weekly message from the director

· We have a group of 15 educators visiting today from an International Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana. Please welcome the visitors to ISA!

· There will be a PeaceJam room (room 208). Please come if you are interested in being a part of the club and also if you would like information about the next international conference! Thanks!

· ATTN SENIORS: Mr. McConnell will continue conducting internship interviews on Thursday and Friday of this week. If you have not yet been interviewed, please make available a few minutes to do so on Thursday or Friday. Thank you.

· Attention Students 16+ Years of Age

Each year the Arsalyn Program sponsors a national conference devoted to "Bridging the Partisan Divide." The conference is designed to serve as a respectful, neutral forum where diverse individuals promoting youth civic and political engagement can meet as colleagues. The goal of the conference is to bring young people together so they can discuss how people with differing opinions can deliberate to solve common problems through the political process. The conference also provides great opportunities for networking.

Arsalyn's national conferences are open to individuals that identify with Arsalyn's mission and are working to promote youth civic and political engagement. Arsalyn provides funding for participants' travel, lodging, food, and conference materials. To optimize interaction between participants attendance is usually limited to 150 people.

This year's national conference will take place in Washington, DC at the 4-H National Conference Center the 24th through 28th of July.

What Will It Cost? Short answer: Very little.

Arsalyn provides successful applicants with food, lodging, conference materials and reimbursement for documented travel expenses up to $200.00. Some additional funds are available for participants who demonstrate financial need.

For more information visit: http://www.arsalyn.org/Display.asp?Page=NationalConference#bridgetop

Students who need to sign up for Saturday School for excessive absences must bring in their $5.00 and the completed form by Thursday at noon.

Teacher Announcements

Next “A” Day, May 6^th is the LAST ADVISORY of the year. May 12 we will be holding bus evacuation and we will be arranged in grade-level alpha rooms. The following week is nine-weeks testing so we won’t have an advisory. Thanks Brad for recognizing this!
On May 12^th, we will have bus evacuation part II! Teams-please divide student into alpha rooms and send your lists to Kathy by the end of the day on Tuesday. Students will report directly to their rooms at 9:00 AM and we will remain there until the evacuation is complete (between 11:00 and 11:30 AM). There will be a short video posted to the intranet that we will show to students before we take them out to the buses that day. We are low on staff (Kathy off campus, Paul @ ARD, AP Tests) that day, so we can’t place students in their regular advisory. All Team teachers: Jeannie will need your help releasing and supervising students during the bus evacuation so please meet her in the ISA office at 9 AM that morning.
Congratulations ISA Faculty and Staff for The Spirit of San Antonio Travis Award, presented to employee groups whose giving level in the 2007 United Way Community Campaign equaled $50-$99 per capita.
Please know that you should have received an email on Monday that provided you with your Texas Teacher STaR chart username and password. The state of Texas requires that all staff working with students complete this survey by May 23rd. If you did not receive an email with your username and password or received another person's username and password, please create a Help Desk request: http://staff.int.neisd.net/help_desk/wdlogin.cfm and they will provide you with the proper information
The ISA retreat will be August 13, 14, and 15. If you have a conflict with any of the days, let Kathy know ASAP.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Week of May 5-9

Monday, May 5 Visitors: Indianapolis

AP Tests: US and Comp. Gov

Jeannie Out 8-11 Returning Testing Materials

Tuesday, May 6 Last Advisory of the Year

AP Tests: Computer Science, Spanish Lang, Stats

Paul @ ARD 8:30-9:30

Technology Tacos and Toys: 7:30 AM

Wednesday, May 7 Staff Development: Faculty Meeting @ 7:30 AM

AP Tests: Calculus AB and BC

Brad, Jeff, Greg, and David G at CFG Coaches Training

Teacher of the Year Reception 7 PM (yeah Pamela!)

Thursday, May 8 AP Tests: English Lit, German Lang, Jap Lang, French Lit

Brad, Jeff, Greg, and David G at CFG Coaches Training

CIC Meeting @ 4:15 in the conference room

Friday, May 9 AP Tests: US and Euro Hist, Studio Art

Brad, Jeff, Greg, and David G at CFG Coaches Training

Saturday, May 10 Brad, Jeff, Greg, and David G at CFG Coaches Training

Week of May 12-16

Monday, May 12 Kathy @ Region 20 Assessment Center All Day

Bus Evacuation Training Day

Tuesday, May 13 Tacos and Toys Technology Party

Wednesday, May 14 Staff Development: CFG @ 7:30 AM

Kathy @ HS Principals’ Meeting 9-11:30 AM

Thursday, May 15 AP Tests: English Lit, German Lang, Jap Lang, French Lit

Brad, Jeff, Greg, and David G at CFG Coaches Training

Friday, May 16 Exemption Forms Due

11^th Grade Field Trip

Saturday, May 17

Sunday, May 18 Senior Awards @ Trinity Chapel 2 PM

Week of May 19-23

Monday, May 19 PAL Banquet

Tuesday, May 20 ISA Senior Exams

Wednesday, May 21 Staff Development: Department Meetings @ 7:30 AM

ISA Senior Exams

Thursday, May 22 ISA Senior Exams

Friday, May 23 ISA Senior Exams

Week of May 26-30

Monday, May 26 Holiday

Tuesday, May 27

Wednesday, May 28 Senior Portfolios @ Trinity PM

Thursday, May 29 Senior Portfolios @ Trinity PM

Friday, May 30

Looking Ahead

June 12 -26 Tayakama Exchange

June 13-24 ISA Summer PE