ECHS OWL Update
September 1, 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!
MANY THANKS to our students, teachers, staff and parents for another productive week together!
SHOUT OUT to our Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores on a smooth start of their ACC classes, Monday, August 26th! There’s been engaging teaching & learning in our classrooms and we also had a successful OWL Friday Club Rush - Week #2!
As a reminder, the ECHS Open House will take place on September 10th. In addition, Friday, September 13th will be Picture Day for our ECHS ninth, tenth and eleventh grade students, along with our teachers and staff. Information regarding Open House and Picture Day is included within our Campus Updates. More details will be shared soon. We are very pleased to highlight our new ECHS teachers in today’s OWLstanding News section! Please feel free to check it out.
Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend.
P.S. TOMORROW, September 2nd, Please consider participating in our Panda Express Virtual Event using Code: 925364, in support of our First Ever ECHS Homecoming! Thanks in advance.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
GO OWLS!
Dr. Wilson
UPCOMING Events:
September 2nd: Labor Day - Student & Staff Holiday
September 10th: ECHS Open House from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
September 13th: ECHS Underclassmen Picture Day
CAMPUS REMINDERS:
This will be an opportunity for ECHS students and their families to Meet Teachers,
Get Syllabi, Schedule Conferences and Meet the PTSA!
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!
First Day of ACC Fall 2024 Semester Classes!
SHOUT OUT to our Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores on a smooth start of their ACC classes, Monday, August 26th! R.B. the Riverbat made a visit to the Round Rock ACC campus to greet students and staff on the first day of classes.
ECHS Week #2 of Club Rush
OWL Friday on August 30th was Week #2 of Club Rush and it was a success! SHOUT OUT to our ECHS students on a great job of presenting their proposed clubs and our teachers for helping to facilitate!
Our students will select their Fall Clubs on September 3rd. First Day of 2024-2025 Enrichment Clubs will be on Friday, September 13th.
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
The winner of our PTSA Back to School Survival kit is:
Homecoming Update!
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:
Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation awards $165,000 in district grants
Aug 27, 2024
Each year, the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education (PIE) Foundation awards Excellence in Education grants to classrooms, programs, and departments across Round Rock ISD. These provide resources for educators to achieve innovative lesson ideas, update programs, use materials and equipment, go on field trips, and other needs that enhance student learning.
This year, the PIE Foundation awarded $165,000 in grant funding across the district, impacting 40 campuses and 25 department projects and initiatives.
“The PIE Foundation is an invaluable partner to Round Rock ISD,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Hafedh Azaiez. “We’re so grateful our community recognizes and supports innovation in our classrooms, and across the district. I know these donations will make a very big difference in the lives of our students and teachers.”
“This year’s funding directly impacts every student and staff member at Round Rock ISD,” said Marianne Reap, Foundation Executive Director. “We are so thankful to our Foundation Board members, business and service organizations partners, and the countless individuals who have contributed to our fundraising efforts. Their donations allow the Foundation to continue to support innovation in learning environments through grant funding.”
Administrators, partners, and foundation board members surprised campus winners throughout the district’s five learning communities during the last week in August.
“We are so appreciative of the PIE Foundation,” said Georgia Miller, Executive Assistant. “Their support of Administration and our many campuses make so much of what we do possible!”
One Round Rock ISD librarian has plans to use these funds to provide her students with the opportunity to grow their home libraries while promoting the importance of reading.
“I’m going to use this for the book fair, for children who cannot afford books,” said Angelina Berte, at Robertson Elementary. “We’re a Title I school, so we appreciate all the help we can get.”
Congratulations to everyone who received a 2024-2025 Excellence in Education grant!
Campus Grant Award Winners:
Anderson Mill Elementary School, Christine Margocs, $400
Anderson Mill Elementary School, Sherry Jackson, $5,000
Blackland Prairie Elementary School, Shelly Craig, $2,500
Bluebonnet Elementary School, Beth Peacock, $2,500
Brushy Creek Elementary School, Madison Fowler, $5,000
Cactus Ranch Elementary School, Crystal Bridge, $150
Cactus Ranch Elementary School, Rachel Walker, $1,500
Cactus Ranch Elementary School, April Harris, $1000
Chandler Oaks Elementary School, Dayna Collings, $2,800
Deep Wood Elementary School, Rhina Aldrich, $800
Deep Wood Elementary School, Haley Ferguson, $600
Double File Trail Elementary School, Michael Cahill, $3,000
Elementary DAEP, Amanda Sickert, $500
Elsa England Elementary School, Krystall Williams, $1,000
Elsa England Elementary School, Lisa Mandac, $2,500
Elsa England Elementary School, Celia Johnson, $1,000
Forest Creek Elementary School, Lucy Castro, $2,500
Forest North Elementary School, Kristen Fournier, $1,000
Gattis Elementary School, Vanessa Rivas Clouston, $5,000
Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School, Sara Rose, $110.00
Jollyville Elementary School, Paula Molloy, $5,000
Kathy Caraway Elementary School, Chrissy Hall, $1,300
Linda Herrington Elementary School, Avery Blackburn, $1,500
Linda Herrington Elementary School, Sharon Figueroa, $824.00
Live Oak Elementary School, Isa Pilgrim, $610.00
Live Oak Elementary School, Annie Kisselburg, $3,500
Old Town Elementary School, Andrea DeAngelis, $780.00
Purple Sage Elementary School, Emelia Elphic, $960.00
Purple Sage Elementary School, Helena Porter, $220.00
Redbud Elementary School, Carrie Boelter, $1,125
Robertson Elementary School, Patricia McCormick
Robertson Elementary School, Katheryn Ridnour, $3,800
Robertson Elementary School, Angelina Berte, $600.00
Spicewood Elementary School, Wendy Robinson, $2,500
Teravista Elementary School, Stephanie Stoebe, $1,600
Union Hill Elementary School, Dr. Sarah Willmore, $1,700
Voigt Arts Integration Academy, Rocio Hall, $1,000
Voigt Arts Integration Academy, Cheryl Hester, $130.00
Canyon Vista Middle School, Julieta Hamilton, $810.00
Canyon Vista Middle School, Niel Erickson, $1,500
CD Fulkes Middle School, Sheng Thao, $2,000
Chisholm Trail Middle School, Kirby Williams, $850.00
Chisholm Trail Middle School, Andria Parker, $700.00
Deerpark Middle School, Monica Ortiz, $950.00
Hernandez Middle School, Miranda Duncan, $880.00
Pearson Ranch Middle School, Clarissa Lopez, $1,000
Round Rock High School, Dustin Coffing $2,000
Round Rock Opportunity Center, Dr. Gwen Thomas, $5,000
Cedar Ridge High School, Eutimio Ceasar Trevino, $3,500
Cedar Ridge High School, Azucena Overman, $1,000
Early College High School, Robin Foerster, $2,900
McNeil High School, Lisa Flores, $1,500
Round Rock High School, Chris Henderson, $4,250
Round Rock High School, Erica Brokaw, $1,000
Stony Point High School, Sandy Logston, $1,000
Success High School, Ellen James, $750.00
Success High School, Valerie Burleigh, $2,000
District Grant Award Winners:
Administration, Georgia Miller, $10,000
Assessment, Melissa Beltran, $500.00
Athletics, Jeff Cheatham, $5,000
Custodial Services, Arlene Olague, $3,500
Behavioral Health Services, Jennifer Wagner, $2,500
Communications, Jackie Cyriac, $3,000
Enrichment, David Baird, $3,500
Families in Transition Homeless & Foster Care Program, State and Federal Programs, Anne Grieshop, $2,000
Finance, Rhonda Rhode, $1,000
Food Services, Sandra Phillips, Food Services, $1,500
Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, Michelle Moak, $2,000
Gifted and Advanced Academic Services, Melissa Vasquez, $2,500
Health Services, Brandy Hafner, $2,500
Human Resource Services, Mariela Banda, $3,000
Library Services, Stephanie Inzana, $2,000
Library Services, Laura Stiles, $3,000
Parent Liasion, Debby Mata, $1,269.78
Police, Lauren Griffith, $2,000
Professional Development, Alayna Stoll, $1,500
Purchasing and Materials Management, Wendi Randall, $1,000
Research and Evaluation, Crystal Wang, $500.00
Round Rock ISD Fine Arts Department, Tim Lowke, $3,000
Round Rock ISD Teen Parent Program, Karen Confer, $500.00
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