Sunday, April 11, 2010

We're baaaack!

We are back up and going strong. Hope to keep this blog up, but to be sure you don't miss anything, connect with us on Facebook!

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Back to School: About Laredo Schools

Preschools/Daycares/Mother's Day Out Programs and Pre-K

Many daycare centers and preschools exist in the Laredo area. These range from private, in-home situations to Montessori schools. Speaking to the families involved in the Family Group of the Laredo Newcomers Club would be a great starting point for any search for quality childcare in Laredo. For licensing reports about Laredo childcare centers visit the DFPS website.

First Baptist Church of Laredo currently offers a twice-monthly Mom's Morning Out program and a monthly Parent's Night Out program, year-round.

Public schools in Laredo also offer preschool programs starting at age three. Enrollment is limited to children who meet certain income restrictions or who speak Spanish only. Contact the local school districts for more information.

Elementary through High School

Laredo public schools are divided into two school systems: United Independent School District (UISD) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD).

Both UISD's website and LISD's website contain school uniform regulations, a student handbook, school year calendars, and links to individual schools.

District boundary maps for UISD can be found here. LISD district maps can be found here.

Laredo is also served by Catholic and non-Catholic private schools:

Blessed Sacrament School, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Saint Augustine Elementary, Saint Augustine High School, Saint Peter Memorial School, and Mary Help of Christians School are all part of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo (for addresses and phone numbers).

The Laredo Christian Academy is an Assemblies of God private school. Grades PK through 12th are taught in the academy. It is located at 6103 N. McPherson (956-727-2732).

Power Christian Academy is affiliated with Dunamis Ministries located at 1601 Shiloh Drive (956-712-1172) and serves students from pre-K through 9th grade.

United Day School (pre-K4 through 8th grade) is located beside Doctors Hospital on the north side of Laredo.

Homeschooling

Laredo has a strong support network for homeschoolers in the form of the Providence Homeschool Association. Though the website hasn't been updated recently, the group does have bi-monthly meetings, sponsors activities including a science fair, and has a resource packet about how to get started in homeschooling. Signing the guestbook at the bottom of the "Newsletter" page will let this group know to add you to the mailing list.

For information about homeschooling regulations in Texas, the Texas Homeschool Coalition website is a good place to start.

Higher Education

Laredo Community College (LCC) has a main campus located near downtown Laredo (West End Washington Street) and a branch campus located in South Laredo (Zapata Highway). LCC offers a variety of tw0-year and certificate programs, transfer assistance to four-year universities, distance education, and community education classes.

Texas A & M International University (TAMIU) offers baccalaureate and masters programs in the arts, humanities, business, education, physical, biological, and social sciences, and health professions, with authority for select doctoral programs. It is located on Loop 20 on the north side of Laredo.

Friday, March 9, 2007

Laredo History

One way to grow to love a place is to learn about its past. While you could spend time researching Laredo at the library, another option is to visit the well-organized website of the Webb County Heritage Foundation (WCHF) which contains a treasure trove of historical photos and information. The WCHF also maintains the Republic of the Rio Grande Museum and provides trolley tours of historical places in downtown Laredo. And, don’t forget to talk to the native Laredoans around you; many are happy to share their stories.

Some excerpts from the Laredo Legacies portion of the WCHF website:

“Laredo was founded on May 15, 1755, when Captain Tomás Sánchez, with three families, was granted permission to settle 15 leagues of land near an Indian ford on the Río Grande.”

“During the Civil War, Laredo was a transfer point on the Confederate cotton route to Mexico. On March 18, 1864, Major Alfred Holt led a union army of about 200 men from Brownsville to destroy 5,000 bales of cotton stacked at San Agustín Plaza. Colonel Santos Benavides rose from his sick bed and, with 42 men, repelled three union charges at Zacate Creek. This became known as the Battle of Laredo.”

“Onion Agriculture was practiced on a large scale in 1898 by Thomas C. Nye on irrigated acreage north of the city. The 1917 Souvenir Album of Laredo boasted, "The Laredo area is foremost in the world in the production of Bermuda onions."

“As late as 1922, water was delivered by barrileros (water vendors) to parts of the city.”

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Family Fun at the Laredo Public Library

The Laredo Public Library presents Spring Break family fun!

Stories, Arts and Crafts

Children and their families are invited to participate in these FREE activities from March 12 Thru March 16, 2007.

Mon. March 12 10:30 to 11:30 Story & Crafts (Decorate Door Hanger)
2:30 to 3:30 Arts and Crafts (Pasta Act.)

Tues. March 13 10:30 to 11:30 Storytime - Spring Activity
4:00 to 5:00 After School Art

Wed. March 14 10:30 to 11:30 Stories and Crafts (Watercolors)
2:30 to 3:30 Arts and Crafts (Beads Act. & Popcorn)

Thurs. March 15 10:30 to 11:30 Storytime Spring Activity 2:30 to 3:30 Arts and Crafts
(Jewelry Box & Cotton Candy)

Fri. March 16 10:30 to 11:30 Storytime and Craft (St. Patrick’s Hat)
4:00 to 5:00 Hora del Cuento Storytime and Craft

COME JOIN THE FUN!!

For more information, call Irma Gonzalez at the Laredo Public Library (795-2400 Ext. 2247). Limited Space!!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Friday Happening at the Laredo Center for the Arts

The Laredo Center for the Arts invites the community to Laredo's very own Friday Happening on March 9, 6 to 8 p.m.

The evening will feature an Artist Reception/Gallery Talk and VOZ Open Mic.

The Goodman Gallery presents Still Green, a series of charcoal drawings and mezzotint prints by Lari Gibbons. Artwork by students from United High School will exhibit in the Community Gallery. In the Laredo Art League Gallery, the Art Spirits will present their 8th Annual Watercolor Exhibition. The Lilia G. Martinez Gallery presents "Elements from the Front Range Contemporary Quilters" a program of Exhibits USA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with The Texas Commission on the Arts andThe National Endowment for the Arts.

Free admission. Donations are accepted.

Monday, March 5, 2007

We Want Your Opinion!

What special interest groups would you like to see formed?

Suggestions are always welcome!

Contact Sarah Flack (753-7111) with your ideas.

Spanish Conversation Group

Looking for a free and easy way to practice and improve your Spanish language skills? Patricia Abud conducts Spanish conversation meetings at the Laredo Public Library on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 10 am. Feel free to contact her at 791-0749.