Monday was one of the most special days of the school year here at Huntsville Independent School District, and there isn't even one student around because school
doesn't start for another week!
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| Sting 'Em Hornets! |
That's because on Monday we held our annual Convocation, one of the very few times of the year that all of us get together, from PreK to High School, from Maintenance to Excel, to come welcome each other back, to get the news and to get inspired for a brand new school year.
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| The Cheer Team & Flagmen Get the Staff Pumped Up!! |
This year, Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church graciously hosted our event. This was a first, and it worked out perfectly. Before the convocation, all staff were invited to breakfast across the street from the church at Huntsville Intermediate School.
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Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church member and Huntsville Elementary Teacher Sharon Jefferson
with one of our hosts, fellow Greater Zion Hospitality Committee member Deborah Byrd
Later, we caravanned to Northside Baptist Church and were treated to a delicious BBQ hosted by Northside Baptist Church. The congregation prepared lunch for over 880 people!
Thank you, thank you, thank you goes to Pastor Davis and the Greater Zion Mount Baptist Church Congregation, as well as Pastor Cooksey and the congregation of Northside Baptist Church.
 Mr. Cruse shared his own story, and we learned that he came from a single parent home and benefited greatly from some teachers that believed in him. They were mentors that saw something in him that "he himself was yet to see." His wasn't a "college type" family, so his decision to go to college was a decision made outside of his comfort zone.
Sheila Cannon of the United Way of the Piney Woods spoke to the group about her organization's work, thanked the staff and faculty for our strong support and echoed Mr. Cruse's call for a renewed spirit of volunteerism.
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Dr. Stacey Edmonson, the Dean of the College of Education at Sam Houston State University, spoke on the close relationship the School and our District have, and offered her help and support as well as her appreciation to our District.
Patsy Ann Reed of the Huntsville Education Foundation gave information on this local foundation's grant work that is for the exclusive benefit of our HISD teachers and students. They have awarded over $300,000 over its history. Mona Bartoshek of the Walker County Retired Teachers Association introduced us to her organization's work in supporting HISD, and invited those teachers that may be at the end of their career to consider joining with them.
By the way, we have to take a minute to thank Entergy for its generous support of the foundation- Entergy has been essential in keeping this funding strong. With the support of Entergy as well as the support of countless local contributors and our district "Jeans Pass" fundraiser, this is a foundation with solid background and a strong future. HHS English teacher and ATPE representative Amy Langley spoke about the benefits of joining
the Association of Texas Professional Educators.
the Association of Texas Professional Educators.
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| Ta- DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! |
After everyone else spoke, our keynote speaker, Joel Zeff, entered the stage and took over, with his infectious, high energy and highly interactive improvisational humor based program.
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| Joe Zeff says- Look at your neighbor, put up your hands and say "Buddy Buddy." Feel Better? Of course you do! |
His aim is to inspire people to be the best they can be by helping us learn to celebrate everyday successes, help learn what motivates us, and empower people to do their jobs.
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| Linda Grigsby and Maria Delgado laugh along with the show- starring...us!!! |
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| Huntsville High's Scott Bumbaugh, Gibbs PreK Center's Albert Archuleta, Speaker Joel Zeff and Scott Johnson's Sydney Groveton |
His "talk" was highly interactive, leading all 800 plus of us to get up and act goofy and then taking several volunteers from the audience to help illustrate some important points- among them being in the 'moment,' cooperation, communication, empowerment, trust
and the power of "Thank You."
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| Thumbs Up! |
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| Joel Zeff, Scott Johnson Elementary's Bre'Neka O'Bryant, Scott Johnson's Brooke Burns and Huntsville High School's Karen Tymniak |
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Huntsville High's Deneice Davis and John Rhine from Mance Park Allison Hollis, Director of Special Education for HISD and Deneice Davis of Huntsville High. |
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| L-R, Mance Park's Terrence Bell (front) and Huntsville Intermediate's Chris Sinski` with Laura Sausage behind Joel Zeff |
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| Breakfast was served at Huntsville Intermediate School, and the Huntsville Police Department provided help crossing the street- thank you folks! |
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| Lori Riley of Huntsville Intermediate School with Jean Qualtrough of Mance Park Middle School. |
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| Let it Fly!! |
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| Another amazing and delicious event provided by Henry Tapia and our HISD Food Service Team. |
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| Huntsville Elementary's Nieisha Matthews and Tantanisha Laymon |
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| Gibbs PreK Center's Albert Archuleta loves breakfast! (Yes, Mr. Archuleta knows this photo is up on the blog!) |
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| Breakfast is (pardon the expression...) buzzin'!! |
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| and lunch is a 'hive' of activity. (Sorry about that one.) |
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| Before Tara Grisham heads to her manager job at Wally's Card & Party, she stopped by to volunteer at Northside for our lunch! |
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| Huntsville Elementary's Laura Delfin is good to go!! |
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| Service with a Smile: Colt Christian. |
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| Need directions to the lunch? Head up FM 980 and look for the sign! |
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| Our Emcee for the Morning, Director of Communications Shannon Duncan. It's a nice feeling when it's finished, isn't it Shannon? |
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| Dad and Daughter Team: Jenna Slie and her dad, Northside Baptist Youth Pastor Bob Slie
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BIG BIG BIG shout out to our Theater teacher, Mr. Tim Johnston. Mr. Johnston helped ensure a smooth convocation by providing technical assistance with the microphones. Thank you!
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