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Cavazos Scholarship Recipients Named
Saturday, June 7, 2003 Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2003 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarships, as follows:
$5,000 scholarship good for any college or university of the student's choice--
Scholarship Recipient: OMAR VISAIRO, Edinburg North High School, Edinburg CISD
Visairo plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and study either business or engineering.
$4,000 scholarship for Texas State Technical College--
Scholarship Recipient: LEIGH ANN VILLARREAL, Los Fresnos High School, Los Fresnos CISD
Villarreal, who will take 6 credits from high school to TSTC, plans to study Dental Hygiene at TSTC Harlingen.
$3,000 scholarship for the University of Texas-Pan American—
Scholarship Recipient: CRYSTAL ANN VASQUEZ, Johnny G. Economedes High School, Edinburg CISD
Vasquez will study nursing at UTPA.
Staff Development Minigrant Applications Due June 19
Tuesday, May 27, 2003 Tech Prep RGV announces a competition for award of staff development minigrants for Summer 2003. Applications must be RECEIVED in one of Tech Prep RGV's offices no later than 4 p.m. on June 19. A total of $8,000 is available for awards. The maximum amount of one minigrant is $2,000 for a two-member team. Team members will have to pay their own expenses initially and then be reimbursed. An application may be downloaded at http://www.techpreprgv.com/downloads.shtml.
Minigrants will be awarded to two-member teams of secondary and postsecondary faculty who teach in articulated Tech Prep programs. Tech Prep programs include college-level Tech-Prep courses that students take in high school as part of their high school graduation plans. “College-level Tech Prep courses” are articulated and/or concurrent enrollment career and technology courses taken in high school for which the school district and the college have agreed that you students may receive college credit as part of a Tech Prep graduation plan. For a listing of approved Tech Prep programs, go to http://www.techpreprgv.com/students/scholarships.html, and click on “Download Articulation (Excel format). For information about articulated courses, review the course crosswalks at this address: http://www.techpreprgv.com/educators/articulation.html.
Notice of Intent to Apply for Grant Funding
Monday, March 31, 2003 Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., is submitting a proposal to the Texas Education Agency to apply for a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. If awarded, the grant will serve students from one or more of the following school districts: Brooks County ISD, Corpus Christi ISD, Edinburg CISD, Harlingen CISD, Lyford CISD, Kingsville ISD, Monte Alto ISD, and Rio Grande City CISD. The project is designed to serve 6th grade students during the afterschool hours, including services to parents of those students. The substance of the grant will be activities in math, science, and aerospace technology. Programs will be provided at middle schools from participating school districts.
Private schools who serve children who might wish to be considered for enrollment in the program should notify Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley of that interest. Private schools would be responsible for transportation to and from the participating school district centers.
Representatives of interested private schools should please contact Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., TSTC Tech Prep Building, 1902 North Loop 499, Harlingen, Texas 78550-3697. Please provide the number of 6th grade students.
If funding is awarded, Tech Prep will contact private schools with details about the number of students who will participate and how these children will be served.
Private schools are requested to provide the number of 6th grade students at their campuses, whether they choose to participate or not.
A copy of the application will be available for public review after submission of the application.
For additional information, contact Patricia G. (Pat) Bubb, Executive Director, Tech Prep, at (956) 364-4509.
State Conference Scheduled
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 The Tenth Annual Tech Prep and High Schools That Work State Conference will be held March 16-19, 2003, in Houston. The conference theme is Strength Through Partnership, and the registration fee is $155 for payments received through March 7 and $195 for payments received after March 7. Pre-conference workshops include the following:
(1) Statewide Articulation Training Parts I and II from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 17
(2) High Schools That Work Site Development Workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(3) Know Thyself, Know Thy Students workshop from 9 a.m. to noon
(4) Basic Grant Writing for Beginners from 9 a.m. to noon
(5) What Is Principles of Technology? from 9 a.m. to noon
(6) Here in the Real World from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
(7) Career Development for the 21st Century from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
(8) A Fresh Look at Machine Safeguarding from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The full conference features over 100 concurrent interest sessions. The conference will be held at the Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks Hotels, both connected to the Galleria complex, in southwest Houston. Reservations can be made now in the conference room block by calling (713) 960-8100 or through the web at www.westin.com.
Obtain registration form from the Tech Prep office, or download a form from this web address: http://www.techpreptexas.org.
First-Generation College Student Pilot Project Begins
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 Cameron Works, Inc., and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley are pleased to announce the beginning of a First-Generation College Student Pilot Project funded by a grant of almost $400,000 from the Texas Workforce Commission. The pilot project, a special initiative of Governor Rick Perry, will provide outreach and support for 400 students--as well as their parents--who are the first in their families to go to college. Partners collaborating in the pilot project are as follows: Brownsville ISD, Harlingen CISD, La Feria ISD, Los Fresnos ISD, Point Isabel ISD, Rio Hondo ISD, San Benito CISD, Santa Maria ISD, Santa Rosa ISD, South Texas ISD, Texas State Technical College, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, and the University of Texas-Pan American. The project is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2003.
Counselors' Conference Scheduled
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 The Ninth Annual South Padre Island Counselors' Conference is set for February 6-7, 2003, at the South Padre Island Convention Center. The event is hosted by the Tip of Texas Counseling Association in collaboration with the Rio Grande Valley Counseling Association, the Region One Education Service Center, and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc. For additional information, contact Aida Schabl, Tip of Texas Counseling Association President, by phone or by email: (956) 982-2630 or AidaS96@aol.com.
New Board Leadership Named
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 At its annual meeting, the Tech Prep Board of Directors elected officers and committee chairs for 2002-2003. The following individuals will lead the Board this year:
President and Executive Committee Chair--Cesar Maldonado, P.E., Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Assa Abloy Door Group, Harlingen
Vice President and Partnerships Committee Chair--Adrian A. Arriaga, CCIM, CEA, Broker/Owner, AAA Real Estate & Investment, McAllen
Treasurer and Finance and Bylaws Committee Chair--Stephen M. Vassberg, Associate Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, Texas State Technical College Harlingen
Curriculum/Work-Based Learning Committee Chair--Linda Wade, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Harlingen CISD
Finance and Bylaws Committee Chair--Joe Vasquez, Vice President of Human Resources, Mid-Valley Health Systems/Knapp Medical Center, Weslaco
Marketing and Awards Committee Chair--Maria Nuez Hall, Principal Agent and Personal Financial Representative, Allstate Insurance Company, Brownsville
Marketing and Awards Committee Chair--Moose Miller, President/CEO, Moose Miller Enterprises, Harlingen
Nominations Committee Chair--Perry A. Vaughn, Executive Director, Rio Grande Valley Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America, Inc.
Partnerships Committee Chair--Ed Tamayo, Executive Vice President, First Community Bank, Harlingen
Professional Development Committee Chair--Janice H. Mumford, Community Volunteer, McAllen (former Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, McAllen ISD)
Technology Initiatives Committee Chair--Sam O. Olivarez, President, Barrera's Supply Co., Inc., Mission
Universities and Colleges Committee Chair--Pat Hobbs, Vice President for Student Learning, Texas State Technical College Harlingen
Annual Meeting of CBIRD-TRAC Held
Friday, November 22, 2002 The CBIRD-Texas Regional Action Council Board held its annual meeting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2002, at the Best Western Palm Aire in Weslaco. The following individuals were elected to the Board:
Apolonio Borrego, Jr., Wells Fargo Bank, Brownsville
Gerald D. Brazier, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg
Patricia G. (Pat) Bubb, Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc., Harlingen
John Crutchfield, Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, Harlingen
Frank E. Feild, Brownsville Chamber, Brownsville
Patricia Fogarty, Strategic Interfaces, McAllen
Stella Garcia, Cameron Works, Inc., Brownsville
Jessica Glicken-Turnley, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque
Jason Hilts, Brownsville Economic Development Council
Hiroshi Iwano, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Houston
George Kozmetsky, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
J. Gilbert Leal, Texas State Technical College Harlingen
Mario Reyna, South Texas Community College, McAllen
German Rico, Port of Brownsville
Jordan Scott, RGK Foundation, Austin
Michael West, Texas Economic Development Department
Antonio Zavaleta, The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
For additional information, visit the CBIRD website at this address: www.cbird.org.
Careers in Action Curriculum Available
Friday, November 22, 2002 An employer-endorsed curriculum for K-12 is now available for use in Rio Grande Valley schools. This curriculum was developed by local educators partnering with local employers. The curriculum will be made available for download through Tech Prep's website in coming months. To request a copy now, contact the Tech Prep office.
Tech Prep Board Meeting Scheduled
Friday, November 22, 2002 The Tech Prep Board will welcome new members Francisco Castellanos, City Manager of Weslaco, and Dean LaFever, Rio Grande Valley Manager, Southern Union Gas Company, when the Board meets on November 26 in Brownsville. Call the Tech Prep office for additional information.
Tech Prep Thanks Employer Partners
Saturday, November 16, 2002 Many thanks to the employers who opened their doors to over 150 teachers from 31 high schools, middle schools, and elementary school S-TEAM campuses in 14 school districts on November 13, 2002, when Tech Prep's S-TEAM members went "on safari" to Rio Grande Valley worksites! Watch this webpage for insights the teachers gained and more acknowledgments from these wonderful employer partners who took the time to help improve education throughout this region! The "Safari" was held as part of Tech Prep's annual Regional Conference.
Tech Prep THANKS the following employers for hosting teacher teams on November 13:
* AdTech, Harlingen
* Brownsville Herald, Brownsville
* Del Rio Advertising, Pharr
* Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Edinburg
* EMU Plastics, McAllen
* First Community Bank, San Benito and Harlingen
* Howard Johnson Express Inn & Suites at Victoria Palms Resort & Conference Center, Donna
* KIWW-FM 96.1 The One Radio, McAllen
* Knapp Medical Center/Mid-Valley Health Systems, Weslaco
* KRGV-TV Channel 5, Weslaco
* KTLM-Telemundo, McAllen
* McAllen Economic Development Corporation & Foreign Trade Zone, McAllen
* McAllen Heart Hospital, McAllen
* McAllen Medical Center, McAllen
* Mission Hospital, Mission
* Raba Kistner Consultants Inc., McAllen
* Southern Union Gas, Harlingen
* TEAM 4/KGBT-TV,Harlingen Texas Department of Regulatory & Protective Services, Weslaco
* The Monitor, McAllen
* Time Warner Cable, Harlingen & Pharr
* Titan Plastics, McAllen
* U.S. Department of Agriculture/APHIS/PPQ, Brownsville
* U.S. Marshal Service, McAllen
* Villa De Cortez, Weslaco
Tech Prep also THANKS the door prize and other resource contributors for the conference: Angelita's Flower Shop, myRGV.com, Texas Department of Transportation, and Southwest Airlines--which donated two round-trip airline tickets. The tickets, which were the grand prize for the conference, were awarded to Nancy Garcia, a 10th grade teacher from Sharyland High School.
STCC and TSTC Sign Agreements with UTB
Friday, October 11, 2002 On September 24, the Tech Prep Board hosted the signing of agreements that will provide upward-articulation opportunities for Rio Grande Valley students. Individuals signing the agreements represented South Texas Community College, Texas State Technical College, and the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.
The agreements will provide baccalaureate-transfer options for Tech Prep students who graduate from a wide range of Tech Prep Associate Degree programs at STCC and TSTC. Students have the option of transferring credits into two programs at UTB/TSC: the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree or the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. Contact the Tech Prep office for additional information.
Education/Career EXPO Planned
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 Tech Prep is one of many partners working with the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce on an Education/Career EXPO to be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on October 25 at Casa de Amistad in Harlingen. The EXPO, which is open to the public, will feature both education and employment opportunities. Job seekers who want help with resumes should bring information with them! They'll be able to update and print resumes at the EXPO.
Partners already working with the Harlingen Chamber include Harlingen CISD, San Benito CISD, Cameron Works, Texas Workforce Centers/ACS, Texas State Technical College, Valley Baptist Health System, Valley Morning Star, TEAM 4/KGBT-TV, The Bargain Book, the Texas A&M Colonias Program, and Tech Prep RGV. High school students, college students, graduates, and job seekers--both unemployed and underemployed--are encouraged to participate. For booth and sponsorship information, contact Maribel Mercado at the Valley Morning Star (430-6236). We'll share additional information soon!
Closing the Gaps Campaign Underway
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 Tech Prep is one of many regional partners working on CLOSING THE GAPS for Rio Grande Valley students! This statewide initiative, led by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, emphasizes the importance of encouraging our students to pursue rigorous academics in high school and to continue their education after high school graduation. Rio Grande Valley partners include the University of Texas-Pan American, which is coordinating the regional effort, along with South Texas Community College, Texas State Technical College, the University of Texas at Brownsville, UTPA GEAR UP, and the Region One Education Service Center. Contact the Tech Prep office or Julia Sullivan at UTPA's Office of University Relations for additional information.
Ready for the Real World Students Succeed
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 Tech Prep Ready for the Real World students are off to a good start! Students from Edinburg, Harlingen, Mercedes, and Lyford have participated in summer programs designed to strengthen their mathematics skills and prepare high school students for success on the TASP exam. Staff from Edinburg CISD, Mercedes ISD, Lyford CISD, and Texas State Technical College worked with Tech Prep staff to provide opportunities for the students in the program.
Students from Hidalgo and Willacy Counties completed the summer component of the program in July, and students from Cameron County will complete the summer program in August. The Real World students will participate in a year-round mentoring program during the academic year.
The Real World program is funded by grants from ACS/WorkFORCE Solutions and Cameron Works, Inc.
For additional information, or to learn more about becoming a mentor, contact Tech Prep.
UT-Arlington, TSTC, and STCC Sign Agreements
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 On July 30, the Tech Prep Board hosted the signing of an upward-articulation agreement between the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas State Technical College. UTA and South Texas Community College also entered into a commitment to create an upward articulation agreement between their two institutions.
The UTA/TSTC agreement provides baccalaureate-transfer options for Tech Prep students who graduate from a wide range of Tech Prep Associate Degree programs at TSTC. Students have the option of transferring credits into several baccalaureate programs at UTA. Contact the Tech Prep office for additional information.
Garcia Wins UTPA Scholarship
Wednesday, August 14, 2002 Congratulations to Javier Garcia, who has been named recipient of a $3,000 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship to the University of Texas-Pan American! Garcia is a graduate of TSTC's Biomedical Engineering Program and worked for several years in the health field. Garcia, who now teaches Biomedical Engingeering Technology students at TSTC, will study Electrical Engineering at UTPA.
Scholarship Applications Due July 25
Monday, July 8, 2002 Tech Prep's Marketing and Awards Committee announces the availability of a $3,000 scholarship available for graduates of Tech Prep associate degree programs who are interested in pursuing baccalaureate studies at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg. Applications are due in Tech Prep's Harlingen office at 4 p.m. on July 25. For additional information or to obtain a scholarship application form, contact Tech Prep.
Upward Articulation Agreements Being Developed
Monday, July 8, 2002 Rio Grande Valley Tech Prep students will have additional opportunities available to them soon because upward-articulation agreements are being developed and will be signed in the coming year. Upward-articulation agreements allow Tech Prep associate degree graduates to continue their education and pursue baccalaureate degrees, transferring in applicable courses from their two-year degree programs.
A signing ceremony for an agreement between South Texas Community College, Texas State Technical College, and the University of Texas at Arlington is scheduled for July 30 in Edinburg.
Plans are also underway for agreements with the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American.
Watch this website for additional information.
Employer-Endorsed Curriculum Developed
Monday, July 8, 2002 Tech Prep RGV offers two employer-endorsed CAREERS IN ACTION curricula. Both resources were developed by local teachers and counselors, working with local employers who then endorsed the finished product.
The K-8 Careers in Action curriculum utilizes a vertical team approach to building advanced academics with personal and technical skills. This curriculum was developed over a multi-year period, using School-to-Careers funding provided through the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Workforce Commission, utilizes a system of unit plans developed by TekSTAR and shared with Tech Prep RGV by the Region One Education Service Center.
Employers who have endorsed the curriculum include:
* Knapp Medical Center/Mid-Valley Health Systems, Weslaco
* McAllen Economic Development Corporation/Foreign Trade Zone, McAllen
* The Monitor, McAllen
* Team4/KGBT-TV News, Harlingen
* Texas A&M Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco
* Texas Department of Health, Harlingen
* United Door Products, Harlingen
* United States Marshals Service/Southern District of Texas, McAllen
Teachers and counselors participating were as follows:
* Rosalinda Amaro-Galarza, Brownsville ISD
* Jesus Garza, Jr., San Benito CISD
* Melinda Garza, McAllen ISD
* Orfelinda Jimenez, Mission CISD
* Jennifer Johnson, Our Lady of Sorrows School, McAllen
* Virginia V. Mann, McAllen ISD
* Hortencia Meza-Juarez, Edcouch-Elsa ISD
* Charlotte Ramsey, McAllen ISD
Glenda McClendon, Coordinator of Counseling and Guidance, McAllen ISD, served as overall project coordinator and conducted final editing. Curriculum units now available are as follows:
Kindergarten: Personal and Protective Services
First Grade: Business and Marketing
Second Grade: Agriculture and Science Technology
Third Grade: Art, Communications, and Media
Fourth Grade: Health Science Technology
Fifth Grade: Industrial and Engineering Technology
Sixth Grade: Art, Communications, and Media
Seventh Grade: Health Science Technology
Eighth Grade: Industrial and Engineering Technology
For grades 9-12, curriculum development began in Summer 2002, with curriculum developed for integration into academic course content of career concentration information. The high school project was funded with Carl D. Perkins Tech Prep funds provided through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Employers participating in the high school project, who will be endorsing the curriculum after lesson plan review has been completed, are as follows:
* Frank E. Perez, Attorney at Law, Brownsville
* Brownsville Herald, Brownsville
* Holdar Engineers, Brownsville
* Titan Plastics Group, Brownsville
* McAllen International Museum, McAllen
Teachers who participated in the project included the following:
* Leonor Mireles, PSJA Memorial High School
* Jesse Paul Bulaong, McAllen Nikkie Rowe High School
* Carol du Bois, Brownsville Lopez High School
* Stephen Messenger, Brownsville Lopez High School
* Olivette Fisher, Brownsville Lincoln Park High School
Courses for which lesson plans have been developed are as follows: * Administrative Procedures (cooperating employer: Frank E. Perez, Attorney at Law, Brownsville)
* English (cooperating employer: Brownsville Herald, Brownsville) * Geometry (cooperating employer, Holdar Engineers, Brownsville)
* Mathematics (cooperating employer, Titan Plastics Group, Brownsville)
* World History (cooperating employer, McAllen Museum, McAllen).
Staff of the Region One Education Service Center volunteered time and resources for both projects. Board members who worked with Tech Prep staff on the projects included Janice H. Mumford, McAllen, Professional Development Committee Chair, and Linda Wade, Ph.D., Harlingen, Curriculum/Work-Based Learning Committee Chair.
For additional information, or to obtain copies of curriculum, contact the Tech Prep office. Tech Prep plans to make curriculum available for download through its website in the fall.
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