A wonderful tradition at Oak Hill is the Young at Heart reading program for our kindergarten students.  On Tuesdays, volunteers come and read with the students.  You can see the hallways lined with readers.

OHE presented the first musical performance of the year.  Ms. Brown and Mr. Bowers, with support from the first grade teachers, had the first graders singing songs about the weather.  The students had great costumes and props. 

Mrs. Bentley’s class earned extra free time today due to such great 2^nd grade behavior by filling up their jar. They are camping out and reading books.

Mrs. Hernandez’ class also earned a special prize for such great 1^st grade behavior by filling up the jar. The students decided to bring stuff animals to schools instead of watching a movie! 

Due to a scheduling conflict the next Principal’s Coffee must be changed.  The new date is November 12^th at 8:00.  Hope to see you then.

This morning in assembly there was a wonderful musical presentation led by Mr. Bowers and performed by Mr. Cuming’s class.

The district has a goal that each nine weeks all schools will have an attendance rate of at least 97%. Oak Hill’s attendance rate for the first six weeks was 97.5%. Way to stay in school!

The weather for Marathon Kids on Saturday was great! I have always been a huge supporter of Marathon Kids, because it is what motivated me to become a runner. About 14 years ago, I went to run the first lap with my fifth grade class back when it was at Auditorium Shores. I quickly learned that I could not finish the lap. Embarrassed, I decided to do something about it and signed up with RunTex to train for the Motorola Marathon. In 1998, I ran 26.2 miles completing my first - and only marathon. However, that experience taught me that value of exercising and I have participated in other races as well as triathlons since then.

I encourage you to participate in Marathon Kids with your children. The 26.2 miles doesn't have to be completed at one time. You have about 5 months to finish. See everyone at the finish line!

Today I listened to 4th and 5th grade students give campaign speeches for student council positions.  What an absolutely amazing performance to an audience of over 200 people!  There was lots of humor and chanting.  My favorite line was "I have lots of experience.  I was born before the turn of the century."  Obviously this came from one of your 11 year olds.  Although only four students could win a position, I am proud of each and every one of them.  

Here is another must read book, Out of My Mind.  This book is about an eleven year girl who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak.  I would like to say that it is a 'feel good' book but it isn't.  Actually it made me angry.  Even though the story is fiction, I was frustrated by how a child's potential was hindered due to the views of the society around her (and this book wasn't written in 1899 like the last one).  Obviously this book had a strong impact on me. Actually, I couldn't sleep the night I finished the book because I wanted to make sure that every student here at OHE not only feels accepted but also is challenged.  Plus, I felt that it was my responsibility to help change the perception of society about students with special needs.  With that in mind, here at OHE we have a classroom of three year olds with special needs.  Because there are no other three year olds on the campus to act as peers, we look for peer buddies in the community to enroll in the class.  If you are interested in this program, please contact the school.

On another note, don't forget that Marathon Kids is tomorrow.  I will be at the finish line to congratualate the students.

As I walked classes this week, I was very impressed to see how much technology is being used to teach students.  In one class a teacher was using an iPad for a student who was having difficulty writing letters.  With this application, the student could trace the letter with his/her finger creating the letter.  In another class, the teacher was showing a video from the previous day's lesson.  This allowed the teacher to identify students using correct strategies and vocabulary.

Also while I was observing, I saw teachers incorporating physical activities into lessons like jumping in place prior to moving into a new activity and touching hands to opposite knee while counting.

Another teacher took pictures throughout the week of the students involved in different activities and sent those to parents for them to view.

On another note, spirit night at Chick-fil-A was a huge success.  Lots of families participated. 

Friday was our first cafeteria popcorn award.  By grade level, the classes with the best behavior for the past month won.  There were 8 classes due to ties:  Faulkner, Mendrek, Mays, Fraser, Peterka, Santana, Osio, and Wiley!  Thank you to Mrs. Zierer, Mrs. Spake, and Mrs. Picardat for popping all the popcorn!

Friday was also my second Principal's Coffee.  This is a casual time to meet with me and ask questions related to the overall school.  We are hoping to meet in different locations around the community. Let me know if you have any ideas for locations.

Updates from OHE:

Student council campaigning starts next week with speeches on October 8th.

Specific information about Science Fair should be coming towards the end of next week.  There are big changes.  I have requested that science fair become a school wide event!  All students on the campus will participate.  In grades PK- 2nd, students will complete a class project.  Teachers will submit a project from their class.  3rd grade students can complete projects independently or in small groups.  All 4th and 5th graders must complete individual projects.  There will be a training session for parents on October 12th.  Be on the watch for this information next week.

The PTA reflections assignment is due October 11th.  I can't wait to read these.

The Ground Committee has created a proposal for updating the landscaping around the school.  You might see lots of orange ties around the campus.  Trees and scrubs are being trimmed and/or removed, new plants are being planted, and pavers are being laid.

Fieldtrip season has begun.  Please remember that all volunteers need to complete information prior to participating in events.  The ohepta.org website under volunteers has all the information you need to complete.

I have just finished reading one of the new books Ms. Underwood purchased for the OHE library, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate.  It is about a young girl who has become interested in science and with her grandfather's support she begins to observe the world around her.  For any young girl, who is curious about science, this book would be of great interest. It would be a great book for a mother to read with her daughter because it takes place in 1899 so many of the political views of that time are referenced.  

Today the Rotary Club of Austin-Oak Hill presented each 3rd grader with a dictionary, a thesaurus to each 4th grader, and a world atlas to each 5th grader. The rotary club has done this for many years and most of the 5th graders indicated they still had their dictionary and thesaurus. There is even a note to parents in each book explaining the purpose for the books.

Next time you are on campus, please view the art pictures in the main cafeteria. It is absolutely amazing that kindergarteners created such fabulous pieces of work. I don't think I could create such masterpieces! Also, while you are here, look at the drawings done by the 4th graders in the front hallway cabinet. What talented students we have here at OHE and what phenomenal teachers who teach students how to create such pieces of art.

What a great week here at Oak Hill Elementary. We celebrated Constitution Week by having the 5th graders sing the "Constitution Rap" and we also watched a “School House Rock" video about the constitution. Remember the "School House Rock" cartoons on Saturday mornings as kids?

Additionally, this week was CATCH Kick-off. Today many of us came as our favorite athlete. My favorite athlete is my nephew who is a linebacker for the Marble Falls Mustangs. Even though he is only 9, he is still my favorite!

The weather didn't quite cooperate for the Ice Cream Social but we moved it inside and still had lots of fun. Thank you all for participating in the event!

It has always amazed me how one situation causes another and how that impacts future events.  

It was my goal today to leave work by 5:00 and go home and just veg by the TV.  But I didn't, which started the evening's change of events.  When I did leave, there were two teachers standing in the hall.  They were trying to decide if tonight was a PTA meeting.  When I approached them, it made me wonder if maybe I had mixed up my dates.  So we looked at the bulletin board calendar in the main hallway.  According to that calendar, there wasn't a PTA meeting tonight but next week.  However, the calendar did show something for tonight that I thought was next week.  Tonight  was spirit night at Craig O's!  So I made a text to see yet again if I had mixed up the dates and quickly learned I hadn't but that there was a last minute change.  Luckily I didn't have plans so I called my husband to see if he could meet me there for pizza and he could.  Off to Craig O's I went.   I was glad to see that even with the last minute date change, there were several families at Craig O's.  It was like having a big dinner with friends. And next time, I'll make sure my husband has stickers for the kids.  

The next spirit night is the 30th at Chick-Fil-A.  See you there.  

(PS.  Remember that if I mention a situation that involves you or your child(ren) send them to me for a prize out of the treasure box.  There should be lots with this blog!)

Dr. Mitchell

Tomorrow President Obama delivers his "Back to School" speech.  If you would like more information about the speech or how to view it please visit:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/08/25/president-obama-deliver-back-school-speech-september-14.  Students will be viewing this in classrooms or the cafeterias.

OHE is also celebrating CATCH Kick-Off week.  On Friday, we are encouraging everyone to come dressed like their favorite athlete.  (This could be themselves in their sport uniform.)

The OHE Magazine Fundraiser is underway.   All students had an assembly today to learn more about the fundraiser.  Ask your child about the awesome prizes and what happens if we reach our goal.

Dr. Mitchell

As week three comes to an end, I feel comfortable that things are working smoothly.  I have visited all the homeroom classrooms and have begun to observe special areas as well. Morning assembly, lunches, and dismissal are organized and safe.  Next week, I will try and observe student arrival.  So much to see and such little time!

Both the primary and intermediate Back-to-School Nights had super attendance.  My husband stopped by on Thursday to bring me a diet Dr. Pepper (a must on late nights) and he couldn't believe all the parents and that was just half of you!  I felt the teachers did a great job explaining the structure of their classrooms and providing important information for the upcoming year.  As I walked through classrooms, I wished that I could be in each one.  New principals need a Back-to-School night just for themselves - a crash course in all the wonderful things each teacher does.

As I walked through one of the classrooms, a grandparent stopped me and stated that it was her grandson I had blogged about last week.  She was very excited that I had done that.  So that gave me an idea.  Since my blogs are not a two-way communication tool (and I do want to keep it that way), I don't get much feedback about who actually reads them.  So, starting immediately anytime I write about a situation that involved your child, have your child come see me.  I will have a special gift just for them.  For example, the group of fifth graders who collected the recycling in the teacher's lounge did a great job.  There must have been several containers of magazines.  It probably weighed more than all of the combined! If one these children belongs to you, let them know I blogged about them and to come find me on Monday.  I will have a gift waiting.  Not wanting to leave anyone out, if I have already blogged about your child, send them my way as well.  I'll make sure my treasure box is full!

Have a safe weekend,
Dr. Mitchell

It was another great week here at Oak Hill!  The students are adjusting to the new morning arrival procedures of waiting in the cafeteria everyday and morning assembly today was much smoother - even with the rain.   Eagle of the Day students were recognized as were students with birthdays this week.

My first Principal's Coffee was this morning and almost 40 parents attended.  It was a great opportunity for parents to ask questions and share comments related to Oak Hill.  

The learning happening in the classrooms this week has been quite rigorous.  As I observed a 3rd science lesson, I encounter students using high level science words, working collaboratively with other students, and making connections to previous science lessons in order to define the new vocabulary words.  In a 1st grade classroom, I heard students using the words predicate, which the students informed me meant "the action of the sentence" and noun "the person, place or thing" of the sentence.  During lunch, a 4th grader told me he was writing about his favorite place - the transportation museum in San Antonio!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Mitchell

It has been busy first week of school.  I have enjoyed meeting so many of the students.  Most of my days have been spent in the cafeterias. What amazing lunches the students bring - sushi, brisket, pasta, and homemade tortillas.  The wonderful aromas made my salads look pretty boring.

With fewer students, not quite 800 and 14 less buses, many of the school's procedures have been modified to better accommodate the students, like all students waiting in the main cafeteria prior to 7:30.  I know this has caused some confusion and next week a Back-to-School letter will be sent out explaining the new procedures.  

Friday was our first assembly.  Although a tad crowded, it was great to see all the students.  We will work throughout the week to better organize the students.  Since teachers are not on duty until 7:30, Mrs. McDonald and I are quickly teaching the students the new routines.  On Monday, the seating assignments will change and student will actually sit by teacher name.  We would love to have some parents helping us.  Find me on Monday if you would like to help.  

As I watched the news last night, it indicated there might be rain next week.  Please discuss with your child what to do on rainy days.  If something different happens, send notes to the teacher so that your child is dismissed in the correct place.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know.  

Dear Oak Hill Parents,

Mrs. McDonald and I have walked through all the classes and your children are doing great!  We didn't notice any tears or unhappy faces - just lots of smiles, even from our new pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. There was already so much learning going on.  We observed students working on math problems, writing their names, practicing routines, and creating stories.    Hope that helps calm any nerves that you might be having.  Lunch should be starting soon so I am on my way there.  

What an exciting day!  There were lots and lots of students on campus.  Something I have been waiting for all summer. The Eagle Encounter was a huge success and it looked like everyone made it to the classrooms so students could meet their teacher.  

The office remodel is almost complete and hopefully by the end of the school day Monday, the office staff will be back in the front office.

Breakfast is being served Monday starting at 7:10.  Otherwise the doors will open at 7:30 and students will go directly to their classrooms.  Please remember that all kindergarten students riding the bus will now wait in the main cafeteria until 7:30.   Kindergarten students arriving prior to 7:30 by parents will also wait in the main cafeteria.  At that time, they will be walked to the annex.  

I have really enjoyed meeting everyone over the past few days and can tell that this is going to be an exciting year for Oak Hill.  

If you are bored Sunday night, I am throwing the first pitch and receiving the Newspapers In Education Donation at the Round Rock Express Game.  I would love to have your support.

Hope everyone has a great last weekend before school starts and I will see everyone Monday.  

First let me say thank you to those who spent their Friday night (and anniversary) at the school painting the front office.  Mrs. Arnold-Mirza, The Bensons, The Mittals, The Fultons, Mr. & Mrs. Wiley, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. McDonald, and Lindsay Castenada all pitched in and the office looks wonderful.  The construction crew is even at the school this morning!  

 

I would also like to thank Ms. Wells who picked up Oak Hills supplies from the Austin City School Supply Donations.
 

A couple of reminders about next week:
The school is sending postcards on Tuesday to families identifying teacher names.  You should receive them Wednesday.  That night at 6:00 is "Meet the Administrators", for those who have not met Mrs. McDonald or myself.  Friday from 2:00 - 3:00 is Eagle Encounter.  Then from 3:00- 4:00 is "Meet the Teacher".  Sunday, August 22nd at 6:00, the school is being award a donation for winning the Newspaper in Education Program at the Dell Diamond.  I realize it is the day before school but we would love to have you there.

School starts Monday, August 23rd.  The school doors will open at 7:30 unless you want breakfast which begins at 7:10.  

Can't wait to see all the students!

It has been quite a busy week here at Oak Hill. The office staff returned on Tuesday and has been busy attending trainings and getting ready for Back-to-School registration next week.  They have also had a crash course in their new administrators' expectations, but they are great and eager to do what is needed for Oak Hill.  Many teachers have been on campus already getting their rooms ready.  Our new Assistant Principal, Mrs. McDonald, returned as well, and has been working on organizing the new textbook adoption for reading.  With all the construction, she and I have had to share spaces.  All of this "closeness" has helped all of us in the office get to know each other better. 

 

I was able to hire a retired bilingual reading specialist who has lots of experience working within the district and at nearby schools.  She will be an asset to our Oak Hill family. 

 

The official word has come and Oak Hill Elementary has earned an EXEMPLARY rating!!! Congratulations are in order for everyone.  We will definitely celebrate this accomplishment and work hard to make sure Oak Hill continues to achieve at this level.

 

The asbestos abatement is complete, and the walls are down.  Construction on the remodeling begins Monday.  I am confident the new look will be complete by Meet the Teacher!  What a difference it already makes.  I can look out my office door and see the front porch!  

Things are beginning to move quickly here at Oak Hill.  The construction on the front office has started resulting in the front door being blocked as well as the entire front office.  Therefore, the main office has had to relocate to the conference room, and the main entrance to the school is temporarily located in the back by the art room.  If you need to come to the school, park in the "bus" parking lot and follow the signs.  

Throughout the summer, I have been able to meet with many of the teachers to begin the work for the upcoming school year.  Based on the preliminary TAKS results, it appears that Oak Hill will earn an Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency!  Official word comes later so we are keeping our fingers crossed!  This will definitely be something to celebrate because it has been a long time since Oak Hill has received such a rating.  A huge thank you goes out to the teachers for all that they do to make certain the Oak Hill students are successful.  Additionally, please continue the work you do with your children.  When we all work together, this school can't help but be the best!

Now that I am back at work, I will be more diligent about blogging and posting upcoming events.  Many things are happening the week of August 16^th so be looking of notices of events.  

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Dear Oak Hill Community,

The process for an office make over continues, and I must say thank you to Heather, Lindsey, Ana, Melissa, and Renae for painting the assistant principal and principal offices!  The new color brightens the spaces, even with the lack of outside windows.  The OHE custodial staff has been so helpful with moving furniture to new locations and removing furniture that is no longer needed.  Additionally, you have probably noticed that three of the portables have been removed.  

With the help of my niece, and those who happen to stop by, we have begun cleaning and organizing supplies and spaces.  I hope that when you return to campus you will see a huge difference.  

My vacation starts today, and I will return to work July 12th.  Therefore, I will not be checking emails or voice messages until that time but will return any messages when I return.

Please continue to have a safe, fun summer.