An Eagle's Eye View
Happenings at Empowerment High School: September 2021.
Welcome to the 2021 - 2022 School Year at Empowerment High!
We are excited this year to share with you all that happens at school through this newsletter! In this newsletter you will find information about important and exciting upcoming events, fun things that happen on campus, great student work, and resources for parents and the community!
Thank you for your support.
Upcoming Events
October Calendar of Events
Empowerment High School Market (Food Bank!): First Session October 20th
If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact Ms. Torres (information below).
School Uniform Drive: Ongoing
Fall Festival: October 29th!
If you are interested in volunteering with the Fall Festival to support our seniors, please reach out to Ms. Padilla at kpadilla@swchools.org.
Please be on the lookout for more information about this exciting event!
Parent Center
Check out the New Parent Center on Campus!
Please see the calendar below for events coming up in October.
For more information, please reach out to us via email or phone!
Maria Espinoza
Carmen Villanueva
713-954-9528 extension 458
Meet Ms. Torres, our Communities in Schools (CIS) Specialist!
My name is Ms. Layla Torres, and I am the Student Support Manager with Communities in Schools Houston at both Discovery/Empowerment. I am a Licensed Masters Social Worker with experience working with children & families. I am a proud Houston native. I graduated from Southwestern University with a Psychology degree, and the University of Houston with my Social Work degree. I am a parent to 5 dogs and a cat who I absolutely adore. My passion has always been school social work & I hope to make a difference in at least 1 student’s life.
Ms. Torres is available to support our students and parents with guidance and counseling services to ensure students reach their highest potential!
Student Center
Senior Information and Packets
On October 8th, seniors received their "senior packets" including purchasing options and plans for prom, events, trips, and graduation.
These forms will be signed by parents and returned to Ms. Whall in room 303.
Senior sponsors: Ms. Idom, Ms. Mosqueda, Ms. Padilla, and Ms. Whall
National Honor Society (NHS) Invitations
National Honor Society (NHS) is opening for new members!
Who is eligible?
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who have a 3.5 cumulative GPA may be eligible for National Honor Society Membership. Freshmen can become eligible for membership next year if they maintain a 3.5 GPA.
What is NHS?
NHS focuses on student leadership, community service, college and career readiness, and scholarship. If you feel that you embody characteristics like perseverance, respect, integrity, honesty, leadership, and you would like to participate in community service or become a leader, NHS may be for you.
How do I get into NHS?
The first step is to earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA. This means your GPA for all of your high school years. If you are unsure what your cumulative GPA is, please see Ms. Vega. More information about GPA is included below.
Invitations were sent out on October 5th to those eligible. Please check your school email to see if you have been invited.
Art Club is Recruiting!
Students staying for Art Club will need to arrange transportation home at 4:30, as transportation is not provided.
Both Discovery and Empowerment students welcome!
Dance Club is Looking for New Members!
Dance Club will take place Thursdays after school. Students will need to arrange their own transportation home, as transportation is not provided.
Both Discovery and Empowerment students welcome!
The DRCA at EHS/DMS (SOAR Band Recruitment)
Empowerment High School/Discovery Middle school music department is in the process of redirecting its “direction”. The nucleus (SOAR) of the department was downsized considerably because of the graduating class of 2021. Four of the five-member band (SOAR) were part of that graduating class.
To replace the students that graduated, the department has launched what I refer to as the Dynamic Recruiting Course of Action. (DRCA) This approach spun the group SOAR. DRCA gives each student enrolled in the music classes intensified music training. The DRCA includes daily music instruction, music theory, hands on study of a musical instrument and the opportunity to perform in the winter recital, the spring recital or both. DRCA provides instruction in piano, guitar, voice, bass guitar, trumpet, violin, cello, flute, and saxophone. The students who excel in the program find themselves in a performance ensemble serving in some capacity. SOAR has had anywhere from five to twenty members at one given time.
Chelsie Lopez (class of 2022) a keyboardist and the only remaining member of SOAR is actively mentoring the young piano students as they navigate through their first six weeks of the DRCA. Chelsie was mentored by Victoria Aguilar, (class of 2018) the first keyboard player and one of the founding members of SOAR.
With Chelsie’s support and encouragement, I am sure the young up and coming pianists and/or keyboardists will work hard to prepare themselves for the arduous task of becoming a member of SOAR or as an accompanist for the school choir. Chelsie worked hard to become both SOAR’s primary keyboardist as well the first choir accompanist.
I’m very optimistic about the future of SOAR, the choir, and the entire music department here at Southwest Schools.
Regards,
Joe I. Willis/Music Instructor
See photos of Chelsie and her students in action below.
Empowerment Yearbook Cover Vote
Note: You must use your school email account to sign into the poll. Parents, please encourage your child to vote!
Check out the student-proposed yearbook covers below!
2023 Trip to Costa Rica
On Thursday, October 21st, there will be an informational meeting for the Costa Rica trip at 6PM via zoom.
If you are interested in attending please RSVP at https://rsvp.eftours.com/rt8k8zv
Want to sign-up now? Follow the link: www.eftours.com/2487540rm
College and Career Corner
Meet Ms. Glenn, our College and Career Advisor!
Name: Ashley Glenn, College, Career & Military Readiness Director
Graduate of The University of Texas at Austin
Lover of outdoor adventures, plants, running and traveling
Services Provided to all students:
· Assist with College research
· Applying to College
· College Readiness Exams :TSIA, SAT / ACT Sign Up & Prep
· Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) & Texas Application for State Aid (TAFSA) Assistance
· Assist with Scholarship Search
· College essay writing
· Creating a resume
· Military recruitment
· Assist with Job Hunting
· Alternatives to College
· Career Search
Contact:
· Email: aglenn@swschools.org
· Phone (text): 281-571-3116
· Location: 224
Excitement on Campus!
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15th - October 15th
At Empowerment High School we have been celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with Trivia each day and fun displays around school!
Parent Volunteers Decorating for Hispanic Heritage Month
Angelly Silva
Lorena Pineda
Maribel García
Yolanda Fermileno
See them in action below!
Sweet Treats to Begin the Year!
Athletics at Empowerment
September Flag Football Player of the Month: Anthony Lopez
This month, Anthony has scored a touchdown and also has an interception.
Along with his on-field play, Anthony has also done his job in the classroom, succeeding in all of his classes so far this year.
He has been a great example of a student athlete!
Empowerment Art Gallery
Community Resources
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Early detection greatly increases the rate of survival for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer/
Find some resources below from the National Breast Cancer Foundation to help keep yourself informed and healthy!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Here is a link to the #TakeaStand toolkit provided by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) full of information, resources and ways to raise awareness for this cause:
Bullying Prevention Month
October is Bullying Prevention Month.
Contact Us!
Website: https://empowerment.swschools.org/
Location: 6400 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 713-954-9528