ondo Independent School District

Dec 2014

Every Student ♥ Every Classroom ♥ Every Day

January 5, 2015

We’ve heard you! Hondo ISD will hold a

Parent Meeting to discuss changes in math curriculum

and testing on Monday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m.

Woolls Cafeteria

BOARD NEWS

On Monday, December 15, the HISD Board

of Trustees met – items addressed were the

CNA program at the High School and

financing of the HVAC, Lighting & Controls

project among other business items. The

Board of Trustees continuing education units

were reviewed and made public and all of the

board members meet or exceed training

requirements.

The next meeting of the Board of Trustees

will be on January 19, 2015 starting at 5:45

with a Public Hearing, followed by the

Regular Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Central

Office. Parents and visitors are welcome to

attend. Persons who wish to participate in

the public comment portion of the meeting

shall follow policy that can be found on the HISD website link titled Citizens Addressing the Board [BED Local]

Hondo ISD Jan 2015 Pg 2

Volunteers Who Care about Our Kids

Each January, we pause to express our appreciation for a very special group of volunteers: the school board members. Usually, we don’t think of school board members as school volunteers, but they do in fact volunteer to serve. School board members give their time, energy, and counsel to the school district—without pay. They take on the job of governing the district—making the best decisions they can for our children—with the full understanding that they will receive only the satisfaction of their contribution. That contribution, however, should not be understated. The volunteer efforts of the school board members have the potential for tremendous benefit to the community as a whole and to the lives of the students individually. By serving the district in this important governance role, school board members lay the foundation for the future. The men and women who make the time to generously provide this important public service do so because they care. They care about their own children’s education. They care about the schools being the best they can be. They care about the next generation and the future of the community and the state. These people roll up their sleeves and get involved to improve things. It is a selfless accepting of responsibility for the educational process that helps our children grow into successful, joyful adults. Board service is truly “a work of heart.” Join with us in celebrating School Board Recognition Month in January, and take a moment to express your appreciation for the volunteer efforts of school board members. Our district benefits greatly from their service.

Join the staff of Hondo ISD as we

recognize the Board of Trustees for their

dedication and service January 19, 2015

6 p.m. Central Office

District Calendar

Meyer 01/06 – Patriotic Dress Day 01/14 – College T-shirt Day 01/15 – Box Top Deadline 01/16 – Early Release Times PK 12:15 K-2 @ 1 01/20 – PTO Meeting 01/29 – Western Attire Day 01/30 – NFL Shirt Day & Box Top Reward Parties

For more details, see the individual school websites click here

Woolls Intermediate 01/13 - PTO Meeting (2nd Tuesday) Cafeteria

McDowell Jr. High 01/10 – Hondo “A” Tournament (boys and girls) 01/17 – Hondo “B” Tournament (boys and girls)

Hondo High School 01/10 – ATSSB Band Tryouts – Orange Grove 01/10 – Hondo FFA Ag Boosters GuFFAw at the Medina County Fair Hall 6:30 p.m. 01/31 – UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest - Hondo

Progress Notes… During the week of December 16, a group of architects visited with teams at each campus. Ideas and dreams were discussed and now the architects will work on drawing up preliminary plans for the HISD Capital Improvement Project. Meanwhile, low interest financing was approved by the Board to move forward the project on lighting, HVAC and controls. Public meetings will be held in the near future to provide an update on plans.

January Campus Events!

01/12 – Parent Information Meeting 6:00 p.m. Changes in Math Curriculum and Testing Woolls Cafeteria 01/16 – Early Release Day 01/19 – Student Holiday/Staff Development 01/19 – Public Hearing 2013-14 5:45 p.m. District & Campus Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR)

01/19 - HISD Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Hondo ISD Jan 2015 Pg 3

Spring Tennis schedule is now available!

As we start the New Year please remember that all the rules in the “Hondo ISD Bus Riders Safety Handbook” still need to be obeyed. The School Bus is an extension of the classroom; the rules you have to follow in the classroom have to be followed while on the school bus.

Hondo ISD Jan 2015 Pg 4

Did you know that High School students who qualify for “Free & Reduced Lunch” qualify for…

10. Free & Reduced meals at school 9. Fee waiver for two ACT registrations ($48 each) 8. Fee waiver for two SAT registrations ($48 each) 7. Fee waiver for two SAT subject registrations ($62 each) 6. Fee Reduction on AP Exams 5. Discount of $50 off the regular price of the Official SAT online course 4. May receive up to four requests for College Application Fee waivers (ranging from $25 to $180 each) 3. Fee Waiver for NCAA Clearinghouse ($65) 2. Fee Waiver for NAIA Clearinghouse ($65) 1. Allows your family to save money for post-high school plans

SEE YOUR CAFETERIA MANAGER FOR APPLICATION!

Thought for the month

Top 10 Reasons to Complete the Free & Reduced Lunch Application

Medina Regional Hospital Art Contest There were over 130 submissions. Our students art work shined! Our parents, teachers, staff, and community got involved and did an amazing job!

The following Meyer students were selected finalists for the Art Contest – Congratulations to: Moses Polanco, Ivory Martin, Ava Loew, Brent Frosch, Aniya Acevedo, Mayana Medrano, Karman Duron, Jennifer Galindo, Jessa Frosch, Dean Young, Jaydon Villarreal, Angel Bailon and Grace Wilson.

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” - Aristotle

Curriculum Corner

One teacher describes her early anxiety that her fifth graders would be uninterested in and unable to examine rhyme scheme in Emma Lazarus' difficult poem "The New Colossus." Afterward, she characterizes herself as "humbled at what these kids can do if we get out of the way." Another teacher agreed. "It's a civil rights issue to withhold instruction because we feel they can't do it." (Morones, EdWeek).

Find useful, education-focused apps to help your kids use their electronics for fun learning experiences! Some apps may have a cost attached to them, while others are free. Your school website has great links for age appropriate websites and you’ll find some other suggestions below:

HOLIDAY GIFTS OF ELECTRONICS CAN MAKE LEARNING FUN!

Hondo ISD Jan 2015 Pg 5

http://txgifted.org/helpful-edu-apps/ www.giftedkids.ie/kids.html www.thekidstory.com/websites-for-gifted-children

www.hoagiesgifted.org/parents.htm

Don’t forget the value of board and card games that can be enjoyed by the entire family - providing opportunities for quality time with fun and conversation! Try one of these “Top 10 Games for Gifted Children” like Rat-A-Tat-Cat, Cat’s Cradle, Scientific Explorer’s Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists, Snap Circuits SC-300, Perplexus Maze Game by PlaSmart, Inc., Think Fun Math Dice Jr., Apples to Apples Party Box, Uno, Old Maid and Spot It! Older kids can help younger friends and siblings learn a new game – benefits the teacher/mentor as much as the one learning!