Extra Credit

A Fort Worth high school gets its sting back

Arlington Heights High School replaced its Yellow Jacket weather vane that perches atop the campus bell tower.

In April, thieves swiped the previous weather vane taking advantage of scaffolding that was surrounding the tower as it was undergoing improvements. The contractor involved in the renovations provided the new Yellow Jacket.

"Having the newly installed weather vane means we can begin the new school year with the highest of expectations,” said Jason Oliver, the school's new principal. "We are hopeful we can inspire students and faculty to work together for the success of everyone."

The school's alumni association gave Heights the original custom-made weather vane about 10 years ago. Anyone with details about the theft is encouraged to call Fort Worth police.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

North Texas middle-schoolers study math and science

 

From left to right, Cayiana Wilson. She’s a 6th grader from Mesquite ISD. Dr. Harris is in the middle and on the right is Miguel Tellez, a 7th grader from the Arlington ISD. He goes to Pope Elementary. He’s telling them about getting ready and launching into space.) Photo provided by UT-Arlington.

Students from the Dallas-Fort Worth area attended the free ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at UT-Arlington this week. Campers learned about natural science, engineering, math and technology. They were also able to meet former astronaut Bernard Harris.

According to a UT-Arlington press release, Dr. Harris talked to them about the importance of education and about following their dreams. He also talked about his own experience going to space. He said he hopes they come away from the camp ready to identify their talents and work to make a contribution to the world.

“This program is an investment in our future, an investment in the future of America,” he said, the release. 

Fort Worth student wins national essay contest

A Tanglewood Elementary student was the first grade winner in Olive Garden's annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest. The national contest asks students to write about a teacher who has inspired them and impacted their lives. Student Will Lourcey (center) wrote about his teacher Melody Sample (at left). Below is an excerpt from his essay:

She is pretty.  She has gold hair, brown eyes and the best clothes.  On crazy sock day, she wore [hilarious] socks.  She told us to sock it to drugs.  That means don’t do drugs. She is fun.  She taught me how fun learning is.  …  Mrs. Sample inspired me to do my best and always treat others nice.  She smiles and gives me hugs.  She makes me feel happy and want to do my best.

Will wins a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at a local Olive Garden.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

TWU student will present research at national conference

Brenda Tucker, a Texas Woman's University master's student in chemistry, is the only student from the United States and one of four internationally to receive a William F. Giauque Travel award to attend the 2010 North American Calorimetry Conference in Colorado Springs.

Tucker will present on her research investigating the sequences of DNA relating to cancer and cancer treating drugs, titled "A Spectroscopic and Calorimetric Investigation of the Human Telomeric DNA Sequence."

Diane Smith

Fort Worth school trustee mad about district's response to story

Board member Carlos Vasquez said superintendent Melody Johnson hit a "new low" when the district issued a press release responding to this weekend's story about the release of a management letter. Trustee Ann Sutherland made a public records request to get the letter. She, Vasquez and trustee Juan Rangel were critical of administration for not releasing the letter sooner while other trustees said they wanted the district's new CFO to have more time to review the letter's findings before bringing it to the board.

Monday district officials issued a press release stating they were "setting the record straight" and contended that the letter was not withheld. Vasquez took issue with the response in a letter sent to Johnson, fellow board members and the media.

"Several Board Members were quoted on the story referenced on this release. Who are you 'Setting the Record Straight' with? Who lied for this to have to be set straight? I feel like you have attacked us and that you are calling us liars," he wrote.

District spokeswoman Barbara Griffith said Johnson was still out of the country on vacation and unreachable for comment. She declined to comment on Vasquez' e-mail. Griffith said the press release was a response to a headline in the Star-Telegram that read "Letter that detailed woes kept from board." Griffith said, "We felt the headline of the story did not mesh with the rest of the story."

-Eva-Marie Ayala

King of Uganda visits Tarrant County College

King Oyo, the world's youngest king visited TCC's Trinity River campus this week. He learned about the college during his visit, including the College For Kids program. The 18-year-old king has been visiting North Texas to learn about the state. To find out more about his visit, read this recent Star-Telegram article.

_Diane Smith

Photo by DeeDra Parrish

Fort Worth school district responds to story about financial management letter's release

This weekend the Star-Telegram reported this story about Fort Worth school trustee Ann Sutherland recently filing an open records request to get a copy of the district's financial management letter, which administrators received in late February. Today district officials issued a response contending that the letter was not withheld.

“The board wanted the management letter presented at a board meeting,” chief financial officer Hank Johnson said in the statement. “Therefore, I believed that I had to be able to address each concern with in-depth knowledge of these issues.”

The district's full response is posted here.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

Carroll's Durham Intermediate principal leaving post

Carroll school district officials are looking for a new principal for Durham Intermediate School for the upcoming school year.

Principal Gary Brake has resigned his job, Carroll superintendent David J. Faltys wrote in a Tuesday letter to parents.

"I hope you will join me in offering your appreciation and best wishes to Mr. Brake as he completes his work as a Carroll Dragon," Faltys wrote.

His last day the job was Wednesday, the end of the school district's contract year, a spokeswoman said.

Durham Intermediate, on Shady Oaks Drive in Southlake, is a campus for fifth and sixth graders and is adjacent to Durham Elementary School, which serves students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

Jessamy Brown