A Publication from Hillsboro Independent School District

CONNECTIONSenlighten. inspire. achieve.

SPRING 2017

Ecosystem Project Teaches Students About World story on page 3

this issueSTUDENT CHEFS • PAGE 3

DEVELOPING LEADERS AT HISD • PAGES 6–8

BREAKFAST FUELS THE DAY • PAGE 8

Photo by Sheri Hemrick

C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017

Hillsboro Junior High School Students Showcase Their Technology Skills

Hillsboro Junior High School 7th grade girls took their

technology skills on the road recently when they

presented to a crowd of teachers and administrators

from across Texas at the 2017 TCEA (Texas Computer Education

Association) Conference held in Austin.

“In their presentation, ‘Here’s Looking at You, Kid,’ the students demonstrated how they collaboratively create newscasts and videos using iPads and audio and video editing software,” said Hillsboro ISD’s Director of Instructional Technology Cindy Darden.

Darden began working with the students when they were 6th grade TechSperts at Hillsboro Intermediate School. After teaching them how to create video newscasts teachers could access from the web to show during their classes, Darden submitted a proposal for the students to present at the conference.

Darden said the opportunity to present was a great learning experience for the girls.

“Presenting helps them build public speaking and communication skills,” she said. “They also used their media literacy knowledge, as well as creativity, collaboration and critical thinking skills.”

Student Chefs Turn Up the Heat in Creative Cooking Competitions

Cupcake Wars, which was modeled after

a popular television show by the same name, was a friendly competition among 9th- and 10th-grade students in the Principles of Hospitality classes. Students received a set of criteria on which their confections were judged: flavor, texture and overall appearance reflecting the assigned winter holidays theme. They worked in small teams baking half a dozen cupcakes per team in one class period and then used the following class period to decorate and present them. Finished products were judged, and one team in each class was named the winner.

Taking a nod from another cooking show, Chopped was an advanced competition among the 10th through 12th grade students in the culinary arts program. Roughly 100 students participated in the event working in teams of six. Student chefs were given a basket of ingredients, three of which they knew in advance and then two ‘secret’ ingredients that were revealed in class. Their task was to create an entrée or in later rounds an appetizer during their 45-minute class period including prep time, cooking and clean-up. A winning team was selected from each of the four competing classes.

Both the Cupcake Wars and the Chopped competitions were fun ways for the students to get hands-on experience, work collaboratively and to showcase their creativity.

We’ve updated our website! Features include a consolidated

district events calendar, consistent navigation and a content

language translator. The new design can be viewed on

multiple devices and visually tells the story of learning across

the district. Visit today at hillsboroisd.org.

Hillsboro ISD Online

Ecosystem Project Teaches Students About the World

Hillsboro Intermediate School 5th grade science teachers Mary Joe Schronk and Jeremy Sweeney helped spark

student interest in science by kicking off the year with a research-intensive ecosystem project.

Students were charged with creating a model of an ecosystem and presenting it to their classmates through the use of a poster, flyer or Google Slides presentation.

Students could choose any ecosystem on Earth they wanted to learn more about for their presentation.

“They were able to realize science isn’t just something in a textbook,” said Sweeney. “They were engaged in taking more of an interest in the world around them.”

After exploring the living and non-living elements of their chosen ecosystem, students used various resources, including books, educational web sites and videos, for further research.

“Students collected, analyzed and interpreted information,” said Schronk. “They constructed charts to document their detailed observations and used evidence to communicate their discoveries.”

Students then compiled their findings and developed their presentations.

“They loved sharing their final presentations with their class,” Schronk said.

CONNECTIONS

Connections is published byThe Hillsboro Reporter as a courtesy to the Hillsboro Independent School District. For additional copies of Connections, please contact The Hillsboro Reporter at (254) 582-3431.

Hillsboro Independent School District121 E. Franklin St. Hillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-8585Fax: (254) 582-4165www.hillsboroisd.org

Superintendent: Vicki AdamsAdamsv@hillsboroisd.org

Hillsboro High School1600 Abbott Ave.Hillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-4100www.hhs.hillsboroisd.orgPrincipal: Keith HannahHannah@hillsboroisd.org

Hillsboro Junior High School210 E. Walnut St.Hillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-4120www.hjhs.hillsboroisd.orgPrincipal: Cathryn PattersonPatterson@hillsboroisd.org

Hillsboro Intermediate School1000 Old Bynum Rd.Hillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-4170www.his.hillsboroisd.orgPrincipal: Stephanie TuckerTucker@hillsboroisd.org

Hillsboro Elementary School115 Jane LaneHillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-4140www.hes.hillsboroisd.orgPrincipal: Robin RalstonRalston@hillsboroisd.org

Franklin Elementary School103 Country Club Dr.Hillsboro, TX 76645Phone: (254) 582-4130www.fes.hillsboroisd.orgPreK Coordinator/Daycare Director: Tiffanye Oliveroliver@hillsboroisd.org

Connections is created by Graceful Impressions

Jeanne Marie Ellis, JME Group LLC, Publisher

Shanna Squires, Editor/Senior WriterErin Alvino, WriterPatty Colligan, WriterAshley Holt Patterson, WriterLaura Glass, DesignerSheri Hemrick, Photographer

32 C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017

C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017

Eagle Softball Complex Rededication

In front of family, friends, players and fans, the Eagle Softball Complex was rededicated this season to honor a

Hillsboro man who gave much to the sport and the young ladies he coached.

On February 17, at the first home game of 2017, the new metal sign above Turner Hennig Field was unveiled and a ceremony marked the bittersweet occasion. Game announcer Bill Siddons

read a short biography, and Hillsboro High School junior and Lady Eagle pitcher Karoline Creech shared stories of her first pitching coach.

Hennig first became interested in softball when his oldest daughter started playing. And when his youngest, Jade, picked up a ball, he started coaching—a gift he shared with local athletes for the next 18 years.

Turner Hennig passed away in 2014 and his daughter said the family is deeply honored that her father is being remembered this way.

“I know he smiled down on us that night,” said former HHS pitcher Jade Hennig. “His memory will always be here for us.”

C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017 5

Hillsboro High School Expands Internet Access for Students

Hillsboro High School (HHS) students now have an all-access pass to the Internet thanks to the school’s partnership with Digital Wish, an organization helping to

fund use of 20 MiFi jetpacks.

Jetpacks are wireless routers that act as mobile WiFi hotspots allowing students to access the Internet from anywhere. Currently, students are allowed to check out one jetpack from the library and return it the next morning.

“Students can access homework at home, as well as collaborate with other students outside of class,” said Michelle Steele, HHS librarian.

The jetpacks automatically connect to any in-range school device, further increasing access to students.

HHS was originally granted 14 MiFi jetpacks in 2014 through a TEA Technology Lending Program, but funding ended last year.

“Sustaining the program was important for our students,” said Jo Hayes, HHS associate principal. “Digital Wish was there to help and even increased our access from 14 jetpacks to 20. We’re so thankful.”

Look for Hillsboro ISD as a featured school district on the Digital Wish website soon.

HILLSBORO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL(Three grants totaling $4,144)

Carol Mabry and Ann Teel — Lights! Camera! Student News Coming Your Way

Laurie Lewis — Technology to the Reading Rescue!!

Daisy Abreu, Alma Cruz and Laurie Mc Donald — See S.A.M. (Spanish, Art & Music) with the iPad

HILLSBORO JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL(Seven grants totaling $8,143)

Cheryl Comer — Let’s Get Graphic

Tammy Fry — EagleBots

Laura Moulder and Chris Smith — Learning on the Move

Crystal Buxkemper — Celebrating Science Mastery Through Stations

Katherine Polley — Student Voice: Turning Up the Volume

Dayna Marshall and Meagan Vaughn — Keep Calm and Chrome

Laura Adams, Crystal Volcik and Amanda Slaten — NSPIRE-ing STEM

HILLSBORO HIGH SCHOOL (Four grants totaling $5,656)

Janel Morris, Schivonne John and Tabatha Davis — Essential Equipment for the Practical Application of Newtonian Mechanics

Melisa Springfield and Janel Morris — Technology-Driven Response to Intervention in Secondary Mathematics

Michelle Steele and Erin Lobato — NexGen Readers are Tomorrow’s Leaders

Jennifer Faulknor — Locked into Science

HISD Education Foundation Awards Annual Teaching Grant Recipients

T he Hillsboro ISD Education Foundation directors and donors,

accompanied by members of the Hillsboro Band, marched

the hallways of the Hillsboro ISD (HISD) campuses to award

19 grants to deserving individual teachers and teams.

The grants, totaling $23,199, will be used to purchase technology and tools including Chromebooks, physics’ lab materials and non-traditional student seating to continue to prepare HISD students to excel in the classroom.

Foundation Executive Director Katharine Matthys said, “We are grateful for the continued and generous donations from our community members, our business partners and HISD faculty and staff that make the Accolade Parade possible.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016–2017 GRANT RECIPIENTS!

HILLSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Five grants totaling $5,256)

Malissa Hawkins and Danielle Spencer — Polishing our Chromies by Collaborating, Customizing, and Communicating

Rebecca Moore — Moore Magazines Please!!

Marion Ramos — This IS OSMO Fun!

Christine Robinson — Coding Our Way to Careers

Taylor Sanders — The Future is Flexible

C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017 7

DEVELOPING LEADERS AT HISD

In fulfilling the mission of “Preparing Today’s

Students for Tomorrow’s World,” Hillsboro ISD

(HISD) educators are shifting their focus away from

standardized test scores and toward capturing the

true characteristics of a 21st century learner.

This approach to teaching and learning—HISD’s Portrait of a Learner—embodies four skills businesses and industries deem necessary for students to be successful: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity/innovation.

Students throughout the district are engaged in programs and initiatives designed specifically to develop all four skills, starting with the youngest learners.

The Maker Space Program

Develops problem-solving skills

Fosters communication using technology to program robots, and create and publish stories and videos

Encourages problem solving and bringing creations to life

Allows for dreaming new ideas and using technology to develop them

The Maker Space program, implemented at the Hillsboro Elementary Media Center and run by GATE teacher and campus librarian Christine Robinson, allows students to work both collaboratively in groups and independently using robotics, Storytelling Legos and K’Nex educational tools.

Students use two types of robots: Cubelets and Spheros. Cubelets, robots linked with magnets, have a special function, which students are challenged to figure out. Students program the Spheros, sphere-shaped robots linked to an iPad, to move around different spaces.

Reading and writing skills are supported by Storytelling Legos. In one project, 1st grade students used dice labeled with the elements of a story, such as a character and a setting (a dentist on a mountaintop with a dragon) to tie together a story.

Students create models using K’Nex tools, which consist of sets of wheels and gears. Once they have built their models from instructions, they are challenged to improve upon them. One student built a motorcycle and found that it wasn’t very steady, so she modified her design to make it more stable.

Students’ critical thinking is also challenged as they use skills learned through Hour of Code, a national program to learn simple programming. The code is provided in strings that can be moved around like puzzle pieces creating an action.

“The tools in the Maker Space and the projects that are created with them are designed to prepare the children for the technology-driven world they will enter,” said Robinson.

Lex Lab

Develops solution-based thinking through design

Promotes communication across campuses through technology

Creates opportunities to complete challenges and solve problems

Encourages exploration of new ideas and problem solving

At Hillsboro Intermediate School (HIS), there is palpable excitement about the newly opened Learning Experience Lab (Lex Lab), made possible through a $25,000 grant from The Monsanto Corporation.

Equipped with robotics kits, a 3D printer, 3D scanner and other tools, the lab is popular with students who make the most of their access to the new learning environment. “Students come at lunch

and before and after school,” explained Pam Hamilton who runs the HIS GATE program as well as being the Lex Lab coordinator.

Projects in the Lex Lab combine access to new-design technology with classic problem solving and model building. A project the 5th grade students recently completed entailed watching videos of the television show Tiny Houses for inspiration and they then designed their own tiny houses inside a 240 square-foot footprint.

With an eye toward projects with an authentic purpose, relevancy and an audience, Hamilton tasked 3rd and 4th grade students, who are working on the formative elements of empathy, integrity, grit and self-control, to make a stop motion animation video of a story about empathy. The video was shared with the 2nd graders who will be joining them next year. “Since they’ll be moving up, this is a good way to communicate across campuses and bring them up-to-speed about the things that our campus values,” said Hamilton.

Innovative Learning Spaces

Encourages problem solving using the most current technology

Facilitates communication while supporting multiple learning styles

Promotes teamwork with classmates

Allows freedom to focus on creative thinking

Across the district, innovative learning spaces have been implemented. Classrooms have been redesigned to create spaces that support the way students learn and to encourage good behavior and focus. These classrooms offer a variety of seating options—low tables with cushions or stools, high tables with chairs, lap trays and ball seats—so children can choose what makes them most comfortable.

Hillsboro Junior High School (HJHS) has updated their library to an innovative learning space with computers and flexible furniture. continued on next page ➡

C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017

The school partnered with the PTA to redesign the space, incorporating new furniture such as wobble stools, multi-level workstations and tables of various shapes and colors. An entire wall of the library was painted to create a floor to ceiling whiteboard where students can showcase their work. Also, bookshelves that blocked natural light were moved so students can put their feet up, plug in their computers and look out the window while they work.

At HISD, creative learning spaces extend beyond classrooms and into gardens that have been built throughout the district.

Gardens

Cultivates problem-solving skills in math and science

Encourages effective and respectful communication while working in groups

Provides opportunity to plant, maintain and harvest gardens

Offers experience of growing a living plant from seed to harvest

Franklin Elementary School (FES) started their garden through a Quality Pre-K grant. These youngest students learn about living and

non-living things, while they plant bulbs and watch them grow. Ms. Oliver, FES’s Pre-K coordinator, recalls a student who came to school the morning after planting bulbs and asked if he could play with the flowers. One of the biggest lessons has been that growing living things takes time.

Mr. Donovan Scott, a teacher at HIS, uses gardening as a tool to help his students manage emotional and behavioral challenges. “They practice speaking politely, asking each other to share the tools, and modeling appreciation and gratitude,” he said.

In the garden made possible at HJHS through a $5,000 Eat, Grow, Live, and Learn grant from Chartwells, the company that manages the student cafeteria, 6th grade students are growing seeds in their classrooms, which they will transplant into the garden. At the same time, nutrition and health classes are working on a kid-tested cookbook from HJHS using produce grown in the garden.

The Hillsboro High School (HHS) Life Skills class utilizes the HHS greenhouse where they grow seeds and transplant vegetables and flowers, which they sell at a plant sale in the spring. “Transactional math is especially important in the Life Skills class so working the plant sale after harvesting what they grow gives the students the opportunity to use real-world skills,” explained Life Skills teacher Haley Walker.

These are some of the many programs at HISD, which underscore the district’s commitment to explore innovative ways for students to learn, preparing them to excel in the increasingly competitive marketplace.

BREAKFAST FUELS THE DAYHe knows that breakfast is the most

important meal of the day. Thanks to a federal grant identified by district food service vendor Chartwells, more Hillsboro ISD (HISD) children are starting their school days with the nutrition they need to help power their brains.

Chartwells representative Sharee Osten suggested the program for HISD after seeing it implemented in other area districts. She says the results she’s seen have been impressive and include fewer trips to the nurse and decreased discipline issues.

The district’s Breakfast in the Classroom program was piloted at Hillsboro Intermediate School (HIS) in the fall, and the Hillsboro

When asked what he thought of having breakfast in the classroom, one

enthusiastic kindergartners beamed, “It’s two thumbs up!”

Elementary School staff quickly followed suit with a program there. HIS Principal Stephanie Tucker estimates only 40 to 50 of her 476 students were eating breakfast in the cafeteria. Now she estimates somewhere between 238 and 357 of them enjoy the in-classroom meal every day.

But Tucker says breakfast time doesn’t just provide fuel for little brains; it’s also a little bit of food for the soul.

“Kids feel taken care of, teachers get to know their students and their needs a little better, and everyone gets to ease into their day,” she said. “They get to spend quality time with their ‘school family.’”

HISD Education Foundation, Community Raises $3,000 for Students, Teachers

Nearly 100 community members and district employees attended the HISD Education Foundation’s fundraising event

January 14 at Historic City Hall in Hillsboro.

The casino-themed event raised nearly $3,000. Community members and organizations had opportunities to serve as table sponsors for the event, and Executive Director Katharine Matthys said it wouldn’t have been possible without them.

“We’re so grateful for all of our sponsors who made our first casino night such a great success,” she said. “We also want to thank Dr. Stanley Parker for loaning us the casino equipment and helping us run the event.”

All proceeds will benefit Hillsboro ISD students and educators with grants for educator scholarships and other innovative educational projects and activities.

“The funds from this event will allow us to provide students with extended learning opportunities that are beyond traditional funding or tax dollar expenses,” said Matthys.

Thank you to all of our sponsors!

Gold Sponsors ($500)Hill CollegeAnonymous Donor

Silver Sponsors ($250) E&C Eaton Enterprise, LLC.

Bronze Sponsors ($150)Wisenbaker Builders Services, Inc.Crop Production ServicesBossier DodgeNatalie'sGate Precast CompanyAnonymous Donor

Door Prizes SponsorsDixie LP GasOncorItasca Co-opScott Van Poppel-Hargrove Crop Insurance

CatererLone Star Café Manager, Daniel Lopez

HILLSBORO’S VETERANS HONORED “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause.” — Abraham Lincoln

You can see how it might be easy for students today to feel disconnected from local military veterans. Wars they study were a long time ago and fought on foreign shores by folks most of

them—and you and I—never met.

Imagine those folks walking down the school halls at Hillsboro ISD. Picture young men and women, just like today’s students, laughing with their friends and worrying about exams. These young people from the past sacrificed for freedom in this country and around the world.

Hillsboro ISD honors their service with photos and stories near the cafeteria at Hillsboro High School (HHS). And now there’s a website in their honor that the entire community can enjoy.

John “Doc” Robertson, HHS’s athletic trainer and Hall of Fame curator, is spearheading this effort. He’s been collecting photos and stories of

veterans from both Hillsboro and Peabody High Schools for the past two years. He says it’s been on his mind for a while.

“It always bothered me that we weren’t honoring our veterans at school,” said Robertson. “I wanted to instill a sense of pride in, and a connection with, these vets.”

Hillsboro embraced the idea and now Robertson has more than 150 names, photos, and stories to add to the website, with more every week.

He’s been blown away by the sheer number of entries he’s received and the desire by community members to celebrate their own. “If I live to be 100, I’ll never finish it,” he laughed.

Now he’s looking for help from students and the community. If you’d like to gain a deeper knowledge of Hillsboro’s veterans and history, and contribute to building this community website,

please contact Robertson at HHS.

See the work in progress here: sites.google.com/hillsboroisd.org/honoringourmilitary/ultimate-sacrifice

“It always bothered me that we weren’t honoring our veterans at school,” said John “Doc” Robertson, HHS’s athletic trainer and Hall of Fame curator. “I wanted to instill a sense of pride in, and a connection with, these vets.”

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C O N N E C T I O N S SPRING 2017 11

Hill county Fair

Destini’sDream PromT he room radiated hot pink and zebra print for the guest of

honor at Destini’s Dream Prom, 14-year-old Hillsboro High

School (HHS) freshman Destini Ramsey.

Not everyone gets their own prom. But Destini wasn’t your

average girl. The spunky little kid with cystic fibrosis moved to town

with her family when she was in the 3rd grade and quickly became

part of the community.

So when her disease took a turn for the worse this fall, and the

perpetually positive and sassy young

lady expressed wistfulness that she’d

never attend a prom, her community

rallied to crown her queen for a night.

Led by local business owner Amy

Marsh, friends, community members,

and school staff whipped up Destini’s

Dream Prom on Saturday, January 7, and

300 friends and fellow students donned

their best to celebrate with her.

Asked why he thought it was important

to put on a prom for Destini, her friend and date for the night

Kyle Lincoln replied, “She struggled with being sick a lot; Destini

deserved a night where she didn’t have to think about being sick

and could just have fun with her friends.”

HISD School Resource Officer and family friend Lynelle Sparks

said Destini was humbled by the community outreach, honored,

and “loving every minute” of the party Hillsboro threw for her.

The artistic and outgoing HHS band member passed away

peacefully on February 1 and will be remembered for being a bright

and lively friend to many.

“She struggled with being sick a lot;

Destini deserved a night where she didn’t

have to think about being sick and could just have fun with her

friends,” said Kyle Lincoln.