THE LEADER March 30, 2017
La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
La Porte High School students participate in Shattered Dreams Mar. 8 - 9
La Porte High School students look at the wreckage of vehicles from accidents that resulted in deaths due to drunk driving. The vehicles were provided by Krysta’s Karing Angels, a nonprofit organization founded by Mark and Terri Rodriguez following the death of their daughter, Krysta, who was killed when the car in which she was riding was hit by a drunk driver. Mark and Terri Rodriguez were also guest speakers during the Shattered Dreams assemblies held on March 9. Georgia Zaborowski, right, who played the drunk driver during the Shattered Dreams mock crash, reacts as La Porte Police Officer Michael Harness advises her of her rights.
La Porte High School students, from left, Hunter Knapik, Brett Bihm, Kyler Ofczarzak and Brett Williams walk away from the scene of the March 8 Shattered Dreams mock crash. Kyler First responders from the La Porte Emergency Medical Services and Fire Department treat an portrayed the role of a student who was injured in the accident, while the others were the first injured passenger during the Shattered Dreams mock crash scene. at the scene.
La Porte High School students had the opportunity to see first-hand the consequences of drinking and driving as well as distracted driving during the school’s Shattered Dreams program on March 8 and 9. LPHS assistant principal Stephanie Cox explained that the event is held every two years, shortly before spring break as well as prom and other end-of-year activities, to illustrate to students how their dreams can be shattered through poor choices. Representatives from La Porte Emergency Medical Services, La Porte Police Department, La Porte Municipal Courts, La Porte Fire Department, City of La Porte, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Paul U. Lee Funeral Home, Stepping Stone Funeral Home, the La Porte ISD Maintenance and Transportation Departments and other organizations contributed to the event’s success.
A mock crash scene at the intersection of Fairmont Parkway and Park Street, near La Porte High School, is just one of the activities that took place. Students also attended an assembly, and teachers used a variety of educational materials in their classrooms. On the first day of the program, students representing those who die in car crashes left their classrooms every few minutes as members of the “Living Dead” to demonstrate how often someone dies as the result of drunk or distracted driving. One of the major features of the program is that it provides college scholarships to LPHS students funded by donations. For more information, contact Cox at 281604-7507 or coxs@lpisd.org. See page 4 for more photos from Shattered Dreams.
La Porte ISD receives two awards for excellence in financial reporting (ASBO) International and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The LPISD Business Office earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from ASBO for having met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. The district was recognized for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 2016. Sponsored by VALIC, the Certificate of Excellence award confirms the Business Office’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency. Recognition through the Certificate of Excellence program helps to strengthen a district’s presentation for bond issuance statements and promotes high quality financial reporting. GFOA awarded the district the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment for a government and its management. The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees recognizes the district’s Business Office staff for receiving program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly two recent awards for excellence in financial reporting. The Association of School Business communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read Officials awarded the district the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for having the CAFR. met or exceeded the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability ASBO International, founded in 1910, is a professional organization of 5,000 and was based on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards ending 2016. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada of school business management practices, professional growth and the effective also recognized La Porte ISD with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, its highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial use of education resources. GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving reporting, based on the CAFR. From left are Lloyd W. Graham, superintendent of schools; approximately 17,500 government finance professionals, with offices in Chicago, Kathy Green, Board member; Vicki Garcia, director of finance; Dee Anne Thomson, Board Illinois, and Washington, D.C. The Business Office also recently earned the Award of Merit for Purchasing and president; Sheila Cantu, purchasing manager; Lee Wallace, Board member; Rhonda Cumbie, chief financial officer; Charlcya Wheeler, Board member; and Lois Rogerson, Board secretary. Operations from the Texas Association of School Business Officials. In addition, the district earned Elite status as the top submission among small districts in the state, an La Porte ISD’s commitment to excellence in financial reporting is reflected honor that goes to only one district in the small and large school categories. by the district’s recent awards from the Association of School Business Officials
Leo A. Rizzuto students earn honors at Mars Rover Competition Jan. 28
Three teams of students from Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School competed in the engineering challenge at the Jan. 28 Mars Rover Celebration at the University of Houston. In front from left are Xavi Rodriguez and Lexie Sanchez, and in back are David Lara, Mario Delgado, Bekah Gilmore, Delilah Romero, Alexis Chapa, Gavin McEvoy and Francesco Bitteto. The students enjoyed a day of competition and science as they learned how to program robots with University of Houston robotics students and participated in demonstrations led by both the astronomy and chemistry departments.
Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School students, from left, Gavin McEvoy, Alexis Chapa and Bekah Gilmore placed first in the solar division at the Mars Rover Celebration at the University of Houston on Jan. 28. The “Team T.E.R.A.” representatives also were recognized by the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees at its March 21 meeting.
Three teams of students from Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School competed in the engineering challenge during the Mars Rover Celebration at the University of Houston on Jan. 28. With more than 100 teams competing, Rizzuto’s “Team T.E.R.A” placed first in the solar division. Team members were Alexis Chapa, Bekah Gilmore and Gavin McEvoy.
Other Rizzuto students competing in the event were Francesco Bitteto, Mario Delgado, David Lara, Xavi Rodriguez, Delilah Romero and Lexie Sanchez. The robotics students are sponsored by fifth grader teacher Shannon Fanning. The students enjoyed a day of competition and science as they learned how to program robots with University of Houston robotics students and participated in demonstrations led by both the astronomy and chemistry departments.
The La Porte High School Chatos display the numerous awards they received at the March 4 American Dance and Drill Competition at Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio. The Chatos also brought home a variety of awards from the Feb. 25 Crowd Pleasers competition at Clear Springs High School.
La Porte High School Chatos soloists earn top honors at the March 4 competition. From left are Sabrina Baca and Giovie Bell, who won fifth place, and Laural Williams, who won second place.
The La Porte High School Chatos brought home numerous awards from two recent competitions. On Feb. 25, the team attended the Crowd Pleasers contest at Clear Springs High School, winning the Super Sweepstakes award for earning scores of 90 or above on every routine. The Chatos earned Best in Class for their officers’ jazz, tap and lyrical routines as well as in team novelty. In addition, they were named first runner-up in for Best in Class in team military and team pom. The Chatos’ team novelty routine won the Crowd Pleasers Award for outstanding audience appeal. The Chatos also were first runners-up for Grand Champions in both the officers and team categories. Social officers were second runners-up with their routine, and the small ensemble of Chato Reserves was first runner-up. On March 4, the Chatos attended the American Dance and Drill Team competition
at Karen Wagner High School in San Antonio, with the Jazz Company and Kick Company bringing home Best of Class awards. Soloist Laural Williams won second place, with soloists Sabrina Baca and Giovie Bell both earning fifth place. The officers and team both were named first runners-up for Best in Class and earned the Sweepstakes awards and the Gussie Nell Davis Award of Excellence. Routines in the officer jazz, lyrical and tap categories and the team novelty, pom and military categories received the Judges Award for outstanding routines. In addition, the officers earned Best Overall Platinum for technique, presentation, precision and choreography, while the team won Best Overall Gold. The officers also received second runner-up for Best of the Best. Director of the Chatos is Jeannine Watson, and assistant director is Erin Boyd.
La Porte High School Chatos win awards at area competitions
LPHS Cheerleaders win top honors at Cheer Power state competition
At right, the La Porte High School competition cheer team will advance to national competition after earning top honors at the Cheer Power State Championship at Galveston’s Moody Gardens the weekend of March 11. The cheerleaders placed first in their division, received high point honors across four divisions, and earned a gold all-paid bid to the U.S. Cheer Finals in May. The team is coached by Robin Guimbellot. In front from left are Lexi Primeaux, Hannah Barnes, Haylea Davis, Deleesia Sayrie; in back are Anisa Ogando, Tatelyn Hartwell, Gisselle Chapa, Hannah Ontiveros, Summer Rose, Haley Miller, sponsor Robin Guimbellot, Ayssa Penzi, Alyssa Anderson, Alyssa Lindsey and Savannh Guidry.
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.
“Dine Out and Celebrate Our Schools” raises money for La Porte Education Foundation Restaurants donated more than $3,000 to the La Porte Education Foundation during the second annual Dine Out and Celebrate Our Schools event. Eleven restaurants donated 10 percent of their sales for the day to the La Porte Education Foundation. Participating restaurants included the following: • Bullritos • Georgia’s Catfish Kitchen No. 2 • Gringo’s • The Lunch Box • Main 101 Grill & Bar • Mainly Drinks • Monument Inn Restaurant • Neptune Subs • Pipeline Grill • Taquerias Arandas #89 • 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza
Celebrating the success of “Dine Out and Celebrate Our Schools” are, from left, Charlotte Pennye, LPEF executive director; Vinny Schillaci of Neptune Subs; Joseph Bertuglia of Main 101 Bar & Grill; Nelson Hernandez of 1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza; Mary Vega-Zela of Taquerias Arandas; Ellie Magil of Pipeline Grill; Tanana Sinclair of Georgia’s Catfish Kitchen; and Jeff Martin, LPEF Board president.
The event was held on March 1 in conjunction with Texas Public Schools Week (Feb. 27-Mar. 3). This is a week that encourages community involvement in schools and also recognizes the contributions and achievements of public education. The La Porte Education Foundation (LPEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to help enhance the education of each student in La Porte ISD by providing additional resources to classrooms and schools. In the past two years, LPEF has infused approximately $345,000 into LPISD classrooms through its Innovative Educational Grants Program.
La Porte Education Foundation’s 13th Annual Golf Tournament set for April 26 The La Porte Education Foundation’s 13th Annual Golf Tournament is set for Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at La Porte’s Bay Forest Golf Course. The proceeds from the golf tournament help to support the La Porte Education Foundation’s Innovative Classroom Grants Program. This program funds innovative and creative instructional projects researched by teachers that are not typically funded by tax dollars. The 2017 Presenting Sponsor for this year’s tournament is the City of La Porte. Tournament sponsors for this year’s event include Arkema, Gallagher Construction Services, and JVIC. The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation and The Dow Chemical Company are Distinguished Partners of the La Porte Education Foundation’s Annual Partner Program. Platinum Partners include The Albemarle Foundation, the INEOS ICAN Foundation, and LyondellBasell. Gold Partners are The Chemours Company, DuPont, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, The Kaneka Foundation, Kuraray, Lubrizol, and Noltex, LLC. Silver Partners are Beacon Federal Credit Union, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Kinder Morgan Foundation, Swagelok, and Walmart. Shotgun starts will begin at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. The format is a four-person scramble with two flights, with the second flight based on average tournament score. Tournament sponsorships are the Superintendent’s Circle for $5,000 (includes three teams and three hole sponsorships), the Honor Roll for $2,500 (includes two teams and two hole sponsorships), and the Teacher’s Pet for $1,000 (includes one team and one hole sponsorship). The tournament fee is $137.50 per person or $550 per team, which includes green fee, cart fee, range balls, two mulligans, a putting contest, and one “Tiger Drive” per team. Breakfast and lunch are provided for the first flight, and lunch and dinner are provided for the second flight. A fajita dinner and awards will follow tournament play. Team and hole sponsorships are available for $650, and hole sponsorships are available for $150. Tent sponsorships are $500. Prizes, based on a field of 120 players, are $100 for first place in each flight, $75 for second place; and $50 for third place. Raffle prizes will also be available. For the 2016-17 school year, the Foundation awarded $175,558 in grants. This is the largest amount awarded in a single year. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded
Members of the La Porte Education Foundation (LPEF) Golf Tournament Committee get ready for the 13th Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for Wednesday, April 26, at Bay Forest Golf Course. The City of La Porte is the presenting sponsor for the event, which is a fourperson scramble with morning and afternoon flights. From left are Traci Leach, LPEF Board member; Charlotte Pennye, LPEF executive director; Alex Osmond, Bay Forest Golf Course general manager; Dennis Slate and Stephen Barr, LPEF Board members; Robin Vest, LPEF Board member and Golf Tournament Committee chairperson; and Josh Ojeda, Matt Vivion and Jake Williamson, LPEF Board members. For more information on the tournament, visit www.lpisdef.org or www.bayforestgolf.com.
more than $2 million in classroom grants. More information about the tournament is available on the LPEF website at www.lpisdef.org or the Bay Forest Golf Club website at www.bayforestgolf.com. You can also call the La Porte Education Foundation at 281-604-7038.
Shattered Dreams demonstrates consequences of drunk driving cont. from page 4
La Porte High School students read the mock obituaries of their classmates during the Shattered Dreams program. Students who portrayed the “Living Dead” were pulled out of class every 15 minutes throughout the day to symbolize the frequency with which a person is killed by a drunk driver.
Christina Crager, left, and Melisa Boaze, right, of the La Porte Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary and Madison Riggenbach, La Porte High School senior, serve as hostesses in the Shattered Dreams hospitality room, where first responders and other volunteers had the chance to take a break and enjoy a wide variety of snacks and treats.
La Porte High School video production student Jacob Hodges films the mock crash scene during Shattered Dreams. Juniors and seniors had the opportunity to watch the scene, which was staged at the corner of Fairmont Parkway and Park Street in front of the school, while sophomores and freshmen watched it as it was videostreamed in their classrooms.
LPISD District Calendar 3/30/17 - Thursday STAAR TESTING- No Visitors College Park Elementary - Game Night - 5:30 PM - 7 PM Heritage Elementary - Second grade field trip to The Grand 1984 Opera House
Jennie Reid Elementary presents its Roadrunners of the Month for March
3/31/17 - Friday Report Cards go home - Elementary Bayshore Elementary - Field Day Heritage Elementary - Student of the Month - 8 AM - 8:30 AM Rizzuto Elementary - Rocket of the Month celebration - 7:20 AM - 7:50 AM LPHS - JV Baseball @ Dobie 4 PM LPHS - Varsity Baseball vs. Dobie 7 PM 4/1/17 - Saturday La Porte ISD Job Fair - 9 AM - 12 PM - La Porte Jr. High School, 401 S. Broadway LPHS - Sophomore Baseball @ Dobie 12 PM 4/4/17 - Tuesday La Porte Elementary - 2nd grade field trip - LPHS LPHS - Sophomore Baseball vs. Sam Rayburn 11 AM & 1 PM LPHS - JV Baseball vs. Sam Rayburn - 6 PM LPHS - Varsity Baseball @ Sam Rayburn - 7 PM 4/5/17 - Wednesday Jennie Reid Elementary - 4th grade goes to The Houston Museum of Natural Science - 8 AM - 2 PM 4/6/17 - Thursday College Park Elementary - 2nd grade Spring Musical - 6 PM 4/7/16 - Friday Heritage Elementary - Spring Fling and Enrichment Showcase 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Events LPHS - Sophomore Baseball @ Pasadena Memorial - 4:30 PM LPHS - JV Baseball vs. Pasadena Memorial - 7 PM LPHS - Varsity Baseball @ Pasadena Memorial - 4 PM
Jennie Reid Elementary announces its students of the month for March. They include life skills student Calvin Morris-Pacheco; kindergarten students Hailey Marroquin, Liliana Mendoza and Juliana Tarango; first graders Dulce Artega, Kylei Berlanga, Khole Bozonago and Bryson McCray; second graders Aiden Davis, Scarlett Frazier, Julian Saez and Jordan Vargas; third graders Ava Casey, Carl Luten, James McGee and Destinee Parada; fourth graders Mason Bottera, Aaron Brown, Hailey Castillo and Alaya Gonzalez; fifth graders Alaina Kirk, Bryan Garcia Ramirez and Audrey Weaver. Interim principal Diane Weeden and assistant principal Lisa Basile are pictured with the honored students.
Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary students raise $1,853 for Boys & Girls Harbor
4/10/17 - Monday La Porte Elementary - CiCi’s Pizza Spirit Night - 2 PM - 9 PM Deer Park location 4/11/17 - Tuesday LPHS - Sophomore Baseball @ Pasadena - 4:30 PM LPHS - JV Baseball @ Pasadena - 7 PM LPHS - Varsity Baseball vs. Pasadena - 7 PM Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - 7 PM - 1002 San Jacinto St. 4/12/13 - Wednesday Heritage Elementary - Kinder Field Trip to the Zoo Jennie Reid Elementary - CiCi’s Spirit Night - 2 PM - 9 PM - Cici’s in Pasadena 7438 Spencer Hwy 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.
La Porte High School Interact Club participates in Trash Bash Mar. 23
As part of its Caring Cupids program in February, Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School recently won first place in the Tug for Life school program and fundraiser, collecting $1,853.13 for Boys& Girls Harbor. The event, which included a four-team tug of war, brings together the importance of physical fitness and emotional strength while integrating desired character traits to motivate and model at school. In front from left are Maria Raymundo, physical education aide; students Keegan Hulsey, Uriah Tijerina and Sophia Calvillo; Deanna Narcisse, principal; Connie Land, physical education teacher; and Mary Baumann, director of corporate and community relations for Boys and Girls Harbor. On the second row are LianFe Zuniga, Scarlet Raymond, Isabella Melton, Maya Barrera, Gilbert Gutierrez and Gabriel Gutierrez. On the third row are Kalina Hall, Clarisa Thurik, Colton Davis, Maks Yznaga, Grant Schneider, Emma McLarrin and Colby Phillips, and on the top row are Brady Wilkerson, Hannah Staes, Madelyne Ross, Blake Schneider, Emma Allen and Matthew Maduzia.
Attention Non-Profit Private Schools, Home Schoolers Members of the La Porte High School Interact Club participate in the March 25 Trash Bash, helping to clean up trash at La Porte’s Seabreeze Park. In front from left are Trinity Blair, Allison Foster, Ashlee Cole and Ashley Perez, and in back are Alondra Salinas, Christina Puente, Tanner McCrea, Brynn Williams and Tayler Timmons. The Interact Club is sponsored by Tiffiny Vaughn.
La Porte ISD to hold Teacher Job Fair on April 1 at La Porte Junior High La Porte ISD will host a Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Teacher Job Fair will be held at La Porte Junior High School, 401 S. Broadway, La Porte, TX. It is encouraged that candidates apply online prior to the job fair. Candidates should bring at least 10 resumes to the job fair to share with campus principals. The district has employment opportunities for certified teachers on LPISD elementary, middle school and high school campuses for the 2017-18 school year. Current job postings can be viewed online at www.lpisd.org. 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.
Non-profit private schools and home schoolers who legally qualify as non-profit (currently hold a 501-C3 certificate) are invited to meet with representatives from Alvin, Clear Creek, Dickinson, Friendswood, Hitchcock, La Porte, Santa Fe, and Texas City Independent School Districts to learn more about federally funded services available for eligible residents of these districts. The meeting will be held at the Lecture Hall at Texas City High School (1431 Ninth Avenue North, Texas City, TX 77590) at 1:00 P.M on April 13, 2017.
Atención Escuelas Privadas y Educados En Casa Non-profit private schools and home schoolers who legally qualify a Escuelas privadas sin fines lucrativos y estudiantes educados en casa, que legalmente califican como una entidad no lucrativa y que tengan un certificado 501-C3, son invitados a una junta con representantes de los Distritos Escolares Independientes de Alvin, Clear Creek, Dickinson, Friendswood, Hitchcock, La Porte, Santa Fe, y de Texas City para aprender más sobre servicios financiados por el gobierno federal que estan disponibles para los residentes elegibles en dichos distritos. La junta será el día jueves 13 de abril del 2017 a la 1:00 P.M. La junta será en el pasillo de Lectura en la escuela secundaria de Texas City. La escuela está localizada en la dirección 1431 Ninth Avenue North, Texas City, TX. 77590.