december 2009

NeWSLeTTer

Texarkana Independent School District Adopts Kids at Hope System Wide The Texarkana Independent School District trained all 1,000+ of its employees around the Kids at Hope Cultural Framework. District Superintendent James Henry Russell noted that this was the first time in the district’s history that all employees were trained around a common initiative designed to ensure that all TISD students succeed, No Exceptions! TISD was introduced to Kids at Hope through Ross Perot. Kids at Hope joined TISD when they recognized Mr. Perot as their distinguished alumni. During the ceremony Mr. Perot received an honorary Doctorate in Hopeology from Kids at Hope. Visit http://www.txkisd.net/ for more info!

PIE Executive Board MembersDavid AlexanderAlexander’s Jewelers

Todd CowartTexas Roadhouse

Jennifer CrawfordTwisted Vines Florist

Jennell IngramTheron Jones Early Literacy Center

Susie HickeyHumco Holding Group, Inc.

Joey MartinExpress Employment Professionals

Brian MatthewsBMD Consulting

Cindy McPhersonSkate America/Children’s Beginnings

Lorri MooreMoore Financial ServicesKenneth Morehouse

Allstate InsuranceLarry Oxford

State Farm InsuranceJason Rawls

Horace Mann/ISD Insurance AgencyDebbie Sheppard

Sports MagicScott Shirk

Texas Bank & TrustArt Versnick

Texarkana Radio

Tell us about JCM Industries. What do you do? How long have you been in business?

JCM Industries, Inc. is a local, family owned company that was established in 1976. James and Gladys Morriss, not yet ready to retire from their professional life, started JCM with the vision of building a great company to provide quality, engineered products to the water and wastewater markets. With decades of experience in

the pipe fittings and fabrications industry, James and Gladys joined with their family, Cynthia Goerke and Ron and Julie Collins to build up JCM to be a major provider of pipeline repair, connection and branching products. JCM products are designed, engineered and fabricated at our location in Nash, Texas and are shipped all around the world including Mexico, Europe, South America, Canada, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and the middle east.

When did you become a Partner in Education? What made you become a Partner in Education?

JCM Industries became a TISD Partner in Education in 1994 recognizing that our future employees, associates, and customers most likely have earned their education in our local school system. As a TISD Partner in Education, JCM is able to help provide additional materials, tools, and educational resources to those in need identified by the teachers and administrators. Those frontline professional staff

members help JCM help students in need and ensure that resources provided are managed to their fullest.

What are some benefits of becoming a Partner in Education?

TISD Partners in Education provide JCM up-to-date information on the progress of our local educational system and the results of community efforts. A detailed understanding of the application of past resources and their outcome furnishes JCM with an overview to future needs and benchmarks for results.

L-R: Rick Miller, Ross Perot, Pat Sculley, James Henry Russell

QA

Business Partner

Spotlight

QAQA

Christmas Reading Program Theron Jones Early Literacy Center

Date: Friday December 18, 2009Time: 8:30 – 11:30 12:30 – 2:00

Christmas Reading Program Dunbar Elementary School

Date: Friday December 18, 2009Time: 8:30 – 11:30 12:30 – 2:00

All campuses are requesting pencils due to TAKS Testing coming up

Tiger Intramural Basketball is in need of Coaches.

If interested, please contact sandfords@txkisd.net

CAMPuS DOnATIOn ReQueSTS/PROJeCTS

TAPe Community Partnership-Academic ImpactRecognizes a community partner whose partnership with a campus/district has had a demonstrated positive impact on student academic achievement.Texas High School nominated the AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) Program

100% of seniors in the Advancement Via Individual Determination program passed TAKS. 21 out of 24 seniors enrolled in the AVID program went on to enroll in local colleges and universities. Goals of AVID students are Academic Achievement, Service, Communication, and Enrichment.

Spring Lake Park Elementary School nominated Ken MorehouseMr. Morehouse helps our teachers and district with special events in anyway possible.

Theron Jones Early Literacy Center nominated Williams Memorial UMCIn Fall 2008, Williams Memorial created a mentor program which consists of 18 dedicated members helping students in reading, math, and development of character skills. They also helped with the donation of many books which included 150 hours of service to over 50 students.

Dunbar Elementary and Highland Park Elementary nominated TISD Character First Program

This Program is designed to teach students about specific character traits by exemplifying good character. Students and teachers that model the trait for the month are honored at a Superintendent’s luncheon.

TAPe Partner Program Award-VolunteerAwarded to a school/district program that serves as a shining example for other volunteer programs by being a leader in volunteer recruitment, training, placement, retention and recognition.Texas Middle School nominated Amy Telez

Mrs. Telez is a volunteer that steps in whenever needed. Mrs. Telez has volunteered 50+ hours this year alone which includes working in the front office, library, counselor’s office and answering phones.

Spring Lake Park Elementary School nominated Ken MorehouseMr. Morehouse helps with quiz bowls, spelling bees, and door prizes when the district has any special event.

Theron Jones Early Literacy Center nominated Anita HartunianMrs. Hartunian pioneered the backpack program through Harvest Texarkana that helps to provide backpacks for a selected group of students with food to eat over the weekend to ensure that they do not go hungry. Currently, Harvest Texarkana provides the back pack food program to approximately 100 students in TISD.

Theron Jones Early Literacy Center nominated Margy ChauftyMrs. Chaufty is a retired school teacher who tutors reading, math, and character skills. She helped to set up the students in the mentor program at Williams Memorial UMC where she is the chairperson for the Christmas dinner that is provided to several at-risk families.

Dunbar Elementary and Highland Park Elementary nominated THS Leadership Class Tuesday for Tigers Tuesday for Tigers consists of eight leadership students who volunteer

in second grade at Dunbar and Highland Park Elementary School by reading, listening, and helping students with academic work.

TAPe Partnership Program Award-InnovationAwarded to a successful school/district partnership program that functions outside of the box and introduces new ways to engage partners or grow a partnership program.Westlawn Elementary School nominated Texarkana Public School Foundation and President, Mrs. Patsy Morriss

Under the direction of Patsy Morris, TPSF has provided grants to district teachers. Students are given the opportunity to have more innovative resources available as a result of donations and grants from the foundation. Providing elementary students five age appropriate books which gives each student personal ownership.

TAPe Individual Award-Youth Leadership Awarded to a youth, less than 18 years of age, who serves as a mentor, tutor, or role model for other students by serving as a leader on their campusTheron Jones Early Literacy Center nominated Chazney Hooks

Ms. Hooks is a TMS sixth grade student that volunteers tirelessly on the TJELC campus. Ms. Hooks labels files, mentors, and tutors many of our students, and then helps out throughout our parent workshops. Her great attitude and dedication has been an inspiration on campus.

TAPe Business Partner Award-Academic ImpactRecognize a business or corporation whose partnership with a campus/district has had a demonstrated positive impact on student academic achievement.Highland Park Elementary School and Dunbar Elementary School nominated Ken Morehouse

Mr. Morehouse helps out with quiz bowls, spelling bees, and door prizes when the district has any special event

Theron Jones Early Literacy Center has nominated Cold Water CreekCold Water Creek has an Adopt-A-School program which includes employees donating one hour during the first week of every month to tutor children in reading and math. They also donated Christmas decorations for the front lobby.

TAPe Individual Partnership Award-Partnership AdvocateRecognize a community partner whose partnership with a campus or district has had a demonstrated positive impact on student art participation and awareness.Wake Village Elementary School nominated Domtar Industries

Domtar encourages recycling by providing a paper recycling bin for school and community use. Our school receives a check for the amount of paper that is recycled each year. This has encouraged students to recycle.

TAPe extra Mile AwardHighland Park Elementary School nominated Diana Johnson

Mrs. Johnson taught our students about monarch butterflies and their importance on ecology. She taught them how to tag and raise the monarchs.

TAPe Hires new executive DirectorThe Texas Association of Partners in Education, one of the country’s largest statewide partnership associations, has hired Michele Schwartz to serve as its new Executive Director. Schwartz has spent her entire professional career in training and program development, almost 15 years of which have been in the non-profit sector. Schwartz brings a range of skills to the association, including expertise in mission delivery, strategic planning, board training and volunteer management, as well as public relations, community outreach, fundraising and the creation of strategic corporate partnerships.

2009-2010 Texas Association of Partners in education Award nomineesEach year the Texas Association of Partners in Education recognizes exemplary partners and partnership programs across the state. Award winners represent volunteers, community organizations, government agencies, institutions of higher education, businesses, and school districts, whose commitment to education partnerships have made a positive impact on the youth in their community. Texarkana Independent School District received the following nominations from our schools.

TexAS ASSOCIATIOn Of PARneRS In eDuCATIOn

Thank you to the following companies for making donations over the last three months:

Assistant Superintendent’s Thought for the Month:“He, who has imagination without learning, has wings and no feet.” ~ Joseph Joubert

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Donating School Supplies to Theron Jones ELC Marine Corp Toys for Tots – Over 22,000 Books for Campuses

Stuff the Bus CampaignJunior League of Texarkana Teacher Take Wing Grant Program

Capitol One Grant ProgramInternational Paper Grant Program

Blue Isle Expressions – Donation for Fall FestivalsChristus St. Michael Fitness – Biggest Loser Contest

Wake Village Lions Club – Turkey TrotCableOne – School Supplies

Alcoa – School SuppliesWomen of Steel – IP – backpacks

Olive Garden – Coupons for Honor StudentsCarolyn Heldt – Piano

WalMart – Miscellaneous SuppliesOn the Border – for Monday Night TISD Sales Profits

Award winners will be announced at the esteemed awards luncheon, Tuesday, January 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., at the Hilton Austin Downtown.