Responsive Ed March 2009 Newsletter

ResponsiveEd.com VOLUME 1

March 2009

AUSTIN PREMIER CAMPUS TAKES TRANSITION TRIPS WITH STUDENTS Austin students have been busy taking transition trips to the Austin Zoo on January 29, and Austin Community College on February 3. Shown here are Mrs. Howell and student, Jinx Colgate, with Galapagos turtles at the Austin Zoo and

updated the software they have been using to expedite their workload. The new software is called “Navigator” and is now up and functioning. Direct deposit payroll checks are now white and regular checks are grayish green. This new software is more user-friendly and will help Accounting and Human Resources as we continue to grow as an organization. CARROLLTON CAMPUS CELEBRATES AFRICANAMERICAN MONTH

Noah Volpi with an Austin Police officer who visited the Austin campus for career day on January 30. Congratulations to Principal Elizabeth Camarena and her staff for making these events not only possible, but a success! ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT UPGRADES The accounting department has

Principal Stephanie Scott and her staff at the Carrollton Vista campus encouraged fourth graders to write an essay on a famous African-American to celebrate Black History month during February. On February 2, students dressed up as famous African-Americans

including Venus Williams, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson and many others! TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOL CONFERENCE RES Principals will be among the attendees at the annual Texas Charter School Conference in San Antonio. This conference is the only statewide gathering of the entire Texas charter school community. This year’s conference is April 14 - 15, near the beautiful San Antonio River Walk, and are expecting over 1,200 charter school advocates including teachers, administrators, board members and policy makers. “Unifying the Texas Charter School Movement” is the conference theme, reflecting the unity of the Texas Charter School movement to increase awareness of charter schools and their issues.

MONTHLY SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT This past fall, PHS Lubbock held their first student-initiated and student-organized charity event. They participated in the annual “U-CAN Share” food drive. Several students attended the final “weigh-in” event along with representatives from many other schools throughout the south plains. PHS of Lubbock students were really excited when they presented their donation of 1,623 lbs of food—one of the largest of any high school in the area! All donations went to the local South Plains Food Bank to assist families in need. We’re very proud of our generous students and supportive parents. PHS Volunteer Committee

PHS Students Enjoy Early College Enrollment

Congratulations to PHS students who have entered college through a dual-credit partnership with South Plains College. Ten students were admitted to SPC based on their credits earned, current GPA and interest level. They are working diligently in classes such as Agribusiness, Child Development and Psychology. “We are so proud of our first group of dual-credit students; they are doing very well in their courses, and one of our PHS students actually has the highest grade in her college class!” reports Assistant Principal, Debra Sherley. The dual-credit program has added a great deal of interest and enthusiasm to the Lubbock campus. Information will be sent out to parents and students soon regarding enrollment for fall 2009 SPC courses, and they are expecting to double the number of students. Congratulations to the Premier Dark Knights! The PHS Lubbock “Dark Knights” Chess Team had great success so far this year. Students were selected to represent PHS as members of the Chess team based on their interest, skill-level and leadership qualities. Several members have already competed and placed very well in local tournaments. Two of our students placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the Scholastic Section of the Texas Tech Recreational Center tournament in January. Another student competed in the advanced division where he won two games against adults! Our PHS Chess Coach, Mr. Harris, also played in that tournament and tied for 2nd place in the adult division.

Dark Knights Chess Club

Students also participated in a second TTU tournament in Feb. and though none of the students placed, they did earn several points. The team is now preparing for the “Get Smart, Play Chess” Spring Championship at Texas Tech on March 7th. Good luck to all team members!

RITA NORWOOD RECOVERING Rita Norwood, Lewisville corporate office, had surgery on February 24 at Medical City in North Dallas. Rita is recovering nicely at home after being in the hospital for a few days. She will be recovering at home for 4 - 6 weeks according to her doctor. We are all wishing her a speedy recovery! If you have any questions for Rita about work, please contact Donna Anderson at 972-316-3663, ext.229.

NEW EMPLOYEES Corporate in Lewisville has two new employees, Deidra Russell in our Human Resources department and James Taylor in Software Development. Deidra will be assisting with the various functions of the department as well as recruiting. She will be working alongside Phyllis Carpus, Brenda Wood and Debra Brager.

Married for 15 years, Deidra, her husband, Robert, and their three children enjoy bike riding as a family.

James Taylor is working on upgrading and maintaining Applidesk to expedite the work done by our PEIMS team. He is married to wife, Lindsay, and has two children, Trent, and Ellen. James is currently working toward a Th.M (Master of Theology) at Dallas Theological Seminary. Welcome aboard Deidra and James.

NEW LOOK FOR PREMIER SCHOOLS This newsletter is your first glimpse at the “new look of Premier.” Aaron Wimberley at the corporate office in Lewisville is working on new designs for each entity of RES to give us a new, cutting edge look for our marketing materials.

Newsletter Information Each month a different school will be high-lighted for the “monthly school spotlight.” If you have a story and pictures, please email them to [email protected]. Stories from all schools will be printed as space is available. Deadline to submit story information is the 20th of each month.

Carol Holze Kim Kautzman Shayla Richard Catherine Kelton Rosie Zamora Patricia Hodge Nora Rivas Marisa Medellin Lance Cook Teresa Vandermeer Maria Velasquez Heather Harris Jonathan Magee Michelle Picard Annie Mikesell Jennifer Metcalf James Lovvorn Dorinda Gonzalez Illya Tkachuk Ginger Bernier

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Tonya Thomas Edgar Martinez Berta Martinez Virginia Luevanos Alan Seals Lorenzo Cervantes Ella Kelley William Crain Mark Casavantes Banitrice Sowels Christophe Sisk Lakesha Lewis Lisa Roberts Shama Reuel Maria Rodriguez Sandra Watson Stephanie Scott Eleazar Cantu, Jr Kimberly Young Maria Gomez

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