February 21, 2012
7:00 pm
Irving High School
900 N. O'Connor
Irving, TX  75061

This Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Irving ISD will present the 13th annual ICE Awards at Irving High School.  The ICE (Irving Celebration of Excellence) Awards are designed to recognize excellent achievement by students, groups of students, campuses, and the district.  This year's celebrity emcee is ICTN personality Cathy Whiteman.  The Irving ISD Board of Trustees members will be opening the envelopes live on stage to announce the winners in each category.  Trophies are presented in seven categories:

• Humanities (English/Language Arts, Reading and Social Studies)
• Math/Science
• Fine Arts
• Athletics & Physical Education
• Community Service/Citizenship
• Special Campus/District
• Parent Involvement Activities

Within each category, awards will be presented in three divisions: elementary, middle school, and high school. 

Sponsors for this year's event include:
Human Foundation, VHA, Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP, Estes McClure & Associates, Dallas County Schools, The Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, Netsync Network Solutions, Quality Act, Corgan Associates, Roach Howard, Smith & Barton, Inc., and Texas for Rodney Anderson.

http://irvingisd.net/ICEawards

In light of the tragedy in Connecticut, it is imperative that  we are diligent in implementing our security protocols with visitors coming to school.  Regardless of the familiarity we may have with the visitor, each school is expected to strictly adhere to safety and school entrance procedures.  

•Every campus personnel is expected to actively engage all visitors.  

•No one should enter any school (including staff) before checking in and scanning their ID in the front office (or providing a valid staff ID).  

•All of the classroom doors are to be locked and are only to be opened by the teacher after determining who the visitor is and why they are there. 

•Police and district security officers monitor every campus in Irving ISD during the school day.  

•All employees are encouraged to alert authorities if they see anything suspicious on their campus.  

Debbie Cabrera, Irving ISD's Associate Superintendent of Business Services notes, "Our students have been consistently outperforming students from other districts that spend about the same amount per student as Irving ISD.  The needs of our community are constantly changing we have traditionally been conservative with our spending in order to be able to adapt to the community needs."

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Debbie Cabrera, Associate Superintendent of Business Services - 972-600-5405
Billy Rudolph, Office of Communications - 972-600-5200

October 1, 2012
7:00 p.m.
Irving ISD Administration Building
2621 W. Airport Freeway
Irving, TX  75062

Irving ISD and Lady Bird Johnson Middle School are proud to announce they are the recipient of the 2012 Caudill Award presented by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).  The Caudill Award, or best of show, is presented in honor of William Caudill for his distinctive and innovative achievements in the architecture field.  The architecture firm Corgan Associates will be recognized at the Irving ISD Board of Trustees meeting on Monday October 1 at the administration building.

Lady Bird Johnson Middle School opened in August, 2011.  It is approximately 150,000 square feet and houses approximately 950 students.  Sustainable features include photovoltaic solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, energy star-rated kitchen equipment, and many other sustainable features.

Lady Bird Johnson Middle School was chosen as the best among 95 entries in this year's competition.  The award is a collaborative project of the Texas Association of School Administrators, the Texas Association of School Boards, and the Texas Society of Architects. 

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Scott Layne, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services - 972-600-5490

October 5, 2012
6:00 p.m. reception
7:30 p.m. dinner
Four Seasons Resort and Club
Irving, TX  75038

Hundreds of guests will gather to celebrate the Irving Schools Foundation's Second Annual Legacy Gala which supports programs such as STEM and AVID in Irving ISD. This remarkable night will begin with a VIP reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and the State of the District, given by Irving ISD Superintendent, Dr. Dana T. Bedden and IISD student Katie Holt, a Junior at Nimitz High School--at 7:30 p.m., Friday, October 5 at the Las Colinas Four Seasons Resort and Club.

Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on eye-popping live auction items including a trip to Lake Tahoe, Whale Watching Adventure, a trip to Paris, France, and a Zales Diamond necklace. One highlight from the evening will be the announcement of the Second Legacy Award. Last year this award was given to the founder of the Irving Schools Foundation, Anne Pfaff, and her husband Wayne Pfaff.

Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has awarded over $2 million in teacher grants and student scholarships.  Current Foundation programs include grants to teachers, educator enrichment grants, campus site grants, scholarships for students and teachers, and funding to critical Irving ISD programs.

There are still sponsorship opportunities available for this momentous event. Contact the Irving Schools Foundation to become a sponsor today, or visit our website at www.irvingisd.net/foundation/

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Crystal Scanio, Executive Director Irving Schools Foundation - 972-600-5018 

Over 3000 Backpacks Given to Irving ISD Kids:

Supplies for Success

August 18, 2012

11:00am

Irving High School

900 N. O'Connor

Irving, TX  75061

Well over 3000 Backpacks filled with school supplies will be handed out to select Irving ISD students from 8:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday, August 18 at Irving High School. This is part of a city wide initiative called "Supplies for Success".  Local businesses and organizations have donated the tens of thousands of supplies to Irving ISD students that need them the most.  In addition to the school supplies, there will be free health screenings and an informational fair for the parents to learn about additional resources.

Media is being asked to arrive around 11:00 am.  We will have families, volunteers and school district officials available for interviews at that time.

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Billy Rudolph, Press Secretary - 972-600-5476

IRVING ISD FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS POLICY

Irving Independent School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for students served under Insert National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.

Each school or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria indentified below will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Students from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the state agency or court are eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.
 

 
Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Applications also are available at the administration's office in each school and can also be filled out online at https://mealapplications.irvingisd.net/ or in person at the Irving I.S.D. School Meal Application Center at 800 N. O'Connor Road, Irving, Texas 75061. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified by the school officials at anytime during the school year. 

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly Food Stamps)/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only have to list their child's name and SNAPT or TANF case number (EDG#- Eligibility Group Number). An adult household member must sign the application. 

Households that do not list a SNAP/TANF case number (EDG#- Eligibility Group Number) must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the last four digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate that a Social Security number is not available by writing the word "None", "No Number", or some indication that the person  does not have a Social Security number. The application must be signed by an adult household member.

Under the provision of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Food Service Office Manager will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to:

Associate Superintendent of Business Services
2621 W. Airport Freeway
Irving, Texas 75062
(972) 600-5405

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the IISD School Meal Application Center at (972) 600-6900. Such changes may make the students of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Food & Fitness Fest - Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program

Irving ISD, in conjunction with the City of Irving, USDA and the Texas Department of Agriculture, will be hosting the first annual Food & Fitness Fest. This special event is the kick off to the free breakfast and lunch program offered by Irving ISD at a number of campus locations and city recreation centers.

The Food & Fitness Fest will take place on Thursday, June 14 at the Georgia Farrow Recreation Center in Irving at 11:30 a.m. The Dallas Cowboys mascot 'Rowdy,' will come out to pump up the crowd and do some exercises with the kids before hearing from some special guests.

Guest Speakers:

• Michael Rosenberger, Director of Irving ISD Food and Nutrition Services
• Bill Ludwig, USDA Regional Director
• Linda Harper Brown, State Representative
• Angela Olige, Chief Administrator Food and Nutrition, Texas Department of Agriculture
• Gerald Farris, City of Irving Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
• Dana T. Bedden, Superintendent of Schools Irving ISD

After the guest speakers, all participants will eat a healthy lunch together provided by Irving ISD Food and Nutrition Services.

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Michael Rosenberger, Director of Food & Nutrition Services - 972-600-6915
Billy Rudolph, Press Secretary - 972-600-5476

The first class of Irving ISD Athletic Hall of Fame honorees has been announced.  In its inaugural year, eight nominees have been chosen to be inducted.  These nominees are former athletes, coaches, and community supporters. There will be an induction ceremony open to the public on Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 pm at Singley Academy.  

2012 Irving ISD AthleticHall of Fame Honorees  

	Akin Ayodele - Athlete  Akin was an all area football player for the MacArthur Cardinals in the late 1990's.  He played collegiately at Purdue University where he an All Big Ten selection and was twice named Big Ten Player of the Week, as well as receiving the team's Kiwanis Citizenship Award.   In 2002 Akin was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played in the National Football League for several teams.  Besides Jacksonville, he also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.  He has been recognized as Jacksonville's nominee for Walter Peyton Man of the Year, the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award and Miami's Community Co-Man of the Year.  Akin continues to support MacArthur High School by sponsoring annual scholarships to MacArthur graduates and by speaking at the MacArthur Senior Breakfast each year.
	Cedric Colby - Athlete  Cedric was captain of the highly ranked MacArthur wrestling teams which captured back to back state championships in 1996 and 1997.  After suffering a life threatening injury, Cedric returned to the mat to lead the Cardinals to their first state championship.  He had a record of 48-2 and was state champion his junior year.  His senior year he returned and posted a 51-0 season, capped off by another state championship.  He was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the State of Texas.  He later wrestled for Brigham Young University.
	Mike Farda - Coach  Coach Farda led the Nimitz Viking football team for twenty-six years.  During his tenure the Vikings qualified for the playoffs eleven times and won 159 games and several district championships.  He won many Coach of the Year honors and the football/soccer field at Nimitz is named Coach Mike Farda Field in his honor.  In addition to being head football coach, he served as the Nimitz athletic coordinator and oversaw the development of many outstanding programs at Nimitz.  Coach Farda passed away in 2010.
	Bob Harrell - Coach and Athletic Director  After coming to Irving High as head football coach in 1961, Bob Harrell led the Tigers to the 1962 district championship, which included a stunning victory over defending state champion Wichita Falls High School, which had not lost a district game in seven years.  He then served Irving ISD as Athletic Director for the next sixteen years.  He oversaw the openings of MacArthur High School and Nimitz High School while serving in that capacity.  He also served our country during World War II.  Coach Harrell passed away in 2002.
	Dick Lear - Community Support  No one exemplifies support for Irving ISD more than Dick Lear.  He has supported youth as well as high school activities for many years.  He has helped numerous teams with fundraisers and has employed countless students in his Sonic Restaurants.  He has been more than generous in his support of teams all over the City of Irving.  He remains active in his support of the students and programs in Irving ISD.
	Alan Lowry - Athlete  Alan was a standout athlete at Irving High in the late 60's.  He went on to an outstanding playing career at the University of Texas and helped lead the Longhorns to the 1970 National Championship and three Southwest Conference Championships.  Alan went on to a stellar coaching career that continues today.  He coached at several universities and several teams in the National Football League.  NFL teams he coached include the Dallas Cowboys.  He is still active as a coach with the Tennessee Titans.
	David Rose - Athlete  David was an outstanding running back for Irving High School from 1974 to 1976.  He earned all City, All Metro and All Greater Dallas awards, while playing for the Tigers.  He had 5 games in which he rushed for over 200 yards.  He held the IISD rushing record until 1999.  David also spent many years coaching IBFA teams and was instrumental in the careers of many future Irving ISD football players.  He remains active in the Nimitz High School Booster Club
	Deeanna Williams - Athlete  Deeanna was a three year letter winner in volleyball and softball at Nimitz High School during the 1996-1998 seasons.  She was an outstanding catcher as well as going undefeated as a high school pitcher.  She hit the home run that sent the Lady Vikes to the state tournament her senior year.  She went on to play softball at Navarro College and at the University of Texas.  She led the Lady Longhorns to the Big XII Championship and broke several University of Texas records.

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Joe Barnett, Athletic Director - 972-600-5215

Billy Rudolph, Press Secretary - 972-600-5476