Staying Connected
Join Dr. Muri on his 2016-17 Campus Visit Tour
Connected @Spring Branch Middle School
Be Brave
- Rachel’s Challenge – Thanks to the generosity of the Spring Branch Middle PTA, students were able to attend grade-level specific Rachel’s Challenge sessions last fall. Rachel’s Challenge is a national nonprofit group dedicated to creating safe, connected campus environments focused on learning and teaching. The group’s work is based on the life of Rachel Scott, who died in the 1999 Columbine High School shooting tragedy. The sessions focus on motivating and equipping students to “start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion” to transform their schools and local communities. Rachel’s Challenge has been presented for several years at this campus.
- No School Bullying – Donna Clark Love, an internationally recognized local speaker and expert on bullying prevention conducted education and training sessions with all grade levels last fall. An expert who has been featured on the Today Show, NBC Evening News and in the business magazine Forbes, Clark-Love taught students to make smart decisions about social media use.
Be Proud
- Scholastic Art Winners – Five students of art teacher Elissa Barry have been named as winners in the annual Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Honored for their works in the fine art photography field are Allie O’Shell, Gold Key winner; Chandler Gartner, Kirby Robinson and Olivia Willard, Silver Key; and Emma Feuer, Honorable Mention.
- Better Dental Health – Forty-two students were examined for dental services needs recently through the mobile clinic operated by Project Move, a Communities in Schools (CIS) partner. Students chosen for more services, ranging from free preventative to restorative care, will be treated soon. This vital health and wellness service for students is provided in partnership and collaboration with the University of Texas Health Science Center–Dental Branch.
- All Region and District Band – Ten band students have been selected for the All Region Band and seven more band members were selected for District Band. One student was also chosen for the Region 27 All-Region Full Orchestra. All Region Band honorees are Caroline Clark, and Sarah Chirapurath, flute; Brinley Lisman, Jazmin Avila and Alnoor Hasanov, clarinet; Jessica Strandley, tenor saxophone; Ava Speros and Alex Nam, french horn; Leo Boswell, tuba; and Matthew Yorn, percussion. District Band members are Nicole Hilgert, flute; Stephen Kang, oboe; Philip Soh, clarinet; Jim Rouse, bass clarinet; Amann Siddiqui, alto saxophone; John Moldvaer-Leyendecker, tenor saxophone; and Elias Coronel, percussion. Ava Speros is the Region 27 All-Region Full Orchestra member. Spring Branch Middle’s Band is led by Sheri Engelmann and Jennifer Dunn-Walsdorf.
Be a Learner
- Transcend Education – Spring Branch Middle School is one of only 10 school districts and sites nationwide chosen to be a part of the first group of schools supported by The Collaborative, a school redesign process that includes the nonprofit Transcend Education organization and the NewSchools Venture Fund. At Spring Branch Middle, a core design team that includes campus leaders, teachers and parents is about half way through a highly detailed and resourced effort that may result in a classroom-level pilot program. Transcend Education is providing design and implementation support. Schools and districts chosen for first-year reviews and development of new school models include KIPP Houston, Yes Prep, Tulsa and District of Columbia (D.C.) public schools, among others.
Stay Connected
I encourage you to continue to CONNECT with me providing input about what we’re doing right and what may need improvement as we aspire to be the best we can be for EVERY CHILD. How? Ask questions during my visit. (Be brave!) Take the post-visit survey. Send me an email. Call me.
Whatever it takes, share your feedback and input on what you've heard and what we can do to continue to inspire minds and shape lives at your campus and across the district.
Spring Branch ISD