hisd newsletter issue 8

7/28/2019 HISD Newsletter Issue 8

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Brahma Newsletter

Inside

Planning for Success: HISD

Stakeholders Share the Vision

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5

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Hallettsville

Elementary

Hallettsville Junior

High

Hallettsville High

School

Brahma Athletics

Curriculum Corner

Technology Tidbits

2013-2014 Calendar

Issue #8

Spring 2013

The Hallettsville ISD strategic planning committee met on

December 3, 2012 and again on January 18-19, 2013. Members

of the strategic planning committee include Amy Amsden, Robin

Barnes, Audrey Barrera, Leslie Beach, Lisa Berckenhoff, Quinn

Berckenhoff, Rev. Herb Beyer, Jo Ann Bludau, Shelby Bozka,

Mandy Bucek, Cindy Caraway (trustee), Paul Cook (trustee),Marie Day, Brooke Dieringer, Pam Dolezal, Geraldine Dornak,

David Ehler (trustee), Michael Grahmann, Stephanie

Grahmann, Rosemary Hemmi, Denise Henk, Jeanette Henke,

Patti Hermes, Darrell Herring, Carla Jones, David Kalich,

Marna Klimitchek (trustee), Lisa Koehne, Robert Lundy, Karen

Myers, Dick Nance, Trina Patek, Staci Powers, Tommy Psencik,

Todd Schindler (trustee), Mark Schneider (trustee), Susan Seay

(trustee), Sophie Teltschik, Michelle Thompson, Mayra Torres,

and Bob Zumwalt.

I sincerely appreciate the time that the committee members

dedicated to the strategic planning process. In the newsletter

you will find the shared vision, mission statement, and strategic

goals that were developed during the strategic planning sessions.

These goals will be the focus of our work in HISD during the

next three to five years. Principals and department heads will

be meeting with staff members this spring to begin developing

campus improvement plans and department goals based on the

strategic goals that we have developed.

Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, HISD Superintendent


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ISSUE #8 SPRING 2013

2

Shared Vision

Our Students are

Confident about their future and prepared for the next stage of life: campus

transition, college, technical/trade school, or career. Morally sound, well-adjusted contributing citizens who have positive social and

life skills.

Critical thinkers and effective problem solvers.

Personally responsible and accountable to others.

Our learning environment

Promotes self-sufficiency and positive attitudes.

Includes facilities that meet the needs of students and staff.

Provides physical and emotional safety.

Fosters communication between home and school. Provides opportunities for all types of learners and populations.

Provides progressive and reliable technology and appropriate resources.

Encourages global and student driven learning.

Our district and community

Expect a high level of student achievement.

Develop partnerships to achieve mutual goals.

Nurture the moral character of every student.

Have unity of purpose in achieving student-centered goals.

Foster effective and open communication between school and community.

Share services and resources to meet the needs of students and community. Support the development and maintenance of a high-performing staff.

Mission Statement

HISD exists to develop productive, motivated, and moral citizens through educational

excellence.

Developed 1/18/2013


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Strategic Goals

HISD . . .

Safety & Facilities

Has appropriate facilities and a comprehensive plan providing a safe and secure

environment for students, employees, and community members.

Technology

Provides progressive technology and ample support for students and staff.

Curriculum and InstructionUses quality, research-based, aligned curriculum and instruction, emphasizing critical

thinking and application while meeting the social and emotional needs of all students.

Unity and Accountability

Promotes a unity of purpose through high expectations with accountability for

students, employees, school board members, families, and community members.

Career

Provides career discovery and education.

Staff

Hires and retains diverse, high-performing, competitively compensated employees

who are accountable for their actions and strive for educational excellence.

Parents/Community

Fosters school, home, and community collaboration for student educational success.

Developed 1/19/13


4/7


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Hallettsville Junior High School Sophie Teltschik, Principal

The HJHS National Jr. Honor Society pinned 11 new members during the induction

ceremony. Parents, family members as well as staff members looked on as the students took

the oath of the organization. During Public School Week, the annual 7th grade Social Studies

Texas Tea was held and famous Texans came alive through the autobiographical

presentations given by seventh grade students. The HJHS Yearling Band members

participated in the Middle School Concert and Sight Reading contest, and parents were

invited to the annual HJH Student Council Parent Drive Thru Breakfast. Parents also

joined us for lunch during Public School Week.

This year students took the state assessments (STAAR) inApril 2-3 and April 23 25. With the STAAR assessment in

mind, teachers and students have stepped up the level of

learning in the classroom to meet the expectations of the

assessments.

Hallettsville Elementary School Michelle Thompson, Principal

Hallettsville Elementary participated in a multitude of spring activities including state

assessments, end of year assessments and awards, and reading counts end of year awards.

Students with positive behavior were rewarded with a rock wall climband Rock Solid Character building. A 25ft climb up a rock wall takes

courage, and students responded to the personal challenge and enjoyed

a sense of accomplishment with their achievement no matter how high

they climbed.

Third graders were excited about the Spring Show, which was

performed on March 7th for parents and guests. 4th graders have been

reading on Fridays to kindergarten buddies while 2nd graders have been

working on a Dr. Seuss project with Mrs. Masek. We are proud of our 1 st graders who are

working very hard on becoming independent readers. All of our students are making terrificgains in the Reading Counts school wide reading program.

New construction of the HES Multipurpose Building has been completed at the elementary,

and the teachers and staff are enjoying the much needed space. HES has enjoyed the growth

in student population, and the new building will help in meeting the needs for our bulging

population providing another set of restrooms, an intervention classroom, a computer lab,

and a much needed kindergarten classroom.


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Hallettsville High School Lisa Berckenhoff, Interim Principal

Hallettsville High School has had an extremely busy spring in academics, athletics, and

agriculture. We have had huge success in all areas. The UIL academic team had district champions

in math, current events, and social studies. The math team competed at state in late May. Once

again the boys basketball team advanced to the regional tournament. Both the softball andbaseball teams won district champions and advanced in the playoffs. Athletes in tennis, golf, and

track have also advanced to the state meets. Several FFA students placed high at the San Antonio

and Houston Livestock Shows with commercial steers.

Throughout the spring, teachers and students have been preparing

for the numerous state exams from March to May, as well as

college preparatory exams. The students have celebrated prom

night, competed in band contests, attended banquets and the

Seniors are looking forward to graduation. The faculty and staff of

HHS invites everyone to attend an event and share in the success

of our students.

Brahma Athletics Tommy Psencik, Athletic Director

Our goals were set high for the Spring Semester. Our athletes and coaches are striving to be the

best they can be. The aim is to give our athletes a chance to win championships, whether it be on

the district level, regional level, or state level. Most everyone seems to understand that we must

continually develop as athletes, especially our strength and speed criteria. Subjectively speaking,

we are also putting greater emphasis on the HEART of our athletes. Our Brahmas/Lady

Brahmas are practicing this by demonstrating urgency, self-discipline, and great moral character.

The Brahma Training Program (previously referred to as off season) has produced much

strength, speed, and agility for the athletes throughout the year. Most of our athletes take greatpride in their individual improvements as athletes. This allows our coaches to utilize skills taught

to a higher degree. Thus, there is a better chance for the pursuit of championships to happen.

The boys basketball team had another great showing at the regional tournament, winning the

District 28 Championship. The team made us super proud; hopefully, this success will continue in

the future. The baseball and softball teams are off to a great start, and we expect success from both

groups. All of these athletes understand the importance of the concept of TEAM. The girls golf

team advanced to the regional tourney. What an accomplishment! The boys team finished third

and qualified one athlete as a medalist, which is also a great accomplishment. The tennis teams

qualified two teams for regionals: one girls doubles team and one mixed team. So a big congrats

goes out to those four athletes. The track teams improved in numbers as well as overall team speed

this year. The athletes and coaches have worked extremely hard this spring, and for this reason,

we expect some great accomplishments at the District 28 competition.

Our coaching staff is thankful to have so many athletes with great attitudes and great work ethics.

For the most part, our athletes seem to be on the same page in their efforts to improve physically

and mentally. We see toughness growing across the ranks of both the girls and boys athletics.

Our community should be extremely proud of the efforts put forth by our athletes. Come on out and

support these awesome Brahmas and Lady Brahmas.


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Curriculum Corner Dr. Mandy Bucek, Curriculum Director

HISD teachers and administrators were busy preparing for the State of Texas

Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), which began in March of 2013. We worked

together as grade-level and department teams to review the latest information concerningthe STAAR and to align our curriculum so that students at all grade levels would be

successful. We have also prepared and administered benchmark assessments on all

campuses to measure and monitor student achievement.

At HISD, all core teachers use CSCOPE as our curriculum system in order to increase the

rigor and level of cognitive complexity in our curriculum and instruction. To learn more

about CSCOPE, please visit the following link: www.public.mycscope.us

As we pursue our goal of success for every student, we will continue to work together as a

team to challenge students to think critically at a high level of cognitive complexity.

Technology Tidbits

Hallettsville ISD Tech Department is pleased to

announce a district wide network upgrade project that

will be taking place this summer. Along with the

upgrade, a security system will also be installed to

provide realtime monitoring of all campuses for the

safety of students, staff and visitors. It is the technology department's mission to promotethe the ethical, educational, and efficient use of technology across the district. Please see

visit our website at www. hisdbrahmas.org.

Denise Henk, Technology Director

Hallettsville Independent School District strives to meet the academic needs of all

students through a variety of instructional types. One such way is through online

instruction. Because of the Texas Success Initiative and the purchase of software

programs by the district, such as Achieve 3000, iStation, Think Through Math, and

Project Shares OnTRACK lessons, HISD is able to differentiate and supplement learning

online. These programs provide high-quality and scientific research-based online

instruction that allows students to work at their own pace and individual level. Frequent

monitoring of student progress and assessments assist the teacher in making

instructional decisions to help students reach higher levels of reading, writing, math,

social studies, and science proficiency.

Carla Jones, Instructional Technology Director


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Total Instructional Days 175

Total Workdays 3

Total Staff Dev. Days 9

OCTOBER 2013Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

DECEMBER 2013Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

District Wide Open House/

Meet the Brahmas Night: August 22, 2013

First Day of Classes: August 26, 2013

Last Day of School: May 30, 2014

Graduation: May 30, 2014

AUGUST 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

SEPTEMBER 2013

MARCH 2014


1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31

NOVEMBER 2013Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

JANUARY 2014

FEBRUARY 2014Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28

APRIL 2014Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

MAY 2014Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

First Semester/Six Weeks - 89 days

August 26 October 4 29 days

October 7 November 15 28 days

November 18 January 17 32 days

Second Semester/Six Weeks - 86 days

January 21 February 28 28 days

March 3

April 17 29 days

April 21 May 30 29 days

TAKS/STAAR Testing Dates

October 21-24TAKS ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies

Exit Level Retest (12)

December 2-6

December 2-13EOC Writing & Reading (9,10,11) Retest

Math, Science, Social Studies (9,10) Retest

March 3-6TAKS ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies

(12) Retest

Mar. 31, Apr. 1-4Writing (4,7,9,10,11) Reading(5,8,9,10,11), Math (5.8)

April 21-25

TAKS ELA,Math,Science,Social Studies (12)

Retest, STAAR Math (3,4,6,7), Reading(3,4,6,7),Science (5,8), Social Studies (8)

May 5-16STAAR (Math, Science, Social Studies

(9,10,11)

May 13-16 STAAR Math & Reading Retest (5,8)

June 24-27 STAAR Math & Reading Retest (5,8)

Beginning of Six Weeks

End of Six Weeks

TAKS Retesting

STAAR Testing

STAAR Retesting

Teacher Workday/Student Holiday

Staff Development/Student Holiday

New Teacher Orientation

Early Release

Holiday

Bad Weather Day


1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

AUGUST 2013

Revised 4-18-13

302 N. Ridge

Hallettsville, TX 77964

361-798-2242

hisd newsletter issue 8

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