I know every week I say there are a million things going on here at OHE.  And this week was no exception.  Each day we celebrate Red Ribbon Week.  Monday was Crazy Hair Day.  I don't know about you, but these are some crazy hair dos.

 

 Thursday was "Put a Hat On Drugs".

Friday, "Come as a Book Character".

Bilingual Storyteller and Bluebonnet award winning author Joe Hayes visited OHE on Monday. Students enjoyed learning how he turned something he loved hearing and doing into a job that has lasted for over 35 years for him - telling stories. He left us with a good message of "You never know until you try!". Hopefully some of our young storytellers came home and retold the tales they heard to someone new to keep the stories going! If not ask about the ant (K-2) or salt (3-5) and sit back and enjoy the story!

First graders went to the Nature Center and Zilker Park.  It was their first field trip of the year. 

 Digging for dinosaurs...

Second graders went to Inner Space Caverns. I think it is one of the favorite field trips student take,

Wednesday our Reflection Winners were announced.

OHE 2014-2015 Reflections Winners

LITERATURE AWARDS FILM PRODUCTION AWARDS

First……………………Emma

First……………………Miles

Second…………………Janani

Third……………………Sanmay

First……………………Norah

Intermediate Second…………………Brook

First…………………….Ali

First…………………….Sophia

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

First…………………….Reichen

First…………………….Raelen

First……………………William

Second………………….Nautica

Second…………………Christopher

Second………………….Kelly

Third…………………...Marly

Second………………….Richard

Second………………….Rebecca

First……………………Xander

Third……………………Rebecca

First……………………Raelen

Third……………………Rebecca

First……………………Richard

Third……………………Rebecca

First……………………Karina

Third……………………Rebecca

Second…………………Richard

Second…………………Nicholas

MUSIC COMPOSITION AWARDS

Second…………………Reichen

Primary Second…………………Kiara

First…………………….Annika

Third…………………..Jack

Third…………………..Oliva

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS

 VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

First…………………….Amelia

Intermediate First……………………Lauren

First…………………….Raelen

Second…………………Emma

Third…………………..Torin

First……………………Aja

Third…………………..Eva

First……………………Arisha

 Third…………………..Rebecca

First……………………Kelly

Third…………………..Rebecca

First……………………Taymour

Third…………………..Diego

First……………………Taymour

Third…………………..Angela

First……………………Robby

Third…………………..Nell

First……………………Katie

Third…………………..Mayah

First……………………Nicole

 Third…………………..Atzin

First……………………Sophie

Third…………………..Anna

First……………………Alexix

Third…………………..Aidan

Second…………………Andrew

Second…………………Campbell

Second…………………Rodrigo

Second…………………Matthew

Second…………………Jesus

Second…………………Sophie

Second…………………Kiara

Second…………………Sophie

Second…………………Kate

Second…………………Claire

I am so proud of each of the students that entered.  There were some great projects and tearful stories.  A huge thank you to Shawna and Betsy for organizing the event!

In Mrs. Robert's Kindergarten class, they counted pumpkin seeds. The medium  pumpkin had 418 seeds. Everyone estimated how many they thought would be in the large pumpkin. There were 480! The closest guess was 476! They counted by 10's and put groups of 10 cups of 10 into a 100 cup until we ran out of seeds. It was a fun math activity.

Third Graders have spent the past few weeks learning about Dia de los Muertos. The altars can be seen all over the school.  Their culminating activity was to watch the new movie "Book of Life", which is based on this Mexican tradition.  

Our Ballet Folklorico also performed a traditional Veracruz dance.

Did you know that some of our 5th grade classes "Buddy" with Pre-kindergarten students and help them read?

UNICEF boxes were sent home this week.  This is an annual service project at OHE for our 5th graders.  Their goal this year is $2000 so if you are Trick-or-Treating today, don't forget the UNICEF box!  

Be safe and stay warm!

It is important for everyone to know how important the elections are this November.  Not only will a new governor and city mayor be elected, but there are 5 openings on the AISD School Board.  For those that might not think this is important, this new school board begins immediately. Therefore the new school board will select our new Superintendent as well as approve the new district budget.  Both of these items could have huge impacts for us all. Early voting has begun and runs through October.  We are even posting "I voted" pictures on our Facebook Page.  

There are so many awesome things happening here at OHE that I need help in bragging about them all.  In an effort to make sure all these wonderful things on campus receive a "Shout-Out" a section has been added to the OHE website.  Students, Staff, and parents can now give someone a kudos.   All you need to do is go to the OHE website, click on the "Shout-Out" button and write your message.  Then an email will come to me and the person you wish to send it too.  A running lists of brags will kept on the webpage.  Enjoy bragging about the wonderful things you see here at OHE.

Over the years, the OHE Gardening Club has received several grants that have helped to support the landscape of our school.  They are being featured on KLRU.  Please visit their website to learn more about our program.  www.klru.org/ctg

 Our 1st graders did a wonderful job with their fall musical.

Third graders this week learned about the different types of matter through a hands-on experiment with pancakes!  Yum!

Author Christopher Espinosa and his robot dog Rocket Megabyte visited Oak Hill on Wednesday. The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders received numerous writing tips on how to make any of their ideas become strong stories. He demonstrated how to start with a  good hook at the beginning, change boring details into stronger more specific details that paint a picture in the readers' minds, and to end with a bang. He left us with the thought - "If you think it, you can ink it!" Hopefully we will see many of our young authors put this tip to use.  His Texas Adventure book can still be purchased online at Sky Rocket Press (or email Ms. Underwood for specific details).

In our typical OHE fashion, with tons of things going on this week, we ended it with Fun Field Day. 

This morning in assembly we were reminded about Red Ribbon Week next week.  Check a previous eblast to learn how to dress each day.  Next week our 5th graders also begin their annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF service project.  So if your child(ren) start asking for change to bring to school, you will know why.  

We are also looking forward to award-winning author / storyteller Joe Hayes' visit to OHE Monday! And don't forget to take the family to the Texas Book Festival down on capitol grounds this Saturday and Sunday.  Lots of authors, storytellers, crafts, and food for the whole family. Enjoy!

Last week the Gardening Club, started to remove the summer plantings.  Two of the students helped to remove the basil and saved it for me, so that I could make pesto.  They were rewarded this week with pesto for their pasta.  Rebecca and Sophia actually seemed to enjoy it.

Third graders spent some time outside enjoying the wonderful weather and learning about science. 

It is so incredible to see teachers participating with their students.  These teachers are running/walking the track with their class.

Mrs. Lauri..

 Mrs. Cabrera...

 Mrs. Gerber...

Did you know that both the school's website and Eagle Eye have been awarded the Gold-level Award by the Texas PTA?  Thank you Geeta Suggs for your amazing leadership and work with these two sources of information.   

Next week is Bus Driver Appreciation Week.  Please let your bus drivers know how much you appreciate them.

Don't forget that Monday is a student holiday.  It is Parent Conference day for all elementary schools.  If you haven't scheduled a conference with your child's teacher, please do so.  All teacher emails can be found on the school website under faculty.  

As you conference with teachers, make sure you take the time to look at all the work displayed around the building.  

Fall picture day is Tuesday.  If you order pictures, please make sure the exact amount for the pictures is in the envelope.  We do not have change.

Looks like it will be wet this weekend.  Try and stay dry.

Do you know:

• That if each family donates $10 to the PTA No Hassle Fundraiser, OHE will reach our  goal? You can donate through our website at www.oakhillelementary.org

• There is a website related to all the construction on 290 and 71?  The project team is available to meet with neighborhood associations, community groups and others to discuss issues of concern, various improvement options, and the results of technical and environmental analyses. They welcome your questions about the Oak Hill Parkway. Here is the website www.OakHillParkway.com.

• That October 6th is the last day to register to vote for the November elections?  Early voting starts October 20th. 

• That 22 OHE teachers received A+ Federal Credit Union Grants that totaled over $22,000 for their classrooms?  Here they are being recognized by the AISD Interim Superintendent and School Board Monday night.

• That I typically have more dads at my Principal Coffee than moms?  (One dad today is missing from the picture.)

• That we had the 2014-2015 Student Council Installation Ceremony, and that the previous Student Council President, comes back for the ceremony?  

Hope you learned a few more facts related to OHE.  Enjoy your weekend. 

Have you seen some of our bulletin boards?

Here is one from Mrs. Robert's kindergarten class and it is interactive. It may facilitate conversations about "What did you do at school today".   Check out her class email to find the questions to ask.

 Here is some writing from Mrs. Kanak's Kindergarten class after they read "Jazz Baby".   Literacy Charts & Bloom’s Taxonomy questions really help the students work through texts they have read as well as promoting critical thinking when reading.

 Even 5th graders are creating bulletin boards.  From Mrs. Mendrek's class, students are learning about different genres of writing.  This was on fiction.

 As I mentioned last week, student council campaigns were this week.  There was a totally of twenty 4th and 5th grade students running for either president, vice-president, treasure, or secretary.  The students created awesome posters and amazing speeches.  I was even part of two of them.  Something about my high heels and kissing a chicken?!

After all the campaigning and speeches, the 2014-2015 Student Council Officers are:
President: RyalJames, Vice President: Ridley, Secretary:  Caroline , and Treasure:  Raelen.

The following students will be part of our No Place For Hate Coalition as well.  Avery, Kody, Lily, Jason, Campbell, Sally, Ian, and Claire.

Congratulations to all the students for a great race.  I am so proud of each one of them.

Next week is Custodian Appreciation Week.  When you see our awesome Custodial Team, please let them know how much they are valued.

Have a great weekend.

Many of you have heard about the Peace Corners at OHE.  Students use these areas when they need some time alone or to cool down from something.  This area is NOT a punishment but a preventative place.  Here is an example of the one in Mrs. Hill's room.  Not all are this big, but they all have the same concept.  (Guess Mr. Gerber needed a calm place after a special education meeting!)

Another idea, is a Peace Walk.  Teachers teach students to use the Peace Walk  as a way to solve conflicts.  Once it has been taught, teachers are amazed because it makes a tremendous difference in their classrooms! The students use the peace walk now without a teacher having to tell them, thus solving their own problems. Here is an example of students in Mrs. Hunter's class practicing the Peace Walk.

Did you know that even our Pre-Kindergarten students have skills they must master?  Below are pictures of them using their  5 senses.

Have you ever heard about the HEB Excellence in Education Award.  Below is the link.  Several of us here at OHE were nominated last year.  I encourage you to nominate one or all of your child(ren) teachers.  This is a great way to acknowledge all the wonder things teachers due here at OHE.  http://www.heb.com/sectionpage/about-us/community/excellence-in-education/26501118

Goodness, it is that time of year again when we have to talk about lice.  Please know that the best way to deal with lice is to use preventative strategies, such as wearing pony tails, not sharing brushes or playing with each other's hair, and using products that have items like tea tree, lavender, and rosemary in them. We do not wish for students to unnecessarily miss school, so we will do our best to work with all families whenever head lice is a problem.  However, we will enforce the district’s policy regarding lice.  Students with live lice will be sent home at the end of the day after parents are notified.  A student returns to school after treatment.  If nits are found, parents will be notified to see if treatment has begun.  Those students with recurring lice problems may be periodically monitored, and parents will be notified if the problem persists and/or if nits are present.  Class letters can only be sent home if 50% or more of the class has lice at one time.  (I don't think we have ever had that many in one class.) So, I have asked teachers to send information home through their own weekly communication suggesting preventative measures. Unfortunately, lice is a common problem in schools and not something that we as a school can solve alone, we need your help.  Please let me know if you have questions. 

We celebrated the end of the week with our Ballet Folklorico dancers.  I am so proud that we have started this club. Spots are open so look for flyers going home. 

 Next week are our OHE Student Council elections.  Students will begin campaigning Tuesday in classrooms and then either Wednesday or Thursday in hallways.  Student speeches and the election with results are Friday.  Stay tuned to next week's blog for results.