students have a cumulative total of more than $11 million in college scholarships and grants. Also, we can report that we have the highest graduation rate in the Best Southwest member cities and that more than 90% of our graduate will attend college, a university of the military. We are proud of our students and thank you parents for partnering with us to get our students to this remarkable milestone!
Let's Celebrate!
Scenes from the LHS Class of 2017 Baccalaureate Service
Lancaster ISD Fine Arts Department Drops A Memorable "MixTape" at the Majestic Theater
Talent runs deep in Lancaster ISD, and throughout the year, students showcase their gifts through academic and athletic competitions, showcases and programs. And, every spring, district-wide, students unite for the ultimate end-of-year fine arts production at the Majestic Theatre located at 1925 Elm Street in downtown Dallas.
This year’s production was called Mixtape: Art is L.I.F.E. (Lancaster Integrating Fine Arts Education). It was a theme designed to celebrate the soundtrack of life and art with original works created and performed by Lancaster ISD students in grade 3rd through 12th.
“We took the audience on a trip down memory lane with a diverse mix of musical genres and cultural staples,” he said. “Talent from students throughout the district was featured in this multi-disciplinary show.”
This was the district’s 11th year to put on a comprehensive production such as this one.
Lancaster High School Teacher Selected as a Teach DFW Ambassador
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – Lancaster High School (LHS) Anatomy and Physiology teacher, Briana Peterson was selected as the Lancaster ISD’s Teach DFW Ambassador and joined hundreds of Dallas/Ft. Worth educators who convened at Southern Methodist University (SMU) for the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Legacy Summit.
DFW school district administrators were asked to nominate teachers for the Extra Yard for Teachers program who was considered an excellent teacher or as someone who has great potential to become an excellent teacher. With this criteria, Peterson, who also an LHS class of 2010 graduate, was quickly chosen as the ambassador, although she is only in her second year of teaching.
“If someone had told me in high school that in four years I would come back and become an anatomy and physiology teacher I would’ve laughed. I wanted to become a doctor,” Peterson said. “But, I enjoyed motivating students in high school and remembered being at LHS really made me happy.”
The annual Extra Yard for Teachers Legacy Summit is a packed day of inspiring messages from speakers such as Google’s Chief Education Evangelist, Jaime Casap, activities and professional development sessions. Each program portion is meant to acknowledge and support those teachers nominated to participate.
“I had a great experience, spoke to other teachers from different districts, and meet with other ambassadors,” she said. “I found people with similar passions that I have and really like to participate in student outreach and give back to their community through teaching.”
The Extra Yard for Teachers initiative was created by the College Football Playoff Foundation, in 2014, as a way to honor the profession that helps student-athletes achieve success. The summit focuses on supporting teachers in three areas: direct provision of resources, teacher recognition, and professional development training. To date, the foundation has reached more than 40,000 teachers through the Extra Yard program.
Lancaster ISD’s Rosa Parks Millbrook Elementary Welcomed 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, Michelle Carter for Career Exploration Day
Rosa Parks MillBrook Elementary hosted its Career Exploration Day and invited 2016 Gold Medal Olympian Michelle Carter to be among the professionals to share their journey with the students.
Carter served as one of the opening speakers for this one-day event and afterwards, she stayed to be a part of the Physical Education Career Track and to answer questions about her her journey with students in smaller groups.
In 2016, Carter won the gold medal for the shot put event at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and became the first United States women’s athlete to win the event since the start of the women’s competition in 1948. She is also only the second American to win any medal in this sporting event.
She is a graduate of a North Texas high school in the Best Southwest area and was a four-time National Champion in Shot Put. Carter is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Youth and Communities Studies and a minor in Kinesiology.
In addition to Ms. Carter's story, students also rotated through the morning to hear information from our local Lancaster Fire Department Paramedics, EMT and engineers, the Lancaster ISD Police Department, Terrance Maiden of Frost Bank, Frankie Wilson, radio host and station owner, and others. Students were enthusiastic to learn about these careers and some even came to the sessions prepared with note cards and question sheets.
Lancaster High School 2017 Debutantes Were the Ultimate Shining Stars of the Ball
This was an evening that celebrated excellence, elegance, poise. It was also the culmination of a series of leadership and character development sessions designed to prepare the young ladies for this monumental transition to life after high school.
In the presence of their family and friends, the young ladies celebrated their big finish and new beginning. Thank you to Dr. Kanesha Waites and her team for their continuing commitment to our students. Congratulations to all!
Lancaster High School Receives Mu Alpha Theta Charter, Inducts 52 Math Scholars
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – This spring, Lancaster ISD has celebrated academic achievements and young scholars through multiple ceremonies. At the National Elementary Honor Society Induction, 199 4th and 5th graders received pins and acknowledgement as they joined the elite academic organization. Fifty-three middle school students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and 97 high school students were inducted into the National Honor Society. In addition, Lancaster High School joined schools across the nation for College Academic Signing Day where seniors celebrated their commitment to higher education with college representatives and campus and district staff. In all, 196 seniors have publicly declared where they intend to attend school this fall.
And now, LHS has another prestigious, academic society for its students.
On May 11, 52 high school students, who excelled in the area of mathematics, were inducted into Mu Alpha Theta.
“These students have maintained a 90 average with no grade below an 85 in their high school math courses,” LHS math teacher and Lancaster alumna Laura Jacobs said. “Mu Alpha Theta is a highly recognized program at the university level and there are scholarship opportunities, regional and national conferences for students to network with leading scientists, university professors, engineers, and business leaders.
Lancaster ISD Sister 2 Sister Annual Summit Empowered Young Women
Rich with energy and excitement, the Lancaster ISD Sister 2 Sister Summit was held at Cedar Valley College and was a memorable experience for approximately 400 girls in grades 3-12. Throughout the day, the young ladies were inspired and motivated to be their best self by leaders in the city, area and district. They were able to hear from women who were confident, respected, empowered and willing to help develop others to become leaders.
Lancaster ISD Summer Programs are Open - Register Today
Lancaster ISD is committed to providing fun, relevant learning experiences for our students and others in the community throughout the summer months. We know that summer is a great time to relax and unwind, but it also a great time learn something cool and unique that will enhance their learning experience. Please take a moment to check out the programs and camps that we will offer this summer. Please note that most programs are free and some programs are partnership opportunities and will be held in other places.
SMU and STEM Camp Program Contact: Kyndra Johnson (972-218-1400)
June 12- 29
Camp Invention
Grades: Incoming 3rd-6th
Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Cost: $50/student
George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center
1005 Westridge, Lancaster, Texas 75146
June 26- 29
SMU Girls Coding Camp
Grades: Incoming 6th-8th
Monday -Thursday (8:30 AM - 3:30 PM)
Cost: Free
Lancaster High School
200 Wintergreen Rd, Lancaster, TX 75146
*The following Summer Bridge Programs are a partnership with SMU and students will be transported to the SMU campus during the dates of the selected camp. Lunch will be provided.
SMU - Residential Engineering Program
Grades: Incoming 11th-12th
Boys Program June 26 - June 30
Girls Program July 17-21
(Daily transportation is not provided; students will stay on the campus)
SMU - Advanced Robotics: FIRST Tech Challenge
Grade: Incoming 9th-12th
June 26 - June 30
Held at SMU
SMU - Quad-Copter
Grade: Incoming 9th-12th
July 10 - July 21
Held at SMU
SMU - Space Launch
Grade: Incoming 9th-12th
July 24 - August 4
Held at SMU
The following camps are part of the Lancaster ISD Summer Bridge Student Success Initiative Camps Program Contact: Shemeka Millner-Williams or Elijah Granger (1400)
Summer SSI Camp - Current 5th Grade
June 7-21, 2017
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Houston Health Science Technology Academy
200 Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Parents will be notified by campus
STAAR Dates - June 19-23, 2017
Summer SSI Camp - Current 8th Grade
June 7-21, 2017
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Lancaster High School
200 Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Parents will be notified by campus
STAAR Dates - June 19-23, 2017
Lancaster High School Summer Bridge
June 6-23, 2017
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lancaster High School Campus
200 E. Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, TX 75134
SSI (Student Success initiative), TSI (Texas Success Initiative), Advanced Academics, Credit Recovery
Lancaster STEM Early College High School Camps
(For Current LSECHS Students only)
June 12-15
Texas Success Initiative (TSI) preparation
Lancaster High School
200 E. Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, Texas 75134
July 17-20, 2017
LSECHS Summer Bridge Camp
Lancaster High School
200 E. Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Special Education Extended School Year Program
June 7-23, 2017
Grades: Current Kindergarten to 5th
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM
Houston Elementary Health Science Technology Academy
2929 Marquis Lane
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Curriculum: Splash, SPIRE Reading
June 6– 22, 2017
Grades 6 - 12
Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM– 1:00 PM
Lancaster High School
200 E. Wintergreen Road
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Curriculum: Explore Math, Acting Out Social Skills
June 5 - June 30, 2017
Summer Bilingual Camps
Grades Pre-K and Kindergarten
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Houston Elementary Campus
2929 Marquis Lane
Lancaster, Texas 75134
Lancaster ISD Will Offer A Free Summer Food Service Program For Any Child Ages 1 to 18 years old
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD - The Child Nutrition staff of Lancaster ISD is working hard to keep children eating healthy while school is out and would like to announce the locations of its Summer Food Service Program. We want to make sure that everyone still has the opportunity to receive a hot nutritious meal daily. The district provides free breakfast and lunch to any child ages 1-18 during the summer.
Any child can participate in the Summer Feeding Program just by showing up at one of the following sites on the days and during the time(s) indicated below.
Meals will not be served before or after the scheduled serving times and will be served at the following location(s):
Houston Elementary School
2929 Marquis Lane, Lancaster, TX 75134 – 972-218-1684
June 7, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
George Washington Carver – 6th Grade STEM Learning Center
1005 Westridge Ave, Lancaster, TX 75146 – Cafeteria # 972-218-1687
June 7, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lancaster Elsie Robertson STEM Middle School
822 W Pleasant Run Rd, Lancaster, TX – Cafeteria # 972-218-1688
June 7, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lancaster High School
200 E. Wintergreen, Lancaster, TX 75134 – 972-218-1824
June 7, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
West Main Elementary School
531 West Main St, Lancaster, TX 75146 – Cafeteria # 972-218-1680
August 2, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Pleasant Run Elementary School
427 West Pleasant Run Rd, Lancaster, TX 75146 – Cafeteria # 972-218-1681
August 2, 2017 – August 18, 2017 - Monday through Friday
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Lunch 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
All sites will be closed July 3, 2017 & July 4, 2017
Lancaster ISD Bond Construction Update for May 2017
Both New Elementary Campuses Near Completion
During the end of April and early part of May, teachers and staff, district leaders, School Board members, members of the Bond Steering Committee and Lancaster City Council toured each facility.
The district looks forward to the ribbon cutting and grand opening events which will be scheduled for August.
Pre-Register Today: Parents, Secure Your Child's Seat for the 2017-2018 School Year
Upcoming District Events
Thanks For the Memories! - Join Us As the Community Has Its Final Glimpse Inside Two Historical District Campuses
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – In the fall of 2017, Lancaster ISD will open two new 21st Century, technology- integrated elementary campuses. While district leaders are excited about opening the new West Main and Pleasant Run Elementary campuses, they want to be sensitive to and honor the memories of the existing campuses before they are torn down.
On Friday, June 2 from 5 PM – 7 PM, district staff is planning a simple “Thanks for the Memories” celebration for former students, staff and parents of both campuses to return for ceremonial goodbyes. Attendees can view historical pictures, take commemorative photos, shares stories and even sign their names along with special messages on the walls.
School Board member and Lancaster ISD alumna Ellen Clark encouraged the district to host a goodbye event for the community.
“At the Texas Association of School Boards convention, somebody mentioned that we should be able to say goodbye to things and people in our lives,” she said.” I thought about how many children, teachers, and parents were a part of these two buildings, then the old song ‘Thanks for Memories’ and leaving a legacy came to mind.”
Clark is spearheading a special project where people can leave their legacy at the campus sites.
“You can leave your legacy by donating $1 along with the name you wish to honor or even your own name,” she said. “These names will be listed in the Memory Book but also put in a proper container to be sealed and buried with a tree in honor of alumni.”
Family legacies run deep in Lancaster and Clark understands that people have connections to the two oldest elementary schools in the district.
“Some families have three or more generations that attended these two campuses,” she said. “My mother taught at both schools, my children attended mostly West Main and I was there the first year it opened as a fifth grader.”
Former Lancaster ISD School Board President Nanette Vick, who currently works at Belt Line Elementary in Lancaster, said that she has many Pleasant Run Elementary memories.
“My history with Pleasant Run goes back to before I had a child of my own. I volunteered at the nearest elementary school to help pass the time since I did not work,” she said. “Pleasant Run was that special place and became a second home to me. When my daughter started public school in the second grade, she went to Pleasant Run and the connection just became stronger and deeper.”
More Upcoming Events and Celebrations...
The City of Lancaster to Host Best Southwest Juneteenth Celebration on June 17
Lancaster ISD School Board Trustee: LaRhonda Mays Continues to Serve District 4
The Lancaster ISD District 4 was a contested race in the recent May 2017 School Board election and incumbent trustee, LaRhonda Mays, was elected to continue her service on the school board.
Lancaster Chamber Hosted Casino-Themed Chamber Gala Fundraising Event and Honored the Lancaster ISD School Board
In Lancaster ISD, our VISION is 2020!
Lancaster ISD Beliefs:
Equity
Equity in education is a human right.
Community
Educators, parents and students share in the responsibility of developing well-rounded individuals.
Quality
Engaged, relevant learning experiences provide for a quality education leading to a quality life.
Courage
Learning is a life-long process that is enhanced by taking risks.
Growth
A person has the capacity to learn from past experiences.
Purpose
Purposeful planning to meet individual student needs leads to intentional outcomes for student success.
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