Summer vacation is really just getting started, but don't forget about Summer Registration coming up later this month.

You can get to our 2015-16 Registration Central web page by clicking this link. There you'll find the dates and times for each school and you'll be able to print several required forms so you can fill them out (and save time) before you go to register your child!

Gonzales Elementary teacher Charlotte Burke did some quick thinking and turned a reading-focused project into a multi-faceted, engaging science lesson! Thinking she was going to be teaching reading she applied for and received an Education Foundation grant entitled "Artist to Author." When she ended up teaching science she tweaked the project to include 5th-grade TEKS with animal and plant adaptations. In short, 90 students painted familiar icons of West Texas - the jackrabbit and the prickly pear. They learned how to paint with acrylic paints and mix colors; then they researched and shared information about their special adaptations to this desert environment. Research has shown that illustrations/diagrams/sketches/and drawings create additional pathways to the brain making connections essential to learning.

Sandra Elms, 3rd & 4th grade GT teacher from Ireland Elementary, helped as the guest instructor! She called this a, "fun way to learn science!"

Congratulations to our 2014-15 Employees of the Year! From left to right in the photo they are:

Transportation Employee of the Year - Gaylin Sutphen, driver   

Elementary Teacher of the Year - Amy Richter, Austin Montessori Elementary

Counselor of the Year - Patricia Forester, Pease Elementary   

Nurse of the Year - Kendra Golden, Burnet Elementary   

School Nutrition Employee of the Year - Joyce Taylor, cafeteria manager at Burnet Elementary   

Classified Employee of the Year - Margarita Brooker, office clerk at Burnet Elementary    

Administrator of the Year - Katy Taylor, School Nutrition