SEPTEMBER 9 2016 EDITION

ABILENE INDEPENDENT
SCHOOL DISTRICT
241 Pine Street
Abilene, TX 79601
325.677.1444
September 9, 2016
Time to help
AEF help our
students, staff
The Abilene Education
Foundation believes teachers are the true game
changers in AISD.
Thanks to your tremendous support to AEF
through payroll deduction,
we can be proud that during
the 2015-16 school year,
AISD teachers were awarded over $50,000 which
greatly impacted the learning of the students in AISD
and helped change the
game for grant winners!
Whether you give once a
month or a one-time donation, your gift is a taxdeductible contribution that
quickly grows because community supporters dedicate
matching funds to provide
programs for teachers and
students of AISD.
AEF is the only foundation
in our community that gives
back 100% of its payroll contributions to benefit Abilene
ISD teachers and students.
This year we are asking
each campus to change the
game to make a difference
for our students.
Look for more information on Page 6.
ATEMS floats its boat, Pg. 3
New Year.
New Schools.
Bonham principal
Stevanie Jackson
Johnston Ribbon Cutting
Lee Elementary School
Expansion/Renovation
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Bonham library
September 15 • 9:30 a.m.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Community invited to participate
in 2016 AISD Walk for Graduates
The Board of Trustees and Abilene ISD are hosting a community walk to search for students who are not enrolled for the
2016 - 2017 school year.
As a community and school district partnership
effort, “Every Student Counts: Abilene ISD Walk
for Graduates” is a door-to-door program to recover students who are not in school.
When students are not in class at the beginning
of the school year, trained volunteers will go to
their homes, offer encouragement and support,
and provide information on the latest, most innovative programs available to help them find their way back to
the classroom.
Abilene ISD wants each student not only to graduate from high
school but also be prepared for post-secondary opportunities.
We need the community’s involvement to help us reach these
students and ensure that they get that diploma. The community’s help is vital to the success of the walk!! The walk is scheduled for Sept. 17th.
Abilene ISD invites anyone 18 or over to participate in the
event. You may sign up by visiting www.abileneisd.org and
clicking on the “Every Student Counts AISD Walk for Graduates”
story to register online.
For more information contact Jeff Brokovich at
Help for TEAMS parent portal
access is now available
An email address and temporary hotline have been established
to assist parents in accessing student information through
TEAMS Parent Self-Serve.
Parents may email their questions or issues to
teamsquestions@abileneisd.org or call 325-794-3810 to access
the Temporary Parent Self-Serve Hotline to receive help. If parents call the hotline after working hours, or if the technicians are
busy assisting others, a message can be left by the caller and it
will be returned as soon as possible.
Parents can also access this help contact information on the
district website by clicking on the “Grades” icon on any district/
campus home page.
The volume of calls will be monitored, and when we feel like
the temporary hotline can be discontinued, the email address
will remain in operation. During this time of high volume need of
help, if campus personnel receive inquiries from parents, they
may direct them to the email address or hotline number.
Campuses may also internally transfer calls to the Hotline at
Extension 3810.
Page 2
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
 Football: AHS Eagles vs. CHS Cougars @
Shotwell Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
 Cross Country: AHS Eagles, CHS Cougars
in Eagle Invitational @ Sherrod Park,
8 a.m.
 AHS, CHS Bands in West Texas Fair &
Rodeo Parade, 10 a.m.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting @
One AISD Center, 5 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
 Football: CHS Cougars @ Frenship, 7 p.m.
 Football: AHS Eagles @ Odessa High, 7:30
p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
 AISD Walk for Graduates @ One AISD
Center, 9:30 a.m.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
 Band : Craig, Mann & AHS Parking Lot
Concert @ AHS, 6 p.m.
 Choir: CHS Broadway Review @ CHS
Auditorium, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
 End of First Six Weeks
 Dyess Constitution Day Flag Raising @
Dyess Elementary, 8:30 a.m.
 Football: CHS Cougars vs. Austin Bowie
@ Shotwell Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
 Football: AHS Eagles @ Haltom, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
 Tennis: AHS Eagles @ CHS Cougars,
4 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
 Football: AHS Eagles vs. Keller Fossil ridge
@ Shotwell Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
 Band: AHS in West Texas Tournament of
Bands @ Odessa
Click here to see
full calendar of events
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 3
Float the STEM Boat
ATEMS, ACU partnership hopes to build interest in programs
T
he Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math & SciIn preparation for this exciting event, a group of math, science,
ence, in partnership with the Abilene Christian Universi- and engineering teachers from ATEMS worked together during
ty Department of Engineering, is excited to host the 1st the summer to build their own boat and then tested their boat
Annual ATEMS Cardboard Boat Invitational @ ACU.
at ACU on Aug. 19. The test was a huge success, with the teachThe culminating event will
er-constructed boat provoccur on Saturday, Oct. 15,
ing to be quite sea-worthy!
at 9 a.m. in the ACU pool
The purpose of the Cardlocated within the Royce
board Boat Invitational is
and Pam Money Student
multifaceted. This event
Recreation and Wellness
provides an opportunity to
Center.
build student interest in
The Cardboard Boat InvitaSTEM (Science, Technology,
tional, which consists of
Engineering, and Math)
both an AISD middle school
through a hands-on teamdivision and an ATEMS High
based project. It introduces
School division, will chalor reinforces several STEM
lenge students to engineer
concepts to the students
their own boats using only
including linear measurecardboard, duct tape, and
ment, volume, nets, disPictured on the top of the page, ATEMS teachers Ashley West and placement, and buoyancy as
glue over a span of four
weeks. The preparation will Allison Stanley paddle to shore. Above, teachers form a huddle, from well as teamwork, cooperaalso include up to seven one left with Tracy Long, reaching from the deck; Allison Stanley, Ashley tion, and planning.
West, Julee Isenhower, Larry Haney and Stephen Valdez.
-hour build dates on their
Finally, this event unites
own campuses followed by a final build day at the ACU Bennett students, teachers, college mentors, and university professors in
Engineering Lab.
a common purpose, thereby developing relationships and creThis engineering process will include students researching,
ating a bridge from the middle school science and math classdesigning and building their boats, and then testing them in the rooms through the high schools and culminating in the university
ACU pool through races and durability challenges.
experience.
The winners of each of the challenges will be recognized, then
For more information about STEM education and ATEMS,
the top team in each division will be honored as the Division
please contact the Cardboard Boat Project Coordinator, Mr. LarChampion.
ry Haney, or ATEMS Principal, Dr. Ketta Garduno.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 4
61 new teachers surprised with a Gift Grant
At the 2016-17 New Teacher OriMs. Carlson, a former teacher,
entation on Aug. 9-10, the Abilene
gave the first donation for the
Education Foundation provided 61
GIFT Grants in 2008.
new-to-the-profession teachers
The AEF provided the “brand
with the Judy Dudley
new” teachers with a check for
Memorial GIFT (Giving
$150 to help offset the cost of
Incentives for Firstsetting up a classroom.
time Teachers) Grant
Mike Dudley, retired teacher and
to AISD employees.
AEF board member, made the anThe grant is named in
nouncement at the meeting. Mr.
Carlson memory of long-time Retired teacher and AEF board member
Dudley encouraged the teachers
teacher Judy Dudley. Grant funds Mike Dudley presents a Gift Grant check to to give their best and reminded
are for additional classroom ma- two new-to-the-profession teachers.
them of the honorable profession
terials to enhance those provided by the school dis- they have chosen.
trict and are funded by the Martha Scott Carlson EnHe thanked them for choosing AISD as the place to
dowed Fund for AEF GIFT Grants (held at the Comshare their gift of teaching.
munity Foundation of Abilene by Laura Dyer) and
This is the eighth year AEF has been able to assist
Mike Dudley.
new teachers in this manner.
MORGAN
JONES
PLANETARIUM
N OW S H OW I N G
Saturday,
September 10
Tuesday
September 13
Tuesday
September 20
Tuesday,
September 27
Tuesday,
October 4
5:00 PM
The Dark Matter
Mystery
The Dark Matter
Mystery
6:00 PM
The Dark Matter
Mystery
7:00 PM
The Dark Matter
Mystery
6:00 PM
Earth to Universe
7:00 PM
Earth to Universe
6:00 PM
Sunstuck
7:00 PM
Sunstruck
6:00 PM
Cosmic Castaways
7:00 PM
Cosmic Castaways
6:00 PM
Wonders of the
Universe
7:00 PM
Wonders of the
Universe
4:00 PM
Dyess historical marker to be unveiled
during Constitution Day activities
Dyess Elementary School’s annual
Constitution Day flag raising ceremony will have extra significance in
2016.
On Friday, Sept. 16, at 8:30 a.m.,
the tribute to honor the 229th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution will also include the official unveiling of a permanent State
of Texas Historical Marker on the
campus grounds.
The marker commemorates that
Dyess Elementary was the first
school in Abilene ISD to be integrated on Jan. 21, 1963.
The Texas Historical Commission
approved the permanent marker
last year.
Replica of Dyess historical marker
Constitution Day activities will
feature more than 500 students in front of the school reciting the
pledge to the U.S. and Texas flags. The pledges will be followed by the
singing of the “The Star Spangled Banner” to honor the 202nd anniversary of our National Anthem, which was written on Sept. 14, 1814.
Parents, military veterans and the public
attend.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 5
Friday, September 9
9:30 PM
Saturday, September 10
Need staff development hours?
Check out WT Book Festival
This year’s West Texas Book Festival will be held at the Abilene Civic
Center on Saturday, Sept. 24, and YOU can earn up to six hours of
Alternative Staff Development for attending!
Register for BOTH three-hour workshops in eduphoria. Many local
educators have called this the BEST Alternative Staff Development
opportunity of the year. Feel free to register with standby status, if
there is a waiting list…and there will be.
Sign-in for the morning session will begin at 8:45 a.m., and the author presentations promise to be quite entertaining. Children’s author Susan Kralovansky of Georgetown will discuss writing for children, and then AISD’s own Marguerite Gray (French teacher at
Cooper High School) will be featured talking about her Revolutionary
Faith series of novels set in Charleston, S.C., before and during the
American Revolution.
Lila Meacham, this year’s A.C. Greene Award winner and the bestselling author of four Texas epic novels, including Roses and Titans,
will share thoughts on her long and successful career.
Finally, rounding out the morning program, four contributing authors of the new book West Texas Stories—Glenn Dromgoole, Joe W.
Specht, Jim Richmond, and AISD’s own Jay Moore (history teacher at
Abilene High School)—will host a lively panel as they share colorful
West Texas stories.
The afternoon session includes a free Boots and Books luncheon
ticket, courtesy of local business sponsors. Enjoy a meal of West Texas barbecue while you hear author remarks, see the Ricki Brown Abilene Librarian of the Year Award presented, and witness the presentation of the A.C. Greene Award.
You must cancel your eduphoria registration a week in advance, if
you have a change of plans, so a teacher on the standby list can be
awarded your luncheon ticket.
The annual West Texas Book Festival has many events planned
Sept. 19-24.
For more information and a complete list of festival activities, see
the library website at www.abilenetx.com/apl.
8:00 PM
2016 AISD
Excellence in
Teaching
Monday, September 12
9:00 PM
Tuesday, September 13
7:00 PM
Wednesday, September 14
7:00 PM
AHS vs. CHS
Football Game
Thursday, September 15
5:00 PM
CHS vs. AHS
Football Game
Friday, September 16
8:00 PM
School Board
Meeting
Monday, September 19
9:00 PM
School Board
Meeting
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 6
AEF kicks off game-changing 2016-17 campaign
Do you remember a teacher who really
made a difference in your life? I bet when
you think of him or her you can’t help but
smile.
Perhaps they lifted you up, fostered your
ability to solve problems or simply offered
you encouragement to give your best.
The Abilene Education Foundation believes teachers are the true game changers in AISD.
Thanks to your tremendous support to
the Abilene Education Foundation through
payroll deduction, we can be proud that
during the 2015-16 school year, AISD
teachers were awarded over $50,000
which greatly impacted the learning of the
students in AISD and helped change the
game for grant winners!
Whether you give once a month or a one
-time donation, your gift is a taxdeductible contribution that quickly grows
because community supporters dedicate
matching funds to provide programs for
teachers and students of AISD.
AEF is the only foundation in our community that gives back 100% of its payroll
Abilene Education Foundation is proud to offer bricks from the
original 1951 Bowie Elementary School building.
The original structure was erected for $226,745 at 1733 S. 23rd
Street. In 1953, an addition was built for $177,149 and a third
addition was constructed in 1984 for $457,566.
In 2014, a new school was built on one end of the property
while students attended school for the last year in the old building. The original structure was torn down in 2015 and students
began the 2015-16 school year in their new building at 2034
Jeanette Street.
Abilene ISD has graciously partnered with AEF to allow Bowie
Bobcats to have this token of the past. Mike Dudley, retired AISD
teacher and current AEF Board member, spent many hours pre-
contributions to benefit Abilene ISD teachers and students.
This year we are asking each campus to
change the game to make a difference for
our students.
If your campus reaches 100% participation, AEF, in partnership with AISD, will
provide your campus with rewards!
Thank you again for supporting the Abilene Education Foundation through payroll deduction and for being a game
changer to the students of the Abilene
Independent School District.
paring the bricks
for this fundraiser.
Monies raised
from the sale will
be used to support
AISD students and
teachers through
teacher grants, scholarships, and other AEF programs. For more
information see www.aaeeff.org.
The bricks have been cleaned, shellacked, and are ready to sell
for $25.00 each. A plate has been attached to the brick commemorating Bowie Elementary. Bricks may be purchased at the
AEF office, 241 Pine Street.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 7
Tutors available to help with Math & Science homework
Monday – Thursday
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
(except student holidays)
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 8
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 9
Michael Valencia
Local Coordinator
325-320-0936
Toll Free: 800.942.3524 (FLAG)
Email: mvalencia@flag-intl.org
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 10
For Sale
$4000
For Sale
Travel Trailer 24ft.
$2,500
325-280-3873
(after 4 p.m.)
Ninja Kawasaki EX-6 motorcycle. It is matte black. It comes
with a Scorpion jacket, Bell helmet, and a bike stand. It has
been covered and well maintained. Call or text Mark
Bennett 325-660-5815 or April Bennett
325-665-0061
FOLLOW US
Abilene ISD
@abilene_isd
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 11
HSU SPURS
D AY C A M P !
OCTOBER
1,2016
8 a.m. - 12 p.m. plus a football game performance
Maybe Complex - Dance Studio
bailey.leroux@hsutx.com
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 12
325.260.6014
carlypotterweddings@gmail.com
3418 North 1st Street
★Building B, Suite B ★
Abilene, TX 79603
Peakbagger Productions



Custom Video Scrapbooks – put to motion your
favorite photos with music for any occasion
Video transfers from many formats to DVD or flash
drive
Commercials and Promos
Randy Cluck
325-513-5338
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016
Page 13