Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. (SUGAR LAND TX) Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today hosted a roundtable to bring local elected officials veterans organizations and school districts together to discuss how we can connect veterans with local students as mentors. Fort Bend County Judge KP George Assistant Superintendent and District Coordinator for School Improvement in Fort Bend ISD Dr. Anthony Indelicato Interim Superintendent of Alvin ISD Dr. Daniel Combs Director of Family Engagement for Alvin ISD Anna Pasarella Pearland ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kelly Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Leadership and Support for Katy ISD Dr. Vonda Washington Texas Veterans Commissioner Kevin Barber and members of local school boards and representatives from the VFW and Travis Manion Foundation attended. During the roundtable they brainstormed opportunities for federal state and local governments and organizations to work together to improve school safety and mental health resources by encouraging more veteran involvement in schools.
As a parent nothing is more important than protecting my children" Rep. Pete Olson said. Todays youth face pressure and challenges that are vastly different from previous generations. Our veterans are trained to protect others and have a keen understanding of the mental and emotional issues our kids face. By encouraging more veteran involvement in our schools we can help our kids foster relationships with our veteran community and give students mentors and role models to look up to during their formative years."
The best part of my time serving on the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees was with the tens of thousands of students in the school system" Fort Bend County Judge KP George said. Now as County Judge I serve hundreds of thousands of children throughout our area and realize there is an important need for mentorship and development of lifelong values. As my wife and I raise our three children I want to ensure they are instilled with a good moral compass discipline and strong character as they become the leaders of tomorrow. In addition these traits and values are also those of our veterans who have stepped up yet again to serve their community by working with our schools. The partnerships between our veteran population and our schools are invaluable in making our world a better place for our children and generations to come."
From left to right: Pearland ISD Trustee Jeff Barry Texas Veterans Commissioner Kevin Barber Alvin ISD Board of Trustees Pos. 1 Julie Pickern Pearland ISD Mentor Volunteer Specialist Mandy Benedix Pearland ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kelly Alvin ISD Director of Family Engagement Anna Pasarella Alvin ISD Parent Liason Melissa Igo Alvin ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel Combs Fort Bend County Judge KP George VFW National Legislative Committee Member Sgt. Lupita Perez Rep. Pete Olson Fort Bend ISD Director of Collaborative Communities/GPS Pamela Shaw Fort Bend ISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Anthony Indelicato Katy ISD Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Leadership and Support Dr. Vonda Washington Travis Manion Senior Manager Cress Clippard Travis Manion Foundation Manager Tanna Harris and Travis Manion Foundation Coordinator Luis Gonzales
Olson and participants brainstorm opportunities to improve school safety and mental health resources by encouraging more veteran involvement in schools
