ECISD

English test challenges freshmen

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

Another round of testing results reveal the state’s newest English exam for freshmen has been difficult for students in both Odessa and Midland. The Ector County Independent School District released its results on the new End of Course exams...... Full story

Odessa High Students in Philanthropy members, Odessa High horticulture students and Permian horticulture students relax in the new horseshoe-shaped outdoor patio area at Odessa High School. 'It was an eyesore,' OHS principal Charles Quintela said about the space before the improvements. '(The students) needed another area they can call their own.' The Odessa High Students in Philanthropy voted to use all of this year's campus improvement funds along with leftover funds from last year, $3,100 in total, for the project, which includes a water feature, potted Junipers and plants with individual drip lines. The plants are buried in double-layered pots to be easily switched out between seasons. Odessa High clubs and organizations will take turns tending the gardens.

OHS students enjoy new patio

PHOTO BY HEATHER LEIPHART

Odessa High Students in Philanthropy members, Odessa High horticulture students and Permian horticulture students relax in the new horseshoe-shaped outdoor patio area at Odessa High School. 'It was an eyesore,' OHS principal Charles Quintela...... Full story

End of course exam results show difficulty in English

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

The first round of state assessments for secondary students has been released for students in the Ector County Independent School District from the new STAAR test.And almost 3,000 failed end-of-course exams that will need to be retaken by ECISD...... Full story

From left, 9th-graders Camille Hubert and Jeff Matta stack food that they have gathered to donate to the West Texas Food bank as part of a class project based on the book

Students compete in school’s “Hunger Games”

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

Not all “Hunger Games” involve a bloody fight to the death. Freshman students at New Tech Odessa have taken a spin on the widely successful “Hunger Games” book, written by Suzanne Collins, through a school-wide competition...... Full story

Senior bash still in the works

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

Graduation is within grasp for seniors at Odessa and Permian high schools, and for a handful of parents it means the clock is ticking to finish last minute preparations for project graduation. For the past several years, Project Graduation has been...... Full story

Website ban lifted Tuesday (+TSTA EMAIL)

Teacher union site blocked, unblocked by district

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

ECISD’s superintendent on Tuesday reversed a ban denying district employees access to a union website following a Texas State Teachers Association email asking employees to take a survey to gauge their morale. Late Tuesday afternoon, Hector...... Full story

Bonham Junior High school secretary Sue Hubbard is retiring June 15 after working at the school for 31 years, 14 years as secretary. A reception was held in her honor Sunday in the school library which is being dedicated to her. She is looking forward to spending some time with her grandchildren.

Bonham secretary leaves after 31 years

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

For Sue Hubbard, Bonham Junior High is not just a school she worked in for 31 years, but a second home filled with people who are more than coworkers. “We’re just like family here,” said Hubbard, the principal’s secretary at...... Full story

Tatiana Hernandez, a student in Julissa Porras's kindergarten class at Burnet Elementary, takes her turn in a bouncing ball relay during a Field Day Tuesday morning for students in grades Kindergarten through second. Students participated in a variety of fun outdoor activities including wet sponge races, potato sack races and tug of war.

Burnet enjoys Field Day fun

PHOTO BY MARK STERKEL

Tatiana Hernandez, a student in Julissa Porras's kindergarten class at Burnet Elementary, takes her turn in a bouncing ball relay during a Field Day Tuesday morning for students in grades Kindergarten through second. Students participated in a...... Full story

Todd Vesely, Ector County Independent School District athletic coordinator, stands on the field at Ratliff Stadium on Thursday. Vesley said The turf on the field is scheduled to be replaced this summer for about $300,000. Vesley said ECISD is also planning on installing turf on Joe T. Coleman Field at OHS and the game field at Permian which will cost about $2 million.

Turf project underway for district

BY CAYLOR BALLINGER

The West Texas drought conditions have plagued a number of residents and organizations including local football facilities. Restricted by watering limitations, the football fields at both Permian and Odessa High schools have hardened and the fields...... Full story

SCHOOL NOTEBOOK: May 21, 2012 - May 26, 2012

oaschools@oaoa.com

For the week of May 21 to May 26Elementary Schools Blanton Daily: 7:45 a.m., Blanton news team presented by Tish Nash’s kindergarten class; TPRI testing continues for kindergarten through third grade. Monday: Last day for lunch charges....... Full story

Odessa High AVID teacher Rita Woodall assists De Kwaan Wynn, Odessa High junior, as he and other AVID students research colleges Wednesday at the school.

AVID program at Odessa High grows

By Caylor Ballinger

Odessa High School is taking steps toward gaining national recognition for its college preparation program. The school has applied for its Advancement Via Individual Determination program to become an emerging national demonstration site. AVID,...... Full story

ECISD MENUS: May 21, 2012 - May 25, 2012

oalife@oaoa.com

Following are the menus for May 21 through May 25.EARLY EDUCATION BREAKFAST Monday: Apple muffin top, juice, milk. Tuesday: Peanut butter and jelly uncrustable, juice, milk. Wednesday: Gogurt and graham crackers, juice, milk. Thursday:...... Full story

Ireland Elementary sixth-grade students asks questions during a Skype chat with Amandla Stenberg who starred as 'Rue' in the

Kids Skype chat 'Hunger Games' star

PHOTO BY MARK STERKEL

Ireland Elementary sixth-grade students asks questions during a Skype chat with Amandla Stenberg who starred as 'Rue' in the "Hunger Games" motion picture. Sixth-grade teacher Tabitha Rosales, right, won the Skype chat from a contest she was entered...... Full story

Changes for Hood keep coming

ODESSA AMERICAN

On Thursday afternoon, Ector County Independent School District’s administration announced the latest change the staff and students at John B. Hood Junior High will experience next fall: a new principal. The announcement of the new...... Full story

Ross Elementary third-grade students Amber Stutes, 9, left, and Alejandra Marquez, 9, talk with Ector County ISD police officer George Barriga during an appreciaton luncheon for ECISD police officers Thursday in the school library. About 120 student managers, students who had excelled in various ways from grades first through sixth, helped put on the event as a way to give back to the community.

Hats off to heroes luncheon

PHOTO BY MARK STERKEL

Ross Elementary third-grade students Amber Stutes, 9, left, and Alejandra Marquez, 9, talk with Ector County ISD police officer George Barriga during an appreciaton luncheon for ECISD police officers Thursday in the school library. About 120...... Full story