Teachers Who Earned Advanced Degrees Recognized

Twelve Los Fresnos CISD teachers who earned advanced degrees were recognized by the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting Monday evening.

Eleven teachers recently earned master’s degrees and another received a doctorate degree. They were:

Cynthia Rubio, Las Yescas Elementary, M.Ed., Special Education, UT-Brownsville.
Amy Atkinson, Laureles Elementary, M.Ed., Teacher Lead, UT-Pan American.
Rachel Konig, Lopez-Riggins Elementary, M.Ed., Special Education, UT-Pan American.
Alma Arce, Los Fresnos Elementary, M.Ed., Teacher LEAD, Lamar University.
Betty Cardenas, Palmer-Laakso Elementary, M.Ed., Educational Administration, Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Denjuami Barker, Liberty Memorial Middle School, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, UTB.
Mayra Bernal, LMMS, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, UTB.
Veronica Vieyra, LMMS, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, UTB.
Mercedes Espinoza, Resaca Middle School, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, UTB
Brian Martinez, Los Fresnos High School, M.Ed., Educational Medical Technology
Lorraine Alvarez, M.Ed., Guidance and Counseling, Lamar University.
Griselda Landeros Wells., Ph.D., Psychology, Walden University.

AP Scholars Recognized
Seventeen Los Fresnos CISD students have receeived recognition from The College Board for demonstrated college-level achievements through AP courses and exams.

The achievement is acknowledged on any score report that is sent to colleges for the following fall. The AP program encourages students to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams.

Nine LFHS students earned AP Scholar awards, which are granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. They are seniors Noelle Bresson, Kathleen Clark, Alyssa Cosme, Kelsi McDonough, Christian Muraira, Raymond Pecero, Alejandra Rodriguez, and Britney Valdez.

 

Five students earned AP Scholars with Honor awards, which are granted to students who receive an average score of 3.25 on AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. They are seniors Natalia De Leon, Viridian Garcia, Natalie Macias, Benjamin Simpson, and Anna Spier.

 

Three students earned AP Scholars with Distinction awards, which are granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five of more of these exams. They are Miranda Gonzales, Jocelyn Sosa-Ramirez, and Roque Villafranca.

Other Board Action
The board heard presentations from Myliss Parker, Director of Advanced Academics, about Advanced Placement testing in the district. They were also given an update on 2015 bond refinancing from Dr. Miguel de los Santos of the Estrada Hinojosa firm.
In other action, trustees received the following reports:

• Financial Reports
• Portfolio Report
• Tax Collection Report
• Summary Revenue and Expenditure Status Reports
• Monthly Disbursements

Budget Adjustments
Trustees also approved the following items on the Consent Agenda:

• Minutes for Meeting held on August 10, 2015 and August 24, 2015.
• Budget Amendment #1 for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.
• Agreements/Contracts or Professional Services, Medical Testing and Screening Services for the 2015-2016 School Year: Pinnacle Medical Management Incorporated and Los Fresnos Medicine
• Resolution Authorizing the District’s IRS Section 125 Premium Only Plan for the 2015-2016 School Year and Amending Plan Years 2015, 2016 and 2017.
• Resolution Authorizing Administration to Seek Proposals for an Agent of Record for Ancillary and Voluntary Employee Benefits.
• Agreements/Contracts for Carpentry Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-16, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for Custodial Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-17, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for Electrical Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-18, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for HVAC Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-21 for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for Painting Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-24, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for Plumbing Supplies and Small Equipment, CSP # 15-16-25, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
• Agreements/Contracts for Electrical Services, CSP # 15-16-27, for the 2015-2016 School Year.
  13.
• Agreements/Contacts with Independent Contractors for Professional Services: Staff Development Providers
• 2015-2016 Language Proficiency Assessment Committees (LPAC).
• District Attendance Committees for the 2015-2016 School Year.
  16.
• Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (TTESS) Eligible Appraisers
• Filing of a Class Size Waiver for Rancho Verde Elementary.