All Lake Highlands public schools were rated “acceptable” as part of a recently released study by the Texas Education Agency, although the Richardson Independent School District was rated unacceptable because of its high dropout rate.

The Texas Education Agency, as part of the state legislature’s plan to improve public education in Texas, ranked each district and each school in Texas. The 12 Lake Highlands area schools, including Lake Highlands High School, two junior high schools and nine elementary schools, earned acceptable ratings.

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

The acceptable rating means the school’s students did not perform well enough on the state’s standardized tests to be ranked exemplary or recognized, the two highest ratings.

An acceptable rating also means the school’s attendance rate was less than 97 percent, and the dropout rate was higher than 3.5 percent.

The RISD was cited as unacceptable because of its dropout rate, which was higher than the six percent cutoff. As a result of the rating, the district must hold public hearings and file an improvement plan with the state.

Lake Highlands High Sets 1993 College Night

Lake Highlands High School’s 1993-94 College Night will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21.

The event will feature representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities. Among the topics to be covered will be:

  • How to pay for college, and how the financial aid process works.
  • The college admissions process. The information is geared toward sophomores and juniors.
  • How to talk and write your way into college. Hints on how to handle interviews and essays.
  • College support services for the learning disabled student.

Wilshire Baptist Sets Support Program

A support group for new teachers will be held Monday nights for six weeks beginning Sept. 20 at Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Road.

The program is aimed at teachers with three years or less of classroom experience, and will give them an opportunity to discuss the problems and situations unique to new teachers, says Brian Burton, the church’s minister of adult education.

The support group will be led by Karen Rogers, principal of Lakewood Elementary School.

Enrollment is free. For information or reservations, call Judy Yarbrough at 824-4531.

Wallace Parents Welcome Principal

Teresa Gafford, the new principal at Wallace Elementary, was welcomed to the school recently with an open house at the home of Joan Walne. The open house was hosted by the school’s PTA board.

Gafford is a 21-year RISD veteran, serving as a teacher and assistant principal at elementary and junior high schools before coming to Wallace.

  • Six students from Wallace won medals at the district-level Jesse Owens track and field competition in their age groups. Amber Ramos won a gold in the softball throw, as did Daniel Clark; Israel Henry won a gold in the 50 meters; Michelle Dunai won a silver in the long jump; Brandon Vise won a bronze in the softball throw; and Jaime Riddleberger won a bronze in the long jump.

Author will Speak at Early Childhood PTA

Author Jody Capehart will speak at the Sept. 8 meeting of the Lake Highlands Area Early Childhood PTA.

Capehart’s topic will be “Desirable Discipline.” The meeting will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the Highlands Christian Church, 9949 McRee Road. Admission is free.

Nursery care is available on a reservation basis for a nominal fee. Call 503-0130 to reserve a space.

Lake Highlands Officers Attend Training Class

The newly elected officers of the Lake Highlands Junior High School Student Council spent a week this summer receiving leadership training at Angelo State University.

The new officers include Meghan McCurdy, president; Tekisha Goodwin, vice president; Holly Horan, secretary; and Reid Wakefield, historian.

Also participating in the training sessions were executive board members Jill Holder, Katie Kirkpatrick, Lee Monroe and Jamille Wilkes.

News & Notes

NEW DIRECTOR: Deborah J. Gonzales has been named director of the St. James Montessori School. She succeeds Marie Moseley, who founded the school in 1968.

MEET THE TEACHERS: Forest Meadow Junior High School will hold Meet the Teacher night at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the school. Parents will follow their children’s daily schedule. The PTA meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Moss Haven Elementary will hold its Meet the Teacher night Sept. 7.

COMPUTER TALK: Frank Piasecki, the RISD director of computer instruction, will talk about “Technology in Education” at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Moss Haven Elementary in conjunction with that school’s PTA. Students and parents are invited.

SCHOOL SPIRIT: Aikin Elementary art teacher Cindy Oliphant and parent volunteers Marla Collins and Linda Curtis painted the school’s mascot eagle on a wall at the school. The painting serves as a symbol of school spirit and unity.

EARNS CREDIT: Michelle Peoples of Lake Highlands, who attends Dallas Christian, was one of four high school students selected to attend a six-week program at LeTourneau University that enabled her to earn college credit in English and computer science.