12/11/13, 10:57 AMNISD Snapshot for December 6, 2013

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Nacogdoches ISDsuperintendent

Fred Hayes

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Volume 2 Issue 15 December 6, 2013

Martin Center aide says having JOYmeans setting priorities

j-Jesus firsto-Others secondy-Yourself last

(from Duggar's house rules) Happy Holidays. - Zoila Herman,Martin Center Teacher's Aide

Dear NISD Family,

Welcome to the Nacogdoches Independent School District's newsletter! Thisweekly effort summarizes only some of the many, many great thingshappening at Nacogdoches Independent School District. Please let us knowwhat additions you might like to see by emailing communicationscoordinator Rayanne Schmid at rschmid@nacisd.org.

Superintendent's Message Sometimes five just isn't enough!Seven Gold Star awards presented to districtemployees for second six weeks

When the Gold Star Award was developed, the planwas to honor five employees who are shining examplesof the stellar staff here at NISD. For the second six weeks, though, the committee justcould not narrow down the nominations made bydirectors and principals.

Did you know?Parents can pay for school

lunches, check balances andmore by visiting

www.MySchoolBucks.com.

Educational site of the week

AppoLearning.com

AppoLearning Experts hand-pick the best educational iPad

apps with your child'seducational growth in mind.

Grow your educational iPad

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So, it is with great pride that we honor seven deserving individuals. Gold Star Award recipients for the second six weeks include:

Wanda Yates, Business Office for the District Support Center"Wanda has served the school district for more than 29 years and is one ofthose critical employees who goes beyond the call each day to assist othersthroughout our school district who are in need of advice or direct assistance

when it comes to purchasing, donations and preparation of the monthlyBoard agenda. She also oversees the twice-a-week processing of

purchase orders for the school district."

Erika Colegio, Academic Services Department

app library withAppoLearning!

http://www.appolearning.com

This week in NISD

Friday, December 6

* NHS EOC Testing: English Make-up Exams. * After High School Comes College- NISD 5th Graders, William R.Johnson Coliseum;9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. * "Alice in Wonderland," NHStheatre department; Tickets are $5.NHS auditorium, 7:00 p.m * NHS Lady Dragon Basketball:Hudson Tournament, times TBD(9th/JV/V). * NHS Dragon Basketball:Livingston Tournament, times TBD(varsity only). * McMichael Middle School BoysBasketball: Fairfield Tournament,times TBD.

Saturday, December 7 * NHS Lady Dragon Basketball:Hudson Tournament, times TBD(9th/JV/V). * NHS Dragon Basketball:Livingston Tournament, times TBD(varsity only). * Middle School Lady DragonsBasketball: NacogdochesTournament, times TBD. * McMichael Middle School BoysBasketball: Fairfield Tournament,times TBD. * McMichael All-Region BandAuditions; Jacksonville, TX.

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at the District Support Center"Erika is always courtesy to anyone who enters the Academic

Services Department and all department members." Even when an upset personenters the office, "Her calming voice and nature helps deescalates the situation.

She is always willing to whatever needs to be done."

Phyllis Upshaw at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School"Each day that she comes to BQJ, she brings a passion and energy that is

contagious to others around her. Mrs. Upshaw always has a smile and is willing to help others." Nominators also noted her ability to teach with great results.

* NHS Mock Trial - Student Clinic;Smith County Courthouse - Tyler, TX. * "Alice in Wonderland," NHStheatre department; Tickets are $5.NHS auditorium, 12:00 p.m. * Fredonia Choir performs at NineFlags Festival, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Monday, December 9 * Book Fair, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts. * Early College High SchoolStudent Meeting, McMichaelMiddle School; 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. * Middle School Boys Basketball:vs. Whitehouse, games to beplayed at McMichael. 5:00 p.m. * Middle School Girls Basketball:vs. Whitehouse (Away), 5:00 p.m. * GT Showcase Night, RaguetElementary; 5:30 p.m. inclassrooms. * Picture Re-takes, Thomas J.Rusk Academy of Fine Arts.

Tuesday, December 10 * Book Fair, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts. * 2nd and 3rd Grade ChristmasProgram, Emeline CarpenterAcademy of Technology andScience, 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. * Literacy Night, Emeline CarpenterAcademy of Technology andScience. * Mike Moses - STAAR Benchmark:Writing (7th grade only) * NHS EOC Testing: Algebra 1 * Literacy Night, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts,6:00 - 7:30 p.m. * NHS Dragon Basketball: vs. TylerLee (Home), 4:30 p.m. * NHS Lady Dragon Basketbal: vs.Marshall (Away), 5:00 p.m. * Fredonia Faculty Christmas Party,Cotton Patch - 6:00 p.m. * Early College High School ParentMeeting, Mike Moses MiddleSchool; Moses cafeteria, 6:00 p.m.

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Gerald Fonzie at Emeline Carpenter Academy of Technology andScience

"He has worked well with the (discipline committee) team to learn a process thatwas new to him. He has paperwork completed in a timely manner and it is alwaysof high quality. ... His openness to learning the new system and his contributions

to the committee have been appreciated and noted by all involved."

NOT PICTURED: Sonja Schulz, Librarian and Gifted and TalentedCoordinator at Mike Moses Middle School

"Ms. Schulz has one of the most dynamic, charismatic personalities ofanyone on our campus. She is excited, joyful, upbeat, and happy every day. She greets the students each morning as they enter the breakfast area, andsometimes she sings to them! She is an AWESOME librarian and holds the

record so far this year for the highest circulation of books of all thesecondary campuses. The students LOVE her. She was also instrumental inlaunching the One Book/One School program several years ago, and it is still

going strong."

Wednesday, December 11 * Book Fair, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts. * NHS EOC Testing: Biology. * Raguet Elementary: 2nd and 3rdGrade Field Trip, Super ScientificCircus at Stephen F. Austin StateUniversity - 3rd Grade: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - 2nd Grade: 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 12 * Book Fair, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts. * NHS Dragon Basketball: LufkinTournament, times TBD (varsityonly). * NHS Lady Dragon Basketball:Central Heights Tournament, timesTBD (varsity only). * NHS EOC Testing: U.S. History. * Fredonia Elementary: 5th GradeTour of AT&T Stadium - Dallas, TX. * 4th and 5th Grade ChristmasProgram, Nettie Marshall Academyof Dual Language. * Nettie Marshall Academy of DualLanguage, iStation Parent Training. * Picture Re-takes, Nettie MarshallAcademy of Dual Language. * Early College High School ParentMeeting, McMichael Middle School;McMichael cafeteria, 6:00 p.m. * Dragonettes' Christmas Program,NHS Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, December 13

* Book Fair, Thomas J. RuskAcademy of Fine Arts. * NHS Lady Dragon Basketball:Central Heights Tournament, timesTBD (varsity only). * NHS Dragon Basketball: LufkinTournament, times TBD (varsityonly). * Perfect Attendance Dance,McMichael Middle School. * Elementary Fall Robotics Contest,

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Kayla Hughes, NISD director and coordinator for the Regional DaySchool Program for the Deaf

"Mrs. Hughes continually goes above and beyond in her duties. She workstirelessly with teachers to assist and support them in utilizing the special ed

manager software for record keeping. She supports parents witheducational programs such as sign language classes, so our parents becomeeffective at communicating with their children with hearing impairments.

She is always willing to step in to assist in any manner for any reason. Sheis a kind loving educator with high expectations for her students and staff."

Mitchie Kenney, Student Support Services "Mitchie is truly gifted at counseling students (and sometimes teachers)

during crisis situations. When she has to intervene, she is calm, reassuringand instantly gains the trust of the student, staff and parent. Every child

Region VII ESC. * Donuts with Dad, FredoniaElementary. * Kindergarten Christmas Musical,Raguet Elementary; Raguetcafeteria, 9:30 a.m. * NHS Dragon Basketball: vs.Livingston (Away), 4:30 p.m.(9th/JV) * Dragonettes' Christmas Program,NHS Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 14

* NHS Dragon Basketball: LufkinTournament, times TBD (varsityonly). * NHS Lady Dragon Basketball:Central Heights Tournament, timesTBD (varsity only). * NHS Swim: BeaumontInvitational, 10:00 a.m. Click here for a month-by-month

calendar of district activities.

Quote of the Week

"Education is the mostpowerful weapon that you canuse to change the world."

- Nelson Mandela, formerpresident of South Africa

and freedom fighter(1918-2013)

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that is under her care is on her heart and mind daily. She really gets toknow her babies, and the teachers she works with, well. She also isthorough with her follow-through when teachers or principals need

information or support."

Congratulations to all the Gold Star recipients for the second six weeks!

Share your photos with us! Send us your Dragon photos throughout the year tocommunications@nacisd.org. And for those of us who can never say no toa #hashtag, we've got you covered! Whether it's Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, Vine, etc., add the hashtag #NACDRAGONS to your Dragon Pridephotos. Whether it's a photo from game day, a spirit day, marchingcompetition, or maybe you aced a test - if you're representing the Dragonswith pride, hashtag #NACDRAGONS.

News

Don't miss family friendly "Alice in Wonderland" performance byNacogdoches High School theater groupFall Down the Rabbit Hole with Nacogdoches Theatre, as theypresent "Alice in Wonderland," adapted by Andre Gregory. Students will perform the show on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, at noon at the NHSAuditorium. Tickets are available at the door and are $5. This is a familyfriendly show! Come and see a brand new, modern take on a classic!

BQJ hosts writing workshopThe Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School will have its first Winter Writer'sWorkshop on Dec. 18 from 5 to 6 p.m.BQJ families are invited to take part in the activities and enjoy aperformance by the school's choir.

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Deadline approaching tomeet NISD goal to collect100 bikes for Toys forTots

Nacogdoches schools again areseeking to fulfill 100 local children'swishes for a new bike under theChristmas tree.

Every campus and department in the Nacogdoches Independent SchoolDistrict is participating in the "Making the Season Bright" bike and toy drivethat runs through Thursday, December 13. "Last year, we were blessed with the outpouring of donations from ourcampuses, departments and the community," said NISD Superintendent Dr.Fred Hayes. "Their efforts gathered 92 bikes, $464.14 in cash, 9 helmets,two toy tractors and a Barbie doll - all of which went to brighten Christmasfor the less fortunate children in our county." Toys for Tots organizer Ronnie Bowser said the bike donations were a"blessing." He explained that he was able to use monetary donations, whichin previous years paid for bikes, to fulfill children's wishes for other toys. "It really helped to have those big ticket items in hand," Bowser said.

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District officials are encouraging each campus and its support offices tocollect approximately 10 bikes, as well as other new, unwrapped toys. All ofthe donations then will be given to the Nacogdoches Toys for Tots and willbe distributed to the families selected for that program. The E.J. Campbell District Support Center, 420 S. Shawnee (a secondentrance is located off of University Drive, just south of Main), serves as theMaking the Season Bright donation drop-off site. For more information on this project, please call NISD communicationscoordinator Rayanne DuChane at (936) 569-5000, ext. 8845.

NHS cosmetology exhibit voted best booth at annual"Download the Future" career fair for eighth graders

NACOGDOCHES - The third annual "Download the Future" 8th grade careerexploration fair was held November 12, 2013. This event aims to inspire, educate,and inform students about life after high school. Information about careers,college, and particular education or training is provided. Read Full Article

Parents of eighth graders can learn more about EarlyCollege High School at one of two meetings Nacogdoches ISD eighth graders and their parents are invited to attend oneof two informational meetings to learn how they could earn up to 60 collegecredit hours while still in high school. The meetings are 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Mike Moses MiddleSchool, and Thursday, Dec. 12, at McMichael Middle School. The meetingswill be held in the schools' cafeterias. The Early College High School program at Nacogdoches ISD offers studentsa unique opportunity to get a head start on college before they graduatefrom high school. In December 2012, more than 100 applications were submitted for theprogram's second cohort. NISD is expecting that number to increase in

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years to come. ECHS principal Tim Mullican is extremely passionate about the program andsays the growth he has seen from his students is encouraging. One current ECHS student said the program gives students who want tofocus on their academics an incredible opportunity to get a head start oftheir degree before leaving high school. The same student added that the relationships between the students havegrown immensely because they share in the same struggles and successes."We can count on each other," she said. If you're interested in learning more about the Early College High Schoolprogram and how it may benefit your student, please attend one of thesemeetings.

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Nacogdoches ISD | 420 S. Shawnee | Nacogdoches | TX | 75961