Hackberry Howl
Vol. 1 No.28
Feeling Discouraged? I'm guilty at times...
I spent many years as a girl’s athletic coordinator coaching basketball and track. I loved my years in the coaching arena. Every coach has a group that was their favorite; mine was the group of girls I coached from 2010-2012.
In 2011 we started off the season facing our rivals, the previous years area champs, we lost to them 65-48. I remember being frustrated and discouraged, not focusing on the good things we had done in the game, even though we had improved from the previous season. I was so wrapped up in the loss, I did not take the time to celebrate that we scored 48 points on a team that did not allow over 25 the previous season. We went on to win several tournaments that season; we even made it to the area tournament. We made it to the championship game and defeated our rivals that defeated us in the first game of the season by 3 points to win the area championship!
This school year has mimicked my attitude from that 2011 season. I’ve spent a lot time focusing on the where we should be in the process and not on the gains we have made. I recognize how grateful I should be to have great teachers that seek the heart of each student that walk through the doors, an office staff that are willing and ready to do whatever it takes to make Hackberry the best, a counselor that goes over and beyond to ensure every student feels safe, and I think you all would agree a Principal that is the ultimate servant leader. When you have a team like this the only way to go is up and I know we are moving in right direction!
Please forgive me at times I lose perspective.
(Send me your favorite sonic drink in email)
Keep Howling!
SR
Recommended Reading
How to be like Walt-Pat Williams
An inspiring biography of one of the most influential and beloved figures of the 21st century, based on more than a thousand interviews.
"I've read every book that has ever been written about Walt Disney, going back to some that were published in the 1930s. [How to Be Like Walt] is by far the most enjoyable to read of them all!"Tim O'Day, Disney Scholar
"How to Be Like Walt is a fitting tribute to Walt's memory and an important contribution to the Disney legacy . . . Now more than ever, we need people with the qualities Walt had: optimism, imagination, creativity, leadership, integrity, courage, boldness, perseverance, commitment to excellence, reverence for the past, hope for tomorrow, and faith in God."
Art Linkletter
How to Be Like is a "character biography" series: biographies that also draw out important lessons from the life of their subjects. In this new book-by far the most exhaustive in the series-Pat Williams tackles one of the most influential people in recent history.
While many recent biographies of Walt Disney have reveled in the negative, this book takes an honest but positive look at the man behind the myth. For the first time, the book pulls together all the various strands of Disney's life into one straightforward, easy-to-read tale of imagination, perseverance, and optimism. Far from a preachy or oppressive tome, this book scrapes away the minutiae to capture the true magic of a brilliant maverick.
SPOTLIGHT- TEACHER -MS. PHAN
Teacher Spotlight of the Week Questionnaire
Name: Domenica Phan
Birthday: March 5th
Hometown: Naples, Italy
Current Hackberry position: ESL Teacher
Where did you attend College and what is your degree(s):
Undergrad:State University of New York at Buffalo
Degree: Elementary Education
Grad:State University of California at Long Beach
Degree: Masters in Curriculum and Instruction
Who was your favorite teacher and why: Mrs. Costa, my fourth grade teacher. She gave us the freedom to write and perform our own plays every Friday. Those were some of my favorite childhood memories!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt: Comedian. (Taking comedy classes is most certainly on my bucket list!)
Do you have children: Yes, three adorable and energetic boys: Evan(8), Jonah(4), and Colby(3)
Do you have pets: No
Favorite Color: Pink
Do you have a favorite Quote or Saying: “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
Where is the farthest place you have ever traveled: Hawaii
Favorite food: French Fries
Hobbies or Activities/organizations you are active in: I love spending time with my family, running, traveling, and attending bible study.
Accomplishments or Honors you have achieved that you are proud of: Being an educator of 19 years and counting… (that’s a lot of stamina for this field of work!!!)
Inside/Outside Circles or Parallel Lineups (“Conga Line”) Used to review key concepts and to build academic talk
2. Give students two minutes to think about their topic and to write notes on the paper/card.
3. Divide students into two equal groups. (Paper and cards can also be color-coded for easy division into two groups.)
4. Place half the group in the inner circle directly facing a member of the second half of the group in an outer circle. (Alternatively, form parallel lines.)
5. Provided a limited amount of time for the partners to quiz each other on the topics from their papers/cards.
6. Coach the students to speak in complete sentences and restate the question in their answer as they speak to their partners.
7. Coach students to ask their partner questions if the partner is not able to readily respond about the topic.
8. Have the outer circle move to the left (or right) two or three partners down. With parallel lineup, have one or two persons at the end of the line walk quickly to the other end of the line, and all others move one or two spaces to face a new partner. To form a “Conga Line”, use Conga music to cue students when to move; all the students dance while the outer circle or line moves.
9. Repeat steps 5-8.
Lobo Howls
Tom and Stephen gives a BIG howl to Jaclyn for organizing Literacy night!
Melissa Hooowwwllls to Tammie for getting third grade the dice that they needed!
Ms. Scaife Howls to Mrs. Torrence for always spoiling the 1st grade team and her students! She is so caring and loving towards her kiddos.
Kristan Howls out to.... Jasleen Sawhney, Laura Colon, Nancy Burzynski, Melissa Rizvan, Nena Silva, and Tammie Solinski for coming to the Science A-Z training!!! It was an awesome informational training-- COOL stuff!!! They are AWESOME teachers because they are thinking about their students, team, and teaching!!
Stephen Howls out to Darilyn and Darcie with all their help with STAAR last week!
Stephen Continues to HOWL out to GRANPHAN for their awesome work with TELPAS!
AVID MONDAY
Helping one of our own!
Mark your Calendar
-AVID Jeans Day with College T-Shirt
Tuesday, April 12
-Progress Reports go home
-PLC
Wednesday, April 13
-Jeans Day for $5
Thursday, April 14
Friday, April 15
-PTA Carnival 5-8
-Kinder Performance 5-7