The Pirate Treasure
Celebrating A Tradition of Excellence at Pine Tree ISD
Primary
Upcoming Events at Pine Tree Primary
September 17th: Welcome! Parents may begin eating lunch with their student any day except Wednesday
September 24th: Watch DOGS Dad’s Night at 6:00 pm
September 25th: Big Kahuna Fundraiser Kickoff
Birch Elementary
On Thursday, August 23rd Birch Elementary invited students and their families to come and enjoy a refreshing treat with members of our administration. Students had the opportunity to pick their favorite popsicle flavor and discover all the playground equipment.
Everyone loved being able to mingle and talk to our principals in such a different, relaxed setting. Parents and members of our community thoroughly enjoyed the event as well.
BES Parent, Kamie Herrera, said, “Thanks for the fun activity! It was fun to interact with y’all and see my kids play on the playground I played on 20 years ago.”
Birch Elementary is starting the year off right by building positive relationships with our students and their families.
Parkway Elementary
Parkway Elementary Adventure Awaits: Parkway Kicks off the Year with Excitement
This has been an amazing start of the school year for Parkway Elementary. The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of our amazing teachers and students has been shown as we embark on a new school year of adventure, learning and student success.
The following information is a quick peek of some of the many Parkway Adventures that our students have experienced so far this year:
For the past weeks our amazing little pirates have been participating in collaborative learning activities, exploring the concept of graphing. In 1st grade, students graphed information about themselves and created a banner which was displayed in the hallway outside of their classes.
Our 2nd grade pirates have been reading and visualizing the story of Mercy Watson. These pirates have learned how to illustrate the mind movie they see when they read the book.
The 3rd graders have been building numeracy by doubling and halving numbers and learning the basic facts. They have been able to complete an exciting science experiment to study the changes caused by heat using M&Ms and chocolate chips.
The 4th grade students, have kicked off the year in the Reader and Writer workshop by writing descriptive personal narratives.
The adventure continues in our amazing specials areas. In PE, our Parkway students are learning the importance of living a healthy active lifestyle by performing gross motor conditioning and activities. In music, our younger students have begun the journey of foundational learning by being able to identify beats in music and how they are grouped together. They are also learning the importance of working together as a group and building relationships so their voice can be heard. In Art, students have begun building the foundation of basic art practices by learning the different lines that are used to draw and create. In addition, students have explored how lines can create space, texture, and dimension within a drawing.
To sum it up, the 2018-2019 school year is off to a great start. Students and teachers are dedicated to high expectations and student success.
To help support Parkway and the goals we have for our students’ success, Parkway Elementary will kick off their annual Fall fundraiser with Big Kahuna Fundraising.
The official kick off was September 11th. The fundraiser will be from (9/11 - 9/25). The money generated with this fundraiser will help pay for field trips, technology, and supplies.
Let’s work together to support our Parkway Pirates.
Fun Pirate Note - Did you know ……..September 19th is National Talk Like A Pirate Day?
Parkway Elementary 1st and 2nd Grade students will show off their “Pirate Pride” for the week of Sept. 11-14 by celebrating with lots of pirate singing, talking and movement in music class!!!
Upcoming Special Events
Fun Picture Day
Date: September 20th
Location: Parkway Elementary
Fun Fall Fest
Date: October 16th
Location: Parkway Elementary
Time: 5:30PM-7:00PM
**Details to come!!!!
2nd Grade Field Trip
Date: October 12th
Location: Yesterland Farm, Canton, Texas
3rd Grade Music Program
Date: Tuesday, November 6th
Location: Pine Tree District Auditorium
Parkway’s 3rd grade students will be performing the music production, “Being Thankful!” This program will be honoring our Veterans and celebrating the Thanksgiving holidays. This singing spectacular will begin at 6:30PM.
Junior High
Junior High Lady Pirates Off to A Busy Start
The Pine Tree JH Lady Pirates are off to a busy start for the 2018-2019 school year. Pine Tree hosted a Junior High Volleyball tournament at the Pirate Center on September 8th and will travel to Lindale on September 15th for a tournament.
The 8th grade team has been practicing every morning before school, while the 7th grade practices after school. The 8th grade Lady Pirates have a lot of talented girls and some strong leaders. They have been working really hard for the first three weeks of school, and these girls have a bright athletic future.
PT Junior High has over 100 girls in 7th grade athletics and they are learning what athletics is all about. We have very high expectations for these girls and are looking forward to seeing them grow.
High School
PTHS Off to Great Start for 2018-2019 School Year
Excitement, anticipation of excellence, and determination to be the best in academics, athletics and extra-curricular events - that is the game plan for Pine Tree High School this year as the 2018-2019 school year gets under way.
The hot weather has not deterred the students’ getting classes started with excellence on their minds, and the staff has a renewed excitement as the hot days of August hopefully turn into cooler and more temperate days in September.
Principal Cindy Gabehart welcomed over 280 seniors to school for their final year, and a total of approximately 1,300 students to campus for the academic year which began August 20.
In an opening message to students, she wanted to stress punctuality to classes, the desire to make good grades and the emphasis on finding a place to plug in on campus, whether it is in fine arts, UIL academics, athletics, choir, band or some club or organization.
Mrs. Gabehart is pleased with the way the year started and knows great things will continue.
Spirit had a great beginning at PTHS this year with a Meet the Pirate Pep Rally attended by nearly 2,000 people just prior to the start of classes. Pine Tree rolled over Bullard in the opening game of the year which saw a great performance from the football team as well as outstanding routines by drill team, cheerleaders, band and auxiliary.
Homecoming is just on the horizon- and plans for that event are already under way, according to Caity Rutledge, CTE teacher. The carnival is October 2 after school in the parking lot, a homecoming dance will be held on October 29 this year in the cafeteria and the annual Homecoming Game is set October 5 against Mt Pleasant. Pre-game ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. with last year’s queen and king, Keyana Kim and Mose Jeffery, returning to crown the new royalty. Students people selected for royalty have completed their information and balloting will occur soon.
On the academic front, new Fine Arts and UIL Director Annette Johnson is busy working with PTHS UIL Coordinator Collin Robertson and his staff of UIL advisers to get ready for a full academic calendar this year. The first two events will be in November, while Pine Tree will host an event in January and then travel to Whitehouse in January for another UIL event. District will take place in March.
Johnson has placed a heavy emphasis on getting teams full, getting people trained and bringing back the proud Pirate UIL tradition. She has an extensive UIL background and will aid Robertson, another UIL veteran, in finding team members for all of the groups.
Pine Tree has a host of new teachers, but that blend of new, mixed with veterans has only added to the academic excitement on campus this year. Students are pumped up with anticipation as they begin classes and experience interesting and educational ways of learning.
New PTISD Superintendent Steve Clugston is on campus frequently, and students eagerly await his appearance in the courtyard before classes begin in the morning to say hello and see his enthusiasm for the direction PTHS is heading. Clugston has made it his mission to “bring Pine Tree back,” and so far all students, administrators and staff are supporting the concept and moving the school positively into the future.
It may be only a few weeks into the school year, but if the opening days are any indication, this is going to be one of the best school years for Pine Tree High School. No doubt about it, Pine Tree administration, staff and students are ready to bring Pine Tree back.
ExCEL
ExCEL High School of Choice Forms Student Council
ExCEL High School of Choice has gotten off to a fast start this school year. For the first time in its history, ExCEL has formed a Student Council. Along with being a service to the community, the purpose of this body is to give the young scholars of ExCEL a voice in their school and its decision making processes.
The students have completed their first major service project by doing a book drive and mailing the books to a nonprofit organization in Atlanta called Books for Africa, a group dedicated to promoting literacy on that continent.
We are especially proud of these young scholars for their commitment to learning, model citizenship, and good will toward others. They have taken the opportunity afforded them by ExCEL's unique program to become their best. We salute them.
PACE
Pine Tree PACE SAVE Promise Club Supports Teen Court
The Pine Tree PACE SAVE Promise Club, will be participating in Cupcake Wars, at the 4th Annual Teen Court BBQ BASH Cook-off & Festival, on Saturday, September 22, 2018, from 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM at Flyin’ Feathers Ranch.
The BBQ Bash and Festival is a BBQ cooking competition and Cupcake War Showdown. There will be a Zombie Run to begin the day, followed by live music, local vendors, and activities for the kids; including bounce houses, a fishing rodeo, and games. The attendees will vote on the all you can eat through People's Choice in three categories: Best Chicken, Best Ribs, Best Brisket. There will be several groups represented in the Cupcake Wars, the People’s Choice gets bragging rights for the year.
Teen Court provides an alternative solution to families, in Longview and the surrounding counties, whose teenager has received a minor juvenile offense. The goal of Teen Court is to help young people before they ever enter into the juvenile justice system. Of the 300 area students annually served by Teen Court, around 90% successfully have their charges cleared or expunged from their permanent juvenile record.
Team PACE is proud to partner with Longview Teen Court for a second year and looks forward to continuing the tradition of healthy competition while supporting such a wonderful organization that benefits our local youth.
Start With Hello
During the week of September 24–28th, PACE will participate in Start With Hello Week and teach students the skills they need to create a culture of inclusion and connectedness, and encourage them to reach out to and include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation. Start With Hello Week raises awareness about social isolation and educates students and the community on how to prevent it.
Athletics
It's Great to be a Pine Tree Pirate!
FOOTBALL: Our Pirates have started the year 1-1 with district games coming up in a couple weeks. Pine Tree will travel to Hallsville on September 28th for the district opener. Game time 7:30pm.
VOLLEYBALL: The Lady Pirates won their first district game of the season at home last Friday. They defeated the Marshall Lady Mavericks and will continue district play this week at Lufkin on Tuesday and at Whitehouse Friday.
CROSS COUNTRY: Our cross country team is in the middle of their non-district schedule as they prepare to host their annual Pine Tree XC Puddle Jump meet. This year they will hold their meet at Lear Park on September 21st.
Schedules for all Pine Tree athletic events are posted online at http://www.pinetreeathletics.com/
Fine Arts
Pine Tree High School Fine Arts Represented well through Team Friday Nights!
“No rest for the creative,” in the PTISD Fine Arts Department.
The 200+ member Pine Tree Pride Band, The Precision Drill Team, PTHS Cheerleaders, and the Auxiliary have been working throughout the summer to be ready for the start of football season. They have already wowed us with their amazing talents at show-offs, pep rallies and games, and will continue to do so throughout the year. What an incredible Friday night crew! Go Pirates!
The Pine Tree HS Theatre Department is busy preparing for their upcoming fall musical, Mary Poppins, November 1-5, 2018. Look for some of your favorite characters to be making appearances throughout the Pine Tree community over the next couple of months. Tickets will be available online starting September 15 at pinetreetheatre.com. click here for tickets.
Pine Tree Mini Camps - Activities for our Littlest Pirates!
The Pine Tree Precision held its annual mini camp Saturday, Sept. 8. Look for these special Mini campers to perform on the track at the football game Friday, Sept. 14th.
Pine Tree Mini Cheer Camp is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 and Tea Time with Mary Poppins is scheduled for Saturday, October 20. Flyers will go home on the elementary campuses for these events.
Pine Tree Educator Nominee for LifeChanger of the Year Award
Pine Tree educator Natkeshia Raibon has been nominated for the LifeChanger of the Year award.
LifeChanger is a national program that recognizes educators for their positive difference they make in the lives of their students, for being a leader in the school community, for exemplifying excellence as an educator and for creating a nurturing atmosphere in our schools. Congratulations, Coach Raibon!
Pine Tree ISD Hosts Hands on Learning Opportunity for Community Members
Want to know more about Pine Tree ISD and how it operates? Wondering about programs or safety and security? Curious about school finance and how it affects you, our students, and employees?
Answers to these questions and many more are available by participating in Pine Tree ISD’s Community U program. Whether you are a community member, parent, new to the district or just want to know more about Pine Tree ISD, this eight session program will give you the inside look into the district. Community U is a hands-on opportunity to become an informed member of the Pine Tree ISD community.
The program meets once a month from October through May. Participants will meet with administrators and school board members covering a variety of topics from curriculum, nutrition, budgets, personnel and much more. Most importantly you will have the opportunity to interact with the leaders and decision makers of Pine Tree ISD.
Sessions will also provide interaction with students and teachers, tours of district facilities, and opportunities to see firsthand how the district operates. Members of the Pine Tree ISD Community U class will learn about all aspects of public education.
Community U is accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year. Click here for information or contact Melissa Gonzalez at 903-295-5021 or mgonzalez@ptisd.org.
Be a Pine Tree Volunteer!
It's always the perfect time to volunteer and no time like the present to get involved with our volunteer opportunities. Your time benefits students, enriches the school environment and community by providing positive, consistent support and encouragement. Your commitment supports and provides our students with a valuable resource and role model.
As a volunteer, your contributions combine to strengthen our educational team and share the goal of developing our greatest asset. There is no better way to show support than helping others with a passionate intention that offers the opportunity to be part of something bigger and better with a greater impact. Come join us!
For more information http://www.ptisd.org/page/Community.Volunteer
2018-2019 PTISD Board of Trustees
Anthony Tanner, Vice President
Jim Cerrato, Secretary
Dr. Melanie Roudkovski
Adam Graves
Dr. Kerri Daugbjerg
Campus Administration
Derrick Conley, Birch Elementary Principal - 903-295-5120
Melanie Keoun, Parkway Elementary Principal - 903-295-5151
Mickey White, Middle School Principal - 903-295-5160
Vanessa Robinson, Junior High Principal - 903-295-5081
Cindy Gabehart, High School Principal - 903-295-5031
Cleo Wadley, ExCEL High School of Choice - 903-295-6753
Shalonda Adams, PACE Principal - 903-295-5130
PTISD Superintendent
About PTISD
Email: mwhitton@ptisd.org
Website: www.ptisd.org
Location: 1701 Pine Tree Road, Longview, TX
Phone: 903-295-5136
Facebook: facebook.com/PTISD
Twitter: @PTISD