The Commissioner of Education, Robert Scott, announced that is he deferring implementation of the new 15 percent grading requirement connected to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness End-Of-Course examinations. In the press release, he leaves it up to each district to decide whether or not they are deferring this requirement.
Mrs. Davis, Italy HS/JHS Counselor, has published a few reminders to help the Italy High School’s 2012 graduating class stay on top of things as the move towards graduation in the spring.
The Avalon Water and Sewer Service Corporation (AWSSC) met Thursday evening for their regular monthly meeting. Agenda were on discussing purchase of Gillespie land, discussion on whether to pay for Gregg Rodriguez medical expenses and upgrades to wastewater pump.
Marilyn A. Briar-Seidlitz was hired by the Italy ISD in July of 2009. Since that time, she has taught art classes and now, Seidlitz handles the FFA classes as well.
There is a Stafford Elementary PTO re-organization meeting planned for Tuesday, January 31st at 6:00pm. Parents and friends of Stafford Elementary students and staff members are urged to come and help make a difference. The meeting will be held in the Stafford Elementary cafeteria.
Jody Tennery has worked for Avalon ISD for twelve years teaching high school spanish, english, junior high reading, elementary P.E. and was district assistant principal for three years. Now he has been promoted to elementary principal and is loving his new position.
The restoration of the J.P. Griffith Gymnasium, damaged during the April 2011 tornado, is coming to an end and a special dinner and program is planned for Saturday, February 11.
The Italy School Board of Trustees held a lengthy meeting Thursday with a great deal of information and discussion packed into the evening.
Seven Italy High School students maintained all A’s during the first semester and qualified for a chance to receive a new iPad.
We are half way through the school year and things are going great at Stafford Elementary. We have a new principal this year and good things are happening.
The Italy High School and Junior High have released their “A” and “A/B” Honor Roll lists for the 3rd 6-weeks of the 2011-2012 school year.
The gymnasium was full last Friday as Stafford Elementary held their third six weeks awards assembly. Every time a student’s name was called, a huge smile could be seen on their face and they were very happy to shake Principal Miller’s hand and accept their award.
The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a special called meeting on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Meeting time is set for 6:00pm and will be held in the Italy ISD Administration Office at 300 S. College, Italy. The agenda slates this meeting for the purpose of a superintendent evaluation.
The theme this year at Italy High School is perfect attendance. We all know the more you are in school, the more you are going to learn.
Ho! Ho! Ho! It is Christmas time at Milford ISD. Thursday evening the gymnasium was filled with excited students, Christmas trees, proud parents and family members. Milford ISD’s band director, Mr. Mike Trussell, had his band students playing up a storm of Christmas music bringing Christmas cheer to everyone there.
Italy High School/Junior High School will be giving final exams on Wednesday, December 14 through Friday December 16. See schedule below. There will NOT be any exemptions this semester. Exemptions can be earned for the second semester.
The seventh annual Reading Marathon is in full swing this week Dec. 5-9 at the Italy High School Library! Students, faculty and staff are participating in a week-long event that has someone constantly reading in the “Reading Parlor” in the library from 8 a.m. Monday morning until school dismisses at 3:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.
The Stafford Elementary Honors Assembly honored students for their work during the first and second six weeks of school. The gymnasium was filled with smiling parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and students. But the biggest smiles were the ones on the students faces when Jason Miller (principal) handed each of them their awards.
In order to make the environment of athletic events safe and more enjoyable for all of the fans, Italy Junior High and High School is implementing the following rules effective Monday, December 12, 2011.
On Thursday, December 8 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm Stafford Elementary will host a STAAR Informational Night. This meeting will be for parents of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students and is designed for parent to review student expectations, strategies and pose questions.
The school year is almost a third over. Mrs. Davis has published a few reminders to help the Italy High School’s 2012 graduating class on the rest of their journey this year.
Milford High School recently received an unexpected award from Carter BloodCare. For the 2010-2011 school year, Milford’s senior class had the highest percentage of donors for schools with fewer than 200 seniors. The award recognizes the commitment of last year’s graduating class for supporting Carter’s mission of saving lives by donating blood.
Amidst the improvements and work-in-progress projects going on within the Italy Independent School District communication tools and avenues are definitely a priority. Besides the school website, Italy High School principal, Lee Joffre is urging parents to make it a habit to view the district’s Facebook page. You DO NOT have to have a Facebook page yourself to view this page.
Waxahachie High School will host “College Night 101” – a three part series for junior and senior students and their parents beginning Monday, November 7, 2011 and has extended an invitation to Italy HS juniors and seniors. College Night 101 was organized in an effort to allow students and parents the opportunity to have their college-related questions answered in a smaller, more intimate setting. Students and parents can choose which night to attend based on the colleges and universities that will be represented.
As Stafford Students step from good to great, we feel that our campus’ appearance should mirror our changing attitude.
Sharon Davis is the new counselor for the students of Italy High School and has been in education for 19 years. Previously employed at Grand Prairie High School as their counselor for 2 years, she has made the switch to a 2-AA school.
The Italy School Board of Trustees received good news Monday night when Barry Bassett, superintendent, announced the district had earned a superior achievement rating with the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for the 2009-2010 school year.
Members of Italy High School’s FCCLA class receive training in Dallas regarding tough issues that effect the youth of today and are prepared to enlighten fellow students.
The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have Board Training session followed by a regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 17, 2011. The Board Training will begin at 6:00pm and will be held in the Italy ISD Administration Office. The regular monthly meeting will follow at 7:00pm and will be held in the Italy High School Band Hall. Both meeting locations are the High School campus at 300 S. College Street, Italy.
Tack Day at Italy High School on Thursday sets the stage for a spirited Friday.
NERD POWER! Gladiators celebrated nerd day in style. Well, if mismatched clothes, thick glasses and unattractive footwear fit your ideal of style, then Italy High School was a nerd’s paradise on Wednesday.
With one six-weeks down and five to go there is much to do for Italy High School’s 2012 graduating class. Mrs. Davis, Italy High School Counselor, will be conducting senior interviews this month. Mrs. Davis will discuss with each senior what they need to graduate and discuss their future plans after graduation.
The sophomore class of Italy High School invites everyone to come take a swing at their spirit car. The car, donated by Martin Towing of Waxahachie located off of Hwy 77, is painted up and ready to be destroyed. For a dollar the sophomores will hand you a sledge hammer and let you take your best shot!!! Help close out spirit week and join in the fun.
With the first six weeks of school complete and homecoming week in progress I wanted to pause and write a personal letter of thanks for the support Italy Independent School District receives from parents, grandparents, and community members. Additionally we offer special thanks for the trust we are afforded in providing a safe and effective learning environment in which each student can reach their full potential.
Homecoming is a time honored tradition. Italy High School has scheduled this week to be Homecoming and festivities will culminate with a football challenge between the Gladiators and the Blooming Grove on Friday night at Willis Field. Game begins at 7:30.
Homecoming week 2011 began with Twin Day and many Italy High School and Junior High students partnered together and dressed to match.
If you are at Stafford Elementary at about 7:15 AM don’t be surprised when you see Jason Miller greeting each student as they get off the bus. He is the new principal for Stafford Elementary.
Italy High School Homecoming 2011 is fast approaching (Friday, October 7 vs Blooming Grove). With that in mind, homecoming parade organizers are working tirelessly with area merchants, clubs and others to make this year’s parade a huge success. If your group would like to be included in 2011 IHS Homecoming parade please contact Erick Thompson.
That favorite time of year is upon us again, school has started and it is time for the yearly Book Fair at Stafford Elementary.
Friday at David’s Supermarket you could see some very skilled shoppers making their way through the store. They were the CBI students from Italy High School and Avalon High School with Lee Joffre (Italy High School principal). They were busy hunting down various items on their shopping list.
The attached TEA brochures were submitted by one of our readers for the benefit of all parents of school age children. The STAAR testing program is a end of course testing system that will begin with this year’s high school freshmen down through elementary age students.
The Scholastic Book Fair will be next week Sept. 19-23 at Stafford Elementary Library from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day. We will close on Friday at 10 a.m. The theme this year is “Reading Is Out of This World.”
Stafford Elementary sees how special grandparents are and invited them to have lunch with their grandchildren on Monday, September 12th, Grandparents Day. The cafeteria was over flowing with grandparents and laughter as students and grandparents shared lunch together.
We all know the sadness that took place ten years ago on September 11th. We know that terrorists attacked our wonderful country, the United States of America. Four planes were hijacked in mid flight. Two of the planes were flown into two skyscrapers at the World Trade Center in New York City and caused them to catch fire and collapse. Another plane destroyed part of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. and the fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. In all, nearly three thousand people were killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Italy JH/HS has been invited to Career Night assemblies at two area high schools.
Italy ISD offers services to gifted and talented students in a variety of formats. If your student is not currently identified as gifted and talented, and you believe that your child shows these tendencies, then you may nominate him/her for the screening process which is divided into three elements: standardized test of mental ability, teacher judgment based on observation and characteristics, and standardized achievement test scores (if available).
Teresa Young, the CB&I teacher for Italy High School, is really enjoying her job. Last year she was the CB&I teacher for Stafford Elementary. With her new position at the high school, teaching life skills is a big part of her job. Every Friday Mrs.Young and her class go around the community and do volunteer work. This Friday they were at Trinity Mission.
The 2011 Gladiator yearbooks are currently available for purchase, as well as the 2010 and 2009 yearbooks which have been discounted.
Barry Bassett and the Italy ISD hosted a luncheon for pastors and leaders of the community Wednesday at Central Baptist Church.
The Italy School Board of Trustees adopted a budget for the 2011/2012 budget year and adopted a tax rate at a called meeting and public hearing Tuesday night.
