HEBISD News Articles

Local Author Woody Kuon Visits Shady Oaks Elementary

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Shady Oaks Elementary second graders were visited by local author and illustrator Vuthy "Woody" Kuon. Mr. Kuon talked about coming to the United States at a very young age, his own elementary school experience, and how he became an enthusiastic reader and learner. He also discussed his career as an author and illustrator and then read one of his books to the students.

River Trails Readers Take Flat Stanleys to see "Flat Stanley"

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Students in Ms. Dodson's 1st and 2nd grade Reading intervention group at River Trails Elementary met at the Artisan Center Theater on a Saturday morning to see "The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley." Students read the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown in the fall and took their own Flat Stanleys -- that had gone on many adventures around the world -- to see the musical as well.

Euless Firefighters Visit Final North Euless PTA Meeting

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

North Euless Elementary celebrated their final PTA meeting of the year with the City of Euless firefighters and their shiny, red fire truck. Meeting attendees also enjoyed musical performances from North Euless kindergartners.

Adopter Donates Basketballs to Harrison Lane Elementary

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Dr. Michael Ganschow and district adopter Back in Motion have continued their basketball donation tradition. This year, they donated more than seventy-five basketballs to Harrison Lane Elementary. The basketballs are collected from their staff and customers, including a special, limited promotion where customers can come in for a visit and pay with a new basketball!

District and Community Celebrate Dr. Buinger's Service to HEB ISD

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

A long line of well-wishers waited to speak to Dr. Gene Buinger, superintendent emeritus of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, at his last official school district public event at the Hurst Conference Center May 20. Guests included school district employees, elected officials, and community leaders.

A slide show provided a look back at Buinger's 14 years of service and the many unique programs he brought to HEB ISD. Students from the high school orchestra program and elementary Suzuki Strings program entertained attendees before and after the event. The orchestra program begins at Central Junior High School and continues at LD Bell High School. Suzuki Strings is offered at seven elementary schools as part of Schools of Choice.

Guests had many choices of heavy hors d'oeuvres to dine on, including a popular chocolate fountain for dessert, to create a festive mood before the formal program began.

HEB ISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Faye Beaulieu, former board member Dr. Jeff Burnett, and Chamber of Commerce Board President-Elect Brent McIlvain spoke about Dr. Buinger's history with HEB ISD, his many accomplishments, and his legacy.

Beaulieu and Burnett presented Buinger with a framed rendering of the Gene A. Buinger Career & Technical Academy. The coordinator and teachers from the International Business Initiative (Asian languages) program presented a crystal clock as their gift.

Buinger gave much of the credit for the success of HEB ISD to the Board of Trustees and his staff and said that under their leadership, "the best is yet to come for HEB ISD."

See more photos...

Euless Junior High's Stallion Fun Run Raises $10,000

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

More than 450 people registered for the Stallion Fun Run on April 6, 2013, benefiting two important members of the Euless Junior High community. Through a combination of donations, t-shirts, bracelets, bake sales, and fundraisers at Chick-Fil-A and Fuzzy's Tacos more than $10,000 will be given to the families of Molly and Maryanne. Almost all of the Fun Runners entered through Euless Junior High teachers, coaches, and staff. EJH had 35 sponsors donating $100 to $500.

In addition to the 1 mile/5K Fun Run, Euless Junior High hosted numerous family fun activities including Zumba workouts, Games, and performances by the Trinity High School Polynesian Club, HEB Rugby team, Euless Junior High Band, and Wyatt Norman Band. Carter Blood Care and Be a Match"were also in attendance. Many people donated blood and signed up to be a blood marrow match.

Many of Molly and Maryanne's friends and families were at the fun run to participate or cheer on everyone. Everyone was asked to wear lime green and neon orange in support of Molly and Maryanne in their fight against cancer.

Euless Junior High plans for this to be an annual event to help fight for the students, staff, and family needs of EJH.

See more photos...

Read more about Molly & Maryanne...

L.D.Bell Baseball Regional Semifinal Playoff Information

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

L.D. Bell High School's Blue Raider Baseball team plays their next series against the Arlington Martin Warriors:

Martin Warriors vs. L.D. Bell Blue Raiders
Regional Semifinal Baseball Playoffs

Best of 3 Series

Game 1
Thursday May 23
L.D. Bell (home) vs. Arlington Martin
7:30pm at Lupton Stadium/TCU

Game 2
Friday May 24
Arlington Martin (home) vs. L.D. Bell
7:30pm at Lupton Stadium/TCU

Game 3, if necessary
Saturday May 25
Home team to be decided -- L.D. Bell vs. Arlington Martin
7:30pm at Lupton Stadium/TCU

Ticket prices: $6/$4; no parking charge
Passes: THSCA, Districts 3 and 6 5-A

HEB ISD Luncheon Honors Volunteers and Adopters with a Whodunit Mystery

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Volunteers Logged 594,173 hours in 2012-2013

More than 430 people attended the annual volunteers and adopter awards luncheon May 6. This year's theme, "The Mystery of the Lost Apples," had attendees dressed as characters from the board game, "Clue" and as inspectors, detectives, and even Velma from the television series, "Scooby Doo, Where Are You!."

Students from both LD Bell and Trinity high schools performed an opening skit in which the "Clue" characters tried to solve "The Mystery of the Lost Apples."

The luncheon's host, Superintendent of Schools Steve Chapman, helped honor more than 400 incredible campus volunteers who have earned service badges and pins for donating the time they spend with students. He also helped recognize dedicated local business adopters that work with the school district.

HEB ISD volunteers logged 594,173 hours into the volunteer database. He challenged volunteers to log 610,000 hours next year.

The theme for the 2014 luncheon is "A World of Thanks," an international theme that will provide many creative ways for attendees to dress for next year's event.

The following volunteers, campuses, and businesses were recognized at the luncheon:

VIPS Awards
• Spirit of VIPS Award, presented to an employee who promotes volunteerism on their campus -- Connie Rensink, North Euless Elementary School
• Greatest Percentage Increase in Volunteer Hours Logged -- Midway Park Elementary School, with a 237 percent increase in logged hours over last year
• Greatest Percentage Increase in Active Volunteers -- Technical Education Center, with a 75 percent increase in the number of campus volunteers

Elementary Golden Apple Award
• First place, Bellaire Elementary School, with 33,545 hours logged
• Second place, Bell Manor Elementary School, with 28,531 hours logged
• Third place, Shady Brook Elementary School, with 26,340 hours logged

Junior High Golden Apple Award
• First place, Hurst Junior High School, with 15,365 hours logged
• Second place, Central Junior High School, with 12,258 hours logged

High School Golden Apple Award
• Trinity High School, with 187,391 hours logged

Adopt-A-School Awards
• Crystal Apple Awards are presented to elementary, junior high, and high school campuses that have the highest levels of participation in Adopt-A-School and have the strongest community partnerships:
   - Bellaire Elementary School
   - Hurst Junior High School
   - Trinity High School

• Adopt-A-School Coordinator of the Year, presented to an employee who successfully creates and promotes relationships with local businesses in order to benefit student achievement -- Jodie Ramos, Spring Garden Elementary School

• Outstanding Small Partnership Award --Kids Beach Club, nominated by Bellaire Elementary School. Kids Beach Club received a magnifying glass trophy, and the HEB ISD Education Foundation awarded Bellaire Elementary School a $250 check .

• Outstanding Large Partnership Award -- Classic Chevrolet, nominated by Trinity High School. Classic Chevrolet received a magnifying glass trophy, and the HEB ISD Education Foundation awarded Trinity High School a $250 check

• Outstanding District Partnership Award -- For supporting campuses throughout the District, Six Stones Mission Network. They received a magnifying glass trophy.

Download a complete list of pin recipients and adopters... (PDF, 221KB)

See more photos...

After-school Student Activities Canceled for Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

In an abundance of caution, HEB ISD is cancelling all after-school student activities for today, Tuesday, May 21, 2013. All schools will dismiss at the regular time. Buses will run their normal routes at normal times. Extended Day Academies will remain open until 6 p.m. We will post any future information on our Urgent News page: http://schoolctr.hebisd.edu/weather

Board Appoints Mary Stokic to Assistant Superintendent Position

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

The Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Board of Trustees appointed Mary Stokic, principal of Bellaire Elementary School, as Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Administration. She will begin her position July 1.

Stokic is completing her 33rd year in education. She began her career with Commerce ISD in 1980 as an elementary PE and high school volleyball and tennis coach. She moved to Burleson in 1982 and taught elementary school in that district for nine years.

She came to HEB ISD in 1991. She taught at North Euless Elementary School from 1991-2001 and was at Oakwood Terrace Elementary School from 2001-2002. She was the River Trails Elementary School assistant principal 2002-2007 and principal 2007-2011. She has been at Bellaire Elementary School since 2011.

River Trails Elementary School received numerous awards under Stokic's leadership, including two Texas Business and Education Coalition Honor Roll Awards, Higher Performing Schools Award from National Center for Educational Achievement, Gold Performance Acknowledgments from the Texas Education Agency, and the District's Lone Star Awards.

Bellaire Elementary School creates strong partnerships between community and campus. Their church and community partners have won numerous local and state awards. These partnerships have been featured in "Powerful Partnerships Across Texas," published by the Texas Association for Partners in Education. The school has more than 20 community partners who tutor and mentor students and who donate school supplies, clothing, and more to support student achievement.

Stokic has a master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor's degree from Texas A & M Commerce as well as numerous state certifications.

Stokic's husband, Michael, is the Athletic Trainer at L. D. Bell High school. The couple lives in North Richland Hills.

L.D.Bell Baseball Regional Quarterfinal Playoff Information (Updated)

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

L.D. Bell High School's Blue Raider Baseball team plays their next series against the Colleyville Heritage Panthers:

Note: The original locations of Game 1 and Game 2 have changed. They will now be at the home team's fields.

L.D. Bell Blue Raiders vs Colleyville Heritage Panthers
Regional Quarterfinal Baseball Playoffs

Best of 3 Series

Game 1
Thursday 5/16
L.D. Bell (home) vs. Colleyville Heritage
7:00pm at LD Bell High School

Game 2
Friday 5/17
Colleyville Heritage (home) vs. L.D. Bell
4:00pm at Colleyville Heritage High School

Game 3, if necessary
Saturday 5/18
L.D. Bell (home) vs. Colleyville Heritage
12:00pm at QuikTrip Park

Ticket prices: $5/$3.

Passes honored: District 6-5A and THSCA

Teachers and Administrators of the Year Honored at Banquet

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

The 29 campus teachers of the year were recognized in front of 800 supporters at the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD employee banquet. The Board of Trustees recognized retiring employees, presented service pins to other employees, and recognized district teachers and administrators of the year.

The campus teachers of the year had been previously recognized at a luncheon for the HEB Administrators Association, but this banquet was an opportunity to be honored in front of their peers and to find out who the district teachers of the year would be.

Elementary Teacher of the Year -- Julia Wilson, Wilshire Elementary School

This teacher creates a nurturing classroom to reach all students in order to make them as successful as possible. The first day of school is about asking questions and fostering discussion that lead to the creation of the class mission statement. Each week, students reflect on the week's activities and on their own individual class participation so they can adjust their processes. Students check their performance against expected standards and against the performance of other student groups. Accountability leads to achievement in this teacher's classroom. This teacher's principal said that Julia Wilson's students have consistently scored 90 percent or higher on fifth grade reading or fifth grade math state assessments. It is no surprise that Wilson was named to the first group of Demonstration Classrooms in 2012.

Elementary Teacher of the Year Runner Up -- Mary Dee Stricklin, Meadow Creek Elementary School

Mary Dee Stricklin loves working with all students but has a special passion for those who struggle with reading. A systems approach to continuous improvement in the classroom is designed to turn all readers, including those who struggle, into lifelong learners. PDSA, student data folders, and daily learning goals help fulfill the class mission statement, which is to prepare for the next grade. Her principal says Stricklin develops a plan for each child and sets up a reward system that builds toward the intrinsic value of reading. Her plans extend into the summer with the book mobile, a traveling library designed to help students continue reading throughout the summer. All the students who show up at the book mobile (Stricklin's car) on a regular basis either maintain their current reading level or move up when tested in the next grade. This book mobile earned our teacher a Gold Award from the Texas Association of Partners in Education.

Secondary Teacher of the Year -- Judy Johnson, Bedford Junior High School

Judy Johnson's students write personal goals the first week of school and graph data for weekly goals or unit goals that address specific assessment tasks. They document personal performance in their folders and document class performance on the walls around the room. In the last three years, student achievement has been at 100 percent passing in science and social studies, 80 percent commended level the first year, 75 percent commended the second year, 86 percent of students scoring 91 percent or higher in science and 71 percent of students scoring above 96 percent in social studies the third year. What is truly amazing is that these scores were for the TAKS Alt/STAAR Alt accountability system. When students track their personal data they are not only addressing state assessment tasks, they document data related to their Science STAAR Alt and Individual Education Plans (IEP). They graph their IEP attempts and successes and they have vocational work skills PDSA cycles.

Secondary Teacher of the Year Runner Up -- Tara Hernandez, LD Bell High School

Tara Hernandez's principal says this teacher embodies that which is defined as continuous improvement. Hernandez believes in data and uses a variety of methods of assessments in order to provide meaningful feedback for students. Some of her students are in the IB program and it is the data that guide the activities along the journey to receive the IB Diploma. This teacher always has a plan, which usually has several sub-plans, in order to help students be successful.

Elementary Administrator of the Year -- Brad Mengwasser, Bedford Heights Elementary School

Bedford Heights Elementary School consistently has high academic scores on both district and state assessments. This academic consistency has paid off with recognition as a Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) honor school and this school has spent a lot of time in the 1:1 box as designated by the Education Resource Group. Brad Mengwasser refuses to settle for students simply "passing." He encourages and works with students so that they reach their greatest potential. With this kind of track record it is no surprise that Mengwasser also serves as a mentor to new administrators. He is gifted in working with high involved parents and community members and this gift helps steer those parents and community members toward supporting student achievement.

Secondary Administrator of the Year -- Lisa Karr, Technical Education Center

Student achievement is top on Lisa Karr's list of priorities and data from last school year show overall TAKS passing rate and graduation rate above the state average. She keeps an eye on all five goals and maintains those enduring relationships with stakeholders through the use of community advisory committees. Last year, more than 1,300 students received a passing rate of 90 percent on certification exams and licensures. This is up from 843 just five years ago. Last year, 30 students were inducted in the National Technical Honor Society, and more than 200 students participate in numerous career and technical student organizations. And most recently, Lisa Karr helped design and is helping to implement the new Gene A. Buinger Career & Technical Education Academy that will serve our students well into the 21st century.

Hundreds turn out for activity center ribbon cuttings

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Students, former students, parents, and community members joined HEB ISD employees for the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the E. Don Brown and BJ Murray activity centers at LD Bell and Trinity high schools.

The activity centers were named for longtime principals Brown and Murray, who cut the ceremonial ribbon before the activity centers were open for public tours. Part of the ceremony included Board President Faye Beaulieu handing building keys to the two high school principals, Jim Bannister and Mike Harris.

Booster club representatives Steve Farco and Julie Cole also thanked the crowd for their support of the new Legacy Brick Gardens. This project is still in progress and bricks can be purchased by contacting campus booster clubs.

These facilities will provide much needed space for program needs. Both high schools were constructed in the 1960s when there were fewer sports available to both men and women. HEB ISD has repurposed and tried to retrofit existing spaces to accommodate these additional programs and activities, utilizing spaces that were not designed for these purposes.

The new activity centers have been designed to be multipurpose centers, affording additional space for athletics, drill team, cheerleading, band, and a host of other activities. Each activity center has:
• 82,000 square feet under roof that includes a 60-yard artificial turf playing field and a 10-yard end zone
• Four drop-down 70-foot batting cages (two on each end)
• Divider nets that separate the indoor playing area into three separate workout areas
• 6,000 square foot weight room
• Team/Film rooms
• Multi-sport athletic locker rooms and showers

With the addition of the new activity centers, several locker rooms at each campus will be relocated from the existing high schools into the new facilities. The vacated athletic/locker room space will be repurposed and renovated to increase locker rooms, as needed, and provide additional space for drill team, cheerleading, and band and orchestra practice rooms at L.D. Bell High School.

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Oakwood Terrace First Grade Goes to The Ball Park

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

Oakwood Terrace Elementary's first grade hit a home run with their field trip to the Texas Rangers Ball Park in Arlington. Students, parents & teachers enjoyed the brisk, cool Texas weather on STAAR day. They visited the dugout, strolled thru the media skybox where all the reporters transmit the games, and ate lunch in the stands.

THS GAP Club Pet Fair this Saturday

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 CST

The Trinity GAP club will be hosting its annual Pet Fair this Saturday, May 18 in the THS front parking lot. There will be adoptions, on-site low cost vaccinations, $20 micro-chipping, dog washes and pet photos.

Download the flier for more information and details.