Education Notes
November 4, 2016
NEWS
Irving ISD Dedicates the Elise Walker Outdoor Learning Center
On November 2, Irving ISD honored a teacher with 42 years of service to the district
by naming its newest facility, The Outdoor Learning Center (OLC), in her memory.
The district hosted an official dedication ceremony, which included guided tours
along the nature trails and interactive displays showcasing the science lessons
students are taught at the district’s newest classroom.
The Elise Walker OLC was born out of collaboration between Irving ISD, the City of
Irving and Dallas County Community College District. In 2015, the three entities
partnered to realize Irving ISD’s vision for a center where hands-on, environmental
education is made possible for the next generation. Special guests from those
organizations were present at the ceremony including Mayor Beth Van Duyne, city
council members, North Lake College President Dr. Christa Slejko and
representatives of the Dallas County Community College District. Photos of the
event can be found on the district Photo Gallery.
The Elise Walker OLC welcomed its first group of students on October 17, and the
facility has hosted many classes of second and fifth graders from Irving ISD since.
Sitting on 25 acres of grasslands, wetlands and marsh, the OLC houses numerous
nature trails, an amphitheater and an indoor museum-style space for interactive
exploration. Using the surrounding ecosystem and natural habitat, students have the
opportunity to observe and dissect the elements of nature, while learning statemandated science requirements through firsthand experiences.
PHOTO CAPTION [OLCdedication]: Representatives of the three entities that
realized the Elise Walker Outdoor Learning Center participated in a ribbon
cutting ceremony on Wednesday, marking the official dedication of the
facility. Pictured are Irving ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jose Parra;
North Lake College President Dr. Christa Slejko; Irving City Council Member
Oscar Ward; Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne; Irving ISD Board President Dr.
Steven Jones; former Irving ISD Trustee Lee Mosty; Irving ISD Board
Secretary Randy Randle; and Irving ISD Board Member Dinesh Mali.
Stadium Renamed After Longtime Supporters
Irving ISD surprised longtime supporters of district athletics, Joy and Ralph Ellis, by
renaming the Irving Schools Stadium in their honor. A special ceremony was held
prior to kickoff of the MacArthur High School homecoming football game on October
28. Photos from the event can be found on the district Photo Gallery.
Joy and Ralph Ellis have been making a difference in the lives of Irving ISD student
athletes for more than four decades. Over the years, the couple has provided fouryear scholarships to four graduating student athletes under a program now called
the “Joy and Ralph Ellis Scholarship for Athletes.” As of 2016, more than 160
scholarships have been awarded, not to mention their many other donations to
Irving ISD for athletic, academic and library programs. For their benevolence and
contributions, the Irving ISD Board of Trustees voted on July 25 to rename Irving
Schools Stadium the Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium.
PHOTO CAPTION [StadiumRenaming]: Irving ISD surprised longtime
supporters of district athletics, Joy and Ralph Ellis, by renaming the Irving
Schools Stadium in their honor. A special ceremony was held in their honor
prior to kickoff of the MacArthur High School homecoming football game on
October 28. Participating in the celebration were (from left) Board Vice
President Larry Stipes; Trustee A.D. Jenkins; Superintendent of Schools Jose
L. Parra, Ed.D.; Ralph and Joy Ellis; Board President Dr. Steven Jones; Board
Secretary Randy Randle; and Irving Schools Foundation Executive Director
Crystal Scanio.
Donated Car Sells for $47,000
A donated 1965 Ford Mustang was auctioned to raise money for scholarships for
Houston Middle School students. The car sold for $47,000 at the Mecum Car Auction
on November 4. That amount will fund two-and-a-half full-ride School Works
Scholarships offered to Houston students through Irving Bible Church. Houston
Middle School students had a chance to see the car during a special presentation at
the school on October 27.
PHOTO CAPTION [car]: The 1965 Ford Mustang donated to be auctioned off
to raise money for scholarships for Houston Middle School students sold for
$47,000 at the Mecum Car Auction on November 4. That amount will fund
two-and-a-half full-ride School Works Scholarships.
Nimitz to Host Veterans Day Breakfast
Calling all veterans! The Nimitz High School culinary arts and hospitality programs
will host a Veterans Day breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 11.
The breakfast is free for veterans and $7 for anyone else who wishes to order the
breakfast. The menu includes waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee.
RSVP here by Wednesday, November 9.
ATHLETICS
Houston Middle School Teams Snag 3 of 4 Football City Championships
The football teams of Houston Middle School snagged three of the four football city
championships. The Houston Texans 8th-grade A team edged the Austin Broncos 2920, while the Texans 8th-grade B team beat the Johnson Eagles 14-2. In 7th-grade
action, the Texans’ A team defeated the Johnson Eagles 32-16. The Johnson Eagles
7th-grade B team shut out Houston 26-0.
PHOTO CAPTION [Houston8A]: The Houston Middle School 8th-grade A team
edged the Austin Broncos 29-20 for the City Championship.
PHOTO CAPTION [Houston7A]: In 7th-grade football action, the Houston
Middle School Texans’ A team defeated the Johnson Eagles 32-16.
FINE ARTS
Annual Conference Showcases Irving ISD Talent
The Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) hosted
its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency this week with the help of student
musicians and artists from the Dallas area. During the week, Texas ASCD scheduled
fine arts performances from several schools, including Irving ISD’s MacArthur High
School. The Cardinal drumline treated the conference attendees to a great
performance, closing out the final session on November 1. In addition, artists from
MacArthur, Irving, and Nimitz High School had artwork featured in the Student Art
Gallery which was displayed throughout the three-day event.
PHOTO CAPTION [MacArthurDrumline]: The MacArthur High School varsity
drumline was one of nine student fine arts groups from the Dallas area to
perform at the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development’s (ASCD) annual conference.
Student Artwork on Display in Community Mural
The ceramics students at Singley Academy took their talents on the road for a rare
opportunity to make art with renowned Uriarte Talavera artist Javier Espinosa
Mómox in September. Now, their artwork, along with pieces created by students
throughout the Dallas area, are on display at the Crow Collection of Asian Art. The
museum’s education department hosted a series of workshops led by the artist
which explored the history of Talavera ceramics. Student participants created
handmade Talavera-inspired tiles, and each tile was taken by the museum to form
one, giant installation. The piece is currently on exhibit through December 3 and will
conclude with a closing night celebration where everyone will come together to
remove each tile as a community.
PHOTO CAPTION [CrowArt]: The ceramics students of Singley Academy
contributed to the Community Tile Installation currently on display at the
Crow Collection of Asian Art through December 3.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Jim Adler & Associates Bring in the Bikes
Thanks to Jim Adler & Associates, the students of Barton Elementary School are on a
roll – literally! This week, the law firm generously donated eight bicycles to
contribute to the school’s “On a Roll” program, a reward system created to celebrate
student achievement. Every six weeks, teachers nominate students who have
demonstrated hard work through good grades, perfect attendance or citizenship
behavior. One student per grade is selected to receive a brand new bike donated by
community partners like Jim Adler & Associates. A special presentation was held
November 2 with representatives from the law firm and Barton’s student council.
PHOTO CAPTION [Barton Bicycles]: The student council of Barton
Elementary School welcomed representatives from Jim Adler & Associates
during a special presentation of donated bicycles on November 2.
Thank You, Toyota of Irving
As a token of appreciation for their partnership, Singley Academy hosted Toyota of
Irving for lunch at Firebird Café, the school’s restaurant operated by culinary arts
and hospitality students. Toyota of Irving became an official Partner in Education
with Singley last year. This year, the company donated $1,000 to stock the school’s
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support) Gotcha Store. Students earn
“gotchas” for exceptional behavior and perfect attendance and can redeem the
“gotchas” for items in the store like chips, selfie sticks, sodas, etc.
PHOTO CAPTION [SingleyAcademy&Toyota]: As a thank you for their
partnership, Singley Academy hosted Toyota of Irving for lunch in the
Firebird Café on Thursday. Pictured (from left) are representatives of Toyota
of Irving April Brewer, Delilah Carlson, Jereme Schoemaker, and from Singley
Academy Principal Dr. André Smith and deans of students Donna Lewis and
Shawn Risener.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Ribbon Cuttings for Fine Arts/Athletics Renovations
Each of the district’s comprehensive high schools received enhancements to their
fine arts and athletics facilities. A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony to
showcase those renovations will be held as follows:
 Nimitz High School: Thursday, November 10
 Irving High School: Thursday, December 8
 MacArthur High School: Friday, December 9
The events begin at 6 p.m. and will include refreshments, remarks and guided tours.
Student performances will follow at 7 p.m.
Irving Schools Foundation Legacy Gala – Friday, November 18
The Irving Schools Foundation is hosting the 6th annual Legacy Gala on Friday,
November 18, at the Four Seasons Resort and Club (4150 N. MacArthur Boulevard,
Irving, TX 75038). Registration and silent auction is at 7 p.m., and the gala begins at
8 p.m. The Legacy Gala supports the Foundation’s scholarship and educational
programs for district teachers and students. For more information, contact 972-6005018 or [email protected].
REQUIRED POSTINGS
In accordance with various laws and guidelines, Irving ISD posts required notices on the
Irving ISD website. Click the links below to access the information.
2016-2017 Media Release for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Child Find Information – English
Child Find Information – Spanish
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