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From the Principal’s Desk
A Publication for Elsik Ninth Grade Center May 2017
Ram Reader
Dear ENGC Families,
It is hard to
believe it, but the end of
this school year is less than
two weeks away and final
exams begin Friday, May
26th. Students should spend
time preparing for their finals
as these exams count 20%
towards their semester
averages.
Summer school
registration is also open at
this time. Students who wish
to enroll in summer courses to
get ahead or to repeat a
course they have failed should
complete a summer school
registration form and return
it to their counselor. Summer
school begins June 6th and
June ends 29th. We will also
receive results from our
STAAR End-of-Course State
Assessments this week. This
year freshmen students took
the Algebra I, Biology and
English I exams. Passing these
exams are a requirement for
graduation.
If a student did not
pass an exam, they may
register for re-testing this
summer. Results from the
exam and information about
registering for summer testing
will be shared this week.
We are very proud of
the many accomplishments our
students achieved both inside
and outside the classroom this
year. Whether performing at
Carnegie Hall in New York,
testing car designs in Detroit
or participating in the State
Track Meet in Austin, our Elsik
Rams had a successful
year. We also recently honored
over 150 freshmen for their
academic achievements at our
annual Awards Day Ceremony.
At the ceremony, I
reminded students that
excellence is not a skill but is
rather developed from their
attitudes, hard work and
sometimes sacrifice. It is my
hope that as our students
transition to main campus next
year, they take with them
positive attitudes and a strong
work ethic that will result in
continued success.
Vinson Lewis
ENGC Principal
Counselor’s Corner School is about to end in a few days and it has been a great year for the class of 2020.
On May 19th, several of our ENGC students were honored in an end of the year award
ceremony for their excellence in core content, attendance, and grade point average
(GPA).
Here are some reminders as we close out the school year.
STAAR:
STAAR retests will be held at ENGC from June 19-23.
Summer School:
Summer school registration has started with counselors.
On-site registration will be on Saturday, June 3, 2017 8:00 a.m.-12p.m.
Late registration is Monday, June 5, 2017 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Late registration will be assessed a $25 fee.
ENGC End of the
Year Award Ceremony
Stay
CONNECTED
ENGC Website
http://www.aliefisd.net/engc
Follow Us
@ElsikNGCRams
Be positive, be productive,
and be a champion!
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On May 16th, 2017 ENGC
held its first Annual Reading Fair.
The reading fair provided students
the opportunity to enhance and
encourage reading at all levels by
exhibiting a review of their favorite
book on a display. This project
allowed the students and community
to work together collaboratively to
promote an appreciation of reading.
The Process
Students selected one
favorite book
Students created an exhibit
to display the key elements
from the book.
Boards were displayed in the
library for staff, students,
parents, and the community
to review.
Awards were given for
category favorites.
ENGC First Annual Reading Fair By Shara Gonzales (ENGC English Specialist)
RAM READER
ENGC Welcomes New Principal
Dear ENGC Families,
I am excited to be joining the
Elsik Ninth Grade Center Team! I do not
use the word “team” lightly because I
believe that that is truly what it takes
for a school organization to operate
optimally –each of us being intentional
and impactful in the education of every
child in our charge. I have spent many
years as an educator and administrator
in Alief, and I know the pulse of the
community quite well. It is my intention
to apply my leadership insights, as well
as the varied skill sets of my new
colleagues at ENGC, to every campus
decision and initiative with a steadfast
focus on students first!
My first teaching
experience was with Sheldon ISD
where I taught 8th grade history,
physical education, adaptive PE and
coached volleyball, basketball, track
and softball. It was through my
coaching connections that I finally
made my way to Alief ISD to work at
Hastings Ninth Grade Center in 1999.
I spent two years at HNGC before
taking a position as one of the original
Taylor Lions who opened Alief Taylor
High School in 2001. While teaching
and coaching at Taylor High School, I
began my graduate program at
Stephen F. Austin University,
graduating in 2004 with a Master’s in
Educational Leadership. In my last
ten years at Taylor High School, I
have served in several administrator
roles including Assistant Principal,
Assistant Principal of Accountability
and Associate Principal.
My experiences have taught
me what teaching, reaching and
making a difference everyday means.
My passion and belief in education
have allowed me to see it as a
gateway to unlimited opportunities.
It is no secret that our Alief
students come from some of the
most challenging backgrounds. They
deserve the best educational
experience we can offer. It will be
through our dedication, solidarity,
commitment to excellence, and
development of quality relationships
with all stakeholders that will
continue to drive the many successes
of ENGC. We will continue to foster
an environment of positive,
productive, and proud students who
are “connected” to experiences in a
safe and orderly environment that
will carry them from lambs to mighty
RAMS!
Alief Proud!
Gina Sprang
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RAM READER
End of the Year Award Ceremony Winners 2016-2017
Abdul, Mobashir
Acevedo Orduna, Maria
Adams, Cooper
Adebambo, Temitope
Adelakoun, Fifa
Affaan, Muhammad
Aguilar, Daniel Alejandro
Aguilar, Karla
Ajetunmobi, Basit
Alonso, Jeanny
Alvarado-Calderon, Angel
Anyanwu, Princess
Asad, Manahil
Barragan Gracian, Andrea
Bashir, Autumn
Batres, Johan
Bee, Sajeda
Blackwood, Jada
Bolanos, Martin
Bonilla, Kathy
Brackens, Daylor
Bravo, Robert
Brmaji, Falmata
Brooks, Ariana
Cabrera, Evelin
Camacho, Leslie Camacho-Torres, Steph-
anie
Campozano, Alan
Cantor, Pedro
Charchalac, Jeremy
Chaudhari, Bikram
Chen, Benjamin Cordova, Alexandra Ma-
ria Lourdes
Crisostomo, Khim
Cross, Clayann
Cruz Castillo, Reina
Danford, Ndabahinyuye
Davis, Shamain
Doan, Huynh
Estrada, Landy
Fields, Jakai
Fleming, Aaliyah
Flores, Ailin
Fonteno, KyAira
Gabriel, Maria
Garcia Orozco, Paola
Garcia, Erik
Giang, Kevin
Gonzalez Espronceda, Claudia
Gonzalez, Jazlyn
Gonzalez, Jazmine
Gunner, Jada
Hakim, Md Azizul
Harris, Alana
Hernandes, Mariela
Hernandez Ramirez, Jefferson
Hernandez, Dayana
Hernandez, Nelsy
Hoang, Rose
Holmes, Vinae'
Hong, Ailin
Hsu, Elisa
Ilochi, Chiamaka
Ilochi, Oluchi
Kalambayi, Kamba
Laifa, Abimbola
Lam, Andy
Law, Benjamin
Lawrence, Justina
Le, Dung
Le, Julie
Lee, Brenden
Lee, Tamia
Lopez, Wilmer
Luong, Vinh
Maldonado, Ana
Maldonado, Maria Raquel
Matute, Christian
Medina, Eric
Medrano, Andrea
Medrano, Elsie
Medrano, Pedro
Meh, Klaw
Mejia, Bob
Mendoza Coreas, Genesis
Moore, Anaya
Nghe, Andy
Ngo, Trang
Nguyen, Bill
Nguyen, Bryant
Nguyen, David
Nguyen, Derek
Nguyen, Ellen
Nguyen, Nghi
Nguyen, Tina
Nguyen, Tony
Nguyen, Truc
Nkanga, Nicole
Obando, Shelen
Ogolo, Elizabeth
Ogunbumi, Ayomide
Ojo, Foyinsola
Oniovosa, Adrana
Onwunumagha, Matthew
Orellana, Meyli
Osisi, Chinenye
Palacios, Axel
Patel, Rushi S
Pena, Desiree
Peters, Jade
Pham, Anh
Pineda, Ramiro
Priestley, Aliyah
Ramirez, Bryan
Ricano, Andrea
Rivera, Tonali
Rodas, Ever
Rosa, Sarah
Rosales, Juan
Salgado, Damari
Sandoval Batres, Fatima
Santiago Natal, Reynold
Saravia, Jonathan
Shwe, Romay
Silva, Melina
Singh, Sukhraj
Sorto, Brandon
Soto, Grecia
Spencer, Makayla
Stanley, Jevaughn
Taylor, Kandji
Tealer, Dezmond
Tello, Oriana
Thomas, Heavenlei
Thomas, Kayla
Toro Guzman, Carlos
Toro Guzman, Laura
Tow, Jacob
Townsend, Tayja
Tran, Dan Khanh
Tran, Hieu
Tran, Jenny
Traylor, Cecelia
Trinidad, David
Truong, Anthony
Truong, Kevin
Uchem, Kingsley
Van, Khanh
Vazquez-Pantoja, Alejandro
Velasquez-Ortez, Andy
Villaseca, Anahi
Vo, Branden
Vo, My
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RAM READER
Subject 3rd Nine Weeks Winners 4th Nine Weeks Winners Overall Excellence
Medal Winners
World Geography
Kenny Martinez Daniel Palma Reina Cruz
Roxana Arias Gerardo Bentacourt Norwegian Nguyen
Gerson Portillo Reynold Santiago Darleny Lopez
Adriana Medrano
Algebra I
Anthony Rodriguez Reina Cruz Daniel Palma
Norwegian Nguyen Fabio Perez Genesis Mendoza
Nhu Thai Adriana Medrano
Biology
Allison Diaz Kosisochukwu Obianefo Khan Van
Ben Chen John Ufuomaoghene Vinh Luong
Joan Dominguez Ricardo Valladares Flor Ascencio
Jefferson Hernandez Milena Montero Mohammad Anas Khan
Victor Sanchez Fernando Aguilar
Ingrid Garcia Fernanda Pereira Escobar
English I
Hilda Morel Toribio Foyinsola Ojo Hilda Morel
Fatima Sandoval Flor Figueroa Reynold Santiago
Sajeda Bee Kosisochukwu Obianefo Sonam Chozam
Jose Martinez Gerson Portillo
Anthony Rodriguez Dat Nguyen
Miguel Ortiz Carlos Vera
ESL End of the Year Awards By Sana Aleem (ENGC ESL Department Chair)
This was the first year that the ENGC ESL Department held an
end of the year awards ceremony.
Over 40 students were recognized and parents were invited to
join for lunch and the awards ceremony. Also, two students were
selected by their teachers to receive an overall excellence award
in a content area.
ENGC students were successful on their TELPAS and many
students received TELPAS medals from their English teachers
for this progress.
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RAM READER
Just a friendly reminder from
the ENGC Library to:
• Turn in all books
• Clear all fines
Remember, fines will follow
you even after you graduate.
You need to be clear on fines
to:
• Get your report card
• Go to prom
The Literacy Team’s goal is to increase the
reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills of
students at ENGC. The literacy team provides
professional development to ENGC teachers and
measures the reading and writing progress of the
students. The team also highlights literacy
activities that happen around the school.
Watch the ENGC Literacy Spotlight video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXPCHVpA
e5o&feature=youtu.be
Specialist Cookout 2017
Each year ENGC specialists have a cookout celebrating and
thanking our ENGC staff for their hard work and dedication.
This year Mr. McGee, a former ENGC Social Studies teacher
sponsored the cookout. ENGC specialists would like to give a
special thank you for his contributions.
Family Center Graduation
Congratulations Mr. Cockrell on being named Alief ISD 2017 Secondary Teacher of the
Year
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RAM READER
Career Fair By Christina Cross (CTE Teacher)
On Thursday, May 18th ,ENGC
welcomed over 30 professionals to our campus
during Career Day 2017!! Our students were
able to meet and speak with professionals
from NASA, Attorneys, Chefs, Artists and
our very own Bresean Cockrell. This event
was held during 2nd-4th period CTE
classes. The Career and Technology dept.
offered our students the ability to hear
from experienced professionals about the ups
and downs of their profession and offer great
career advice. This outreach event showed
the students how to interact with
professionals and learn about public speaking.
The panel discussion was moderated by
campus teachers for every class period and
included over 600 students. Next year we
hope to have a bigger and better event that
will include the entire campus.
ENGC Torch Bearers
Ms. Zelaya
Ms. Morao
Ms. Martinez
Ms. Anthony
Ms. Lestage
Mr. Kotts
Ms. Al Hasan
Mr. German
Mr. Cockrell
Ms. Dominguez
Ms. Neita
Ms. Gonzales
Mr. Thomas
Ms. Robinson
Mr. Perry
MS. Garske
Ms. Hlayhel
Mr. Emanuel
Ms. Arias
Ms. Davis
Ms. Cabrera
Ms. Green
Mr. Flores
Ms. Baig
Ms. Quiroz
Engaging work
Nice attitude
Giving heart
Champion spirit