THE LEADER La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
February 9, 2017
La Porte High School Class of 2017 valedictorian and salutatorian announced Izza Chatta and Kallie Juel have been named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the La Porte High School Class of 2017. Izza is the daughter of Nazia Firdous and Khalid Chatta. She attended Heritage Elementary, James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus, and Lomax Junior High before entering La Porte High School. Izza has been active in the National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society and Health Occupations Students of America. She plans to attend Baylor University with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. Kallie is the daughter of Malinda and Victor Juel. Before entering high school, she attended Lomax Elementary, James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus and Lomax Junior High School. While at LPHS, Kallie has been involved in Health Occupations Students of America, Athletic Training and the Academic Decathlon. This fall she will attend the University of Houston with plans to become a trauma surgeon. Izza and Kallie will be among the top 100 academic achievers recognized at the banquet held in their honor on Feb. 13. In addition, they will lead the processional and address those in attendance at La Porte High School graduation on May 26 at Bulldog Stadium. Left: Todd Schoppe, left, principal of La Porte High School, congratulates Izza Chatta, center, and Kallie Juel on being named the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the LPHS Class of 2017.
La Porte High School seniors commit to colleges on National Signing Day
Austin Upshaw, football, Southern Methodist University
Cobra Jones, football, Henderson State University (Arkansas) Jadon McConnell, football, Texas Southern University
Ryder Rae, football, Texas Southern University
Terrel Bernard, football, Baylor University
Courtlyn Boxie, soccer, University of St. Thomas
Makenna Guidry, soccer. Prairie View A & M University
Jaylynn Garcia, soccer, Texas A & M University Texarkana
\Savannah Hart, soccer, Texas Wesleyan University
Baker students advance to 2017 Texas History Day after placing at Lee College James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus students Geovanna Pena and Jamie Wood will advance to the 2017 Texas History Day after winning second place at the Lee College Regional History Fair on Feb. 4. The state competition will be held on April 29 at the University of Texas at Austin and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. The students previously won first place in the James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus history fair in the group exhibits category. Their project is “Ruby Bridges: Taking a Stand Against Segregation.” Other Baker students who advanced to the regional fair were Brady Axtell and Alisyn Couch in the individual exhibit category; Isabella Balboa and Izabella Baez in group exhibits; Cyrus Wilburn and Jorge Vanegas in web pages; Braeden Williams, Keely Cummings and Jeremiah Fontenot in documentaries; and Devyn Bounds and Cheyenne Fox in group performance. Virginia Grace Wright from La Porte Junior High School competed in the individual exhibit competition. From Lomax Junior High School, Mia Terry, Hannah Green, Kaidance Anderson, Ashley Villarreal and Jeralyn Chaddock competed in the group performance category, while Timothy Copeland and Jaden Avila participated in the individual exhibit contest and Mary Owens-Eck and Emma Wilson n the group exhibit competition. Right: James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus students Jamie Wood, left, and Geovanna Pena receive their second place medals at the Lee College Regional History Fair on Feb. 4. With them is Andrea Berg, Lomax Junior High School teacher, who represented La Porte ISD teachers during the awards ceremony. The students, who won in the group exhibit competition, will now advance to Texas History Day in Austin on April 29.
LPHS DECA students head to state Career Development Competition Feb. 23-25 Three La Porte High School DECA members are set to pit their skills against their statewide counterparts after placing at the district level in January. Elizabeth Elkins placed in Restaurant Management, Alex Cantu in Business Finance and Hector Diaz placed in Principles of Business Administration. More than 1,300 area students vied for spots in the DECA Career Development Competition, to be held Feb. 23-25 in San Antonio. The qualifiers will compete against more than 3,000 students from across Texas. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe, according to the group’s website. La Porte High School’s DECA program is sponsored by Nekeba George and new business course instructor and DECA advisor Chad Pruitt. CTE teachers Daniel Seibert, Hope Salas and Kenda Adkins serve as test proctors and practice judges. Left: Distributive Education Clubs of America winners and their sponsors show the awards they received at the district contest. From left are Alex Cantu, who placed in business finance; Elizabeth Elkins, restaurant management; Nekeba George, sponsor; Hector Diaz, principles of business administration; and Chad Pruitt, sponsor. The students will advance to the state contest in San Antonio Feb. 23 through 25.
La Porte ISD kindergartners celebrate 100 days of school Feb. 7
Tyler Smith, La Porte Elementary School student, works on painting 100 dots on a picture as part of 100th Day of School activities. Children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten enjoyed making hats, creating posters and participating in other activities in celebration of this milestone.
Xander Wasylow, kindergartner at Jennie Reid Elementary School, created a poster with 100 pennies to demonstrate his counting skills during 100 Day at the campus. He and his classmates celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 7.
Kindergartners Eber Cantu, left, and Nellie Ortiz work on their “100 Day” crowns during classtime on Feb. 7. Students at La Porte ISD elementary campuses celebrated the 100th day of school in a variety of ways.
Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School kindergartner Kylee Williams was among the children who dressed like they are 100 years old for the “100 Day Parade” at the campus. The parade was held on Feb. 7 in celebration of the 100th day of school.
Two LPHS power lifters earn first place finish at Dayton meet Feb. 2
Fifteen La Porte High School students competed in the Dayton High School power lifting meet on Feb. 2, with two athletes winning their respective weight classes. Top finishers included Amy Frias and Miranda Solis, who won first place in the girls competition; Kallie Juel, who placed third; and Maddie Milom, who placed fourth. All four are seniors at LPHS. In the boys competition, sophomore Caleb Munoz, junior Glenn Anderson, sophomore Ryan Kendzior and senior Bryan Hayes all had fourth place finishes in their respective weight classes. They are coached by Ronald Frick. Their last competition is Feb. 9 at Tarkington High School.
Reps from Congressman Babin’s office visit CTE facility at La Porte High School
La Porte Independent School District 1002 San Jacinto Street La Porte, Texas 77571 www.lpisd.org 281-604-7000 The Leader is a publication of the La Porte ISD Communications Department. The newsletter is published bi-weekly for the La Porte ISD community. Inquiries should be directed to Terri Cook, Director of Communications, at cookt@lpisd. org or Kimberly Culver, Communications Coordinator, at culverk@lpisd.org.
Beverly Ferguson, second from left, and Stuart Burns, second from right, representatives of U.S. Congressman Brian Babin’s office, visited La Porte ISD on Jan. 24 to tour the new La Porte High School Career and Technical Education facility. They enjoyed visiting with teachers and students as well as eating lunch in the Bulldog Bistro, where students prepared and served the meal. From left are culinary arts students Macie Porter, Collin Dillard and Nykie Godfrey. Ferguson is the regional director of community relations in Babin’s Deer Park Office, and Burns is Chief of Staff in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C., office.
La Porte ISD trustees honored during School Board Recognition Month
La Porte ISD trustee Charlcya Wheeler shows a bouquet of hearts made for her by students at Jennie Reid Elementary School in honor of School Board Recognition Month.
Members of the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees show certificates of appreciation presented to them in observance of School Board Recognition Month at the Jan. 24 Board meeting. From left are Kathy Green and Phillip Hoot, trustees; David Janda, Board vice president; Dee Anne Thomson, Board president; and Charlcya Wheeler and Lee Wallace, trustees. Not pictured is Board secretary Lois Rogerson.
Board of Trustees president Dee Anne Thomson looks over the tokens of appreciation sent by La Porte ISD students and staff during School Board Recognition Month prior to the Jan. 24 meeting.
Bond program construction continues on La Porte High School campus
Construction of the La Porte High School multi-purpose center continues on the north side Workers continue progress on the new La Porte High School science and mathematics of the campus. The center will include a new competition gym and locker rooms for multiple classroom building located on the north side of the campus off of G Street. sports as well as seating for 2,200.
The inside of the new La Porte High School multi-purpose center begins to take shape. The The new La Porte High School multi-purpose center includes a “black box theater,” which is facility is scheduled to open with the start of the 2017-18 school year. an open, flexible performance space for performing arts students.
LPISD/DPISD Autism Event Meet Your Local Emergency First Responders
LPISD/DPISD Evento de autismo Conozca los Primeros Responderos de Emergencia Locales
Thursday, February 16th
Jueves, 16 de febrero
Location: LPISD Heritage Elementary Gym 4301 East Blvd. Deer Park, Texas 77536
Sitio: LPISD Escuela Primaria de Heritage Elementary, Gimnasio 4301 East Blvd. Deer Park, Texas 77536
(park on left side of building in the parking lot area)
(estacione al lado izquierdo del edificio en el estacionamiento)
Come visit with local emergency first responders, get informational items, and ask questions. Individuals with autism will be able to interact with emergency personnel in uniform, climb in selected emergency vehicles, as well as see other vehicles up close.
Vengan a visitar con nuestros primeros responderos de emergencias locales, obtengan ítemes de información, y hagan preguntas. Individuos con autismo podrán interactuar con responderos vestidos en uniformes, subirsen en varios vehículos de emergencia, y podrán ver otros vehículos de emergencia.
6:00-7:30pm
This is an absolutely great opportunity for individuals with autism to see, feel, touch and interact with emergency personnel and their vehicles in a non-threatening environment before an emergency arises! All ages encouraged to attend.
La Porte Fire Department Deer Park Police Department
Scheduled guests:
La Porte EMS La Porte Police Department
Super Special Scheduled Guest: TY The DPPD Super Sniffer (Narcotics K-9 Officer)
RSVP by Friday, February 10th
6:00-7:30pm
¡Esta es una oportunidad tremenda para los individuos con autismo, ya que podrán ver, sentir, tocar, e interactuar con los personajes de emergencia y sus vehículos en un ambiente no amenazante ántes de que ocurre alguna emergencia! Participantes de todas edades son incitados a participar. Aparecer como invitados: Departamento de Bomberos de La Porte (LPFD) Equipo de Servicios Médicos de Emergencia (EMS) de La Porte Departamento de Policía de Deer Park (DPPD)
Departamento de Policía de La Porte (LPPD)
Super especial invitado: TY El “Super Sniffer” (Super Oledor) del DPPD (Anti-Narcótico Perro de Policía)
To Jessica Sanchez, La Porte ISD
RSVP para el viernes, 10 de febrero
281-604-7028
A Jessica Sanchez, La Porte ISD 281-604-7028
LPISD District Calendar 2/9/16 - Thursday College Park Elementary - Peter Piper Pizza Night - 5 PM - 8 PM College Park Elementary - 1st Grade Music Program - 6 PM
Heritage Elementary presents its Hawks of the Month for January
2/10/16 - Friday La Porte Elementary - Spring and Group Picture Day - 8 AM - 11:30 AM LPHS - Softball vs. Clear Brook - 6:30 PM LPHS - Boys Basketball @ Pasadena Dobie - 7 PM 2/11/17 - Saturday Junior High UIL One Act Play Contest - McAdams Jr. High, Dickinson LPHS - Bulldogs Softball vs. Dickinson - 11 AM LPHS - Bulldogs Softball - Annual Alumni Game - 3:30 PM 2/13/17 - Monday La Porte Elementary - CiCi’s Pizza Spirit Night - 2 PM - 9 PM Rizzuto Elementary - Book Fair Night - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Rizzuto Elementary - 2nd Grade Valentine Program - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM LPJH - Rising 8th Grade Parent Night - 5:30 PM - 7 PM LPHS - Top 100 Banquet - 6 PM - 8 PM - Student Center 2/14/17 - Tuesday Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - 7 PM - 1002 San Jacinto St. LPHS - Boys Basketball vs. Pasadena Sam Rayburn - 7 PM 2/15/16 - Wednesday Progress Reports - Elementary 2nd Grade visits Houston Symphony 2/16/17 - Thursday Parent Conference Day/Early Student Release - Secondary Only - Grades 6-8: Released at 12:30 p.m. Grades 9-12: Released at 11:20 a.m. Jennie Reid Elementary - Get Off The Couch Night - 5:30 PM - 7 PM 2/17/17 - Friday College Park Elementary - Spring Individual Picture Day Heritage Elementary - Danish with Divas - 7 AM – 7:45 AM Jennie Reid Elementary - 4th Grade Field Trip to Battleship/San Jacinto Monument Early Dismissal for Students - Secondary Only - Grades 6-8: Released at 12:30 p.m. Grades 9-12: Released at 11:20 a.m. LPJH - 8th Grade Parents as Students
Heritage Elementary announces its students of the month for January. They include kindergarten students Carleigh Vasquez and Raphael Fraga; first graders Miles Martinez, Hovan Colunga, Ashley Robles and Kevin Mullen; second graders Maddie Cormier, Nadia Elabdallah, Fatima Garcia and Carson Sawyer; third graders Faith Upshaw, Julissa Barrientos, Stevie Rodriguez and Adrian Cazares; fourth graders Sasha Houton, Alexandria Jimenez, William Sims, Keondre Harmonson and Melanny Cruz; fifth graders Jennipher Olvera, Mariah Garza, Yasmine Mohammed and Jacob Kloesel. Principal Grisel Wallace, and assistant principal Linda Hyde are pictured with the honored students.
Homecoming: alumni attend LPHS 50th anniversary musical Pippin
2/20/17 - Monday Student Holiday/Elementary Parent Conferences - All campuses Heritage Elementary - Book Fair 2/21/17 - Tuesday Heritage Elementary - Book Fair 5th grade Visits Houston Symphony La Porte Elementary - Papa John’s Pizza Spirit Night Rizzuto Elementary - Bullritos Spirit Night 2/22/17 - Wednesday Heritage Elementary - Book Fair La Porte Elementary - Leopard of the Month 7:20 AM - 7:45 AM This is the calendar information that is available at press time. Please refer to the La Porte ISD district calendar at www.lpisd.org for changes and additional information.
James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus announces perfect attendance for fall
The following student’s at James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus had perfect attendance for the fall 2016 semester. Our Baker Bears are Respectful, Responsible and Kind and with perfect attendance they have been able to succeed in their education. Students Pictured: Armando Alvarado, Isabella Baca, Andrew Barry, Gohan Carrasco, Alize Conejo, Milla Cuatt, Angelina Cumming, Katelynn Dallas, Elijah Daniels, Teavie Dwellingham, Layah Foster, Mary Angel Galela, Kassandra Gonzalez, Ileda Hernandez, Hayden Hiser, Parker Howard, Miranda Huerta, Tuan Huynh, Patience Kimaru, Rigoberto Lucio, JaVouri Mack, Marissa Mariano, Isaac Marquez, Kaitlyn Martinez, Migdializ Martinez, Carson Mikulin, Geovanna Pena, Ashley Pizana, Britney Rios-Luna, Marell Roberson, Nataline Rodas, Michael Schooley, Johanna Schwenke, Larry Shuler, Jacob Sidiropoulos, Oscar Suarez, Logan Sweny, Ivan Toledo, Maria Villalobos, Jamie Wood. Students not pictured are: Dean Baker, Blanca Flores Trigueros, Noah Lozano and Jason Mullen.
Long-time La Porte High School teacher and theatre director Sonja Angelo, visits with La Porte High School alumnus Brent McBeth during the reception held following the last LPHS performance of the musical Pippin. The production marked the 50th anniversary of LPHS musicals, with hundreds of students participating each year. McBeth, who was active in LPHS musicals during his years as a student, is among the LPHS theatre alumni who often return to help with the directors and students with the musical each year.
La Porte High School teachers Adrian Ruiz, left, and Jennifer Humphrey, who are also LPHS alumni, talks with 2015 LPHS graduate Grace Edwards, right, and other guests at the reception in the LPHS Student Center following the final performance of Pippin. This year is the 50th anniversary of LPHS musicals, and many alumni attended the last show on Feb. 4. The La Porte Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex or disability in providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Title IX Coordinator is Dr. Vonn Murray, Executive Director of State/Federal Programs and Assessment, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Telephone (281) 604-7110. The Section 504 Coordinator is Cynthia Anderson, Executive Director of Special Programs, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Telephone (281) 604-7034. El Distrito Independiente Escolar de La Porte no discrimina sobre la base de edad, raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo u incapacidad para proveer servicios educacionales, actividades y programas, incluyendo programas vocacionales, de acuerdo con el Título VI del Acta de Derechos Civiles de 1964, como fue enmendada; Título IX de las Enmiendas Educacionales de 1972; Sección 504 del Acta de Rehabilitación de 1973, como fue enmendada; y el Título II del Acta de Americanos con Incapacidades. La Coordinadora del Título IX es Dr. Vonn Murray, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas y Evaluaciones Estatales/Federales, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281) 604-7110. La Coordinadora de la Sección 504 es Cynthia Anderson, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas Especiales, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281) 604-7034.