Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said she was so impressed while spending time with our outstanding Akins High School students at the SAE "F1 in Schools" Technology Challenge 2013 Worlds Final Sunday.

In her Power of Us blog, the superintendent wrote:

Students from all over the world were at the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Austin competing in teams to develop F1 cars of the future. Akins Principal Daniel Girard and the district's Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Pauline Dow, also attended the event.

Last week, AISD's Pease Elementary School celebrated its designation by the Texas Historical Commission as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark by unveiling a historical marker in front of the school. AISD Trustees Amber Elenz, Gina Hinojosa and Ann Teich participated in the celebration with Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.

Last summer, Anderson High School graduates Leon Kozinakov and Amanda Meriwether were selected to participate in the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program at the Applied Research Laboratories at the University of Texas at Austin. S&EAP provides an opportunity for recent high school graduates seniors to gain exposure to laboratory research and development. Kozinakov and Meriwether were both supervised by a research scientist or engineer and completed a project during the program.

Sound Science

Dear Colleagues,

Veterans Day will be celebrated throughout the nation Monday, November 11, to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who selflessly gave of themselves to defend our nation's cherished way of life.

I invite all of you to join me in honoring and thanking our military veterans, especially those who are AISD team members, for their invaluable service to our country, to our families and to our way of life.

NAACP honors educator for efforts to address disparities within district

The Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is awarding the 2013 DeWitty/Overton Freedom Award to Austin ISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.

The award is based on the collective works of the honorees in the areas of civil rights and social justice. Carstarphen will receive the award at the 48th Annual DeWitty/Overton Freedom Fund Banquet Dec. 14.