What do you Believe? This is what we at Huntsville Independent School District believe.

Recently our district released our beliefs to the community . . .


        


These beliefs were created by a working group of teachers, staff and administrators that spanned the district.  The idea came out as many of us noticed the "old" beliefs Huntsville ISD had published no longer reflected the views of anyone on the team.   Once finalized, we asked our superintendent Dr. Steve Johnson to help us create a video outlining them.  Take a look for yourself.

So...what do you believe?

This is what we at Huntsville Independent School District believe:

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Estafania Martinez: Huntsville High Senior, Homecoming Queen...Star of Documentary Movie?

By now, you have probably already seen the two great stories KBTX ran about Estafania Martinez's crowning at this year's Homecoming back in September. (If not, click Huntsville Students Shake Up Homecoming Traditions &  Inspirational Homecoming Queen Crowned in Huntsville.)

Through the viewfinder- Estafania joined by friends moments after being crowned. 

What you may not know is that Huntsville High Senior and 2013 Homecoming Queen Estafania Martinez is the subject of a documentary written, directed and edited by a group of her classmates here at Huntsville High.

The crew forms a game plan before the ceremony- from left to right- Vic DeMatos (in hat) , Jomar Pueyo and Keona Wynne (both obscured by tripods), Teacher Andrew Stewart and Antoniette Williams (in blue).

As the story captured the attention and hearts at KBTX, so too did it our students, and they believe it is a story worth sharing.

Estafania is looking forward to seeing the finished product in March.

Cameraperson Keona Wynne is covering the action.

Members of Mandy Stewart's Broadcast Journalism class and The HIVE announcement team, Andrew Stewart's Advanced Audio Visual Production class, along with volunteers are helping with the production.  Daniel Arroyo and Huntsville High School Spanish teacher Mrs. Ruiz worked on the translation.

In addition to having Estafania sit for an interview, the crew taped interviews with her family, friends and teachers.

They have recorded interviews, taped the Homecoming crowning and are beginning the editing process. Their goal is to submit the finished film to the University Interscholastic League competition later this school year. We'll keep you posted!

Producer Sandra Rodriguez and Cameraperson & Editor Jomar Pueyo are both seniors in Andrew Stewart's Advanced Audio Video Production class, and are the leads on the project.

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Bullying- Not in Our House!

At Huntsville Elementary School in Huntsville, Texas, fourth graders Austin, Jacob, Justin and Robert made a video about the issue of bullying. Under the guidance of school counselor Stephanie Sanders and the help of much of the staff and faculty, they created the video below addressing what "Caring" means (the school's character word for December).

Meet the Filmmakers!

They interviewed classmates and teachers asking the following questions:

-What is bullying?

-How does it feel to be bullied?

-What does it mean to be a good friend?

-What should you do if you are bullied or if you see someone being bullied?

The video contains interviews and some acted scenes.

The filmmakers presented their video to each grade during enrichment time,
with the conversation guided by Mrs. Sanders.

Then the students participated in an activity that helped them understand the concept of caring.
These kids are drawing a picture, older grades wrote good things about a fellow student.

A helping hand for someone who fell off the slide.

Here's the video- they hope that you enjoy it, and that you find it helpful!


           

(The fourth grade team included some of their favorite songs, so there are some restrictions and you may not be able to play this video on your phone.  On a PC visiting Youtube you should have no problem.  In the event you encounter any issues, click here to go directly to YouTube.

They want to thank the students and staff interviewed for this video:  Ben, Cassia, Gregorio, Holden, James, Jazlyn, Ke'andrea, Lexi, Madison and Marshall.  Miss Fitzgerald, Mr. Lahey, Mrs.Nicks, Mrs. Sanders and Mrs.Turner

They also want to thank Mr. Baker and Mr. Hooks in our HISD Transportation Department, and the entire cafeteria staff at Huntsville Elementary School.

They want to thank Principal Nicks, Assistant Principal Turner and the everybody at Huntsville Elementary.

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

"Good" Projects! HHS Student Council spreads the Holiday Cheer.

Who wouldn’t tis the season to be jolly with students like ours at HHS?!  Last week, Student Council students put on their work boots to pass out a little Christmas spirit and show appreciation to our staff for this holiday season.

Members of the Student Council on one of their treks in their mission to bring cheer.
(left to right,  Lily, Mariah and Yadira)

Council members loaded up a red & green, crepe papered cart full of sweet treats and covered every hallway of the high school, stopping to spread their cheer to staff as they passed by their classrooms, offices, and work stations.  

No Food or Drink- unless you are bringing us goodies!

“At first, teachers were asking us how much we were selling the cookies for, but we told them we brought them as gifts. They were really surprised” says senior Maria. “We were excited to be giving goodies to our wonderful, hardworking staff members.”

StuCo members actually did more than travel the hallways handing out treats. They actually donated all the items themselves. What began as a plan to give out candy canes as holiday gifts evolved into a much more elaborate venture.

All baked goods and treats were donated by the Student Council members.

Ms. Debbie Choate has serious deciding to do.

Ms. Carol Nichols is enjoying the treat.

"I am new to StuCo this year and it is a lot of hard work.  Thank goodness that I have some fantastic students involved.  We are hoping to carry on some old traditions and try and make some new ones." Ms. Stacy Godby, Student Council sponsor, notes that her students came up with the idea for this project and thought that it needed to be a big production in order to show their appreciation for their teachers. 

Their shirts say it all:  "Be the Good; Believe There is Good in the World."

This is not StuCo’s first "Good" project. Earlier in the semester, during teacher inservice, they brought goodies around to staff members preparing the building for the first day of school.

We truly appreciate our teachers and staff in Huntsville ISD, but it sure is wonderful to be shown just how much you mean to your students. We love our kids at HHS! Thanks to the Student Council for helping make HISD a great place in our community. Happy holidays indeed!

The Old Time Christmas Store is Open, But Not for Long!

And a Very Merry Christmas to You, from Eron.

Open- but not for long! Huntsville High School teacher Rachel Tatum, IA Lynn Hodges and all of their students have been busy preparing for the holiday season with the opening of their annual Old Time Christmas Store 
(also known as Room 1212).

Busy Shopping!

This is THE place for all things holiday! Snowman Soup? Holiday Ornaments? Fancy Pens? Check! check! check! 

And a cup of free cider, and a complimentary bag of popcorn? Yes and yes!

Students have spent hours cutting, gluing, measuring, mixing, painting, stamping, stuffing, and packaging many Christmas items.  All proceeds go to fun projects and field trips...but you have to act quickly, Wednesday, December 18th is the last day, and the store is open from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Terrin has the Christmas Spirit!

Customers Gladys and Annie of the Custodial Staff with their new pens!

Chelsea and Patsy spread holiday cheer! 

Mrs. Tatum is ready to take your order!

Mrs. Hodges likes to make the popcorn!

iTech Melissa likes to eat the popcorn!

Merry Christmas to All! (Yes, this ornament is for sale! :-) )

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Our Students Have a "Face to Face" with Congressman Kevin Brady

Ever wanted to get a face to face meeting with your Congressman?

Live from Washington, DC...it's Rep. Kevin Brady!
(Click the photo to enlarge, click enlarge photo to begin slide show.)

Students from Mrs. Herrington's Economics class and Mr. Marshall's Government class had that very opportunity earlier today.   The fact that Rep. Brady was in Washington, DC, and the students were in Room 1905 at the High School was no matter, as the students & Rep. Brady utilized Google Hangouts.

Afterward, Mariah said, "It was a good way to communicate and learn more information
about everything that is going on."

Demi, Lindsay Desmond and Rebecca listen intently.

Students had the opportunity to ask a wide range questions that directly affect them, from the likelihood of a raise in the minimum wage to the effect of cuts to the military on incoming recruits.

Here's a question that hits close to home. 

The Hangout was linked from the desktop (far left) to the screen.
Also notice the Hovercam placed on the A/V cart.   (This was used for Rep. Brady to see the students).

Mr. Marshall (right) moderated, Josh got to ask a question.

You may remember from a few weeks back that Ms. Pulling utilized Google Hangouts to include her nephew (who is serving in Afghanistan) in a lesson on Veterans' Day for her first graders.  Remember, this is available to all teachers in the district.  The service is free, and today's session went well.  (There was a short delay in the transmission, though everyone had an easy time compensating for it by waiting for a second before speaking.)  So teachers, contact us if you would like to incorporate a video call into your students' learning.  We'd love to get you started. Email us at iTechs (at sign) huntsville-isd.org

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Thanksgiving Feast at Gibbs Pre K Center

As is our tradition here in the District, campuses celebrated Thanksgiving dinner for lunch in anticipation of next week's holiday.  Gibbs Pre Kindergarten Center invited any available family of their children to attend their feast.  Parents, cousins, siblings and grandparents came to enjoy a feast with their little ones.

It puts us in mind of all things we are grateful for this Thanksgiving.  Have a safe and happy one!

Mom Constance was able to "do lunch" with daughter Alaya

Augusta Russell and Rita Roberts check in all the visitors.

The Thanksgiving Scene at Gibbs

Grandma Carol & Dad Blake with Ryah.

James takes a moment for the camera before digging in. 

Smell those sweet potatoes!

Isaac waits patiently in line with mom Sabrina (not pictured)

JoAnn with son Peyton

Anna with daughter Amy

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Happy FORMSgiving from Curriculum and Technology!

Happy Formsgiving!

OK, the wordplay might be a stretch, but please indulge us as we bring you Google Form training during this holiday season.  We are coming to a campus, and a computer, near you!

Click Here to Be Taken to the More Info and Schedule Page

Each campus will have members of our team come and introduce you to Forms, a powerful Google tool available in your Google account.  Can't make a session?  Take it online by going logging into Eduphoria here and enrolling in the virtual course.

"Why forms?" you ask. Among other things, you can:

• Give quizzes in a fraction of the time that it normally takes, and then automate the grading. 
• Send a survey, or an order form, and cut out the confusion on specifics.  (T-shirt order form can include accurate size information, color, style, etc.)
• Organize potlucks, volunteer opportunities and donations in and out of school

Pull up a chair and let Ruth let tell ya about a thing called Forms- it could change your life (a little bit).

As you can see here, the questions can be quite difficult.

Linda Webb is feeling the power of Forms.

Amy Allen is feeling the joy of Forms.

Below we've embedded the online workshop for your viewing pleasure.  However, if you would like to get one CPE credit, make sure to log in to the Eduphoria link and enroll in the online course.

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District

Howdy Bagram! Huntsville Students Call U.S Army Specialist in Afghanistan for Veterans Day

Ms. Autumn Pulling, a first grade teacher at Huntsville Elementary School, had an idea last week- Why don't her students video call her nephew?  

Coming in (Mostly) Loud and Clear. (Click image to enlarge, Click enlarged image to begin slideshow.)

As her nephew is Rick Moseley, a U.S. Army Specialist currently serving in Bagram, Afghanistan, and her students were studying Veteran's Day in her social studies unit, she thought a video call would be a great way to go a little deeper in the learning (and make it a bit more exciting) for her students.

First order of business:  Where is Afghanistan?

Before the day of the video call (via Google Hangouts), the class prepared by discussing where in the world Mr. Moseley was stationed, what he was doing there and what kind of questions they wanted to ask him.

Coming Up with Questions.

Students came up with questions including, "Do you have to clean up?" "Do you have a gun?" & "What do you miss most?"

Students Take Turns Asking Questions

"Hi Over There"

Good Listening Going on Here.

After the Google Hangout, Ms. Pulling's students then drew and wrote the answer to their favorite question in their journal.

Drawing the Army Base (or "Compound")

Success! Student teacher Ms. Makinzie Nicks and teacher Ms. Autumn Pulling with the class after the call.

Google Hangouts is available to all teachers in the district.   The service is free, and (while not perfect) the quality was surprisingly good for an internet call to an Army base half way around the world.  Teachers, if you would like to incorporate a video call into your students' learning, contact us and we'd love to help you get it started.  Just email us- iTechs (at sign) huntsville-isd.org

Matthew Lahey  Huntsville ISD Huntsville Independent School District