Kids' surf lessons remain a 'go,' but benefit cookout is canceled
      The Port Aransas Surf Club has canceled a benefit beach cookout the club was planning, but a function providing free children's surf lessons, scheduled for the same date and location, remains on tap.
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Students new to PAHS can register today
      Students new to Port Aransas High School may register today, Thursday, Aug. 16. The registration will be held in Principal Travis Longanecker's office on the first floor of the high school). Students and/or parents may register from 9 a.m. to noon.
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Getting ready
      H.G. Olsen Elementary School kindergarten teacher Katy Brennan cuts out labels for use in her classroom as she prepares for the first day of school, coming up Monday, Aug. 27.
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Education foundation slates Mardi Gras
      Mark your calendars and dig out your beads for the Port Aransas Education Foundation (PAEF) fundraiser scheduled this fall. "Mardi Gras in October" will be held at the Port Aransas Civic Center on Friday, Oct. 5, from 7 to 10 p.m.
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Today last chance to register kids for Latchkey program
      Today, Thursday, Aug. 16, is the day to sign up children for the 2007- 08 after-school Latchkey program. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., at the City of Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department office, 739 W. Ave. A.
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Training for substitutes set by school
      Training for those wanting to substitute teach in the Port Aransas Independent School District (PAISD) will be held Monday, Aug. 27. The training will be conducted at PAISD administration building, 100 Station St., from 9 to 11 a.m.
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School Supply List
PAISD 2007-08
      H.G. Olsen Elementary School PRE-KINDERGARTEN 1 Back Pack (No wheels; large enough to hold 3-ring binders) 8 Glue Sticks 2 Small Btls. White School Glue (Elmer's preferred) 1 Pkg. Play Dough 1 Box Colored Pencils, 12 Count 2 Boxes 8-ct.
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PAISD reveals changes at schools for new year
WHAT'S NEW?
BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER
      A new effort at H.G. Olsen Elementary School will provide additional instruction in handwriting, spelling and other disciplines for students during the 2007-2008 school year. Third and fourth-grade students will take the enrichment classes every Monday, according to Sylvia Buttler, principal of the school.
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Kindergarten-bound
      Fonya Kovacs fills out paperwork to get her 5-year-old son, Sean, registered for kindergarten at H.G. Olsen Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 14. School starts Monday, Aug. 27.
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Middle school council to sell supply packages
      Take the easy way out and purchase school supplies for middle school from the Brundrett Middle School student council. The council has packaged supplies and will be selling them from 2 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Aug. 20-24, at the middle school cafeteria, at the corner of 10th Street and Avenue B.
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Supplies in demand
      Customer Edna Molloy reaches for an item in the school supplies section at the Family Center IGA food store Saturday, Aug. 11. The store has stocked up on supplies needed for those attending Port Aransas schools. A school supply list for the 2007-08 year is included in this issue of the South Jetty.
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PAISD students may be eligible for free or reduced school meals
PARENTS URGED TO APPLY FOR DEALS
      Parents of students enrolled in the Port Aransas Independent School District may still apply for free or reduced price meals for their children. Parents who qualify are encouraged to apply under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office has a copy of the policy, which is available to the public.
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Buy this weekend
Annual sales tax holiday begins tomorrow
      Pocketbooks of parents with children in school will get a break this weekend with the annual sales tax holiday. The sales tax-free weekend starts tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 17, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 19. Backpacks have been added to the list of tax-free items.
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District to appeal TEA rating; code error brought down score
BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER
      The Port Aransas Independent School District will appeal the state's recent rating of PAISD as an academically "acceptable" district, according to Superintendent Billy Wiggins. "I think we've got a really high percentage chance of winning," Wiggins said.
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Tugwell receives TILF scholarship
      The Texas Interscholastic League Foundation (TILF) has awarded Sebastian William Tugwell a scholarship. He is a 2007 graduate of Port Aransas High School. Tugwell received a $1,000 Houston Endowment Inc. scholarship, payable $500 each semester of the first year.
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