Alice ISD - ISC Gazette
May 2017
End of Year Issue
Please take a few minutes to read this newsletter. There are many things to note and many things to celebrate. Some of you will be preparing for summer school work and others will be continuing your own education and professional development. Others are taking advantage of the time to rest up and prepare for 2017-2018. Some will be moving on to other districts and positions or even retiring.
May you all realize how deeply you are appreciated and valued. The students of AISD are fortunate to have had you working with them.
Everyone please take time to rest and enjoy the simple pleasures; those things that mean so much and often go unnoticed.
Thanks for all you do!
Congratulations Hillcrest!
Star Schools are those with significant populations of socio-economically disadvantaged students that have shown a significant increase in grade-level proficiency over time. Scholar Schools are schools that are showing significant levels of academic achievement, but do not have a significant socio-economically disadvantaged student population.
Congratulations to Hillcrest Elementary for the hard work of your students and staff!
A.I.S.D Summer School
- Staff workday June 8
- Students - June 12- July 13
- Staff workday June 8
- Students - June 12 - July 6
Grades 5 and 8 SSI and Attendance / 6th and 7th Attendance
- Staff workday June 2
- Students - June 5 - 21
- STAAR Retests - June 20, 21
EOC Bootcamps
- ELAR - May 30 - June 2
- ELAR Retester Review June 5 - June 21
- Retesters for Bio, US History and Alg. 1 - June 5- June 21
- Credit Recovery & Credit Attainment - June 9 - July 6
Congratulations CTE Students
Congratulations go out to our 6 Alice HS CTE Students receiving Marketable Skills Achievement Awards in Shielded Metal Arc Welding. 3 of those students are also receiving a Marketable Skills Achievement Award in Flux Core Metal Arc Welding.
Andres Arturo Barrios
Gilberto Bernal
Latham Roldan IV
Jesus Manuel Garcia
Mario Alonso Mendez III
Edel Ramos
Jesus, Mario and Edel also received the Achievement Award in Flux Core Metal Arc Welding.
Jami Neumann is receiving a Level I Certificate in Fundamentals of Automotive Technology and an Automotive Technology Marketable Skills Achievement Award.
So proud of these CTE AHS students! They have worked so hard to balance all they do! They will graduate from Alice High School Friday, May 26, 2017!
Way to go Coyotes! Congratulations to you, your families and to your CTE Teachers!
AHS Culinary Students Participate in BBQ Cook-Off
The Alice High School Culinary classes had two teams representing them at The State of Texas High School Barbecue Cook-off held in Burnet, Texas on April 28 & 29, 2017. This is the second year the cook-off was held. Chef Mike Erickson, culinary arts teacher at Burnet High School invited Mrs. Barbara Garcia and some of her students to compete at this year’s event.
Students who were interested in competing broke up into two teams and began preparing for the event. They spent several hours researching and practicing to create their own unique rubs. Since they would be allowed to have a mentor that would work with them by offering advice and directions from the sidelines during the event, they also practiced with their teacher and mentors.
The teams were made up of:
Charlie’s Flamin’ 5 with members Refugio Del Bosque, Liana Cadena, Ryan Oliver, Christiana Villegas and Victoria Salas with mentor Rollie Cuellar.
Chop-It-Like-It’s-Hot with members Jordan Vega, Ashley Garcia, Kelly Gonzalez, Aliana Gamboa and Caitlyn Estrada with mentor Rogelio Cuellar.
Both teams were also accompanied and assisted by their teacher, Mrs. Barbara Garcia.
The teams arrived Friday and participated in a number of educational barbecue workshops. The evening was topped off with the Texas Beef Council and Bobby Wier providing dinner followed by a chuck wagon dessert.
For the students and mentors participating, it was an all-day event that began at 6 a.m. with a cooks meeting and issuing of meats which was then followed by the call to “start your fire” at 6:30 a.m. Various turn-in times for the different dishes were staggered throughout the late morning and afternoon and the awards ceremony began at 5 p.m.
Chef Erickson said, this is when a lot of the learning takes place because unlike a classroom setting or cooking at home, a competition has deadlines and other tasks that need to be completed. And the mentor can only advise the students, he or she can’t touch the pit, the meat, or anything directly related to the food preparation. You learn really fast about time and project management.
The two teams were very successful and brought home the following awards:
Charlie’s Flamin’ 5
3rd Place-Chicken, 5th Place-Brisket, and 11th Place-Beans
Chop-It-Like-It’s-Hot
Grand Champion-Dessert Category with their Apple Pecan Pie Cobbler
7th Place-Pork Spare Ribs, 10th Place-Chicken, 10th Place-Brisket and 18th Place-Judge’s Choice
Mrs. Garcia stated that it was a great learning experience for everyone and extended a heartfelt “Thank you” to mentors, Rogelio and Rollie Cuellar. The students are excited and looking forward to next year’s competition and will be honing their skills throughout the next school year by entering local competitions. Anyone wishing to help the teams with next year’s events is asked to contact Mrs. Barbara Garcia at Alice High School’s Café 400 (Ext. 414).
Would You Like to Serve on a STAAR Test Item Committee?
Educators are needed to serve on committees for the following:
- State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®)
- grades 3–8 mathematics
- grades 3–8 reading
- grades 4 and 7 writing
- grade 5 and 8 science
- grade 8 social studies
- high school end-of-course (EOC) assessments in
- Algebra I
- Algebra II
- English I
- English II
- English III
- Biology
- U.S. History
- Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), grades 2–12 reading
If you are interested, contact your campus administrator. If they have questions they can contact Anna Holmgreen.
TEA - Student Assessment Teacher Institutues
TEA is looking for Texas classroom teachers with current experience:
- teaching mathematics and reading in grades 3–8;
- working with English learners and students receiving special education services; and
- above and beyond what is required in the classroom (e.g., curriculum alignment, data analysis, etc.)
Click here for more info.
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY ANNOUNCES THE SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS AT THE 2017 STATE CONTEST
Congratulations to the following students:
Gabreil Silva and Aliana Silva (Dubose) for winning the Hispanic Heritage Award for Outstanding Website
The Hispanic Heritage Award recognizes outstanding papers, exhibits or websites on Hispanic history. Winners received $100 and publications from the award’s sponsor, TexasTejano.com.
Aiden Garcia and Gianluca Nisimblat (WAMS) for winning the Willie Lee Gay Award for African-American History
This prize was presented to the best project focusing on African-American history. The project was judged on how well it related to the NHD annual theme, it's historical analysis and context and how the topic played an important role in African-American history. Winners received a medal and $100.
Samantha Kohler (WAMS) for receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding performance. The performance was titled "Claudette Colvin: The Montgomery Bus."
Daniela Ruiz (WAMS) for receiving the Distinguished Achievement Award for outstanding documentary. The documentary was titled "Fighting Back Against Communism: The Korean War."
Congratulations to all students who competed!
Gabriel Silva and Aliana Silva
Aiden Garcia and Gianluca Nisimblat
Samantha Kohler and Daniela Ruiz
Students Attend Career Expo
This event provided students with an opportunity to interact with employers and local training programs in business, healthcare, professional skills, and trades and public service. Students were able to explore in-demand careers,
The event was sponsored by Work Force Solutions of the Coastal Bend.
Alice ISD Recognizes Parent Volunteers
Alice ISD administration and staff are extremely thankful for the dedication and commitment that these parents provide. Without their support, many of our schools would not be able to provide campus events, dances, or incentives for our hard-working students. The amount of volunteer hours combined totaled well over 1000 hours.
V - Valuable is the work that you do
O - Outstanding is how you always come through
L - Loyal , sincere and full of good cheer
U -Untiring in your efforts throughout the year
N -Notable are the contributions you make
T - Trustworthy in every project you take
E - Eager to reach your every goal
E - Effective in the way you fulfill your role
R - Ready with a smile like a shining star
S - Special and wonderful-that’s what you are
The Drum Cafe Gets Alice ISD 3rd & 4th Graders Ready to Tackle STAAR Exams
The Drum Cafe is not a restaurant, a coffee shop or a certain location on the face of the earth. It is a unique, (literally) hands-on experience to team building, learning, and motivation that, simply put, helps people make connections to one another in a very engaging way.
Alice ISD 3rd & 4th graders from all elementary campuses were treated to a one-of-a-kind experience with The Drum Cafe on May 3rd. The purpose of the program was to get kids energized, focused, and motivated to take on their STAAR exams with confidence.
The students, teachers and staff members who were on hand for the day quickly learned that in this program, there are no spectators…everyone is a part of the performance – just like in a community and a school district we all have to work together to succeed.
Having delivered over 56,000 events in more than 55 countries around the world, The Drum Café has the experience to deliver an unforgettable program for any group of people.
Imported to the USA by Dale Monnin over 10 years ago, the Drum Café continues to expand across the country, and we are extremely excited that our Alice ISD students were able to experience this powerful and stimulating program.
Thank you to Saenz Elementary principal Marina Garza and her staff for hosting the presentations on her campus.
William Adams Middle School Hosts Parent & Youth Cook Off
- Pork Steak
- Best Salsa
- Best Guacamole
- Best Brownies
Several students and family members participated in this first annual event. The Alice Fire Department was on hand to ensure fire safety prevention measures were taken. Various faculty and staff from the district volunteered as taste testers for the various contests that were available. School club booths, jewelry booths, cake walk/toy walk, silent auction and an arts & craft booth were on hand to make the afternoon even more enjoyable. There was also a ping-pong tournament going on for those who enjoy the sport.
Winners for WAMS Cook Off and Food Contest
Brownie Winner - Victor Gaza & Juillette Gonzalez
Brownie Runner Up - Carlos De Los Santos & Lukas Ethan Rogers
Guacamole Winner - James Bunch & James Bunch V
Guacamole Runner Up - Velma Chapa & Ryan D. Chapa
Salsa Winner - Judy Tiller
Salsa Runner Up - Carlos De Los Santos & Lukas Ethan Rogers
Pork Steak Winner - Steve Cavazos & Stevie Cavazos
Pork Steak Runner Up - James Bunch & James Bunch V
Best Guacamole Winners: 2nd Place-Ryan P. Chapa; 1st Place-James Bunch
Best Salsa: 2nd Place-Lukas Ethan Rogers; 1st Place-Judy Tiller
Best Pork Steak: 2nd Place-James Bunch; 1st Place-Stevie Cavazos
Student Participants
Best Brownies: 1st Place-Juliette Gonzalez: 2nd place tie-David Salinas, Jr. and Lukas Ethan Rogers
Activities for the Last Days of School
As we come to the end of another school year, it's hard to keep student's minds from zoning out. Here are some fun activities that students can do as we close out the year.
- Decade Project- Have students pick an important decade. Have them give information as to why it was so important, what were the fashions like in that decade, the politics, songs, etc. For younger students, have them do the highlights of this school year. What was something they will remember, something they want to forget, the most fun and the hardest day of the year.
- Have student write letters to themselves. Ask the students to write themselves a letter, reviewing the year and making "resolutions" for the next school year. They can write about: one thing they want to remember, and so on. Tell them you will either mail these letters to your students before the start of the next school year, or make arrangements with their next teachers to distribute the letters at the beginning of school.
- Have students write letters to your future students. Ask your students to write letters of advice for the new students you will teach next year. What advice would they give on how to "survive" or do well in your class. What were the hardest parts of the class?
Alice ISD - Curriculum Office
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