OHE Principal's Blog

Friday, April 12, 2013

This week the students who won the Silent Auction Items “Eat Lunch on Stage with Four Friends” received their lunches on stage. Ms. Pinky, the cafeteria monitor, helped make the lunch special by decorating the tables.

Another Silent Auction item, “Lunch with Travis County Sheriff’s Officer Sgt. Mitchell” was also on stage.

Over the past few weeks, several teachers in the annex have been incubating chicken eggs. Well, this week they began to hatch. I think there was over 20 baby chicks chirping away. The students had so much fun watching the process and touching the baby chicks.

Fifth grade students took their annual field trip to McKinney Falls. For the classes that went on the day it didn't rain this week, they hiked about 3 miles through the park.

Several classes have been learning about the life cycle of plants. There are all types of plants growing throughout the building. These students are part of Mrs. Hernandez’ class.

Next week is Volunteer Appreciation Week and National Library Week. If you see one of our volunteers and/or Librarians make sure you tell them thank you.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Well, the first week of STAAR testing is over and I am not sure who is more excited the students or the staff. The next round will be the week of April 22^nd.

For the next several weeks, our 1st grade Dual Language classes will have mentors from Regents helping them.

Not wanting to sit around and be quiet all day, our PK and 1^st graders took off on field trips. PK went to the Austin Zoo and 1^st grade went to the Austin Nature and Science Center. Obviously, Wednesday was not a good weather day, so PK headed back to campus quickly, but the 1^st graders were able to continue with their learning.

Speaking of bad weather. If you haven’t heard, the annex had a major flood. Four of the twelve classrooms as well as the hall and gym had standing water Wednesday morning. The three PK teachers and Mrs. Hamelwright lost lots of personal teaching items like rugs, books, etc. Unfortunately, the district only replaces district purchased items so they are having to rebuild their rooms. If you would like to help, just let me know.

The day after testing is always difficult. Students really aren’t ready to settle down and focus so teachers try to have fun, interesting things planned. Fourth grade participated in “Light Up Austin”. Students learned about how Austin receives its energy and how the energy gets into their homes.

Also 5^th graders were able to make their instrument selection for orchestra and band next year. This is a great idea. I don’t remember being able to try out different instruments when I was that age. Maybe if I would have, I would have participated in band longer than I did.

On Thursday, I had a little help from Ms. Cantu, who won “Principal for the Day” at the Carnival’s Silent Auction. Below is a blurb about her day.

“I had so much fun being the Principal of the Day! I realized how hard Dr. Mitchell works to keep this school on track. I had a great time as the principal. We walked through some class rooms, and we even became a 3^rd grade teacher while she ran an errand. We also walked through classrooms down at the annex. Did you know if flooded Tuesday? You should always bid for Principal for the Day because you will have a great time. - Ms. Cantu”

OHE finished the week with “Hippie Day”. I just love how students and staff enjoy participating in these Student Council Spirit days.

The weekend should be a nice. Hope you have a good one.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Last weekend was the district's 2013 Student Art Show, "Art Takes You Places". Many of our students had pieces of art displayed. The exhibit will be up until April 15th at One Congress Plaza. I encourage you to visit. If you can't make the exhibit, just step foot on campus. Art projects are always on display here. The OHE art teachers do an amazing job helping the students create fabulous pieces.

This week English Language Learners in grades 2 -5 have taken the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System, TELPAS. This assesses a student's English acquisition. Along with the computer assessment, students in all grades have writing samples collected and rated to determine how well their English is progressing. In the past, this information is used as part of the rating system for schools.

Today Mrs. Grimm had her second Math Coffee House. Parents were invited to class to learn from their children how to solve math problems and what the STAAR would look like.

Next week starts the beginning of STAAR. 4^th graders will take the writing test Tuesday and Wednesday and 5^th graders will take the Math test Tuesday and Reading test Wednesday. If you have children in these grades, please make sure they are well rested and have a good breakfast. Also, during those two days, visitors are not allowed on campus even during lunches.

Have a great long weekend and see you back on Monday.

Friday, March 22, 2013

I am pleased to announce that 15 of our fifth grade students were accepted into one of the three magnet campuses next year – Fulmore, Ann Richards, or Kealing Middle School. We are very proud of them.

Additionally, we are proud of the students who have moved forward with their PTA Reflection Projects. Out of the 42 pieces which OHE sent to the Council, 9 of them placed and 3 of those will move up to the State Level. Only 25 works were sent from our Council to State, so this is a very good showing from OHE. Congratulations to all of those students. Look for specific names in the Eagle Eye.

Another student we are proud of is Avery E. She received 1^st place for her La Sertoma poster on how to care for your "hearing". Our Third graders participated in this with about 12-15 schools.

Primary students listened to Jose Luis Orozco, a bilingual author. He had all of us singing and dancing. He is an amazing story teller.

We also have a new "Teacher of Promise", Ms. Grotrian! This is a teacher within her very first year of teaching. She will do an awesome job representing OHE.

Remember next week is a short week, and the week before STAAR testing. Have a great weekend.

Friday, March 8, 2013

I would like to send a special thank you to all of you who helped and supported the OHE PTA Carnival last Friday. It is truly an amazing event for students and families. The event raises lots of money that allows the PTA to support the school is many areas, especially in the area of technology. If you would like to see how the money was spent this year, just check out the website.

Third graders began the week with their “Living Museum”. Students researched different people and created presentations. Many even dressed up as their character. The third graders presented to other students and to parents.

Student Council finished their 3^rd service project – The Libraries of Love/Share the Love Project. They teamed up with the Oak Hill Rotary Club to promote literacy at home, here at OHE, and throughout the world, specifically in Uganda, Africa with the Libraries of Love. Not only did their project help those in Uganda, but it also promoted literacy here at OHE, too. The Oak Hill Rotary Club graciously donated Atlases for each and every 5^th grader that read to at least 3 people. By doing so, each 5^th grader was sharing the love of reading. Each 5^th grader earned an Atlas. The Rotary Club is a service organization. At the end of every Rotary Club meeting, the members recite the “4 way test”. And now, at the end of every student council meeting, they recite the “4 way test”. Each OHE student received a pencil from our Oak Hill Rotary Club that has the 4 way test on it. On behalf of the Student Council and the Rotary Club, they would like to thank all of you for participating in our Libraries of Love/Share the Love project. We have raised over $1000 for Uganda! Thanks, Student Council President, Kael S. for allowing me to use your speech!