Friday, May 12, 2017

25 Lessons From Mom

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!

Best of Luck to Graham Steers Hunter Dooley and Jack Hayes! They will be competing today at UIL State Track Meet.

The Lady Blues Defeated Godley 8-1 in Game 1 Last Night! Game 2 will be played on Saturday at 1:00 in Mineral Wells.  Game 3, if needed, will be played immediately following game 2.

Good Luck to the Graham Steers in the games vs Godley! Game 1 will be today in Mineral Wells at 7:00. Game 2 is Saturday at 1:00 in Brock. Game 3, if needed, will be played immediately following game 2.

End of Year Staff Breakfast and Awards- June 2nd signifies the last work day for our instructional staff. On this day, we are having a full breakfast(casseroles, biscuits & gravy, fruit and scones) catered by The Dinner Bell. The breakfast will be served from 7.30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in the GHS cafeteria. At 9:00 a.m. we will all meet in the GHS gym for the Staff Awards program. After the awards program, if you have completed the checkout procedure with your principal, you are free to begin your weekend. To assist us with planning for the breakfast, we are asking each staff member to complete this Yes or No survey. Please click on this link to complete the survey-

Congratulations to our 2017 Campus Teachers of the Year!
Pioneer Teacher of the Year- Barbara Lewis
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Crestview Teacher of the Year- Breann Spivey
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Woodland Teacher of the Year- Kacey Wakefield
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GJHS Teacher of the Year- Marva Thomas
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GHS Teacher of the Year- Michelle Lowrey
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Our Elementary Teacher of the Year is:
Breann Spivey

Our Secondary Teacher of the Year is:
Michelle Lowrey

Good Luck in the Regional Teacher of the Year Contest!

Upcoming Events:
  • Tuesday, May 16- FFA Banquet- 6:30 at Young County Arena
  • Thursday, May 18- GJHS Spring Band Concert- 5:30 at GJHS Classic Gym
  • Friday, May 26- GHS Graduation- 8:00 pm
  • Friday, June 2- Staff Breakfast and Service Awards- 7:30 at GHS cafeteria/gym. Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:45; Service Awards begin at 9:00


25 LESSONS FROM MOM

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why .'

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
'Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.'

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.'

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE .
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
'Stop acting like your father!'

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
'Just wait until we get home.'

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
'You are going to get it when you get home!'

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.'

19. My mother taught me ESP.
'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?'

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
'When that lawn mower cuts off your foot, don't come running to me.'

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
'You're just like your father.'

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.'


CORNY JOKE OF THE DAY!

What did the mother rope say to her child?




Don’t be knotty.

Friday, May 5, 2017

Always Something To Live For


GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!  

These words come a little harder this week than they do in most others, but… this is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Today, I have reversed the order in which I normally share information. To me, it’s the correct perspective.  I hope you agree.

Always Something To Live For

“Never is there something to die for, but always is there something to live for.” Harrison Brown

This week has provided a multitude of opportunities to reflect on so many things. Most, for which, we have no answers.

With that said, several of my beliefs have been even more solidified this week. First and foremost, there are more good people than there are bad! Even though most of the time it does not get celebrated, if we treat others well, have a zeal for life and choose to be happy, we all can make a positive impact on others.

Throughout the week, local and national media have produced segments to spotlight the life of Harrison Brown.  One of my favorites is linked below. Click on the Longhorn logo to view.

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There are several opportunities to assist the Harrison Family:

  • T-Shirts at Double R Trading Co in Graham- https://t.co/rQeNsVZ8tH
  • The Brown Family Fund at Ciera Bank of Graham 940-549-2040
  • A Harrison Brown Memorial Scholarship has been established at NCTC of Graham. Donation can be sent to North Central Texas College at 928 Cherry St, Graham TX 76450.

A Rosary service will be held for Harrison at 7:00 this evening at St. Mary’s Church in Graham.

A Memorial Service will be held for Harrison at 1:00 pm on Saturday in the Graham High School Gym.  The Memorial Service will be streamed via the Graham ISD Facebook Page.


Graham ISD News

Baseball Bi-District Playoffs vs Brownwood- The Steers play Brownwood today at 2:30 at Brock. Game 2 will be played on Saturday at Noon at Azle. Game 3, if necessary, will be played 30 minutes following game 2. Good Luck Steers!

Softball Area Playoffs vs Alvarado- The Lady Blues will play a doubleheader beginning at 6:00 today at Castleberry ISD field located at 5800 Meandering Way, River Oaks, TX. Good Luck Lady Blues!

Upcoming School Events:
  • Friday, May 5
    • Steer Bi-District Baseball vs Brownwood- 2:20 at Brock
    • Lady Blues Area Playoff vs Alvarado- Doubleheader beginning at 6:00 pm  at 5800 Meandering Way, River Oaks, TX 76114 (Castleberry ISD Field).
  • Saturday, May 6
    • Steer Bi-District Baseball vs Brownwood- Noon/2:00 at Azle
    • Lady Blues Area Playoff vs Alvarado- If a game 3 is needed- 9:00at Weatherford HS
    • GHS Band Banquet- 6:00 At GHS Cafeteria
  • Monday, May 8- GHS Spring Sports Banquet- 6:00 at Young County Arena
  • Wednesday, May 10
    • Reception for GISD Retirees- 4:00 - 5:30 at GHS Library
    • School Board Meeting- 5:30 at GHS Auditorium
  • Thursday, May 11- GHS Spring Choir Concert- 7:00 at Graham Memorial Auditorium
  • Friday, May 12- Academic Signing Day- 2:00 at GHS Commons
  • Tuesday, May 16- FFA Banquet- 6:30 at Young County Arena
  • Thursday, May 18- GJHS Spring Band Concert- 5:30 at GJHS Classic Gym
  • Friday, May 26- GHS Graduation- 8:00 pm
  • Friday, June 2- Staff Breakfast and Service Awards- 7:30 at GHS cafeteria/gym. Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:45; Service Awards begin at 9:00




Friday, April 28, 2017

Right In Front of Your Face

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!
Graham FFA Cotton Team wins State! Congrats to the Cotton Team of Gustavo Ramirez, Kolton Gough, Riley Wyatt and Hiram Fuentes. Individually Gustavo Ramirez was high point individual winning a buckle and $350 scholarship. Kolton Gough was 3rd and Riley Wyatt was 6th.

GHS Fishing Team Qualifies for State! Congratulations to Kirk Hutchens and Rob Lucas for making the Texas High School Bass Association State Championship for the second year in a row. They will be fishing Lake Ray Roberts May 20th and 21st in a field of over 200 teams from all across the state.

Congratulations to GHS Senior Smith Graham for placing 6th in Social Studies at the Texas UIL Academic State Meet last Saturday!

Lady Blues Playoffs vs Sweetwater- The Lady Blues lost game 1 last night in Hermleigh 8-5. Game 2 will be played today in Graham at 5:00 pm. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at 7:00.

Graham Steer Baseball Playoff Seeding Games- The Steers will play game one at 11:00 today vs Burkburnett. The winner of game one will play Iowa Park at 2:00. Game three, if necessary, will be played on Saturday at Noon. All games will be played at Hoskins Field in Wichita Falls. $5 Adults/$2 admission price.

Good Luck to the Lady Blues and Graham Steers Competing at the Regional Track Meet in Lubbock! Hunter Dooley (shot put), Jasmine Sims (long jump, 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 1600m relay), Morgan Shook (pole vault), Chloe Menard (triple jump, 800m relay), Nicole King (shot put), Jack Hays (discus), Will Walton (3200m), Finis Smith (100m, 400m relay, 800m relay), Wesley Martin (400m relay, 800m relay), Chase Gilmore (400m relay, 800m relay), Adam Groves (400m relay, 800m relay), Cassie Russell (800m relay, 1600m relay), Rosie Schaffer (800m relay, 1600m relay), Summer Croxton (800m relay, 1600m relay).

Lady Blues Golf Finishes an Excellent Season! Congratulations to  Ashley Choate, Abbi Iles, Maggie Nunley, Marleigh Sanders and Delaney Sullivent on an excellent season.  They finished their season at the Regional Tournament in Lubbock by shooting 336 and 343 and finishes 6th overall.  In most, if not all other regional tournaments, our girls score would have qualified for the state tournament.


Right in Front of Your Face

In 1968, climber Royal Robbins was attempting one of America’s most difficult solo climbs -- the 3,000 foot cliff known as Muir Wall on the El Capitan peak of Yosemite National Park. Two thousand feet into the climb, Robbins found himself in the kind of tough spot that can be encountered by anyone attempting a difficult task: He just couldn’t summon the strength and determination to make it to the top. In fact, he couldn’t even see the summit, despite all of his hard work.

What makes Robbins effort special is the solution he found. He decided to ignore the 1,000 feet left of the climb and instead focused on only the next five feet and so on until he reached the top.

“How do you climb a mountain when you can’t see the summit?” Robbins asks. “By setting targets you can see and hit.” In other words, the solution is right in front of your face.


Friday, April 21, 2017

Smell the Coffee

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY
Special Olympics Pep Rally Today at Newton Field Stadium! If your schedule will allow, please join us at the stadium this morning to celebrate our 39 Special Olympians! The pep rally will be at 10:00 a.m.
Graham High FFA Teams Qualify for State! The range team placed 4th at area and qualified for state next week! Poultry missed state by one spot placing 6th. Milk and horse also represented the chapter well placing 13th in a competitive area.State Cotton at Texas Tech this Saturday: Kolton Gough, Hiram Fuentes, Riley Wyatt, Gustavo Ramirez. State Plant Identification at TTU this Saturday: Jake Holland, Shanna Gleason, Cecil Isham, Terry Wainscott. State Range at Tarleton next Thursday: Jake Holland, Shanna Gleason, Terry Wainscott, Joseph Wendel.


Congratulations to our Track Regional Qualifiers! Hunter Dooley (shot put), Jasmine Sims (long jump, 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 1600m relay), Morgan Shook (pole vault), Chloe Menard (triple jump, 800m relay), Nicole King (shot put), Jack Hays (discus), Will Walton (3200m), Finis Smith (100m, 400m relay, 800m relay), Wesley Martin (400m relay, 800m relay), Chase Gilmore (400m relay, 800m relay), Adam Groves (400m relay, 800m relay), Cassie Russell (800m relay, 1600m relay), Rosie Schaffer (800m relay, 1600m relay), Summer Croxton (800m relay, 1600m relay). We are so proud!!! Love those Lady Blues and love those Graham Steers!!!
Sixth Grade Band Earns First Division Rating at Sandy Lake!- Congrats to our 6th grade band students on earning a First Division Rating with Straight 1's at Sandy Lake.
GHS Yearbook Selected for Gallery of Excellence! Congratulations to the GHS yearbook staff and Mrs. Sanders! The GHS yearbook has been selected for the Gallery of Excellence. We are proud of our staff and students!
The Pioneer Elementary Habitat Area 10th Anniversary Celebration Tomorrow! Join us at 1:00 TODAY to celebrate 10 years of learning in our schoolyard habitat.  Students will be releasing 300 butterflies, planting a tree and enjoying cookies and cake.
Lady Blues Softball at Home Tonight vs Vernon for the District Championship and Senior Night! Varsity game will begin at 6:00!  Hope to see you at the ballfield supporting the Lady Blues!
Graham Steer Baseball at Home Tonight vs Vernon and at Home Tomorrow vs Krum.  The JV team plays at 4:30 and Varsity will play at 7:30. The Saturday games will begin at Noon with the varsity playing the first game. Go Graham Steers!
GPEF Pistols & Pearls Event- The Graham Public Education Foundation is gearing up for Pistols and Pearls on April 29, 2017! The RSVP’s are coming in and everyone is getting excited for such a fun party that benefits a great cause. This year we have some amazing raffle and auction items, as well as a delicious meal of lobster and beef tenderloin. No worries about the calories... you can dance off the food to the live music of The Wonders!
Tickets are still available. You can either mail in your RSVP to 400 Third Street or call 940.549.0595 to get your name on the list. You can drop off your check at that address as well. If you are not able to come, we are still accepting donations. A donation of any amount is welcomed as we are about to decide on which grants we fund for the Graham ISD staff and students.
Thank you all for your support, and we hope to see you there!
Mid-Sized District Administrator Share and Exchange- On a routine basis a group of districts in our area participate in these meetings to discuss challenges, ideas, etc. Burkburnett ISD will be hosting our next event and would like to invite you to a special Mid-Sized District Administrator Share and Exchange meeting on June 5, 2017 at Burkburnett High School, 109 West Kramer Road, from 8:00-3:30. Burkburnett ISD is hosting their first edcamp for teachers, administrators, and other education professionals in our area.
An edcamp is a user-generated “un-conference”. Teachers, technologists, and administrators will gather to talk, discuss, and share practices. This professional learning experience is designed to provide participant-driven dialogue with colleagues. Sessions are not planned until the day of the event and participants can volunteer to facilitate a discussion of their choosing.
Burkburnett has invited our district administrators and teachers to participate in their first edcamp Burkburnett.
This free event will begin with breakfast at 8:00 in our high school cafeteria. This will be a time to brainstorm topics you would like to learn more about or topics in which you would be willing to facilitate discussion. Session ideas are written on sticky notes and placed on the conference board at the front of the room. If you are willing to facilitate a discussion, you write your name on the sticky note with the topic.
Session ideas are quickly categorized, sorted, and consolidated to meld into the conference schedule and the first 50-minute session will begin at 8:45. The first session is followed by a keynote session with George Couros, author of The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity. Participants will go to lunch on their own from 11:15-12:30 while administrators will have a working lunch session to discuss and share ideas and practices.
After lunch, participants will take part in three more 50-minute sessions of their choosing and finish out the day with a Knowledge Smackdown. The Smackdown will be a time when all participants have an opportunity to gather and share out a quick tip, trick, tool, strategy, resource, or practice learned during the day.
To save your spot for this fun-filled learning day, go to https://goo.gl/1FNZuF to register. Participants will receive 6 hours of professional development credit. It’s fun...it’s free...and it’s a great way to learn from other educators!


WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE…A WHOLE NEW MEANING!
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft and mushy. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardened egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its deep flavor and inhaled its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin, outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong? But with pain and adversity, do I wilt and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit but, after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, trifling social media posts or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water - the very circumstance that brings the adversity, the pain, the hardship – into something quite wonderful. When the water gets hot, it releases its fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you for the better.
When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?
ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN? (Somehow, wake up and smell the coffee takes on a whole new meaning)
Have a nice day...unless you have already made other plans!


Corny Joke of the Day:

What do you call a pony with a cough? (Scroll down for the answer)





A little hoarse!