We Beat the Facts

It's been a long time since I've posted on my Elementary page.  Sorry for that.  Since coming back from Christmas, things have been moving along pretty swiftly.  It seems like after Christmas things would slow down, but that's the exact opposite.  We are accomplishing much this Spring.  I want to let you know of a few things:

BEAT THE FACTS:  This is our annual math contest where students eagerly study their math facts, becoming familiar with them.  A two minute test is given weekly to our students during a five week time frame.  Two bonus tests are given, which totals seven times that a student can "beat the facts."  The goals are simple:  3rd Grade:  Get 34 multiplication problems (through 9's) correct in a 2 minute test and you beat the facts.  4th Grade:  Get 42 multiplication problems (through 12's) correct in a 2 minute test and you beat the facts.  5th Grade:  Get 42 multiplication and division problems (through 12's) correct in a 2 minute test and you beat the facts.

OUR SCHOOL GOAL:  This year we had 305 students beat the facts and many others that came close.  And, this year is our first year to meet our school goal of 300 students.  On March 4th, our students were rewarded with a day of fun - movie, extra recess, snow cones, fun activities in the classroom.  It was a great way to spend the day before Spring Break

PERSONAL GOALS:  All throughout this contest, students were upping their goals to beat their score from the week before.  Most students doubled or tripled their scores throughout the contest.  Every child made improvements.  That is what is important.

BEAT THE FACTS CHALLENGE:  15 of our fastest students who know their math facts competed on March 4th to see who was the fastest.  The following are the students who competed:

3rd Grade:                                 4th Grade:                                          5th Grade:
1st: Daniel Miller (118)            1st:  Landon Holze (119)                    1st: Jasmin Romero (123)
2nd:  Gavin Schrader (88)        2nd: Place: Bailey Henderson (108)   2nd:  Austin Evans (104)
3rd:  Riley Robertson (84)        3rd:  Gabriel Bachert (105)                 3rd:  Kandrin Johnson (94)
4th:  Addison Rohde (79)         4th:  Mackenna Holt (94)                     4th: Kendall Bready (93)
5th:  Mason Walker (77)           5th: Jackson Generals (93)                  5th: Isabel Gallegos (91)

PETER PIPER PIZZA TRIP:  The 15 finalists for our Beat the Facts Challenge went to Peter Piper Pizza with Mr. Anderson on March 4th.

Thanks!!

It's hard to believe it's been since October 9th that I've posted something.  The time has certainly gone by fast.  Since my last post, I've completed my lunches with students.  Now I can claim to know everyone's name in the school.  For some I have to think a little harder when calling their name.  

Mrs. Price, leading our 3rd graders in one of three songs in our
our Veterans Day Program on November 11th

Our Veterans Day Program was a huge success.  We appreciate all the hard work that Mrs. Price put in to prepare our students to sing.  They sounded wonderful.  Also, it was great to have a "local celebrity" come to speak to us.  Doug Currin came to speak to both our students and vets, giving students a perspective of what veterans have to go through when they are deployed.  We had 95 veterans come to enjoy the program.  I think that is a record for us.  We really appreciate all that they have done for our country.

Doug Currin, news anchor for KCEN, came to speak to
our veterans and our students at our Veterans Day
Program on November 11th

We, as educators work pretty hard for the time we're here.  My Uncle Richard used to bug me because he said that we only worked nine months out of the year.  And there is some truth to that, but we put our 12 months in during a nine month time frame.  Teachers use much of their time on the weekends planning for their classes.  Each night they take home papers to grade while sitting in front of the television.  We have some who welcome phone calls to assist the students in their homework.  Our teachers here are dedicated to get the job done well.  So when I speak of having a week off for Thanksgiving, while it IS a luxury to that that time off, it is a welcome break for our teachers who put in so much to bring our students a quality education.  I am thankful for what I do and I know I was destined to be an educator, even though there were no educators in our family, going back generations.  

As we enter December, rest assured that your students are being taught well.  Thanks for helping us out in the educational process.  You are all so supportive of what we do here.

An Honor to Serve Lorena!

     I've been in education a long time...since 1980.  If you count up the years, you will realize that I have many years "under by belt."  I enjoy coming to work everyday.  Being with 8, 9, 10, and 11 year olds keeps me young at heart.  I'm in the middle of my quest to get to know students' names and something about each.  I've eaten lunch with 15 groups of students (That's 90 students).  I look forward to my "lunch dates" because I can talk silly with the students, finding out things about each of them.  We play a game together - in which I usually lose - so students know there's a softer side to me.  I want students to know me as one who cares for them and has high expectations.  I've got a few more "lunch dates" ahead of me that I'm looking forward to.

     I think about what I do and I'm so blessed to be where I'm at.  First, I'm blessed to be an educator.  As a teacher I formed many close relationships with colleagues and students.  I've had the opportunity to positively influence many in their lives.  Also, I'm blessed to be here in Lorena.  I enjoy seeing students who really want to learn every day.  It's also fun to see those whom I have had in past years doing well in the middle and high schools.

     Once in a while I hear from an ex-student and am pleased by what they are doing in their lives.  I will be reflecting on some of my success stories in the next few blogs.  My first is Mary:

MARY:  Mary was a girl I had in class when I was teaching 4th grade.  She lived in a poor neighborhood with many family members living in her house.  She came to school with an "attitude."  Much of her attitude focused on her not caring about her school work.  She didn't try at her assignments, she acted like she wasn't interested in my lessons, and she had no goals to improve.  She was determined to "skate by."  I challenged each of my students in a different way.  With Mary, my goal was to get her to WANT to succeed.  I would go above and beyond to make her laugh, to pay attention to her, and to brag about her progress that I saw.  It took a long time for my to "break through" with her.  It was in February of that year.  We had taken a lengthy test, preparing for the TAAS test.  Like any standardized test, it took a lot of effort.  When I graded her test, she got a passing grade.  The next day I went up to her and looked her in her eyes and said, "Now I got you!!"  She smiled as I told her results.  Her "won't" turned in to a "will" and she made more progress after that.  After about five years after I started here at Lorena ISD I heard from her in an email.  She told me how much she appreciated me and that she was doing well in high school.  That was the last I heard from her, but I was so encouraged about her progress and it made me feel so good that I made a difference in her life.

We're Getting the Hang of it

     We're nearing the end of our third week of school and I do believe we're all getting settled in.  Procedures are overwhelming for many of our students, especially our new students.  As for our 3rd graders, I'm proud of how well they're adjusting to their new environment.  

     Not only do we have new students, but we have some new teachers this year.  The following are those who are serving your students in Lorena for the first time:

1) Jessica Price:  Mrs. Price is our new music teacher.  She comes to us from Corsicana.  Both her and her husband have musical background. Mrs. Price teaches all three grades here at the elementary.  She also is the middle school AND high school choir teacher.  

2) Stacy Isom:  Mrs. Isom is our new 4th grade teacher.  Mrs. Isom teaches Reading and Science.  She comes to us from the Robinson school district.  She has been teaching for many years and is a very enthusiastic teacher.

3) Camille Talbert:  Mrs. Talbert joins the 3rd grade team.  She teaches all subjects, since the 3rd grade is self-contained.  She also comes to us from the Robinson school district.  She is a positive and high-energy teacher who also has many years of experience teaching.

4) Laurie Steinke:  Mrs. Steinke joins our special education team.  She joins Mrs. Burton to assist students in need.  Both her and Mrs. Burton go into classes to co-teach with our classroom teachers.  Mrs. Steinke is a very positive and cooperative person who understands the needs of our students.  We're fortunate to have her on our staff.

5) Marisa Leidenfrost:  Mrs. Leidenfrost is our new paraprofessional who works with our Life Skills students.  She has worked for us last year extensively as a substitute teacher.  She was a regular presence on multiple campuses last year.  She is very excited about being part of our staff this year on a permanent basis.

6) Tammy Pewitt:  Mrs. Pewitt is not new to our staff, but she is new to the teaching profession.  Mrs. Pewitt has worked with our Life Skills students as a paraprofessional.  This past summer she earned hear teacher's certificate and we are now blessed to have her as a teacher.  

What's coming up?

August 28:  A+ Cards introduced
August 31:  GAP (tutorials) begins during the school day. 
September 1:  Parent Orientation (5:30 in the PAC)
September 7:  Labor Day (No School)
September 8:  UIL introduced
September 21:  Boxtop contest #1 begins

Best Elementary Yet

Well, let me see.  I've been an educator since 1980.  Wow.  That means I've been doing this for 35 years.  All but three of those years has been in Texas.  I've been a middle school teacher and coach, a High School teacher and coach, a 4th grade teacher, and a PE teacher for all levels.  I've been in Lorena 16 of my 17 administrative years.  As an administrator, I've been in Lorena 16 out my 17 years.

Beginning a school year takes time and effort.  There are so many things to consider when getting our school off to a positive start.  I have so many effective and energetic people to work with, who have the same desire to get each year started on a positive note.

God has blessed me by being in this district.  I enjoy the students, my staff, parents, and love the tight knit community spirit we have here.

Lorena Elementary Staff (2015-2016)

I appreciate all of you who came out for Meet the Teachers Night.  It was a very successful evening.  It's great to come in to "Break the Ice" with our teachers.  Students seem to feel better after they come in to see their new environment.

We are here to serve our community.  Our decisions are based on a simple ideal:  "What is best for students."  We stand behind that.  Thanks for making the beginning of this year a successful one.

School is Fast Approaching

It is August 5th and the days are drawing near for our new school year.  This year will be different from last year because of the new 3rd graders that will be coming over.  This is a large class of students (over 120) and Mrs. Sanders and I are looking forward to meeting all of them.  I've heard great things about this class of students.

2015-2016 school year will prove to be the best year ever.  Our theme for the year will focus on our Journey for Success.  We want this journey to be enjoyable and beneficial for every student at our school.  With any journey, everyone on board must have responsibilities.  We plan to empower all our students to a high level of learning each day.

Our MEET THE TEACHERS Evening will be on August 20th, beginning at 6:00.  We will be selling T-Shirts and giving away car signs for all those planning to pick their child(ren) up by car sometime during the year.  The event will run from 6:00-7:00 that evening.

The district will host our BACK TO SCHOOL BASH on Friday, August 21st.  It will begin at 5:30 and will be held in the parking lot at the football field.  We didn't have a "bash" last year because of all the construction.  We hope you all get a chance to stop by and participate in the fun events that are planned.

The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL will be August 24th.  We'll be opening the doors at around 7:25.  You are welcome to walk your child(ren) in the first day to take a picture or give well wishes to the teacher.  Much of the jitters for your child will already be over after they meet their teacher on Thursday.

I'm enclosing our dress code before so you can note what our expectations are before you buy clothes.  School supply lists are on the opening page of the website.  See all of you soon!!

Elementary School Dress Code:

·         Student’s clothing should fit properly and allow for the student to move freely. Belts should be worn if jeans, shorts, or pants are too loose.

·         Shorts, skirts, and dresses should be conservative and modest in appearance. The length must not be higher than the length of the fingertips when the arms are held at full length at the sides.  :  Skintight clothing is not appropriate as an outer garment (i.e., biker shorts, leotards, tights, leggings). Baggy/sagging clothing is not allowed.

·         All tops must reach at least to the waist band of the student’s pants, skirt, or shorts. Large-armed tank tops, razorback tops, spaghetti straps and tube tops are not allowed. In addition, bare midriffs, see-through garments or exposed undergarments are not acceptable.

·         No outside apparel with suggestive, inflammatory, vulgar markings of any type or product endorsements which are contrary to the district’s goals concerning learning and health may be worn. Gang/gothic related articles may not be worn to school. Students at the elementary school are not allowed to wear “attitude” shirts which reflect a negative attitude toward school, teachers, parents, siblings, etc….

·         Light up shirts are not allowed.

·         Leggings, jeggings, etc. may not be worn without shorts. NOTE:  Shorts must be fingertip length.

·         Sunglasses (unless prescription), caps, sweatbands or any other distracting accessories may not be worn to school. There may be special days set aside for wearing such items, such as “shades” or “hat” day.

·         Shoes must be worn to school. Tennis shoes are the best option for students. Because students actively participate during the PE time as well as play on the playground, tennis shoes are the safest type of shoes. The following shoes are NOT allowed: cleats, flip flops, platform shoes, shoes with heels over ½ inch, and shoes with open backs. Crocs are not allowed.

·         The student’s hair must be kept clean, neatly groomed and combed out of the eyes. Boys’ hair must be neatly trimmed, not to extend over the collar (dress shirt) or below the middle of the ear (no tails), and must be clean, neatly groomed and above the eyebrows.

·         Students may not wear haircuts (such as Mohawks or designs shaved in hair), hair colors, or makeup which are unusual, bizarre or distracting as decided by the principal or his/her designee.

·         Girls are encouraged not to wear make-up at school. Girls may not bring make-up, hair spray or fingernail polish to school.

·         Boys are not allowed to wear earrings or earring-spacers to school. Girls may not wear more than two earrings per ear. No other body piercing is allowed.

·         Girls are to wear shorts under dresses. This will prevent undergarments from showing during recess/ PE.

·         Pants should not have tears or holes.

Dress code violators will receive a warning, and a parent may be contacted. If dress code violations persist, parents will be contacted and/or student may receive a consequence.