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. 

Random Acts of Kindness Week

Random Acts of Kindness Week is around the corner. Read about the ways students are spreading kindness in our community this month:

• Students are preparing decorated bags for HEB Plus in hopes to spread kindness to customers in the store
• Sweet notes of kindness will be dropped in medicine bags at the Walmart pharmacy.
• Placemats will be delivered to a local nursing home