HPES Weekly Newsletter
01/06/2020
Welcome Back!
I hope that your winter break was wonderful, relaxing, and that you spend some quality time with your family and friends!
Remember to revisit expectations. If you just assume your students will pick up right where you left off, you may be rudely surprised.
The spring semester will as always, be super busy. As we look at all that is coming our way, we may get overwhelmed. Remember to stay focused and do what is best for students, and learning, and all else will fall into place.
Tomorrow will be a work/planning day from 8:00-4:00. Please sign in the front office.
Staffing Updates
Staffing Updates
As many of you may have heard...
Ms. Yolanda Contreras resigned right before the Holiday Break. She will begin a new job at Region 13 this Spring. We will miss her and wish her well in her future endeavors.
Ms. Kimberly Davis has also just accepted a Special Education Teaching position at Dearing Elementary! We are extremely proud of her, and will miss her very much!
Best of luck to both of these amazing educators!
Please welcome Ms. Leslie Atherton to our HPES Bulldog Family!
Please Welcome Ms. Vickie Pena to our HPES Bulldog Family!
Vacancies
We are looking to hire a bilingual intervention teacher to replace Ms. Contreras's position. In the meantime, we are blessed to have Ms. Priscilla DeLeon subbing in this intervention position. HR has informed me this is considered a lateral position to classroom teaching, therefor a current pfisd teacher would not be eligible to apply at this time. If you know of anyone, have them apply and let me know.
We will also need to fill the SpEd EA position that Ms. Davis held. Again, if you know of anyone, send them our way.
TEACHER & STAFF MEMBER OF THE MONTH - December
Please submit your nomination for December's Teacher of the Month & Staff of the Month on the google doc below:
https://forms.gle/SZH5foHL63B3uTwbA
The selected candidates will be announced on Friday during morning announcements and will receive the following:
- Lunch provided plus and extra 30 minutes covered
- 1 week of jeans
- Recognition on our morning announcements, campus facebook, twitter, and hallway bulletin board. So happy to brag about our fabulous staff!
Campus Climate Survey
Thank-you for taking the time to complete the campus climate survey before winter break. We took some time over the break to reflect on your responses and feedback and truly appreciate your suggestions. We will be sharing the data gathered with you during our faculty meeting this week. I look forward to continuing to grow and better serve our students, parents, and you!
JANUARY SPECIALS SCHEDULE
SWAT
Due to Holiday break- No SWAT until next week. We will be reviewing the 2nd nine weeks assessment data.
Guided Reading & Math
Please continue working on Guided Reading & Math starting Tuesday. I cannot stress enough how important this is. It is critical that we use every minute and maximize instruction. MOY is right around the corner and we need to utilize every minute for instruction.
Power Walks and Fundamental 5
We will continue doing powerwalk observations starting Tuesday. Remember we are looking for Fundamental 5, these are the five critical practices that are the core of highly effective instruction.
Teaching/Behavior Tip - Saying "Yes" as a strategy:
I was reading Behavior Flip's Blog by Brad Weinstein, and came across the following strategy that made much sense to me. I encourage you to try it, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Saying "Yes" as a strategy: "This seems counterintuitive, even crazy, and you might be thinking that students need boundaries. Hearing the word ‘no’ can trigger negative emotions and a negative mindset, however, when I say that we should almost always say ‘yes,’ there is a catch!"
Here are some examples:
Scenario 1
*Student asks to go to the bathroom at a bad time to leave the room.
Student: May I go to the bathroom?
Teacher: Yes, in five minutes when I am done giving directions.
In the scenario above, by saying yes instead of no, I kept the situation positive and relieved some anxiety or discomfort because the student knows when they will be able to leave.
Scenario 2:
*Student asks to work in partners on their self-reflection sheet.
Student: Can we do this in partners?
Teacher: Yes, you can work in partners tomorrow during our stations tomorrow, but I need you to do this task individually for today.
In the scenario above, by saying yes instead of no, I kept the situation positive and gave the student that craves collaboration time something to look forward to instead of shutting them down.
TTESS
TTESS observations will be in full swing this month. If you have not had yours scheduled yet, expect to receive a calendar invite soon. We are looking to complete them by the end of January.
- · Review Pre- Conference Form- & Schedule Observation within 5 days
- · Review Professional Goal
- · Review SLO Goal
If you are deferred we will review your SLO and your professional goal in Eduphoria and provide you our feedback.
Wednesday After School Meetings
The plan for meetings on Wednesday meetings are as follows:
1st Wednesday of the month – GLL/committees-
2nd Wednesday of the month - Faculty Meeting- We will share the Campus Climate Survey Results with all staff.
3rd Wednesday of the month – Campus PLC
4th Wednesday of the month –Vertical Teams
5th Wednesday of the month – CAAC
January PTO Calendar - Coming soon...
Remember...
- Grades are due today!
- Students may wear a college shirt on Wednesdays and a school spirit shirt on Fridays
Cold Weather Recess Policy
Children are expected to come to school prepared to participate in outdoor recess. Appropriate outerwear such as a hat, gloves and a warm coat are essential for healthy and safe outdoor play.
When the outside temperature, including wind chill, is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, recess will be held indoors. Otherwise, recess will be outside.
Kudos (these are from us and your colleagues) :)
- Ms. Sanchez- for always helping and great with the students!
- Ms. Reyes because she always has a smile on her face and is ready to greet everyone who enters the wonderful library!
- Ms. Stephanie Rodriguez for her caring heart, she comes to work with a great attitude and doesn’t expect anything in return because her outmost concern is to help our students emotionally and academically. That is the most rewarding gift!
- Mr. Roberto for always ensuring EVERYTHING is taken care of for our well being.
- Ms. Kinsey for always going above and beyond for her students!
- IBC Staff for working so hard, day in and day out. What you do is not easy, but the fact that y'all do it AND always have smiles on your faces is a testament to the great people/teachers that you are!
- Ms. Ruiz for her amazing work as our new principal. As with her predecessor, it's wonderful to work in an environment where you know your principal has your back and the back of each student at HPES! Go Ms. Ruiz!
- Ms. Hartford for always being a caring and loving presence for the students and her teammates!
- Admin including Lochner and Vazquez for helping me when I had no electricity for my projector and computers. They were flexible, made sure my students’ needs were met, and found a workplace for us!
Ms. Clark for always making us laugh when we need it the most!
Ms. Ceballos for always being there with a hug and/or a kind word for students and co-workers alike!
Ms. Stevenson for always going the extra mile for her students and her team. Even when she's knee-deep in paperwork, she makes sure to always remember the CHILD, not just the "data". She is an amazing teacher and amazing teammate.
Kudos - Keep submitting- the BEST come from YOU! :)
Great Things Happening at HPES!
3rd Grade Holiday market Days!
Dunks with Dads!
We made our Fundraising Goal so we had some fun with the Wheel of Unfortunate!
Upcoming Events
01/06- 2nd Nine weeks Grades due
01/06- Teacher Work Day (8:00-4:00)
01/07- Students return
01/07- Tu/Tu Tuesday
01/07- Choir Practice 3:00-4:00
01/09- ASL 3:00-4:00
01/10- AR Winter Celebration
01/10- Kids for Heart Challenge
01/13- Jump Rope 3:00-4:00
01/14- Report Cards go home
01/14- Kinder 90th Day of School
01/14- 4th/5th Volleyball tryouts 4:00-5:00
01/14- Choir 3:00-4:00
01/16- Ruiz meets with Dr. Ohare
01/17- Science Fair during the day and viewing at 5:30-6:30
01/20- Holiday- No School
01/21- Ruiz at Principals Operations Meeting
01/22- 5th Grade Middle School Visit
01/23- ASL 3:00-4:00
01/24- 2nd 9 weeks Awards Assemblies- 2nd: 8:15-8:55, 3rd: 2:00-2:40, 4th: 9:35-10:15, 5th: 8:55-9:35
01/24- PTO Movie Night 6:30
01/27-01/31- PTO Penny Wars
01/27- Choir 3:00-4:00
01/29- Kinder 100th Day of School
01/30 & 01/31- Kids for Hearts Challenge Celebration
01/30- ASL 3:00-4:00
01/31-Bluebonnet Voting
02/02- Jump Rope 3:00-4:00
02/02- Ruiz at Principals Meeting
02/02- Tu/Tu Tuesday
02/02- Choir 3:00-4:00
02/05- Moves with Mom 7:10-7:30 am
02/06- ASL 3:00-4:00
02/10- Jump rope 3:00-4:00
02/11- DBQ district Training
02/11- Choir 3:00-4:00
02/13- ASL 3:00-4:00
02/14- Valentines Parties
02/17- Holiday- No School
02/18- Ruiz at Principals Operations Meeting
02/19- Dunks with Dad 7:10-7:30 am
02/20- ASL and Jump Rope 3:00-4:00
02/21- Library Author Visit (tentative)
02/24- TELPAS window opens
02/24- Jump Rope 3:00-4:00
02/25- Choir 3:00-4:00
02/27- ASL 3:00-4:00
02/27- Fine Arts Night
02/28- Ruiz meets with Dr. Ohare 12:00-2:30
03/02-03/06- Spring Book Fair
03/03- Tu/Tu Tuesday
03/03- Choir 3:00-4:00
03/05- Kinder Performance
03/05- ASL 3:00-4:00
03/05- PJ Story Night 6:00-7:00
03/06- Talent Show during day and evening at 6:30
03/10- K-2 Oratorical
03/10- Choir 3:00-4:00
03/11- 3-5 Oratorical
03/12- AR Goal Deadline
03/12- Field Day
03/13- Staff Development - No school for students
03/16- 03/20- Spring Break
03/24- 03/27- 4th Grade Writing Boot Camp
03/24- Choir 3:00-4:00
03/24- McDonalds Spirit Night
03/24- Ruiz at Principals Operations Meeting
03/25- 2nd Grade Fieldtrip
03/26- ASK and K-1 Robotics 3:00-4:00
03/27- Dunks with Dads 7:10-7:30
03/27- Pegasus Fieldtrip
03/30- Pegasus- 2nd Spring and Class Pictures
03/31- 3rd- 5th Spring and Class Pictures
04/02- 3rd 9 weeks Awards Assemblies 3rd: 2:00-2:40
04/03- Slime the Teachers
04/03- 4th 9 Weeks Awards Assemblies 2nd: 8:15-8:55,4th: 9:35-10:15, 5th: 8:55-9:35
04/07- Tu/Tu Tiesday
04/07- Kinder Fieldtrip
04/07- STAAR 4th Grade Writing & 5th Grade Math
04/08- STAAR 5th Grade Reading
04/09- STAAR Make-up
04/09- Kinder Egg Drop
04/10- Holiday - No School
04/14- Ruiz at Principals Meeting
04/14- Moves with Mom 7:10-7:30
04/15- Ruiz meets with Dr. Ohare 8:00-10:00
04/16- PK, KG, and 5th Grade Graduation Pictures
04/16- ASL & K-1 Robotics 3:00-4:00
04/17- 5th Grade Fieldtrip
04/21- Choir 3:00-4:00
04/23-ASL & K-1 Robotics 3:00-4:00
0424- Pre-K Fieldtrip
04/24- Dawsor Dan Water Performance 8:00-8:50
04/28- Ruiz at Principals Meeting
04/30- ASL & K-1 Robotics 3:00-4:00
05/01-05/08- 3rd Grade Boot Camp
05/04-05/08- TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!
05/05- Tu/Tu Tuesday
05/05- Choir ends 3:00-4:00
05/07- Spring Concert - 2nd grade, Choir, & ASL
05/07- ASL & K-1 Robotics 3:00-4:00
05/08- Moves with Mom 7:10-7:30
05/11- STAAR- 3rd, 4th, 5th Math
05/12- STAAR- 3rd, 4th, 5th Reading
05/12- Kinder Fieldtrip
05/13- STAAR- 5th Science & Make up
05/14- STAAR Make up
05/14- Texas 2x2 Deadline
05/14- ASL 3:00-4:00
05/15- 3rd & 4th Fieldtrips
05/15- AR Goal Deadline
05/15- Last Day to Check out books from the library
05/18- All books need to be returned to the library
05/19- AR Spring Celebration
05/19- 5th Grade Austin Park And Pizza Fieldtrip
05/20- Kinder Graduation
05/21- 3rd Grade Awards
05/22- Million Word Club Luncheon
05/22- 2nd Grade Awards
05/22- PK Graduation
05/25- Holiday- No School
05/26- 1st Grade Awards, 4th Grade Awards
05/27- 5th Grade Graduation
05/27- 1st Grade Party, 5th Grade Party
05/28- 5th Grade Walk
05/28- Class Parties
05/28 Early Release at 12:00
05/28- PTO Chuck E Cheese Spirit Night
05/29- Teacher Work Day and Check Out
05/30- SUMMER