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Email Newsletter )
Your Guide to News & Events at PTISD February 2007
In This Issue
  • TAKS Test
  • Outstanding Students
  • Campus News
  • Scheduling
  • Best of the Best
  • PTA
  • HS Library
  • Community Awards
  • Safety
  • Upcoming Events

  • Welcome to Pine Tree ISD’s electronic publication for parents and school patrons. We are always 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].


    TAKS Test

    TAKS Testing on Tuesday, Feb. 20th

    The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills - TAKS- for Grade 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11 will be administered on Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

    Families can help students perform successfully in school and on the TAKS test by:

    • Reviewing TAKS materials and homework sent home;
    • Enforcing that your student is rested;
    • Providing a good breakfast, and
    • Providing supplies needed daily.

    For more information on the TAKS test, please click here.

    Outstanding Students

    Outstanding Students Make PT Proud

    Pine Tree cross-examination debate winners were celebrating at a recent competition event. Lacie Richardson and Nathan Brazell earned 1st place, state qualifier awards. Aaron Galloway and Brandon Kimble earned 4th place awards. "This is the first time in over a decade Pine Tree has qualified a C-X team for state competition," says team sponsor Jennifer White.



    Pine Tree High School senior, Diya Sikka has been named as Finalists in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program. She adds this most recent accolade to her list of accomplishments at PTHS. She is the daughter of Dr. Suneet K. Sikka and Vijay Sikka. >More<

    The boys 200 freestyle relay swim team qualified for the state meet to be held in Austin on February 16 and 17. The team includes Senior Micah Cummings, Senior Scott Poland, Junior Matthew Lau, and Sophomore Mark Cummings. These swimmers are the first Pine Tree swimmers to qualify for state competition in swimming in four years, but the state level is not unprecedented for Pine Tree. Lindsey Martin, a 2006 Pine Tree graduate, won the 4A one-meter diving award in 2006.

    Joseph Klerekoper, committed to play collegiate football with the Big 12 North Division's Iowa State. Senior Chad Lackey won a 1- over-par 71 score at the recent Spring Hill Invitational Tournament.

    Hunter Decker earned the distinctive position of ALL STATE Trombone and will participate as a member of the 4A All-State Band in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, Feb 17th.

    Laws of Life Winners provide insights for us all. Congratulations to Pine Tree winners: Carolyn Leatherman, First Place; Chiquetlyn Howard, Second Place; and Carly Hayworth, Honorable Mention. Click here to read their essays.

    East Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse (ETALA) announced the winners of its third annual essay contest for area sixth and seventh graders. This year’s winners include first place sixth grader Megan McNaney of Pine Tree Middle 5/6 School, and seventh grade first place winner, Cassie Weaver of Pine Tree Middle 7. >More<

    Campus News

    Spruced Up Harley
    Students are getting lessons in re-finishing, buffing, sanding and painting a Harley Davidson motorcycle trike to help make a statement about cancer awareness. Joel Laws, the school's auto tech department, guided the students through the project. >More<

    Changing Lives One Workout at a Time
    Pine Tree Jr. High Girls & Boys PE classes will be running and walking a marathon as part of a fundraiser to help benefit the American Heart Association and combat heart disease. PT Elementary & Intermediate campuses begin their annual Jump Rope for Heart in February. >More<

    Chili Cook Off at Middle 7
    Mrs. Laster's seventh grade Texas History classes participated in the annual Texas Chili Cook-off. To enter the contest, students brought self-prepared chili from home. Three judges tasted each and decided on three top entries. >More<

    JH Advanced Theatre Wins at OAP Contest
    Zink: the Myth, the Legend, the Zebra was an award winning play under the direction of Loree Tatum, at the recent One Act Play competition. Congratulations to all of the actors, actresses, crew, and alternates. Visit the JH Theatre page to view individual winners.

    Where Were You in 42?
    The Leadership Class will be hosting its annual performance of Where Were You in 42? on February 16 and 17 at the First Christian Church in downtown Longview (6th Street across from GSMC). The performance will begin at 6:30 pm and end at approximately 8:30. Click to the HS News for more information.

    Math Science Team
    Pine Tree hosted the UIL academic invitational on Jan. 13th and won sweepstakes for Division I. The University Interscholastic League offers the most comprehensive literary and academic competitive program in the nation. To see scores, click here. Congratulations to the Pine Tree Math-Science team who won the White Oak Invitational meet on February 10. Click here to see scores.

    Acadec Competition
    Pine Tree walked away with quite a few medals, including first place in the Super Quiz Relay at a recent Acadec Competition. >More<

    PALS Help Children in Romania
    The Pine Tree Junior High PALS group is helping to sponsor a plan to take 500 backpacks next June to children who live in the streets of Romania. >More<

    Scheduling

    Scheduling Under Construction at Secondary Schools

    Pine Tree High School and Junior High School currently use block scheduling and are considering a change for the next school year. Both campuses are considering a change to what they are calling an Innovative Traditional Schedule.

    Although a final decision has not been made, steps have been taken or are planned that will help campus personnel make the best decision for all students.

    Best of the Best

    Education Foundation Hosts the Annual Best of the Best Event

    The Foundation is hosting their annual fundraiser for be held Tuesday, Feb. 20th. Guests enjoy a catered dinner showcasing the many talented student groups from district campuses. Proceeds provide support for teacher grants in the classrooms of our district.

    PTA

    PTA Hosts Rally

    You are invited to the Pine Tree
    PTA Rally
    Kid’s Station Friday, February 23rd
    9:30 until 12:00

    The rally is a combined meeting of the PTAs on all campuses to recruit, plan, and educate for next year. Beth Jones, the PTA Council President, and Mr. Whitaker, PTISD superintendent, will speak briefly and then participants will attend break out sessions of their choice to discuss different PTA activities. These sessions will include a time for questions and answers.

    HS Library

    Extended Hours at the PTHS Library

    Pine Tree High School announces extended hours for their library. “In addition to our students, we welcome parents and community members to join us,” says Faye Gode, Instructional Specialist at Pine Tree High School.

    Hours of operation:
    Monday 7:45 am to 7:00 pm
    Tuesday 7:00 am to 3:45 pm
    Wednesday 7:45 am to 5:00 pm
    Thursday 7:00 am to 3:45 pm
    Friday 7:45 am to 5:00 pm.

    Click here to read more about the high school library resources.

    Community Awards

    SWEPCO Awards Pine Tree ISD for Saving Energy

    Pine Tree ISD has earned an incentive of $8,904 from AEP SWEPCO for energy efficient building upgrades implemented in 2006 through the Schools Conserving Resources (SCORE) Program.

    The award was presented at the regularly scheduled School Board Meeting on Monday, February 12, 2007. The SCORE Program is a pilot program being sponsored by AEP SWEPCO for select school districts to help improve energy efficiency and reduce schools’ energy operating costs. CLEAResult Consulting is implementing the program for AEP SWEPCO. >More<

    A-1 Trophies Honored For School Support
    A-1 Trophies and Plaques received the Crystal Award from the Texas Association for Partners in Education in recognition of the work the business does with local school districts. "We appreciate knowing that we have the support and encouragement of such a fine company and outstanding employees that are reliable and dependable; they are a valuable asset," said Rhonda Barnes, Pine Tree Independent School District community resource and volunteer coordinator. " >More<

    Safety

    New Software at High School Promotes Safety

    New safety software is in place at the Pine Tree High School. It's called V-Soft and it runs a visitors' driver's license through a sex offender database, making the school aware of just who is roaming their campus.

    The way it works is: a visitor gives the receptionist their driver's license, she then scans it through a small slot machine and it checks it against a registered sex offender list, telling her if they are a sex offender or not. Once that's done, it prints out a pass for the visitor to wear on campus.

    Upcoming Events

    February Character Trait: F R I E N D S H I P

    • Feb. 12 School Board Mtg. 6:00pm
    • Feb. 12 Beginning of 5th Six Weeks
    • Feb. 12 Jump Rope for Heart begins
    • Feb. 16 Report Cards are distributed for grades 3- 12
    • Feb. 16-17 Where Were You in 42?
    • Feb. 16 Elementary School AGM nominations due
    • Feb. 19 Presidents Day - NO holiday
    • Feb. 20 TAKS Testing
    • Feb. 20 Best of the Best 7pm
    • Feb. 23 PTA Rally 9:30am
    • Feb. 23 Last day to register for Middle 5/6 3 on 3
    • Feb. 24 HS Choir Banquet
    • Feb. 27 3rd Gr. math benchmark testing
    • Feb. 26 Holiday for All
    • March 5 School Board meeting 6pm
    • March 5-9 Texas Public School Week
    • March 8-9 Elementary School music program
    • March 12-16 Spring Break Holiday

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