Education-Henderson County Now

Charitable Donations Sought to Continue Weekend Food Program at AISD

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Four years ago, elementary teachers at Athens ISD began to report something heartbreaking to the administrative teams: some of their students were digging through the trash looking for food.

“We noticed a lot of kids trying to horde food from the cafeteria or dig through the trash looking for snacks,” said school counselor Cheri Mahan. “They were just so hungry because they weren’t getting the food they needed at home.”

At the time, Mahan’s daughter was attending the University of Texas at Tyler, where she was involved in promoting the East Texas Food Bank. “My daughter came home and mentioned the Backpacks for Kids program, and I said, ‘We need that,’” recalled Mahan. Continue reading “Charitable Donations Sought to Continue Weekend Food Program at AISD”

Brownsboro ISD Marks Principal Appreciation Month

Brownsboro ISD presented campus principals with a certificate in honor of Principal Appreciation Month at the Oct. 20 board meeting. Pictured, from left, ACES principal Marion Jones, BISD Superintendent Dr. Chris Moran, BHS principal Brandon Jones, CIS principal Lisa Brown, CES principal Susan Limmer, BJHS principal Brad Robertson, BIS principal Rhonda McCallie, BES principal Tracy Neill, board members Brian Bersano and Michele Blackmon.

The photo is by Austin Holt and used courtesy of the Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman.

Teachers Dress Up to Read to Students

First-grade teachers at Bel Air Elementary dressed up as storybook characters Thursday to read to their students. Pictured are (from left) Sara Chamblee as Snow White, Heather Davis as The Very Brave Witch, Antonia Moreno as the Queen of Hearts, Maria Contreras as Pinkalicious, Chrystal Smith as Junie B. Jones, Jodi Padgett as Thing 1, Adonica Smith as the Cat in the Hat, and Rebecca Hall as Thing 2. Teachers at both Bel Air and South Athens elementaries transform themselves into storybook characters this time of year to encourage reading. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

AISD Encourages Attendance at Rachel’s Challenge Nov. 4 Launch

‘Change starts with one person’

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

In 1999, 12 students and one teacher were shot and killed by two students at Columbine High School in Colorado. The first of those to be killed in the senseless tragedy was Rachel Scott, a well-liked young lady with huge goals for her future. Her story did not end that day. In fact, her 17 years of life left a legacy that has gone on to reach and uplift millions in the form of “Rachel’s Challenge.”

At 7 p.m. on November 4 at the Athens High School Annex Auditorium, Rachel’s Challenge will be officially introduced within Athens ISD. The hope is that the program’s impact will be community wide and not confined within the school walls. To have that impact, the district leadership team is calling on students, parents, community leaders and everyone who believes one person can make a positive impact on the lives of others to join us for the presentation. Continue reading “AISD Encourages Attendance at Rachel’s Challenge Nov. 4 Launch”

Cross Roads Debate Earns First Place Sweepstakes Honors

Press release

The Cross Roads Speech and Debate team won 1st Place Team Sweepstakes Honors at the Leon High School Speech and Debate tournament on Saturday, Oct. 25. The team won competing against 10 schools and 150 students representing 3A and 4A UIL classification schools.

The team finished 2nd, 3rd, and 6th in Cross-Examination Policy Debate. Freshman Julia Harris won top speaker honors in the event. The team finished 4th and 6th in Lincoln-Douglass Debate. They finished 1st, 3rd, and 4th in Extemporaneous speaking. The team finished 2nd in Prose Interpretation. Junior High student Kaden Mattingly represented the team in Congressional Debate, and came out with the win. He earned top speaker honors in the event. Continue reading “Cross Roads Debate Earns First Place Sweepstakes Honors”