The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Thursday, after hearing a State of the District report on instruction and budget initiatives, unanimously adopted a $104.4 million budget and a tax rate of $1.4613, which reflects no change from last year’s tax rate.

The district’s fourth-day enrollment of 13,722 students is “right at our budget target,” said Carter Scherff, Hays CISD Deputy Superintendent. Enrollment is up 906 students from the same day last year.

Scherff reported that currently one of the district’s 19 campuses, Science Hall Elementary School, is at capacity at kindergarten and 1st Grade (English speaking). Students in those grades, who live in the Science Hall attendance zone and register for school from now on, will be transferred to Tom Green Elementary School. Science Hall is also at capacity in 4th Grade bilingual classes. Because the Tom Green 4th Grade bilingual classes are full, those “cap” students from Science Hall will be transferred to Blanco Vista Elementary School. Transportation will be provided for these students to Tom Green and Blanco Vista. All “cap” students may transfer to any other elementary school that has room, but must provide their own transportation.

Dr. Kirk London, Hays CISD Superintendent of Schools, told the School Board that he would be gathering the Growth Impact Committee soon to formulate recommendations for attendance zones for the new middle school (which is expected to open for the 2009-10 school year), and for modifications to the Science Hall Elementary and Tom Green Elementary attendance zones for the 2009-10 school year.

As part of the State of the District report, Dr. Kimbroly Pool, Hays CISD Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, began the work of clearing up some confusion regarding the district’s standards based curriculum.

At the May School Board meeting, Dr. Pool reported on the district’s implementation of CSCOPE, a curriculum subscription cooperative through the Region XIII Education Service Center. She said that CSCOPE provides a roadmap for the district to carry out the curriculum, providing vertical articulation and specificity across all grade levels in the foundational areas.

At the May meeting, Dr. Pool gave the district’s implementation schedule for the 2008-09 school year, which includes: elementary and secondary teachers following the CSCOPE curriculum for social studies, science and math, while using Hays CISD instructional resources and activities and integrating Hays CISD instructional resources and activities into CSCOPE.

On Thursday, Dr. Pool responded to questions and comments from Board members and teachers regarding the implementation plan.

“I agree, communication was not very good,” she said. “We are going to continue our philosophy that teachers use a conceptual lens to teach students. And CSCOPE is aligned to that instructional philosophy in our district. This is what we have got to do and our math scores tell us that we’re not getting our students to that level of expectation as tested on TAKS.”

“The School Board and I are committed to making sure our teachers have all of the training and resources they need to deliver the program,” said Dr. Kirk London, Hays CISD Superintendent of Schools. “We will be working very hard to provide this to our teachers. To increase our scores, we’ve got to do things differently than we’ve done in the past.”

Dr. Pool reported that by the spring semester, 16 “dual credit” courses should be available to secondary students.

Through a partnership with Austin Community College (ACC), qualified high school students are able to enroll in college classes taught in their local high schools during normal high school hours. They receive “dual credit,” both high school and college credit for their work.

“ACC has staffed those classes with college professors,” she said. “So, Hays CISD students could earn up to 24 and possibly 30 (if on-line opportunities are involved) hours of college credit before they graduate from high school.”

Dr. Pool reported that “great strides” have occurred regarding the student information system’s parent portal, where parents will be able to get information online such as attendance and eventually grades about their child(ren). Step one, however is a standardized grading system.

“Over the summer, teachers worked to determine district-wide grading standards,” she said. “That’s some feat. Strong assessment practices vary greatly from teacher to teacher in many areas.”

She expects the parent portal to be ready for rollout by January.

John Thornell, Hays CISD Executive Director of Assessment, gave the School Board a full report of TAKS results from the 2007-08 school year. He noted a “pretty huge increase in science performance for all students,” over the past five years and a “steady climb” in math scores. He said this was the first year that Hays CISD math TAKS scores surpassed the state average.

“We’ve come a long way in science,” Thornell said. “Science is a real success story at both the middle school and elementary school levels.”

The School Board approved a guaranteed maximum price of $1.3 million for improvement work at Hays High School, Dahlstrom Middle School (DMS) and Elm Grove (EGES) and Fuentes elementary schools.

“All four of these projects are part of the 2008 bond,” Scherff said. “We had hoped to have most of them completed by the end of the summer, but the permitting process delayed us.”

He said that within the next week, equipment will show up at the schools to complete improvements to the parent drop-off at DMS and EGES, drainage in front of Fuentes Elementary and additional parking at Hays High School.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court may also be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child’s income.

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing households of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Applications also are available at the principal’s office in each school. To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it in the envelope provided via the U.S. mail. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.

For school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits, households receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) only have to list their child’s name and food stamp or TANF case number. An adult household member must sign the application.

Households that do not list a food stamp or TANF case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate that a Social Security number is not available by marking the box that states “I do not have a social security number”. The application must be signed by an adult household member.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Hays CISD will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or grandparents dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to: Hays CISD Child Nutrition, 21003 Interstate 35, Kyle, 78640.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the Child Nutrition office and fill out a new Free/Reduced Application. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown above.

In accordance with federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 800.795.3272 or 202.720.6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved the hiring of nearly 100 new teachers plus six administrators to start the 2008-09 school year.

The action was indicative of summer hiring activity as nearly 200 new employees are expected to attend the annual New Teacher Orientation on Tuesday morning.

The School Board certified the $3.25 billion tax roll for fiscal 2008, which reflects an increase of 14.3 percent over fiscal 2007. This tax base means that each penny on the tax rate draws $325,709. The Board also set a maximum tax rate of $1.4613, which reflects no change from the current tax rate.

“We passed our bond issue, yet our tax rate will stay the same, as we proposed to the public,” said Chip DuPont, President of the School Board. “We’re turning agriculture-exempt fields into businesses and houses and finally getting the opportunity to use that growth to build schools.”

State law restricts school boards from raising the tax rate without approval of voters, DuPont said.

“Unless there is an election called to vote on a proposed increase in the M&O (maintenance and operations) tax rate, there is no way for that to happen,” he said. “In the future we will have to ask the public for the opportunity to raise that tax rate.”

A public hearing on the $132.5 million budget and tax rate is scheduled for August 28 at 6:15 p.m., at the Central Administration Office. At the meeting following the public hearing, the Board will vote on the budget and set the tax rate. The tax rate recommendation will reflect no increase, Scherff said.

On Monday, the School Board approved two budget amendments totaling $2.5 million, which includes $200,000 for fuel until August 31, and $2.3 million for a service reward to all employees with at least one year of service to the District, which was approved by the Board in May.

“When you have 125 buses with 65 to 70 gallons per bus at $4 per gallon, it adds up a lot faster than it used to,” said Deputy Superintendent Carter Scherff. The budget for fuel has been increased by $500,000 for next year, he said.

The School Board unanimously agreed to interview the superintendent search firm of School Executive Consulting Inc., of Dallas, prior to the August 28 meeting. Dr. Kirk London, Superintendent of Hays CISD, announced his retirement at the June School Board meeting. This action is the first step in finding his replacement.

New hires include:

• Laura Sanchez Fowler for Director of Professional Development. Ms. Fowler’s most recent position is program analyst with Austin ISD and adjunct lecturer at Texas State University. She earned a doctorate at University of North Texas

• Kevin Malandruccolo as assistant principal of Wallace Middle School (WMS). He has worked for WMS since 2005, including serving as science department chairman and athletic coordinator, and is earning a master’s degree at Texas State University.

• Robert Hensarling as assistant principal of Hays High School. He has been an assistant principal of Seguin High School since 2005 and earned a master’s degree from Concordia University.

• Teri Eubank as academic dean at Hays High School. She has been the academic dean at Manor High School since 2005 and earned a master’s degree from University of Texas at San Antonio.

• Lisa Baum as Elementary Science Coordinator. She has been a science teacher at Tom Green Elementary School since 2006 and is working on her doctorate at Walden University.

• Kathy Faulks as assistant principal of Elm Grove Elementary School. She has worked for Hays CISD since 2005, including Buda Elementary and Elm Grove Elementary, and earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Transition marked the regular meeting of the Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday with Superintendent Kirk London announcing his retirement, and Bob Presley, Deputy Superintendent, and Dolores Riley, Executive Director of Elementary Curriculum, wrapping up their final School Board meeting before retiring.

“Next year (2008-09) will be my last year as superintendent of Hays CISD,” Dr. London said in his public announcement. “This is a good time for me personally and a good time for the district.”

“Our test scores have showed improvement in almost every area,” he said. “The community has supported our efforts. We have a great staff, great kids, great teachers. This job will be one of the most sought after in the state.”

Dr. London received his five-year pin with Hays CISD this past May and has been in the education business as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent for the past 36 years.

He is giving “lots of advance notice,” for an “easy transition.”

“I will be there as long as you need me,” he said. “I will support you and the School Board through this process as you have supported me for the past five years.”

Chip DuPont, President of the School Board, said the district will conduct a nationwide search for a superintendent “to continue the work Dr. London has started.”

“This will allow us the flexibility to do the search while we still have him (London) here,” DuPont said. “We will not have to go to an interim. We have all the time we need to find the quality person this school district deserves.”

Also on Monday, the School Board appointed Carter Scherff as Deputy Superintendent and hired Michelle Barrera as Executive Director of Human Resources and Dina Webb as Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. Barrera is currently Director of Administration and Employee Support at Judson ISD. She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Webb is currently Director of Curriculum and Instruction Services at Ingram ISD. She earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Texas State University.

The School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Jason Certain as assistant principal of Dahlstrom Middle School and Christine Kent as assistant principal of Chapa Middle School. The two positions will address staffing ratios and growing enrollment at Chapa and Dahlstrom middle schools. Certain is currently a teacher and coach at Dahlstrom Middle School. Ms. Kent is assistant principal of Travis Elementary School in San Marcos ISD and has served as an assistant principal of Crockett High School.

The School Board authorized district administration to issue $86.7 million in school building bonds based on a set of parameters.

“Due to the volume of upcoming Texas school district bond sales ($7.3 billion were approved on May 10) and the volatility of interest rates, we want maximum flexibility to time the sale when the interest rates are most favorable,” said Bill Gumbert, with RBC Capital Markets, the district’s bond adviser.

Trustees approved changing the name of The Academy@Hays to Academy High School. The district’s alternative high school of choice will occupy the South Campus of Hays High School beginning the 2008-09 school year. The School Board also approved changing the name of Tobias International School to Tobias Elementary School. The dual language program that inspired the “International” in the name of the school has moved to Blanco Vista Elementary School.

School Board members Joe Muñoz (District 2), Mark Jones (At-Large) and Melissa Espinoza (District 1) were sworn in for three-year terms, and the School Board voted for DuPont as President, Patti Wood as Vice President, and Muñoz as Secretary for one-year terms.

Nearly 600 students from Hays High School, Lehman High School and The Academy@Hays crossed the stage Friday and Saturday as part of the final rite of passage in public school.

Dakota Peterson, HHS valedictorian, commented in his Friday Commencement speech that the Class of 2008 has grown up right alongside the community.

“We have shuffled from school to school as we watched our community grow,” he said, noting that many of his fellow students remember the only places to buy groceries were Bon Ton and Buda Grocery.

“Let us thank our teachers who showed us, more than any other lesson, how to learn,” he said. “That is one of the biggest gifts our high school education has given us. And for that we will be forever in your debt.”

Dakota urged his classmates to take pride in what they do and “what you bring to the world because we all bring something spectacular,” and to relish in their accomplishments.

“Parents, never compare your kids to someone else’s kids,” said Alexis Guadarrama, valedictorian of the LHS Class of 2008. “A job may be good for some quick money now, but an education will last a lifetime.”

Alexander Rasche, salutatorian of the LHS Class of 2008, advised his classmates to “remember to expect the unexpected, prepare for the unprepared” and “don’t listen to anything anyone else has to say. Listen to what your heart has to say.”

Elsa Hinojosa, Principal of Lehman High School, told the class, “As the sun sets on your high school experience, many of your dreams will come true. You can make a difference in the lives of others.”

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Members of the Grande Lodge of Texas Masons conducted the symbolic “leveling” of the cornerstones of Blanco Vista Elementary School and Camino Real Elementary School on Saturday, one more step as those schools ready for opening in August.

During the ceremony, Masons verify with a square, level and plumb, that the “craftsmen have done their duty.”

“I find this cornerstone well formed, true and trusty and may this undertaking be conducted and completed by the craftsmen according to the Grand Plan, in peace, love and harmony,” said Archie Scott, a Mason from Austin.

The ceremony dates back hundreds of years. George Washington was a Freemason and Masons “leveled” the cornerstone of the Texas Capitol in 1885.

“The cornerstone reminds us that if we are to build any lasting structure, it must rest upon a firm foundation and one that is truly set,” according to the ceremony readings. “When properly prepared by the tools of operative masonry, the cornerstone is perfectly square.”

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The most recent preliminary scores on Hays CISD students’ Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) show all campuses are moving in the right direction: up.

All student “subgroups” in the district made gains this year in the reading/ELA portion of the TAKS, and preliminary results show the district is recognized or exemplary in this subject.

“Eight campuses had reading passing rates in the 90 percent range,” said John Thornell, Hays CISD Executive Director of Assessment. “The highest gain occurred in the economically disadvantaged subgroup.”

District commended rate is 33 percent of all students tested, a 4 percent gain over last year.

The writing portion tells a similar story. Eight campuses have passing rates in the 90 percent range.

“The campus that made the largest gain in writing this year was Tom Green Elementary School, with 7 percent,” Thornell said.

The district commended rate is 27 percent.

The passing rate for math is 76 percent, a 4 percent gain over last year, he said.

“All accountability subgroups showed gains from 4-5 percent in math,” he said. “Nine of our 16 campuses had math passing rates in the recognized range for all students.”

The district commended rate for math is 22 percent, which is a 3 percent gain over last year. Dahlstrom Middle School achieved the highest gain in commended passing rate, he said.

Students showed an increase of 7 percent in passing the science portion of the TAKS.

“All campuses, except for two showed gains in science this year, ranging from 1 percent to 22 percent, which occurred at Hemphill Elementary School,” Thornell said. “Noteworthy is the 71 percent of economically disadvantaged students at Hemphill that passed science this year.”

Three campuses—Buda Elementary, Elm Grove Elementary and Negley Elementary—report commended rates in science of greater than 50 percent.

In Social Studies, all campuses but two scored in the 90 percent range.

“The district commended rate in social studies is 37 percent this year which is a gain of 3 percent over last year,” he said. “Our middle schools really shined in social studies this year”

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Deadline to file an application for a student transfer—from one school to another within Hays CISD, as well as from another district into Hays CISD—is Monday June 2. Applications must be picked up and filed at the Central Administration Office, 21003 Interstate 35 in Kyle. The applications are for school year 2008-09.

All students wishing to transfer to a school outside of their attendance zone next year must complete a transfer application. Students who have been granted transfers in the past must fill out a new transfer form. Students who are in a special program at a location other than his/her “home” campus, should contact the principal to ensure he/she will continue to receive services at that location.

Parents of students applying for a transfer will be notified by letter prior to the start of school on August 25. Transportation for students granted permission to attend schools outside their attendance areas will not be provided by the school district.

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New student registration will be in early August— 6 and 7 for elementary students, and August 11 and 12 for secondary students. The registration will take place at all campuses during regular business hours. During the summer, campuses are open Monday through Thursday.

According to state law, to enroll, students must provide:

• A birth certificate or another document suitable as proof of the child’s identity

• A copy of the child’s records from the school most recently attended

• A record showing that the child has the immunizations required, proof that the child is not required to be immunized or proof that the child is entitled to provisional admission.

Students shall not be denied enrollment if they cannot provide a birth certificate or Social Security number. However, they must provide proof of immunizations.

Please call the Central Administration Office, 268-2141, if you are new to the district and are unsure where your child will be attending school.

May 20, 2008
Lunch prices rise, Board hires new food service

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved a 20-cent per meal increase for student and adult breakfast and lunch, beginning with the 2008-09 school year.

Next year, breakfast at an elementary school will be $1.25 and at a middle or high school, it will be $1.35 per meal. Lunch will cost $1.90 at the elementary level and $2.10 at the secondary level.

The price increase will not affect the reduced meal price of 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

“Since the last time the district raised meal prices in 2005, the cost of food has increased significantly,” said Carter Scherff, Hays CISD Chief Financial Officer. He noted the nation’s consumer price index (CPI) from March 2005 to March 2008 showed a 17 percent increase in the cost of milk, a 20 percent increase in the cost of “food at home” and a 12 percent increase in the cost of “food away from home.”

Scherff said he is hopeful the district won’t have to increase food prices for another two or three years.

The School Board also approved a contract for a new food service company, Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE), of Peoria, Arizona, to provide breakfast and lunch to all campuses next school year.

The contract with Aramark, which has been the district’s food service provider for the past 10 years, expires June 30.

Hays CISD is the first district in Texas to employ SFE, which provides child nutrition in districts ranging from less than 1,000 students to more than 26,000 students (Dysart USD) in Arizona. The company features fruit and vegetable nutrition bars as well as salad bars at all campuses, and serves wheat bread on a daily basis. A roving chef display program is designed as an interactive cooking and learning experience for students.

Representatives from SFE will spend Tuesday in the district, including participating in a meeting with all child nutrition staff. A transition plan will be implemented throughout the summer.

All child nutrition staff, currently employed with Hays CISD, will remain employed by the district. Three full-time employees of Aramark will leave Hays CISD and move to other Aramark locations.

“I think Southwest will be a great partner with Hays CISD,” said Patti Wood, Vice President of the School Board. “They appear to be very eager to get more business in Texas, so I think they will do a good job for us. I think they will work very hard for us.”

May 20, 2008
Board names ‘pod’ at KES after Kyle Nations

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday named the “pink pod” a wing of classrooms at Kyle Elementary School, after Kyle Nations, a lifelong 2nd Grade teacher at the school, who is retiring this year.

Mrs. Nations spent all but two years of her 35-year teaching career at Kyle Elementary School (KES). Her student teaching was at KES. She started 1st grade at KES and walked through that school’s hallways and classrooms until graduation.

A graduate of Texas State University (then Southwest Texas State University), Kyle High School panther mascot, majorette, and member of the 1967 Kyle High School State Volleyball Championship team, Mrs. Nations made her mark at the campus before returning as a teacher.

In her letter of recommendation, Elaine Meyer, KES Principal, said, “Mrs. Nations is loved and respected by many…students colleagues, parents and community members. Her reputation is that of being energetic, creative, hard working and dependable. Expectations for her students are high and they respond to her in a positive manner.”

“Kyle Nations is an outstanding educator. She has made a positive difference in the lives of many, many students and in the life of our wonderful community,” Mrs. Meyer wrote.

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May 20, 2008
School Board approves pay raise, service reward

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday approved a pay raise of $1,000 for teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians for the 2008-09 school year. In addition, the School Board approved a 2 percent (of the midpoint) pay raise for all other employees for the 2008-09 school year.

Mark Jones, whose wife is a teacher in the district, abstained from the vote and Joe Muñoz was not at the meeting as he was out of the state on business.

The School Board also approved a service reward program for all employees based on years of service. The reward is for all employees who are with the district for the 2007-08 school year and continue through 2008-09. The amount of reward is based on a grid: those with one to four years of service will receive a check for $1,000 in December; those with five to nine years will receive $1,300; those with 10 to 14 years will receive $1,600; those with 15 to 19 years will receive $1,900; and those with 20 or more years of service will receive $2,200.

Scherff estimates the cost of this one-time program is nearly $2.4 million. Nearly 2,000 people work for Hays CISD.

“This is something that we think is in the best interest of the district,” said Chip DuPont, President of the School Board.

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May 20, 2008
Last week of May a busy one in Hays CISD

The annual rite of passage, graduation, for students at Hays High School, Lehman High School and The Academy@Hays will be on Friday and Saturday, May 30 and 31.

Hays High School graduation ceremonies will be on Friday, May 30, at 8 p.m. at Shelton Stadium. Lehman High School graduation ceremonies will be on Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m. at Shelton Stadium. The Academy@Hays graduation includes senior awards and will be on Saturday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

On the morning of Saturday, May 30, members of the Kyle and Buda Masonic Lodge, will formally “level the cornerstone” of Camino Real Elementary School and Blanco Vista Elementary School. Officers from the Grand Lodge of Texas, representatives of the Kyle and Buda Masons and representatives of Hays CISD participate in the ceremonies, which involve the symbolic “leveling” and the presentation of a Texas flag that has flown over the State Capitol.

The Camino Real Elementary School ceremony will be at 9:30 a.m. The school is located at 170 Las Brisas Blvd., in Niederwald. The Blanco Vista Elementary School ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. The school is located at 2951 Blanco Vista Blvd., in San Marcos. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the ceremonies.

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May 20, 2008
Deadline for student transfer application is June 2

Deadline to file an application for a student transfer—from one school to another within Hays CISD, as well as from another district into Hays CISD—is Monday June 2. Applications must be picked up and filed at the Central Administration Office, 21003 Interstate 35 in Kyle. The applications are for school year 2008-09.

All students wishing to transfer to a school outside of their attendance zone next year must complete a transfer application. Students who have been granted transfers in the past must fill out a new transfer form. Students who are in a special program at a location other than his/her “home” campus, should contact the principal to ensure he/she will continue to receive services at that location.

Parents of students applying for a transfer will be notified by letter prior to the start of school on August 25.

Transportation for students granted permission to attend schools outside their attendance areas will not be provided by the school district.

In March 2006, the School Board approved a new transfer policy that includes:

All elementary school transfers will be considered if the grade level capacity is less than 90 percent;

Sibling transfers will not be considered;

Middle school transfers will be considered only within the same high school feeder pattern (students may transfer from Chapa to Wallace and vice-versa and students may transfer from Barton to Dahlstrom and vice-versa);

High school transfers will not be considered, unless they are within the designated exceptions as defined in Board policy, administrative regulations, an appeals committee or the superintendent.

According to district policy, the approval of a student transfer may not increase the ethnic imbalance percentage between the home campus and the requested campus by more than 5 percent. Also, campus principals may make recommendations to the superintendent or designee for student transfers to be revoked because of noncompliance with the compulsory attendance law or the district tardy procedures.

If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia Castro at 268.2141.

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May 20, 2008
Athletic physicals conducted at WELL Clinic

The district’s Wellness Encouraged through Lifelong Learning (WELL) Clinic at Science Hall Elementary School will be open for sports physicals, immunizations and other clinical visits throughout the summer. For an appointment, please call 268.5218. The school-based health center is open to all students of Hays CISD. Hours will be Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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May 20, 2008
Choir camp planned for July 14-18

Hays CISD is hosting a summer choir camp at the Performing Arts Center on July 14-18. An international conductor, Lynnel Joy Jenkins, will be guest conductor.

Students from the district entering the 4th, 5th or 6th Grade are eligible to participate in the camp.

“Students will have to sing for extended times during the day so a love for singing is essential,” said Patty Moreno, Director of the Hays CISD Children’s Chorus and music teacher at Science Hall Elementary School.

May 16, 2008
Mrs. Riley leads the way to future leaders

If you ask most mentors why they do what they do, chances are it will take them a split second to tell you in detail the positive impact that “mentee” had on their lives and a heartbeat to tell you the names of their mentors.

Dolores Riley, Hays CISD Executive Director of Elementary Education, is retiring after two decades in the district and more than 30 years in education. While she has served in various positions—and at each of them she left an imprint—her legacy remains in the hearts of others: those she mentored, who are now leaders.

And chances are very good that these individuals will continue the circle and become mentors themselves, if they aren’t already there.

“I can honestly say that I am who I am today because of Dolores,” said Cynthia Davis, principal of Blanco Vista Elementary School. Mrs. Davis opened Tobias Elementary School as principal in 2003 and helped drive that campus to “recognized” status. She will open the Blanco Vista campus in August. “She gave me a wonderful opportunity the day that she took a chance on me by offering me the assistant principal position at Elm Grove Elementary. Dolores was opening Elm Grove that year and she had a vision for the type of school she wanted to create. I was able to witness first-hand how Dolores worked with staff, administration, parents and students to build a strong community of learners. Dolores mentored me for the next three years. She is the reason that I felt I could take on the challenge of opening a new school.”

Mrs. Riley joined Hays CISD in 1989 as an assistant principal at Tom Green Elementary. She was named principal of Kyle Intermediate School in 1993. That transition was a challenge for both the school district and for Mrs. Riley and everyone learned from the experience.

“We were pulling middle school and elementary school students and staff together as one,” she explained. “Many of our students came from a school with a low performance rating.”

“We worked real hard under the Accelerated Schools Model to make gains in achievement,” Mrs. Riley said. “We were always asking ourselves, ‘What’s best for kids?’”

In her customary fashion, Mrs. Riley rose to the challenges of Kyle Intermediate School, steering that campus through academic gains. It was with the opening of Elm Grove Elementary School in 2000, however, that she took the risks and saw the results of a true leader.

“Michael (Hinojosa) was the superintendent at that time and he said he wanted me out on that limb and he wanted to see the limb bouncing,” she said. In the first years of Elm Grove, Mrs. Riley implemented a non-traditional report card, integrated teaching units and generally held high expectations of everyone.

“Nearly a year before Elm Grove opened, our faculty began a series of meetings to thoughtfully and thoroughly discuss what we personally believed about educating children,” said Myrna Cavender, Elm Grove Elementary Librarian, who also is retiring this year. “Not only did we formulate our belief, mission, and goals statements, but we also got to know each other personally. We played together at retreats and later at faculty meetings. We cried together during that first year too when we were totally exhausted trying to meet the high standards set by our families and ourselves.”

“We were learning new ways of formulating curriculum so that children could explore various self-selected topics of interest—and it was hard,” Mrs. Cavendar continued. “But Dolores was always there, teaching us specifics, guiding our planning, cheering on our efforts, and offering her whole-hearted support of the many risk-taking experiences we planned and implemented.”

One of the teachers Mrs. Riley hired at Elm Grove Elementary is Jodie Wymore, Principal of Fuentes Elementary School, another of the district’s recognized campuses.

“Dolores gave me a feeling that she believed in me very shortly after I first met her,” Mrs. Wymore said. “She allowed me freedom to be innovative and try things that were new to me. She allowed me room to make mistakes and learn from them. She took chances on me and gave me responsibilities that stretched me.”

“I truly believe at that time she knew I didn’t have it all figured out, but was willing to support me as I did learn and grow,” Mrs. Wymore said. “This only pushed me to want to do it that much more!”

Perhaps Mrs. Riley’s greatest lesson as a mentor is teaching by showing how to live and work outside the “comfort zone.”

“I think I am most grateful to Dolores for not always making it simple or giving me the easy way out,” Mrs. Wymore said. “She helped to foster in me a sense of being comfortable with a little disequilibrium. I will always be grateful to Dolores because that keeps me in a place to be constantly seeking, learning, stretching and growing to figure it all out.”

“I love seeing those sparks in people,” Mrs. Riley said, referring to her “habit” of encouraging those around her to stretch themselves.

Mrs. Riley formalized her mentoring tendencies in the Hays Leadership Institute (HLI), a year-long program offered to aspiring administrators. When asked, Mrs. Riley will admit that is her crowning accomplishment at Hays CISD. A quick tally has nearly 20 current campus and district administrators who have gone through HLI.

“Dolores helped grow educational leaders both at Elm Grove and throughout the Hays CISD,” Mrs. Cavender said. “Under her tutelage, a select group of up and coming educational leaders—often the very best of teachers—met regularly at HLI. The legacy of those HLI trainings can be seen in many of our current principals, assistant principals, and instructional strategists. Dolores generously shared her breadth of knowledge with others and gently prodded us all to investigate topics or curricula or methodologies further. She wanted us to become a true learning community–learning from one another and we did.”

“Her educational leadership and vision has always been solid,” said Dianne Borreson, Hays CISD Executive Director of Technology. Mrs. Borreson worked alongside Mrs. Riley at Tom Green Elementary and Kyle Intermediate and again at the Central Administration Office. “She handles situations with the utmost professionalism and poise. Teachers, co-workers, parents, students, community members are all worthy of her attention and respect.”

Continually one of the high performers in the district, Elm Grove Elementary School enjoys many of the hiring successes and programs implemented by Mrs. Riley. And few will argue with the sense of community she orchestrated involving parents, students and staff.

“You have to have a goal, something you’re shooting for,” she explained. “That way you’re working toward something as a whole group, arm-in-arm.”

“We all—children, parents, grandparents, faculty, and staff—blossomed because we had grown into a nurturing family,” Mrs. Cavender said. “We were there for each other, and we knew that Dolores would be there championing our children, our efforts, helping to meld Elm Grove into such an exciting, invigorating, and welcoming school. Whether Dolores was in the forefront or in the background, we knew that she was guiding us; she supported us, and she would encourage us to try offering constructive criticism and ways to make our teaching, our school even better. We grew stronger every year; we trusted each other.”

Mrs. Riley moved to the Central Administration Office in 2004, corralling the elementary curriculum and building a team of elementary principals and teachers, including coordinators, directors and instructional strategists. Her system of support is legendary. In fact on her resume, Mrs. Riley states one of her responsibilities is “supporting” 11 elementary principals.

“Dolores is always available to talk things over and has treated me as an equal for the past four years,” said Terry Fielder, Hays CISD Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum. “I have learned how important it is to listen carefully and then to gently nudge people to make changes. Dolores is warm, affirming, protective, and at the same time, can tell people things they don't necessarily want to hear in a kind and supportive voice.”

“Dolores cares deeply for people, and she truly understands that a person is better at their job when they know they are cared for, supported, and understood,” Mrs. Davis said. “She makes every person feel as if they are the most important person in the room.”

Mrs Riley’s compassion is what sets her apart, according to Mrs. Borreson.

“Her compassion for learning, for teaching, for the underdog, just her basic compassion for believing,” Mrs. Borreson said. “She exhibits that compassion in all that she does. For that, Hays CISD is a better place.”

In her poignant letter of retirement, Mrs. Riley stated that “it is time in my life to seek out other leadership opportunities that will provide me with more time for my family, particularly my grandchildren!”

So we say, “farewell” to Mrs. Riley for now. Her beacon will remain in Hays CISD for a long time in the form of today’s administrators and instructional strategists, many of whom are mentoring tomorrow’s educational leaders.

In the words of many, her influence endures.

“I am honored to have been able to work so closely with her,” Mrs. Fielder said.

“I can say that I was truly blessed by working under Dolores’ guidance,” Mrs. Cavender said. “She knows how to draw out the very best in people, but she does so graciously, gently, and with humor.”

“I feel so fortunate for having known and worked with her in so many capacities and for so many years,” Mrs. Borreson said. “She was always committed to making sure all students had the opportunity to be successful. Each of those contributions has had a huge impact on education in Hays CISD.”

“Dolores has been my mentor for so many years that it is hard to imagine my professional life without her,” Mrs. Davis said.

May 16, 2008
Technology in Hays CISD shows no limITs

The halls and rooms of the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center were buzzing, literally, with technology and the people—students and teachers—who work it on Thursday night during the 3rd annual district-wide technology showcase.

More than 50 projects represented by all campuses in Hays CISD were on display for parents and community members to look at, and more importantly, participate in.

From making movies to publishing books to designing a house to analyzing data surrounding a sound wave to “Survivor: Real Math for Real Life,” where Wallace Middle School students were assigned a job, a salary and a distance to work and they drew up a budget for living, the showcase brought to light that technology happens everyday in the classrooms of Hays CISD.

In the auditorium, animated and actual movies made by students rolled throughout the night, interrupted by the awarding of gifts to student logo design winners and $31,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants.

“Last year the Foundation gave $50,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants,” said Chris Harkrider, President of the Hays CISD Education Foundation. “This year, I am pleased to say we are giving away $70,000. It gives us a lot of pleasure to give back to this great school district.”

Traditionally, the Innovative Teaching Grants in the Spring average less than $20,000. However, that tradition was broken on Thursday with the granting of $31,000 to nearly 35 teachers throughout the district for innovation in their classrooms.

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May 16, 2008
98 percent of all 8th graders pass reading TAKS

After two administrations of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for reading, 98 percent of all 8th Graders in the district have passed.

“This is the first year for Student Success Initiative (SSI) reading in Grade 8, but 98 percent passing is simply outstanding!” said John Thornell, Hays CISD Executive Director of Assessment. “In Grade 8, our lowest scoring middle school is 95 percent passing with the other three at 98 or 99 percent passing.”

Ninety percent of all 5th graders and 93 percent of all 3rd graders have passed the TAKS reading test.

“In Grade 5, we have six of our nine elementary schools at or above 90 percent passing,” he said.

District-wide, only 16, 8th Graders have not met their SSI reading requirements, Thornell said. Those numbers are 77 for 3rd Grade and 82 for 5th Grade.

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Elementary summer school (grades 2 through 5) begins June 9 and will be Monday through Friday through July 3 at Kyle Elementary School. Transportation and free breakfast and lunch will be provided for all students. Hours will be from 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Paige Collier, assistant principal of Hemphill Elementary School, will be the 2008 summer school principal.

Middle school summer school will be Monday through Friday, June 9 through July 3, at Barton Middle School. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students currently in grades 6, 7, and 8 with an academic need will be referred for summer school from their home campus. Transportation and free breakfast and lunch will be provided for all students. Julio Vela, assistant principal of Chapa Middle School, will be the 2008 summer school principal.

Hays High School (HHS) will be the site for summer school for any Hays CISD 9th-12th grader. School will be Monday through Friday, June 9 through July 3, 8:15 a.m. to noon. Transportation is provided for high school students attending summer school. Nikki Dickerson, assistant principal of Lehman High School, will be the 2008 summer school principal. Breakfast and lunch will be at Barton Middle School.

TAKS Review Summer School, for students who have not met the standard on the exit level exam, will be June 9 through July 9, with no class on July 4. Tuition is free. TAKS summer testing dates are July 15, 16, 17 and 18.

Recovery Summer School, where high school students may “recover” credits, includes the four “core” subjects of English, science, social studies and math, as well as Spanish, health, fitness, communications and business. Cost for these classes is $200 for full-credit courses ($100 for half-credit courses). Fee waivers are available to reduce the cost for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Acceleration “Get Ahead” Summer School will be offered for students wanted to get ahead in credits. Classes are June 9 through July 9, with no class on July 4. Cost for these classes is $200 for full-credit courses ($100 for half-credit courses). Fee waivers are available to reduce the cost for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Adults 22 and older will be charged $1.75 for breakfast and $3 for lunch. Children do not have to qualify for free meals.

Gratis - Programa de Comidas De Verano (pdf) 
link to Free Summer Feeding Sites & Schedule (pdf)

Many of the schools and extracurricular programs are offering summer enrichment activities. For a list of these activities, please call 268.2141.