Clear Creek Education Foundation Chairman Mike Huss thanks CCEF Executive Director Kaci Hanson for putting together the update she presented to the Clear Creek ISD trustees.
By Mary Alys Cherry
This year has been a very good year for the Clear Creek Education Foundation, and Executive Director Kaci Hanson hopes that is an indication of things to come.
“CCEF’s annual campaign brought in a total of $190,000 and it hosted the largest gala in its history,” she told the Clear Creek School Board as she updated trustees on the foundation, which works to enrich academic achievement in CCISD, adding that CCEF was able to gift the school district with $270,000 this year.
Founded in 1992, the nonprofit, whose volunteers are dedicated to education excellence, works with the school district to deliver resources for a world-class education, she said, explaining that its goal is to:
- Encourage students to work to their highest potential;
- Provide unique educational opportunities in classrooms;
- Encourage career exploration in the science and technology fields;
- Enable students to be first generation college students;
- Encourage teachers to enhance their education.
DIFFERENT PATHS
CCEF does this in several different ways, she pointed out.
1. Teacher Innovative Grants. It offers monetary grants so teachers can create and implement innovative lessons, enriching the student learning experience. This past year CCEF offered 56 grants totaling $157,000 to 54 teachers in 31 schools, impacting more than 30,000 students.
2. Technology Education Labs. CCEF spent $59,000 initiating programs at Brookside and Victory Lakes intermediate schools to provide critical knowledge and skills needed in technology education with audio video production and robotics. By developing soft skills now, the schools begin laying a solid foundation for the competitive workplace of the 21st century, Hanson said.
3. Clear Horizons Early College High School. CCEF supplements tuition for students who simultaneously earn a college associate degree and a high school diploma. “CHECHS is an opportunity for first-generation college students to get a step ahead by learning necessary skills to succeed in both their high school and college courses – providing $60,000 in support of instruction for 24 students.”
4. National Board Certification. The foundation encourages teachers to achieve the highest and most rigorous standards set by the U.S. Department of Education and has helped 15 teachers achieve National Board Certification since 2007.
SPRING FASHION SHOW
She also announced that CCEF would host its annual spring fashion show, “I Love CCISD,” will be held Sunday, April 27, at 4:30 p.m. at Alex Rodriquez Mercedes Benz in League City with proceeds benefiting school programs.
This year’s show will feature a new format, she said, complete with runway seating, hors d’oeuvre stations and featuring talent vignettes straight from the halls of CCISD schools. The fashion show will be produced by Lenny Matuszewski Jr., the nationally known fashion event producer, and will feature fashions from Dillard’s – Baybrook Mall.
CCISD high school juniors who are in good academic standing, involved in school and community activities, and demonstrate all that is positive about CCISD will be selected to serve as student models.
“This just gives teachers an opportunity to touch more children,” Trustee Charlie Pond said of the foundation’s goals.
