The holiday season has arrived, and there are many opportunities throughout the community to celebrate the holidays and to help those in need. Arlington’s first annual Christkindl Market kicked off last night and runs through Sunday; more details are available online. This Saturday I will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign. Also Saturday, the Arlington Police Department is holding their annual Santa Cops day at the Arlington Convention Center. It’s always a great day for our students who receive gifts. I encourage you to find a way to give back to our community, especially during this holiday season. At the administration building, we adopted angels through Mission Arlington. It is always wonderful to see the number of gifts that will make such a tremendous difference to our students. I want to thank the Lamar HS Philharmonic Orchestra and Director Pat Leaverton for performing during our festivities today.
At the principals meeting yesterday, three campuses received Golden Mouse Awards for their websites during the 2010-2011 school year. Sam Houston High School received the award for most improved website. Martin High School received the best secondary website award, and Bryant Elementary was honored for best elementary website. Congratulations to these schools and their webmasters – Christina Carpenter, Lezlee Williams and R.J. Williams, and Ellen Windschitl!
This time of year is always busy with the many events of the holiday season. I want to leave you with two thoughts to consider. “We must have a pure, honest and warm-hearted motivation and on top of that, determination, optimism, hope and the ability not to be discouraged. The whole of humanity depends on this motivation,” said the 14th Dalai Lama. Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company, once said “You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars.”
I am proud to be superintendent of the AISD!
Louis Armstrong’s trumpet and Fats Domino’s piano are familiar symbols of the music that radiates from New Orleans. Jazz music has come to define the city and is credited as a large influence in the rebuilding efforts that have taken place since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Read more...