RAZORBACK EXPRESS
A weekly newsletter brought to you by James Hogg Middle School
Vol. 5, Issue 20
Friday, January 17, 2 0 2 0
  We are an IB World School in the heart of the Heights.
  • Holiday - No School: Mon. 1/20
Staff of the Week: Ms. Briceno!
Ms. J. Briceno, dance instructor and magnet secretary at Hogg Middle School, is our Staff of the Week because she exhibits the IB Learner Trait of PRINCIPLED! Ms. Briceno believes she was chosen as PRINCIPLED because she is big supporter of treating others with respect, speaking the truth and believes that honesty is transparent.
Ms. Briceno believes that family is core. She loves to feed people and above all, she loves kids. She is a product of HISD schools. She attended community college and transferred to University of Houston. 
Teaching was meant to be for Ms. Briceno. She states, “It just happened!” Her hobbies include cooking, listening to music and working out. 
A piece of advice she would have for a fellow colleague on being PRINCIPLED is to remember where you came from and where you are going. She adds, “Your life is what you make of it.” A secret she would like to share is that she has lost 15 lbs. in 1 month! Way to go, Ms. Briceno!

Interview by Kate Wetherold & Emily Ruiz
Photo by Ryder Tayrien
Student of the Week: Noel Aviles!
Noel Aviles, 7 th Grader at Hogg Middle School, is our Student of the Week because he exhibits the IB Learner Trait of THINKER! He believes he was chosen for that specific trait because whenever he does things, he always thinks “outside the box and uses different perspectives.” 
Noel is involved in karate and is interested in pursuing computer programming. His favorite subject at school is science because he loves learning about biology and chemistry. His hobbies include working with computers, playing outside with friends, and loves exploring which is why he loves traveling.
Some of Noel’s accolades include recognitions for playing the trumpet in band, and certificates for being principled and a thinker. His role model is his dad because whenever he thinks about him it reminds him that he always tells him, “do better than me!” That statement always encourages Noel to do better.
A piece of advice Noel would have for a fellow peer is to never underestimate their imagination and always see things with a different perspective.

Interview by Victoria Ramazzini
Photo by Ryder Tayrien

Shine a  Spotlight   on Good Deeds
Student and Staff Nominations Open to all Hogg Students, Teachers, and Families.

Have you seen a Hogg Student, Faculty or Staff member doing something that deserves recognition? Please complete the following form and submit a nominee for Student and/or Staff of the Week.

A Note from Nurse Mack
Attention all 6 th grade parents:
Has your child gotten received the Tdap and MCV4 (meningococcal) vaccine? If so, please provide an immunization record to Nurse Mack. If not, it is time to start thinking about making an appointment. Some of you have received reminders already. Tdap and MCV4 are REQUIRED for 7 th grade, and if your child does not have it, he or she may not be enrolled until the vaccines have been received. For more information, please check out the Texas Department of State Health Services website at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/school-requirements.aspx .

If you have any other questions, please feel free to call Nurse Mack at 713-802-4700.  
Hogg 2020 Spelling Bee Winner
Congratulations, Emmett Clanton (pictured on left below) for being the Hogg 2020 Spelling Bee Champion! He and runner up, William Connell, both 6th graders, had a nail-biting runoff that went two rounds.
Full Circle IB Moment for Hogg
Following the Path of a Refugee
Sixty Heights High School students led the Refugee Pathway Stations today. Many of those were former Hogg Students when Hogg received its International Baccalaureate(IB) status in 2013. Thank you Learn Local, PTA, Ms. Andrade and Ms. Saldana for their efforts in building a strong Hogg IB Community. When former Hogg students taught current Hogg Students about the refugee experience, the IB program came full circle.

As an extension of our 1 Book 1 School activities, all students followed the path of a refugee. Ask your child about their experience and what stood out. 

Thank you high school students, representatives from refugee organizations, and parent volunteers for an amazing day. 

7th graders received the book Refugee in their language arts classes at the beginning of the year. 6th graders received their books in November through their World Cultures classes. 8th graders will receive their copies the last week of January. 

Upcoming 1 Book 1 School events include:
Alan Gratz author visit at Hogg February 21st
Literacy Night April 16th
Socks, Hats and Blankets Drive
Hogg's Community Service Club is conducting a sock, hat, and blanket drive to give to the less fortunate. We will start taking donations of never-used knitted beanie hats, socks and blankets on the January 13th - February 3rd. You may bring your donations to Ms. Jones (math teacher) in room 218. Please give these donations during your ADVO or Homeroom class.

Please support your school by giving donations of hats, socks, and blankets to the ones without.

For more information contact Trina.Jones@houstonisd.org.
Softball Parent Meeting
Congratulations to the 2020 Lady Razorbacks softball team! There will be a mandatory Parent/Student meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 5:30pm .

Contact Coach Hardaway for any questions.
Baseball Team Fundraiser
Support the Hogg Baseball team and get a full week of free dress. The Hogg Baseball team will be selling free-dress passes during lunch in the cafeteria Tuesday, January 21 through Friday, January 24. The cost is $10 and the pass is good for the entire week of January 27-31.
Track and Field Sign Ups
Wednesday January 22nd: Track parent meeting @ 5pm Hogg cafeteria (mandatory). Please email Coach Brown if you’re not able to make it: brandon.brown2@houstonisd.org
 
Thursday, January 30th: First day of track practice @ 6:45 am.
Black History Celebration Wants You!
Chili-Cook Off Sign Up
Do you make a mean chili? If so, signup here to participate in our first ever chili cook off as we celebrate the Legacy of the Black Cowboy at this year's Black History Month Celebration! We can't wait to taste your chili masterpiece!


PTA Needs Volunteers
Hi Hogg Community,

We have some new ways to volunteer at Hogg.

First is our 2nd Annual Black History Event (only event like this in HISD). Last year was fantastic, please consider volunteering to make it even better this year. 

Black History Night


The other opportunity is to distribute Free Dress Passes during lunch. This Free Dress Pass is for people who purchased certain levels for their PTA membership, or for our volunteer level who have accomplished their volunteer hours. Free Dress will be 3/2-3/6

PTA Membership Level Free Dress Pass Distribution


As always, thank-you for your time and effort to make Hogg such an amazing community and school. 

Cheryl Hensley
PTA Volunteer Coordinator
Attention 6th Grade Girls!
The Houston Hispanic Forum (HHF) is hosting its 34 th Annual Career and Education Day on Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center. All students grades 6-12 and their parents are invited to attend. The event is free, and lunch will be provided.
 
At HHF Career and Education Day, participants will:
  • Attend high-impact sessions on prospective careers and career fields (STEM, Arts & Humanities, Business Industry, Public Service, and Multidisciplinary Studies).
  • Visit with both local and national college representatives.
  • Receive hands-on financial aid assistance.

Transportation may be provided with a minimum of 20 students attending. Permission slips are available in office 201. In addition, HHF is requesting that students pre-register for the event online at https://bit.ly/2ssZTVD. To ease this process, students can register on the bus prior to the event using their cell phones.
Did you miss a previous issue of the Razorback Express? No problem!
Just visit the Hogg Website by clicking the link below.
James Hogg Middle School | ph: (713) 802-4700 | fax: (713) 802-4708 | jameshoggms@houstonisd.org