The open-enrollment public charter high school will turn focus on new programs for students

Texans Can Academies has been announced as a recipient of the 2018-2019 Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Cycle 10, Year 1 grant program that became effective on their campuses August 1, 2018. The non-profit charter high school district will utilize the funds of the grant program to enhance the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) enrichment programs at their eight campuses in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. The federally-funded program, also called Texas Afterschool Centers or Texas ACE, recognizes organizations that offer academic programs before and after school hours, as well as during the summer months.

Texans Can Academies will actively begin expanding the STEAM programs currently offered on campus to allow students more opportunities to practice their newly developed skills. The STEAM programs collectively make up a series of career fields and focuses that are considered the core tools in guiding the student’s dialogue and critical thinking abilities. Teaching relevant, in-demand skills provide young adults with marketable skills upon high school graduation, which is a core pillar behind Texans Can Academies’ curriculum.

STEAM adds the arts to the original STEM framework and provides a method to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer. Within the framework of STEAM classes also stems modeling and evaluation. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that jobs in science, technology and math will grow by 17% by the end of 2018.

“We recognize that our students have a hunger to learn or they would not be here today,” said Richard Marquez, President and CEO of Texans Can Academies. “It is important to us to provide them with the tools necessary to succeed and excel in their desired career fields beyond graduating from high school.”

Texans Can Academies believes in providing the highest quality education for all students. The high school’s curriculum has been designed to prepare their students for life beyond high school graduation with skills and concepts such as Marquez Reading, critical thinking, college preparation, workforce etiquette and more. The non-profit combines a unique network of 14 public charter high schools located throughout the state of Texas in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. To date, more than 143,000 youth have been given an opportunity for success in the classroom with the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

About Texans Can Academies

Celebrating 33 years of providing the highest quality education for all students, Texans Can schools are graduating thinkers. Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 14 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 143,000 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Texans Can - Cars for Kids™ is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization benefiting Texans Can Academies and is the only car donation program in Texas that is operated by the charity it serves. For more information, visit www.texanscan.org or www.texanscancars.com.

Countdown to Class 2018 school uniform drive has begun

Texans Can Academies, a non-profit organization giving young Texans a second chance at life through education, today announced that they are sponsoring a back-to-school fund drive, Countdown to Class, for their students who need assistance getting ready for the approaching school year. As summertime comes to an end, students across the state of Texas are gearing up for the upcoming first day of school. While some are out shopping for new clothes or visiting their campus to pick up their school uniforms, others are faced with the dilemma of affording new clothes. Texans Can Academies understands the challenges a lot of families face with back-to-school expenses and wants their students to begin the school year with confidence and refreshed outlooks.

From now until September, Texans Can Academies is hosting their annual Countdown to Class 2018 Uniform Drive to raise funds that will benefit students at their 14 campuses across the state of Texas. The open-enrollment public charter high school has campuses located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The funds from the drive will benefit students and their families by providing brand new clothes that fit properly to wear as the school’s uniform of khaki pants and white collared shirts. A $75 donation will provide one pair of pants, two shirts, socks and a belt for one student.

The Countdown to Class 2018 fundraiser officially ends August 20th. Donations will be accepted until the 31st specifically for uniforms. 

“We know the expense of school supplies and clothing can put a major dent in the household budget for a lot of families,” said Richard Marquez, President and CEO of Texans Can Academies. “All donations will help our families provide back-to-school items so that their children will feel proud and comfortable during the school year. It’s especially important for teenagers to feel confident in what they are wearing when they are in school so they focus on learning.”

A 2018 study by Deloitte found that the average United States household planned to spend $510 per child on back-to-school shopping. The National Retail Federation estimates that families shopping for students this year will spend the most on clothing, about $237 per school-age child.

The cost of clothes and school supplies for teenagers can create financial and emotional strains on families that cannot be met and can lead to a child dropping out of school. Texans Can Academies takes steps every year to offer solutions to any obstacles students face outside their classrooms to help them remain in school and graduate.

“We know that if children don’t have school supplies or the proper clothes to wear to school, they may decide to stay home,” continued Marquez. “Our goal throughout our campuses and programming is to break down barriers to educational success. We are asking for help to raise funds for our kids to have clothes they are proud to wear to school throughout the school year. All children deserve to come to school wearing clothes that fit comfortably and feeling like they look their best.”

Texans Can Academies believes in providing the highest quality education for all students. The high school’s curriculum has been designed to prepare their students for life beyond high school graduation with skills and concepts such as Marquez Reading, thinking skills, college preparation, workforce etiquette and more. Classes are structured with a learning, yet nurturing environment that touches on student-centered decision making.

Serving the education system for 33 years, Texans Can Academies provides open enrollment, public high schools of choice for students who have struggled in traditional high school settings. To participate in Texans Can Academies’ 2018-2019 Uniform Drive, please visit www.texanscan.org/countdown2class2018.

About Texans Can Academies

Celebrating 33 years of providing the highest quality education for all students, Texans Can schools are graduating thinkers. Texans Can Academies are a unique network of 14 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. The schools are tuition-free, open enrollment, public high schools of choice serving students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. To date, more than 143,000 youth have been given a second chance at life with the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Texans Can - Cars for Kids (TM) tax-exempt organization benefiting Texans Can Academies and is the only car donation program in Texas that is operated by the charity it serves. For more information, visit www.texanscan.org or www.texanscancars.com.

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Last month, Merriman Anderson/Architects (MAA) was nominated for the 2018 Architect of the Year by Cummings Electrical and was selected by the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) North Texas Members for the award.

“We want to thank Cummings Electrical for nominating our firm for this award and American Subcontractors Association for the special recognition,” said Merriman Anderson/Architects Founder and President Jerry Merriman, AIA. “We are honored to be selected and appreciate Cummings Electrical’s support not only for this award but consistently with our collaboration on projects.”

MAA was recognized at ASA’s 40th Annual Awards Night on June 7, 2018, at the DFW Marriott North. ASA is a unified, effective organization working to improve the economic wellbeing of subcontractors/suppliers and alleviate problems affecting the construction industry. The organization has a long history of honoring general contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers each year. Nominees and winners for the Architect of the Year award are chosen by the ASA North Texas members, which are comprised of subcontractors, suppliers and industry professionals.

The MAA stamp can be seen on a wide range of project types throughout the United States and internationally. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with additional offices in Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina, the firm offers customized project solutions to a varied portfolio of clients. With projects such as The Statler, Dallas High School, The Centrum, Bell Helicopter’s Global Headquarters, THE DREVER, and Grandscape Lifestyle Center, Merriman Anderson/Architects is an industry leader in Dallas and across the country.

Texans Can Academies welcomes Felicia Gummi as the director of development for their six Dallas campuses. She joins Texans Can as the former director of philanthropy at Genesis Women’s Shelter Dallas.

As the director of development for Texans Can Academies – Dallas, Felicia will manage all aspects of the Development Department, which includes fundraising and community outreach. Felicia will be responsible for representing Texans Can Academies at various events, through public presentations about the organization and its mission. She will establish working relationships with community leaders, governmental agencies, youth service agencies, foundations and businesses.

Felicia is a driven professional with a passion for non-profit and philanthropy and has dedicated her entire career to working with at-risk youth. Felicia has over 10 years of experience working in non-profits, taking on various roles in both client services and non-profit development, she has assisted in launching first time events, served on a leadership team to help establish a coalition, and grow programs. She graduated with a Master’s in Non-profit and Civic Leadership from Drury University and she is a recipient of the Biz417 20 Under 30 Award for her work in the Springfield, Missouri community.

Texans Can Academies is a unique network of 13 charter schools located in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Serving the education system for 33 years, Texans Can Academies provides open enrollment, public high schools for students who have struggled in traditional high school settings. To date, more than 143,00 students have enrolled in the schools across Texas to pursue their dreams of higher education. For more information, please visit www.texanscan.org. 

Texans Can Academies graduated students from each of their Houston campuses this past week. Texans Can Academy - Houston North’s Class of 2018 graduated on Thursday, June 14 at Lighthouse Church in Humble; Texans Can Academy - Houston Hobby held graduation on Friday, June 15 at Stevenson Middle School in Houston; and Texans Can Academy - Houston Southwest’s graduation was on Wednesday, June 20 at Higher Dimensions Church in Houston.

“We are extremely proud of each of our students who have graduated this month,” said Texans Can Academies President and CEO Richard Marquez. “They have put in an incredible amount of work and determination to get where they are today. Texans Can Academies have given these students a chance to receive a quality education and teach them how to truly be thinkers.”

Most graduates have their own story about the struggles they faced and the journey they took to earn their high school diploma. Some were former high school dropouts; some students were not succeeding in a traditional high school campus; some were the first in their families to receive a high school diploma; among other struggles. However, all who graduated this past week are celebrating the end of a chapter in their lives that starts the beginning of a new chapter where some of them will be attending college, some will be going on to a trade school or community college, some will be going directly into the workforce, and some will be leaving for the military. They will all be participating members of the Houston economy and thinkers who will never be victimized by their circumstances again.

Graduations at Texans Can Academies are celebratory, loud and attended by entire families. Applause is given for each student as they cross the stage to celebrate hard work and determination. It is a celebration of overcoming difficulties and beginning a new, successful chapter in their lives.  

Texans Can Academies believe in providing the highest quality education for all students, especially those who have struggled in a traditional high school setting. The curriculum prepares each student with skills and concepts, such as the Marquez Reading programming methods, to emphasize college ready and workforce ready skills, so their graduates have successful plans after their graduation. Texans Can Academies graduates thinkers.