Education briefs for July 21

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Posted 7/21/22

Education briefs for July 21, 2022

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Education briefs for July 21

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Achieve Fort Bend County delivers 12,500 books

Achieve Fort Bend County announced that it has worked with volunteers, parents, schools, local foundations, and the community deliver, to 1,241 elementary students, 10 new books each to help build their reading skills over the summer.

“This year, our Summer Reading Program was able to serve an additional 200 students thanks to the additional community support we received,” James Patterson, Achieve Fort Bend County chairman, said. “Our program’s success is due in large part to the collaborate efforts of our funders, community volunteers and the school administrators. In particular, we’d like to thank The George Foundation, the Henderson Wessendorff Foundation and Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation for their continued financial support and the Fort Bend County constables who helped distribute the books.”

Achieve Fort Bend County’s Summer Reading Program, operating since 2016, fills a critical gap for students who struggle with reading. Numerous studies indicate that during the summer months, student reading skills from economically disadvantaged households slide back a few months. The program’s goal is to give 10 books to first grade students to help build their reading confidence and skills so that they’re better prepared for the new school year. Students who need reading help to stay on level with their peers are identified by school personnel in Title I schools in Fort Bend County.

Qualified education volunteers and professionals help identify reading materials that represent the reading level, language and interest of students so that they are excited about the books and will read them frequently and share them with others in their family. As in previous years, volunteers from teachers to law enforcement, to school administrators, parents and members of the community, come together to sort, label, and distribute 12,500 books.

For more information, or to make a donation, email achievefbc@yahoo.com.

Royal student receives Houston Livestock Show scholarship

Alondra Melendez, a Royal High School student, is among 70 Texas FFA members representing 58 FFA chapters from across Texas were presented with $1.4 million in scholarships from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo during the 94th Annual Texas FFA State Convention July 13 in Fort Worth.

Texas FFA officials selected the recipients based on the students’ involvement with the program, academic and FFA achievements and financial need, as well as the FFA member’s performance in an interview process. Each scholarship recipient will receive a $20,000 scholarship from the rodeo to apply toward a four-year undergraduate degree at a Texas college or university of their choice.

“These FFA scholarships tie directly back to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s mission of promoting agriculture and supporting Texas youth and education, and we are so proud to support these students’ academic journeys,” Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO, said. “Many of these FFA scholars will actually go on to pursue a career that promotes agriculture, which makes these scholarships particularly meaningful to us at the rodeo.”

The top four schools these students will be attending are Texas A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M University. Of the 70 FFA scholarship recipients, the top four majors include animal science, agricultural business, agricultural engineering and agricultural communications.

The Texas FFA Association was chartered in 1929 and contributes to a model of secondary agricultural education in which students take part in classroom instruction and supervised agricultural experiences.

The FFA is an integral part of the school’s agricultural science program, guided by FFA’s mission to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

These 70 FFA scholarships represent a portion of the Rodeo’s annual commitment of more than $22 million to support Texas youth and statewide educational programs in 2022.

Paetow High School teacher nominated for Region 4 teaching award

Dax Nesossi, a Paetow High School social studies teacher, has been named a finalist for the Region 4 Teacher of the Year Award,

According to its website, Region 4 Education Service Center is one of 20 regional education service centers established by the Texas Legislature to help school districts and charter schools in improving efficiencies and student performance. Regional education service centers are nonregulatory, intermediate education units.

Region 4 serves a seven-county area comprised of 47 public school districts and 40 open-enrollment charter schools, representing more than 1.2 million students, 105,000 educators, and 1,500 campuses.

Miller Career and Technical Center teacher nominated for teaching award

Dallas Bergstrom, a manufacturing engineering teacher at Katy ISD’s Miller Career and Technology Center, has been named a finalist for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence.

Bergstrom is one of 50 finalists nationwide and the only skilled trades teacher selected from Texas.

KARE Hooky Day set for Aug. 17

The Katy Area Retired Educators, known as KARE, have set their Hooky Day, which will be from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 17 in room 1200 of the Education Support Center, 6301 S. Stadium Dr.

Hooky Day is an opportunity for membership renewal and new member sign up for anyone affiliated with education on all levels. Those not yet retired from the state teacher retirement system, or who are interested in participating, are invited to join as associate members. Refreshments will be served and prizes will be given away at the event.

Three students from Katy area earn All-Academic honors

Three student-athletes from the Katy area have earned All-Academic honors at Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas.

Jaylon Sullivan made second team, which is comprised of students who earn a grade point average between 3.80-3.99 on a 4.0 scale. Sullivan graduated from Paetow High School and is a pitcher and infielder for the Bulldog baseball team.

Elias Koury and Cesar Koury Rodriguez made third team, which is comprised of students who earn a grade point average between 3.60-3.79. Both are Tompkins High graduates. Both are infielders for the Bulldogs.

Each year, the NJCAA announces its All-Academic teams to recognize student athletes across the country for their dedication to the classroom. This year, a total of 9,912 student-athletes have been honored for achieving a grade point average of 3.60 or higher. Clarendon College placed 33 student-athletes on that list.

Royal ISD, Katy ISD, Katy Area Retired Educators