F A L L

2 0 1 1

the

Brahma Newsletter
Inside this issue:
3 HES: Bursting with Pride 3 HJH: Celebrating Success

HISD Continues to Spark Success in the Midst of Budget Cuts, Construction, and Renovation
The Hallettsville Brahmas have begun the 2011-2012 school year with confidence and pride as the district aims to provide students with many opportunities for academic, athletic, vocational, extracurricular, and personal success. During the spring of 2011, students in the Hallettsville Independent School District made significant gains in a number of areas on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, and teachers are already gearing up to help students master the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments approved by the Texas Legislature.

4 HHS: Exploding with Success 4 Brahma Athletics 5 Curriculum Corner Technology Tidbits 6 HISD Calendar 2011-2012

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Despite the progress made in various subject areas and grade levels, HISD was rated Acceptable by the Texas Education Agency due to the performance of certain subpopulations. Therefore, teachers and administrators will be concentrating on helping all subpopulations succeed, especially those identified as economically disadvantaged. They will also be striving to increase the percent of students earning commended performance on the STAAR.

current HHS science labs to transform them into the HISD administration office, will occur in the spring of 2012. As soon as the business office is complete, the existing HISD administration office will be sold or demolished to allow for a safer elementary drop-off and pick-up area and additional parking for staff members, parents, and visitors.

The district will be planning a community open house of the new facilities in late December or early January, and we hope that you will take an opportunity to see As the state of Texas and legislators have worked to decrease governmental spending, school districts have also the new and improved learning environment that has been built for the students of Hallettsville ISD! been forced to examine ways to reduce their budgets yet rise to meet ever-increasing accountability standards. Dr. Jo Ann Bludau HISD Superintendent Board members, administrators, teachers, and staff of Hallettsville ISD also met during a number of budget workshops throughout the spring and during the summer to develop ways to reduce the overall budget while still providing an excellent education for the students of HISD. While school is in session on all three HISD campuses, construction and renovation continues on the HHS campus. Completion of the new Hallettsville High School classrooms and cafetorium is expected in December of 2011. We encourage all parents and visitors to be patient and understanding as we are dealing with limited parking and construction traffic near the high school campus. The remaining construction, including renovations of the

The school board met in June to develop annual goals and priorities and determined that the district will focus on the following: Challenging academics and consistent discipline at all levels Effective and positive communication across the district and with the community Efficient use of district resources while maintaining a high-quality educational program
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FALL 2011

HES: Bursting with Pride

Hallettsville Elementary is Bursting with Pride. Our 2011 mastery of the Texas Academic Knowledge and Skills assessment is a testament to our dedication to education and excellence. Reading: 3rd-94% 4th- 94%; Math: 3rd-93% 4th-100%; Writing: 4th- 98% As always, the HES goal is for each student to experience success and reach his or her academic potential. This year, all staff members have been trained in CSCOPE, an online curriculum management system. HES teams will continue to attend CSCOPE content specific trainings throughout the school year, and we are eager to engage children by implementing new strategies and techniques in the classroom to meet the demands of the new state assessment: STAAR. Technology integration plays a role in daily instruction. HES students are given the opportunity to work with a variety of digital media including computers, iPads, iTouches, flip videos and web-based instruction. The HES staff and I look forward to a new school year as we strive to carry on the tradition of success. Trina Patek HES Principal

HJH: Celebrating Success The 2011-2012 school year is under way, and the HJHS staff and students are ready to Celebrate Success at

HJHS. Our vision for all students is to celebrate learning and enjoy the opportunities available at HJHS. Students are encouraged to get involved in clubs/organizations or athletic programs on campus and participate in UIL academic competition. HJHS 5th through 8th grade students are fortunate to have the latest technology available to aid in learning. Students and teachers explore what technology has to offer to make the educational experience more relevant to todays world. Teachers from HJHS have presented at Region and State TCEA conferences this past year to demonstrate how they are using technology in the classroom. Their dedication to the students of this campus is noted each and every day. In order to ensure that all students are successful, HJH will have mandatory tutoring five days a week for students that are failing one or more courses. As the year progresses, this time will also be used for organizational meetings, UIL practice, band practice, and optional tutoring for students that may need further instruction. Parents are also encouraged to participate in Family Access to monitor their childs grades at all times. HJHS staff is looking forward to working closely with our students and parents to ensure that every opportunity for learning is used. With everyones help, each and every student will Celebrate Success during the 2011-2012 school year. Sophie Teltschik HJHS Principal

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FALL 2011

HHS: Exploding with Success

The faculty and staff have been involved in numerous trainings throughout the summer in preparation for the upcoming school year. These opportunities for professional development covered areas that included the aspects of the new STAAR and End-of-Course exams. The training sessions also dealt with technology, specific subject matter, and new laws dealing with education. The campus is changing shape rapidly in many ways. The construction of the new portion of the building project is on schedule to be completed December 20. Teachers and students will move in shortly thereafter. The high school welcomes the additions of three new faculty members. Mr. Jon Lamson comes to us from Bellville and will be teaching Spanish, as well as coaching. Mr. Darius Wilson and Mr. Dustin Keller are joining us from U.T.S.A. and will be in our social studies department, along with their coaching duties. The high school staff eagerly awaits the arrival of this years student body and we look forward to another successful and rewarding school year. Russell Kowalik HHS Principal

Brahma/Lady Brahma Athletics

The Brahmas/Lady Brahmas have begun their fall campaigns for football, volleyball, and cross-country teams. The majority of these athletes have come into their seasons with great attitudes and goals set for a chance to demonstrate success to our community and our opponents. All of the athletes that worked hard throughout the summer training program have been able to face the heat wave of Texas with great courage. We have been taking extra water breaks above and beyond what has been offered in previous years in an effort to keep our athletes hydrated. Some of our workouts have even been slowed down in an effort to offer cool-down periods to all of our players. As we move forward into our competitive schedules, each of our athletes seems to be aware of the need to improve on a daily basis at practice and games. Most of our athletes are in the process of earning the respect of their peers and opponents by increasing performance levels in all of our fall sports. We, as a coaching staff, are excited and privileged to coach all of our Hallettsville athletes. All of us, combined with the athletes and community, are looking forward to successful seasons this fall. We also want to thank everyone for backing the athletes in our efforts to have many great memories built through competition. Tommy Psencik HISD Athletic Director
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FALL 2011

Curriculum Corner

As we begin the new school year, we are excited about the opportunities and resources we have to Spark Success at HISD. We started with professional development days that focused on CSCOPE, an online curriculum management system, and the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). CSCOPE includes quality instructional documents that are aligned with the TEKS and the new STAAR. It offers the highest standards of rigor and relevance in a quality curriculum system. Teachers participated in two days of training focused on enhancing our curriculum and preparing for STAAR. The STAAR will be implemented for students in grades 3-8 and first year freshmen this year. It will include 12 end-of-course tests that will eventually replace all the TAKS tests at the high school level. It will also involve linking tests in grades 3 through 8 to the end-of-course assessments so that students will be better prepared for college and careers. The new STAAR will assess the content of courses at a greater depth and a higher level of complexity. As we pursue our goal of success for every student, we will continue to provide quality professional development for all faculty and staff. Dr. Mandy Bucek HISD Curriculum Director

Technology Tidbits

A new school year has brought new changes in technology at HISD. The MacBook laptops that were checked out to students in grades 6-12 for the last several years have been placed on laptop carts for use in the teachers classrooms. Students are assigned a specific laptop to use in each class, and teachers have included ample time during the class period for the students to complete all assignments on the laptops at school. In an extraordinary circumstance, at their discretion and depending on availability, the teacher may allow a student to checkout a laptop to complete an assignment. Students may also copy their files from the laptop they use at school to a jump drive so that they will have their work available to them off campus for access on another computer. As always, students are responsible for the care of the laptop that they use at school. These changes have improved the overhead in maintaining the laptops and also the assurance that when a teachers lesson calls for the use of a laptop, every student will have one at school to use. To accommodate the changes in technology, HISD has updated the Acceptable Use Policy. The technology department asks that all parents/guardians review the rules and regulations with their student to ensure proper usage and avoid adverse consequences. The new AUP was sent home with each student and can also be accessed on the HISD website under the Technology Operations Group webpage. If anyone has any questions or needs clarification, please email Denise Henk at dhenk@hisdbrahmas.org. Carla Jones HISD Director of Instructional Technology Denise Henk HISD Director of Technology Operations
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AUGUST 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

402 N. Ridge Hallettsville, TX 77964 361-798-2242

First Day of Classes: August 22, 2011 Last Day of School: June 1, 2012 Graduation: June 1, 2012

JANUARY 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

First Semester/Six Weeks

August 22 - September 30 October 3 - November 11 28 days 29 days 25 days

SEPTEMBER 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

November 14 - January 6

Second Semester/Six Weeks

January 10 - February 17 February 21 - April 5 April 10 - June 1
Beginning of Six Weeks End of Six Weeks

FEBRUARY 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

29 days 28 days 38 days

5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

OCTOBER 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

!
1

TAKS Testing Dates TAKS Retesting

Sun

MARCH 2012
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

STAAR Testing Dates Teacher Workday/Student Holiday Staff Development/Student Holiday New Teacher Orientation Early Release Holiday Bad Weather Day 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

8 15 22 29

NOVEMBER 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

APRIL 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

TAKS/STAAR Testing Dates

October 18,19,20,21 March 5,7,8,9 March 26,27,28,29 April 24 April 25 April 26 April 27 May 7-11 & 14-17
Exit Level Retest for ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies Social Studies (Exit retest), ELA (10,Exit retest), Math (Exit retest), Science (Exit retest) Math (5, 8), Writing (4,7, 9, 10,11) Reading (5,8,9,10,11) Math (3,4,6,7,10), ELA (Exit retest) Reading (3,4,6,7), Math (Exit, Exit retest) Science (5,8,10,Exit, Exit retest) Social Studies (8,10,Exit,Exit retest) Math, History, Science (9)

1 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

DECEMBER 2011
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

MAY 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

1 6 13 20 27 7 14 21 28 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25 1

5 12 19 26 2

Total Instructional Days Total Workdays Total Staff Dev. Days

177 3 7