Charting the Course
with Dr. TJ Farler

June 2015

2014-2015 Beacon Award Winners

Katie Yoder
Primary

Carol Chrietzberg
Junior High

Monica Tenbrook
Elementary

Mark Thomas
High School

Gaye Lehenbauer
Intermediate

Barrow Mitchell
High School

Jatinder Jhass
Middle

Becky Alexander
P.A.C.E.

Andre Lo, High School
Regen Stiles Excellence in Teaching Award

District Announces

2015-2016 Leadership Academy

Lori Ashby, Primary

Debra Benner, Junior High

Robin Best, Primary

Yolanda Bright, Middle

Steven Collins, Intermediate

Hannah Creacy, Central Administration

Susan Curtis, Junior High

Sunshine Harrison, Intermediate

Mitzie Hedges, Primary

Jessica Mangrum, Intermediate

Crystal Massey, Elementary

Valerie Muckleroy, Intermediate

Daniel Rich, High School

Christen Stowers, Elementary

Loree' Tatum, Junior High

Laurie Taylor, Intermediate

Tina Tipton, Elementary

Amy Touchstone, Junior High

Jennifer Wilbur, ExCEL

Leonardo Zavala, Middle

2015-2016 Teachers of the Year

Stephanie Pearce
Primary

Keila Williams

Elementary

Jana Benedict

Intermediate

Renea Farley

Middle

Jessica Riggs
Junior High

Allen Morris

High School

Nanette Sampson

P.A.C.E.

PTISD THIRD GRADERS PARTICIPATE IN

2ND ANNUAL I'M SMART EVENT

PTISD Third grade students had the opportunity to learn about Science, Math, Art, Research and Technology during Pine Tree High School's I'M SMART event

on May 22 at Pine Tree High School.

I'M SMART (Imagine, Science, Math, Research and Technology) event provides a hands on experience with exhibits, experiments and demonstrations in the

areas of math, art, science and technology.

A special thank you to Allen Morris and his committee for a job well done!

Curiously doing interesting things - I'M SMART!

Dr. Tony Tipton Named to TEA

Technology Committee

Pine Tree ISD Director of College/Career Readiness & Digital Learning, Dr. Tony Tipton, has been appointed by the Texas Education Agency to serve on a statewide technology committee. This committee will be responsible for designing and rolling out a new technology proficiency instrument for Texas teachers and planning for the next phase of technology implementation for all Texas public schools. The group will begin its work this June in Austin and continue meetings until the new instrument is ready

for its debut.

Congratulations, Dr. Tipton!

Save Our Soil Team Recognized for State Award

The PT Middle School's Save our Soil team was honored at the May 11 Board meeting for competing at the state level competition at this year's 2015 Texas Future Problem Solving Program State Bowl in Austin. Team members Daniel Lambie, Luis Vasquez, Shaun Ray, Cameron Cowden, Madi Harrell, Siaz'Jay Lewis, Kennedy Lewis, Holly James, Paige Reese, Ethan Sanders, Emmanuel Viramontes, Andy Pearce, Marilyn Shen and their teacher, Jolynne McKnight were recognized for their hard work and successes.

We are very proud of these students and the PT Middle School teachers/staff who supported them as they designed and improved one of the grass entrances at the bus pickup area. Students consulted with Mr. Tony Hollins, Director of Facility Services, as well as landscape experts from Smotherman's Scenery Lawns and Landscapes.

Congratulations to these hardworking students and their teacher for proving to be the best in Texas!

PTISD SUPPORTS PARTNERS IN PREVENTION

Thank you to each of the Pine Tree ISD employees who participated in Jeans Day on Wednesday, May 27 to support the Partners in Prevention organization. PTISD contributed over $800 to this important organization. Your contribution will assist to add new mentors to work weekly with young students in need through the Forever Friends program and the FF Pilot program.

Thank you, PTISD employees, for your support of Partners in Prevention!

2015 RELAY FOR LIFE

Pine Tree ISD once again participated in the Relay for Life held on May 2 at Pirate Stadium. Pine Tree ISD raised $7,815 with the overall event raising more than $71,000! Special thanks to each campus' involvement!

Two Pine Tree teams earned awards at this year's event. Pine Tree Junior High's Cancer Crushers team earned "Most Spirited Youth Team" and "Online Team of the Year".

Pine Tree Middle School's Cancer Commandos team earned "Most Heartwarming Fundraiser (with a quilt raffle) Youth Team of the Year"

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and supported our community through the 2015 Relay for Life event!