| San Antonio School District's Harris Middle School | | | | discussion. The representative visited classrooms |
| selected national "Middle School of the Year" | | | | following the panel forum. The information that |
| Harris Middle School is being recognized for its | | | | was collected at Brackenridge was taken to |
| students' efforts to improve their community's | | | | judges in New York, where they reviewed all nine |
| quality of life. This summer Harris Middle School | | | | finalists. The Award recognizes high schools that |
| has received the National Youth Crime Watch of | | | | maintain AP or International Baccalaureate |
| America Casey Award presented during the | | | | programs despite the difficulties at the school. |
| international conference in Ogden, Utah. This | | | | Special Functions in the San Antonio Schools this |
| award is given to those individuals or organizations | | | | Summer |
| that offer examples of leadership, allocation of | | | | GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness |
| resources, and support in student or youth crime | | | | for Undergraduate Programs) will hold a "Summer |
| prevention programs and plans. Harris Middle | | | | Academy CSI" from 8 a.m. to noon at eight high |
| School, part of the San Antonio Schools, was the | | | | schools in the San Antonio School District. This |
| only middle school in the US to receive this honor. | | | | program will focus on the application and value of |
| Harris Middle School was chosen for its students' | | | | science in forensic investigation. Students will be |
| tremendous efforts in improvement of its | | | | able to participate in solving mock crimes. The |
| campus and community. This was accomplished | | | | students will uses skills they learn in the program. |
| by programs that focused on conflict resolution, | | | | Using their powers of observation, analytical skills |
| theft prevention, street clean-ups, and smoking | | | | and advanced scientific technology to uncover the |
| and drug awareness programs. This has resulted | | | | most minuscule evidence, students will attempt to |
| in the Harris Middle School being one of the | | | | solve the crimes. Based on the popular CSI |
| safest, friendliest, and positive school | | | | television programs, this adventure for |
| environments in the state. Students are active | | | | 6th-graders combines science, math and language |
| participants in the Peer Assistance Leadership | | | | arts, resulting in a learning experience as fun as it |
| group and the Peer Mediators, these groups teach | | | | is enlightening. "Summer Academy CSI" is part of, |
| understanding and conflict resolution strategies. | | | | designed to help the class of 2012 be prepared |
| Harris Middle School was also a past recipient of | | | | for success in college and beyond. |
| the San Antonio Bar Foundation's Peacemaker | | | | The "Christopher Columbus and the Americas" |
| Award, which chooses safe schools throughout | | | | program will be offered at two San Antonio |
| the San Antonio School District. | | | | School District middle schools from 8:30 a.m. to |
| Brackenridge High School Recognized in National | | | | 2:30 p.m. Students will discover all aspects of |
| Award | | | | what the New World was like at the time the |
| Brackenridge High School received honorable | | | | famed explorer first landed on its shores, including |
| mention as one of nine finalists nationwide for the | | | | its culture, history, geography, and myths. By |
| College Board's Inspiration Award, which | | | | integrating social studies and language arts, the |
| recognizes the country's most improved high | | | | course also examines the impact of the resulting |
| schools. A College Board representative facilitated | | | | "Colombian Exchange" through which Native |
| a panel discussion with school administrators, | | | | Americans and Europeans introduced to each |
| staff, students, and parents. The representative | | | | other a variety of different animals, concepts, |
| was especially interested in hearing from students. | | | | crops, foods, and materials. |
| Approximately 20 students were part of the | | | | |