October 2017 - Recap
District News
Lancaster ISD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Hosts Fourth Annual Academic Bowl Competition
On Saturday, October 28, the Lancaster Independent School District, its students and parents united to participate in the Fourth Hispanic Heritage Academic Bowl and Celebration at Lancaster High School at 9 AM.
The theme of the bowl was “Shaping the Bright Future of America” and started with the passionate story of Lancaster ISD educator, Missar Sanguino. Originally, from El Salvador, she came to America as a young child with her family. Sanguino shared her journey of learning a new way of life, a new language, in a new country along with her quest to become an educator to help other bilingual students navigate their learning successfully. Sanguino, who is now a noted educator at Houston Elementary, started working in Lancaster ISD more than 12 years ago as one of its nighttime custodians.
The final championship rounds were between two Houston Elementary teams - Team Independence and Team Wrecking Crew for the elementary division and Lancaster High School Team 3 and Lancaster STEM Early College High School Team 1 for the secondary division.
After the final contests were completed, the winners were Houston Elementary - Team Independence and Lancaster STEM Early College High School - Team 1.
In addition to the academic bowl competition, fine arts students are also submitted and displayed their artwork during the event. Students also submitted essays to be judged. both the artwork and the essay competitions were awarded during the date of the academic bowl.
The results are included below:
Bowl Competition Winners
Junior Division - Houston Elementary Team Independence
Senior Division - Lancaster STEM Early College High School Team Number 1
Hispanic Heritage Essay Competition Winners
Goodness Odunukwe , West Main Elementary
Prompt: Compare the ideas of Cesar Chavez and Sophia Cruz and explain how they have influenced today’s activist movements.
Jason Gardner, Houston Elementary
Prompt: What key innovations have Hispanic Americans made in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math, and how have they advanced our society?
Hispanic Heritage Art Competition Winners
Secondary Division: Andrew Martinez - LHS, Salters
Junior DIvision: Jordan Galloway - West Main, K. Ballard
Superintendent's Choice Award: Banessa Servia - LHS, Salters
Secondary Division Winner
Lancaster High School
Junior Division Winner
West Main Elementary School
Supt's Choice
Lancaster High School
Lancaster ISD STEM Department Unveils the Student- Built Airplane
By Demond Fernandez, WFAA News Reporter
LANCASTER, Texas – While many Texas teenagers have their mind on Friday night football, one group of students was busy focusing on math and science. Some Lancaster Independent School District students were bust taking their skills from the classroom to the clouds.
“This is the part that I wanted,” said Latron Perkins as he watched a bright blue and yellow plane prepare to take off.
There was a lot of anxious excitement around Lancaster Regional Airport. Perkins and his classmate Jaqkolbi Wesley had their cameras rolling, capturing every moment.
“Take off,” Wesley mumbled. “Take off!”
The Lancaster High School juniors watched the plane they built take off for the very first time. Wesley and Perkins are among a large group of students who spent the last year building the Cessna 182.
Perkins said, “When I saw that plane take air, I was like, we did it! The students did it.”
The project is part of a hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math challenge.
Lancaster ISD students take their skills from the classroom to the clouds with help from Captain Barrington Irving’s Experience Aviation: Operation Build and Soar program, and the non-profit Wings of Hope.
Wesley says S.T.E.M. is becoming part of his passion. "I played football, then I realized it wasn’t for me,” the teen explained. “I found something else for myself. Engineering was the outlet for me.”
Building the plane was tough, but fun. Perkins says accuracy and detail were key as he worked on the wings.
"I had to go back and put the screws in, because the screws were not straight,” Perkins explained. “They were a little crooked, so I had to go back and do it again.”
Wings of Hope will dispatch this airplane on medical missions to poor communities worldwide. The group’s President, Brett Heinrich, said the first stop is Nicaragua.
"I’m so impressed that so many people came together around one common cause. To educate our kids, to teach them to dream, and to help other people all around the world,” Heinrich said.
For the Lancaster High School students, it is another mission accomplished.
"I’m ready for it to take off and go help people,” Wesley said.
S.T.E.M. is allowing the students’ skills to soar.
This is the not the first project the Lancaster S.T.E.M. students completed with Captain Irving’s Experience Aviation program. In the past, the students also built a race car.
© 2017 WFAA-TV
WFAA News Video
Prairie View Panthers Take A Time Out for Rosa Parks Millbrook Elementary Students
Lancaster TX/Lancaster ISD - Each year, as the State Fair Classic rolls back around, the Prairie View Panthers pick a Dallas County school campus to host their local give back day. For 2017-2018, they chose Lancaster ISD’s Rosa Parks Millbrook Information Systems and Software Designs Academy.
Rosa Parks/Millbrook students spent memorable moments on their campus with members of the Panthers Football team, Oct. 6. The PVAM team was in town for their State Fair Classic weekend of competitions and of course, the Prairie View vs. Grambling Game.
While in town, the team read books and shared stories with the Rosa Parks students, played basketball and spoke to the students about college life and their great potential to one day be in their shoes.
PVAM University Athletics Operations Specialist Tim Smith is a 2004 Lancaster High School graduate who also played football for the Panthers and is now pursing his master’s degree at the university. He shared the value of their Give Back Day visit.
“It is important that students see that you can come from anywhere in life, become someone and do great things,” he said. “Students need to see adult role models and people whom they can look up to and understand that they too can be whatever they want to be in life.”
Rosa Parks Millbrook Elementary Assistant Principal Rickyl Wesson was excited to see the students’ response to the visiting college athletes.
“The impact the PVAM Football Team had on our students was powerful. I cannot even put it in words,” she said. “Some of our students only hear about these type of things…they only wish they could meet a college athlete or even meet a college student.”
Rosa Parks Millbrook principal, Dr. Marlon Waites, who is also a proud alumnus of Prairie View, simply stated as he thanked the team for their time, “You just do not know what your presence on this campus did for my children today.”
Later, he shared more.
“It meant the world to me to have my alma mater interacting with the students. The athletes were able to show what I am always speaking about – PV produces productive people,” he said. “What they did for my children here today, was priceless.”
Lancaster ISD has integrated college awareness activities in early childhood, elementary and secondary student groups.
For Waites, this on-campus college awareness experience had a direct correlation with the district’s goals and education initiatives.
“A college experience provides students with a chance to be exposed, meet people from all over, and try things they have never tried,” he said. “Our goal is to shift the mindset of our students to think past just getting a diploma. Seeing African American men being productive, while also being a student-athlete, further put that goal into perspective.”
In appreciation for the time spent on the campus, the Panthers presented the campus with a football helmet and jersey autographed by the players.
The Student Services Division of Lancaster ISD helps to coordinate real life connections for students in the areas of mentorship, leadership and social excellence and helped to coordinate this visit.
City of Lancaster Provides Mobile Library to Lancaster ISD 6th Grade Campus
Lancaster, TX/Lancaster ISD – Through a partnership with the City of Lancaster and its Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library, first and third Fridays are more than the start of a weekend for students at Lancaster ISD’s George Washington Carver 6th STEM Learning Center. The students are able to step just outside of the campus to the book mobile to check out books and e-books without actually travelling to the local library.
“We want students to enjoy reading by providing them with opportunities to read for pleasure and interest and not just for an assignment,” Dr. Tonia Howard, Lancaster ISD Executive Director of Bilingual Education and School Improvement said. “This partnership is essential because now the students at Carver have a convenient way to access reading materials on a regular basis.”
The Lancaster Book Mobile Fridays will continue through the month of December and will allow students to check out a new book every two weeks. Additionally, students will have opportunity to learn more about using technology and electronic devices for educational purposes.
Prior to the start of the mobile visits, almost 200 students completed library card applications so that in addition to the school time access, they are able to the access the online e-books service from their home and utilize the physical location at 1700 Veterans Memorial Parkway.
“Everyone was excited to hear about the mobile library. When it actually happened, more students were rushing to the office to pick up library card applications,” George Washington Carver 6th Grade STEM Learning Center Principal CoSheda Hurd said. “And, the staff was just as eager as the students to see and experience it.”
Hurd said that she too is excited about this opportunity for her students.
Lancaster ISD and City of Lancaster Partner To Educate Students about Fire Safety
During the month of October, Lancaster ISD partnered with the City of Lancaster Fire Department to host fire safety prevention days in honor of National Fire Prevention Month. During each assigned day, students at various campuses received visits from firefighters who presented fire safety tips and discussed fire prevention.
During the presentations, firefighters explained the importance of smoke detectors, offered fire prevention tips, explained the reason behind the type of gear that the firefighters have to wear along with the importance of creating a family fire escape plan. The firefighters also gave students tours of the fire truck , showed the tools they use to do their jobs and the department’s Fire Safety House.
Photos are from the Houston Elementary campus
Lancaster ISD Presented The Annual State of Schools Report at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
Strengthening Families Hosted Its Community Carnival at The Parks
This year parents, students, staff and their families from throughout the district was invited to gather for a scary good time. Throughout the evening, there were various stations of fun both inside and outside of the building. From bounce houses, to bull riding, cake walks, nail painting and a host of other activities and various vendors booths, this family - fun carnival was one many attendees will not soon forget!
Lancaster ISD Hosts the LHS Homecoming Parade 2017
Lancaster High School Homecoming Court
Lancaster High School Homecoming 2017 King and Queen
Myesha Wilson and Dominique Young
Bond Update: Staff, Community Provide Input Regarding Conceptual Design of Lancaster Middle School
Part of the Bond Project includes building a new middle school campus to replace the existing one. During the month of October, the Bond Management Team met with staff and community members to gather input regarding the conceptual design of the campus.
During the next few weeks, we will host a serious of meetings to get additional input and finalize designs.
Below are some renderings of the new Ninth Grade Center.
News From Academics and Instruction
Science Rocks - Even Outside of the Classroom
Experience Science with your child
Lancaster ISD students will attend the Journey to Space sleepover Nov. 3-4, 2017 at the Perot Museum of nature and Science. There’s still time for you and your student to join us. Register at www.perotmuseum.org.
Free Event- Family Experiments at Klyde Warren Park- Sat. Nov. 4, 2017
Perot Museum of Nature and Science hosts fun family activities in the Children’s Park at Klyde Warren. Klyde Warren Park creates green space “out of thin air” that connects the vibrant Uptown neighborhood with the Dallas Arts District and downtown.
Visit www.klydewarrenpark.org
Weekend Science Activity
Parents, Do you want to know more about careers in earth and physical sciences? Browse through detailed information on over 100 careers to discover what scientists really do and what it takes to prepare for these careers. Go to www.sciencebuddies.org and select the Careers tab.
Chemistry Assistance is Available
Parents, Chemistry assistance is available through our textbook provider, HMH, Students may visit www.cliffnotes.com and select Study Guides. This resource will also be used during Chemistry classroom instruction.
Read About STEM In Action!
News from College and Career Readiness Department
Recently, high school juniors and seniors were able to take the ACT exam while sophomores took the Pre-ACT during the school day. Other students were able to take the PSAT exam on campus. This is one way that Lancaster ISD ensures that students have the chance to succeed in their desired higher education goal.
Currently, the Dallas County Promise is still open for all 2018 seniors. This program allows your child the following benefits:
- FREE tuition at any college in the Dallas County Community College District for all students, regardless of income or GPA.
- Access to a Success Coach support will begin at the end of student’s senior year and continue through college completion. Additional textbook stipend are available for students meeting income and 2.5 GPA (75 or better on a 100-point scale) requirements.
- Transfer scholarships are available to UNT Dallas and SMU, with more universities coming on board soon.
Learn more at http://dallascountypromise.org/
Also, parents of high school students, please have your child to connect with the on-campus college advisor to learn about and participate in the upcoming college visits.
Finally, the FAFSA Application opened October 1. Please work with your child and your LHS College Advisor to ensure that you are on the right path.
News From the Early Childhood Department
Here is a fun game of Concentration from that site to help your PK-2nd grade student practice instant recognition of numbers in many formats. Just click this link to go straight to the game: http://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3563
News From Lancaster ISD Athletics Department
Lancaster ISD Football Coach Makes District History
The Lancaster Independent School District congratulates Lancaster High School Tigers Head Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Christopher Gilbert on becoming the all-time winningest football coach in school history with 59 wins.
The first Lancaster football team played in 1912 and the Lancaster Tigers have been fielding a football team consistently since 1929. These beginning district milestones occurred long before Gilbert ever laid eyes on his first football or sported his first jersey, but on the second Friday night in October 2017, he etched his name in the district’s record books.
Gilbert’s Tigers defeated the Mansfield Summit Jaguars 38-29 on Friday, October 13, 2017 to pass former coach Doug Black in the record books. Black had 58 wins in nine seasons between the years of 1993-2001. District leaders presented Gilbert with a trophy at the close of the game to mark this historical moment.
Coach Gilbert took over as the Lancaster ISD Head Football Coach in the spring of 2011. This is his seventh season in Lancaster. Prior to coming to Lancaster, he coached at Terrell and South Oak Cliff high schools.
Lancaster ISD Athletics Department Honored Breast Cancer Survivor, Denise Robertson of Houston Elementary
News From the Child Nutrition Department
- You can access your students lunch account from wherever you are.
- Keep up with your child's meal balances online or via the app
- Check cafeteria balances & purchases
- Receive low balance alerts
- Set up automatic payments
Download or logon to www.myschoolbucks.com today.
Upcoming District Events
Parent Connect Offers GED and English Classes For Lancaster ISD Parents - Orientation - November 2
Reminder from Student Services: Next Parent Success Studio Session is November 8
Please join us at Pleasant Run Elementary School located at 427 W. Pleasant Run Rd in Lancaster, TX in the Cafeteria for the morning session at 9 AM or the Library for the evening session at 4:30 PM.
This Parent Series will address many of the specific challenges and opportunities facing families. During this hour and a half workshop, the department will address a range of parenting topics and in general how mental health effects the daily lives of students and their families. This event is open to all parents and students (grades Pre-K through 12th) and their families.
Please contact the Special Education Department at phone number (972) 218-1635 for more information. Hope to see you there!
Career and Technical Education Business Mixer - November 8
Strengthening Families To Host Fall Harvest Program and Info Sessions - November 9
On Thursday, November 9, the Lancaster ISD Special Education Department will host its Second Strengthening Families event for year.
The session topics will consist of Emotional Disturbance/Other Health Impaired/Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Autism, and Learning Disabilities ending with a Program Talent Showcase from our students.
Please join us at Rolling Hills Engineering Academy, November 9 at 6 P.M. for food, fun, and family engagement the Tiger way.
The event is open to all parents, students (grades Pre-K through 12th) and their families.
Please contact the Special Education Department at (972) 218-1635 for more information.
Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Boss! - Sessions for High School Young Ladies
Our next meeting will take place November 6, 2017 on Social Media 101 and November 13, 2017 on Goal Mapping/Planning & How to Study/Take Notes at 3 PM - 5 PM in the Lancaster High School Cafeteria.
News, Info,Highlights and Events From Our Local Partners
The City of Lancaster and KaBOOM! Photos
Lancaster ISD Service Center staff, Lancaster High School students and students from West Main Elementary worked alongside City of Lancaster Mayor Hon. Marcus E. Knight and members of the community to build a new KaBOOM playground for Lancaster residents.
City officials said the volunteers mixed more concrete than the weight of four adult Indian elephants and one baby Indian elephant. They also built six playground games.
The park build was a result of a grant that the City submitted to KaBOOM, a nonprofit organization that marries corporate sponsors with communities seeking to revitalize parks/play grounds in an effort to promote safe and healthy play for children and families.
The new 3,036 square-foot KaBOOM Playground at Kids Square Park replaced the original Kids Square Park, built in 1994. The park equipment has outlived its useful life, and that made this park the ideal candidate for the KaBOOM playground rebuild. The official opening was October 25.
City of Lancaster To Host Trash Off Event - November 4
The City of Lancaster welcomes residents to take advantage of the Quarterly Trash Off Events at 1501 N. Dallas Avenue (next to Regions Bank). Trash Off is a great opportunity for Lancaster residents to clean out their home, garage, and yard of bulk trash, recyclables, scrap metal, brush, and electronic waste (i.e. computers, kitchen appliances, televisions, etc.) for disposal FREE of cost.
This program is open to Lancaster residents only with proof of residency. For more information please call 972-218-1300 or email Community Relations at CommunityRelations@lancaster-tx.com.
The Lancaster Education Foundation To Host November Basketball Tournament - November 11
Reminder from Lancaster the ISD Communications Department: Stay Connected!
Get the App: Keep Lancaster ISD at Your Finger Tips!
As we enter the fall and winter seasons, we know that there is a potential to have inclimate weather and we may have to make some adjustments to our regular schedule. We want to be certain that you have updated your information in our database. Our goal is to keep you connected and engaged to Lancaster ISD news and information, however, the last thing that we want to do is become a nuisance.
This SchoolMessenger parent video clearly communicates how you can set your preferences for school notifications. Click the link to view the short video about setting your preferences: https://vimeo.com/schoolmessenger/parentpreferences
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