Memorial High Collaborates with Local High School on "Memphis, the Musical!”

In a Houston classroom across town from Spring Branch, students are broken off into clusters during a rehearsal break.

The heat of July has found its way into G.W. Carver Magnet High School where the student cast has been practicing the opening number of David Bryan and Joe DiPietro’s Memphis, the Musical! for the past few hours. So far, they haven’t complained about the lack of air conditioning.

Set in the underground clubs during the 1950s, Memphis tells the fictional story of DJ Huey Callahon, a white-male with a passion for rhythm and blues music, and Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black-female singer on Beale Street. 

Despite objections from Callahon’s mother and Farrell’s brother who owns a club on Beale Street, Huey and Felicia begin a risky affair. The story takes place during the social transition from radio to television, a time when no one can accept the idea of interracial love, or interracial anything for that matter.

But sitting in rehearsals, it is apparent that the real story lies not in the characters but the young actors and actresses who play them.

Sprawled across the practice room are students from Spring Branch ISD’s Memorial High School and Aldine ISD’s G.W. Carver Magnet High School laughing at YouTube videos on their cell phones together and chatting about their plans for the night.

This fall theater season will bring these students from both schools together on one stage.

They are the Millennial Generation, a group that symbolizes just how far we have come since the 1950s: since segregation and since race divided a nation of immigrants.

Memphis, the Musical! is a joint production of  Memorial and Carver Magnet high schools. The cast of 40 — 20 members from each high school — is embarking on a history lesson to prepare for the show.

“The students are learning how it went from radio to television because none of them were alive; I wasn’t even alive during that. So they’re going to get to see the progression of not only how racism played out, but also how radio became popular, how it transitioned into television and how people could make it or break it based on that,” Nicole Morgan, Memorial High theater director said.

Carver High is an application-only, historically African-American high school in Aldine ISD that focuses on applied engineering, technology and the arts. Many of the students studying performing arts plan to pursue it as a career.

Roshunda Jones, G.W. Carver theater director (second from the left) teaching choreography to the cast. 

Morgan has been working with Roshunda Jones, the G.W. Carver Magnet theater director, for the past five years on Texas Thespians, an educational honor society dedicated to encouraging and improving the skills of Texas theatre students.

After seeing the interaction between their students, they mutually agreed that a joint production needed to be done.

“We started sharing buses to Nebraska together and our kids started getting to know each other. It was funny because on the way to Nebraska our kids would all be separated on the bus, then on the way back they’d be all mixed up,” Morgan said.

Last October, the two directors were sitting in a hotel room and decided that if they were going to do a show together, it was now or never.

“Roshunda looked at me and said ‘Nicole I found the perfect show, Memphis, the Musical!’ I read the script and listened to the music; we have been pushing forward ever since,” Morgan adds.

Morgan is focusing on the technical side of the production such as the set and costumes while Roshunda has taken the position of lead director.   

“I have to take a step back and not be in control which is an experience in itself for me. Maybe my way works for some of them [my students], but perhaps thinking outside the box or differently could be better for them. And I think part of the process that I am most excited about is that they’re going to get to work for somebody else even in the comfort of our own school,” Morgan said.

Both theater directors held auditions at their schools in May and then brought their 20 best to Memorial for joint call backs in early June. For this specific show, they had to cast students who could not only play the parts, but also make them believable.

 In that sense, color-block or color-blind casting — the process of casting roles without considering the actor’s ethnicity — wasn't an option.

 “I think sometimes with what they call color-block casting and this new-progressive thinking, you forget that some of these older audiences that are not trained in theater still need to see something that they can believe in although it is temporary on stage…Especially with a show set in the ‘50s like this one,” Morgan said.

Nathan Morgan  (front right) belting his solo, "The Music of My Soul."

For the students who began rehearsing in late June, the production is unlike anything they've ever been a part of. 

“Everywhere you go you’ll find different types of people; all these kids are really cool, incredibly talented and welcoming. It is a learning experience and we can only hope our interactions are reflected on stage,” Memorial senior Nathan Morgan said during his break at rehearsals.

Nathan plays the lead role of DJ Huey Callahon; he refers to her character as ‘a white man with a black soul.’ The senior football player played Shrek in Memorials production of Shrek the Musical last year and Luther Billis in South Pacific the year before.

The 18 Memorial High students cast as ensemble are playing roles that require white actors and actresses such as the store owners and pedestrians who depict racists, except for senior Leela Rao, who plays one of the Doo-Wop Girls on Beale Street.

Leela Rao (second from the left) with her Doo-Wop counterparts during rehearsals.

“I get to experience something that no one else from Memorial does so I feel like I've been really lucky in that sense. Even though I just met all of the Carver kids a few weeks ago, I already feel comfortable with them,” Leela said.

“Musicals are such an encompassing art form and just because you come from different backgrounds or go to different schools doesn't necessarily mean that you can’t put on a great show together.”

The curtain for Memphis, the Musical! is set to rise on Sept.6 at the Memorial Performing Arts Center. For ticket sales and more information click here.

Show times:

6, MEMPHIS, the Musical!, Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.

7, MEMPHIS, the Musical!, Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 2:30 p.m.

8, MEMPHIS, the Musical!, Memorial High School Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.

This story was written by Communications Intern, Kali Venable.

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Community Ed is HIRING INSTRUCTORS!

Instructors needed!

The Spring Branch ISD Community Education Dept. is continuing to seek instructors for its 11-week Fall Semester that will begin Monday, September 8, as well as for future anticipated openings.

Instructors are being sought for the following courses:

• English as a Second Language (ESL), Day, Evening and Saturday positions available
• GED taught in English and Spanish Day and Evening classed available.
• Spanish instruction Saturday positions available
• Computer teacher, word, excel, beginning computer…etc

For more information on these and other anticipated Community Education instructional openings, or if you are qualified in a course presentation that will benefit the community, please call Brandy Dean at 713-251-1695.

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Spring Branch Welcomes 28 New Teach For America Teachers

On Aug. 25, Spring Branch ISD will welcome 28 new Teach for America (TFA) educators to its schools. This marks the fourth consecutive year that recent university graduates with the nonprofit group have joined the district’s teaching faculty. 

The new Teach for America recruits include 13 elementary teachers, 10 middle school instructors, and four new high school teachers. These educators earned degrees at colleges and universities big and small, public and private, and from all corners of the nation. 

Joining SBISD from the Midwest is Wisconsin native Allyson Voss, who grew up near the north woods of Wausau, Wis. She will teach a fourth-grade bilingual classroom at Shadow Oaks Elementary this fall.

This 2013 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, a small, private liberal arts college in St. Peter, Minn., spent the past year teaching high school in the northern Spanish port city of Santander.

Allyson, who tripled majored in Spanish, sociology and anthropology in college, is a huge fan of bilingual education and travel. She has met both goals early.

She interviewed at the school two years ago, and then found an opening as her time in Spain came to a close. In late July, she visited with the school staff, all of whom made her feel happy about her teaching assignment.

“Everyone I met was inspired and excited about new ideas and perspectives. I’m excited and looking ahead to meeting my students. I want to ignite the passion in them for being lifelong learners,” she says.

“I’m going into bilingual education with the idea that it may be a life’s passion for me. But I plan to take each day by day, and see where it leads.”

Teach For America is a nonprofit organization that enlists high-achieving recent college graduates and professionals to teach in low-income or under-served schools with significant gaps in student achievement for a two-year period. 

Many of the TFA educators join the organization because they strongly believe in its mission to create quality education for all students, no matter their background.

“I chose TFA because I was very passionate about it is goals. I think equality in education is a vehicle by which individuals will be able to pursue other avenues,” incoming Northbrook High School Science teacher Albert Ahn said. 

Albert graduated in May of 2013 from the University of Pennsylvania, an Ivy League school, with undergraduate degrees in biology and political science. He had planned to go into medicine, but after realizing his passion for equal education, decided that teaching would be a better option.

"I am passionate about impacting the lives of the underprivileged and helping narrow the education gap. I pursued education not as an alternative to medicine but because it provides a unique opportunity at this critical juncture to assist those in need in a rigorous, challenging, and life-changing way," Albert said. 

Raised in Dallas, Albert attended both public and private schools which gave him a unique perspective on education.

“I didn't go to all the fancy middle or high schools but I ended up going to an Ivy League college and my experiences there were unlike prior ones. I was lucky I guess, because I got to see two very different sides.”

“I hope to find a way to incorporate that into my classroom,” he adds. 

Albert Ahn, Ambila Bobmanuel, Allyson Voss and Ebony Moore (left to right)

Houston local Ambila Bobmanuel graduated in May from Rice University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in mathematics.

At Rice, this full scholarship winner found a personal passion for math, which she hopes to share with Algebra I students at Spring Woods High School. A Katy ISD graduate, she credits teachers and school counselors at Morton Ranch High School with helping her win the Rice scholarship, which was critical to her higher education goals.

“Education was always important and emphasized in my family. I took AP classes in high school as a way to give me as many options as possible. I went to Rice for the school itself, and for the scholarship,” she says. “I could not have gone on to a college without scholarship aid.”

At Rice, Ambi as she is known, studied the things that she was interested in. “I found there that I really liked math. It has an order to it, and then I found that I wanted to show others how awesome it can be, too.”

Her interest in teaching was nurtured at Rice by her experiences with other students as a peer academic adviser.

She likes Teach for America’s core value of making an excellent education open to all students. “I’m grateful to be with Spring Branch because this school district has the same commitment to their students,” she adds.

While most of the TFA educators recently earned their bachelors degree, some are coming to the District with additional diplomas. 

Ebony Moore finished a master of arts in English program at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., in May of 2013, She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. 

She will be teaching English at Spring Woods Middle School. 

Ebony became interested in writing during her junior year of high school in Holly Springs, Miss., after having a really great and inspirational teacher during her junior year. However, it wasn't until graduate school that she became interested in teaching.   

“I didn't begin to seriously consider teaching until I got to grad school and was hired as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate class in the English department. I made all of the lesson plans, graded the tests, held office hours, etc., and ended up really enjoying it,” she said. 

Ebony is looking to forward to learning a lot of different things, but mostly wants to see growth in her students. 

“I hope to see not just academic growth, but also personal growth in my students. To me, it is important that those students who come in not confident at all in themselves  leave not ashamed of what they want and fully aware of what they are capable of accomplishing,” Ebony adds. 

New teachers joining SBISD for the 2014-15 school year through the TFA program include:

Elementary:

Samone Ballard, University of Texas, Pine Shadows Elementary

Rebecca Elliott, Loyola University, Westwood Elementary School

Luis Garcia Rico, University of Southern California, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Carlee Goble, University of Washington, Thornwood Elementary School

Kasfia Islam, University of Texas, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Jacqualyn Jones, University of Houston, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Sandra Orellana, University of California, Pine Shadows Elementary School

Olivia Schreiber, Grove City College, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Kamilah Smith, Mount Holyoke College, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Allyson Voss, Gustavus Adolphus College, Shadow Oaks Elementary School

Flora Torres Vaquedano, Sam Houston State University, Treasure Forest Elementary

Alan Mauricio DeLeon, University of Texas, Assignment Pending

Jennifer Weisheimer Roberts, Hamilton College, Assignment Pending

Middle School:

Mary Kelly, University of Pennsylvania, Spring Oaks Middle School

Maggie Lawrence, Trinity University, Northbrook Middle School

Brendan Laws, University of Houston, Spring Oaks Middle School

Juan Loera Alonso, Texas A&M University, Spring Oaks Middle School

Shiouyu Lou, Georgetown University, Landrum Middle School

Ebony Moore, Washington State University, Spring Woods Middle School

Jessica Richardson, Alabama A&M University, Spring Oaks Middle School

Natalia Rivera, Texas A&M University, Northbrook Middle School

Alexandra Soisson, University of Notre Dame, Landrum Middle School

Jamecia Crenshaw, Auburn University, Northbrook Middle School

High School:

Albert Ahn, University of Pennsylvania, Northbrook High School

Ambila Bobmanuel, Rice University, Spring Woods High School

Kirk Cochran, Mississippi State University, Spring Woods High School

Natalie Dressman, Brigham Young University, Northbrook High School

WAIS: 

Maryam Ogunkoya, University of Houston-Downtown, Westchester Academy for International Studies

This story was written and compiled by Communications Dept. Intern Kali Venable. 

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Students and Houston Artist give the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum a Vibrant Makeover

On the north side of Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) a once hidden treasure sits behind a series of brick walls — the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum (AYAM), believed to be one of the only fine arts museums in the nation affiliated with a public school district.

Up until July 9 the Museum was known only to art enthusiasts, SBISD fine arts programs and individuals who took the time to have a look inside the seemingly ordinary building. But thanks to renowned Houston artist Daniel Anguilu, the AYAM staff and around 15 Spring Branch ISD students, the building now has a new mural at the entrance worthy of the rich history and art collection on display inside.

Project participants met for the first time on June 7 to discuss Anguilu’s background in art and the role that it has played in his life. He took the students throughout the museum and had them look at different design elements from the artifacts such as the colors, shapes, and patterns used to create them.

Students sketched designs for their sections of — walls, floors, poles, and ceilings — the building, then began painting on June 9 with a layering technique Anguilu introduced.

Anguilu is known for his street-style art and constant involvement with the Houston art community. He has worked on a number of projects including the Texan-French Alliance for the Arts and the Paris art collective “Open The Door,” which AYAM also participated in.

The goal of the mural project is to bring the contents of the museum outside so that when you drive up you know what to expect inside. Yet in the process of creating an artistic curb appeal, a diverse community of passionate students were brought together to learn and work alongside an incredible artist.

Students from every high school — artists, photographers and journalists — gave their summer mornings to shine light on a historically and educationally invaluable part of the district that is often forgotten.

“It was so exciting seeing so many kids get involved and excited about participating. The diversity of the students was a great reflection of the cultures that are represented in the museum and the diversity in our District”, AYAM Co-Curator LeAnn Newton said.

While most of the participating students are artists, two journalists and photographers have also played a big role in the project. They took photos, conducted interviews and documented the event to bring attention from local communities and media to the project and museum.

Scott Kennedy, a junior at Stratford high school— and incoming Editor-in-Chief of Stratford High’s newspaper,“ The Oracle” — really enjoyed his experience with the team.

“The project really opened my eyes to the impact art can have. I have never been a huge artist or fan of art, but this project helped me to see some of its practical importance, and it was just an incredible project to watch”, Kennedy said.

Some of Kennedy’s work on the mural will be published in the Aug. 1 issues of “Absolutely! Memorial” and “The Memorial Buzz.”

The AYAM museum is named after SBISD’s first fine art teacher, Altharetta Yeargin, who donated a collection of more than 600 artifacts that her and her husband collected during their global travels almost 30 years ago.

After additional art was donated by community members, the Art Center collection outgrew its original home at Memorial Middle School and was moved to WAIS with support from the SBISD Board of Trustees, the Smithsonian Institution and a $600,000 donation from the Houston Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

The AYAM’s collection is currently valued at $2 million.

The mural is still getting its’ finishing touches from Anguilu and the students; they hope to have it completed by the end of July. Later in the year the AYAM staff plan to hold a celebration for Anguilu and participating students in addition to a public open house.

Participating Students:

Taylor Brittain- Stratford High 
Sara Farrikhi-Westchester Academy for International Studies
Dalia Hamdi-Westchester Academey for International Studies
Grant Haralson-Stratford High
Marcos Hernandez- Academy of Choice
Scott Kennedy- Stratford High
Savanna Kuhn- Stratford High
Juan Landin-Northbrook High
Jennifer Lee- Memorial High 
Natalie Ling- Memorial High 
Ruiland Lui-Memorial High 
Becky Phan-Westchester Academy for International Studies
Jackie Tarics-Westchest Academy for International Studies
Carolyn Zhang- Stratford High 

For information regarding visiting hours, private tours, school field trips, adult workshops and much more, please visit: http://cms.springbranchisd.com/ayam/AboutUs/tabid/18285/Default.aspx

SBISD video of the AYAM mural project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylNd9LK3bTI

This story was written by Communications Dept. Intern, Kali Venable.

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Courageous Principals: 150 Spring Branch ISD Principals attend Deloitte University Leadership Program

One-hundred and fifty Spring Branch ISD principals returned with commitment and enthusiasm from a 2½ day weekend leadership development program in June held at the Deloitte University corporate campus and training facility in Westlake, Texas.

SBISD’s leadership group is the largest team of principals in the Courageous Principals program, which is being sponsored for four school districts nationwide. In addition to SBISD, public school principals in San Francisco, Chicago and New York City will attend sessions in Westlake this summer.

“We were truly thrilled to partner with Deloitte on this exciting opportunity for our campus leadership,” said SBISD Superintendent of Schools Duncan F. Klussmann, Ed.D. “By adapting Deloitte’s exceptional business leadership training for public education, we know our great leaders will be challenged to think differently about their work to strengthen our schools even more.”

The Deloitte University sessions were held from June 20-22 for SBISD’s principals. Earlier in the same week, a City of Houston proclamation was issued stating that June 17, 2014, was Deloitte Courageous Principals Day in Houston.

“These principals have the power to influence dozens of teachers, who in turn will influence hundreds of students. Knowing this, Deloitte has created the Courageous Principals: From Insight to Action program, leveraging what we do every day for clients and our own people – developing great leaders,” said Anne Taylor, who is vice chairman and managing partner of Deloitte’s Gulf Coast practice, in a press release.

Deloitte intends to improve the immediate future of more than 100,000 students in the Courageous Principals program’s first year. Teaming with other members of the business community, government and not-for-profit entities, as well as school systems themselves, Deloitte will provide the principals with insights to enable them to become more effective leaders and bring change to their schools, organizers said.

The focus on principals is due to the multiplier effect – 230,000 principals can reach 3.9 million teachers, who can reach 50 million students. SBISD’s school principals work each and every day with 35,000 students from prekindergarten through 12^th grade.

Through Courageous Principals, participants are immersed in an intensive program to enhance their leadership skills. The program presents an opportunity for education leaders to network, share ideas, relay real-world stories, address specific challenges and opportunities, and work together to develop collaborative strategies.

“I believe a great educator is not created in a classroom, but rather they are born with a fiery passion to serve. Being an extraordinary educator is a true calling,” said Stratford High Ninth-Grade Principal Laura Ragsdale Villaflor. “Yet, in spite of our servant leadership, we are met with various challenges that make us question our purpose and our capacity to lead.”

In the Deloitte University sessions, Assistant Principal Ragsdale Villaflor reflected on her leadership practices.

“I developed a sense of clarity, consciousness and confidence about myself, learning that my imperfections were not weaknesses at all, but they were strengths of those around me. SBISD is composed of people with a variety of strengths, and Deloitte University highlighted this in a purposeful way,” she said.

“There is no single way to be a great leader, but our passions bond us together and we are capable of accomplishing any goal. Deloitte University demonstrated how SBISD is filled with astonishing leaders and, when united, we create a perfect army born to inspire brilliant minds,” Assistant Principal Ragsdale Villaflor added.

Organizers say that the principals will use what they learn two ways. First, they will apply their new knowledge directly in their day-to-day jobs and by doing so, will lead better. In addition, the principals will share what they learn with their teachers, creating a ripple effect of leadership into the Houston and SBISD communities.

Please visit www.deloitte.com/us/about for information on this highly regarded professional services firm.

Media Contacts:

Deloitte Public Relations:

Jane Broski at jbroski@deloitte.com or by phone at 1-312-486-2973

SBISD Communications Dept.:

Steve Brunsman at steven.brunsman@springbranchisd.com or by phone at 713-516-0607 

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SBISD College and School Teams Compete at Odyssey World Finals

A founder of the district’s popular student Odyssey of the Mind program and five Spring Branch ISD graduates brought home a first-place trophy this summer from the 2014 College Level (Division 4) Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

Iris Story, who is SBISD Council of PTAs creativity chair, had the chance to practice what she preaches at the college-level World Finals held on May 28 at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. More than 836 teams attended the finals.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that provides students in kindergarten through college the opportunity to solve problems through applied creativity and interpretation.

Having coached more than 50 teams and coordinated Odyssey of the Mind in SBISD since 1995, Story decided to return to college and qualified to compete at the college level in Odyssey earlier this year.

Her University of Houston team consisted of five other SBISD graduates and former students; Cheire Plouff, Gabe Perez, Addison Story, Cameron Perry and Mason Story, all of whom attended Spring Woods High School.

As an Odyssey coach, Story wasn’t able to provide outside assistance to the many teams she has led. This opportunity however, allowed her to speak up, build, sew, act and create with the student team unlike before; she regarded it as “a wonderful experience.”

At the World competition, the UH team created a comical, circus-themed musical to address “Seeing is Believing,” one of several “problems” that student teams are asked to solve. 

The UH team placed first, and was followed by Penn State University, University of Delaware, Northern Kentucky University, San Antonio College and Michigan State University, in consecutive order.

In separate but related news, four SBISD student teams also competed at the World Finals competition. They included Cornerstone Academy, Westchester Academy for International Studies, Spring Oaks Middle School, and Spring Woods High School. 

The teams placed as follows:

•  Cornerstone Academy (Division II) – 33^rd in Problem One, “Driver’s Test"
•  Spring Oaks Middle School (Division II) – 38^th in Problem Four, “The Stackable Structure”
• Spring Woods High School (Division III) – 19^th in Problem Five, “Seeing is Believing”
• Westchester Academy for International Studies (Division III) – 20^th in Problem Four, “The          Stackable Structure”

Communications Dept. Intern, Kali Venable complied this report. 

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Students Get Set for STEM Careers at Houston PREP Summer Program

It is no secret that the modern-day technological revolution is changing the U.S. and global work force entirely. With once science fiction ideas now marketable realities, professionals in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are needed more than ever. 

There are a lot of uncertainties about what the future of STEM industries will look like, but we can be sure that Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students will be active professionals in them.

On July 9, a group of Houston-area students, including 60 from SBISD, met in the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) auditorium to begin Engineering Day at Houston PREP.

Amidst the crowd was Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) sophomore Ezekiel Coleman, a second year student in the now 25-year-old program.

Coleman developed an interest for engineering at Spring Forest Middle School that grew when he entered WAIS; after attending Houston PREP last summer, he knew it was the field for him.

“Houston PREP has definitely strengthened my interest in engineering and been a great program to be a part of,” Coleman said.

The aspiring young engineer notes that prior to the Houston PREP program he didn’t know much about the vast amount of available careers in STEM fields.

“This opportunity has given me the chance to speak with leading math and science professionals and gain insight into an industry I wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise.”

Houston PREP is an intensive, pre-college mathematics and science based program led by UHD’s Sangeeta Gad, the Houston PREP director.

The six-week, free-of-charge camp emphasizes development of problem solving and critical thinking skills for socially and economically disadvantaged students. Both middle and high school students with interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) apply every year for a limited number of spots — roughly 300.

According to the founder of Houston PREP, Dr. Richard A. Alo, 14 million jobs in STEM fields will go unfulfilled within the next decade if the U.S. does not prepare more teen-agers to pursue educations in mathematics and science.

Alo encourages PREP students to be aware of the opportunities around them and be a part of the rapidly growing science and mathematics fields that have become the basis for so many new discoveries and technology.

“So often, . . . we do not realize what gifts we are given, as they are not packaged as we expect them to be. Unwrap the gifts of science, engineering, mathematics and technology,” Alo said during his welcoming remarks.  

Many, including Dr. Luis Flobelo — a Shell engineer who spoke during the morning speaker presentations—have referred to the potential STEM field employment crisis as “the great crew change,” a perfect storm created by an aging workforce and rapidly growing job opportunities.

As a program, Houston PREP aims to be a part of the efforts to expose the dire need for STEM employees and ensure that Houston-area students will be at the top of the list to move into those positions when they complete their educations.

The Houston PREP method has been extremely successful with roughly 95 percent of former students graduating from college, 75 percent of whom obtain STEM degrees.

Coleman and other participating students headed to the first of three speaker-led presentations after opening remarks in the auditorium. Speakers included college professionals, scientists, mathematicians, industry leaders, and premier high school teachers.

Following speaker sessions and a short lunch break, the students presented STEM projects they’d been working on in groups during the six-week program. 

Those who complete the course load earn high school graduation credit that has been approved by the Texas Education Agency and are eligible for UHD scholarships.

For more information on the Houston PREP Engineering Day and six-week program visit: http://www.uhd.edu/academic/colleges/sciences/ccsds/hou_prep/aboutUs.html

SBISD students who participated in Houston PREP:

Cornerstone Academy- Janelle Le

Landrum Middle School- Maurico Alvarado, Nitzarindani Angeles, Brandon Baltazar, Erik Baltazar, Blanca Bonilla, Cuauhtemoc Campos-Arroyo, Keisy Castillo, Josylynn Chan, Erick Chungata, Tericka Davenport, Luis De Los Santos, Sergio Espinoza, Felicity Fernandez, Brissa Gaona, Jose Lopes, Mariana Macias, Tanya Madrid, Sandra Melgar, Fernando Meza, Julieta Munoz, Luan Nguyen, Ruby Ochoa Laila Ortega, Ulyses Pelcastre, Karla Perez, Emily Resendiz , Jawueline Rios, Abigail Romero, Alicia Villalta, Juan Zelaya 

Memorial Middle School- Pierce Nguyen, Alejandro Yanes 

Northbrook High School- Briana Baltazar, Matthew Campos, Yazmin Martinez, Dulce Olvera, Jesus Perez, Alexandra Rangel, Ludguin Ruiz, Emmanuel Salas, Valerie Argueta, Irma Flores, Gissela Prisciliano, Melissa Vicente 

Spring Branch Middle School- Kate Coxic, Emalee Higgins 

Stratford High School- Naxlee Khadjeheian 

Westchester Academy for International Studies- Cyndia Alcarado, Bryan Chun, Ezekiel Coleman, Nancy Duarte Villafan, Fahad Iqbal, Paloma June, Maria Linerio, Alyssa McNeil, Celesta Monsivaiz, Megan Narvaez, Raman Srivastava, Adrian Villalobos

This article was written by Communications Dept. Intern, Kali Venable. 

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Breakfast/Lunch Prices Will Remain the Same for 2014-2015

Student breakfast and lunch prices will remain the same for the new school year that begins on Monday, Aug. 25. 






Student meal prices for the 2014-2015 school year are:

Breakfast Regular Price (Elementary and Secondary) – 75 cents

Breakfast Reduced (Elementary and Secondary) – 30 cents

Elementary Lunch Regular Price – $1.70

Secondary Lunch Regular Price – $1.95

Reduced Price Lunch (Elementary and Secondary) – 40 cents

Adult meal prices (staff and visitor) will be announced soon. Prices for these meals are still being determined pending final federal funding formulas.

SBISD participates in the National School Lunch Program and offers the School Breakfast Program in qualifying schools. Applications for free and reduced-price meals should be completed online and submitted as soon as possible at the beginning of the new school year. These applications may also be completed and submitted at campus locations.

Elementary and secondary students who meet eligibility criteria may qualify for reduced-price meals. SBISD’s Child Nutrition Services Department serves more than 1.7 million breakfasts and more than 4.1 million school lunches each school year.

Monthly menus and nutritional information are posted on the CNS Website at www.spring branchisd.com. Additionally, Families are encouraged to use the school district’s prepayment options for meals, including an online payment option. Cashiers accept cash or checks on site, but families may also use a credit or debit card to pay for meals online, or pay by using a traditional checking account.

To access the online payment system or submit applications, please visit the district’s Child Nutrition Services website at www.springbranchisd.com/cns and follow payment directions. For details, call 713-251-1150.

Director Chris Kamradt leads the Child Nutrition Services Department. The department, with about 340 employees, is one of SBISD’s largest. It operates under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program with policies and direction from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Spring Branch ISD Media Contact: Steve Brunsman, 713-251-2465

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Houston's Summer of Learning

JOIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR A SUMMER OF LEARNING!

Houston is full of FREE, FUN resources and opportunities to LEARN all summer long!

School is out but learning does not have to end! The Mayor's Office of Education Initiatives has organized numerous free, fun and educational summer learning programs in Houston! These include summer reading programs through the Houston Public Library system, nutrition and wellness programs through Houston Parks & Recreation and art & cultural events through the Houston Museum District, Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston Symphony and Young Audiences of Houston. 

The Summer of Learning campaign also has intern and/or volunteer opportunities open to students and responsible adults through Houston Service, as well as resources to help your child plan for college through the City of Houston's Department of Neighborhoods Office of Education Initiatives!

For more information, check out our Summer of Learning webpage at: www.houstontx.gov/education/summeroflearning.html or contact Aarik Mickens-Dessaso via email at Aarik.Mickens-Dessaso@houstontx.gov or by phone at 832.393.0993. 

You can also check out their calendar of events at www.houstontx.gov/education.

Follow the Department of Neighborhoods on Facebook and Twitter for updates on summer activities and more!

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CITGO - Fueling Education

Having trouble downloading images, Click here to view email in a browser. CITGO has a longstanding commitment to giving back in the communities we serve. And for the second consecutive year, we will be offering a Fueling Education Sweepstakes to help Fuel Good in classrooms. Like last year, CITGO will award 84 prizes of $1,000 worth of school supplies to professional educators across 27 states and the District of Columbia. Help the educators in your community by making them aware of the CITGO Fueling Education Sweepstakes. More information is available at the CITGO Fueling Good Facebook page, or you can just forward this email to them. Educators just go to the CITGO Fueling Good Facebook page to enter. Entrants must be professional educators, 21 years of age or older and meet all eligibility requirements (see Official Rules). Winners will be chosen weekly at random throughout the Fueling Education Sweepstakes period and notified via email. Education is a core philosophy for CITGO, as every investment we make in the education and wellbeing of our kids is an investment in the future of our neighborhoods and communities. CITGO is proud to support students and teachers as part of the Fueling Education Program. Through this rewarding initiative, hundreds of young minds will benefit from enriched educational opportunities at important stages in their development. Rafael Gomez, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, CITGO To learn more about how CITGO is Fueling Good in local communities, visit FuelingGood.com. One entry per person. Void where prohibited by law. Entrants must agree to terms/conditions. Click here for "Fueling Education Sweepstakes" Official Rules.

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2014-2015 Open Houses and Back to School Nights Announced

Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) will offer several Open Houses and Back to School Nights during the 2014-2015 school year that begins on Monday, Aug. 25. At these special meetings, parents can learn what’s planned for the year ahead at their child’s campus and actively connect with teachers, principals and other campus staff.

These special campus gatherings and open houses are one important way to engage with your child’s entire learning community, understand shared expectations and goals, and find the staff members or information you need to help your own child succeed throughout the school year.

Please check with your child’s individual campus for updates on the specific dates and times listed below for these announced meetings:

Back to School Nights and Open Houses:

·         KIPP Courage Students at Landrum Middle School – Tuesday, August 19

·         Yes Prep Students at Northbrook Middle School – Wednesday, September 24

·         SBISD High Schools – September 9-11

·         SBISD Elementary Schools – September 16-18

·         SBISD Middle Schools – September 23

·         School Night for Scouting – Wednesday, September 24, or Oct. 2 Bad Weather Option

·         PreKindergarten/Schools for Early Learning – Monday, August 25 Parent Orientation and Thursday, October 2, Open House

For more details and updates on SBISD campus information, please visit your child’s campus website or the district website at www.springbranchisd.com.

Spring Branch ISD Media Contact: Steve Brunsman, 713-251-2465

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