Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I wanted to wish each of you a wonderful holiday vacation and thank you for all the support you have shown OHE this past semester. It was great seeing such a turn out of parents and families these last few days before break. Thank you for all the wonderful treats and goodies. See you in the New Year.

Friday, December 16, 2011

It is really hard to believe that there are only 2 days left in the first semester. We have just finished our first round of Middle of the Year benchmark (MOY I) for 3rd – 5th graders and are in the process of analyzing the data. You should expect to hear the results of how your son/daughter did on these assessments within the next few weeks. If you have concerns, please schedule a conference with your child’s teacher.

This week our 1st grade students learned about different cultures and how they celebrate this time of year. Each class of students rotated to a different teacher during the day, and I am sure they would be excited to share with you what they learned.

Second grade students learned about other countries and how they differ from the United States. Parents became the teachers and students rotated through the classes and participated in different activities.

Fifth graders performed to “The Elves’ Impersonator”. The acting, dancing, and singing was absolutely amazing. It was still enjoyable to watch even the third time!






Also this week, Clint Small's Performaning Arts department performed for our 5th graders. This was to help student know what instruments or singing opportunities are available to them in middle school. It was great to see so many OHE alumni in the group.












Friday, December 9, 2011

Over the past several years, we have tried to update the technology on campus. New technology means we must change some of our instructional practices so that students have access to the technology as well. As I walk classrooms, I am amazed by the amount of technology that I observe. Below is Ms. Peterka's third grade class, using several different types of technology: iPads, iPods, and netbooks. OHE recently received about $65,000 for technology updates. You will see a huge change next semester as we receive our order.
If you haven't had the chance to see our OHE Soaring Eagles sing, it is a must. There are around 60 4th and 5th graders. Recently, the have performed for our Book Fair Family Night and a morning assembly.


I want to say thank-you to everyone that supported our Book Fair. During one of our family night's, we had a huge turnout. This was also the same night the choir sang, student council passed out hot chocolate, and pictures were taken with Santa.








Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A couple of weeks ago, the Lego Robotic team competed in a tournament. It was the school’s first competition and although the teams didn’t advance, the scores were quite impressive. A big thank you to Dr. Becher and Mrs. Suggs for their support of the program.

Eventhough it was a short week, rigorous learning was still happening! In Mr. Cumings' class, students had to complete several different science experience. Below, students are working on the computer to solve their science questions.
Here the boys are making a light circuit.
Below, this group of girls were making magnets.


Mrs. Nowakowski-Grimm's glass celebrated with a "Thanksgiving Writers Coffee House". Students read stories and poems they had been creating over the past several weeks.


In Ms. Atkinson's class, students were using iPads to practice multiplication facts.
OHE celebrated our annuaul Pajama Day. Below is Mrs. Robert's class with their PJ's on.


The OHE PTA honored the staff with pies. Yum! I have never seen so many types of pies!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Last Saturday, many of our 5th grade students attended the Texas Science and Engineering Festival. It was a great weekend field trip and everyone had lots of fun and learned lots of science.


On Tuesday night, parents came to learn how to put together a quality science fair project. At OHE, all students will complete a science fair project. In grades PK-2nd, it will be a class project unless the student wants to complete an independent project as well. 3rd - 5th graders are required to submit an independent project. More information will be forth coming about science fair.

As I walked the kindergarten classes this week, it was great to see the our students active in learning.
Students were:
Making Words


Practicing Reading


And, working on patterns. AB, AAAB,

Friday, November 4, 2011

On November 1st and 2nd, our first graders learned about Dia De los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in many cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to remember friends and family members who have died. Students brought in pictures of loved ones.





What another great Fun Field Day. The weather was a little cool but the students had lots of fun. Thank you Mr. Emerson for the great action shots.


















Today the 5th grade students listened to presentations from the Magnet Middle Schools, Kealing, Fulmore, and Ann Richards. If you are interested in the possibility of your child going to a magnet school, please check with your child. They should have received applications. Also remember to start saving work samples. Since teachers return all the work to students, you will need to decide which work samples to submit.

Today was also our first Cafeteria Lunch Bunch. The class per grade level with the best cafeteria behavior gets a reward - popcorn. Each day the cafeteria monitors give Gold Paper Chain links to classes that demonstrate appropriate behavior during lunch. Then at the end of the month, the monitors tally the gold links. The class per grade level with the most win. Today it was Mrs. Lumbreras, Mrs. Fraser, Mrs. Lauri, Mr. Hoover, Mrs. May, Mrs. Juusola, Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Wiley's classes.

Next time your on campus, look at all our new signs. Mrs. Suggs has painted teacher name plates for all the classrooms and room name plates for areas such as the cafeteria, office, computer lab, conference room, nurse, etc. Thanks Geeta!

Once again HEB is honoring the accomplishments of outstanding public schools, teachers, principals, and districts across the state through the HEB Excellence in Education Awards. Anyone can nominate by going online at www.heb.com/education. With such an awesome staff here at OHE, I feel confident there should be lots of nominations.

Don't forget tomorrow is PTA Skating.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

At OHE, we celebrated Halloween in different ways. We began the morning with Ms. Brown leading us in the "Monster Mash".





A tradition at OHE is for the 4th grade students to perform safety skits for the younger students.




Friday, October 28, 2011

On Thursday, the 1st graders performed their musical.  It is fun to watch the students to see which ones "shine" on stage.

Starting on Monday, OHE will continue with our annual UNICEF fund raiser. As part of Oak Hill's 15 year tradition, the fifth grade class passes out the UNICEF boxes to each student in the school. The 5th grade students give a brief presentation about the importance of helping others, especially other children. For the last five years, Oak Hill has raised over $1,500 to help needy children around the world.  You child should have received their UNICEF boxes today.  Please fill with coins and return.  

I know that I always say exciting things happen at OHE, but it is really true, especially during our Friday assemblies.  Today the OHE choir made their first school performance and sang several songs.  With the last game of the World Series tonight, I thought it only appropriate to share the following song.


Also during assembly, an appearance was made by our "OHE" skaters.  It was a way to encourage students to sign-in up for the PTA Skate event November 5th.  If you watch all the way to the end, you might even catch a glimpse of me.  I was really scared of falling and hung tightly to Mrs. Barre.



After all the excitement from assembly, the Oak Hill Rotary made their annual presentation of dictionaries and thesauri to the 3rd and 4th graders.  A tradition that has been around for many years.

Then during my daily trip to the cafeteria to see how lunch was going for students, I caught a glimpse of the following sandwich.

The things Moms (and maybe Dads) do to make their children smile.  What a clever idea!

Remember that even though Monday is Halloween costumes are not appropriate for school.  It was be a regular day as will Tuesday.  At least as normal as we can make a day after Halloween.

Friday, October 21, 2011

On Wednesday this week, Jose-Luis Orozco a bilingual author, visited the campus.  Our students are fond of his books, De Colores, Diez Deditos — Ten Little Fingers, and Fiestas.  Sr. Orozco had our students and staff dancing. 

It has been a wonderful opportunity this week having two authors visit our campus. 


 Thursday evening the Austin City Council recognized Oak Hill as a "Partners in the Arts and Humanties". We received the award because of our partnership with the Dougherty Arts Program and Creativity Club. Stop by my office if you would like to see the certificate and award.

Today was the Student Council's first spirit day.  There were twins everywhere. 



 Teachers even got in the act.  Below is Ms. Atkinson and Ms. Dillon.
 What a 5th grade extended team!  Always ready for some fun.

 They look like twins but they are our 1st grade triplets!
 Ian and Ryan aren't twins but brothers.  Maybe one of these days I'll remember which is which.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Today students listened to the Bluebonnet award winning author, Willy Claflin. Thanks to our librarian Ms. Underwood for setting this up! He was AWESOME!!! The kids LOVED him!  Here is a pic of the Bentley Butterflies with him.


This week, the Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) released its annual honor roll, and, out of 253 schools throughout the state that made the list, six were from AISD! This schools that made the TBEC Honor Roll represent less than 4% of all public schools in Texas, and include 34 high schools, 38 middle schools and 181 elementary schools.  Texas TBEC considers only the school’s commended performance, the state’s highest standard for academic achievement, and sets specific targets for schools based on grades served and student demographics. In this, the last year for using the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) performance data, TBEC’s standards were the toughest in the 12 year history of the award. Congratulations to OHE for being named to the TBEC Honor Roll!

The 2011-2012 PTA Reflections Program deadline was Monday. This year's Reflection theme was "Diversity Means..." Children could express what diversity means to them in one of six categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Film Production, Musical Composition, and/or Dance Choreography. However, they were not limited to just one category-they may enter as many as they'd like. Your child should have received a packet earlier this year that included an entry form and other important information regarding this program. If your child has not submitted his/her project, please do so immediately.

Friday, October 14, 2011

This week began with parent conferences on Monday. This is an opportunity for teachers to share beginning of the year information with you regarding your child(ren). If you have not scheduled a conference please do so. It is my expectation that every teacher meet with each parent.
Also on Monday, the PTA hosted a soup luncheon for the staff. I always forget how easy and tasty soups are especially when made in a crock pot.
Thursday Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students participated in Read for the Record Campaign.  Students across the nation read Llama, Llama Red Pajama and our OHE students did too. It was lots of fun.
Tonight PTA hosted a Movie Night. I am sure everyone had lots of fun and enjoyed the movie and food.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Today during the assembly, we had some special guests appear.  Two of our student council board members dressed in Eagle costumes, which were donated by Devin and Brooke.  The students were excited as Calvin and Kael walked down the aisle and helped Mrs. Keller-Bergh with some exercises. 
Our new school song flag finally came!  I definitely think the singing was much louder today because of it.
This afternoon we had the student council installation ceremony.  These are the 3rd grade representatives:
Here are the 4th grade representatives:
And here are the 5th grade representatives:
One of the great OHE traditions is for the past student council president to officiate the ceremony and install the new officers. Joseph, the former president, did an excellent job and obviously, Calvin loved being named president.

Friday, September 30, 2011

This week, 4th and 5th grade student council representatives campaigned for Executive Board positions. The halls were lined with posters. Today, those students running for office gave their speeches.  I was truly amazed by the confidence of these young students.  The pressure to be in front of peers and speak is something I still get nervous about doing.  Yet, one would never know these students were even nervous.  They did great.  Below are the students who ran for office.  After their speeches, the student voted in their classrooms.  The following students were elected:

President = Calvin
Vice President = Daniela
Secretary = Claire
Treasurer = Kael

I also wanted to recognize another one of our 5th graders.  Recently during lunch, a student was choking on a piece of broccoli.  A friend sitting next to him, Phillip, noticed and asked if he needed help.  The student shook his head yes.  Phillip immediately conducted the Heimlich on the boy and the piece of broccoli flew out!  I am so impressed with Phillip's fast thinking and ability to perform in an emergency situation.  That is even difficult for some adults.  Thank you Phillip and the other student was is doing fine. 

As you can see, we have amazing students here at OHE!  Plus, they are successful in intense situations.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I just had to share our "Bring Your Dad to School Day" photos.  We had about 350ish Dads, Moms, and family come and visit classes today.  After the classroom visits, visitors met with me in the cafeteria and shared observations about the morning.  Comments such as, "Do you really have this many students in the cafeteria each morning without mayhem?";  "The teacher just followed the daily schedule and I had to write a story!"; "I never really likes music class before but that was fun." 

Thank you all for coming and enjoy the pictures.