Such an eventful week!  Benchmark testing, late start due to bad weather, school assemblies, and CARNIVAL have all created lots of excitement.  Dr. Rangwala, Allison, Lisa and Katherine from Dr. Mary Kay Becher's dentist office spoke with PreK, Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade about proper dental care! They talked to kids about how to brush and floss and why it's so important to do so!!!! We also heard from the Austin Symphony.  And, we ended the week with our annual carnival.  Even with the extreme cold weather and rainy conditions, students still found ways to have lots of fun.The petting zoo... Home Depot crafts.... Face painting.... And of course the money collectors...Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers that help make this awesome event happen and especially for coming out in the cold and rain.  Stay warm and safe.  

Hope each of you had the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher this past Monday.  If not, it is never too late.  Just let you child's teacher know you want to schedule a conference.  

This morning during assembly we had lots to celebrate.  Mr. Gerber, last year's Teacher of Promise, announced this year's Teacher of Promise.  This recognition goes to a teacher in their first year of teaching.  The 2015 OHE Teacher of Promise is Ms. Emily Kittredge.  

OHE also participated in the surprise marriage proposal of our wonderful music teacher Ms. Tobias.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the crowd.  The students went crazy when her fiance went down on one knee and pulled out the ring!

 We are counting down for our wonderful OHE Carnival next Friday.  Staging has already begun for silent auction items.  The creativity this year is amazing.  Stop by the office for a sneak peak.

But before carnival, is our final round of benchmark testing.  3rd - 5th graders are testing next Monday - Wednesday.

Have a great weekend.

I can barely even think what to write because I am on such a sugar overdose!  It is always great seeing so many family members on campus.  Thank you all for all the goodies.  Not sure how many bowls of ice cream and pieces of candy I had today.

But it was a great way to celebrate a week of testing.  Not only did all the 4th and 5th graders take part in round one of MOY II testing, but even the primary students have been given their MOY reading assessments.  For those having conferences with teachers on Monday, make sure you ask how your child did on their MOY tests.

I did want to brag on some of our students in Mrs. Perteka's class. They noticed how the play ground has had an influx of trash, so they started a trash pick-up team.  It makes me proud when students see a need and device a plan to help resolve it.  Way to go!

Monday is a student holiday and a parent conference day for teachers.  These conferences are not mandatory unless the teacher has a concern about a child.  However, if you would like to meet with your child's teacher, just let them know.  

We are in count down mood for the OHE Carnival.  I saw volunteers out all day selling tickets.  Remember they are cheaper now then on that day.  We are also still in need of items for that day.  What each grade is expected to bring is on the school website, along with times to sign-up to work.  Please check out the site.  

Last day for Box Tops is Tuesday.  As of right now, 4th grade is in first place.  

Have a great Valentine Weekend and see you next week. 

It was a great week celebrating Counselor Appreciation Week.  Ms. Ahumada does an outstanding job and OHE is grateful for all she does for us.

Our Pre-Kindergarten and PPCD students took their first field trip.  Their first stop was the fire station.  They even got to tour the 'sleeping quarters' for the firemen.

Wednesday we celebrated the 100th Day of School.  This is a great elementary school tradition and the student enjoy finding ways to make 100.  I decided to celebrate the day by eating 100 pieces of candy!  

Ms. Siller class made smoothies...

100th Day T-shirts....

Mrs. Rolls class made a 100 cake...

Snack packs....

Counting by 10s to 100...

Next week begins our second round of benchmarks for 4th and 5th graders.  Monday is writing for 4th graders and math for 5th graders.  Tuesday is the second day of 4th grade writing, and 5th grade Reading.  

It is also Green Apple Deposit Day on Tuesday and Valentine Parties Friday.  

Have a great weekend.

What a beautiful week.  Guess someone else must be reading my blogs!

Remember how Ms. Grotrain was nominated by a student in her class for the "My Teacher Rocks" contest through Dr. Becher's office?  Well, she came in 2nd place and Dr. Becher was so impressed by the high number of votes that Dr. Becher's staff brought the whole class pizza!

 Our Kindergarten students took a field trip to One World Theater to see Junie B Jones.

 This week our Pre-Kindergarten students were learning about community helpers.  Below is Mr. Kanak, yep Mrs. Kanak's husband, explaining about surgical procedures.

 But it is always great to see that our students want to be like us.

 Earlier this month Mrs. McKinney's Donorschoose Project was funded.  Below you can see students already playing with the equipment.

Students also participated in our annual Science Fair.  There were some amazing projects.  The student below are all moving forward and will compete in the Austin Regional Science Fair.  Good Luck!

Students participated in the  Austin Jazz Workshop.  Although those of us in the office were treated to their music as well.  

All of tomorrow's events were again cancelled, no Fun Run or Student Council Clean-Up.  

Next week Mrs. Baxter will be off campus visiting her new and first grandchild.  Mrs. Horne, who substituted for me when I was out, will be helping us out again.

Next week is also Counselor Appreciation Week.  If you see Ms. Ahumada, please let her know how much she is appreciated.  

Stay dry and see you Monday. 

I don't know about you, but I am ready for the wonderful Texas weather to come back.  Cold and rainy is not conducive to students playing outside.  I think we all have cabin fever!

There were lots of indoor activities with No Name Calling Week.  Check out Ms. Ahumada's blog for more information.

The poster of all our compliments...

 The bag "bad" words...

 This morning we also recognized our winners for the pedometer challenge.  I am not sure what the total was, but we walked hundred of thousands of steps.

 Next week kicks off our first annual Readathon.  This is a district fundraiser that we have selected to participate in.  Ask your child more about the program.  Plus I am sure Ms. Underwood will add information to the Eagle Eye.

During this morning's general PTA meeting, we heard Carrie Contey speak.  She is a nationally know parenting expert and has wonderful suggestions about how to parent children. 

Next week will be a busy week with fieldtrips and Science Fair.  If you have a 3rd - 5th grader, their project were due this past week.  They will be on display Wednesday in the cafeteria.  If you are interested in your child's project being judge for the Austin Regional Science Fair, let your child's teacher know immediately. 

Hopefully the weather improves this weekend, so the students can get outside and play.   Remember that next weekend is our annual CATCH Fun Run and Student Council Clean-up day.  Mark your calendars now.  

A huge thank you goes out to all those that contributed to the staff luncheon today.  The salads were absolutely delicious.

With the weather so poor lately, students haven't been able to play outside.  So today during assembly, Mr. Cumings put on GoNoodle.  The students loved it!  If you don't know what GoNoodle is, ask your child.  They will definitely know.

As part of our SEL curriculum, each month we learn a new word.  This month is Confidence.  Several of our 5th graders this morning, explained what that meant.

Next week begins the OHE's No Name Calling Week.  Each day students will be asked to complete a different tasks.  Check out Ms. Ahumada's blog to learn what each activity is and maybe you could continue them at home.

Don't forget that Monday is a holiday.  See you Tuesday.

Welcome Back!  2015 has gotten off to a great start.  In preparation for our Fun Run, which has been rescheduled for January 31st, each student and staff at OHE received a pedometer.  Students have been tracking their steps all week.  I actually saw a kindergarten student receive 16,000 steps!  Now, if only I could remember to put mine on!  Prizes will be awarded for the most steps, so keep walking.

For the past several years, OHE has had a reward system for good behavior in the cafeteria during lunch.  It had been popcorn.  However, with so many classes earning their Eagle strips in the cafeteria, popping that much popcorn became a problem.  Today, students earned different rewards.  PK and Kindergartners received treats from the treasure box,  1st and 2nd graders earned extra recess time, and the intermediate students were allowed to sit anywhere they wanted in the cafeteria during their lunch.  The students really seemed to enjoy their prizes and hopefully we continue to see outstanding behavior in the cafeteria.

Today was an OHE Student Council Spirit Day: Dress of Success.  There were lots of great costumes.

Many of the after school enrichment programs begin next week like Ballet Folkloric and Hip Hop Dance. 

Remember that when the weather gets bad to pay attention to the news for school closures, late starts or early releases.  School Messenger also sends a call as well as our Facebook and Twitter accounts.  If for some reason, you don't receive a call, please contact the school because that means we don't have the correct phone number for you.

Stay warm and enjoy the cold weather this weekend.

Congratulations to the two OHE Lego Robotics teams Stormdragon & RoboKnights who competed this past weekend and have earned a place at the next level, the Central TX FLL Invitational Championship.  Good Luck!

At the AISD Board Meeting Monday Night, OHE was recognized for our results on STAAR last spring.  OHE earned 3 out of 6 possible distinctions:  Postsecondary Readiness, Academic Achievement in Reading/English Language Arts, Academic Achievement in Science.  Way to go students and teachers.  

5th graders attended a performance at Zach Scott Theater.  Although the students were there to see others perform, I heard our own Mr. Cumings was on stage.  (I know the picture is bad because pictures weren't supposed to be taken, but who could resist).  

Phil Bildner was here Wednesday and presented students with lively advice on how to become a better writer.  It was encouraging to hear that even a professional author had to rewrite one of his books 21 times!  (That makes me feel better about all the rewrites for my dissertation!)

Our own Jackie Grotrian has been nominated by one of her students for the "My Teacher Rocks" contest.  Help keep her in the lead by going to the link below and voting for her!
http://austinsmilefixer.com/fun-stuff/contests-events/

And of course to everyone who helped make this holiday season so special for our students.  The food and activities for the classroom parties was just amazing.  

To see our Hip Hop Dancers and Ballet Folklorico Dancers performance during assembly this morning, the link is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsQGMSwMrf0&feature=em-upload_owner

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOK3WTQUTqE&feature=em-upload_owner

This is such a wonderful community.  Every time I walked into my office this week another treat was waiting for me!  Thank you so much for remembering me.  I wish each of you a very relaxing and joyful holiday season.