Luling ENews - October 2019
Go Eagles!
As hard as it is to believe, the first six weeks are over. Parent conferences are being scheduled at the Primary and Shanklin and report cards are being finalized to be mailed out at Gerdes and the High School. Parents, please remember that the district offers Parent Portal access so you can get real-time information on your student's grades. Contact the campus secretary for login information.
A big THANK YOU to the staff, students, parents, and community members that have volunteered to be on one of the Strategic Plan committees. We had our kick-off meeting last week and it was exciting to see the engagement and participation! The dedication of their time will ensure the continued improvement efforts across the district.
You will find a lot of good news and information about what is happening on our campuses in this newsletter. I love sharing some of the aspirations and accomplishments of our students and staff with you each month. The district has increased our daily communication on Twitter, FaceBook, and Instagram. Come join us!
-Mrs. Warren
Superintendent
Parent Meeting - October 8th - 6pm - CLC
We believe strongly in the power of a partnership with parents and the community. Please join us.
Business Fair
TAME STEM MOBILE MUSEUM
Friday, September 20th, was an exciting day in Luling ISD! Yes, it was Homecoming, but it was also a day for fun, hands-on learning. J.B. Nickells Memorial Library provided our students with the opportunity to explore the TAME STEM Mobile Trailblazer Museum. The museum-on-wheels travels around the State bringing their innovative, interactive exhibits to students.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past” (National Science Foundation). Exposing our students to STEM activities inside the classroom and out, will help prepare our students with the problem-solving skills necessary for an ever-changing, increasingly complex world.
Gerdes Junior High sixth and seventh graders walked down to the Library and were guided through the five stations (Energy, Space, Biotechnology, Aerodynamics, and Weather) by volunteers from our community, staff, and Luling High School students. They learned about the latest in research and technology while developing an understanding of future career opportunities. Seventh grade science teacher, Erika Bryant shared “The Stem Mobile Museum was an excellent opportunity for our students to experience hands on activities in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and gain their interests in those areas for their future studies and occupations.” One of our sixth graders said she enjoyed visiting the TAME Trailblazer because “it was fun to learn with hands on experiments” and described the Trailblazer as “amazing.”
Luling ISD is grateful for the volunteers, Mona Harmon, Sunny DeCamp, and J.B. Nickells Memorial Library for bringing TAME’s STEM Mobile Museum to our students.
October Spotlight Staff Member!
PRIMARY NEWS!
During the month of September, there were a lot of things going on at the Primary School.
Students learned about parts of books and how to use text features to enhance their
understanding of the book being read. Students practiced their sight words by finding them in
the books that they are reading from the classroom library. Students were engaged in the
writing process – brainstorming, creating a first draft, illustrating what they wrote about,
revising and editing their writing, and sharing it with the class. Students also collected data
from classmates then represented their data graphically. Students in Pre-K identified letters and numbers and explored shapes.
We celebrated Grandparents’ day by hosting a well-attended luncheon, hosted Breakfast with a
Beauty so that our students could share a meal with someone important in their life,
recognized First Responders and wrote letters in remembrance of 9/11, and transformed our
classrooms and learning experiences for students on Rock Your School Day. Everyone enjoyed
the events and we look forward to many more opportunities throughout the year.
-Mr. Weikert, Principal
SHANKLIN NEWS!
National College Colors Day
On August 30th , Shanklin students joined thousands across the United States in rocking college shirts to show their spirit. Shanklin students are working to be college and career ready through participation in the AVID activities. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual
Determination, is a college readiness program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. The program places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization and reading skills.
Start With Hello
Shanklin students have done an amazing job participating in Start With Hello Week. Our goal the week of September 23rd was to use Start With Hello’s three simple steps when helping lonely students:
1. See Someone Alone 2. Reach Out and Help 3. Start With Hello!
In classrooms, students learned how to say hello in different languages, they brainstormed ways they could help others on post it notes, and wrote positive hello chalk messages on Shanklin sidewalks! Students will wear green on Friday in solidarity of combating social isolation!
-Mrs. Ewald, Principal
GERDES NEWS!
Rock Your School Day
This year Gerdes Junior High participated in the nation-wide “Rock your School Day” on Thursday, September 19th. Students and staff dressed up as rock stars, teacher’s lessons were rock themed and students “rocked the hallways” strutting their stuff. We also rocked the house in the cafeteria with a “DJ jam session.” Staff and students had a great day “rockin’ school” and can’t wait for Rock Your School Day 2020.
Upcoming Student-Led Conferences
Gerdes will have our first student-led conferences on Tuesday, October 8th. Please join us at 6:00 PM in the CLC to learn from your student how they are using their binder to organize themselves, using their agenda to document learning and record assignments and important dates. In addition, students will share and discuss how they performed academically during the first grading period as well as set academic goals with their important adult. Parents and Guardians will also have the opportunity to receive a parent portal account that will help them manage their student’s grades.
-Mrs. Meshell, Principal
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS!
Campus Accountability
In August, districts and campuses around the state received accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), and we are pleased to announce that Luling High School has earned a B accountability rating for 2019! This rating is considered ‘Recognized Performance’ by the state!
This achievement reflects the tireless efforts of our teachers, staff, and students!
College Representatives
Luling High School will be inviting university/college representatives throughout the year to meet with our students to provide information including the application/admission process.
On September 24th, a representative from Texas A&M University met with several students who are interested in attending the university. Gig 'em!!!
Welding
Luling High School continues to expand its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. One of those programs the high school is expanding is welding. Over the summer, new welding booths were purchased and installed. This will allow for more hands-on experiences and helps our students acquire skills that can be used in a career post-graduation.
Students will have the opportunity to take a series of classes in welding that will provide a wide variety of welding processes, as well as the knowledge, skills, safety, and professional behavior necessary for competent performance as a welder or welding technician.
-Mr. Alvarez, Principal
Bond Update
Stadium Project
We have worked closely with the city to discuss the necessary closure of the portion of Travis Street that is directly north of the stadium. This closure will require changes to Primary dismissal. Our goal is to minimize the negative impact to traffic flow. The district will continue to communicate information as we finalize the plans.
Domestic Violence Month
October 5th - 9:30am - Lockhart Courthouse: 7th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk
October 18th - 4:30(JV) and 5:30(Varsity) - Luling HS Gym: Purple Out Volleyball Game
October 18th - 7:30 - Eagle Stadium: Purple Out Football Game
October 26th - 5pm - Lockhart Lions Club: Designer Purse Bingo. Proceeds go to the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center
Suicide Prevention Art Winner
The winner, 11th grader Jordan Hernandez, received a $100 visa gift card! Amazing talent!
High School Arch Repair
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are a busy district with lots of opportunities to participate in campus activities!
Keep up with upcoming events by clicking on this link:
https://www.luling.txed.net/apps/events/
Erin Warren, Superintendent
Email: EWarren@luling.txed.net
Website: luling.txed.net
Location: 212 East Bowie Street, Luling, TX, USA
Phone: 830-875-3191
Facebook: facebook.com/LulingISD
Twitter: @lulingisd