ECHS OWL Update
September 8, 2024
Early College High School News
Mission Statement
Our ECHS Owls are taught to have H.O.P.E.--faith in the premise that they can create OPPORTUNITY and a better future through EFFORT, HARD WORK, and PERSONAL COURAGE. This idea of H.O.P.E. is woven into the fabric of our ECHS family.
Greetings ECHS School Community!
TOGETHER, we have successfully completed our fourth week of school and it’s positive that things are moving along well.
Highlights and information are included in the “OWLstanding News” and “Campus Reminders” sections respectively.
Next week, we look forward to greeting ECHS parents and students during our PTSA General Membership meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, September 10th and the ECHS Open House from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. More details about this event are included within this OWL Update in the Campus Updates section.
Friday, September 13th will be Picture Day for our ECHS ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students, along with our teachers and staff.
As we continue in this nine week period, our students are encouraged to review home access (HAC) once a week in order to monitor their grades and progress. In an effort to collectively support the success of our students, ECHS parents are encouraged to please check home access often and touch base regularly regarding their 10th - 12th graders about their ACC courses as well. Thanks in advance!
Please reach out if you have any questions.
GO OWLS!
Dr. Wilson
UPCOMING Events:
September 10th: ECHS PTSA Membership Meeting at 5:30 pm
September 10th: ECHS Open House from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
September 13th: ECHS Underclassmen & Staff Picture Day
September 13th: Launch of ECHS 2024-25 Enrichment Clubs
CAMPUS REMINDERS:
This will be an opportunity for ECHS students and their families to Meet Teachers,
Get Syllabi, Schedule Conferences and Meet the PTSA!
ECHS Open House - September 10, 2024
5:30 - 5:55 pm Parents, students, staff in the Commons for the ECHS PTSA General Membership Meeting. Also, there will be parent sign in and campus maps.
6:00 - 8:00 pm ECHS Ninth through Twelfth grade level teachers will have classroom presentations scrolling regarding expectations, procedures and specifics regarding their class(es). Parents will be able to visit their student’s classes, check out the presentations, get class syllabi and meet their student’s teachers during this time.
6:00 - 8:00 pm ECHS PTSA Board will be in the Commons to meet & greet parents, encourage PTSA membership, and field questions. ECHS gear will be available for purchase. Also, representatives from the League of Women voters will be in the Commons to facilitate voter registration and a Herff Jones representative for our Seniors & Juniors.
In addition, our ECHS Counselors will be in Room 367B to meet/greet parents and field questions as well.
Transcript Requests
Transcripts can be requested here. Please allow up to 2 business days for processing after payment is submitted. You will receive an email after the transcript is sent electronically, or when it is ready for pickup.
The price for transcripts is $5.00 each. This includes both electronic and certified paper transcripts.
ECHS “OWL”standing News!
WELCOME TO OUR NEW ECHS TEACHERS!
We are pleased to have FOUR new teachers who have joined the Early College High School Team!
ECHS is very pleased to welcome our new Teacher, Arjun Malik!
Mr. Malik is pleased to begin his teaching journey as a Math teacher at Early College High School! He is teaching Advanced Geometry, College Prep Math and Study Skills. Mr. Malik likes to read, play video games, and produce electronic music in his spare time. Welcome to the ECHS Family!
ECHS is very pleased to welcome our new Teacher, Christopher Niswonger!
Mr.Niswonger is an experienced professor who serves as our Personal Finance, PFLECO, World Geography and Study Skills teacher. He and his family enjoy traveling. They take as much time together on the road visiting various historical sites, monuments, or something more kid-friendly. In Mr. Niswonger’s personal spare time, he can usually be found in a gym or with his face in a book. He believes it just as much now as he did when he was younger; keep your mind active. He loves reading as it continuously exposes one to new knowledge and exercises the mind. His family photo collage includes: Mr. Niswonger, wife (Nichole), daughters (Oakley and Annaleigh), Son (Ocean) and pet (Hunter). Welcome to the ECHS Family!
ECHS is very pleased to welcome our new Teacher, Aparna Padmanabhan!
Mrs.Padmanabhan is an experienced educator who serves as our Advanced Chemistry teacher. In her free time, she takes care of herself, volunteers with local and International nonprofits and watches TV. Her family photo is with her son, Vedant, husband Vaidy and daughter Samaya. Welcome to the ECHS Family!
ECHS is very pleased to welcome our new Teacher, Elsie Westmoreland!
Mrs. Westmoreland is an experienced educator from Georgia who serves as our AVID I and Study Skills teacher. In her free time she loves traveling with her family and spending time together. Last year they all traveled to the Caribbean where they participated in zip lining. She shared that it was so much fun! Her family photo was a most joyous occasion as it marked yet another turning point in the journey of life. Her twin boys, Jonathan and Justin, graduated from high school in May of 2022. They are juniors in college this year at her old alma mater, Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Also, displayed in the photo is her husband, Richard, daughter Janell and her husband Kam. Welcome to the ECHS Family!
ECHS School Pride Wednesdays and College Pride Fridays
Helen Holmes (Students whose last names begin with M-Z)
Valerie Laugier (Students whose last names begin with A-L)
Wellness & Student Voice at ECHS!
Are you interested in fostering a positive school culture at ECHS? Get involved with Project Culture. . .Join the Wellness Team to promote mental, physical, academic, and social health, or join AISA (Active Input in Student Affairs), our Student Voice Group supported in part by our PTSA!
2024-2025 is sure to build upon what we have started and solidify our school culture through, not only mental and physical wellness, but also belonging. Community is the cornerstone of innovative schools. It’s what ensures that everyone feels emotionally safe and is thriving. To foster belonging, we emphasize student-to-student support, and relationship building. To get involved, contact the following sponsors:
Wellness - Mrs. Foerster & Mrs. Holmes
AISA - Mrs. Reass & Mrs. Holmes
Check out our YouTube channel and the fantastic videos the student Wellness Team has made!
Mental Health & Other Resources for 2024-2025
Crisis resources for anything related to mental health, dating violence, and substance use. This includes a 24-hour hotline and text line.
Community resources including financial, food, medical, dental, and mental health assistance.
More student and parent resources can be found on the district Counseling Services and Behavioral Health websites.
RRISD Health Services website for info and medical forms:
https://roundrockisd.org/health-services/
RRISD Covid website:
ACC UPDATES:
ACC RESOURCES
ACC library - Resources now online
Need more study resources tips, meet with an Academic Coach
FREE online tutoring here.
DISTRICT UPDATE:
Dr. Azaiez, Superintendent of Schools, September 6 community message
Sep 6, 2024
Dear Round Rock ISD community,
Our teachers are the best in the field. Every day, they go above and beyond to create engaging, supportive, and inspiring learning environments.
Westwood High School science teacher Chris Mihealsick has been selected as one of three finalists for State Secondary Teacher of the Year. After being named Region XIII Teacher of the Year in August and Round Rock ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year in May, Mihealsick continues to earn well-deserved recognition. The Texas Association of School Administrators will announce the Texas Teacher of the Year on Oct. 25. Let’s all join together and cheer her on!
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been celebrating more outstanding teachers. Our Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation awards Excellence in Education grants to teachers and departments throughout the district. These grants equip our educators and teams with added resources to enhance learning and the well-being of our students.
This year, the PIE Foundation awarded $165,000 in grants, supporting 40 campuses and 25 department projects and initiatives.
It is a joy visiting schools and surprising our hardworking educators! Our teachers strive to bring innovative and effective practices into the classroom. I am incredibly proud of them, and I know that your children are in the best hands possible.
On Sept. 17, the Round Rock ISD Police Department will welcome a new chief of police. Chief Ryan Urrutia comes to us from El Paso. He is excited to engage with our community and foster connections through events like Coffee with a Cop. The Chief will lead our police department’s officers and support staff, ensuring student and staff safety throughout our district. Please help me in welcoming Chief Urrutia.
Every day, the Round Rock ISD community is collaborating and creating ways to help our students succeed. We couldn’t do everything we do at our schools without our PTAs. With nearly 9,000 members, our PTAs contribute to a positive, collaborative school environment through volunteering and advocating for policies that strengthen the educational experience. Join your school’s PTA.
Lastly, I’d like to invite you to a 2024 Bond Info Session about the bond that voters will consider on Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5. I hope to see you at one of the sessions, whether you can join us in person or virtually!
Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students, making sure that they are nurtured, challenged, and inspired every day. Whether we’re celebrating our outstanding educators, welcoming new leadership, or rallying together through our PTA, we are a community committed to excellence.
Respectfully,
Dr. Hafedh “AZ” Azaiez
Proud Superintendent of Schools
This Week’s Inspirational Quote:
Have you seen Early College High School on Facebook and on Twitter?
Early College High School is on Facebook and Twitter!
Please like us on Facebook @RRISDECHS and follow us on Twitter @ECHS_RRISD to see what is happening at ECHS!
In an effort to maintain our good health, safety and well being; we are ALL encouraged to please continue following the current restrictions instituted within our school district, city, state and nation.
Please take care of yourselves!
Round Rock ISD Early College High School
Email: web_master@roundrockisd.org
Website: https://earlycollege.roundrockisd.org/
Location: 4400 College Park Dr, Round Rock, TX 78665, USA
Phone: 512-704-1650
Facebook: facebook.com/RRISDECHS
Twitter: @ECHS_RRISD