One of the things that makes OHE so great are the extra-curricular events the students participate during the year. This week almost every grade participated in something above and beyond the regular school day.

The 1st grade teachers hosted a Literacy Night for their parents and students. Parents were introduced to reading strategies that can be used to support their children. Techniques like questions to ask before, during, and after reading a story and how to help students decode unfamiliar words. It was a great turnout.

Our 2^nd and 3^rd graders had field trips.  The second graders went to Inner Space Caverns and loved seeing all the rocks and gems.  I heard they came back with a bunch.  The 3^rd graders went to One World Theater and saw a rendition of “Sheila The Great”.

Mac Barnett is here in town for the Texas Book Festival THIS weekend down on the capitol grounds Saturday and Sunday.  Oak Hill was fortunate enough to have him come present to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders on Thursday. And what a treat! With his humor and wit, he really had the students laughing! He introduced his mystery series, The Brixton Brothers, and gave insight into his writing process and inspirations for his characters and stories.  Hopefully this has inspired a few of our own writers to get their ideas on paper! Go enjoy Mac Barnett and many other authors this weekend at the Texas Book Festival!!!

The OHE Choir performed this morning during assembly and sang pumpkin related songs. This was their first performance and they did an amazing job.

Next week the middle school magnet programs will meet with 5^th graders and describe the different programs.  This is mainly a sharing session but parents are more than welcome to attend.

Have a great "cold" weekend.

Typically I eat lunch in the cafeteria with the students.  I enjoy listening to the students.  Sometimes I just listen to them speaking with one another and sometimes they will ask my questions.  It is through these conversations that I identify how students feel about school. 

My first year here, I made a rule that if the entire grade level had to participate in an activities or the activity couldn’t be done.  Unfortunately, I made that rule after some classes had started a buddy program with another grade level.  That day when I walked into the cafeteria and sat with a class of students, I was bombarded with questions as to why they couldn’t work with their buddies. They told me how much they enjoyed reading together and helping the younger students.   I saw how upset they were by my rule and quickly changed the policy. 

Other times I will walk into the cafeteria, and the students will start asking where I have been.  That tells me I need to my meetings, get out of my office, and walk into the classrooms.

My favorite conversations are when students talk to me about what they are learning.  This week as I sat with Mrs. Dillon’s class for lunch the students were wearing badges.  The students explained that they were learning mysteries and they were identifying different parts of the stories.   The badges were to help them remember they were to be detectives and to document what they learned.  What a great way to motivate students . 

Next week is School Bus Safety week.  As a school, we will talk with students about bus safety.  Please help by reminding your children about the rules on the bus and the importance of being safe.   Also, next Friday is my next Principal’s Coffee.  The topic for the meeting will be on Special Education and what that means. 

Thank you and have a great weekend.

The OHE first graders had a wonderful experience this week and participated in a presentation from the Texas Natural Science Center. Who doesn’t like looking at bones?

They were also engaged in their classroom learning.  It is amazing how much they can do already.  I didn't know there were so many different ways to practice spelling words.

The Oak Hill Rotary has partnered with OHE for many years and in many different ways.  One way is through supporting the literacy of our students.  Each 3^rd grade student received a dictionary from the rotary with instructions to learn a new word every day!

Tonight was our second Family Fun Night and it was a huge success.  The crowd loved the movie “Pirates, Band of Misfits”.  I don’t think the line at the Tony’s Pizza Truck ever went down and enough popcorn was popped to feed the entire school. 

If you couldn't make it tonight, be on the lookout for our next Family Fun Event, which is Roller Skating on November 3rd!  Also next week is "Food Server Appreciation Week".  If you see one of OHE's kitchen staff, please tell them thank you.

Thank you for all your support,

Dr. Mitchell

Do you ever sit back on a Friday and wonder where the week has gone?  That's what I did today as I sat down to write the blog.  It went so fast that I couldn’t even remember what we did this week. 
Luckily, I keep everything on the caledendar. 

Mrs. Baxter conducted all the GT testing for the new fall nominations.  Results should be in towards the end of the semester.

Hopefully some of you turned out for the Spirit Night at Mama Fu’s.  Twenty-five percent of your bill comes back to OHE.  So thank you.  The next Spirit Night is at Craig O’s.  A favorite of the students. 

The new student council was installed today.  The previous president, Calvin G. had the honor of installing the new president, Kael S.  Then Kael, installed all of the other members. 

Enjoy the nice “cool” weekend.