HOUSTON SCHOOLS TO CELEBRATE
NATIONAL 'GIVE KIDS GOOD SCHOOLS' WEEK
October 12-18, 2008
Campuses in Three Districts Will Spotlight College Access and Success

Houston A+ Challenge and public schools across the region will celebrate Give Kids Good Schools Week Oct. 12-18, by hosting parents, students, community members, and partners from higher education and business partners at open houses spotlighting college and career opportunities.

Give Kids Good Schools is a nationwide campaign to focus attention on three ways that all Americans can work to achieve public school excellence - Learn, Vote and Act. Resources and information about the campaign are online at http://www.givekidsgoodschools.org.

Local Give Kids Good Schools events are held in partnership with Houston A+ Challenge and the National College Access Network, through funding from TG and Houston Endowment.

• Mon., October 13, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
  Dollars and Sense: Paying for College
  Cy-Lakes High School (Cypress-Fairbanks ISD), 5750 Greenhouse Rd., Katy, TX  77449
  Cypress-Fairbanks’ newest high school, which opened in August, is home to the district’s first college center. At this event, families will learn about the first steps in going to college (English and Spanish translation will be provided), and the school will conduct a brief needs assessment to gain insight into the community’s needs. Light dinner will be served.
  Contact: Brenda Gauthey, College Access Coordinator, brenda.gauthey@cfisd.net
  
  
• Tues., Oct. 14 and Weds., Oct. 15, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  Spring Branch ISD College Nights 2008
  Spring Woods High School (Spring Branch ISD), 2054 Gessner, Houston, TX  77080
  This two-evening program is designed especially for high school students and their families; Tuesday is for Stratford and Spring Woods high schools, and Wednesday is for Memorial, Northbrook and School of Choice. Come meet more than 200 representatives from regional, state, and national colleges and universities, technical schools and military-related institutions.
  Contact: Hortencia Vega, Guidance & Counseling, 713-464-1511, ext. 2265.

• Wednesday, October 15    6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  College Night for Athletes
  M.O. Campbell Center (Aldine ISD), 1845 Aldine Bender, Houston, TX  77032
  Ask questions of former NFL players Tyrone Smith (San Francisco 49ers) and Derrick Harris (St. Louis Rams), and learn about NCAA recruitment requirements for athletic scholarships, recruiting, graduation requirements and GPA calculation and college entrance exams.
  Contact: Charlotte Davis, Director of Guidance & Counseling, 281-985-6472.

Here are some other ways that you can get involved in the Give Kids Good Schools campaign:

Learn. What makes a quality public school? Experts agree that these eight characteristics must be present.

Vote. During this fall's election season, ask local, state and national candidates these important questions before you hit the polls.

Act. Members of the U.S. Congress are still deliberating over the future of the No Child Left Behind law. Voice your opinion with your representative or the local media.

During Give Kids Good Schools Week 2007, Houston A+ Challenge and local schools co-hoste a series of school visits to spotlight a variety of best practices. Please view slideshows and read about our visits:

Literacy Across the Curriculum Milby High School (Houston ISD) Monday, October 15 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	The Power of Small Learning Communities Atascocita High School (Humble ISD) Tuesday, October 16 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Personalizing Middle Schools to Reach Students McReynolds Middle (Houston ISD)	Transformation Through Shared Leadership Stovall Academy (Aldine ISD)
Integrating Fine Arts Across the Curriculum Pine Shadows Elementary School (Spring Branch ISD)	Anatomy of a High-Performing High School Eastwood Academy High School (Houston ISD)