Cannon Back to School Issue 2011

8/6/2019 Cannon Back to School Issue 2011

1/12

Many of us parents

of school-age kids are

muttering the same

phrase this week...I cant

believe its school supply

shopping time again...

Its cliche, but true.

Where did the summer

go? Geez, its alreadyAugust and here I am

laying out our Back To

School section.

While I called area

schools to gather

information for this

section, I tried desperately

to suppress my own

Mommy panic. You

see, as a frequent ghost

hunter, there are very

few things that scare me

in this world...And Im

embarrassed to say one

of them is school supply

shopping!

Its like a cross between

Black Friday and azombie apocalypse

movie. But instead of

chanting, Brains, brains...

the frantic, compass

clammering undead are

muttering, Sharpies,

sharpies...

Every year I try to hit the

school supply aisles early

to get the best selection

and deals, and avoid the

crowds. But things never

quite go as planned.

There is always at least

one item on my sons lists

that is sold out. And it is

usually the one item they

REALLY, really wanted

or needed. Well that

makes sense, because

every other kid shopping

with their parents reallywanted and needed that

too!

In an eort to save

money I wanted to share

a tip that we use in our

house. Before we even buy

a single pencil, our family

scours the house for left

over school supplies from

previous years.

You might be surprised

at what kind of haul you

can come up with when

you look under beds, in

the back of closets and inthe garage. (But if it has

hair and doesnt move,

it might be a forgotten

science fair experiment.

My personal favorite

is their old backpacks

with broken zippers or

applesauce stains on

them. There are always

forgotten notebooks and

halfway used pencils left

behind in there.

Hair Creations

830-672-4721Lisa Blackwell, owner

Out with the Old in with the NEW!Come by and see huge selections just arrived.Purses, Jewelry, Caps, Crosses, Headbands and More.

All YellowBox Shoes $5 to $10 OfYellowBox or the Fall Arriving Daily

1821 Sarah DeWitt, Gonzales

BackTo

School

Thursday, August 4, 2011

By NIKKI MAXWELL

[email protected]

Got your Trapper Keeper yet?

A Special Issue ofThe Gonzales Cannon

2011

Head Back To School With

Apache Spirit!

Show your Pride With Apache ApparelComplete Line of School Supplies

(List at Service Desk)

For all your school shopping!

US Hwy. 90A E Gonzales 672-7573

Open 24

Hours

Your One

Stop Shopping

Place

Holiday Finance

Corporation

506 St. Paul., Gonzales, TX. 78629

830-672-6556

1-888-562-6588

Loans up to $1,200

Serving Texas for over 40 Years!

For All Those

Back to School

needs we have the

loan for you!!

Page D1

1001195

On those crazy days, just know

that I have your back. With my

help and the backing of my great

team, Ill have you back on the

road and driving happy in no time.

Like a good neighbor,

State Farm is there.

CALL FOR A QUOTE 24/7.

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyState Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL

Wheneveryoneforgetshowto drive.

Im your agent for that.Scott Dierlam, Agent1212 E Sarah Dewitt DriveGonzales, TX 78629Bus: 830-672-9661

www.scottdierlam.com

See SHOPPING, Page E9


2/12

Te Gnzale Cannn Turday, Augu 4, 2011Page D2

Gonzales ISD

GISD School Supplies List

See the GISD School Year

Calendar, Page E12

North AvenueSchool, new and re-turning student reg-istration, (5th GradeOnly), is Aug. 10, 8 a.m.

- 4 p.m.All registration forms

must be completedbefore a student canrecieve his/her sched-ule.

New and Returningstudent registration:6th Grade Only Aug. 11, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.All registration formsmust be completedbefore a student canreceive his/her sched-ule.

Meet the teacher

and schedule pick-up: Aug. 17, 2 p.m.- 6 p.m. 5th Grade 2p.m. - 4 p.m. and 6thGrade 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Teachers will only beavailable during theposted times.

GISD School Hours

Junior High: 7:55a.m.-3:35 p.m.

High School: 8 a.m.-3:53 p.m.

District News

Each year, substitute

teacher applicants must at-

tend one of the orientation

sessions and ll out all nec-

essary paperwork.

All applicants need to

bring documentation of

highest education attained

(minimum of a high school

diploma or GED certi-

cate), social security card,

drivers license or proof of

citizenship, and a voided

check, deposit slip, or bank

account information for

monthly payroll. This is

true for new substitute ap-

plicants as well as return-

ing substitutes.All substitute applicants

have to be ngerprinted

through the Texas Educa-

tion Agency. If you have

been ngerprinted in the

past for another agency,

you must be ngerprinted

again. Agencies do not

share their results with one

another.

Central Ofce will notify

substitute teacher appli-

cants via the phone number

provided at the orienta-

tion as soon as their Fast

Fingerprint Pass arrives.

The applicant picks up

their Fast Fingerprint Passand instructions on how to

schedule a ngerprinting

appointment from Central

Ofce. The Fast Pass has

ID numbers on it that the

applicant will use to sched-

ule their ngerprinting ap-

pointment.

When the applicant

comes to Central Ofce

to pick up their Fast Pass,

their le (paperwork) will

be checked to make sure all

necessary documentation is

in place. If any is missing,

it will be requested at that

time.After substitute appli-

cants have completed their

ngerprinting appoint-

ment, they will be given a

receipt. Applicants need to

bring this receipt to Central

Ofce.

The applicants le will

again be checked for any

missing information.

Once the ngerprint re-

sults are available in the

DPS system, Central Ofce

will be notied via e-mail.

The Human Resources De-

partment prepares a list and

presents it to the Superin-

tendent for approval. TheSuperintendent must ap-

prove all substitute teach-

ers.

If the Superintendent ap-

proves the applicant and it

is the rst meeting of the

year, the new substitutes

information is sent out to

the campuses through cam-

pus mail stapled in a le

folder.

The rest of the year, the

information is sent in an

e-mail. Central Ofce will

notify the substitute via the

phone number provided at

the orientation session that

their application has beenapproved and they may

have a badge made any

time prior to their rst day

in the classroom.

If the Superintendent

does not approve the ap-

plicant, a letter is written

and signed by the Super-

intendent and mailed to

the applicant at the address

provided at the orientation

session informing them

that their application was

denied.

Guide to becominga GISD substituteCannon News Services

[email protected]

EAST AVENUE PRIMARY

PRE-KDo Not Label Supplies3 boxes Crayola Crayons- (24 count)

1 box of 5oz. 90 count Dixie cups1 Antibacterial cleaning wipes3 trays watercolor paint3 Elmers glue- 4oz.1 box of Kleenex tissue5 plastic folders with brads1 pkg. coee lters2 pkg. manila paper2 pkg. construction paper (9 X 11)1 pkg. construction paper (12X18)1 box gallon size storage Ziploc1 box quart size storage Ziploc2 pkg. Rose Art washable markers1 pkg. of small glue sticks

KINDERGARTENDo Not Label Supplies1 Composition notebooks (preferblack/white)3 4 oz. bottles of Elmers white

school glue2 Elmers glue sticks4 24 count box of Crayola crayonsno Rose Art brand1 pair of blunt Friskers scissors1 package of pre-sharpened pencils1 big pink eraser1 ream of copy paper (white or col-ored)1 watercolor paint set in hard, plasticcontainer1 box of Kleenex4 heavy, plastic foldersplain, notdecorated1 package of manila paperno tab-lets please1 package of Expo brand dry-erasemarkersred,green,blue, & black..no neon colors1 small Space Maker school box

(5X8)Large backpackno wheelsBoys Only: 1 bottle of Germ-X & Gal-lon size Ziploc baggiesGirls Only: 1 pkg. baby wipes & Quartsize Ziploc baggies

FIRST GRADELarge backpackNo wheels1 white, 1 inch 3ring binder withcleat pockets on front and back2 Composition notebooks (preferblack/white)2 boxes regular Crayola crayons- 24in pkg1 pair of scissors- blunt1 Elmers school glue- 4 oz.1 plastic school box (5X8 inch)2 pkg. No.2 pencils, pre sharpened(24 in pkg)

4 big pink erasers3 plastic pocket folders (solid color)

with brads2 SOLID color spiral notebooks-70pages- WIDE RULED only1 (50 sheets) pkg. construction pa-per (9X12), assorted colors (no tab-

lets)1 pkg. manila construction paper(9X12)4 glue sticksBoys Only: 1 ream of white comput-er paper2 large boxes of tissues1 box of quart-size Ziploc bagsGirls Only: 1 pg of Expo dry erasemarkers (red, green, blue, black)1 box of tissue1 bottle of Germ X1 box gallon size Ziploc bags

GONZALES ELEMENTARY

SECOND GRADEThese supplies will become part of aclassroom set.Please do not label with your childs

name.Please bring all supplies to Meet theTeacher night.2 - 1 or 1 3-ring notebook withclear pocket on front and2 pockets inside (no zipper binders)3 dozen No. 2 pencils (no mechani-cal)4 large pink erasers2 boxes of 24-count crayons4 pocket folders with brads (pocketsat bottomplain withno decorations)3 spiral notebooks (70 pages, plaincover, wide-ruledno college-ruled)1 zippered pencil bag4 boxes of Kleenex2 rolls of paper towels1 package wide-ruled notebook pa-

perIndividual classroom teachers willhave an additional supply list.

THIRD GRADE1 pair scissors1 pkg. Glue Sticks1 box crayons (24 count)2 red pens1 Large eraser1 Pkg. map pencils (12 count)24 Pencils (no mechanical)6 Pocket folders with brads2 Pkgs. WIDE RULED notebook paper6 WIDE RULED spirals (l Subject)1 Pkg. Manila Drawing paper (Loose8Xll)3 Boxes tissues2 Rolls of paper towels1 Box zip lock bags (Girls =Gallon/

Boys = Quart)1 Nylon 3 Ring Binder Pouch

1 Pkg. of 5 plastic dividers1 Two Inch Three Ring Binder

FOURTH GRADE(2) 70 page spirals

(1) 2 subject spiral(4) packages of wide ruled notebookpaper(4) poly/plastic folders with pocketsand brads(1) 2 inch binder(1) 1 inch binder(2) sets of 8 tab dividershighlightersred penswooden pencils (no mechanicalpencils will be allowed)(2) zipper pencil pouches(1) 3 pack of Kleenex(1) roll of paper towelsBoys: 1 box of gallon size ziploc bagsGirls: 1 container of disinfectingwipes (Ex: Clorox)

(5th and 6th grade: see teachers)

GONZALES JUNIOR HIGH

SEVENTH GRADEBinder main binder for all classesWide Ruled notebook paperPencilsPens (Blue or Black)Red Grading PenDry erase markers- 4 pack prefer-ably low oderFolders w/pockets & brads 6Map ColorsMap Color Sharpener (2)DividersComposition Books 31 inch Binder11/2 inch BinderHighlighters 3

EIGHTH GRADEBinder main binder for all classesFour 1 - 2 ring binders for History,Math and Advanced Reading &ScienceWide Ruled Notebook PaperPencilsPens (Blue or Black)Pencil/Pen pouchFolders w/pockets & brads 2 anycolor for English and ReadingMap colorsMap color SharpenerDividers - 2 sets

GONZALES HIGH SCHOOL

Pen and spiral notebook on the rstday of school. A list for additionalsupplies will be provided by the

teachers during the rst week ofschool.

Welcome back to school, GISD familyDear Gonzales ISD School Family,

I hope that you are enjoying a fun,relaxing and safe summer. It is almostthat time again for a new school year.

I would like to bring you up to date onschool happenings.Please check the district website at

www.gonzales.txed.net for specicsas we draw closer to the beginning ofAugust. You may also choose to fol-low us on facebook for district post-ing of information.

Student/Parent Handbook andCode of Conduct: All students willreceive a copy of the 2011-2012 Gon-zales ISD Student/Parent Handbookand Code of Conduct. Tis hand-book and Code of Conduct will alsobe available on-line by the week ofAug. 22. Please remember that receiptof the Student/Parent Handbook andCode of Conduct must be acknowl-edged in writing. Te receipt formswill be received with the handbookand should be returned to your childscampus.

Bus Routes: Bus routes are postedat individual campuses. Bus informa-tion is available by calling (830) 672-3010.

Meet the eacher-PK-6th gradecampuses have scheduled time forMeet the eacher. Please check datesand times on-line at our GonzalesISD website, in Te Gonzales Cannon(rst week of August publication) andon the campus marquees.

Registration- Please check datesand times on-line at our GonzalesISD website, in the Gonzales Cannon(rst week of August publication) andon the campus marquees or by callingcampuses.

School Supplies- School Supplies-Grade level school supply lists havebeen compiled and are available on-line, in the Gonzales Cannon and bycontacting the campuses. Suppliesmay be dropped o during Meet theeacher night for grades PK-6.

School Start imes- Please checkdates and times on-line at our Gonza-les ISD website, in Te Cannon (rstweek of August publication) and onthe campus marquees or by callingcampuses. Remember that getting tobed early helps with an early morningroutine and assists students through-out the learning process.

First Week of School Pick-Up/Drop-O: East Avenue Primary: Inan attempt to assist with rst week ofschool trac issues and better serveeveryone we are incorporating a stag-gered start time for East Avenue Pri-mary.

Tis start time is in eect for therst week of school Aug. 22 - 26. Stag-gered start times follow: 1st grade re-port to school between 7:30 a.m. - 8a.m., Kindergarten report from 8 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. and Pre-K report between8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Please help out by following thestaggered start time schedule in placerst week only. (If you must be atwork at a time that will not allow youto follow the schedule we understand.Feel free to deliver your child from7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.) Remember to re-port at the normal time beginning thesecond week of school.

2011-12 District Calendar: Pleasenote that the Gonzales ISD 2011-12 Calendar can be located on thedistrict website or in Te GonzalesCannon (rst week of August). New

calendars will be sent home with eachstudent on the rst day of school.

Band Hall: Te new Band Hall isscheduled for completion by the endof August. If all goes as planned we

will begin the year in our new facility! Immunizations: Please check outthe Gonzales ISD Health Website forimmunization information.

Dress Code: Tank you for fol-lowing the Gonzales ISD dress code.If you have questions related to thedress code, please refer to the Stu-dent/Parent Handbook or review iton-line at the Gonzales ISD website.

Attendance: Attendance is im-portant! Tank you ahead of timefor getting your child prepared andto school on time daily. imelinessstarts the day calmly for students andensures that they do not miss their in-structional time. Please watch for at-tendance information to go home therst week of school.

Reminder: alking with childrenabout what to expect is important.It helps them be prepared and takesaway normal anxiety that occurswith change in schedules. It helps toremind them that this year is a con-tinuation of the year. Tey will see oldfriends and make new ones.

Everyone feels a little anxious. Tatis normal and they will have plenty oftime to get to know each other. Also,remind them that their teacher willspend time getting them acquaintedwith the procedures and expecta-tions. For all students and especiallystudents that are brand new to schoolit is important to talk about what toexpect.

Te family support, structure, mo-tivation, and encouragement fromparents, faculty and sta are what in-spire students to go to school and dotheir best.

Te best education for your chil-dren comes about when we work asa team. Tank you for being a part ofyour childs education.

Superintendents

Letter

Dr. Kimberly Strozier is superinten-

dent of Gonzales ISD.

Dr. Kim

Strozier

Got Shots?

All students must be up to

date on their immunizations

prior to registration. Contact

your childs campus for more

information.

Foo Ais Any student who has a

history of food allergies

should obtain a written note

from a health care provider.

The GISD Food Services

Department does provide

a specic note required by

the school. This note must

be updated every year. Visit:

www.gonzales.txed.net/

health for more information.

Mic/hthpobms

Students with medical problems which a health

care provider feels it is

necessary to restrict the

students activity at school

should promptly provide

a note from his/her doctor

specifying restrictions and

limitations, and the time

period. Students may be

excused from strenuous

activities and/or outdoor

play for one to three days

with a parents written

request. A doctors note is

required for any temporary

restrictions after three days.


3/12

In school districta c c o u n t a b i l i t y

rating informationreleased from the Texas EducationAgency Nixon-SmileyElementary earned arecognized rating,with both Nixon-Smiley High Schooland Nixon-SmileyMiddle School beingrated as academicallyacceptable.

Superintendent, Dr.Cathy Booth proudlystated Its hard not tobe grinning from ear-

to-ear. The hard workof our teachers andsta is paying o.

The Texas EducationAgency releasedthe latest stateaccountability ratingsthat show more schooldistricts and campusesare performing poorly.

TEA ocials reportedFriday that 569 schoolsand 88 districtsreceived academicallyunacceptable ratings

under the statesaccountability system.In a Friday

afternoon newsconference, EducationCommissioner RobertScott said two changesaected schools

ratings. TEA increased

standards in severalareas including mathand science. Theagency also eliminatedthe controversial TexasProjection Measure.

The measureallowed the state tocount some studentsas passing, even ifthey failed, becausethey were expected topass in the future. The

TPM change had a bigaect on state ratingsin many districts.

We need to continueto remember that weare raising standards,said CommissionerScott. Its a positive

message that we needto send so that we docontinue to raise thebar.

Congratulations tothe hard working sta,students and parents

of NSCISD for beingprepared and for a jobwell done.

N i x o n - S m i l e y C o n s o l i d a t e d Independent SchoolDistrict is a ruralschool district located

in a central Texasfarming community.We serve 1000diverse students fromseven communitiesencompassing 376square miles.

The Gonzales CannonThursday, August 4, 2011 Page D3

Nixon-Smiley CISD

Cannon News Services

[email protected]

Registration isrequired for gradesPre- K thru 12.NSCISD will hold

required registrationfor students inelementary, middleschool and highschool (PK-12) at theNixon cafeteria on Thurs., Aug. 4, 8:30a.m. 3 p.m.

A parent/legalguardian must bepresent to register.

For our returningstudents, you willneed:

Childs Updated

Shot Records P a r e n t / L e g a l

Guardian Photo IDNew students to

the district will need: Birth certificate Social Security

Card Shot record

P a r e n t / L e g a lGuardian Photo ID

Parents of Pre-

K i n d e r g a r t e nstudents, please onlybring proof of SNAP(Food Stamps), TANFor Proof of Incomefor the month of July.

If you have anyquestions, call thecampus your childwill be attending at(830) 582-1536.

Meetings

Wed., Aug. 17Elementary Meet

the Teacher at theElementary SchoolSmiley Campus, 5p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Middle SchoolMeet the Teacher atMiddle School NixonCampus, 6 p.m. - 7:30p.m.

District News

FOURTH GRADE

2 PKG 24 NO. 2 PENCILS

2 PKG OF GLUE STICKS

1 BOTTLE OF GLUE

2 PKG OF 5 DIVIDERS

BOYS- ZIPLOC GALLON

BAGS - 1 BOX

GIRLS - ZIPLOC QUART

BAGS - 1 BOX

2 GREEN FOLDERS W/

POCKETS AND BRADS

1 RED FOLDER W/POCKETS

AND BRADS

1 BLUE FOLDER W/

POCKETS AND BRADS

1 YELLOW FOLDER W/

POCKETS AND BRADS1 ORANGE FOLDER W/

POCKETS AND BRADS

5 SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS

2 PKG LARGE ERASERS

(NOT PENCIL TOPS)

2 LARGE BOXES OF

KLEENEX

2 PKG MAP PENCILS

1 PKG OF MARKERS

2 - 1 INCH 3 RING

NOTEBOOKS

2 PKG NOTEBOOK PAPER

1 PKG 3X5 NOTEBOOK

CARDS

1 PAIR SCISSORS

1 - 4 GB FLASHDRIVE

1 COMPOSITION BOOK

(HARD BACK) ANY

COLOR OR DESIGN

FIFTH GRADE

2 PKGS OF #2 PENCILS

(NOT MECHANICAL)

5 FOLDERS WITH

POCKETS

1 RED PEN

1 BLACK PERMANENT

MARKER WITH A FINE

POINT

1 LARGE ERASER OR

SEVERAL PENCIL TOP

ERASERS

2 LARGE BOXES OF

KLEENEX

4 PACKAGES OF

NOTEBOOK PAPER

3 PACKAGES OF DIVIDERS(5)

1 PACKAGE OF MAP

PENCILS

1 BOX OF CR AYONS (24

OR 48 NO LARGER)

ELMERS SCHOOL GLUE

(NO GLUE STICKS OR GEL)

SHARP SCISSORS

CRAYOLA MARKERS

CLASSIC COLORS

4 SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS

2 PACKAGES OF NOTE

CARDS

1 TRAPPER KEEPER

2 CONTAINERS OF

CLOROX WIPES

PENCIL BAG

1 PACKAGE OF DRY

ERASE MARKERS3 - 2 INCH BINDERS

1 - 4 GB FLASHDRIVE

GIRLS - ONE BOX OF

GALLON ZIPLOC BAGS

BOYS - ONE BOX OF

SANDWICH ZIPLOC BAGS

****NO BACKPACKS****

SIXTH GRADE

2 PKG- NO. 2 PENCILS

1 PKG- 2 GLUE STICKS

1 PAIR- SHARP SCISSORS

1 BOX- CRAYOLA

MARKERS (WASHABLE)

1 PKG- RED PENS

1 PKG- BLUE OR BLACK

PENS

1 LARGE PENCIL ERASER2 LARGE BOXES OF

KLEENEX

4 PKG- NOTEBOOK PAPER

1 PKG- COLORED MAP

PENCILS

3- 1 INCH, THREE RING

BINDER

3 INCH, THREE RING

BINDER

2 PKG- DIVIDERS WITH

TABS

5 POCKET FOLDERS

WITH BRADS (RED,

BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW,

ORANGE)

1 PKG 3 X 5 INDEX

CARDS

3 SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS

1 PINK HIGHLIGHTER1 - 4 GB FLASHDRIVE

IMMUNIZATION CLINICIN NIXON

Who: Health Department What: Immunization Clinic

Where: La Casita (located on Nixon-

Smiley High School Campus)

When: Aug. 4, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Questions call 830-672-7581

Hard work pays o for NSCISD

A Nixon-Smiley High School graduate receives her diploma during the 2011

graduation ceremony. Sta photo by Cedric Iglehart


4/12


5/12


Shiner Catholic SchoolSCS History

Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 41 pair of computer headphones(no Ear Buds)4 Elmers glue sticks3 16 Count Crayola crayons1 pkg. Crayola washable markers

(classic colors)1 pkg. Crayola washablewatercolors1 pair blunt Fiskar scissors4 #2 pencils (not fat)1 pkg. paper plates (not coated)2 boxes Kleenex1 backpack (no rolling wheels)2 folders-bottom pockets only2 containers of baby wipes1 bottle of hand sanitizer1 roll of masking tape1 roll of wide Scotch tape (nodispenser)2 4 oz. Elmers white glue1 box gallon size Ziploc baggies1 pkg. Play Doh brand Play Doh-4pack1 complete change of clothes inZiploc bag (clearly labeled with

name)*Please label each item with yourchilds name

Pre-K Children in Extended CareWill Need:1 nap mat1 small pillow1 blanketstued animal (optional)(label each item with your childsname)

Kindergarten2 boxes of 24 Crayola crayons-regular size (label each crayon)6 6 sided #2 yellow pencils2 4 oz. Elmers white glue1 roll Scotch tape2 120 pg. composition books-wide

ruled (not perforated)3 pocket folders (2 pockets)1 box snack bags1 box Kleenex1 pair blunt Fiskar scissors1 box regular Crayola markers(label each marker)2 pink erasers

1 box watercolors1 backpack (no rolling wheels)1 small zipper case or small supplybox1 nap mat (no pillow)1 pair of computer headphones

1 change of clothes in Ziploc bag(labeled with name)1 1/2 black binder for music class*Label each item with childs name

1st grade20 6 sided #2 pencilsCrayola crayons (16 or 24 only)1 calculator2 large pink erasers1 4 oz. Elmers white glue4 glue sticks1 pkg. watercolor paints1 backpack (no rolling wheels)1 pair scissors1 pkg. Ziploc baggies1 small school box1 ruler with cm/inches (wooden)1 box Kleenex tissue1 set Crayola markers (Classic

Colors)2 composition notebooks (120sheets)1 pkg. manila paper4 plastic folders (2 red and 2yellow)1 1/2 black binder for music class1 set of headphones for computerclass*Label each item with childs name

2nd grade20 6 sided #2 yellow pencils1 pkg. Crayola crayons (24 count)2 4 oz. Elmers white glue2 glue sticks1 pair Fiskar scissors2 Composition Notebooks (120pgs.)2 large pink erasers

1 roll Scotch tape2 boxes Kleenex tissue1 pkg. Crayola markers2 red pens1 ruler with cm/inches (wooden)4 plastic folders with pockets (2 ofone color; 2 of another color)1 small school box

1 backpack (no rolling wheels)1 set of computer headphones1 1/2 black binder for music class1 small calculator1 pkg. manila paper3 writing tablets; 40 sheets;

Primary Writing Stage 31 bottle of hand sanitizer1 box of quart Ziploc baggies1 box watercolors*Label each item with childsname

3rd grade1 10 count pack of #2 yellowwooden pencils4 pocket folders with brads1 4 oz. Elmers white glue1 ruler with cm/inches (wooden)1 box Crayola crayons (24 count)1 pair pointed scissors1 backpack (no rolling wheels3 pkg. loose leaf paper1 zipper case for supplies2 composition books4 red checking pens

2 boxes Kleenex tissue (200 count)1 pkg. markers1 roll Scotch tape1 pkg. dividers1 2 binder (no trapper keeper)1 calculator2 pink erasers1 1/2 black binder for music class1 set of computer headphones*Label each item with childs name

4th grade2 ball point pens (1 black; 1 blue)1 pkg. #2 yellow pencils (10 pack)2 red ball point pens1 large pink eraser1 pkg. Crayola markers (ClassicColors)1 box crayons (24 count)12 inch ruler with mm/cm

(wooden only)1 pair pointed Fiskar scissors1 box Kleenex1 roll Scotch tape1 set of computer headphones2 4oz. bottles Elmers white glue4 pocket folders (solid colors)3 pkg. loose leaf paper (wide

ruled)3 composition books (70 pages)1 2 binder with dividers1 1/2 black binder for music class1 backpack (no rolling wheels)*Label each item with childs name

5th grade2 ball point pens (black or blue)1 pkg. #2 pencils (10 pack)2 red ball point pens1 pink eraser1 pkg. markers1 box crayons (24 count)12 inch ruler with mm/cm(wooden only)1 pair pointed scissors1 compass2 boxes Kleenex1 roll Scotch tape1 set of computer headphones1 4oz. bottle Elmers white glue1 pkg. graph paper4 pocket folders with brads3 pkg. loose leaf paper3 composition books (70 pages)

1 2 binder with dividers1 1/2 black binder for music class1 backpack (no rolling wheels)

Students in grades 6-12 willreceive supply lists from individualteachers at Meet the Teacher/Follow the Bell Night on Aug. 10.

Shiner Catholic School Supply List

1st SEMESTER

August 10 OPEN HOUSEMeet the Teacher

August 8 -11 Local Inservice

August 12 Diocesian Inservice

August 15 First Day of Instruction

September 2 1:00 Dismissal

September 5 Labor Day/School

Holiday

September 16 End of 4.5 Week

Grading Period

September 19-23 ITBS Testing

(K-12)

September 20 Progress Reports

October 2 PTC Fall FestivalOctober 7 1:00 Dismissal

October 14 Catholic School Semi

nar/Student Holiday

October 14 EOQ - 43 Days

October 17 BOQ 2nd

October 18 Report Cards -

Parent /Teacher

Conferences This Week

November 4 1:00 Dismissal

November 11 End of 4.5 Week

Grading Period

November 15 Progress Reports

November 23, 24, & 25

Thanksgiving Holidays

December 2 1;00 Dismissal

December 16 EOQ - 42 Days

December 20- January 2

Christmas Holidays

Shiner Catholic School

2011-2012 CalendarS M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6

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August 2011

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h

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May 2012

April 2012

January 2012

February 2012

March 2012

2nd SEMESTER

January 2 Workday/Student HolidayJanuary 3 BOQ / Report Cards

January 6 1:00 Dismissal

January 29 - February 3

Catholic Schools Week

February 2 Noodle Soup Supper

February 3 Workday/Student Holiday

February 3 End of 4.5 Grading Period

February 7 Progress Reports

February 10 1:00 Dismissal

February 22 Ash Wednesday

March 2 Early Dismissal

March 9 EOQ - 48 Days

March 12-16 Spring Break

March 19 BOQ

March 20 Report Cards

March 21 2012-13 Registration for ALLfamilies A-Z Existing & New 9am to 6 pm

April 6 Good Friday

April 9 Easter Monday Holiday

April 9 Bad Weather Day (if needed)

April 13 Early Dismissal

April 16 Marathon Monday

April 20 End of 4.5 Grading Period

April 24 Progress Reports

May 4 1:00 Dismissal

May 5 Confrmation

May 19 St. Paul Baccalaureate

at 5:00 pm

May 19 St. Paul Graduation

at 6:30 pm

May 22 8th Gr. RecognitionMay 23 Field Day

May 24 Last Day of Instruction

Mass, Dismissal - 9:30 am

EOQ - 47 Days

May 25 Bad Weather Day (if needed)

Calendar Key:

School Holiday

Beginning Periods/Ending Periods

Early Dismissal *

Make Up Bad Weather Day h

Inservice/Workday

Progress Report/Report Cards

Graduation G

180 Days of Instruction (85 days 1st Sem./95 days 2nd Sem.)

8 Days of Inservice/Workdays

revised 4.19.11

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The rst Catholic school

in Shiner was built in 1896

by Scherbohm and Mewes,

contractors. The two story

French-style frame building

housed two classrooms, a

dining room and kitchen onthe rst oor, and a residence

for the Sisters on the second

oor. Named Saint Ludmilas

Academy in honor of a Slavic

saint, the school opened

in February 1897 and was

operated by the Sisters of the

Incarnate Word and Blessed

Sacrament religious order in

the state of Texas.

The co-educational boarding

and day school enrolled fty-

seven students the rst year.

Courses included German and

Czech language; music courses

featured piano, guitar, and

mandolin. In 1902 two years

of high school were added tothe elementary grades. In 1916

a new structure was built to

meet increased enrollment.

In 1928 a four-year high

school was incorporated,

and the school received the

designation of an academy.

After 1939, no pupils were

accepted as boarders. An

elementary school was built

in 1951, and a gymnasium,

auditorium and cafeteria were

added to the campus. In 1963

the Shiner Parish erected

St. Paul High School. The

educational complex is known

as the Shiner Catholic School.

(1997)

In 2002, a Parish Hall wascompleted adjacent to the

parish gym. It serves as a

cafeteria for the Catholic School

students and, with a seating

capacity of approximately 200,

is used to accommodate the

larger gatherings of various

parish and school functions.

Shiner Catholic School

424 St. LudmilaP.O. Box 725Shiner, TX. 77984

St. Ludmila Elementary:361-594-3843

Fax: 361-594-8599 SLE

St. Paul High School:

361-594-2313Fax: 361-594-8564 SPH


6/12

Every year parents spendsignificant amounts of mon-ey on school expenses. Whiletheres not much parents cando about tuition, there areways to save on additionalexpenses, including clothing.

Restocking a studentswardrobe can be costly, but

savvy Moms and Dads canlessen the blow in a variety ofways.

Although students maynot yet be ready to head backto class, both parents andchildren may not be lookingforward to school shoppingfor a number of reasons.

Expenses: Statistics post-ed on Chiff.com indicate that$7.2 billion were spent onschool clothing in 2009 forAmerican students. In Cana-da, statistics show that nearly$450 million were spent onboys and girls clothing andaccessories in 2008.

Shopping for school items

can be a big expense, one

thats especially tough tohandle after paying for asummer vacation or financ-ing kidsstays at camp.

Time: Crowded storescan make shopping stress-ful, especially when kids(and adults) would rather bespending time elsewhere.

Intimidation: Facing a

store full of stocked racksand shelves can make eventhe most avid shopper feela little anxious. Parents facedecisions about choosingclothing that is both accept-able to the school and trendyenough for their kids. This canput added pressure on shop-pers.

Cranky kids: While somechildren may relish the ideaof picking out a new ward-robe, others may becomedisgruntled by heading tothe store having to try on dif-ferent things and spend timeaway from friends.

Whether school shopping

is fun or feared, its a neces-

sity for parents and kids alike.Here are eight tips to makethe process a bit easier andhelp parents save money aswell.

1. Assess what is already onhand. Shopping doesnt haveto mean creating an entirelynew wardrobe from scratch.It often means supplement-ing existing clothing withnew pieces that can make

things look fresh. Unless achild has entirely outgrownpants and shirts from lastyear, chances are there willbe a number of pieces thatare still usable and appropri-ate. Take a day or two to gothrough kidswardrobes andset aside items that can beused for school. Make a list ofnew items to purchase.

2. Establish a budget. Seta limit as to how much willbe spent on each child anddont stray over that limit.Around $150 to $200 maybe adequate to pick up a fewbasics. Taking out cash fromthe bank and spending only

what is in hand may make

shoppers less likely to over-spend or turn to credit cardsfor purchases.

3. Stock up on the basics.New undergarments andsocks will be needed. Aim forabout 10 to 12 pairs of each.This also may be a good timeto purchase pre-adolescentgirls a training bra or sportsbra to provide some support.

4. Buy new shoes. Shoesare one element of a ward-robe that may need to beentirely new. Active childrentend to wear out shoes quick-ly. One pair of sneakers andone pair of dressier shoes, likeoxfords, or ballet flats for girls,may be adequate.

5. Shop sales. If the weath-er is warm, its possible to savemoney on clearance T-shirtsand shorts that stores are put-ting on sale to make room fornext seasons items. Dont filla students wardrobe withheavy sweatshirts or sweat-ers at this juncture. Layering

options are good because

students can adjust accord-ingly to feel comfortable.

6. Intermingle designerwith discount. Not every itemin a childs wardrobe has tobe trendy. Layering items,such as T-shirts, can often bepicked up for a discount instores like Target or Walmartor Old Navy. Outer items, like jeans or some shirts, can be

picked up from the trendierstores. Shop their sales andsee if they offer coupons bysigning up to loyalty Websites.

7. Go early in the day. Al-though it may be a challengeget the kids up and dressedto visit stores when theyrein vacation mode, arrivingearly means thinner crowdsand refreshed children. Kids

who are tired or hungry canbe prone to meltdowns. Packsnacks and drinks to be onthe safe side. Some storesoffer early bird special sales,which can make shoppingonce the doors open evenmore advantageous.

8. Do some online shop-ping, too. Once the childrenhave gone to bed for the eve-

ning, do some uninterruptedonline shopping. Compari-son shop and figure out ifbuying online is a good dealafter factoring in shippingcosts.

School clothes and sup-ply shopping signals the endof vacation time. Make themost of the opportunity tosave and reduce stress whenshopping.

School supplies haveevolved significantly overthe years. Items that appearon todays school-supply listsmay be quite different fromyesteryear.

It used to be that teachersrequired a relatively standard

set of supplies for classroomand homework use. Folders,pencils, and spiral-boundnotebooks were often theitems of choice. As moreschools embrace the digitalage, school supplies tend toevolve to meet the demandsof new technology.

Dry erase markers: Schoolsare increasingly moving awayfrom traditional chalk boards,which tend to be messy.In rooms where computerequipment is located, dryerase boards are often thepreferred choice for teachers.As such, teachers tend to askstudents for a steady supplyof dry erase markers to use on

the large whiteboards. Someclassrooms also employ indi-vidual dry erase boards.

Laptop computers/tablets:A personal computer canstore a wealth of informa-tion and connect studentswith tons of informationthrough the Internet. Instead

of spreading school budgetsthin equipping classroomswith computers, someschools encourage studentsto purchase their own de-vices for use at school and athome.

Flash/thumb drives: Stu-dents who want to transferfiles from school to homecan use convenient thumb

drives. These small storagedevices can hold a significantamount of information.

Graphing calculator: Al-though computers canperform many of the tasksof handheld calculators, itseasier to carry graphing cal-culators around school than

it is to cart around a laptop.Graphing calculators per-form many different types ofmath. They may be requiredfor algebra, calculus and ge-ometry. They are also usefulfor plotting lines. Once pur-chased, a graphing calculatorcan be used for years.

Planner: Students oncewrote down assignments in a

paper planner or on a calen-dar. Although many chooseto do it the same way today,some opt to go the digitalroute, entering remindersand tasks into a PDA or aphone with these capabili-ties.

E-reader: Students taking

a foreign language or avidreaders may opt to invest inan e-reader. This way they canstore a dictionary, thesaurus,or even some of their favoritebooks in one place.

Scanner: A scanner can bean invaluable tool for copy-ing material from books orscanning in photos and oth-er items for use in projects.

Many scanners come in all-in-one printer/fax/scanner ma-chines, which can be a goodinvestment.

Printer: A desktop printerwill enable students to printout homework assignmentsor reports.

Internet access: The Inter-

net has proven an invaluableresource for todays students.Students frequently have togo online to do assignments.Many teachers also have Websites where they post a syl-labus or assignments. Someteachers prefer students con-tact them through e-mail.

School supplies haveevolved over the years. Par-

ents and students may haveto adjust accordingly to getthe items they need to dowell in the classroom. Consid-ering some of these suppliescan be costly, parents maywant to investigate refur-bished devices that are oftenbacked by warranties.

Many teachers look toprovide exciting experiencesfor children in the classroom,frequently using interactivesupplies and techniques in-tended to make learning fun.

While teachers oftenget an annual school sup-ply budget, too often whatteachers use in the classroomis purchased with money outof their own pockets. Thatseven more true in light ofrecession-related budgetcutbacks that have forcedteachers to reach deeper intotheir own funds to pay forsupplies.

In 2010, the National Teaching Realities Surveyfrom Kelton Research foundthat 97 percent of Americanteachers frequently use theirown money to stock up onsupplies for the classroom.In most professions, suppliesare funded by employers.However, teachers whommany feel are underpaid nd themselves runningout of money for supplies.Instead of scaling back andletting students suer, manyteachers continue to usetheir own money to ensurea worthy classroom experi-ence.

What are they buying? At

least 80 percent of teach-ers interviewed in the studyfound that basics, such as pa-per products and craft items,are in short supply.

Many parents are unawarethat teachers use their ownfunds for supplies. But stu-dents and parents alike cando their part to contributeto a better learning environ-ment.

When teachers sendhome notes requesting do-nations of supplies, parentsshould step up to the plate.Its not greed feeding theserequests, but rather neces-sity.

Parents can join togetherand consult school ocialsabout their concern for dwin-dling school budgets.

Local merchants can do-nate school supplies or oerdiscounts for teachers. Notonly is it free advertising, itsgood for the community aswell.

Teachers can investigatediscount programs at school-and oce-supply stores.

At the beginning of theyear, teachers can issue a listof necessary classroom sup-plies. Parents and other com-munity members can worktogether to complete the list.

Its not just classroomsupplies, either. Some teach-ers use their own money tohelp students who may nothave money for lunch or bus

fare to get home.Fundraisers for the class-room can be a good way toraise extra money for miscel-laneous expenses.

When it comes to school,costs are rising across theboard. Though tuition hikesget most of the publicity,additional expenses associ-ated with school can add upas well, and school suppliesare no exception.

Though it was once easyto send kids o to schoolwith a pencil case, a couple

of notebooks and a few oth-er accessories, todays stu-dents live in a digital world,and their teachers often relyon technology to supple-ment lesson plans.

As a result, the cost ofschool supplies is higherthan ever before, and par-ents are left looking forways to give kids the toolsthey need without break-ing the bank. To do just that,consider the following tips.

Sign up for coupons onretailer Web sites. Whenconsumers purchase aproduct online, prior to -nalizing the purchase many

online retailers ask consum-ers to check a box if theywould like to receive e-mailnewsletters and coupons.

Parents who sign up for

such newsletters and cou-pons can save substantialamounts of money andmight even be privy to spe-cial sales not available tothe general public.

In some cases, its noteven necessary to makea purchase to receive thenewsletters and coupons.Shoppers simply visit theWeb site of their favoriteonline retailers and sign upto be notied of any deals

or sales.

Coordinate with teach-ers ahead of time. Parentsshould consult their childsteacher before school be-gins and throughout theyear to determine if thereare any special projects orreports coming up that re-quire certain supplies.

For instance, kids mightneed costly graphing calcu-lators next semester. If par-ents are given advance no-tice, they can shop aroundto get the best deal.

Talk to local school of-cials to see if its possibleto make a list of school

supplies available at theend of the year instead ofat the very beginning. If so,this gives parents severalmonths to shop around for

the best deals.

Do your own home-work. Parents of college-bound kids might think ane-reader would make theideal gift, saving kids thetrouble of lugging all thosebooks around campus.However, parents shoulddo their homework beforemaking any such purchases.

Thats because not alltextbooks are available as

e-books, and kids mightend up having to buy hardcopies of their textbooksanyway. Before kids heado to college, examine theirrst semester schedule andthen look online for eachclass corresponding sylla-bus.

If most of their requiredtextbooks are available ase-books, then an e-readermight make a great gift.If not, think of somethingelse.

Dont make the bottomline the determining fac-tor. Whether a student is ingrade school, high school

or college, his or her schoolsupplies tend to undergomore than their fair share ofwear and tear.

So parents looking to

save on school suppliesshould consider that whenshopping. Though the lessexpensive backpack mightseem more aordable,make sure it can withstandthe test of time and all thewear and tear that comeswith being a students back-pack. If not, it will likely needto be replaced before theschool year is out, whichcan end up costing moremoney in the long run.

Recycle school supplies.School supplies can be re-cycled. At the end of eachsemester or school year,perform an inventory of ex-isting school supplies. If lastsemesters notebooks werehardly used, theres no needto buy new ones for thenew semester.

Similarly, parents whohave a couple of studentsin their household canembrace hand-me-downschool supplies just likethey do with clothes.

If one child nishes theschool year but didnt quiteuse up all of their supplies,

save those supplies for theday when their youngersiblings end up in the sameclass.

Te Gnzales Cannn Tursday, August 4, 2011Page D6

Unique ways to save on school supplies

Shoppi: 8 w o v o choo xp


[email protected]


[email protected]

Teachers fundingclassroom supplies

Times have changed: Supplies for the 21st CenturyCannon News Services

[email protected]

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Sale every Saturday at 10amwith live webcast @ www.cattleUSA.com

Dave S.Mobile830-857-5394

Mike B.Mobile830-857-3900

Office 830-672-2845

Fax 830-672-6087

P.O. Box 565Gonzales, TX 78629

DuBose

Insurance

Agency

826 E. Sarah

DeWitt Drive

830-672-9581

Emmanuel Christian School is nowaccepting registration applications

Mut ISDMoulton ISD will

kick of the 2011-2012 School Year onMonday, Aug. 22. Teachers will reportback the week prioror teacher inservice.

HISTORY NOTE:Moulton High Schoolwas built in 1901 andis a recorded Texas

Landmark. It is still

being used as themain acility, alongwith a new scienceclassroom, lab, acomputer lab, andgymnasium. In July2000, the outside othe main building waspainted to appear asit did originally.

District News

Eu Chiti

Emmanuel Christian School

is now accepting registration

applications or students rom

3K-school to 12th grade or the

2011-2012 school year.

You can see your child receive an

excellent education in an intimate,

Christian atmosphere. Emmanuel

uses the ACE curriculum that is

known and accepted world wide.

ECS has been providing

inexpensive, quality Christian

education or the children o

Gonzales and surrounding area

since 1979.

This year we are proud to

announce the beginning o a pre-

school program or three and our

year old children.

Those interested may call (830)

672-7331 or come by the school

oice at 1817 St. Lawrence or

more inormation. Classes begin

Aug 22.

Emmanual Christian School Supplies ListELEMENTARY SCHOOL

NOTEBOOK PAPERCRAYONSWASHABLE MARKERSGLUE STICKSPENCILSCONSTRUCTION PAPERERASERS

JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL

COLLEGE RULED NOTEBOOKPAPERRULERPENCILS2 INK PENS, BLUE AND BLACKCALCULATORPROTRACTOR

PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN

SUPPLIES WILL BE PROVIDEDALONG WITH FURTHERSUPPLIES FOR ALL GRADES

Emmanuel Christian School

Now Accepting

Registration Application

3K-12th Grade

2011-2012 School Year

Excellent Education in anintimate Christian

Atmosphere.

ACE Curriculum

Quality Christian education

since 1979

Pre-school program for

3 & 4 years

Classes begin Aug. 22

Call 830-672-7331

or come by

1817 St. Lawrence

Gonzales

The world has quicklybecome digital, and theyounger generations areleading the pack withtechnology that just maymake some other itemsobsolete. As pre-teensand teenagers routinelyturn to digital devices

or entertainment andschoolwork, the ace oeducation may change aswell.

In the past studentstoted notebooks (the pa-per kind), pencils, pens,and olders to school. To-day, students carry digi-tal devices like computertablets, notebooks (theelectronic kind), smartphones, and other digitaldevices to the classroom.Furthermore, textingand instant messaginghave replaced traditionalmodes o casual conversa-tion.

Another item that may

go the way o the dino-saur is the printed book.Students can now carryan entire library worth oreading material on a slime-reader device or on themany other evolving tab-let-type machines. Theremay be a day when one no

longer browses the aisleso the school library or abook, but only downloadsthe text instantly whenneeded. Some textbooksare already ofered indigital ormat, and someschool systems and teach-ers may opt or the conve-nience o digital devices.

Little data exists as to just how many schools

have policies allowing theuse o cell phones andother digital devices inclass. In the United States,a 2009 U.S. Departmento Education survey in-dicates only 4 percent opublic-school teacherssay a handheld device isavailable in the classroomevery day. But things canchange in a short periodo time.

Digital Advantages

There are many advan-tages to going digital. Typing tends to go asteror adept keyboard us-

ers, which many young-sters have become sincetheyve essentially grownup with computers in thehousehold. This makesnote-taking easier.

When notes and as-signments are saved toa computer, theres less

likelihood o them get-ting lost, especially i im-portant les are routinelybacked up. Data saved ona computer can easily bemanipulated into a num-ber o diferent ormats,potentially making it easi-er to study. Bodies o textcan be transormed intocharts or pie graphs withmany word processing

programs. Students cancut and paste importantquotes or examples intoessays and the like, savingtime on homework.

In terms o streamliningbackpacks, digital readersand other devices elimi-nate heavy books andnotebooks. This can beseen as a big plus to stu-dents who have grownaccustomed to carryingaround 20+ pounds ontheir backs rom a veryyoung age.

As many teachers turnto online resources, suchas e-mailing and postingassignments on a per-

sonal Web site, studentsalmost have to keep upwith the times with somesort o tool that has Inter-net access.

Digital Disadvantages

On the other side o the

equation, going digitaldoes have some disadvan-tages. The decline o pen-manship is one o them.

In a digital era, peopleare less likely to write let-ters by hand or keep upwith penmanship in otherways. Some children dontknow what cursive hand-writing is and may neverlearn how to sign theirnames in script, which

was a common lesson orother generations.

While digital communi-cation does promote so-

cial interactions on somelevels, there are some whoargue that spending toomuch time staring at ascreen and keyboard com-promises the social aspecto going to school andlearning in a classroom. Todays youth are less

likely to talk, choosing toLOLand TTYL throughtexting.

Having a wealth o in-ormation available onthe Internet opens upstudents to many disrepu-table sources o content.Some common onlineencyclopedias are writ-ten and edited by regu-lar people who may not

have the accurate detailso events. Also, havingcontent that is easily cutand pasted opens up thetemptation or plagiarismand blurs the lines o howto attribute inormation toa source correctly.

Digital devices may begreat learning tools, butthey also ofer a numbero distractions to students.When a student is sup-posed to be taking noteson a laptop in the class-room, he or she might bedownloading music, up-dating social networkingsites, streaming video, orchecking celebrity gossip.

Classrooms are evolv-ing and so are students.Learning is very diferentrom the way older gener-ations may have learned.Whether the presence odigital technology helpsor hinders remains openor debate.


[email protected]

Some pros and cons of learnng n e dgal age

Superintendent

Ofce 361-596-4609Fax 361-596-7578High SchoolOfce 361-596-4691Fax 361-596-7119School Nurse361-596-4016

Elementary School

Ofce 361-596-4605Fax 361-596-4894

Counselor361-596-4099

Caeteria361-596-4821

Technology Director

361-596-7340Ag Shop361-596-7056High School Library361-596-4580

Elementary Library361-596-4572

Gym

361-596-7658Concession Stand361-596-4364

Old Gym361-596-8106

Moulton ISD Telephone Directory

Community Health Centers

Of South Central Texas, Inc.Making a difference one life at

a time since 1966

228 St. George Street

Gonzales, Texas 78629

830-672-6511 Fax: (830) 672-6430www.chcsct.com

Mon.-Thurs. 8 - 8, Fri., 8 - 5

Sun. 1 - 4, Saturday Closed

Most insurances accepted, we welcome Medicare - Medicaid.(No one is turned away for inability to pay.)


8/12

As the admissions pro-cess at the nations bestschools grows increas-ingly competitive, how andwhen students prepare forcollege entrance examscould determine wherethey spend the next fouryears and beyond.

Recognizing the impor-tant role planning andpreparation plays duringthe college decision-mak-ing process, RevolutionPrep, the largest on-cam-pus test prep provider, of-fers the following tips tostudents and parents alike.

Prepare for the admis-

sions process early. Everyparent and student knowsstudents dont simplyshow up on campus therst day of school and gainadmittance to college.

However, many parentsstruggle to understand justwhat needs to be done andwhen to help their studentstand out among the rest.

Its critical to research inadvance the requirementsof the colleges on yourwish list and map out atimeline. Will your studenttake the PSAT? AP Exams?SAT Subject Tests?

When do students haveto start taking the SAT orACT test so they can retakeit if they want to? Creatinga plan will give you peaceof mind and alleviate thestress of not knowing ifyouve missed a crucialdeadline.

Take the SAT or ACT ex-ams as seriously as you takeyour GPA. While a studentsresume is more than justtest scores, even the mostimpressive application cantake a hit without a solidperformance on exams likethe SAT or ACT test.

For example, at the mostcompetitive colleges, a stu-dents chance of admission

could as much as doublewith each 200 point scoreincrease on the SAT. In ad-dition, it has been shownthat 25 percent of the col-lege admissions decision isbased on a students SAT/ACT test score. In spite ofthat, the average studenttypically spends just 10hours preparing for suchtests versus 1000+ hourson activities such as sportsor community service, thathave the same weight. Thisis a good reason to inves-tigate an SAT or ACT testcourse for your child whichcan provide 50+ hours ofprep time 5 times the

average. Preparing for the testsis not one size ts all. Yourstudent should take apractice test to nd out ifthe SAT or ACT test is bestfor him or her (and the se-lected colleges) and thenresearch what type of testprep works for your stu-dents learning style.

Some students are disci-plined enough to work ontheir own and others pre-fer an on-campus class thatthey can attend with theirfriends.

Some students mayneed a more exibleschedule and live online

classes with the option toview missed classes work

best for them.And higher-scoring stu-

dents may prefer privatetutoring to focus on a fewkey areas.

Whatever option youchoose, make sure it allowspersonalization for yourchild and the companyhas a solid curriculum andteaching philosophy.

Learn the mental tricksof the trade. Success onthe SAT or ACT test is notonly about knowing thematerial. In fact, studentswho train their minds tohandle the stress of thetest often score better thanthose who take a purelyacademic approach to testpreparation.

Some tricks of the tradeinclude:

Do your homework ina noisy area to practice fo-cusing for long stretchesof time and try to simu-late the test experience asclosely as possible everytime you practice.

Take as many full-lengthpractice tests as possiblein a realistic environment.Not only does each prac-

tice test traditionally showa score improvement fromlearning the techniques,but it helps students gainneeded condence andconquer the distractions oftest day in advance.

Then on test day stu-dents can focus on solvingthe problems instead ofthe annoying person nextto them tapping the pencil.

Make post-test plans af-ter the test and not aheadof time. Students whohave a date or other socialengagement lined up afterthe test are more likely tobe distracted during thetest than those who keep

their post-test schedulesfree.

By Ann Gaines Rodriguez,Executive Director,The Gonzales Learningand Career Center

The fall is a perfect timefor adults as well as chil-dren to head back to school.Since its establishment in1999, the Gonzales Learn-ing and Career Center hasoered adults from Gon-zales, Guadalupe, Caldwell,

Lavaca, Dewitt and Karnescounties a place to go forbasic adult education, aswell as lifelong learning op-portunities.

Its mission is to provideeducational opportuni-ties which will enable in-habitants of Gonzales andsurrounding counties toacquire the vocational/tech-nical skills and educationthey need to be successfulparticipants in home, workand community life in orderto make our area a safer andmore prosperous place tolive.

Originally housed in theRandle Rather buildingon the corners of St. Pauland St. George Streets, theLearning Center is now lo-cated at 1135 St. Paul, intemporary buildings at theback of the North Avenuemiddle school campus.Parkings available by thegates.

The Learning Center isprobably best known for of-fering free classes to anyoneaged 18 or over who wantsto prepare for the GED or acollege entrance exam orto learn English as a SecondLanguage.

(Seventeen year olds arealso welcome to register for

Learning Center classes, butneed parental permission todo so). It has both morningand evening classes.

The morning GED andBeyond class meets Mon-day, Tuesday, Wednesdayand Thursday morningsfrom 8:30 to noon; theevening GED and Beyondclass meets Monday andWednesday evenings from6:30 to 9. These classes donot require participants towork as a group, but allowthem to work at their ownpace. Students are free toarrive and depart at anytime during class hours,

making it easier for folksto work around family andwork schedules.

As of July 31, 2011, theCenter has helped 223 arearesidents earn their GED;another 75 have passed atleast one section of the test.Center sta would like tohelp all of them get the GEDcerticate before the testchanges, which is expectedto happen in 2014.

Over the years, the Learn-

ing Center has helped im-migrants from more than adozen countries learn theEnglish necessary to be suc-cessful at their jobs and incommunity life. Its morn-ing English as a SecondLanguage (ESL) class meetson Tuesday and Thursdaymornings from 9:30 to11:30.

Its evening ESL classmeets Tuesday and Thurs-day evenings from 7 to 9.Students in these classeswork at many dierentlevels; while some comein needing help with basicconversation, others cometo hone their writing skills,in order to be able to enrollin college classes here in theStates.

In 2011, the LearningCenter will start register-ing students for both GEDand ESL classes the week ofAugust 22. Classes will for-mally begin September 6,but will continue to registernew students well into thespring. Students will also beable to sign up for distancelearning, so they can learnonline as well as in the class-room.

In addition to its GEDand ESL classes, the Learn-ing Center has a literacy

program designed to helpadults who want to learn toread. This fall it will also beoering anyone who needsbasic computer skills ac-cess to the federally fundedLearner Web project, whichcurrently oers anyone achance to work with a tutorto become digitally literate.

Soon the Learner Webwill also include career skillstraining.) This tutoring takesplace in the Learning Cen-ters computer lab, which isopen to the public on Tues-days and Thursdays from 1to 4 and by appointment.

The Learning Center

helps folks from all walks

of life, including those whohave a college or graduatedegree. Center sta is dedi-cated to helping peoplecontinue learning their en-tire lives.

To this end, it oers awide assortment of lifelonglearning opportunities in-cluding continuing educa-tion classes and one-timeworkshops and seminars. Inthe past its oered classesin Spanish, Intro to Com-puters, Keyboarding, Ex-cel, PowerPoint, Publisher,QuickBooks, Facebook forOrganizations, Citizenship,Finance, Journalling, Grant-writing, and Family and Lo-

cal History.It looks forward to oer-

ing more of these, plus newworkshops in Event Plan-ning, Designing a Web Page,

An Intro to Bing, Marketing,

and NonProt Manage-ment, and training in cus-tomer service, workplacemath, and accounting.

These classes are pub-licized in the newspapersand on KCTI, through em-ployers, social service pro-viders and libraries, and byyers posted around thearea. Scholarships are avail-able to those who cannotaord the class costs forcontinuing ed.

Anybody is welcome tocontact the Learning Centerto nd out more about itsprograms, get a scheduleof upcoming events, vol-unteer, arrange to use its

space, or make suggestionsconcerning services theGLCC might oer.

Call (830) 672-8291 oremail [email protected].

The Gonzles Cnnon Thursdy, August 4, 2011Pge D8

Maki aIn June, The Gonzales Learning and Career Center celebrated with several of the twenty individuals it helpedearn their GED cer ticates during the 2010-2011 school year. (Courtesy photo)

Ppa c a

College Bound

Its back to school time for adults, too

Special to The Cannon

1110 Sarah DeWitt

Gonzales, TX

78629

830-672-7581

www.gonzaleshealthcare.com

Much of a studentssuccess with respect tothe college admissionsprocess rests with howmuch that student andhis or her family has pre-pared. Here is a timelinefor parents and studentsto easily navigate theprocess.

Sophomore Year

Oct. - Nov.: PSAT March - June: SAT

Subject Tests April - June: AP Exams

Junior Year

Oct. - Nov.: PSAT July - Dec.: Ideal time

for test prep and to takeSAT/ACT

Jan. - June: Standardtime for test prep and totake SAT/ACT test

March - June: SATSubject Tests

April - June: AP Exams

Senior Year

July - Dec.: Lastchance for test prep andto take SAT/ACT testand/or SAT Subject Tests

July - Dec.: Collegeapplications and essays

April - June: AP Exams

Planning ForSuccess


[email protected]

Gonzales Learning and

Career Center

Lifelong Learning

Early Fall 2011 Classes

Reliable Internet Research,Weds, August 17, 5:30 - 7 PM

Excel Basics,Tues and Th,

August 23 - Sept 1, 2:30 - 4 PMParent-Student Drivers Ed Group,

Tues and Th, Sept 6 - 29, 5:30-7:30

Getting Ready to Write Your

College Admissions Essays,Mon, Oct 10, 4 pm

Creating Business Documents,Tues and Th, Oct 11 - 20, 5:30 - 7 PM

For more information or to register,

call 830 672-8291 or email

[email protected]


9/12

The first day of school can create but-

terflies in the stomachs of parents and

children. However, following a few tips

can alleviate feelings of ner vousness.

August and September are prime

months for the return to school.

Whether this is a childs first time en-

tering the classroom or he or she has

done the back-to-school thing mul-

tiple times, its not uncommon for feel-

ings of anxiety to arise.

There are expectations and un-

knowns with each and every school

year for both the students and their

parents. Pivotal years, such as kinder-

garten, 6th grade for middle-schoolers,

freshman year of high school, or the

start of college can create added lev-

els of jitters because these years mark

entry to a new school or new routine.

But keeping a few pointers in mind can

alleviate some of the fears. Keep a routine. It is important for

parents and students to get back into

the school swing of things a few weeks

prior to the first day of school. Start

setting alarm clocks for the hour at

which kids will have to awaken, andget them in the habit of rising from

bed and starting the day. Try to sched-

ule something to do each day that will

be the inspiration for getting moving,

such as school supply shopping.

Take the carpool route to school, or

find out where the school bus stop may

be. These practice sessions will enable

the family to decide how much time

is needed to get ready in the morning

and make changes accordingly.

Mention school frequently. Begin

talking about school and what is nec-essary to prepare. Be sure to talk about

the more enjoyable aspects of school,

such as seeing friends, participating in

extracurricular activities and even the

change of scenery school provides.

Mention the things your child may ex-

pect. Hearing about school frequently

can reduce feelings of anxiety.

Visit the school. If this is the stu-

dents first time entering this school,

you can take advantage of orientation

days for new students or schedule an

individual visit to the school. A tour

and a meeting with the principal will

also assuage some fears of the un-

known.

This can also calm any apprehen-

sion parents may have, because they,too, will know the layout of the school,

its policies, and who will be watchingover their children.

Dont be nervous. Children often

look to their parents for guidelines on

how to behave. A parent who is overly

nervous or sad about the first day of

school could make their kids nervous,

too. Put on a brave face and keep any

anxiety hidden until kids have left for

school.

Be prepared. Gather supplies, prac-

tice the driving route, lay out clothes,

make lunch the night before, get a

good nights rest, and set the alarmclock. Knowing all of the controllable

factors are handled can ease the mind

of parents and students.

Stay positive. Always keep conver-

sations about school geared toward

the positive. If children mention things

that frighten them, calm those fears

and show the upside to attending

school. Provide examples of your own

school experiences and how every-

thing turned out for the best.

The first day of school can be a time

of uncertainty for students and par-

ents. Adults are facing a new stage in

their lives, and children are awaiting

a classroom of new faces and require-

ments. Preparing for the first day can

alleviate some of the anxiety aboutheading off to school for a new year.

Th Gonzas CannonThursday, August 4, 2011 Pag D9


[email protected]

Allevii e fi--f-cl jie

Day Care & Pre K

& AfterschoolEnrolling now for Fall 2011

Ages: Newborn. to 13 years;

Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday thru Friday

Limited space available

Please call or come by 830-672-6865, 921 St. Peter St.

or 830-672-2065, 1214 St. Louis

GonzalesTrain a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Infants High Reach Curriculum

for Infants Infant brain development

Vocabulary and Language

skills

Sensory Awareness

Social Interactions

Toddlers High Reach Curriculum for Toddlers

Language & Emergent Literacy

development

Pre-math skills (counting rhymes,

songs, Colors, shapes, patterns etc.)

Creative expression

Social/Emotional development

Physical Health & development

Bible Study

Pre-School ABeka Curriculum for

Twos & Threes

Number Concepts

Listening Skills

Language development

Gross & Fine Motor Skills Music

Arts & Crafts Social/emotional

skills Bible Study

Afterschool Homework opportunities

Organized games

Nutritious snacks

Sports activities

Social/Emotional skills

Daily Bible lessons

Bible Study

Pre-K ABeka Curriculum for PreK

Kindergarten Readiness

Low child/staff ratio

One on one time with teachers

A positive learning experience

Music Arts & Crafts

Bible Study

Continued from Page E1

Parents have a budget,

and every little bit that

they dont have to buy

over again helps the

bottom line.

Look at it this way kids,

the more you help your

parents save cash onpens and paper, the more

they might have left over

for those blingy jeans

youve had your eye on.

Just make sure theyre in

dress code!

In my day, I remember

the big thing to pick up

every year was the latest

design of the Trapper

Keeper (it was the 80s,

ask your parents what

this is..)

This was a veryimportant school supply

because it usually held

all of the other school

supplies: Class folders,

notebook paper, pen and

pencil case, schedules,homework, notes passed

in class...It all fit in one 20

pound, brightly colored,

student briefcase.

I remember the night

before school I would

lay out what I was going

to wear about thirty

times before settling

on something that was

both socially acceptable

and fashionable (that

reminds me, are koolots

still in?)Well, good luck parents.

We at The Cannon hope

this Back to School

section is useful for you,

and helps you and your

students prepare for theyear ahead.

As a GISD parent of two

boys (high school and

junior high), I cant wait

to start scrapbooking

more school memories

for them.

Hey...Maybe I can find

one of my old Trapper

Keepers...

Sppi: How to survivethe school supply search

Kindergarten will be

many childrens rst foray

into school. Their experi-

ences in kindergarten can

set the scene for a lifetime

of learning. To start laying

the foundation for your

childs entrance into for-

mal education, consider

the following tips.

Identify the school

your child will attend.

You can call your county

school board or simply

ask other parents in the

area. Some communi-

ties assign schools, whileothers allow parents

to choose their childs

school. When determin-

ing which case applies to

your community, inquire

about bus service as well.

Some schools have

full-day kindergarten pro-

grams, while others of-

fer half-day. This may be

district-specied or the

choice of the parent.

Visit the school to nd

out about registration re-

quirements. Youll likely

have to ll out forms and

provide proof of resi-

dence. The school also

will inform you of any

rules they have, including

copies of health records,

screenings or placement

testing.

A routine physical

exam and a copy of im-

munization records will

most likely be required.

Visit your childs pedia-

trician to ensure that

he or she is up-to-date

with shots and receives a

health check-up. Proof of

dental visits may be re-

quired.

If your child will be at-

tending a private school,

the school may have reg-

istration fees, supply fees,

uniform requirements,

and other expenses. Its

important to nd out

about these costs ahead

of time.

Visit the school with

your child ahead of time.

Attend a kindergarten

open house or school

tour. This way kids can

become familiar with the

premises and wont be

caught o guard the rst

day of school. A tour will

provide an example of

the schools layout and

overall atmosphere.

Make friends with

parents whose children

attend the school. Set upa play date so your child

will see some familiar

faces on the rst day of

school.

Talk about attending

school and make it seem

like a positive experience.

Let kids know school is

something to look for-

ward to. Some children

get excited about kinder-

garten just because they

get to ride the bus.

Shop for a backpack

and a lunch box early on

so that your child will be

excited for school. En-

able him or her to choose

supplies in the theme of

choice.

Find out which types

of lessons your child will

be learning and begin to

practice some of them at

home, including the al-

phabet, preliminary math

and writing.

Always use positive

reinforcement and talk

about school in an up-

beat way. This increases

the likelihood that kids

will look at school in a

positive light.

Discuss fears and con-

cerns about kindergarten

with your child. This way

you can work out situa-

tions before the rst dayof school starts.

e Kiee:Getting ready for the big dayCannon News Services

[email protected]

Many parents feel early enrollment in

school is a good rst step for kids aca-

demic careers. But some experts warn

that too much, too soon may not be the

way to lay the ground work of a success-

ful academic career. Some believe that

waiting until a child is age 6 for formal

education provides the best opportunity

for learning advantages.

According to a British study published

in The Cambridge Primary Review in

October 2008, the concensus was that

formal schooling should be delayed un-

til children reach 6. The ndings oered

that trying to teach literacy and math at

a young age is counterproductive. If chil-

dren under 6 are in school programs, they

should continue to learn through play-

based initiatives.

An early start in school isnt necessarily

a good start. Children may show the ma-

turity and the social readiness to attend

school, but they may not have the ca-

pacity to grasp concepts outside of their

play-based way of learning. Forcing infor-

mation on a child who is not ready couldset him or her up for aversion to school.

Whats more, theres no evidence that

early schooling produces a more educat-

ed child in the long run. Many countries

in Europe start school later than Britain or

the United States. Finland, for example,

begins formal training at age 7. When

studied, children who started school at

the age of 6 or 7 often overtook English

pupils in tests of reading before the start

of secondary education.

Parents who have little choice but to

enroll children in daycare/pre-school pro-

grams because they work should look for

curriculums that feature the following:

Emphasis on play-based learning,

with more time geared to kids being kids

than sitting behind a desk.

Access to a computer, since so muchof students lives involve computer lit-

eracy.

Opportunities to go outside and play

when weather permits.

Interaction with books so parents can

read with their children and spend time

together.

Limited focus on grades and perfor-

mance. Does a 3-year-old child really

need a report card?

Activities that involve the family so

Mom and Dad are participating in their

childs education.

Small class sizes, optimalizing the

teacher-to-student ratio.

A relaxed atmosphere with the time

and space to explore physical and social

environments.Some children are naturally more ad-

vanced than others and may benet from

earlier, more structured schooling. How-

ever, the vast majority will do ne during

their academic career if they begin formal

education at age 6. That doesnt mean

that children cant attend school at 5. The

programs should just be be less struc-

tured and more play-based.

Whens the right time forchildren to start school?Cannon News Services

[email protected]

Talk to your young students about

what to expect at school to help them

prepare themselves.


10/12

Parents o children whoare having difculties grasp-ing school lessons routinelyturn to tutors to provide theadded measure o instruc-tion some students needto succeed. When selectinga tutor, parents should askquestions and keep impor-tant things in mind.

Tutors provide a much-needed service to studentsand can be welcome help-

ers or teachers. Accord-ing to reports rom stateand ederal governmenttutoring advisors, close to$10 million dollars annu-ally is spent on tutors inthe United States alone.Although many teacherstry to tailor lessons to stu-dents with various learn-ing capabilities, there maybe instances when somestudents still all behind.Whats more, some stu-dents perorm better withthe one-on-one teachingstyle o tutors than they doin a group setting.

There are certain signsa student may need a tu-tor. These include studentsconsistently earning ail-ing grades, complainingabout or giving excuseswhy they dont want to

do homework, behavingbadly at school, or com-plaining that they simplydont want to go to school.All o these issues may be achilds way o masking di-culty grasping lessons. Atutor can step in to catcha student up with lessonsand help him or her nda system o learning thatworks.

The rst step to ndinga tutor is working with thestudent to determine whattype o tutor may be ideal.

Tutors come in dierentorms:

Students who volun-teer their time helping el-low classmates. There arealso alumni who providetutoring services or low orno cost.

Teachers who may o-er tutoring ater schoolhours.

Some churches or oth-er organizations oer tu-toring availability.

There are online serviceswhere students can gethomework help or assis-tance in dierent subjects.

Private tutors that cometo the students home andprovide instruction.

Tutoring companies andranchises where tutoringmay take place in a learningacility.

Selecting a tutor

When interviewing pro-spective tutors, parents andstudents should be sure thetutor is qualied. Experts sug-gest nding a tutor who hasve or more years o experi-ence. I the tutor will be o-ering lessons in a particularsubject, certication or a de-gree in that area is very help-ul but not always necessaryas long as the tutor is eec-tive.

Students oten meet with

a tutor one to three times aweek per session. The tutor-ing arrangement can stretchon or several months. Withthis in mind, the tutor-stu-dent relationship should bea good one. The child shouldeel comortable with the tu-tor.

Tutors should know thematerial but also be able toexplain it in laymans termsto the student. A good tutorwill outline a plan on how heor she will help improve per-ormance but also how thetutor will check up and besure the student maintains

improvement. Find a tutor who will be

open to interaction with thestudents primary teacher. This way lessons can begeared around schoolworkand coincide with whats al-

ready being learned. Parents will need to be

hands-on and take an inter-est in what the tutor and theteacher have to say. Observ-ing the tutor in action canhelp determine whetherthe t is right or a new tutorneeds to be brought in. Par-ents can wait or ve to eightsessions to pass beore deter-mining i the tutor is clickingwith the child.

Select a tutor who agreesto periodic progress reports.It is not too ambitious or

parents to expect markedacademic perormance atera month or more o tutoring.

Cost is always a actorwhen selecting a tutor. Ahigher hourly rate isnt alwaysindicative o a better tutor.Depending on the subjectmatter and certication othe tutors, costs can rangerom $20 an hour to $50 ormore. Shop around or a tutorand remember to emphasizethe tutors relationship withthe student more than whatthe tutor charges per hour.

Tutoring is oten a helpulway or students who are all-

ing behind in the classroomto redeem themselves. Hir-ing a tutor should be doneat the rst signs o learningdifculty, not when it seemsthings are too late to institutechange.

Though some proessional educa-tors debate the use o standardizedtests, students o all ages can expectsuch tests to continue to play a role intheir education.

Younger students might take stan-dardized tests to help determine theclass level that best suits their abilities,while high school students will need to

take certain standardized tests in orderto gain admission to a college or uni-versity.

Since standardized tests are likelygoing nowhere anytime soon, stu-dents can take several steps to im-prove their scores. While a proessionaltutoring service might be a worthwhileinvestment or students concernedwith their college admissions, othersteps can work or students regardlesso which standardized test theyre pre-paring to take.

Maintain healthy sleep patterns.Healthy sleep restores and renews thebody, both mentally and physically.When a person suers rom sleep de-

privation, the negative side eectsare numerous. These include memoryand cognitive impairment, making itdifcult or people think and processinormation. That said, a student pre-paring to take a standardized test whois struggling to sleep at night is muchless likely to succeed on the test than astudent who is getting adequate sleep.

Parents and students should exam-ine sleeping patterns months in ad-vance o the test, and work to addressany problems as soon as possible. The sooner the issue is resolved, thesooner a students memory is likely toimprove, which can help his or her testscores as well.

Practice. Practice tests can be a veryvaluable tool when attempting to im-prove standardized test scores. Sampletests are available on a handul o Websites, and tutors hired to help kids im-prove scores oten bring practice testswith them. Such practice tests are o-ten very similar to the actual tests andwill help kids be more comortablewith the tests when it comes time totake the real ones.

When taking practice tests, timethem just as you would the actualtests. This, too, can improve a studentscomort level and will decrease thelikelihood that a student will eel likehe or she is racing against the clockwhen the time comes to take the realtest.

Learn the test. Learning the testinvolves guring how a score is de-termined. Some standardized testsplace greater emphasis on certainquestions and tabulate scores basedon this weighting system. Learn thatweighting system i it exists, and in themonths leading up to the test help stu-dents concentrate on those sectionsthat weigh more heavily than others.

Another thing to learn is i the testweighs wrong answers more thanskipped questions. On such tests, astudent might actually be better oleaving a question blank than guess-ing and risking a wrong answer. Manytutors specialize in a particular test andmight be able to help students learnabout the test theyre taking and, in sodoing, improve their scores.

The Gonzales Cannon Thursday, August 4, 2011Page D10


[email protected]

Parent tip: What to look for in a tutor

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