IN THE NEWS
LOCAL REGION
STATE NATIONAL
Irving News
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Supporting Your Freedom to Teach SM Week
Submitted by Gary L. Schepf, Campus Representative, Singley Academy
The surprise of the week was having my campus named as one of the winners of this year's program: ATPE's sixth annual Supporting Your Freedom to Teach SM Week. We provided Dublin Dr. Pepper with Blue Bell ice cream (and some homemade ice cream) to take a quick break the day before school started. During the busy afternoon, having a chance to just relax and socialize with our peers as we all were struggling to get our classrooms ready for the students linked us together as one.
I want to encourage all of you to find some way to celebrate this annual competition. -
Welcome to Irving ATPE!
Submitted by Robin Hurt, Irving ATPE President
I first want to thank all of you for your dedication to Irving ATPE. We are very lucky to have you as a member. Irving ATPE thrives because of members like you.
We recently returned from the ATPE Summit Convention and Leader U. Both of these events were held together this year. We spent four busy days in Austin learning how to be the best officers and building representatives for our members. You will soon learn of some exciting things we have in store for Irving ATPE members.Foremost, I would like to thank Gary Schepf for getting our website up and running again. We have many great things planned to help you connect with ATPE at a new level, which includes this website, Facebook and Twitter. Our committees are being formed and we welcome you to join in and assist us as we take Irving ATPE to new heights.
I want to encourage you to familiarize yourself with all ATPE has to offer by visiting www.atpe.org. There are many benefits that we all should take advantage of. At our state website you can learn more details about legal services, advocacy benefits, and discounts we have. As educators of Texas children we need to stay well informed on current issues that affect us, our families, and those that we teach. A great resource we have just a click away is the LAN. ATPE Legislative Alert Network (LAN) This is a free e-mail service that helps you communicate directly with your legislators on the issues that matter to you. I encourage you to be informed by signing up for this service.This year promises to be a great year. I want you to know that your Irving ATPE officers are here for you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the other officers should you need anything. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions. We look for ward to renewing old friendships and making new ones this year. Please check out our calendar and plan to join us at our meetings and social events.
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Why Pay Local Dues?
Submitted by Gary L. Schepf, Irving ATPE Vice President
When you join ATPE, there is an additional $10 for local dues. What is this? Why should I pay this? Very good questions. Local dues help to provide local services to members such as funding:
- Judy Coyle Memorial Scholarship (scholarship for graduating Irving ISD high school seniors awarded during the Irving Schools Foundation Breakfast with the Stars)
- Ed Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship (scholarship for Irving professional and associate members who are attending college)
- Cardwell Enrichment Grant (grant for Irving members wanting to attend seminars, conferences, etc.)
- Irving ATPE's Educators of the Year awards
- Financial assistance to committees and members that advance positive community involvement and membership growth
So, why should I pay local dues? Because it benefits all of us! - Kilday Retires
36 Years of Educational Dedication
Connie Kilday retired from public education on June 30, after serving as an educator in Arlington ISD and for Irving ISD.
- 2011-2012 Irving ATPE Officers
Installed
May Awards Banquet
Robin Hurt was installed as Irving ATPE President. The officer team , in addition to Robin, includes Vice President Gary Schepf, Secretary Dora Venne, Treasurer Larry Craig, and Deborah Bellew as Past President.
Region X News
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Region X Wants YOU!
submitted by Carl Garner, Region X ATPE President
Hello Region ATPE Leaders. There was not a form for those interested in serving on a region committee at the caucus during Summit. I have all the completed ones from Region Convention in May. Please complete the form (CLICK HERE to download form) if any of you would like to serve on a region committee. Once you have completed the form, please email it to atperegion10@gmail.com so that I can place them on a region committee. Thanks for all you do for ATPE. - 2011-2012 Region X ATPE Officers
Elected
May Region Convention
Karl Garner of Mesquite ISD was elected as ATPE Region X President. Plan to get involved at the region level as it takes all members to make Region X the best region in the state.
Texas News
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Supporting Your Freedom to Teach SM Week
Submitted by ATPE Member Services
We want to remind you that Aug. 22-26 is ATPE's sixth annual Supporting Your Freedom to Teach Week. This celebration is an ideal time for ATPE leaders like you to spread the word to colleagues about the ways ATPE supports your freedom to teach.
All officers and campus reps are encouraged to show their support for educators in your district during this time. Whether it is a simple tray of cookies on your campus with some applications or a lavish snack basket with assorted beverages, Supporting Your Freedom to Teach Week is a fun way to advertise ATPE and spread good will for education. Plus, if you participate in the festivities, you could be entered into a drawing to win one of four pizza parties for all employees on your campus. In addition, all four campuses will receive a $750 library donation made in the name(s) of the campus rep on that campus!Here are the details:
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To enter, take a photo of your event. The event must happen August 22-26.
Singley Academy Townley Elementary-
Email your photo and details of what you did to member_services@atpe.org or mail it to the state office c/o Member Services postmarked by Sept. 16, 2011.
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Winners will be announced by the end of September.
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Parties and the $750 check presentations will take place in the fall and include invitations, drinks, food and prizes!
Thanks for all that you do, and have a terrific fall semester!
NOTE FROM IRVING ATPE OFFICER TEAM: Be sure to submit your photo and details to us as well as we want to highlight the great things that are happening in Irving ISD.
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- ATPE Summit
July 20-23, 2011
More news to come on this first venture into this blended state event which combines state convention and Leader U.A combination of the state convention and Leader U was a success. It seemed less stressful and more relaxed as the Irving delegation represented the Irving ATPE Local well.
After arriving in Austin and checking in at the Holiday Inn Town Lake, the delegation headed to the Austin Convention Center and check-in. A new feature this year was the use of electronic name badges. Attendees scanned the badge at each activity in order to track attendance. Events at the Summit included:
Wednesday: Opening General Session with JONATHAN KOZOL ... House of Delegates ... Officer Candidate Meet-and-Greet
Thursday: Election of State Officers ... Region Caucuses ... House of Delegates ... Awards Banquet
Friday: Professional Development (select 2 sessions out of 5) ... Leader Training Sessions (select 4 sessions out of a bunch) ... Membership Luncheon ... PAC Silent Auction and Live Auction
Saturday: Local Unit Planning ... Officer Induction Ceremony ... Closing General Session with DRUM CAFE
News of America
- Federal Government: Financial
Crisis
President Obama and Congress Meet
Hopefully the financial crisis at the federal level will be resolved without putting all Americans in debt for years to come.

