![](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/4//022114enews/SO_MarkCanales_200.jpg)
Mark Canales
This week’s Shout Out goes to Mark Canales, a regional manager of routing and scheduling in HISD’s Transportation Services department.
Canales earned praise for his efforts to coordinate transportation for two students who were transferring to the Las Americas Newcomer School, an alternative campus for students with language challenges.
“(Transportation General Manager) Nathan Graf has such an amazing team,” said Las Americas Principal Marie Moreno. “Mark really came to the rescue of those kids so they wouldn’t fall through the cracks. As principals, we can get busy and distracted; however, he was on top of it. Not a day went by without him sending me an email asking me for any updates.”
“So often, supervisors only hear the negative,” added Moreno, “the complaints, the issues, and the attitudes. It’s rare for people to take time to say positive things, so I wanted to let him know how pleased I was with the prompt response and excellent customer service I received from his team.”
Shout Outs also go out this week to:
- Clifton MS band director Chris Pratt and Scarborough HS chorus/band director Kristopher Mosley, who created a professional-grade trailer to promote the original musical that they wrote and scored for Clifton students to perform. “The trailer generated a lot of excitement among students for theatre and music,” said Clifton MS teacher specialist Terry Lentz. “After all the auditions, we had 40 talented students cast in the play, and 60 more selected to provide the music. It also created quite a firestorm in the community, with more than 440 people coming to see it.”
Know someone who deserves a shout out? Send an email to info@houstonisd.org with the subject line “Shout Out for eNews!” and tell us why. |
If you’d like to help provide high school students with critical information about how to pay for their college dreams, consider volunteering for FAFSA Day on Feb. 20.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) gives students access to $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds made available by the federal government and HISD is taking part in Houston FAFSA Day to get the word out.
For details on volunteering opportunities, please see this related article.
Here are some other dates you might want to mark on your calendar:
- Feb. 26: State of the Schools luncheon
- Feb. 26 (.pdf): Payday
- Feb. 28: Go Texan Day
- March 3 & 4: 28th annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference
- March 4: New employee orientation
- March 4-23: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
- March 8: When I Grow Up Expo
- March 9: Daylight Saving Time begins
- March 10–April 4: second window for Early Notification Period
- March 12 (.pdf): Payday
- March 13: Regular Board meeting
- March 17-21: Spring Break
- March 26 (.pdf): Payday
- March 29: Whole Kids Farmers’ Market
- March 29: Houston PBS Spelling Bee
- April 1: New employee orientation
- April 2: Light It Up Blue (autism awareness)
- April 6–12: Week of the Young Child
- April 9 (.pdf): Payday
- April 10: Regular Board meeting
- April 18: Good Friday (school in session)
- April 22: Earth Day
- April 23 (.pdf): Payday
- April 26: National Take-Back Day
Did you know that high-school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are 90 percent more likely to attend college than those who don’t?
FAFSA gives students access to $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds made available by the federal government—and to get the word out, HISD is taking part in Houston FAFSA Day, a communitywide effort to help high school seniors and their families complete the application with confidence and ease.
FAFSA Day has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, at all HISD high schools and volunteers are still needed. HISD employees who wish to volunteer are encouraged to attend a special training session from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at DeVry University’s location in the Galleria shopping center (5051 Westheimer, Suite 500, Tower 2, 77056). The registration link is here.
“Completing the FAFSA is an important step in ensuring college enrollment among our students,” said Shontel Roberts with the College Readiness department. “Attendees will take away an understanding of what is required for high school seniors and parents to complete the FAFSA, along with step-by-step instructions.”
Univision will also be hosting a phone bank in cooperation with My Degree Counts from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Feb. 20, as part of Houston FAFSA Day. Phone banks bring in around 1,500 callers on average during the three-hour time they operate, and Univision needs at least ten bilingual volunteers to staff this one and answer callers’ questions.
If you are familiar with FAFSA and want to help with the phone bank, please contact Leigh Ann Arnold with My Degree Counts at 713-844-9351 by Wednesday, Feb. 19. Volunteers will need to arrive at Univision no later than 4:30 p.m.
Questions? Please call the College Readiness Department at 713-556-7196.
![Samuel](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/021414enews/MS_SamuelBray_250.jpg)
Samuel “Mike” Bray
Samuel “Mike” Bray has been a member of Team HISD since 1979, when the Goodyear blimp was still housed in a hangar north of Houston, the Pointer Sisters were on heavy rotation on the airwaves, and Astroworld was barely a decade old, but he might not still be here at all if it weren’t for a bit of divine providence.
“I started out as a helper at McCarty,” he said, “removing the radiant heaters out of T-buildings and doing the heavy lifting. It was my first real job out of high school, and at one point, I was thinking about heading over to Brown & Root. But one of the guys upstairs heard about it and offered me a position in the mechanical equipment shop, so I stayed.”
After a number of promotions, Bray is now one of only four Construction & Facility Services employees responsible for monitoring HVAC systems at more than 260 schools via computer, making adjustments electronically and providing support to on-site repair personnel as necessary.
“HISD has been my life,” said Bray. “When I started here, it was all about the children, and I still believe that now. Everything I do is for them. And I’ve met some of the best coworkers anyone could ever have had the pleasure of knowing along the way.”
Bray officially marked his 35th anniversary with the district on Feb. 12, but several other employees also marked theirs this week (Feb. 9–15). See if you know anyone on this list:
25 years
- Yolanda Arcizo, clerk, Herod ES
- Maria Montes, school business manager, Chávez HS
20 years
- Sharon Perez, executive secretary, East Field Office
- Blanca Saldaña, senior secretary, Middle Schools Office
- Lisa Stillwell, teacher, Sterling HS
- Madelyn Traylor, teacher, Dodson ES
15 years
- Roslyn Gafford, secretary, Bruce ES
- Nina Jolivet, teacher, DeBakey HS
10 years
- Leonardo Castro, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Elisoliet Corsino, teacher, Bonham ES
- Ponciano Lozano, custodian, Construction & Facility Services
- Ana Morales, custodian, Travis ES
5 years
- Chelsea Curtley, assistant, HR Business Partners
- Shaji George, secretary, Health and Medical Services
- Chadrick Ray, plant operator, Construction & Facility Services
Check back next Friday for more February Milestones. Leave a comment below if you’d like to congratulate any of the above employees. |
![](http://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/021414enews/SO_CraigZeno_150.jpg)
Craig Zeno
This week’s Shout Out goes to Craig Zeno, an at-risk administrator at Westbury and Washington high schools, on his recent promotion.
“For seven years, Mr. Zeno has worked tirelessly for the success of students,” said Victoria Syes, a former colleague from Yates High School who teaches journalism. “He’s worn several hats—all of which affect student success—and his personal mission is to give students hope that anything is possible with a solid educational foundation.”
“Mr. Zeno is best known for his ‘out of the box’ approaches to preventing students from dropping out of school,” added Syes. “Over the last two years, he has helped Yates increase its graduation rate to 86.9 percent, decrease its dropout rate to 8.8 percent, and increase its attendance rate to 93.4 percent, beating out all other schools with similar demographics.”
Know someone who deserves a shout out? Send an email to info@houstonisd.org with the subject line “Shout Out for eNews!” and tell us why. |
![](http://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/021414enews/ACC_GoldenGrapefruit_300.jpg)
HISD Food Services Nutrition Manager Amanda Oceguera (L) and Education Director of Communications & Marketing Jessica Douglas (R) accept their awards from Chief Administrator of Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Programs Angela Olige (center).
HISD’s Food Services department was recently awarded the Golden Grapefruit Award by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The department received the award due to its efforts to provide students with local products, its commitment to teaching children about locally sourced foods, and by serving an average of three or more Texas products during National School Lunch Week.
The department received the award during the final general session of the Texas Association for School Nutrition’s annual seminar.
If you know someone who should be featured in Accolades, please email us at info@houstonisd.org and tell us why. |
In this week’s I Am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, Class of 2014 member Meashell Crosby-Young talks about how she balances sports, service, and studies; why she wears the #5 jersey; and what it was like to become the first athlete crowned “Miss Wheatley.”
You’ve been a starting point guard on the Wheatley High School girls’ basketball team for four years now, since you were just a freshman. How long have you been playing basketball and how did you get to be so good at it?
![](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/021414enews/IAH_Meashell_300a.jpg)
Meashell Crosby-Young in her role as an athlete...
I started playing basketball when I was just six-years-old. Before my uncle died, he had me practicing every day, running drills. He called me his “little hooper,” and I just continued to practice and play. It’s been a dream of mine ever since he passed.
I hear you’re the first athlete to be crowned “Miss Wheatley”—something girls who play sports aren’t typically interested in. What made you want to pursue that title, and what did winning it mean to you?
Miss Wheatley has been a dream of mine since I was at E. O. Smith Middle School. I used to go to the homecoming games and see how proud Miss Wheatley was to walk across the field. When I said I wanted to run, I was always told I could never do it because I was a basketball player. That made me want it even more, and I was determined to prove everybody wrong.
You’re an honor roll student who also serves as a peer mediator and as the treasurer of the Diamonds of Elegance, both of which involve elements of public service. Why is it so important to you to get involved in these types of activities? And how do you find time to balance them with your studies and athletics?
It’s hard, trying to make sure I get everything done, but I just work hard and do what I have to do. I might have to stay up late to do homework or practice, but I accomplish everything that needs to be done. I got involved with peer mediation because I just like helping people and making a difference, and the Diamonds of Elegance is a sisterhood that teaches us how to give back and be productive young ladies.
Does the number you wear on your jersey (#5) hold any special significance for you?
When I arrived at Wheatley, my first choice was #2, but that was already taken, so I chose #5. There was a girl in my apartment complex who I looked up to, and she was known as “the best hooper at Wheatley.” She wore #5, and I thought, “Well, maybe I can be the ‘next-best hooper at Wheatley,’ and that made my decision easier.”
Your stats indicate you only stand 5’5”, but that doesn’t seem to impede you any on the court. How do you manage to score so many points against girls who are so much taller than you?
The majority of the centers and power forwards are tall, but I’m not intimidated by them. My focus when I step on the court is to be the intimidator. Size is a state of mind.
You’re also active on Wheatley’s volleyball and softball teams. Which one is your favorite sport? And how many hours a week do you have to practice to stay sharp in all of those? Or are all the seasons spaced out enough so you don’t?
![](http://houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/domain/4/021414enews/IAH_Meashell_300b.jpg)
...and as "Miss Wheatley"
I really enjoy volleyball and softball, but basketball is what I eat, sleep, and breathe. Basketball playoffs start the same day as my first softball game, so unfortunately, I am going to miss my first game, but my coaches understand and know that once I return, I will give 100% in that sport as well.
You committed to attend Grambling State University this fall on a full scholarship during the district’s National Signing Day activities on Feb. 5. What do you plan to study there? Do you know what you’d like to do for a living yet or are you still considering your options?
I plan to study Computer Information Systems with a minor in engineering, but I’m still undecided about what I would like to do career-wise. There are so many opportunities out there and in time, I will make that decision. But for now, I just know it will be in the computer field.
Your godmother (Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center after-school program coordinator Renecheia Robinson) said that you have overcome some pretty significant challenges in your personal life to get to where you are today. Can I ask what she meant by that? And how did you get past those?
In the past two years, I found out that my mama was not my biological mother, which came as a total shock because she raised me since I was a baby. Unfortunately, my biological parents passed when I was younger. This news would be difficult for any young person to deal with; but I realize that everyone goes through trials and tribulations in their lives. The key is how you handle these situations, because they can either make you or break you. I thank God every day for my mama, brother, sisters, and godmother for supporting and believing in me. That’s why I can hold my head up high and be the strong, intelligent, and confident young lady I am today.
If you know a graduate, student, employee, or other member of Team HISD who should be featured here, please email us at info@houstonisd.org. |
Last December, thousands of students at HISD schools took part in a digital literacy exercise designed to expose them to the exciting world of computer coding.
But one teacher at the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan has been capitalizing on the interest generated by that activity to keep students engaged in her English Language Arts classes.
“I thought, ‘What better way than to bring stories to life?’” said Maria Garrett-Jackson. “So I created lesson plans that entwined coding into the existing unit at that time, short stories. Cross-curriculum lessons add depth to what you are teaching. You’re preparing students for real-world circumstances by exposing them to the relationships between subjects.”
Garrett-Jackson chose to use Alice 2.0, because it capitalized on something familiar to most students: gaming.
“It provided a realistic experience of creating video games,” she said. “They learned how challenging it is to make a body part move in a realistic manner. Now, all they want to do is Alice 2.0. But what they don’t know yet is that it will be an option for creating a commercial in our current unit, persuasion.”
Had a breakthrough in your classroom? Tell us about it! Just send an email to info@houstonisd.org briefly describing your situation, and we could feature it here. |
The historic George Ranch will be hosting an Open House for Educators on Sat., Feb. 8, 2014, and all HISD history teachers are invited! Come take a journey through our state’s history by following four generations of one Texas family dating back to the 1830’s.
The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and highlights include: a tour of the facilities, sample activities at various locations, a cattle demonstration, and a quintessential 1930s bachelor house lunch of beef brisket, smokehouse sausage, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, and blackberry cobbler.
There is no charge for interested educators, but advance registration is required. And while families are welcome, only teachers will be provided with a free lunch (others can purchase one; prices are listed here). To reserve a spot, please contact Susan Rezeppa at 281-343-0218 ext. 220 or send an email to education@georgeranch.org.
Here are some other dates you might want to mark on your calendar:
- Feb. 12 (.pdf): Payday
- Feb. 8: HHF Career & Education Day
- Feb. 13: Regular Board meeting
- Feb. 26: State of the Schools luncheon
- Feb. 26 (.pdf): Payday
- Feb. 28: Go Texan Day
- March 3 & 4: 28th annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference
- March 4: New employee orientation
- March 4-23: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
- March 9: Daylight Saving Time begins
- March 12 (.pdf): Payday
- March 13: Regular Board meeting
- March 17-21: Spring Break
- March 26 (.pdf): Payday
- March 29: Whole Kids Farmers’ Market
- March 29: Houston PBS Spelling Bee