Life School is fortunate to have great students, staff, and families. We accomplish so many things because of our commitment to the idea that every student should have an opportunity to reach their full potential. We all lead busy lives and things never seem to slow down. Sometimes we don’t say thank you enough to the ones that help make our life better. As we conclude this school year, let’s reflect on those that have encour-aged us to do and be our best. Take time before school ends to thank those around you who have made a positive impact on you this year.

A quote I like that reinforces this very concept...

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you...and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” - St. Paul

To everyone who makes me a better leader, and more importantly, a better person...Thank You!

Life School Superintendent

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6

Life SchoolL I F E L I N K

L E A D E R S H I P • C H A R A C T E R • S C H O L A R S H I P

A Message from the Superintendent

L I F E L I N K

Life School Lan-caster Principal DeWayne Parker is proud of his students. “Our stu-dents work hard all year, and the STAAR Pep Rally is a good way for them to have some fun before the big test. All K-6 stu-dents participate in skits, songs and dancing.” Lancaster Staff work dili-gently each year to make the rally fun and memorable. Lancaster students ain’t afraid of no STAAR!

Lancaster STAAR Busters Rally

Mrs. Dania Carter, Life School Human Resource Director was appointed to the City of DeSoto His-torical Foundation Board in March. Her appointment to the board was confirmed by City Council members and she

was welcomed at the April City Board meet-ing. Life School is pleased to have employees who are making a positive difference in their communities.

Life School Director of HR Appointed to Historical Foundation Board

The Oak Cliff Elementary (OCE) Chess Club meets each Friday in Hanson Hall. Students study a variety of chess puzzles and have practice time to improve their skills. Twelve of the students participated in the UIL chess puzzles event this school year and six of them placed. Tyson Thompson won first place in the fourth grade section.

Chess Club is open to any Oak Cliff K-6th grade student. Those who are new to the game will be taught basic strategies.

Oak Cliff Elementary Chess Club

Mountain Creek Hosts “Donuts With Dad”

On March 24th, 37 dozen donuts were served to 198 students and their fathers. “Donuts with Dad” was a much anticipat-

ed day for all. The line began at the front door and continued all the way down the sidewalk. The sense of community and support was over-whelming. One parent commented, “This is what it’s all about!” Staff, parents, and children were encouraged to see the many fathers and father figures who came out to be involved in this very special occasion. A full cafeteria of smil-ing faces proved this day to be a success!

L I F E L I N K

Central Office Staff Participates in National Volunteer Week

Cedar Hill Cougar’s Care and NEHS Serve Their Community

Members of the Cougars’ Care Club and National Elementary Honor Society organized a group of students, teachers, and parents in participating in Cedar Hill’s cleanup day. Participants cleaned the area surrounding the LSCH campus and then created a video to get others to do their part in keeping Cedar Hill beautiful.

On April 14th, twenty-one Central Office staff members had the opportunity to participate in National Volunteer Week by volun-teering with Visiting Nurse Association’s (VNA) Meals on Wheels program. VNA serves hot, nutritious meals to over 4,000 people in need each week. Most of the recipients are Dallas County’s home-bound elderly, unable to access food banks or grocery stores.

Each Life School team of two or three people delivered food along a route prepared for them by VNA. The routes were mostly focused in the southern Dallas area. “It was such a great opportunity,” says Matthew Slay, Life School coordinator and volunteer. “The best part was knowing that we were serving the same community from which most of our students call home.” The volunteers were grateful to Superintendent Brent Wilson and the rest of the executive team for encouraging this opportunity.

If you are interested in volunteering with Meals on Wheels, please contact Kim Peters at PetersK@vnatexas.org.

L I F E L I N K

The Life Lions Soccer Team led by Head Coach Chase Bishop had a history-making season and finished the year with an amazing 23-1 record, losing only to the eventual State Champions of San Elizaro. This was the Lions debut year in UIL and one in which they had to play up at the 4a level with current 3a numbers. This didn’t stop this group of predominantly freshman and sophomore athletes. Instead, they won two

tournament championships, a district championship, and main-tained a perfect 19-0 record heading into their first season in the state playoffs. From there the Lions went on a four game playoff winning streak reaching the regional final game before losing a close game to the State Champions. We are very proud of our coaches and players for the way they handled all of this success. Thank you to the Lion Nation for the tremendous support along this amazing ride. We can’t wait to see what the future holds with everyone coming back next season!

Oak Cliff Soccer Team Makes School History

Fourth grade students at the Red Oak Ele-mentary cam-pus recently wrote book reports about a historical figure of their choice. They did a great job dressing up like the character they researched and telling their class about his or her life. Reports included facts about Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and many others.

Red Oak Students Present Historical Characters

Oak Cliff Secondary Choirs hosted their first annual banquet, "An Evening on the Red Carpet" on April 17, 2015 at the Red Oak campus. Each student, musician, and choir booster club parent was recognized for their hard work and participa-tion during this school year. It was very exciting to see 200 guests in attendance during this mem-orable night. Thanks to Mrs. Kchristshan Cook for her diligence in making this a special night for everyone involved.

Oak Cliff Secondary Choir “An Evening on the Red Carpet”

L I F E L I N K

Lancaster Fairy Tale Day - Making Stories Come to Life

The Fairy Tale Dress-up Day is another way to get students to view reading as more than “school work”. Teachers and Central Office staff members conducted read alouds for Lancaster first grade students this month. This is such a fun day that it has become an annual event at Life School Lancaster.

Life School Cedar Hill won the city’s “Keep Cedar Hill Beautiful Day” social media video presentation. Staff, along with some National Elementary Honor Society and Cou-gars Care Club students, received a plaque at the April 28th City Council meeting. The video will be shown on NBC 5’s Community Affairs Program in June. Thanks to Cedar Hill staff and students for serving your community and to Mr. Albert Thomas for creating the winning video!

Cedar Hill Campus Wins Social Media Video Presentation