A Time To Remember

Good Morning Steer Nation!

Good luck this evening to our Graham Steers as they take on the Hirschi Huskies and to our Lady Blues against the Bridgeport Sissies!

On Saturday our Graham Steer and Lady Blues Cross Country teams compete in Seymour and our 9th/JV Lady Blues are playing in the Bridgeport tournament. Best wishes and safe travel to all.  

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Anyone who is unaware that an election is looming has either been sleeping as soundly as Rip Van Winkle or is so focused on work they may be headed for a breakdown. You have heard the names Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, right? Isn’t it hard to believe that we will be electing a new President of the United States in only nine weeks?

We are not only electing a President on that day, however. In addition to that important election, voting on all of the U.S. and state representatives will occur as well as some of our U.S. and state senators. Additionally, several other state officers as well as local county officials will be elected.

Are you registered to vote in this election? How about our students who are old enough to vote – are they registered? This week would be a good time to ensure that your high school students who are eligible to vote are registered to perform that most important civic responsibility! After all, we are teachers.

Over 700,000+ individuals earn a living in our state’s public schools. It is imperative that we create a culture of informed voting among this population. Every educator can help accomplish this task.

What might your help look like? (1.) Encourage your family and friends who are not registered to register to vote. They have until October 11th to register for voting in this election. You might even have the registration cards available for them. (2.) Provide them with information regarding the candidates’ platforms and positions. The information can be found at www.texaseducatorsvote.com. Especially direct them to the League of Women Voters information and the Teach the Vote website. Both of these resources are informative and easy to use.

Early voting is October 24th until November 4th, and election-day is November 8th.

As a school district, we will be rewarding employees who vote with a blue jeans day coupon when they bring their “I Voted” sticker to their supervisor.  Additionally, the campus/department with the highest percentage of voters will earn an extra blue jeans pass for all members of the campus/department team.

A TIME TO REMEMBER

Thanks to Barry Haenisch, Executive Director of Texas Association of Community Schools for sharing this message with me earlier this week.

This week, our country will remember that eventful day fifteen years ago when our nation was shaken by the terrorist act that resulted in the falling of the Twin Towers in New York City, the attack from the air on our Pentagon, and the tragic but heroic efforts of the passengers on United Flight 93 that crashed in a Pennsylvania field rather than finding its planned target in Washington, D.C. The numbers 9-1-1 have taken on a new meaning since that fateful day!

The Texas public school family is very large and diverse. Since those learning and working in public schools in Texas range from Pre-K to adults, our remembrance of that awful Tuesday morning vary. While very few public school students today have any memory of the events of the day, we adults have a reaction that may be influenced by our age. Those who were teaching then can probably remember vividly where they were and what they were doing as they heard the news of the planes flying into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Important historical events have a way of burning themselves on our memories! For those who were students on that fateful day, the memories may revolve more around the teacher or administrator who broke the news, the emotions that they shared, and the fear that events such as these can evoke.

The memories of the day and the meaning of the events are deeply personal and individual. While we know that every American was changed that day, there are no words to explain exactly what the changes were, because the impact was different for each person. Some lost friends or family. Some lost our innocence with the realization that our country was not immune to the violence and hate that had affected other parts of the world. Others felt anger and a need for revenge for the blatant attack to our nation and to our way of life. We all grieved a bit with the realization that future generations of Americans would never really know of a carefree and worry free life that many Americans enjoyed prior to 9-11.

Life is different now than it was before the attacks. There was a time that air passengers were not required to remove their shoes before boarding a plane. The words “Afghanistan” and “Iraq” had no personal meaning “once upon a time”. Many people might not have been surprised if the attack on our nation had come from Russia, China, or some other world power. Al-Qaeda, and now ISIS, have become new words in our citizens’ lexicon.

The events of fifteen years ago, however, brought new meaning to the word “hero.” Policemen, firefighters, and other first responders distinguished themselves and earned a place of honor in our hearts because of their determined and dedicated service to their brothers and sisters in NYC, Washington, D.C., and in that field in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people died and over 6,000 were injured in the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States. It is important that as a nation we never forget the sacrifices of those who perished or of the first responders. After fifteen years, it is easy to forget the pride we all felt on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, in the heroic work of not only the first responders in the targeted areas, but of the heroic efforts of the first responders in every American city and village.

Through it all, it is good to remember on this fifteenth anniversary of 9-11-01 the people in our lives who are important to us. I am thankful to be blessed with a wonderful family, the freedoms afforded in our country, and I am thankful that each of you have dedicated yourselves to helping build a better state and nation through educating all of our children!

May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America!

Must Be Present to Win

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Graham Steers Football- Tonight is the home opener for the Steers in the New Newton.  Everyone is encouraged to participate in the RED OUT and to support our Graham Steers as they take on the Brownwood Lions.

Lady Blues Volleyball- The Lady Blues will face Brownwood at 5:00 this evening.  Best of Luck Ladies!

Team/Individual/Program Successes- Just a reminder to send me items to note or celebrate regarding our students and staff. I want the weekly message to contain as much “good stuff” as possible.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ON MONDAY! TURN OFF YOUR ALARM AND ENJOY A DAY OF REST!!!

MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Help Send the Message that Going to School Every Day Matters for Success in School and Life!

Improving student attendance is an essential, cost-effective but often overlooked strategy for ensuring our students are on-track to learn and succeed. Nationwide, as many as one out of 10 students is chronically absent, meaning they miss 10 percent or more of school days, or nearly a month. Chronic absence is a leading, early warning indicator of academic trouble and later dropout. The good news is that chronic absence is a problem we can solve. While addressing some attendance barriers—such as health, poor transportation, and unstable housing—can often require longer-term strategies, everyone can make a difference by helping students and families understand that going to school every day and avoiding absences whenever possible is critical to realizing their hopes and dreams. Too often, we don’t realize how quickly absences add up: Missing just two days every month can cause a child to fall behind.

Below are key messages that everyone —schools, preschools, public agencies, community organizations, faith based institutions, elected officials, and parents themselves—can use to help spread the word about this important issue.

1. Good attendance helps children do well in school and eventually in the workplace. Good attendance matters for school success, starting as early as prekindergarten and throughout elementary school. By middle and high school, poor attendance is a leading indicator of dropout. Developing the habit of attendance prepares students for success on the job and in life.
2. Excused and unexcused absences easily add up to too much time lost in the classroom.
1. Students are at risk academically if they miss 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days. Once too many absences have occurred, they can affect learning, regardless of whether absences are excused or unexcused.
2. Sporadic, not just consecutive, absences matter. Before you know it – just one or two days a month can add up to nearly 10 percent of the school year.
3. Avoid unnecessary absences. Some absences are unavoidable. Occasionally, children get sick and need to stay home. What is important is getting children to school as often as possible.
3. Chronic absence, missing 10 percent of the school year or more, does not just affect the students who miss school. If too many students are chronically absent, it slows down instruction for other students, who must wait while the teacher repeats material for absentee students. This makes it harder for students to learn and teachers to teach.
4. We need to monitor how many days each student misses school for any reason— excused, unexcused or suspensions— so we can intervene early. Districts and schools should use data to identify how many and which students are chronically absent so they can target extra supports that can improve attendance and interrupt a pattern of chronic absence. Families should track how many days their children have missed so they are aware of when they should be concerned and take action. We can’t afford to think of absenteeism as merely a lack of compliance with school rules or a loss of funding. Absences represent lost opportunities to learn in the classroom.
5. Chronic absence is a problem we can solve when the whole community, along with the parents and schools, get involved in improving attendance. All of us can make a difference by helping students and families feel engaged in learning and their schools, setting the expectation that school attendance matters and working together to identify and help families overcome barriers to getting to school. Community partners are especially important for helping schools and families address and overcome tough barriers, such as limited access to health care, unstable housing, poor transportation or neighborhood violence.
6. Relationship building is fundamental to any strategy for improving student attendance. Students are more likely to go to school if they know someone cares whether they show up. Trusting relationships – whether with teachers, mentors, coaches or other caring adults – are critical to encouraging families and students to seek out help to overcome barriers to attendance.

Tips for Talking to Parents

Stress that good attendance will help your children do well in high school, in college and at work.

1. Your children can suffer academically if they miss 10 percent of the school year or about 18 days. That can be just one day every two weeks, and that can happen before you know it.
2. Some absences are unavoidable. We understand that children will get sick and need to stay home occasionally. The important thing is to get your children to school as often as possible.
3. Sporadic absences, not just those on consecutive days of school, matter. Before you know it – just one or two days a month can add up to nearly 10 percent of the school year.
4. If too many absences occur, it is still a problem whether they are excused or unexcused because they represent too much lost learning time in the classroom.
5. Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show many children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can struggle academically in later years. They often have trouble mastering reading by the end of third grade.
6. Preschool is a great time to start building a habit of good attendance. Young children with poor attendance in preschool also lose out on valuable learning time and if chronic absence continues into kindergarten, it can pull down academic achievement.
7. By middle and high school, chronic absence is a leading warning sign that a student will drop out.
8. Too many absent students can affect the whole classroom, creating learning opportunity gaps and slowing down instruction.
9. Families should avoid extended vacations that require your children to miss school. Try to line up vacations with the school’s schedule. The same goes for doctor’s appointments.
10. For younger children, you can set a regular bedtime and morning routine. Make sure they get 9 to 11 hours of sleep. You can lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
11. For older children, you can help them develop homework and bedtime routines that allow for 8 ½ to 9 ½ hours of sleep. Make sure that when the lights go out, so do the cell phones, video games and computers.
12. Get to know the teachers and administrators. With younger children, make sure you introduce your child to teachers before school starts and keep in touch with the teachers. For older students, school officials can help you stay on top of academic progress and social contacts to make sure your child is staying on track.
13. Above all, set an example for your child. Show him or her that attendance matters to you and that you won’t allow an absence unless someone is truly sick. Avoid asking older students to help with daycare and household errands. For more information go to: http://awareness.attendanceworks.org/

Talking Points for Students

As they grow older, students need to hear this message from peers, as well as teachers and parents.

1. School is your first and most important job. You’re learning about more than math and reading. You’re learning how to show up for school on time every day, so that when you graduate and get a job, you’ll know how to show up for work on time every day.
2. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs. In fact, a high school graduate makes, on average, a million dollars more than a dropout over a lifetime.
3. School only gets harder when you stay home too much. Sometimes it’s tempting to stay home because you’ve got too much work or you don’t understand what’s going on in class. But missing a day only makes that worse.

What makes a Cyclops such an effective teacher? (scroll down for the answer)

He has only one pupil.

Attendance Matters

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

If you are reading this message, give yourself a BIG HIGH FIVE… it looks like you are going to make it through the first week of school!

Graham Area United Way- The deadline to turn in your pledge card/contribution is today!  Please give your card/contribution to your campus office by the end of the day today. Remember your donation stays in our community and you may choose to designate which agency receives your donation.  The agencies supported by the Graham Area United Way are:

AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NORTH TEXAS

BETHEL CHILDREN’S DAY CARE

CRISIS CENTER BENEVOLENCE

GIRL SCOUTS OF TEXAS OKLAHOMA PLAINS

GRAHAM AREA CRISIS CENTER

GRAHAM BACKPACK BUDDIES

GRAHAM GIRLS SOFTBALL

LITTLE LEAGUE AND GRAHAM YOUTH BASEBALL

MEALS-ON-WHEELS

SALVATION ARMY GRAHAM

SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER

VIRGINIA’S HOUSE – A FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

YOUNG COUNTY 4-H CLUBS

YOUNG COUNTY CHILD WELFARE

Lady Blues Volleyball- The Lady Blues are in action this weekend at the Argyle Tournament- Best of Luck Lady Blues!

Graham Steers Football- The Graham Steers football team will be in action this evening at Sanger High School. HOOK EM STEERS! Football Ticket Info - Graham @ Sanger - August 26, 7:30 pm

No advance ticket sales this week - prices at the gate are: $3.00 – Students, $5.00 – Adults. Gold Card Senior Citizens' Pass will be accepted. Indian Stadium, 130 Indian Lane, Sanger, TX 76266 https://goo.gl/maps/a8NkHYMZDP22

Lady Blues/Graham Steer Tennis- Good luck to our Lady Blues and Graham Steer tennis teams as they face Iowa Park in Graham this coming Tuesday afternoon.

Lady Blues/Graham Steers Cross-Country- Best wishes to our Lady Blues and Graham Steer cross-country teams at the Burkburnett Invitational this coming Thursday.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

One of our goals this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly.

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically.  Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:    

• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.  
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.  
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.  

Absences can add up quickly.  A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37, Section 25.092 contains the provision of law commonly referred to as “the 90 percent rule,” which applies to a student in any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12. A student must be in attendance 90% of the school days to be granted credited or a final grade for a class.  A student who is in attendance for less than 90% but at least 75% of the school days may be required to complete additional criteria to earn credit or a final grade.

THERE ARE 78 DAYS IN THE FIRST SEMESTER - IF A STUDENT REACHES 8 ABSENCES, HE/SHE NO LONGER MEETS THE 90% RULE AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE A CHRONICALLY ABSENT STUDENT.

Clearly going to school regularly matters!

We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged.  Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time.   Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up.  Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

Each of our campus teams will be stressing the importance of school attendance throughout the school year. Graham High School principal, Joe Gordy, will be hosting a parent meeting - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ATTENDANCE AND OTHER MATTERS-  on Monday, August 29th at 6:00 pm in the GHS Auditorium. I encourage all parents to attend as we have made significant changes regarding how we will hold high school students accountable for their attendance and have added some incentives for meeting expectations.

Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day.   We want your child to be successful in school!  If you have any questions or need more information please contact your child’s school.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY!

WHAT’S THE KING OF ALL SCHOOL SUPPLIES? (Scroll down for the answer)

The ruler!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

It’s a busy but great week in GISD!  

GISD Inspires Conference was BIG Success!

The Graham ISD staff experienced an awesome day of staff development today led and taught by our own teacher leaders!  The GISD Curriculum and Instruction staff led by Gary Browning did an excellent job of organizing a top notch experience for our team.

A special thanks to the professionals listed below that presented during the day.  We are off to a great 2016 - 2017!

Necia Marin, Gayla Dunagan, Kendall McCurdy, Kitty Rosser, Alice Day, Kelly Hedge, Tonya Sparks, Shondra Seebeck, Susan Riley, Colbie Ranger, Kacey Wakefield, Benny Ramsey, Emily Yates, Amy Murphy, Stacy Nantz, Audra Barrett, Ande Wright, Jenna Baker, Lisa Lovell, Dee Ann Orsak, Lisa Budarf, Kristina Martin, Trudy Hardy, Micki Bullock, Allyson Garner, Misty Mills, Kim Wyatt, Cindy Walton, Barbara Lewis, Tessa Boenisch, Tonya Fellows, Christie Markham, Julie Bell, Elsie Posern, Joe Gordy, Amanda Townley, Sonny Cruse, Jill Schmidt, Jayme Reger, Liz Rose, Jennifer Davis, Molly Morris, Breann Spivey, Natalie Husen, Lori Kramer, Kelly Qualls, Hayley Langford, Tonya Fellows, Deb Guinn, Kelli Walker, Lori Kramer, Suzanne Hollingsworth, Holly Camp, Dana Burgess, Tracy Pippins, Haley Melikian and Pam Rogers

Lady Blues Volleyball- Congrats on the match victory vs Wichita Falls High and best of luck in the annual Lu Allen Tournament that will be held at GHS this Friday and Saturday!

RSB3 Fall Preview- This evening our Rompin Stompin Big Blue Band will debut their Fall marching show. The Fall Preview event will begin at 7:00 pm at Newton Field.  I encourage you to come out and support these students.

First Day of School… What Students Want to Know!

Harry Wong says there are seven things students want to know on the first day of school that we as teachers must be able to answer.  First impressions are important -- so start with a good one!

Am I in the right rooms?

• Have your name and the subject you teach on the door.
• Be at the door to smile and greet students as they enter the room.

Where am I supposed to sit?

• Have assigned seats the first day.  You may want to assign seats by giving students a number as they enter the room that matches a desk number.
• Assigning seats saves time and trouble and includes everyone.

What are the procedures of the classroom?

• Let them know early what your expectations are.
• Speak with colleagues if you are having trouble determining a set of procedures.
• Clearly stated procedures that can be viewed from all parts of the room is very helpful to all.

What will I be doing this year?

• Give them the big picture of the class.
• Tell them about content and processes.
• Let them see your enthusiasm for the subject and teaching.

How will I be graded?

• Let them know how they will be successful.
• Let them see that you are fair and consistent.
• Show them everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Who is this teacher as a person?

• Tell them about your goals for them.
• Introduce yourself to them.
• Students will get the picture of you by how you act and by what you say. It will be a lasting impression.

Will the teacher treat me like a human being?

• Let them see from the beginning that you are a person of integrity.
• Show them and assure them it will be safe to learn in your rooms.
• Let them know you have high expectations for everyone.

Remember you cannot do everything the first day. Some things will wait a couple of days. Three things should happen:

• Get to know your students.
• Let the students know your expectations.
• Organize and manage first day issues.

Time spent teaching procedures in the beginning will result in time saved during the rest of the year.

Remember the words -- safe, effective and efficient. You can decorate later!

I hope you all have a blessed first day.

CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY:

WHY DID THE M&M GO TO SCHOOL? (Scroll down for the answer)

BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BE A SMARTIE!