By CARISSA MALLORY, Viper Contributor

Last summer, my friend Sara and I traveled to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to explore opportunities to help increase graduation rates. I learned about the Tanzanian education crisis a few years ago when my aunt Theo, a native of Tanzania informed me that schools in Africa are very different from the ones here in the United States. I was surprised and shocked to learn about the high dropout rate for students in Tanzania. Their approach to education seemed dysfunctional, flawed and tragic.

Vandegrift High School students Carissa Mallory (right) and Sara Campbell (left) sit in the new library they helped create last summer at the Gerezani Primary School in Tanzania. They are challenging students to help them fill the library with more books with the Reading Around the World’s Spring Break challenge.

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By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The Hill Country Education Foundation’s 5th annual Giddy Up Gala raised a record-breaking $140,000 and posted a record attendance on Feb. 28 as more than 475 guests made a difference for local Four Points students, schools and teachers.

“Our ability to boost academics with additional programs and tools is highly dependent on the funds raised at this gala,” said Kai Lamb, president.

“Each year the community comes out in larger and larger numbers, willing to step up their financial contributions. Because of their continued support and even stronger dedication to our cause, HCEF can intensify its efforts in making a difference for our students and their teachers who are passionate about enhancing education,” Lamb added.

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Local PTA representatives attended the Texas PTA Rally Day last week. Back row (L-R): Shannon Lombardo, LISD director of community services and the superintendent’s representative on the LISD Council of PTAs; Stephanie Haug, president of LISD Council of PTAs; Kristen Hill, president of VHS PTSA; Crosby MacClyment, legislative action chair at LISD Council of PTAs; Erin Kolecki, president of GHE PTA. Front row (L-R): Rebecca Cole, legislative action chair at FPMS PTA; Michelle Beck, legislative action chair at CRMS PTA; and Lisa Anestos, legislative action chair at GHE PTA.
photo by Sarah Doolittle

By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Local Parent Teacher Association representatives attended the annual Rally Day for the Texas PTA last week at the state capitol in Austin. Rally Day is an opportunity for Texas PTA members to meet with state representatives and senators in order to advance the PTA’s legislative goals.

“The more people who are willing to speak up and show up, the more change we can affect,” said Stephanie Haug. She attended the event on Feb. 25 as a parent — she has two students at Four Points area schools — but also as president of the LISD Council of PTAs, which has 34 members and is comprised of all the LISD schools that have either PTAs or PTSAs (Parent Teacher Student Associations). Continue reading →