Alice ISD - ISC Gazette
April 2016
Teacher Appreciation
A recent blog entry said it very well. Here is an excerpt:
"I know you're tired. You're battle weary with wounds seeping and scarring. But (your students) still need you. They need to see your fight. Don't give up, my friend. You can't. The stakes are too high. This calling, this profession, this teaching--it changes the future.
Our students are worth starting new tomorrow. They are worth giving it all we have one more day again and again. Because there are students listening. There are students learning. There are students caring. We must refuse to allow the loud voices of a few to drown out the soft voices of teachable spirits. Let's fight together, friends. Let's end this year better than we began. Let's cheer each other on tomorrow and the next day and the next until we hear that final bell ring. This is our calling. These are our students. They deserve our fight."
To read the whole blog entry click here.
Explicit Instruction
The book Explicit Instruction by Archer and Hughes explains 8 points for optimizing instructional time. Though these are important any time of year, they are also wonderful reminders as we enter this home-stretch. Here are some thoughts taken from the book.
- Ensure an appropriate match between what is being taught and the instructional needs of students. Verify the importance of the skill and make sure students have the pre-requisite knowledge to learn the skill.
- Start lessons on time and stick to the schedule. Be sure to usher students into the room as soon as the bell rings and get right on task. Make sure you have a start up ready. Curb those passing period conversations.
- Teach in groups as much as possible. Teaching students in large and small groups increases academic learning time and the amount of learning for each student. Seat work is not a substitute for well-designed group instruction.
- Be prepared. Have things ready so you don't have those, "Now where did I put that?" moments.
- Avoid digressions. Stay on topic. Don't let yourself get veered off topic by comments or questions, or even a humorous anecdote that goes on and on.
- Decrease transition time. Timers become your new best friend as you move from one task to another. Paper - passing, regrouping, all can take longer than you anticipate.
- Use routines. Routines save time because both students and teachers know how and what they are supposed to do without having to think or ask about it. Where do students get materials? Where do completed papers go?
Math Windows
mClass math assessment for grades K-1 will close May 22nd.
Teachers in grades 2-6 should have received the math unit assessments from Miss Holmgreen last week.
The "Let's Talk Gifted" Parent Symposium Is A Success!
The Department of Advanced Academics hosted a parent symposium that featured a stimulating presentation and workshop designed to help support Alice ISD's gifted students and parents. The event brought together parents and families of gifted children and empowered them with the knowledge and confidence necessary for meeting the needs of exceptional learners. The event was held on April 26, 2016 at the Alice High School Library. The featured speaker was Ms. Vowery Carlile, a gifted education expert, presenter and author. Ms. Carlile shared research and insights into the social-emotional and intellectual development of gifted students. She also stressed the importance of parental involvement, expressing that collaborative parent involvement is a vital component of successful education. Parents were presented with a customized study guide prepared by Ms. Carlile. The parent guide offered tips and suggestions for supporting gifted children. The hands-on activities presented during the workshop section of the event allowed parents and family members the opportunity to learn how to create three dimensional foldable graphic organizers. The fun foldable graphic organizers created were designed to help parents engage and challenge the gifted learner during the busy end of school year, during the summer, and beyond. In addition families were invited to preview and check out exciting advanced curriculum related books curated by Ms. Carlile, and Ms. De Leon, Director of Advanced Academics.
The topic for this year's event was, Surprise! My Child is Gifted! What do I do Now?
Ms. Vowery Carlile, Gifted Expert, Author and Presenter Visits Alice ISD's Parents!
STAAR TESTING!
Good luck to all our students and teachers! You all have worked very hard this school year!
May 2nd-May6th- EOC Assessments
Biology EOC- May 4th
3rd-4th & 6th-7th Grade Math- May 9th
5th and 8th Grade Math Restest- May 9th
3rd-4th & 6th-7th Grade Reading- May 10th
5th and 8th Grade Restest- May 10th
English III- May 10th
5th Grade Science- May 11th
8th Grade Science- May 11th
Algebra II- May 11th
8th Grade Social Studies- May 12th
Summer STEM Camp Opportunity for Ages 4-6th Grade (Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Flyers will be delivered to Elementary and Intermediate campuses.
Please share with your students!!
June 6 – August 19
11 Weeks with a different theme each week!
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday
(Before and after care available, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm)
Summer Camps are open to children 4 years to 6th grade. Campers must have turned 4 years old by January 1, 2016. CCMSH must be provided with a copy of the 4 year old camper’s birth certificate.
Cost:
Members: $215 per week
Non-members: $240 per week
Multiple child discount – Receive a $10 per week discount for registering for multiple children.
Cost includes a t-shirt, a snack, and tons of fun!
Each week includes a field day to Hurricane Alley watermark!
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE!!!
For more info call the Museum at 361-826-4667
Math and Science Professional Development Grant
Teachers will be sent specifics about location and times of training soon.
Media Madness Program - Thursday, May 5th
Parents and Community Members are Welcome!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Place: Alice HS Activity Center
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
[5:30 - 6:00 Food will be served/visit the PTA booths]
Media Madness Description:
Media Madness provides parents and caregivers the tools to successfully manage their children’s “screen time”, effectively monitor media messages and content, and realistically modify your approach as children grow and technology advances. Topics will include: cyber safety tips, cyber-bullying, and social media responsibility.
Suggested Audience:
All Parents and Students from Dubose & Memorial Intermediate, William Adams Middle School, and Alice High School.
Child care for ages 5- 9 only will be provided.
*This parent program provided as a free benefit of TxPTA*
La Descripción de La Locura de los Medios:
Acompáñenos para aprender todo respecto a los retos y las oportunidades en el ambiente en el que se desarrollan nuestros niños hoy en día y lo que ha cambiado en los medios de información. La programa proporciona a los padres y cuidadores las herramientas necesarias para manejar con éxito el " tiempo enfrente de la televición " de sus hijos y un seguimiento eficaz de los mensajes y el contenido de los medios de comunicación. Los temas incluyen : consejos de seguridad cibernética , acoso cibernético , y responsabilidad de los medios sociales
Alimentos y bebidas se servirán. Guardería para los niños de 5 a 9 años de edad.
Audiencia:
Todos los padres y estudiantes de Dubose & Memorial Intermediate, William Adams Middle School, Alice High School.
*Este programa para padres, es ofrecido gratuitamente por PTA.*
Earth Day Project
Kathy Westbrook's Art II and AP Art classes planted flowers and plants around the outside Art classroom and did some chalk art for Earth Day. The project was dedicated it to Aydia Benavides.
HB 5 District Evaluation of Community & Student Engagement; Compliance
Parent Survey - Encuesta para Padres
It's that time of the year again for getting parent and student surveys completed!
Alice ISD is conducting an evaluation of selected programs and would like to invite parents to participate in a school survey. As per Texas Education Code 39.0545-Section 46 of House Bill 5, districts are required to evaluate their performance at the district and campus level in 8 areas of community and student engagement and in 1 area of policy compliance.
Parents we need your input. If you have children that attend different campuses within Alice ISD please visit the campus websites to complete a survey for each school or you are welcome to complete a hard copy of the survey that can be turned in at the campus. Your responses are very important to us and we appreciate your participation.
¡Es ese tiempo del año para conseguir las encuestas de padres y estudiantes!
El distrito escolar está llevando a cabo la evaluación del desempeño en la comunidad y la participación de los estudiantes - HB 5 Sección 46 ( TEC 39.0545 ). Alice ISD le gustaría invitar a los padres a participar en una encuesta escolar.
¡Padres necesitamos su opinión! Por favor, visite el sitio web de Alice ISD o el sitio web de la escuela de su hijo y seleccione un enlace para enviar su encuesta. Si necisitas su encuesta en Espanol pida a alguien en la escuela y te darán una y la puedes devolverla a la misma escuela.
¡Le damos las gracias por la participación en este proceso de la encuesta. Su opinion es importante para nosotros.
Links to other newsletters
Curriculum Newsletters for the last six weeks
Alice I.S.D. Instructional Support Center
Contributors:
Dr. Grace Everett
Velma Soliz-Garcia
Anna Holmgreen
Erika Vasquez
Elida De Leon
Marta Salazar
Dina Hinojosa
Ric Gonzalez
Gracie Garcia
Dr. Alma Garcia
Email: velma.solizgarcia@aliceisd.net
Website: www.aliceisd.net
Location: 2 Coyote Trail, Alice, TX, United States
Phone: 361-664-0981
Facebook: facebook.com/alice