oot ’n Holler Hondo Independent School District

October 2016

Every Student ♥ Every Classroom ♥ Every Day

31 seniors attended College and Career Day hosted by SWTJC in Uvalde. Students learned about the admissions process, financial aid, scholarships, and listened to a presentation by the Texas Workforce Commission. The day ended with guest motivational speaker Aric Bostick. In a door prize drawing, Connor Davis won a $500 scholarship!

Counselors hosted a Financial Aid Awareness Night put on by representatives from UTSA on Tuesday, Sept. 20. We had a good turnout of parents and students, and they were able to get a head start on the Financial Aid process. We will be having a follow-up FAFSA Lab Night with the help of representatives from SWTJC on October 12.

HHS ROCKS COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS!

An exciting new piece of technology is being introduced to some students with visual impairments in the district. The E-bot is a magnification device that has built in wi-fi which connects to a tablet such as an iPad. The student uses the tablet along with a remote control to zoom in on both deskwork as well as work the teacher puts on the board. This device is lightweight and portable and can be easily transported around campus as needed. We are very excited to implement this new technology in HISD.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

NEWS

Meyer Elementary Celebrates “Soda with Pop”. Kicking off the 2016-2017 Watch Dog Dad program! Thanks, dads!

Dads, we’ll have

another opportunity

to join on October 18th More info to

come!

What’s happening at Meyer?!

A few highlights so far:

Mrs. Bermea, Kindergarten Team Leader, was selected by her peers as the Hard

Hat Winner for September 2016. She brought technology training to her team,

and went above and beyond to make it a seamless transition to their individual

classrooms!

Kid-Struction (Construction) Continues…we could get cranky with the noise, the

extra visitors, and other interruptions, but instead we have made it FUN. We

have “building” and “construction” themes all over the campus. We even had

assistance from the construction crew for our “We’ve Got Spirit” entry, as well

as for our College Challenge. “The Road to Success is ALWAYS under

Construction,” and we are embracing the changes at Meyer Elementary!

Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) are happening here. We meet

weekly to seek understanding about our learners as well as our learning. We

are in a growth-mindset and understand the importance of reaching and

teaching ALL our students. “We meet them where they are and take them

where they need to be.”

FUNdations Coaching Visit was a success! Our coach came to visit with our 2nd

grade team this month. This program is gaining traction at Meyer, and is used

to supplement our English Language Arts instruction. Reading and Writing is

FUNdamental.

Check out our website (which has links to our social media accounts) at:

Follow Meyer News By Visiting Our Website!

Thank you for sharing your child with us!

Misty Ptasnik, Principal – Meyer Elementary

Gossip is an App that allows users to send anonymous messages to their friends which appear on phone screens for ten seconds, classified as either “rumor” or “proof”. The, Common Sense Media website, is the nation’s leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering kids to thrive in a world of media and technology. Families, educators, and policymakers turn to Common Sense for unbiased information and trusted advice to help them learn how to harness the positive power of media and technology for all kids

technology news

Technology has been busy! Since the summer break, many tasks have been accomplished to give HISD students the tools they need for success in the classroom. Here’s a brief rundown of activity: • Completed a network upgrade

with the installation of 133 wireless access points, 10Gig switches, cabling and configuration for management.

• Relocated computer lab at Meyer from North wing to Room 104

• Received, set up and configured 93 workstations in labs at High School, McDowell, Woolls and classrooms at Meyer and Woolls

• Set up the synchronization of network accounts with Google Apps for Education (GAFE) accounts

• Closed/resolved 462 Help Desk Tickets by technology staff (May 2016-Aug 2016)

• Start of school activities – set up accounts, training, hardware setup, etc.

-PARENTS BE AWARE- The Technology Department at HISD would like to inform parents and student’s about how important it is to be safe and careful when using technology devices to communicate with friends and family and when socializing on social media websites. As a district and department we are seeing many new Apps being used to, anonymously bully and gossip about fellow classmates. We want to do our part on keeping our staff and students safe, and now we are asking for your help. The Gossip App has been seen already this school year, if you are needing any advice about these issues please feel free to contact your school Principal, the school technology staff, or take a look at the Common Sense Media website for additional support.

Thanks to the Technology Dept. for keeping us “plugged in”

2015 Bond Project Update

Music Lab

Science Lab

The 2015 Bond Projects are now in full swing and progress is being made! See details on the HISD

website under Bond 2015 link. Want a virtual tour? Follow this link!

Meyer & McDowell Schematics Hondo High School

Demolition at Meyer and McDowell is complete and pads are getting

prepared for new buildings

Meyer Pre-K wing getting “roughed in”

Just a reminder… It’s just as important for parents to cross only at marked crosswalks as it is for kids walking alone. Crossing at marked crosswalks increases safety and maintains traffic control. Remember, drivers will be looking for pedestrians in the cross- walks - crossing elsewhere creates a safety hazard and slows down traffic flow.

Learning isn’t always in a classroom!

Pre K kids learn about high and low sounds – as demonstrated by HISD band

directors. Part of learning

about their “5 senses”!

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Meyer

Woolls

MMS

HHS

HISD

1ST SIX WEEK ENDED FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

Monitor your child’s progress with Skyward. View grades, schedules,

attendance and more. Contact your campus Secretary for access.

REPORT CARD DISTRIBUTION DATE: Thursday, October 6

Hondo ISD is searching for amazing staff

to serve our students every day!

2016-2017 Openings:

Every Student ♥ Every Classroom ♥ Every Day

Upcoming ESC-20 FREE Parent Trainings held at ESC-20 To register: Call Lori Williams at 210-370-5466 or email lori.williams@esc20.net

Saturday, October 1, 2016, 9:00 a.m.—2:30 p.m. Parenting the Love & Logic Way This parent training is based on a philosophy founded by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. and based on the experience of a combined total of over 75 years working with and raising children. This is an approach to raising children that provides loving support from parents while at the same time expecting children to be respectful and responsible. Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows them to live with the consequences of their choices. Love and Logic is easy to use, raises responsible children, and changes lives. By attending this training, you will learn to use humor, hope, and empathy to build up your adult-child relationship, provide real limits in a loving way, and learn how to teach consequences and healthy decision making. **Interpreter provided by request. Call 210-370-5466 by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28th.

Thursday, October 6, 2016, 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. What Parents need to know About Human Trafficking In this training, parents will learn: ● How traffickers select & approach; ● What traffickers look for; ● How to outsmart deception; ● What things make a child vulnerable; ● The 2 ways traffickers approach; ● The 3 kinds of lies; ● The 4 worst choices; ● To separate the myths from the facts about human trafficking in the U.S.; ● How it happens, who it happens to, and who are the victims; ● How traffickers target youth at school and in any home; ● The signs that indicate your child may be in danger; ● Why it’s more important to talk to your kids about love than sex; and ● Why stranger danger is no longer effective. **Interpreter provided by request. Call 210-370-5466 by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4thh. **

Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. Dear STEM, Why should I care? The education system seems to be changing just as quickly as technology these days. With new House and Senate Bills in place our schools are incorporating more STEM into your child’s lives but, what is STEM really? Come explore how the state has defined STEM education and what implications it is having on your school systems. This training will catch you up to the pace and propel you with ideas on how to help your child become successful in this new STEMified world. **Interpreter provided by request. Call 210-370-5466 by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, October 10th.**

Now that it’s almost October, I’m sure your child has come home with homework! Struggling with how to help your child? Check out all the homework resources at the ESC-20 parent resources webpage at http://www.esc20.net/default.aspx?name=sup_pr.Homework 12 Bullying Myths What do parents really need to know about bullying? It's not necessarily what you think. Myth #1: You’ll know when your child is being bullied Myth #2: Bullying always includes physical aggression Myth #3: The bully is always bigger Myth #4: There’s one clear way to solve the problem To read the 8 other myths, go to: http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/twelve-bullying-myths/?utm_source=newsletter_gbg_4&utm_medium=email For more parent bullying resources and bullying videos, go to www.esc20.net/parentresources

Please join us on Tuesday, October 18 at the

Morgan's Wonderland Event Center to

celebrate the official launch of Autism Lifeline

Links, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

founded through an initiative funded by the

Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

Autism Lifeline Links is a coalition of agencies

and organizations working together to provide

quality services, resources and care for

individuals, families, caregivers, educators and

others in the autism community. Our referral

agencies are part of an information sharing

and referral platform designed to streamline

and simplify connecting individuals and

families with agencies and organizations that

provide services addressing the challenges of

Autism Spectrum Disorder.

We look forward to having you join us with

Autism Lifeline Links’ agencies, community

service providers, school district

superintendents, special education directors,

funders, and many others working to improve

the quality of life for the autism population.

When: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 at 10:00

a.m. Location: Morgan’s Wonderland Event

Center 5223 David Edwards Dr., San Antonio,

Texas Please reply to Ingrid Petty at

ipetty@kronkosky.org on or before October 12.

Autism Lifeline Links

iTEC Thanksgiving STEAM Day Camps

Formoreinformationandhowtoregister,pleasevisitourwebsitehttp://itec.utsa.eduoremailusatitec@utsa.edu

Camptime:8:00am-4:00pmCampLocation:

1604Location:AET1.202 DowntownLocation:BV3.304

CampCost:$80/campEarlyDropoff:7:30amLatepickup:5:30pm

iTEChands-onactivitiesareagreatwaytogetyourkidsinterestedintheexcitingEieldsofS.T.E.A.M.!Ourinstructorsgobeyondtheclassroomandunderstandthatkidslearnmorewhentheyareexcitedaboutthetopictheyare

discovering.Spaceislimitedsoearlyregistrationisencouraged.

Monday11.21.2016Kinder-5thgrade:RoboticTurkeyTrot

Tuesday11.22.2016Kinder-5thgrade:

ThanksgivingChemistry

9:00 AM—4:00 PM

UTSA DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

The UTSA READY Program is an early awareness, academic preparation bridging program for high school juniors and seniors (11th and 12th

grade students). The Program assists students polish their reading, writing and mathematics skills to prepare them for college level course

work. The UTSA READY Program takes a holistic approach to student college preparation and success by addressing both cognitive and

non-cognitive skills. Developed by UTSA Faculty and staff, the curriculum addresses college survival skills and academic preparation for the

rigor of college level coursework.

Register at p20.utsa.edu/programs/utsa_ready

Follow us on Twitter: @utsaready

FUTURE SESSIONS: 1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

REVIEW SAT/TSI/CREDIT BY EXAM QUESTIONS

BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO A REAL COLLEGE COURSE

STRENGTHEN YOUR MATH AND WRITING SKILLS

NEW FAFSA INFORMATION

COLLEGE JEOPARDY

TX REALITY CHECK

COLLEGE SURVIVAL RELAY RACE

TIME MANAGEMENT

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS INCLUDE:

“COUNTDOWNT TO COLLEGE”

THE UTSA READY PROGRAM KICK-OFF EVENT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING!

Hondo Board of Trustees Tal Gardenhire, President

Mark Matthews, Vice President Carey Frazier, Secretary James Gonzales, Trustee

Julie Huesser, Trustee Miles Lee, Trustee

Dale Richter, Trustee

Administration A’Lann Truelock, Ed D

Superintendent Rose Mary Mares

Assistant Superintendent

Central Office 426-3027

SCHOOL CONTACT INFO:

HHS 426-3341 Robert Knight, Principal

McDowell 426-2261 Scott Backus – Principal

Woolls 426-7666 Steve Ayers – Principal

Meyer 426-3161 Misty Ptasnik – Principal

Directors

Jesse Baez – Athletics Chuck Beard –Maintenance

James White – Student Services/Transportation Barbie Dickinson – Child Nutrition

Cynthia Gann – Special Ed Stephanie Laughinghouse – Special Programs

Mary Jo Peters – Technology

ONDO UPCOMING EVENTS

Every Student ♥ Every Classroom ♥ Every Day

Sports schedules are available at www.hondoisd.net

Way to go OWLS – 8A McDowell Team Took the

Tourney!

Date Time Event Location Wednesday, October 5 5:30 p.m. Project Graduation Meeting HHS

Thursday, October 6

Meyer, Woolls and McDowell Picture Re-Takes

First Six Weeks Report Card Distribution

5:30 p.m. Hondo High School Open House/Report Card Distribution HHS

Friday, October 7 7:30 p.m. Band Performance for Parents Barry Field

Saturday, October 8 Mighty Owl Band at Harlandale Music Fest

Monday, October 10

9:30 a.m. Senior Meeting with Balfour HHS Cafeteria

12:30 p.m. Ring Orders for Juniors

6:00 p.m. Band Booster Meeting HHS Band Hall

Wednesday, October 12 5:00-7:00 p.m. FAFSA Lab Night HHS Library

6:00 p.m. Homecoming Parade

Community Pep Rally - immediately following parade Barry Field

1. Hondo children come first. 2. Constant review and evaluation of current

practices is essential for continued success. 3. The success of each student is the responsibility of

students, their families, the district, and the community. 4. Environment is a key component to the educational process.

5. Each student will be prepared for successful real world experience. 6. Each staff member is valued and supported. 7. Hondo ISD has a rich tradition of excellence.

Vision

Our vision at Hondo ISD is to develop life-long learners who are productive members of society.

Mission

In our relentless pursuit of academic excellence, our mission at Hondo ISD is

to make learning the priority for all and serve the educational needs of

every student, in every classroom, every day.

Every Student ♥ Every Classroom ♥ Every Day