Hackberry Howl
Vol. 2 No. 15
This Election!
This week we have voted and elected a new president and I know that this year brings lots of emotion either of excitement or worry with the direction of our country. But I want you to know that no matter who won, it’s not the end of civilization as we know it. I want you to know that even if your candidate lost, you shouldn’t lose hope. While you may feel powerless you have more power than you think.
This is a list of things from Jon Gordon that give us power.
You can be happy.
You can work hard.
You can love others.
You can make a difference.
You can pray for the new President to lead well and make great decisions.
You can invent something that changes the world.
You can start and build a successful business.
You can inspire your students and believe in them.
You can help heal someone.
You can feed the poor and help the needy.
You can raise your children with great values and principles.
You can make America great by being great at what you do.
The President will be in control of running the country but you and only you are in control of running your life.
This presidency will not be a catastrophe. It will be another day to be your best and bring out the best in others.
Leadership is important. But one person doesn't make America. We make America. Much like a Principal does not make a school. The school's staff make the school.
Social Pack Dues
All these things are not possible without staff members paying dues. This is obviously NOT mandatory, but these are all things everyone will benefit from so our hope is for 100% participation. If you have not paid your dues and wish to do so please turn in your funds to Holly Parra.
Social Pack Dues
Support Staff: $25
Teachers and Specialist: $35
What is an essential Standard?
“systematic and balanced approach to distinguish the standards essential for student success from the ones that are ‘nice to know.”
- They do not represent all the we teach
- They represent the MINIMUM a student must learn to reach high levels of learning
Questions to help determine Essentials:
1.Endurance: are students expected to retain these skills so future skills can be built upon them?
2.Leverage: is this skill/knowledge applicable to many academic disciplines
Readiness for the Next Level of Learning: is this skill/knowledge preparing the students for success in the next grade/courseReadiness for the Next Level of Learning: is this skill/knowledge preparing the students for success in the next grade/course
3. Readiness for the Next Level of Learning: is this skill/knowledge preparing the students for success in the next grade/course
Teacher Spotlight-Holly Parra
Teacher Spotlight of the Week
Name: Holly Parra
Birthday: May 22
Hometown: Edmore Michigan
Current Hackberry position: 5th grade ELAR
Where did you attend College and what is your degree(s)? TWU Interdisciplinary studies with a focus on bilingual education.
Who was your favorite teacher and why: I do not have a favorite teacher, I really don’t remember much about school.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I want to do photography, I actually did for a while.
Do you have children: I have four awesome kiddos Esperanza 13, Isaiah 11, Jayden 6, and Preston is 4.
Do you have pets: I have two dogs, Gambit and Cappuccino, a cat, Baby Belle, and some fish.
Favorite Color: Purple
Do you have a favorite Quote or Saying: The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.
Where is the farthest place you have ever traveled: We drove here from Michigan..
Favorite food: Pizza!
Hobbies or Activities/organizations you are active in: I love softball, all my kids play sports, and I want to start a boxing class!
Accomplishments or Honors you have achieved that you are proud of: I am proud of what I was able to accomplish so far in life even though I have had a lot of setbacks. I worked hard to get my degree and even though I was 29 with 4 kids by the time I finished, I did it!
The Carpenter-This weeks reading Chapters 24-28
How did these chapter speak to you?
How can using the first strategy change every aspect of your life?
We will Move through Service this week!
Bring these answers with you to Tuesday's faculty meeting.
Recommended Reading
How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life
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.
Quote of the Week!
Article of the week:
Howl Outs!
Ms. Ratcliff gives A big red howl out to Brandon Wells for being being an amazing Clifford during the Book Fair! The kids have been looking for Clifford all week.Ms. Ratcliff A howl out to Karla Figueroa for helping me with the morning Book Fair rush! Howls to Ms. Cruz for covering my class and finding me a great sub!
Holly gives a howl for a Great job to Mrs. Ratliff for an awesome book fair so far!
Ms Morales howls to Karla & Mrs. Vergara for helping set up the voting booth this week!
Holly Howls to Ms. Morales for making student counsel voting more engaging for our students this year! front office for being so awesome at everything she does!
Ms. Vergara would like give a SHOUT Out to Julie Ratliff for putting on a great Book fair ARRGGH
Erin HOWLS to my specials team for all your help and flexibility with the 1st grade program!!
Howl to my specials team for all your help and flexibility with the 1st grade program!!
Stephanie sends a howl to Lori Snook for holding down the fort and all off her support while I was out. Thank you so much!!!
Stephen HOWLS to Pam, Brandon, Kelsey and Kim for problem solving and having solutions for the morning carline...Great job friends!
Stephen HOWLS to all the teams working so great in their PLC's! Great stuff!
Stephen HOWLS to Sylvia for always working over and beyond the call of duty. We are so blessed to have her!
Ms. Cruz Howls to Carol and Karla for their support in covering for me during LE3 time
2nd Grade sends a howl out to our fearless leader Escamilla for coordinating our attire and activity for Literacy Night!!!
Romig howls to Escamilla for being such an outstanding leader! She is always helpful to me personally as I am still figuring this "teaching thing" out ;-)
Mrs. Swartz howls out to Ms. Morales for allowing 4th grade to come in and learn in our CIR walks, super job working with a kinesthetic activity.
Mr. Swartz howls out to Ms. Mathews for hosting two different groups of teachers in the CIR walks, great job with small group guided practice at the teacher table.
Mr. Swartz howls out to Ms. Rodgers for doing a great job of small group instruction with her 4th graders and utilizing different teaching strategies. It was super to see UPS check being utilized by students.
Mr. Swartz howls out to Ms. Masai for doing an outstanding job with daily five and really impacting learning with both her students and teachers as they participated in our first round of CIR.
Mr. Swartz howls out Ms. Webber for allowing second grade teachers to come into her room as she was doing her daily five activities. Fantastic job impacting students and breaking down barriers to help them learn how to read!
Mr. Swartz howls out to Ms. Morales, Ms. Vergara, and Ms. Figueroa for their super job of running our Student Council elections. This was done is a manner that everyone should be proud. Our students showed incredible maturity in this election and the true spirit of healthy competition was demonstrated by all.
Mr. Swartz howls out to Ms. Wood and Ms. Ratliff for their hard work and dedication in making literacy night and the book fair a success.
Mr. Swartz howls out to the Specials Team for a fantastic job in the First Grade performance on Literacy night.
Hackberry Calendar
RTI training @ Zellars 12:00PM-3:00PM
Turkey Bowling after school in the gym- 3:10
School board meeting 6:30
Tuesday, November 15th
All Day Faculty Meeting Room 311
RTI training @ Zellars 9:00AM-12:00PM
One Way and Two Way Dual Language meeting @ Zellars 3:30-4:30
Wednesday, November 16th
Hackberry Feast for Student and Family Members see altered lunch schedule please eat with your class in the cafeteria
Team Leader Meeting Room 311 3:10
Thursday, November 17th
Staff Feast Room 311
Friday, November 18th
Please fill out shut down list and tape to the outside of the door prior to leaving for the break
Spirit Day