Tag Archives: Red Elementary

Red ES students challenged to build robots at annual STEM night

RedES_Curtis_225More than 200 parents gathered on the campus of Red Elementary School on Jan. 15 for a family STEM night that featured many fun, hands-on activities for participating students.

Children could design a floating car, create computer code, solve math problems, or read books on subjects related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The highlight of the evening was a robot-building contest judged by representatives from the community, HISD administrators, and the National Society of Black Engineers. Students were required to put together a humanoid-looking creation between three and four feet high using only recycled items. Pre-K student Curtis Mayfield (pictured) won the contest with a design made from a cereal box, empty vinegar bottle, old pair of tennis shoes, and cardboard toilet paper rolls. His prize was a new Samsung tablet.

Two children’s authors visit HISD elementary schools this week

Red ES student Brian Mejia poses for a photo with children author Don Tate and the school librarian, Melissa Buron.

Red ES student Brian Mejia poses for a photo with children author Don Tate and the school librarian, Melissa Buron.

Red Elementary School students welcomed two children’s authors to their school this week. On Monday, Dec. 1, the HISD science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) magnet school celebrated the love of fairy tales with author Liesl Shurtliff. Shurtliff is the author of the Bluebonnet Nominated book “RUMP: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin.”  Author and illustrator Don Tate, who’s written more than 50 books for children, also stopped by Red ES. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, Shurtliff made another visit to a HISD school by reading to students at Patterson Elementary School.

Author Liesl Shurtliff and Red Elementary Students

Red ES students pose for a photo with children’s author Liesl Shurtliff on Dec. 3, 2014.

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Patterson ES students get a visit from children’s author Liesl Shurtliff on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014.

Elementary students learn to litter less, recycle more

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With clipboards and spring scales handy, fifth-grade students at Red Elementary School traveled from class to class to weigh bins of recycled paper.

“I hope it’s a high number,” said student Jayden Brown while picking up a recycle bin full of paper. “Recycling is a good way to keep the Earth clean.”

Last week, the students weighed bins from 21 classrooms and found that their classmates and teachers had recycled 27 pounds of paper – nine pounds more than what was collected in March.

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HISD Awards Top Custodians and Plant Operators of the Year

The Houston Independent School District presented the Custodian and Plant Operator of the Year awards, and recognized the strong work ethic, dedication and commitment of the entire operations staff on June 7.

“We want to take the time to say – we see what you’re doing, we know what you’re doing, and most importantly, we appreciate what you’re doing,” Superintendent Terry Grier said.  “The work of these employees is vital for all our schools and facilities to be able to operate smoothly on a daily basis.”     

The Secondary Custodian of the Year award was given to Hortencia Garcia from Waltrip High School and the Elementary Custodian of the Year award was given to Maria Fuentes from De Zavala Elementary School.

Honorable mentions were also given to Vickie Newton from TH Rogers Middle School and Vilma Villatoro from Red Elementary School for excellence and innovation in service to their campuses.

“We are truly proud of these custodians, who exceed expectations in every area of plant operations, and who go to work every day with their most important customers in mind – the children of HISD,” said Leo Bobadilla, Chief Operating Officer.  “These awards serve as tangible recognition of their efforts, and our appreciation.”

Marili Vaquiz from Burrus Elementary School was awarded Elementary Plant Operator of the Year, and Gary Vaughn from Welch Middle School was awarded Secondary Plant Operator of the Year. 

Honorable mentions for excellence in plant operations were also given to Maria Cerda from JP Henderson Elementary School, Jerry Johnson from Waltrip High School, and Connie Broussard from McNamara Elementary School.           

HISD’s custodians and plant operators are tasked with ensuring all of the district’s schools and facilities are clean, safe and operating adequately.