Staff & Reader Submitted

UP Police Blotter: Family Violence, A Party With Underage Drinking, and Stolen Scooters

Angela Washeck — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:27:22 -0500

University Park, TX

MAY 14

A 48-year-old resident told police that an unknown suspect stole her daughter's scooter between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 13 in the 3500 block of Granada Avenue.

A 52-year-old resident reported that an unknown suspect(s) took $10,000 worth of copper wire and tubing from a construction site between May 2 and May 14 in the 4300 block of Purdue Street.

A 53-year-old resident told police that approximately $10,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from her master bedroom between May 1 and May 13 in the 3600 block of Haynie Avenue.

A 21-year-old resident reported that an unknown suspect walked into a business and took her property, including $100 cash and debit cards, at 5:36 p.m. on May 14 in the 6400 block of Hillcrest Avenue.

MAY 15

A 66-year-old resident told police that an unknown suspect removed the front plastic end of his Toyota Prius and the steering wheel airbag, a $400 value, between 7 p.m. on May 14 and 9 a.m. on May 15 in the 4100 block of Stanford Avenue.

A 47-year-old resident reported that a suspect hit him in the face several times and bit his arm between 6 and 6:10 p.m. on May 15 in the 3300 block of Amherst Street.

MAY 16

A 63-year-old resident told police that a suspect stole her Home Depot credit card and opened a Capital One business card using the victim's information, then made approximately $7,500 of charges, between August 1 and and December 8, 2012 in the 2900 block of Dyer Street.

MAY 17

An 18-year-old Dallas resident reported that an unknown suspect took an iPhone 4s without the victim's consent after using it to make a call between 6 and 6:06 a.m. on May 17 in the 6400 block of N. Central Expressway.

A 30-year-old resident told police that an unknown suspect made forced entry to a construction site building and stole copper pipes and painter's equipment valued at approximately $3,000 between 6 p.m. on May 16 and 8 a.m. on May 17 in the 3300 block of Colgate Avenue.

A 47-year-old Dallas resident reported that an unknown suspect stole three metal-clad doors from the back side of a construction building site between 5 p.m. on May 16 and 7 a.m. on May 17 in the 3400 block of Villanova Drive.

A 46-year-old resident told police that a noisy party was going on, and a minor was arrested for having a fake I.D. and consuming alcohol between 8:40 and 8:44 p.m. on May 17 in the 3500 block of Rosedale Avenue.

A 33-year-old resident reported that a suspect threatened to stab her with a knife at 9:22 p.m. on May 17 in the 3400 block of Amherst Street.

MAY 19

Suspects were observed taking a scooter from a front porch and throwing it away at an unknown address on Purdue, then marijuana was discovered on the suspects at 8:33 a.m. on May 19 at the intersection of Purdue Street and Airline Road.

A 52-year-old resident told police that an unknown suspect caused damage to her vehicle's side mirror between 11:30 p.m. on May 18 and 10:30 a.m. on May 19 in the 3700 block of Stanford Avenue.

A 56-year-old resident reported that an unknown vehicle struck his vehicle and failed to leave identification between 4 p.m. on May 18 and 10:30 a.m. on May 19 in the 2900 block of Rosedale Avenue.

MAY 20

A 54-year-old Garland resident told police that an unknown vehicle struck her vehicle between 4 and 5:30 p.m. on May 20 in the 3500 block of Caruth Boulevard.

HPMS 8th Graders Reflect On Middle School, Look Ahead to High School

Julie Winn — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:00 -0500

As the 2012-2013 school year comes to a close, eighth graders at Highland Park Middle School are looking forward to starting their high school careers. But before they do, those eighth graders get the opportunity to look back on their time at HPMS with different activites throughout the last few weeks of school. Special assemblies, breakfasts, Spirit Day, yearbook signing and eighth grade Award Night give opportunities for students to remember and celebrate their middle school years. Congratulations to all the eighth graders, and good luck next year!

HP Police Blotter: Resident Loses Jewelry, Cash After Having Maintenance Workers Inside Home

Angela Washeck — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:42:39 -0500

Highland Park, TX

MAY 14

Police responded to a call that a HP street sign that had been knocked down by an unknown vehicle at 11 a.m. on May 14 at the intersection of Armstrong Parkway and Belfort Place.

MAY 15

A 43-year-old resident told police that an unknown suspect pried open a window in her home and burglarized the home, stealing diamond jewelry and $2,000 cash between 2 and 3:30 p.m. on May 15 in the 4500 block of Bordeaux Avenue. The resident said she had maintenance workers in the residence shortly before the incident.

MAY 17

A 23-year-old resident reported that an unknown suspect stole her iPhone 4 from the hostess station at Bistro 31 between 9:45 and 10 p.m. on May 17 at 87 HPSV.

Hyer 4th Grade Class Parades to Pool Party

cynthiabowen — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:26:46 -0500

The fun started when school let out on Wednesday, May 22! The entire fourth grade class from Hyer Elementary school caravanned to the Holmes Aquatic Center for the Fourth Grade Pool Party. Hyer parents' cars were decorated in signature McCulloch Intermediate School Raider red and yellow.

HPMS/MIS PTA Hosts Cookies in the Courtyard Celebration

Julie Winn — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:15:19 -0500

One of the many ways families are able to support Highland Park Middle School and McCullough Intermediate School is through the PTA-sponsored Buy-A-Brick fundraiser. The overwhelming support of the program this year warranted a celebration. In an effort to thank the families that purchased bricks this year, the HPMS/MIS PTA hosted "Cookies in the Courtyard" on May 16. Students that had been honored with a brick were invited to grab some refreshments while checking out their new brick.

Bricks purchased during online registration can be personalized and are then used as pavers throughout the campus. The tradition is a fun way to honor a student and their time spent at the middle school campus as well as help give back to the schools. Funds raised from the Buy-A-Brick program go toward technology needs, professional development and instructional materials for HPMS and MIS.

Hyer 2nd Graders Celebrate End of Year

cynthiabowen — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:45:06 -0500

Hyer Elementary second graders celebrated the end of the school year with a class party on Wednesday, May 22.

The last day of school for HPISD elementary students is May 31.

UP Council Postpones Vote on Park Usage Fees, Regulations

Angela Washeck — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:02:27 -0500

On the heels of two public meetings addressing proposed park and tennis court usage fees, the University Park City Council declined to make a decision Tuesday, deciding there is more work to be done.

Several residents and tennis/fitness instructors showed up to the hearing on May 7 to protest the initially proposed fees of $1,000, but in a special May 14 council meeting, members suggested major changes to the fee ordinance.

At the regular meeting yesterday, council was slated to consider and act on amendments that would require all tennis and boot camp instructors to register with the City and pay annual fees in exchange for their usage of public property for private gain. Additionally, the Park department had recommended cutting single reservation times for residents from two hours to 1.5 hours, limiting professionals to three hour sessions at UP facilities, prohibiting pros from making any park reservations and eliminating the family tennis permit option.

Mayor Dick Davis opened the floor for comments from UP residents Tuesday.

Nicole Richter, a UP mother who drafted a petition called “Keep Our Parks Awesome” with more than 500 resident signatures, said she had emailed City staff after the May 7 meeting requesting to be involved in further discussions about the parks fees but was not aware of the special meeting held last week.

“I’m not sure how the public was made aware of the discussions. I know there are a lot of people who wanted the opportunity to come speak tonight,” Richter said.

City Manager Bob Livingston said that municipalities are required by law to post council agendas and meeting notices online.

“The information is all available on the website, and you can look anytime. Part of the responsibility of a democracy is for people to inform themselves, also,” Livingston said.

Richter said she is involved in a boot camp with six other UP residents, and their instructor would not be able to pay the $500 annual fee council has all but voted on, due to the small class size.

“500 [dollars] seems completely out of reach,” she said, referring specifically to trainers who teach to more intimate groups.

Some corporate entities like Camp Gladiator, however, have taken advantage of park space in the past, teaching classes of up to 40 paying participants without any overhead costs, Park Director Gerry Bradley said.

Another resident, Randy James, told the council that he uses UP courts both for leisure and to train with a tennis professional. James said if council were to enact the three-hour daily maximum on tennis instructors, they would eliminate chances for residents to play tennis with their favorite coach.

“[The three hour limit] seems like a real imposition on my ability to get an opportunity to hit with that professional,” he said.

Councilmembers including Dawn Moore and Bob Begert stressed that they were working toward a balance between providing ample opportunity for private instructors to conduct business and ensuring residents their rights to public UP facilities.

Bradley said his department and the City needed to communicate to sports and fitness instructors that there should be a limit to using public property.

“If you’re gonna use a piece of public property [for personal gain], you’re gonna have to pay for it,” he said.

Councilman Tommy Stewart suggested that council hold off on any decision-making until the June 4 meeting and take time to reconsider the park usage amendments and fees. Councilman Bob Begert seconded the motion.

“We heard several good things even today from email on some changes that could be very useful and helpful for us in determining the course we need to take,” Stewart said.

The tennis court and park fee amendments will be on the June 4 agenda. The public is invited to attend. For a more comprehensive explanation of the park ordinance being considered, you can read last week's story.

Providence Class Four Students Celebrate Patriot Week

juliette — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:34:01 -0500

Providence Christian School of Texas Class Four students recently celebrated Patriot Week, which culminated with Patriot Day on May 10. During the week, each student presented a report on an American hero. Special speakers, many of whom are modern day patriots, addressed the students.

On Friday, May 10, students came dressed in character to participate in different periods of American history. The day started with chapel, where Alison Balch, daughter of Michael J. Smith, spoke about her father as a modern day patriot. The pilot of NASA’s Space Shuttle Challenger, Smith died tragically when the spacecraft exploded in 1986. She talked about the lessons she learned from her father and her eventual conversion to Christianity.

In the Modern Day Patriot room, FBI Agent Andre Bires, father of two former Providence students, spoke about investigations. Special FBI SWAT Agent Don McPherson then let some of the students try on his gear, such as a bullet-proof vest, helmet with night scope, and gas mask.

In the Civil War Room, Providence Headmaster Dr. Tony Jeffrey, dressed as President Abraham Lincoln, read the Gettysburg Address. Harriet Tubman greeted the students and told of the underground railroad she used to smuggle slaves to freedom. Providence fathers, Dudley Simms, as a Confederate soldier and George Hanson, as a Union soldier, showed students that only the most necessary items were carried by a typical soldier including "hardtack" dry biscuits, a tin cup, utensils, and a pocket Bible. The Civil War—the first modern war utilizing war tactics, the draft, railroads and the telegraph—was the country's most gruesome war, with one in every four men dying from 1861 to 1865.

In the World War II room, students experienced an air raid siren as a speaker said on a bullhorn, “This is an air raid. We are your school defense aids. Line up, sit down, and be quiet.” These raids were typical during the war. Providence mothers Catherine Russell and Angela Kackley discussed events leading up to World War II. The students viewed a movie clip from Pearl Harbor and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s speech after Pearl Harbor. Karen Stone narrated as Robert McFarlane and student volunteers acted out medics and soldiers on the battlefield, giving some facts about medics and WWII medicine. Catherine and Angela explained the Normandy invasion and conclusion of the war. One lighter moment was when Providence librarian Sue Netherland and her husband, J.R. Netherland, demonstrated the jitterbug to the students.

In the American Inventions room, Albert Einstein greeted the students and told about several of his inventions. Students then deciphered Morse code, had a bubble gum blowing contest, and reviewed inventions of the last century.

During lunch, “Bing Crosby” and the “Andrew Sisters” serenaded the students and their families. After that, students competed by class in Patriot Games, including the military crawl, mine area, hand grenade toss, parachute jump, velocity run, fatigue relay, and sprint to the finish.

Campers Soar Into Summer Fun at Frontiers of Flight Museum's "Flight School"

news4U — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:25:03 -0500

Young aviation buffs (pre-K to eighth grade) can learn about the wonders of air and space travel this summer at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue near Dallas Love Field. Campers attend the museum's “Flight School” and participate in a variety of activities, like designing a spaceship, working with aerial navigation charts, building model airplanes, and launching model rockets, among a variety of other fun-filled camps. Each activity is age-appropriate with an emphasis on the physics and/or history of flying and exploration. Day camps start at $45 and four-day camps are $175 and up. For a complete camp schedule, click here.

The museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in the North Texas community that attracts over 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students. Housed in a modern 100,000-square-foot facility, the Frontiers of Flight Museum provides a focal point to explore the history and progress of aviation, as mankind continues to pursue going higher, faster and farther. The museum’s "Flight School" offers educational and recreational classes for all ages throughout the summer, designed to excite the imagination in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through spacecraft design, aerodynamics, model-building, space survival, and other disciplines.

FRIDAY FLIGHTS (Ages 4 and 5)

Children explore “Space,” meet a “Famous Flyer,” take a “Trip to the Airport” and end with “Let’s Take a Flight.”

FRIDAY LAUNCH (Ages 6 and 7)

Students learn the basics of flight with “Kites,” “Balloons,” “Butterflies,” and “Birds.”

AVIATOR’S WORKSHOP (Grades 3 through 6)

Students discover basic principles of flight with unique paper airplanes and a Flight Controls Trainer, work with aerial navigation charts, learn the International Phonetic Alphabet, visit aviation facilities at Dallas Love Field, and build and fly their own powered model airplane.

ROCKET SCIENCE (Grades (3 through 6)

From the early Chinese rockets to America’s missions to Mars, students explore the history of space flight, the Solar System, the mathematics of rocketry, and spacecraft engineering. They also design a space ship and build and launch a model rocket.

AERO LAB (Grades 7 and 8)

In a fun and challenging four-day experience, students gain a basic knowledge of flying weather, study aerial charts, and complete an aerial navigation exercise. They also conduct experiments on our new wind tunnel and go on a behind-the-scenes tour of D/FW International Airport.

ROCKET LAB (Grades 7 and 8)

Students construct their own advanced model rocket and participate in a space survival exercise. They also work in teams to plan a Martian space mission and build a multi-stage rocket. On a field trip to a local university, they launch their rockets and tour the campus’s science labs.

ADVANCED AERO (Grades 9 and 10)

Students focus on engineering projects. They will explore engineering principles while designing and building their own structures and applying their knowledge to aircraft design, load-bearing structures, and aircraft accident investigation.

Summer Fun: Dog Parks Are For People, Too

Shelia Huffman — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:15:00 -0500

Anyone holding a “K-9” wins hands down, at least at one table in a certain Dallas park.

This particular group of fella dog owners seems to be enjoying a friendly game of Texas Hold ’em while their dogs run about, sniffing one another and doing what dogs do at Central Community Dog Park.

The park, voted one of the best in Dallas, is owned and maintained by Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but it is open to the public.

What makes this park so special? Aside from the statue of St. Francis of Assisi standing to remind us to love and protect our animals—shade, lots of shade! Mature Live Oaks provide a canopy of shelter from the hot Texas sun. But as the saying goes, “God helps those who help themselves,” so big electric fans and a cool water mister are provided during the dog days of summer.

In addition to shade, the park has plenty of seating so you can relax with a book or visit with other “dog people.” The park seems to attract an especially friendly crowd. Responsible, too, with patrons picking up after their dogs, resulting in a clean park.

There is also a separate fenced area for small dogs (30 lbs. and under), a bathing station so you can take home a clean dog and a fenced foyer for unleashing and leashing your dog when entering and leaving the park.

The park is located at 4711 Westside Drive, just behind the church, and ample parking is available. Central Dog Park is open from sunrise to sunset.

How about a game of water frisbee? Now you’re barkin’.

The White Rock Lake Dog Park located at Mockingbird Point, just off Mockingbird Lane, is a dog park with a big swimming hole. A fenced area takes you right down to White Rock Lake. The dogs taking a dip seemed to love it.

The park itself is huge. A brick path memorializing cherished pets leads to the fenced dog areas; one for large dogs, one for small dogs and a third one to the lake.

It also has plenty of shade trees, and it is equipped with picnic tables—so pack a lunch and bring a date.

White Rock Dog Park also has the distinction of being the first off-leash, city-owned dog park in Dallas.

Pet Outreach hosts a dog adoption at the park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month.

The park is open between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily except Monday when it is closed for maintenance. A large parking lot provides plenty of accessible parking.

What’s new in Dallas? Klyde Warren Park! Known as the "heart of the city,” the 5.2-acre park is an urban green space built over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, and it features a special area, My Best Friend’s Park, for the truly “urban canine."

The fenced park lets your dog play off-leash in the midst of downtown Dallas. He or she can even cool off by romping through a water fountain in the park. My Best Friend’s Park is a city dog’s dream come true.

Starting in June, obedience training classes will be offered on Saturday afternoons. This is a great opportunity to learn how to be a “good dog” owner.

Another bonus at Klyde Warren? The Dallas Gourmet food trucks line the curbs bumper to bumper on weekends, giving people a variety of chop lickin’ treats for lunch or snack. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

So forget that old saying “dogs are people, too.” It’s not all about them. You should have some fun—and you can, at one of the Dallas dog parks.

"To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace." - Milan Kundera

Photos: Hyer First Grade Class Celebrates End of School Year Party

cynthiabowen — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:20:00 -0500

Hyer Elementary School first grade students celebrated the end of the school year with a class party on Monday, May 20.

Jersey Mike's Raises $100,000 For Wipe Out Kids' Cancer

Susan Zacheis — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:19:08 -0500

Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout the DFW area made a big impact in the fight against childhood cancer recently by raising $100,000 for local nonprofit, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), during a Month of Giving fundraising campaign. Dalton Stewart, North Texas Area Director for Jersey Mike’s, and several franchise owners and employees presented Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer with the $100,000 donation on Monday, May 13. Evelyn Costolo, WOKC CEO, accepted the check on behalf of the organization.

"Each day, 46 children in America receive the devastating news that they have cancer. One in every five will not survive this diagnosis. Thanks to the incredible support of donors like Jersey Mike’s, we are making a difference in the fight for better treatments and the search for a cure,” said Costolo.

DFW residents across the metroplex from Dallas, Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Coppell, Flower Mound, Southlake, Denton, Wautauga, Hurst and Fort Worth showed incredible support by eating thousands of Jersey Mike’s subs at all 20 locations during the Month of Giving.

Cancer is the No. 1 cause of death by disease in American children, and their only hope of a cure is through more research. The Month of Giving campaign has raised a total of $325,000 over the last four years for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, which has been used to fund research trials investigating new treatment options for four types of childhood cancers: medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma.

Tornado Relief Drive at Lakehill Preparatory School

Gigi Ekstrom — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:29:22 -0500

Lakehill Preparatory School is accepting donations immediately to aid the victims of the recent deadly tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas.

Donations will be accepted on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Lakehill's Main Campus at 2720 Hillside Drive in Dallas.

Items that will be accepted are diapers, canned goods, nonperishable food, bottled water, sports drinks, sunscreen, and work gloves.

Cash donations are especially appreciated. Checks may be made out to Lakehill Preparatory School with "Tornado Relief Fund" in the memo line.

Contact: Gigi Ekstrom
214-826-2931, ext. 213

gekstrom@lakehillprep.org

Indy Racing Star Plays Tennis Match Against HP State Champions, Finalists

Anne Hines — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:00 -0500

While in town on Monday, May 20 for a special promotion for the Texas Motor Speedway Indy Car Race on Saturday, June 8, Indy Racing Star Marco Andretti, grandson of Mario Andretti, played a tennis match against many of the Scots State Tennis Champions and Finalists.

Marco teamed up with State Girls Champion Elizabeth Porter and challenged Hunter Holman, Connor LaFavre, John Daseke, David Parke, Nan Porter, Chandler Carter, Sarah Cannon, Avery Schober, Elizabeth Burgos and Maddie Gordon in a round robin format that was fun for all.

Marco also treated everyone to pizza he made at Campisi’s earlier in the day. Marco will be racing this weekend at the Indianapolis 500 and is starting on the front. The Scots wished Marco good luck.

Hyer Celebrates School Year's End With Field Day Fun

cynthiabowen — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:38:24 -0500

Students at Hyer Elementary School celebrated the end of a great year with Field Day on Friday, May 17. There were fun games, and fun times with families, friends and faculty!

What if Your Child Struggled on STAAR?

Jeffrey Graham — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:30:00 -0500

One Proven Way to Improve STAAR Scores

The National Science Foundation recently funded an independent study conducted here in Texas measuring improvements in STAAR test scores. The study compared two cognitive training programs against independent study hall time over the course of fifteen weeks. The results show that students who trained with a LearningRx trainer significantly outperformed students in other training conditions. Schedule an assessment at a LearningRx center today to see how LearningRx can improve students' STAAR results.

What is LearningRx?

LearningRx is a one-on-one cognitive skills training program. Students spend a number of hours with a certified trainer working on activities designed to target certain cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and comprehension. Training is performed under controlled conditions at a LearningRx center.

How does LearningRx Boost STAAR test results?

LearningRx training addresses how the brain learns, making it possible for students to perform better academically. Researchers took fifty-seven Texas students and randomly divided them into three training conditions: one-on-one LearningRx training, BrainSkills computer training, and independent study hall. All 57 students were tested before and after fifteen weeks of training, and their STAAR scores were compared.

Students who participated in LearningRx training with a certified trainer significantly outperformed the study hall students and the students who used a computer program on the Language Arts portion of the STAAR test. “Significantly outperformed” means that statistically there is little chance this happened accidentally: LearningRx students scored enough better to demonstrate that their training made a very real difference in their cognitive abilities and ability to use those skills in new circumstances.

LearningRx Improves Cognitive Skills

Researchers also measured all fifty-seven students on eleven cognitive skills. LearningRx students outperformed study hall students on nine out of the eleven skills tested, especially on tasks associated with working memory and phonemic analysis. Working memory is our brains' ability to temporarily store and keep track of the information required to carry out more complicated tasks---for example, to remember a teacher's spoken instructions while taking a test. Phonemic analysis refers to a series of cognitive skills which all related to the brain's ability to make sense out of sounds---a key part of reading.

Additionally, LearningRx students significantly outperformed study hall students in visual memory, short- and long-term memory, and matrix reasoning.

One-on-one LearningRx Training Versus Computer-Based Training

BrainSkills, the computer-based training program used in this study, also improved students' cognitive skills on four out of the eleven tests, compared to study hall students. However, BrainSkills students did not show any improvement in their STAAR test scores.

This means that students trained by a certified trainer (LearningRx training) showed more improvement across the board than students trained on a computer (BrainSkills)---that is, computer training is better than nothing, but not nearly as effective as one-on-one LearningRx training. And computer training has no effect on STAAR test scores or general academic performance, but LearningRx does.

Contact LearningRx to Boost STAAR Scores

If you know students who could improve their STAAR test results, the first step is to schedule an assessment at a LearningRx training center near you. After assessing your student's learning situation, certified professionals will discuss the options available to address the specific needs of your student.

-----

Preston Royal LearningRx Brain Training Center
5924 Royal Lane, Suite 251
Dallas, TX 75230

(972) 267-8900

UP 3rd Graders Victorious at Park Cities YMCA Track Meet

lllandsberg943 — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:20:00 -0500

The third grade University Park Elementary boys and girls track teams came away as first place winners at the Park Cities YMCA Track Meet held on Saturday, May 11 at the SMU track. The third grade boys relay team broke a record set in 2003 with a time of 1:00.06. The third grade girls relay teams came in first place as well.

UP won medals in the 400-, 200-, 100-, and 50-meter races. They also placed in all field events, including the high jump, long jump, and softball throw.

HPISD Prepares For Inclement Weather Tuesday

Angela Washeck — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:57:14 -0500

Update at 2:45 p.m.:

The district emailed a severe weather update to HPISD parents. See the full message below:

Dear HPISD Parents,

Due to the threat of severe weather this afternoon, all outdoor after-school activities have been canceled. In addition,

The Blue/Gold spring football games have been rescheduled for tomorrow, beginning at 4 p.m.
The Hyer third-grade end of year party has been canceled.

Academy for Lifelong Learning after-school care will be held as scheduled.

The HPISD Board of Trustees regular meeting will be held as scheduled.

We will continue to monitor the weather situation, and we will keep you updated.

Original story:

As a line of potentially severe storms moved toward Dallas Tuesday afternoon and Dallas County was placed under a tornado watch, Highland Park ISD officials remained alert and ready to implement the district's severe weather safety plan.

HPISD emailed a note Tuesday morning detailing its course of action, should the watch be elevated to a tornado warning. The message notified parents that each campus has weather radios and two-way radios on site for quick communication with safety experts.

If the threat for tornadoes becomes imminent, students and staff are instructed to "shelter in place in an interior area of a lower floor away from windows and doors," HPISD Director of Communications Helen Williams said.

"Areas under wide-span roofs such as gymnasiums and cafeterias are to be avoided," she said.

District campuses are required by the Texas School Safety Center to conduct safety drills throughout the school year, and HPISD practices two severe weather drills plus two "shelter in place" drills between August and June of each year, in addition to walking through lockdown procedures and fire drills.

In light of the devastating tornado hitting elementary schools in the Oklahoma City metro area and nearby Moore, Oklahoma yesterday, Williams said the district has sought additional guidance.

"We have checked in with UP Fire Chief Randy Howell to review our emergency plans in the case that we are hit by a tornado and any of our campuses or other facilities are damaged," she said.

The City of University Park's website also posted severe weather safety information, including how to sign up for Code Red Weather Warnings from the National Weather Service. There are six pole-mounted sirens throughout University Park to alert residents of approaching bad weather, the City reports.

As of 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, six North Texas school districts had cancelled afternoon classes, including Maypearl ISD and Cleburne ISD, who released students at 9:45 a.m. Nearly 600 homes were damaged in Cleburne just last Wednesday evening when three EF-3 tornadoes ripped through the city, southwest of Fort Worth. The Episcopal School of Dallas, Bishop Dunne High School, and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church were among the private schools and churches that closed their doors Tuesday afternoon.

According to WFAA, Dallas-area residents should prepare for strong to severe storms with large hail, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes for the remainder of the day Tuesday. North Texas is under a tornado watch until 7 p.m.

For tornado safety tips from the Texas Dept. of Safety, click here.

Local Student-Founded Social Tutoring Company Gears Up For Service As Summer Approaches

Jaison Thomas — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:00 -0500

In the few months that socially oriented tutoring company Apollo Tutors has been active, the company has seen activity from a broad range of clients with various service needs. Ranging from SAT/ACT prep to kindergarten foreign language development, the directors of Apollo Tutors appear to be ready to handle any educational needs of the Park Cities community.

As the school year winds down and summer plans are quickly becoming finalized, parents are increasingly turning to tutoring services to prepare their children for college entrance examinations and the upcoming school year. According to Highland Park HS alumnus Shameel Thawerbhoy, “many students and parents approach Apollo Tutors with long term goals on education preparation, and we work individually with each family to identify the needs and direction of the student.” Thawerbhoy and his team of highly qualified college prep tutors have developed stringent curriculums surrounding K-12 courses as well as SAT/PSAT and ACT examinations.

However, Apollo Tutors is not the typical tutoring firm in the Dallas area. The business model Apollo Tutors follows is simple: for every hour a client is tutored, Apollo Tutors will tutor an at-risk child for free. Currently, the model has allowed for more than 50 hours of afterschool tutoring to be provided to members of East Dallas neighborhoods. Apollo Tutors is particularly partnered with Dallas Community Lighthouse, an organization that serves children from grades K-8.

Tutors for Apollo Tutors are scholars attending universities and graduate programs from across the nation. These tutors are carefully selected based on academic excellence and willingness to provide community tutoring. Apollo Tutors was founded on the heels of academic success: all four founding partners are scholars with backgrounds in investment banking and consulting.

More information about Apollo Tutors can be found on the company’s webpage or via email at info@apollotutors.org. As a young company with a bright vision and future, Apollo Tutors is looking to members of the Park Cities community to further its mission and help students in the community succeed.

Highland Park Library's “Dig Into Reading” Summer Program Begins June 7

HPLChildren — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 -0500

Highland Park Library’s 2013 “Dig Into Reading” summer reading program will begin with a concert and ice cream sundae fest on Friday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. in Prather Park. After registering and picking up their reading log, children and their families will rock out to the upbeat tunes of Parents Choice Award winner Lizza Connor, then cool down with make-your-own ice cream sundaes.

In addition to the kickoff concert on June 7, the Library will present yo-yo expert Valerie Oliver on June 28 and ventriloquist Nancy Burks Worcester on July 12, then close with a garden-themed celebration on August 2. Those unable to attend the kickoff may register throughout the summer at the Library at 4700 Drexel Drive. For more information on these programs or our ongoing weekly storytimes, click on the Calendar tab at the library's website or call 214.559.9400.

Each year Highland Park Library participates in the Texas Summer Reading club, offering fun programs and stimulating children to maintain and grow their reading skills over the summer. With this year’s “Dig Into Reading” theme, we will plant the seeds of a love of books and prepare children to harvest a lifetime of reading enjoyment.