Every year, the Lake Highlands Elementary Physical Education teachers, Larry Turner and Kim Kromdyk, head up the American Heart Associations ‘Jump Rope For Heart’ campaign at the school.  Not only do they encourage the students to solicit contributions for the AMA, they teach heart healthy lessons and hold jump roping contests.  

This year, the LHE kids doubled what they brought in last year - they raised $4,300 for the American Heart Association.  Just a little lattitude here...the kids and the teachers really put their hearts into it!

ATTENTION all you B-Ball players and fans!  It's time once again for the annual Hoops in the Highlands tournament!  This year, 1st through 8th grade competitors from Lake Highlands Elementary, White Rock Elementary, Wallace Elementary, Northlake Elementary and Lake Highlands Junior High will meet on Saturday, March 29th at Highland Oaks Church of Christ to battle it out three on three.  This annual event is a ton of fun - and an important fundraiser that benefits all five schools.  Sign up NOW because the deadline is THIS FRIDAY, March 7th.  

This is a blast of a family event with concessions, live music, games, the FUN ZONE...lots to do for everyone! 

Interested?  Go to www.hoopsinthehighlands.net - you can download your registration form.  The entry fee is $60 per team, up to four players.  Need more info about the event or sponsorship?  Contact Hoops Chair Carrie Denson at 214 340-1993 or densonmail@sbcglobal.net.

On Monday February 18th the RISD Board of Trustees will vote on the 2008/2009 RISD Calendar. There are two choices: The current calendar, known as Option 1, and a revised calendar, known as Option 2. I only barely know about this because a teacher or two has brought it to my attention in the hopes of spreading the word that there’s a possibility the school calendar may change. My understanding is that not too many folks are aware of this, and teachers would like to get the word out to encourage input.

By no means do I understand all the ramifications of either Option. I do know that with the current RISD calendar, Option 1, Junior High and High School exams take place after the winter break and I’ve been told that this creates a stressful situation for a lot of kids, trying to remember, concentrate and prepare for exams during a very busy time of year, particularly if vacationing. I also understand that since exams are after winter break, students don’t get their grades until the end of January and are then at a disadvantage in regards to Texas universities with a January 15th deadline for early admittance, grants and scholarships on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis.

As to Option 2, my take from the surface I’ve scratched is that this calendar may be a better calendar for teachers.

Check out www.risd.org/Calendar/CalMainMenu.htm. While I haven’t wrapped my mind around the two calendars nor formed an opinion, I do agree with the teachers that brought this to my attention: This information should be available and input should be sought, particularly if it’s going to be voted on in four days.

Looking for something to get you into an Autumn kind of mood? Head over to White Rock Coffee, 10105 E. NW Hwy. on Tuesday, November 6th between 4:30 and 6:30pm. You can enjoy a pumpkin latte and view 'Autumn Leaves', the first Lake Highlands Elementary Art Opening of the 2007-2008 season featuring the works of the second graders. LHE Art Teacher Christen Scheevel is proud to showcase the students chalk and mixed media pastels.

Sunday November 4th at 6pm Camerata Winds welcomes guest artists from the DSO and SMU in an evening of chamber music for winds and strings. The ensemble also welcomes new audiences at this second event of their subscription series.

Programmed for this evening are:

Devienne's "Quartet in C" for bassoon & strings

Jacob's "Miniature Suite" for clarinet & viola

Beethoven's "Septet" Op. 20

There's a pre-concert lecture at 5:30 and a reception following the performance.  Camerata Winds performs at the First United Lutheran Church, 6202 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas 75238.

For ticketing and/or more information about Camerata Winds' subscription and outreach programming, please visit www.cameratawinds.com: opt-in to the mailing list there to receive updates from their ensemble directly.  Students of ANY instrument may earn free tickets to Camerata Winds concerts by using their practice card program (available through the outreach page of Camerata's website).