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Wednesday - September 30, 2009
SMART Boards add Interactive Learning to Cristo Rey Jesuit Classrooms
The English classroom at Cristo Rey Jesuit goes silent as a single student steps up to the board and stops for a moment to think, her classmates now shouting out suggestions and cheering her on. In front of her is an array of colorful boxes projected onto a large computer screen, and, after some coaxing from her teammates, she chooses one, touches it, and it fades away to reveal one of her vocabulary words from the week’s lesson: “Narcissistic.” At the bottom of the board is a pinwheel of activities. She spins the wheel by touching the interactive screen, and as it lands on “Act Out the Word,” her entire team howls with laughter and approval, and she laughs too, knowing they will win the point.
For English teacher, Andrew Hoyt, this is his first time using a SMART Board; “it completely transforms the way I envision the classroom space . . . anything we read, write, or discuss becomes immediately interactive.” By using the SMART Board to annotate an important part of a novel together as a class, Mr. Hoyt says that he and his teaching partner, Deacon Dan Addis, can invite the students to enter into the text in a way that simple encouragement cannot; “we can show them the way in. I can’t imagine a better tool to stir up excitement as our students take their first steps toward reading critically and writing eloquently.”
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Wednesday - September 30, 2009
Cristo Rey Jesuit 2010-2011 Student Recruitment Begins
This time last year, our Admissions Committee embarked on a campaign to convince students to buy into the idea of Cristo Rey Jesuit, the newest – and first co-educational – Jesuit institution in the South. “We had a mission fueled by the heart and dedication of many supporters, but we did not yet have halls filled with the energy and enthusiasm of teachers and students” reflected Sujey Romero, Director of Admissions. After a year of successfully spreading the word about our innovative program, this August, the doors opened to 82 students from across the Houston area. Now, the school is abuzz with the bustling-about of our students as they find their way to and from both classes and work.
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Wednesday - September 30, 2009
Channel 13 News Visits Corporate Sponsors and Our Students at Work!
After only two weeks on the job, Cristo Rey Jesuit students are making an impression on the working world. On September 15, 2009, Cynthia Cisneros, ABC Channel 13 newscaster, visited two Cristo Rey Jesuit students at their workplaces (The Methodist Hospital System and UHY Advisors) to see how the students were faring. In a cubicle with his name plate visible, Daniel Presas was busy entering data on to his desktop computer in the audit department of UHY Advisors in Greenway Plaza. Ms. Cisneros asked Daniel if he felt prepared for his work-study job after completing the 4-week training camp. Daniel replied that he “was very nervous at first, but everyone has been so nice that I don’t feel stupid when I have to ask questions.” Milton Frankfort, Managing Director and co-founder of the firm, told Ms. Cisneros that Daniel and the other Cristo Rey Jesuit students are gaining valuable corporate work experience that will give them an advantage as they seek jobs after college graduation.
The Methodist Hospital System was the next stop, where Ms. Cisneros dropped in on Ayanna Ross in the Human Resources department. With a big smile on her face and a pink ribbon in her hair, fourteen year old Ayanna showed Ms. Cisneros around her office. Ayanna said that her workday is her favorite day of the week. “We just love the students and feel fortunate to take part in providing this wonderful opportunity. Their energy, enthusiasm, and optimism are great enhancements to our team” said Mr. Willie French, Director of Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Strategies.
Each day at approximately 7:30 am, twenty students board two school buses and are transported to their jobs around Houston. The students are dropped off at locations near their offices and begin their workday. At the end of the day, the students are picked up and brought back to the school to be greeted by their parents or guardians. The days are long, but the satisfaction is great as students like Daniel and Ayanna realize that they are gaining amazing work experience while helping to pay for their education.
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Tuesday - September 08, 2009
First Day of Classes
Today was the first day of class at Cristo Rey Jesuit, and we have pictures! During breaks, and after school, students were heard to remark how they enjoyed their classes, that the teachers are fun, and how neat the SMART Boards are. While our Tuesday work-study students were out at their jobs, the Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday students were in Math, English, Biology, and Business Communications classes. The school day begins at 7:30, with announcements and a prayer, and first period follows. Each class is 1 hour 30 minutes, with two periods before lunch, and two periods after lunch. The day ends at 4:00 with further announcements and a prayer. Many students are staying on campus for extracurricular activities, while some are heading home.
After many months of hard work by our staff, commitment by our volunteers, and support from our donors, class is now in-session at Cristo Rey Jesuit!
Read More to see more pictures of our first day
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Tuesday - September 08, 2009
Cristo Rey Jesuit's First Day - Off to Work!
Today is the first day of class at Cristo Rey Jesuit, the newest Jesuit school in the country!
This morning, our students were looking sharp as they filed into classrooms, ready for their first day of school and work. Dr. Thomas did the announcements, and classes began. This is a very big day for everyone, but especially for our students heading to their jobs. This morning, our students left to work at companies like Vinson & Elkins, Sanchez Oil and Gas Corporation, Grant Thornton LLP, and UHY Advisors. As they filed onto busses that will bring them to their jobs, the students were a bit nervous, but very excited to be going to work for their companies. The opportunity to gain real-world work experience is one of the aspects of Cristo Rey Jesuit that attracted our students to this school, and one of the most exciting aspects of their education.
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Friday - September 04, 2009
Cristo Rey Jesuit's Inaugural Mass of the Holy Spirit
On Thursday, September 4, Cristo Rey Jesuit celebrated its first Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a tradition in Catholic schools (especially Jesuit schools), and is an opportunity to thank God for where we have come, and to pray for the new school year.
The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Gavleston-Houston, and concelebrated by Fr. TJ Martinez, SJ, President of Cristo Rey Jesuit, and Fr. Mark Lewis, SJ, the Provincial of the New Orleans Jesuit Province, as well as the Jesuit community of Houston, the Priests of the Society of Jesus, and the Priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Reverend Mr. Daniel Addis, a faculty member of Cristo Rey Jesuit, was also part of the mass, serving as the Deacon. Groups from all over the city of Houston participated in this historic event: The Knights of Columbus, the Catholic African-American Mass Choir, the Strake Jesuit & St. Agnes Academy Chamber Orchestra and Triple Trio, as well as the Cristo Rey Jesuit Student Choir. Thanks to Susan Martin, Bob Pearl, and many volunteers, the Gym (where the mass was held) was decorated beautifully, with two large "Cristo Rey Jesuit" banners, lighting and sound by Data Projections, and a platform (done as an Eagle Scout project) on which the Mass was said.
With more than 600 in attendance, from our students and their families, to supporters and friends of Cristo Rey Jesuit, Archbishop Fiorenza delivered an impassioned and moving homily, expressing his excitement for the school, for our students, and the city of Houston. After communion, Fr. TJ Martinez, SJ, spoke about the historic moment, and all of the pieces that came together to start this school. Fr. Mark Lewis, SJ, followed, focusing on the tradition of Jesuit education and the connection of students from all Jesuit schools. The students all received Cristo Rey Jesuit pins, blessed by the Archbishop, and distributed by our Board of Directors.
Following the mass, we hosted a reception for our guests, with food and drinks, as well as a Mariachi band. The evening was a wonderful way to kick-off the school year, and bring friends and family together to see our school.
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