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March 2, 2010
Middle School libraries fire up “Read it Forward”
grant
By Jim Cullen
The bad news, according to a report
from the National Endowment of the Arts, is that “Americans are
reading less—teens and young adults read less often and for shorter
amounts of time compared with other age groups and with Americans of
previous years.”
What might be done about that is a
problematic question, but Hays CISD’s five middle school librarians
have an ambitious idea about addressing it and the Hays CISD
Education Foundation has funded the idea through an innovative
teaching grant.
The five librarians include Deanne
Aldridge from Barton Middle School, Dahlstrom Middle School’s Betty
Copeland, Chapa Middle School’s Suzanne Krejci, Dianne Mueller from
Wallace Middle School and Staci Perkins from Simon Middle School.
They are, by all accounts of those who know them, a fiercely
committed group of individuals, committed to the learning process
through students’ active use of their campus nerve-center
facilities. That fierce commitment is what is driving their project,
“Read it Forward Hays CISD.”
This report picks up the story on
the librarians’ grant in its early stages and subsequent reports
will follow, documenting its progress and hoped-for results.
The basic idea behind the original
grant proposal was to “bring diverse students together for a common
goal, spreading positive messages of one book and a love of
reading.”
Opportunities for interaction with
peers and adult role models demonstrating a dedication to reading,
learning and positive relationships were all projected with a book
appealing to their target audience. Connections to district goals
including tolerance, valuing diversity and accountability to self
and others were established.
With the grant funding, 100 bagged
copies of a selected book will be provided to readers at each of the
district’s five middle school campuses, including a “read it forward
kit” offering surveys and invitations to group events. Voluntary
participation will be encouraged and rewarded by teachers,
administrators and parents, with students “passing the book forward”
to other readers as they finish their reading.
Gift certificates, group library
meetings, virtual meetings through blogs and distance learning
across campuses will lead to a celebratory meeting at the project’s
conclusion.
And the winner of the librarians’
book selection process? It’s a sure-fire choice, 2009 Lone Star
Reading List favorite “Suck it Up” by Brian Meehl. Yes, it probably
comes as no surprise in today’s world that the pick is
vampire-oriented though, as one reviewer describes it, the story “is
filled with humor, quirky characters, light romance, mild suspense
and a lot of fun.”
It’s enough of an indication of the
book’s popularity that each of the five librarians in on the grant
say that it’s been almost impossible to keep earlier-purchased
copies of the book available to their readers, as it is constantly
checked out and its constant use keeps wearing out bindings. Yes,
it’s a very popular title—a sure-fire winner for generating
interest.
Will the 500 books about to be
spread across the district with their “read it forward kits”
increase more voluntary reading and help deliver the desired results
of fostering tolerance and valuing diversity? Watch here for our
next report as this Education Foundation grant moves into its next
phase.
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March 2, 2010
SRO Pittman retires, leaving lasting legacy
By Jim Cullen
To
those who did not have the honor of working with him, the first question
obviously asked is “Who’s Gene Pittman?” In fact, to those at Barton
and Wallace Middle School who did have that honor of working with him,
the use of his first name may draw an initial quizzical look.
To
most all—educators and students, as well-- who knew him during his stint
as a School Resource Officer for the district, he was “Officer Pittman”
or “Deputy Pittman.” At last glance, his district email ID is still in
the directory as “Deputy Pittman.”
His
given name was not widely known. He was — and is — the kind of man who
the people around him naturally afforded respect — without it ever being
asked or demanded.
Pittman accumulated a broad resume of service to his country before he
spent a day in Hays CISD. He joined the United States Marine Corps in
1961 and spent 1967-1968 in Vietnam. He left the service in 1974 as a
Staff Sergeant and enrolled at New Mexico Junior College for Nursing and
worked as an LPN for the next six years.
He
became Deputy Sheriff for the Lea County (New Mexico) Sheriff’s Office
and served in that role until 1988 before joining the New Mexico
Corrections Department and working at the New Mexico State Prison. From
that job, he came to Hays County and joined the Hays County Sheriff’s
Office and in 2000 was assigned to Barton and Wallace Middle Schools as
School Resource Officer.
From
that time on, his day-to-day life became one of representing authority,
but not of the heavy-handed variety. Deputy Pittman was respected, but
he was also loved, especially by the students with whom he found himself
working. Words of praise from district administrators are uniform in
their praise.
Barton
Middle School Principal Chris Ulcak, commenting on Pittman’s departure
shortly before it actually happened, admitted, “I’m not allowing myself
to think of it. I can’t bring myself to think of us without him.”
Wallace Middle School Principal Brenda Agnew admired his commitment,
noting the fact that her SRO “treated the students as if they were his
own,” many of them, Agnew said, calling him “Grandpa.”
“He
accepted after-school responsibilities such as football, volleyball and
basketball games so that he could spend more time learning about and
connecting with our students,” Agnew said, adding, “I cannot explain how
much he is going to be missed.”
And
speaking for district administration, Maggie Ortunio referred to the
retiring Pittman as “truly a positive asset in our schools…He
demonstrated a true professionalism as a School Resource Officer and is
respected by everyone.” Ortunio pointed to the many communications and
interactions Pittman had with hundreds of students and the positive role
model he presented while counseling those students as well as providing
security for his two campuses.
And
what did Deputy Pittman have to say on reflecting back over his years
with the district? As might be expected, he remembers only the positive.
“I
like to recall all of the fun that I have had with the Barton and
Wallace families, staffs and students. You can’t put a monetary value on
it. It is hard to put into words how hard it is to leave.”
Students and teachers at two HCISD campuses agree — it was hard to see him go.
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February 23, 2010
Central Office reorganization begins July 1
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees on
Monday, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Jeremy Lyon,
declared the need for a district program change, triggering a
Central Office reorganization that is expected to save
$325,000-$350,000 and direct district resources and staff into the
classroom.
The action takes effect July 1.
“This action is the most strategic,
effective way of aligning support and resources for our classroom
teachers,” Lyon said. ““We have talented educators at every level
and we are striving to create systems of accountability directly
linked to day-to-day teaching and learning.”
He said the proposal will simplify
communication within the organization and emphasize teacher
support.
The reorganization includes the
elimination of nine coordinator positions (elementary and secondary
math, elementary and secondary science, social studies,
English/language arts, dyslexia/504 and career and technology
education), one executive director position (curriculum and
instruction) and two director positions (secondary academic services
and elementary academic services) in the Curriculum and Instruction
(C&I) Division. The duties and responsibilities of these positions
will be incorporated into the existing campus-based instructional
strategist positions. Additionally, three new executive director
positions will provide direct support for specific campuses,
organized by grade-levels (high school, middle school and elementary
school).
The action also eliminates the
position of assistant superintendent of Information, Communication
and Student Services (INC). Julie Jerome, who is currently the
assistant superintendent, will become the district’s public
information officer and the departments in that division—technology,
safety and student services and student health services—will be
absorbed in the remaining three divisions.
“Communication is a critical
component of the operation of every school district,” Lyon said. “As
with the changes in C&I, this action effectively, strategically
aligns our resources with the constantly changing demands of school
communication.”
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February 23, 2010
School Board names two new principals
The
Hays CISD Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved the
appointment of Chris Summers as principal of Tom Green Elementary School
and Regina Butcher as principal of Fuentes Elementary School. Summers
has been an elementary school principal since 2002, currently serving
Kocurek Elementary School, and Joslin Elementary prior to that. Both
schools are in Austin ISD. He earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s
degree from University of Houston and worked as a teacher and assistant
principal at the elementary and middle school levels in the Houston
area. Ms. Butcher has served as assistant principal of Negley Elementary
School since it opened in 2006. She was an assistant principal at Hays
High School from 2003 to 2006. In 2009, she was named the Texas
Elementary School Principals Association (TEPSA) Assistant Principal of
the Year for Education Service Center Region XIII. She earned a
bachelor’s degree from University of Texas and a master’s degree from
Texas State University.
Now
that the principals have been hired, the process of staffing the two new
schools, including the consideration of requests to transfer to another
campus, will begin. Target date for these changes is the March 29 School
Board meeting.
The
School Board unanimously approved a calendar for the 2010-11 school year
that includes a start date of August 23, an end date of May 27, a full
week off at Thanksgiving for students and a Christmas break that begins
December 20 and ends, for students, on January 3, 2011. Spring Break
will be March 14-18, 2011.
link to
2010-2011 calendar (pdf)
The
School Board also approved a tentative draft for the 2011-12 school
calendar. The Board will be asked to take a final vote on that calendar
in February 2011.
link to 2011-2012 calendar draft (pdf)
The
School Board approved the purchase and implementation of a new student
information system, ProLogic, which is estimated to cost approximately
$478,000.
A team
of more than 20 teachers, parents, administrators, counselors,
attendance clerks, and campus and district technologists studied
proposals from seven vendors and narrowed them down to four, said Dianne
Borreson, executive director of instructional technology. Site visits to
Alvin ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, plus a trial with “live”
student data used by teachers contributed to the committee’s
recommendation.
“We
would have access to everything we need in the database and it is 100
percent web-based,” Mrs. Borreson said. “It is a relational data base
and it supports integration with our existing databases”
Mrs.
Borreson noted that ProLogic’s parent portal “is very robust."
It
supports on-line course selection, and a personalized graduation plan
and has a built-in scheduling component.
A
“very aggressive” implementation plan begins immediately upon Board
approval, she said, and includes the creation of a full-time position,
coordinator of student information, to guide the process.
In
other business:
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Trustees called
a May 8, 2010 election for District 4, currently held by Ralph
Pfluger, District 5, currently held by Chip DuPont and for the
unexpired term of District 2. Willie Tenorio, who was appointed in
October by the Board, represents District 2 on the School Board.
Tenorio has filed for a place on the ballot in District 2; Merideth
Keller has filed for a place on the ballot for District 4 and Joe
Muñoz and Marty Kanetzsky have filed for places on the ballot in
District 5. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is March
8 at 4:30 p.m., at the Central Administration Office.
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Recommendations
to improve Academy High School, which include vision, branding and
leadership; identification and recruitment of incoming students,
curriculum and instruction, support services and facility
improvement drew unanimous approval by the School board. Academy
High School is the district’s nontraditional alternative high school
of choice.
“Our
recommendations include developing a common vision within the school
district and community (including business partners, parents and
patrons) regarding the purpose of Academy High School,” said Robin
Kelley-Broadway, a member of the Academy High School Study Team, and
principal of Ralph Pfluger Elementary School.
The
recommendations include the creation of a full-time position, “student
liaison,” who will work with Hays High School (HHS) and Lehman High
School (LHS) counselors to coordinate services and programs, including
extracurricular participation, of Academy High School students at the
two comprehensive high schools.
“We
recommend an increase in student access to core classes by expanding
teacher-led instructional opportunities, computer based course work and
increasing on-line course work opportunities,” said Sylvia Villejo, a
member of the Academy Study Team and principal of the Impact Center.
Other
recommendations include the hiring of a full-time fine arts teacher and
start offering student-based clubs similar to those found at HHS and
LHS. A name and mascot change for the school, based upon the district’s
policy and the creation of a library.
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January 12, 2010
Parents, students plan for tomorrow, today
The mix was broad on Monday night at the Performing Arts Center, yet
the focus was narrow. Hays CISD parents, students, teachers,
counselors, campus and district administrators, and representatives
of Austin Community College, more than 200 strong, attended the 2nd
annual college planning night to share information and insight about
navigating the maze of getting into college.
Read more.....
January 12, 2010
Blanco Vista student wins essay contest
Benjamin Gettig, 4th Grade student at Blanco Vista Elementary
School, has won the National Association of Bilingual Education's (NABE)
2010 Student Essay Contest. Benjamin will receive his award at the
organization's national conference in Denver in early February. NABE
will cover travel expenses for Benjamin, one parent and the teacher.
Read more.....
January 12, 2010
Mariachi Los Lobos win spot in state competition
The Lehman High School Mariachi Los Lobos has been named one of
three finalists for the Mexican American School Board Association's
State Mariachi Championships, 4A Division.
Read more....
January 12, 2010
Truck City
partners with Camino Real
Volunteers from Truck City Ford will be visiting Camino Real
Elementary School every Thursday as part of the local business’
Earning by Learning reading program.
Read more.....
December 15, 2009
District counsels “Education: Go Get It!”
By Jim Cullen
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Lehman High School faculty
members show their true colors as part of Hays CISD
activities leading up to Education...Go Get It! week
<click photo to enlarge> |
With a sharply
focused eye toward building a college-going culture in Hays CISD,
ambitious plans are in place for “Education—Go Get It Week” with
students’ return from the holidays.
Read
more.....
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December 14, 2009
School Board OKs attendance zone proposal
The Hays CISD Board
of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved an elementary school
attendance zone recommendation by the Growth Impact Committee (GIC)
for the 2010-11 school year. The new attendance zones will
accommodate the opening of Carpenter Hill Elementary School on FM
967 across from the district’s Beacon Hill facility, and Ralph
Pfluger Elementary School in the Shadow Creek subdivision.
Read more.....
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December 11, 2009
Growth Impact group finalizes
recommendation
The HCISD Growth
Impact Committee (GIC) on Thursday reached consensus on a
recommendation for elementary school attendance zones for the
2010-11 school year.
Read more.....
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December 10, 2009
ACC begins information campaign on
annexation
Representatives of
Austin Community College (ACC) spoke to the Hays CISD Board of
Trustees on Monday regarding proposed annexation of Hays County
property owners into the ACC tax district.
Read more.....
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December 10, 2009
Nearly 90 ‘gold’ members attend holiday
fete
Nearly 90 members of
the Hays CISD senior citizens community gathered on Tuesday for a
free dinner of soup and sandwiches and a holiday choral concert in
what has become an annual district event.
Read more.....
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December 10, 2009
D&D marks another successful year
The annual Denim &
Diamonds event proved to be successful yet again, bringing in more
than $56,000 that will be delivered to teachers throughout the year
in the form of innovative teaching grants. The event is the primary
fundraiser for the Hays CISD Education Foundation.
Read
more.....
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December 10, 2009
Community rallies to provide for those who
cannot
More than 75
financially unfortunate families were “adopted” by district
employees, civic organizations and local churches in the annual
Angel Tree holiday help effort.
Read more.....
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December 7, 2009
School Board appoints Willie Tenorio for
Place 2
The Hays CISD Board
of Trustees on Monday unanimously voted to appoint Willie Tenorio,
Jr., to fill the unexpired term left vacant by Joe Muñoz.
Read
more.....
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December 4,
2009
Growth Impact Committee continues
to gather input
The Hays CISD
Growth Impact Committee (GIC) on Thursday conducted a second
public hearing as it moves toward finalizing recommendations
for elementary school attendance zones to the School Board
at the Dec. 14 meeting.
Read more......
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