Pictured:  Sara Scott, Jenna Chapman, Madison Robbins and Officer Bennett

Tarkington Fifth Graders Are Smart About Drug Abuse Resistance Education

For over 20 years, D.A.R.E. programs have taught America's youth about what drugs can do to a life.  The program focuses on the devastating effects of drug use and encourages students to lead drug-free and violence-free lives. D.A.R.E is being implemented in 75% of the nation’s school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.  It is very important that the lines of communication between law enforcement, educators, and students, are open and effective.  The goal of programs like D.A.R.E. is to encourage children to make healthy choices that lead to a better future.

At Tarkington Intermediate, Officer Ronnie Bennett leads a series of classroom lessons teaching our 5^th graders to resist peer pressure and live productive drug-free lives.  Students are required to write an essay discussing what they have learned in the program and how it will help them in the future.  At the D.A.R.E. assembly, three students, Sara Scott, Jenna Chapman and Madison Robbins, read their winning essays for the entire fifth grade and the parents attending.

Top Music Makers in the

Thundering Horns Band 

Members of the Tarkington Thundering Horns Band brought home honors this fall. Students making the All Region Band and those who advanced to Area Band included:

David Falterman – French Horn – 1st Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Samantha Hankins – Mallet Percussion - 2nd Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Luke Hankins – Trumpet – 3rd Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Daniel Bruce – Trombone – 4th Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Marci Willis – Clarinet – 5th Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Justin Hellyer – French Horn – 5th Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Adam Willis – Trumpet – 6th Chair All Region Band - Advanced to Area Band

Hunter Haynes – Tuba – 7th Chair All Region Band

Monica Dooley – Flute – 7th Chair All Region Band

Natalie Mattila – Clarinet – 12th Chair All Region Band

State Law Changes School Board Election Rules

In their last session, the Texas Legislature amended the Texas Education Code to require school districts to conduct joint elections with a city or county in even numbered years.  Therefore, Tarkington ISD will hold school board elections with the Liberty County general election during November of even numbered years.

On the advice of the school attorney, the Board voted to extend Positions Four and Five to November of 2008, the first available election under the new law.  The Board also voted to extend Positions Six and Seven to November of 2008, again, the first available election under the new law.  Positions One, Two and Three will be extended until November of 2010, the second available election date under the new law.  All future terms will be four years in length.

Although these changes were not the idea or desire of the Board of Trustees, the Board, with the advice of counsel and the Tarkington Administration, did its best to implement the new legislation in a fair and equitable manner.

If you have questions about the new Board terms or the process, please call Supt. John Kirchner at 281-592-8781.

2007 Board Members
Standing:  Charlie Rice, DeWitt Jackson, Philip Cameron, David Tackett
Seated:  Tommy Dunn and Glen Croft

 4 X 4: The New High School Graduation Plan

The recent changes in the High School graduation program will affect this year’s freshman class, as well as those following classes.  Students who are on the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program must earn 26 credits to graduate instead of the 24 currently required.  The plan is called the 4 x 4 because students must earn 4 credits each in the Core subjects:  Math, Science, Social Studies, and English/Language Arts.

Students must pass their classes as well as four sections of the exit level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in order to receive a diploma and graduate from a Texas public high school.

From the Superintendent’s Desk

John Kirchner

Two years ago, new Tarkington I.S.D. board member, Charlie Rice, presented an idea.  The Board of Trustees liked the idea, and so a committee was established to begin planning.  That idea had a simple, but lofty goal: to provide financial support each year to Tarkington graduates who pursue post high school education, whether vocational or academic.  Other districts in the state have such foundations, therefore, the committee had models to consider, which they did. 

At the December meeting of the Tarkington Board of Trustees, J. Rice presented the proposal of the committee, the by-laws were approved, and a Board of Directors was appointed.  The Tarkington Student Foundation, Inc. has become a recognized non-profit organization, which will now attack this goal of financial support to TISD graduates. 

The Board of Directors consists of nine individuals appointed by the TISD Board of Trustees.  Before March of this year, the new Board will develop long-term goals and objectives.  These goals will address fund-raising, grant distribution, and public communication.  We are extremely excited about the potential effect the foundation will have on our kids.

 In the past few years a renewed focus has been placed on “the final product” -- our graduates.  We asked the questions: Are we preparing our kids for success in the world in which they will live?   Are we preparing them for college, or will they leave TISD with vocational training that will be useful?  The Foundation will be another positive addition to the big picture which will allow us to answer these questions in the affirmative: Yes, we are preparing our kids for their future!

 Keep an eye out for news releases and a link on our web site for more information on the Tarkington Student Foundation.

http://www.tarkingtonstudentfoundation.org