Coach Tipton Joins the LISD Apple Corps
Submitted by Gregg Faith, Livingston ISD

Livingston ISD - One of the most valuable assets to a teaching staff on any campus is a teacher who is flexible, can adapt to change, deal with a wide variety of students, and can work with those students who have not necessarily found success in the classrooms of other teachers.  If a teacher with all those qualities also has the ability to coach multiple sports, and has a Special Education certification then they are truly the complete package. For the past 27 years, Diane Tipton, has been this bright spot for both the Junior High and High School campuses and is the March 2008 inductee to the LISD Apple Corps.

Diane is a graduate of Livingston High School and Sam Houston State University. She has a major in Kinesiology and a minor in English and a Special Education certificate. She was originally hired to work in LISD in the fall of 1981 and began her career coaching basketball and track at Livingston Junior High for principal D.D. Golden. She has been married to her husband James Tipton for 28 years and has two children Daisha and Jim who both graduated from Livingston High School.  Diane is the daughter of George and Peggy Truitt and has two sisters Patricia and Georgia.

Diane’s classroom can best be described as laid back with high expectations. She works hard at establishing a good relationship with all of her students, but they know that she expects results in their school work. Perhaps the greatest testament to the strength of her abilities to reach students can be seen in the many stories related by her former students, colleagues and parents:

LJH Teacher Beth Baker said this, I had Coach Tipton when I was in Junior High, and now that she is my colleague, I realize she has not changed one bit! This is a great thing because she loves her job and ALL of her students.  You can see that she genuinely cares about each and every one, and she has fun while doing it!

Candace Carraway - I have had the honor of having Mrs. Tipton as a teacher/coach and working with her as a teacher.  I have witnessed and experienced the impact she makes on her students.  She has a very large heart and will help her students in any way she can.

Cindy Dillon - Diane Tipton gives her heart and soul to students.  Kids love her because she is kind and caring, yet she still motivates students to do their work!  We love her!

Karla Lewis - Diane is always willing to go the extra mile to help students to succeed.  She also relates well to different personality types and this helps to make her a really successful educator.

Loy Deason - I have been lucky enough to know and work with Diane Tipton for at least 25 years. During these years I have approached her many times requesting help for a student in need of special attention, a kind heart, or, someone who cared enough about them as a person to show them tough love in the classroom. Diane has never let me or the student down. You can not really say more than that about a dedicated professional educator.

Mary Ann Miles - We have worked with Diane Tipton at the junior high and now at the high school.  She is a very hardworking teacher and works to make sure that all of her students special needs are met.  She has come to me many times to help her find worksheets or help with the graphing calculator.  Hats off to a super lady!

Pattie Myers - Diane exemplifies the “heart” of a teacher; she goes above and beyond the call to make sure that her students are successful.  She isn’t afraid to try new programs or to change the way she teaches if she thinks that it will benefit even one child.  Her work ethic should be a model for young teachers entering the teaching field.

And the list goes on and on.

Diane Tipton is both the kind of teacher that many teachers admire when it comes to her ability to relate to students and to have the versatility and ability to smile through change. She exemplifies patience, compassion for students, and the desire for success. During the month of March the Livingston ISD Board of Trustees proudly inducted Diane Tipton into the LISD Apple Corps.

News Release - Bacterial Meningitis
Submitted by Dr. Darrell Myers, Livingston ISD
Livingston ISD - A case of Bacterial Meningitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae) has been confirmed at Livingston Intermediate School. Therefore, Livingston ISD has contacted the Infectious Disease Specialist at the Region 4 Health Center in Angelina County for advisement on the threat to student, faculty, and staff health.

The Region 4 Health Center has advised LISD that the strain identified in this case of Bacterial Meningitis does not pose a threat to our community and does not require any preventative treatment for our students, faculty, or staff. Further information on this disease may be found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/meningitis/

Should you have any further questions regarding this situation, please do not hesitate to contact Livingston Intermediate School at 328-2150.

Dunbar Alumni Association Reunion - April 12
Submitted by Gregg Faith, Livingston ISD

Livingston ISD- The Dunbar Alumni Association of Livingston, Texas is hosting its reunion on Saturday, April 12, 2008.  They are honoring State Representative Dr. Alma Allen, District 131 of Houston, Texas.  She is a native of Polk County and a 1956 graduate of Dunbar High School.  She is the only elected Texas State Representative that was born and raised in Polk County.  The celebration will kick off with a parade beginning at 11:00 a.m. where State Representative John Otto along with Polk County and the City of Livingston will participate in the recognition of State Representative Dr. Alma Allen.  The celebration will conclude with a Scholarship Banquet in the evening at 7:00 on the Dunbar campus.

Please mark your calendar and join us in this joyous occasion.  The parade is free to the public and will feature students and community members from Goodrich, Leggett, Livingston, and Onalaska school districts.   Tickets for the banquet are $35.00 each or $350.00 for a table of ten.  The proceeds from this event go towards the four $1000.00 scholarship awards given to recipients selected from Goodrich, Leggett, Livingston, and Onalaska school districts.

For further information contact: Jessie Price at jessieprice1945@yahoo.com  by email or by phone at 832-407-7343.

Square Dance and Hoedown at PRE
Submitted by Destiny Kennedy, Pine Ridge Elementary

Pine Ridge Elementary - Pine Ridge Elementary held their annual Hoedown to end the week long celebration of Texas Public School Week. The students learned several calls and cues to perform the square dances in PE and Music classes. Families were able to join in on the fun with the Chicken Dance and the Texas 2-Step at the end of the children's performance.

Click Here to see the Photo Gallery!

Pine Ridge Elementary “Cookin Up A Cure”
Submitted by Lisa Fuller, Pine Ridge Elementary

Pine Ridge Elementary -  Pine Ridge Elementary Relay for Life team is selling cookbooks for $10.00.  You can order your cookbook by emailing Lisa Fuller at lfuller@livingstonisd.com.

All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Magnetic Fun!
Submitted by Paula Franklin, Timber Creek Elementary

Timber Creek Elementary - The GT Students at Timber Creek Elementary enjoyed learning about magnetism and 3 dimensional shapes. Students created cubes, rectangular prisms, triangular prisms and tetrahedrons using a magnetic construction set.

Click Here to see the Photo Gallery!