September 2009 - United Independent School District

September 2009Fire trainingfor UISD’sTransportationDepartmentThe District’s TransportationDepartment hosted a fire safety program anddemonstration at the Laredo Civic Center.Department drivers and monitors attended thetraining, which focused on proper responseand technique in fire related emergencies.Sergio Garcia and Robert Soliz from theLaredo Fire Department conducted the inservicesafety program which included a brieflecture and video presentation . Employeeswere then invited outdoors to receive a lessonon the proper use of fire extinguishers.The United Insidercongratulates Ms. Bobbie Ramirezwho is the new Principal at UnitedMiddle School. Ramirez has beenan educator for 18 years, and thisyear will be her 6th year withUISD. Her professional experienceincludes teaching bilingualelementary classes then servingas a high school instructionalcoordinator and Assistant Principalat Antonio Gonzalez MiddleSchool for 5 years.Ramirez is brimming with excitementand looking forward to the future; “ In allNew Principal at UMSStriving for excellenceBobbie Ramirezmy experiences I have found thatstudents are the same regardlessof the school, and that all parentswant the same thing for theirchildren: a safe, nurturing andrespectful environment wheretheir child is challenged and givenevery opportunity to be successful.As Principal of UMS, I will workdiligently with the teachers, staff,parents and community members tobuild relationships. All of us at UMSwill give our personal best every day in orderto ensure that we are an exemplary campus atthe end of this school year! Go Mavericks!”United ISD Transportation personnel lookon as one of their colleagues is taughthow to use a fire extinguisher by LaredoFirefighters.TRIVIAWho Invented The Pencil?There is a Latin word,penicillus, which means “littletail.” This word was used toindicate a fine brush, and theword “pencil” originallymeant a small, fine pointedbrush. Today, of course, a pencil meanssomething altogether different. Pencils aswe know them are less than 200 years old.About 500 years ago, graphite was discoveredin a mine in Cumberland, England, and it isbelieved that some sort of crude pencils mayhave been made then.In Nuremberg, Germany, the famousFaber family established its business in 1760and used pulverized graphite to make a kindof pencil, but they were not very successful.Finally in 1795, a man called N. J. Conteproduced pencils made of graphite whichhad been ground with certain clays, pressedinto sticks, and fired in a kiln. This method isthe basis for the manufacture of all modernpencils.As you might have guessed by now,a “lead” pencil doesn’t contain lead but amineral substance called graphite. Graphite,like lead, leaves a mark when drawn acrosspaper. Because of this it is called “black lead,”and that’s where we get the name “lead pencil.United ISDGuillermo Jimenez$1,000 recipient from UHSEdith Espinoza$1,000 recipient from LBJHS• All proceeds go to fund$1,000 Scholarships for UISDhigh school graduates.• Graduates receivingscholarships areacademically qualified& have not received anyother scholarship offers.For more information on how to contribute, please contact the Department of Guidance andCounseling or the Department of Business and Finance.The 7th annual Pink To Do BreastCancer Awareness Walk will be held onSaturday, October 3, 2009, at 8:00 a.m.,at the Laredo Community College Southcampus, 5500 South Zapata Highway. Theregistration is $20 per person. The moneyraised will be used to pay for mammogramsand sonograms, doctors’ bills, medical tests,office visits, medications, transportation andspecial services for breast cancer patients.All money raised by the Pink To Doorganization stays in Laredo and benefitsYour Source for Employee NewsValerie Rodriguez$1,000 recipient from AHSPlease contributeDavid Garza$1,000 recipient from USHS• Donors may decidewhich high schoolreceives theirscholarship.• Donors can choosebetween a one timecontribution orpayroll deductions.Pink to do Walks for Breast Cancer Awarenesssurvivors in Laredo. Pink To Dohelps breast cancer survivors fromall walks of life, whether they areinsured or uninsured, employed orunemployed. Pink To Do’s mission isto provide awareness of breast cancerand early detection methods, and tomake a difference in the quality of life forbreast cancer survivors in Laredo. For moreinformation, please call Pink To Do Presidentand Founder Elizabeth Kurczyn at 319-0384ekurczyn1@hotmail.comPage 3

The district has concluded the annualopen enrollment for insurance plans forthe 2009-2010 school year which endedAugust 20, 2009. We hope everyone had anopportunity to make their desired changes totheir coverage(s). As has been noted in priorpublications, this is the only time of the yearIRS regulations allow us to make additions,changes, or deletions to our insurancecoverage(s).If you requested changes, please checkyour September and October paychecks toensure they took affect. If you do not see thecorrect deduction on your paystub contactthe Risk Management Office at 473-6389immediately so we canmake the necessarycorrection(s). This willnot be an extension ofopen enrollment.Our next openenrollment will be inAugust 2010. Dates,times and locations for next year’s openenrollment will be posted in the May, June,and July 2010 newsletter which is includedwith your paycheck or direct deposit receiptand United ISD’s website.Hyatt Legal PlanHyatt’s web site, www.legalplans.com, is afull-service web site. You can find a list ofcovered services and exclusions, locate anMonthly Payroll DatesSeptember 18, 2009October 20, 2009November 18, 2009December 16, 2009January 15, 2010February 12, 2010September 11, 2009September 20, 2009October 9, 2009October 23, 2009November 6, 2009November 20, 2009September 2009Annual Re-enrollment(Insurance Plans)attorney, or obtaina case number forservices.In addition to theseoptions you can also:• Access self-help downloadable documents,including child care authorization forms,promissory notes, demand letters and requestfor credit information• Link to other law-related sites• Explore a law guide that can help you withthe legal aspects of common life events likechoosing childcare or planning for retirement• Locate a plan attorney by practice area. Ourdirectory can be searched by county, city orzip code and contains valuable informationsuch as number of attorneys in the firm, yearsof experience and multilingual capabilities.• Look up definitions of “legalese” in aglossary of legal terminology and find outhow the plan can help• E-mail your legal questions to a law firm“e-panel” who will respond by e-mail• Obtain online information about identitytheft, including valuable informationfrom the Federal Trade Commission andCreditReporting.comIn addition to the above options, membershave access to telephone and officeconsultations on an unlimited number ofmatters with attorneys in all 50 states.UISD students dominate top spots in local art contest !Standing behind the winning entries (L to R): LFCU Director of Marketing andCompliance, Rafael R. Martinez; USHS Assistant Principal, Conrad Cantu; USHS Artteacher Laura R. Salido; UHS Second Place Winner, Larry Reyes; USHS First PlaceWinner, Louis Rodriguez; USHS Third Place Winner, Geraldine Bedia; USHS Designand Computer Graphics teacher, Amado Chapa; USHS Business School MagnetDean, Angie Sanchez; and Leticia Leal, UISD District coordinator of Fine Arts.March 11, 2010April 14, 2010May 14, 2010June 16, 2010July 15, 2010August 18, 2010The Laredo Federal CreditUnion (LFCU) recently announcedthe winners of their calendar artcontest at United South High School.There was a combined total ofone hundred and fifty entries fromstudents attending UISD and LISD.All winning entries were from UISD.Each winner received a certificateof appreciation and monetary awardfrom LFCU. The first place winnerwas USHS student, Luis Rodriguez,received $300.00. In addition, hiswinning entry will be featured onthe cover of LFCU’s 2009-2010calendar. UHS student, Larry Reyes’Bi-Weekly Payroll DatesDecember 4, 2009December 17, 2009December 29, 2009January 15, 2010January 29, 2010February 12, 2010DentalFort Dearborn Life is our new dentalinsurance carrier beginning September 1,2009. Along with thesame services providedby Ameritas (LifeRe),Employees can continueto use their currentdentists or choose froma listing of preferredin-network providers.The advantage of thepreferred in-networkprovider will allow you to maximize thedental program benefits. You may visit FortDearborn Life at www.fdl-life.com for moredental information.Flex Med/Dependent CareThe Flex Medical / Dependent care accountyear ended August 31, 2009. In order to bereimbursed, you must incur expenses beforeAugust 31, 2009. It is best to submit anyexpenses you have already incurred. Expenseclaims for the current year must be madebefore December 1, 2009, or unspent fundswill be forfeited. It’s your money, don’t loseit.If you would like more information onyour balance(s), you may contact NationalPlan Administrators at 800-880-2776. Claimforms may also be downloaded at www.natlplan.com.placed second and received $200.00.Geraldine Bedia, USHS studentplaced third and received $100.00.Rafael R. Martinez, Director ofMarketing and Compliance saidthat LFCU has been hosting thecontest for the past eight years. “Wethink it’s great that the contest giveslocal young artists an opportunity toshowcase their talent.”United Insider commendsdesign and computer graphicsteacher Amado Chapa from USHS,and Art teacher Laura R. Salido fromUHS for the great job they do withtheir students.February 26, 2010March 12, 2010March 26, 2010April 9, 2010April 23, 2010May 7, 2010May 21, 2010June 3, 2010June 17, 2010July 1, 2010July 8, 2010July 29, 2010August 13, 2010August 27, 2010Page 4Your Source for Employee NewsUnited ISD

September 2009UISD trio recognized forAchievements in ScoutingFour students wererecognized by the UISD Boardof Trustees at the Regular AugustMeeting for their accomplishmentsat the National Order of the ArrowConference held on the campus ofIndiana University in Bloomington,Indiana from August 1 through 6.The Conference is an activity ofthe Boy Scouts of America (BSA)designed to foster an appreciationfor Native American culture andcustoms and to promote scouting.The Conference attracted BoyScouts from across the UnitedStates.Juan Antonio Molina IIIof LB Johnson High School wonfirst place at the Conference forNative American beadwork. Twoseniors, Jesmar Garcia of UnitedHigh School, and Nathan Campos,of the Health and Science Magnetat Alexander High School, wonfourth place in Native Americangroup drumming. Campos alsowon fifth place at the Conferencefor Native American grass dancing.Jesmar Garcia, and his youngerbrother Jossue Garcia, placed in thetop 20 for Native American grassdancing. Nathan Campos is an EagleScout and the other three boys arepursuing that goal. The four aremembers of Troop 505. The TroopLeader is Ricardo Campos andthe Assistant Scout Master is JuanAntonio Molina, Jr.The Order of the Arrow (OA)is the national honor society of theBSA. It uses American Indian-styledtraditions and ceremonies to bestowrecognition on scouts selected bytheir peers as best exemplifyingthe ideals of scouting. Influencedin part by camp traditions, collegefraternities, and Indian folklore,LBJHS student Juan Antonio Molina III.AHS student Nathan CamposUHS student Jesmar Garcia.the OA uses symbols, handshakes, andceremonies to impart a sense of community.Inducted members are known asArrowmen or Brothers. They number morethan 180,000 youth and adults. They areorganized into local youth-led lodges thatharbor fellowship, promote camping, andrender service to Boy Scout councils andtheir communities. Members wear identifyinginsignia on their uniforms, most notably theOA sash, and are eligible for special OAawards. The OA program sponsors severalevents, awards, and training functions.Laredo BP South supplies studentsat Kennedy-Zapata ElementaryAs part of theircommunity involvementprogram, Laredo SouthBorder Patrol officersvisited Kennedy ZapataElementary to donateschool supplies purchasedwith donations collectedfrom their staff. Thestudents received theirschool supplies anddanced with specialguest agents “BigGreen” and “Drug FreeMarie”.Specialoperations officer,Albert Torres,said his officersare happy to helpschools whicheverway they can. “Wewant to familiarizechildren with the roleof Border Patrol inour community. Wealso want them toknow that they cancome to us withtheir concerns orquestions.”KennedyZapata Principal,Thelma J. Martinez,expressed hergratitude to theBorder Patrol, “The educator’sgoal is to educate students.Community support makes thejob easier. Our faculty, staff,administration, and studentsare thankful for the generosityshown by Laredo South BorderPatrol. It is generosity that comesfrom the heart and we appreciateKennedy Zapata students were thrilledto dance with agents “Big Green” and“Drug Free Marie” .Albert Torres, Special Operations officerfor Border Patrol South talks to Kennedy-Zapata students about the role of Borderpatrol as Principal Thelma J. Martinezstands by special guest agents “Big Green”and “Drug Free Marie”.that they help make our studentsmore successful . We alsoappreciate the community supportwe receive throughout the year.”Laredo South Border Patrolhas also gifted D.D. Hacharand Juarez - Lincoln Elementaryschools with supply donations.UISD Trustees Judd Gilpin,Ricardo Molina Sr., andWilliam B. Johnson ; UnitedSouth High School MagnetSchool Dean Angelica R.Sanchez; USHS advertisingand design teacher AmadoChapa; UISD Board PresidentPat Campos; Javier Santos,Fernando Salinas CharitableTrust Fund representative;USHS Principal DavidCanales; UISD Trustees JuanAntonio Molina Jr., RicardoRodriguez, and Juan RobertoRamirez; UISD Superintendentof Schools Roberto J. Santos.United ISDUnited South HS receives $10,000 fromFernando Salinas Charitable Trust FundYour Source for Employee NewsJavier Santos recently presented United SouthHigh School teacher Amado Chapa with a $10,000donation from the Fernando Salinas CharitableTrust Fund. The money will be utilized to purchasecomputer software and equipment for Mr. Chapa’sAdvertising & Design class. The check presentationwas made during a U.I.S.D board meeting held onAugust 19. We at U.I.S.D. gratefully acknowledgethe Fernando Salinas Trust Fund for supporting ourteachers and educational programs.Page 5

September 2009Public RelationsDept. welcomesnew employeesThe UISD Public Relations Department welcomesPaola Arcos Mansinghani and Rocio Moore as thenew Comunication Specialists for Publications.BBC interviews former Gang MembersPaola ArcosMansinghani holds aBachelors Degree inGraphic Design fromthe Universidad deMonterrey, in Mexico.Paola’s previouswork experienceincludes Laredo ISD,the Laredo MorningTimes, and ElMañana. In her sparetime, Paola enjoyspainting, ceramics, andphotography. One ofArcos’ oil paintingswas featured on thecover of the fall 2006issue of La Frontera,Laredo CommunityCollege’s literary andarts magazine.The United InSiDer is a monthly publication of the UISD PublicRelations Department. If you have any information you would liketo have printed in this publication, please submit two weeks priorto the 20th of each month to United Independent School DistrictCommunications Department located at 201 Lindenwood Drive,Laredo, Texas 78045.Alex MeyerCommunication Specialist/Creative Servicesameyer09@uisd.netRocio Moore, Communication Specialist/Publicationsrmoore@uisd.netPaola Arcos Mansinghani, Communication Specialist/Publicationsparcos16@uisd.netIt is the policy of United I.S.D. not to discriminate on the basis of race, color,national origin, sex, or handicap in its programs, services, or activities asrequired by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX ofthe Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the RehabilitationAct of 1973, as amended.Page 6Rocio Mooreholds a BachelorsDegree inCommunicationsfrom the UniversidadVB in Tamaulipas,Mexico, a MastersDegree in Educationfrom Texas A&Mat Corpus Christi,also a certificationby Adobe SystemsInc. as a PhotoshopCertified Associate.Rocio’s previouswork experienceincludes Laredo ISD,the Laredo MorningTimes, and El Mañana.Her hobbies include:Photography, reading,painting and cooking.UISD’s Gang Intervention Facilitators work hard to help students stay out of gangs. Two former gangmembers, Gilbert Peña (2nd from left) and Martin Rios (2nd from right) and Gang Intervention Facilitator,Joe Espinoza (right) were recently interviewed by a television crew from the British BroadcastingCorporation (BBC) for a story on border violence. Peña and Rios graduated from United South HighSchool and both are productive members of society. Shown here are (L-R): Video Photographer ChuckTayman, Peña, Producer Nada Tawfik, Correspondent Matthew Price, Rios, and Espinoza.L.B.J. Teacher selected to attendAmerican History Institute programRandy C. Spring has taught Historyat Lyndon B. Johnson High School since2001. His 8 years at the campus has givenhim an opportunity to teachstudents from grades 7 to11.In June 2009 Springwas selected from nearlyone hundred and fiftyapplicants to attend the 4day U.S. Constitution andAmerican History Institutesponsored by HumanitiesTexas and UTSA.Humanities TexasExecutive Director,Michael L. Gillette, said,“giving talented teachersthe opportunity to interactwith their peers and leadingscholars will enable them to engagestudents with exciting new perspectives onour nation’s history”.Spring was kind enough to sharehis experience with United Insider. Hesaid that the four day institute focused onYour Source for Employee Newsvarious aspects of the American Constitutionwith an emphasis on the thirteen throughfifteenth amendments and slave codes.Additionally, the studiesfocused on how the writingof the Constitution allowedfor modifications basedon changes in Americansociety. Reviews of landmarkcases and their results gaveparticipants a refreshingoverview of Americanjudicial history.Spring met withmany college and universityinstructors who articulatedtheir concern that manyhigh school students areRandy C. Springs. unprepared for college levelhistory discussions. Springcontinued “It was an eye opening experienceand I enjoyed it very much.” Spring believesthat topics discussed in the classroom shouldbe inclusive of issues (such as immigration),that are relevant to students attending schoolin a border city.”United ISD