Friday morning at 9:00 AM there was a lot of fun going on at Stafford Elementary. I am talking about the annual “Play Day” at Stafford Elementary. There were students, parents, teachers, and even brothers and sisters having a wonderful time.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Italy ISD School Board will have a called meeting. The meeting time is 5:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to canvass votes from the May 9 School Board Trustee election. The meeting will be held in the Italy Administration Office at 300 S. College and is open to the public.

Stafford Elementary students in the Pre- K, Kindergarten and First grade were all invited to come have a day of fun at the Monolithic Domes. This took place last week to help the students keep busy while the higher grades took their TAKS test.

Speed Hamby has been employed by Italy ISD for three years this coming June as the director of maintenance and transportation. He is over the custodial and maintenance staff, orders supplies and keeps up with mowing the grounds and keeping them beautiful.

Friday morning, April 24th at 9:00 AM Stafford Elementary had their honor assembly. The gymnasium was filled with many proud parents, grandparents, and other family members watching the students

Italy High School would like to announce the newest members of the cheerleading squads for the fall season.

Cheryl Allen went to Manhattan Bible College in Manhattan KS studying to be a missionary. She never thought she would want to teach because she was so shy. Then an opportunity presented itself to her after her third year in Bible college.

On Sunday, April 19, 2009, the Kayrene Uehlinger Scholarship was presented to Tyler Boyd during the morning worship at Central Baptist Church in Italy. This is the second year that the Class of 1968 has made the presentation.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, April 20, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Agenda items include recognition of the Employee of the Month, staff resignations, budget amendments, and HVAC and roofing renovations.

Thursday evening at 6:30 PM at Milford ISD, the cafeteria was buzzing with excitement. It was Milford ISD’s annual International Dinner night.

Wednesday, April 8th two school buses with lots of Stafford Elementary students pulled up to the Haight’s residence for a magnificent Easter Egg Hunt. Along with the Stafford students there were many parents that also came for this event.

Twelve students from Milford high school competed in the UIL academic meet on March 27 and 28 at Navarro College. Tapley Strange, sophomore, advanced to the regional competition in prose.

It is that time of year again. It is Round-Up time! Italy ISD will have early childhood, pre kindergarten and kindergarten round-up to enroll children who will be eligible for classes for the 2009 – 2010 school year. The roundup will be by appointment only.

Kelly Vernon, the CBI teacher at Italy High School, was recently honored by the Region 10 Education Center. Kelly was nominated by Italy ISD Special Programs Director Pam Luttrell and was one of 17 ladies being honored with a “Shero” award.

From the past and present seasons of victories in sports, Italy’s academics was out to prove its point, and on March 23 that is exactly what it did. The Gladiators headed to Mexia to compete in the UIL Competitions last Monday and came home with plenty of awards.

Jonathan McLean knew at an early age that he wanted a teaching career. Science was his favorite subject in school so it made sense to him to teach it. He started his teaching career at Stafford Elementary teaching fifth and sixth grade science and has been teaching there for three years. “I can’t see myself working anywhere but here,” said McLean.

What does it take to be an Italy Gladiator? What does it take to earn the right to walk out on the field, under the lights, in front of hundreds of cheering fans on Friday nights?

The IISD Board will meet Tuesday, March 24 in the administration offices at 300 South College, Italy. The agenda includes recognition of the Employee of the Month, Kyle Holley, discussion of a three-year plan on lighting, roof and HVAC renovations and disposition of surplus property policy. Teacher contracts will be discussed during Executive Session.

March 13th at 6:00 PM in the Milford ISD cafeteria, wonderful aromas of spaghetti and garlic bread were wafting through the air. This was just the beginning of a enjoyable evening.

As you walked into Milford ISD’s gymnasium Thursday evening at 7:00 PM you could just sense the excitement in the air. The second grade through fifth grade music classes were all getting ready to sing in the World’s Largest Concert. The World’s Largest Concert is a sing along concert linking students around the world through music.

Thursday, at Stafford Elementary all day long volcanos were erupting. Masses of lava could be scene running down these volcanic mountains. Yes, we are talking about Jonathan McLean’s sixth grade science projects.

Thursday night at 6:00 PM at Stafford Elementary there was lots of action going on. The Stafford PTO put together a bingo game night which consisted of bingo, great prizes and delicious hotdogs, chili and chips. What could be better?

Have you given blood lately? If not, it’s not too late. You can head over to Italy High School and walk right into the dome. Carter Blood Center is in town today and will remain until 5pm this afternoon.

On March 6, 2009, the Avalon Eagles made history. It was the first time in 10 years, since Kris Marsall has been head coach, that the Eagles made it this far in playoffs. Though they didn’t win, Avalon played in the Region III Division Tournament at Stephen F. Austin University.

There were many proud parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and students in the Stafford Elementary gymnasium for their honor assembly at 9:00 AM this past Friday.

Come one, come all; Thursday March 12th, Italy High School will be holding a Carter Blood Bank blood drive in the IHS Dome from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm.

On March 12th Milford ISD is the place you want to be. Students in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will be performing songs in the gymnasium as part of this year’s “World’s Largest Concert” at 7:00 PM.

The Avalon Eagles won the Regional Quarterfinal game against their rival, the Milford Bulldogs! The final score was 47-41. Avalon will play Slocum High School at Stephen F. Austin Coliseum in Nacogdoches. The game will start at 5:00p.m. Friday, March 6. If the Eagles win that game, they will play again on Saturday, March 7 at 12:00p.m. Come support your Avalon Eagles!!!

Tuesday, March 3rd, TAKS testing was going on at Stafford Elementary. The teachers of the second graders decided to take their students out of the building to give them a day of fun while the older students took their test.

It didn’t take fans long to realize the Milford Bulldogs vs. Midway Falcons game would be a good one. From start to finish these two teams gave fans their money’s worth.

For the last several years, Italy High School has been represented by several students in the Small Schools Academic Competition. The name has changed to the Texas Association of Community Schools Academic Competition, but the new name did not make the competition any easier. This year several IHS students fared very well and earned scholarship monies.

If you drive by the city park on College Street, you will see something very new. The local tennis courts are being refurbished, which is wonderful for the IHS tennis team.

Over forty 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from Stafford Elementary and Italy High School traveled to Wortham to participate in the A-plus Academic UIL meet on December 4 & 11. They participated as individuals and teams in events covering a wide variety of topics from math and science to speech and journalism.

The Avalon Eagles and Forestburg Longhorns battled Friday night in Springtown to keep their playoff dreams alive. After an exciting game, Avalon moves on as the Area Champions.

Mardi Gras beads, King Cakes and lots and lots of students were all in the library at Italy High School Tuesday morning around 8:45. Everyone was there getting a slice of King Cake hoping to find a plastic baby. If they were lucky enough to find the baby in their slice of cake any library fines the student had would be dismissed.

The IISD Board will meet Thursday, February 26 in the administration offices at 300 South College, Italy. Poll location, early voting preparation and the agreement of joint city and school board elections will be considered. There will be two, 2-year term board trustee positions up for election. Other items on the agenda include review of 2009-2010 school calendar and contract renewals for Director of Special Programs, Principal(s) and Athletic Director. The meeting is open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

On Sunday, February 8, 2009, the Ellis County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recognized seniors from each school in Ellis County. Tyler Boyd, son of Ricky and Monica Boyd, is the Italy High School student that was selected as one of the recipients of the award this year.

On February 12th Stafford Elementary students celebrated President Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. Many students were dressed up as President Lincoln wearing white shirts, black suit coats and black stove top hats.

Under the direction of band director Mike Trussell, 13 band students from Milford competed in the Cen-Tex Honor Band tryouts. Five of those students earned a seat.

Stafford second graders were really in the spirit of spreading love around for Valentines Day. Not only were the halls filled with beautiful Valentine’s Day decorations but they also had Valentines to hand out. The second graders all made beautiful Valentines for Meals on Wheels recipients in Italy.