As most of you are aware, I typically blog late Friday after school.  (Which is my excuse for so many mistakes :).  But since this will be my last blog for OHE, I decided to not wait until the last minute.

To reflect on my time at OHE, I reminisced by looking through the old blog posts.  I actually read my first post and am pretty impressed that I was able to keep up with this type of communication.  Looking back now, I realize it has become a scrapbook of sorts for everything that has happened over the last five years.  What a great way to remember all we have done.    It is really hard to decide what my "favorites" are but here are a few:

Bets with students

Ice Cream Social

Pajama Day
  

Carnival


Student Council Service Projects


Our World, Our School

Ballet Folkloricio and our Dual Language Program

As I reviewed the pictures from the blog posts, it was fun to see faces of students I hadn't seen since my first year as well as faces that have been here the five years.  There is a big difference between kindergartners and how they look now in 4th grade.

It was also fun seeing the family participation here at OHE.  Some of the same families that helped me that first summer with painting, communication, and reorganization are still involved today!  That definitely shows how it takes a community to run a school.  Remember that as the new principal transitions into OHE.  OHE is an amazing school not because of one person, but because of the school community at large.  When I came on board 5 years ago, I didn't know anything about this community or things like a carnival, Dual Language, Our World, Our School, parent involvement, etc.  But together, I quickly learned.  Now many of these things are part of the tradition at OHE.  With your continued support, they will stay part of the school's traditions.

My first post stated that I was looking forward to being part of the OHE family. Now that I've been part of this OHE family, it is hard to say good-bye.  I already know things I will miss.  But the thing I will miss the most, are your kids!  I have thoroughly enjoyed being their principal and watching them grow.  For some students the connections I have made came during our daily morning time together in the cafeteria prior to school.  For others, it was running with them during track club.  For others, it happened during my visits to the classrooms.  Yet for others, it was on the bus line at the end of the day.  Whichever method was used to build connections with students, I will miss them.

I want to thank each of you for the support you have given me over the past five years.  The positive experience I have had here wouldn't have been possible with that.  I appreciate all that you have done and will continue to do for OHE. For those that weren't able to come to assembly this morning, here is the video.

OHE will always hold a special place in my heart.

GUEST AUTHOR: MRS. BAXTER

Even though Dr. Mitchell is not available to write the blog this week, ever in the spirit of Oak Hill, I am filling in to share some of the fun activities going on around campus. On Thursday, second grade treated us to a delightful fairy tale performance called "Once Upon a Shortcut." I was so impressed by their acting, singing, and costumes! It was definitely one of the best I have seen in the many years I have been at Oak Hill. Thanks to both Ms. Tobias and Ms. Brown as well as all of the second grade teachers for their hard work. Third grade also went to the Wildflower Center this week. As a former third grade teacher, I know how much learning and fun the students had as well as the hard work put  into this field trip. Thank you to all third grade teachers as well as a special thanks to Mrs. Lagerquist for leading the learning. Not to be outdone, last year's and this year's Student Councils have purchased a set of large bongo drums and a large chime set to put on the playground. What a unique addition! Thank you to our student council members and Ms. Ahumada for their efforts.

Finally, hope we see lots of you tomorrow at our annual Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's from 8:00 - 10:00. Speaking of breakfast, make sure your children get a good breakfast starting on Monday for the STAAR test.







Ms. Underwood enjoyed her time with auction winner Ridley (and friends Ian and Campbell) while having dinner while watching HOME at Alamo Drafthouse. It is a great movie about not giving up and the importance of family and friends! They all gave it a big thumbs up!

The Hip Hop class performed during assembly and even put in some of their own moves!

Dress like an athlete day was a huge success.

Here are a couple of reminders.  Please follow the traffic patterns when driving on campus.  OHE is unable to provide continuous traffic control in the morning so please be mindful that young students are entering the school.

Also our annual Applebee's pancake breakfast in April 18th.  Purchase your tickets now.

Our first round of STAAR testing is complete!  The 4th and 5th graders did a great job.  Also this week began TELPAS, which is an assessment that evaluates the English acquisition for all our second language learners.  We can now breathe for a couple of weeks until round 2, which is the week of April 20th.  

While the "big" kids were testing, the kindergartens took a field trip to the Crowe's Nest.  

As always, they enjoyed feeding the animals.  

 With the help of lots of volunteers, the kindergarten garden is back up and in use.  Maybe I could have the come and help me with my garden?

 With specific thanks to Mrs. Thorton and Mrs. Lagerquist, our front area has another new garden.

Third graders visited the Wild Flower Center.

These students' projects were displayed at the new performing arts center, PAC.

Have you ever come to a "Friday" assembly early?  If you get a change, do.  Often an activity called GoNoodle is on and the student love moving to it.  This activity was called "Run Like a Kitty".  The students loved it! 

During assembly this morning, kindergarten students made a "Love Train".

The district has created a collage of videos from all the high schools.  The theme was “A day in the life of…”  I had the pleasure of viewing the video at the new PAC a couple of weeks ago.  It was amazing to see the talent of so many students as well as share in their stories.  I encourage you to watch the movie.  It can be found on the front page of the district website at www.austinisd.org.

Please remember this is a three day weekend.  See everyone back here on Monday.  

Principal of the Day

This principal of the day biz is tougher than I thought! First, we had to walk through the classrooms and check stuff off. Then, we had to check a million emails. Next, me and Ms.Anna saw what the Kindergardeners were up to. At 10:00 we checked more emails. 10:30, I went outside and had snack. 11:04, we had to calm down a four-year-old student from a fit that he had. 12:00, I had lunch and talked with friends. 12:30, I was on lunch duty. 12:55, I went to P.E. class. And finally, as I was writing this blog, I met the Associate Superintendent of AISD. It was a great day of learning how to be a principal.   -Ridley Ott

Students have started receiving their Silent Auction Items.  

Analia was able to eat lunch with Sgt. Mitchell and her mom.  He learned that she might want to be a detective!

Kindergarten students received their pizza lunch in the Principal's Conference room.  That is a real treat. 

1st grader, Emil, below was our winner for the readathon.  He read the 2,528 pages with a total time of 1,264 minutes.  That is quite impressive.  All in all, the OHE raised $7,674, had 182 student participants and 37 teacher participants.  Mrs. Garcia's class raised the most money with $1,227.  Joshua was almost half of that with $577.  Thank you to all who supported this program. 

This morning Mr. Cumings showcased some of the prizes for tomorrow's Family Fun Run.

 I wonder who will win this awesome bike?!

Then to prepare for tomorrow's Fun Run, students ran in place.  

The weather is finally supposed to be great tomorrow.  So please come join us for the Student Council Clean-Up and Family Fun Run.  

This week we celebrated our annual Kinder Musical.  They gave an amazing performance. 

Another annual tradition has been the 3rd Grade Living Museum.  These third graders researched historical figures and then created projects that gave information about the person. Many third graders even came "looking" like their person. 

Today during assembly, winners were announced for the Read-A-Thon. Joshua G, a 2nd grader, raised the most money of all the students. The winner for the most minutes and most pages read was absent today... we'll let him know after Spring Break. Congratulations to OHE for raising over $7600 for the Read-a-thon. That is fantastic, especially since it is only our first year to participate. Did you know that OHE is the 5th highest school in the fundraiser?

Volunteers worked on the kinder gardens today.  They look great!

Also save the date of March 28th for our Family Fun Run.  It has be rescheduled several times so lets hope the great weather stays.  

I wish each of you a restful spring break with friends and family.  I hope you’ll return on March 23 recharged and ready for the important final months of the 2014-15 school year.

After a really busy week last week, this week seemed pretty normal even with the "bad" weather day.  This morning during assembly we recognized some of our Track Club runners.  The miles for these students have accumulated over the years.  Two of our 4th graders have completed over 100 miles!  Ian reached 100 miles and Campbell has reached 125!  That is just amazing.

Tomorrow is the student council fundraiser at Barnes and Noble off Brodie.  If you get a chance, stop by and purchase a book.

If you haven't paid for your Silent Auction, you should have received an email.  If you have paid and just need to pick-up your item, stop by the office and we can get it for you.

Have a great weekend.

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.