Charting the Course
with Dr. TJ Farler

March 2015
  

Sixth Grade S.O.S. (Save Our Soil) 

Project Selected for State Honors and Competition


Pine Tree Middle School students are celebrating the success of their hard work. Their  S.O.S., (Save Our Soil) project took state honors in Austin on February 25, 2015. The S.O.S. project is now in the running to represent Texas at International Competition this summer in Idaho.  Save Our Soil is one of the top five projects from schools all over Texas that is being considered to represent Texas Community Problem Solving.  


The PT Middle School students solved a soil erosion problem that was located at the back of the Middle School Campus.  The students researched proper methods for preventing soil erosion by using plants and natural landscaping techniques. Their research and problem solving included interviewing Mr. Tony Hollins, Director of Facility Services, and local landscaping professionals. They also had to solve the problem using the most economical method that was within the limits of a specified budget. You can check out their work at the back of Pine Tree Middle School.


Congratulations to sixth grade students Madisyn Harrell, Siaz'Jay Lewis, Cameron Cowden, Shaun Ray, Holly James, Paige Reese, Daniel Lambie, Ethan Sanders, Kennedy Lewis, Marilyn Shen, Emmanuel Viramontes, Andrew Pearce, Luis Vasquez, Dalan Ramthun, Jaiden  Chism, Cole Sullins, Zoe Green, Jamie Knight, Maddux Duke and their teacher Mrs. Jo Lynn McKnight.

 

Second Annual 

Innovation Showcase 

Thursday, March 19

 

Join us as we celebrate innovation in Pine Tree ISD. Every campus will feature engaging instructional opportunities which will be led by students. Parents and community members will experience learning as it occurs in PTISD. Events will include Future City, Imagination Fair,  Robotics, Academic UIL, and performance groups in music, art, and drama.  In addition, campus clubs will provide various experiences for visitors attending the showcase.


 




 PTISD Introduces a New Opportunity for Leadership Development


If you have been wanting an opportunity to develop your leadership skills and work with other leaders in the district and community,  Leadership3   is for you! Leadership3 is a yearlong, collaborative journey for PTISD employees to discover and deepen their leadership skills in the classroom, the campus, and the community. This group will meet once per month from 4:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and each session will provide new ideas, discussion, and hands on learning. The Leadership3  group will kick off the year with a dinner event with Angela Maiers discussing Passion Driven Leadership. Other sessions will include working with educational leaders who have had an impact in Texas as well as some of our local community leaders.


 

Dr. Farler will be visiting each campus to provide full details about Leadership3  and the application process. The 2015-16  Leadership3  Team will be announced in May 2015.

 

      

Pine Tree ISD

CAREER EXPO 

Saturday, April 18


 

PTISD will be hosting a teacher job fair on Saturday, April 18  from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. located in the PT High School cafeteria. This will be an opportunity for area educators to find out about PTISD and our teacher openings. Each campus will have a team ready to greet interested applicants. Applicants will be able to learn about each campus and what positions are available.


 

Spread the word and invite fellow educators to find out how they can join the PTISD team!
 


Relay for Life - Pirate Stadium Again this Year!


THANK YOU for supporting the American Cancer Society last year and for your SUPER participation in the Relay for Life at Pirate Stadium!!!!  Many of you have already formed your campus team for this year and have begun fundraising for this year's event!!!


The Relay will be held at Pirate Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd from 6:00 p.m. -12:00 a.m.


Jennifer Schroeder, along with several other PTISD employees, is the organizer for this event for our district. This year's theme is "Lights, Camera, Cure" and your relay site can be decorated in a movie theme of your choice.


 
If you want to sign up your team again this year, log on to: RelayForLife.org/longviewtx


Let's make a difference in our community. Let's stand together to join in the fight against cancer at our own PIRATE STADIUM!


Contact Jennifer Schroeder at [email protected] for more info.


 

 

 

You MATTER in PTISD!

 

Congratulations to the following students and teacher/sponsors who make a difference in PTISD.  Your talents and contributions are important and make PTISD great!

  • PTHS Swimmer Jacob Jones who competed in the State Swim Meet in the 200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle

  • PTHS Art students Maria Padron and Marco Torres updated the Pirate at the PACE campus with fresh paint and a new look.  Maria and Marco are students of Art teacher Elizabeth White.

  • PTHS hosts Region IV Band Competition with 28 students receiving First Division Solo ratings.  Ten of these students will advance to state competition. Eighty-six students received First Division Medals for Ensemble performances.  Fifty-five of these ensemble groups will advance to the state competition.

  • Junior High Math/Science Team placed 2nd overall at the Daingerfield Meet on February 14.

  • The Pine Tree Varsity CX Team of Holly Holloman and Ezekiel Hernandez placed 1st at the Hallsville Tournament of Hearts on February 13.  Hernandez also won Top Speaker at the tournament.  Colby Holloman placed 2nd in Lincoln Douglas.

  • PT Education Foundation for supporting the One Book, One School initiative at PT Intermediate

  • Pine Tree High School Art Students were awarded a total of $3,800 in scholarships at the Kilgore College Art Symposium on February 6. The following PT students received scholarships:  David Villa, Francisco Juarez, Savannah Patterson, and Haley Russell

  • PTHS Culinary students and their instructor, Ms. Ann Broyles, for hosting the lunch for Leadership Longview on February 12

  • Every student, faculty, and staff member for your efforts to celebrate PTISD on February 4 as part of YOU MATTER in PTISD!  

 

Did you Know????  

The PTISD District Activity Marketing Fund Matters!

 

The PTISD District Activity Marketing fund has awarded over $23,000 in teacher requests this school year. The PTISD District Activity Marketing Fund was set up as a result of the advertising and marketing at Pirate Stadium.  A percentage of the scoreboard advertising and billboard signs goes into the District Activity Marketing fund to be used for requests that are outside of the normal scope of a campus budget or booster club budget. Requests are submitted to the District Marketing Committee (Superintendent - Dr. Farler, Athletic Director - Coach Collins, and Marketing Coordinator - Hannah Creacy). If the requests meet the guidelines, the requests are sent to the Board of Trustees to be considered for approval as part of a regular Board meeting.


PTISD has very generous community partners and their support MATTERS!


Please see your campus principal if you would like more information about the process for making a request.
 
 PTA Sponsors First Annual 
Father/Daughter Dance Event


 

Smiles and excitement filled the Junior High gym on Saturday, February 21, at the first annual Father/Daughter Dance sponsored by the PTISD PTA. Over 430 attendees enjoyed an evening that included photo booths, food, dancing, and fun. As special thanks goes to the PTHS students who provided music (Zachary Tesser, Riley Blalack, and Daniel Happle) and volunteers from the Z Club.


The PTA plans to use the proceeds to support student and teacher requests from the campuses.


Congratulations on a wonderful and successful event!