SHISD Mid-Week Message
Promoting Great Things in a Great School District
Let's Have a Conversation About Instruction
This spring excitement will build and all eyes will be on Panther stadium as SHISD begins construction on field turf and new stands. Even more exciting will be the work we are doing on the inside of the schools; constructing new classrooms that will serve as a showcase of what the modern day classroom should look like in a "premier district".
Conversations started last staff development to "moonshot" ideas to begin the creating of a new standard for what we want our students to be able to know, show, produce and create. The challenge is to make teaching and learning fun again and move past standardized testing. We want to be an example to the State of Texas of what is possible when you focus on students and their future and move past STAAR. To do that we will need to design lessons that involve critical thinking, problem solving, and the use of multiple technologies.
Saying we need (or want) more technology, iPads, or Chromebooks is not enough. The conversation has to revolve around the lesson and what a student needs to complete the task at hand. This will be more than a simple 1 to 1 initiative. Too many, if not all, 1:1 initiatives failed to live up to expectations because nothing changed but the paper went digital. The technology will be there but the question will be how will it be used?
School leaders and teachers started that conversation at the last staff development day and that conversation will continue this Monday. This is a large task and we cannot do this alone. This spring, SHISD will be bringing in parents, students, teachers and business leaders for a conversation about designing classrooms around meaningful learning. The nation's leading educational gurus from Dell Computer and Best Buy will join Panther Nation and help facilitate a conversation on the future of instruction in our district.
In the meantime, you will start to see some technology arriving at campuses. We need leaders to step up and model good instructional practices that involve technology. Ask your principal how you can get involved and be a part of the solution. Dream Big! After-all, our students deserve it.
SHISD Welcomes New District Receptionist
SH Student Artwork Wins City Wide Contest
Fellow Classmates Join in the Recognition
Kayla with City of Longview Officials
SH Student Artwork Makes Region
SH Debate Headed to Harvard!
Ritz the Drug Dog Stopped by the High School
Your Chance to Vote Online for Idea to Improve Texas Public Education
The Rather Prize. The finalists have been announced and you can vote for your favorite of the 10 ideas for improving Texas public education selected as finalists. You have an opportunity to vote (and share the ballot with others!) through February 15.
Anyone can vote, but only once per day per person. Forty percent of the winner's score will be determined by the number of votes their submission receives. The winner will ultimately be determined by the Rather Prize Advisory Board and announced later this month. The winner will receive a $10,000 award, which can be used for any educational purpose, along with a trip to Austin and the opportunity to present their idea at SXSWedu.
Junior Achievement "JA for a Day" Coming to SHJH March 4th
Junior Achievement will present "It’s My Future" curriculum to all 8th grade students at Spring Hill Junior High School on Friday, March 4th in the "JA in a Day" format.
If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact Mr. Moore at the Jr. High and he will get you plugged in. Volunteers are required to attend a one hour training prior to that day and then will present their lesson/activity six times on March 4.
Lady Panthers Playoff Bound!
Ever wonder what the TEA is doing?
Spring HIll ISD will take time during Texas Public Schools Week , February 29–March 4, to Celebrate Texas Public Schools. Please take time to stop by your child's school to thank teachers and principals during this week.
Spring Hill ISD
Email: superintendent@shisd.net
Website: www.shisd.net
Location: 3101 Spring Hill Road, Longview, TX, United States
Phone: 903-759-4404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spring.hillisd?ref=hl
Twitter: @s_snell
Interested in Getting a Doctorate Degree?
http://www.tamut.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Departments/CELA/Academic-Programs/Education%20Leadership/Doctoral.html
TAMU-T will accept the GMAT or the GRE as a part of the application process. If you have any additional questions you can contact the Doctoral Program Coordinator, Dr. Amy Burkman, at amy.burkman@tamut.edu or the Graduate Studies Office at 903-223-3129.