A weekly publication of Harris County Department of Education for the HCDE Board of Trustees

ANSWERING THE CALL

VOL. 7 | ISSUE 6 | WEEK OF OCTOBER 4, 2021

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KEYS CHAMPIONS STUDENTS AND STAFF

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NUTRITION & PRODUCT

EXPO, VENDOR EXHIBIT

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HILTON HELPS

STUDENTS RECLAIM VICTORY

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James Colbert Jr.County Superintendent

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Research shows the driving factor for why a teacher stays at a particular school, and sometimes in the profession, is the impact of their principal. Surprisingly, the primary reason is not pay, nor the quality of the facility. It’s the person who is leading them in their career. I can tell you that in my experience this is very true. Principals drive the culture in their buildings. They set the tone for teaching expectations and student achievement. And they are a key reason why a school achieves or exceeds its annual goals.

This month we celebrate National Principals Month, honoring our four outstanding principals. These great educators are committed to their schools, putting in countless hours to ensure students and staff have what they need to succeed. With our student population that is no easy feat. Our campus leaders sometimes have to overcome behavior challenges, emotional outbursts, physical disruptions, reluctant attitudes and less than ideal home lives in order to foster learning environments where students feel cared for and supported. I am proud of the way our principals lead our schools and I look forward to recognizing them at the board meeting on October 20.

I started the week with my ELT and standing meetings. On Tuesday I participated in our monthly Leadership Team meeting and restarted my one-on-one meetings with individual directors. These meetings have proven very valuable as I gain insight into the workings of each division and am able to hear firsthand about the work going on around HCDE. On Wednesday I attended the Choice Partners Nutrition Expo, the first large-scale in-person event for Choice this year. This is a really cool experience where school breakfast and lunch vendors exhibit their wares to Child Nutrition directors who sample the food so they can make informed purchases for their schools. We also have a group of students who come every year to taste test the food and judge which lunch and breakfast entrée they like best. It is no surprise that pizza is a yearly favorite!

On Thursday I virtually participated in the meet and greet for my SuperMENtor duties at the Humble Head Start Center, attended Agenda Review in anticipation of the October board meeting and held several standing meetings. Today I was at my NPO office where I met with directors and other staff to discuss ongoing projects and initiatives.

The fall-like weather is supposed to continue through the weekend. I hope you get a chance to enjoy it.

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NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTHCELEBRATING

To view the video, click the image.

A school like Academic and Behavioral School West (ABS West) needs more than an authority figure in a principal. It needs someone who champions

its students’ and employees’ success—someone like Victor Keys.

“I tell a lot of people I would do this job for nothing, [but] my daughter and my wife said I need gas money,” he said with a grin. “This job is really something that I take to heart. It’s not a job to me. It’s more like a passion and mission.”

A military veteran and former deputy sheriff, Keys says he always knew he wanted to teach. Even in the military, he found himself mentoring individuals. Though he had not anticipated where education would lead him, he says he loves being a principal and is profoundly grateful to be at ABS West.

“These youngsters need somebody that’s going to care for them and help them grow and mature, and teach them to be successful not only as students but as productive citizens,” said Keys. “I want us to be the best at what it is that we do. I want to make sure my teachers and staff members are fully trained to be successful so, when people think about students with challenging behaviors, the first thing that comes to mind is ABS West.”

Keys is always moving on his campus where situations can arise quickly, and he relies on his staff’s ability to deescalate students. He looks for certain qualities in prospective employees, such as an “even keel,” but most importantly, they must love working with young people.

KEYS CHAMPIONS STUDENTS AND STAFFAbove: Keys attends the ABS West Graduation ceremony June 2, 2021.

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Above, top to bottom: ABS West Principal Victor Keys with Harris County Department of Education trustee Danny Norris during a tour of ABS West; Keys, left, and staff visit with parents during the annual open house; Groundbreaking ceremony for new Academic and Behavioral School West.

“Not everybody can do this; only a chosen few,” he said. “Those who really excel at what we do here are special people.”

ABS West employees say one of the greatest things about working for their principal is feeling appreciated and valued.

“He says every day, ‘Without you, there is no us,’ and he means that,” said Educational Aide Davietta Ford.

Keys supports his staff in many ways. He’s the first person to arrive in the mornings, after facilities staff, and the last to leave at night. Assistant Principal Gaylynn Sanders remarks how his compassion and great sense of humor bring much-needed energy.

“Working in a school like ours, we have to have humor,” said Sanders. “We need that support, and Dr. Keys is always there to support us.”

The principal’s care is felt by students as well. Keys connects with each student by asking them about their day or even what they had for dinner and stops by each classroom every day to say good morning. By many accounts, his care for his students and staff extends beyond school hours. When employees are sick, they say they can expect a call from Keys just to see how they’re feeling. He also often takes parents’ phone calls as late as 10 p.m.

Though ABS West’s goal is to prepare students to be successful in their home schools and in life after they leave, it comes as no surprise that some say they want to stay. When asked how he feels to be a part of such a mission, he replies with only humble gratitude.

“I’m truly blessed to be here. I thank God for this opportunity. This place, this organization, these students—they’re priceless.”

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Not everyone has the fortune of knowing what they want to dedicate their life to at a young age. However, Fortis Academy social studies teacher and October Employee

of the Month James Hilton says his passion for counseling adolescents began long before his arrival to HCDE.

Hilton, who graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, pastors a church of the First Assembly of God in Shepherd, Texas, and draws on both his professional and spiritual vocations to aid Fortis students in their journey to sobriety.

“It’s just a call, you know. Some people have a call in different areas, and mine is dealing with youth,” said Hilton. “My first degree is in church and youth ministries, and I’ve been working with youth since I was 16 years old in one form or fashion.”

Fortis Principal Travita Godfrey says Hilton’s greatest strength is building relationships with students that repair harm and foster learning.

“Mr. Hilton does not easily get frustrated, he has a lot of patience, and he doesn’t take anything personally. For him, it’s whatever [he] can do to build a relationship with these kids,” she said. “[He] is really fun and full of surprises. He finds ways to sneak in historical lessons all day long. With the

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH HELPS STUDENTS RECLAIM VICTORY IN CHESS, LIFE

kids, I notice he engages them in the conversation, and they like it. I’ve been very excited and impressed by that.”

In one of his many efforts to energize his students, Hilton brought a chessboard to lunch. The students only showed mild interest until one student challenged him to a game. As mentor and mentee dueled, two other students slowly gravitated toward them and soon became hooked. Their next goal is to win a game against Hilton.

“Kids really enjoy beating their teachers in chess,” he said with visible mirth.

Chess is now a daily routine during lunch, and Hilton regularly observes, coaches, and plays the games that ensue. The school hopes that students will compete in the annual chess tournament hosted by Academic and Behavior School West in January.

Hilton, a 15-year educator and history buff, still finds ways to incorporate lessons into the fun. When he brings out his chessboard from Israel, he talks about his travels and the importance of experiencing different cultures. When the students play with his Battle-of-the-Alamo-themed chess set, he discusses the significance of the event and the motives of the opposing forces.

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James Hilton

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“I love Texas history,” said Hilton. “I’ve gone to the Alamo for teacher training since about 2004. They don’t know my name, but they know my face when I walk in.”

He first began his career in education in 2004 at Channelview Independent School District, teaching eighth-grade social studies. After six years, he landed a position at the Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility High School in Beaumont, Texas, where he worked with adjudicated youth.

There, he learned skills that “taught [him] how to teach kids without looking at the problem that got them to that situation.” Having grown up with parents who included their children in their work as pastors, he spoke to the merit of his experiences in ministry as well.

“The training I’ve had through the years has helped me to be understanding of people,” he said. “You have to be there for them when they don’t do what you think they should do and have to live with consequences. You have to love the person [despite] the choices they make in order to have an opportunity to help them further. I think that directly relates to what we do here at Fortis Academy.”

The 15-year educator has plans to become a licensed chemical dependency counselor to allow him to be more involved in the counseling at Fortis. He believes that having staff who understand more about the “treatment side” of Fortis would be beneficial for everyone involved with the campus.

Barring a few final courses and a 300 hour practicum, Hilton hopes to obtain his license by the end of summer 2022.

“I feel like since I’ve had the training, moving forward in that area would help the school and help me help kids better,” he said.

Hilton hopes his students will retain the knowledge he imparts in the classroom and chess. However, there is one lesson the game offers which he hopes students remember above all others. That is, even if they blunder, they are the ones who determine their chance for redemption.

“Even if you lose your queen, if you’re patient, you can still win,” he said.

YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE PERSON [DESPITE] THE CHOICES THEY MAKE IN ORDER TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM FURTHER.

To view the video, click the image.

Above: Fortis Academy student Jasmin, center, makes a move against her opponent in chess as social studies teacher James Hilton, right, coaches, October 4, 2021.

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After more than a year due to COVID-19, students and school nutrition teams from our area had the opportunity to taste-test potential food, beverage, and cafeteria-related products for their school districts once again at the Choice Partners School Nutrition & Product Expo held this week at the Humble Civic Center.

“We have 113 vendor booths this year,” said Assistant Director of Choice Partners Trisha Prestigiacomo. “School district nutrition directors, their staff, and select students visit with all the vendors, test the products and rate them. We get the results back and use them when we make our bids to see what students liked, what they didn’t like. Some of our nutrition directors use the [data], so they know what to purchase for their students.”

The expo also provided district nutrition leaders with the opportunity to speak directly with vendors to address supply chain issues, an issue in the lingering pandemic era. Cynthia Quarles from Gordon Food Service, an exhibitor at the show for nearly 15 years, explained the challenges of meeting school districts’ demands.

CHOICE PARTNERS SCHOOL NUTRITION & PRODUCT EXPO AND VENDOR EXHIBIT RETURNS

“The main thing is the supply chain issues that are happening across the board with every segment. So it’s more just trying to find the balance of what is available for the vendors,” she said. “[School districts] being able to talk to the vendors is key right now, so they understand when they are going to get the products and understand what their struggles are, whether it’s staffing or raw materials. It gives them reassurance. They hear from us that we don’t have it, but when they also hear it from the vendors, they understand that we can’t get it to them quick enough.”

Most of the students who attended this year’s event are culinary arts students from Montgomery, Huffman, Boling ISDs, and Harris County Department of Education’s Fortis Academy.

“My school [attends] every year, but we couldn’t do it last year because of [COVID,]” said Karlee Truscott, a Hargrave High School student from Huffman ISD. “I really like the opportunity that we get to go around and eat stuff because I’m in a culinary class. I work in the cafeteria at my school, so most of these [food items] we actually have in our school.”

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NS Despite pandemic supply chain issues, students sought out foods that would complement their diets as informed food consumers.

“I was looking for gluten-free [food], and there were a few [options],” said Huffman ISD junior Taylor Byron. “The tamales were pretty good. They were gluten-free. I was shocked. I would really like to have those tamales [at my school]. Eating gluten-free makes me feel better.”

For other students, the expo provided access to new flavors.

“Out of everything they served, I would want the fruits or Chinese food [I tried] here,” said Fortis Academy junior Jasmin Flores. “We tried food from different cultures and experienced different flavors I never tasted before. I have a whole dragon fruit in my backpack!”

The most important part about attending the expo year after year for many vendors and school nutrition leaders is the face-to-face value.

“It’s still a very crazy time, continuing with COVID. We still have ongoing issues, but I do see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Quarles.

The day after the School Nutrition and Product Expo, Choice Partners had the opportunity to host its annual Vendor Exhibit, where procurement professionals from educational and governmental agencies learn about important legislative purchasing updates and meet with facilities, technology, supplies and services vendors.

“This is the first time we’ve done it back-to-back with our nutrition show, and so we are very excited about that,” said Choice Partners Contract Manager Kristi Nichols. “In the past, we’d host the two events a few weeks apart.”

Eighty-eight vendors and 200 attendees from as far away as El Paso registered to attend the Vendor Exhibit.

“We have several newly awarded vendors [attending],” said Nichols. “We do have several of our construction vendors that are going to be there. [Some] schools are having to rebuild after the storms [or have] bonds that are up.”

To learn more about the Choice Partners School Nutrition & Product Expo and Vendor Exhibit, visit ChoicePartners.org.

To view the video, click the image.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

TO VIEW “TEAM UP AGAINST CANCER”

PHOTOS, CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Harris County Department of Education’s Human Resources division is encouraging staff to participate in dress up days every Friday during October to show solidarity with the fight against breast cancer. Employees are encouraged to submit photos of their themed attire to communications@hcde-texas.org and abarker@hcde-texas.org to be featured in the Hub and entered in a drawing for prizes. Today’s theme was “Team Up Against Cancer.” Employees were encouraged to wear their your favorite sports team jersey or shirt and tennis shoes.

UPCOMING THEMES

October 15  “We VOTE to end Cancer”Wear red, white, and blue and tennis shoes.

October 22 “Combat Cancer”Wear camo and tennis shoes.

October 29 “PINK OUT”Wear pink from head to toe and tennis shoes.

VACCINATIONS FOR EMPLOYEESSeventy-four Harris County Department of Education employees took advantage of onsite flu and COVID-19 vaccinations made available through H-E-B Pharmacy this week at both the Irvington and NPO locations. The event, sponsored by Human Resources, provided free or low-cost shots for employees.

ABS WEST HOSTS ANNUAL OPEN HOUSEABS West welcomed students and families to its 2021-2022 Open House to discuss school progress and allow parents the chance to chat with their children’s teachers. The school offered families the option to attend in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams.

After introducing staff and welcoming new and returning families, ABS West Principal Victor Keys kicked off the event by apprising parents of the school’s continued success.

“We want to share with you some of the wonderful things we’ve had happen this year,” Keys said to parents.

Keys highlighted the last school year’s graduates, the 18 students who successfully transitioned back to their home campuses, and the many benefits of ABS West’s $11 million campus “built for the students by the staff.” He explained

the school’s academic programs, extracurricular programs offered to students, and what parents can expect from staff throughout the year.

Following the brief introduction, teachers invited parents to join them in their classrooms or Microsoft Teams virtual breakout rooms to chat about their students, share progress, and address any issues or concerns.

Parents attend the annual open house to preface the school year and familiarize themselves with the campus and their children’s teachers. ABS West parent Tiffany Taylor says she attended to show her son that she is proud of him and supports his school.

“I love the way [ABS West] does things,” said Taylor. “I love the way the teachers and staff members interact with my son and the other students.”

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THIS WEEK THE FOLLOWING BOARD EXPECTATIONS WERE MET:

HCDE BOARD

Board PresidentDanny Norris

1st Vice PresidentRichard Cantu

2nd Vice PresidentAndrea Duhon

Board MembersDavid W. Brown

Erica Davis Eric Dick

Amy Hinojosa

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 12-13Great Minds

Think Differently Workshop

October 18Healthy Minds,

Healthy Families Conference

October 20 PFC Meeting

Board Meeting

October 28CASE for Kids

Lights on Afterschool

October 29Head Start Awareness

Superintendent Objective B: Organization Morale• Celebrates accomplishments and acknowledges excellence.

This week, we recognize our October Employee of the Month, Fortis Academy’s James Hilton, who teaches much more than social studies. Hilton, who is working to become a licensed chemical dependency counselor, is a history buff and pastor. He finds ways to excite young learners and integrate lessons into every conversation. He brings a perspective that allows him to build relationships with each of his students and meet them where they are in their journey to sobriety. We are grateful to have him on #TeamHCDE!

We continue to honor our fearless school leaders during National Principals Month as we shine the spotlight on a well-known face. Dr. Victor Keys advocates for everyone in the ABS West community. Anyone who spends time on his campus witnesses a unique connection between him and each student and staff member. We learn about Dr. Keys’ devotion to his mission and hear from a few of the school’s dedicated educators about why they believe their leader is “priceless.”

Finally, we are thrilled to once again have hosted the Choice Partners School Nutrition & Product Expo and Vendor Exhibit after a long break due to COVID-19. Over 200 vendors had the opportunity to speak with students, school administrators, and government agencies between both days. While we know there are supply chain challenges in virtually every sector right now, we are proud that Choice Partners continues to play a vital role in providing a platform for vendors and members to continue doing business with one another.

By promoting the recognition of the great work of our staff, I am meeting the expectation to establish a culture of excellence at HCDE.