THE LEADER August 17, 2017
La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
La Porte ISD welcomes teachers during new teacher pre-service activities Aug. 7
New La Porte ISD elementary teachers receive a warm welcome from La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce members and guests during the New Teachers Luncheon held on Aug. 7 at Heritage Elementary School.
Lloyd W. Graham, La Porte ISD superintendent of schools, welcomes new teachers on their first day of pre-service activities, Aug. 7.
Secondary teachers who are new to La Porte ISD gather for a photo following the New Teachers Luncheon hosted by the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 7 at Heritage Elementary.
Members of the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce’s New Teachers Luncheon Committee worked to make this year’s event successful. In front from left are Dorothy Cooksley, Hammack and Co. CPAs, LLC; Charlee Hall, student volunteer; Charlotte Pennye, La Porte Education Foundation; Courtney Williams and Megan Weaver, Chamber staff; Lana Follis, Beacon Federal Credit Union; and Charlcya Wheeler, La Porte ISD trustee. On the middle row are Van Wigginton, San Jacinto College, Chamber chairman; Karen Rigby, Chamber volunteer; Phoebeia Noel, Heavenly Hands Personal Care; William Radney, Great Value Storage; Jake Williamson, Horace Mann Insurance; Colleen Hicks, Chamber president; and Carol Sprueill, Homes for Heroes. In back are Michael Barry, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union; Melissa Crutcher, Texas Stress; and Terri Cook and Diana Solis, La Porte ISD. See page 6 for more photos of new teacher activities.
Board trustees and administrators tour new La Porte High School facilities
The La Porte High School alma mater, written by the late Henry Einfeldt, long-time La Porte High School band director, adorns the foyer of the La Porte High School fine arts facility, located adjacent to Bulldog Stadium and the Physical Education Center.
Members of the Board of Trustees get a first look at the district’s new multi-purpose center, which will be the site of the district’s back-to-school convocation as well as La Porte High School volleyball and basketball games in the coming weeks. See page 5 for additional photos of the new La Porte High school facilities.
La Porte ISD campuses to hold “Meet the Teacher” nights La Porte ISD elementary campuses will hold “Meet the Teacher” nights on Monday, Aug. 21. Parents and students are invited to stop by to meet their child’s teachers and, if they wish, drop off their school supplies for the 2017-18 school year. Times for the come-and-go events at each elementary school are as follows: Bayshore, 4:30 to 6 p.m.; Heritage, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Jennie Reid, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and La Porte, 5 to 6:30 p.m. College Park Elementary School will offer two options at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. At Lomax Elementary School, kindergartners and first graders are invited from 4 to 4:45 p.m., and second through fifth graders are invited from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.
At Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School, first through fifth graders will attend from 6 to 7 p.m.; kindergartners were invited to a meet and greet on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. The James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus will host Baker Bear Camp on Monday, Aug. 21, and Tuesday, Aug. 22. Both sessions begin at 6 p.m. Students whose last names begin with A through L will attend the Aug. 21 camp, and those whose last names begin with M through Z will attend the Aug. 22 camp. For more information, please contact your child’s school.
La Porte ISD Health and Wellness Fair held for employees Aug. 9
Regina Masters, left, aide at College Park Elementary School, and Diane Weeden, principal Angela Zelaya, left, teacher at La Porte Junior High School, signs in at the La Porte ISD of Jennie Reid Elementary School, are among the many La Porte ISD employees who attended Health and Wellness Fair held at the James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus on Aug. 9. the district’s annual Health and Wellness Fair, sponsored by the School Health Advisory Council, on Aug. 9. The event was held at the James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus.
Enjoying the chance to catch up after the summer break are Jennie Reid Elementary School kindergarten teachers, from left, Rachael Stepro, Sharon Clausen and Chandra Rodriguez. La Porte ISD employees attended the Health and Wellness Fair at James H . Baker Sixth Grade Campus on their first day back at work, Aug. 9.
Hundreds of La Porte ISD staff members attend the district’s annual Health and Wellness Fair held on Aug. 9 at the James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus.
Incoming seniors register at La Porte High School for the 2017-18 school year
Members of the La Porte High School Interact Club walk down the halls of a renovated wing at La Porte High School during senior registration on Aug. 10. From left are Allison Foster, Alanis Sullins, Brooke Hallman, Interact Club sponsor Tiffiny Vaughn and Ashley Perez.
Katie Wyatt, right, a La Porte High School senior, and her father, Terry Wyatt, complete the 2017 registration process in the renovated La Porte High School library on Aug. 10. Helping them register are Becky Chaplin, left, and Stephanie Gore, LPHS staff members. In back is Katie’s sister, Kylie, who will be a freshman at LPHS this fall.
Oxiteno donates school supplies to La Porte ISD students, families
Dr. Kade Griffin, right, associate principal at La Porte High School, chats with seniors Paisley Fernandez and Ashlee Cole outside the renovated library at La Porte High School. The registration session for seniors was on Aug. 10.
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.
Mike Tamayo, center, of Oxiteno, delivers school supplies for La Porte ISD students to the LPISD Administration Building on Aug. 9. Accepting the donations are Dr. Linda Wadleigh, left, deputy superintendent, and Danette Tilley, executive director of secondary education. Each year, Oxiteno employees participate in the drive to provide supplies for district families in need.
La Porte High School principal will greet parents and students Aug. 21 Parents and community members will have the opportunity to visit with new La Porte High School principal Carlin Grammer at a “meet-and-greet” session on Monday, Aug. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Grammer’s first day on the job was July 17, and he is looking forward to getting to know the students, parents and other citizens of La Porte. Grammer earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, and is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership at Lamar University. In 2012, he was named the Region 18 High School Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. He brings to LPHS 12 years of experience as a high school principal. Prior to becoming principal at Midland, he was principal Carlin Grammer of Crane High School in Crane, Texas, for nine years. He also has
experience as an elementary principal and high school teacher in Crane ISD. In addition, Grammer served as a high school teacher in Crane, teaching mathematics to special education students and accounting. He also was the Student Council sponsor, National Honor Society sponsor and extemporaneous speaking coach. He and his wife have four adult children and two grandchildren. “My wife, Penni, and I are excited about becoming members of the La Porte community,” Grammer said. “The impressive facilities exemplify this community’s dedication to its children. La Porte High School has an outstanding reputation, and I am proud to become part of the team of educators working to ensure that all students in La Porte are prepared for college or career.”
Assistance League of the Bay Area donates books to La Porte Elementary
La Porte Elementary second grade classrooms receive Caldecott Medal Honor Books from Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives. From left are Sarah Foulds and Gail Ashby, Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives; Carol Williams, La Porte Elementary principal; Shaneka Robinson and Tracy Guidry, La Porte Elementary second grade teachers; Simone Quirk, Albemarle Foundation communications coordinator; Cynthia Anderson, La Porte ISD executive director of special programs, and Cathy Miller-Thornton, Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives.
Representatives from the Assistance League of the Bay Area present Tejas books to the La Porte Elementary School library. From left are Cathy Miller-Thornton and Gail Ashby, Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives; Simone Quirk, Albemarle Foundation communications coordinator; Carol Williams, La Porte Elementary principal; and Silvia Garcia, campus library aide.
In celebration of International Literacy Day on Sept. 8, Assistance League® of the Bay Area’s Community Outreach Committee gifted La Porte ISD 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms along with campus libraries identified as Title I schools, awardwinning books. Each second-grade classroom received a set of the Caldecott Medal Honor Books, third-grade classrooms received a set of the Texas Bluebonnet Award Books, and each library now has a set of the Tejas Star Reading List available for students. The books that were presented to all three school districts and a private charter school system are valued at approximately $40,000 and were purchased from Barnes & Noble – Webster in May. Employees from the store along with chapter members assembled the books for distribution. Over 3,600 books were delivered to La
Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives present La Porte Elementary third grade classrooms with Texas Bluebonnet Award books. From left are Sarah Foulds and Gail Ashby, Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives; Carol Williams, La Porte Elementary principal; Julie Reed and Mindy Galvan, La Porte Elementary third grade teachers; Simone Quirk, Albemarle Foundation communications coordinator; Cynthia Anderson, La Porte ISD executive director of special programs, and Cathy Miller-Thornton, Assistance League of the Bay Area representatives.
Porte ISD, as well as neighboring school districts Clear Creek and Dickinson, and Mosbacher Academy. Gail Ashby, Community Outreach Committee Chairman, along with Cathy Miller-Thornton, Vice President Philanthropic Programs, and Sarah Foulds, President-Elect, paid a visit to La Porte Elementary on August 10. Third-grade teachers Mindy Galvan and Julie Reed expressed their delight to now have Texas Bluebonnet Award Books in their classrooms. “I love Bluebonnet Books and my students will be so excited to have them at their disposal in third grade this year,” Mindy shared. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” Reed echoed, “I am really excited to share my passion of reading through these books with my students!” Second-grade teachers were equally thrilled to receive the Caldecott Medal Honor Books. Shaneka Robinson remarked, “Thank you for the wonderful books. The kids are really going to love them!” Her colleague, Tracy Guidry utilized the popular social media expression, simply put, #nonstopreading. The final stop was the campus library where Silvia Garcia, library aide, exclaimed, “I did not have a set of Tejas books!” Gail Ashby, the league’s Community Outreach Committee Chairman for the 2016-2017 fiscal year stated, “Due to the success of our fundraisers and the number of grants received, we were able to provide these books to the Title I campuses we serve. We thank all of our contributors last year, like the Albemarle Clear Lake/ Bayport Council, for their generosity.” Sarah Foulds, the chapter’s President-Elect added, “As a retired teacher, I understand the value of students who can not only read, but read well. And reading is important for all other subjects, such as high school mathematics, the subject I taught. It is the key to a child’s success in school, and in life.” In addition to these one-time gifts, Assistance League of the Bay Area serves students who are identified by authorized school personnel as economically disadvantaged in La Porte ISD through two philanthropies, Operation School Bell® and Operation Cinderella. Assistance League volunteers are transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs. To learn more about Assistance League of the Bay Area visit our website, www.assistanceleague.org/bay-area, or connect with us on Facebook, @AssistanceLeagueBayArea.
Board trustees and administrators tour new facilities (cont. from page 3)
Members of the La Porte ISD Board of Trustees and administrators get a first look at the new planetarium at La Porte High School. Since the 1960s, LPHS has been one of only a few districts in the state to have a planetarium. The state-of-the-art equipment in the new facility will provide a unique learning opportunity for students of all ages. The equipment from the former planetarium will be showcased outside the new one.
Matt Burke, La Porte ISD director of visual and performing arts, guides campus and district administrators through the “black box” theater on a recent tour of La Porte High School.
LPISD District Calendar 8/17/17 - Thursday LPJH - 8th Grade BULLPUP Camp - 6 PM - 8 PM LXJH - 8th Grade Lobo Launch - 6 PM - 8 PM LPHS - Freshmen Registration - 3 PM - 7 PM
La Porte ISD welcomes new teachers (cont. from page 3)
8/18/17 - Friday Breakfast with the Stars - 7 AM - Sylvan Beach Pavilion LPHS - Volleyball @ Lutheran South Academy - 5:30 PM LPHS - Boys Cross Country - Practice Meet/Time Trials - 7:30 AM 8/21/17 - Monday La Porte ISD All-District Breakfast - LPHS Student Center - 8 AM - 8:45 AM La Porte ISD Convocation - LPHS Multi Purpose Center - 9 AM Bayshore Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 4:30 PM - 6 PM Heritage Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM College Park Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 2 PM and 5:30 PM La Porte Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 5 PM - 6:30 PM Lomax Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - kindergartners and 1st graders - 4 PM - 4:45 PM Lomax Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 2nd - 5th graders - 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM Jennie Reid Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 5 PM to 6:30 PM Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary - Meet the Teacher Night - 1st - 5th graders - 6 PM - 7 PM Baker - Bear Camp students with last names A - L - 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Members of the La Porte Education Board of Directors serve breakfast to La Porte ISD new teachers on their first day of pre-service activities Aug. 7. At left are foundation representatives Chuck Davis and Stan Lewis chatting with new James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus band director Jeffrey Collier at the LPISD Administration Building.
8/22/17 - Tuesday First Day of Instruction - 9th Grade Baker - Bear Camp students with last names M - Z - 6 PM - 7:30 PM LPHS - Volleyball @ Dayton - 6:30 PM 8/23/17 - Wednesday First Day of Instruction - Prek - 8th and 10 -12th Grades 8/25/17 - Friday LPHS - Boys & Girls Cross Country - Bulldog Relays - Northwest Park- La Porte - 8 AM LPHS - Volleyball @ Alvin - 6:30 PM LPHS - Football vs. Dawson - Scrimmage - Freshman- 4 PM; JV - 5 PM; Varsity 6 PM 8/30/17 - Wednesday Rizzuto Elementary - PTO Meeting 5:30 PM - 7 PM - Library 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.
Deadline for Free and Reduced Meal applications approaching soon
Volunteering their time on the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce New Teachers Luncheon committee are La Porte ISD trustee Charlcya Wheeler, center, and her grandchildren, Rowen and Charlee Hall.
Parents of La Porte ISD students should be aware that all 2016-17 Free and Reduced Meal applications will expire on Oct. 4. To continue to qualify for meal benefits, parents must turn in a completed 2017-18 application to the LPISD Nutrition Office as soon as possible. Parents may also complete an application on-line by going to www. schoollunchapp.com or to www.lpisd.org and selecting the NutriApps link found in the parent portal. Those who have already received a letter from the Nutrition Office stating their child’s meal benefits for 2017-18 do not need to turn in a new application. Students currently receiving free or reduced priced meals and who do not have a 2017-18 application on file will be charged full price for meals beginning Oct. 5. For more information, please contact the Nutrition Office at 281-604-6950. The office is located at 2015 Sens Rd. in the Support Services Center.
School Nutrition information for the 2017 - 18 school year If your student has a remaining meal account balance at the end of the school year, you may: • Request a refund. • Transfer funds to a sibling who is a current LPISD student. • Leave funds in the account if your student is returning to LPISD. If you would like a refund or transfer please see your cafeteria manager for a request form or call the Nutrition Office at 281-604-6950. Please be aware that all 2016-17 Free and Reduced Meal applications will expire on October 4, 2017. To continue to qualify for meal benefits, you must turn in a completed 2017-18 application to the Nutrition office as soon as possible. You may also complete an application on-line by going to www.schoollunchapp.com or to www.lpisd.org and select the NutriApps link found in the parent portal. If you have already received a letter from the Nutrition Office stating your meal benefits for 2017-18, you do not need to turn in a new application. Students currently receiving free or reduced priced meals and who do not have a 2017-18 application on file will be charged full price for meals beginning October 5, 2017. Please do not hesitate to call the Nutrition office at 281-604-6950 if you have questions. Our office is located at 2015 Sens Road in the Support Services Center.
2017-18 Student Meal Prices
Breakfast PK-12 $1.25 Reduced $0.30 Lunch PK-8 $2.25 9-12 $2.50 Reduced $0.40
First day of instruction for 9th grade is Tuesday, Aug. 22 First day of instruction for Prek - 8th grades and 10th - 12th grades is Wednesday, Aug 23
Debbie Stewart, left, principal of Viola DeWalt High School, visits with new DeWalt teachers Cindy Williams and Ryan Wuergler during the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce’s annual New Teachers Luncheon. The event was held on Aug. 7 at Heritage Elementary School.
La Porte ISD campus and district administrators greet new teachers as they arrive for the first day of pre-service activities on Aug. 7 at the LPISD Administration Building. From left are Grisel Wallace, principal of Heritage Elementary School; Carol Williams, principal of La Porte Elementary School; Susan Julian, director of human resources; Patricia HerreraJohnson (front), principal of Lomax Elementary School; Deanna Narcisse, principal of Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School; and Jewel Whitfield, executive director of elementary education. 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 Angela Garza-Viator, Executive Director of Human Resources, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Telephone (281) 604-7113. 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 discapacidad 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 Discapacidades. La Coordinadora del Título IX es Angela GarzaViator, Directora Ejecutiva de Recursos Humanos,1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281) 604-7113. La Coordinadora de la Sección 504 es la Cynthia Anderson, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas Especiales, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281) 604-7034.