Charting the Course
with Dr. TJ Farler

September 2014
  

Greetings to Faculty and Staff -

 

Fall is in the air which means the school year is in full swing. Each time I visit a campus, I can feel the energy as students engage in various types of learning activities. It takes a deep persistence and commitment on the part of all teachers and staff members to maintain that excitement and energy that we felt the first few days of school.


One area of focus for PTISD this year is ensuring that we connect with each and every student. This is not something new to our district, but rather a focused and intentional effort on the part of all of us. When we began our work with Angela Maiers, choosing to matter simply meant 

choosing to make each person important each day.  Take a minute to reflect on 

Angela's three important questions that she posed during our convocation:


What matters most to you, and why?

 

What breaks your heart about it?

 

What are WE going to do about it?

 

As I visit campuses, I see many examples of the Choose2Matter ideas/concepts. As we really begin to listen to and understand our students and co-workers, we empower them to do great things. We encourage them to tackle the most difficult challenges. And, our students internalize the fact that they are important and they matter to us.

 

The significant part of empowering students is that they're able to share and build on each other's energy which often leads to creating something larger than themselves. They will create a vision, if you will, that's far greater than anything they ever imagined before.

 

We are in the planning phase for our school-wide, district-wide event. On a selected day this spring, every student (every classroom) will focus on an activity that will change our district and community in a positive way. I can only imagine the significance of this event when each of our students uses his/her creativity and energy to make a positive contribution.


Here are some examples of how our campuses are making a difference for our students with Choose2Matter.

 

ExCEL Campus - We give each of our students a personalized birthday card with messages written by the faculty/staff.

 

Junior High - Our campus  is purchasing  T-shirts that promote the philosophy "I matter-U Matter-We matter " on the back.  The administrators are sending emails to the staff  conveying appreciation for their work and the importance of each educator.  Our campus also includes a Celebration team which works with our Sunshine committee to reward and show appreciation to our faculty/staff.


Middle School - We have implemented " Shout outs" in morning announcements where teachers report a student who is doing good things. Examples used for our "Shout Outs" include helping a friend with their books, following directions, or helping clean up trash or litter on the campus.  We also give "Shout Outs" to our faculty and staff.


Primary Campus - We have created some easy tools for recognizing our student and faculty/staff. We have notecards in the faculty area of the office. Teachers and staff are encouraged to recognize students and staff using these notecards. Students who receive a Choose2Matter notecard come to the office and receive a prize from the Treasure Chest.


                   

            PTISD SALUTES OUR 
2014-2015 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Primary - Robin Best
Elementary - Cheryl Schulik
Intermediate - Dana Sims
Middle - Mary Lightfoot
Jr. High - Debra Benner
High School - Vanessa Sommerfeld
    PACE - Shalonda Adams 



In this edition of Charting the Course,  PTISD would like to recognize just a few of our outstanding 
employees  as well as one of our younger Pirates who has been a part of PTISD since kindergarten.  In doing our homework to highlight our employees with 37, 27, 17 and 7 years of service, we discovered PTISD does not have a current employee with 27 years of service.  We are proud of each of these employees and our PTMS student from the most seasoned employee to the youngest!
 
B Lee - 37 years 

CURRENT POSITION:  Secretary, 24 yrs - Campus:  Primary

 

OTHER POSITIONS WITH THE DISTRICT: 5 years at Intermediate as PE Assistant and Library Assistant; 8 Years at JH as Attendance Secretary

 

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB: There are many good things about my job.  The best thing is  observing the children as they begin their first year of school.  Some adjust very quickly and some do not.  The teachers bring them to the office and explain to them who we are and what we do.  For most of them that is enough, we have their trust very soon.  With some it takes a little longer but we get there.

 

In my 24 years on this campus the administration/teachers/staff have always been second to none.  That continues this year as we have new administrators and more new teachers than we have had in several years.  I think it is unique that we have several teachers who are PT graduates.  (That does my heart good because I feel like I have raised some of them.)

 

HOBBIES/PASTTIMES:  I enjoy cooking for my family and friends and planting flowers.

 

BEST MEMORY OF MY JOB: Of my five grandchildren the oldest three attended kindergarten at Pine Tree Primary.  They rode to school with me every morning, we visited and had discussions on the way to school.  That is a good memory for me and them also.

 

WORK PHILOSOPHY:  My work philosophy is to be on time and be ready to begin the work day when you walk in the office.  (And bring yourself a Sonic Coke)  Be kind and courteous to your co-workers and everyone who comes in during the day.  You have to be willing to go the extra mile at all times.

 

EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY: A positive, nurturing learning environment is critical to student success. All students can learn - they don't all learn in the same way or at the same rate, but with a caring, innovative teacher all students can learn.  Positive teacher/student relationships are key to student learning. And let me say again our teachers are the best!

 

I must add 2 more things.   My co-worker in the office is  Regina Butcher.  She is a dear friend and I enjoy working with her very much.  We are training 2 new administrators this year.  Brandi Holland is our new principal and DaMesia Starling is our new AP.  They are both quick studies and it is a pleasure to work with them.



Pat Mercer Wylie - 26 years

CURRENT POSITION:  Teacher, 7th grade English/Writing - 22 years,

 8th grade ELA - 4 years) - Campus:  Junior High

 

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB:  The best thing about my job are the magnificent teachers, principals, and staff I've had the pleasure of working with over the years.  I consider these people not only my friends but also my family.  I could not be the teacher I am today without them.

 

HOBBIES/PASTTIMES:  Reading, of course!

 

BEST MEMORY OF YOUR JOB:  I've had countless memories over the years but I want to mention one last year.  I had a student who struggled with every benchmark; therefore, she was very concerned about the STAAR test.  When the scores came in, I called her up to my desk and pointed to her very high score.  She began screaming and jumping up and down, so I got up, screamed, and jumped with her.

 

Because I've taught so long, I run into students who are grown.  I love it when I run into a grown man who stops me and apologizes for his behavior in my class in 7th grade.  I really get a kick out of that....I never remember them being disruptive .....but they do!

 

EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY:  I strongly believe that positive reinforcement is the most powerful tool a teacher has.  Also my first year to teach, a retiring teacher shared a quote with me that I've kept in my hear all these years...Those who can...WILL.  Those who can't....WILL BECAUSE OF YOU!


Teresa Meadows - 17 years

CURRENT POSITION Teacher, 2nd grade - Campus:  Elementary

 

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB:  I love watching my students progress during the year and become confident in their learning.

 

HOBBIES/PASTTIMES:  I enjoy traveling and am always ready for a trip especially to Walt Disney World or Disneyland .  It's a happy place!  I also love spending time with my family, friends, reading and photography.

 

BEST MEMORY OF YOUR JOB: One of my best memories is having one of my students write an essay about me and being chosen as one of the Beacon Award winners.

 

EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY: My education philosophy is to provide every child with a quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.

 

Curtis Smith - 7 years

CURRENT POSITION: Maintenance/Light Construction & Welding, Facility Services

 

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB:  I enjoy a variety of projects on different campuses with great co-workers.

 

HOBBIES/PASTTIMES:   I enjoy group touring on my motorcycle and working on my farm.

 

BEST MEMORY OF YOUR JOB:  One of my best memories is working as a team to better enhance campuses at PTISD.

 

WORK PHILOSOPHY: I feel that everything should be done as close to right as the project or situation allows.


Kallie Rogers - K-Current
CURRENT POSITION:  6th grade student , PTMS

FAVORITE SUBJECT:  Reading

FAVORITE TEACHER AND WHY:  My favorite teacher is Mr. Carter,
I like him because he is nice, funny and teaches really good.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR SCHOOL DAY:  My favorite part of my day is the middle part:  Band/Lunch/Math

HOBBIES/PASTTIMES:  My hobbies are softball, riding horses, and surfing.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP:  Marine Biologist


CURRICULUM NIGHTS

September 30, 2014 - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Primary
October 2, 2014 - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Middle
October 21, 2014 - 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - High School

*Elementary, Junior High, and Intermediate were held earlier in the month



Homecoming Carnival 
 Tuesday, Oct. 21 *6:30 pm-8:30pm

Parking lot in front of the High School cafeteria

 

Homecoming Game
Pine Tree VS Sulphur Springs
7:30 pm - Pine Tree Stadium

Band Kids Forever Homecoming Tailgate Party
5:oo pm - 9:00 pm
Open to all Band Alumni

1st Annual Homecoming Day of Giving
October 24, 2014
&
Pirates & Pearls
October 25, 2014

Innovative Teaching Tool Arrives at PTHS:

In an effort to prepare students for career readiness, the PTHS Career and Technical Department has purchased a state-of-the-art teaching unit. This four-station unit allows students to practice diagnosing and repairing disk and drum brakes with instructor oversight. Students who become proficient with this skill will be equipped to pass industry standard certification.

Pictured is Automotive Instructor Richard Westbrook and three PTHS automotive students with the new teaching unit. 

Thanks to Mr. Westbrook for suggesting this innovative teaching solution.

Please keep up with the progress in the CTE department by following our Blog at http://ptisdcte.blogspot.com/ and on Twitter with #ptcte.

Professional Development:
Our Teachers Go Above and Beyond at PTISD 
PTJHS Professional  Leading Committees
at  Work Institute
   
PTMS English, Language Arts and Reading Workshop
  
PTISD CONTINUES 
TO GROW 

As the new school year kicks off, PTISD continues to grow.  Our first Friday enrollment was 4,619 and September 18's enrollment was 4,677. Out of District transfers are 45 and employee student transfers are 99. 

District/Community
Partnerships/Collaborations




PINE TREE HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN OUR DAY TO SHINE EVENT

Pine Tree High School has donated $502.80 to the Texas High School Coaches Education Foundation Benevolence Fund as part of the Our Day to Shine event held in August in a football scrimmage against Gladewater High School.  


  

BATTLE OF THE BANDS
The Pride, in collaboration with the Longview High School and Spring Hill High School band programs, participated in the 1st Battle of the Bands in September.  Pirates came out and supported this event and The Pride received over $400 as a result of this outstanding effort!  Congratulations!







PTHS BLOOD DRIVE
Pine Tree High School held a blood drive on September 4.  The school exceeded its previous goal by 14 products.  The number of students/staff participating was 110.  

                                STATS:
                                         51 whole blood
              16 double procedures = 32 products
                      23 deferrals
                      4 others

 
PINE TREE CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM 
The East Texas Restaurant Association awards grants to Prostart East Texas High Schools. Prostart is a type of culinary art curriculum approved by the Texas Restaurant Association.   

                                                                 click here for complete story
Contact
Dr. TJ Farler, Superintendent
Pine Tree ISD
1701 Pine Tree Road
P O Box 5878
Longview, TX  75608
903.295.5000
Stay Connected
Facebook   Twitter

"Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life."

- Frederick W. Robertson