The Alief ISD Education Foundation‘s Pay It Forward campaign ended with high staff participation. Campuses and programs with the highest participation percentage are Crossroads, Bush Elementary, Collins Elementary, Killough Middle School, Taylor High School, Budewig Intermediate, SOAR/LINC/Night High School, Elsik Ninth Grade Center, Miller Intermediate and Boone Elementary.

Superintendent HD Chambers received the Voice for Children Award from Children At Risk. Alief ISD was the only public school district in Texas to be honored at the event. Children At Risk stated that Alief ISD stands out as a successful model for other large school districts in Texas with diverse, economically disadvantaged populations that are struggling with academic achievement.

Hastings High School students Nayelli Hernandez, Seydeli Aguirre and Heather Beans were recognized at the Texas Association of Journalism Educators Fall Fiesta awards ceremony. The students, who made up the Hastings photo scavenger hunt team, finished fourth out of 45 teams.

The Albright Middle School Drama and Debate Team earned the first place Sweepstakes Trophy at the Eisenhower High School Speech Festival. Students earned top three finishes in every category.

More than 150 Alief ISD students participated in the first CITGO Teen Tech Fair at the Henington-Alief Library. Students learned how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can impact their education, everyday lives and future endeavors.

Special Olympics State Competition Results:

  • Hastings High School graduate William Metz participated in State Special Olympics and won a gold medal in team bocce ball with his dad Gene Metz at the state competitions. William graduated from Hastings in 2007 and attended Alexander, Kennedy, Cummings, Holub, Mata and Killough. He currently volunteers at Horn Elementary.
  • The Alief Superstars Special Olympic Team brought home many medals. In swimming, Albright Middle School student Emmanuel Castro won a gold medal in the 25-meter and placed sixth in the 50-meter. O’Donnell Middle School student Terrance Simms won a bronze medal in the 400-meter and placed fourth in the 200-meter. In bocce, Killough Middle School student Jesus Patino came home with two silver medals. The team is coached by Nicole Horton (Petrosky), Sherry Leatherwood (Petrosky), Jermey Tijerina (Adaptive Physical Education) and Stacey Wright (Youngblood).

DonorsChoose.org Funding Recipients:

  • Holmquist Elementary teacher Anh Huynh was recently awarded funding for a classroom project that will help Huynh integrate reading and writing in all content areas.
  • Multiple Hicks Elementary teachers received funding for their projects. Dawn Sims was awarded funding for her project titled “Busy Bees Need Hive Supplies,” which will help her students keep their materials organized. Tina St. Clair’s grant called “Please! Read ONE MORE Chapter!” was funded for more books for her classroom. Eva Morgan’s grant titled “Action Based Learning” was also funded for items to support students in her classroom.