Humdinger of a week!

Great first week back at HP. Practiced routines in place, rooms together, schedules implemented.  Things rolled out smoothly for the most part and so it almost felt as if we were simply starting another day, not a new year.  Lots of work behind the scenes to get ready for beginning of the year at any school, but I'm glad we had a nice start to 2013-2014.

Our First Day saw the annual Welcome Back coffee for parents.  This is always a nice, low-key morning hosted by our PTA and it serves as a good way for old and new friends to connect.  Several of us were also outside greeting Scotties on this day one and it was cool to see so many happy adult and student faces coming up the walkways. When you all are excited to return, we are excited to be back in school...so thanks for that positive energy.   There were even very few "traditional tears" in kindergarten drop-off this year, so a special hats off! to those K teachers and parents for making first day such a positive experience for our littlest learners. 

Super-duper new Dr. Seuss bag

First week is also all about visiting classrooms to ensure teachers have what they need so students have a good start as well.  I especially loved seeing our new teachers in action this year because you know how they must be feeling.  Their very first class.  Wow!  That's something they will always remember. It was great to see learning taking place from day one, including students use of their agenda books, new class procedures, and most importantly, building that sense of community from day one.  I saw many creative strategies in use (such as Mrs. Guenther's Role on the Wall tied to literature and the theme of friendship), as well as teachers diving right into math, writing, and so much more.  Awesome!

First Grade diving into Math!





Of course it wouldn't be the start of the year without Back to School Nights (we've had one night so far and one more to go!) and our now "traditional" Taco Shack Bowl evening.  Biggest HP crowd I've seen yet and it was really great hanging with parents and kids while we built that Knight Pride in our elementary students. Thank you McCallum principal extraordinaire Mike Garrison for your good humor in all things little ones hanging off your neck (yep, they were that excited!), AISD's Lou Mora, Mrs. Olson and Mrs. Golliher for the line leader help, and everyone who made this night happen once again.  We even had a special treat this year when our superintendent, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, joined us on the field at half-time after what I'm sure was a very long day.  Thank you all for caring enough to make that extra effort on our students' behalf.  Highland Park appreciates it.

The last picture sums up the week for me.   The posting I saw in Ms. Ferguson's class this week made me smile...as I'm sure it did for the student who was honored with the designation.  I love the feel good, welcome back vibe of beginning of school  - who doesn't? -  and I think I always will.  Looking forward to a positive humdinger of a year for all!



Getting ready for Day One!

Just like every school this time of the year, we've all been working, working getting ready for kids.  It's been a busy two weeks, but fun to see everyone trickle back into HP.  I may be a bit of a Pollyanna, but I love this community - staff, parents, students, and all the community partners who make this school work.  Come to think of it, I don't know any principal who doesn't feel that way about his or her own school community.  We each have an almost fierce pride in our schools 'cause I think we just know them so well. We're not perfect by any means, but there's something to be said for being together once again and continuing the work of our school and the work of our district.  Kinda cool...

Here are just a few of the wonderful people who have helped us to get ready for Day One!  Thank you all.

CC completing registrations

Mae ensuring food services is ready!

Jose detailing in the library

Robin distributing orders to classrooms

One of many new teachers up here, up here!!!!!

Not to mention veterans up here, up here!!!!!!

Zach's Teacher Preview Evening - fun!

Thanks Nat and teachers for attending!

Prepping for training

...and more prep

So with all these people working, and having a bit of fun in between, we still had two full days of teacher trainings - think content area department planning, team meetings, my yearly overview...  The big event, of course, was our half day staff development on visual arts teaching strategies.  HP teachers were divided into three groups and as I popped around to listen in, I heard great dialogue surrounding use of these creative strategies.  Trainers from Creative Action, The Blanton, Contemporary Austin, AISD Fine Arts... all helped facilitate the work for our school and many other schools as well I hear.  Teachers talked about art, connecting to literature or time or space (and more!), they discussed emotions evoked (or not evoked), they debated meanings and artist intentions...all good stuff that made for rich and rigorous conversation.  My teachers gave a definite thumbs up after the sessions were done, with many of them brainstorming how they would get some of the new learning into their classrooms.  I especially loved the quilt art pieces each teacher created tied to the works of Faith Ringgold and the prompt I remember the moment when...  Lots of really solid ideas taken away and a valuable use of teacher time.  Always good when you can say that.

Bring on Day One!

Can you guess this moment?

An impressive quilt end product! 

A Long and Winding Road from Staff to STAAR!

Hard to believe that school is upon us, but those of us back at work are truly psyched to get the year going.  What an incredible 12-13 school year we had at HP, full of enriching, deep, meaningful experiences for our students, staff, and families.  That's what it's all about folks, we are in fine-tuning mode for the coming year (no new initiatives per se, only refining the great things already happening), and I'm personally looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends as we start our year's journey together.  Lots of info to know below in this very long posting - read all the way to the end for a word on all things STAAR - so spread the word that HiPark is ready to roll!

HIGHLAND PARK NIGHT AT TACO SHACK BOWL!  We are on again this year.  Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 29, 7:30 pm, to join us as we cheer on our McCallum Knights Football Team at House Park.  There will be a limited number of comped tickets to share (hopefully I will have these in my hot little hands by Rally Day) and as last year, our students will be able to hit the field at half time to welcome the players back to the game.  It was an awesome experience last year and I have no doubt it will be again.  Comped ticket or not, hope to see you there.

We have quite a few new people joining us this year due to several life changes for some of our staff.  Some of the changes you may know and a couple happened over the summer.  Here are the newest staff members at our school...

I'm thrilled to have Jose Ortiz on board as one of our newest custodians.  Seeing him

around the building throughout the summer, working diligently to get us ready to go for school - all with a smile - is a blessing for sure.  Jose tells me is a proud graduate of AISD schools, having attended Graham Elementary - he did share he is very glad to be a Scottie once again! - before graduating from Reagan High School.  He's also a proud first generation Texan, with his parents hailing from Mexico.  Jose also tells me he is "pretty much a homebody and a gamer, though I try not be too much of one."  A truly nice young man you will want to get to know.  Welcome Jose!

Joining our ASCC staff this year will be David Woodberry.  David has a long and varied career, including a stint as owner of Pure Eye Photography in Los Angeles, Director of Residential Life at Harvard College (yep!), to most recently being a stay at home dad for son Samuel.  David originally hails from Australia, having earned his B.A in Philosophy from the University of New England in New South Wales and, after meeting David, I believe the following statement kind of sums up who he is and why we are glad he is joining our staff...

Kids are our future, so to a large extent we are our kids’ future. Regardless of how, I am here to facilitate their development with love, kindness, playfulness and guidance.

So welcome David and welcome to son Samuel who will also join us as a Scottie Kinder this year.  Fun!

A big welcome to Nate Haynes III, coming to us as our new part time PE teacher.  Nate tells me he "graduated from James Bowie High School and attended and played basketball at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.  After I graduated college, I played basketball in Mexico and worked in accounting during the off-season before I made the decision to teach and coach.  I have taught and coached for the last 6 years in AISD.  Basketball, football, and track are the sports I have coached at Reagan High School during the last 6 years. Outside of school I have been a personal trainer for the past 7 years with Lift U.P. and an AAU basketball coach for the past 4 years. Some of my hobbies include basketball, personal training, and learning new facts about the body to help people take care of their body.  With this being my 7^th year in AISD I am excited to be a part of the Highland Park staff."  We are excited to have you join us as well Nate!

Samantha "Sammie" Bulluck is on board as our newest Kinder teacher, coming to us with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oklahoma Sate University.  Sammie is an Austin area

girl, who "grew up in Lake Travis.  I love spending time with my family.  I love reading, doing yoga, painting, drawing, and writing.  I was an OSU cheerleader and I am a black belt in Unified Tae Kwon Do."  So for you diehard Longhorn fans - think black belt y'all - know that our very own Lauren Farmer, former UT cheerleader, knows and loves Sammie...as I'm sure you will as you get to know her.  All kidding aside, Sammie is going to be a top-notch addition to the kinder team.  She has been up here since day of hire working, working ready to get rolling with her new class.  Love that dedication!

Tiffany Perkins some of you already do know and love.  She was David Robenhorst's student teacher extraordinaire and we are pumped she is joining us as a 4th grade teacher.  Tiffany "was born and raised in Austin, and loves this city so much.  I got my Bachelor's at Texas State in San Marcos.  I'm the oldest of five kids and the only girl (yay me!).  My family loves playing board games and it is now a tradition that we play board games every family holiday.  We have even started to include them on birthdays as well.  My family and I are always on the lookout for new ones"...just an early FYI parents!  Tiffany also tells me she is an avid reader, especially science fiction or historical fiction books.  She knits, has always enjoyed the arts and was even a nanny one summer, traveling with the family around Germany and Austria. Tiffany also enjoys physical activity of any kind, especially running on the hike and bike trail. She's now training to participate in a half-marathon this fall.  She states the physical activity helps her "de-stress" from the demands of the job and I couldn't agree more.  Love it!

Finally, two mid-summer hires for our campus.  Fourth grade teacher Tamra Snell has left us in order to take a much coveted (and rarely found) librarian's position in another school district.  Absolutely hated to see her go, but good for her as she was ready for a next step!  That said, we are truly fortunate in that we found Elizabeth Duquette, who moved to Austin from North Carolina with her civil engineer husband last fall.  Elizabeth holds a BA in Spanish from UNC-Asheville (including a summer internship at Cambridge) and has eight years teaching experience, most of those in 4th grade. This teaching experience includes teaching at an NC Gifted & Talented magnet school (when I spoke to a former principal, she told me she was heartsick to lose her!), as well as a year long stint teaching in Spain.  Her husband hails originally from Spain and in fact, they both spent the summer there visiting family.  I know we are so fortunate to have found Elizabeth.  Fun facts include her "crazy love" for dogs (see her dog Maci in the photo), her guilty pleasure of "occasional" reality tv watching (she told our interview committee it makes her appreciate her own life that much more!), as well as serving as a volunteer with The Mountain Echoes Storytelling Festival in Asheville.  Glad you are here Elizabeth...and Maci too!

And last but not least is our newest teaching hire, Ms. Jordan Zabilka.  Jordan is taking the place of first grade teacher Margaret Williams who has moved to the country and now accepted a job close to her new home.  The first grade team, Sally Hunter, and I had some top-notch candidates during the hiring process, but I have to tell you we fell in love with Jordan.  This young teacher was poised, spot on with what she needed to do in a classroom (diagnostic assessment tools, reading-writing workshop specifics, differentiation for varied learners...), confident, knowledgeable, and came highly recommended by many others, including those at Doss where Jordan student taught, as well as a former co-worker, our very own Katie Ferguson.  Jordan is "a former Scottie, graduating from Highland Park High School in Dallas, and loves the opportunity to represent the mascot again."  She holds a B.S in Applied Learning and Development from UT, with additional years of study in Special Education at Arizona State University.  In fact, for the majority of her time at UT, Jordan participated in Best Buddies, an organization that works with students and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Jordan sums up her teaching philosophy by stating, "I believe that learning should be fun. I provide many opportunities for students to play games to enhance their learning. Educational games are both engaging and effective. I use games and technology for math and literacy activities.  Brain Breaks are another method that I use. These are quick, kinesthetic breaks that promote cognitive functioning."  This self described "over-prepared" teacher is simply going to be a wonderful addition to our first grade team.

Welcome Jordan and all of our latest and greatest staff members.

Last thoughts before I close out this long post. Allow me a few words on STAAR.  Our students (your children) did a remarkable job on the 12-13 state assessments, all the while HP's hard working teachers, support staff, and community arts providers kept the learning authentic.  All students were provided rigorous, engaging, creative learning experiences.  I'm proud to say we didn't teach to the test or structure our day around the test, but decided to focus on the bigger picture - the type of learner, worker, citizen we all are aiming for post high school.  Our passing results based on the first assessment given (remember, at fifth grade any student who did not pass the first assessment, was given two more opportunities to pass STAAR reading and math before results were published) are seen below:

• READING - 3rd grade at 97%, 4th grade at 98%, 5th grade at 99%
• MATH - 3rd grade at 96%, 4th grade at 95%, 5th grade at 99%
• SCIENCE - 5th grade at 99%
• WRITING - 4th grade at 97%

Additionally, as you have read, our students achieved a distinction designation in reading, based on how well HP performed on certain indicators within a cohort of other schools we were assigned.  This system was developed by the TEA's Academic Achievement Distinction Designations Committee. Our assigned cohort of schools consisted of 40 schools throughout Texas (no AISD schools were in our cohort, though we were in a few other AISD cohorts), including schools in Allen, McKinney, Eanes, Frisco, Round Rock, and more; each of our cohort schools shared similar percentages of ELL students, economically disadvantaged students, and mobility rates; distinctions at elementary schools looked at attendance rates, expected improvement, Level III 3rd grade reading (ours was 57%), Level III 4th grade writing (28%), and Level III 5th grade Math (54%); distinctions were given for reading, math, and Top 25% performance within the cohort only.  It's a complicated system that I don't pretend to understand fully, but absolutely take the time to read attachments that will be sent your way in a future Scottie Informer and School Messenger email blast - being informed on how the new accountability system works is important for all of us! And changes will most likely keep occurring over time.

So, given the above, just know we will keep our eye on the ball with all things Creative Classroom/Any Given Child initiative (this is Year III of the work that's working and we will now enhance/expand our understanding and practice in science and math), we will additionally look at needs in  K-5 writing and math curriculum/instructional alignment (this work has already begun), and continue to enhance our inclusive practices through SEL and Courageous Conversations within our staff ranks.  I know every AISD school is in the throes of the work that is never easy, but always rewarding.  Hats off to all of them.

For me, our superintendent, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, best summed up the work ahead in her recent press release regarding STAAR ratings. "In AISD, we are shifting the focus away from a culture of testing-which can be punitive and narrowly focused on test results-to one that emphasizes academic standards of excellence and the strengths and interests of the whole child with art programs, athletics, health and wellness initiatives and social emotional learning." 

Welcome Back, Scotties to a banner year ahead!