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Your Guide to News & Events at PTISD January 2007
In This Issue
  • PT School Board
  • Scheduling
  • Resources to Bookmark
  • Campus News
  • Congratulations!
  • Bus Drivers Needed
  • Safety
  • Personnel Changes
  • Donations to PTISD
  • Upcoming Events
  • HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    Welcome to Pine Tree ISD’s electronic publication for parents and school patrons. We are still gathering email addresses and invite you to forward this publication to those interested in school news. If your email was included, and you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please unsubscribe below. Direct your comments and questions to the Pine Tree ISD Public Information Office, P.O. Box 5878, Longview, TX 75608 or e-mail [email protected].


    PT School Board

    January is School Board Appreciation Month

    All year long, seven community-minded individuals are working to ensure that the children of Pine Tree ISD have the best education possible. School board members deserve our thanks for assuming a major role in the success of our public schools. They are elected to serve by local citizens and receive no compensation for their tireless efforts. Their service ensures that decisions about local public schools are made by those most familiar with the needs of the community’s children and families.

    We are proud to take this opportunity to salute the seven who serve in Pine Tree ISD:

    DAVID CROWSON, President
    HARRY (GIL) GILLAM, Vice President
    MELINDA BURNS, Secretary
    ED MERRITT, BOB METZLER, PAT NOON, and FRANK RICHARDS

    The board of trustees participated in a team building session on Monday, January 8, and will conduct the regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 22nd at 5:30pm.

    Scheduling

    Scheduling under Construction

    Pine Tree High School and Junior High School currently use block scheduling and are considering a change for the next school year. The following steps have been taken or are planned:

    1. The Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees directed the Superintendent to address the scheduling needs of the secondary campuses. In August, 2006, the Superintendent charged the principals to submit a proposal from their campus regarding scheduling for the 07-08 school year.
    2. HS and JH personnel have worked in designated committees to research and discuss options, advantages and disadvantages for changing the schedule next school year.
    3. HS and JH Site Based Decision Making committees have discussed the research and options for scheduling, and have voted on a proposal concerning their campus. SBDM committees include teachers, parents, community representatives and the principal of the campus.
    4. The HS and JH principals have discussed the issues with district leadership, and have presented a formal proposal from their school staff to the superintendent this month (January) to change to an innovative traditional schedule next school year.
    5. The superintendent has scheduled a public forum to discuss the issues with parents and patrons of Pine Tree ISD on Monday, January 22, 2007. 7:00pm at the High School Library. The Public Information Office is taking questions to discuss at the meeting; please email questions to the following address: [email protected], by January 18th. .
    6. A final decision about scheduling will be made by the district leadership team after the public meeting, and plans will move forward.

    Public Meeting Information:
    Please send questions you would like answered
    to the Public Information Office by Jan. 18th

    Date - Monday, Jan. 22nd
    Time - 7:00 - 9:00 pm
    Location - PT High School Library

    Resources to Bookmark

    Links for Learning
    Students' homes and classrooms are the focal points of their learning experiences—from kindergarten through high school. Parents who work with teachers and students are critical partners in helping their child achieve success. Pine Tree Librarians have created excellent resource pages at each campus website:

    Authors online created by Jan Riley, PTJH.
    Research websites created by Inga Davis, PTM5/6.
    Book award websites created by Rhonda McKinney, PT Intermediate.

    For those of you who use World Book Online, we now have a new, easier password for PT families. Students are encouraged to use the link from the library page of their campus website (online resources). The district pays for all students to have access to this resource at school and at home.

    www.worldbookonline.com
    Username:pinetree
    Password:library

    Campus News

    Pine Tree HS Dance Team Goes National
    The Pirate Precision Dance Team from Pine Tree High School were recognized last month. The Longview drill team was invited to perform in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Parade on New Year's Eve and during pregame and halftime activities at the nationally televised Cotton Bowl game between Nebraska and Auburn. Read more
    View pictures at the Precision Dance Team website.

    All State Choir
    Congratulations to Sarah Gillette for placing in the Texas All-State Choir.
    Congratulations also to Brady Weldon for placing as 1st Alternate to the All-State Choir.
    More choir news

    Math/Science Meet
    The Pine Tree 9th grade math/science team recently won the Spring Hill invitational TMSCA meet with an accumulation of more points than their area competitors.

    The Pine Tree Invitational Meet will be held Saturday, January 13 from 8:00 -5:00. PTHS will be hosting 22 schools and have 473 students registered with a total of 838 entries in 16 events: computer applications, feature writing, number sense, ready writing, current issues and events, calculator, accounting, math, news writing, science, spelling and vocabulary, editorial writing, literary criticism, headline writing, computer science, and social studies. The schools are divided into two divisions: Division I, 4A and 5A schools, of which there are 6 including PT, and Division II, 3A-1A schools numbering 16.

    The PTHS leadership class is providing a concession stand and student lounge in the lobby of the little theatre and the Z-Club will be hosting the sponsors in the foods lab. "We are very excited about this year's meet and welcome all participants," states Faye Gode, PTHS.

    Primary School Celebrates the 100th Day of School
    The 100th Day of School is Thursday, January 25th, and a grand celebration is planned for the Pre-K and Kindergarten students at the Primary campus. Teachers are planning a variety of learning experiences that will reinforce math concepts on that day. The event will include the release of 100 balloons! For ideas to use as learning opportunities at home, simply google "100th day of school" and see what you get!

    Congratulations!

    Awards Announced for Exemplary Employees
    from the Maintenance & Transportation Depts.

    According to Tony Hollins, Director of the Building Maintenance and Operations Department, the purpose of the new Employee Recognition Program is to recognize quality service and excellence wherever it occurs. The recognition program is to encourage employee excellence as well as to improve customer service.

    Exemplary Employees of the Quarter
    October–December 2006
    *Sandy Love
    *Kathy McGlothlin

    Bus Drivers Needed

    Pine Tree Bus Drivers Needed Now!

    Want extra money added to your paycheck?
    Want to build up your retirement fund?
    Then step up and become a bus driver today!
    Starting pay $12.50 per hour.
    Pass the Word – Do you know someone that could be interested?

    Call 902-295-5106
    Jack Davis, Transportation Manager

    Safety

    PTHS plans Safety Summit January 29th
    In light of trends of violence on school campuses, Pine Tree ISD and the Longview Police Department will host a 1 day training symposium to distribute pertinent information to Teachers, School Administrators, Law Enforcement Officers and Community Leaders.

    The objective of this summit is to increase awareness of school safety and give schools and Law Enforcement Agencies the tools to create a safe and healthy learning environment for our students and staff.

    The training will consist of a general session by Officers John Gately and Dan Waters of Spokane Washington Police Department who will conduct a debriefing of the 2003 Lewis and Clark High School shooting in Spokane, Washington.

    Internet Safety
    Parents or caregivers, educators, government officials, law enforcement, and youth organizations that want to learn more about the Internet and the possible dangers to children online should visit www.NetSmartz.org.

    To ensure a safe and positive experience for children, NetSmartzKids.org does not link to any outside sources. You can trust that this site is safe for your children.

    Interactive Internet Safety Presentations from NetSmartz: Click here to access resources for children in grades K - 6th grade. Click here to access resources for teenagers in grades 7th - 12th grade.

    Personnel Changes

    New on the Job

    Due to funding from the Texas Education Agency High School Allotment this year, two new positions have been created at the high school and junior high.

    Kara Collum: At Risk Teacher, PTJH and Faye Gode: Instructional Specialist, PTHS are new on the job, and will be working on their campuses to ensure success for students. Duties will include identifying students in need and supporting them academically. Debbie Connor, Academic Achievement director, Wendy Gray, Testing Coordinator and campus administrators will work closely with them to build a vertical alignment of success for students 8-12 this year.

    Kathy McGlothlin has served Pine Tree for 13 years, and is leaving us this month. "I am looking forward to working with my husband and my church congregation in pursuit of spiritual goals," says Kathy. "I have loved working with the folks at Pine Tree, especially Mr. Hollins. He has added to the joy I've felt here at Pine Tree." Melinda Tate, who has served as Purchasing Coordinator for the district will soon be new on the job, and the voice you hear when you call the Maintenance Department of PTISD.

    Donations to PTISD

    ELEVEN online grants have been awarded through the DonorsChoose website.

    Projects totaling over $6,000 dollars have been awarded to Pine Tree ISD. www.donors choose.org - is an online marketplace that allows individuals and businesses to support specific student projects proposed by teachers.

    Visit the Pine Tree Challenge Page to view these and other grants submitted by Pine Tree teachers. More grant proposals are posted and awaiting donors.

    Upcoming Events

    January Character Trait: D I S C I P L I N E

    • Jan. 6 - PT Invitational Debate Meet
    • Jan. 6 - Area Band Tryouts
    • Jan. 8 - School Board Team Bldg Mtg.
    • Jan. 8 - Big Art Week - 4th Grade
    • Jan. 9 - Middle 7 Writing Benchmark
    • Jan. 12 - Music Classes for Kindergarten
    • Jan. 13 - HS Thespian Formal
    • Jan. 12-13 - UIL Practice Academic Meet at HS
    • Jan. 15 - Holiday for all
    • Jan. 16 - Reading Benchmark testing, 3rd gr.
    • Jan. 17-18 - Middle 5/6 TAKS practice testing
    • Jan. 18 - PTA'S Arts in Education Awards Ceremony, 7:00 in the Little Theatre
    • Jan. 19 - Regional Academic Decathlon Meet
    • Jan. 19-20 - Region Band Clinic/Concert
    • Jan. 22 - School Board Regular Mtg., 5:30
    • Jan. 22 - Public Meeting to Discuss Scheduling at Secondary Schools, 7:00 HS Library
    • Jan. 22 - Big Art Week - 3rd grade
    • Jan. 23-24 - HS Talent Show Auditions, 4:00
    • Jan. 24 - Middle 7 TAKS Writing Field Test
    • Jan. 25 - The 100th Day of School!
    • Jan. 25 - JH One Act Play performance
    • Jan. 26 - Middle 7 - Read In
    • Jan. 27 - Cheer/Buc Senior Football Formal
    • Jan. 27 - SAT Testing
    • Jan. 27 - 9th grade All Region Band Clinic/Concert
    • Jan. 29 - Student holiday / Staff development; PTHS Safety Summit
    • Jan. 30 - Middle 5/6 Vote for Bluebonnet Book
    • Feb. 1 - PTHS Choir Pop Show
    • Feb. 2 - UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest for Band
    • January Athletic Weekly Schedule

    Fact or Fiction?
    Have You Heard a Rumor?

    It is understandable that in a large and dynamic organization, there will be questions and concerns that sometimes lead to suppositions. Rumors are no laughing matter. They damage morale, waste time and can make us less productive. We want to provide the Pine Tree community with accurate, factual information.

    Whenever you hear something that raises a question in your mind or sounds like it may not be true, we encourage you to check the FACT OR FICTION web page to see if we have addressed the topic. If it has not been addressed, let us know what you are hearing.

    Do you have a rumor to report? Click here to tell us about it.

    Go to the Fact or Fiction page...

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