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Issue #2 March 2010
HALLETTSVILLE ISDDISTRICT NEWSLETTER
Building Leaders:
Today they learn.
Tomorrow they lead.
Inside this Issue:
3 HES: Public SchoolWeek Adventure
3 HJH Prepares forPublic School Week
Destination Success:
Accelerated Learning in HISD
4 HHS CelebratesPublic School Week
4 Technology Tidbits
5 ProfessionalLearning
6 Focus on Facilities
7 HHS RenovationProject
8 HISD Calendar2010-2011
A common goal in schooldistricts across the state is toclose the achievement gap
and bring all subgroups of students to
a higher level of success on formalassessments and in life.
In order to accomplish this goal,students attending HISD have teamsof highly qualified professionalsworking together to provideindividualized educational programs
based on needs and interests.
At HISD, each student in grades Pre-K through 12 is assigned a homeroom
teacher who maintains a red foldercalled a Personal Education Plan(PEP). These folders contain reportsof students progress on standardizedassessments as well as interventionplans and documentation of parent
conferences and efforts that havebeen made to help students succeed.
Periodically, grade level teachers
meet to discuss students data andprogress in their classes. During theseProfessional Learning Community(PLC) meetings, teachers share ideasand discuss times and methods forproviding small group and one-on-one assistance.
Some of the small group strategies inHISD include Title I pull-out classesat the Elementary School, supportteachers who assist in the regularclass at the Junior High School, andspecialized TAKS preparation classesat Hallettsville High School.
All teachers in the HallettsvilleIndependent School District are now
Home of the BrahmasHB LB
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Issue #2 March 2010
Yours for Excellence in EducationDr. Jo Ann BludauSuperintendent of Hallettsville ISD
required to obtain Gifted andTalented (GT) training so thatthey can provide acceleratedlessons to all students in theregular classroom.
One of the newest approachesthat HISD will be using duringthe 2010-2011 school year toaccelerate student learning is anoptional flexible calendar. Thisprogram, which is allowed bythe Texas Education Agencythrough a waiver, uses smallgroup, focused lessons to helpall students succeed.
With the optional flexiblecalendar, the district will offer180 days of instructionincluding eight flex days wherestudents who do not perform ata satisfactory level onstandardized and benchmarktests will be required to attend,and those who meet or exceedexpectations will be exempt
from coming to school on thosedays.
Some of the flex days includeColumbus Day, Stock ShowDay, Presidents Day, and thelast day of school. Other dayshave been strategically placedso that teachers can haveintense test preparation tutoringsessions with students who
really need it. During these days,teachers may also have anopportunity to work withstudents in danger of failing forthe school year. The board-approved optional flexiblecalendar for 2010-2011 is printedon the last page of this newsletter.
Teachers will continue to informparents of student progressthrough periodic progress reportsand report cards as well asthrough the Family Access onlinegrade system. Parents who havenot yet received their passwordsmay contact the PEIMScoordinator on each campus.Teachers will also be having fallconferences with parents and
offering optional springconferences to discuss studentprogress.
In addition to focusing on studentprogress, we are also making aneffort to evaluate our progress asa district. Each December
campus principals ask staff torespond to a survey containingtwo basic questions including 1)What is working well for us? and2) What would you like tochange in our district or on yourcampus? This feedback isdiscussed among administrators,and appropriate action is taken.We are considering expandingthis survey to other stakeholdersin our school community in thefuture so that we can better servethe students of our district.
We have also asked former
students of HHS to complete asurvey to inform us of what wedid that allowed them to besuccessful in college and/or theworkplace as well as what wecould have done to betterprepare them. All recentgraduates are encouraged tocomplete an online survey at thefollowing linkwww.surveymonkey.com/s/for
merstudentsurvey.
HISD engages in this process ofcontinuous improvementthroughout the school year andreflects on progress and successas well as significant needs. Wewelcome your input andinvolvement in our schools.Again, thank you for joining usas we Capture the Adventure
For an online version of this newsletter, please visit our website at
www.hisdbrahmas.org
Family Access Contacts
HES: Dottie LeopoldHJH: Peggy VanekHHS: Geraldine Dornak
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Issue #2 March 2010
HES: Public School WeekAdventure
During the month of March,schools across the state will beopening their doors to familiesand hosting special events toengage parents in theirchildren's education.
Please join HallettsvilleElementary as we celebrateour successes and honor TexasPublic Schools this spring atHES.
March 8th-12thJoin us forlunchMarch 10thThankYou
Community/VolunteerLuncheon 11:00
March 11th3rd GradeMusical Production Its
Saturday 6:00 p.m.April 30thElementary Field
Day The Adventure NeverEnds 12:30 @ BrahmaMemorial Stadium
May 6th KindergartenMothers Day Brunch 7:55 a.m.
May 7th2nd grade Celebrateour Grandparents Program9:00 a.m.
May 10th TechnologyShowcase
May 27th KindergartenGraduation 8:30 a.m.
Success is a part of every day atHallettsville Elementary; forexample, some of our recentaccomplishments include
Hallettsville Elementary, 2009 TexasEducation Agency,Exemplary
CampusHallettsville Elementary, 2009 Texas
Education Agency,DistinguishedPerformance Award
Hallettsville Elementary,2010Certificate of Appreciation, VietnamVeterans of America
Hallettsville Elementary, 2010 JumpRope for Heart Fund Raiser,$3,500.00
South Texas Foundation for NursingExcellence,2009 Top Ten Nominee,
Tobi AppeltHallettsville Chamber of Commerce2010 Hospitality Award, RidaChovanetz
Lavaca County VFW2010Teacher ofthe Year, Monica Barnes
In relation to this years themefor Public School week,Building Leaders: Today theylearn. Tomorrow they lead,HJHS has prepared activities oncampus that will highlightstudents abilities to lead.
Monday, March 8th, begins the
Little Ceasars Pizza fundraiserto pay for student incentiveactivities. Students selling themost in each grade will berecognized at the end of the yearawards assemblies.
National Jr. Honor Society willhave new member induction at12:00 noon on Monday in theHJHS Library. Parents and
relatives are invited to attend.
On Tuesday, HJHS StudentCouncil members will show theirappreciation for parental support
by greeting parents in the backparking lot for their annual Drive-Thru Breakfast. Student Councilmembers will be serving juice and
donuts to parents from 7:35 7:55a.m.
HJHS Yearling Band memberswill participate in the MiddleSchool Concert and Sight Readingcontest in Manor on Tuesday.The public is invited to attend theconcert portion of the contest.
Thursday, please join us at the
annual Texas Tea, which will beheld in the HJHS Band Hall.Famous Texans will come alivethrough the autobiographicalpresentations given by seventhgrade students.
HISD will also recognize its
volunteers with a Thank YouLuncheon on Thursday.
Yearling and Lady Yearling trackmembers will compete in theTidehaven Track meet on FridayMarch 12th where 7th and 8thgrade boys and girls willrepresent HJHS in track and fieldevents and work toward winningthe gold.
Trina Patek, Principal
HJHS Prepares for PublicSchool Week
Sophie Teltschik, Principal
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Issue #2 March 2010
HHS Celebrates PublicSchool Week
Dr. Garth Oliver, Principal
This Spring, Hallettsville HighSchool looks forward to excitingevents, including sporting events,Hitfest, The Houston LivestockShow, UIL academiccompetition, multiple banquets,
band concert in the park, andprom.
HHS students have participatedin charitable events for manyyears. Our students recentlyraised $1,236 for the relief efforts
in Haiti. Our Kids for WishKids group raised over $2,500,which was enough money togrant the wish of a seriously illchild through the Make a WishFoundation. HHS donates$10,000 each year to Relay ForLife, and the Student Council haswon awards for being the top
high school donor in theAmerican Red Cross BloodDrive. The blood drive inJanuary resulted in the collectionof 222 pints of blood.
We are introducing Zero Hourduring lunch and homeroom.This hour will be spent makingup missing work that wouldotherwise result in a grade ofzero.
For the 2010-11 school year, wehave added new Science coursesincluding Dual Credit Biologyand Chemistry, Anatomy andPhysiology, Earth and SpaceScience, Advanced AnimalScience, and Food Science.
The Athletic Booster Clubsponsors the Jimmy Appelt
baseball tournament March 11-
13th. In memory of Tyler Bludauand the completion of Phase IIIof the baseball complex, theBludau family will throw out thefirst pitch at the varsity game onMarch 19th.
The Academic UIL team ispreparing for the district meet the29-31st of March.
To celebrate Public SchoolWeek, please join us forrefreshments and a showcase ofacademic and artistic samples ofstudent work on Wednesday,March 10th in the high schoollibrary from 1:30-5:00 p.m. Weappreciate your continuedsupport toward the continuingimprovement of our academicand extra-curricular programs.
Carla Jones, Instructional Technologist
Hallettsville ISD is excited toannounce the final plans for itsfirst ever Technology Showcase.
The theme, Creators Today.Innovators Tomorrow. signifies
the disposition of our studentsdue to the districts dedication topreparing our students for the21st century.
The Showcase will give thecommunity, fellow teachers andstudents the chance to view theoutstanding examples oftechnology usage in HallettsvilleISD. It will allow teachers the
opportunity to share the waysthey are innovatively usingtechnology to teach andstudents the venue to showcasethe awesome technologyprojects they have created.
HISD offers to parents andguardians class email alerts(through eChalk) and an online
system (Family Access)providing real-time informationabout student grades and
attendance. If you haventregistered for one or both ofthese, there will be booths set upto assist you in doing so.
Please come join us and witnessthe great benefits that studentshave received from frequentexposure to a technology richeducational setting.Refreshments will be available.
Technology Showcase
When: Monday, May 10, 2010
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: High School Gym
Technology Tidbits
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Issue #2 March 2010
Professional Learning:Maximizing Student Achievement
Dr. Mandy Bucek, Curriculum Director
School districts across the nationare examining ways to providestudents with the skills they needfor careers, college, andcitizenship in the 21st century.At HISD, our teachers areworking together to bringcurriculum into students livesand to maximize learning for
each student.
HISD teachers are activelyintegrating technology into theirclassrooms. Math teachers areutilizing the Texas Math andScience Diagnostic System(TMSDS). This web-based, datadriven student diagnostic systemis designed to help teacherstarget student instruction. Thedata can be collected andexamined over time, whichallows teachers to track studentprogress and developindividualized plans to help eachstudent succeed. Scienceteachers will also be trained inusing this system.
Geogebra is another onlineprogram that math teachers areimplementing to elevate the
learning experience for students.This dynamic mathematicssoftware for all levels joinsarithmetic, geometry, algebra,and calculus. Students createconstructions on their laptops
using points, vectors, and lines,thus, exposing them totechnological programs whileenhancing their interest in math.
English Language Arts andReading teachers areimplementing My AccessWriting, which is an online
instructional program thatprovides immediate feedback tostudents concerning theirwriting. It is designed to helpstudents build the critical editingand revising skills they need to
be successful communicators atHISD and beyond.
In addition to pertinent trainingin software programs, teachershave been busy analyzing TAKS
data in order to increase studentachievement.
During focused meetings withconsultants and facilitators fromRegion III, math and scienceteachers have been able todetermine the areas in which ourstudents are least proficient. Oneof these areas is academicvocabulary.
We have started the process ofbuilding academic vocabularywith math and science teachers.We will be working withconsultants from Region III to
develop a district academicvocabulary for both subject areas
by May. In addition to knowingthe terms covered in each gradelevel and course, teachers will belearning the most effectivestrategies to teach academicvocabulary. We plan to continuethis process in all core subjectareas.
HISD teachers are dedicated toelevating critical thinking,communication, andcollaboration in every class and
at all grade levels.
We will continue to Capturethe Adventure of seeking themost effective ways to reach andteach our 21st century learners.
21s Century Teaching and Learning
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Issue #2 March 2010
Focus on Facilities
In 2002, the HallettsvilleIndependent School District
Strategic Planning Committeedeveloped a vision and goalfocused on school facilities.
VisionThe learning environmentconsists of Safe, well equipped, effective
campuses meeting the needsof all students.
Our district and community Work together as full partners
to provide a safe, secure, andsupporting environment thatmaximizes careeropportunities.
Seek and secure resourcesneeded to achieve our sharedvision.
Provide state-of-the-artfacilities meeting the needs ofeveryone.
Strategic GoalNew and well-maintained
facilities that meet the needs of
all students and personnel.
installation of heating and A/Cin the gymnasium, cosmetic
repairs, and relocation of campusadministration, counselors officeand special education classroomsto better serve students, staffmembers, and parents.
Since the fall of 2008, districtadministrators, board members,teachers, parents, and communitymembers have been focusing onthe needs of the Hallettsville High
School campus and consideringoptions for creating a safer, moresecure learning environment thatmeets ADA requirements as wellas facilities standards set by theTexas Education Code.
Much of the high school campuswas originally constructed in the1930s and 1940s with the lastmajor renovation occurringthrough a bond election in 1956.
Recent improvements to highschool facilities include theconstruction of a library in 1996,a gymnasium in 1999, and anathletic complex in 2001.
In order to meet this goal,district administrators and board
members recently completedtwo major facilities projects toimprove the learningenvironment of HISD studentsand staff members.
In 2004, there was anelementary addition includingthe construction of specialeducation and early childhoodclassrooms, a music room,
teacher workroom, conferenceroom, and staff and studentrestrooms.
In the spring of 2007, there wasan addition at the HallettsvilleJunior High School, includingthe construction of a band hall,science, social studies, ELA, andmath classrooms.
During the summer of 2007, the
district also completed a majorrenovation of the junior highschool including asbestosabatement, upgrades to electricaland lighting systems as well asrestrooms and other areas tomeet ADA requirements,
According to a needs assessment conducted by the Texas Association of School Boards in the fall
of 2008, the following high school facilities deficiencies were noted:
Lack of ADA signage, restrooms, water fountains, and door handles Roof leaks, excessive outside air infiltration, and exposed friable asbestos Lack of sufficient lighting and electric outlets to support educational and technology needs Outdated and non-standardized hardware and glass, including some non-tempered glass Insufficient space in some academic learning areas and in science classrooms and labs Limited food preparation area and seating in the cafeteria HVAC systems that have not been updated as older areas have been renovated
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Issue #2 March 2010
A facilities committee, including board membersDavid Ehler and Todd Schindler, has been meetingmonthly since the spring of 2009 to discuss optionsfor improving high school facilities and financingconstruction and renovations projects.
The facilities committee visited neighboring schooldistricts including Rice CISD and Shiner ISD tolearn more about their projects. Committeemembers have also had an opportunity to shareideas and concerns with Jim Singleton, the architectselected by the board in the summer of 2009.
The superintendent and board members had anumber of board training sessions where theylearned about financing options for Chapter 41(property rich) districts that would allowHallettsville ISD to keep more of our tax dollars athome rather than sending funds back to the stateaccording to the Robin Hood school financingplan.
In February of 2010, the school board conductedthree bond-planning workshops with Jim SingletonArchitects and Government Capital Corporation, aleading provider of financing for Texas schooldistricts and the administrator of the TexasEducation and Facilities Fund.
The HISD board is determining the final scope ofthe project and will meet on Monday, March 8,2010 to consider calling a facilities bond election toaddress the current needs of the district.
HHS Renovation Project
Other needs identified by teachers, parents, staff members, administrators and community
members include the need for New science labs that provide an appropriate up-to-date learning environment meeting
Texas Education Agency expectations and accommodating course offerings required byrecent legislation
A cafeteria with a stage to provide a place for assemblies and to reduce overcrowding thecafeteria which currently serves lunches beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 1:10 p.m.
A safe drop-off and pick-up area for the elementary campus in place of the current HISDadministration office
Additional space, restrooms, and changing facilities in the vocational agriculture shop aswell as an animal science lab for vocational agriculture classes
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MARCH 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
August 23 October 1 29 days
October 4 November 12 30 days
November 15 January 14 32 days
First Semester/Six Weeks
January 18 February 25 29 days
February 28 April 15 30 days
April 18 May 31 30 days
Second Semester/Six Weeks
Total Instructional Days 180
Total Workdays 3
Total Staff Dev. Days 4
TAKS Testing Dates
March 1Reading (9) ELA (10, Exit)Writing (4, 7)
April 4 Math (5, 8)
April 26 Math (3, 4, 6, 7, 10)
April 27 Reading (3, 4, 6, 7) Math (Exit)
April 28 Math (9) Science (5, 8, 10, Exit)
April 29 Social Studies (8, 10, Exit)
April 5 Reading (5,8)
OCTOBER 2010Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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SEPTEMBER 2010
NOVEMBER 2010
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AUGUST 2010Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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402 N. Ridge
Hallettsville, TX 77964
361-798-2242
Beginning of Six Weeks
End of Six Weeks
! TAKS Testing DatesTeacher Workday/Student Holiday
Staff Development/Student Holiday
Early Release
Holiday
Bad Weather Day
New Teacher Orientation
Flex Day
TAKS Retesting
DECEMBER 2010
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FEBRUARY 2011
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JANUARY 2011
First Day of Classes: August 23, 2010
Last Day of School: May 31, 2011
Graduation: May 27, 2011
APRIL 2011Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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MAY 2011Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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Board Approved 2-22-10
