BIG DAY on Monday y’all! Our very own Laine Leibick, fourth grade teacher and mentor to many, received a surprise visit from HEB and AISD personnel/media, including HEB’s very own Buddy. Mrs. Leibick is one of four state teacher finalists for the annual Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is given to nominated teachers with more than 20 years of classroom experience. She was presented with a $1,000 personal check, flowers, and cake; our school was also presented with a $1,000 check. One of the four finalists will be selected at a special recognition banquet in Houston during the month of May. One elementary and one secondary teacher will each receive a $25,000 cash prize plus a $25,000 grant for his/her school. Couldn’t be prouder as it is a well-deserved honor. Thanks HEB for supporting great teaching in our schools.
Tuesday saw a very special lunch with none other than our district superintendent, Dr. Meria Carstarphen. I had the pleasure of lunch and company with Dr. Carstarphen, Jeanne Goka, principal at Ann Richards School, and Vickie Bauerle, principal of Gorzycki Middle School, in honor of each school’s high student attendance averages for the last reporting period. Highland Park’s student attendance for the designated reporting period came in at 97.7%; thanks Scotties for being in school each day and also being here on time. It makes a difference. No picture, but it was neat hearing our superintendent share her thoughts on educational topics both local and farther afield. Informative and fun!
Our Any Given Child Design Team pilot elementary schools met after school on Wednesday afternoon at HP, with input given by teachers and principals on next steps for the initiative; Brent Hasty of mindPOP and Katie Dawson of UT's Theater and Dance Department facilitated this very productive meeting. Recommendations made will next be taken to the Kennedy Center Community Steering Committee as the long-term strategic planning for the district and city is further developed. Great ideas abound for Year 2 but there will be much focus on teacher professional development and continued community partnerships. I’m super excited that arts rich schools planning continues for all the children of Austin. Let's keep the momentum going!
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| Katie making a point |
Badgerdog Literary Publishing was on campus Thursday for the first of six writing workshops in each second grade class (before working with 3rd graders later in the spring). I only was able to pop in at the end of Ms. Marques’ and Mrs. Guenther’s sessions on Thursday, but I saw and heard student created “I Am” poetry, as well as poems connected to writing from inside someplace unusual (think Shel Silverstein). Great things happening in second grade writing, love the fact that our kids get to work with professional writers on the process, and most especially love the enthusiasm I witnessed by the students and the teachers.
This morning saw the second meeting for the fifth grade Youth Leadership Program (Toastmasters International). Sponsored by HP parent Matt Brown, the program meets in our library beginning at 6:50 am each Friday. For 45 minutes, student participants are given “ maximum number of opportunities to practice leadership skills and as much speaking time as possible...leadership and the ability to speak well, go together." This morning I heard Georgia present from her written speech about a one-eyed rescue dog named Wink. She spoke from the heart and it showed. And I heard Kiernan speak about his parents' experiences that took them from the United States to England to Spain, then finally back to Texas. It was humorous and very engaging. Great practice for a real life skill our students will need as they leave HP for next steps in their lives. Thanks Matt.
Finally, don't forget our first ever Fine Arts Showcase coming up on Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 pm. FREE to all Scotties, includes awesome performances, as well as cool rotations to look at all special area programming, community provider programming, and our very own June Scottie Camp happenings. Hope to see you there.
