SMSD Spotlights
07-08 Spring 07-08 Winter 07-08 Fall 07-08 Back-to-School
~ 2007-08 ~
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SMSD Board Names New Principal
At the regular monthly meeting on April 14, 2008, Stafford Municipal School District School Board approved Ms. Rebecca Benedict as the principal for Stafford High School. Prior to her being named principal, Ms. Benedict was the district's Director of Secondary Instruction. She has served SMSD in administrative capacities since 2004 and previously from 1991 to 1995.
Benedict holds a Masters degree from Framingham College and mid-management and superintendent certificates from Prairie View A&M and University of Houston universities. She is currently enrolled at the Texas A&M University with an anticipated date of May 2008 to graduate with a PhD in Educational Administration
Benedict will begin her role as principal July 2008 following the retirement of current principal Carolyn Williams.
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Stafford High School Literary Sweepstakes Winner
(April 04, 2008) Stafford High School students garnered points enough to be declared the District 24-AAA UIL Literary Champion and win the Sweepstakes award. After final verifications and certifications, SHS was awarded the titles at a recent competition hosted by Wharton Junior College. In individual contests, Stafford was also determined the Journalism champion. This competition is the equivalent of UIL Athletic, Band, or other extra-curricular competitions. "This is a tremendous accomplishment by our students and staff. It is also another reason for every one of us to be proud of Stafford High School and SMSD," said Superintendent H.D. Chambers
SHS amassed 307 points in the district competition with Sealy HS and Needville HS placed 2nd and 3rd respectively with 247 and 245 points. Other schools in District 24-AAA are Pearland Dawson HS, Columbia HS, Wharton HS, Columbus HS, Royal HS and Sweeny HS.
Under direction of UIL sponsor Ms. Stacey Gridley, Stafford High School students will continue their quest for state by competing at UIL Academic Regionals at Blinn College in Brenham on April 12, 2008, in the following areas: Calculator Applications, Current Issues and Events, Spelling and Vocabulary, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing, Literary Criticism, Journalism, Social Studies, and Mathematics. In addition, the Social Studies team was named Wild Card Team for Regionals, being the second place team proceeding to competition.
All results are open for public review and can be downloaded from the UIL website at www.uil.utexas.edu
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Mr. Walter Fenn Named Stafford Elementary Principal
At the November 12, 2007, regular monthly meeting, Stafford Municipal School District's Board of Trustees approved Mr. Walter Fenn as the new principal of Stafford Elementary School.
Mr. Fenn comes to SMSD after serving as an elementary math and science teacher, a math curriculum writer, an elementary and middle school principal, and superintendent of schools. He holds a Master's Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Utah. Mr. Fenn brings an energy and passion for public education that, when coupled with his knowledge and skills, will allow our students and staff to achieve a higher level.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Fenn and his family to our SMSD community.
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PARENT AND COMMUNITY LEARNING DAY - OCTOBER 13, 2007
SMSD will welcome parents, families, and the community for a Parent and Community Learning Day, Saturday, October 13, 2007, at the Stafford Middle-High School cafeteria. The event is open to families, community members, and area merchants to explore the educational offerings at SMSD. The Learning Day begins at 10:00am with breakout sessions and stations with brochures and handouts on personal and family development; exhibits by SHS JROTC, art classes, Agriculture classes; information on class requirements, state assessments; and a Q and A Session by Superintendent Chambers. The popular KidZone for children ages 4-10 will be available as well as food concessions and face painting. For more informaton contact Jennifer Schomburg at 281-261-9220.
09/20/07
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SMSD AND CITY OF STAFFORD HOST TEACHER APPRECIATION GALA AND 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF OPENING OF SMSD
On September 15, 2007, over 430 people gathered at the Stafford Centre to show appreciation for SMSD educators and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of SMSD. Through the generous underwriting of the City of Stafford, current and previous SMSD employees, school board trustees, city councilmen, and community members enjoyed a catered dinner and sharing memories of the school district's history.
Former SMSD Superintendent and Mrs. James Woodfin
Charter School Board Trustee and Mrs. Jimmy Ordeneaux
Charter Teacher Susan Hunter and
SHS Grad and current teacher Lettie Guzman
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NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALIST
The names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 53rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program were announced September 12, 2007, and a Stafford High School student was among them. Senior Andrew Serranzana is one of the academically talented high schools seniors who have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards, worth $34 million, that will be offered next Spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements. About 90% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will be selected as merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar title.
Andrew Serranzana
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SMSD AND COMMUNITY LOOK FOR DROP-OUTS
On Septemer 8, 2007, several volunteers traveled throughtout Stafford to locate SMSD High School students who are currently classified as drop-outs or no-shows. Thirteen SMSD employees and community members spent approximately 2 hours knocking on doors of students who meet one of the two classifications. Thanks go out to the following people for participating:
Community Members Fred Hennis, Linda Hennis, Felix Vega, and Linda Burks; Stafford City Councilman Ken Mathew; SMSD Board Trustees Mike Cropper and Cindy Hoelscher; and SMSD Employees Gloria Medrano, Michael Kerns, Earl Barrier, Carolyn Williams, Rebecca Benedict and Superintendent H.D. Chambers.
09/10/07
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SMSD ANNOUNCES ACCOUNTABILITY RATINGS
SMSD Superintendent H.D. Chambers announced today the district's accountability ratings as determined by Texas Education Agency's Academic Excellence Indicator System for 2006-07. The district as a whole and three individual campuses earned an Academically Acceptable ratings with two campuses earned Recognized ratings.
Stafford Elementary School and Stafford Primary School were named Recognized under the State of Texas standards for districts and campuses. "A great deal of credit goes to the administration and teaching staff of these schools for making such tremendous gains in student achievement for 2006-07," said Chambers. "With the standards increasing , earning a Recognized status has never been more difficult. We are very proud of the students and staff at these two campuses," continued Chambers.
Academically Acceptable ratings were given Stafford High School, Stafford Middle School, and Stafford Intermediate School.
08/10/07
~ 2006-07 ~
UH Sugar Land Donates Computer to SHS PLATO Lab
SMSD Teacher Nominated for NCLD Award
Stephanie Bennett, SMSD reading specialist, was nominated for the National Center for Learning Disabilities' Bill Ellis Teacher Preparation Award. Stephanie stands out for her enthusiastic devotion to providing outstanding support for k-12 students with dyslexia. She has implemented a program for students with dyslexia, educated the district's teachers about learning disabilities through inservices, guided and monitored teachers on instructional strategies for students with dyslexia, and assessed students for eligibility for dyslexia services. She also finds time to talk to parents about goals for children's progress and provides them with support.
(from Houston Highlights - The International Dyslexia Association).
Stafford High School DECA Distrcit 3 Winners
SHS DECA students competed at the Marriott Westchase against area schools and made an outstanding show. Four Stafford participants in the Quiz Bowl won with highest scores individually and will be the DEFCA District 3 Quiz Bowl Team to compete at state. Those individuals are Leslie George, Benny Huang, Neelam Pai, and rajesh Sekhar.
In the Individual Series, the following students were named finalists:
Justin Payne and Jake Kress (Automotive Services); Jesus Martinez, Thanh Le (Apparel & Accessories; Ted Nguyen (Food Marketing Management Level); Jil Patriarca (Marketing Management); Faith Hutto, Celeste Martinez (Full-Serve Restaurant); Janile Patriarca, Hollie Linkley, Kim Braden (Retail Merchandising); Matthew Harrison (Sports & Entertainment Marketing).
Alternates are:
Brittany Sorbet, Pattie Ying (Accounting Applications); Arriel Gossum (App & Acces); Moriah Chatman, Nicole Ong (Business Services Marketing); Enrique Davila (Quick-Serve Restaurant); Aditya Kumar, Corbin Hedt, Richard Hua.
Team Event Series Finalists:
Hospitality Services - Claudia Soto and Jonathan Cutler; Meghon Boyd and Chizom Aziken
Business Law & Ethics - Rizza Santa Ana and Kevin Nguyen
Sports & Entertainment Marketing - Jeremy Nguyen and Julian Nguyen
Travel & Tourism - Julie Ma and Natalie Aguirre; Kim Aing and Lilian Diego
SMSD Recognizes Student Achievements
SMSD Board of Trustees recognized several student achievements at the January 22, 2007, board meeting. Those recognized were:
Special Olympic Bowling Team - Gold Medalists K. Atkins (High School) and H. Castillo (Intermediate School; Silver Medalist C. Catuiza (Elementary School); Bronze Medalist E. Borowski (Elementary). Other athletese who placed were B. Allen (Intermediate), O Ventura (Elementary) and R. Faiardo (Middle School).
  
High School Art Students who participated in the Houston Fire Museum's 32nd Annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Meghan Allen placed 1st in her grade level. Others who placed were Sandra Francisco, Frank Gomez, and Andrea Camble.
Meghan Allen
Middle School All-District Choir - Ivory Anyama, Allysia Cyprien, Jessica Emetom, Ariana Longino, Cristina Mora, McKenli Pinkney, Amanda sanders, Endya Steele, Shelby Thomas, and Neiya Tingle. Eleven of the 18 SMS students advanced in this competition.
Cristina Mora
All-District Football - Making Academic All District were Shelter Anyama, A.J. Brillantes, Corbin Hedt, Richard Johnson, Angel Maldonado, Jeff Matthew, Gerardo Mesa, Noble Nwaozuru, Nikko Pena, Keenan Starks, and Marcus Veal. Named to All-District 1st Team was Anyama; 2nd Team were Pena, Maurice Brown, and Arinze Agu; Honorable Mention were Adrian Blackmon, Juan Monico, Gerardo mesa, Michael mesa, Vernon Sampson, and Starks.
Marcus Veal
SMSD Rodeo Art Winners
Three SMSD students' artwork have been selected as 2007 Best of Show to represent the district at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest. From High School Meghan Allen, whose colored pencil work has progressed to auction; from Middle School Jeremy Vega; and from Elementary School Erica Onuh. Congratulations!
-Fo Guang Shan Scholarship for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Graduating Seniors
Buddha's Light International Assocation and Fo Guang Shan Temple established the Fo Guang Shan Scholarship to assist those students who were displaced by either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita during Fall 2005 in their pursuit of continued academic endeavors. One scholarship is offered annually to an SMSD graduating senior who has been directly affected or impacted by either hurricane and was forced to relocate. This scholarship is administered by the Stafford MSD Education Foundation, a nonprofit educational support organization that seeks to develop and allocate resources to enhance and enrich the quality of education for all students. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, disability, or natinal origin.
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SMSD Board of Trustees Issues Resolution of Appreciation
At the May 16, 2005, board meeting the SMSD Board of Trustees approved Resolution 136 "Recognizing Ft. Bend County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2 and Stafford Spartan Athletic Booster Club For Continued Community Support and Promotion of SMSD Students and Athletes.
The resolution was approved to recognize the organizations' efforts as displayed by the Ft. Bend Co. WC&ID #2 water tower being repainted and including a Stafford Spartan along with "Home of the Fighting Spartans".
(May 2005)
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