THE LEADER March 9, 2017
La Porte Independent School District Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
Luke Gibson wins third La Porte ISD Spelling Bee championship Feb. 23
Luke Gibson, second from left, is the winner of the 2017 La Porte ISD spelling bee, with Tristan Harper, second from right, the runner-up. Luke, an eighth grader at Lomax Junior High School, correctly spelled “scenario” after 18 rounds to earn his third district spelling bee championship. Luke also won first place in 2014 and 2015, and Tristan was the 2016 district champion. Congratulating them are their respective principals, Dr. Larry Gerhart and Candace Pohl. Following the event, the participants enjoyed bee-shaped cookies and an outing for pizza before returning to their campuses.
Campus spelling bee winners display the certificates they received after participating in the La Porte ISD Spelling Bee on Feb. 23 at the LPISD Administration Building.
Luke Gibson, an eighth grader at Lomax Junior High School, successfully spelled the word “scenario” after 18 rounds to earn his third La Porte ISD Spelling Bee championship. Tristan Harper, a seventh grader at La Porte Junior High, was the runner-up in the competition, which was held on Feb. 23 at the LPISD Administration Building. Both students have been standouts at the district-level competition for several years. Luke also won first place in 2014 and 2015, and Tristan was the 2016 district champion. Luke will advance to the 2017 Houston Public Media Spelling Bee later this spring. Following the event, the participants enjoyed bee-shaped cookies and an outing for pizza before returning to their campuses. The top three competitors from each campus spelling bee advanced to the district contest. Participants included Michael Bradshaw, Kayla Juarez and Camila Vela from Bayshore Elementary; Julian Arrellano, Ann Nguyen and Lynn Nguyen from College Park Elementary; Bekah Gilmore, Nathan Jaramillo and Marvin Jerezano from Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary; Daniel Ortiz, Aiden Sparks and Victoria Starns from Jennie Reid Elementary; Tristan Chavez, Amy Du and Laurie Livingston from Lomax Elementary; Issac Joji, Yasmine Mohammed and Benjamin Whitfield from Heritage Elementary; and Keren Fuentes, Makayla Gonzalez and Charlyee Rogers from La Porte Elementary. The contest also included Isabella Balboa, Jason Porter and Christian Ventura This year’s La Porte ISD Spelling Bee included three sisters who were finalists at their from James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus; Justin Kay and Anthony Sommer from respective campuses. From left are Lynn Nguyen from College Park Elementary, Lily Nguyen La Porte Junior High School; and Lily Nguyen and Caleb Urbano from Lomax Junior from Lomax Junior High School; and Ann Nguyen from College Park Elementary. High School.
Research analyzes campus rating system based on 2015-16 school year
Using the methodology of the Texas Education Agency’s new A-F school rating system, most La Porte ISD campuses would have received an overall rating of “B” for the 2015-16 school year, according to research conducted by Moak, Casey & Associates. Moak, Casey & Associates, a company highly regarded for expertise in Texas school finance and accountability issues, recently released a report on the distribution of A-F campus ratings for their client districts. This report determined what the 201516 overall rating letter grade for each campus would have been with the inclusion of Domain V, Community and Student Engagement, and using the Texas Education Agency’s proposed methodology for determining what the overall grade would be. In early January 2017, the Texas Education Agency released a list of provisional A-F ratings that each school and district would have received in four domains (Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Post-Secondary Readiness) had the proposed A-F rating system, scheduled to begin in 2018, been in place for the 2015-16 year. The provisional ratings did not in any way impact the official 2016 district or campus accountability ratings in which La Porte ISD and all of its campuses were rated “Met Standard,” which is currently the highest rating available. In its January report, TEA did not release provisional ratings for Domain V, Community and Student Engagement, or overall ratings for each district and
campus. Moak, Casey & Associates used the 2016 Community and Student Engagement ratings for La Porte ISD campuses as well as the methodology for determining the overall rating, as explained in the Texas Education Agency’s Dec. 30, 2016, A-F Ratings Report, to calculate the overall letter grades for the schools. In answer to the research question, “What is the distribution of A-F campus ratings using TEA’s Dec. 30 A-F report and methodology?,” the chart at left shows Moak, Casey & Associates’ determination of each La Porte ISD school’s overall letter rating. According to the firm’s calculations, 10 La Porte ISD campuses would have received a “B,” while La Porte Elementary School would have received a “C.” Viola DeWalt High School is a campus subject to alternative accountability ratings, and Moak, Casey & Associates did not rate it as part of this research. TEA’s Dec. 30, 2016, A-F Ratings Report on the proposed system explains that 55 percent of the overall rating would be based upon Domain I, Student Achievement; Domain II, Student Progress; and Domain II, Closing Performance Gaps. Domain IV, Post-Secondary Readiness, would account for 35 percent of the overall grade, with Domain V, Community and Student Engagement, accounting for 10 percent of the overall grade. The 55 percent represented by Domains I, II and II would include the best of either Domain I or II (35 percent of the overall grade) and Domain III (20 percent of the overall grade). These domains reflect student performance on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). “The data that drives the ratings is just that—data. While there is still great opportunity for growth, we are very proud of the progress and achievement that it represents,” said Lloyd W. Graham, La Porte ISD superintendent of schools. “That having been said, we believe that the proposed A-F rating system is not a fair representation of what happens in our schools. Simple grades of A-F cannot adequately reflect the efforts of our students and teachers, their individual successes, or other factors that make our schools outstanding environments for learning.” The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees joined many other districts throughout the state in calling on lawmakers to repeal the A-F rating system by approving a resolution at its Jan. 24 meeting with a 5-1 vote. Graham added that the district’s goal is to “increase achievement and success for each student through rigorous, broadbased academic programs and numerous co- and extracurricular activities that cannot be accurately validated by this proposed accountability system.”
Six La Porte High School basketball players earn All-District recognition
Thomas Bello
Trey Farley
Keenan Gooden
Six La Porte High School basketball players have earned All-District recognition for the 2016-17 season. Junior Dominic Warner was named to the First Team All-District, while senior Byars Wilson and junior Keenan Gooden were selected to the Second Team All-
Jesse Jimenez
Dominic Warner
La Porte Education Foundation Education Celebration held Mar. 2
Byars Wilson
District. Earning Honorable Mention were seniors Trey Farley and Jesse Jimenez. Senior Thomas Bello was named to the All-Academic Team. They are coached by Barry Gibson and Chuck Hobbs.
La Porte ISD wins six Gold Awards and two Best of Category at TSPRA
La Porte High School teacher Matthew Hausler, right, shows Lomax Elementary School first Charlie Kern, right, pets an iguana from the La Porte High School science department during grader Vanessa Martha how to make lava rocks using Rice Krispies treats and chocolate syrup the La Porte Education Foundation’s Education Celebration. At left is his sister, Haiden Kern, during the Education Celebration. The event is hosted annually by the La Porte Education a Bayshore Elementary School second grader. Foundation.
From left, Terri Cook, Adam J. Holland and Kimberly Culver.
La Porte ISD won six Gold Star Awards, including two Best of Category designations, at the Texas School Public Relations Association Conference in Galveston Feb. 22. The LPISD website and an article on the La Porte High School culinary arts recipe competition, written by Adam J. Holland, were announced as Best of Category at the annual Star Awards Banquet held on Feb. 22. The district also received Gold Star Awards for the brochure accompanying Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham’s presentation at the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the recipe competition and Service Awards programs designed by Kimberly Culver, and an article on the Guerra quadruplets who graduated from La Porte High School in 2016. In addition, the district also won Silver Star Awards for The Leader and a 100th Anniversary program. Holland and Culver also helped with the TSPRA “Power of Public” committee, working on the campaign to help celebrate Texas public schools. Culver designed the logo that adorns the front of the “Power of Public” T-shirts that were given to all TSPRA conference attendees and their superintendents during the week.
For information contact the La Porte Education Foundation 281-604-7038 www.lpisdef.org
Members of the Heritage Elementary School faculty greet students and their families at their Education Celebration booth. From left are teachers Penelope Velasco, Alicia Hodges, Alexandria Hayes and Emily Cardenas, principal Grisel Wallace, and teachers Maria Raymundo, Marisol Huesca and Monica LeVrier.
La Porte Junior High principal Candace Pohl visits with seventh grader Gaige LeGrand during the La Porte Education Celebration on March 3.
La Porte ISD Board of Trustees election set for Saturday, May 6 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.
LPHS JROTC presents colors at breakfast with Congressman Babin
The next issue of The Leader will be published in the Mar. 30 issue of The Bay Area Observer. 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.
Members of the La Porte High School JROTC Color Guard presented the colors at the Feb. 23 breakfast with Congressman Brian Babin, who serves the 36th District of Texas, for area veterans at Pappa Yolk’s Grill in Pasadena. Congressman Babin presented each of the students with a certificate of appreciation for participating in the event. From left are Lloyd W. Graham, La Porte ISD superintendent of schools; SGT. Cruz Montanez, assistant director of the La Porte JROTC; C/CPT. Alicia M. Hale and C/1st LT. Nathaniel W. George, JROTC cadets; Congressman Brian Babin; C/1SGT. Joel A. Reyes, C/SSG. Tracy F. Liles and C/LTC. Bryce Rowley, JROTC cadets; and Mayor Louis Rigby of the City of La Porte.
Members of the La Porte Education Foundation Board of Directors and La Porte ISD Members of the La Porte Elementary School Spirit Team are among the performers during the administrators were on hand for the foundation’s annual Education Celebration, which was La Porte Education Celebration. In front from left are Codee Shaw and Tre’Mya Cooper, and held on March 3 at La Porte High School. From left are Jeff Martin and Chuck Davis, LPEF in back are Iarley Hernandez, Presley Nolin, Isis Shuler and Persilla Walker. Board members; Jewel Whitfield, LPISD executive director of elementary education; Lloyd W. Graham, LPISD superintendent of schools; Cynthia Anderson, executive director of special programs; and Michael Barry, Larry Taylor and Stephen Barr, LPEF Board members.
LPISD District Calendar 3/9/17 - Thursday LPHS - Shattered Dreams
Heritage Elementary presents its Hawks of the Month for February
3/10/17 - Friday La Porte Elementary - Donuts with Dolls 7:15 AM – 7:45 AM Rizzuto Elementary - 1st grade field trip to Old McDonald Farm 5th Graders visit James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus Bulldogs Baseball (Baseball by the Beach RR) vs. Episcopal - 12:45 PM Bulldogs Baseball (Baseball by the Beach RR) vs. Spring - 6:15 PM 3/11/17 - Saturday Bulldogs Baseball (Baseball by the Beach RR) vs. Sterling - 12:45 PM 3/12/17 - Sunday Daylight Saving Time Begins - 2 AM Move clocks ahead one hour 3/13/17 - Monday Spring Break - All campuses and district offices closed. La Porte Elementary - CiCi’s Pizza Spirit Night - 2 PM - 9 PM - Deer Park location 3/14/17 - Tuesday Spring Break - All campuses and district offices closed. 3/15/17 - Wednesday Spring Break - All campuses and district offices closed. 3/16/17 - Thursday Spring Break - All campuses and district offices closed. 3/17/17 - Friday Spring Break - All campuses and district offices closed. 3/21/17 - Tuesday La Porte Elementary - Papa John’s Pizza Spirit Night Jennie Reid Elementary - Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night - 5 PM - 8 PM Rizzuto Elementary - Bullrito’s Spirit Night LPJH - Girls Track Meet - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Bulldog Stadium Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - 7 PM - 1002 San Jacinto St.
Heritage Elementary announces its students of the month for February. They include kindergarten students Titus Napier, Natalie Campos, Audrey Garlington and Avery Traylor; first graders Emily Madrigal, Jaxon Oliver, Josue Rodriguez, Mady Baumann and JoAnna Leonar; second graders Mariah Garza, Manuel Carrillo, Thomas Harmonson, Merari Caceres and Haileigh Bonano; third graders Craeger Whitlow, Abigail Ramirez, Caleb Hanks and Andreyes Vela; fourth graders Havana Willimason, Luis Fraga, Roberto Rios, Isabella Spears and Mayka Gonzalez; fifth graders Jose Rubio, Benjamin Whitfield, Cassidy Hayes and Emma Johns. Principal Grisel Wallace, assistant principal Linda Hyde and the Chickfil-A Cow are pictured with the honored students.
Lomax Elementary presents its Lions of the Month for January
3/22/17 - Wednesday Bayshore Elementary - Student of the Month - 7:15 AM - 8 AM - Library La Porte, Lomax, Rizzuto & Jennie Reid Elementaries - 4th grade field trip Theater Under the Stars - James and the Giant Peach La Porte Elementary - Leopard of the Month - 7:20 AM 7:45 AM LPJH - Boys Track Meet - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM - Bulldog Stadium 3/23/17 - Thursday Bayshore Elementary - Field Trip - 2nd Grade to Children’s Museum Heritage Elementary - Spring Photos Individual and Class 3/24/17 - Friday End 3rd Nine Weeks - Elementary Bayshore Elementary - Field Trip - 4th Grade - Theater Under the Stars Jennie Reid Elementary - Student of the Month & College Assembly - 7:15 AM 3/25/17 - Saturday Project Graduation 5K - 6:30 AM - Sylvan Beach Park 3/27/17 - Monday Begin 4th Nine Weeks - Elementary
Lomax Elementary announces its students of the month for February. They include kindergarten students Greyson Sibley, Yaniah Winter and Aubree Hernandez; first graders Dalilah Lopez, Ivan Avila, Ana Du and Addison Hammers; second graders Ruben Torres, Evan Bernal, Brasen Walker, Ryker Reynolds and Roakre Hill; third graders Harlee Gibbs, Maelyn Lozano, Jackson Barnes and Chase Harmon; fourth graders Cody Miller, Camden Elko, Cassidy Johnson, Brooke Baquet and Zariah McGlory; fifth graders Annaya Atkins, Amy Du and Shayleigh Sockwell. Principal Patricia Herrera-Johnson and assistant principal Tami King are pictured with the honored students.
Senior Miranda Solis signs to play volleyball with Cedar Valley College
3/28/17 - Tuesday STAAR Testing - NO VISITORS PLEASE 3/29/17 - Wednesday STAAR Testing - NO VISITORS PLEASE 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.
2017 LPISD Teacher Job Fair Saturday, April 1 9 AM - 12 PM at La Porte Junior High 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.
La Porte High School volleyball standout Miranda Solis prepares to sign a letter of intent to play volleyball at Cedar Valley College in Lancaster. With her, standing from left, are her mother, Diana Solis; LPHS volleyball coaches Sarah Aguilar and Jillian Humphrey; and father, Rudy Solis. Miranda is a three-year letterman who was named Most Valuable Player and First Team All-District this year.