Bay Area school districts get an A or Exemplary rating

September 1st, 2018

By Mary Alys Cherry

The TEA report card is in, and Clear Creek ISD and its 42,000 students earned an A or Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency.
So did Friendswood ISD and Pearland ISD, meaning this is certainly a good area for families with kids.

But first, Clear Creek ISD. Actually, the school district received three grades – A or 91 for student achievement, B or 84 for school progress, and an A or 95 for closing the gap – and an overall rating of A or 92.

So, where is this district doing exceptionally well? “Districts,” the TEA says, “earn an A (90–100) for exemplary performance when they serve most students well, encouraging high academic achievement and/or appropriate academic growth for almost all students. Most students will be prepared for eventual success in college, a career, or the military.”

The grade a district receives is based 40% on its STAAR performance, 40% on college, career and military readiness and 20% on its graduation rate, the education agency said. CCISD’s four-year graduation rate is 97.1% and rises to 98.5 after five years and 98.7 after six years with a 0.5% dropout rate.

How did students do academically? Most schools scored in the 80s with some scoring in the 70s and others in the 90s.

Clear Horizons Early College High School, where students are probably most focused on school work, scored a 98. But Clear Springs High was not far behind with a 95, along with Clear Falls High with a 92, Clear Lake High with a 91, Clear Creek with a 90 and Clear Brook, 87.

Highest scoring intermediate schools were Seabrook with a 94, and Westbrook and Victory Lakes, 91. At the elementary level, Gilmore took top honors with a 94, followed at 91 by Ralph Parr and Falcon Pass with a 90.

Friendswood ISD did even better than Clear Creek, scoring three A’s – 94 on student achievement, 91 on school progress and 96 on closing gaps, for an overall 94.

And, all its six schools scored A’s and in the 90s with a 93 for Friendswood High, 96 for Cline Elementary and Windsong Intermediate, 94 for Westwood and Bales Intermediate and 93 for Friendswood Junior High.

Pearland ISD also scored high with an A, B and A for scoring 92 on achievement, 89 on progress and 99 on closing the gap. Dawson High with a 92 and Turner Career High with a 93 both scored A’s while Pearland High had a B or 88 and Pace Center High had a 93.

Highest scoring middle schools were Pearland Junior High East; Miller and Alexander with a 94 and Pearland Junior High West, 93.

High scoring elementary campuses included Rusty Oaks, 94; Shadycrest and Silvercrest, 91; and Magnolia, 90.

Ratings for a number of school districts, including Pasadena, Dickinson, Alvin and Galveston, were delayed because of Hurricane Harvey.

CCISD forming boundary advisory committee

August 29th, 2018

Clear Creek ISD is forming a School Boundary Advisory Committee to develop and present new boundary recommendations to the District’s Board of Trustees for Florence Campbell Elementary, which is scheduled to open in August 2019 in League City.

The panel will also propose elementary, intermediate and high school attendance zones to relieve overcrowding where feasible.

Anyone interested in volunteering his or her time may submit information online here or visit www.ccisd.net.  CCISD employees are not eligible to serve on the committee. All members shall be selected by random drawing in accordance with CCISD policy, FC (Local).

The deadline to apply to be on the committee is Sept. 26. A random drawing, based on membership criteria of policy FC Local, will occur on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m.

Committee meeting dates will be:

  • Oct.17, 2018   
  • Oct. 24, 2018    
  • Nov. 7, 2018 
  • Nov. 14, 2018 
  • Nov. 28, 2018 
  • Dec. 5, 2018  
  • Dec.12, 2018 
  • Jan. 31, 2019

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and will held at the CCISD Education Support Center, 2425 E. Main St., League City, Texas 77573.

CCISD lists 2018-29 free and reduced meal guidelines

August 5th, 2018

Clear Creek ISD students who are unable to afford the full price of school meals will be able to participate in a free and reduced-price meal program. According to Director of Child Nutrition Service Fred Walker, the District will use guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine eligibility for participation in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program. Reduced price meals will cost $0.30 for breakfast and $0.40 for lunch.

Qualification standards are based on the number of family members and income. Applicants must turn in the following information in order to be considered for the program:

  • Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

Families who do not have the above information must list the following:

  • Names of all household members
  • The last four digits of the Social Security number of primary wage earner or household member who signs the form
  • Last month’s income and how often it was received for each household member that receives an income
  • Signature of an adult household member

 

Information submitted on the application may be verified as required by law. For more information about the program call 281-284-0712.

Foster children, who are the legal responsibility of the state agency or court, are eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside.

Applications will be available online at www.schoolcafe.com  To apply for free and reducedprice meals, households must fill out the online application.  Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year.

Under the provisions of the free and reducedprice meal policy, Rebecca Coronado, Free & Reduced clerk, will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis at 281-284-0712.

Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally by calling 281-284-0700 or in writing to Child Nutrition Hearing Official, 2145 W. NASA Blvd., Webster, TX 77598.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact Child Nutrition. Such changes may make the students of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the levels shown below:

Income Eligibility Price Guidelines-July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019

Non-discrimination statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at the following website: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: 202-690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

CCEF style show raises $28,000

July 1st, 2018

Fashion models Taylor Diggs, a junior at Clear Lake High, and Mikayla Anding, a Clear Falls High junior, show off pretty spring and summer fashions from Dillard’s at Baybrook Mall during the Clear Creek Education Foundation Fashion Show.

The Clear Creek Education Foundation‘s 12th annual fashion show showcased the many things CCEF loves about CCISD, using the theme, “I Love CCISD…District and Community Strong.”

Held at Mercedes-Benz of Clear Lake, the popular style show drew more than 220 guests and raised over $28,000 to support Clear Creek ISD academic enrichment programs.

The “CCISD Strong” Fashion Show, directed by national fashion event producer Lenny Matuszewski Jr., featured 50 high school juniors, along with 8 guest models who rocked the runway and 8 teachers modeling fashions from Dillard’s – Baybrook Mall and hair styles by Visible Changes.

Plus, League City Elementary kindergartner, Levi Maldonado, and his art teacher and homeroom teacher, Mrs. Aalund and Ms. Barrera, strutted the runway wearing t-shirts showcasing Levi’s design as the winning artist of the annual “CCISD Strong” Kindergarten Art Contest.

In addition to runway seating, 10 local restaurants provided stations offering hors d’oeuvres for guests, who also enjoyed talent vignettes featuring CCISD students – truly an event for all to enjoy.

Meanwhile, student groups including the Clear Springs Jazz Ensemble led by George Solis and the Clear Lake High School Soundwaves led by Jade Blakey, entertained guests before the fashion show. The Clear Springs Theatre, led by Mark Stonebarger, wowed the audience with a few scenes from “Shrek,” while the Clear Springs High Audio Video and Production team, led by Amber Pecsenye, captured the event in a keepsake high definition video.

“CCEF works year-round to develop and host programs that truly make a difference in the lives of CCISD students,” CCEF Executive Director Kaci Hanson said. “Our fashion show is a special time to educate the community on our initiatives and enlist their support, while showcasing many of the programs we love through this fun filled event. This year’s event did not disappoint.”

The event was planned by a 21-person volunteer committee that included CCEF Community Marketing and Events Manager Kelsey Richardson; Co-Chairmen Gina Conklin and Elizabeth Wang; and committee members Joyce Abbey, Summer Brauer, Suzanne Fair, Kimberly Fleming, Ann Hammond, Midge Herrod, Rebecca Lilley, Dinah Matthews, Laura Mackay, Amanda Mark, Sarah Moutz, Claudia Pardivala, Sonia Ponchak, Jill Reason, Deena Rigby, Skyler Rossacci, Brad Rossacci and Mary Ann Shallberg.

Mercedes Benz dealer Jerry Foyt, center, welcomes the CCEF style show committee. They are, from left, Skyler Rossacci, CCEF Events Manager Kelsey Richardson, Amanda Mark, CCEF Executive Director Kaci Hanson, CCEF Chairman Jill Reason, Co-Chairman Elizabeth Wang, Mary Ann Shallberg, Co-Chairman Gina Conklin, Brad Rossacci, CCISD Trustees Ann Hammond and Paige Rander and Laura Mackay.

CCISD offers Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Registration Information

April 3rd, 2018

Clear Creek ISD is gearing up to welcome new Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year.

The District’s goal is to ensure all parents know when and how to register, what they can do to best prepare their children for school and to create an orderly, welcoming environment for our students from day one. We want our learners to start their education journey on the best possible trajectory, which is best achieved by preparing early.

Below includes information on qualifications, program locations, registration dates and more.

Important Dates for Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration:

Below are registration dates for parents and guardians planning to enroll their child in Clear Creek ISD’s early learning programs.

April 16, 2018
On-Line Registration for Pre-K and Kindergarten Begins | www.ccisd.net/enroll
April 30 – May 4
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration and Document Drop Off at Zoned Elementary Campuses
August 6, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
All Campuses Re-Open to Receive Required Documentation

 

Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) in Clear Creek ISD

Clear Creek ISD offers two free early learning programs, as well as a tuition-based Pre-K program, for residents who live within CCISD boundaries:

  • Pre-Kindergarten: Pre-Kindergarten is an early learning program to prepare children for Kindergarten who are identified as at risk*. Pre-K provides learning to children who are four years old on or before September 1. Pre-K for three year olds provides learning to children who are three on or before September 1.
  • Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD): The Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities is a special education program to meet the needs of students identified as needing special education services. The PPCD program provides services to children beginning on their third birthday. If you suspect that your child has a disability, please call the CCISD Early Learning Intake Center at 281.284.0330 to schedule a screening.
  • Tuition Based Pre-K: Clear Creek ISD also offers tuition-based Pre-K on a space available basis. Visit www.ccisd.net/earlylearning to learn more about the tuition for both half day and full day Pre-K programming.

*Children can attend the CCISD Pre-K program at no cost if the child meets at least ONE of six requirements as stipulated by the Texas Education Agency. Visit www.ccisd.net/earlylearning or read on under “How to Register Your Child for Pre-Kindergarten in CCISD” to find out if your child qualifies for free Pre-K.

Pre-K Program Site Locations:

Clear Creek ISD currently provides Pre-K programming in early childhood classrooms at 19 locations throughout the District.

Armand Bayou Elementary (Serving Armand Bayou and Brookwood)
Bauerschlag Elementary
Bay Elementary (Serving Bay, Robinson and White)
Brookwood Elementary (Bilingual Pre-K Only)
Clear Lake City Elementary
Falcon Pass Elementary (Serving Falcon Pass and Ward)
Gilmore Elementary (Serving Gilmore and Hall)
Goforth Elementary
Greene Elementary (Serving Greene and Landolt)
Hyde Elementary (Serving Hyde and Mossman)
Landolt Elementary (Bilingual Pre-K Only)
League City Elementary (Serving League City and Parr)
McWhirter Elementary (Full Day Program)
North Pointe Elementary
Ross Elementary
Stewart Elementary (Serving Stewart and Ferguson)
Weber Elementary
Wedgewood Elementary
Whitcomb Elementary

 

How to register your child for Pre-K in CCISD

Beginning on April 16, parents or guardians may visit www.ccisd.net/earlylearning and click on “Enrollment Information” located on the left navigation bar to enroll their Pre-K or Kindergarten student for the 2018-2019 school year.

Step 1. Determine/confirm qualifying status.

To qualify for a Pre-K spot (four-year old), the child must be four on or before Sept. 1, 2018 and for three year olds entering the Pre-K program, the child must be three on or before Sept. 1.

To qualify for free Pre-K, the child must meet at least ONE of the following requirements:

  • Qualify for free and reduced lunch
  • Child does not speak English
  • Child is homeless
  • Parent is active duty military
  • Child is or has been in foster care
  • Child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical first responder

For more information on these qualifications, visit https://tea.texas.gov/ece/eligibility.aspx or contact your campus.

Step 2. Complete the new student registration on-line at www.ccisd.net/enroll

(Reference the Enrollment User Guides available in the navigation bar to the left of the enrollment page for additional help.)

Step 3. Take documents to assigned campus (April 30 – May 4)

To finalize registration and qualifications for the Pre-K programs, parents or guardians will need to visit the campus the student will be attending to provide the required documentation, outlined below, and complete the registration process.

  • Birth Certificate
  • Immunization Record
  • Two Proofs of Residency in the Clear Creek Independent School District (mortgage or lease and a gas, water or electric bill)
  • Social Security Card (Social Security card is recommended but not required. A student who does not provide or have a Social Security card will be assigned a state identification number.)
  • Parent/guardian I.D. (driver’s license, passport, military I.D.)
  • Additionally, if parents believe their child meets one of the six qualifications for free Pre-K, documentation of qualification will also need to be provided at the campus visit.

Kindergarten in Clear Creek ISD

Students must be five years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2018 and live within the District’s boundaries to be eligible for Kindergarten in Clear Creek ISD.

How To Register Your Child for Kindergarten in CCISD

Beginning on April 16, parents or guardians may visit www.ccisd.net/enroll to register their Kindergarten student for the 2018-2019 school year.

Step 1. Determine/confirm qualifying status.

To qualify for Kindergarten in Clear Creek ISD, student must be five years of age on or before Sept. 1 and live within the District’s boundaries.

Step 2. Complete the new student registration on-line at www.ccisd.net/enroll

(Reference the Enrollment User Guides available in the navigation bar to the left of the enrollment page for additional help.)

Step 3. Take documents to assigned campus (April 30 – May 4, 2018)

To finalize registration and qualifications for the Pre-K programs, parents or guardians will need to visit the campus the student will be attending to provide the required documentation, outlined below, and complete the registration process.

  • Birth certificate
  • Immunization record
  • Two proofs of residency in the Clear Creek Independent School District (mortgage or lease and a gas, water or electric bill)
  • Social Security card (Social Security xard is recommended but not required. A student who does not provide or have a Social Security card will be assigned a state identification number.)
  • Parent/Guardian I.D. (driver’s license, passport, military I.D.)

Get ready!

There is a lot parents and guardians can do before the first day of school to prepare their student to be successful from day one.

Clear Creek ISD is proud to team with ReadyRosie to bring parents modeled moments designed to deliver valuable lessons into real life situations in an engaging way. Once registered, parents will receive a weekly playlist of videos that “train” the parent how to connect fun activities with serious learning opportunities. The videos and activities are targeted to children ages 0-5 years old to instill both foundational learning and social skills. CCISD Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers are also integrating ReadyRosie into the classroom setting and curriculum.

Learn more and register at ReadyRosie Online Resource for Parents – Clear Creek

Nominations open for CCISD Athletic Hall of Honor

February 9th, 2018

Sports figures gather to plan the 2018 CCISD Athletic Hall of Fame celebration. They are, from left, Bill Daws, Dr. Lynn Davis, Lanny Landtroop, Terry Farrell, R.C. Bailey, Jerry Foster, Boyd Sylestine, Pud Williams, Buddy Carlisle, Bill Krueger, Dede MacPherson, Ronnie Alhorn, Jim Mallory, Dub Kelly, Debbie Fuchs and Ralph Parr.

On Feb. 7, 2018 in the CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium press box, a league of extraordinary leaders and coaches in CCISD met to officially kick off the 2018 Athletic Hall of Honor nomination window, and for a little reminiscing while they were at it.

As Clear Creek ISD turns 70 later this year, the gathering served as a timely opportunity to revisit the long list of outstanding athletes who made their mark in CCISD, at the collegiate and even professional levels, and on their communities.

The CCISD Athletic Hall of Honor was created in 2016 for the distinct purpose to recognize these exceptional athletes and alumni.

The group of former CCISD coaches in attendance included Bill Krueger (Creek and Lake, basketball, 1966-1995);Buddy Carlisle (Creek, basketball, 1976-2006); Jerry Foster (Creek and Lake, tennis, 1972-1993); Dub Kelly(Creek, football, basketball and baseball, 1955-1970); Pud Williams (Webster HS, Creek and Lake, basketball, football and golf, 1966-1997); RC Bailey (Creek and Lake, football, baseball and track, 1966-1990);

Plus, Boyd Sylstine(Creek, Lake, Brook, basketball, 1962-1997); Lanny Landtroop (Creek and Lake, swim, 1968-1980); Ron Alhorn(Webster, and Lake, football and baseball, 1972-1981); Jim Mallory (Creek and Lake, football and baseball, 1978-2011); Terry Farrell (Lake, basketball, 1981-2008); Dede MacPherson (Creek, soccer, 1982-2008); and Bill Daws(Creek, football and track, 1985-2014 and former CCISD Director of Athletics).

Former CCISD teacher, principal, school board trustee and member of the Athletic Hall of Honor Board of Directors, Ralph Parr, was also at the kick off.

The memories were flowing at the reunion, including tales of Krueger’s 1966 basketball state championship that got away (he and his Falcons would later claim the prize in 1989) and Landtroop’s 10 state championships in swimming that earned the coaching legend a spot in the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.

Athletic Hall of Honor Chairman Dr. Lynn Davis and CCISD Director of Athletics Debbie Fuchs thanked the group for their contributions to CCISD and supporting the Athletic Hall of Honor. “I am privileged to be in this room with such a distinguished class of individuals who paved the way in CCISD athletics,” Fuchs said. “You are the pioneers who began the traditions of molding our students’ talent and character so that they could be all that they could be in their sport and in life.”

Davis and Fuchs encouraged the coaches to help spread the word that nominations are now being accepted for the Class of 2018 Athletic Hall of Honor.

This is the first year that Clear Lake High athletes may be considered for the elite award. Due to the high volume of worthy alumni, the Athletic Hall of Honor committee seeks nominations that encompass a specific era, each year gradually adding in CCISD schools in the order they began. For the first two years of the program, the Athletic Hall of Honor recognized athletes from Webster High and Clear Creek High, the first high schools in CCISD.

For the current 2018 nomination window the nominee must have been a graduate of Webster High School, Clear Creek High or Clear Lake High between the years of 1948 and 1982.

Anyone may nominate an Athletic Hall of Honor candidate. The nomination package should include the nomination form, a letter(s) of recommendation, and any relevant supporting materials such a newspaper clippings, statistics and photographs, for example.

Nominations are due to the following address by May 1, 2018:

CCISD Director of Athletics Debbie Fuchs
CCISD Challenger Columbia Stadium
1955 W. NASA Parkway
Webster, TX 77598

2018 Athletic Hall of Honor Nomination Form

To access the nomination form and more information on requirements for induction as well as other guidelines regarding the CCISD Athletic Hall of Honor, click here.

2017 Athletic Hall of Honor Inductees

Click here to view the names of 2017 Athletic Hall of Honor class as well as a photo gallery and video from the awards ceremony.

Sponsor Information

For alumni, businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the 2018 Athletic Hall of Honor Awards ceremony, click here.

The CCISD Athletic Hall of Honor is a 501(c) 3 and operates under an independent Board of Directors.

CCISD community approves $487 million bond referendum

May 9th, 2017

The Clear Creek ISD community gave the school district a big thumbs up on May 6, approving the $487 million bond referendum, with 63.59 percent voting for and 36.41 percent against the, based on unofficial election results.

“We are appreciative of the community’s support of our schools, our teachers, and our students,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Greg Smith said. “I would like to first and foremost thank the CCISD Facility Advisory Committee who worked tirelessly over the course of many months to put together a bond package that reflected the community’s priorities.

“We are ready to get to work on these important projects that will undoubtedly improve the learning and working environment for teachers and students across this great school district.”

The bond funding will be used to build the district’s 27 th elementary school and add to existing schools for enrollment growth, rebuild two schools that are well over 50 years old while simultaneously updating other campuses to bring them up to today’s learning standards, replace dangerous playgrounds, purchase new security systems and school buses, launch a second science magnet program at Brookside Intermediate and conduct priority repairs and projects across CCISD.

“This school district is recognized for its strategic thinking and planning for the future. That is one of our core strengths. This school bond program will give us the ability to stay competitive in education and the ability to support the children of CCISD today and decades into the future,” said Dr. Laura DuPont, school board president. “As a school board we appreciate the community’s support of this bond package and we will ensure these funds will be used solely for the purposes we outlined to the public. We are excited to break ground.”

The contents of the school bond package were prioritized by a 30-member facility committee consisting of parents, local citizens, business leaders and educators. Over the course of several months, the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee studied a district-wide facility assessment, enrollment projections, district financial information and toured schools.

The maximum tax rate increase for this bond will be $0.035 on the Interest and Sinking Tax Rate which is currently at $0.365 per $100 valuation. The increase will hold for three years and then the tax rate will begin to come down. Based on a median home value of $223,635, homeowners can anticipate a $65.61 tax increase per year or $5.41 per month. For more information visit www.ccisd.net/bond2017.

Bay Area students showing off their talents

March 28th, 2017

By Mary Alys Cherry

Bay Area Houston has long been known for its accomplishments in space. Before long it may become just as well known for its talent in arts as year after year its high school students in the Clear Creek, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs capture many nominations for the Tommy Tune Awards.

Sponsored by Theatre Under the Stars, the Tommy Tune competition recognizes excellence in musical theatre recognize and reward excellence in the production of musical theatre by high school students and their teachers. The 15th  annual Tommy Tune Awards Ceremony will be held at the Hobby Center in Houston on April 18.

CCISD nominees
Clear Springs High School’s musical production of Big Fish and Clear Lake High School’s musical production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying earned a number of 2017 Tommy Tune Award nominations.

Clear Springs earned a total of 14 nominations, including Best Overall Production. Big Fish is also nominated for two Best Leading Actor awards (Noah Carlin and Will Bloom), Best Leading Actress (Hannah Hayes), Best Supporting Actress (Haley Dougherty), Best Featured Performer (Kyle Benaquisto), Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Stage Crew/Technical Execution, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography and Best Direction. Clear Lake earned nominations for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design.

With the Best Overall Production nomination, Clear Springs High School students will have the honor of performing a selection from Big Fish during the ceremony.

The Clear Springs High Theatre Department is led by Director Mark Stonebarger. The Choir Department is led by Director Rob Phillips. The Clear Lake High School Theatre Department is led by Director Candace Currie.

Friendswood nominees
Friendswood High School’s production of Les Miserables also received 14 nominations in the 17 possible categories including Best Musical or Best Over All Production.

Its other nominations are: Best Direction – Kathy Powdrell; Best Choreography – Alyssa Goza and Katelyn Gallagher; Best Musical Direction – Janwin Overstreet Goode and Michael Tyer; Best Orchestra – Julio Sanchez and Conductor Michael Tyer; Best Technical Execution/Best Crew; Best Lighting Design; Best Scenic Design; Best Ensemble; Best Supporting Actor – Clayton Senter and Cade Tucker; Best Lead Actress – Emily Mesa; Best Lead Actor – Alex Rudd and Max Morgan.

Pearland ISD nominees
Pearland High students’ production of the well-known Broadway musical Pippin’ captured eight Tommy Tune nominations for the Brazoria County school and quickly sent the PHS cast and crew on the path to happiness.

When nominations were announced, PHS claimed eight of the 15 possible nominations for excellence in high school musical theatre:

Best Supporting Actor (Brendan King); Best Ensemble/Chorus; Best Costume Design; Best Lighting Design; Best Stage Crew & Technical Execution; Best Musical Direction; Best Choreography; and Best Direction.

The awards are named in honor of Tony Award-winning performer, director and choreographer Tommy Tune, who grew up in Houston.

 

CCISD Board urges the repeal of A-F Accountability Rating System

December 19th, 2016

The Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution in opposition of the new A-F rating system of schools in Texas because they think it creates a false impression about students, ignores the unique strengths of each school and unfairly reduces each student’s worth to the school’s assigned grade.

“Quite frankly our children, staff and community deserve a better accountability system that provides a balanced report card and not some arbitrary rating system that you cannot explain,” Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith said.

The A-F rating system relies heavily, 55 percent, on the results from students’ State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) performance, which is a one-day snapshot of an academic portrait.

“When I see a single letter grade based on more than 50 percent of a test with lagging indicators, that is wrong,” Board President Dr. Laura DuPont said. “How does this letter show what’s going on in these schools?”

There is also mounting evidence the tests are not valid assessments of what students have mastered,  trustees said. The reading sections are supposed to measure comprehension of passages,” Bailey Buchanan, an Advanced Placement English Language Arts student from Clear Brook High School, said. “But really it is just a game of trying to guess the answers from clues.” Buchanan and her peers are urging legislators to ditch STAAR for nationally-recognized and valid assessments.

At least 16 states have implemented similar A-F rating systems and, to date, there is no definitive research that suggests these ratings have improved student or school performance.

“To me, reducing a child to a single letter grade is one of the biggest failings of the A-F system,” Board member Win Weber said. “I believe sincerely, when you put anything less than an A on the school house door that every child who walks in that door is going to identify with that letter grade and believe he can never do better and isn’t worth more than the grade on the door.”

The approved board resolution calls on the legislature to repeal the rating system and develop an accountability system that empowers school districts to improve. “We embrace meaningful accountability that informs students, parents and teachers about the learning needs of each student and each school,” DuPont read from the resolution. “We believe our state’s future prosperity relies on a high-quality education system that prepares students for college and careers and without such a system, Texas’ economic competitiveness and ability to attract new business will falter.”

Dr. Smith indicated that many districts in the state would welcome an open dialogue with education leaders that could bring about an accountability system that is truly transformative as opposed to a flawed rating system that means nothing.

“If the current system prevails we will not celebrate campuses who receive an “A or a B” because they will have no idea how they received it and we will not condemn a campus who receives a “C or lower because they will have no idea why they received a poor grade as well.”

To read the entire resolution, click here.

Most Bay Area schools get good report cards

July 1st, 2016

red pen writing A plus on paperBy Mary Alys Cherry

A number of Bay Area schools snared A+ ratings as the Houston-based nonprofit advocacy group Children at Risk announced its 2016 school rankings.

In addition to giving each school a letter grad, from A+ to F, it also gave a rank, listing Clear Creek ISD’s Clear Horizons Early College High School and Clear Lake High in the top ten best high schools of 171 rated in the Houston region. In fact, CCISD schools took top honors among the 1,331 Houston area public schools with 70 percent of the schools receiving an A and no campuses receiving a D or F grade.

Other area high schools earning an A+ were Clear Falls High and Clear Springs High in CCISD and Pearland ISD’s Dawson High. Friendswood High in Friendswood ISD received an A, as did Clear Creek and Clear Brook High and Pasadena Memorial, while Deer Park High and Dobie High received a B.

Pearland High, Clear View High, Dickinson High and South Houston High were given a C while Pasadena ISD’s Pasadena High and Sam Rayburn High received a D.

Thirty high schools, mostly in the Houston ISD, received an F, including Yates High, which is better known for its basketball, but got the lowest grade of all Houston area high schools.

Many area middle schools also got A’s, including League City, Clear Lake, Westbrook, Seabrook, Space Center, Victory Lakes, Friendswood, Miller and Deer Park Intermediates.

School rankings were based on student achievement in reading and math on the STAAR tests, improvement from one year to the next on the tests, graduation rates, percentage of students taking the SAT and ACT and their average scores on college entrance exams.

Bay Area Houston Magazine