S P R I N G 2 0 1 1

the

Hallettsville ISD

Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Hand-on Scientific Technology at HESJoin the Excitement at HJHS page 3HHS Spring EventsBrahma Athletics page 4Technology TidbitsCurriculum Corner page 5HHS ConstructionProject Update page 6

HISD Focus on Student Successand Continuous Improvement

Part of being in a learning community involves reaching beyondour boundaries for new ideas, learning from our prior experiences, and building upon the knowledge of what works anddoesn’t work. During the past three years, campus and districtleaders have reviewed staff surveys to determine areas where weneed to improve in our district. This year, parents of HISDstudents have also been asked to join in these efforts to providefeedback for HISD leaders, teachers, and staff members so thatwe can provide the best possible education for the children of Hallettsville ISD. To complete the online survey, please go towww.hisdbrahmas.org One of our newest initiatives in HISD is the Optional FlexibleYear Program, which is an incentive for some students and anopportunity to focus and get extra support for others.

Issue #4

The Academic Collaboration for Excellence (ACE)team of teacher leaders in HISD have also sharedtheir knowledge and expertise during professionaldevelopment sessions on flex days. These sessionshave provided all HISD teachers andparaprofessionals with ideas and strategies to engageand positively influence student learning in HISD.The district leadership team and calendar committeewill consider feedback from parents, teachers, andstaff members in determining the continuation of theFlex Day Program in HISD for the 2011-2012school year.The Board of Trustees of HISD continues to play akey role in helping our district stay focused oncontinuous improvement. During the summer of 2010, the Board determined that one of the district’spriorities in 2010-2011 was to review policies andprocedures for effectiveness and consistency. As aresult, campus and district administratorsparticipated in a Local Policy review and updatesession with a consultant from the TexasAssociation of School Boards in the Fall of 2010.The Board reviewed the recommendations of administration and approved updates to local policyat the February regular board meeting. Campusprincipals and department heads will continue torevise handbooks in the spring to reflect districtpolicy and established procedures.This spring school districts across the state arecarefully reviewing their needs and preparing for ashortfall of education funding that has beenpredicted for the state of Texas. In HISD, districtadministrators, principals, and department headshave been hard at work planning for the 2011-2012budget. Our goal is to continue to provide a highquality education in a more cost effective manner.The Board will be updated at the regular monthlymeetings on progress that is being made to developand reduce the 2011-2012 annual budget.Hallettsville ISD continues to utilize technology toimprove communication and recently made use of the Blackboard Connect Emergency NotificationSystem in early February as predictions of icyweather conditions prompted a number of schooldistricts in south central Texas to close for badweather. In order for the emergency notificationsystem to work properly, parents and staff membersmust keep phone numbers and e-mail addressesupdated with HISD to receive timely and effectivenotices in emergency situations. If at any time youneed to update your contact information, pleasecontact the campus principal or someone in theadministration office for assistance. The Districtalso launched the on-line prospective employeeapplication system in an effort to streamline theapplication and interview process. Please visit theHISD website and click the HISD Resources tab toaccess the on-line application and informationabout vacancies in the district.We look forward to seeing many of our communitymembers and parents during Public Schools Week and plan to have an Open House for the new Agand Career Tech Facilities in April. We appreciatethe support of our parents, community members,and business partners, and thank you for helping usto develop well-rounded students with a solidfoundation and Brahma Pride!~Dr. Jo Ann Bludau, Superintendent

Issue #4

staff members looked on as the students took the oathof the

organization. The annual 7

grade Social StudiesTexas Tea was held on March 3

. Famous Texanscame alive through the “autobiographical”presentations given by seventh grade students. TheHJHS Yearling Band members will participate in theMiddle School Concert and Sight Reading contest atTaylor High School during Public Schools Week,March 7 – 11, 2011. Other activities planned for theweek include a rock climbing activity to buildcharacter, the HJH Student Council Parent Drive ThruBreakfast, and “Worth The Wait” health programorganized by Nurse, Tobi Appelt. Parents are invitedto join us for lunch during Public Schools Week.~Sophie Teltschik, HJHS PrincipalThe spring semester at HJHS started out with muchexcitement for students and staff. Congratulationsto Mr. Doug Kubicek, HJH Social Studies Teacher,for receiving the 2010 Linden Heck HowellOutstanding Teaching of Texas History Award. Anassembly on January 28

, brought many specialguests to the campus to share stories about Mr.Kubicek and his love of Texas History. Mr.Kubicek received $5,000 from the HumanitiesTexas organization, while HJHS received $500.The school will use the money to purchase Texashistory based books for the library.The HJHS National Jr. Honor Society pinned 20new members during the Induction ceremony onFebruary 18, 2011. Parents, family members, and

Hands-on Scientific Technology at HES

As our nation swiftly moves into a society of informationrequiring higher levels of technical and analytical skills,Hallettsville Elementary delivers curriculum in ways thatmake the mastery of standards possible for all our students.State curriculum standards have significantlyincreased expectations at every level in the area of science. Hallettsville Elementary uses hands-onscientific technology. It engages students in ameaningful way, develops keen analytical skills, andawakens a love for discovery.Students recently studied our planet earth and thesolar system. Students utilized their textbooks andthe Internet to obtain photos, facts and details. Thedata was then compiled into a power pointpresentation.Students had the opportunity to capitalize on a widerange of temperatures this year as they recordeddaily temperatures and investigated the reaction of water to extreme high and low temperatures.Students also took on the role of CSI. Each year, Mr.Hunter, counselor and campus scientist, creates anoriginal crime scene. Students observe the scene, takenotes, obtain evidence and draw pictures. They must beextremely accurate in their data collection, for the sceneprops only remain for a day. Following data collection,students conduct a total of ten experiments on theevidence from the crime scene. Finally, studentscollaborate data, observations and test results todetermine a final suspect with supporting details andevidence.~Trina Patek, HES Principal