2013 Jones Scholars

Twelve graduating seniors in Spring Branch ISD have been named 2013 Houston Endowment Jones Scholars and are now eligible to receive up to $16,000 in scholarship funds toward a four-year university or college bachelor’s degree.

Jones Scholars are nominated by participating high schools. A Rotary Club of Houston committee made the final selection based on academic achievement, economic need, leadership skills, community service and character.

The Houston Endowment is a philanthropic foundation founded in 1937 by Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones to improve the lives of Houstonians through donations to charities and educational institutions. Since it was established in 1958, the Houston Endowment has given more than $97 million to help send more than 11,000 students to college.

SBISD seniors named as Houston Endowment Jones Scholars this year:

• Memorial High – Ryan P. Neal, Aditya Srinivasan, Kaijia Tian
• Northbrook High – Fernando Bello, Lucia A. Meras-Torres
• Spring Woods High – Sandy A. Aguilar, Rena Dang, Aileen A. Lail
• Stratford High – Anna C. Chong, Fernando Trujano, Tian Yao
• Westchester Academy for International Studies – Angela N. Dodd

For more information about Houston Endowment and the Jones Scholars program, please visit www.houstonendowment.org or www.jonesscholars.org.

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Houston West Chamber Awards

Pictured: Principal Gary Henry (left) with Jeanne Bollinger, Chamber President & CEO and James Mutters (right) at the 23rd Annual Teacher of the Year and Business Partnership Awards Luncheon

A local Tae Kwon Do business that has provided classes and uniforms for an after-school program at Valley Oaks Elementary School was named Business Partner of the Year in the small business category during the recent 23rd annual Teacher of the Year and Business Partnership Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.

Boudreaux's Country Kitchen won in the business category of 26 to 150 employees. The restaurant provides extensive culinary and restaurant training management, tours and catering for many Spring Branch ISD district events.

Spring Branch Tae Kwon Do owner James Mutters received the category award in businesses with 1 to 25 employees during the May 2 program at Lakeside Country Club-Westside.

Valley Oaks Principal Gary Henry nominated Mutters and his business. As a part of the award recognition, Valley Oaks Elementary School will receive $250 from the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.

The annual luncheon is held, in part, to recognize the educational support provided by business and community partners across the west Houston region. Keynote speakers this year were Dr. James Nelson, Jr., an engineering and computer dean at the University of Texas at Tyler and James Bowen with FIEEE Electrical Power Systems. The two men spoke on the need for engineers and a career-ready U.S. workforce.

Spring Branch ISD business and teacher nominations this year included:

SBISD 2011-12 Teachers of the Year Jamie Flint and Mario Romero
Both nominated for the Christa McAuliffe In Search of Excellence Award

Businesses with 1 to 25 Employees:

• Office Effects, Ellie Elam
• Crossroads Animal Clinic, Butch Miller
• Starbucks Coffee, Lindsey Levy
• Appleton Learning, Ray Brown
• Spring Branch Tae Kwon Do, James Mutters

Businesses with 26-150 Employees:

• Klotz Associates, Katherine Ostroff
• Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen, Monica Levitz

Nonprofit Organizations:

• NewSpring, Kristen Gonzales
• Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Bill Jensen
• Northbrook Middle School, Valerie Johnson

At the May 2 luncheon, 17 students from SBISD’s Guthrie Center took part in a workforce program exhibition. Our students showcased their works in computer animation, agricultural science, architecture, culinary arts, films and video, hotel management and student work internships.

The Houston West Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the economic growth and vitality of the West Houston business community through leadership and business development.

The Chamber currently has more than 600 business members representing 45,000 employees and was recently recognized as one of the top 25 chambers of commerce in Houston by the Houston Business Journal.

For more information about the Chamber and its programs, please call 713.785.4922 or visit www.hwcoc.org.

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Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

Five elementary teachers in Spring Branch ISD have been chosen to participate this summer in the 2013 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy, which will meet June 16-21 at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center.

The residential-style academy is designed to enhance the science and mathematics teaching and learning of third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade teachers. Those chosen for this year’s academy include the following SBISD instructors:

• Jeanne Breidenthal and Miguel Nava, both of Spring Shadows Elementary
• Marianela Amaya of Cedar Brook Elementary
• Dagoberto Duran of Pine Shadows Elementary
• Nelda De La Rosa of Westwood Elementary

The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy is an ongoing partnership with the professional golfer Phil Mickelson and his wife, Amy, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and Math Solutions. In addition to the local professional development opportunity for SBISD educators, science instructor Mario Romero of Thornwood Elementary was chosen earlier this spring for the national Mickelson ExxonMobil Academy, which will be held at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J.

Romero, a fifth-grade teacher who is a former SBISD Teacher of the Year, met the golfer Phil Mickelson and learned about his award during a surprise announcement held at the Shell Houston Open in late March.

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SAT Prep Scholarships

The SAT preparation company Appleton Learning recently awarded 15 test prep scholarships to students enrolled in the Spring Branch ISD Collegiate Challenge program.

The company-issued scholarships were awarded to students who prepared for the recent SAT test administration on May 4.

The scholarships were awarded to Collegiate Challenge students who are enrolled at Spring Woods, Stratford and Northbrook high schools, as well as Westchester Academy for International Studies, a district public charter secondary school.

As scholarship recipients, students attended a five-week traditional SAT course, found out what learning style was best for them, took two practice tests and had one-on-one strategy sessions with an Appleton instructor.

In a company press release, SBISD Community Relations Officer Linda Buchman reported that the district’s Collegiate Challenge program helps juniors and seniors prepare for college and future careers. So far, this year’s seniors have been offered more than $3.4 million in scholarship offers.

“Since 2000, our program has impacted more than 750 students, and our continued growth couldn’t occur without community partners like Appleton Learning,” states Buchman.

Appleton Learning is located at 1395 South Voss Road. For more information, go to the company’s website at www.AppletonLearning.com, or like it on Facebook.

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Sweepstakes Music Trophies

Spring Branch ISD student music groups completed UIL concert and sight-reading performances recently. In all, 21 groups received Sweepstakes ratings by earning a Division 1 rating in both concert performance and sight-reading.

Among Sweepstakes top honors awarded this year, Stratford High School took 11 separate choir, band and orchestra groups to UIL, or the University Interscholastic League, competition and all of them received Sweepstakes trophies.

In addition, the Spring Woods Middle School Orchestra received Sweepstakes for a first time in recent history. Elsewhere, eight groups received a Division 1 rating in concert only and six local groups earned a Division 1 rating in sight-reading. The following student groups (see below) received First Division Superior trophies under the category specified.

Sweepstake recipients earned First Division Superior trophies in both categories.

Concert stage only:

Memorial Middle School: Varsity Band, Non-Varsity Band, Varsity Treble Choir
Memorial High School: Varsity Mixed Choir
Spring Branch Middle School: Varsity Orchestra
Spring Woods High School: Non-Varsity Mixed Choir, Varsity Brand
Northbrook Middle School: Non-Varsity Band

Sight-reading only:

Memorial High School: Varsity Treble Choir
Memorial Middle School: Non-varsity Orchestra
Spring Oaks Middle School: Varsity Orchestra
Spring Woods High School: Varsity Orchestra
Northbrook High School: Band

Sweepstakes (1st Division Superior rating on stage and also in sight-reading):

Landrum Middle School: Varsity Band, Non-Varsity Treble Choir
Memorial Middle School: Non-Varsity Treble Choir, Varsity Orchestra
Memorial High School: Non-Varsity Orchestra, Non-Varsity B Orchestra, Non-Varsity A orchestra, Varsity Orchestra
Northbrook Middle School: Varsity Band
Spring Forest Middle School: Varsity Orchestra, Varsity Band
Spring Oaks Middle School: Varsity Mixed Choir, Varsity Band
Spring Woods Middle School: Varsity orchestra
Spring Woods High School: Varsity Treble Choir, Mixed Choir, Varsity Choir, Varsity Mixed Choir
Stratford High School: Varsity Band, Non-Varsity Band, Varsity Mixed Choir, Non-Varsity Tremble/Bass choir, Varsity Treble Choir, Non-Varsity Treble Choir, Sub Non-Varsity Treble Choir, Full Orchestra, Sub Non-Varsity Orchestra, Non-Varsity Orchestra, Varsity Orchestra

This report compiled and edited by Communications Dept. Intern Kali Venable

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Aspirations in Computing Award

Two high school seniors in Spring Branch ISD were recently honored for their interest in computing and computer science by the Houston chapter of NCWIT, or the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

Accepting the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing were students Casie Chen of Memorial High School and Destiny Lewis of Westchester Academy for International Studies. The awards were presented during a special program in April at the University of Houston-Downtown.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women in high school for their computing-related achievements and interests.

Honorees are selected for their demonstrated, outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing; leadership ability; academic history; and plans for post-secondary education.

The Houston award ceremony was sponsored by Schlumberger, Center Point Energy, UH-Downtown and Rice University. The award committee included Sangeeta Gad of UH-Downtown; John Greiner of Rice University; Karen North with Houston ISD; and Kate Christenbury with the energy corporation ConocoPhillips.

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Three Spring Branch ISD Trustees Elected on May 11

Two current Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees members, Pam Goodson and Bob Stevenson, have been re-elected, and new member Karen Peck has won the Position 7 seat of retiring Trustee Mike Falick, according to complete but unofficial May 11 Election Day voting results.

Attorney Karen Peck received 756 votes in the Position 7 race. Challenger John Buchanan, a retired engineer, won 104 votes. Trustee Mike Falick will retire soon after three terms on the Board, resulting in the position vacancy. Running unopposed were Position 5 Board Member Bob Stevenson and Position 6 Board Member Pam Goodson, who is current Trustee President. Goodson received 662 votes, and Stevenson won 645 votes.

The seven members of the SBISD Board of Trustees are selected at-large to serve overlapping, three-year terms. The Trustees serve without pay. Results of the May 11 election will be canvassed and certified during the Board of Trustees Special Meeting now scheduled for May 21.

To view complete but unofficial Election results online by voting location, click here.

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Summer Food Service Program in SBISD

With summer right around the corner, it’s time to think about keeping children healthy while school is out. Spring Branch I.S.D. provides free meals to children during the summer.

This summer, meals will be served at schools listed below.
There are no income requirements or registration. Any child under age 18 may come to eat. For more information, contact Michelle Dickson at 713-251-1150 or monica.dickson@springbranchisd.com. Or, visit the SBISD Child Nurtition Services website for update and details.

Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture partners with local organizations like Spring Branch I.S.D. to provide free meals to children when school is out for the summer. For more information about the national Summer Food Service Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer.

BUFFALO CREEK

2801 Blalock

June 7 - July 3

Breakfast 8:00 - 8:30, Lunch 12:00 - 12:30

HOLLIBROOK

3602 Hollister

July 8 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 11:30 - 12:30

LANDRUM MIDDLE

2200 Ridgecrest

June 7 - Aug 23

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:20, Lunch 10:55 - 12:40

MEMORIAL HIGH

935 Echo Lane

June 10 - Aug 1

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 10:30 - 12:40

 

NORTHBROOK HIGH

1 Raider Circle

June 7 - July 25

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 11:30 - 12:40

NORTHBROOK MIDDLE

3030 Rosefield

June 7 - Aug 23

Breakfast 7:00 - 8:00, Lunch 11:30 - 12:40

RIDGECREST

2015 Ridgecrest

June 7 - Aug 8

Breakfast 8:00 - 9:20, Lunch 12:00 - 1:00

SHADOW OAKS

1335 Shadowdale

June 7 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30, Lunch 10:50 - 1:00

SPRING BRANCH

1700 Campbell

June 7 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30

Lunch 11:00 - 12:30
 

SPRING SHADOWS

9725 Kempwood

June 7 - July 3

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 11:00 - 12:30

SPRING WOODS HIGH

2045 Gessner

June 10 - July 3

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 10:50 - 12:40

SPRING WOODS MIDDLE

9810 Neuens

June 7 - July 3

Breakfast 7:00 - 8:00, Lunch 11:00 - 12:00

STRATFORD

14555 Fern

June 7 - July 3

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 10:30 - 12:40

TREASURE FOREST

7635 Amelia St.

June 7 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 12:00 - 12:45

WILCHESTER

13518 St. Mary's

July 8 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 12:00 - 12:30

WOODVIEW

9749 Cedardale

June 7 - Aug 8

Breakfast 7:30 - 8:00, Lunch 10:50 - 12:30

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