School starts this week in Abilene at ACS, Leadership Academy

Greg Jaklewicz, Abilene Reporter-News
·2 min read
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Can you believe it?

School starts this week.

At least it does for students at Texas Leadership Charter Academy and at Abilene Christian School.

Classes begin Tuesday at TLCA and Thursday at ACS.

Premier High School begins Aug. 14 Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD classes begin Aug. 16.

The AISD announced last week that it again will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students on campuses through the school year. The district met qualifications to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision under the USDA's meal program.

What's not starting is fall weather. With the 100s still predicted, it will still feel like summer for kids, teachers and staff.

First-time teachers get classroom boost

The Abilene Education Foundation on Wednesday will distribute Judy Dudley Memorial GIFT grants to 50 first-time Abilene ISD teachers.

Teachers can use these Giving Incentives for First-time Teachers checks for $150 to purchase items to set up their classrooms.

This is the 15th year for these awards from the foundation.

The grants honor Dudley, a longtime AISD teacher. Funding comes from the Martha Scott and GIFT endowed funds, Mike Dudley, Pat Dudley and a group of retired teachers. Carlson, a former teacher, gave the first donation in 2008.

McMurry gifts boost endowment, fuel capital projects

New resident living for McMurry University students has risen on the south end of the campus, across from the tennis courts.
New resident living for McMurry University students has risen on the south end of the campus, across from the tennis courts.

McMurry University has announced its two highest years of fundraising, which includes the largest contribution to the annual McMurry Fund.

Fundraising for FYs 2022 and 2023 topped $25 million.

More than $2 million of that total was given to the McMurry Fund, which, according to a news release, "touches every aspect of campus from student life and scholarships to maintenance and faculty support."

Giving has poured $7.8 million into the university endowment, and about $14 million has been raised for capital projects.

Construction is advancing on an apartment complex and upgraded Garrison United Methodist Campus Center.

The glassy new look of Garrison Student Center on the McMurry University campus.
The glassy new look of Garrison Student Center on the McMurry University campus.

McMurry is nearing completion of a strategic plan to enter into its second 100 years. The university currently is celebrating its centennial.

The Centennial Homecoming and Gala is Oct. 27-28.

“We are excited to continue our growing momentum as we close out our Centennial year,” said Mike Hutchinson, vice president of institutional advancement. “We are grateful that our community is so invested in our students and our campus that they continue to give so generously.”

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: School starts this week in Abilene at ACS, Leadership Academy