In the news:
Pasadena community members are 'champions' for children

Pasadena ISD high school students aren’t the only ones graduating this week as Pasadena community members and business leaders recently graduated from the district’s Champions for Children program.

Champions for Children is a leadership program implemented this year by Pasadena ISD Superintendent Kirk Lewis and is designed to improve the understanding of the school district throughout the community. Community members from local groups including the chambers of commerce and city councils of Pasadena, South Belt and South Houston, hospitals, companies, refineries, media sources and various civic organizations were invited to be a part of this year’s program.

“The community plays a vital role in the overall success of our students, and we want its members to be properly educated on how Pasadena ISD operates,” Lewis said. “When community members know more about the district, they can share their understanding with those around them.”

Only half of the overall participants were able to attend the last session and graduation ceremony, but the program was supported by more than 20 participants from throughout Pasadena. Lewis said the number of participants in the first year shows the commitment the community has to its youth.

“Our community is extremely supportive of the district—its students and staff,” he said. “We are excited about the number of individuals who gave their time to be part of this program during its first year. We are also excited about the potential for the program in years to come as we build upon the current base of individuals and give others the opportunity to join.”

The program began in September and participants met monthly with district administrators, campus principals and other staff members on topics including expectation graduation, career and technical education, advanced academics, finance, instructional technology, special programs and human resources. Tours of the district’s facilities were also a part of the program agenda.

“We want every taxpayer to have the information that he or she needs to know where to get information and how they can be involved,” Lewis said. “We also learn from the questions program members ask and the recommendations they give so we can make improvements.”

The last session, which was held this month, was a meeting with members of the district’s Board of Trustees. Program participants listened to board members Nelda Sullivan, Frank Braden, Vickie Morgan and board president Marshall Kendrick speak about their duties and goals as board members.

“First things first, and kids are always first in every decision we make,” said Kendrick. “We are always looking for people who can serve and those people are those who are strong and can come in with the right attitude and no personal agendas.”

Ashley Wright, a program participant, said meeting with the board for the last session was “icing on the cake.”

“They were amazing to listen to, and I was fascinated about the inner workings of the meetings and relationship between the board members and the superintendent,” she said. “I feel blessed to have seen the passion in Dr. Lewis as he spoke about the children, especially since I have a child that directly benefits from that passion at Turner Elementary.”

After serving the district in numerous administrative capacities for 33 years, Braden joined the board eight years ago, and he thanked the graduates for their interest in the school district.

“You’re here today because of a desire for us to include you in our decisions, and I think that’s wonderful,” he said. “We need the community to be involved so that we can make the best informed decisions we possibly can for our students.”

Another program participant, Pat Bland, said the knowledge she has gained from the program has benefited her in her own work and she thanked the board members for the opportunity to be a part of the program.

“This year has been so wonderful to learn more about the district,” she said. “There are some kids who come from low socioeconomic situations and some that don’t, and this district treats them equally. I really appreciate that and all of the programs the district has available for its students and staff.”

Wright said she too gained a greater foundation of knowledge about the district and that she will use what she learned in this program to share with the community not only as a business leader but as a parent.

“My conversations regarding the school system will be much more factual now that I know more,” she said. “I feel that I have a deeper heart for the school district than I had before. Seeing the compassion and true love for children the employees’ posses certainly is inspiring and provides a sense of hope for our kids. These are our future leaders—our future employees. To have this knowledge of the district is priceless.”

Board member Vickie Morgan, who has served on the board for 22 years, said she encourages community members to become involved in next year’s program because it will be an opportunity for them to see how education has changed for the better.

“If you haven’t been in a classroom in the last five years, you will be shocked at how much education has changed,” she said. “It’s amazing. The teachers, the students and the curriculum have changed—lecture is no more. Everything is hands-on. I encourage you to visit our classrooms.”

Lewis said he is looking forward to starting the program at the beginning of next school year and to sharing the district’s knowledge with the community.

“There are so many excellent things going on in Pasadena ISD, and the more we can share this information, the better our entire community is,” he said. “We have found that, as individuals learn more, they want to be more involved whether on committees or as some other type of volunteer, and I’m looking forward to what this program will do for our district and our community.”

For more information on becoming involved in the 2008-09 Champions for Children program, please contact Pasadena ISD Associate Superintendent of Communications Candace Ahlfinger at 713-740-0247.