ActionLine...Your Board Meeting Update May 17, 2006 Aldine ISD earns prestigious TAPE Award During the May 16 board meeting, Ben Wilson, assistant superintendent of community and governmental relations, announced that Aldine ISD was recently the recipient of the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE) from the Quality Texas Foundation. This award is heralded by the Foundation as the state’s highest honor for quality and organizational performance. Representatives from the district will receive the award June 15 at the Texas Award Ceremony in Richardson. Staff assignments approved During the May 16 board meeting, trustees approved a number of staff assignments. Janet Ray was named principal of Stehlik Intermediate School after serving as principal of Goodman Elementary School. Ray received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1974 and her master’s degree in administration in 1980 from Ball State University. She is certified as a mid-management administrator. She began her teaching career with the Muncie Independent School District in 1978 where she was assigned to teach kindergarten. She joined Lufkin ISD in 1985 and was assigned to teach elementary pre-K and first grade. In 1993, she moved to Conroe ISD as a second-grade teacher at Galatas Elementary School. She began her Aldine career in 1997 as an assistant principal at Smith Academy. In 1999, Ray transferred to Sammons Elementary School to serve as an assistant principal and in 1999, she moved into her present position as principal of Goodman Elementary School. Ray has 28 years of experience in the field of education and she has spent nine of those years in Aldine ISD. Janice DeBlance was named principal of Aldine Ninth Grade School after serving as an assistant principal at Aldine Senior High School. DeBlance received her bachelor’s degree in 1983 and her master’s degree in administration in 1996 from Sam Houston State University. She is certified as a mid-management administrator. She began her teaching career in Aldine ISD in 1983 and was assigned to teach science at Aldine Senior High School. In 1999, she was named assistant principal of administration at Aldine Senior High School and she moved into her present position as assistant principal of instruction at that same school in 2000. DeBlance has spent all 23 of her years in education with Aldine ISD. Dr. Richard Herring was named program director of instructional technology after serving as technology specialist at Houston Academy. Dr. Herring received his

bachelor’s degree in teaching in 1974 and his master’s degree in industrial technology in 1988 from Sam Houston State University. He received his doctorate degree in educational human resource development from Texas A&M University in 1994. He meets the district requirements for this position. He began his teaching career with Aldine ISD in 1979 and was assigned to teach CVAE general construction trades and coach tennis at Nimitz Senior High School. In 1993, he transferred to MacArthur Senior High School to serve as a computer technology teacher and in 1998, he became technology specialist at COMPASS, then known as Alternative Education Placement Center (AEPC). In 2005, he moved into his present position as technology specialist at Houston Academy. Dr. Herring has spent all 27 of his years in education with Aldine ISD. Ruby Allen was named principal of Houston Academy after serving as principal of Carroll Academy. Allen received her bachelor’s degree in computer science from Texas Southern University in 1984 and her master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Prairie View A&M University in 1994. She is certified as a mid-management administrator. She began her teaching career with Houston ISD in 1984 and was assigned to teach mathematics. She began her Aldine ISD career in 1991 as a language arts teacher at Hoffman Middle School. In 1994, she was named a counselor at Carroll Academy and in 1999, was named an assistant principal at that same school. She moved into her present position as principal of Carroll Academy in 2002. Allen has 19 years of experience in the field of education and has spent 16 of those years in Aldine ISD. Camelia Chester was named principal of Goodman Elementary School after serving as an assistant principal at deSantiago EC/Pre-K Center. Chester received her bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from Florida State University in 1980 and her master’s degree in education from the University of Houston in 1983. She is certified as a mid-management administrator. She began her teaching career in Aldine ISD in 1983 and was assigned to teach third- and fourth-grade at Ermel Elementary School. In 1988, she transferred to special education to serve as a speech therapist at Grantham Academy, Hoffman Middle School, Shotwell Middle School, and Eisenhower Senior High School. In 1990, she returned to the classroom to teach fifth-grade at Ermel Elementary School. She also served as a counselor at Dunn Elementary School in 1991. In 1993, she transferred to Eckert Intermediate School as a counselor, until she was named assistant principal at Carter Academy in 1997. In 2000, she moved to Keeble EC/Pre-K Center to serve as an assistant principal. She left the district in 2001 to serve as human resources director for A-Touch Home Health Care, but returned to Aldine ISD in her current position in 2005 as an assistant principal at deSantiago EC/Pre-K Center. Chester has spent her entire 18 years in education with Aldine ISD. Dana Allen was named assistant principal of Aldine Ninth Grade School after serving as skills specialist at Aldine Senior High School. Allen received her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Texas in 1989 and her master’s degree in education

from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1995. She meets district requirements for this position. She began her teaching career in San Antonio ISD in 1990 and was assigned to teach social studies. In 1997, she relocated to Fort Worth ISD as a first-grade ESL teacher at Atwood McDonald Elementary School and in 1997 she was named library media specialist at Morningside Middle School. In 2000, she transferred to Eastern Hills High School to serve as library media specialist. She began her career in Aldine in 2004 as a library media specialist at Aldine Senior High School and moved into her present position as literacy skills specialist at that same school in 2005. Allen has 16 years of experience in the field of education and she has spent two of those years in Aldine ISD. Tina Banner was named assistant principal at Parker Intermediate School after serving as skills specialist at Johnson Elementary School. Banner received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University in 1996 and her master’s degree in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University in 2000. She meets district requirements for this position. She began her teaching career in Aldine ISD in 1996 and was assigned to teach first-grade at Worsham Elementary School. In 1999, she transferred to Escamilla Intermediate School to teach fifth-grade language arts. She moved into her present position as language arts skills specialist at Johnson Elementary School in 2001. Banner has spent her entire 10 years in education with Aldine ISD. Also during the May 16 board meeting, a number of administrative changes in assignments were announced by Superintendent Nadine Kujawa. Dani Sheffield was named executive director of child nutrition services, while Jackie Hill-Green was named director of child nutrition services. Lynn Prussia was named executive director of special education, Matt Jenkins was named director of technology web services and Pat Leon-Wade was named principal of Harris Academy after serving as principal of Gray Elementary School. All of these changes in assignments were approved for the 2006-07 school year. Summer hours approved During the May 16 board meeting, Aldine ISD trustees approved the summer work schedule. Summer work hours will begin Tuesday, May 30 and will run from 7 a.m.. until 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday or Tuesday through Friday for all employees in weeks without holidays. The office will be closed Monday, May 29 for the Memorial Day Holiday. That week, employees will work 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. During the week of July 4, offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4. Employees will work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 3, Wednesday, July 5, Thursday, July 6 and Friday, July 7. The three week window for summer vacations will be from June 15-July 7. Exceptions will need supervisor approval. Additionally, the casual dress code will go into effect on May 30. Blue jeans, tennis shoes or shorts are not appropriate, nor acceptable. Regular work hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) will resume Monday, July 31, along with the standard dress code.

Employees, students honored During the May 16 board meeting, a number of employees and students were honored for the contributions they make to Aldine ISD.

Maggie Doran, principal of Parker Intermediate School, presented a certificate of appreciation to school nurse Mary Penkwitz, whose attention to detail helped save the life of Parker student Damien Briggs. Damien entered her clinic on March 31 complaining that he did not feel well and that he had chest pains. Through Penkwitz’s attention to detail and her training, she detected there was a problem with Damien’s heart. When EMS arrived and confirmed the condition, Damien was transported by ambulance directly to

Hermann Heart Center. Damien underwent open heart surgery and continues to regain his strength. Daryl Wade, director of athletic services, named Molly Charley as his department’s Middle School Coach of the Year. Charley teaches and coaches at Aldine Middle School. She was singled out by Wade for volunteering her time at track meets during the spring semester.

Wade also named Kelly Silha as the district’s Assistant Coach of the Year. Despite dealing with a serious family crisis, Silha found time to devote to MacArthur Senior High long jumper Alexander Johnson and help him qualify for the Class 5A State Track and Field Meet by finishing second at the Region III Meet. Silha also serves as an assistant football coach.

Wade also presented Nimitz Senior High head baseball coach Del Heinz with a plaque commemorating his 500th victory as a coach.

Wade also presented the board members the Eisenhower Senior High track team, which won the Class 5A State Track and Field Meet May 13 in Austin. Team members included Mister Alexander, Frank Eugene, Otis Johnson, Randy Johnson and Brandon Myers. Eisenhower took first place in the 400-meter and 800-meter relay and along the way established a new national federation record of 1:24.10 in the 800-meter relay and recorded the third fastest time ever in the nation in the 400-meter relay with their time of 40.05. Myers also added a win in the 100-meter dash (10.42), while Randy Johnson finished second with a time of 10.44. During the May 16 board meeting, team members displayed the state championship trophy and the medals they won at the state meet. Also on hand was head track coach Michael Cheney.

Emitte Roque, executive director of buildings and properties named Stovall Middle School as his department’s Building of the Month. On hand to accept the award were head custodian Arthur MacBraggs and principal Watson Wright.

The Yard of the Month Award went to Northwest Intermediate School. On hand to accept the award were head custodian Lourdes Gonzalez, yardman Louis Canalito and principal Donnie King.

Roque also presented the Building of the Year Award to Keeble EC/Pre-K Center. Accepting the award were head custodian Matilde Gonzalez and principal Maria Isabel Galdino.

The Yard of the Year Award was presented to Orange Grove Elementary School. On hand to accept the award were head custodian/yardman Eusebio Diaz and principal Betty Morrow.

Jim Pinkerton, director of transportation, named J.C. Samuel as his department’s Employee of the Month. Samuel is a mechanic at the east side transportation department and has been with the district for six years.

Joyce Lyons, executive director of child nutrition services, named the cafeteria staff at Odom Elementary School as her department’s Team of the Month. The team consists of manager Johnnie Williams, Christine Alonso, Hilda Burr, Clover Beck, Maria G. Gonzalez, Alice Hardy, Eusebia Higuera and Linda Watson. The child nutrition supervisor is Alisha Abbs and the principal is Kathleen Coyle.

Dr. Margaret Byrd, area superintendent of Magnet Schools, announced the campuses that were named 2006 Schools of Excellence and 2006 Schools of Distinction at the 2006 National Magnet Schools Conference. Principals on hand to accept their Schools of Excellence Awards were: Ken Hodgkinson of Grantham Academy, Dr. Fred Walker of Drew Academy and Dr. Linda Miller of

Raymond Academy. Principals on hand to accept their Schools of Distinction Awards were: Deborah Hagood of Aldine Academy, Theresa Craft of Bethune Academy, Ruby Allen of Carroll Academy, Robert Graham of Carter Academy, Willie Pickens of Carver High School, Gina Rigsby of Reed Academy, Candee Wilson of Houston Academy and Acquenette LeBlanc of Stovall Academy.

Mardee Barnett, executive director of technology services, announced that Troxell Communications had donated a check in excess of $1,000 to Aldine ISD to be used for scholarships. On hand to present the check to Board President Rick Ogden was Adela Briner with Troxell Communications.

Grants announced During the May 16 board meeting, Judy Hoya, program director of resource development, announced a number of grants. Maria Isabel Galindo, principal of Keeble EC/Pre-K Center and teacher Jennifer Velando secured a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator from the National Gardening Association and Mantis Garden Tools. The $350 machine will be used for the school’s gardening program.

Houston Academy science teacher Derek Greene was named a Houston-area Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. He received a check for $100 and Houston Academy received a check for $1,000. Also on hand for the announcement was principal Candee Wilson.

A number of Aldine schools received BP A+ Energy Science Grants. Theresa Craft, principal of Bethune Academy, and science specialist Jessica Scheller, received a $10,000 grant for the school’s Energy Channel Project.

Ken Hodgkinson, principal of Grantham Academy, and teacher Sophoria Westmoreland received a $10,000 grant for her Triple E Project - Energy, Education and Engineers.

Cecil Hutson, principal of Aldine Senior High, assistant principal Jan DeBlance and science teacher Stephen Heady, received a $10,000 grant for Heady’s Energy Collaboration and Integration proposal.

Three Aldine schools received funding for the Intensive Reading Initiative. Gina Rigsby and Reed Academy received a $135,350 grant for their Intensive Reading Initiative Program.

Perla Davila and Stehlik Intermediate received an $80,975 grant for their Intensive Reading Initiative Program.

Caraway Intermediate and assistant principal Eric Hyder received a $78,000 grant for their Intensive Reading Initiative Program.

Crystal Watson-Barrow and Nimitz Ninth Grade School won the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) 2006 Inspired Education Award. The award is sponsored by PLATO Learning, Inc. and ALAS. The award grants one high school in the nation with a complete educational technology program including laptops, software, support and training. The grant is valued at $100,000. The grants announced at the May 16 board meeting totaled $425,775.

Program presented Joey Doyle, program director of visual arts and elementary creative drama, presented the program during the May 16 Board of Education meeting. Doyle provided an overview of VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) and Aldine ISD’s participation in it. Prior to, and after the board meeting, Board members and the audience were also treated to a number of pieces of art produced by Aldine ISD students .