Community Involvement

The 2004-2005 school year is now under way. Crescent Real Estate and FACES of Change® are proud to continue our partnership with Crockett Elementary and we have many goals. As you may have read in the Houston Chronicle, HISD has combined several schools in the district. Crockett was combined with Brock Elementary; both schools are now operated by the Crockett administrative team and with one budget, which makes our commitment to the school more important than ever.

The best thing about FACES is that everyone can get involved. This year we are proud to bring you several opportunities:

• School Yard Habitat - Completion of the pond area is our number one priority this year.
• Adopt-a-Classroom - Individual classrooms are seeking business partners for the school year. Minimum commitment: participation in the holiday toy drive ($30 per child) and participation in the International Festival.
• Student of the Month Program - Each month the school chooses a worthy student to be honored based on academic performance, attendance, citizenship, leadership, etc. This year each honoree will receive the tools he or she needs to continue on the path to academic excellence. Minimum commitment: $30 per chosen student.
• Tutors, Mentors, Pen Pals - Committed volunteers are needed to build special relationships with at risk students. A positive adult influence outside the home can make a major difference in a child's life. Minimum commitment: Tutors & Mentors - 1 hour per week; Pen Pals - 1 letter per week.

These are just a few of the ways that you and your company can help make a difference in our community. For more information on these and other projects and programs, call Rachel Giuliani at 713.655.5576. Only by coming together can we truly effect a change.

Crockett Elementary Music Benefit
Houston Center's FACES of Change partner school, Crockett Elementary, has just released a professional quality CD, showcasing their exceptionally talented music students. You can help support this great Houston public school by purchasing a CD for $10. All money raised will help support the Crockett Elementary music department.

Contact Rachel Giuliani at 713.655.5576 for more information and to reserve your copy today!

Listen to 30 second clips of a few of our favorites clips from the CD. Provided in MP3 format - approximately 475 kb each.

Track 5: Oye como va!

Track 8: Finale - Beethoven

Track 9: Minuet in G - Bach

Track 14: La Vida es Un Carnaval

The School-Yard Habitat project at Crockett Elementary, located in the highly-industrialized First Ward community, is designed to provide an outdoor classroom environment for the observation, study and research of Texas native flora and fauna.

The Habitat will include:

• 5500-gallon pond with observation deck
• Native wildflower garden
• Butterfly garden
• Geology trail
• Vegetable garden
• Bat-houses, bird houses and bird feeders

The pond will house native aquatic organisms found in the bayous and streams of Houston like Mosquito fish (Gambusia), snails, crawfish and larvae from insects Dragon Flies and Mayflies (almost all of which feed upon Mosquito larvae). The pond will also serve to attract birds and small reptiles and amphibians, as well as the occasional small mammal. The geology trail will consist of large samples (30-50 pounds each) of native Texas rock like limestone, granite and sandstone. The wildflower and native shrubs garden will provide food and shelter for insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

The students and staff of Crockett Elementary have already begun excavating the pond as well as building beds for the wildflowers and other native plants. The next phase of the project involves constructing a fence around the pond and installing an observation deck so students can safely access the water's edge. The benefits of such a project to students include increased environmental awareness, appreciation of the natural world, hands-on science education, stewardship of natural resources and commitment to the community.

For more information on your Houston Center partnership, call Rachel at 713.655.5576.