eCurrent
Headlines, News and Event Information from Spring Branch ISD

 
 
 
SBISD Student Shines in Competition
 
   

She may have missed spelling noctilucous in the 2013 Houston PBS Spelling Bee, but Emily Madaras was definitely a shining star during the televised competition.

Eight-year-old Emily won the heart of the audience if not the top award itself during the 2013 Houston PBS Spelling Bee, broadcast live March 23 from the station’s University of Houston studio. As this year's Spring Branch ISD’s Spelling Bee winner, Emily was the youngest of the final seven students left standing when she slightly misspelled “noctilucous,” losing her place in competition.

Her difficult word was a term for “shining at night.” The Houston Chronicle, in its report on the Bee, said that Emily was “the biggest crowd pleaser of the night,” and a “fan favorite.” Her mom, Karen Madaras, reports that Emily won eyes, ears and hearts – and big bursts of applause – every time she walked up to the microphone. Read full story >>

 
Video in the Spotlight:

Technology in the Classroom - Changing the Way We Teach

In the last 5 years, we've seen dramatic transformation in our district resulting from the investment our community made in the form of the 2007 Bond. While many of these changes we've celebrated with campus grand openings and ground breakings, some of the most powerful transformations have taken place behind the scene.

Advances in technology funded by the 2007 Bond are - and will continue to - empower our students and change the face of instruction in SBISD for many years to come.


 


 
 
 
You Won't Want to Miss This!
 
   
 
 

Running for the Arts

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) will sponsor the 21st annual 5K Running for the Arts Run/Walk on Saturday, May 4, at Memorial City Mall outside JC Penney.

Competitive runners will begin at 8 a.m.; 5K walkers will follow. Visit the SBEF website for more details.

The Kids K (1K) non-competitive run for participants in 8th grade or younger will begin at 9 a.m. New this year, timing chips will be used for timed runners.

Chips will be distributed on Saturday morning, 6:15 – 7:45 a.m.

“This is a community event that has something for everyone,” says Christine Gentil, event chair.

Read full story >>

     

Your Future Starts Now!

Don't miss this!

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a college fair for parents and students on April 11 at the Reliant Center.

Parents and students participants will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from colleges and universities to discuss admission and financial aid opportunities at their respective institutions.

Read full story >>

Make sure to mark your calendars for another great opportunity to learn about college planning - SBISD's Parent U Goes to College.

Click here for more details.


 
 
             
     
             

Students Medal at District UIL

 

WAIS Hosts International Festival

 

Inside SWHS Tiger Pride: Student Video

 

MHS Student Steps Up for Kids Camp

 
 
 
It's About All of Us Working Together
 
   
 
SBISD Legislative News Blog

We believe Spring Branch deserves to thrive and retain a role in creating the next generation of leaders in Houston, our state and nation.

Stay engaged and informed about what's going on in Austin with our new legislative news blog.

Read more >>

 
How a Bill Becomes a Law

In Texas, the Legislature meets every odd number year to pass laws to protect and serve its citizens. The Legislature is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Where do ideas come from for a bill in the Legislature, and what process do they go through to become a law?

Read more >>

 
Budget Debate Begins

Earlier today, the Texas House of Representatives began what is expected to be a long debate on the state budget, a central decision for the 83rd Legislative Session. House lawmakers took up the $193.8 billion budget bill Thursday morning.

Read more >>

 
 
In the Spotlight - We Thank You
 
   
 
Employee of the Month

We are honored to recognize as our Employee of the Month one of the district’s best for so many years, a dedicated and highly motivated staff member who always has a "Can Do!" attitude about any project or assignment, Paul Bryant. Read more >>

 
Volunteer of the Month

March's district Volunteer of the Month is Laurie Wendler. She's been an outstanding volunteer at Hunters Creek Elementary for many years and is currently in charge of scheduling all of the front office volunteers. Read more >>

 
 
 
 
Student Leaders in Spring Branch
 
   
     
 
NBHS Student Heads to D.C.

Isaiah Rodriguez, an 11th-grade Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History student at Northbrook High School has been invited to attend the Bill of Rights Institute’s 2013 Constitutional Academy in Washington, D.C., this summer. Read more >>

 

What drives you to succeed?

" The constant idea that I can always get better and there is continuously something I can work on to keep improving." -- This month's student in the spotlight, Stratford High's Partick Miller. Read more >>

 

National Geographic Bee Texas Semifinalist
 

Kendrick Foster, a seventh-grader at Memorial Middle School, has been named a National Geographic Bee semifinalist in the 2013 Texas National Geographic Bee.

Kendrick is the first students from Memorial Middle to qualify for the state Bee. Read more >>

 
 
Top Headlines for March 25 - April 5
 
   
 
Terrace Elementary Wins First Tee Grant

The Houston Golf Association and The First Tee of Greater Houston have awarded a $4,000 grant to Terrace Elementary. The grant will cover equipment, curriculum and teacher training for The First Tee National School Program at Terrace, which will be delivered during regular Health Fitness classes. Read more >>


SBISD Candidates Forum

The Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs will sponsor a Candidates Forum for the upcoming district School Board election on Tuesday, April 23, beginning at 7 p.m. at Spring Woods Middle School, 9810 Neuens Road. Read more >>


Teacher Wins Garden Club Award

Jeannette Domaschk, a kindergarten teacher at Hunters Creek Elementary, was recently named one of the national winners of the Garden Club of America’s Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award for her work involving the early environmental education of children. Read more >>


Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

Think of how amazing it would be to swing a golf club and hit a hole in one. That was the thrilling feeling that Thornwood Elementary School fifth-grade teacher Mario Romero had March 28 when one of golf’s biggest stars shocked him with surprising good news. Read more >>


Odyssey of the Mind State Contest and Germany Trip

Thirty-two Odyssey of the Mind teams from Spring Branch ISD placed at the recent regional Odyssey of the Mind competition and 22 of the student teams are advancing to state.

State finals will be held at Spring Woods High School on April 13. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend. The all-day state competition is open to the public. Come out and support Spring Branch ISD students and the Odyssey of the Mind program. Read more >>


Principals of the Year Named

Leaders at Ridgecrest Elementary and Spring Woods Middle School were recently named by their peers as SBISD’s 2013 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year. Read more >>


 
The Nuts and Bolts of Learning

Students, educators, parents and community members turned out for the 4-H Robotics Competition Qualifier to build robots - and life connections - that will have a lasting impact for many years to come. Read more >>


 
2013 Tommy Tunes Nominees Announced

Two Spring Branch ISD high schools received a total of 12 nominations for the 11th Annual Tommy Tune Awards. Stratford High’s musical “Crazy for You” is up for nine first-place ribbons awards, while Spring Woods High’s “Children of Eden” is nominated in three categories. Read more >>

 
 
 
Mark Your Calendar - Save the Date
 
   
 
4.6 - SBISD Day @ Skeeter Stadium

On Saturday, April 6, four Spring Branch ISD high school baseball teams will compete in rival games at Constellation Field. Read more >>


4.6 - AYAM First Saturdays Event

Please join us this Saturday as we travel east to the magical country of India. For information about this event, please visit the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum website.


4.13 - Free Physicals Offered

Memorial Hermann physicians and support personnel will be on hand at Don Coleman Coliseum to provide physicals for the 2013-2014 school year for all students who will be participating in Spring Branch ISD athletics, band, drill team, cheerleading, and ROTC in middle school and high school. Read more >>


4.18 - Parent U Goes to College

Do you have a teen who is about to embark on the college admissions process? You won’t want to miss SBISD’s Annual Parent U Goes to College Event on Thursday, April 18 at Spring Woods High. Read more >>


4.19 - WAIS International Architecture & Festival

WAIS Students, Faculty & PTA proudly present the International Architecture, at the Annual International Festival 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Read more >>


4.30 - Electrify Your Strings @ Don Coleman

SHS Orchestra students plan to break the traditional orchestra mold with their upcoming “Electrify Your Strings” rock concert on April 30th at Coleman Coliseum. Read more >>


5.2 - Teacher Meet and Greet

Don’t miss this fast-paced recruiting event for new teacher applicants and current SBISD teachers wanting to transfer to another campus. Read more >>


5.2 - Student Art Show (Newspring)

Join Newspring for their sixth annual student art auction, which will feature over 50 pieces of artwork from talented SBISD art students. Read more >> Reminder: Don't miss the art sale going now at Memorial City Mall! Click here for details on this current event.


5.4 - Annual Running for the Arts Event

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) will sponsor the 21st annual 5K Running for the Arts Run/Walk at Memorial City Mall. Competitive runners will begin at 8 a.m.; 5K walkers will follow. Visit the SBEF website for more details. Read more >>


5.7 - Valley Oaks Groundbreaking

The SBISD Board of Trustees invites you to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Valley Oaks Elementary School. Program starts at 4 p.m. (Location: 8390 Westview Drive) RSVP to Rosie Santos @ 713-251-2272. Read more >>

 
 
 
Experiences in Leadership
 
   
 
Texas Youth Preparedness Camp

The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC), in conjunction with Extreme Youth Leadership Camp, will again host its Youth Preparedness Summer Camp in 2013!

Read more >>

 
Guthrie Students Get Ahead

Students from Guthrie joined with peers from around Houston to attend HerWorld @DeVry University on March 8th. Event attendees got a first-hand look at the college and learned about the need for women in technology-related careers.

Read more >>

 
MMS Students Give Back

Members of the E.O. Wilhelm chapter of the National Jr. Honor Society at Memorial Middle School recently conducted their annual food drive. This year’s proceeds benefited East Spring Branch Food Pantry.

Read more >>

 
 
Student News - My Future is BRIGHT!
 
   
 
GenTX College T-shirt Day is May 5.

Imagine if every person across Texas wears a college T-shirt on GenTX Day on May 3rd. Students will see people all around them united in their belief in higher education. Wearing a college T-shirt invites conversations for people to share their own personal stories, choices, and careers – a conversation that could inspire and change a student’s life. Read more >>


College 101 - April 11 @ The Reliant

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a college fair for parents and students on April 11 at the Reliant Center. Parents and students participants will be able to meet one-on-one with representatives from colleges and universities to discuss admission and financial aid opportunities at their respective institutions. Read more >>


Top Ten Scholarship Application Mistakes

Did you know one of the most common mistakes when filling out scholarship applications is applying for too few? Next to not following directions, or overlooking the details, there are a number of things you want to avoid. Check out the most common mistakes students make when filling out college scholarship applications, and how to avoid them. Read more >>


Stay connected!

To read all the latest news and headings, visit the SBISD online newsroom, The School Zone. eCurrent a publication of the SBISD communications office. Having trouble seeing this email? view it online.

This publication is distributed by the SBISD Communications Office. If you have questions or input, please contact Steve Brunsman, Spring Branch ISD Communications Director.
Visit the SBISD website. Inspiring minds. Shaping lives.