APEF gives out nearly $30,000 in grants

unnamed-5

The Athens High School band drum line led the way Thursday as Athens Public Education Foundation board members and district administrators traveled on the newly wrapped Hornet bus from campus to campus, handing out nearly $30,000 in education innovation grants to thrilled teachers. APEF is not part of the school district, but the district is the sole beneficiary of the foundation’s financial support. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Rockin’ the robots

img_7604

Athens ISD students in the fifth-grade gifted and talented program recently entered a robotics competition. The theme of the competition centered on the idea of emergency preparedness. Students had many different challenges they had to assess and then program the robots to complete. The Athens team was up against mostly junior high students, with only one other team having members their age. “They did a fabulous job, and I am so very proud of their hard work,” said Audrey Haley, teacher for the gifted and talented program. The event was sponsored by TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association), a global member-based organization supporting the use of technology in education. Students pictured are (from left) James Hoffman, Jaxson Stiles, Gage Friedrich and Peyton Smith. Other AISD students who competed are Abby Butler, Ariana Arevalo, Jonathan Camp, Charrod McCullough, Reagan Farley and Rylea Robertson. (Audrey Haley photo)

MALAKOFF ISD earns state’s highest fiscal accountability rating

Malakoff ISD LogoPress release

Malakoff Independent School District officials announced that the district received a rating of “A” for “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ School FIRST financial accountability rating system. The “Passed” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Malakoff ISD’s financial management and reporting system. Malakoff ISD had a perfect rating meeting all criteria.

This is the 14th year of School FIRST (Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas), a financial accountability system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amendments under House Bill 5, 83rd Texas Legislature. Regular Session, 2013. The primary goal of School FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts’ financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system.

Continue reading “MALAKOFF ISD earns state’s highest fiscal accountability rating”

South Athens students read more into the story

South Athens Student Council members made the decision to utilize fundraised money to purchase a variety of additional books for their library. Pictured are Marilyn Murillo, Jaxson Stiles, Kayleni Garcia, Michael Van, Marcos Velasquez, Hannah Wilson, Anna Meyer, Aubree Pearson, Rylea Robertson, Ivan Villa-Lopez and Juan Ramirez. Not pictured is Noah Tatum. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
South Athens Student Council members made the decision to utilize fundraised money to purchase a variety of additional books for their library. Pictured are Marilyn Murillo, Jaxson Stiles, Kayleni Garcia, Michael Van, Marcos Velasquez, Hannah Wilson, Anna Meyer, Aubree Pearson, Rylea Robertson, Ivan Villa-Lopez and Juan Ramirez. Not pictured is Noah Tatum. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

Twelve student council members, representing each fifth-grade class at South Athens Elementary, were given a pretty daunting task for most 10- and 11-year-olds: determine the best way to spend money. Come to think of it, it’s a pretty daunting task at any age.

Back in October, teachers and staff at South Athens raised $955 by working one evening at McDonald’s in Athens, with a percentage of the proceeds during that time going to the campus. Students did their part as door greeters and helped teachers pass out free smoothie samples.

“I liked when we got to do that because I like to help people a lot,” said council member Rylea Robertson.

Continue reading “South Athens students read more into the story”

Athens band students win regional honors

Members of the Athens High School band who qualified for the All-Region Band are (top row, from left) Russell Ingram, Kolemann Dooley, Richard Craig, Matthew Hernandez Alan Platt, Elian Cordero, Bryce Bowman, (middle row, from left) Mollie Davies, Leslie Alsobrook, Vernice Williams, Kelsey Torres, Ale Pedroza, (front row, from left) Caity Pace, Brenda Ruvalcaba, Yuvia Leon and Allison Martinez. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Members of the Athens High School band who qualified for the All-Region Band are (top row, from left) Russell Ingram, Kolemann Dooley, Richard Craig, Matthew Hernandez Alan Platt, Elian Cordero, Bryce Bowman, (middle row, from left) Mollie Davies, Leslie Alsobrook, Vernice Williams, Kelsey Torres, Ale Pedroza, (front row, from left) Caity Pace, Brenda Ruvalcaba, Yuvia Leon and Allison Martinez. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Press release

Many Athens High School and Athens Middle School students earned a place in the Region 21 Honor Band following auditions this past weekend in Rusk as part of the Association of Texas Small School Bands.

Continue reading “Athens band students win regional honors”