May 13th, 2008
Hays CISD honors retirees

From Hays CISD

Hays CISD employees who have chosen to retire this year represent nearly 500 years of service to students. A reception in their honor will precede the school board meeting on May 19, at 6 p.m., at Lehman High School. Former students, co-workers, friends and family are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The 2008 retirees are: Karen Boardman, Randall Braddock, Myrna Cavender, Carl Claus, Beth Collins, Noble Dunson, John Ferguson, Nancy Freels, Dennis Lauranery, Sharon Meacham, Lynda Meyer, Kyle Nations, Nancy Phillips, Bob Presley, Sue Fowler, Jane Swaim, Dolores Riley and Carol Winkler.

Hays CISD Substitutes of the Year
Hays CISD recognizes substitute teachers as part of SubWeek, a national effort to honor the men and women who fill in for absent permanent teachers every day in the United States. On a typical day, Hays CISD chooses from a pool of 250, placing approximately 80 substitute teachers in its classrooms.

This year, the Hays CISD Substitutes of the Year are: Kathleen Jones, Jessica Helmer, Michelle Norman, Gracie Arreola, Alissa Lawlor, Kim Fuller, Grace Castaneda, Crisina Oranday, Wendy Klein, Christina Coleman, Lori Steeple, Vicky Ford, Daniel Pineda, Kandace Spiller, Cynthia Kinsey, Ruby Stanley and Rebecca Espinoza.

One Book, One School tradition continues
During the month of May, students and staff at Science Hall Elementary School are reading Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. The Newbery Honor book is both humorous and bittersweet, has an unforgettable cast of characters, and is a story of friendship, loneliness, and acceptance.

Learning activities during the One Book, One School month include construction of bottle trees as each student remembers “the things I done wrong;” a “Grandparents Day,” when grandparents were encouraged to spend the day at school; and a visit by puppies from PAWS Animal Shelter to help students understand the responsibilities of owning a pet.

Final activity will be a Because Of Winn Dixie movie night, complete with popcorn, at the end of May. This is the second year Science Hall Elementary staff and students have participated in One Book, One School. Last year, activities surrounded the book, Charlotte’s Web.

Campuses recognized for attendance
Tobias Elementary School and Wallace Middle School will be recognized next week for most improved attendance this year. Dahlstrom Middle School and Buda Elementary School will be recognized for highest attendance during the school year.

Dahlstrom recorded a 96.37 percent attendance rate and Wallace Middle School reported a 96.14 percent rate, from 96.04 percent last year. Buda Elementary School’s attendance was nearly 97 percent and Tobias Elementary School’s rate was 95.93 percent, compared to 95.60 percent last year.

The schools are presented with banners in May that they hang throughout the next school year.

Senior activity line-up begins next week
The ceremonies to honor graduating seniors in Hays CISD all begin on May 18. Baccalaureate will be Sunday, May 18 at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kyle.

Hays High School ceremonies begin at 2:30 p.m. and Lehman High School ceremonies begin at 4 p.m. Senior awards ceremonies will be the same day at the Performing Arts Center with Lehman High School ceremonies beginning at 1:30 p.m. and Hays High School ceremonies at 4 p.m.

The Academy@Hays graduation includes senior awards and will be on Saturday, May 31 at 6 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

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.

On Saturday, May 24, Hays High School’s XLR8 program will host a 15-year reunion. All former students and teachers of the XLR8 program are encouraged to attend a celebration of music, refreshments and memories. It will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Joe Graham Gym.