YOUR SCHOOLS

November 2014

P O R T N E C H E S – G R O V E S I S D

Woodcrest Elementary was magically transformed into Sir Readalot’s Castle, a Kingdom of Books for our students! Knights and Ladies of the Castle read to our students, and then the students were able to take A.R. tests. A book store sold more

A.R. books they could purchase and read at home. Special guests of the castle worked very hard to ensure a fun time for all!

Nederland Nerds (a/k/a, our peer tutors) took over our campus on Nederland Nerd Day. The next day, our own Little Indians took over and filled our campus with purple pride!

Ridgewood Elementary Happenings Red Ribbon Week Students celebrate being drug free at Ridgewood! We had fun dressup days, including Hippie day, where we say “Peace, Love, No Drugs.” Kids also enjoyed learning that “Drugs turn you inside-out” by wearing their clothes inside out. And finally, we learned to “Leigh off of drugs” by dressing Hawaiian. It was a blast!

Ridgewood Kindergarteners learn about community helpers with a visit from the Port Neches Fire Dept. and Police department.

Our Theme this year is Ridgewood Super Heroes. Every morning after announcements, the kids recite our Motto: “Remember today is your day to become a superhero so work hard and do great things today! WE ARE RIDGEWOOD SUPER HEROES!!

Ridgewood students are enjoying a new incentive program, where they can receive spirit sticks for good work, behavior, character, AR, and other achievements.

Ridgewood Pumpkin Patch! Students at Ridgewood created some incredible pumpkins that lined the hallways. Some of the winners included a PNG football coach, Dracula and a dinosaur! Great job boys and girls!

Ridgewood Fun in Music! During the week prior to Halloween, students participated in a fun song called Witch’s Brew where they dressed in witch hats. Students also learned to sing and do motions to “Go My Son,” instructed by Mrs. Jones!

Ridgewood Pep Rally! Ridgewood prides itself for having one of the

BEST Mid County Madness pep rallies in PNGISD! From our Bobble Head Teachers

to our Spirit-Stick winning third graders, we really showed our Indian pride and

spirit! Go Indians!!!

Welcome Mrs. Guilbeaux! We are so happy to have our new P.E. teacher, Mrs. Kristy Guilbeaux. She organized some fun Halloween activities for our kids in the gym, including the Ghost Roll, the Zombie Swamp and a Haunted House!

Third Graders Perform a Halloween Play!

Students in Mrs. Coates’ class performed a play, “The Enchanted Pumpkin” for their parents, and other Ridgewood classes. They did great!

Taft Elementary Happenings

Taft students have been busy, busy, busy since the first day of school. The first graders started the year off

with Spider’s First Day of School. They also had to go on a Gingerbread Man hunt when the First grade Gingerbread Men decided to take

a tour of the school. After hunting all over the school for the Gingerbread Men, they were found reading in the library. Mrs. Thornton read several different versions of the Gingerbread Man story and the children were given a Gingerbread Man cookie.

Taft students and staff always show their patriotic spirit by wearing Red, White, and Blue every Wednesday. We

also honored all of the First Responders on Patriot Day Sept. 11, 2014. As we gathered around the flag

pole, said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang patriotic songs the children were

asked to remember all the Heroes from 9-11 as we had a moment of silence.

PTA Membership Contest…Taft had a PTA Membership Contest between the grade levels. The grade level with the most memberships would get to pick the teachers that would do the Ice Bucket Challenge. It was a close race right up to the end. PTA

said this is the most memberships they have had in years. Second grade won and the students picked their own teachers to do the challenge. Mrs. Keys, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Simmons, Ms. Leach and Coach Gil all did a wonderful job of accepting the challenge and handling the bucket of ice.

Spirit Week Every year Spirit Week gets bigger and bigger! This year Taft decided to help others while having fun celebrating the rivalry between the Bulldogs and the Indians. Along with all the fun, the students collected food, treats, and toys for Paws of Hope of Mid County. They also collected canned goods for the Food Pantry. We also had a great time dressing up as Nederland Nerds and of course the highlight of the week was the pep rally. The

students of Taft love to see all the football players, Indianettes, Twirlers, volleyball players, Indian Singers, Indian Spirit and Peer Tutors.

Taft held its annual Creative Pumpkin Contest on Friday, Oct. 31st. The creativity was at an all time high. The pumpkins were awesome!

Van Buren Elementary Happenings

First grade teacher, Mrs. Christy Jones, and second grade teacher, Mrs. Amy Brashers classes won a pizza party for having the most PTA memberships.

During Van Buren’s Fall Fundraiser, students and teachers

participated in “CRAZY” HAIR DAY!

Pictured are Bobbi Hayes, Becky Hebert, Heather Perez, Becky Duhon, & Lisa Badon

PT A Membership Pizza Party Winners

Pictured are Mrs. Jones’ & Mrs. Brashers’ classes.

The Groves Fire Department presented their Fire Safety Program to all students. The firefighters demonstrated their gear and equipment needed to fight fires.

BASF funded the “Kids’ Lab” opportunity for all third graders at Van Buren and Taft. The Children’s Museum of Houston came and provided the “Playful Polymers” lab to the third graders where each student made slime. It was a great learning experience, and we appreciate BASF for providing the opportunity.

Van Buren is happy to welcome new members to our VB family. Pictured are Melissa Trahan, Heather Perez, Crystal Jordan, Becky Duhon, and Fay Sherman.

Welcome to Van Buren

“KIDS’ LAB” FUNDED by BASF TOTAL PETROCHEMICAL

VAN BUREN CELEBRATES 50th DAY IN SCHOOL

Van Buren Elementary was awarded the winner of the school with the most

“SPIRIT” during the Red Ribbon Parade. This was the third year that

the award was given.

Fall Weather is here!

Teachers and students have been enjoying the fall weather. Many teachers have taken the opportunity to conduct their class outside or read with students outside. It is a wonderful time to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Groves Elementary Happenings

Groves Elementary Teachers Receive T-TESS Training

Groves Elementary held an AR Kickoff Night on Monday, September 15th. This was a night for parents and students to come to school, choose and read from a variety of AR books, and take AR tests. There was a wonderful turn out.

Teachers at Groves Elementary spent one of their in-service days learning about the T-TESS appraisal system that our district is piloting. Teachers participated in activities to gain a better understanding of how the new T-TESS system works and the expectations that are a part of the appraisal system.

Guest Readers at GE

During AR Kickoff week Groves Elementary welcomed guest readers. Our guests read to our students during their lunch period. The students really enjoyed being read to and the books that were chosen. Thank you to Mrs. Staci Gary, Mrs. Lindsey Vannett, Mrs. Melissa Seymour, Mrs. Louise Lattimore, Mrs. Angie Robison, and Dr. Brenda Duhon for sharing a love of reading with our students.

GE Rocks & Rolls with the Purple & White

Groves Elementary once again participated in the Homecoming parade to show our spirit and pride in our schools. Many dressed up for a rock n’ roll theme to show their school spirit. The GE float was even awarded The Most Original Float! Way to go GE!!

Mrs. Seymour’s Recorder Rock Stars

Fourth and fifth grade students have been working since the beginning of the year to play “Cherokee” on their recorders. Seven students memorized “Cherokee” and earned their way to play “Cherokee” at the GE Pep Rally on October 17th. Those students were Avery Jungen (4th grade), Tristen Balsano (5th grade), Lena Tubbs (5th grade), Adeline Tran (5th grade), Emily Johnson (5th grade), Dylan Pardo (5th grade), and Kaylin Wilson (5th grade). These students also received a certificate and a special Recorder spirit stick. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Port Neches Elementary Happenings

Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Contest

PNE students really know how to be creative and decorate pumpkins. A big “Shout Out” to all who participated.

Congratulations to our winners, (from left to right): Canyon Sullivan Most Creative) - the Port Neches Water Tower; Samara Martinez (Cutest) – owl; Noah Serna (Wildest) –

totem pole; Nathaniel Jeter (Scariest) – spider and pumpkin; Thomas Reed (not pictured) – (Funniest) – Elephant.

Fifth Grade Hall Halloween Costumes

“Golden Rule” Shirts Port Neches Elementary’s theme this year is the “Golden Rule.” Teachers have shared the book, The Golden Rule, by Ilene Cooper.

TPC School Supply Drive for PNE

TEXAS ROADHOUSE TEACHER LUNCH

A big thank you to Texas Roadhouse for providing lunch for PNE teachers

at the beginning of school.

Red Ribbon Parade

Tina Bradley, member of the Texas Bar Association and mother of former PNE students, presented an outstanding program on the importance of the Constitution to PNE fifth grade students on Constitution Day. Learning about great leaders in our nation created a lot of discussion and interest. Afterwards students eagerly participated in a democratic process by voting on who they thought was the most exceptional leader.

PNE students enjoyed watching the Red Ribbon Parade. Many thanks to our community for their support reminding our students to stay drug free.

Groves Middle Happenings

Kahoot! During the summer training sessions some teachers learned of a new educational tool called Kahoot! It allows for teachers to get immediate responses from their students without the need of a clicker system. In typical fashion, Mrs. Hollier used Kahoot! to do what she is known best for...captivating students.

Spirit Week Groves Middle School students and staff celebrated the buildup to the PN-G vs. Nederland Game by dressing up each day of the week. Students pulled together to show their Purple Pride.

Red Ribbon Week We are proud to be drug free at GMS! Thank you to all of those who participated in the parade.

Education Drama Association Congratulations to our Drama students and Ms. LeBlanc! These students made 1st place at the Education Drama Association contest at Central Middle School.

Port Neches Middle Happenings

PNMS welcomes new teachers for the 2014-15 school year. Kane Segura is taking Coach Jeff Smith’s place in PE, basketball, and freshman baseball. Jeff Smith will be teaching 7th grade science, taking the place of Roy Gaspard. Chuck Minshew transferred from Groves Middle School to replace Donna Anthony in Texas History. Amber Billeaud is new to her position, but not to PNMS. She will be taking Gay Rowland’s place as an instructional aide. And last, but not least, replacing Mrs. LeMaire in Art is Mark Nesmith. Mark comes bringing many talents with him.

Coach Jeff Smith, in his 7th grade Science lab, is getting ready to head to the Red Ribbon Parade. It took him a little while to get used to being back in the classroom, but just like riding a bike—it all comes back to you. Glad to have him in the halls!

Teachers Get Involved, too!!

Extreme Purple

PN-G High School Happenings

Members of the Purple Pride Marching band perform at halftime at the Tyler Chapel Hill varsity football game.

As the Purple Pride Band grows bigger each year, the organization has adapted quickly to make the band more competitive and much more appropriate to its new rising size. The band currently has its biggest numbers in years, with 225 marching students. Band Directors Alex Wells and Phillip Maldonado worked over the summer and past school year to model the band structure after several other larger, successful bands in our area. (Photo by Channing Wallace)

Sophomores Trevor Hightower and Kattllin Brown, along with their classmates, take advantage of the new BYOD policy allowing cell phone use during lunch. The new policy has translated into quieter lunch periods. (Photo by Roxanne Warren)

Cheerleaders, Indianettes, Journalism editors, and Drum Majors all attended camps this summer in preparation to make this school year one for the books. These groups learned leadership skills, routines, tips and tricks, and gained advice on how to lead their organizations to success. The journalism students pictured are (from left) Maddison Browning (PowWow Co-Editor), Channing Wallace (Assistant Photo Editor), Kara Killman (Senior Photo Editor), Malorie Broussard (War Whoop Co-Editor), Laurel Brittain (PowWow Co-Editor) and Emily Sumrall (War Whoop Co-Editor)

Students who are chosen to represent PN-G in the Good Sportsmanship League Delegation at varsity football games are student leaders chosen from various organizations at the high school.

A whole new set of student leaders have taken the reins for the 2014-15 school year. Though they are involved in different things, all of these student leaders can agree on one thing: even through stress and exhaustion, being a leader is very gratifying. “It warms my heart when people come up to me and compliment the Indianettes and tell me how awesome we look this year,” Mallory Broussard said. “These comments let me know I am doing my job well.” (Photo by Kara Killman)

The feature film "Hellion" finally hit theaters this summer after months of filming in locations all over SETX last year, including Port Neches, Groves, and Port Arthur. Director and writer Kat Candler came to Port Neches last fall to film the new indie movie. Auditions were held, and many familiar faces from Port Neches and Groves were chosen to be extras in the movie. Junior Dalton Sutton was chosen for an especially big role in the movie. Only a few callbacks after his first audition, Sutton landed the part of Lance, the main protagonist’s best friend. “The movie’s called ‘Hellion,’ and that’s what we did,” Sutton said. “Nothing but destroying cars and breaking into houses. It was all such a great experience. I hope I get that experience again.” Candler based “Hellion” on her six-minute short movie released in 2012 with the same title. The story revolves around the heavily dysfunctional Wilson family, who experiences trouble after the mother passes away, leaving a father to deal with his two rebellious children. “It was a joy to travel the country and other countries to share the film with audiences,” Candler said. “It was special to get the audience’s own stories of how the film related to their own lives and their own struggles.” Sutton isn’t blinded by the limelight, however. He said he plans on continuing in the movie business, but only as far as it will take him. “One thing that a lot of actors go through, they get their heads screwed on the wrong way after such a big event like this,” Sutton said. “If (the movie industry) wants me, it will take me. But I have other plans of becoming a plant operator if that fails. I’ve got it all figured out.” “Hellion” was released on Blue Ray and DVD on Sept. 30, but it is available for immediate viewing now through iTunes and Video-On-Demand.

Dear Indians, The cold winter weather is upon us as the Fall 2014 semester comes to an end. Our teachers assembled in August and diligently worked through professional development to ensure that our students receive optimum instruction. I assure you that their hard work paid off. As I visit campuses throughout the district, I see well behaved students, outstanding instruction and kids that are learning. Our parents send their children to school ready to learn. Our Principals provide outstanding leadership. Teaching is hard work and our teachers meet the challenge each and every day. We have a winning combination of students, teachers, parents, administrators and community. Our tradition is second to none and getting stronger. Our district is financially strong and we intend

to keep it that way. We are certainly not perfect, but we strive to be. We must never be satisfied with past accomplishments, but continue to improve every day. I see many great things in the future for this district and know that with our winning team that the sky is the limit. Our parents are crucial to our success, and I visit with parents daily at campuses. We cannot succeed without continued support from our parents. I think it is important to always remind everyone how important attendance is for our children and our district. When they are not present, they are not learning and may fall behind. I fully expect our parents to send their children to school each and every day. Your children are safe in our schools. We have made extensive security upgrades to all campuses and we are blessed that our police officers include all campuses in their patrols. I thank Chief Lemoine and Marshall Wilmore for their support of our district. As you know, we underwent an extensive and thorough Active Shooter training in the summer of 2013. It had a tremendous impact on our staff and we continued the follow up on that training in August. We will exhaust all resources to keep our children and staff safe. Thanksgiving and Christmas are upon us again. Our families will be traveling across the state and/or the country. I think it is important for us to review our safety protocols when traveling and make sure we all return from the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays safely. Make sure our vehicles are in good working order, that we always buckle seatbelts, and that we slow down a little bit and enjoy the drive. Let’s take good care of ourselves and especially our children. With the season, we should always consider those who are less fortunate and make sure that their needs are met and that we remember generosity. There are a number of people in our communities that are barely getting by, and this is the season to help them. We are blessed here with a strong economy, great school and vibrant communities and I believe it is our calling to help those who are in need. The Texas Legislature will assemble to begin the Legislative session in January and I assure you that we will see bills that can greatly help or hurt our district. It is important to stay informed and understand the implication of legislation on our district and communities. We were able to get a great deal of legislation passed last session with “Mad Mom” organizations and we must utilize them again this session. I am always glad to talk legislation with our parents and encourage your phone call. To stay informed simply go to BING, then type Texas Legislature On-Line to track bills. To track bills specific to Texas Public Education search Legislative Budget Board. These are two good locations to search pending legislation. PNG ISD is very thankful for all the generous donations that will go toward the construction of a new Multi-Purpose Indoor facility. A large number of PNG students will benefit from this facility. A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ron Robinson for their $150,000 donation and to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hauck for their donation of $100,000. Also, PNG ISD is proud to announce Neches FCU as our Preferred Financial Partner. We would like to say “thank you” for your ongoing and strong partnership with the district.

This newsletter is published by the Port Neches-Groves ISD.

PNGISD Board of Trustees Jim Walters, President

Lana Parker, Vice President Eric Sullivan, Secretary

Darren McCutcheon, Member Melanie Miller, Member

Rodney Balsamo, Member Rusty Brittain, Member

Administration Building 620 Avenue C Port Neches, TX 77651 409.722.4244 409.724.7864 (fax)

P o r t N e c h e s – G r o v e s I S D

PNGISD

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Our enrollment continues to grow slowly but steadily. We have a winning combination of students, teachers, parents, staff and business. Our tradition continues to be the strongest in the Great State of Texas. Be thankful for what we have at PNG ISD, as other districts do not exhibit the winning team that we have. I hope that you and your family experience a great Thanksgiving and Christmas. No matter what the media says, I will never refer to it as Happy Holidays…it’s Merry Christmas. It is time to get with family and eat, laugh, hunt and watch football. I wish you and your family much happiness and thank you for your love and involvement in our school district. Please be safe and we will see you in January. I am thankful to be the Superintendent and look forward to seeing you soon. God Bless, Rodney D. Cavness, Ed.D.