Hackberry Howl
Vol. 2 No. 16
A perfect thought as we enter this season of Thanksgiving - from Jon Gordon, one of my favorite writers:
Complaining is like vomiting; afterwards YOU feel better but everyone around you feels sick.
Five things to do instead of
complain:
1. Practice gratitude
2. Praise others
3.Celebrate success
4. Let go
5. Pray
Teacher Spotlight-Tammie Solinski
Teacher Spotlight of the Week
Name? Tammie M. Solinski
Birthday? 6/16/1960
Hometown? Essexville, Michigan
Current Hackberry position? 5th Math
Where did you attend College and what is your degree(s)? I attended Southern Arkansas University. I have a Bachelor of Science in Education and Associates of Arts in Science.
Who was your favorite teacher and why? Mrs. Culver, 1st grade. We got out of our chairs to sing and act out songs.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Research Scientist, Crime Scene investigator, or volunteer at the Neonatal Unit.
Do you have children? Yes 4. The oldest, 32, has her doctorate. She lives in Utah. The 31 year old has his masters, and lives in Arkansas. The 21 year old girl, attends college at Oklahoma Wesleyan. The 19 year old boy attends NCTC.
Do you have pets? Yes, Jake is a mini-pinscher that we rescued from the Little Elm Animal Shelter, 7 ½ years ago. He had been returned twice when we got him. We also have a foot long leopard gecko named Jimmy.
Favorite Color? Royal Blue
Do you have a favorite Quote or Saying? Love them into Learning
Where is the farthest place you have ever traveled?
San Diego, CA and New York, NY
Favorite food?
Italian food, plain potato chips, and fresh vegies from the garden.
Hobbies or Activities/organizations you are active in?
I’m President of UEA, Little Elm.
Accomplishments or Honors you have achieved that you are proud of?
I got to work as a Lab Tech for an Environmental Protection Agency project. I was an apprentice Tin-Smith in maintenance for GM. I went to college at the age of 31, as a single mom. My youngest child was born the last day of my student teaching. Woo Hoo. I got my Degree.
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
The will to lead and the skill to teach-Anthony Muhammad
School improvement begins with self-examination and honest dialogue about socialization, bias, discrimination, and cultural insensitivity. In The Will to Lead, the Skill to Teach, the authors acknowledge both the structural and sociological issues that contribute to low-performing schools, and describe how leaders can create a healthy school culture. They offer multiple strategies and activities to improve classroom management, increase literacy, establish academic vocabulary, and create an engaging learning environment.
After making a distinction between a staff's will--that is, their belief in all students' abilities along with their determination to make student learning and success a schoolwide priority and a staff's skill their use of quality, responsive methods and activities--the authors submit that healthy school cultures grow out of a marriage of the two.
Examine four broad steps to developing a positive learning environment (aligning philosophies, managing frustration, creating a culture of collaboration, and institutionalizing a healthy culture) and uncover the components of responsive pedagogy--a skillful and balanced framework of traditional and culturally responsive activities used in the classroom.
Quote of the Week!
Article of the week:
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
Howl Outs!
The Hackberry Staff Howls to the Cafeteria Staff for the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner!
Tom Howls out to Ms. Wagner and Ms. Karla for a tremendous job of organizing the Veteran's Day Celebration!! Choir sounded amazing, student presentations were terrific and the certificates looked super!!!
Tom Howls out to the cafeteria staff and the custodial staff for helping make our feast successful!
Tom Howls out to Karla and Carol for helping sell adult meals to make the lines move smoothly in the cafeteria.
Tom Howls out to Ms. Biggs for doing a super job on the new bulletin board!
Tom Howls out to our PTA for taking off with our "Watch Dog" program. I saw one talking pictures of the feast already. The first meeting was Tuesday night and we are looking for this program to grow.
Mrs. Parra gives a Howl to Mr. Freer and Mrs. Solinski for covering my class so I could go easy with Preston!
Ms. Parra Howls to Ms. Mathews for making some awesome snacks for turkey bowling!
Ms. Whiddon howls out to Morales! We are working together to pair up our students to create pen pals/ writing buddies. This week, I just feel so blessed to work and collaborate with such great teachers every day at Hackberry :)
Ms. Ratliff Howls out to Domenica Phan and Patti Granados for taking my lunch duty so that I could eat on Tuesday when we met with the Apple Education representative. I really appreciate you!
Ms. Ratliff Howls out to Jackie Jackson for sharing her amazing Pirate Ship with Hackberry for our Book Fair and Literacy Night, and a special howl out to her father who gave us his time to bring it up here.
Ms. Phan howls to Mrs. Robinson- she goes above and beyond for our students every day. She is an earth angel!!!!
Ms. Phan howls out to all the teachers who sent me well wishes when I was out sick. I love our HB family!!!!!
Jasleen GIVES A BIG HUGE howl to Mrs Masai for the awesome early Christmas gift. It is something that i always wanted and what makes it so special is the fact that I got it from her . Love , love , love it Mrs Callie Masai Claus. You are awesome,Love and hugs...
Becca sends a screaming howl out to Erin, Brandon, and Ana for covering specials so that Pam and I could go have Thanksgiving feast with our babies.
Bagby Howls to Karla for laying the smack down on Thanksgiving Feast pre-ticket sales! I really appreciate your help the cafe served 430 students + 170 guest and it went so smooth :)
Bagby Howls to Mr. Swartz and Mr. Richardson for always saying nice things and spreading positive energy, you guys are the best!
Bagby Howls to Ms. Northcutt & Ms. Robinson for showing off HBE dance skills with our fifth graders during lunch today...our special visitors were impressed :)
Stephen HOWLS to Karla for setting up our staff luncheon!
Stephen HOWLS to everyone that jumped in and helped out this week with so many needing to be out with sickness! True family effort!!!!
Stephen HOWLS to my morning crew for their effort in getting the carline line running smoothly! BEAST-MODE!
Hackberry Calendar
No school this week!