ALICE ISD - ISC Gazette
Instructional Support Center - September 2017
About this Newsletter
It is hard to believe we have only been in school four weeks! It has certainly been eventful! This first newsletter is a bit late, due to pushing back the start of schools. You should be receiving the next one a bit earlier in October. Thanks for all of your hard work on behalf of the students of Alice ISD. You ARE appreciated.
Leadership Academy
Noonan Elementary School Earns 5 Distinction Designations
AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency today announced that more than 400 campuses that achieved a Met Standard rating in the 2017 state accountability ratings also earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school.
Distinction designations are awarded to campuses based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential distinction designations can vary. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned for Academic Achievement in the following areas:
• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading;• Academic Achievement in Mathematics;
• Academic Achievement in Science;
• Academic Achievement in Social Studies;
• Top 25 Percent: Student Progress;
• Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and
• Postsecondary Readiness.
Amazing work takes place in classrooms across our state every school day, but especially on these campuses where every possible distinction has been earned,” said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.
Congratulations to the administration, faculty and staff at Noonan Elementary School. Your hard work and dedication is truly appreciated!
The school is under the leadership of Melissa Barrington and assistant principal Candi Blair.
For entire article and a list of all campuses with 5 distinctions click here:
Congratulations Alice ISD Schools
Several Campuses Receive Distinctions for the 2017-18 Accountability Year
We are excited to announce Alice ISD had several campuses achieve distinction designations in one or more of the academic achievement areas of: ELA/Reading, mathematics, science, social studies, top 25% student progress, top 25% closing performance gaps, and postsecondary readiness.
- Alice High School - 1 distinction (Math)
- Hillcrest Elementary - 4 distinctions (Reading, mathematics, top 25% closing performance gaps, and postsecondary readiness)
- Saenz Elementary - 2 distinctions (Math & top 25% student progress)
- Salazar Elementary - 2 distinctions (Math & Postsecondary readiness)
- Noonan Elementary - 5 distinctions (Reading, Math, student progress, closing performance gaps, post secondary readiness)
Beginning of Year TPRI Training
The TPRI is a highly reliable early reading assessment designed to identify the reading development of students in kindergarten through second grade. This diagnostic instrument is an easy to use one-on-one assessment which helps teachers provide targeted instruction so that students improve as readers.
The TPRI benchmark assessment is given 3 times / year. At all three grade levels, the TPRI consists of both a Screening and Inventory Section. The Screening Section quickly helps teachers to confidently identify students who may be at risk for reading difficulty. The Inventory Section of the assessment is a diagnostic tool which provides teachers with specific information about a student’s strengths and weakness in the following areas:
- Book and Print Awareness
- Phonemic Awareness
- Graphophonemic Knowledge and Word Reading
- Reading Accuracy
- Reading Fluency
- Listening Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
Information derived from the TPRI will assist teachers in planning targeted instruction for their students. The Intervention Activities Guide (IAG) gives teachers effective instructional activities to support the reading development of each student.
Intervention Activities
Teaching Phonemes
Beginning of Year TPRI Reminders
When giving the TPRI it is critical to be both consistent and accurate. Accurate information is important because the TPRI: 1. identifies students who may be at-risk 2. influences instruction; 3. provides information for teachers to report to parents. Use the TPRI Teacher’s Guide with every student and every task to ensure consistent and accurate administration. To ensure this, it is important that teachers:
- read the directions each time the assessment is given
- remember that when administering the TPRI, it is not a time to teach
- never provide hints to help students
- remain positive and encouraging with all students, without praising individual answers. You can tell students “thank you” or “nice job” at the end of the task
Using TANGO to Administer TPRI
TANGO Software
Hands on Training for Teachers
Using the I.A.G.
Preparing for the day
New teachers diligently taking notes
Make & Take Time! PK - 2 Grade Teachers Receive Intervention Activities
We would also like to give thanks to our own, Dora Ruiz, for her countless hours of assistance this summer for helping us to get those intervention activities sorted out.
Teachers are starting the year off with some awesome activities that are sure to make a difference in the educational experiences of our awesome Alice ISD students.
Comprehension Connections & The Story of My Thinking
The training was provided for ELAR teachers in grades 3-8 and was presented by district ELAR director Marta Salazar and literacy coaches Mia Campos and Dr. Barbara Stottlemyer. The material presented not only gave participants a quick overview of the launching lessons in McGregor's book, but it also showed teachers how writing could be incorporated into each of these launching lessons. The writing activities that were presented to teachers were based on Bernabei's book The Story of My Thinking. Together the reading and writing strategies that were modeled are those that help teachers build bridges between the concrete and the abstract when teaching students to "think about their thinking." The best way to determine if your students have truly mastered a concept is to have them show you in writing what they have learned.
Presenters model another launching lesson
Mia Campos demonstrates the "Reading Salad" lesson
From abstract to concrete - easy anchor lessons to follow
Alice ISD Receives Professional Development Resources for Teachers
Thank you Texas Literacy Initiative Liaisons for All Your Support
Approximately $54,000 worth of professional development books were shipped out to Alice ISD.
The Alice ISD literacy team along with our awesome TLI literacy liaisons worked tirelessly to collate the books and package them for each campus in the district. These books will be rolled out in future professional development sessions or at campus PLC meetings. Each reading specialist and literacy coach will receive a set of all books and each campus will also receive a master set of these books to keep on hand for their professional development libraries.
We are going to miss Sandra Vasquez-Nunez and Rose Cantu. Thank you for imparting your knowledge and wisdom with the teachers of Alice ISD, thank you for making a difference, and finally thank you for making our final Texas Literacy Initiative year one of the best!
After All the Books are Packaged - Still Time for a Selfie
Attending a TPRI Training at CLI Headquarters
We Have Plenty of PD Books to Go Around
Just a Sample of Our Awesome Resources
Books for All Grade Levels
Alice ISD Literacy Team Working Together
A Busy Packaging Day
These were Just the Elementary Boxes!
Special Education- Here VGo Again!
I am excited to share that we begin our fourth year with the VGo technology program.
Our district utilizes a Brooke’s Bot for one of our homebound students. This technology is a robot named after a young girl, Brooke Hester. Brooke’s Bot helps one of our intermediate homebound students stay connected with classroom instruction, as well as experience peer interaction, during a time when it is not possible for her to physically attend class in the school environment. Brooke’s Bot allows our student to log in, interact live-time, and be an active participant in her class via technology.
Prior to implementation of the robot in the classrooms, I provide a short informational presentation to the classrooms that will utilize the VGo and introduce them to my Homebound student. I find that they too, become excited to be able to participate and engage with their classmate via the Bot.
In order to assure our continued participation in this wonderful program, each year we must ensure that we are in compliance with all criteria, eligibility requirements and qualifications. I feel privileged to be a part of this program, and I can see the benefits every time I hear my student express how she feels to be a part of her campus.
By Brenda Blum
Special Education
Homebound Teacher Alice ISD
Anti-Bullying Rally Kicks Off the 2017-18 School Year
Local AHS Junior Spreads Awareness about Bullying
Congratulations to Mariel Zambrano and her family, the Alice Police Department, Jim Wells County Sheriff's department, and members of the Calaveras for putting together an awesome event.
Advanced Academics
Alice ISD Gifted and Talented Student Program
Gifted and Talented Frequently Asked Questions (excerpt from tea.texas.gov)
Who is required to have professional development in G/T education?
Teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district’s defined G/T services are required to receive a minimum of 30 clock hours of professional development prior to their assignment to provide G/T services and instruction. This
30-hour training must include nature and needs of G/T students, identification and assessment of G/T students’ needs, and curriculum and instruction for G/T students. Teachers without required training must complete the 30-hour training within one semester of assignment to provide G/T services and instruction. Teachers must also receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in G/T education (TAC §89.2(1), (2) and (3); State Plan 4.1.1.C, 4.1.2.C and 4.2C).
If a teacher completed the 30-hour foundational G/T training several years ago and has not continued with the 6-hour annual G/T professional development updates, must he/she retake the 30-hour training to be considered a G/T trained teacher in Texas?
There is no such requirement in law or rule; however local district policies may include this requirement. Alice ISD procedures require that staff turn in a certificate to central office if he/she has previously completed the 30-hour training (e.g. while with another district). Otherwise, staff members are expected to repeat the 30-hour initial training.
Must all teachers complete the annual six-hour G/T professional development update?
All teachers who provide instruction and services that are a part of the district’s defined gifted/talented services program for G/T students must receive a minimum of six hours annually of professional development in G/T education that is related to state teacher education standards(TAC §89.2(3); TAC §233.1; State Plan 4.2C).
Are Pre-AP/AP or IB teachers required to complete the 30-hour foundational G/T training? If so, can their Pre-AP/AP or IB training count toward G/T training requirements?
If Pre-AP/AP or IB classes serve as the mode of delivery for services to G/T students, teachers must have the required 30-hour foundational G/T training. Substitutions from the College Board five-day summer institute or IBO training may be made for the curriculum and instruction component of the 30-hour foundational G/T training, but the teacher would still require training in the nature and needs of G/T students and identification and assessment of G/T students’ needs.
30-Hour GT Training (ESC 2 in Corpus Christi)
October 10 Day 1 Nature and Needs
October 18 Day 2 Assessment/Identification
October 25 Day 3 Designing Curriculum
November 1 Day 4 Differentiating Instruction
November 9 Day 5 Setting Standards
6-Hour Updates
Alice ISD is partnering with the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT) to provide online resources for both educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students from every cultural background. TAGT is the nation’s largest advocacy group of its kind, providing more than 3,000 members a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of GT students.
Any principal, counselor, and core-area teacher, K-12, with GT students currently on their roster and needing the 6-hour update, will utilize the TAGT Learning on-Demand District Trial. The trial begins on September 18th and runs through October 18th.
Registration Code: t6988AISD17
Link: http://txgiftedcourses.responsivelearning.com/SelfRegistration/
Alice ISD
Asst. Superintendent - Anna Holmgreen
Director of Sp. Education - Gracie Garcia
Director of Federal Programs - Dr. Alma Garcia
Director of Human Resources/Anti-Bullying - Elida DeLeon
Director of ELA/Parental Involvement - Marta Salazar
Director of Science/RtI/DCSI - Erika Vasquez
Director of Soc. Studies/Testing - Laurie Lerma
Director of PK/Math - Vanessa Snyder
Director of Technology - Bobbye Schanen
Email: anna.holmgreen@aliceisd.net
Website: www.aliceisd.net
Location: 2 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, United States
Phone: 361-664-0981
Facebook: facebook.com/AliceISD
Twitter: @AliceISD