Deputies from the Smith County Sheriff's Department, led by Jeremy Black, came to Higgins Elementary for Community Helper Day. They talked to students about what Sheriffs do on a daily basis and how students can stay safe. They also let the students inspect their trucks and police cars. The Whitehouse Fire Department also came by to talk about how they help the community and how students can stay safe if a fire is near. They showed the students all of the fire truck equipment as well. Then the ETMC helicopter flew in at 1pm. Once they were safely on the ground, students were able to crawl through the helicopter and the flight crew answered questions about the helicopter and how they help the community. Students had a blast meeting all of the Community Helpers, learning about their jobs and equipment, and of course watching the helicopter land! Thanks so much to the Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Whitehouse Fire Department, and ETMC flight crew!

On October 11, 2012, the NEHS at Brown Elementary inducted 18 new students into the Society. The induction ceremony included a guest speaker, Ms. Whitney Senn, a candle lighting ceremony, and a reception that followed. We have 12 returning members; Alicia Mullen, Brianna Brown, Bredyn Hernandez, Cooper Clemons, Kaya Authur, Hannah Lewis, Tom Lewis, Landon Barber, Kadin Leveille, Mary Grace Pyle, Kareena Jethva, and Eliza Carnes. Our new Fifth Grade inductees include: Ali Whitaker, Cheyenne Gray, Colten Wright, and Nakhal Zafar. Our new fourth grade inductees include: Ally Liehgeber, Ashley Smith, Autumn Gandy, Elle Rinwalt, Jason Ackerly, Michelle Ackerly, Mallory Cooper, Sy Ybarra, Sam Turner, Dan Whitaker, Naeem Asad, Damian Hoffart, Karina Shin, and Diego Declet Diaz . It was a wonderful night full of memories. I would like to thank Mrs. Ray, Ms. Workman, Mrs. Moore, and Mrs. Pendergrass for all your help in making this night one to remember.

The night’s rain made it a little soggy at first, but Brown Elementary students and teachers had a ball at their “Let’s Have a Ball” annual field day last Thursday. Students participated in activities such as Blongoball, Pipeline, Putt-Putt, Big Ball Bowling, and, of course, the all-time favorite, Tug-of-War. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered and made it a great day for our students!

Whitehouse ISD Utility Usage and Cost for Fiscal Year Ending 8/31/2012.

Utility Usage 2011-2012

Whitehouse High School has received the “2012 College Readiness Award” from the Texas ACT Council for increasing the number of students taking the ACT Assessment over the past five years and significantly increasing their level of achievement and college readiness. The Texas ACT Council is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT, Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Texas schools and colleges. ACT, Inc. is the not-for-profit organization that provides assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce development and the publisher of the ACT Assessment. The ACT Assessment is the college admissions test that is used and accepted by all colleges nationwide and throughout Texas. In 2012, over 39% of Texas graduating high school seniors took the ACT in Texas while the total number of Texas students taking the ACT has increased over 40% since 2008.