Posts tagged as “Sheldon”

“New” Sheldon ISD STEM Academy begins next school year

May 18, 2017

Students from STEM academy attended a field trip that was to a GIRLS (Girls Influencing Real Lives in STEM) Conference at Olle Middle.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, Sheldon ISD will be opening its first ever STEM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) at each of their middle schools.

What is STEM? STEM education is an approach to teaching and learning that integrates the content and skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Both C. E. King Middle School and Null Middle School will host a cohort group of (60) 7th graders each to start the academy. Students and their parents completed an application and were drawn from a lottery to be accepted. The school district plans on adding one more grade level a year to complete the middle school academy and progress into the high school academy in the future.

Students in this STEM academy will be given a challenging schedule next year that focuses on Project Based Learning in all of its core classes as well as an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) class, a STEM Lab class, and two other elective classes that they choose. This challenging, yet supportive schedule is designed to not only prepare the students by supporting them with college readiness standards daily, but it will allow them to learn through experiences with hands-on projects, field trips, STEM career guest speakers and after school STEM activities.

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Sheldon FD breaks ground for new Station #2

Apr 6, 2017

SHELDON FIRE CHIEF SIDNEY WEBB presents a commemorative groundbreaking shovel to Paul Reed, son of Paul V. Reed, one of the founders of the modern fire department, and in whose honor the new training facility is named. The shovel has a picture of the new building printed on the blade.

SHELDON – Monday morning of this week, fire department officials, ESD board members, and the family of the major founder gathered on a construction site on the Old Beaumont Highway, just east of Sheldon Road and west of the Sheldon ISD agriculture barns.

Construction has started on a new fire station for the Sheldon Community Fire & Rescue, and will include a new station, offices for ESD#60 officials, and a training facility.

The building will be 15,000 square feet in size, and include 3 truck bays, 2 vehicles deep, so that a total of six vehicles can be accommodated. At first it is planned to house four pieces of equipment: a fire engine, a tanker, a brush truck, and a rescue squad. The project cost for the facility is about $10 million dollars, which is being furnished by ESD#60.

Fire Chief Sheldon Webb acting as emcee of the dedication ceremonies, and groundbreaking. He gave a short history of the department, tracing its origins to the Beaumont Fire Department started in 1955 by J. W. Perryman, and the Sheldon Fire Department, started by Paul V. Reed in 1965. In 1996 the two departments were merged. The new facility is named in recognition of Paul V. Reed, and members of his family, including his son Paul Reed, were on hand for the ceremony. (more…)

Sheldon ISD Board approves new AD/Head Football Coach

Feb 16, 2017

Derek Fitzhenry (Photo by DERIK MOORE / Sheldon ISD)

Members of the Sheldon ISD School Board unanimously approved North Shore Assistant Head Football Coach Derek Fitzhenry as the new C. E. King High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in a special meeting Tuesday evening at the Ney Administration Building.

Fitzhenry is replacing outgoing Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Don Price who will be retiring this year following 41 years of service as an educator and coach.

“Coach Fitzhenry is the ideal candidate to fill this position,” Sheldon ISD Superintendent King Davis said. “He is passionate about his players – both on and off the field – and he wants to see each of them succeed in life.”

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North Channel “Salute” honors Veterans

Nov 10, 2016

Rotarian and Emcee Bill Palko, author Carson George with the Memorial Wall, North Channel Chamber president Margie Buentello.

The North Channel Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Salute event for military, veterans, and first responders last Thursday. They were honored for their service with a special program and free lunch. Also participating were local service club, Rotary, and the Pilot Club, who conducted their official meetings.There was also a health fair with free health screenings, flu shots at low cost, giveaways and prizes.

All local school districts: Channelview, Sheldon and Galena Park ISD as well as local businesses, hospitals and health care providers had a booth with useful information and giveaways.

Nearly 40 members of the Sheldon ISD family attended last Thursday’s North Channel Area Chamber “Salutes” Luncheon and Exposition in Channelview. This event honored both active and retired military personnel. The district’s JROTC students presented the colors during the program, and more than 20 veterans who now work for Sheldon ISD also took part in the festivities.

School superintendents speak at Chamber

Oct 13, 2016

SPEAKERS at the North Channel Chamber luncheon last week were Greg Ollis, Channelview ISD superintendent; King Davis, Sheldon ISD superintendent; Angi Williams, Galena Park ISD superintendent; Charles Grant, former president of the Chamber, and Shalonda Dawkins, 1st vice chair of the Chamber.

Superintendents of the three school district in the North Channel area were the featured speakers last Friday at the Chamber’s monthly luncheon.

Emcee for the luncheon, held at the San Jacinto College student union, was former Chamber chairman Charles Grant. He is now heading up a membership drive for the chamber, entitled Forty for Forty in Four. This is a reference to the 40th anniversary of the chamber, and the goal of adding 40 new members in four weeks. With a sly sense of humor, Grant has offered to “Kiss A Pig” if the chamber board and members meet this goal.

Grant was followed by each of the superintendents of the three school districts, and they exhibited a tongue-in-cheek rivalry in their remarks. (more…)

3 School superintendents update Rotary

Sep 7, 2016

SUPERINTENDENTS speaking to the North Shore Rotary were Sheldon ISD’s King Davis, Galena Park ISD’s Angi Williams, and Channelview ISD’s Greg Ollis. At right, Rotary president Kim Gonzales awards each speaker the traditional “Gold Rimmed Cup” as a thank you.

North Shore Rotary was informed of the State of the School Districts in the area, by the three superintendents of Galena Park, Channelview, and Sheldon. The talks took place at the regular weekly luncheon of the club, at the Holiday Inn in Channelview last Thursday, Sept. 1.

Channelview superintendent Greg Ollis said there was a new motto at CISD, “One Passion One Dream One Heartbeat.” Ollis stated that the district had grown, to 9500 students, 1292 employees on 13 campuses.

For purposes of state funding, the district is classified as not affluent. 80% of the students are enrolled in free or reduced rate lunches, and 40% for free breakfast. The district budget for this year will be $78 million, and the tax rate has decreased in 2 of the last 3 years.

Referring to a favorable graduation rate of 89.6%, Ollis said that “we changed the culture of what went on in our schools.”

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Sheldon ISD calls for $285M bond election

Mar 9, 2016

On Thursday, February 18, 2016, the Sheldon ISD Board of Trustees voted to call a school bond election. The recommended package totals $285 million and will include funds for:

• A new high school

• A new elementary school

• Renovations to current middle schools

• Technology upgrades throughout the district

• Land purchases for new SISD facilities

The proposal will go before voters on May 7.

Sheldon ISD is considered a fast-growth district. According to a June 2014 demographic study, district enrollment was projected to be at nearly 8,300 by 2015. The district exceeded that projection with an enrollment of more than 8,500 by December 2015. This year alone, the district saw a 7% growth rate. At this rate, Sheldon ISD can expect to have a student enrollment of more than 11,000 by 2023.

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Showtime for Sheldon FFA

Jan 20, 2016

SHELDON – The 59th annual Sheldon FFA Livestock Show was held last Saturday at the Ag Center on Beaumont Highway.

Students showed a total of 32 animals or projects, down from 36 the year before. The Grand Champion Steer, shown by Marc Chapa,was purchased for $3600 by K & T Western Wear of Channelview, who were also the high buyer at the show.

The Grand Champion Swine was purchased by North Shore Rotary for $2000. The exhibitor was Samantha Doerr. School advisors for the FFA are Chris Jones, Stephanie Jones, Amanda Langley, Robert Lewis and Bobby Locke. Denise Smesny is CTE Director.

A complete presentation of exhibits will be featured in an upcoming issue of the North Channel Star.

Sheldon ISD Board names new Superintendent

Jan 6, 2016

King Davis, new Sheldon ISD Superintendent.

King Davis was named the new superintendent of Sheldon I.S.D. at the December 15, 2015 board meeting. He will succeed Interim Superintendent, John Kirchner.

Davis was chosen through a rigorous selection and interview process by the Sheldon Board of Trustees, and ultimately named the lone finalist during the November board meeting.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank the board again for their vote of confidence,” Davis said. “Now it’s official and I’m certainly ready to get to work and take Sheldon I.S.D. to the next level.”

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Sheldon ISD’s Giles retires, Kirchner appointed interim superintendent

Jul 22, 2015

Sheldon ISD announced recently that Mr. John Kirchner will be serving as the Interim Superintendent for Sheldon ISD during the period of time that the District conducts a search for a new full-time superintendent.

Mr. Kirchner is the current Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services and the school district has full confidence in his ability to guide the District through this transition period.

Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Vickey M. Giles released the following letter:

June 24, 2015

Dear Sheldon ISD family and friends,

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside you in this wonderful district. When I came to Sheldon ISD seventeen years ago, I did not imagine that the path I had put my feet on would lead from the Dean of Instruction position at C. E. King High School, to the role of Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, and finally to work as Superintendent of Schools in this great district. It is you – the people of this district – who make this a great place for our students! We have laughed together, cried together, worked together, played together, and celebrated our successes together as we have made this district stronger each year.

Now I will begin a new journey. I will be retiring as superintendent of Sheldon ISD on August 31, 2015. I am grateful for the eight years I have been privileged to serve as superintendent of Sheldon ISD. The board of trustees truly has a heart for the children of this district and they have supported our efforts to constantly learn how to better educate our students.

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State issues annual School Ratings

Aug 13, 2014

Local districts get passing grades in new reporting system

The Texas Education Agency issued its report card for schools and districts last Friday, with almost all districts in this area getting a passing grade.

The ratings were based on new criteria, and also results were stated in a new simplified method. Either a school “Met Standard” or “Improvement Required”.

Schools were rated in four Accountability categories:

1. Student Achievement, based on STAAR test scores for the year.

2. Student Progress, in subjects like math and reading from year to year. (High Schools were not graded in this category, because they did not take STAAR tests last year.)

3. Closing Performance Gaps, or emphasis on high level achievement of the lowest performing students.

4. Postsecondary Readiness, or graduation rates and diploma plans.

In this area, school districts such as Galena Park, Channelview, and Sheldon all had every school meet the Pass category, or “Met Standard.”

However, Houston ISD had one school that didn’t, Furr High School, which was deficient in Postsecondary Readiness, graduation rates and diploma plans.

The state’s third largest district, Cypress-Fairbanks, earned the honor of being the biggest district in the state in which all campuses met the “pass” standard.

Although there were four accountability categories, in general they were all based on STAAR test scores. If a school did not pass in one of these four categories, it was listed as “improvement required” and this affected the district rating.

Districts complained that the rating system was very complex, and therefore difficult to find out how to improve their scores.

Channelview ISD Statement on Ratings:

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