NEWS

SHARPSTOWN NEWS

6/18/10

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SHARPSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL NEWS (6/18)

NEW PRINCIPAL NAMED: On Friday, June 11, a gathering was held at Sharpstown High School to introduce the new principal, Mr. Rob Gasparello. Mr. Gasparello is from North Carolina and is currently in the process of relocating to Houston, and it is my understanding that he requested assignment to our school. He is expected to be on campus by June 22.

Mr. Gasparello is replacing Mr. John Allen, who was recently promoted to the position of School Improvement Officer over several high schools in HISD (Mr. Kevin Hobbs is SHS's School Improvement Officer).

Mr. Gasparello has great plans for Sharpstown High School in academics and appearance. An avid gardener, he says we can anticipate a spruced up landscape in the near future. Construction is currently underway to replace the track at the high school.

SHARPSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL NAMED AS ONE OF "AMERICA'S BEST HIGH SCHOOLS" BY NEWSWEEK: Sharpstown High School was ranked as America's 556th Best High School (above Lamar High School at 566). They have made phenomenal progress in recent years and we are very proud of this honor. You can see the Newsweek piece at: http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/americas-best-high-schools.html

APOLLO 20: Notwithstanding the above, you may have heard that Sharpstown High School is part of the Apollo 20 program for "underperforming schools". This is true, but there is more going on than meets the eye. Sharpstown has made phenomenal progress and had some of the best student growth in HISD and the state of Texas. "Underperforming" is determined by averaging performance over several years. As any student knows, you can receive scores of 90 on four tests, but one zero brings that average down to 72. This is much the case at Sharpstown High School. If more recent numbers had been used, they probably would not have qualified for Apollo 20.

There is no question that Sharpstown High School started very far behind and they have taken great strides to improve (most stunningly under the leadership of former Principal John Allen). There is always room for improvement, and the dollars coming with this program will allow even greater student growth and achievement. There are many other strings that come with this money including mandating extra tutoring, personnel reassignment, longer school days and a longer school year. You may have seen reports about so-called "underperforming teachers" being reassigned to other schools. This is not exactly the case. Many teachers who left/were removed decided to pursue other careers or chose to seek other assignments because they did not wish to deal with the "strings" that are part of the Apollo 20 program; this does not mean he or she is a "bad teacher". Teachers are contracted year to year and must be "re-hired" each year at their current schools or accepted and hired by another school.

We look forward to the continuing success of Sharpstown High School.

SHARPSTOWN CIVIC ASSOCIATION OBJECTS TO NIGHTCLUB (2/10)
By Milton Winebrenner

Following a series of reports from our residents that the former Finger’s Furniture space in Sharpstown mall was to be developed as a large nightclub, your Association investigated that matter. We found that a mixed-beverage license, including a “late hours” license, had been applied for by the proposed operator of the nightclub. Rumors are that the nightclub would accommodate 2000-3000 patrons.

The Association’s Board of Directors discussed this matter and the impact that such a nightclub would likely have on the Sharpstown community. Following that review, the Board voted to file a protest of the licenses with the Texas Alcoholic & Beverages Commission (known as the “TABC”). Our protest was filed on January 22nd.

Your Board, and we believe most Sharpstown homeowners, want to see the mall revitalized and succeed. While we define the reasons in our protest that we do not believe the nightclub should be granted those licenses, we also pointed out the following:

“Our Association strongly supports business development in the community as well as the Sharpstown Mall. However, we believe such development/redevelopment should contribute to the overall improvement of the community through the providing of needed goods and services. Our protest affirms our belief that this nightclub does not meet that criteria.”

It is our understanding that others either have or will be filing similar protests. We have also formally asked our elected officials to join our homeowners in protesting these licenses.

STRAKE JESUIT TO HOST 'SHATTERED DREAMS' PROGRAM (2/10)

Strake Jesuit, in conjunction with Memorial Hermann Hospital, will be hosting a program on Thursday morning April 8, 2010 entitled 'Shattered Dreams.' The program is intended to bring home to students the consequences of drinking and driving. Due to the nature of the program and the activity to be involved, the school wanted to alert area businesses and residents in advance.

As a part of the program that morning, the school will stage a car accident on school grounds before the entire student body. Student 'actors' will take on various roles including that of a fatality, injured passengers, and a drunk driver who caused the 'accident.' The Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, an ambulance and Life Flight will all 'respond' to the accident scene.

If you should have any questions, please contact the Director of Communications at Strake Jesuit, Rick Rivers, at 713.490.8225 or rrivers@strakejesuit.org. THIS NOTICE IS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU THE MASS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES CONVERGING ON STRAKE, IT IS NOT AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY BUT A SCHEDULED SIMULATION.

UTILITY CONSTRUCTION (2/10)

We have received notice of several Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation projects in Sections 5, CCT-1 and CCT-2. The project began Feb. 2 and is expected to be finished within 30 days. Read the letter and view the work order/map.

REVISED CHANGE IN YARD WASTE COLLECTION (1/19)

Beginning APRIL 5, 2010, the City of Houston will pick up yard waste (leaves, grass trimmings, etc.) only if they are in City-approved compostable bags. Additionally, the City has stated that yard trimmings placed in garbage cart or any other type of container or bag will not be collected.

This change is due to a revision to City Ordinance Chapter 39, Article IV; consequently, violation of the ordinance can result in a citation and fine. For more info on the program, visit www.houstonsolidwaste.org.

An alternative to purchasing and using new bags is to not bag at all -- simply leave grass clippings on the lawn (grasscycling) or compost yard trimmings for use in flower beds or gardens rather than bagging. This is a natural and excellent lawn fertilization product.

NOTE: THIS CHANGE DOES NOT APPLY TO HEAVY TRASH, ONLY BAGGED WASTE.

LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION (12/24/09)

The "El Corral" nightclub, to be located at the old Finger's Furniture site inside Sharpstown Mall has filed their application for a liquor & after hours beverage licenses. SCA will protest this effort with every available resource and we'll keep you updated on this site and in the SCAN.

NEW SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN SHARPSTOWN (12/24/09)

An intermediate academy (Grades 4, 5, 6) will be built on the campus of Sharpstown Middle School and will shift student populations from Neff and Ed White Elementary Schools (Grades 4 & 5) and SMS (Grade 6). This is in the planning phase and construction is due to begin some time in 2010. A similar configuaration is at Sugar Grove Academy (formerly Sugar Grove Elementary), serving students from Bonham and McNamara Elemenary Schools. Comments and questions may be directed to Margaret Mitchell at info@sharpstownscan.com.

SHARPSTOWN CENTER TO GET NEW NAME (12/24/09)

We received the following press release from Grupo Zocalo. Comments should be directed to the contact person listed on the press release.

LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATION (10/1/09)

We have received information that a liquor license has been applied for at a proposed new night club in Sharpstown. We are running down information and will report updates on this site and in the SCAN.