The Heights Education Committee meets monthly on the fourth Monday at 6:30, location announced prior to meeting. The committee focuses volunteer efforts on events that enhance learning for all ages of youth in the Houston Heights. We strives to support and network educators in all Heights schools and learning centers. We open events to all children who either live in the Heights or go to school here. The committee uses the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets Kids Need to Succeed (www.search-institute.org/assets) as a basis for their programs and believes that community can greatly enhance education in and out of schools.

Ending the Year on a High Note

HHA Education Committee gives $5,000 to Hamilton Middle School for the purchase of musical instruments.

by Anne Culotta, 2010 HHA President

On November 29, 2010, the Houston Chronicle ran an article entitled “Sound of music costly, HISD middle schools look for ways to pay for required band and orchestra instruments.” A new state mandate has made a fine arts elective a requirement for all middle schoolers. The article discussed the strain that this places on some less-affluent schools because they can’t afford enough musical instruments.  Hamilton Middle School band director Eric Jimenez was quoted in the article. The number of students interested in band at Hamilton far exceeds the instrument inventory. Most of the students cannot afford to purchase their own.  The article came out on the same day that the HHA Education Committee was meeting. The committee looked at their budget and voted to give Hamilton Middle School $5,000 for the purchase of instruments.  I had the privilege of dropping in on Mr. Jimenez’s orchestra class to give him this good news — and it was music to his ears! He was speechless! And extremely grateful to the HHA. It was  heartwarming to see the kids working hard to produce beautiful music.  I was also pleased to present a check to Mr. Jimenez at the December General Meeting [right]. The Hamilton Beginning Orchestra provided some holiday entertainment [below], and the spirit of Christmas filled the Fire Station.

Holiday Writing Contest a Big Success!

With over 25 wonderful entries from Hamilton Middle School, Reagan High School, and several adults in the Heights area, the HHA Education Committee is delighted to announce our 2010 holiday story winners:

• First place -— Ismael Garza for “The Choir Tour”

• Second place — Jodi Bash for “Annie’s Christmas”

• Third place — Andrea Arroyo for “Her Wish”

The winners were invited to read their stories before Heights residents, family, and friends at Waldo’s on Saturday, December 18.  Following the readings, Stephanie Babb from the HHA Education Committee presented the winners with their prizes.

Youth Art Show

To participate, please note the following: 

• All work must be two dimensional—no crafts or sculpture.

• All work must be ready to hang (framed and wired; matted or mounted on sturdy mat board.)

• All work must have a contact label on the back with name and telephone number.

Who may enter:

Any child who either lives or goes to school (Pre-K through grade 12) in the Heights area.  Art teachers may enter ten (10) students’ works of art.  All other students may enter one (1) work of art.

This show will be juried by a panel of local artists and prizes will be awarded in the following categories: 

• Best of Show

• Elementary (Pre-K-5)

• Middle (6-8)

Art drop off and registration at the Heights City Hall and Fire Station:

Artists Reception and Awards:

Art Pick Up:

Contact  Stephanie Babb at 713-864-5607 or Stephanie@babbhouston.com

Current programs include, but are not limited to:

Annual Youth Art Show - A spring event open to the public during the Heights Spring Home Tour.  The show is judged by local artists and gallery owners and prizes are awarded.  An opening night reception is held for all participant artists and their families.

Annual Principals' Welcome - a chance for all Heights principals to network with business and community members in a casual, off campus environment.

HHA Grant Program - HHA provides funds for projects designed by Heights area educators to enhance education in the Heights.  These grants are judged in the fall of each year based on the number of children impacted, how they can be shared and duplicated among educators and how they enrich programs already in place.  They can be submitted by one educator ($750) or teams ($1000.)  HHA volunteers are needed to get the word out about the program at the beginning of each school year in the Houston Heights area public, charter and private schools and volunteers from the community also judge the grants.  

Holiday Read Aloud

A local author reads an original Holiday story aloud to area children (pre-K to 6th grade) at a signing reception at the Heights  Library.  Original stories may be submitted by November 15th for selection for the reading.  
 

The 2010 committee is currently co-chaired by:

Emily Cole - emilycole@sbcglobal.net

Stephanie Babb - stephanie@babbhouston.com

Please contact us by e-mail to find out the exact location of this months meeting or to for specific dates for programs.