CCISD News - January to March 2006

School District announces teacher job fair

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

March 28, 2006

LEAGUE CITY—Clear Creek Independent School District is searching for individuals who want to teach the children of Clear Creek ISD and who embrace the district’s motto of Educate, Equip, Excel. The district is hosting a teacher job fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. April, 8 at the Clear Creek Ninth Grade Center, 2451 East Main Street in League City.

All applicants must either be certified teachers, graduating teachers in May or Summer 2006 or enrolled in an alternative teacher certification program. Applications must be on file at the Human Resource Department by March 31. Online applications are available at www.CCISD.net. Please bring several copies of resumes, a teaching certificate or college letter of anticipated completion.

For more information, or to pre-register for the job fair, visit the district website www.CCISD.net or call the Human Resource Department at (281) 284-0159 or (281) 284-0166.

CCISD Teacher Job Fair

Bay Area Community participates in national town hall meetings on underage drinking at the Gilruth Center

From Clear Creek Independent School District

March 24, 2006

LEAGUE CITY—The Bay Area community is one of hundreds of communities nationwide participating in “Underage Drinking Prevention: National Town Hall Meeting.” The Bay Area town meeting is 7-10:30 a.m., Monday, March 27 at the Gilruth Center located on site at NASA/Johnson Space Center.

Sponsored by the Bay Area Alliance for Youth & Families, in collaboration with the Federal government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking, the meeting’s purpose is to discuss and raise awareness about the issue of underage drinking. Youth, parents, school officials, law enforcement, health care agencies, church leaders and other community members will be educated about the impact underage drinking has on the community and will be invited to help develop possible solutions.

New national data shows that approximately 29 percent of youth ages 12 to 20 have used alcohol illegally. By the time children reach eighth grade, 41 percent of adolescents have had at least one drink and almost 20 percent report having been drunk once.

Participants include:

“Think…Consequences” Panel

• Judge Louie Ditta – Harris County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 8, Place 2

• Dr. Robert Landry – Director, Research and Educational Services

• Dr. Jon Thompson – Director of the Southeast Texas Poison Center

• Retha Snelson – Parent of a youth killed in a drunk driving accident

“Think… Solutions” Panel

• Julie Stevens, LDCD, CPS – Texas State Liaison for Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

• Clear Creek ISD and Friendswood ISD students will discuss community-based strategies to reduce underage drinking

For more information, call Dr. Julie Purser, director of Bay Area Alliance for Youth & Families, at (281) 316-5724.

CCISD - National Town Meeting on Underage Drinking (Gilruth Center)

School district parents are invited to express their opinions on smaller learning communities in focus groups March 27

From Clear Creek Independent School District

March 24, 2006

LEAGUE CITY—Parents focus on community at Career Night March 27 from 6:30-9 p.m.

You're invited to join a focus group on the Smaller Learning Communities program during the CCISD Career Night at Clear Lake High School on Monday, March 27 from 6:30 - 9 p.m.. If you would like to participate, please contact the campus representative as soon as possible. Parent sessions will be comprised of five to seven representatives and will be facilitated by staff from Brown University.

Clear Brook High School parents can choose a session from 6:30 - 7, 7 - 7:30, or 8 - 8:30. To sign up or for more information, please contact Sabrina Koogler at skoogler@ccisd.net or 281.284.2265.

Clear Creek High School parents can choose a session from 6:30 - 7, 7:30 - 8, or 8 - 8:30. To sign up or for more information, please contact Jeannie Buderer at jbuderer@ccisd.net or 281.316.5725.

Clear Lake High School parents can choose a session from 7 - 7:30, 7:30 - 8, or 8:30 - 9. To sign up or for more information, please contact Stephanie Kearns at skearns@ccisd.net or 281.284.1992.

CCISD - District Parents to Focus on Smaller Learning Communities at Clear Lake High School

Note: Rewritten.

The Secondary Division of the 45th Annual District Science Fair was held at the Clear Creek High School Ninth Grade Center Feb. 20. The Elementary Division was held at Brookside Intermediate. Photo Credit - Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online.

District students to participate in the Science Engineering Fair of Houston

By Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online

March 15, 2006

Winners of the 45th Annual District Science Fair will participate in the Science Engineering Fair of Houston, displaying their projects in Hall C of the George R. Brown Convention Center, as they compete for awards and scholarships from March 23 to March 25. Students will explain to the judges why they selected their topics of investigation and how they used the scientific method in their research as they formed and tested hypotheses.

Students in the secondary division entered projects in Behavioral/Social Sciences, Biochemistry/Microbiology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth/Space Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Medicine and Health, Physics and Zoology.

Two grand prizes and two runner-up grand prizes were awarded secondary students at the district fair Feb. 20. Thomas Markovich of Clear Brook High School won the Jesse A. Dorrington 2006 Grand Award for physical science with his project "Transmutation Inducing Anomalous Hydrogen Production;" and Sinchan Banerjee of Clear Lake High School won the Jesse A. Dorrington 2006 Grand Award for life science with the project “'SPONJ' The Educational Software Suite for Cerebral Palsy Children.”

Students in the elementary division entered projects in Biological Sciences, Consumer Sciences, Earth/Space Science, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at Brookside Intermediate School at the District Fair.

Grand Prize Winners at the District Science Fair

Senior Division Awards at the District Science Fair

* 1 is for 1st place, 2 is for 2nd place, 3 is for 3rd place and hm is for honorable mention
Source: CCISD data, including lists of winners

CCISD: More - Students to Participate in the Science Engineering Fair of Houston, Including Table of Junior Division Winners

School District spotlight

From Clear Creek Independent School District

March 11, 2006

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Results

CCISD received the first administration preliminary reading TAKS scores for third and fifth grade English only.

Brookwood, Ward and Wedgewood Elementary Schools received a 100% passing rate in third grade! Both third and fifth grade scores show gains from last year.

These scores are truly phenomenal because of the dedication of our teachers, staff and principals who spend countless hours before, during, and after school ensuring that our students achieve success.

The school district has really great teachers

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

March 11, 2006

Great Books Award

League City Intermediate School teacher DeeDee Thompson has been selected as one of the nation’s great teachers in the Junior Great Books “Great Books, Great Teachers 2005-2006” celebration. She will be recognized at a ceremony in Chicago in April. Congratulations DeeDee!

The Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table Appoints Clear Creek Librarian to Chair-Elect position

Tina Sanders, Clear Creek High School librarian, has been appointed as the Chair-Elect for the Texas Library Association’s (TLA) Young Adult Round Table’s high school reading list committee, which is known as Tayshas. Because of Tina’s role, her committee donated books to CCISD that are worth $4,375.

Our librarians have become involved in this organization during the past couple of years. Jeannie Dawson, Victory Lakes Intermediate School, is the chair of the Young Adult Round Table, and is the past member of the intermediate school reading committee, otherwise known as LoneStar.

Melinda Hutt, Creekside Intermediate School, is a past member of LoneStar, and Michelle Buckley, Clear Brook High School, was just named to chair the TLA’s Legislative Committee.

"Reader are Leaders" Crystal Apple Award Presented

Jan Richardson, Gifted Education Specialist at Ward Elementary, has been selected as a 2006 Crystal Award winner by the Readers are Leaders Foundation of the Houston Chronicle, the Spring Branch Education Foundation and Wal-Mart.

Victory Lakes Teacher named a Wal-Mart 2005 Teacher of the Year

Jeanne Brown, Victory Lake Intermediate social studies teacher, was recognized as a Wal-Mart 2005 Teacher of the Year.

Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math initiative issues call for schools and training centers

From the Texas Education Agency
March 10, 2006

AUSTIN—As part of Texas’ continuing effort to create an educated, competitive workforce for the 21st century, the Texas Education Agency issued a call Feb. 24 for applications for those who want to establish schools or training centers that focus on science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

The academies and training centers are part of the $71 million Texas Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (T-STEM) initiative created by Gov. Rick Perry, TEA and private partners involved in the Texas High School Project.

“It is fitting that we issue the call for applications during National Engineering Week,” Commissioner of Education Shirley J. Neeley said Feb. 24. “A growing number of white and blue collar jobs require the problem-solving skills that students learn in these courses,” she said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs requiring science, engineering or technical training will increase 24 percent between 2004 and 2014 to 6.3 million jobs nationally.

“ Ensuring college readiness and workforce readiness must be one of the primary aims of education,” Perry said when he announced the T-STEM initiative. “And with the undeniable march towards a global, technology-based economy, that means our secondary schools must place a greater premium on science and math education.”

TEA issued two Requests for Applications (RFAs) to create T-STEM academies. Each academy will be heavily focused on these four subject areas and will serve students in grades 6-12 or serve grades 9-12 and have a strong relationship with the middle schools that feed into the academies.

CCISD: More TEA Schools and Training Centers

Area students win top honors at regional and area art competitions

March 11, 2006

Twenty-nine Clear Creek I.S.D. art students won area medals and will move on to the state Texas Art Education Association Visual Art Scholastic Event at the eastern regional and area VASEs held at MacArthur High School in the Aldine School District Feb. 11. One hundred seventy-six CCISD students won regional medals. Two hundred sixty-four CCISD students received certificates of merit. These students competed against over 1300 other Region 4 students in the regional event which was held in the morning. The area event was held in the afternoon.

* Regional medallists also received a superior rating in the regional VASE.
** Area medallists advance to the state VASE.

"There are three specific levels: the regional level, the area level, and the state level," said Joey Dole, the state VASE director.

Dole said that there are not many art contests in the United States and that they are fairly subjective with only a limited set of criteria for evaluation. He said that VASE scoring is unique because there are no winners or losers and students are rated based on an objective grading rubric developed from the national standards for art education.

Students are judged on originality, skill, knowledge of the state standards for art education and ability to verbally explain the intent of their piece to the judges (jurors). Each piece is awarded a superior, excellent, average or below average rating.

"Every student that receives a superior rating based on that rubric receives a medallion and has an opportunity to advance to the next level," Doyle said.

The state VASE competition will take place at the University of Houston - Clear Lake on April 7 and 8 and is also a Texas Art Education Association Event. Students will be rated according to the same standards applied at regional competition but will not be interviewed. Those students who win a superior rating at the state event will receive state medallions. Each student that is rated exemplary will receive a “Gold Seal” medallion, the top award at this event.

The following "superior" students will go forward to the state competition:

Clear Brook High School

Therese Nguyen, Jinju Park, Rachel Flores, Anna Glanton, Kristina Gray, Brenda Melgar, Darren Davis and Nhi Huynh

Clear Creek High School

Sarah Poore, Katie Hammack, Kristal Warren, Bethany Fletcher, Alex Mair, Sarah Carter, Jesse Cline, Carmela Dailey, Daphne Dodd, Nolan Ginsberg, Lauren Henriksen, Jarred Johnson, Varvara Larionova, Samantha Laughbaum, Daniel Martinez (2 entries), Matt Mushinski and Kevin Retherford.

Clear Lake High School

Kristen Boyd, Kristen Ferguson, Allison Peterson and Jennifer Wetherbee.

Sources: 1. The Texas Art Education Association, CCISD and CCISD press release # 2264, including the list of student winners and stats

2. Interview with Joey Doyle, state VASE director

CCISD: Texas Art Education Association Visual Art Scholastic Event - TAEA VASE - Regional and Area Winners

Clear Creek High School to host current students, incoming CCHS freshmen, family members, faculty and community members at the first CCHS Community Educational Forum. Photo Credit - Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online.

Clear Creek High hosts Community Education Forum

From the Clear Creek Independent School District
March 1, 2006

LEAGUE CITY — Clear Creek High School invites community members, faculty, current students and incoming CCHS freshmen to school’s first Community Educational Forum. The topic for this meeting is, “Safety and Transition.” The meeting is from 7 - 8 p.m., March 7 in the Clear Creek High School auditorium. The school is located at 2305 East Main in League City.

Dr. Fred Hayes, principal of CCHS, will speak on the transition into and through high school. Dr. Julie Purser, coordinator of Bay Area Alliance for Youth and Families, will speak on safety information and trends including the Clear and Safe Homes programs. Ron McPherson, Clear Creek ISD Associate Superintendent of Operations, will address school safety issues in regards to the final year of the CCHS rebuild.

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the meeting. For more information, call CCHS at (281) 338-5600.

CCISD: Family Education Forum

Clear Creek High School students attend classes in portables while their high school is being rebuilt. The number of students enrolled in the school district is increasing by over 1200 students per year. District officials say more classroom space is needed. Photo Credit - Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online.

School Board to consider bond election

By Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online

February 27, 2006

The school board will be considering a new bond issue to meet the needs of a student population that is growing faster than expected and how to avoid or minimize a tax rate increase at their next regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Education Support Center.

Board President Bob Davee reports that much of the new growth in the district will occur in League City because most of the large tracts of land north of Clear Creek have already been developed. He indicates that both high schools in League City are expected to be full by 2010 or 2011. He also says that construction of a fifth high school, which will take three years, will allow the school district to convert the ninth grade centers to the intermediate schools they were designed to be and reduce the student populations at the high schools to a more acceptable level.

“CCISD is looking at the problem with an eye to tax rates,” says President Davee. “Depending on interest rates and the amount of escalation in construction costs it would appear that a 5th high school and one and possibly two new elementary schools could be built without any increase in the overall I&S tax rate or a minimal one. Such a bond package would also, as noted allow the opening of two new intermediates through the conversion of the 9th grade centers at Lake and Creek but timing, interest rates and construction costs are important.”

“We had been growing 1,000 new students each year, and during the past two years that number has jumped to 1,200 to 1,400 new students each year,” reported Superintendent Sandra Mossman in January. “Next year the district will have the highest enrollment increase with 1,600 new students.”

MetroStudy’s growth projections for the school district show even more growth later: almost 1900 in 2007, over 1700 in 2008 and over 1500 in 2009. The estimated rate of growth does not drop below 1000 students per year until 2015.

Expected CCISD Student Population Table

CCISD: School Board to Consider Bond Issue

Photo credit: Board President Robert A. Davee - CCISD

Sources: CCISD, CCISD press release # 2249 (including Dr. Mossman quote), CCISD Board President Bob Davee interview

MetroStudy population projections for School District

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

CCISD: Population Projections through 2020

Information from School Board agenda for Feb. 27 meeting

Closed Session - 6 to 7 p.m.

Texas Public Schools Week will be held March 6-10, 2006.
...
8. Action Items
a. Consent Agenda
b. Consider Wrestling Program for CCISD Athletics
c. Consider Block Scheduling
d. Consider CCISD Gifted and Talented Comprehensive Plan 2005-2009 – “Let No Child Go Unchallenged”
e. Consider High School #6 Pilot Program Project ExCEL
f. Consider and Adopt Order Calling Schoolhouse Bond Election
g. Consider and Adopt and Order to Amend the Order and Resolution Calling School Board Trustee Election by Plurality Vote
h. Consider 2006 CCISD Board Legislative Agenda
i. Consider Design Development Presentation for the Clear Lake High School Band and Orchestra Project
j. Consider Approving a Construction Contract for the Central Agriculture Facility
k. Consider Design Development Presentation for Clear Brook High School Practice Gym

Clear Brook’s students to learn lessons from Shattered Dreams

Students to view a simulated "Driving While Intoxicated" accident

From the Clear Creek Independent School District
February 17, 2006

LEAGUE CITY — Clear Brook High School is hosting the Shattered Dreams program Friday, March 3. This school-based program promotes responsible decision making by high school students regarding drinking and driving.

The program includes a simulated DWI accident and the participation of local emergency responders. The simulated accident takes place on Hope Village Road at approximately 9 a.m. Local first responders, such as the Forest Bend Fire Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Department, Friendswood Police and EMS will be on the scene to respond. Staff from Southeast Memorial Hospital and Memorial Hermann Life Flight will also participate in this presentation.

For more information regarding the Shattered Dreams program at Clear Brook High School, please contact Shattered Dreams Coordinators Jeff Brewer at jbrewer@ccisd.net or Amy Patlach at apatlach@ccisd.net.

Kindergarten parents invited to learn more about Estrellas Program for learning in both English and Spanish

Children develop fluency in both English and Spanish in a two-way immersion program, in the CCISD/UHCL Professional Development Laboratory School at McWhirter Elementary

From the Clear Creek Independent School District
February 17, 2006

LEAGUE CITY — Parents of 2006-2007 school year kindergartners are invited to meetings regarding the new Two-Way Immersion program at McWhirter PDLS Elementary School. In the two-way immersion program, both Spanish and English speaking students share a classroom and receive instruction in both languages. The classroom consists of approximately 50 percent native Spanish speakers and 50 percent native English speakers.

Benefits of Two-Way Immersion includes: bilingualism, development of language and cognitive skills, increased intellectual growth, enhanced interpersonal communication, increased self-esteem, improved listening skills, development of flexible thinking, increased future marketability, and better performance on standardized tests (2002 Collier-Thomas study).

The program is only open to students who will be in kindergarten during the 2006-2007 school year. For more information, contact Tacy King at (281) 332-0521 or tking@ccisd.net.

The meetings are at McWhirter Elementary PDLS located at 300 Pennsylvania in Webster. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.

Photo credit: CCISD

CCISD: English/Spanish Immersion Program Opens for New Kindergartners

School District looks to round up kindergartners

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

February 14, 2006

LEAGUE CITY—Registration for 2006-2007 pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students in the Clear Creek Independent School District begins May 2. All children who will be five years of age on or before Sept. 1, 2006 are eligible for fall 2006 classes. Pre-kindergarten students must be four years old by Sept. 1, be non-English speaking and/or low income.

Parents must provide the following documentation as part of the Kindergarten Roundup procedures: proof student identity, which can be a certified birth certificate, passport, alien registration card or visa; a Social Security card; and proof residency within the Clear Creek ISD boundaries, such as a utility bill, rent receipt stating name and address or lease or purchase agreement.

Immunization records are also required to register a child for school, and students must be fully immunized before attending school. Please check the specific elementary school your child is attending to determine if immunizations are available at that location.

For more information about Kindergarten Roundup and registration dates, please contact your local elementary school or visit the Clear Creek ISD web site at www.CCISD.net. For more information about Pre-kindergarten, call (281) 284-2564.

CCISD: Kindergarten Registration

The Board of the Clear Creek Independent School District meets monthly on the fourth Monday in the Education Center at 2425 East Main St. in League City. Photo Credit - Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online.

Running for school board

By Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online
February 14, 2006

- Question 1 of 4

Why did you run for school board?

I ran for school board because I have two children in the system and I am a taxpayer. I had been following school district issues for some time, had concerns about some issues and received outside encouragement to run for the position.

February 15, 2006

- Question 2 of 4

What are the qualities of an effective school board member?

As for qualities, different board members bring different perspectives to the board, which is healthy, but patience and the ability to listen to and work through problems is critical. Preconceived agendas and an inability to consider all aspects of issues can be dangerous and lead to gridlock, paralysis and infighting. The issues involved are complex enough in and of themselves.

February 16, 2006

- Question 3 of 4

What is the role of a school board member?

The school board and the school board members are primarily broad policy makers. As elected representatives of a public institution, they should be taking a long term view of the needs of the District and considering the broader interests of all of the stakeholders: students, teachers, parents, taxpayers and the community at large.

School board members appropriately exercise that policy making power through broad oversight and the approval of budgets and the hiring of the superintendent. The superintendent and her staff, right on down to the individual principals and teachers, are responsible for the day to day operations of the schools and activities on the campus and in the classroom — as they are the professional educators.

February 17, 2006

- Question 4 of 4

Is there anything else you think I should know?

Anyone thinking about running needs to consider the challenges that public education now faces and that CCISD does as well. Right now, the state legislature is under an order from the state supreme court upholding a district judge's determination that the current school funding scheme creates an unconstitutional statewide property tax. That now unconstitutional scheme creates and overreliance on local property taxes to fund schools and effectively deprives local school districts of local control over property tax rates. The legislature is supposed to have a new funding scheme in place by June 1st.

Not only will there likely be a new funding scheme to deal with, a new board member is going to have to deal with the most difficult issue for CCISD: the increase in students and corresponding demand for more classrooms as the District goes from over 35,000 students to a projected 52,000 in the next 14 years. The majority of those new students will also be in League City.

Photo credit: Board President Robert A. Davee - CCISD

CCISD: Board President Bob Davee on Running for School Board

Learning more about the work of a school board and workshop announcement

Board workshop covers what school board members do and how to run for a school board position

By Marilyn Clark, League City Area News Online

February 14, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—Residents who would like to learn more about how the school board works, as well as those who are interested in running for a position on the school board, can learn about the work of a school board member by attending a free candidate workshop Wednesday, March 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Region 4 Education Service Center, Room 101. The Region 4 Education Service Center is located at 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, Texas. Workshop reservations are not required and anyone may attend.

"If you are thinking about running to be a school board member, your best bet is to go to the workshop." said Tanya Barnett, TASB leadership team services. "It is given by experienced board members and they can answer all the questions you could possibly have."

Barnett reported that the workshop will cover how it feels to be a trustee, the key responsibilities of the board, staff member distribution authority, constructive campaigning, and where to find more information. 'A Call to Service,' a video created by TABS, will feature many components of board service and several seasoned school trustees.

Barnett suggested trying the ($25) online workshop version — "Call to Action Workshop" — if you want to get started right away — https://www.tasb.org/apps/tasbstore/storeDetail.cfm?kv=246 .

"This information is what the presenters use to present the regional board candidate workshop," Barnett said .

For those looking for a book about what a school board does and how to run for school board, TASB has written the $10 "2006 Guide for School Board Candidates."

Barnett provided the following information about the guide: The book includes information about the school board roles and responsibilities, how to campaign ethically, and a brief review of election laws with which candidates need to be familar. Also in the book are more in depth resources on financing a campaign, report requirements, and guidelines for election advertising. See — https://www.tasb.org/apps/tasbstore/storeDetail.cfm?kv=192 .

For more details about the workshop in Houston or the online version contact Tanya Barnett at TASB, (512) 467-0222 or (800) 580-8272, extension 6248. or email her at tanya.barnett@tasb.org . More information about the Houston workshop can also be obtained by contacting the Region 4 Education Service Center at 713-744-6539.

More information about how the school district is run can be obtained from the Clear Creek Independent School District policy manual, from reports/minutes of past school board meetings, by attending school board meetings and from CCISD Board President Robert Allan Davee, or other school board members. Davee may be contacted by email at robert-davee@ccisd.net .

The monthly school board meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at the Education Support Center, 2425 East Main Street, League City, Texas 77573. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. The public portion of the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Check the agenda for the starting times for the closed session, the public portion of the meeting, public hearings, and workshops.

Board agenda are available at http://board.ccisd.net/oba/ . Board reports are available at http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/board_reports.asp The CCISD policy manual is available online at http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/084910/

A searchable CCISD map is located at http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/pdf/CCISDdistricts2004.pdf
This map is 3,646 k in size so it takes awhile to load.

Sources: Interview with Tanya Barnett, TASB Leadership Team Services; TASB School Board Workshop flyer; TASB and CCISD workshop press releases; and TASB and CCISD web sites

Photo credit: Board President Robert A. Davee - CCISD

Click here to view the workshop flyer

Online and Board President Robert A. Davee - CCISD

CCISD: Work of the School Board and Workshop

School district announces 2006 Board of Trustees election

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 25, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek Independent School District is holding a Board of Trustees election May 13. Applications for open trustee positions are being accepted Feb. 13 through March 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information packets are currently available at the CCISD Education Support Center located at 2425 East Main St. in League City, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Positions in District 4 and District 5, as well as the At Large Position A, are on this year’s ballot. David Juengel is the current District 4 trustee, Glenn Brown is the current District 5 trustee and Ralph Parr is the At Large Position A trustee. Terms are for three years, ending in May 2009.

Early voting begins May 1 and ends May 9. For additional information, call Pam Syers at (281) 284-0181.

Future Farmers of America Livestock Auction provides scholarship funds

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

February 13, 2006

LEAGUE CITY—Big steers, swine and other livestock brought in big dollars for the Clear Creek Independent School District’s 24th Annual Livestock Show and Auction. The students’ projects brought in more than $83,000 at the auction. The funds raised go toward student scholarships and reinvesting in future FFA projects.

The Grand Champion Steer, raised by Clear Brook High School student Samantha Underwood, sold to PBK Architects for $7,500. Underwood also raised the Grand Champion Turkey at this year’s auction. Approximately 100 high school students from across the district participated in the auction that includes livestock, metalworking and floral design.

Photo credit: CCISD

Community invited to school district senior musicals

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 30, 2006

The Clear Brook High School Class of 2006 is presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as this year’s senior musical. Performances are planned for 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 2 – 4 and Feb. 9 – 11. Two matinee performances are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. for Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $10. Call (281) 284-2136 for more information.

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The Clear Creek High School Class of 2006 is proud to present Once Upon A Mattress as this year’s senior musical production. The curtain opens every night at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 4, with a special matinee show Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. All shows will be held in the CCHS Auditorium. Ticket prices are: adults $10, students $7 and children 10 and under are $5. For additional information, call (281) 284-2334.

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The Clear Lake High School Class of 2006 is proud to announce the production of the senior class musical Seussical. The opening curtain for this year’s show is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26 in the school’s auditorium. The performances are Jan. 26 – 28 and Feb. 2 – 4 at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 23, in the Senior Activities Office, and the ticket price is $8. For additional information about the show, call (281) 284-1981 or (281) 284-1935.

Clear Creek High School seniors present “Once Upon a Mattress”

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 21, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek High School Class of 2006 is proud to present “Once Upon A Mattress” as this year’s senior musical production. The curtain opens every night at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 4, with a special matinee show Sunday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.

All shows will be held in the CCHS Auditorium. Ticket prices are: adults $10, students $7 and children 10 and under are $5. For additional information, call (281) 284-2334.

“Once Upon a Mattress” is a rollicking musical about courtships and the burden of a controlling mother – who happens to be queen. In an attempt to keep Prince Dauntless single, the queen has decreed that only the princess who can pass a test of the queen’s creation may marry her son. Further, no one else in the kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless does. The romantic fate of a kingdom is dependent on Princess Winnifred, the Woebegone and a tiny pea.

Under the direction of Robert Judd, the musical that was made famous by Carol Burnett stars CCHS seniors Kara Hansen as Queen Aggravain, Josh Young as Prince Dauntless, Meg Lane as Princess Winnifred, Brandon Freid as King Sextimus, Jake Shideler as Sir Harry and Matrex Kilgore as The Jester.

School district board sets new meeting schedule

Beginning in February, school board meetings will take place on the fourth Monday of the month.

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 25, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—During the January Board of Trustees meeting for the Clear Creek Independent School District the Board of Trustees voted to change the official meeting date for future school board meetings. Beginning in February, school board meetings will take place on the fourth Monday of the month. Previously, school board meetings had been held on the fourth Tuesday.

The meeting date has changed to allow family members and community members to attend the many school functions that take place on Tuesday nights. By changing the date, the school board meetings will no longer conflict with meetings scheduled on Tuesday nights by many of the local municipalities served by the school district.

Meetings begin at 6 p.m. and take place at the Clear Creek ISD Education Support Center located at 2425 East Main St. in League City. Meeting agendas and reports are available online at the district web site www.CCISD.net.

For more information about the meeting changes or about the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees call the district Office of Public Information at (281) 284-0020.

School district hosts public hearings on school boundaries

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 18, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek Independent School District invites the community to a public hearing regarding high school boundary changes for the 2007-2008 school year.

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

7 p.m., Feb. 7, Clear Lake High School Auditorium

7 p.m., Feb. 13, Clear Brook High School Auditorium

7 p.m., Feb. 22, Clear Creek High School 9th Grade Center Commons Area

For more information about the school boundary committee call Clear Creek ISD Operations Department at (281) 284-0041.

School district seeks first day of school waiver

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

February 1, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek Independent School District may be submitting a waiver to the Texas Education Agency to start the 2006-2007 school year earlier than Aug. 21, 2006. Clear Creek ISD is seeking a waiver to start school on either Aug. 10 or Aug. 14, depending upon the calendar recommended by the District-wide Educational Improvement Council and approved by the Board of Trustees.

A public hearing is scheduled for the Feb. 27 Board of Trustees’ meeting at 6 p.m. Citizens who have questions may contact the District’s Office of Public Information at (281) 284-0020.

School district dedication ceremonies

From Clear Creek Independent School District

January 21, 2006

The district will be celebrating the opening of Westbrook Intermediate and Gilmore Elementary Schools on Sunday, February 5, by hosting dedication ceremonies. Westbrook’s ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.; and Gilmore’s festivities will begin a 2 p.m. Both of these events are open to the community.

School district hosts livestock auction and dinner

Community invited to bid on livestock raised by students in the FFA program.

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 18, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—Clear Creek Independent School District FFA students are polishing horns and washing fur in preparation for the District’s 24th Annual Livestock Show and Auction. The auction is 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26 at the Clear Creek High School FFA Project Center. The Buyers’ Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. prior to the auction.

Funds raised by the auction go toward student scholarships and reinvesting in future FFA projects. Last year’s auction raised more than $90,000 in scholarships for nearly 100 Clear Creek ISD high school students.

The livestock judging events are open to the public. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday - Jan. 24 - Judging

4 p.m. Official Welcome

4 p.m. Judging of Broilers, Turkeys, Rabbits, Market Swine

Wednesday - Jan. 25 - Judging

1 p.m. Judging All Exhibits

4 p.m. Judging of Market Lambs and Goats

6 p.m. Judging of Market Steers

Thursday - Jan. 26 - Dinner and Auction

5:30 p.m. Buyers Dinner and opportunity to meet with students

7 p.m. Livestock Auction

For more information about the 24th Annual Livestock Show and Auction or to RSVP for the Buyer’s Dinner, call:

Clear Brook High School (281) 284-2278

Clear Creek High School (281) 338-5652

Clear Lake High School (281) 284-2093

Photo credit: USDA 4H Photos by Bill Tarpenning

Clear Lake High School seniors set stage for Seussical

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 18, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Lake High School Class of 2006 is proud to announce the production of the senior class musical Seussical. The opening curtain for this year’s show is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26 in the school’s auditorium. The performances are Jan. 26 – 28 and Feb. 2 – 4 at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Jan. 23, in the Senior Activities Office, and the ticket price is $8. For additional information about the show, call (281) 284-1981 or (281) 284-1935.

This musical, first produced in 1998, is based on the works of Dr. Seuss. However, it is more than just a string of Dr. Seuss stories set to music. The authors, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, have incorporated elements from at least 15 of Dr. Seuss’s books, weaving together some of the most recognized characters in new and unexpected ways. While these characters may never have met on the pages of books, they do meet in our musical – and some will fall in love, some will have desperate adventures, and some will save the world.

The “host and emcee” for the show is the Cat in the Hat, played by Gabe Hayes. Playing the role of Jojo is Chrystal Buckner. She is joined by David Cooper and Ashley Reeder as the Mayor and his wife of Whoville.

Other characters include Tyson Voigt as Horton the Elephant, Laura Henning as Gertrude McFuzz, and Ashley Anderson as Mayzie LaBird. The Sour Kangaroo and the Small Kangaroo are played by Jacquel Haywood. She is joined in the Jungle of Nool by the Wickersham Brothers – Dustin Malmberg, Tyler Porterfield, Galeano Salas, and Blake Sledge – and a host of Seussian characters. The entourage for Gertrude and Mayzie include the World Famous LaBirdettes Cortney Blumberg, Ashley Conrad, and Christin Hannah and the Bird Girls Sophia Garbutt, Ashley Holcomb, Alana Gilbert, and Ashley Harral. The remainder of the cast includes the citizens of Whoville, the special performers, and the Circus McGurkus troop.

The musical is directed by Josh Jordan. Musical direction is provided by Pam Force, and the orchestra is under the direction of Joseph Munoz, Director of Bands. Choreography is under the direction of Elizabeth Townsend. The stage manager is Rachel Ayala who is joined by a crew from the CLHS technical theatre department. Sound is under the direction of Mark Thiessen.

No-Run fun run supports scholarship without breaking a sweat

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 16, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek High School Hi-Life Newspaper staff is hosting a No-Run Fun Run for the Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship Fund. Instead of asking the community to break a sweat for a good cause, the students ask that community members purchase T-shirts and wear the shirts on Feb. 9, Hutchinson’s birthday.

The shirts cost $15 through Jan. 15 and are $20 thereafter. The organization that purchases the most T-shirts will receive a FREE T-shirt signed by President George W. Bush.

Hutchinson, a 2001 Clear Creek High School graduate, died in Iraq Dec. 7, 2003 while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. The Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship goes to students who are not in the top 10 percent of their class. The student should have overcome some kind of hardship and be a person Hutchinson would have wanted to help.

“To contribute to the Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship is to honor not only him, but all soldiers everywhere who make sacrifices of their lives to do their duty,” said Deborah Hutchinson, mother of Ray Joseph. “The commitment and brave works of all our soldiers are honored when the Ray Joseph Hutchinson Scholarship is allowed to grow and do its noble work.”

To purchase a shirt or to receive more information about the scholarship, email the Hi-Life staff at hutchfund@yahoo.com or call (281) 284-0020.

Parents invited to meeting announcing secondary math changes

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The state curriculum standards known as the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) have recently been revised in mathematics for grades 6 through 11. The Texas Education Agency has requested that each intermediate and high school campus host a meeting to discuss these changes and to offer input regarding the inclusion of the new content on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

Parents of students in the Clear Creek Independent School District are invited to attend a meeting to discuss and offer input regarding changes in the mathematics TEKS. The hour-long meeting is scheduled at each secondary campus. Parents are encouraged to attend any one of these meetings. Times and dates are listed below.

The curriculum changes are to go into effect in the fall of 2006. The presentation will define these changes. In addition, participants will break up into grade level/ subject groups to complete portions of a survey for the purpose of giving input on how the TEKS changes impact the TAKS test.

For more information about the TEKS changes call Clear Creek ISD Secondary Mathematics Coordinator Joyce Collett at (281) 284-0092.

Science Magnet at Seabrook Intermediate accepting applications

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Science Magnet Program at Seabrook is accepting applications within the district for new student enrollment.

If you are interested, please download an application packet. Packet includes instructions on submission. Completed packets are due by February 8, 2006. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact jlarsen@ccisd.net.

Submission Deadline: February 8, 2006.

No late applications will be accepted.

Teacher Recommendation Form[PDF]

Student Application [PDF]

In the 1993-94 school year, Clear Creek Independent School District began offering a Science Magnet Program at Seabrook Intermediate School for students in grades six through eight. The school provides a unique science curriculum for all students while providing additional science electives and opportunities for students enrolled in the Science Magnet Program.

In addition, the site serves as a Science Learning Center for all schools in the District. The Learning Center includes a Science Resource Center, Living Materials Center, and Greenhouse. The Resource Center Provides science curriculum materials for use by CCISD teachers. The Living Materials Center and Greenhouse provide live plants and animals for use in classrooms across the District.

Elementary school students in the District can enjoy field trips to the Learning Center.

Photo credit: CCISD

Helping children and teens with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

From the Clear Creek Independent School District- Section 504 Department

January 11, 2006

The Section 504 Department invites you to a free parenting seminar: Helping Children and Teens with ADHD.

Come to this free workshop on helping children and teens with ADHD. Learn about the latest theories and research on ADHD and what to do to help students with this disorder. Strategies for both home and school will be discussed.

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Location: Education Support Center, 2425 East Main, League City, Large Staff Development Room (2nd floor)

RSVP: To make reservations or for additional information call Lisa Hardcastle, CCISD Section 504 and Dyslexia coordinator, at (281) 284-0078.

School district students adopt Apache troop

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—League City Elementary fifth grade students Jared Snyder, Brandon Haught, Mey Jabari and Amanda Lofaro fill care packages with special treats and notes of encouragement for the Apache Troop from Fort Hood, Texas. The Apache Troop, currently stationed in Iraq, includes Captain Jonathan Bodenhamer, a 1996 graduate of Clear Creek High School.

Student Leadership Teams at League City and Stewart Elementary Schools, with the help of students at Clear Creek High School and local businesses, have the goal of keeping the soldiers supplied with Texas treats throughout the year. In addition, students at both schools are wearing red on Fridays until the soldiers return next December to show their support.

Photo credit: CCISD

School District raises funds for United Way

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Creek Independent School District recently raised more than $24,470 for the United Way. Campuses that were the first to meet their collection goals during the campaign received awards from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Mario ’s of Seabrook, Sweet Mesquite and Texas Roadhouse.

Pockets of Pennies provide holiday joy

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The third grade students at North Pointe Elementary recently challenged the rest of their school to do something to help the hurricane victims over the holidays. Mrs. Shawna Wood’s students distributed decorated soda cans to all the classes in the school, challenging each class to fill four cans. One 12 oz. soda can holds approximately 550 pennies.

Students from kindergarten through fifth grade counted, measured, and sorted pennies while doing numerous math activities. In addition, the students had a chance to practice North Pointe’s “Student Success Traits” for December: caring and compassion.

Friday, December 16 the students brought the 44,858 pennies they had collected into the hallways to be placed on an inside “track” of yarn. The students had over a half mile’s worth of pennies. The students raised $448.58 to be donated to the Salvation Army.

Photo credit: CCISD

Clear Brook High School seniors to present Beauty and the Beast

From the Clear Creek Independent School District

January 11, 2006

LEAGUE CITY, Texas—The Clear Brook High School Class of 2006 is presenting Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as this year’s senior musical. Performances are planned for 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 2 – 4 and Feb. 9 – 11. Two matinee performances are scheduled at 2:30 p.m. for Saturday, Feb. 4 and Sunday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $10. Call (281) 284-2136 for more information.

Based on the classic animated movie, the show recounts the story of the beautiful but eccentric Belle, who is pursued by the muscular but dimwitted hunter, Gaston. When Belle’s father is captured by an enchanted prince who has been turned into a horrible beast, Belle ransoms her father by trading places with him. The castle’s enchanted servants conspire to bring Belle and the Beast together to break the spell that is slowly turning them into household objects.

In addition to the familiar “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast” from the movie, added songs include Belle’s heart rending “Is This Home?” and Beast’s “If I Can’t Love Her.”

The Clear Brook senior musical cast includes Lacey Melinder making her Clear Brook debut as Belle and Michael Waehner playing the Beast. Jake Kilgore plays Gaston, with Philip McCombs as his lackey, LaFou. D.J. Sherrill, Christina Dawkins, Sam Crites, Blair Hamilton and Meagan Hays play the loveable castle minions.

For more information about Clear Creek ISD, contact the Office of Public Information at (281) 284-0020 or visit the website at www.CCISD.net.

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