THE LEADER La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
April 13, 2017
La Porte ISD 2017-18 Campus Teachers of the Year announced
Shelby Slate Bayshore Elementary
Krista Stutz College Park Elementary
Debra Navarro James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus
Brian Fournier Heritage Elementary
Marissa Keim La Porte Junior High
Crystal St. Lucie La Porte Elementary
Andrea Berg Lomax Junior High
La Porte ISD campuses have chosen 13 outstanding educators to represent their schools as 2017 - 18 Campus Teachers of the Year. Elementary honorees and their schools include Shelby Slate, Bayshore; Krista Stutz, College Park; Brian Fournier, Heritage; Crystal St. Lucie, La Porte; Cecilia Diaz, Lomax; Kelli Spaugh, Jennie Reid; and Stefanie Nowlin, Leo A. Rizzuto. Secondary school honorees are Debra Navarro, James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus; Marissa Keim, La Porte Junior High School; Andrea Berg, Lomax Junior
Cecilia Diaz Lomax Elementary
Kelly Cyr Viola DeWalt High School
Kelli Spaugh Jennie Reid Elementary
Cheryl Christen La Porte High School
Stefanie Nowlin Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary
Justin Myers La Porte High School
High School; Kelly Cyr, Viola DeWalt High School; Cheryl Christen, La Porte High School Core Areas; and Justin Myers, La Porte High School Non-Core Areas. Campus Teachers of the Year will be honored at the May 9 meeting of the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees, and the announcement of the District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year will be made during the June 1 Service Awards celebration.
Board of Trustees election set for May 6; early voting starts April 24 La Porte ISD’s Board of Trustees election will be held on Saturday, May 6, with early voting beginning April 24. Incumbent Lois Rogerson is unopposed in her bid for Position 1 on the Board. Dennis Slate is also unopposed for the Position 3 seat, which is currently held by Phillip Hoot. Kathy Green and Phillip Hoot are candidates for Position 2, which is currently held by Green. Early voting is set for April 24 through May 2 at the following locations: La Porte City Hall (Precincts 1-7) 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte Hours: April 24, 25, 27, 28, and May 1, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 26 and May 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. La Porte ISD Instructional Technology Center (Precincts 1-7) 9832 Spencer Highway, La Porte
Hours: April 24, 25, 27, 28 and May 1, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 26 and May 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shoreacres City Hall (Precinct 8) 601 Shore Acres Blvd., Shoreacres Hours: April 24, 25 and May 1, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 27, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 26 and May 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; April 28, 8 a.m. to noon Morgan’s Point City Hall (Precinct 9) 1415 East Main St., Morgan’s Point Hours: April 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; May 1 and 2, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On the May 6 Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting locations are the LPISD Instructional Technology Center for Precincts 1, 2, 3 and 6; La Porte City Hall for Precincts 4 and 5; College Park Elementary School for Precinct 7; Shoreacres City Hall for Precinct 8; and Morgan’s Point City Hall, Precinct 9.
La Porte Livestock Show auction benefiting student scholarships held April 6
Breanna Zupan, a La Porte High School freshman, takes a break backstage with her pig, La Porte High School junior Torie Parsons, right, and her father, Matt, walk toward the stage Peanut, during the livestock show. with her lamb as she gets ready for the show. See more photos on page 5.
Bulldog runners Ryan Schoppe, Kelsey Ramirez set records at Texas Relays La Porte High School senior Kelsey Ramirez is wrapping up her high school track career with a bang, while freshman Ryan Schoppe is just getting started as one of the fastest runners in the nation. Both student-athletes, over the past month, broke track meet records and achieved personal bests while donning the Bulldog orange. Schoppe, at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin, set a school record in the 3200 meter event, with a time of 09:19. (The previous record of 09:22 was set in 1991.) Not only was he the lone freshman in the elite field of juniors and seniors, his time placed him as the (current) fastest ninth-grader in the U.S., according to Head Track Coach Zach Johnson. Ramirez, as has become the custom, broke a Bayshore Olympics meet record in the mile with a personal best 05:05. Less than a month later at the Texas Relays, she shattered her own best by almost five seconds. She was additionally a member of the 4x800 relay, which ran a group best time of 09:53. Other members of the relay team were Allison Alvarez, Nina Munoz and Nelly O’Campo. Ramirez has committed to continue her studies and athletics at Stephen F. Austin University. Also competing at the Texas Relays were Deleesia Sayrie, Izihrie Mark, Ciera Luna and Gabby Luna in the girls 4X100 relay; Nelly O’Campo, Taya Dixon, Gabby Luna and Izihrie Mark in the girls 4X400 relay; and Savon Bright in the boys 110 hurdles, where he placed 23rd out of 60.
La Porte High School track standouts Ryan Schoppe and Kelsey Ramirez are honored by the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees earlier this year for their cross country achievements. Competing in track and field this spring, both students have set several records and are bringing recognition to their school and district. From left are Kathy Green and Phillip Hoot, trustees; Zach Johnson, boys track coach; David Janda, Board vice president; Dee Anne Thomson, Board president; Ryan Schoppe; Todd Schoppe, LPHS principal; Kelsey Ramirez; Lee Wallace, trustee; Carolina Rodriguez, girls track coach; and Charlcya Wheeler and Lois Rogerson, trustees.
La Porte ISD elementary students learn about monarch conservation
Megan Mainer, left, recreation superintendent for the City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department, helps Bayshore Elementary School fifth graders Elaina Whitacre and Madison Moore as they make seedballs for wildflowers and butterfly weed as part of a monarch butterfly conservation program. In the background is Marisol Lopez.
On a recent school day, fifth graders at La Porte ISD’s Bayshore Elementary School got their hands dirty to help ensure the continued flight of the monarch butterfly. The students, under the guidance of representatives from the City of La Porte’s Parks and Recreation Department, made “exploding seedballs” using native wildflower and butterfly weed seeds, potting soil and pottery clay. The students then took their own seedballs home, where they can throw them at a patch of dirt, add some water and watch as their wildflowers and butterfly weed grow, providing a
much-needed food source for the monarch butterfly in each stage of life. The seedball activity is part of the Parks and Recreation Department’s monarch conservation education being shared with La Porte ISD fifth graders, according to Megan Mainer, recreation superintendent for the City of La Porte. “Our hope is to begin educating the public and schools about the drastic decline of monarchs, the effect monarchs have on our ecosystem and ways to encourage monarch conservation throughout the community,” she said. In an effort to raise awareness about the decline of the monarch butterfly and the species’ need for habitat, Mainer and her staff are encouraging citizens to plant monarch gardens at their homes or in their neighborhoods. In the presentation to Bayshore students, Mainer and assistant Kendall Bales outlined the life cycle of monarch butterflies and what people can do to protect them. She explained that monarch butterflies lay eggs only on the milkweed plant, with the egg stage lasting from three to five days before the egg becomes a larva. After approximately 10-14 days, the larva transforms into a pupa, from which the adult butterfly emerges after another two weeks. The students played a “rock, papers, scissors” type game to help students learn about the life cycle of the monarch butterfly. They then learned about the reasons that monarch butterflies are on the decline (loss of habitat, pesticide use, illness and weather) and heard about ways that they can help. Mainer explained that the habitat needs include food sources such as milkweed and nectar plants; water; shelter such as trees and bushes; clean air; and spaces for butterfly gardens. Students then cut out photos of flowering plants that produce nectar to create their own butterfly garden on paper. “We want you to take this home, talk to your parents about planting a butterfly garden, and help spread the word,” Mainer told the students. As they made the seedballs, some of the students immediately dug in, forming the dirt, seed and clay mixture into a golf ball-sized pod. Others used a spoon to mix the ingredients and then put the concoction in a plastic bag to form its shape. Regardless of their method, they were all enthusiastic about the opportunity to help the monarch butterflies.
Parents and students travel the world at Baker family night Apr. 6
Cristina Hoffmann, left, James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus orchestra teacher, visits with student Melanie Raymundo, right, and her mother, Maria, during the school’s Family Night. Students and their families visited classrooms decorated as different countries of the world, where they participated in various subject-area activities.
James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus art teacher Destiny Barr, right, assists Jamelah Moore with an art project from Mexico during the Family Night at the campus. Jamelah is the daughter of Baker teacher LaToya Harris.
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.
James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus student Lily Anderson, right, and her mother, Kathy Anderson, work together on a math bingo game in the “Italy” classroom on Family Night.
Heritage Elementary hosts Spring Fling for students & families Apr. 7
Heritage Elementary School fifth grade teachers Alexandria Gaines and Dhalma Goins show Heritage Elementary first grader Sofia Cruz, right, and her brother Hugo Cruz, a second their hula-hoop skills during the school’s Spring Fling on April 7. The beautiful afternoon grader, enjoy running into one another with their inflatable toys during the school’s April 7 gave students and their families the chance to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities at the Spring Fling. campus.
La Porte High School senior Kayla Gonzalez named Dell Scholar
La Porte High School senior Kayla Gonzalez has been named a Dell Scholar by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, receiving a $20,000 scholarship and a laptop as she goes off to Texas A&M University this fall. Kayla, who is an active participant in the LPHS AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, is the daughter of Araselly Hernandez. She is a member of the National Honor Society and serves on the Senior Council. Kayla participated in the HABLA Club for two years. In addition, she played soccer for two years, volleyball for two years and basketball for one year. At Texas A&M, Kayla plans to study business and marketing with the goal of becoming a market research analyst. She credits the AVID program with helping her succeed in her goal of attending college and earning the scholarship. “It has really kept me on track,” she said, noting the many deadlines that must be met when applying for scholarships and college admittance. AVID teachers at LPHS are Kimberly Ruter and Ryan Vest. Left, La Porte High School senior Kayla Gonzalez, left, is congratulated by her AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher Kimberly Ruter upon the announcement that she is a 2017 Dell Scholar. This fall Kayla plans to attend Texas A&M University, where she will major in business and marketing.
Kindergarten registration for the 2017-18 school year to be held May 1 - 19 La Porte ISD will hold registration of kindergarten students for the 2017-2018 school year May 1 through 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Children who will be five years old on or before Sept. 1 are eligible to attend kindergarten for the 20172018 school year and should be enrolled by a parent or legal guardian in the office of the elementary school to which their family is zoned. Each elementary school also will host an evening orientation and registration. In addition to receiving important information, parents and children will have the opportunity to tour the school building and meet the principal, kindergarten teachers and office staff. School spirit items also will be available for sale.
Orientation and registration locations and dates include the following: Bayshore Elementary, May 18, 5 p.m. College Park Elementary, May 18, 5 p.m. Heritage Elementary, May 16, 5 p.m. La Porte Elementary, May 18, 5 p.m. Lomax Elementary, May 18, 5:30 p.m. Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary, May 22, 5:30 p.m. Jennie Reid Elementary, May 18, 5:30 p.m.
La Porte Livestock Show auction brings out the community continued from page 3
Bayshore Elementary School fourth grader Jacey Gonzales pets the rabbits she showed at the La Porte Livestock Show. Looking on is her brother, Danny, who is also a Bayshore student.
Cynthia Anderson, left, La Porte ISD executive director of human resources, and her La Porte High School sophomore Payton Suggs takes care of his steer during the La Porte granddaughters Reagan, left, and Reese Chism visit with country singer Jake Worthington at Livestock Show held April 3 through 5 at the Lomax Arena. The event culminated in the annual the La Porte Livestock Show Auction. Worthington is a 2015 graduate of La Porte High School who was active in the LPHS agriculture program. auction held the evening of April 6.
LPISD District Calendar 4/13/17 - Thursday End of 5th Grading Period - Secondary Bayshore Elementary - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Space Center Houston Bayshore Elementary - Peter Piper Pizza Night - 5 PM - 8 PM
Heritage Elementary presents Hawks of the Month for March
its
4/14/17 - Friday Student/Staff Holiday - All campuses and offices 4/17/17 - Monday Beginning of 6th Grading Period - Secondary 4/18/17 - Tuesday La Porte Elementary - Papa John’s Pizza Spirit Night 4/20/17 - Thursday LPHS - Mr. All That - 7 PM - 9 PM - Sonja Angelo Theater 4/21/17 - Friday LPHS - Life Skills Dance 6 PM - 8 PM - Student Center 4/22/17 - Saturday Jennie Reid Elementary - Nature Center Clean Up - 9 AM - 12 PM LPHS - Chato Spring Show - 7 PM - 9 PM - Sonja Angelo Theater 4/24/17 - Monday La Porte Elementary - First grade field trip to Houston Zoo LPHS - GT Expo Night - 6 PM - 8 PM - Student Center 4/25/17 - Tuesday Jennie Reid Elementary - Chick-fil-A Spirit Night - 5 PM - 8 PM 4/26/17 - Wednesday Progress Reports - Elementary La Porte Elementary - Leopard of the Month - 7:20 AM - 7:45 AM LPHS - AVID Celebration - 6 PM - 8 PM - Student Center
Heritage Elementary announces its students of the month for March. They include kindergarten students Maverick White, Edgar Camamar and Ethaniel Betancourt; first graders Kayleigh Kellogg, Makayla Fanning, Isaias Lopez, Hannah Holmes and Xander Guillen; second graders Jackson Whitlow, Tyler Reyes, Christian Fuentes and Addison Stegall; third graders Issac Joji, Milinda Schaeffer and Christine King; fourth graders Caris Green, Austin Goetz, Sophie Sandel, Lillie Blankenburg and Issac Jimenez-Mendoza; fifth graders Octavio Barrientos, Tabitha Marler, Elise Hagemeister, Chesney Sims and Makayla Williamson. Principal Grisel Wallace and the Chick-fil-A cow are pictured with the honored students.
LPHS AVID students help build a Bay Area Habitat for Humanity home
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 ISD robotics teams prepare for Apr. 29 Ecobot competition
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students from La Porte High School volunteered their time to help build a Bay Area-Houston Habitat for Humanity home on North 6th Street in La Porte on April 1. Kneeling in front are students Cameron O’Donel and Kaleigh Alberts, and in back are student John Meza, teacher Kim Ruter, and students Jordan Mitchell, Ana Villeda and Cayla Wilson.
La Porte ISD welcomes applicants at annual Teacher Job Fair Apr. 1 La Porte ISD robotics teams gather at La Porte Junior High School on April 1 to learn more about how to build an program robots. Team members and their teacher sponsors reviewed the challenges that have to be accomplished at the April 29 Ecobot competition at the Humble Civic Center. From left are Bayshore Elementary School team members Zonya Garcia, Michelle Springer, Mario Diaz and Jonathan Caballero with their teacher, Jose Lozano.
Cowboy Breakfast gathering starts off Livestock Auction day Apr. 6
La Porte ISD Human Resources department staff members Candace Olivares, back right, and Tina Pettis, front right, direct Chandler Anderson to the different elementary and secondary campus tables at the Teacher Job Fair on April 1.
Attention Non-Profit Private Schools, Home Schoolers 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. La Porte FFA members visit with Danette Tilley, back right, La Porte ISD executive director of secondary education, during the annual LPISD Cowboy Breakfast at the district’s Administration Building. In front from left are Cody Salas, Noah Carr, Trevor Anderson, Nick Gaspard and Carlin Houston, and next to Tilley is Colby Dodson. The event kicks off the day of the La Porte Livestock Show and Auction, with donations benefiting the Donna Lynn Williamson Scholarship Fund in memory of the Communications Department staff member. 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.
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 501C3, 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.