News and notes from and about our
Vol. 5 No. 5
family of Humble ISD Employees
May 2007
Playtime at Oaks Elementary is now so much more fun!
Thanks to the hard work and generous donations of
staff, PTA parents, community members and businesses,
and students from Atascocita Middle, Oaks Elementary
now has a playground.
Students and staff from Atascocita Middle School
Student Council raised over $700 in the Penny War benefitting the Oaks Elementary. Student Council sponsors are
Kelsey Falzon and Sarah Locklear, 8th grade language
arts, and Ashley Knippers, 7th grade science.
Student council kids set up a table at every lunch with
a bucket each for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The
students from each grade level donated pennies to add
points for their grade. They then put in silver coins and
dollars into the other grade level buckets to take points
away from them. Each penny represented 1 point, and each
silver coin represented either 5, 10, 25, or 100 points
deducted.
It was a close race all week, but the sixth graders won
and earned a pie throwing rally. Kids got to pie the teacher
or administrator of their choice including Assistant Principals Thyrun Hurst and Stacie Lott, 6th grade counselor
Jana Ward, administrative intern and coach David Opp,
and many others.
The Oaks Elementary paid about $3,000 on the equipment, which PTA and staff will work to repay next year.
Amy VanDyke, HHS assistant
Librarian, has recently completed
her Masters of Library Science from
TWU. She has also been inducted
into the Beta Phi Mu International
Library Science Honor Society.
team competed at the regional tournament.
Thanks to all the hard work of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cecilia Hawkins and IB director Elizabeth
Baron, Humble High School is now officially an International Baccalaureate World School.
Scott Ford of the CATE Center
was inducted into Texas A&M’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honors Society.
Creekwood Concert Treble Choir earned the UIL
Sweepstakes trophy. Creekwood Concert and Symphonic
Bands both earned UIL Sweepstakes trophies.
James Debo, son of Eileen Debo at Humble Elementary, was recognized as an Eagle Scout by Troop 505 in
March. James’ Eagle Service project was leading a group of
volunteers to build five table/bench units and birdhouses to
aid student observations for Project Feeder Watch at the
National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat at Humble
Elementary. He was supervised by Ana Mascolo, service
learning instructional coach at Humble Elementary. He
received a congratulatory letter and Texas flag from State
Representative Joe Crabb.
KHS-9th teacher Rosemary McLean has been
chosen to show a three-minute video about our service
learning work on Africa & our documentaries at the TED
Talks in Tanzania this summer at the Jane Goodall Institute.
Karen Livingston, ESL coordinator for QHS/CLC,
announces the graduation of her son, Michael Livingston,
from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in
Pyschology/Business. Michael is an HHS ’02 graduate and
earned a full scholarship to UT for his honors grades. He is
working as a Project Manager at Anthony Sylvan Pools in
Austin.
KMS principal Bob Atteberry is proud to announce
that all Fine Arts programs at Kingwood Middle won in
UIL competition this year. This is a rare occurrance in UIL
history, so congratulations to:
• KMS Drama/Theatre-One Act Play UIL Champion
directed by Audra Langston
• KMS Orchestra UIL Sweepstakes Champion directed by
Cindy McMurrey
• KMS Choir UIL Sweepstakes Champion directed by
Janice Lemm
• KMS Concert Band UIL Sweepstakes Champion directed by Rebecca May
• KMS Symphonic Band UIL Sweepstakes Champion
directed by Wade Fennel
Jeff Bellnap, the head golf coach at Kingwood High
School has been inducted into the Sam Houston State
University Hall of Fame. Jeff coaches both the boys and
girls teams at KHS. Both of his girls teams and his boys A
Pine Forest first grade teacher Carrie Keith’s son, Brian
William Keith, graduated cum laude from the University of
Houston Hilton School of Restaurant and Hotel Management
with a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Pine Forest librarian Kaye Shirley received a Foundation grant for the Accelerated Reading Program–for the
third year in a row!
AMS science teacher Jill Hobbes received a grant
from Fund for Teachers. She will explore the UK and
collect the same rock suites used to develop the Geologic
Time Scale and the principles of geologic science. AMS
teacher Kassie Hassett received a Foundation grant for My
Personal Yearbook journal writing, and social studies
teacher Mary Trichel received a Foundation grant for It’s a
Geo-mazing World and another for Mooving to the Top,
Ignite Learning’s curriculum on wheels.
Humble
Middle Student
Council received
the Texas Association of
Student Councils
(TASC) Districts
7 & 13 Sweepstakes award,
Outstanding
Student Council,
Outstanding D.A.S.H (Drugs, Alcohol, Safety and Health),
Outstanding ENERGY, and Outstanding Pride & Patriotism
Awards. HMS Student Council sponsor Deanna Caplett
also received the Sponsor of the Year award.
Three win ATPE grants
Congratulations to the top 10 academically-ranked
seniors in the Class of 2007. Listed below are their names.
If they attended middle or elementary school in Humble
ISD, we listed that information, too, since their former
teachers likely remember them:
Humble High School: Valedictorian Mark Thompson
(PFE, AMS); Salutatorian Rodrigo Pena (HE, HMS);
Richard Witkov (WPE, HMS); Bethany Quertermous (PFE,
AMS); Mahveen Sohail (TMS); Jennifer Smith (OE, TMS),
Alexander Pham (AMS); Arthur Philpott (WPE, HMS),
Caitlin Crawford (OE, TMS) and Hunter Holt.
Three of the
six ATPE Region
IV 2007 Apple
Grant 4 Kids
Winners were
from Humble
ISD! The grants
acknowledge
outstanding and
creative ATPE
Jim Dang, Stephanie Fisher, and Region
members who
develop programs/ IV ATPE Scholarship Co-Chairman Lissa
Shepard from Galena Park.
proposals to
improve the quality of education for the children they
serve. Grants are available for members of the Region IV
area and are for projects that directly effect students.
District winners include the following:
Jim Dang, math, algebra I & algebra II teacher,
Atascocita High. $500 grant to continue the use of technology in the classroom. Students will use electronic classroom response systems for instantaneous feedback on
questions.
Stephanie Fisher, science coach, G/T teacher,
Woodland Hills. $500 grant to undertake the development
and maintenance of an outside learning classroom in the
form of a school garden. All grade levels will conduct
experiments that reinforce their life science TEKS.
Kingwood High School: Valedictorian Brent Bailey (HHE,
CMS); Salutatorian Catherine Castillo (DWE, RMS), David
Sommer (SFE, RMS), Emily Gallup (SFE, RMS), Cheryl
Holmes (BBE, CMS); Deborah Cunningham (BBE, CMS);
Sarah Boice (SFE, RMS); Daniel Marts (GTE, CMS);
Laura Philipp (WCE, RMS) and Lisa Hasenberg.
KHS English teacher and swim
coach Laura Ledlow was involved in a bicycle
accident in April. She spent a weekend at Herman Hospital
and received 20 stitches and a double fractured orbita.
Peggy Cannon, bus driver, is recovering from knee
surgery.
Retired assistant superintendent John Widmier
recently had knee surgery, and is doing very well.
Allison Tabor, instructional coach, Deerwood. $500
grant to purchase math materials and manipulatives for
“Math Detectives” project where students act as detectives,
looking at problems and trying to solve them using clues to
answer and prove.
The 108,000-member Association of Texas Professional Educators is the largest educators’ group in Texas
and the largest non-union group nationwide. Its membership consists primarily of classroom teachers but also
includes para-educators, administrators, college students
and retired educators. The local Humble ATPE chapter has
1,186 members.
ATPE is committed to advocating for better benefits
for all educators, promoting a collaborative work environment, protecting the right of educators to choose the
association they feel represents their interests, and providing the best education possible for all Texas children.
District Teachers of the Year for 2007-2008
Kyle Ferrall, Woodland Hills
Elementary School first grade
teacher, and Karen Gallow,
Timberwood Middle School language
arts teacher, have been selected as
Humble ISD’s Teachers of the Year for 2007-2008. They
will represent the district at the regional level.
Congratulations also to:
Finalists for Elementary Teacher of the Year
Debbie Huxohl, Willow Creek Elementary School
Patty Lam, Greentree Elementary School
Melissa Wallis, Elm Grove Elementary School
Humble El, Dan Anderson
Jack Fields, Melinda Butler
Lakeland, Darrell Rogers
Maplebrook, Cynthia Ruff
Northbelt, Karen Rodriguez
Oak Forest, Stefanie Erb
Oaks El, Paige Corman
Park Lakes, Jerry Bales
Pine Forest, Sandra Longhofer
Shadow Forest, Does not participate
Summerwood, Shannon Lalmansingh
Timbers, Marcia Paulhus
Whispering Pines, Sandra Childress
Willow Creek, Debbie Huxohl
Woodland Hills, Kyle Ferrall
Finalists for Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sara Burkhalter, Humble Middle School
David Duez, Atascocita High School
Stephanie Tompkins, Atascocita Middle School
Campus Teachers of the Year - High Schools
Atascocita High, David Duez
Kingwood High, Destry Balch
Kingwood 9th, Jeremy Stamm
Quest, James Nerad
Humble High, Crystal Livingston
Humble 9th, Alicia Narcisse
CATE, Shaunna Smith
Structured Learning, Debbie Burch
Campus Teachers of the Year - Middle Schools
Atascocita, Stephanie Tompkins
Creekwood, Judy Brown
Humble Middle, Sara Burkhalter
Kingwood Middle, Janice Lemm
Riverwood, Becky Loper
Timberwood, Karen Gallow
Campus Teachers of the Year – Elementary Schools
Bear Branch, Sheryl Siwek
Deerwood, Sherry Fischer
Eagle Springs, Yvonne Harris
Elm Grove, Melissa Wallis
Foster, Zane Barra
Greentree, Patty Lam
Hidden Hollow, Angela Mabrey
Humble ISD Teachers of the Year got a special treat in
May thanks to the thoughtfulness of Susan Howard and
Shannon Howard, owners of Edible Arrangements on West
Lake Houston Parkway. Edible Arrangements donated
gourmet dipped apple wedges and delivered the beautiful
apple gift boxes to every campus in the district for the
teachers of the year. Susan Howard shows off a box of
treats.
Fine Arts Festival volunteers
The Fine Arts Festival is run by volunteers and could
not happen without the dedication of Humble ISD employees, parents, students, and community organizations.
The Elementary Art Team would like to say a special
thank you to the student organizations that volunteered:
TMS Models, KMS National Junior Honor Society, TMS
National Junior Honor Society, AMS National Junior
Honor Society, HHS Key Club, HHS French Club, AHS
HOSA, National Charity League, and Girl Scouts.
We are so proud of the personal responsibility shown
by the middle school and high school student volunteers as
they shared their talents with our younger students.
Students create portraits for orphans
Humble High art students used their talent and skill to
bring joy to orphans in Southeast Asia. Directed by teacher
Melanie Martin, students created original portraits for
children in Myanmar. The effort was coordinated through
The Memory Project, an organization focused on helping
children around the world.
Children in orphanages have few personal keepsakes,
so the portraits provide them with a memory of their youth
while honoring their heritage and identity. Martin chose the
project because it allowed students to practice service
learning and gain an international perspective. She asked
students if they would be interested in this special project.
“Not one of them turned me down,” Martin said. “All of
them loved doing it.”
Students received photos of the children, and created
portraits using their own artistic style and imagination to
design a background that they thought the child might
enjoy. The students worked in different mediums, including
oil stick, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, mixed media and
prisma colored pencils.
Judy Mihealsick Memorial Scholarship
The first recipients of the Judy Mihealsick Memorial
Scholarship are Kingwood High School seniors Laura
Palmer, who plans to study genetics at Clemson, and Hilary
Smith, who plans to study nursing at UT.
Friends of Creekwood Middle Schoool nurse Judy
Mihealsick established a memorial scholarship in her honor
after Judy passed away from cancer. Former Creekwood
students interested in a medical career were eligible to
apply for the scholarship. Participating in the scholarship
presentation were selection committee members, scholarship recipients and family members of Judy Mihealsick.
Pictured are (top row, from left) Elena Massey,
Maureen Allen, Kathy Johnson, Jan York, Neil Cliburn, and
(middle row, from left) Carolyn Baldwin, Jamie Flores, Carl
Flores, Jennifer Mihealsick Flores, Hilary Smith, Laura
Palmer, Patsy Mancivalano, Risa McCann, (front row, from
left) Dylan Mihealsik and Julianna Mihealsick.
Bus Bunnies provide Easter baskets
Transportation department had an Easter basket
decorating contest involving 90 participants. The baskets
were then donated to children at Humble and Northbelt
elementaries.
CATE Center’s Scott Ford announces
the April 26 birth of his son, Hunter George
Ford. He weighed 8 lbs., 6 oz.
Park Lakes PreK teacher Vivian Gross
announces the April 17 birth of her son, Logan Edward
Gross. He weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz.
Park Lakes second grade teacher Leslie Drewett
announces the April 16 birth of her first child, Lainey
Allison Drewett. She weighed 8 lbs., 14 oz.
Park Lakes Elementary staff believes they have the
highest number of births for a campus in the district. They
count nine babies for this year.
Maplebrook second grade teacher Erica Hawkins
announces the March 31 birth of her son, Carter Wayne.
Atascocita High social studies
teacher Kathy Littlefied and Timberwood
science teacher Dirk Littlefield announce
the March 31 birth of their son, Josiah. He
weighing 7 lbs., 10 oz.
Humble High AC teacher Elizabeth Butler announces the April 9 birth of her first grandchild, Tyler
Andrew. He weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz, and was 19 inches long.
Timberwood math teacher Matthew Schwer announces the birth of his daughter, Abigail Schwer. She
weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. and is 18 inches.
Maplebrook Special Services teacher Andrea Scott
announces the April 26 birth of her son, Jacob.
Kingwood High marketing teacher Scott Bryant and
Willow Creek Elementary teacher Krissy Bryant announce the May 4 arrival of their son, Asher Thomas.
Pine Forest kindergarten teacher Kelly Cahill announces the April 2 birth of her daughter, Sarah Anne. She
weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz.
Atascocita High Spanish teacher Josie Delgado
announces the May 16 birth of her daughter, Daniella. She
weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz.
Atascocita Middle math teacher Amy Beasley
announces the May 10 birth of her daughter, Abby Grace
Beasley. She weighed 7 lbs., 1 oz.
Atascocita Middle keyboarding teacher Ann Margaret Gomez announces the May 13 birth of her daughter,
Addison Clare Gomez. She weighed 7 lbs., 6 oz.
Atascocita Middle School 8th grade
science teacher and coach Courtney Ferrall
announces her upcoming July 7 wedding to
Jason Mulcahey. Courtney’s mom is Woodland
Hills first grade teacher Kyle Ferrall.
Child Nutrition technology coordinator Pat Ferguson
and Maintenance supervisor Ronald Ferguson announce
the marriage of their son, Andrew, to Kimberly Nash.
Andrew is pursuing his doctorate degree at Texas A&M
and Kimberly is an ‘07 graduate of A&M.
Humble ISD warehouse employee Nic Jordan
announces his May 19 marriage to Miranda Naquin.
Miranda is the daughter of Lakeland attendance specialist
Tammy Naquin.
Atascocita Middle diagnostician Holly Nairn and
AMS history teacher Chris Strzelecki announce their
upcoming June 9 wedding.
Pine Forest
Teacher wins
Scholarship
Pine Forest
second grade teacher
Becky Norris was
one of five educators
honored by Region
From left, Becky Norris, Pine Forest
IV Association of
Elementary, Cathy Duvall, Fort Bend
Texas Professional
ATPE, Cindy Woods, Spring Branch
Educators (ATPE) at
ISD, and Lori L. Lynn, Alief ATPE.
the Annual Spring
Luncheon at Junior League of Houston. The Scholarship
was established to honor distinguished, dedicated educators
who wish to continue pursuing educational excellence.
Norris is seeking a Master of Education in Administration
and Principal Certification from Sam Houston State University/New Caney Cohort. Her award is for $1,000.
Humble ATPE has 1,187 members. Gayle Sampley is
Humble ATPE president
New Faces
Assistant Tax Assessor/Collector Anita
Henry is leaving after 16 years with Humble ISD.
She will be the new Tax Assessor/Collector for CyFair ISD.
Shadow Forest Elementary School bids farewell to
Gerry Pope after 29 years of teaching service.
Jack Fields Elementary says goodbye to the following
retirees: Ivelisse Estrada-21 years, Thomasene
Christman -18 years, Janet Wallace -14 years, and
Estella Lial - 15 years.
Atascocita Middle School bids farewell to retiring
employees Clotile Berlin, Susie Day, Joy Hummel, Judy
Mannix, Diann Millstid and Ron Westerfeld.
The Educational Support Services Department says
goodbye to Pam Self, who is retiring after 29 years with
Humble ISD.
Timbers Elementary bids farewell to Sherry Orr,
who is retiring after 32 years of teaching.
John M. Miller, Deputy Superintendent, is
retiring after 25 years of service to Humble ISD.
North Belt Elementary says goodbye to first
grade teacher Mary Southerland after 39 years
of teaching, and third grade teacher Jackie
Hunter after 27 years of teaching.
Deerwood bids farewell to retiring teachers Sherry
Fischer and Barbara Coffman.
and Places
Timberwood Middle says goodbye to Vicky
Eynon after 21 years as a school nurse.
Elm Grove bids farewell to retiring art
teacher Terry McEntee, teacher Tina Smith, and nurse
Jane Hough.
Humble High says goodbye to retirees Chuck
Blackman, Jr., Clauio Segovia, James Janak, David
Snellings and James Ellis, who have serve a combined
total of 144 years in education.
Sympathy to Martha Mendoza, bus
aide, on the loss of her sister.
Condolences to Phyllis Howell, KHS
Spanish teacher, on the loss of her father April 27.
Sympathy to Sandra Gregerson, KHS Special
Services chair, on the loss of her father-in-law April 28.
Condolences to Robin McAdams, Humble ISD
media coordinator, on the loss of her aunt and father-in-law.
Sympathy to Jane Bowling, Maplebrook kindergarten
teacher, on the death of her father-in-law.
Condolences to Shanna James, Instructional Technology Specialist, on the loss of her grandmother April 21.
Sympathy to Ann Lund, Humble ISD Police Department, on the loss of her father.
Pine Forest Elementary says goodbye to Nurse Lucy
Condolences to Laura Nolan, Pine Forest
Richardson after 21 years, Life Skills teacher Jane
paraeducator,
on the loss of her husband, Richard.
Poindexter after 13 years with Humble ISD and 10 years at
PFE, PE Para-educator Karen Cox after 27 years with
Sympathy to Lindsey Norton, Pine Forest fourth
Humble ISD and 19 years at PFE, and first grade teacher
grade
teacher, on the loss of her father.
Mary Anne Schmid after 22 years.
Oak Forest bids farewell to Barb
Ellerbrock, who is retiring.
Condolences to Shelby McPherson, Pine Forest
fourth grade teacher, on the loss of her grandfather.
Woodland Hills Elementary says goodbye to
Ellen Taylor after 26 years of teaching.
Sympathy to Missy Ballard, Elm Grove applied skills
teacher, on the loss of her father.
Riverwood Middle bids farewell to retiring
teachers Cheryl Dunnells and Becky Loper.
Condolences to Terry Perkins, Elm Grove third
grade teacher, on the loss of her father-in-law.
Science Collaborative helps teachers reach kids
Science teachers like to say that all kids are naturalKim De La Cruz, a science teacher at Creekwood
born scientists. Children want to understand what makes
Middle, led in establishing the collaborative for this area in
the world tick. A skilled teacher can take that natural
2005. For years, she conducted teacher training through the
curiosity and turn it into a passion for learning astronomy,
University of North Texas. In 2005, the Texas Regional
chemistry, biology, geology or physics.
Collaboratives for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
But how do teachers acquire the knowledge, skills and Teaching announced it would seek applications from new
resources they need to ignite that fire for learning? They
areas. De La Cruz jumped at the chance and worked with
can now turn to the Lake Houston Science Collaborative.
science coordinator Donna Price and competitive grants
This non-profit organization, organized by an Humble coordinator Jerri Monbaron to make it happen. The
ISD science teacher, was
application was approved
formed to foster enthusiand has provided our area
asm and knowledge of
with over $340,000 for
science while increasing
science enrichment.
student achievement. In
In 2005-06, 69
just two years, the collaboelementary teachers
rative has provided nearly
participated. This year, 72
200 hours of training to
elementary teachers
help teachers in nine
participated. Those
school systems improve
teachers share their
science instruction on their
training with at least five
campuses.
colleagues on their
Through the collabocampuses so that more
rative, teachers explored
than 300 classrooms and
such topics as safety,
approximately 4,800
Teachers honored at the banquet include (top row, from left)
measurement, 5-E lesson
students have been
Robert Cunningham, Peggy Mensik, Tabitha Madrid, Tara
design, earth science,
Brandt, Debbie Krenek, Cheryl Rucka and (middle row, from left) reached.
physics, and chemistry
“The people in the
Rian Keegan, April Sanders Molnar, Peggy Mangano, Theresa
using programs like:
Science Collaborative are
Nevins, Debbie Shaddix, Celia Jenkins and (front row, from left)
Linda Davis, Sara Brent, Stefanie Erb. Not pictured were Sandra
Activities Integrating Math
the greatest resource,”
Carley,
Alisa
Lott,
Holly
Miller,
Courtney
Ruff
and
Monica
and Science (AIMS),
April Sanders Molnar of
Segundo-Grosser.
Bridging II TAKS,
Fields Elementary said.
GLOBE, Digital Detec“I’ve learned a wealth of
tives, Great Explorations
ideas from other teachers.
in Math and Science (GEMS), and Wet in the City; to name The collaborative also provides teachers with the time and
a few. They have also learned by sharing ideas with each
resources needed to be more reflective and knowledgeable
other.
about our teaching goals and practices.”
“It has been an amazing experience to be around such
Among teachers honored at the banquet were Sara
motivating and creative people,” Theresa Nevins, a fourth
Brent, Foster Elementary; Sandra Carley, Elm Grove;
grade teacher at Hidden Hollow, said.
Robert Cunningham, Whispering Pines; Linda Davis,
Participating districts are: the Archdiocese of
Jack Fields Elementary; Stefanie Erb, Oak Forest ElemenGalveston-Houston, Barbers Hills ISD, Crosby ISD,
tary; and Debbie Krenek, Oak Forest Elementary.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Dayton ISD, Humble ISD, New
Also honored were teachers Peggy Mangano, LakeCaney ISD, Sheldon ISD and Splendora ISD.
land Elementary; Peggy Mensik, Humble Elementary;
A banquet was held at St. Martha Catholic Church
Holly Miller, Deerwood Elementary; April Molnar, Jack
Family Life Center to honor teachers who completed more
Fields Elementary; Theresa Nevins, Hidden Hollow;
than 105 hours of training with the collaborative. British
Courtney Ruff, Hidden Hollow Elementary; and Monica
Petroleum donated funding to sponsor the banquet.
Segundo-Grosser, North Belt Elementary.