Nov. 12, 2015 - La Porte Independent School District

THE LEADER
La Porte Independent School District
Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
November 12, 2015
Rally for a Drug-Free La Porte provides information for parents
La Porte High School senior class president Mason Staes, left,
and principal Todd Schoppe go over the agenda for the Rally for
a Drug-Free La Porte held in the LPHS main gym.
Lt. Matt Daeumer, standing, is among the panelists at the Rally for
a Drug-Free La Porte held at La Porte High School. With him,
from left, are Lisa Camp, assistant chief of La Porte Emergency
Medical Services; Brandon Torres, chief of the Montgomery ISD
Police Department; and Tonya and Emily Bauer of the SAFE for
Emily Foundation.
Rizzuto Elementary School nurse Kimberly Zupan and her
children, Breanna, left, a seventh-grader at Lomax Junior High
School, and Brandon, a sophomore at La Porte High School, are
among the La Porte ISD families who attended the Nov. 9 event.
Members of the After-School Centers for Education
(ACE) team at La Porte Elementary School perform
a cheer about their commitment to staying drug-free
during the rally. In front is Makiya Mitchell, and in
back are Layonna Mitchell and Makayla Bellot.
La Porte ISD parents and students had the opportunity to learn more about
current trends and risks associated with drug use, particularly synthetic drugs, during
the Rally for a Drug-Free La Porte held on Nov. 9 in the La Porte High School gym.
The event was sponsored by La Porte ISD and the La Porte Police Department.
The rally began with performances by the La Porte High School Band,
cheerleaders and Chatos, with the JROTC Color Guard presenting the colors and
the LPHS Choir and American Sign Language class performing the national anthem.
La Porte Elementary School’s After-School Centers for Education (ACE) team then
performed a cheer demonstrating their commitment to staying drug-free.
Todd Schoppe, LPHS principal, made opening remarks, and Mason Staes, LPHS
senior class president, served as master of ceremonies.
Chief Brandon Torres, director of safety and security for Montgomery ISD, was
the first guest speaker, explaining that communities are now faced with the challenges
of synthetic marijuana and other drugs. In early 2015, his community suffered the
loss of a teenager after using synthetic drugs, and he wants to share information with
parents, teachers, school administrators and others to help prevent other tragedies
Melody Burr of Unlimited Visions Aftercare talks with Brenda
Guerra and her son, Brandon, a third grader at Bayshore
Elementary, after the drug awareness rally. Burr was among
the representatives from several agencies and organizations
that were on hand with displays and information at the event.
Unlimited Visions is a prevention organization through which
representatives talk at schools about alcohol and drug abuse,
bullying, peer pressure and other issues affecting today’s students.
from occurring.
“We lost one last year,” Torres said. “That’s one too many.”
He encouraged parents to ask questions, to be team members with their school
districts and talk to local law enforcement officials if they have questions or concerns.
“We have to be proactive parents,” he said. “We can’t be their friends.”
Torres was followed by Tonya Bauer and her daughter, Emily, who discussed
Emily’s experience after using synthetic marijuana. Emily had several strokes and
was not expected to live; today she continues to fight daily to recover her life. The
Bauer family shares their stories with others to try to prevent other teens from trying
synthetic drugs. In addition to talking to the public, they maintain a SAFE (Synthetic
Awareness for Emily) website at www.safeforemily.org.
The event also included a panel discussion with Lt. Matt Daeumer of the La
Porte Police Department, Lisa Camp of La Porte Emergency Medical Services,
Amber Buras of Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol, and Debbie Moye, LPHS
nurse. Parents received flash-drive bracelets with information on a wide variety of
resources available concerning drug awareness, use and recovery.
Seniors, Rice honored as Bulldogs defeat Channelview, advance to playoffs
Tristan Lozano, center, La Porte High School offensive lineman, walks down the track with his
parents, Jose and Marivel Lozano, as senior football players are introduced in the pre-game
activities.
La Porte Police Lt. Gary Rice is saluted by his fellow officers during a recognition ceremony
prior to the La Porte Bulldogs’ Nov. 6 game. Rice is retiring from the department after 42
years and has worked security at La Porte High School football games for many of them.
Bulldogs to host bi-district playoff Nov. 13 against Pearland Dawson
The La Porte High School varsity football earned the chance to host the firstround 6-A playoff game at Bulldog Stadium with a win over the Channelview
Falcons on Friday, Nov. 6.
The game will be remembered not just because it was among the highest scoring
games in LPHS history—with the Dogs winning 55-49—but also for the dense fog
that rolled in off of Galveston Bay, making it difficult for Bulldog fans to even see
the Falcons supporters on the other side.
The Bulldogs will now face the Pearland Dawson Eagles in a bi-district match
set for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Tickets are currently on sale in the Athletic Office
which is temporarily located in the La Porte High School Field House. Reserved
seating is $10, general admission for adults is $7, and general admission for students
is $4.
Tickets are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday
from 8 a.m. to noon.
The Bulldogs, representing District 21-6A, advance to the first round with an 8-2
record, with the Eagles, representing 22-6A, at 7-3.
Prior to the game, senior band members, Chatos, cheerleaders and football
players were recognized as part of Senior Night activities. Seniors were introduced
and then escorted through the large Bulldog run-through by family members. La Porte ISD also paid tribute to La Porte Police Department Lt. Gary Rice, who
is retiring from the department after 42 years. Rice, who has been a cornerstone of
the La Porte football game security force for several decades, was escorted onto the
field by LPHS cheerleaders and saluted by his LPPD colleagues.
LPHS students explore opportunities at the Career and College Expo
Laura Tylka, left, and Derrick Brown, right, of Associated Credit Union (ACU) of Texas visit Among the business and industry representatives in attendance at the Career and College
with La Porte High School sophomore David Ayers and his mother, Alicia, during the Career Expo are Lana Follis of Beacon Federal Credit Union, Frank Nance of State Farm Insurance
and College Expo held at La Porte High School on Oct. 29. The event was sponsored by the and Martha Sotelo of H & R Block.
La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development Committee and La Porte
High School’s Career and Technical Education Department.
La Porte High School senior Jarrett Robertson, left, talks about possible careers with Casey
Hall and Jeremy Tyler of S & B Engineers and Constructors during the Career and College
Expo.
About 200 La Porte ISD students talked with business, industry and college
representatives about their future career plans during the Career and College Expo
held at La Porte High School on Oct. 29.
The event was a project of the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce’s
Workforce Development Committee and the La Porte High School Career and
Technical Education Department.
Debbie Seibert, career and technical education coordinator for La Porte High
School, explained that the event was changed from daytime to evening this year to
help to connect college and business/industry representatives who will play a role in
students’ future career paths.
Dow representatives, from left, Amber Farmer, Rhonda Pelton, Chris Haley and Marty
Yost are among the business, industry and college representatives on hand for the Oct. 29
Career and College Expo. Amber and Chris are 2015 graduates of La Porte High School
who were hired into Dow’s apprenticeship program, through which they are working at Dow
while the company pays for their college. Amber and Chris interviewed for the program after
participating in mock interview sessions that were also a project of the La Porte-Bayshore
Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Development Committee. Yost noted the strength of the
interviewing skills of La Porte High School students who applied for the apprenticeships after
participating in the mock interviews.
“In order to be successful after high school, you have to be a life-long learner,”
Seibert said. “This format gave us the chance to showcase a wide array of postsecondary training opportunities in a variety of career pathways.”
Seibert added that the evening event also enabled parents to attend, giving them
the opportunity to be involved in their child’s selection of a prospective career choice.
“We are very grateful to the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce, our
business and industry partners, and our students’ parents for making this event a
successful one,” she said. “Opportunities such as this are priceless for our students as
they make important decisions about their future careers.”
Rizzuto Elementary School students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Day
Rizzuto Elementary School fourth grade students perform in a Hispanic Heritage Day program
on Oct. 30. From left are Anthony Garza, Brianna Ocampo, Abner Lima and Breanna Lopez
Myers.
Kayla Aguirre and Jose Torres, first graders at Rizzuto Elementary School, perform in a dance
during the Hispanic Heritage Day program at the campus on Oct. 30.
La Porte Independent School District
1002 San Jacinto Street La Porte, Texas 77571
www.lpisd.org
281-604-7000
The Leader is a publication of the La Porte ISD Communications Department. The newsletter is published bi-weekly for the La Porte ISD community. Inquiries
should be directed to Terri Cook, Director of Public Relations/Education
Foundation, at cookt@lpisd.org or Kimberly Culver, Communications
Coordinator, at culverk@lpisd.org.
Rizzuto Elementary School second graders get ready to perform in the Hispanic Heritage Day
Celebration at the campus on Oct. 30. From left are Emiliano Olvera, Andrew Diaz, Sasha
Rubalcava, Alexa Garza and Ricardo Rodriguez.
Bulldog dive team grabs three of six awards at La Porte Invitational Meet
La Porte High School springboard divers earned three of
the top six awards at the La Porte Invitational Dive Meet on
Nov. 6.
Freshman CJ Zerbe placed first in the competition and
broke the school record with a score of 375. Junior Noah
Phillips came in second, and junior Seif Maaiah placed sixth.
Participating in their first competition of the year, the team
set the tone for a successful season, which continues through
February.
“Hard work pays off!” said Jesse Loudermilk, La Porte
High School swimming and diving coach. “I would argue that
CJ and the other La Porte divers are one of the hardest, most
dedicated groups of athletes we have here at the high school. They challenge each other every day, and their dedication to
the sport is clear.”
La Porte High School divers who earned awards at the La Porte
Invitational Dive Meet include, from left, Noah Phillips, CJ Zerbe
and Seif Maaiah. With them is their coach, Jesse Loudermilk.
Bayshore, Jennie Reid celebrate Red Ribbon Week as favorite book characters
First graders Camila Lopez, David Martinez, Allisson Hernandez and Joseline Luna dress up
as characters from their favorite books for the Storybook Character Day. This was among the
school’s Red Ribbon Week activities, with the theme of “Show your Positive Character and
Say No to Drugs.”
Members of the Bayshore Elementary administrative/support team dressed up as “Things”
from The Cat in the Hat during Storybook Character Day as part of Red Ribbon Week
activities. From left are Vickie Gentile, principal; Diane Weeden, assistant principal; Lisa
Raymundo, secretary; Laura Donahoe, nurse; Natalie Stephens, attendance clerk; Cindy
Martin, counselor; Alma Pittman, library aide; and Jamie Castillo, in-school suspension (ISS)
aide.
Bayshore Elementary fifth graders parade through the halls on Storybook Character Day. The
theme day was part of Red Ribbon Week activities, with students participating to “Show Your
Positive Character and Say No to Drugs.” From left are Emily Bunch, Jade-Skye Fredrickson, Jennie Reid Elementary celebrated Red Ribbon Week by dressing up as their favorite book
characters to show “We have ‘character’. We don’t do drugs,” and participating in a book
Kacy Gerfers and Gabriella Rivera.
character parade. Pictured are fourth grade paraders, in front from left, Tyler Ohlemacher,
Aiden Walters, Ruben Mendiola, Jazmin Frias, Layla Tello, Jaylin Stough and Kiersten Meier,
and back row, Jadyn Jacobs, Ashlyn Olvera, Shelby Chadbourne, Sarah Silva, Audrey Weaver
and Christian Turner.
Heritage Elementary honors Hawks
of the Month for October
Jennie Reid staff members had fun dressing as their favorite book characters. From left are
Nita Bales, Deon Williams, Marla Goodnight, Sherri Miller, and Cheryl Street.
College Night set for Nov. 17
La Porte High School students will have the opportunity to visit with
representatives from many different colleges and universities during College
Night on Nov. 17. The event will be held at Deer Park High School’s South
Campus, 710 W. San Augustine, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. All LPHS students and
their parents are invited to attend.
Heritage Elementary announces its Students of the Month for October. Students include:
Harper Adkins, Marc Alaniz, Haileigh Bonano, Layla Cantu, Manuel Carrillo, Sarah Cody,
Christian Cruz, Emily Cruz, Leila Garza, Loida Gonzalez, Jacob Joji, Gabbi Kleck, Brayden
Leone, Josue Martinez, Rosie Martinez, Sebastian Martinez, Yasmine Mohammed, Marlen
Perez, Melissa Perez, Mackenzie Prigmore, Karen Rodriguez, Bailey Ripley, Sophie Sandel,
Logan Sweny, Bismah Wakko, Colton Walker and Shane Wright. Principal Grisel Wallace and
assistant principal Tracy Greenwood are pictured with the honored students.
LPISD District Calendar
12/3/15 - Thursday
Christmas on Main Street
11/12/15 - Thursday
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
Heritage Elementary - First Grade Field Trip to the Houston Zoo
Rizzuto Elementary - Picture Retakes
Baker - Family Skate Night - Deer Park Skate Center
Districtwide GT Parent Night - “Looking at GT through your Child’s Eyes” - 6 PM - 8 PM - Lomax Jr. High
12/5/15 - Saturday
UIL Jr. High All-Region Choir Concert - Deer Park H.S. - South Campus
11/13/15 - Friday
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
Baker - Reward Party
LPJH - Report Cards Home
LPJH -Top Dog Breakfast - 9 AM - 9:30 AM
LPHS - Lady Bulldogs Varsity Basketball @ Clear Falls - 6 PM
LPHS - Bi-District Football Playoff: Bulldogs vs. Pearland Dawson - 7 PM Bulldog Stadium
11/14/15 - Saturday
UIL High School All-Region Choir Concert - Deer Park High School
UIL Jr. High Orchestra All-Region Concert - Pasadena High School
La Porte ISD Band Concerts/Spaghetti Dinner - 5 PM - 8 PM LPHS - Cafeteria
12/7/15 - Monday
LXJH - Fine Arts Concert - 6 PM
LPHS - HOSA Blood Drive - Theater Foyer
12/8/15 - Tuesday
LPHS - Fine Arts Concert - 6 PM - Gym
Board of Trustees - Regular Meeting - 7 PM
LPHS - Choir - Winter Concert - 7 PM Sonja Angelo Theater
This is the calendar information that is available at press time. Please refer to the La Porte ISD district calendar at www.lpisd.org for changes
and additional information.
College Park Elementary announces
its Cougars of the Month for October
11/16/15 - Monday
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
College Park Elementary - Choir Practice - 3:10 PM - 4 PM
Baker - Book Fair - Library
LPJH - Book Fair - 8 AM - 3:30 PM - Library
LPJH - Cross Country Meet - 4:30 PM @ Deer Park
LPHS - CPOC Meeting - 4 PM - 5 PM - Library
LPHS - Bulldogs Basketball vs. Angleton
11/17/15 - Tuesday
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
Heritage Elementary - Family Reading Night- “Books and Blankets” - 6 PM - 7 PM
Jennie Reid Elementary - Picture Retakes
Rizzuto Elementary - Bullritos Night
Baker - Book Fair - Library
LPJH - Book Fair - 8 AM 3:30 PM - Library
LPJH - Book Fair Night - 6 PM - 7 PM - Library
LPJH - Family Academic Night - 6:30 PM - 8 PM
LPHS - Lady Bulldogs Basketball @ Clear Brook
Board of Trustees - Citizens Bond Advisory Committee & Regular Meeting - 5:30 PM/7 PM
College Night - 6:30 PM - 8 PM - Deer Park High School - South Campus
11/18/15 - Wednesday
Bayshore, College Park, La Porte & Rizzuto Elementaries - Fifth Grade Field Trip to Houston Symphony
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
College Park Elementary - 5th Grade Science Club - 3:10 PM - 4:30 PM
Heritage Elementary - Student of the Month
Baker - Book Fair - Library
LPJH - Book Fair - 8 AM - 3:30 PM - Library
11/19/15 - Thursday
Bayshore Elementary - 3rd Grade Field Trip
Bayshore Elementary - Art & College Night - 5:30 PM - 7 PM
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
College Park Elementary - Drama Club Meeting - 3 PM - 4:30 PM - Science Lab
College Park Elementary - PTO Meeting - 6 PM
College Park Elementary - 1st Grade Music Program - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Cafeteria
Heritage Elementary - Picture Retakes - 8 AM - 10 AM - Gym
Rizzuto Elementary - First Grade Thanksgiving Program - 6:30 PM
Baker - Book Fair - Library
LPJH - Book Fair - 8 AM - 3:30 PM - Library
LPJH - Boys Basketball - 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
11/20/15 - Friday
Bayshore Elementary - Field Day
College Park Elementary - Thanksgiving Food Drive
La Porte Elementary - Donuts with Dudes
Jennie Reid Elementary - Student of the Month Breakfast - 7:30 AM - 8 AM Library
Rizzuto Elementary - JSC Deposit Day - 7:20 AM - 7:50 AM
Rizzuto Elementary - Rocket of the Month - 7:20 AM - 7:50 AM
Baker - Book Fair - Library
Baker - Club Day
LPJH - Book Fair - 8 AM - 3:30 PM - Library
College Park Elementary announces its Students of the Month for October. Students include:
pre-kindergarten, Izaiaz Rincon, Michael Gamez-Cochran and Eli Hernandez; kindergarten,
Abigail Perez, Tavion King and Andre Smith; first grade, Lauren Terry, Noah Martinez and
Adam Alvarez; second grade, Fenix Aguilar, Aiden Villanueva, Lisa Gutierrez and Da’Vanieke
Richards; third grade, Salene Mitchell, Laura Mendoza, Ariel Villanueva and Angel
Maldonado; fourth grade, Keegan Shawley, Charly Meadows and Ann Nguyen; fifth grade,
Migdializ Martinez, Caleb Stockton and Selena Rodriguez. Assistant Principal Donna Spaugh
and counselor Joshua Rutherford are pictured with the honored students.
La Porte Elementary honors its
Leopards of the Month for October
La Porte Elementary announces its Students of the Month for October. Students include: prekindergarten, Caiden Quinteros and Gene Harvey; kindergarten, Isaias Garcia, Angel Guerra
and Nova Moore; first grade, Allison Pedroza, Nichole Johnson and Alex Guerrero; second
grade, Jaedyn Valdez, Larissa Rocha, Jayden Martinez and Andris Gilbert; third grade, Carla
Bermejo-Medina, Corbin Martinez, Kaylie Garcia and Taysha Walker; fourth grade, Amaris
Bentancourt, Cade Cook and Savannah Gaines; fifth grade, Serenity Henson, Patience Kimaru,
Mary Angel Galela and Dru Gandhi. Principal Carol Williams and assistant principal Laura
Haug are pictured with the honored students.
Lomax Elementary presents its Lions
of the Month for October
11/23/15 - Monday
Thanksgiving Break
11/24/15 - Tuesday
LPHS - Bulldogs Basketball vs. Clear Falls
LPHS - Lady Bulldogs Basketball @ Alvin
Thanksgiving Break
11/25/15 - Wednesday
LPHS - Bulldogs Basketball vs. Pasadena Memorial
Thanksgiving Break
11/26/15 - Thursday
Thanksgiving Break
11/27/15 - Friday
Thanksgiving Break
11/30/15 - Monday
LPHS - Bulldogs Basketball vs. Milby
12/1/15 - Tuesday
College Park Elementary - Tuition Based PK Payment Due
LPHS - Lady Bulldogs Basketball vs. Clear Lake
LPHS - Chato Auditions 3 PM - 4 PM - Chato Dance Room
Lomax Elementary announces its Students of the Month for October. Students include:
kindergarten, Juilette Mora, Eli Levario and Ana Du; first grade, Kallie Walker, Jemma
Munoz, Ryder Shapiro, Cameron Adams and Lea Herrera; second grade, Chase Harmon,
Rowan Jakob, Hailey Burton and Ryann Wolters; third grade, Emma Flores, Jayden Garret
Ramirez, Miriam Porter, Nicholas Coen and Jacob Byrket; fourth grade, Shayleigh Sockwell,
Elideth Parra, Christopher Trevino and Natalie Munoz; fifth grade, Jackie Hedrick, Ellah
Friday, Aiva Walker and Alison Couch. Assistant Principal Linda Hyde and counselor Debbie
Risner are pictured with the honored students.
The La Porte Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex or disability in
providing education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Title IX Coordinator is Isela Montes, Executive Director of Human Resources, 1002 San Jacinto,
La Porte, Texas 77571, Telephone (281) 604-7110. The Section 504 Coordinator is Dr. April Fox, Executive Director of Special Programs,
1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Telephone (281) 604-7034. El Distrito Independiente Escolar de La Porte no discrimina sobre la base de edad, raza, religión, color, origen nacional, sexo u incapacidad
para proveer servicios educacionales, actividades y programas, incluyendo programas vocacionales, de acuerdo con el Título VI del Acta de
Derechos Civiles de 1964, como fue enmendada; Título IX de las Enmiendas Educacionales de 1972; Sección 504 del Acta de Rehabilitación
de 1973, como fue enmendada; y el Título II del Acta de Americanos con Incapacidades. La Coordinadora del Título IX es Isela Montes,
Directora Ejecutiva para Recursos Humanos, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281) 604-7110. La Coordinadora de la
Sección 504 es la Dra. April Fox, Directora Ejecutiva de Programas Especiales, 1002 San Jacinto, La Porte, Texas 77571, Teléfono (281)
604-7034.