PT SealPine Tree ISD Newsletter 

Your Guide to News, Events & Updates

May 2011 - Vol 5, Issue 9

 Graduation Caps Pine Tree High School Seniors Celebrate Graduation Soon! Read more 

 

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PT EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Beacon 

 

Teachers were honored recently at the PT Education Foundation Beacon Awards Banquet.  This event recognizes teachers not only for excellence in the classroom, but for making a special difference in the life of a child. The annual ceremony of the Pine Tree Education Foundation and Alumni Community allows one student from each campus, and two students from the high school, to honor the staff member who has had the greatest influence on their lives. 

 

Jason West, PTEF President, expressed gratitude to Cathy Shipp who is retiring this year.  Shipp has served as the founding director for the PT Education Foundation since its inception. > Read more.  

 

STATE AWARDS

 

The Pine Tree HS Academic Team, under the direction of Bonnie Edmunds, celebrated a variety of awards at the UIL State 4A competition conducted in Austin this month.  Read more. 

 

HS AC UIL 

WELCOME
Welcome to Pine Tree's Community E-Newsletter.  Thank you for supporting us as we work together to continue a tradition of excellence!  "It is never too late to be who you might have been."  ~George Eliot
PTISD School Calendar - Important Dates
  
May 26 Kindergarten Graduation
May 26 ExCEL High School Graduation
May 27 PTHS Graduation
May 30 Student/Staff Holiday
May 31 - STUDENTS Last Day /  Make Up Day
June 1 - Staff Work Day

*Click here to view more dates. 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH 

Dr.Farler

After a nearly three-month intensive selection and interview process, the Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees named, Dr. Teresa J. Farler as the lone finalist for Superintendent of PT schools during a special meeting held at noon on May 19th.  

 

Dr. Farler has been an educator for thirty one years. Currently, she is the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Wylie ISD (Collin County), a district that serves 12,600 students.  Dr. Farler has experience as a high school principal, junior high principal, and junior high/high school English, journalism, and gifted/talented teacher.  Currently, Wylie ISD is a Recognized district with nine Exemplary campuses and eight Recognized campuses.  >Read More 

 

Dr. Farler will be in attendance at the regular board meeting, June 13th, and will start her contract the first of July.   


SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE 

In a special board meeting Tuesday night, May 24, Pine Tree ISD Board members discussed timelines and plans for projects included in the recently passed bond election.  Pine Tree voters gave approval to the $29,995,000 Pine Tree ISD Bond Referendum May 14th.

 

Ed Moore of Southwest Securities began by providing information regarding bond financials.  "Interest rates look good," he said.  "QSCB funds are available and there is plenty of time to take advantage of them.

 

A decision was made to post the Request for Qualifications for an Architect on Wednesday, May 24th.  The decision to hire a Construction Manager At Risk will be discussed at the next meeting, June 13, 2011. Read more about the meeting.  

 

GILLAMNext meeting:  June 13, 2011, 6pm Central Administration.

This will be the last meeting for retiring trustee, Gil Gillam, who has served on the Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees since 1999.  He is one of five members in the history of Pine Tree who has served a total of 12 years.  

 

 

Read agenda and minutes at the Board Web Page. 

 

END OF SCHOOL UPDATE 

The last week of the 2010-11 school year will be a little different than most for students and staff of Pine Tree ISD.

 

PT Kindergarten students will take part in their first graduation ceremony on Thursday, at the Pine Tree Road Auditorium.  Parents are encouraged to check with their child's teacher for specific times.   Three sessions are planned for 8:30am, 9:45am, and 11:00am.

 

Pine Tree's ExCEL High School campus has scheduled spring graduation for 7:00pm Thursday, May 26th, in the HS Theater on Fairmont Street.

 

PT High School Graduation ceremony will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27th at the Pine Tree Pirate Stadium on Pine Tree Road. Graduating seniors need to arrive by 7:15 p.m. and come to the Pine Tree Road Auditorium (Between the Football Stadium and the Primary Campus). Graduates should arrive dressed appropriately and have their caps and gowns. Adequate seating is available; however, we recommend guests arrive by 7:30 p.m. Traffic patterns are difficult to predict so plan to arrive early.

 

A mandatory graduation practice is scheduled for PT Seniors at the stadium on Friday, May 27th, at 9:00 a.m. Seniors must participate in the practice session in order to walk at graduation, and should report directly to the stadium that day.

 

Report cards will be sent home with students in PK-6th grade by Friday, May 27th. Secondary report cards - Junior High and High School - will be mailed home by June 3rd.

 

All campuses and the Central Administration Building of Pine Tree ISD will be closed on Monday, May 30 in honor of Memorial Day.   

 

Tuesday, May 31st is the official last day of school for students.  This is an early release day for students, and parents may check the district web page, or check with their child's campus for specific times.  Teachers and staff will report June 1st for a workday.  >READ MORE 


PTISD Board of Trustees 
Mark MeltonThe Board of Trustees of Pine Tree Independent School District approved Mark Melton as the new Pine Tree High School Director of Bands at the regular board meeting Monday, May 9, 2011.  A reception to meet and greet Mr. Melton was held at the District's Community Center last Monday.

"I am very excited to have been selected Director of Bands for Pine Tree," Melton said.  "It is my personal goal to make this year exciting and rewarding for all the student members of the Pine Tree Bands.  I look forward to finding out about their interests, helping them to excel and to reach their goals."

Melton ends his 23rd year at Union Grove ISD this year.  Under his direction, the Union Grove bands have earned 20 consecutive UIL Sweepstakes Awards and Best in Class honors at the Winter Park Ski Festival.  Awards also included Best in Class honors at the Gilmer Yamboree and NAMMB marching contests.    Union Grove bands also consistently earn top finalists honors in the Outstanding Performance Series and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) honor band competition. Prior to Union Grove, he taught in Lufkin and Spring Hill ISD. Read more about new director.


Stay Tuned.  Information about the summer and beginning of school will be posted on the school district web page.   Central Administration will observe a four-day work week during the summer.   June 6 through July 29, Central Admin and the Tax Office hours will be 7:30am - 5:30pm Monday - Thursday. 

  
DonorsChoose
Help a Teacher Today: DonorsChoose Grant Awards
DonorsChoose is a not-for-profit web site where teachers from our district, and all over the nation submit project proposals. These ideas become a classroom reality when concerned individuals choose projects to fund. View the PTISD Giving Page