PROGRESS FALL 2017
PEARLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
BUILDING WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS As a new school year begins, see how Pearland ISD is working to produce world-class students
IN THIS ISSUE:
ALL IS NOT LOST
TIP TOP DISTRICT
MEET YOUR BOARD
In the face of destruction, Pearland comes together to rebuild
See how Pearland ISD rated among other districts in Texas
Get to know Pearland ISD school board president Rebecca Decker
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Contents Issue 1 | Fall 2017
Superintendent Dr. John P. Kelly Executive Director of Communications Kim Hocott Communications Coordinator Lexi Marshall Communications Specialist Jeri Martinez
Out Of This World
12
#PearlandISDCares
16
Communications Department 281.485.3203 EF PAGES LLC Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Levy Project Director Kari Wenner
Your Bond at Work
17
RISE Mentoring
19
Sales Manager Christine Grudecki Lead Designer Rick Wallace Editor Amy Levy Ad Design Ariel Levy CONTACT INFORMATION General Questions/Comments info@efpages.com Artwork and Design art@efpages.com Advertising advertising@efpages.com
ON THE COVER: Rustic Oak Elementary student Maria De La Rosa painted a coffee filter to look like the Earth during an Earth Day activity last April.
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Progress / EF Pages LLC 404 W. Kenndale Pkwy Kennendale, Texas 76060 Ph: 214.728.8349 Fax: 817.330.0314 PROGRESS is a joint publication of the Pearland ISD Communications Department and School & Family Magazine/EF Pages LLC.
www.pearlandisd.org | 5
From the Desk of Superintendent Dr. John Kelly
What do the first day of school, a solar eclipse and a hurricane have in common? All of these events happened within the first five days of the 2017-18 school year! On the very first day of school, the solar eclipse provided a phenomenal teaching moment for our students. For reasons both positive and negative, so did Hurricane Harvey on the fifth day of school – and in the weeks following. Our community, including our students, reached out (and continue to reach out) to help others in ways that speak volumes to the rest of our nation. Some students and staff experienced a tremendous test of endurance, faith and perseverance as water entered their homes and vehicles in what is the worst flood in U.S. history. All these events began in the first week of school this year – and remain a challenge for months to come. Our ability to re-open our schools sooner than most affected districts place both an opportunity and an obligation on us to produce another incredible year of student and staff achievement. We hope to “eclipse” past achievements despite the challenges placed on some of our hurricane-affected students and staff. Earlier this summer we were rated the 2nd highest performing district in the Greater Houston area (of more than 40) and 16th best in Texas (out of more than 900 districts) according to the Niche rankings. That ascending trajectory continues despite the storm. While I can’t predict the weather, I have as much confidence about us meeting this newest challenge – as those who precisely predicted the time and place for viewing the eclipse. Along with a new school year, comes new innovations including a new magazine format for the Progress. We’re appreciative of our Communications Department for their work on it, especially considering the responsibilities placed upon them during the Hurricane and its aftermath. Welcome back everyone!
Dr. John P. Kelly 6 | PROGRESS
University of Houston-Clear Lake Pearland Campus
SPRING 2018 REGISTRATION BEGINS NOVEMBER 15!
Pear A Perfect
Shadow Creek High School
Visit www.alvincollege.edu/pearland for a list of available courses now offered at Shadow Creek High School and UHCL-Pearland Campus. EOI
New Leadership Kai Bouchard, Turner College and Career High School
Dr. Johnnie Santos, Challenger Elementary
Prior to Pearland ISD, Kai Bouchard served in administrative positions in Clear Creek ISD. He also taught high school social studies for the Hawaii Department of Education.
Most recently the assistant principal at Cockrell Elementary, Dr. Johnnie Santos began her career 17 years ago in the classroom.
As TCCHS principal, Bouchard looks forward to working with the students, faculty and staff.
After leaving the classroom, she served as an assistant principal and principal in Louisiana, Kansas and Pearland.
“Tuner was designed to be, and I believe has become, a model of innovation,” he said. “So, the vision should require that we make the most of the resources and unique educational opportunities that are available to our students.”
Her goal is to establish a common understanding among students, teachers and staff regarding the climate of the school.
Brad Hayes, Alexander Middle School
Jorgannie Carter, Chief Financial Officer
Brad Hayes is no stranger to Pearland ISD, he was a science teacher at Pearland High School from 2004-07.
Previously Spring ISD’s executive director of financial services, Jorgannie Carter, joins Pearland ISD’s Business Office as the Chief Financial Officer and will continue to maintain the financial strength
He began his career in education in Galveston ISD as a science teacher. Hayes has held administrative positions in Cleveland and Clear Creek ISDs for the last 10 years. Hayes’s goal is to continue the success at Alexander by encouraging students and staff to take chances and achieve their full potential. “My vision for the staff is to create a setting where they are more than just an employee, but part of a work family,” he said.
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“My vision for Challenger this year is to set the tone for a positive environment where everyone feels safe, accepted, challenged and supported,” she said.
of the district.
She lives by the belief that in today’s dynamic workplace and school environment, a personal best is something that is always in front of us. “I want to collaborate and create synergy amongst staff and cross-functional groups to continuously improve our processes and accomplish the goals of the district,” Carter said.
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QUESTIONS
Evan Holly
3rd Grade, Challenger Elementary
Ace Tran
6th Grade, Sam Jamison Middle School
GRIT is when you’re really trying to do something and never give up.
When you work for something, help people and do what is good.
So you can accomplish many things.
If you don’t have GRIT, it shows you don’t take the initiative to work hard.
It took me five tries, but I was able to learn how to ride a bike. This was something I wanted to do and knew I could do it.
I lost a worksheet, but didn’t give up and kept looking for it so I wouldn’t get a zero.
Besides yourself, who is someone you know that is a good example of a person with GRIT? Why/How?
My mom because she never gives up on people and encourages them to keep going.
My friend because he knew he did something wrong but told the teacher since it was the right thing to do.
In Pearland, the “I” in GRIT stand for integrity. Give an example of a time when you did something because you knew it was the right thing to do.
I like to recycle because it helps the earth and I will continue to do it.
Everyone was talking in class and I saw the teacher put her hand up, so I stopped talking and told everyone around me to quiet down.
What is GRIT?
Why do you think it’s important to have GRIT?
What is something you achieved because you had GRIT and didn’t give up?
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Cierra Watson 8th Grade, Berry Miller Junior High
Sydney Dodson
12th Grade, Turner College & Career High School
GRIT is having confidence in yourself, maintaining and achieving a goal and telling yourself not to back down.
GRIT is when you’re really trying to do something and never give up.
You want to tell yourself that you can do it and not be terrified by overcoming some obstacles in life. If you don’t have GRIT, you’re telling yourself that you can’t do it.
To be able to achieve all that you can.
I have more confidence in myself because one time when I was going through something hard, I told myself I couldn’t do it and to give up. After thinking, I came back to it and tried my hardest and achieved it.
The class election this year, which was a really close race. I didn’t give up and kept campaigning and I was able to become class president.
Mrs. Benedix, who was my fifth grade GRIT teacher. She always has a positive attitude, never gives up, motivates everyone and is an amazing person and that’s what I love about her.
My advisory teacher, Ms. Sisung, because she is going back to school and trying to further her education.
I saw a person at Target drop a $50 bill. I knew it was right to pick it up and give it back. The person thanked me for returning the money.
I have integrity in everything I do, especially in service projects or CAT Camp. It’s good to be honest and be committed by not giving. When you say something, you do it and achieve it.
www.pearlandisd.org | 11
Out of this World Pearland ISD students experienced a unique first day of school Monday, Aug. 21, viewing a partial solar eclipse. The district provided students with CE ISO certified solar viewing glasses to see this rare sight and used this as a teachable moment to increase science literacy.
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www.pearlandisd.org | 13
Building World-Class Schools Three Pearland ISD campuses recently numbered among more than 400 statewide to earn all possible Texas Education Agency accountability distinction designations. Released in August, 95 percent (21 of 22) of eligible Pearland ISD campuses earned one or more distinctions compared to the state’s average of only 52 percent. These distinctions recognize schools for achievement in performance indicators as compared to 40 similar campuses in size and student demographics. “We’re proud of all of our schools. Few districts of our size or diversity in the greater Houston area can match our record,” Superintendent Dr. John Kelly said. Magnolia Elementary, Sablatura Middle School and Pearland Junior High West hold the honor of earning all eligible distinctions. This August, TEA also conferred its top “Met Standard” accountability rating on Pearland ISD and every campus for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results. PACE Center received the “Met Alternative Standard” rating. 14 | PROGRESS
Pearland ISD’s 2018 Niche Rankings TEXAS Houston-area No. 1 Safest School District No. 2 Best School District No. 6 Most Diverse School District
No. 16 Best School District Standout Elementary Schools: Carleston Elementary and Lawhon Elementary
*Note: Niche ranked 40 school districts in the Houston area and 985 school districts in Texas. Standout schools are named for having at least 50 percent of students identified as economically disadvantaged, yet have an overall Niche grade of B or higher. (For more info, visit www.niche.com)
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#PearlandISDCares On Saturday, Aug. 26, Hurricane Harvey began hitting the Pearland community and left a record-breaking amount of rain creating devastating floods over the course of the next several days. During the storm and in its aftermath, Pearland ISD students and staff came together to assist the community in various ways.
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PJH West Design work has been progressing on the addition and renovation projects at Pearland, Dawson and Turner high schools, as well as Junior High West and East, and Jamison and Sablatura middle schools. District-wide security upgrades are also in the design phase. Construction is scheduled to begin at Dawson, Junior High West, and Sablatura and Jamison middle schools in January 2018. Construction at Pearland and Turner high schools will begin in February 2018, followed by Junior High East in April 2018.
Pearland HS
Security upgrades at all schools will be implemented during the summers of 2018 and 2019. Designs for the elementary school renovations will begin in the fall of 2018, with construction in 2019 and 2020. All projects are progressing on schedule and within budget. For more information, visit the bond website: www.pearlandisd.org/bond.
Turner CCHS
Dawson HS www.pearlandisd.org | 17
World-Class Educators ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Amanda Roberts, Alexander Middle School
Brenda Keimig, C.J. Harris Elementary
Amanda Roberts considers her job to be much more than being ‘just a teacher.’ She considers herself a leader, role model, problem solver, mediator, instructor and nurturer. “As a teacher, I am given the opportunity to impact the paths of so many people,” she said. “I only have a few precious months with my students each school year, so I try to be someone who makes a positive impact on their lives that will last an entire lifetime.”
Brenda Keimig is now in her seventh year as principal at C.J. Harris Elementary where her goal remains the same as when she first started teaching: to help every child succeed. “I want our students to know that they are loved and that they can do whatever they put their effort into,” Keimig said. “In my position, I am able to encourage lifelong learning in both children and adults. I have found that my teachers and staff members need someone to be there cheering them on just as they are there cheering for our students.”
SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
SECONDARY PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR
Diana Gano, Dawson High School
John Palombo, Pearland High School
Being a teacher means Diana Gano can help students get excited about science and encourage a generation to become doctors, engineers and researchers.
John Palombo begins his second year as principal at Pearland High School. Prior to PHS, he served as principal of the PACE Center for two years.
“I show them what’s possible and help them see how exciting and interesting science can be so that they can go out there and make new discoveries,” Gano said.
“I want to continuously build on to the traditions of Pearland High School where the Oiler family pursues excellence with Pride, Honor, Success,” he said.
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Want to mentor a Pearland ISD student? No special title or degree is required.
RISE-ing up for Students Thank you to our community for RISE-ing up to help students succeed in school and life! RISE Mentoring celebrated more than 300 mentoring matches in 2016-17, its second year. RISE connects K-12 students with caring adults who want to make a lifelong impact through a commitment of time and a listening ear. For 30 minutes a week, mentors meet with students at their campus to talk, share hobbies and more. Want to mentor? No special title or degree is required. Mentor trainings will be offered through February. Visit www.pearlandisd.org/mentoring to fill out an application and register for training.
www.pearlandisd.org | 19
Top Teachers Cruised Into Summer Pearland ISD Teacher of the Year winners, Dawson High School’s Diana Gano and Alexander Middle School’s Amanda Roberts, were awarded with loaner vehicles from Bayway Chevrolet for the month of June. For the ninth consecutive year, this community partner has provided the district teachers of the year winners with program cars as recognition for their accomplishments.
Students Supplied for Success Once again, members of the Pearland community showed their generosity through school supply donations for students. Through the 13th annual YMCA Operation Backpack, Vic Coppinger Family YMCA donated over 500 backpacks and 6,274 school supplies for students who needed extra help to start the 2017-18 school year. This years’ Operation Backpack partners included Crosspoint Church, Claws and Paws, Memorial Hermann Pearland, New Hope Church, Pearland Pediatrics and UPS. In addition, Two Men and a Truck donated a truck and labor to pick up and deliver backpacks and supplies to schools in time for the first day.
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Get to Know Your Board Members
Name: Rebecca Decker Position: President What is your connection to Pearland ISD outside of being a board member? I am a mother of three daughters (6th grade, 8th grade, high school junior) who are all students in Pearland. Why did you want to serve on the Pearland ISD school board? The inspiration to serve on the school board came at the time when the previous boards were forced with difficult decisions about cutting programs in order to work within the state funding cuts to public education. In your opinion, what makes a school board effective? School boards are most effective when they are working together as a team. We are respectful of one another’s opinions even if they differ from our own, and support the decision once the vote has been taken. Listening to each other and allowing each other to speak is key. What about Pearland ISD are you most proud of? Most recently, I am so proud of how our district came out to support the community during the flooding of Harvey. We had every level of employees, students, teachers, administrators, custodial staff, maintenance staff, etc. come together to help. We are a family in Pearland ISD and we take care of each other. In your life, who or what inspires you? My mother inspires me daily and has my entire life. She has the biggest heart and she is full of grit! She has bestowed upon me a hard work ethic and “care for fellow man” mentality. She supports me and encourages me to reach for the stars. She is definitely the person I most want to emulate. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her support and inspiration. 22 | PROGRESS
Botkin Earns ‘Master Trustee’ Designation After graduating from the 2017 Leadership TASB program in June, Pearland ISD trustee Lance Botkin joins the ranks of ‘master trustee,’ along with fellow board member Rebecca Decker. Both Botkin and Decker (class of 2015) have successfully completed the yearlong program sponsored by the Texas Association of School Boards. Botkin has served on the Pearland ISD Board of Trustees since 2013. The 2017 Leadership TASB class comprised of 33 school board members representing Texas school districts of all sizes and property wealth. Established in 1949, TASB is a nonprofit association that serves local public school districts. Texas school board members are the largest group of publicly-elected officials in the state, representing more than 5.1 million students.
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Brenda Chaves, dual language teacher at Magnolia Elementary, is presented with an Innovative Teaching Grant for her reading intervention project 100 BOOKS in 100 DAYS.
IS
Isn’t it (100) Grand!?
PE A
Since its inception in 2013, the Education Foundation has awarded 168 innovative teaching grants with total funding of $238,842.14.
d Foun
From stand-up desks and mobile seating to building a model EMS truck and a World War II airplane, Pearland ISD Education Foundation awarded over $100,000 for “outside the box” classroom ideas. Thanks to continued support from annual donations and fundraising events, including Grown-up Spelling Bee and Evening for Education Gala, the foundation was able to award its largest amount of giving since inception in the form of 56 grants. Each year, grant winners are awarded through a week-long Surprize Patrol. “It is always a great week of celebration for the foundation, our supporters, and the school district,” Chief Foundation Officer Natalie Clogston said. “We are grateful to live in a community that supports teachers and helps to fund their ideas that elevate education above and beyond traditional teaching.” Established in fall 2013, the Pearland ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides resources to enrich teaching and inspire learning for students and teachers in Pearland ISD. Through tax-deductible donations, the foundation is able to provide funds for educational programs and activities that either have not been funded or have been under-funded by the district’s normal operating budget.
www.pearlandisd.org | 23
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