It is a great day in Nacogdoches ISD!
I hope you are a having an amazing summer. Summer time to me means vacations, camps, baseball, ice cream, and hot weather. The weather is certainly cooperating in my definition of summer - I cannot remember a summer that has started this warm.
While school may have just dismissed for the summer, I get excited just thinking about the enthusiasm that is present regarding our schools and education. Nacogdoches, Texas is fortunate to have a community that values education and the children of our community. As a school system, we want to passionately encourage parents and students to take advantage of everything our schools have to offer. This is an excellent school district and working in conjunction with the community, we can make Nacogdoches ISD the school of distinction in Texas.
· Coach (Dr.) Dennis Parker presented recently to the area business community at the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Parker introduced the group to “The Way of the Dragon,” the character education program he developed for NISD. “The Way of the Dragon” is being implemented at our middle schools, our school of choice and in our athletic programs. TJR also piloted the program with their 5th graders this past year. Area businesses will be involved in the program through outreach and employee engagement programs. I am proud of Dr. Parker and the fact that he is working with Nacogdoches ISD principals to develop excellent citizens.
· Members of the Nacogdoches administrative team recently were involved in “Diversity Training” presented by Mack Hines, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Sam Houston State University, and author of First in Flight: Helping Children to Soar in Middle School. Dr. Hines is a nationally recognized expert in helping school districts to deal with the challenges of diversity. The principals and administrators in attendance were able to take away tools that will make Nacogdoches ISD better for everyone.
· Mark your calendars for fun. On Friday July 1 at 8:30 AM our pre-kinder and kindergarten ELL students at BQJ will host their (Second Annual) 4th of July parade. Last year’s parade was a tremendous success. Nearly 100 patriotic parents and students celebrated Independence Day by waving flags and streamers as they walked or rode through the neighborhood.
· The new athletic facilities at NHS will be getting a workout this summer. Our high school coaches have invited all middle school and high school athletes to attend a strength and conditioning camp. The free camp will run Monday –Thursday until July 21. Camp activities will include running, weightlifting and strength training as well as lessons in character education, health and nutrition.
· Mayor Roger Van Horn has accepted the “Mayor’s Challenge” through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). TDA Commissioner Todd Staples created the challenge, to increase awareness about the importance of child nutrition and increase participation in student nutrition programs. Last summer, our Nacogdoches ISD fed 23,924 breakfast and 40,252 lunches in 30 locations throughout the city. This year we have gotten off to a great start with an increase in student participants and venues.
· Our summer education programs continue in Nacogdoches ISD. There are many learning camps and academic programs that have been scheduled to enrich the lives of our students over the summer. Please go to www.nacisd.org to review the programs that appear in the yellow box midway down the front page.
Have a great week,
Dr. Fred Hayes
