Welcome back Scotties! And welcome to my first blog of the year. Yes, I'm going to attempt to give you much more real-time, ongoing information about all the great things happening around HP. Nothing too fancy, please don't critique my grammar (too much), but hopefully you'll find it a cool tool to stay connected with the latest and greatest! The blog will be updated at least once per week and the link should show up in the Informer and on the HP website. Bookmark it if so inclined. Our monthly Scottie Scoop newsletter will also continue to be posted to our school website, as well as the link mentioned in our PTA weekly INFORMER. The SCOOP will be more about upcoming dates, formal school and district information, health room news, counselor news, and more.
Can I tell 'ya how smooth our opening day was at school? Not only did we have the cleanest, shiniest facility in town (thanks Manuel, Alice, Maria, and Juana...not to mention Lizanne for monitoring progress daily!), but traffic flow was soooo much better. WooHoo! Thanks to those who parked away from Fairview and then walked, to those who used the AISD bus system, and to those who simply walked to school with their child. It went much better. Remember, patience is key in all things traffic, do not park close to the crosswalks, do not speed up as you travel on down Fairview, and absolutely, do NOT park in front of our neighbor's driveways. Thanks for helping us kick off a great year.
More to come on all things arts integration, but by the time you read this, the announcement about Austin being selected by the Kennedy Center for Any Given Child (one of only 7 citiies in the country) will have been made. Our very own McCallum Vertical Team will be working with their reps throughout the year and years to come, hoping to serve as models/the pilot for all other AISD schools. Specifically, the creative classroom initative (with community arts providers, our arts specialists, mindPOP, UT, and teachers) will take place initially at Highland Park, Gullett, Brentwood, and Reilly elementaries, as well as Lamar MS. McCallum will continue working on expansion of their fine arts programs as well. All very exciting, so make plans to come to the first PTA general meeting in September as I give you a look at what will happen Year One at HP.
Though this information would typically be reserved for our SCOOP newsletter, I feel it is so important it needs to be mentioned here as well. Please plan to come out to hear new Lamar MS principal George Lewellyn speak about all the new and wonderful things happening at Lamar. His presentation to all 3rd-5th grade parents will be held on Thursday, September 22, 6:00 pm in our cafeteria. Childwatch provided in Mrs. Hunter's room. Make plans to come out and I think you will leave very impressed.
Back to school nights were very successful - three of them this year - and we thank you for making your way to school to hear about your child's upcoming educational programming. Teachers have worked REALLY hard the last few weeks getting rooms prepared and curriculum studied and planned in order to teach. Thank you for your positive feedback on the presentations.
Finally, can we talk some football? Seriously, y'all, there had to be 200 Scotties at Thursday's Taco Shack Bowl game. It was amazing to see so many families come out to support our Knights. We love our vertical team and the sense of community I felt in those bleachers was almost palpable. Saying hi to former Scotties and their parents was also a real treat for me. Can 'ya feel the love? Thanks to McCallum principal Mike Garrison, Coach Todd Raymond, Booster Club President Bill Hemphill, and all the folks involved in the AISD athletic program for making this such a special night for our kids. When they hit the field at the end of half time, they were literally bursting with excitement. And so was I - though admittedly a bit nervous about trying to rope them back off the field:). Well done Scotties.
Have a wonderful week ahead!
