County to Celebrate Animal Shelter Expansion
Posted by Blake Doelle on May 16, 2008 at 10:19 pm • Print This Page • Share
The San Marcos Animal Shelter will hold a week-long celebration of its completed expansion with half-price adoptions of dogs and cats and $15 micro-chipping May 19-24.
Text Box: San Marcos Animal Shelter, 750 River RoadPublic tours will be held and a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 23, with dignitaries from the City of San Marcos, Hays County and City of Kyle.
The Animal Shelter, located at 750 River Road in San Marcos, was expanded by 7,000 square feet through a partnership of the two cities and the county.
“We are so pleased to have a shelter that serves San Marcos, Kyle and Hays County,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “Our partnership and the generous donations of private contributors will focus public attention on the needs of abandoned and neglected animals in our area and help improve their lives.”
The expansion has created capacity for 93 dog kennels, 90 cat pens, a receiving/ reclaiming and adoption office, expanded food storage and support areas, and a new exercise court. The facility was designed by Connolly Architects & Consultants and built by Journeyman Construction.
The expansion cost $2.9 million, paid for by the City of San Marcos, Hays County and City of Kyle. The three entities also support the on-going operational costs of the Animal Shelter.
Residents who want to adopt a dog or cat may do so at a half-price of $45 during the week. The fee includes rabies shot, micro-chipping, spay-neutering and a basic health exam by a veterinarian.
Residents may also have their current pets micro-chipped for $15 during the week. A microchip, inserted painlessly under the skin, offers a permanent way to identify a pet and can help reunite a lost animal with its owners.
The current facility opened in 2002 through the generous contribution of the Emmett and Miriam McCoy Foundation. They will be recognized at Friday’s ceremony for their continuing support with a burr oak tree planted at the shelter in their honor.
Other donors and contributors to the celebration include San Marcos Animal Shelter Advisory Board, the Mutt Strutt, Guardian Angel Program, Pet Prevent A Litter of Central Texas (PALS), San Marcos Area Veterinarians, Sam’s Club, HEB Grocery, Animal Shelter Staff, Texas State University & Community Volunteers and Donors.
The facility was designed by Connolly Architects and Consultants and built by Journeyman Construction of Austin.
The San Marcos Animal Shelter operates as a division of Environmental Health under the direction of Mark Brinkley. Animal Services staff include; Bert Stratemann, Animal Services Manager; Kara Montiel, Shelter Supervisor; Mary Martinez, Clerk; Amanda Carberry, Sharon Aurora, Karen Rivard, Roslyn Reavis, Annde Loyd, and Marc Beck, Shelter Techs; and Jerry Flores, Robert Cavazos and Spencer Targac, Animal Control Officers.
Shelter adoption hours are:
- Monday: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: Closed
For more information about the Animal Shelter or to find out about adoptions, call 512-393-8340.
By MELISSA MILLECAM
Communications Director - City of San Marcos
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Circus De Zavala
Posted by Blake Doelle on May 16, 2008 at 3:15 pm • Print This Page • Share
It was a fun day under the “Big Top” when De Zavala Elementary third-graders razzled and dazzled during a musical extravanza called “Circus, Circus!” on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Students of the other grades were treated to two performances in the afternoon, and parents attended an evening performance. There were magicians and tumblers, elephants and lions, a Ringmaster and a strongman, clowns… and music for all to enjoy. The event was produced by music teacher Mary Irwin.
Article and photos by IRIS CAMPBELL
Marc Anthony Palalcios (Elizabeth Chaffee’s classroom) is a colorful clown who had an additional surprise under his hat!
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Cute clowns and dancers Tiffany Futch and Samantha
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Tumblers and gymnists performed feats on stage
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Under the Big Top when the Circus came to town
SMCISD Showcased Instructional Technology at Technology Fair
Posted by Blake Doelle on May 16, 2008 at 2:43 pm • Print This Page • Share
On Thursday, May 15th San Marcos CISD hosted its Student Technology Fair. Students, along with their teachers, presented table talks on current technologies that are being used in the classroom. The Technology Fair gave the students a forum to demonstrate the activities and skills they have acquired or are learning. Parents and community members alike witnessed that SMCISD students have the skills necessary to make good academic use of technology. The goal of the Technology Fair was to provide the community and parents with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the technologies and services that are available within the district. It was also to showcase work being done by teachers and students. The focus of the event was not on the technologies themselves, but rather on the use of the technologies to support teaching and learning.
Well over 600 hundred people attended this year’s Tech Fair. Parents, students, community members, teachers, and school board members were able to view over 70 different presentations. Presentations included everything from student produced videos to iPods, Dance Mats, interactive white boards and videoconferencing. The San Marcos CISD school librarians showcased the many technologies that will allow students to access library resources from home via the Internet.
This year’s Tech Fair was a success, and plans for next year’s event are already being planned. The district will expand the event to include a film festival in 2009. Next year’s Technology Fair will again be held in the San Marcos High School. The wide hallways and spacious areas at San Marcos High School made for a festive environment. The wireless network also allowed more freedom for using technology at the Tech Fair. Teachers were not tied to a wire coming out of the wall.
The use of technology in SMCISD schools has had a positive influence on the students and teachers. Technology helps teachers to target specific student needs. The use of technology has improved student behavior, improved attendance rates, improved school to home connections. The students are engaged and love using technology to complete their work. Teachers love using technology as one more tool in their toolbox to teach their students.
The district is constantly working to stay current with today’s technology to meet the demands of today’s world and prepare students for their future.
For more information about SMCISD’s Tech Fair, contact Stonecipher at (512) 393-6900 or email her at ronda.stonecipher@smcisd.net.
By Ronda Stonecipher
SMCISD Coordinator of Instructional Technology
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SMCISD students wore tee shirts with the Tech Fair logo proclaiming “Technology on Fire” and wore red plastic firefighter hats while they demonstrated the latest instructional technology for the classroom.
The San Marcos Fire Department parked a fire truck at the entrance to the Tech Fair and demonstrated the latest technology available to them in fighting fires and promoting fire safety.
Photos by: Iris Campbell
Still Time to Catch First Generation Pre-College Dialogue Series May 20
Posted by Blake Doelle on May 16, 2008 at 12:09 pm • Print This Page • Share
San Marcos CISD students currently in grades 8-12 and their parents are invited to participate in the third and final workshop in a series addressing college preparation. The event is at the San Marcos High School on May 20, 2008, from 6-8:30 pm. Pizza and child care are provided. The March workshop addressed college preparation, and the April meeting dealt with funding issues.
The second of the dialogue series (April) had an attendance of 47 San Marcos CISD students and 51 parents, for a total of 98 participants. The May 20 workshop will cover retention, succeeding in college, and the changing roles of parent and student.
Although workshop two mainly covered Financial Aid related topics, facilitators also touched on various steps for parents and college-bound students to take during grades 9-12. Other topics addressed included the types of colleges and costs, what to consider when researching colleges, admission requirements, how to apply for financial aid, and tips on scholarships available. The students attending the sessions spent time researching different colleges at a mini-college fair.
According to Pre-College Workshop Coordinator Roseanna Sandoval, “First Generation” is a term used for students whose parents did not graduate from a four year college, and the workshops provided have been very successful. “The greatest success reported,” she said, “is the actual discussion held with the participants in attendance. During the planning process, we obtained feedback from local Upward Bound scholars and their parents on what college-related topics they felt that they needed more information about, and we constructed our workshops around their requests. In addition, we have staff facilitating adult and youth groups for our Spanish speaking families.”
Sandoval adds, “What we heard repeatedly in our evaluations was that families felt they received the most valuable information during their group discussions-not only from their group facilitator, but also from each other during the open environment to ask question.”
The series of dialogue workshops were funded through a Texas State University-San Marcos P-16 Grant initiative. Additional funding for the this project was provided from a Multicultural Programs Committee Grant awarded to the First Generation Student Organization (FGSO), Multicultural Student Affairs (Upward Bound Program and Talent Search), FGSO, Undergraduate Admissions, the University Bookstore, San Marcos CISD, the San Marcos High School Career Center, the Texas State University Financial Aid office, and the San Marcos community.
The commitment of the staff involved is what has made the series possible, and the organizers wish to thank the many volunteers from the Texas State University’s First Generation Student Organization, staff from the Upward Bound program and Talent Search, and several community social workers. Special recognition goes to Director Sonya Lopez, Workshop Coordinator Roseanna Sandoval, Parent Group Coordinator Dorelia Silva, Youth Group Coordinators Jonathan Sample and Phillip Williams, Media Coordinator Jerry Cervantez, and Auxiliary members Loretta Alcala, Mari Garza, Jenny Campbell, Mark McAlister, and Liza Lopez.
For more information about the workshops, please call 512-245-3838.
By IRIS CAMPBELL
Public Information Officer - San Marcos CISD
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Youth and parent participants at workshop 2
Hays CISD news briefs
Posted by Blake Doelle on May 16, 2008 at 11:17 am • Print This Page • Share
Technology in Hays CISD shows no limits The halls and rooms of the Hays CISD Performing Arts Center were buzzing, literally, with technology and the people-students and teachers-who work it on Thursday night during the 3rd annual districtwide technology showcase.
More than 50 projects represented by all campuses in Hays CISD were on display for parents and community members to look at, and more importantly, participate in.
From making movies to publishing books to designing a house to analyzing data surrounding a sound wave to “Survivor: Real Math for Real Life,” where Wallace Middle School students were assigned a job, a salary and a distance to work and they drew up a budget for living, the showcase brought to light that technology happens everyday in the classrooms of Hays CISD.
In the auditorium, animated and actual movies made by students rolled throughout the night, interrupted by the awarding of gifts to student logo design winners and $31,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants.
“Last year the Foundation gave $50,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants,” said Chris Harkrider, President of the Hays CISD Education Foundation. “This year, I am pleased to say we are giving away $70,000. It gives us a lot of pleasure to give back to this great school district.”
Traditionally, the Innovative Teaching Grants in the Spring average less than $20,000. However, that tradition was broken on Thursday with the granting of $31,000 to nearly 35 teachers throughout the district for innovation in their classrooms.
98 percent of all 8th graders pass reading TAKS
After two administrations of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) for reading, 98 percent of all 8th Graders in the district have passed.
“This is the first year for Student Success Initiative (SSI) reading in Grade 8, but 98 percent passing is simply outstanding!” said John Thornell, Hays CISD Executive Director of Assessment. “In Grade 8, our lowest scoring middle school is 95 percent passing with the other three at 98 or 99 percent passing.”
Ninety percent of all 5th graders and 93 percent of all 3rd graders have passed the TAKS reading test.
“In Grade 5, we have six of our nine elementary schools at or above 90 percent passing,” he said.
Districtwide, only 16, 8th Graders have not met their SSI reading requirements, Thornell said. Those numbers are 77 for 3rd Grade and 82 for 5th Grade.
By JULIE JEROME
Chief Information Officer - Hays CISD