Tag Archives: Montwood High School

Montwood High School brought literacy and technology together with a new program called Virtual Book Tasting. The technique allows students to use their laptops to sample, checkout and read eBooks.

The idea is similar to a popular trend nationwide called book tasting, in which students look at three or four book titles at their school library and determine if they want to read the literature. But a virtual book tasting lets students use any mobile device to check out eBooks they like and return it when they are ready. There are no deadlines or late fees.

“The idea is for students to enjoy reading and to really develop a lifelong appreciation for reading and for literature,” said Dr. Kirk Macon, lead librarian at Montwood. “It’s the first time it is done anywhere in El Paso, not just in our district.”

The lesson blends the district’s DNA 1:1 initiative (one laptop for every high school student) MackinVIA (the SISD libraries’ eBook system), Nearpod (an instructional software with interactive learning experiences) and student choices about their own independent reading or finding “just the right book,” Macon said.

Students click on MackinVIA eBook summaries, develop their own “backpack” of books based on genres, and personal preferences of reading material, and then check out the items virtually, he said.

“We just have a lot of options out there,” he said. “The eBooks are great. This is what we will be doing from now on.”

Montwood library media specialist Jennifer Marquez said the students have really enjoyed the process.

“Every student we’ve served has been engaged and enthusiastic about the library and 21st century learning,” Marquez said.

Alyssa Orozco, ninth grader, found that the program made browsing, checking out and reading books easier.

“You don’t have to go through the aisles,” Orozco said. “You just search it on your laptop and its right there for you. I thought it was interesting finding out all the different types of books they have available. I like the variety. I find this is much more relaxing. I think it was really cool.”

Classmate Kayla Jimenez said she sampled four books and found one she liked.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” she said. “We got the chance to find w

In a Thursday Night matchup between the first and second schools ever opened in the Socorro district, the namesake Socorro Bulldogs traveled north to take on the Montwood Rams.

The Rams defended their home turf, defeating the Bulldogs 69-38.

As part of a very special series, Montwood High School football supporter and honorary team member Kieran Johnson scored in the second quarter.  (video below gallery)

Our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics.’

The Montwood Rams hosted the powerhouse from the Permian Basin Friday afternoon at the SAC: the Midland Lee Rebels.

Our very own Johnny Mendiola was there and brings you his view of the game in the ‘Story in Many Pics.’

It was a battle of the Far East Side titans as the Montwood Rams hosted the Eastlake Falcons at the SAC Friday Night.

And battle they did as the Rams grounded the Falcons 22-13.

Our very own Julio Vasquez was there and brings you his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

Fifteen Socorro Independent School District counseling teams are being recognized by the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) for winning the 2017-2018 Lone Star Award.

The 15 SISD campuses were among the 32 counseling programs statewide that received the distinction. The Lone Star Award recognizes counseling teams for their effective school counseling programs that advocate for students.

“We are very proud of the 15 school counseling programs that received the Lone Star Bronze and Silver Awards,” said Tammy Mackeben, director of guidance and counseling. “This is a true testament to the quality counseling programs we have in Socorro ISD focusing on academic, career and social emotional needs of all students.”

Seven counseling teams earned a Silver Award and eight teams received a Bronze Award. The silver award recipients are Helen Ball, James P. Butler, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte elementary schools, Desert Wind and Paso del Norte K-8 schools, SPC. Rafael Hernando III Middle School and Montwood High School.

Bronze Award recipients are Chester E. Jordan, Hurshel Antwine, Lujan-Chavez and Purple Heart elementary schools, Bill Sybert and John Drugan K-8 schools, and Socorro and Capt. Water E. Clarke middle schools.

Next year, the association will create criteria for a Gold level award. The Lone Star Award is designed to progressively prepare school counselors to be recognized by the American School Counselors Association as Recognized ASCA Model Program winners. RAMP honors school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle or high school level.

“Although the awards are exciting, the most important part of the recognition are the excellent services provided to Team SISD students,” Mackeben said.

The teams will be recognized at the 2nd annual School Counselor Conference Nov. 5-7, 2017 in Frisco, TX.

Montwood High School’s National Honor Society is hosting Sciencepalooza, a hands-on workshop and science demonstration for kindergarten to eighth grade students, on April 15 at the high school, 12000 Montwood Dr.

The science event will help younger students to better understand science, chemistry and other science-related fields.

The event is also a community service project for Montwood NHS to raise funds for La Posada Home for Women and Children, a non-profit organization in Downtown El Paso that helps homeless women and children.

Sciencepalooza costs $20 per child and students will receive a T-shirt, snacks and lunch.

What:             Montwood High School National Honor Society’s Sciencepalooza.

Who:               High school, middle and elementary students, Montwood High School National Honor Society, teachers

Where:           Montwood High School |  12000 Montwood Dr.

 When:             Saturday, April 15, 2017 |  8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In an effort to raise awareness and increase the number of organ donors within the state of Texas, student council organizations in the Socorro Independent School District partnered with Donate Life Texas to participate in “Dare to Dream. Dare to Do,” the annual Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) campaign to help the cause.

The statewide project will allow Team SISD student council groups to educate the community about the need for organ/tissue donations, and encourage them to register as donors. The goal is to make a difference by saving lives.

According to Donate Life America, 125,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants, and every 10 minutes another person is added to the list.

“A few weeks ago I met a lady who shared her story of battling cancer for more than ten years and how grateful she was for her lung and kidney transplant,” said Flor Dominguez, senior student at Socorro High School and the student council community service chair. “It wasn’t until I looked into her eyes that I fully understood the impact a donor can have.”

Each campus will strive to meet its goal of 200 registrations to have a collective total of more than 1,000 registrations. The schools will promote registrations at basketball games, school assemblies, parent nights and on their school websites.

“This is a unique project,” said Lorraine Varela, student activities director at Americas High School. “It’s teaching students the importance of giving back and true service, helping one another. We are extremely excited to be a part of such a large project that will essentially help save lives.”

To learn more about the “Dare to Dream. Dare to Do” initiative click HERE. Below are the links for the SISD school campaigns.

Americas High School

Eastlake High School

El Dorado High School

Montwood High School

Socorro High School

Pebble Hills High School