Service From the Heart

There are so many ways to help during the holidays and our Student Council has been busy.

KIXS FM needed some help putting smiles on the faces of our fellow community members facing hardships. Student Council made holiday placemats for Christ's Kitchen Community Dinner.

In addition, Student Council members and parents passed out dinner plates and drinks at the HEB Feast of Sharing. Thank you so much for the gift of your time. We really appreciate it.

Student Council members also helped Santa out this year by representing the North Pole as Storybook Elves. The students earned trips to the North Pole to read with a Storybook Elf. The kids loved hearing favorite holiday stories being read aloud to them by our school leaders. Great job Student Council!

Stressed About the Holidays?

Region 16 Nov/Dec Parent and Family Engagement Connection

Region 16 has provided great articles in their November/December newsletter for this stressful time of the year. The newsletter includes articles about Tips for Coping with Stress at the Holidays, Getting Involved in Community Service, Exercise and Nutrition, A Busy Parent's Checklist, and Getting Involved in Your Child's School. 

GenTX Week

We are celebrating GenTX Week this week to help raise awareness of the value of a higher education and thus, help to promote a college-going culture among students and their families. Each day we will have a different theme.

Monday: "My future starts NOW!" Show your school pride by wearing your elementary school shirt.

Tuesday: "Show your true colors" Wear your favorite college school colors today

Wednesday: "College Shirt Day!" Where do you want to go to college? Wear your college shirt

Thursday: " I tip my hat to higher education" Wear your favorite college hat or cap to school

Friday: "Dress the part because you're smart" Dress up as what you want to be when you graduate from college

Web Resources for Parents 
www.collegeforalltexans.com - information on admissions/financial aid in Texas www.collegeispossible.org - information on ways parents can prepare students www.familyeducation.com - for information regarding educational skills expected for each grade and skill-builder exercises parents can do with their students 
www.college.gov - for information about paying and preparing for college 
www.ed.gov/parents - information regarding a variety of support parents can give and receive in helping their students attend college 
www.texastomorrowfunds.org - information on Texas college savings plans 
www.nasfaa.org – financial aid information 
www.fastweb.com - free scholarship and financial aid service 
www.aie.org/Parents - information for helping parents help students prepare for college 

Thank You Veterans!

Veterans Day is a time to celebrate people who have served in the military during times of peace and during times of war. Students at Guadalupe Elementary and William Wood Elementary thanked our veterans with a beautiful music program arranged by our talented music teacher, Mrs. Young. Thank you to all of our veterans for your service to our country.

Responsibility Awards

Students from William Wood Elementary and Guadalupe Elementary were recognized for Responsibility. JROTC TX956 presented the awards at William Wood Elementary and spoke about the importance of being responsible at home by taking care of their pet. Guadalupe Elementary's guest, Dr. Susanne Carroll, spoke about the responsibility of all students at home, school, and in the community. Congratulations to all of our award recipients!

T.R.R.F.C.C. Character: Respect

We have T.R.R.F.C.C. Character at Guadalupe Elementary! T.R.R.F.C.C. stands for Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Today we honored students for their respect in the classroom. During our T.R.R.F.C.C. Character Awards, the Mr. Gary Moses spoke to the students about RESPECT. Congratulations to all of our T.R.R.F.C.C. Award Recipients. You are leaders in your classroom and everywhere you go! #StarPride

Aviator Character Education Awards: Respect

We have T.R.R.F.C.C. Character at William Wood Elementary! T.R.R.F.C.C stands for Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Today we honored students for their respect in the classroom. During our Aviator Character Education Awards (ACE Awards), the TX 956 JROTC students led by their instructor, Major Craig Nordskog taught the students about RESPECT. One of our principal's former students recalled the respect he had for Mrs. Schuelke and how he showed his respect with a red apple on her desk. The cadets gave apples to eight students and they were directed to give their apples to their teachers to demonstrate the respect they have for them.

 ACE Award presentations followed the speeches by the JROTC. Kindergarten and First Grade were named Wingmen of Respect. Second and Third Grade Students were named Pilots of Respect. And Fourth and Fifth Grade students were named Aces of Respect. Congratulations to all of our ACE Award Recipients. You are leaders in your classroom and everywhere you go! #Aviator Pride

The Beauty of Resiliency

Resiliency is the bounce-back-ability to continue moving forward through difficult times. Over the last few weeks, Victoria and its surrounding communities have shown resiliency. I look into the classrooms and I see each child and staff member shining bright like diamonds. They have shown strength under great pressure and stress. This is the beauty of resiliency. We are resilient and will continue to shine brighter each day. #BetterTogether

Hurricane Harvey Resources:

For emotional and family support visit   Victoria ISD Family Support

For district information visit Victoria ISD Hurricane Harvey Relief

It only takes a minute!

It only takes a few moments to connect with each child. Relationships are key to helping students be the best that they can be. I want each of the students to know that I care about them and will be there to support them as they make friends and aspire to be productive citizens in our community. The next few weeks I will meet with our students during Minute Meetings. I take time to listen as students share with me about their day, friendships, how their school year is going, future aspirations, and ways they can help our school be a safe and fun learning environment for everyone.We have amazing students that are making our schools safe and fun learning environments for all. It is a joy to be a part of each of their lives.

Blasting Off to a New School Year

As we embark on this new school year I find myself reflecting on one of my favorite speeches by President Kennedy at Rice University on September 12, 1962. He addressed the great minds of the community and the future of the space industry with powerful words of encouragement. They were beginning a new endeavor which would take courage, perseverance, and dedication. In the following excerpts, I’ve used his words of encouragement to empower myself and hopefully others to begin this school year with the excitement that was shared on this historical day. 

“I am delighted to be here, and I'm particularly delighted to be here on this occasion.”
All summer I’ve been thinking about the growing minds that will soon enter my schools. It’s a true delight when I look upon the smiling faces of my students at the beginning of each school year. 

“We meet at a college noted for knowledge, in a city noted for progress, in a state noted for strength, and we stand in need of all three...” 
We are Victoria ISD and we are #VISDProud. Education is the foundation for knowledge. Each day we will strive for excellence and progress as students and staff face academic and emotional challenges with perseverance. Students will have the opportunity to strengthen their character, discipline, and resilience. 

“But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? … We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…”

As a counselor I set goals for myself each year. Many of these goals will stretch my abilities and strengthen me as an educator. I want to make a difference in each child’s life and I want each child to make a positive difference in our community. This might seem unreachable to some, but I see it as an endless opportunity for growth. #KidsDeserveIt  

“The growth of our science and education will be enriched by new knowledge of our universe and environment,”

I love learning and I will continue to learn as a counselor, teacher and educator. As education evolves I want to be on the edge of innovation and new ideas. My professional learning community will continue to expand as I collaborate with other counselors and educators. By surrounding myself with successful leaders in education I will continue to expand on my own knowledge and create a positive learning environment for my students.

Join us as we blast off into a great year!

GenTX Decision Day

All over Texas, students are finding their voices, setting goals, and taking steps toward securing successful futures as part of Generation TX. Our students are Generation TX, and they are what's next for Texas. Join us this Friday, May 5th, by wearing college shirts in support of higher education. Seniors all over Texas will be sharing their journey to college and their decision to pursue a college education.

Parents and students, it's not too early to start preparing for college. 

• Visit college campuses 
• Volunteer in your community
• Study hard and work hard in school
• Talk with someone who works in a career that sparks your curiosity
• Create a list of accomplishments, community service, and awards

Fore more information visit www.GenTX.org. 

Career Day 2017

Thank you to all of our Career Day presenters!!

At Your Service: Ambrosia Davis (GES & WWES K-5)

Jackson County Tribune: Jessica Coleman (GES 3-5)

Mid-Coast Family Services: Laura Damborsky (WWES K-2)

Museum of the Coastal Bend: Amanda Lanum (WWES K-5)

NASA: Katie Spicer (GES K-5)
Sweet As Can Be Bakery: Julie McClellan (WWES 3-5)

Victoria County Fire Department (GES & WWES (K-5)

Victoria County Sheriff's Office: Deputy Garza (WWES K-5)

Wells Fargo: Nellie, Celina, Jessica, Lauren, Amanda (GES K-5)

 

Junior Achievement

We are so thankful for our surrounding businesses that have provided the Junior Achievement Program for our 5th graders this year. This is a great opportunity for our students to learn about our nation's free market system and how they can use their own innovative thinking skills to be an entrepreneur. Thank you Lanell (VBEC), Peter (Junior Achievement), Melissa (Safety Council of the Mid-Coast, Inc.), and Kipp (Caterpillar) for all you do in VISD!

You can read more about what our 5th graders learned during Junior Achievement by visiting their website and reading about Junior Achievement's Our Nation.

Mix It Up at Lunch 2017

Mix It Up at Lunch was another huge success with the students at William Wood Elementary and Guadalupe Elementary. The purpose of Mix It Up at Lunch is to foster relationships throughout grade levels and build connections with a purpose to prevent bullying. Every opportunity to prevent bullying and build relationships among the students help our schools become a safer place for all students. Another added bonus this year to our event was the college awareness aspect. As the students entered the cafeteria, they were given an admission ticket to a college. Each table was decorated with college swags indicating their "college/university". At the elementary age it is important to bring awareness of higher education. Mix It Up at Lunch was a perfect event for this opportunity. Parents and members from William Wood Elementary Student Council helped the students initiate conversations and make introductions. Guadalupe Elementary top role models from Victoria East High School and the GES Student Council helped facilitate the discussion during Mix It Up at lunch. Students were engaged and made new friendships that will help build our school community. 

Breakout EDU: Critical Thinking & Collaboration

Learners of all ages enjoy the critical thinking and collaboration used in Breakout EDU puzzles. I first used Breakout EDU with my staff as a team building exercise and to bring new ideas to their classrooms. Springtime in education can get routine and the kids and teachers Breakout EDU helps liven the lessons and teach valuable social skills. Bring Breakout EDU to your classroom and see and hear collaboration among your students. Jump in and visit their website at http://www.breakoutedu.com/welcome.

My first Breakout EDU with students was created for a two hour lesson. The first hour students learned about The Power of Yet during out Growth Mindset Camp. The second half was a Breakout session. The students had to solve critical thinking clues and use the skills they learned in the Growth Mindset Camp to free our beloved mascot, Eddy the YETi from the locked box. Read the story below that created the urge for the students to succeed in their mission.

"You almost completed your mission. Our beloved Eddy the YETi has been stolen and locked in the box. The citizens from CANTville don't want you to use your new growth mindset training. If you can decipher the clues, you will be be a growth mindset master and save Eddy the YETi!!"

 

 Our next Breakout EDU session was to introduce our next character trait: Trustworthiness. This one was used so our high school librarian could see a Breakout EDU session in action. Fun for all ages and great for all skill levels.  

Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement was a success at William Wood Elementary! Students learned so much about business and entrepreneurship. Thank you Ms. Mantey and Ms. Rivera for your excellent leadership and valuable time with our students.