Lago Vista High School News!
A newsletter for the parents, students, and staff of LVHS!
December 2, 2016
What's been happening?
Shop Update!
Students of the Month for October!
Lunchtime Interviews!
Bball in Full Swing!
Mock Interviews!
Attendance Reward!
Ninja Warrior Alert!
Working hard on College Prep English IV!
Thank you, DECA members and the LV community!
donations needed for our winter semi-formal!
hershey kisses
pre-popped popcorn
hot chocolate mix
mini marshmallows
powdered donuts
oreos or other cookies
yogurt pretzels
pretzels
muddie buddies chex mix
chex mix
sprite
blue Hawaiian punch
clear plastic cups for punch
styrofoam cups for hot chocolate
white or blue plates
any unwanted white or blue Winter/ Christmas decorations
Thank you for your support!
Meet our Staff - Coach Katina Walker
Katina Walker Interview by LVHS Senior, Cierra Abbott...
What inspired you to become a teacher?
First it was coaching...the opportunity to teach young girls, to shape young girls, and to get them ready for beyond high school. I was mainly working with children with special needs, and I thought I would have a twenty four hour day care for kids with special needs, but then I ended up in high school.
What have been some impacting experiences you have had while being a teacher?
Seeing kids realize their potential. I loved seeing the change in kids as they took on something like basketball and having that positively impact their life on both an academic and social level. Kids have more of an impact on teachers than we have on them.
What are some of your favorite things to do?
I like watching my own kids activities, whether it's cheer competitions, sports, or choir. I just like being with my family. Whether it be Sunday dinner and football or cracking jokes on each other and laughing, I love those times.
What are you most excited for this upcoming basketball season?
It's not even winning district for me this year, I just love looking at the joy y'all have. It's something I can't describe. I have this cohesive team, and I have expectations for y'all, but at the end of the day it's watching my team grow. That will get us the District championship if the girls are willing to put in the work.
How have you liked being an educator and coach at LVHS?
I have adapted. I wouldn't say it's been a struggle, but it's been a learning experience. Getting to know how the students here learn, I have had to be flexible in my approach of how to reach an athlete to give me everything they have, but at the same time, the students have adapted to me and have stepped up to the plate. I don't leave any guessing game so they know what my expectations are and they follow through with them. I have learned to adapt my teaching methods to help the students reach their full potential.
A message from Cierra about Coach Walker:
I have known Coach Walker for four years now, and she has made such an impact on my life. She has been a positive role model to help me through high school. She has always shown me that I have so much more potential than I could ever imagine. She has taught me to work hard for what I want because in the end, it will pay off. I have truly been blessed to have had Coach Walker in my life for my high school years. I know I will be able to take everything she has taught me into the years ahead of me. I couldn't thank her enough for the countless hours spent with me to help me improve, the numerous conversations where I was clueless and needed a guiding hand, and most importantly for helping me through the worst of times. She is truly one of the gems here at Lago Vista High School.
Meet our Staff - Becky Holt
Becky Holt Interview by LVHS Senior, Brandon Kendrick...
What did you do prior to teaching?
I was a computer science student contractor at New Mexico State and had the opportunity to work for the department of defense at White Sands Missile Range, that opened doors for me when I graduated. Then I proceeded to work as a software engineer for NASA, where I was a ground terminal at the White Sands Test Facility. After NASA, I got married and moved to Austin where I was a software engineer for a small company. Then I stayed home with my young children for 10 years, before I started teaching and coaching at Lago Vista High School.
What do you love about teaching?
I love seeing kids being excited about learning, and introducing them into the ever-evolving programming industry. I love being a part of their day.
What is your favorite hobby outside of teaching and coaching?
Between coaching volleyball season and track season, I like to workout, read, but mostly super fandom to my four kids and their activities.
What was your favorite subject in high school?
I loved English because I loved to read and I really liked my computer science class my senior year. That really compelled me to study it in college.
What is your favorite subject to teach now?
I really love to teach computer science.
How do those differ?
When I was in school, the programming languages that I learned back then are now obsolete. Now with the Internet, we don't have to use paper like we did, instead we have fancy compilers that check everything for you. I must say that you have to be really adaptive in this industry in order to learn new programming languages that come out every few years.
A message from Brendon about Mrs. Holt:
Mrs. Holt is my favorite teacher because she never gives up on a project, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She has an expertise on the subject and always surprises me by how much she knows when coding. I've had her for the past three years, coding each time, and it has been a wonderful experience each year. She has definitely influenced my decision of computer science and programming as a viable option in college.
Early Release and Semester Exam Schedule.
And, Friday, December 16 is a halfday. Because that is a C-Day, the following periods will meet:
1st - 8:10 - 8:59
2nd - 9:07 - 9:56
3rd - 10:01 - 10:50
4th - 10:55 - 11:44
5th - 11:49 - 12:38
Everyone will dismiss at 12:38 with lunch for all at that time. It will be brownbag, so students will grab and go.
The last week of the semester is the week of January 9, 2017. Here is the testing schedule:
Monday, January 9 - By popular demand, this will be a C-day.
Tuesday, January 10 - Periods 6 and 8
Wednesday, January 11 - Periods 2 and 4
Thursday, January 12 - Periods 1 and 7
Friday, January 13 will be a regular A-day (not a C-day) - Periods 3 and 5
STAAR Testing Next Week!
Students must pass the STAAR test in order to be eligible for graduation their senior year. Students who have yet to pass one or more sessions will be testing next week on the following days:
Monday, December 5: English 1 End of Course Exam
Tuesday, December 6: Algebra 1 End of Course Exam
Wednesday, December 7: English 2 End of Course Exam
Thursday, December 8: Biology and US History End of Course Exam
Friday, December 9: Make-ups for missed exams
Students should report to the MAC by no later than 8:00 AM on the assigned test day.
Get your Yearbooks now and save $10!
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College Planning Night!
Attention LVMS and LVHS parents! Please join us for the LVISD College Planning Night on Wednesday, December 7th from 6:30-7:30pm in the LVHS MAC.
The purpose of this event is to provide students and their families an opportunity to learn about all things related to college planning, including high school endorsement and course selections, tips to prepare for entrance exams, and how to start planning for the future. Students should also be able to pick up copies of their most recent PSAT scores that night (fingers crossed!). We hope to see you there!
All students and staff get two weeks off for Winter Break, from December 19 - January 3, 2017. Have a wonderful break with your favorite vikings.
attendance rate!
Student attendance from 11/12/2016 - 12/2/2016 was 95.4%
Remember, 10:15 is the magic time for this attendance rate!
News from the counselor:
Please join us for the LVISD College Planning Night on Wednesday, December 7th from 6:30-7:30pm in the LVHS MAC. The purpose of this event is to provide students and their families an opportunity to learn about all things related to college planning, including high school endorsement and course selections, tips to prepare for entrance exams, and how to start planning for the future. Students should also be able to pick up copies of their most recent PSAT scores that night (fingers crossed!). We hope to see you there!
If you have a Senior, you should have seen a Senior Checklist last week. It outlines what your child still has left to complete this year to be ready for graduation along with some topics to discuss regarding college and career decisions for next year. Please let me know if you didn’t receive the information and I can send a copy to you.
We will begin our awesome LVHS door decorating contest next week with the theme of “What does it look like when you show you care?” (Our Character Trait of the month for December is caring!) The doors will be decorated in the student’s homeroom. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places!
As the holidays approach, please remind your children to continue to make good choices. We want the theme behind Red Ribbon Week to last much more than just a week. Remind them of the pledge they signed (and the cute sticker they wore proudly)!
AP's Corner.
2. It's colder, cover up.
3. Santa is watching you, be good.
4. Santa doesn't like yoga pants or leggings that aren't covered by a fingertip length shirt.
5. Support your girls/guys basketball teams in a respectful manner.
LVHS Random Drug testing - Not just for students in uil!
Read the entire policy here: http://www.lagovistaisd.net/default.aspx?name=Publications
Add your student to the random pool by contacting Mr. Walker at justin_walker@lagovista.txed.net.
Please observe handicapped signs!
important attendance information!
3 or more unexcused absences in a 4 week period - warning letter sent home.
7 or more unexcused absences in a 6 month period - warning letter sent home and Behavior Intervention Plan meeting called with the parents, student, and assistant principal.
10 or more unexcused absences in a 6 month period - truancy charges are filed. Parent, student and school administrator will be summoned to appear in truancy court.
Our campus goal is to reach 96% attendance each day. If a student is at school at 10:15 am, we receive funding for that student for that day. If they are not, we do not receive funding. For this reason, we ask that you plan all non-medical absences from school for times after 10:15 am.
Weird, but true, attendance fact: If your student is present for any part of the school day and leaves for a medical appointment, they won't get counted absent for that day as long as they bring a note. If they are absent for the entire day for a doctor's appointment, they will be counted absent.
Thanks for your support!
StayAlert System Reminder!
Users may anonymously report concerns 24-7-365 via the StayALERT website, an e-mail, a phone call to a recorded and monitored line, or via a text message from a cell phone. Photos and video clips pertaining to the StayALERT report may be included. No special app required! Reportable information will be forwarded in a timely manner to a pre-designated school official for review.
To make a report, use one of the methods below:
Website: stayalert.info
Call or Text: (206) 406-6485
Email: report@stayalert.info
To whom should I talk about...
Registration, Transcripts: Our registrar, Tyra_Becker@lagovista.txed.net, 512-267-8300, extension 5503
Student Emotional Support, College Readiness, Student Schedules: Our counselor, Sherri_Sneed@lagovista.txed.net, 512-267-8300, extension 5504
Student Discipline, Ideas for School Improvement: Our assistant principal, Justin_Walker@lagovista.txed.net or principal, Heather_Stoner@lagovista.txed.net, 512-267-8300, extension 5501
Lago Vista High School
Email: heather_stoner@lagovista.txed.net
Website: www.lagovistaisd.net
Location: 5185 Lohman Ford Rd, Lago Vista, Texas 78645, United States
Phone: (512) 267 - 8300
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lagovistavikings
Twitter: @lvhsvikings