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.