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Round Rock schools
October 27, 2009
Round Rock students invited to leave mark on school
The Round Rock School district is inviting incoming Cedar Ridge High School students to sign the gym floor of their new school before the actual wood floor is laid.
The signing will take place Monday Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the new school construction site, 2801 Gattis School Rd. in Round Rock.
School administrators will allow students to enter the building a the school’s main entrance on Gattis School Road and sign the gym floor with permanent markers. Any student who will enter Cedar Ridge High School when it opens in August 2010 can participate.
“As we begin to build the culture for Cedar Ridge High School, it is imperative that these charter students understand the importance of their role in laying the foundation for the school’s success,” Principal Dr. Danny Presley said in a press release. “Literally signing the foundation of the school will hopefully give students a feeling that it is their school and will serve as a catalyst for a strong sense of ownership and pride for the students.”
District officials said students will asked to leave the campus once they have signed the floor in order to facilitate parking and avoid crowd congestion. Formal tours of the building will be conducted as construction becomes more complete, they said.
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October 26, 2009
Round Rock school district offers 500 flu vaccines Tuesday
The Round Rock school district will offer 500 doses of the flu mist from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district’s Performing Arts Center, 5800 McNeil Drive.
Children ages 2 to 19 are eligible and must be accompanied by a parent. The vaccine is being offered on a first-come, first served basis.
Those who have asthma, a reactive airway disease, are allergic to eggs, gentamicin or gelatin cannot be administered the flu mist.
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Round Rock delays band festival
Bad weather has caused Round Rock school district officials to postpone their annual Festival of Bands event.
District officials said today that the 10th Annual Festival of Bands has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the RRISD Athletic Complex on Parmer Lane.
Every year, the festival features bands and auxiliaries from the districts high and middle schools. District officials said that due to the rescheduling, it is unknown at this time if the Baylor University “Golden Wave Marching Band” will perform on Nov. 4.
Tickets are $6 each for adults and $5 for students. Pre-schoolers are free. Special donation tickets can be purchased for $7, which will earmark $1 to help provide partial scholarships for private music lessons for needy students.
In addition, the districts Partners in Education Foundation Golf Tournament has been postponed until Monday, November 9, 2009 at the Avery Ranch Golf Club.
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October 12, 2009
Rabid bat found at Canyon Vista Middle School
Round Rock school district officials are asking for help identifying a child at Canyon Vista Middle School who may have come in contact with a rabid bat.
On October 7, a bat was found under the school’s bus canopy, district officials said in a message to parents. The animal later tested positive for rabies, district officials said.
“Administrators at the school received information that an unidentified male student handled the bat,” a statement posted on the district’s website said.
School officials told parents that if they have reason to believe that their child or someone else might have come in physical contact with this animal to call the Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Control 254-778-6744 and Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department Surveillance Unit at 512-972-5555.
Rabies is almost always fatal but it can be prevented with shots. Health officials say immediate care is required for people who are in contact with rabid animals.
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May 29, 2009
Round Rock students make TAKS gains
According to an announcement made today:
Round Rock ISD saw all grades earn exemplary marks on the Reading/ELA, writing and social studies portions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test this year according to preliminary results. Ninety percent or more of RRISD students in grades 3-11 passed the reading portion of the test earning them exemplary status from the Texas Education Agency; 90 percent or more of students in grades 4 and 7 earned exemplary marks on the writing portion; and 90 percent or more students in grades 8, 10 and 11 received exemplary status in social studies.
The greatest RRISD improvement was achieved by African-American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students on the math and science portions of the TAKS. This is the second year in a row the RRISD Board of Trustees made it a district goal to improve math and science performance and narrow student performance gaps.
The percent of sixth grade African American students passing the math portion increased by 14 percentage points, up to 84 percent versus 70 percent in 2008; and the percent of tenth grade students who passed the science portion rose 9 percentage points to 63 percent. The percent of fifth grade Hispanic students who passed the science exam increased to 88 percent, up from 79 percent in 2008. Eleventh grade Hispanic students also performed well, increasing the percent of students who passed the math portion 5 percentage points, up to 80 percent passing this year; and increasing the percent of students who passed the science exam to 85 percent, up from 76 percent last year.
For economically disadvantaged students, fifth grade students increased the passing percentage on the science portion to 85 percent up from 75 percent in 2008 and the percent of sixth grade students passing math increased 12 percentage points up to 84 percent passing in 2009 versus 72 percent in 2008.
“The district has made a significant move in the right direction as we continue our route to exemplary,” Chavez said. “I am proud of our teachers and students for the increased scores we received in several grades and that we have continued to close the achievement gap.”
Third grade The third grade results show that 96 percent of students passed the reading test, which they must pass to meet the state’s promotion requirements. Ninety-one percent of students tested in English passed the mathematics exam
Fourth grade Results show 91 percent of fourth graders passed the Reading exam. The passing rate on the mathematics exam was 92 percent with 95 percent of students passing the writing portion of the exam.
Fifth grade Fifth-grade students must pass both the reading and math exams in order to be promoted. Ninety-six percent of RRISD fifth graders passed the English reading portion of the TAKS test, 93 percent of students taking the first administration of the English version of the math exam passed and 94 percent passed science up from 89 percent last year.
Sixth grade The number of RRISD sixth-grade students passing the Reading test increased to 96 percent and also increased on the math portion with 92 percent passing, up from 88 percent of students passing last year.
Seventh grade Ninety-one percent of seventh graders passed the reading portion of the TAKS, 95 percent passed the writing portion of the test and 89 percent were proficient in the math portion of the TAKS.
Eighth grade Ninety-eight percent of RRISD eighth grade students passed the reading TAKS test, 85 percent passed the first administration of the math portion of the test, 83 percent passed the science portion and 96 percent passed the social studies exam.
Ninth grade Ninety-two percent of RRISD high school freshman passed the reading portion of the English TAKS test and 77 percent passed the math portion of the exam.
Tenth grade The percent of RRISD tenth graders passing the ELA TAKS test was 91 percent, with 76 percent passing the math portion, 81 percent passing the science portion and 95 percent passing the social studies portion.
Eleventh grade The number of students passing the ELA TAKS was 96 percent and 89 percent of eleventh graders passed the math portion. The passing rate on the science portion is 93 percent and 99 percent passed the social studies portion.
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May 19, 2009
Round Rock campuses help schools hit by Ike and caught in Middle East war
Grisham Middle School students will hold a collage performance of their study of mankind’s response to natural disasters from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, the Round Rock school district announced this afternoon.
Grisham, at 10805 School House Lane, has focused on the devastation left by Hurricane Ike, specifically on the how it impacted schools in the Galveston area and will use the performance, titled “If I Don’t, Who Will?”, as a fundraiser to help Galveston schools.
The idea for the performance started with a student whose grandmother was 50 miles from the epicenter of the China earthquake, district officials said. The student is a concert pianist and wanted to give a concert to raise money to send to China and learned that relief agencies will not send money to a specific locale unless an amount $10,000 or more is given. The school decided to study both the earthquake in China and Hurricane Ike. School staff and students met many Galveston evacuees at an area shelter or as students in Grisham.
“I am very excited about this,” Principal Mary Brinkman said in the announcement. “The projects and activities the students are doing are so cool, and every subject area is involved.”
Donations will be accepted at the door of the event and all money raised will go to the Texas Library Association’s LEAF fund to help the Galveston schools rebuild their libraries.
Also, the district has announced that Brushy Creek Elementary School is collecting supplies for a school in Afghanistan that was damaged in the war there.
According to the district announcement:
Representatives from Camp Mabry will visit Brushy Creek Elementary on Thursday, May 21 to receive school supplies for a school in Afghanistan. Brushy Creek first grade students have sponsored a school-to-school service project collecting school supplies for a school in Afghanistan which was destroyed by bombing.
The first grade students asked all Brushy Creek families to help collect school supplies for a school in Afghanistan which the Army has rebuilt, but the children need school supplies to fill their desks. The grade level that brings the most items will participate in a satellite telephone call.
Army National Guard representatives will be at the school at 7:20 a.m. to accept the supplies and thank the students for their hard work during the morning announcements.
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May 13, 2009
Elsie to visit Berkman ES
This is National Book Week, and to celebrate and spotlight the importance of early literacy for children, Berkman Elementary School in Round Rock is having a breakfast celebration Thursday with more than 100 children and Borden’s Elsie the cow.
The event is sponsored by Reading Is Fundamental, which is also bring in a registered dietician to talk about which “brain foods” are best for fueling up for a full day of reading and learning.
Elsie will bring hundreds of books to be donated to the school.
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April 24, 2009
Round Rock High School reaches out to students, staff after teen's death
Round Rock High School freshman Raven Mayes died last night after the SUV she was riding in crossed into another lane and was struck by an 18-wheeler.
Four other teens riding in the SUV, including the 17-year-old male driver, were listed in serious condition at Brackenridge Thursday night.
Today, Round Rock High School principal Phil Warrick sent this letter to students, parents and staff:
Dear Round Rock High School Students, Parents and Staff:
It is with great sadness that we report that one of our 9th grade students, Raven Mayes, died last night in an auto accident. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to her family.
Counselors are available to talk with students and staff. We encourage you to also talk with your student. It is important for them to express their feelings. Traumatic events like the loss of a friend or peer can trigger emotional responses that may require counseling support. If your child is exhibiting any of the following signs, please contact a school counselor, administrator, or a therapist:
· Restlessness, nervous behavior · Trouble concentrating · Difficulty sleeping, frequent nightmares · Fear of being alone · Repeatedly asking questions about the death · Concentrating on previous losses and events · Change in sleeping or eating habits · Loss of interest in activities that he or she previously found pleasure in doing · Significant changes in grades · Comments about taking his or her own life
If changes in your child’s behavior or personality concern you, please contact the RRHS counseling office at 464-6000 to speak with your child’s school counselor. We want to make sure every student and staff member receives the assistance he or she needs to cope with this loss. Together, we will help and care for one another as we move through this difficult time. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely, Dr. Phil Warrick, Principal
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April 17, 2009
Round Rock school board approves grandfathering for high schools
From the Round Rock school district:
At the April 16 Regular Board Meeting the Board of Trustees discussed the possibility of grandfathering freshman entering Round Rock High School and McNeil High School during the 2009-2010 school year and allowing them to remain at these high schools until graduation.
The Trustees voted to grandfather today’s eighth graders who are zoned to attend McNeil High School and Round Rock High School with the exception of those students who are scheduled to attend Cedar Ridge High School in August 2010.
This means that today’s eighth graders not zoned for Cedar Ridge High School will be allowed to stay until graduation at the high school they enter into next school year. Transportation will be provided.
Previous Statesman coverage of school boundary setting.
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April 8, 2009
Round Rock inks new school boundaries
New school boundaries have been set for the Round Rock school district.
According to a press release on the district’s website, the board decided that students from the Wells Branch area currently attending Round Rock High School would now be assigned to the new Cedar Ridge High School, located across Interstate 35.
In addition, households in the Great Oaks Elementary School area will now attend Round Rock High, relieving overcrowded McNeil High School. The Stony Point High School boundary was expanded to include the Mayfield Ranch and Stone Oak neighborhoods.
Other changes made include:
Moving the Mayfield and Stone Oak neighborhoods out of Cactus Ranch Elementary for the 2009-2010 school year to relieve overcrowding but giving fifth graders there the option to stay and creating a new boundary for a new school there for the 2010-2011 school year.
Establishing a new middle school boundary for the current Stony Point 9th grade center and expanding the CD Fulkes and Canyon Vista Middle School boundaries, but giving 8th graders the option to stay at their current schools.
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March 28, 2009
Round Rock to eliminate some bus routes
Despite heated protests from parents, Round Rock trustees voted Thursday to eliminate selected bus routes at 12 elementary, middle and high school campuses for the 2009-10 school year.
The district currently buses some students in neighborhoods with schools under construction to other schools. The district plans to eliminate routes at three existing campuses in the 2010-11 school year when the students riding those buses are transferred to their new, neighborhood schools.
In other Round Rock news, the Citizen’s Boundary Committee will meet Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Round Rock High School lecture hall to address middle and high school boundaries and overcrowding at Cactus Ranch Elementary School.
The committee will present its final report to the school board on April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Round Rock High School lecture hall.
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January 30, 2009
In which I serve as a Round Rock principal for a day
I spent today shadowing Gattis Elementary School principal Jennifer Lucas as part of the Round Rock school district’s Principal for a Day program.
You’ll be glad to know that they only allowed me supervised contact with the children and that, according to one charming fourth grader, I’m just like Lois Lane.
Insurance agent Greg Meyer, my co-principal-for-a-day, and I spent a lot of time with Ms. Lucas walking the hallways and stopping in classrooms, checking on how teachers were teaching and making sure that kids were on task. We saw one class finishing their stories on the naughty gingerbread man who got loose in the school, another learning about their word of the day (“perspective”) by drawing maps of their classroom, and another tending to their classroom garden.
Mr. Meyer and I also got to hear a rousing rendition of the Gattis school song and welcome football players from Stony Point High School, who stopped by Gattis to invite the younger kids to an upcoming town celebration of the team’s success.
Thanks much to all the teachers, staff and students who let me observe them in action today, and to Ms. Lucas and the RRISD PFAD program for the opportunity to learn a bit about how this particular elementary school does business.
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November 18, 2008
Book removed from Round Rock middle school libraries
A teen novel that stirred controversy when the parent of a Round Rock student complained that it is obscene was removed from the district’s middle school libraries today.
The novel entitled “TTYL” by Lauren Myracle is a narrative in the format of instant messages exchanged among a group of teenage girls. TTYL is shorthand for “talk to you later.”
Round Rock Superintendent Jesus Chavez, at right, sent a letter to Wes and Sherry Jennings on Tuesday saying he had determined that “while the book may be appropriate for some students, it is not appropriate for all of our students in the middle school and should not be made generally available in a middle school library open to all middle school students.”
“If parents wish their individual students to have access to the book, there are ample alternatives for the book to be made available to students at parent discretion,” the superintendent said in his letter.
Sherry Jennings, mother of a Ridgeview Middle School student, filed a complaint at the beginning of this school year after her daughter checked the novel out of the Ridgeview library.
Jennings said Tuesday, “We are extremely pleased that the superintendent is interested in quality education for our children and that he realizes that maturity-wise they are not ready for these types of books.”
Jennings said she objected not only to vulgar language in the book “but also to the sexual content of the entire book.”
Jennings said she and her husband are satisfied with Chavez’s response and plan no further action. She added that she appreciated the help of parents and others who supported her complaint about TTYL.
“We had 1,600 people sign a petition backing us, and about 10 people were very helpful in supporting us through this situation,” Jennings said.
Jennings was scheduled to appear before the school board to argue her complaint on Thursday after previous meetings with school officials proved unsatisfactory to her. Chavez said in the letter to her and her husband that since the book has been removed, the hearing before school trustees will be cancelled.
In late October, a nine-member committee appointed by Chavez decided by a 5 to 4 vote to keep the book on school library shelves. The committee included central administration officials, parents, teachers, and a high school student council member.
On Oct. 9, a six-member Ridgeview panel concluded the book should remain in the Ridgeview library despite the complaint.
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November 11, 2008
Round Rock school trustees to hear book complaint
The parent of a Round Rock school district middle school student will take her complaint about a teen novel she says is vulgar and obscene to the Round Rock school board on Nov. 20.
Sherry Jennings, mother of a Ridgeview Middle School student, filed the complaint at the beginning of this school year after her daughter checked the novel “TTYL” out of the Ridgeview library.
Jennings said the novel contains obscenities. She said the book should not be made available to middle school students through campus libraries.
On Oct. 27, a nine-member committee appointed by Superintendent Jesus Chavez decided by a 5-4 vote to keep the book on school library shelves. The committee included central administration officials, parents, teachers and a high school student council member.
On Oct. 9, a six-member Ridgeview panel concluded the book should remain in the Ridgeview library despite the complaint.
The novel by Lauren Myracle is a narrative in the format of cell phone text messages exchanged among a group of teenage girls. TTYL is text message shorthand for “talk to you later.”
The school board will hear Jennings’ complaint prior to its regular board meeting on Nov. 20 and could take action on the issue by voting after the hearing, school officials said.
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November 7, 2008
Round Rock trustees say savings offset higher costs of new school
The Round Rock school district’s new Cedar Ridge High School will cost about $9.7 million more than expected, school trustees were told Thursday.
But school officials said the district has $10.8 million from the 2006 bond issue that authorized the school that can offset the added cost. The $10.8 million comes from savings in projects and from interest earned by the bonds.
Alan Albers, director of facilities, told the board that when the bond package was proposed to voters in 2006, the new high school was estimated to cost $69.8 million.
That cost has risen to $79.5 million, mainly because of a a 12.5 percent rise in costs for materials and labor last year, Albers said.
The price of diesel fuel used in heavy equipment to excavate the Cedar Ridge site off Gattis School Road also rose dramatically, Albers said.
Construction officials are also working up a list of cost-cutting ideas they will present to the board before it meets in January or February to determine exactly what they will spend on the new high school, which is to open in August 2010.
School trustees said they do not want any cuts that interfere with the aesthetics or function of the school. They said the costs of the new school will stay within the $267 million scope of the bond package approved by voters in 2006.
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October 30, 2008
Do schools events and election day collide?
I’ve been asked to write a story about school districts scheduling events like band performances and football games on election day and how that might affect parents, teachers, coaches and other Texans of voting age.
So:
Are you a parent worried that attending the UIL State Marching Band Contest at the Alamodome Tuesday might keep you from voting?
Or a parent concerned that enjoying the musical stylings of the Fall String Festival at Zilker Park during your lunch break might prevent you from reaching the polls?
If your kid is supposed to play in an 8th grade away football game Tuesday night, is that going to conflict with you doing your civic duty?
If you’re affected by these scheduling dilemnas, go ahead and weigh in in the comment section below, or email me.
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October 28, 2008
Controversial book to remain in RRISD middle school library
A nine-member committee decided by a narrow margin Monday to keep on school library shelves a novel for teenagers that contains obscenities and sexual references. Sherry Jennings, parent of a Ridgeview Middle School student, who filed a complaint about the book, said Tuesday she is considering appealing the decision to the Round Rock school board.
The novel, entitled “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle is a narrative in the format of cell phone text messages exchanged among a group of teenage girls. TTYL is text message shorthand for “talk to you later.”
The committee’s conclusion to keep the book in school libraries was the second decision issued by a review committee. (To read the ruling, click here.)
On Oct. 9, a six-member panel of Ridgeview Middle School officials and parents concluded that despite the complaint the book should remain in the Ridgeview library “to serve the entire population of the school.”
A second, nine-member panel, composed of members who are not associated with Ridgeview, voted 5 to 4 in a closed ballot Monday to keep the novel on school library shelves, according to district spokeswowman JoyLynn Occhiuzzi.
In its report, the panel noted that the overall purpose of the novel “is for self-selected recreational reading to provide opportunities for critical thinking and making life choices.”
The report also said that Myracle is a “well known, popular author” who will be a guest author at the upcoming Texas Book Festival in Austin this weekend.
The panel answered “yes” to a question in its review matrix which asked whether the book promotes “the goals and objectives of curriculum of district schools” but noted that this conclusion was not supported by all the panel members.
The report said “There is an overall struggle with committee members of the maturity level of this book and that it is available to sixth graders.”
The panel, appointed by Superintendent Jesús Chávez, consisted of a librarian, teacher, counselor, and principal from district middle schools; a representative from the Round Rock Council of PTAs, an at-large parent, an at-large member of the community, the district’s library director, and a high school student council representative.
Jennings said she became alarmed about the book after her child checked it out of the Ridgeview library earlier this school year.
Jennings’ complaint said that the book contains sexually explicit passages and that it should be available only to high school students or children whose parents have given them permission to read books with mature content.
“At this point we are still thinking about going before the school board on our complaint,” Jennings said Tuesday. She said a group of parents who support her complaint have gathered at least 1,500 signatures online or in person against the book. School officials said Jennings has until Nov. 6 to file for a hearing before school trustees.
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October 21, 2008
Anti-school bond protest scheduled
Several groups that oppose the Round Rock school district’s $294 million bond package on the Nov. 4 ballot have scheduled a rally Wednesday.
The gathering will be held at noon at the district administration building, 1311 Round Rock Ave., said Don Zimmerman, who helped lead efforts to defeat a $349 million school bond proposal in 2005.
Zimmerman’s announcement of the protest said the bond proposal comes at a bad time “in light of recent federal bailouts, a slowing economy, escalating home foreclosures and collapsing property values.”
A citizens’ group that supports the package to build three new elementary schools and pay for renovations at existing campuses says the bonds are needed to accommodate growing enrollment. They held a rally Sunday and said in a statement:
“The Citizens’ Bond Committee, made up of nearly 100 citizens from across the district, spent months studying the district’s projected growth and current enrollment data, as well as infrastructure needs for the district. The bonds will alleviate overcrowded classrooms, upgrade technology and make needed infrastructure repairs.”
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October 9, 2008
Middle school committee keeps book in library
A committee of parents and staff at Ridgeview Middle School in the Round Rock school district has recommended that a book for teenagers be kept on the school’s library shelves after a parent complained that it contains vulgar material.
Sherry Jennings said she examined the book, “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle, earlier this school year after her child checked it out of the school library.
The fictional book is written in the format of text messages sent by teen girls to each other by cellphone. “TTYL” stands for “talk to you later.”
In her complaint, Jennings said the book contains the F-word and a number of sexually explicit passages. She said the book should be available only to high school students and those whose parents have given them permission to read books with mature content. Jennings said Ridgeview officials should make parents aware of books in the library with strong sexual references and vulgarity.
In a written response to Jennings dated Oct. 7, the six-member campus committee — which included Principal Holly Galloway and the president of the PTA — recommended that while the book is not age-appropriate for all middle school students, it should remain in the Ridgeview library.
The response said that the majority of the committee had decided that to “serve the entire population of the school ” the book should stay in the library. But the committee noted that their decision was not unanimous.
Jennings said tonight that she would decide later whether to refile her complaint.
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September 26, 2008
State extends drop-out enrollment deadline because of Ike
The Texas Education Agency has extended the deadline by which schools must re-enroll dropouts or risk having them negatively affect the school’s accountability rating. As we reported Thursday, the deadline was originally Sept. 26.
But in letter dated Thursday, TEA said that they’re extending the deadline to Friday, October 24 statewide because of Hurricane Ike, “to accommodate both the closing of some districts and the enrollment of students displaced as a result of the hurricane into other Texas public schools throughout the state.”
Coincidentally, the extension will also help districts throughout Texas who are trying harder than ever this year to re-enroll dropouts because of a new, more inclusive definition of what exactly a drop-out is.
If Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott, right, had not given school districts a pass this past school year on using the new definition, many districts, including Round Rock, Leander, and Bastrop, would have received unacceptable ratings.
The commissioner has said he won’t give anyone a pass on the dropout rate standard this current school year. So some districts are scouring the streets for dropouts this year, or, as TEA puts it increasing “their community-wide efforts this year to ensure parents and students are aware of the importance of returning to school at the beginning of the year.”
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September 12, 2008
ACT college testing postponed
FROM AISD:
The ACT college test corporation has postponed testing scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at Texas school districts affected by Hurricane Ike.
In Austin ISD, tests were scheduled to be given at Anderson, Akins, Lanier, Reagan, and Travis high schools.
ACT indicated that it will contact those students who were registered for the test with rescheduling information later this Fall.
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August 25, 2008
First day of school jitters, snafus, and whatchamacallits
Today’s the first day of school everywhere in Statesman-land except Pflugerville and Round Rock.
Rejoice or mourn, the choice is yours.
Statesman photographer Larry Kolvoord talked to 4-year-old Madison Briones, right, this morning at Sanchez Elementary. Madison was heartbroken after learning that she wouldn’t be able to attend pre-kindergarten classes on the first day because of a paperwork glitch.
‘Everybody is going to school besides me,’ she cried to her mom.
Did you experience any first day of school issues? Have any words of advice to offer Madison?
Updated, 5 p.m.: Leander school district spokesman Dick Ellis says that the district welcomed 27,528 students to school today without a hitch. The district opened four new campuses today too.
“It was perfect,” he said. “A really good first day.”
Check out the sights and sounds of Leander’s first day of school.
Updated, 8/26, for the curious: A Sanchez assistant principal told the Statesman that Madison got her paperwork straightened out and will be in class Wednesday morning.
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August 21, 2008
Central Texas back to school calendar
August 25 - First day of classes for following school districts: Austin, Bastrop, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Georgetown, Hays, Lake Travis, Leander, Manor, San Marcos and Wimberley. Also first day of classes at Austin Community College, and St. Edward’s and Southwestern universities.
August 26 - First day of classes for Lago Vista, Pflugerville and Round Rock ISDs. August 27 - First day of classes for Texas State University and the University of Texas.
September 1 - The following school districts are closed for the Labor Day holiday: Austin, Bastrop, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Eanes, Georgetown, Hays, Lago Vista, Lake Travis, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock, San Marcos and Wimberley. It’s also a holiday at Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University, Southwestern University, Texas State University and the University of Texas.
September 2 - First day of classes at Huston-Tillotson University.
September 10 - First day of classes at Concordia University.
Check your local district’s website for first-day details, like Austin’s school bus stop locator, and other events.
If you’re lucky enough to live in Wimberley, for example, your kids can get vaccinations and free haircuts — two of any child’s favorite activities — at the Back to School Fiesta on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Wimberley.
(Cal Warlick cartoon at right)
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June 5, 2008
Round Rock trustees studying format of bond proposal
Round Rock school trustees on Thursday considered dividing a $293 million bond proposal into two propositions of roughly equal size on a Nov. 4 ballot.
The board has until Aug. 26 to vote on whether to call a November election on the proposal, which would pay for three new elementaries and make massive renovations to Round Rock and Westwood high schools.
Major items in the current version of the proposal includes $42 million for renovations and new classrooms at Westwood High School and $40 million for additional classrooms at Round Rock High School.
It also includes $33 million for a new elementary school in the Paloma Lakes subdivision, $32 million for a new elementary along the Parmer Lane corridor and $23 million for an elementary school in the Stone Oak subdivision.
The 40,000-student district has experienced a 21 percent increase in enrollment in the past five years.
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May 27, 2008
Committee suggests $294 million bond issue for Round Rock schools
ROUND ROCK — A citizen’s bond committee Tuesday night gave school trustees a preview of a trimmed down bond proposal totaling $294 million. The current package, which could go before voters Nov. 4, is significantly less than the $350 million proposition the group initially suggested.
Committee co-chair Catherine Hanna told trustees the package was cut back to make it more palatable to voters facing an uncertain economy.
“It’s difficult to predict what our taxpayers will be thinking about the economy during the next few months,” she said. “We decided we must have a number the community would support, and that number must be less than $300 million.”
One of the largest projects cut was a $38.9 million campus for students in alternative education programs. The programs are flexible in their scheduling to accommodate students who cannot attend a traditional campus. Many non-traditional students have to work to support their families, committee co-chair Dwayne Kostiha said.
Kostiha said many committee members believe the district must address the needs of non-traditional student, but more research should be done on what type of facility is needed, Kostiha said. The committee agreed that $4.4 million to purchase land for the campus should be included in the November bond package.
The 52-member committee retained in their $294 million proposal new classrooms and upgrades that would cost proposal $42 million at Westwood High School and $40 million at Round Rock High.
The initial $350 million bond proposal presented earlier this month contained $33 million for a new elementary school in the Paloma Lakes subdivision, $32 million for a new elementary somewhere along the in the Parmer Lane corridor, and $23 million for an elementary in the Stone Oak subdivision. The committee said those campuses are still needed and should also be in a November bond package.
Committee members said there should be at least two and not more than three propositions on the ballot.
The district has more than 40,000 students, a 21 percent increase in growth over the past five years. Officials say a bond issue is needed to catch up with the increase. School officials said if the committee’s $294 million proposal were presented to voters and were to pass in its present form, the current $2,449 total annual tax bill on a $200,000 home in the district, after exemptions, could rise to a maximum of $2,511 in 2010.
School trustees will examine the committee’s final bond issue report at a June 5 meeting. Trustees have the final word on bond proposals and could make changes in the package. The board will then decide whether to call an election for November. In 2005 voters rejected a $349 million bond issue. In 2006 they approved a $268 million package.
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May 23, 2008
Round Rock school board seeks trustee applicants
This is an abbreviated form of a news release Round Rock school officials issued, Friday, May 23:
The Round Rock School District Board of Trustees is accepting applications through June 12 to fill the vacancy in Place 2 left by the resignation of Trustee Diana Maldonado. Maldonado announced her resignation from the board during the May 15 meeting because she is running for Texas House District 52. Maldonado’s current term expires in 2009 and her resignation is effective May 31, 2008. The board will appoint a replacement.
Applications for the position are due to the Finance Office (1311 Round Rock Ave.) by Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
Applicants will be required to submit the following information: • Name, address, phone and e-mail • Copy of voter registration card • Resume of qualifications • Statement of philosophy of board service and their commitment as a trustee for RRISD (500 words or less)
To be eligible, a person must be a U.S. citizen 18 or older, have not been determined to be mentally incapacitated by a court, have not been convicted of a felony, be a resident of Texas for 12 months and a resident of the district for six months, and be a registered voter.
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May 13, 2008
Central Texas high school graduation dates set
We’ve compiled graduation dates for area high schools. Let us know if we’ve left one out, and if there’s a graduating senior (or two, or three, or 1,543) that you’re particularly proud of!
(All times are ceremony starting times. Seniors should check with their schools for their arrival times.)
Austin
6/3, Rosedale School, 1 p.m., at the Rosedale School
6/4, Garza, 7 p.m., Delco Center
6/5, Akins, 3 p.m.; Anderson, 5:45 p.m.; Austin, 8:30 p.m., all at Frank Erwin Center
6/6, Bowie, noon; Crockett, 3 p.m.; Lanier, 5:45 p.m., both at Frank Erwin Center
6/6, Johnston, 8 p.m., Delco Center
6/7, McCallum, noon, Frank Erwin Center
6/7 Reagan, 5:45 p.m., Delco Center
6/7 Travis, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/7 LBJ/LASA, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
Bastrop
5/25, Genesis, 1:30 p.m., Bastrop High School cafeteria
5/30, Bastrop, 8 p.m., Erhard Field, 1602 Hill Street.
Del Valle
6/4, 7 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
Dripping Springs
6/6, 8 p.m., Shoreline Center
Eanes
5/30, 8:30 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Hays
5/30, Hays, 8 p.m., Shelton Stadim
5/31, Lehman, 8 p.m., Shelton Stadium
5/31, The Academy@Hays, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Center
Hutto
6/7, 10 a.m., Shoreline Center
Lago Vista
6/6, 6 p.m., Lago Vista High School gymnasium
Lake Travis
6/5, Shoreline Center, 8 p.m.
Leander
5/30, New Hope, 7:30 p.m., Leander Extended Opportunity Conference Center
6/6, Leander, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/8, Cedar Park, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/8, Vista Ridge, 6 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Manor
5/22, EXCEL, 7 p.m., Manor Performing Arts Center
6/5, High School, 1 p.m., Shoreline Center
Pflugerville
6/6, Hendrickson, 9 a.m., Shoreline Center
6/6, Provan Opportunity Center, 7 p.m., Pflugerville High School Performing Arts Center
6/7, Pflugerville, 5:45 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
6/7, Connally, 8:30 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
Round Rock
5/29, Success Program, Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.
5/31, Round Rock, 9 a.m., Frank Erwin Center
5/31, Stony Point, noon, Frank Erwin Center
5/31, Westwood, 3 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
5/31, McNeil, 6 p.m., Frank Erwin Center
San Marcos
5/30, Pathfinder Learning Center, 1 p.m., San Marcos High School auditorium
6/7, High School, 7 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
6/5, PRIDE, 10:30 a.m., San Marcos High School auditorium
Wimberley
5/30, 8 p.m., Texas State University Strahan Coliseum, San Marcos
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Austin schools, Bastrop County schools, Del Valle schools, Hays County schools, Leander schools, Manor, Pflugerville schools, Round Rock schools, Wimberley schools
