The new science teacher at IHS, Matthew Patterson, has new goals for his students. "My goal is to raise the test scores and to help Italy HS become recognized. “I want to do this by getting students interested in science again. I would also like to have a part in making the students Italy HS better people in all aspects of their lives.”

The Italy EDC will have their monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 in the Italy City Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy. Meeting time is set for 6:00pm. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

Lady Gladiators current and past participate in the 2012 Alumni Game inside the Italy Coliseum dome.

Coming from a Montessori Academy, Kim Watkins will be teaching her first year in the public school system at Italy ISD this fall. She will be the 7th grade Math teacher and is eager to take on the job.

Last Thursday night was Avalon Elementary’s meet the teacher night. As you walked into the school you were greeted with big smiles as Mr. Tennery (elementary principal) and Dr. DelBosque (Avalon ISD Superintendent) welcomed all the students and parents.

The Italy Gladiator Regiment Band is ready for the 2012 marching season and gave parents a glimpse of this year’s half time show Thursday evening at Willis Field.

The Lady Gladiator Volleyball team will have a full day of it on Saturday, August 25. Volleyball at 11am and a carwash fundraiser from 9am until 3:30pm! Please support these hard working ladies!

Attention Kindergarten Parents! Boo Hoo Breakfast in the Library on Monday, August 27th from 8 am until 8:45 am. The Stafford PTO will be serving pastries, juice, and coffee. Please drop your child off at their designated classroom, and come visit with other kindergarten parents.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a budget workshop and a called meeting on Monday, August 27, 2012. The workshop will begin at 5:00pm and will held in the Italy ISD Administration Office. The called meeting will begin at 7:00pm and will be held in the Italy High School Band Hall.

An excited group of parents and students pack the hallways on Meet the Teacher Night at Italy High School.

The halls of Stafford Elementary were filled to the “gills” with children, parents, teachers and staff. You guessed it, it was Meet the Teacher night Thursday evening. And you could hear parents asking their children aren’t you excited to go to school? The answers were varied with, can’t wait, no, yes, and oh boy baby!

It was all smiles and good times as Italy High School students closeout the summer by uniting together during the school’s annual Back-to-School-Bash.

The Milford Police Department is auctioning off vehicles at www.renebates.com. Be sure to place your bids A.S.A.P.!

August twenty seventh brings a brand new school year which means a brand new start for Avalon ISD. David DelBosque (superintendent) said, “This will be a Happy New Year. No, it is not December 31st but the first day of school also brings to us a brand new start. If we can dream it, imagine it or think it, it all can become attainable through hard work and working together.”

The Lady Gladiators take 4th Place after a two day long Hubbard Volleyball Tournament.

Photos of the Lady Gladiator Volleyball Team during practice and from the Hubbard tournament.

Next week starts the brand new school year for Avalon ISD and that makes Mr. Tennery (Avalon Elementary principal) a very happy man. Because the first day of school is his favorite day of the year.

The Stafford PTO will be selling tshirts at Meet-the-Teacher-Night (Thursday, August 23rd). All tshirts will be $15 and will go to benefit Stafford Elementary.

The Gladiator Athletic Booster Club has authentic Italy Gladiator Football jerseys for sale as well as vehicle decals and football caps.

Italy native, Sarah DeMoss Fulfer and husband, Drew, have delivered a brand new baby boy, Neziah Caleb. He was born August 10 at 2:00 am. He weighed 7lbs 10ozs and is 20 1/2 inches long. The happy family lives in San Angelo.

Despite learning a new system, the Italy Gladiators give strong showing on both sides of ball during their first scrimmage against Valley Mills.

Extra photos from Italy’s first scrimmage against the Valley Mills Eagles.

Italy’s JV Gladiators represent on their home field during season’s first scrimmage against Valley Mills.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have two called meetings along with their regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 20, 2012.

Gladiators are eager to start season with first round of scrimmages this Saturday. Bring a bath towel and get into the games free!

Reminder to all 9th through 12th grade students that the annual IHS Back-to-School-Bash is tonight, August 16th. The event will begin at 8:15pm and will be held at 871 Stafford Road just south of Italy. Burgers and all the fixings along with water games, volleyball, and more will be available to the students at this fun event held in their honor.

The start of the 2012 – 2013 school year is just around the corner. Students are asked to bring the following supplies to Meet the Teacher Night, scheduled for August 23.

Italy Gladiator V/JV/Jr. High Football Schedule and the Italy Lady Gladiator V/JV Volleyball Schedule included in this article.

The Italy Gladiators are off to a strong start after gearing up for their first full padded practice on Friday.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a special called meeting on Monday, August 13. The meeting will be held in the Administration Office at 300 S. College Street and will be called to order at 6:00pm. The agenda slates the meeting to be a budget workshop.

The Italy Gladiators get fitted for armor to wrap up first week of two-a-day practices in full pads.

The Italy City Council will have their monthly meeting on Monday, August 13, 2012 in the Council Chambers at 105 West Main Street, Italy. Meeting time is set for 6:00pm.

The Lady Gladiators hit the weights and kicked up some dirt as they prepare for the upcoming volleyball season.

Midnight Madness at Italy High School was fun for all as the Gladiators and Lady Gladiators get an early edge on their competition.

All IYAA Cheerleaders are being asked to attend a squad meeting Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Upchurch Ballpark.

The Italy School Board of Trustees named Myla Wilson the Stafford Elementary principal Monday evening at a called meeting.

All Italy High School students interested in ColorGuard for the 2012-2013 school year are being invited to attend an information session. If you are in 8th through 12th grade and are NOT a member of the high school band, please join us on Thursday, August 9th at 6PM in the band hall for more information.

Italy Gladiator Athletics hosts “Midnight Madness”. Enjoy a watermelon social, watch a movie outside and support the athletes as they have a midnight workout followed by a pancake breakfast for all!

Businesses, organizations, students and fans can be a part of Italy Athletics by purchasing signs that will be displayed at Willis Field this football season in a showing of school spirit.

Lady Gladiator Megan Richards signs Letter of Intent to play softball at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin in Odessa. “Go Falcons!”

Due to schedule conflicts the Gladiator Athletic Booster Club has adjusted their meeting day to Thursday, August 2, 5:30pm at the Italy High School library. Continued planning for the fall sports season will be the primary focus of the meeting.

The Italy ISD School Board will have a special meeting on Monday, August 6, 2012 in the Italy High School Cafeteria, 300 S. College Street. Meeting time is slated for 7:00pm. Personnel matters regarding the hiring of the new Stafford Elementary Principal will be the primary purpose of the meeting.