Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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FBISD’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) joins the “As One Foundation” in Promoting Darling Dash Event

FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) members will take part in the Second Annual Darling Dash Memorial 5K Run and 1K Family Run/Walk on Sunday, February 26, from 8:00am to 10:00am, at Sweetwater Country Club (4400 Palm Royale Blvd., Sugar Land). SHAC members will form a team to walk and run in the race and serve as volunteers to help recruit participants.

Runners and walkers of ALL levels are welcome to participate in the Darling Dash. Registration completed online or postmarked by February 15 is $25 for adults (13 years and older) and $10 for youth (12 and younger). The registration fee after February 15 until race day is $30 adult and $15 youth. Post race refreshments will be provided. Awards will be presented to the top two male and female overall time; and to the top three male and female runners in six age categories: 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60-plus. The fundraiser event will benefit the “As One Foundation.”

The “As One Foundation” was established by Devard Darling, an Austin High School graduate turned NFL player, in honor of his twin brother, Devaughn, who passed away during spring football practice at Florida State University in 2001. Devaughn carried the sickle cell trait that when combined wiith the physical rigor and lack of hydration he experienced during football practice, led to his death. This year’s event, themed "Celebrating the Heart of Devaughn Darling,” commemorates the 11^th anniversary of Devaughn’s death. Revenue from the fundraiser will help fund the “As One Foundation’s” scholarship fund, as well as efforts to prevent future deaths of young athletes by promoting sickle cell trait awareness.

Through the foundation, Devard works to empower young people to unlock and unleash their full potential through athletics, education and spiritual enrichment. Devard will serve as keynote speaker at Missouri City Middle School’s Career Day on February 7, where he will address seventh and eighth-grade students on the importance of good health, and invite them and their families to take part in the Darling Dash event.

To register for the Darling Dash Walk/Run, go to http://asonefoundation.org/the-darling-dash/. Individuals who would like to become donors, sponsors or volunteers may sign up online or by emailing Tomia Austin at Tomia@AsOneFoundation.org or by calling 832-308-9984. For more information, visit www.AsOneFoundation.org.

Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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Fort Bend ISD to Conduct Public Meeting to Discuss Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report on Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.

FORT BEND ISD —  The Fort Bend ISD Board will conduct a public meeting to discuss the district’s Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report for the 2010-2011 school year on Monday, February 13, at 5:15 p.m., in the Board Room of the FBISD Administration Building, 16431 Lexington Blvd., in Sugar Land. The public meeting will be followed by a regular Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Every year, the AEIS report details a wide range of information on the performance of students in each school and district in Texas. The performance indicators are:

• Results of Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS*); by grade, by subject, and by all grades tested
• Participation in the TAKS tests
• Exit-level TAKS Cumulative Passing Rates
• Progress of students who did not pass the TAKS in the Prior Year
• Results of the Student Success Initiative
• English Language Learners Progress Measure
• Attendance Rates
• Annual Dropout Rates (grades 7-8, grades 7-12, and grades 9-12)
• Completion Rates (4-year longitudinal)
• College Readiness Indicators

Performance on each of these indicators is shown disaggregated by ethnicity, sex, special education, limited English proficient status, at-risk status, and bilingual/ESL. The reports also provide extensive information on school and district staff, finances, programs and student demographics. For additional information, please go to the Texas Education Agency website:  http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/about.aeis.html

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Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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Jones Elementary Celebrates 100^th Day of School 

FORT BEND ISD - Students at Jones Elementary School celebrated the 100^th day of school on January 30 by taking part in various activities to benefit students, as well as the community. Students celebrated with a 100^th Day Parade, an appearance by Zero the Hero, and various classroom activities.

The school also set a goal of raising $100 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but through the generous donations of students, staff and parents, the school surpassed its goal by raising $750. The school also collected more than 100 pounds of food items to benefit the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. The event was coordinated by Reginald Taylor, math specialist.

Photo 1: Pictured (front row, from left) are: Gabriel Ibarra, Lucrae Thomas, Corey Johnson, Ashley Gallardo, Tylon Riser; (second row) Olivia Gitau, Julian Cervantes, Derek Torres, Alma Perez, Precious Jones, and (back row) Ashlyne Steen, Jazmin Rodriguez, Obafemitan Ajayi, Rita Davis, teacher; Branycia Mitchell, Janiya Rahman, Valerie Gutierrez and Kyle Kemp.  

Photo 2: Pictured with donated food items are: (from left) Nathanial Juarez, Zero the Hero (who is actually kindergarten aide, Tangela Gunner), Ashley Chavez, Valerie Gutierrez, Ashlyne Steen, Michael Garcia, Branycia Mitchell; and (back row) Connie Esposito of the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry and Reginald Taylor, math specialist.

Photo 3: Pictured (from left) with a copy of the check they presented to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are: Bob Arena, Principal; Lora Bothell, Assistant Principal; Tangela Gunner, Kindergarten Aide as Zero the Hero; Reginald Taylor, Math Specialist; and Dr. Phyllis Donatto, Campus Improvement Specialist.

Photo 4: Pictured with Zero the Hero are (from left) Derek Torres, Precious Jones, Alma Perez and Olivia Gitau.

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Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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FBISD’s Extended Day Program to Provide Full-Day Service During Spring Break!

Service is available to all FBISD students currently enrolled in K-5 and K-6 grade elementary schools

FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD’s Extended Day Program (EDP) provides full day service during Spring Break to all K-5 grade students who are currently enrolled in the district. Programming is also available for sixth-grade students attending K-6 grade campuses. The EDP Spring Break program will operate March 12-16, from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Students attending EDP’s Spring Break will experience the wonders of one of our mysterious ecosystems, the ocean, by exploring water conservation, natural and man-made disasters, and working for an oil company responsible for cleaning an actual oil spill. The week will include fieldtrips to compliment the program-created curriculum.

Each of the 11 programs across the district will also host an event at the campus and plan two field trips to one of the following venues: Armand Bayou Nature Center, Houston Maritime Museum, Moody Gardens Aquarium, Ocean Staff Off-Shore Drilling Rig Museum, Brazos Bend State Park, or Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Sea Center Texas. Please visit your student’s elementary campus for campus specific events.

The Spring Break program fee is $60 for current EDP students and non-EDP students. (Non-EDP students are required to pay an additional $40 registration fee.) All fees are non-refundable and can be paid by check or money order. Registration runs Monday, February 13 through Thursday, March 8, 2012.

To obtain a list of Spring Break campuses, the School Year Registration Card (for non-EDP students), and Parent Handbook, visit the FBISD website at www.fortbendisd.com/extendedday.

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Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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Fort Bend ISD congratulates its Teacher of the Year Finalists and Campus Teachers of the Year!

FORT BEND ISD ― Fort Bend ISD congratulates the 11 individuals who have been named the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year Finalists. The finalists represent the best in teaching, as do all of the Campus Teachers of the Year.

The 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year Finalists are:

Elementary School Finalists:

Patty Koski – Highlands

Laura Perkinson – Heritage Rose

Carrie Mustachia – Palmer

Katrice Lowe – Scanlan Oaks

Cindy Cormier – Schiff

Leslie Guzman – Settlers Way

Secondary School Finalists:

Karla Lalendorff – Austin High

Debra Coleman – Bush High

Nancy Trunk – Clements High

Barbara Burnham – Hightower High

Trudy Higgins – M. R. Wood Center for Learning

All other Campus Teachers of the Year:

Armstrong Elementary – Susan Scheibner

Austin Parkway Elementary – Alicia Henley-Stegent

Barrington Place Elementary – Laura Thom

Blue Ridge Elementary – Chastidy Hammond

Brazos Bend Elementary – Kathleen Hibler

Briargate Elementary – Yvette McCray

Burton Elementary – Juan Sanchez-Alvarez

Colony Bend Elementary – Kristi Liane Abramski

Colony Meadows Elementary – Cindy Snyder

Commonwealth Elementary – Ann McKie

Cornerstone Elementary – Becky Chalmers

Drabek Elementary – Limaris Swailes

Dulles Elementary – Errica Jones

Fleming Elementary – Laura Hopkins

Glover Elementary – Angela Wallace

Goodman Elementary – Tiffani Washington

Holley Elementary – Luz Dimayuga

Hunters Glen Elementary – Ann Setterberg

Jones Elementary – Andrea Phillips

Jordan Elementary – Ski-Yaun Ware

Lakeview Elementary – Michelle Ridgway

Lantern Lane Elementary – Penny Brown

Lexington Creek Elementary – Jennifer Johnson

Meadows Elementary – Cyndi Ellstrom

Mission Bend Elementary – Jacqueline Barbery

Mission Glen Elementary – April Simper

Mission West Elementary – Dela Huss

Oakland Elementary – Bobbi Threatt

Oyster Creek Elementary – Virginia Shelton

Parks Elementary – Kendra Knight

Pecan Grove Elementary – Peggy McStravick

Quail Valley Elementary – Janet Kirksey

Ridgegate Elementary – Sharon Matthews

Ridgemont Elementary – Phuong Nguyen

Seguin Elementary – Deborah Le

Sienna Crossing Elementary – Courtney Robertson

Sugar Mill Elementary – Mindy Warren

Townewest Elementary – Julie Mullinax

Walker Station Elementary – Trudy Onofrey

Baines Middle School – Tamika Taylor

Bowie Middle School – Joey Lange

Crockett Middle School – Sondra Wilcox

Dulles Middle School – Kimberly James

First Colony Middle School – Robin James

Fort Settlement Middle School – Shannon Cranford

Garcia Middle School – Della Bartlett

Hodges Bend Middle School – Mary Kamperman

Lake Olympia Middle School – James Wade Kirkpatrick

McAuliffe Middle School – Sheneka Agollah

Missouri City Middle School – Michael Guillory

Quail Valley Middle School – David Sebek

Sartartia Middle School – Amber Muscarello

Sugar Land Middle School – Stephen Cole

Dulles High School – Wayne Sager

Elkins High School – Jaclyn Scales

Kempner High School – Jerome Muniz

Marshall High School – Harvey Baker

Ridge Point High School – Melissa Geisler

Travis High School – Heather Miller

Willowridge High School – Cory Gibson

Progressive High School – Terri Verdone

Technical Education Center – Mike Miller

Ferndell Henry Center for Learning – Phornia Newton

All Campus Teachers of the Year will be recognized, and the 2011-2012 Elementary and Secondary District Teachers of the Year announced, on May 3 at FBISD’s Annual Teacher of the Year Banquet at the Town Center Marriott Hotel.

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Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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***CHANGE IN SCHEDULE***

Clements High School to host Holocaust Program: A Decade of Outreach, Feb. 8 

Holocaust Survivor, Walter Kase, will not be able to speak at the event due to a health-related issue.

FORT BEND ISD - Clements High School will host its Holocaust Program, A Decade of Outreach, on Wednesday, February 8, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This year marks the 10^th year that Clements will host the outreach program that explores the evils of hatred, bigotry and prejudice through specially-designed lessons.

The program will feature a testimony from Holocaust survivor, Helen Colin; The Shoah, a riveting and moving multi-media docu-drama that examines the Holocaust through the eyes of a little girl and her American liberator; and The Hall of Remembrance, a 175-foot hallway comprised of student-generated projects, poignant artwork, poetry and other creative works by current students representing nine Clements U.S. history classes. Admission is free.

Timeline of Events:

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm – Hall of Remembrance viewing (Upstairs Lecture Hall hallway overlooking the library)

5:00 pm to 5:45 pm – The Shoah, a multi-media docu-drama (Upstairs Lecture Hall)

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm – Holocaust Survivor Helen Colin Testimony (Clements High School Auditorium)

For more information, please contact Mike Madden at mike.madden@fortbendisd.com.

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Leadership in the Judicial System was Focus of Recent FBISD Junior Student Leadership Session  

FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD Board President, Susan Hohnbaum, sponsored a recent day-long leadership seminar as part of the FBISD Junior Student Leadership Program. The seminar was the third in a series of six that will be offered to the leadership class this school year. The session gave students the opportunity to meet with leaders of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center and the Fort Bend County Justice Center to learn about their roles in the community.

During their visit to the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center, the leadership class met with Brian Fraser, Detention Superintendent; and Frankie Hill, Assistant Superintendent; who explained their roles at the center and shared details on how the center operates. The students also toured of the facilities.

Following their tour, the student leaders visited the Fort Bend County Justice Center to meet with County Court at Law Judge Susan Lowery and her staff. Judge Lowery explained the role of the County Court at Law, and spoke about the types of cases she handles, including murder, aggravated assault and shoplifting. She reminded the students of the consequences of shoplifting and other misdemeanors, saying, “Shoplifting is one of the worst things you can do because no one will want to hire you with a misdemeanor on your record.”

Students also heard from John Harrity, Chief Appellate Prosecutor, District Attorney’s Office; Robin Rosen, Court Reporter; Kyle Dobbs, Juvenile Detention Center Probation Officer; and Daniel Limas, Bailiff.

“The students were enthusiastic and actively involved in this session,” said Susan Hohnbaum, FBISD Board President. “They received a wealth of information from community leaders, who were eager to share their knowledge of the court system and juvenile detention center. I enjoyed seeing the students interact with Judge Lowery and the other professionals. I am sure this session will have a lasting effect on their lives.”

The leadership seminar also included a “Lead with your Strengths” lesson, taught by Yolanda Young, Coordinator in the Organizational Development Department. During the lesson, Young reminded students that they can bring fulfillment to their lives and to those around them by focusing on their strengths each day.

At the conclusion of the session, FBISD Board Member Sonal Bhuchar joined Hohnbaum in explaining their leadership roles as members of the FBISD Board of Trustees and in their professions. They also explained how the Junior Student Leadership Program was created and their goals for the program. Program facilitator, Linda Ruther, also led students in a recap of the day’s events, reminding them about the importance of the roles each professional plays in the community.

Photo 1: Shown outside of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center are (from left) Ava Johnson (Austin High School), Aleah Peterson (Austin High School), Susan Hohnbaum, FBISD Board President; Kristen Mynes (Ridge Point High School), Amanda McIntire (Hightower High School), Dai Tran Nguyen (Bush High School) and Chandralekha Kovvali (Kempner High School).

Photo 2: Shown with County Court at Law Judge Susan Lowery are student leaders (from left) Sai Aparna Konde (Kempner High School), Devika Singh (Clements High School), Karim Farishta (Clements High School), Swathi Ariyapadi (Travis High School) and Dai Tran Nguyen (Bush High School).

Photo 3: Pictured (from left) are: Elizabeth Denton (Clements High School), Robin Rosen, Court Reporter; and Aleah Paterson (Austin High School).

Photo 4: Shown following a tour of the courthouse are: Eric DeVelasco (Dulles High School), Amanda McIntire (Hightower High School), Daniel Limas, Bailiff; and Tasia Isbell (Hightower High School).

Photo 5: Leaving the Fort Bend County Justice Center are (front, from left) Aman Patel (Travis High School), Chelsee Johnson (Willowridge High School), Subhash Gubba (Travis High School); and (back row) Dhrumil Patel (Hightower High School), Susan Hohnbaum, FBISD Board President; and Brianna Thompson (Willowridge High School).

Photo 6: Leading the class in a lesson on “Lead with your Strengths,” was Yolanda Young, Coordinator in the Organizational Development Department.

Photo 7: FBISD Board Member, Sonal Bhuchar, joined Hohnbaum at the latter part of the session to speak to students about how the program was formed.

Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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Fort Bend ISD Building Utilization Committee meets to discuss attendance boundaries 

FORT BEND ISD—The Fort Bend ISD Building Utilization Committee met on January 31, 2012, and has two additional meetings scheduled in the next 30 days. The committee is reviewing the latest demographic data and growth trends within the District and will recommend any changes in school attendance areas to the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees in March 2012.

In November 2011, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees approved policy FC (Local) establishing the new process concerning attendance boundaries. This new policy changes the make-up of the Building Utilization Committee (BUC) to include parent/legal guardian participation in the process. On January 23, a Building Utilization Committee lottery was held by the Board of Trustees to select seven parents/legal guardians of currently enrolled students to serve on the Committee. Three members were chosen from the east side of the district, three were chosen from the west side of the district, and one was chosen as an at-large committee member. The parents/legal guardians from the west side are: Jeremy Lundevall, Garcia Middle School; Maria Avelar, Mission West Elementary; and Shonda Russey, Pecan Grove Elementary.  The committee members from the east side of the district are:  Cathy Hunter, Quail Valley Middle School; Lisa Breedlove, Goodman Elementary; and Wanda Garcia, Willowridge High School.  The at-large member is Stacy Matejka, Oakland Elementary.  Also serving on the committee are: members of the department of school administration, three principals (one elementary school principal, one middle school principal, and one high school principal) who were selected from the campuses affected by potential changes in school boundaries; and the building and grounds committee of the Board.

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Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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Fort Bend ISD Students to Compete in District Spelling Bee, Saturday, February 11  

FORT BEND ISD - The Fort Bend ISD District Spelling Bee will be held Saturday, February 11, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until approximately 12:30 p.m., in the Fort Settlement Middle School Cafetorium (5440 Elkins Road, Sugar Land). The community is invited to join the Spelling Bee winners, representing 57 FBISD elementary and middle schools, who are vying for the District Championship titles. Two winners and one alternate will be named at the District competition. The two winners will then advance to the Houston PBS Regional Spelling bee, which will be held March 31.

Fort Bend Independent School District NEWS RELEASE FROM COMMUNITY RELATIONS askFBISD@fortbendisd.com 281.634.1100

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FBISD Accepting New Applications for High School Academies through February 24 

FORT BEND ISD ― Fort Bend ISD has reopened the application process for entry into high school academies for the 2012-2013 school year. Current eighth and ninth-grade students who are interested in attending a high school academy are asked to complete and submit an online application for the academy of their choice. The deadline to apply is February 24.

To access the online High School Academy application, visit the FBISD website at www.fortbendisd.com. Go to “Quick Links,” and click on “Academy Application.” From the Fort Bend ISD Academies page, click on, “Application for FBISD’s high school academies.” Complete the online application and SUBMIT the completed application electronically by the February 24 deadline. (A complete application includes: the online academy application, an essay, two teacher recommendations, and data submission.) Students who saved, but did not submit academy applications prior to the original December 9 application deadline now have the option to submit the saved application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

An added feature to the application process is the “New Application Status Page.” Students can access the status page by logging in with their Student ID and name. Here students can view all their application material, including the saved application. The page also lets students know if they have successfully completed the application process, with use of a highlighted “continue” link.

Students will be notified of admission decisions in March. For more information, please call 281-634-1129.