HPHS Kids ACT up Again

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday we were touting Highland Park ISD’s great ACT performance? Well, it wasn’t yesterday. It was last Aug. 21.

Well, today we learn that this year’s crop of kids put last year’s crop to shame:

Highland Park ISD students earned an average composite score of 26.1 on the 2007-08 ACT. Their score is nearly a full point higher than the 2007 composite of 25.2 and beats the previous record of 25.4 set in 2006. The average Texas state composite score rose to 20.7, also a new record, while the national average was 21.1.

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Is This Ad Too Racy to Appear in Our Paper?

Subscribers to the Print Product will see a story about Equinox Fitness‘ unusual ad campaign when the papers begin to hit lawns tomorrow afternoon. We had three examples of the ad that we could have chosen to run with the story. Two of them I considered entirely unsuitable for a family newspaper.

I’m placing one of them — the one without the naked backside of a man prominently featured — after the jump. You tell me, was I being too conservative in keeping it out?

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UP to Lower Tax Rate (Not Taxes)

Despite rising costs, the staff of UP last night proposed to the City Council that the tax rate be lowered again, for the 14th year in a row, to 26.5 cents per $100. How can the city afford this? Thanks to the Dallas Central Appraisal DIstrict, of course. From Cassie Clark’s story, to appear in this week’s Print Product:

But because of rising property values, the tax bill for the average UP homeowner would be $2,513, up $227 from last year’s $2,286 average bill.

Re: Sign Up Now for Leadership University Park

I am working on my application and thought I’d run my answers past Overheardians. What do you think:

Why are you interested in attending Leadership University Park?

I know very little about the way the departments and organizations within the city and community operate. I love University Park and am eager to know much more about the behind the scenes dealings that make our city great.

What, if any, city/community, department/organizations/programs would you like to learn more about or become involved with?

I am interested in learning about the various areas I can best use my strengths to serve the community.

I want to really make a good impression on my app so that I get in, any feedback?

New M.I.S. Moms Need to Know

I was visiting with a group of M.I.S. first timer moms last night and they said that they have heard differing stories about the morning cafeteria scene. I guess the students stay in the cafeteria until the 8:20 bell rings and the classes go as a group to their rooms. Well, a few moms have heard that it’s not good to get your kid there too early because bad things happen in the cafeteria before school. Another mom heard that the kids love to be droped off a little early so they can socialize and that it’s some totally wonderful time.

Which is it? M.I.S. parents we need to know.