THE LEADER September 14, 2017
La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
Two for Texas: La Porte High School in Indiana donates to LPHS This “tale of two cities” began with Hurricane Harvey. Seeing the media reports on how the Texas Gulf Coast had been impacted by the storm, the Student Council of La Porte High School in La Porte, Indiana, wanted to find a way to help, and they reached out to the Texas school with the same name. The Indiana campus started a “Two for Texas” fundraiser, with students donating two dollars for the privilege of wearing a ball cap—not usually allowed in the district dress code—to school on a designated Friday. According to Joe Ruiz, LPHS Student Council sponsor, several more campuses joined in the effort to help their fellow students over 1,100 miles away. “Our fundraiser, ‘Two for Texas,’ Is going better than I could have ever hoped, and it’s such a blessing to be a part of a blessing,” Ruiz said. The donated funds will be designated to meet various needs of LPHS students whose families were impacted by Harvey. “Just as you begin to believe that nothing could exceed the breadth of the unimaginable devastation our region has experienced, we are reminded of the depth of American caring and generosity and the hope that it provides us all,” said Lloyd Student Council members along with staff from La Porte High School in La Porte, Indiana W. Graham, La Porte ISD superintendent of schools. “The actions of La Porte High organized a fund raiser to help La Porte High School in La Porte, Texas after Hurricane School in La Porte, Indiana, are quintessential examples of this, with the serendipity Harvey. of similar names leading them to help in our students’ return to normalcy.” Two communities. One name. And an overwhelming outpouring of support from Students from La Porte, Indiana, also created a video to express their love and one to the other. support for their counterparts in Texas. The video can be viewed at www.lpisd.org.
La Porte ISD facilities fare well during Hurricane Harvey La Porte ISD students were just getting into the routine of the 2017-18 school year when Hurricane Harvey caused a change in plans—and an unscheduled seven days off from classes. Most of the district’s students began school on Wednesday, Aug. 23, with La Porte High School freshmen starting a day earlier. When the hurricane came in on the lower Texas Gulf Coast and worked its way up the coastline, wreaking havoc along the way, LPISD and other area districts cancelled classes to assess damages of facilities, check on employees and students, and make necessary repairs. La Porte ISD facilities fared very well, and the Maintenance Department began assessing buildings immediately after the storm. Clean-up and repairs were completed so that students could return to school on Wednesday, Sept. 6. To help families during this difficult time, La Porte ISD will offer free tray
breakfasts and lunches to all students through the end of October. Parents are asked to contact their child’s school counselor if he or she has specific needs with which they need help. Three State of Texas/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers opened Monday, Sept. 11, in the cities of Baytown, Katy and Houston. Disaster recovery centers offer inperson support to individuals and businesses in 39 counties included in the Texas federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent floods. Recovery specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the State and other agencies will be at the centers to talk about assistance and help anyone who needs guidance in filing an application. The closest center for La Porte ISD residents is at the Baytown Community Center, 2406 Market Street, Baytown, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The La Porte High School Chatos, wearing new uniforms for the 2017 season, prepare to stride onto the field for the pre-game activities at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 9.
Representatives from AkzoNobel stand in front of the new inflatable Bulldog run-through tunnel that made its debut at the Sept. 9 football game. AkzoNobel sponsored the purchase of the tunnel for the La Porte Football Booster Club. Blake Whitlow, left, AkzoNobel plant manager who was the 2006 LPHS valedictorian as well as a football player, was on hand for the festivities. With him are Matisha Banks of AkzoNobel; Brock Bihm, president of the La Porte Football Booster Club; and Don Whitlow and Bill Bower of AkzoNobel.
La Porte Bulldog football gets underway Sept. 9 after Hurricane Harvey delay
The run-through sign displayed at the start of the La Porte/Clear Brook football game sent La Porte’s Glenn Anderson (#22) protects the ball from a Clear Brook defender during the well wishes to La Porte Police Department Officer Jason Kraatz, school resource officer at Sept. 9 football game at Bulldog Stadium. The Wolverines outscored the Bulldogs 37-21 in the the campus, who has been hospitalized. The message read, “We Got Your 6—Get Well, Officer season opener. Kraatz!”
La Porte Health and Safety Fair set for Sept. 23 at La Porte High School The City of La Porte, La Porte LEPC and La Porte ISD will host the annual La Porte Health and Safety Fair on Saturday, September 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fair will be held at La Porte High School, located at 301 E Fairmont Parkway. The Health and Safety Fair will have fun activities and provide educational information for citizens of all ages. The first 500 children in attendance will receive free Safety Fair T-shirts and door prizes will be given away throughout the event. Over 100 exhibits promoting health and safety information will be available, including free health screenings, free child immunizations, free child ID kits, a rock climbing wall, Bike Safety Exhibit with children’s bike raffle, and much more. Exciting and educational demonstrations will be provided by local industry
throughout the event. Get there early to see a medical helicopter landing next to the school. Children can attend the Teddy Bear First Aid Clinic to learn simple first aid and register to win a free teddy bear. Visit the free photo booth inside to have your picture taken with Wally Wise, the LEPC’s turtle mascot. Outside displays will include La Porte Police vehicles, La Porte EMS ambulances, La Porte Public Works trucks, La Porte Fire Department engines and ladder trucks, and many other emergency response vehicles and equipment. Join us for this important and exciting event to encourage health and safety education for our community. For more information, visit www.lpsafetyfair.org or call 281-470-0010.
Welcome Back! Students and teachers start 2017-18 school year
Heritage Elementary School principal Grisel Wallace, center, hugs Lomax Junior High School Bayshore Elementary School assistant principal Kimberly Lanham, left, seventh graders Briana Adair, left, and Viridiana walks to class with Bayshore student Bailey Schilling. James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus teacher Linn Ross Delgado Bugarin who stopped by to say hello on helps a student find the name of her homeroom teacher on the first day of school. the first day of school in La Porte ISD.
Viola DeWalt High School teachers Kelly Cyr, left, and Jessica Emmons welcome students on the first day of classes. Standing in line to get his information for the 2017-18 year is Hector Prekindergarten student Prezlie Sanchez is joined by her family as she goes to school for the first time. With her are, from left, grandfather Moises Garcia, mother Valerie Sanchez, Reyes. grandmother Carmen Garcia and grandmother Lala Sanchez. Prezlie, who attends La Porte Elementary School, is the youngest of four sisters attending La Porte ISD.
New Jennie Reid Elementary School principal Diane Weeden greets kindergartners as they gather in the school gym on the first day of school. College Park Elementary School principal Camilla La Porte Junior High principal Candace Pohl, right, greets Whitlock, back right, welcomes students back for the students, from left, Landon Weeden, Madison Guidry and 2017-18 year. In front is Roberto Rodriguez, and on the Lindsey Pohl on the first day of school. second row are Lauren Terry, Ricky Charles, Jackson Free and Katherine Gonzalez. In back is Joel Ortiz.
Lomax Elementary School assistant principal Tami King, back left, and principal Patricia Herrera-Johnson post with a group of new second graders. From left are Caroline Botkin, Truman Mikulin, Rogelio Saldana, Callen Cox, Toni Quintanilla.
Above, the Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School nutrition staff prepares to serve meals to students. In front is manager Stephanie Rodriguez, and in back are Veronica Febus, Melissa Ottele, Elaine Soria, Debra Redden and Leslie Sump. Below, the La Porte High School cheerleaders lead new LPHS freshmen in a cheer as they gather in the new multi-purpose Mylee Garcia poses for a first day of school photo for her center. La Porte High School ninth graders started classes on mom, Jenny Garcia. Mylee was among the seventh-graders Aug. 22, while all other La Porte ISD students came back to who reported to Lomax Junior High School on Aug. 23. school on Aug. 23.
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.
La Porte Education Foundation’s 22nd annual Breakfast with the Stars held Aug. 18
Dr. Geoff Carlton, right, director of the La Porte High School Orchestra, conducts student La Porte ISD campus administrators visit with one another at the Aug. 18 Breakfast with musicians as they present music at the 2017 Breakfast with the Stars at Sylvan Beach Pavilion. the Stars sponsored by the La Porte Education Foundation. From left are Carlin Grammer, principal of La Porte High School; Dr. Larry Gerhart, principal of Lomax Junior High School; Dr. Kade Griffin, associate principal of La Porte High School; and Curtis Daugherty, assistant principal at James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus.
The 22nd annual La Porte Education Foundation Breakfast with the Stars was held Aug. 18 at Sylvan Beach Pavilion. The event honors Foundation grant recipients and campus teachers of the year.
Hundreds of community members, business leaders, and industry representatives came out to recognize La Porte Education Foundation (LPEF) innovative project grant recipients and La Porte ISD Campus and District Teachers of the Year at the 22nd Annual Breakfast with the Stars on August 18 at Sylvan Beach Pavilion. Jeff Martin, LPEF board president, welcomed those in attendance and talked about the organization’s mission, which is to enhance education by funding innovative and creative instructional projects for the students and teachers of La Porte ISD. Martin said that, since its inception in 1993, the La Porte Education Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants and special projects. During the 2016-17 school year, the La Porte Education Foundation awarded $175,558 for 182 grants and special projects to 140 teachers and/ or district administrators. The featured guest speaker was Jill Gonzales, a physical education teacher at Bayshore Elementary. Gonzales received two grants last year: one entitled Health - Skeletal and Muscular Systems for $176 and one entitled Fitness Drumming for $498. During her presentation, she discussed ways that engages students in the learning process with new gadgets. She even invited guests to join her during her demonstration of fitness drumming. The event also included a silent auction and a card drawing conducted by the LPISD Executive Cabinet for a frame filled with gift cards to a wide variety of businesses. Sponsors of the silent auction included Alley Theatre, Archer Becker Vineyards, Boardroom Salon for Men, Brian Kinkopf, Brian Wilson, Brock Bihm, Charlotte Pennye, Children’s Museum of Houston, Cindy Senger-Lewis, Debbie Wade, Dennis Slate, Dow Pizzitola, Dynamo Charities, Edgar A. Smith Family YMCA, Grape Creek Vineyards, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, Houston Texans Foundation, Houston Texans, Jami Lupold, Joshua Ojeda, Kendra Scott at Baybrook Mall, Lana Follis, Margaritaville Resort Casino, Matt Vivion, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Rhonda Pelton, Rice University, Robin Vest, Russell Barger, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Smoke Ring, St. Regis
Jill Gonzales, physical education teacher at Bayshore Elementary School, talks about how a grant from the La Porte Education Foundation impacts her students during Breakfast with the Stars.
Houston, Stephen Barr, Steve Kahara, and Susan Roberts. The Bill and Helen Crowder Foundation is a Distinguished Level sponsor in the LPEF Partner Program. The Dow Chemical Company is a Diamond Level sponsor in the LPEF Partner Program. Platinum Sponsors are The Albemarle Foundation, the INEOS ICAN Foundation, and LyondellBasell. Gold Sponsors are Air Liquide, AkzoNobel, The Chemours Company, DuPont, Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Kaneka, Kuraray, Lubrizol, and Noltex, LLC. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Kinder Morgan, and Swagelok are Silver Level partners. Arkema, Beacon Federal Credit Union, Comex Corporation, Dixie Chemical, Goodyear Bayport Chemical Plant, Gulf Winds International, Hammack & Co., CPAs, LLC, INEOS Olefins and Polymers USA, JSC Federal Credit Union, Norman Frede Chevrolet, OxyChem, Praxair, Solvay, and Texas-IBI Group, Inc. are Bronze Level partners. The Dow Chemical Company and Tellepsen were Presenting Sponsors for the event. Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott‚ LLP was a Shooting Star Sponsor. Andrews Kurth, PBK, and Thompson & Horton were Platinum Star table sponsors for the event. Frank Nance State Farm was a Gold Star Sponsor. Automated Logic, Easton Resource Development, Inc., INEOS, La Porte Rotary Club, Linde, and Unify Energy Solutions were Silver Star table sponsors. Bronze Star sponsors included Arkema, La Porte ISD campuses, and San Jacinto College. AAA Flexible Pipe Cleaning Company, Alineco, Inc.., Balfour (two tables), Comex Corporation, Diane B. Sheridan, and the Law Office of Daniel J. Snooks sponsored Bronze Star tables for La Porte ISD campuses. Breakfast sponsors were City of La Porte, La Porte-Bayshore Chamber, Debbie Wade, and Charlcya Wheeler.
La Porte ISD campuses meet TEA academic standards for 2017 La Porte ISD – and all of its campuses – have met academic standards for 2017, and eight campuses received distinction designations, according to accountability ratings released Aug. 15 by the Texas Education Agency. The 2017 ratings are based on STAAR test scores from the 2016-17 school year. Schools that meet the state standard may also qualify for up to seven (six for elementary schools) special honors called Distinctions, of which 25 were earned in total by La Porte ISD campuses. Bayshore Elementary School Distinctions (2): Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps; Postsecondary Readiness Other Achievements: Grade 3 Reading & Math Masters Grade level; Grade 5 Math Masters Level College Park Elementary School Distinctions (3): English Language Arts/Reading; Math; Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps; Postsecondary Readiness Other Achievements: Greater than Expected Growth in Math; Grade 3 Math Masters Level Heritage Elementary School Distinctions: None Jennie Reid Elementary School Distinctions (3): Math; Top 25 Percent Student Progress; Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps La Porte Elementary School Distinctions (5): English Language Arts/Reading; Math; Top 25 percent Student Progress; Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps; Postsecondary Readiness
Lomax Elementary School Distinctions (6): English Language Arts/Reading; Math; Science; Top 25 percent Student Progress; Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps; Postsecondary Readiness James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus Distinctions: None La Porte Junior High School Distinctions (1): Top 25 percent Student Progress Other Achievements: Greater than Expected Growth in English Language Arts/ Reading Lomax Junior High School Distinctions (1): Top 25 percent Closing Performance Gaps Other Achievements: Greater than Expected Growth in Math; Grade 8 Algebra I Participation La Porte High School Distinctions: None Other Achievements: Greater than Expected Growth in English Language Arts/Reading; Four-Year Graduation Plan Rate; Advanced Dual Credit Course Completion Rate – Social Studies; Career Technology Education – Coherent Sequence Graduates Like all other district campuses, Viola DeWalt High School met the state’s academic standard, but as an alternative campus with different accountability standards, is not eligible to receive distinctions. The TEA also reported that 93.7 of La Porte ISD graduates from 2015-16 were college & career ready, and that the district had a 95 percent graduation rate. (The state, in some of its reporting, uses year-old data.) To view the district’s 2017 accountability ratings in detail, visit the TEA website.
LPISD District Calendar 9/14/17 - Thursday Heritage Elementary - Open House, Title I Meeting - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Rizzuto Elementary - Parent Night 1st - 3rd - 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM Rizzuto Elementary - Title I Parent Meeting - 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM - Cafeteria Rizzuto Elementary - Parent Night - 4th - 5th - 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM Baker - New York City Trip Parent Meeting - 6:00 PM - Multi Purpose Room LPJH - Girls Volleyball vs. Bonnette - 4:30 PM - 7th- Away 8th- Home
Industry and community members donate school supplies to students
9/15/17 - Friday LPHS - Volleyball vs. Beaumont West Brook - 6:30 PM LPHS - Football @ Clear Springs - 7 PM - Veterans Memorial Stadium 9/18/17 - Monday Heritage Elementary Parent First Day for Lunch - 10:45 AM - 1:15 PM 9/19/17 - Tuesday La Porte Elementary - Papa John’s Pizza Spirit Night LPJH - 7th Grade Football - Bonnette - 4:30 PM - A Away; B Home LPHS - Volleyball @ Deer Park - 6:30 PM 9/20/17 - Wednesday Rizzuto Elementary - PTO Meeting - 5:30 PM - Library LPJH - 8th Grade Football- Bonnette - 4:30 PM - A Away; B Home 9/21/17 - Thursday Rizzuto Elementary - Parent Night - Kindergarten - 6 PM - 7 PM 9/22/17 - Friday LPHS - Volleyball vs. South Houston - 6:30 PM LPHS Football @ Bellaire - 7 PM - Joe K. Butler Stadium 9/23/17 - Saturday La Porte Health & Safety Fair - 10 AM - 1 PM - LPHS
Stacy Hinkle, right, of AMPAC Fine Chemicals, drops off a donation of school supplies for La Porte ISD students at the LPISD Administration Building. The supplies were collected by AMPAC employees. Thanking her for the donation are, from left, Charlotte Pennye, executive director of the La Porte Education Foundation; Danette Tilley, La Porte ISD executive director of secondary education; and Angela Garza-Viator, LPISD executive director of human resources.
9/25/17 - Monday LPJH - Open House - 6 PM - 7:30 PM 9/26/17 - Tuesday Heritage Elementary - Fall Pictures La Porte Elementary - Fall Pictures LPJH - 7th Grade Football- Pearland East - 4:30 PM - A Home; B Away 9/27/17 - Wednesday La Porte Elementary - Leopard of the Month - 7:20 AM - 7:40 AM Rizzuto Elementary - PTO Room Mom Meeting - 5:30 PM LPJH - 8th Grade Football - Pearland East - 4:30 PM 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 faculty, staff celebrate convocation in new multi-purpose center
Representatives of INEOS collected a wide variety of school supplies to donate to La Porte ISD students for the 2017-18 school year. Accepting the donation are Jaime Cunningham, left, Community Youth Services staff member at LPHS, and Carlin Grammer, right, LPHS principal. INEOS representatives include, from left, Emmanuel Cavazos, BMS capital project manager; Leigh Ann Tuttle, capital project document control; and Marcha Thomas-Blades, project manager.
Liz Murray, inspirational speaker and best-selling author of Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard, was the guest speaker at La Porte ISD’s Aug. 21 convocation for all district employees. Homeless at the age of 15, Murray recognized education as a key to a fresh beginning, earning her high school diploma in two years and winning a scholarship to Harvard University would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with possibilities.
Representatives from the La Porte ISD School Nutrition and Heritage Elementary School staffs show their enthusiasm for the start of the new school year at the annual La Porte ISD convocation held on Aug. 21. With the completion of the new multi-purpose center located at La Porte High School, this was the first time that all of the district’s employees gathered in one district location for the event.
Paula Jaynes of Swagelok Southeast Texas, fourth from left, delivers supplies donated by Swagelok employees to the La Porte ISD Administration Building. From left are Donna Spaugh, principal of Bayshore Elementary School; Carol Williams, principal of La Porte Elementary; Jewel Whitfield, executive director of elementary education; Denise Pool, teacher at Lomax Elementary School; Melissa Pavlowich, teacher at Lomax Elementary School; Patricia Herrera-Johnson, principal of Lomax Elementary School; and Adam Holland, LPISD webmaster.
Arcella Martinez, left, and Diana Ortiz of St. Mary’s Catholic Church present a donation of school supplies for La Porte ISD students from church parishioners and the Justice and Peace ministry. Accepting the donations on behalf of La Porte ISD are Susan Julian, second from right, director of human resources, and Angela Garza-Viator, executive director of human resources.