Last year, parents were able to gather at the J.D. Center of HOPE building in North Lufkin to attend sessions and have discussions on providing access and resources for African-American students to be successful. This year, the same great information will be available, just in a virtual style.
“We wanted to continue with the event, and felt the best way was to organize the event into a website. Parents can log on, listen to sessions with some of the same great event speakers and find out information that will best help their child,” said Lynn Torres, LISD Superintendent.
The site has information about Advanced Academics programs including Gifted and Talented, Dual Language, STEM, dual credit, Advanced Placement courses and more. Videos were created for parents to learn more about the counseling services that the district offers. Coach Lamb, LHS recruiting officer and girls basketball coach, who always has great information about academics and the student athlete, made a video to help parents navigate the high school years. He talks about everything from attitude to the ACT. His session is good for any student wanting to play sports in college. Gear-Up and Generation A are both programs that are highlighted on the site.
An addition to the event this year is “Interviews of Inspiration”. LHS students and an alumni student interview some inspirational individuals who have valuable information for parents. From some of their experiences growing up in Lufkin, to resources on college campuses, these interviews are a “do not miss” part of the virtual experience. “Interviews of Inspiration” will feature Lufkin’s own COL Hise Gibson, West Point Academy Professor; Rhonda Fowler, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University; as well as Darren D. Kelly, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. LHS STEM students Camari Taylor, Hannah Spikes and Avery Sullivan ask the pertinent questions, as well as 2020 LHS graduate Alyssa Nunn who interviews Dr. Kelly. Ms. Nunn now attends the University of Texas at Austin and finds out from Dr. Kelly resources that will help parents bridge the gap to college.
“I want parents and families to have the awareness of all that Lufkin has to offer. I grew up in Lufkin and probably attended some of the same schools your children are attending. In addition, I now have two children attending Lufkin schools. As a product of Lufkin and now as a parent and administrator in Lufkin, I, like my colleagues, want to make sure that some of the same opportunities I had, while attending LISD, are also extended to you. The first step is joining my colleagues in continuing to promote awareness of these opportunities. This virtual event will allow us to continue that process in a year where it is very difficult to meet in person. I look forward to meeting/seeing you all in person in the near future, but in the meantime, we know you’ll find something you can share with your own child or a student or family who also wants what’s best for their child,” said Dr. Daniel Spikes, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services.
The event goes live on Friday, Feb. 5 and the site will be up all month with weekly door prizes from local community partners. Whataburger donated “Whataburger for a year” and a gift basket. Brookshire Brothers donated a $100 gift card. McWilliams & Sons and Juzi Spot also donated some prize items. Everyone who logs on to the site, peruses the sessions and interviews and fills out a survey is eligible for the drawing.
Log on to www.lufkinisd.org for the event.
