Dec. 17, 2015 - La Porte Independent School District

THE LEADER
La Porte Independent School District
Every Student’s Success Is Our #1 Priority
December 17, 2015
Reminder to parents: Dec. 18 is a full instructional day for LPISD students
With the recent changes to the La Porte ISD 2015-16 calendar, Friday, Dec. 18,
will be a full instructional day for LPISD students.
At the Nov. 17 meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board approved changes
to the calendar. With the revised calendar, the last day of instruction for the 2015-16
school year will be Thursday, May 26, prior to the Memorial Day holiday. Graduation
for La Porte High School will be held on Friday, May 27, with graduation for DeWalt
School on Thursday, May 26.
May 26 will also be a full instructional day for LPISD students.
The elementary parent conference date for the spring has also been changed to
Monday, Feb. 15, which is a professional development day/student holiday. Feb. 11
and 12, which were previously early release days for parent conferences, will now be
full instructional days.
Secondary parent conference activities and student early released days planned
for Feb. 11 and 12 have not changed.
For the revised 2015-16 calendar, please visit the La Porte ISD website at
www.lpisd.org or call the Communications Office at 281-604-7001.
Accelerated College Education (ACE) students complete two semesters of college
ACE (Accelerated College Education) students from La Porte High School wear the T-shirts
they received from the San Jacinto College dual enrollment program after declaring their
majors and finishing two semesters of their college education. In front from left are Bryan
Yanez, Kallie Juel, Courtlyn Boxie, Payton Cavazos, Lizzett Mora and Amy Frias, and on the
second row are Alec Alvarado, Lauren Gutierrez, Abigail Ochoa, Brittany Fox, Celeste Garza,
Joana Ledezma, Kirsten Spacek, Laura Ceron, Johana Campos and Olivia Robles. In back are
Karina Martinez, Angel Mascarenas, Max Delheimer, Chase Sellers, Nathan Evans, Jordan
Land, Gentry Blagg, Alex Cantu, Lauren Sampson, Jadyn Reis, Isis Hernandez and Savannah
Rose. Not pictured are Brianna Albritton, Donovan Goins, Marisol Hinojosa, Shazeena
Mohammed, Kendra Ralston and Madison Smith.
La Porte High School juniors in the Accelerated College Education (ACE)
program recently received T-shirts with the message “Are You College Ready?” from
the San Jacinto College dual enrollment program. The students received the shirts
after declaring their majors and completing two semesters of classes at the college.
The 34 LPHS students are working toward both their LPHS diploma and their
associate degree from San Jacinto College Central as part of the program offered by
the district. They will be the first students to graduate from LPHS with an associate
degree from San Jacinto College as well.
The ACE students took a class at San Jacinto College Central this summer and
will be enrolled in two summer courses there in 2016. This fall, they spent their
mornings (first through fourth periods) at San Jacinto College Central and returned
to the LPHS campus for additional classes (fifth through seventh periods) in the
afternoons.
Students who meet expectations will receive both high school and college credit
for those courses. Upon successful completion of the program, the first participants of
the ACE program will earn their associate degrees in the spring of 2017, just before
their high school graduation.
For more information on the ACE Program, contact Jason McConnell, associate
principal at La Porte High School, 281-604-7500.
LPHS varsity Bulldogs named to 2015 21-6A All-District football teams
Louis Atilano
Terrel Bernard
Zech Bowen
Sergio Calvillo
Sean Castillo
Vincent Chachere
Jacob Edwards
Samantha Villarreal
Kaylee Torres
Samantha Villarreal
Kaylee Torres
Samantha Villarreal
Foster Hilborn
Logan Jackson
Cobra Jones
Eric Kendzior
Jadon McConnell
Casey Motley
Seth Murray
Seth Newman
Damien Phillips
Ryder Rae
Nathan Redd
Demitri Rosas
Dominic Rosas
Austin Upshaw
Lady Bulldogs varsity volleyball
players earn Academic All-District
Ke’Shun Wells
Photos by Premier Sports Photos
Twenty-three La Porte High Seniors Seth Murray, Seth Newman and DeVohn White also earned Academic
School football players earned All- All-District honors.
District honors after the Bulldogs’
successful 2015 season.
Senior Casey Motley and junior
Cobra Jones were selected to First
Team All-District on offense,
while seniors Eric Kendzior and
Vincent Chachere and junior
Terrel Bernard were chosen First
Team All-District on defense. Eric
and Terrel were also unanimous
selections. Junior Sergio Calvillo
DeVohn White
was named to the First Team for specialists.
Second Team All-District selections included seniors Logan Jackson and Jacob
Edwards and juniors Jadon McConnell, Damien Phillips and Austin Upshaw on
offense and senior DeVohn White on defense.
Seniors Louis Atilano and Nathan Redd and junior Ryder Rae earned Honorable
Samantha Villarreal
Kaylee Torres
Photos by Premier Sports Photos
Mention on offense. Seniors Sean Castillo, Ke’Shun Wells, Zech Bowen, Demitri
Rosas and Dominic Rosas received Honorable Mention on defense, and junior Foster Samantha Villarreal, left, and Kaylee Torres were among the La Porte High School
volleyball players who received Academic All-District honors for the 2015 season.
Hilborn earned Honorable Mention as a specialist.
Their photos were inadvertently left out of the Dec. 3 issue of The Leader.
Students entertain the community at Christmas on Main Street Dec. 3
La Porte High School band director Mark Nichols, on ladder, directs band students from Baker Bryan Sutherland, right, La Porte Junior High School choir director, leads LPJH choir
Sixth Grade Campus, La Porte Junior High School, Lomax Junior High School and La Porte members as they perform at Christmas on Main Street on Dec. 3. The annual event is sponsored
High School as they perform holiday songs together at Christmas on Main Street Dec. 3. by the City of La Porte.
Approximately 860 La Porte ISD band students participated in the performance near Five
Points Plaza.
LPHS Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) hosts holiday blood drive
Members of the La Porte High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
and National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) take a break to gather around Santa as they
work at their Dec. 12 event. The holiday celebration included breakfast and photos with
Santa, children’s holiday activities and a blood drive. From left are Natalie Chavez, Amanda
Hernandez, Sarah Jones, Kayman Lopez and Laura Benavidez.
LPHS fine arts students perform
annual concert for LPISD fifth graders
Kennedy Torres, left, gives Santa Claus a big hug at the blood drive and holiday event
sponsored by the La Porte High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and
National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). The event was held in the LPHS Student Center.
La Porte High School orchestra members, from left, Christian Veloz, Joe Lemus and Jonathan
Flores perform during the annual LPHS fine arts concert for La Porte ISD fifth grade students
on Dec. 14. The event was held in the Sonja Angelo Theater at the high school.
Shane Guimbellot, right, donates blood during the Health Occupations Students of America
and National Technical Honor Society holiday event on Dec. 12. At left is Alex Cuadra of the
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.
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, at cookt@lpisd.
org or Kimberly Culver, Communications Coordinator, at culverk@lpisd.org.
La Porte High School senior Bryana Calderon, right, shows La Porte Elementary School
fifth grader Serenity Henson how to play the violin at the Dec. 14 LPHS fine arts concert for
fifth graders. The concert showcased the LPHS Band, Orchestra and Choir as the students
consider taking different types of music classes as they enter the sixth grade.
College Park students enjoy treats, snow flurries during Dec. 10 “Snacks with Santa”
College Park Elementary School secretary Melissa Free, left, dressed as an elf, assists Santa Second grader Rhianna Silva enjoys the snow flurries created in the “Winter Wonderland”
Claus as he visits with children during College Park Elementary School’s “Snacks with Santa” section of the playground during the “Snacks with Santa” event at College Park Elementary
on Dec. 10. Third grader Dillon Sanders and his siblings, Braydon and Makayla, pose for a School.
photo with Santa during the event.
LPHS Band Boosters hold spaghetti dinner fundraiser Nov. 14 in Student Center
Above left, volunteers from the La Porte High School Band Booster Club serve spaghetti and
salad to those in attendance at the organization’s spaghetti dinner. Above right, a La Porte High
School trombone player performs as the LPHS Band surrounds the Student Center during the
high school concert at the spaghetti dinner. Left, La Porte Junior High School band director
Stephanie Boothman leads the band during the LPHS Band Booster Club’s spaghetti dinner on
Nov. 14. The event was held in the Student Center at La Porte High School, with bands from
La Porte Junior High, Lomax Junior High and La Porte High School performing in concert.
Construction continues at College Park Elementary and La Porte High School
The construction team works on the exterior of the new administrative wing at College Park
Elementary School. When the addition is completed, the front entrance to the school will be
on the Purdue side of the campus.
Work continues on the new gymnasium at College Park Elementary School, which is located
on the west side of the campus near the cafeteria.
The exterior walls are going up on La Porte High School’s Career and Technical Education
Center, which is located on the San Jacinto St. side of the campus.
The new softball field at La Porte High School, located at the corner of San Jacinto and G
Streets, is nearing completion as players get ready for the spring season.
LPISD District Calendar
12/17/15 - Thursday
Baker - Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:30 PM - Gym
DeWalt - Graduation - 7 PM - LPHS - Sonja Angelo Theater
LyondellBasell employees host Angel
Tree event for LPISD families
12/18/15 - Friday
Regular attendance for all students - no early dismissal
LPHS - Boys Basketball @ Deer Park - Freshman A & B - 4:00 PM; JV Orange &
White - 5:30 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Basketball vs. Channelview; Freshman - 4:00 PM; JV - 5:30 PM;
Varsity - 7:00 PM
12/21 - 25/15
Winter Break
12/28/15 - Monday
Winter Break
LPHS - Boys Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
LPHS - Girls Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
12/29/15 - Tuesday
Winter Break
LPHS - Boys Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
LPHS - Girls Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
12/30/15 - Wednesday
Winter Break
LPHS - Boys Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
LPHS - Girls Varsity Basketball - Brazoswood Tournament
LyondellBasell held its annual Angel Tree event on Dec. 8, coordinating efforts with three
plant sites to help 11 families from Jennie Reid Elementary, La Porte Elementary and Bayshore
Elementary. Many LyondellBasell employees worked behind the scenes to shop and wrap
gifts for the families. From left are volunteers Ray James, Lisa Causey, Lisa Corrington and
Glen Gail, all from LyondellBasell Bayport Complex, who coordinated and participated in the
Dec. 8 event held at the La Porte Elementary Library.
District administrators read to students
at College Park Elementary
12/31/15 - Thursday
Winter Break
1/1/16 - Friday
Winter Break
1/2/16 - Saturday
LPHS - Girls Basketball vs. Deer Park; Freshman - 10:00 AM; JV - 11:30 AM;
Varsity - 1:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Soccer - PNG Scrimmage - Times TBA
1/4/16 - Monday
Professional Development/Student Holiday
LPHS - Boys Soccer - Alvin/Dawson Scrimmage @ Bulldog Stadium - JV - 12:00
PM; Varsity - 2:00 PM
1/5/16 - Tuesday
Students return to class
LPHS - Boys Basketball vs. Baytown Sterling - Freshman A & B - 4:00 PM; JV
Orange & White - 5:30 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Basketball @ Baytown Sterling; Freshman - 4:00 PM; JV - 5:30 PM;
Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Soccer vs. Atascocita - JV - 5:00 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
Dr. Linda Wadleigh, La Porte ISD deputy superintendent, reads to College Park Elementary
third graders in the school’s library. District administrators were invited to the campus to
share their favorite books with children the week of Dec. 7.
La Porte Retired School Employees
Association donates new books
1/7/16 - Thursday
LPHS - Boys Varsity Soccer- PNG Tournament - Times TBA
LPHS - Girls Varsity Soccer- Humble ISD Cup - Times TBA
1/8/16 - Friday
LPHS - Boys Varsity Soccer- PNG Tournament - Times TBA
LPHS - Girls Varsity Soccer- Humble ISD Cup - Times TBA
1/9/16 - Saturday
LPHS - Boys Varsity Soccer- PNG Tournament - Times TBA
LPHS - Girls Varsity Soccer- Humble ISD Cup - Times TBA
1/11/16 - Monday
DEIC Meeting - 4 PM - 6 PM - LPISD Admin. Board Room
1/12/16 - Tuesday
LPHS - Boys Basketball @ Port Arthur Memorial - Freshman A & B - 4:00 PM; JV
Orange & White - 5:30 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Basketball vs. Port Arthur Memorial; Freshman - 4:00 PM; JV - 5:30
PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Boys Soccer @ Lumberton - JV - 5:00 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
LPHS - Girls Soccer vs. Alvin - JV - 5:00 PM; Varsity - 7:00 PM
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.
The next issue of The Leader will be
published in the Jan. 14 issue of
The Bay Area Observer.
La Porte Retired School Employees Association representatives present La Porte ISD
administrators with several hundred new books to be given to LPISD students. From left
are Jewel Whitfield, LPISD executive director of elementary education; Charles Wilder and
Britton Phillips, retired LPISD principals who coordinate the LPRSEA book drive; and David
Knowles, executive director of secondary education. Each year, LPRSEA members collect new
books to be presented to children in the community.
LPISD Substitute Cafeteria
Workers needed
3 hrs. per day as needed. Permanent positions to be filled by substitute
workers when available. Pay is $9.25 per hour sub and permanent is $9.75
per hour. Apply by completing a manual trades application at www.lpisd.org.
Contact Debbie at 281-604-6951 (LPISD School Nutrition) for details. Equal
Opportunity Employer.
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.