Spring Hill ISD
District Newsletter - September 2022
A Message From the Superintendent
Dear School Community,
As we kicked off the 2022-23 school year with district convocation, I presented information from The Happiness Advantage, a book written by New York Times bestselling author Shawn Achor. In his book Achor shares that research by professional psychologists shows only 10% of our happiness is based on life circumstances. The other 90% is determined by how our brain perceives the world. Shawn Achor believes by changing the lens through which you see the world, you can change your reality and increase your level of happiness. Achor calls this positive frame of mind “the happiness advantage.”
Shawn Achor shares 5 habits we can do to increase our happiness level:
Show Gratitude - Write down 3 things you are grateful for each day.
Journal - Write about something positive that occurred each day.
Acts of Kindness - Perform random acts of kindness for family, friends, coworkers, etc.
Exercise - At least 10 minutes a day.
Prayer/Meditation/Quiet Time - At least 10 minutes daily.
I challenge you to begin the happiness advantage process today! There are many positive happenings throughout our school district, community, state, and beyond each and every day. Together, as an educational community, let’s focus on the positive and experience the happiness advantage making our school environment the very best it can be for our most treasured group ~ our students!
Sincerely,
Penny Fleet
#PantherProud
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer
Spring Hill High School Students Receive AP Capstone Recognition
Three Spring Hill High School students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma and two students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate during the 2021-22 school year.
The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical for academic success.
"We proudly recognize the achievements of students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program," said Principal Melinda Tidwell. "Our AP Capstone students and teachers have shown extraordinary commitment. This is a meaningful college readiness program that will serve our students well after high school."
To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research.
Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. More than 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year, when approximately 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,200 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.
Unlike traditional AP subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year.
Rather than focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: students are empowered to create research projects based on topics of personal interest and they are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects.
Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Spring Hill High School Landan Coe, Vallen Dennis, and Lindsey Hall were awarded the AP Capstone Diploma by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on 4 additional AP Exams.
Two students were awarded the AP Seminar and Research Certificate by earning scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. They are Demi Ferguson and Jace Jones.
Several other students received honors recognition for their performance on AP exams in the spring. They are:
Apples To Apples
Classes at Spring Hill Primary recently completed a unit study on apples. Students discussed the life cycle of an apple, created apple crafts and fact books, and worked at apple-themed stations. They also had an apple taste test investigation and created a class graph to show what type of apple each student liked best.
SHISD Takes Steps To Enhance Security
Spring Hill ISD recently implemented additional safety measures throughout the district. Visitors will notice that security video intercoms have been installed at the main entrance of each campus. These intercoms allow office staff to communicate with and identify campus visitors prior to granting access to the office.
“The safety of our students and staff is a top priority,” said Superintendent Penny Fleet. “We continue to make enhancements to achieve the safest environment possible.”
Spring Hill ISD Hosts Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee Meeting
To provide an opportunity for discussion among educators and individuals from business and industry, Spring Hill ISD recently hosted a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Advisory Committee Meeting.
"Advisory Committee meetings allow SHISD to build relationships with post-secondary educational institutions and local businesses," said Assistant Superintendent of Career and College Readiness Adrian Knight. "Through these partnerships, we're able to gather information that helps us ensure our CTE programs are up to date with the education and skills that are in demand in the workplace. That, in turn, helps SHISD better prepare our students for life after high school."
Spring Hill ISD CTE Programs of Study include Carpentry, Electrical, Digital Communications, Audio/Video Production, Accounting and Financial Services, Exercise Science and Wellness, Culinary Arts, Welding, and Healthcare Diagnostics - Nursing Science.
Panther Athletic Connect
The Spring Hill Athletic Department would like to invite parents and community members to Panther Athletic Connect (PAC). This provides an opportunity for parents and community members to get informed about Athletic Department happenings and to give input on various topics. PAC meetings are once a month at 6 p.m. and are hosted in the High School Little Theater. Contact Athletic Director Shawn Copeland with questions at scopeland@shisd.net.
CHAMPS: A Proactive, Positive Approach to Behavior Management
All Spring Hill campuses are implementing the CHAMPS program this year. The acronym stands for Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, and Success. CHAMPS is a proactive and positive approach to classroom management so that learning time can be maximized. Teachers have CHAMPS procedures in their classrooms, and all campuses have CHAMPS procedures in their common areas.
C-Conversation (Noise level for the activity)
H-Help (How do students get their questions answered?)
A-Activity (What is the task/objective and end product)
M-Movement (Can students move around during the activity?)
P-Participation (What does the expected behavior look and sound like?)
S-Success (Students who follow CHAMPS will be successful!)
Education Foundation To Host Fundraiser
The Spring Hill Education Foundation will host its annual Blue Out Bash fundraiser at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 15 at The Landmark Social.
"The Education Foundation’s Blue Out Casino Night is going to be such a fun night in October," said Education Foundation Board President Natasha Duncan. "There will be great food, a fun night of games and some fabulous prizes to win. The best part of the night is the proceeds of the event go to support the teachers of the best school district in East Texas."
Tickets are $50 per person. For more about Blue Out Bash or to purchase tickets, visit the Education Foundation website.
Spring Hill ISD ESL Parent Information
Take a look at these websites to support your English Learners at home:
Helpful Websites For At-Home Learning in English
Helpful Websites For At-Home Learning in Spanish
For additional parent and student resources, lessons, and activities to do at home, visit the Spring Hill ESL Website.
Dates To Remember
Monday, October 10 & Tuesday, October 11
Student and Staff Holiday
Monday, October 31
Student Holiday / Staff Professional Development Day