Principal's Corner
Oak Hill Elementary School
PRINCIPALBLOG.OHEPTA.ORG
March 7, 2010
Wednesday our 4th graders took their first TAKS test of the year. The students worked diligently and tried their best. The 4th grade teachers have been working from the beginning of the school year to get our students prepared and for this we are also thankful.
At your reading of this, the PTA Carnival is over and I know that everyone will have had a great time. There are many people to thank for all of the hard work that goes into a PTA Carnival. Heather Sendera does an amazing job of organizing and planning this event. I would also like to say thanks to the PTA Executive Board for all of their support for the Carnival, plus the support of the kids and staff.
Next week will be full with many activities. The list includes the following:
Monday at 9 a.m. Dr. Rosa Pena is here to talk about the transition for our OHE students to the New Southwest Elementary School.
Tuesday, the Buffalo Soldiers are here to visit with all grades throughout the day.
Wednesday, we have school pictures. This involves a class picture taken on the front porch and also three other cameras taking individual pictures of the students.
Thursday, we will have two Kindergarten Programs at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
Friday, we will have two Kindergarten Program at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
I hope you all have a restful and peaceful Spring Break!!!
Educationally yours,
Terry
At your reading of this, the PTA Carnival is over and I know that everyone will have had a great time. There are many people to thank for all of the hard work that goes into a PTA Carnival. Heather Sendera does an amazing job of organizing and planning this event. I would also like to say thanks to the PTA Executive Board for all of their support for the Carnival, plus the support of the kids and staff.
Next week will be full with many activities. The list includes the following:
Monday at 9 a.m. Dr. Rosa Pena is here to talk about the transition for our OHE students to the New Southwest Elementary School.
Tuesday, the Buffalo Soldiers are here to visit with all grades throughout the day.
Wednesday, we have school pictures. This involves a class picture taken on the front porch and also three other cameras taking individual pictures of the students.
Thursday, we will have two Kindergarten Programs at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
Friday, we will have two Kindergarten Program at 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
I hope you all have a restful and peaceful Spring Break!!!
Educationally yours,
Terry
February 26, 2010
Now that the Boundary Task Force recommendations are approved by the Board, I want to say again a big thanks to Molly Austin, Cathy Cox, and Casie Wenmohs. They worked long and hard to support the best interests of all of our kids and it is very much appreciated!!!
The PTA Carnival is coming up. This year, it will be another wonderful event. Please plan to attend from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5th.
Next week is also the beginning of the TAKS testing season. Our 4th graders are taking the TAKS Writing test on Wednesday, March 3rd. This is, in my opinion, the hardest of the tests that our kids take in elementary school. It requires students to answer a series of multiple-choice questions and then write an essay. So, if you have a 4th grader, they need a hug on Wednesday when they come home.
Saturday, March 6th our 5th graders participate in Volleyball Playday at the UT Recreational Center. We always send several teams and the kids have a great time.
Saturday is also Explore UT day. I have attended this in the past and found it to be a great time for kids. They get to do different activities at the different colleges and it is just a fun way to introduce the idea of college.
Educationally yours,
Terry
The PTA Carnival is coming up. This year, it will be another wonderful event. Please plan to attend from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5th.
Next week is also the beginning of the TAKS testing season. Our 4th graders are taking the TAKS Writing test on Wednesday, March 3rd. This is, in my opinion, the hardest of the tests that our kids take in elementary school. It requires students to answer a series of multiple-choice questions and then write an essay. So, if you have a 4th grader, they need a hug on Wednesday when they come home.
Saturday, March 6th our 5th graders participate in Volleyball Playday at the UT Recreational Center. We always send several teams and the kids have a great time.
Saturday is also Explore UT day. I have attended this in the past and found it to be a great time for kids. They get to do different activities at the different colleges and it is just a fun way to introduce the idea of college.
Educationally yours,
Terry
February 21, 2010
Next week the Enrichment Committee has a Dance Troupe coming to perform for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. This continues to help us celebrate Black History Month.
Next week we also begin training the teachers for our 4th Grade Writing TAKS test. If you have a 4th grade child, please make sure that you are not planning doctor’s appointments for Wednesday, March 3rd. This test is challenging and will take all day.
I had the opportunity to attend the Oak Hill Rotary Club meeting this last Monday. The Rotarians’ emphasis is on literacy. This year they have given every student in 3rd grade a dictionary, and have also given our 4th graders a thesaurus and 5th graders an atlas. These are great gifts not just for now, but for the rest of our student’s educational careers.
Educationally yours,
Terry
Next week we also begin training the teachers for our 4th Grade Writing TAKS test. If you have a 4th grade child, please make sure that you are not planning doctor’s appointments for Wednesday, March 3rd. This test is challenging and will take all day.
I had the opportunity to attend the Oak Hill Rotary Club meeting this last Monday. The Rotarians’ emphasis is on literacy. This year they have given every student in 3rd grade a dictionary, and have also given our 4th graders a thesaurus and 5th graders an atlas. These are great gifts not just for now, but for the rest of our student’s educational careers.
Educationally yours,
Terry
February 15, 2010
Friday, February 5th our PTA sponsored a Reading Event where teachers, parents, authors and our constable read to the kids. It was a great time and I hope we will do it again. I would like to thank Geeta Suggs for coming up with the idea and then Jodi Picardat, Lucy May and her class, Tracy Ferguson, Pixi Phillips, Paul Cumings, Christi Keller-Bergh, Contable McCain, and Stacey Underwood for all of their work to make this evening a success. I love any event that emphasizes reading and the enjoyment of reading.
Monday, February 15th is Elementary Parent Conference Day. I hope many of you take advantage of this day to get feedback on your child’s learning this year.
Thanks to all of the parents that helped at our Valentine’s Parties. The kids all had a great time.
Educationally yours,
Terry
Monday, February 15th is Elementary Parent Conference Day. I hope many of you take advantage of this day to get feedback on your child’s learning this year.
Thanks to all of the parents that helped at our Valentine’s Parties. The kids all had a great time.
Educationally yours,
Terry
February 7, 2010
Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast was another big success for our PTA. Thanks to all of the parents and teachers that helped make this happen, but special thanks to Jill Ivie for planning and organizing the event.
Thursday, February 4th was the 100th day of school. This is a big celebration, especially for our younger students.
Thanks to all of the students, parents and staff that supported the PTA Reading Event. Any event that promotes reading is always appreciated. Thanks for this goes out to Geeta Suggs.
Next week is a short week with Staff Development for teachers on Friday and Valentine Parties throughout the week. Thanks to all of the parents for helping out with our parties.
Conference Day is Monday, February 15th. This is a student holiday, but please contact the teacher if you have concerns for your child.
Parent Surveys will be coming home today, please let us know your thoughts. You can send these back to school with your child.
Educationally yours,
Terry
Thursday, February 4th was the 100th day of school. This is a big celebration, especially for our younger students.
Thanks to all of the students, parents and staff that supported the PTA Reading Event. Any event that promotes reading is always appreciated. Thanks for this goes out to Geeta Suggs.
Next week is a short week with Staff Development for teachers on Friday and Valentine Parties throughout the week. Thanks to all of the parents for helping out with our parties.
Conference Day is Monday, February 15th. This is a student holiday, but please contact the teacher if you have concerns for your child.
Parent Surveys will be coming home today, please let us know your thoughts. You can send these back to school with your child.
Educationally yours,
Terry
January 31, 2010
Saturday was the big PTA Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant. I hope you got the opportunity to come to this event. I appreciate all of the community building that our PTA has done and is continuing to do this school year. Thanks!!!
This week our 5th grade students will be going to the LBJ Museum and Library on three different days. The kids always enjoy this field trip and come back amazed that so much history has taken place in Austin.
Friday night from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. the PTA Reading Event will be in our cafeteria. Anything that encourages reading and the enjoyment of reading is great in my estimation.
Educationally yours,
Terry
This week our 5th grade students will be going to the LBJ Museum and Library on three different days. The kids always enjoy this field trip and come back amazed that so much history has taken place in Austin.
Friday night from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. the PTA Reading Event will be in our cafeteria. Anything that encourages reading and the enjoyment of reading is great in my estimation.
Educationally yours,
Terry
January 22, 2010
Saturday, January 16th was the PTA Fun Run and it was a great success for all age levels. It was also another great community building event and a big thanks goes out to Kristen Palmer, PE teacher at OHE, and Geeta Suggs, a PTA parent and our webmaster, for organizing this event. The sun came out and everyone got the opportunity to work on that New Year’s resolution to exercise a little more. Thanks to everyone that came out to participate!!
This week the teachers of Oak Hill voted for Teacher of the Year and I am proud to tell you that Paul Cumings, 4th grade teacher and Mr. Coupon, is our Teacher of the Year for the 2009 – 2010 school year. When you look at all of the great teachers that we have at Oak Hill Elementary it is truly an honor to be our Teacher of the Year. I am also very proud that Melanie Fraser, 3rd grade Bilingual teacher, and Allison Trippe, Special Education teacher, were also on the ballot.
In your Friday Folders, your children will be bringing home our school’s report card. We are legally required to send out a paper copy of this information. If you have questions about this information, please feel free to call 414-2336.
Educationally yours,
Terry
This week the teachers of Oak Hill voted for Teacher of the Year and I am proud to tell you that Paul Cumings, 4th grade teacher and Mr. Coupon, is our Teacher of the Year for the 2009 – 2010 school year. When you look at all of the great teachers that we have at Oak Hill Elementary it is truly an honor to be our Teacher of the Year. I am also very proud that Melanie Fraser, 3rd grade Bilingual teacher, and Allison Trippe, Special Education teacher, were also on the ballot.
In your Friday Folders, your children will be bringing home our school’s report card. We are legally required to send out a paper copy of this information. If you have questions about this information, please feel free to call 414-2336.
Educationally yours,
Terry
January 15, 2010
Mrs. Polan, Kindergarten teacher, wrote a grant and has gotten it funded for $5,160 from Synopsys,Inc. The money from this grant, “Science Discovery in Kindergarten Science Centers”, will be used to purchase 4 Proscope digital microscopes, each with a dedicated MAC Book computer for kindergarten students at Oak Hill. The goal is to give all kindergarten students equal access to technology as part of discovery and investigations in their science centers. We just love Mrs. Polan!!!
Mrs. Calabrese, 1st grade teacher, wrote a Target Grant and has gotten $800 so that all of the 1st grade students could go to the Blanton Art Museum for a field Trip. We just love Mrs. Calabrese!!!
Monday, January 18th, is a staff and student holiday.
On Thursday, January 21st, our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will have a Jazz Workshop in the morning. This is an event that we have every year and our students always enjoy it.
On Friday, January 22nd, the 1st grade students are going to One World Theatre for a field trip. We also have three of our Kindergarten classes that are going to the Austin Nature and Science Center for a field trip on the same day.
Educationally yours,
Terry
Mrs. Calabrese, 1st grade teacher, wrote a Target Grant and has gotten $800 so that all of the 1st grade students could go to the Blanton Art Museum for a field Trip. We just love Mrs. Calabrese!!!
Monday, January 18th, is a staff and student holiday.
On Thursday, January 21st, our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will have a Jazz Workshop in the morning. This is an event that we have every year and our students always enjoy it.
On Friday, January 22nd, the 1st grade students are going to One World Theatre for a field trip. We also have three of our Kindergarten classes that are going to the Austin Nature and Science Center for a field trip on the same day.
Educationally yours,
Terry
January 10, 2010
We have a CAC Meeting this Monday and I hope to discuss the AISD Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2015 and also our school’s budget for next school year. The CAC meets in the library at 3 p.m.
If you would like to nominate your child for our Gifted and Talented Program you can do this from January 11 – 22nd. Please talk to your child’s teacher to get this process started.
On Saturday, January 16th, our PTA is sponsoring a Family Fun Run at the school from 10:45 – 12:00 p.m. Geeta Suggs, OHE parent, and Kristen Palmer, OHE PE teacher, are working to make this a fun, yet healthy, event. Please come and join the fun.
Educationally yours,
Terry
If you would like to nominate your child for our Gifted and Talented Program you can do this from January 11 – 22nd. Please talk to your child’s teacher to get this process started.
On Saturday, January 16th, our PTA is sponsoring a Family Fun Run at the school from 10:45 – 12:00 p.m. Geeta Suggs, OHE parent, and Kristen Palmer, OHE PE teacher, are working to make this a fun, yet healthy, event. Please come and join the fun.
Educationally yours,
Terry
December 11th, 2009
The Boundary Meeting was in the cafeteria on Monday. I am very thankful that Molly Austin and Cathy Cox are our representatives on this committee. I am also thankful for Casie Wenmohs for organizing this meeting. We had many parents who also helped or attended and this is also appreciated.
Candi Caporal, our counselor, gave a presentation on Bullying for our PTA Meeting on Tuesday. Her knowledge of the topic made for a very interesting presentation. We also appreciate her ability to answer challenging questions.
Our 5th graders had a music program on Thursday and it was really cute. Thanks go out to the 5th grade students, the 5th grade teachers, and our music teachers.
Monday is our SafePlace Assembly. This assembly is a tradition at Oak Hill. We collect toys for both SafePlace and the West Rural Community Center. We do this assembly to help all of our children understand how important it is to give to others.
Our students also have holiday parties next week. The students always enjoy and have a good time at their parties. Thanks to the homeroom parents who work so hard to make these parties a success.
On Wednesday, our 3rd and 4th graders will take part in a Rotary Assembly. In this assembly the Oak Hill Rotarians give dictionaries to the 3rd graders and will be giving each of our 4th graders a thesaurus. These are such wonderful gifts to our students and we are thankful to our Oak Hill Rotarians for being concerned about our students’ literacy.
Educationally yours,
Terry
Candi Caporal, our counselor, gave a presentation on Bullying for our PTA Meeting on Tuesday. Her knowledge of the topic made for a very interesting presentation. We also appreciate her ability to answer challenging questions.
Our 5th graders had a music program on Thursday and it was really cute. Thanks go out to the 5th grade students, the 5th grade teachers, and our music teachers.
Monday is our SafePlace Assembly. This assembly is a tradition at Oak Hill. We collect toys for both SafePlace and the West Rural Community Center. We do this assembly to help all of our children understand how important it is to give to others.
Our students also have holiday parties next week. The students always enjoy and have a good time at their parties. Thanks to the homeroom parents who work so hard to make these parties a success.
On Wednesday, our 3rd and 4th graders will take part in a Rotary Assembly. In this assembly the Oak Hill Rotarians give dictionaries to the 3rd graders and will be giving each of our 4th graders a thesaurus. These are such wonderful gifts to our students and we are thankful to our Oak Hill Rotarians for being concerned about our students’ literacy.
Educationally yours,
Terry