FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 23, 2008
PUBLIC FORUMS
Elementary School Attendance Zones
2009-2010
You can find the
three proposed plans on the main webpage:
http://www.dripping-springs.txed.net/
Public
comments are welcome at the following email address:
attendance.zones@dripping-springs.txed.net
Proposed 2008-2009
Student Zone-to-Zone Transfer Process
To address growth patterns, the District intends to adjust
elementary school attendance zone boundaries. The District plans to
announce the new zones before the 2008-2009 school year, but they will not
become effective until the 2009-2010 school year. Some parents have
asked that, if the re-zoning will require that their children move to a new
elementary school in 2009-2010, they be permitted to apply for an early transfer,
moving their children to the new school for the 2008-2009 school year.
Working within its financial constraints, the District has established the
following guidelines for early transfer.
1. Students will be permitted to transfer on a
case-by-case basis if space is available on the campus in the student’s
grade level without incurring additional costs for teachers or classrooms.
2. Applications for transfer shall be date-stamped
on arrival in the Superintendent’s Office and considered on a first-come,
first–served basis.
3. So that the final determination for teacher
hiring and student class assignments can take place before the start of
the 2008-2009 school-year, all student transfer requests must be received
by August 1, 2008.
4. Transportation for transfer students shall
not be provided by the District. Bus transportation routes will not be
modified for 2008-2009 to accommodate transfer students under this process.
5. The District will not be required to set up
new programs, extend an existing program to a new campus or establish
a new level of an existing program that does not already exist on the
campus.
Zone to Zone Transfer Form
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 7, 2008
Street Closure Information
Related to
Temporary Closure of Mercer Street for Repairs
And
Founders’ Day Activities
Due to preparation for and the activities surrounding
Founders’ Day, we are providing the following information to help you
navigate the roads around the Administration complex during the time
leading up to Founders’ Day. We have agreed to work with the City in regard
to the use of the front lawn area of the Administration Building and parking
area. Road closures and barricades may change your normal drive to and
from this area. Your attention and patience with the closures is appreciated.
Temporary Closure of Mercer Street for Repairs:
Thursday April 10 – 11th
Noon –AM Traffic (This paving project is subject to change due to the
weather.)
Please be advised that the City of Dripping Springs will be paving
portions of Mercer Street tentatively from noon on Thursday, April 10th
possibly through the early morning Friday, April 11, 2008, depending
on the weather. The repairs will require portions of Mercer and College
streets to be closed. The Post Office and Hays County Precinct 4 Offices
will be accessible from the north by Old Fitzhugh Road. Please call City
Hall at (512) 858-4725 for more information.
(The City may be able to do the majority of the Mercer Street repairs
at night. They will let us know as soon as they find out if they are able
to do so.)
Founders’ Day Activities:
Thursday April 17 5:00 PM
Mercer Street will be closed from Hwy. 290 to the east end of the
bridge.
Friday – Sunday April 18-21 (AM)
Noon -Midnight
All of Mercer Street and the Downtown streets will be
closed from noon Friday until Monday morning.
Friday April 18 All Day
Access to the Administration complex will be restricted
to entry from Sportsplex Road. The Mercer Street entrance will be closed
to vehicular traffic throughout the Founders’ Day activities. Foot traffic
will open after the Founders’ Day Parade on Friday evening.
Friday April 18 During the Business
Day
Access to the front of the Admin. Building will be closed
at 4:00 PM to allow for Founders’ Day Parade staging. NO vehicles
will be allowed to be left unattended in the front parking area of the
Administration Building after 5:00 PM. Parking will be permitted
outside the fence on the west end of the Admin. Building near the Walnut
Springs ES track.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Child Development Center will close promptly at
5:00 PM, if not sooner, for the same reason. Parents may park in the normal
pick up area, but are encouraged to do so quickly to make room for other
parents. Ms. Theis will be providing a pass for CDC parents to enter the
parking area until its closure at 5:00 PM.
Monday April 21 AM Traffic
Some barricades may still be up as the carnival and other venues
are being dismantled.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 18, 2008
Work on the 2007 bond program is in progress. As mentioned in
another letter, the District commissioned two architects to work on the
two major projects: 1) the New High School Project, which involves the
renovation and expansion of the current Middle School, and 2) the New
Middle School Project, which involves the remodel of the current High
School. We are developing conceptual work-ups for both projects. The
District advertised for proposals for a Construction Manager At-Risk,
the construction method approved by the Board of Trustees for these projects.
Once the company is approved by the Board, we will get them involved with
the architects on designs, efficiencies, and construction schedules.
The District is also in the process of having another demographic
study prepared. This is based on the number of new housing and commercial/retail
developments as well as the continued expansion of the current subdivisions.
As of this writing our current district enrollment is:
This Year
Last Year
Difference +/-
% +/-
Dripping Springs Elementary School
542
928
Walnut Springs Elementary School
589
816
Rooster Springs Elementary
750
-------
Elementary Enrollment Subtotal
1,881
1,744
+137
+7.86%
Dripping Springs Middle School
936
895
+41
+4.58%
Dripping Springs High School
1,189
1,143
+46
+4.02%
Dripping Springs ISD Enrollment
4,006
3,782
+224
+5.92%
We thank you for supporting our staff and programs as we prepare
every student in our system for the challenges of tomorrow. We do not
take the challenge lightly. Working together, we can do great things!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 2008
January is School Board Recognition Month
(Dripping Springs)—Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed
January as School Board Recognition Month and Dripping Springs ISD is
joining other districts across the state to gratefully acknowledge local
trustees’ unfailing commitment to our communities and schools.
“Serving on a local school board is no easy task, especially
in today’s climate of change and economic uncertainties. It’s a huge
responsibility, one which has an effect on virtually every aspect of
our schools. In January, we encourage our community to help honor the
contributions and dedication of our local school board members. These
locally elected citizens, who work without pay, make decisions that influence
and direct the education of our youth,” said Mard A. Herrick, PhD.
“Our board is one of thousands of district and county school
boards across the state. These boards enable us to have local control
of our public schools, meaning that decisions are made by local leaders
who understand the community’s unique culture, values, and challenges,”
said Dr. Herrick.
“Take a moment to thank our local school board members for making
the time to share their vision and voice about the future of our children.
We proudly salute these education advocates as they provide leadership
for student achievement, academic programs, district funding, and school
facilities,” he said.
The men and women serving Dripping Springs ISD are Lenny Olson
serving since May 1999, John Moore serving since May 1999, Tim Kurpiewski
serving since May 2003, Steve Benesh serving since May 2004, John Adams
serving since May 2006, Caroline Pekarek serving since May 2006, and
Curtis Wilson serving since May 2007.
For Immediate Release: December 2007
I hope you had a relaxed and happy Thanksgiving.
I know I certainly enjoyed the holiday! I enjoy this time of year.
I especially like the Festival of Plenty idea: plenty of food, family,
and football. I know there are those who enjoy shopping the day after
Thanksgiving, and I would agree if I were still making a living in retail
sales. Shopping the day after Thanksgiving is for tougher folks than
me. I prefer a quiet place, watching a football game on TV.
As we return from our Thanksgiving break, it is important to
remember that we still have two weeks of school before the holiday
break. Our staff is focused on instruction during this time and will
continue to prepare our students. First semester exams occur after the
holiday break this year. We have a lot to teach in the four weeks prior
to those exams. While the initial round of the TAKS testing is not until
the first week of March, we want to make sure we use our time effectively
between now and March.
Keeping consistent schedules for meals, homework, and bedtimes
is important for successful school work. We understand and expect that
there will be holiday shopping, parties, and other activities that interfere
with those schedules. However, keeping as consistent a schedule as possible
will certainly help your student stay on track in the last two weeks before
the winter break
During the Thanksgiving holiday I thought about how appreciative
I am to work in a school district and community as great as Dripping
Springs. We have a lot to be proud of: well maintained schools, committed
personnel, great students, involved parents, and meaningful work. We
can all be thankful to be a part of this school system.
As we enter the winter holiday season and end the calendar
year, we want to thank you for sharing your children with us. January
brings new opportunities for excellence. We look forward to exploring
those prospects with you. Thank you for all you do to support our school
staff and programs. Have a wonderful holiday!
Every Student Counts!
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D., Superintendent
For Immediate Release: November 7, 2007
The 2007 DSISD Bond passed.
THANK YOU!
Canvassing of the results will be done at the
next Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for November 15th
at 7:00 pm.
For Immediate Release: September 10, 2007
Dripping Springs ISD November Bond Election Addresses
Student Population Growth
On September 4, 2007, the Board
of Trustees of the Dripping Springs Independent School District
called a November 6th bond election. The 7-0 vote by the DSISD Board
to call the election caps another milestone in the more than two year
district self-study of student enrollment, community preference in
regard to secondary school size, and long range district-wide facility
planning.
Funds from the bond proposal can
be used for new schools, renovations to existing school facilities,
furniture, equipment, technology, cost of issuance, and purchase
of land for future schools and facilities. This election will ask the
voters to authorize $96.17 million in school bonds to remodel and expand
the current middle school to create a new high school with an increased
capacity of 1,800 students including an auditorium, competition gym,
and expanded library, fine arts, and classroom spaces with the capacity
for future expansion to 2,500 students. The bond package also calls for
the renovation and upgrade of the existing high school for use as a middle
school as the district continues to grow.
The process started in 2005 when
the Secondary School Study Group initiated a study resulting from
a recommendation of the 2004 Facility Advisory Task Force. Their charge
was to recommend to the District the maximum student capacity, grade
configurations, and use of existing buildings in relation to future
middle and high school facility planning. The culmination of the Secondary
School Study Group was the starting point for the Long Range District
Facilities Planning Team.
The facility needs addressed in
this bond package were determined by a board-appointed Long Range
District Facilities Planning Team comprised of 74 community members
representing every part of the school district attendance area. The
Planning Team included parents, grandparents, business owners, teachers,
principals, district administrators and support staff, board members,
retired community members as well as other taxpayers and consultants.
The Planning Team reviewed current and projected enrollment demographic
data, existing buildings and grounds, and projected future facility
needs over the next fifteen to twenty years. The Planning Team then identified
the facility renovation and expansion described above as the most appropriate
building program for this bond project.
Current student enrollment
at the middle school exceeds the ideal building capacity. Existing
enrollment and demographic projections show that future student enrollment
will soon reach and exceed the capacity limits of the high school
facilities.
The two renovated schools would
be scheduled to be opened in the Fall of 2010. Renovations to the
middle and high schools include infrastructure upgrades, repair
or replacement of outdated H/VAC systems and electrical supply; as
well as safety and security upgrades. Both schools will be designed
for increased career and technology educational opportunities.
If approved, the bond project will
affect the DSISD tax rate in 2008/2009 when an approximate 7.47
cent increase per $100 valuation will be implemented. The property
tax increase on a $200,000 home in DSISD is estimated at $12.45 per
month or an estimated total tax increase of $149.40. Unless new improvements
are made to their home, taxpayers with an over-65 homestead exemption
will not see an increase in their taxes, because their taxes were frozen
at the time of their 65th birthday. Taxpayers who are 65 or older and
desire to have their taxes frozen must make application to the County
Appraisal District.
For more information on the bond
election scheduled for November 6th, contact Dr. Mard Herrick, Superintendent,
Dripping Springs ISD at 858.3002.
BOND PROGRAM OVERVIEW & ESTIMATED COSTS:
● Convert and Expand Existing Middle
School to a 1,800 Student Capacity High School
225,000 square feet addition (including a 600+ seat auditorium
and competition gym)
Remodel and Renovate Existing Facility
General site and Athletic Improvements
Technology Upgrades
Expand Wastewater Treatment Facility
Estimated Cost $62,700,000
● Convert Existing High School to
a 1,200 – 1,300 Student Capacity Middle School
Facility Upgrades
HVAC Improvements
Stadium Improvements
Science Classrooms
ADA Compliance
Security Improvements
Technology Upgrades
Remodel Existing Facility
New Lobby and Main Office
New Entry Canopy
Parking and Drives
Estimated Cost $13,600,000
● Fees and Other Bond Associated
Costs
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE)
Design, Engineering, and Testing
Infrastructure and Fees
Bond Issuance Costs
Future Land Costs
Estimated Cost $19,870,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL PROJECT COST
$96,170,000
Estimated
2008 Annual DSISD Tax Impact
on Residential Home after Bond Election
|
Taxable Value
of Residence
Without Exemptions
|
Estimated
Annual
Total Tax Increase
|
Estimated
Monthly
Total Tax Increase
|
$150,000
|
$112.05
|
$9.34
|
$200,000
|
$149.40
|
$12.45
|
$250,000
|
$186.75
|
$15.56
|
RECOMMENDED TIMELINES FOR BOND ISSUES WITH PROPOSEDOPENING
DATES:
The timeline below is a result of consensus of the Team
of the whole in discussion of District needs out to 2024. A new stadium
and additional district support facilities will be necessary at some
point by the end of this cycle.
| BOND ISSUES |
OPEN |
2007 Option Approved by the Board
of Trustees
and developed by the Long Range District Facilities Planning
Team |
2010/2011 |
2009 Elementary School
2009 Middle School
|
2011
2011 |
2011 Elementary School
2011 Expand High School
|
2013
2013 |
2013 Middle School
2013 New High School
|
2016
2017 |
2015 Elementary School
|
2017 |
2020 Elementary School
2020 Middle School
|
2022
2022 |
2022 Elementary School
|
2024 |
August 17, 2007
One of the outcomes of the community’s approval
of the 2005 bond package was the establishment of an
Austin-line for parents to be able to call DSISD offices
from outside of Dripping Springs. Those numbers were created
this summer. Please note the following numbers for your convenience.
| 2007-2008 Phone System |
|
|
| |
Dripping |
Austin |
| |
Springs |
Metro |
| DSISD Administrative Office |
858-3000 |
465-6100 |
| Superintendent |
858-3002 |
465-6102 |
| Human Resources |
858-3005 |
465-6105 |
| Business Office |
858-3006 |
465-6106 |
| Curriculum and Instruction |
858-3010 |
465-6110 |
| Athletics |
858-3037 |
465-6137 |
| Child Nutrition |
858-3048 |
465-6148 |
| Community Education |
858-3021 |
465-6121 |
| Plant Operations |
858-3013 |
465-6113 |
| Transportation |
858-3004 |
465-6104 |
| Dripping Springs High School |
858-3100 |
465-6160 |
| Dripping Springs Middle School |
858-3400 |
465-6164 |
| Dripping Springs Elementary School |
858-3700 |
465-6170 |
| Walnut Springs Elementary School |
858-3800 |
465-6171 |
| Rooster Springs Elementary School |
858-3089 |
465-6200 |
| Hays-Blanco Special Education Co-op |
858-3055 |
465-6155 |
| |
|
|
Please see the August 2nd letter, noted below, for a welcome to the
new school year.
August 2, 2007
This is one of my favorite times of the year. Students
and teachers alike are already coming back to the campuses.
Within the next week the band, cheerleading, drill team, cross-country,
volleyball, and football coaches, sponsors, and students will
return to the high school to prepare for new seasons.
Our teachers and administrators have been busy attending
workshops, writing curriculum, and preparing for the new school
year. The district transportation and maintenance staff has
been hard at work cleaning and prepping buses, splashing paint, polishing
floors and making other necessary repairs for the start of school. Some
of our coaching staff and football players even helped move our teaching
staff in to the new elementary campus, Rooster Springs. All systems
are "go" for the new school year.
Rooster Springs Elementary School, our newest campus
located in Belterra, will open this fall. All of our elementary
students will soon receive a welcome letter from their respective
school with school-start information including the dates and times
for "Meet the Teacher Night."
If you are new to the area and have not already registered
your child for school, each campus will hold an open registration
of Tuesday, August 7th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. If you are not
sure which campus your child will attend, the district-approved
boundary map may be viewed by clicking the icon in the middle of
the District website's home-page. The map identifies the three elementary
attendance zones. If you know of someone who has moved in to the district,
please share this information with them.
The first day of school is Monday, August 27th.
Bus transportation service starts that morning. There is
a link to the district bus schedule, including approximate pick up
and delivery times, on the District home-page for your use. The revised
2007/2008 school district calendar is also available on the district
home-page.
The Child Nutrition program will begin serving breakfast
and lunch on the first day of school. If you would like to set
up an account with PAMSLunchroom so you can add payments to your
student's accounts online, check balances, or check other information
about your accounts, you may do so by going to their website (http://www.pamslunchroom.com)
or click on the connection in the Child Nutrition section of this
website.
We expect 2007/2008 to be another great year.
We look forward to seeing you on the first day of school.
April 18, 2007
Congratulations to the Dripping Springs High School Boys
and Girls Soccer Teams on a fine spring season. Both
teams went to the UIL 4A Regional Finals before bowing out of the
playoffs this year. Dripping Springs High School was the
only high school to have both a boys team and a girls team in the
soccer playoffs at the same time. Although the season ended
two games short of their goal, we appreciate the students for their
effort and the parents for their support of our athletic programs.
Speaking of winners, the Dripping Springs High School Academic
Team recently won their regional meet in San Antonio, Texas and are headed
to State. The Regional UIL Academic Meet covers applications spanning
the spectrum of language arts, math, journalism, fine arts, and computer
sciences. Dripping Springs High School had fourteen (14) medalists.
In addition, twelve (12) students qualified for the State Competition later
this spring. The students and sponsors worked hard, and their efforts
were rewarded. Some of these students are eligible for scholarships
through this contest. We also thank the parents for the
students’ success.
Great schools are created at the confluence of quality
teaching and coaching staff, great students, and positive,
supportive parents. We have all three in Dripping Springs
ISD!
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 26, 2007
Dear Parents:
Please mark your calendar. April 9th and May
25th are now student instructional days to make up for two
of the three days we missed due to the ice in January. The Texas
Education Agency (TEA) approved our waiver request. TEA rules
require that we make up two (2) of the three instructional days
that were missed, and the third day is covered by the waiver. April
9th and May 25th were previously established and approved as bad
weather make up days for the 2006-2007 school year. Students will
be expected to attend school on those days.
We received several contacts in the last few
weeks about a rumor that the boundaries of the three elementary
schools are going to be changed before the start of school next
August. Please help us dispel that rumor. The boundaries
were established and approved with a great deal of input and
will be in place through the 2007-2008 school year.
Success is not purchased at any one time.
It is purchased on the installment plan of our
daily actions. (Author Unknown)
The thing that set Thomas Edison apart from others
of his time was his boundless determination to succeed.
Throughout his many trials and failures as an inventor, he always
conveyed the feeling that he would succeed. No matter what the
obstacles, he pounded away until one-by-one the challenges were overcome.
Whether a student chooses college or the world
of work, school is in many ways a training ground for the next
phase in life. The academic and personal obstacles students
face during their school career help to prepare them for the challenges
they will face as young adults. Just like Edison, a student’s
determination to succeed in school and in life is very significant.
College entrance counselors and employers look
for four things other than ACT and SAT scores. In many colleges
today the following qualities are of equal or greater importance:
Good Grades:
Good grades in upper-level,
rigorous courses
Consistent Attendance: 95% or
better
Leadership Skills:
Active participation in a team, club, organization,
band, choir, theatre group,
yearbook staff, or part-time job
Civic Activity:
Active involvement in
a civic organization, church youth group, or any other
volunteer group that works to make the
community a better place to live
The ability to effectively balance multiple tasks,
yet maintain a high level of achievement, is what makes a successful
college student or employee. Regardless of age or grade level,
what your student does now paves the way for future success in life.
We are proud of your work and the work of our
students. We are aware of the time and effort you put in
toward the success of your child. Your attitude toward
your child’s success in school is important to other, greater
accomplishments later in life. We appreciate you!
Sincerely,
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
February 6, 2007
Dear Parents:
We hope you and your children enjoyed the impromptu
holiday brought about by the ice and snow. Five other districts
in our area school districts joined us in canceling classes on
Thursday, January 18th, due to the weather and unsafe driving conditions
for students, faculty, and our transportation staff.
By Texas Education Agency rules we are required
to make up two (2) of the three instructional days that were missed
due to the weather. The third day is covered by a waiver
process. The two days, previously established and approved for the
2006-2007 school year, are April 9th and May 25th. Students
will be expected to attend school on those days. We will send
you a reminder prior to each of the make-up days.
We know that you are proud of your student’s
accomplishments thus far through the school year. As we
get closer to the TAKS testing periods it is important that our
students be in school regularly. Punctual, regular attendance
will help insure that our students are prepared to accomplish their
academic goals. We know you will continue to support your child
during the second semester. Keep up the good work!
Former NFL player and coach, Raymond Berry, made
the following observation on focusing for achievement:
You don’t aim for the bull’s-eye.
You aim at the center of the bull’s-eye.
Maintaining a student’s focus during the spring
semester is often a challenge. There are so many activities
and special events taking place during the spring semester, it
is easy for students to get “off track”. As spring comes into
full bloom, activities such as youth sports, UIL competitions, social
events, and church functions all pull at the students’ schedules.
While these activities influence the development of well-rounded youth,
it is also important to keep academic achievement at or near the top
of the list.
Students who are able to set aside and maintain
a specific study time each evening during the spring semester
are often the most successful. You can help by assisting your
student in setting a time specifically for reading or preparing
for the next day.
We are aware of the time and effort you provide
to insure the success of your child. Your attitude toward
your child’s success in school paves the way for other, greater
accomplishments later in life. We appreciate your work!
Sincerely,
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
The person who knows “how” will always have a job.
The person who knows “why” will always be
his boss.
Diane Ravitch, Writer
December 4, 2006
Dear Parents,
Thanksgiving, what a concept! At this
time of year it serves us all well to stop and reflect on the
many blessings we have been given. Lesser-known names for
this truly American holiday are festival of plenty, harvest holiday,
and harvest festival. It is important to realize that these
descriptors of Thanksgiving connote the holiday as something much
larger than just a single day or event. Rather, Thanksgiving
is a season unto itself with no real boundaries. We hope your
Thanksgiving was a good one.
Our current district enrollment is:
|
This Year
|
Last Year
|
Difference +/- |
% +/-
|
Dripping Springs Elementary
School
|
901
|
914
|
|
|
Walnut Springs Elementary
School
|
811
|
643
|
|
|
Elementary Enrollment
Subtotal
|
1,712
|
1,557
|
155
|
10.0%
|
Dripping Springs Middle
School
|
880
|
869
|
11
|
1.3%
|
Dripping Springs High
School
|
1,171
|
1,127
|
44
|
3.9%
|
Dripping Springs ISD
Enrollment
|
3,763
|
3,553
|
210
|
5.9%
|
As of this writing the State Board of Education
is poised to approve expanding graduation requirements to include
a fourth year of laboratory science. This 4X4 curriculum (four
years of English, math, science and social studies) is expected
to be followed by the expansion of the state testing system to include
end-of-course examinations beyond the current exit-level Texas Assessment
of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). The rest of this letter is
intended to give an historical and future perspective of these issues.
Each time there has been a heightened expectation
related to the state testing program there has been an almost
immediate reaction by well-meaning parents, teachers, and others
to relieve the anxiety of children who might have difficulty with
“the test.” In the 1980’s and early 1990’s there was a push to move
these children into various special programs, since these program labels
often provided relief from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS).
This practice continued somewhat through the shift from the TAAS to the
TAKS until the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation.
The NCLB requirements hold public school districts
accountable for teaching grade level content to all students
except the most disabled one percent of the student population.
NCLB will eventually hold all students accountable for testing at
grade level, except the one percent previously mentioned. Since the
new law requires that all students be tested, there has been a migration
of students away from program designation toward program accommodations
of the testing process. This is not a bad thing, but merely a response
to the pressure being applied by NCLB.
The State Board’s revised graduation plan and
possible changes in testing follows the research, which tells
us that the best indicator of success in college is taking a fourth
year of math in high school. The addition of a fourth year of science
is a logical conclusion. That conclusion is based on “real world”
thinking. The “real world” does not care about labels or modifications.
The real world cares about results.
As we move forward into this new era of more
stringent graduation and testing requirements it is important
to keep our eye on the target: student achievement at high levels.
Whether the student goes to college or on to the world of work,
the best preparation for the real world is hard work and rigorous
instruction with high expectations for success. That is the plan,
and we intend to show real world results.
Sincerely,
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
November 15, 2006
Dear Parents,
As I daily walk the halls of our schools, I am continually
energized by the work I see going on in the classrooms. Student
work adorns bulletin boards and classrooms across the district.
Creative and memorable lessons are taught by caring, competent
teachers. Students are learning at high levels of achievement.
I often see teachers, staff, parents, and administrators working
together to develop and support programs to maximize the talents and
skills of all of our children in the system. Dripping Springs ISD
is a great place to work!
Our current district enrollment is:
This
Yr Last Yr Diff +/- %
+/-
| Dripping Springs Elementary School |
901 |
914 |
|
|
| Walnut Springs Elementary School |
811 |
643 |
|
|
| Elementary Enrollment Subtotal |
1712 |
1557 |
+155 |
+10.0% |
| Dripping Springs Middle School |
880 |
869 |
+11 |
+1.3% |
| Dripping Springs High School |
1171 |
1127 |
+44 |
+3.9% |
| Dripping Springs ISD Enrollment |
3763 |
3553 |
+210 |
+5.6% |
Based on the current student enrollment growth it is
important for us to plan well for future district facility
needs. Last Monday evening over 50 community and staff members
from across the district met for the first time as the Long Range
District Facility Planning Team. This district-wide group came together
for the purpose of visualizing the future of our school district
in terms of facility needs. We appreciate the commitment of our
community and staff to this exciting endeavor.
Each child has different needs and abilities. The
story goes that a sociologist decided to do research for a book. He intended
to prove the immense pain, burden, and cost of raising large
families on society. His research plan called for him to interview
mothers of large families. In preparation, he chose one woman, a
mother of thirteen, to try out his interview questions before the research
began. After recording data about their ages, gender, family
income, and the like, he asked, “Do you think all children deserve the
full, impartial love and attention of a mother?” “Of course,” the mother
replied. Hoping to catch her in a contradiction, the researcher continued,
“Well, which of your children do you love the most?” The woman answered,
“The one who is sick, until he gets well. The one who is away, until
he gets home.”
Bill Parcells, Coach of the Dallas Cowboys, says, “You
lose with potential. You win with performance.” Every day offers
an opportunity for our students to improve and perform. Magic
happens inside the two-by-four-by-six classroom: between a teacher
and a student (2) inside the four (4) walls of a classroom, during
the six (6) hours of the instructional day. How we perform in
that setting is what makes the difference between success and failure
for each child. Which of the students do we love the most?
It is the one who is behind, until he or she catches up; the one
who is lost, until he or she finds the way; and the one who does not
fit, until he or she finds a place. Our job is of a greater vision.
Our job is to teach all children, and help them all reach their
full potential performance.
We thank you for supporting our staff and programs as
we prepare every student in our school system for the challenges
of tomorrow. Working together, we can do great things for
kids!
Sincerely,
Mard A. Herrick, Ph.D., Superintendent
He was a bold man who first ate an oyster.
-- Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)
October 4, 2006
Dear Dripping Springs ISD Parents and Community,
The recent events of violence on school property in
other states have made it clear that schools and school personnel must be
vigilant in their security measures. As stated in a recent message
from Texas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Shirley Neely, “the similarities
between the incidents in Bailey, Colorado and Paradise, Pennsylvania demonstrate,
acts of violence such as these have the potential to induce others to commit
similar acts. We must never let our guard down when it comes to the safety
of our students and we must be particularly vigilant during the times surrounding
such incidents, when the potential for copycat acts is at
its highest.”
Dripping Springs ISD is committed to the
safety and security of every child in the District. With
that fundamental concern in mind, the District has put procedures
in place to protect our students and staff. Please understand,
for the safety of our children and employees we cannot elaborate
on various planned procedures. In fact, some of the security
measures will not be visible to most visitors to the campuses.
The District will continue to refine its security as new technologies
and best-practice safety procedures become available.
Should an emergency situation ever arise in our area
while school is in session, we want you to be aware that
the schools have made preparations to respond effectively to
such situations. Your student(s) will be cared for at the
school. The District has a detailed emergency operations
plan that has been formulated to respond to a variety of crisis
scenarios.
Once again, the safety of every Dripping
Springs ISD child and employee is our priority. We will
provide to you additional information regarding school safety
in future communications either by letter or through the District
website, http://www.dripping-springs.txed.net. We thank
you in advance for your support.
September 28, 2006
Like the Marines, we are also looking
for a few good men and women…
As I walk the halls of the schools, I am continually
reminded of the blessing of working in a community that
is so committed to its children. Our students come to school
each day prepared and ready for the day. That attitude begins
at home, and we welcome the opportunity to continue your good
work as we guide each child through their learning experience.
Thank you for sharing your children with us each day.
It is hard to believe we are already at
the end of the first grade reporting period for the elementary
and middle schools and two-thirds of the way through the first
six-week report period for the high school. As of this writing our
district enrollment is 3,727 students, compared to 3,551 students
for the same day last year, an approximate growth of 5 percent. We
expect the district to continue to grow through the year as the existing
housing developments continue to expand and new developments come
on line. This growth provides opportunities for involvement in a
variety of ways as the Dripping Springs school district and surrounding
community grow.
If you are new to the school district, please accept
our invitation to volunteer at any of the schools. This
is a good way to get to know the campuses, staff and other parents
in the district. Volunteers fill a variety of support roles:
listening to children read, participating in committees, decorating
bulletin boards, making photocopies, working in the classroom,
and mentoring. The PTA groups on each campus are always looking
for volunteers. To our returning parents, we thank you for your
continued support and hope you will look for new ways to become involved.
Please contact the school of your choice if you are interested in
volunteering.
The district and campuses often have a
need for volunteers to act as representatives on a number
of committees during the year. Some committees focus on campus
concerns while others take a broader focus for the district.
Some of the committees are of short duration (weeks or months)
while other committee positions may require several months to a
year of service. Whatever your interest, we can probably get you
connected to a campus or district committee.
Speaking of committees, later this fall we will convene
a committee to look at the long-range facility needs of
the district. This committee will review the good work of
the Secondary Schools Study Group and the most recent district
demographic study as the foundation to develop a vision for our
district facilities to span the next ten to twenty years.
We are looking for additional community members to join the returning
members of the Study Group to start this planning process. We
think that the larger the group, the better the outcome. If
you are interested in being a part of this visionary process, please
contact the district office at 858-4905 ext. 5.
If you have a specific skill or ability,
our Community Education program is looking for people to
teach classes or lead workshops to support parents and children
of all ages. This program offers compensation to those who teach
or share their skills. If you are interested in becoming involved
in this way, please contact the Community Education office at 858-4905
ext. 238.
Regardless of your interest, we invite
you to become actively involved in the Dripping Springs public
schools. Working together, we can do great things for kids!
August 18, 2006
Back to School we go...
We have had a really good start to the school year.
We want to thank you for sharing your children with us on
a daily basis. Students come to school prepared and
ready to learn, and a large part of that credit goes to you:
their first teachers. We hope that you understand and appreciate
the effort that our entire staff contributed to make the students
first week a good one. We think we have the best kids in Texas,
and we appreciate your efforts as parents.
We also want to thank all of the parents
who volunteered at the campuses and departments during
the first week of school. Your support was invaluable to
our teachers, students, and staff.
Please bear in mind that during the first
few weeks of school, the priority for bus drivers is getting
every child home safely, rather than being preoccupied with
meeting a time schedule. We know we had a few small bumps in the road
the first week with transportation, that was to be expected since
we are implementing a completely new bus system. Student transportation
is a system that we will always be refining for improved services
to our students and parents. We thank our bus drivers and the people
in the Transportation and Business Departments for literally going
the extra mile to ensure that each child arrived home safely. By the
way, if you would be interested in driving a bus, please contact the
Human Resources Department at (858-4905 ext. 2). It pays $13.46 an
hour. We are always looking for drivers!
GOOD NEWS: I am proud to say
that the State Accountability and Federal Average Yearly
Progress ratings have been published, and the Dripping Springs
ISD ratings are as follows:
Dripping Springs Primary
(Dripping Springs Elementary)
Exemplary, Meets AYP
Dripping Springs Intermediate (Walnut
Springs Elementary)
Recognized, Meets AYP
Dripping Springs Middle School
Recognized, Meets AYP
Dripping Springs High School
Recognized, Meets
AYP
Dripping Springs ISD
Recognized,
Meets AYP
There are many changes going on this year: a new, two-tiered
bus transportation system, the reconfiguration of the elementary
schools, new staff, as well as a sizeable increase in student
enrollment. As of Friday, August 18th, the district enrollment
is 209 students over the same day last year. Because of
this growth, we can all team together to make sure that our students
get the best education through our best efforts with our best
attitude. You, as parents, can help by being involved and
keeping us informed. We always need volunteers on each of the
campuses and departments. If you do not have time to volunteer
during the school day, please join one or more of the campus' PTA
organizations or one of the district-wide committees.
Later this fall we will convene a committee
to look at the long-range facility needs of the district.
This committee will review the work of the Secondary Schools
Study Group and the district demographic study as the foundation
to developing a vision for our district facilities to span the next
ten to twenty years. We certainly invite the members of the
Study Group to join this committee; however, we are also looking
for additional community members to join this endeavor. We think that
the larger the group, the better the outcome. If you are interested
in being a part of this visioning process, please contact the District
office at 858-4905 ext. 5.
Once again, thank you for your part
in the great start to this new school year. Working
together, we can do great things for kids!
April 17, 2006
DSISD Board Selects “Lone Finalist”
for Superintendent Position
The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees has named
Dr. Mard Herrick, who is currently Superintendent of
the Southside ISD in San Antonio, as its Lone Finalist for
the Superintendent’s position of the school district.
Herrick was selected from a pool of more than 80 applicants for
the position according to the search firm, University Associates,
the consultants who assisted the Board with the search for a replacement
for Mary Ward.
Herrick is a veteran educator
with 29 years experience. He has served the last
five years as Superintendent of the Southside ISD, which
is a fast-growing, socio-economically diverse school district.
Herrick also served as Superintendent of the Palestine ISD
in East Texas. Herrick has had broad experiences in public
schools. In addition to his superintendent’s background he has
also been an Assistant Superintendent and Elementary Principal
in the Georgetown ISD and an Assistant Superintendent and Elementary
Principal in the Lake Worth ISD. He began his career as an elementary
teacher in the Everman ISD.
Herrick holds a PhD from the University
of Texas in Educational Administration,
a Master of Education from Tarleton
State University and a B.S. in Education from Southwest
Texas State University. Dr. Herrick is married to Janie,
his wife of 32 years, who is a reading specialist.
They have two children, Seth and Erin. He is expected to
be formally named superintendent of the school district at the
expiration of the 21 day waiting period required by Texas law and
will replace Mary Ward on July 1, 2006.
Sup's On