Latest news with #LamarMiddleSchool
Axios
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Desert Island Dish with Austin's Susana Querejazu
As part of our running feature about Austin chefs' favorite meals, we recently caught up with Susana Querejazu, executive pastry chef at the Michelin-recommended Lutie's, located at the Commodore Perry Estate by 41st and Red River streets. The background: A native Austinite who attended Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School — her dad is from Bolivia, her mom from San Antonio — Querejazu has worked at some of the best restaurants in Austin and across the country. She met her husband, Bradley Nicholson — now the executive chef at Lutie's — in the kitchen at Enoteca Vespaio. She has worked at Uchi, Odd Duck and Barley Swine, as well as Quince Restaurant and the three-Michelin-starred Saison in San Francisco. The couple returned to Austin in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, to take the reins at the planned Lutie's. "It was a pile of rocks, but it had so much potential, so centered in the city, so close to UT." What we like: Querejazu's creations, characterized by technique and seasonal inspiration, include a watermelon soft serve, kouign amann ice cream and an Earl Grey almond cake. "Texas has amazing strawberries, blueberries, honey, yogurt, milk, sweet potatoes, citrus and pecans. I like to hold a spot for that in my menus," she says. This interview is edited for clarity. You're on a desert island. What's the one dish you'd like with you? "Two answers: The shiitake mushroom dumplings at Barley Swine. It's essentially a filled pasta dish — and at one point they were serving it with a soft scramble and candied nuts. ... The shiitake taste really sticks with you — it's a strong flavor with a creamy filling — really beautiful and a great consistency." "And the Italian sub at Home Slice. It's a fully loaded sandwich, and I love shrettuce so much. Flavors and consistency is the king, and I like the contrast of hot, cold and saucy." You're allowed to bring a dessert. "Just a freshly baked warm chocolate chip cookie. It's basic and easy to eat." Do you like to eat one with milk? "Usually no, but my son does. Maybe on a deserted island, I'm not worried about calories." Well, you can bring a libation on the island. What'll it be?
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Eight-year sentence in fatal Temple drunk driving crash
Temple, Tx (FOX 44) – A 48-year-old Temple man has been sentenced to eight years in prison in connection with a crash that killed 59-year-old Margaret Flood. Jose Ramon Solis had been charged with intoxication manslaughter following the February 4, 2023 crash. Solis was arrest five days later and indicted on the charge in June 2023. Flood was killed in the crash that occurred at the intersection of North 3rd Street and Upshaw Avenue in Temple. A Ford Raptor collided with a Chevrolet Trailblazer, with the driver of the Trailblazer trapped in her vehicle and later pronounced dead. The driver of the Raptor was identified as Solis, who was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries following the crash. Witnesses told police the Raptor hit the Trailblazer at high speed as the Trailblazer was stopped at a stop sign. Man stabbed in back with scissors, woman arrested An arrest affidavit stated that an officer interviewed Solis at the hospital, where a warrant was served for his blood. The affidavit stated that after being advised of his rights, Solis agreed to talk with the officer. He admitted to consuming several beers, and was on his way home. The officer noted that he was driving in the opposite direction of his home. After being medically cleared, Solis was transported to the Bell County Jail. The affidavit stated officers at the crash scene interviewed three witnesses. One advised he saw the Raptor shortly before the crash coming out of the grass from Lamar Middle School at a high rate of speed and pulling in front of him. The affidavit quoted him as saying the Raptor swerved back and forth across two lanes, jumped curbs and medians, hit a sign on one median, ran through a red light, then collided with the Trailblazer. The affidavit also stated emergency medical service personnel advised they could detect the smell of alcohol coming from Solis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Parents, staff voice concern over potential for Lamar Middle to take on students facing Dobie closure
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A meeting at Lamar Middle School on Monday evening was packed with parents, students and staff voicing concern over a potential shake-up looming in the near future. Dobie Middle School is at risk of closure as the Austin Independent School District superintendent and Board of Trustees consider options on how to deal with poor student performance at the school, and Lamar Middle School could be directly impacted. AISD leaders said the entire district is at risk of being taken over by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) because of low performance levels at Dobie. AISD Assistant Superintendent Angel Wilson sent a memo to teachers earlier this month notifying them of the possible TEA 'takeover' and options AISD has to avoid a takeover. MORE DETAILS: Northeast Austin middle school may close after school year The Dobie Middle School page on AISD's website outlines the district's options in a list of 'Dobie Turnaround Plan FAQs.' The district must choose one of the following: Restart the school for the 2025–26 school year in partnership with a charter school approved by the Texas Education Agency. This would be similar to what has happened at Mendez Middle School with Third Future Schools. The charter school would have the authority to hire all campus staff, including teachers and the principal, and we could not guarantee positions for current staff. Permanently close Dobie at the end of the 2024-25 school year and reassign Dobie students to another Austin ISD middle school for the 2025-26 school year. Temporarily close Dobie at the end of the 2024-25 school year and develop a plan to reimagine the school. Current Dobie students would be reassigned to another Austin ISD middle school for the 2025-26 school year and a new school would open at the Dobie campus at a future date. The Lamar Middle School Parent Teacher Association said two of those three options could result in hundreds of Dobie students being transferred to Lamar, which parents and staff worry could strain Lamar. Several guardians whose children attend Lamar Middle School emailed KXAN stating they were not informed of the potential change until last week. They said AISD sent an email about the possible transfer on Thursday evening. The district scheduled a meeting at Lamar for Monday evening ahead of the school board's regular meeting this coming Thursday, where Superintendent Matias Segura explained the options and answered questions. 'This is moving too fast. Families were informed with less than a week's notice—over a holiday weekend—about decisions that could fundamentally reshape Lamar and Dobie Middle Schools,' Lamar Middle School PTA President Edward Bradfield said in an email. 'We're not just talking about schedules or budgets. We're talking about trust. About the future of our children.' The AISD board was set to discuss and potentially take action on the Dobie MS Turnaround Plan at its meeting this Thursday, but the meeting agenda online states the public hearing and approval of the plan was rescheduled to Monday, April 28, at 6 p.m. The item is still on this week's meeting agenda, but it is for discussion only. The Turnaround Plan must receive board approval before submission to TEA, which is required by April 30, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Despite growing political pressures, AISD schools celebrate Pride week: 'You've got a place'
In the library at Lamar Middle School in North Austin, about a dozen students danced to Chappell Roan's 2023 dance-pop single 'HOT TO GO!' during their lunch period Thursday. The students, with their hands up in the air, performed the song's signature dance moves, as colorful plastic beads scattered across the floor. The Lamar students were spending their lunch period making bracelets with rainbow-colored beads donated or left over from an event held last year as part of Austin school district's Pride Week. For sixth grader Amelia Velasquez, the fact that the district has a Pride Week is cool. 'You can feel like you've got a place, you've got your people,' Velasquez said. 'I feel like we deserve more than a week. Maybe a month.' This year, the Austin district celebrated its 11th year of Pride Week, a weeklong event that carried the theme of 'beYOUtiful.' However, unlike previous years, the district didn't use its money for Pride celebrations or décor, and it shifted its events to only those organized by Parent Teacher Associations or held outside instructional time. The week marked a readjustment for a district that has long promoted its inclusivity and welcoming of LGBTQ+ students and families at a time when both state and federal governments have launched campaigns to ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools. This year, the Austin district publicly promoted its Pride Week, which it celebrated Monday through Friday, as it has in past years, with suggested themes for each day, similar to a spirit week. For example, on Tuesday, which was 'Differences are beaYOUtiful' day, the district promoted wacky sock day. In past years, the district has also passed out swag bags with Pride flags and stickers to campuses and hosted a Saturday event with food trucks and student performances, neither of which occurred this year. The district did not spend its money on Pride-related materials, and any events had to take place outside instructional time, spokeswoman Cristina Nguyen told the American-Statesman. The district isn't holding its Saturday event this year in part due to its $110 million deficit and the political environment, she said. 'In an ever changing environment, we have to evaluate the ways we've done things in the past,' the district said in a statement on its website. 'Providing a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students is a year-round practice and commitment in Austin ISD. So while the way we celebrate Pride may change, our values do not.' The district still celebrating a Pride Week, regardless of the style it takes, is positive, said Susanne Kerns, a parent who has helped organize the Saturday Pride event in the past. 'They are just choosing to show their support through prioritizing safety vs prioritizing a flashy celebration,' Kerns said. For many of this year's campus-level events, organizing efforts fell on PTAs, said Laurie Solis, president of the Austin Council of PTAs. But with only a few weeks' notice, it was difficult to organize them across the district, she said. 'Right now, this is very grassroots and local,' Solis said. For example, at Brentwood Elementary School, the PTA planned a parade, which the group has held every year, PTA president Erin Zehr said. Inclusion is important to the Brentwood community and parents want to make sure that families and students get a chance to celebrate what makes them different, she said. 'I would suggest that to feel seen is to feel safe,' Zehr said. 'I would hope that all of us regardless of political stance hope kids feel safe.' Jake Morgan, who has sponsored the Bowie High School Gender and Sexuality Alliance club for three years, worries about students in different Austin campuses having equal access to Pride events. 'It's frustrating as someone who works with these kids to see people giving in to fear,' Morgan said. 'I think right now we're going to have to stand strong against this fear. I would really like to see the district stand strong with us.' Kelly Wrobleski, who has taught in Austin for 20 years, also worries about students in various campuses accessing Pride events. Wrobleski sponsors McCallum High School's Spectrum club, a Gender and Sexuality Alliance group. At McCallum, the students organized a Pride-centered art show and student panels during lunch hours, but some campuses may not have an organized LGBTQ+ community, Wrobleski said. However, the district is still advertising Pride Week and student still have space to host event, she said. 'I think there are certain education battles we have to fight and makign sure that we all have stickers at school isn't necessarily one,' Wrobleski said. On Monday, hundreds of activists rallied at the Texas Capitol to push back against the more than 200 bills that LGBTQ advocacy organization Equality Texas has identified as harmful to the community it fights for. Texas lawmakers this session have filed bills seeking to limit discussion of gender and sexuality in the classroom, including Senate Bill 12 by Conroe Republican Sen. Brandon Creighton, which would eliminate DEI in K-12 schools and put restrictions on student clubs. The bill would follow a 2023 ban on DEI at all public Texas universities, which reshaped equity-based student support practices in higher education, led to university staff layoffs and dismantled offices meant to support minority students. On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump issued executive orders eliminating DEI programs in federal offices and recognizing only two sexes. Johnathan Gooch, spokesman for Equality Texas, said it's important for young LGBTQ people to have community spaces to talk about the challenges they face. Preparing students for the state workforce means equipping them to interact with Texas' diverse 31 million residents, but schools are facing more scrutiny over teaching history, he said. 'It is much braver to find a way to continue that tradition than to throw up your hands and say, 'It's too stressful, it's too politicized,'' Gooch said. 'It is important for young queer people.' The Austin district keeping up its Pride Week celebrations during the school year is a good step, but there's more to do to ensure equity, such as anti-bias training for teachers, said Kevin Gillion, an Austin High School teacher who has taught Spanish for 21 years. He sponsors the high school's GSA club. 'There remains a heavier need for programs to directly support students who identify with traditionally marginalized communities — not only LGBTQ+,' Gillion said. The Council of PTAs will likely be involved in Pride events for future years, and other events as the district faces tighter budget challenges, Solis said. Each individual PTA will need to determine what's best for their campus, she said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin ISD schools celebrate Pride week amid growing political tension
