Pine Tree ISD 
Updates for August 2009
Interim Superintendent Selected to Start the School Year
Pine Tree Independent School District's board of trustees appointed retired Wimberley Independent School District Superintendent Marian Strauss as the district's interim superintendent on Thursday, July 30th, after more than three hours of discussions in closed session. Board President Gil Gillam said Strauss' "exceptional record of service" in education made her stand out to the board. She has been the superintendent of Wimberley, Somerville, Sweet Home and River Road school districts. "I think she's going to be a wonderful asset," Gillam said.  Read more
PTISD Announces 2009 Campus Accountability Ratings
Officials announced this week that all campuses met or exceeded the challenges of the state's increasing accountability standards for 2009. Click to view 2009 Ratings Summary. Among the six campuses, two earned Recognized ratings - Pine Tree Intermediate and feeder school Pine Tree Elementary. Pine Tree Middle, Junior High and High School were rated Academically Acceptable. Pine Tree Primary campus which serves Pre-K and K is not rated by the state. "The Recognized rating for the Intermediate Campus represents a committed effort on the part of teachers and staff members across several Pine Tree campuses, from kindergarten up through fourth grade, "said Intermediate Principal, Cliff Lightfoot.  Read more.
Welcome Back to School
BusRegistration for the 2009-10 school year for ALL NEW STUDENTS is Aug. 12-13, at the Middle School Cafeteria, 600 PT Parkway. For a full list of registration dates and times, as well as registration requirements, see the new student registration page on the PTISD ISD Web site.
 
All students have an opportunity to MEET YOUR TEACHER, on August 20th.  View the Back to School Information Page for information about Freshman Orientation, school supplies, immunization details and more.
 
TAKS Promotion Requirement Changes for Third-graders
Third-graders won't be required to pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills to advance to fourth grade, according to a bill passed by the Texas Legislature. "We definitely think it's a good move by the state," said Wendy Gray, Pine Tree Independent School District's assessment coordinator. "Putting third-graders in that kind of high-stress situation was just too much for them at that age. We are delighted that state officials finally saw that." Until now, students in third, fifth and eighth grades have been required to pass the TAKS to be promoted to the next grade. Under House Bill 3, Texas legislators eliminated that stress from third-graders.  Read more.
 TwitterPTISD Tweets!
Pine Tree Independent School District is tweeting. The school district is among the first in East Texas to add micro-blogging Web site Twitter to their list of parent communication methods. Twitter is a free, social networking site that asks users to tell what they're doing in 140 characters or less.
 
 Summer Time Staff & Student News:
 
 High School Teacher Attends Law Seminar
 
 
 
 
 
PTISD Administration Offices in New Location
 
PTISD Administration offices are in a new location: 1701 Pine Tree Road.  The entrance is on Pirate Drive, across from the Pirate Stadium.  
 
Regular Hours  7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Mon-Friday.
 
Next School Board Meeting: Monday, Aug. 10, 6pm
Location: New Board Room located in the new Administration Building
Changes in stimulus funding bring district budget challenges

A change in how school districts can use and account for stimulus and stabilization funds has increased Pine Tree Independent School District's projected deficit to about $3 million - if the district maintains its current tax rate, officials said at the Board workshop on Thursday.  Board members plan to discuss and propose a tax rate at the regularly scheduled board meeting Monday, Aug. 10, and will adopt the tax rate at an Aug. 27th meeting. 
Upcoming Events
August 7 Precision Drill Team Garage Sale, PTHS Cafeteria, 11am-4pm
August 8 Precision Drill Team Garage Sale, PTHS Cafeteria, 8am - 2pm
August 8 Precision Drill Team Car Wash, The Coffee Mill, 9am-4pm
August 10 PTISD Board Meeting, 6pm
August 10-11-12, High School Schedule Pick Up, 8:30-3:30
August 10-21 - PT Pride HS Band Summer Band Practice
August 12 ALL NEW student Registration, Middle School, 8:30-11:30 & 1-4
August 13 ALL NEW student Registration, Middle School, 8:30-11:30 & 1-4
August 13 HS Freshman Orientation, HS Gymnasium, 11:00-1:00
August 13 Longview Girls Softball Mtg., Community Center, 6pm
August 14 New Employee Orientation, HS Library, 8-12
August 14 New Teacher Training, HS Library, 1-4
August 17 New Teacher Orientation, HS Library, 8-11:30; Campus 1-4:30
August 17 Meet and Greet for PT Swim & Dive Team, HS room 106, 6pm
August 18 ALL Employee Welcome Back, Primary Cafeteria 8am
August 18 ALL Employee Convocation, PT Road Auditorium, 8:30-11:30
August 18 Training for Admin, Teachers, Aides, PT Road Auditorium, 1-3
August 19 Campus Professional Development 8-11:30; Workday 1-4
August 20 Meet the Teacher on ALL campuses
August 21 PTHS Student Council Workshop - Open for all 9th-12th grade
August 21 Campus Professional Dev. 8-11:30 / Workday 1-4
August 24 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for students!
 
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