Backpacks requested
St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kyle renews its annual backpack appeal with a one-day drop-off request this Sunday, August 8, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the church pavilion at 801 N. Burleson. The drive assists with the yearly HCISD back to school supply drive. Donors may drop off cash or checks (payable to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church) the day of the event only. More information is available by contacting George Mercado at 680-2230 or Gmercado@yahoo.com.

Lobo Camp nearing
Lehman High School’s annual Lobo Camp is just over the horizon, set for Thursday, August 19, 6-9 p.m. The free camp offers incoming freshmen credit information, graduation requirements and tips on making academic career decisions. Other students and staff members offer fun activities to help get incoming freshmen connected and involved with their school. Participants must register and the necessary registration form can be found at http://www.hayscisd.net/LHS/default.htm. For more information, call 268-8454.

Stewart wins grant
The A+ Education Foundation has awarded Lehman High School art teacher Jeanne Stewart a grant for her “Claymation” project proposal. The foundation recently awarded $61,000 to 62 Central Texas educators, covering program, supplies and training costs.

Educators honored at ‘Leader U’
The Hays CISD local unit of the Association of Texas Professional Educators was recently honored at the association’s “Leader U” conference in Austin. Lehman High School teacher Steve Thompson, who serves as the local ATPE president, reports his group received the 2010 Local Unit of the Year award for units with 1-500 members. Crediting his state association as “the finest educator group anywhere,” Thompson says, “We are honored to have been chosen to represent the many hard-working, dedicated local ATPE units throughout the state.” Nearly 1,000 educators from across the state joined Thompson for the association’s awards ceremony.

New HCISD website debuts
Hays CISD rolled out its newly-designed website this week. Found at www.hayscisd.net, the site is branded with logos and colors for each campus, a user-friendly site map and what’s accurately being billed as “a fresh, dynamic appearance.” District webmaster Linda Rosebrock says the district calendar can be customized, filtered by month, campus or category. Additional fun and helpful features are available for the casual or serious user. Rosebrock invites user comments or observations at rosebrockl@hayscisd.net.