Clear Creek Independent School District

During every CCISD Board of Trustees meeting, students and employees are honored for receiving awards and achieving excellence in academics or athletics. During the December 17, 2012 meeting, the District’s two lead nurses were recognized for giving a McWhirter Elementary family the ultimate gift. Jerri Stepp and Pam Alford are credited with saving the life of four month old Jhordyn Harris.

Stepp and Alford were on duty on November 26 at Clear View Education Center in Webster. Normally, the two of them divide and conquer the health needs at 44 CCISD campuses, but around 3 o’clock on this day they both happened to be together at Clear View. Across the street, Jovan Harris was picking up her children at McWhirter Elementary with her newborn, Jhordyn, when something went terribly wrong. The four month old stopped breathing.  Harris knew the schools had nurses, and she quickly ran to Clear View. Jerri Stepp and Pam Alford were able to perform CPR and resuscitate the infant. “It is because of their efforts, Jhordyn will be spending this Christmas with his parents and 7 siblings,” said Dr. Greg Smith, CCISD Superintendent of Schools. The Harris family was on hand as well, surprising the nurses and thanking them again for saving their baby’s life. 

The CCISD Board of Trustees also recognized a group of 15 educators who have joined the ranks of the nation’s most accomplished teachers. Each of them received their National Board Certification. “This rigorous and intense two year program is considered the gold standard in education,” explained Dr. Smith. “These educators sought this certification because they knew it would benefit the children in their classrooms.” CCISD teachers earning National Board Certification are as follows:

An honored CCISD tradition was also recognized during the December board meeting. Winners of the annual Holiday Card Design contest were announced. Each year, art students in kindergarten through 12th grade bring their own magic to the season by creating their very own card designs.  The students’ winning work is featured on more than 800 district holiday cards. Please join CCISD in congratulating the following students:

• Rida Siddiqi Landolt Elementary 4th grade 
• Arkadia Berdich Mossman Elementary 5th grade
• Jessa Westheimer Seabrook Intermediate 8th grade 
• Alexandra Trevino Seabrook Intermediate 8th grade
• Ted Shi Clear Lake High School sophomore
• Sara Gerke Clear Creek High School senior
• Brittney Vasquez Clear Falls High School senior 
• Raquel Jaeger Clear Springs High School senior 

The Board of Trustees also unanimously approved the selection of Rupert Jaso as the new assistant principal of Clear Creek High School. He was most recently a Physical Education and health teacher at Clear Lake High School.