September 2010 - United Independent School District
September 2010 - United Independent School District
September 2010 - United Independent School District
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Superintendent’s Message<br />
Greetings UISD<br />
Employees,<br />
Congratulations to<br />
all UISD staff members for<br />
making the <strong>2010</strong>-2011 school<br />
year a great success thus<br />
far! Thanks to you, we have<br />
transitioned into this new<br />
school year very smoothly.<br />
When I was first named<br />
Roberto J. Santos Superintendent of <strong>United</strong> ISD<br />
in January 2005, my vision<br />
was to ensure that all students receive the kind of<br />
education that gives them the ability to meet and<br />
exceed the demands of an increasingly competitive<br />
world. I sincerely believe that the <strong>District</strong> has<br />
made great strides throughout these last couple of<br />
years in the instructional area and that our students<br />
are prepared to compete globally. <strong>United</strong> ISD<br />
has established itself as a first-rate school district<br />
with great facilities, great administrators, great<br />
teachers, great support staff, and last but not least<br />
–great students! Thanks to everyone’s hard work,<br />
we have achieved our goal of becoming a Texas<br />
Education Agency Recognized <strong>District</strong>! Let us<br />
continue to work as hard as we can and continue to<br />
help all students be successful this school year.<br />
I would also like to take a moment to thank<br />
everyone who played a role in assuring that our<br />
CELEBRATION EXTRAVAGANZA for our<br />
employees at the Laredo Energy Arena on August<br />
16th was successful. What an honor is was for<br />
me to address all of our 6,700 + employees and<br />
commend everyone for 50 years of Educational<br />
Excellence. It was great seeing all of the<br />
excitement, energy and pride of our UISD family<br />
members.<br />
In closing, I am very proud to serve as<br />
Superintendent of this great <strong>District</strong> and will<br />
continue working to enhance it. I am also<br />
privileged to work with so many individuals<br />
who are devoted to the pursuit of securing a<br />
better future for our children through education.<br />
Thank you for your support and dedication to our<br />
students. Keep up the great work!<br />
Best regards,<br />
Roberto J. Santos<br />
Y o u r S o u r c e f o r E m p l o y e e N e w s Vol. 13, No. 1/ <strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Trautmann Elementary<br />
achieves National Blue<br />
Ribbon <strong>School</strong> status<br />
Back row L to R: <strong>United</strong> ISD Trustee Ricardo Rodriguez; Kelly Reyner, Carol Narvaez, Irma Dimas,<br />
Cindy Lopez, Lee Dovalina, Trautmann 3rd grade teachers; and Juan Roberto Ramirez, <strong>United</strong><br />
ISD Trustee. Front row L to R: Kristi Chapa, Trautmann Elem. Asst. Principal; Cynthia Rodriguez,<br />
Trautmann Elem. Principal and Adriana Chapa, 3rd grade teacher.<br />
Arne Duncan, <strong>United</strong> States<br />
Department of Education, formally<br />
announced that Trautmann Elementary<br />
is a <strong>2010</strong> National Blue Ribbon school.<br />
The announcement was made in<br />
conjunction with a press conference on<br />
<strong>September</strong> 9. The campus will receive<br />
a plaque and flag to signify their<br />
achievement.<br />
The Blue Ribbon <strong>School</strong> program<br />
honors public and private elementary,<br />
middle, and high school campuses that<br />
are either academically superior or that<br />
demonstrate dramatic gains in student<br />
achievement. The program is part of a<br />
larger Department of Education effort<br />
to identify and disseminate knowledge<br />
about school leadership and teaching<br />
practices. To be identified as a Blue<br />
Ribbon <strong>School</strong> is a significant, for it<br />
is a mark of excellence and a symbol<br />
of quality recognized by parents and<br />
policy-makers. Trautmann Elementary<br />
serves over 800 students with about 80<br />
faculty and staff members, and is the<br />
only Laredo public school to receive<br />
the award in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
continued pg. 8
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD/<strong>United</strong> Way<br />
<strong>2010</strong>-2011 campaign set<br />
to wrap up <strong>September</strong> 30<br />
This year, <strong>United</strong> ISD is<br />
committed to raising $200,000.00<br />
for the <strong>United</strong> Way. The current<br />
economic crisis has created an<br />
ever greater need for the kind of<br />
programs that rely on funding from<br />
the agency. The <strong>United</strong> Way assists<br />
a host of food, shelter, health,<br />
safety, and educational programs for<br />
families in our community.<br />
The <strong>United</strong> ISD/ <strong>United</strong> Way<br />
campaign deadline is <strong>September</strong> 30,<br />
so there is still time to make your<br />
contribution. Ask your campus or<br />
department coordinator for pledge<br />
forms so you can donate today!<br />
All campuses and departments are<br />
asked to submit their completed<br />
<strong>United</strong> Way pledge envelopes to Ms.<br />
Cecilia Hinojosa in the Curriculum<br />
and Instruction office by <strong>September</strong><br />
30, <strong>2010</strong>. Please call 473-5241 for<br />
more information.<br />
Vanessa<br />
Reyes<br />
brings<br />
the<br />
gold to<br />
Laredo!<br />
Vanessa Equigua-Reyes,<br />
an 8th grade Math Teacher<br />
at Washington Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong>, recently competed<br />
and won the gold medal<br />
at the International Vegas<br />
Open IBJJF (International<br />
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation),<br />
Championships. Reyes<br />
represented Laredo Paragon<br />
Jiu Jitsu and became the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> women’s featherweight<br />
champion in a category of<br />
competitors 118 pounds and<br />
under.<br />
L-R: Rocio Moore, Paola Arcos Mansinghani, and Alex Meyer,<br />
Communications Specialists from the Office of Public Relations are pictured<br />
with the 50th Anniversary tabloid. Many advertising sponsorhips were sold<br />
through the tabloid. In turn, the financial success of the project made it<br />
possible for <strong>United</strong> ISD employees to celebrate the <strong>District</strong>’s big bash at the<br />
Laredo Energy Arena.<br />
Page 2<br />
Your Source for Employee News & More<br />
L-R: (Instructor) Francisco<br />
Ramos, Vanessa Equigua-Reyes,<br />
Instructor Fred Reyes.<br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD
Human Resources<br />
Welcomes Substitute<br />
Teachers to a New<br />
<strong>School</strong> Year!!!<br />
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Human Resources<br />
is going paperless!<br />
Rita Garner, Employee<br />
Relations Director and Marcos<br />
Ceballos, Leaves & Absences<br />
Officer, welcomed more than 400<br />
hundred Substitute Teachers at<br />
the Student Activity Complex on<br />
August 17, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Substitute Teachers received<br />
information related to <strong>District</strong><br />
expectations while on the job,<br />
sexual harassment, and child<br />
reporting procedures. “Parents<br />
trust that we will provide the best<br />
education, safety and care for<br />
their children, so it is with great<br />
pride that we devote the time,<br />
training and resources to the<br />
<strong>District</strong>’s substitute teacher,” said<br />
Garner. Ceballos added, “UISD<br />
is fortunate to have highly<br />
motivated teacher substitutes<br />
to assist in the educational<br />
preparation of our students.”<br />
Photo: Marcos Ceballos, Human Resources leaves and absences<br />
officer, provides employees with instructions for UISD’s<br />
Smart-Find express absence reporting system.<br />
The UISD Human Resources<br />
Department, in conjunction with the<br />
Technology Department, provided<br />
<strong>District</strong>wide training to Campus/<br />
Department Smart-Find Express<br />
designees during the month of August.<br />
Campus/Department designees were<br />
introduced to the new paperless absence<br />
reporting procedures, which automate<br />
leave balance accruals and arrange for<br />
substitute teachers when necessary. The<br />
new procedures became effective for all<br />
<strong>District</strong> employees on <strong>September</strong> 6.<br />
Your access I.D. and pin are<br />
required for access. Should you forget<br />
or misplace either, or if you need<br />
additional information about Smartfind<br />
Express, please contact Anna Espinoza<br />
at 473-6234 or Marcos Ceballos at 473-<br />
6256. For your convenience, there is a<br />
Smartfind link on the left hand side of<br />
our home page at www.uisd.net.<br />
H R<br />
Human Resources Corner<br />
Membership Applications are currently being accepted for any<br />
district employee wishing to become a member of the Sick Leave Bank. Deadline<br />
for new membership is October 30, <strong>2010</strong>. Membership Applications can be<br />
obtained from your campus/department Sick Leave Bank Representative, or<br />
directly from the <strong>District</strong>’s Website<br />
If you have any questions, contact the Human Resources Department,<br />
specifically Mr. Marcos Ceballos, Leave and Absences Officer at (956) 473-6256.<br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD<br />
Your Source for Employee News & More<br />
Page 3
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Alexander High <strong>School</strong> gets “Happy”!<br />
Happy, an international award-winning entertainer and comedian,<br />
presented Alexander High <strong>School</strong> teachers and administrators with a funny<br />
and delightful motivational presentation that accentuated the importance of<br />
“connecting” with students on academic, cultural, and personal levels. The<br />
comic has worked in the educational field and is currently one of the top<br />
twenty-five Latino comedians in the <strong>United</strong> States.<br />
Superintendent Santos recognize<br />
at “Luncheon with the Boss”<br />
“Building a Foundation”<br />
makes college a reality<br />
for our students<br />
Would you like to help provide our<br />
outstanding high school graduates with<br />
a scholarship for college? Especially<br />
those who were not offered one but<br />
have academically excelled throughout<br />
their time in school? Fill out your<br />
“Partners for UISD Scholars-<br />
Building a Foundation” pledge card<br />
today.<br />
The “Partners for UISD<br />
Scholars-Building a Foundation”<br />
is a scholarship program that offers<br />
college scholarships to graduating<br />
high school seniors at each of the<br />
<strong>District</strong>’s four high schools. Students<br />
who receive these scholarships have<br />
excelled academically, but did not<br />
receive offers of scholarship assistance<br />
upon graduation. Your generous<br />
donations will allow the <strong>District</strong> to offer<br />
scholarships to these deserving students<br />
as they go on to pursue their college<br />
studies.<br />
Employers from about twenty different<br />
Laredo businesses attended the “Luncheon<br />
with the Boss” event sponsored by ESGR and<br />
the 436th Chemical Company of the Texas<br />
Army National Guard. Employers were treated<br />
to lunch with their employees besides being<br />
presented with awards from the Texas Employer<br />
Support of the Guard and Reserve during a<br />
briefing in the classroom of the local Texas<br />
National Guard Armory. The 436th Chemical<br />
Company was recently certified nationally in<br />
Wisconsin as one of 16 teams in the <strong>United</strong><br />
States to be called in case of a national disaster<br />
UISD Superintendent Robert Santos<br />
received an award from 1LT Jose Perez and<br />
ESGR volunteer Adolfo “Popo” Gonzalez<br />
at the 436th Chemical Company and ESGR<br />
(Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve)<br />
“Luncheon with the Boss.”<br />
Last year, $96,000 in donations<br />
were collected which benefitted 96 of<br />
the <strong>District</strong>’s high school graduates.<br />
Each student was awarded a $1,000<br />
scholarship to attend college.<br />
Campuses and Departments should<br />
have received their pledge cards<br />
for the <strong>2010</strong>-2011 school year. The<br />
Accounting Department has sent a<br />
memo asking the campuses follow<br />
certain procedures for receiving their<br />
pledge cards and deposits for this<br />
important cause. All Departments<br />
must deposit their funds with Griselda<br />
Castillo in the Accounting Department.<br />
Please consider helping our students<br />
with your pledge for the “Partners<br />
for UISD Scholars-Building a<br />
Foundation” program today. All pledge<br />
cards must be submitted to the UISD<br />
payroll office by October 1, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Page 4 Your Source for Employee News & More <strong>United</strong> ISD
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Employee Benefits Corner<br />
Annual Open Enrollment (Insurance Plans)<br />
The district has concluded the annual open enrollment for<br />
insurance plans for the <strong>2010</strong>-2011 school year, which ended August<br />
19, <strong>2010</strong>. We hope everyone had an opportunity to make their<br />
desired changes to their coverage(s). As has been noted in previous<br />
newsletters, this is the only time of the year IRS regulations allow us to<br />
make additions, changes, or deletions to our insurance coverage(s).<br />
If you requested changes please check your <strong>September</strong> and<br />
October paychecks to insure they took affect. If you do not see the<br />
correct deduction on your paystub contact the Risk Management Office<br />
at 473-6389 immediately so we can make the necessary correction(s).<br />
This will not be an extension of open enrollment.<br />
Our next open enrollment will be in August 2011. Dates, times<br />
and locations for next year’s open enrollment will be posted on the<br />
May, June, and July 2011 newsletter which is included with your<br />
paycheck or direct deposit receipt and <strong>United</strong> ISD’s website.<br />
Changes in your status<br />
Outside of open enrollment, IRS regulations, under Section 125,<br />
state you may make changes to your benefits if one the following<br />
situations occur:<br />
1. Change in marital status<br />
2. Birth or adoption of a child<br />
3. Dependent reaches the age limit<br />
(Health/Dental is 26, all others 25)<br />
4. Death of spouse and/or dependent<br />
5. Loss of health coverage under another plan<br />
6. Change of job status<br />
Please note: Changes to your coverage may result in an increase<br />
or decrease of premiums.<br />
Flex med/dependent care<br />
The Flex Medical/Dependent care account year ended August<br />
31, <strong>2010</strong>. In order to be reimbursed, you must incur expenses before<br />
August 31, <strong>2010</strong>. It is best to submit any expenses you have already<br />
incurred. Expense claims for the current year must be made before<br />
December 1, <strong>2010</strong> or unspent funds will be forfeited. It’s your money,<br />
don’t lose it. If you would like more information on your balance(s),<br />
you may contact National Plan Administrators at 800-880-2776.<br />
Flu vaccinations<br />
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas (BCBS) and the <strong>United</strong><br />
<strong>Independent</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> have joined together to offer you and<br />
your family members protection for the upcoming flu season. Flu<br />
Vaccinations may be purchased by a BCBS participant at all HEB<br />
Pharmacies and Walgreens. Family members covered under our health<br />
insurance are also eligible. More details will be posted soon on our<br />
website.<br />
Pre-paid legal<br />
Hyatt Legal Plans has enhanced coverage definitions in to the<br />
Group Legal Plan to include Elder Law Matters and Personal Property<br />
Protection.<br />
Elder Law Matters - This service covers counseling the Participant<br />
over the phone or in the office on any personal issues relating to the<br />
Participant’s parents as they affect the Participant.<br />
The service includes reviewing documents of the parents to advise<br />
the Participant on the effect on the Participant. The documents include<br />
Medicare or Medicaid materials, prescription plans, leases, nursing<br />
homes agreements, powers of attorney, living wills and wills. The<br />
service also includes preparing deeds involving the parents when the<br />
Participant is either the grantor or grantee; and preparing promissory<br />
notes involving the parents when the Participant is the payor or payee.<br />
Personal Property Protection - This service covers counseling the<br />
Participant over the phone or in the office on any personal property<br />
issue such as consumer credit reports, contracts for the purchase of<br />
personal property, consumer credit agreements or installment sales<br />
agreements. Counseling on pursuing or defending small claims actions<br />
is also included. The service also includes reviewing any personal legal<br />
documents and preparing promissory notes, affidavits and demand<br />
letters.<br />
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program<br />
(CHIP) Offer Free or Low-Cost Health Coverage to<br />
Children and Families<br />
If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer,<br />
but are unable to afford the premiums, some States have premium<br />
assistance programs that can help pay for coverage. These States use<br />
funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are<br />
eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance<br />
in paying their health premiums.<br />
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid<br />
or CHIP, you can find out if premium assistance is available by<br />
contacting:<br />
TEXAS – Medicaid.<br />
www.gethipptexas.com Phone: 1-800-440-0493<br />
If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in<br />
Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might<br />
be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact the number<br />
listed above or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to<br />
find out how to apply. If you qualify, you can ask if how this program<br />
might help you pay the premiums for an employer-sponsored plan.<br />
Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for<br />
premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer’s health<br />
plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the<br />
plan – as long as you and your dependents are eligible, but not already<br />
enrolled in the employer’s plan. This is called a “special enrollment”<br />
opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being<br />
determined eligible for premium assistance.<br />
For more information on special enrollment rights, you can<br />
contact either:<br />
• U.S. Department of Labo<br />
Employee Benefits Security Administration<br />
www.dol.gov/ebsa. 1-866-444-EBSA (3272)<br />
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<br />
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.<br />
www.cms.hhs.gov. 1-877-267-2323, Ext. 61565<br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD<br />
Your Source for Employee News & More<br />
Page 5
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Back to <strong>School</strong> Safety<br />
Press Conference<br />
The letter from ACT congratulates George Yang on his<br />
outstanding performance in the ACT college admissions and<br />
placement exams. He received the highest composite score<br />
of 36 and they noted that less than one-tenth of one percent<br />
of all test takers earns the top score. Among the high school<br />
graduating class of 2009, nearly 1.5 million graduating took the<br />
ACT, of that number only 638 students earned a score of 36.<br />
Outstanding job!<br />
The Laredo Police<br />
Department welcomed<br />
Ryan Guillen, Texas House<br />
Representatives, Mayor Raul<br />
Salinas, Roberto J. Santos,<br />
UISD Superintendent, Juan<br />
Roberto Ramirez, UISD Board<br />
member, Dr. Marcus Nelson,<br />
LISD Superintendent and<br />
representatives from the Webb<br />
County Sheriff’s Dept, TXDOT,<br />
UISD and LISD Police, Verizon<br />
and AT&T to their back to<br />
school safety press conference.<br />
This year’s campaign focuses<br />
on reminding drivers of the<br />
dangers associated with texting<br />
while behind the wheel. Laredo<br />
Police Chief Carlos Maldonado<br />
recalled the statistic that six<br />
percent of injuries happen to<br />
children on the way to school<br />
and 30 percent on the way home<br />
from school. Drivers who text<br />
only increase the likelihood of an<br />
accident.<br />
All city, county, and school<br />
district law enforcement<br />
agencies will work closely to<br />
ensure the safety of our children.<br />
Motorists should refrain from<br />
using their cell phones while<br />
driving through school zones.<br />
Moreover, drivers are asked to<br />
heed posted speed limits, watch<br />
for flashing lights and signs,<br />
obey instructions from crossing<br />
guards, and never pass school<br />
buses while they load/unload<br />
passengers.<br />
L-R: Angie Sanchez Magnet Dean, Jamie Vargas Magnet<br />
Counselor, George Yang, and Alberto Aleman Principal.<br />
Important<br />
Information<br />
In compliance with Attorney General Opinion GA-0774,<br />
the <strong>United</strong> <strong>Independent</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> (“<strong>District</strong>”) will be<br />
disallowing any contributions designated for Political Action<br />
Committees (“PACs”). The <strong>District</strong> has advised all member<br />
organizations that effective with the beginning of the <strong>2010</strong>-11<br />
school year any PAC designated contributions by a member<br />
of their organization will be routed to the employee’s regular<br />
payroll.<br />
Border Media Radio Group presented a $15,000 check to the<br />
Laredo I.S.D., <strong>United</strong> I.S.D. and S.T.A.R.S. with money raised by<br />
their recent Battle of the Bands concert, to help buy uniforms and<br />
provide scholarships for local students.<br />
The <strong>District</strong> has requested from these member organizations<br />
to submit their organization’s <strong>2010</strong>-11 payroll deduction forms/<br />
information to our <strong>District</strong>’s Accounting Department, which said<br />
forms/information should either exclude any amount designated<br />
for a PAC or delineating the amount for a PAC. This will allow<br />
the <strong>District</strong> to set up the deductions in a timely and accurate<br />
manner while still complying with the AG’s opinion.<br />
Please contact the Accounting Department or payroll offices<br />
if you have any questions regarding this matter.<br />
Page 6 Your Source for Employee News & More <strong>United</strong> ISD
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
Early flu vaccines for <strong>United</strong> ISD employees<br />
Recently, UISD employees began to take advantage<br />
of low cost vaccination clinics held throughout the<br />
<strong>District</strong>. The National CDC (Center for Disease<br />
Control), recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone<br />
as the first and most important step in protecting against<br />
this serious disease. The center also recommends the<br />
shot because the list of conditions that put a person at<br />
high risk has grown so much over the years that many<br />
people are unaware of their high-risk status.<br />
The <strong>2010</strong>-2011 flu vaccine is designed to protect<br />
against the three main flu strains that research indicates<br />
will cause the most illness. Getting vaccinated early<br />
is a great idea, and the protection you get will last<br />
throughout the flu season.<br />
UISD employees still have time to take advantage<br />
of flu shot clinics at the following locations indicated<br />
below.**<br />
<strong>School</strong> Date Time<br />
Nye Elem 9/17/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Trautmann Middle <strong>School</strong> 6th grade 9/20/<strong>2010</strong> 7:30-8:30 AM<br />
Salinas Elem 9/20/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
<strong>United</strong> High <strong>School</strong> 9th grade 9/27/<strong>2010</strong> 7:30-8:30 AM<br />
Kennedy Zapata Elem 9/27/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Roosevelt Elem 9/28/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Kennedy Zapata Elem 9/28/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Kazen Elem 9/28/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
<strong>United</strong> South Middle <strong>School</strong> 9/29/<strong>2010</strong> 3:15-4:15 PM<br />
Muller Elem 9/30/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Centeno Elem 9/30/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Cuellar Elem 10/1/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
J. Zaffirini Ele 10/1/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Malakoff Elem 10/4/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Finley Elem 10/4/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Amparo Gutierrez Elem 10/5/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Juarez Lincoln Elem 10/5/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Clark Elem 10/6/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Bonnie Garcia Elem 10/6/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Step Academy 10/7/<strong>2010</strong> 7:30-8:00 AM<br />
Killam Elem 10/7/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Borchers Elem 10/8/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Los Obispos Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/8/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Arndt Elem 10/12/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Lamar Bruni Vergara Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/12/<strong>2010</strong> 3:15-4:15 PM<br />
Trautmann Elem 10/13/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Fasken Elem 10/13/<strong>2010</strong> 3:00-4:00 PM<br />
Matias Dellano Elem 10/14/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
Salvador Garcia Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/14/<strong>2010</strong> 3:15-4:15 PM<br />
Col. Santos Benavides Elem 10/15/<strong>2010</strong> 7:15-8:15 AM<br />
<strong>United</strong> South High <strong>School</strong> 10/15/<strong>2010</strong> 3:30-4:30 PM<br />
Washington Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/18/<strong>2010</strong> 7:30-8:30 AM<br />
Trautmann Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/18/<strong>2010</strong> 3:15-4:15 PM<br />
Clark Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/19/<strong>2010</strong> 7:30-8:30 AM<br />
Gonzalez Middle <strong>School</strong> 10/19/<strong>2010</strong> 3:15-4:15 PM<br />
**Employees with Blue Cross Blue Shield will<br />
pay $10.00 and all other employees will pay $25.00.<br />
Employees who miss UISD campus clinics may<br />
call their preferred local HEB pharmacy to schedule a<br />
flu shot. Family members covered by UISD’s BCBS<br />
insurance plan can call their preferred local H.E.B.<br />
pharmacy to schedule a flu vaccine for $10.00.<br />
For more information, please call Irene Rosales,<br />
UISD Health Services Director at 473-6262<br />
Photo: UISD Communications Specialist Paola Arcos holds still<br />
for her flu vaccine from H.E.B. staff Pharmacist Alvaro Liendo.<br />
The <strong>United</strong> InSiDer is a monthly publication of the UISD Public Relations Department.<br />
If you have any information you would like to have printed in this publication, please<br />
submit two weeks prior to the 20th of each month to <strong>United</strong> <strong>Independent</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong><br />
Public Relations Department located at 201 Lindenwood Drive, Laredo, Texas 78045.<br />
Veronica Cantu<br />
Public Relations Director<br />
vcantu1@uisd.net<br />
Alex Meyer<br />
Communication Specialist/Creative Services<br />
ameyer09@uisd.net<br />
Rocio Moore, Communication Specialist/Publications<br />
rmoore@uisd.net<br />
Paola Arcos Mansinghani, Communication Specialist/Publications<br />
parcos@uisd.net<br />
Lena Bernal, Secretary<br />
lbernal@uisd.net<br />
It is the policy of <strong>United</strong> I.S.D. not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or<br />
handicap in its programs, services, or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,<br />
as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation<br />
Act of 1973, as amended.<br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD<br />
Your Source for Employee News & More<br />
Page 7
<strong>September</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
continued from pg. 1<br />
Upon hearing the announcement Trautmann<br />
Principal Cynthia Rodriguez and her staff were<br />
overjoyed and rightfully proud. Rodriguez said “to be<br />
recognized at a national level is surreal. I am grateful<br />
to be surrounded by a unique and talented staff that<br />
goes the extra mile to make a difference. I thank my<br />
staff because without them it would be difficult to<br />
reach such high levels of achievement. My staff is like<br />
family. We are here for the students and for each other.<br />
I am very blessed”. On <strong>September</strong> 17, Trautmann<br />
Elementary students and staff will embark on a field<br />
trip to <strong>United</strong> High <strong>School</strong> where they will celebrate<br />
their success with a tour of the campus and a pep rally.<br />
He’s been an honor roll student since<br />
elementary school, a member of the band<br />
since middle school, is active in the Boys<br />
Scouts Organization-and on the path to<br />
becoming an Eagle Scout, the organization’s<br />
highest honor. He’s even working on a<br />
project to help increase literacy in our city.<br />
And when you talk to 16 year-old Lyndon B.<br />
Johnson High <strong>School</strong> student Juan Antonio<br />
Molina III he’ll sincerely tell say that he<br />
wants the best, not just for himself, but<br />
for the entire student body at the mighty<br />
wolfpack campus.<br />
“I want to tell my peers that you can<br />
do anything that you set your mind to do,”<br />
Juan said during an interview at school. “I<br />
want us (the students) to help make L.B.J.<br />
known throughout the community,” he<br />
stated, referring that the students should be<br />
proud of their many outstanding academic<br />
achievements and accomplishments.<br />
In addition to being a student leader,<br />
Juan has proudly served as Laredo’s<br />
“Goodwill Ambassador” for the annual<br />
Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon<br />
for the past nine years. This past Labor<br />
Day weekend Juan, once again, proudly<br />
assumed this honor. He says he sees it as<br />
an opportunity to raise awareness about<br />
muscular dystrophy in our community.<br />
Photo: Cynthia Rodriguez, Trautmann Elementary Principal,<br />
visited classrooms with <strong>District</strong> Trustees and administration.<br />
Teachers and students were thanked for their great work and<br />
for helping Trautmann Elementary <strong>School</strong> achieve status<br />
as a National Blue Ribbon campus. L to R: Trautmann<br />
Elem. Principal, Cynthia Rodriguez; Pamela Juarez, Assoc.<br />
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction; Ricardo<br />
Rodriguez, <strong>United</strong> ISD Trustee; Ann MacDonald, Executive<br />
Director for Elementary Education; Juan Roberto Ramirez,<br />
<strong>United</strong> ISD Trustee, and Roberto J. Santos, Superintendent.<br />
Student Molina a MDA Goodwill Ambassador<br />
and role model for students and community<br />
“I feel it’s important to help others,”<br />
said Juan as he explained his role as a<br />
Goodwill Ambassador. “I want to help find<br />
a cure,” he declared.<br />
At the telethon, Juan helps the television<br />
hosts, answers pledge phone calls, and<br />
talks to the many supporters who visit the<br />
television station.<br />
“It’s a lot of fun. When the firefighters<br />
go and I’ll go and catch up with them,” Juan<br />
said.<br />
Juan’s next goal as a junior at LBJ is<br />
to be “inducted into the National Honor’s<br />
Society and run for Class President.” Upon<br />
graduation, Juan plans to take his basic<br />
college courses in Laredo and transfer to<br />
Texas A&M University in College Station to<br />
study Structural Engineering.<br />
Juan has four other siblings. He is the<br />
son of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Antonio, Jr. and<br />
Veronica Molina.<br />
Page 8 Your Source for Employee News & More <strong>United</strong> ISD