Update for the Alief ISD Education Foundation’s Pay It Forward campaign: The campuses with the highest percentage of staff participation are Crossroads, Bush Elementary, Collins Elementary, Budewig Intermediate, Taylor High School, Elsik Ninth Grade Center and Boone Elementary. We will be looking forward to adding more schools to this list.

Alief ISD Fine Arts Coordinator Sara Chapman was named Division Outstanding Art Educator in the Supervision/Administrator category by the Texas Art Education Association.

More than 1,600 Alief ISD families attended the district’s Family Center Grand Openings. Approximately 12,300 family members have visited Alief ISD campuses so far.

Alexander Elementary kicked off its second year of the Alexander Starz Dance and Cheer Team. Through auditions, 19 girls from third and fourth grade were selected to represent school spirit through choreographed dance and cheer routines at events during and after school. Their first performance will be November 15 at Alexander’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Twenty Elsik High School Choir Students made the Region 23 All-District Choir during auditions at the Region 23 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) District Contest. Choir winners who placed in the top 10 are: Jade Blacklock (Soprano 1 Section, 10th Chair), Bianca Porter (Alto 1 Section, 10th Chair), Claudia Arce (Alto 2 Section, 9th Chair), William Phi (Tenor 2 Section, 3rd Chair) and Phillip Asaju (Bass 2 Section, 10th Chair).

The Olle Middle School Speech and Debate Team participated in the Hastings High School Speech Festival. Huy Bui was recognized as the best male speaker. Henrietta Barretto, Victoria Lodico, Asmau Adanlawo, Anna Orduno, Fatima Qazi, Leila Akhand and Bui received superior ratings in their respective divisions. The teams of Asmau Adanlawo / TyAsia Oliver and Kayla Destin / Sierra Williams also received superior ratings.

The Hastings High School Marching Band won 1st Place Music, 1st Place Overall Effect, 1st Place Color Guard and 3rd Place in its class at the U.S. Bands Cy-Fair Showcase.

Taylor High School teacher Manjah Fernandez was recently interviewed by his alma mater, Southwestern University, regarding his college track & field coach’s impact on his athletic and educational career. Fernandez, who was coached by former Olympian Francie Larrieu Smith, currently teaches biology and is Taylor’s head boys’ track & field coach. Fernandez graduated from Hastings High School in 2001 and previously attended Killough Middle School.

Martin Elementary teacher Destini Oliver was awarded $900 worth of books for her kindergarten class. Wilbrooks donated 360 additional books for Martin’s PK-third grade classroom libraries.

Landis Elementary teacher Li Su was recently awarded a $2,000 grant from Donors Choose for her “We are Ready” project. The grant will fund equipment for a new math program for her bilingual second grade students.