Luling ENews - November 2019
Go Eagles!
Speaking of hectic times, construction will begin on November 4th at the Luling Eagle Stadium. While we upgrade our facilities to increase safety for our students and families, there will be changes to the traffic flow around the schools. Please see the article in this newsletter for details, as this will impact pick up at Primary and Shanklin.
As we end the second grading period, please remember that your student's teachers are your partner in their education. We believe in being proactive and working together to help each student succeed! If you have any questions, concerns, or insight you would like to share, do not hesitate to call your child's school and set up a phone or face-to-face meeting. We look forward to hearing from you. Parent Portal is also available for all guardians to get current grades and attendance information.
Finally, we have participated in various activities for Suicide Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Month, and Bullying Prevention Month over the last several weeks. Our district and campus websites have a link to anonymously report bullying or suicide outcries. The link is called Anonymous Report and it is located on the top right corner on all sites. We also have amazing counselors on all of our campuses to help our students with anything they may be struggling with. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them.
-Mrs. Warren
Superintendent
Changes in Traffic Flow Beginning November 4th
There are several exciting projects starting in the district in the next few weeks. With this construction will come changes in the traffic patterns around the schools. It is our intent to not cause delays in the drop off or pick up of your students, however we ask for your patience and understanding during this time.
The stadium project will begin on November 4th. This will affect pick up for Primary. Please see the map and read over the changes detailed below.
· Travis Street between Hackberry and Mulberry will be permanently closed to all traffic starting on the 4th.
· All Primary students will be picked up at the front of the school with modified pick up lanes. All staff will be on hand to ensure the safety of students.
· Left turns from Mulberry on to Bowie are no longer allowed
· Cars will drive south on Hackberry, turn right on Houston, right on Mulberry and right on Bowie for Primary pick up (this will alleviate the current back up of traffic on Hwy 90)
· If you are picking up a child from the front of Shanklin, we will continue the no left turn from Houston into the pick-up lane.
Again, we understand that this change in traffic flow may result in unexpected delays. The district will continue to monitor the effects of these changes and will make any necessary adjustments. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve the facilities at Luling ISD.
SPOTLIGHT STAFF MEMBER
Brittney Parrott is a tremendous asset to Luling ISD. She is a natural teacher who has an innate ability to help students thrive and excel in her math classes. She plans engaging lessons for students and builds a strong conceptual foundation of mathematical understanding in her students that will serve them in the years to come.
Ms. Parrott also serves our campus by facilitating after school interventions as well as by offering professional development to others in mathematics. And although she is a stellar teacher, she continuously reflects and seeks ways to hone her craft as well as seeks advice on how to best reach any student who struggles with academics or behaviors. Brittney Parrott puts her heart and soul into all she does and truly cares about her community of learners. Her talents are boundless and there’s no limit to what her students will achieve this year due to her passion and expertise!
AVID NEWS!
Our AVID programs are running strong on all campuses. WICORizing (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) is an AVID strategy used by all campuses to increase critical thinking skills and deepen comprehension. At Primary, students are learning note-taking strategies, marking their texts and even learning the proper use of highlighters!
At Gerdes, students are able to participate in tutorial time to receive help from peers in areas of struggle. Students reflect on areas they need support in and fill out a Tutorial Request Form which guides teachers to create collaborative sessions for all students, where eighth graders peer-tutor sixth graders. Students are learning or teaching each other and growing in the process. AVID students also use collaboration in Socratic Seminars where they analyze a topic and then use Essential Questions to dissect points of view. Sixth graders are set to visit Texas State University in the future, take a tour of the beautiful campus, begin cultivating a college-mindset, and create college goals for their bright future.
-Dr. Donna Weikert
Primary Students Practicing Note-Taking Strategies
Gerdes Students Tutorial Request Forms
Socratic Seminars
GIFTED AND TALENTED NEWS!
Our Gifted and Talented pullout programs at Elementary are in full swing. The first project culminated in the Luling Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Fair in which students showcased the innovative, creative, business mindset of our 3rd through 5th grade students. Next, our students are working on a real world application of math. Math Around Town allow students to discover the uses of math in the real world and leads students to practice skills in other areas such as ELAR, Science, and Social Studies. We are excited to see what this new unit will bring! Secondary students are served through PreAP/Advanced courses that offer opportunities to apply critical thinking skills in all coursework.
-Dr. Donna Weikert
PRIMARY NEWS!
During the month of October, Primary teachers developed fire safety-related lessons to teach reading, writing, math, and science during fire prevention week. Students were visited by Luling firefighters who demonstrated the use of safety equipment and talked to students about what they should do in the case of a fire. Students investigated the safety equipment on the fire truck. Pre-K students visited a pumpkin patch to learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin and observed science experiments. Following the pumpkin patch trip, the Primary staff hosted a pumpkin science night for families. Students and their families investigated and recreated the inside of a pumpkin, learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin, planted a pumpkin seed, and used pumpkins in experiments. The night was capped with families voting for the best Primary staff decorated pumpkin creation. The primary staff was divided into eight teams who created a pumpkin presentation.
-Mr. Weikert, Primary Principal
Pre-K Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch
Fire Prevention
Science Night
SHANKLIN NEWS!
During the month of October, we celebrated families with our Muffins With Moms and Donuts With Dads. Many extended family members were able to join in the festivities and spend time with their special Shanklin Eagles!
On October 23rd, Shanklin Elementary was a sea of orange to celebrate Unity Day...the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. By wearing orange, we all showed the unified belief that no child should ever experience bullying.
Red Ribbon Week was celebrated the last week of October at Shanklin Elementary. Red Ribbon Week was full of various spirit days to remind us that it is important to not only respect our friends, teachers, and family, but that it is also important to respect ourselves. In addition to various spirit days, students participated in a writing contest to describe ways they can keep their body safe and healthy. Winners will soon be announced!
During the month of October, Shanklin students were given the writing prompt “Christopher Columbus was an adventurous man! Write about an adventure you have taken or one you want to take in the future.” The following students were recognized as winners of the October Principal’s Writing Challenge. Congratulations Eagles!
2nd Grade:
John Rodriguez
Alessandra Cardenas
Kaden Jackson
3rd Grade:
Vida Mayberry
Nathan Renteria
Will Monge
4th Grade:
Elizabeth Castillo
Karen Guillen
Jackie Guillen
Belle Grogan
5th Grade:
Elise Book
Corinne Partida
In an effort to instill better communication practices in our students and to help them participate in conflict resolution efforts, students have been introduced to Peace Paths at Shanklin Elementary. Students were taught how to use "I feel....when you...." statements to identify how they feel about a problem and brainstorm solutions that both parties can agree upon. Students can opt to use these peace paths available around the campus in order to repair friendships or resolve conflicts that might be a distraction to their learning. Way to go Shanklin students!
-Mrs. Ewald, Shanklin Principal
Principal's Writing Challenge Winners
Red Ribbon - Moustache Day
Unity Day
GERDES NEWS!
Student Led Conferences
During the evening of October 3rd, GJH hosted our first Student Led Conferences. Students prepared for the conferences during school for several days. During the event students shared how they use their binders and agendas to organize their work and time. Students also discussed their report cards from the first grading period, shared a source of pride and an area of growth. Based on their area of growth, students set goals with their families. We look forward to having our next student led conferences in January.
Dia de Los Muertos -
GJH celebrated Dia de Los Muertos on October 29th. Students, their family members, and community members participated in a variety of activities such as making paper flowers, creating masks, and creating picture frame messages to remember loved ones. We also shared in a community altar to remember and celebrate our loved ones. We ended the evening with a pinata party.
Honoring our Students
At the end of each grading period, we honor our students who have maintained As and Bs in their classes. We also honor students who have perfect attendance for the grading period as well. We are very proud of our students for their perseverance and hard work to ensure they do their best every day. Remember, all students have access to tutorials in the morning before school from 7:00 - 7:55 AM (daily) and from 4:00 - 5:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays and 4:00 - 5:00 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Uniting Together Against Bullying
On Wednesday, October 23rd, students united together to stand up against bullying. Staff and students wore orange to show support and unity. Students also represented their solidarity and commitment to stop bullying by linking together their commitments. Each class built a chain link with individual student commitments. Each class link was linked together to form one large chain link that is hanging in the hallways of GJH to remind us all of our solidarity and commitments to unite against bullying.
-Mrs. Meshell, Gerdes Principal
6th Grade A/B Honor Roll
7th Grade A/B Honor Roll
8th Grade A/B Honor Roll
Parent Led Conferences
Unity Day - Staff
Unity Day - Students
READING INTERVENTION NEWS!
Reading and Math Intervention is such an important part of meeting our students needs. Teachers and Staff are working towards filling in the gaps of learning our students have and creating a love of reading and problem solving for all students. Primary runs a tight schedule where every minute is filled with learning, applying, and growing in fun, meaningful experiences. Reading Intervention is one of those experiences where every student meets with a teacher in small groups, work on building phonological awareness, reading sight words fluently, vocabulary development, and applying all these skills in personal readers. At the end of each reading unit, students will take home a book they have masterfully and intentionally completed. The foundational skills of reading begin at Primary.
Reading Intervention is also experienced at Gerdes where students critically and purposefully read grade-level texts to discover themes, connections, and new information to deepen their comprehension and ability to answer higher level questions. Students annotate and write summary statements at the end of each passage read. Reading and Writing skills integrated and supported with Reading Intervention. The entire campus also indulges in Sustained Silent Reading of self-selected texts. The teachers read alongside their students each day supporting the goal of growing readers and modeling exceptional reading behavior.
-Dr. Donna Weikert
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS!
The Luling Eagle Band completed their successful 2019 UIL marching show recently. The band competed at the Region 12 UIL Marching Contest in San Antonio, earning a division one rating and advancing to Area.
In late-October, the band competed at the UIL Area Marching Contest in Beeville. There was a total of thirty-one (31) bands from all over South and Central Texas competing at the contest. The Luling Eagle Band competed at prelims at area, advancing to the contest finals that same day. The band finished in the top 10 overall out of the 31 bands, however, came up just short advancing to State.
We are so proud of the students and directors, Mr. Allen and Ms. Jones, for all their hard work during this marching season!
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts students partnered with the Luling Fire Department to learn about fire safety in the kitchen and practice fire extinguisher procedures.
UT OnRamps
This school year, Luling High School established a partnership with The University of Texas at Austin, through their OnRamps program. UT OnRamps dual enrollment is a way students can earn college credit while in high school.
OnRamps’ innovative dual enrollment programs provide rigorous courses aligned with the standards and expectations of UT-Austin. Earning transferable college credit while in high school accelerates degree completion by reducing the costs and impact of student loans. Through OnRamps, students learn first-hand all that it takes to succeed in college before they get there.
Currently, LHS is offering College Algebra and Physics I through OnRamps. In addition to dual credit and distance learning through Austin Community College and OnRamps, LHS plans to add additional early college courses. LHS is currently working on a college pathway for students while in high school, in which, students would be able to complete up 42 college credits or the core curriculum requirements before a student graduates from high school.
-Mr. Alvarez
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: www.luling.txed.net
Location: 212 East Bowie Street, Luling, TX, USA
Phone: 830.875.3191
Facebook: facebook.com/LulingISD
Twitter: @lulingisd