PALESTINE — As the first semester comes to an end, we anxiously await all the successes and happiness of 2010. This week was festive in PISD as the Christmas spirit was all around us. At Northside Early Childhood Center, our Head Start students learned how other countries celebrate Christmas by sampling their food and learning about other cultures. Not only did they have the opportunity to try new entrees, students had the chance to watch the new Christmas classic, “Polar Express.” If anyone feels like they need assistance getting in the Christmas spirit, take a trip to Northside and you leave in a great mood ready for Santa.
The holiday atmosphere was also evident at Southside Elementary. This week we had many parents volunteering their time and energies to cover classes so our teaching staff could enjoy a much needed Christmas gathering and luncheon. Without so many wonderful parents taking ownership in our schools, PISD would not be as successful as it is today. Thank you to all the volunteers and Merry Christmas.
Our high school band put on a tremendous band concert Thursday night. It was apparent, after watching our young people why our band program is so strong. The students are well rehearsed,and we have a wonderful feeder program beginning in sixth grade. Also, this past week our drama department presented one of the funniest high school productions I have ever seen. Those who had the pleasure of watching this fine production laughed for two hours straight. We have many talented students in Palestine and we are blessed to have such wonderful sponsors and teachers mentoring our future leaders and citizens.
As we move into the future, there are a couple of changes that will begin upon the return from the Christmas break. In our efforts for continuous improvement in PISD, Todd Williams will be assigned to central office to assist in many areas as we consider needs for the construction projects and with the absence of an athletic director. Mr. Williams has done a tremendous job at the middle school and under his leadership the middle school has taken many strides, both academically and with the implementation of new programs.
Taking his place as the middle school principal will be our very own, Larissa Loveless, who has led the Story Lions for the past three years. Mrs. Loveless will be a tremendous asset to the middle school with her wealth of knowledge in curriculum. Under her leadership, Story missed “Recognized” by three percentage points in one category last year (keep in mind there were twenty-four categories). Mrs. Loveless already knows many of the students and teachers and this transition will be smooth.
Story will have a new leader, as well, and her name is Traci Costlow. Mrs. Costlow is presently serving as Associate Principal at Palestine High School. She came to PISD from Keller ISD where she was an elementary principal for five years and led two campuses to Recognized ratings with the Texas Education Agency. Mrs. Costlow has a strong understanding of elementary curriculum and a passion for the education of younger children.
Lastly, you all know by now PISD is searching for a new athletic director. I am pleased to report that as of today, we have 100 applicants. The goal and intent is for this position to be filled and the new AD to begin working Feb. 16. We are looking forward to this new person and their family coming to Palestine.
As we have all read or been told, there is a season for everything. A time to reap, a time to sow, a time to laugh, a time to cry, and now is yet another time that PISD will flourish! I hope each of you flourishes in 2010 and hope it is the best year of your lives. Enjoy time with your family and friends and enjoy your break. Each of you deserves time off because you have worked so hard. The scores on our benchmark tests have risen and are higher than last year in most cases and that is due to your efforts.
On behalf of the entire PISD family, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We at Central Office also want to thank each of you who attended our first Christmas Reception and please know that we appreciate and thank the students who made the ornaments (Southside, Northside, and Story), and especially the students who worked so hard on the refreshments (High School Culinary Art Department). Enjoy your holidays and I hope all your dreams come true and Santa is good to you as well. I know each of you has been nice and remember what is important in life and the reason for the season.
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Thomas A. Wallis, Ed.D is the superintendent of Palestine Independent School District.
Columns
Changes coming to PISD when school returns
Fantastic Fridays column
- Columns
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Professional development promotes academic success
The words “In-Service Training” once sent shivers up my spine. Long ago, as a classroom teacher enduring hours of state mandated workshops delivered by monotone presenters and, later, as a principal attempting to schedule useful and at least somewhat less torturous training for my teachers, I always dreaded the notorious beginning of school “sit and get” week. What a difference there is in the professional development of recent years!
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Fantastic Fridays: Educating the whole child
Each of you has most likely read the recent news articles published in the local paper about accountability ratings for areas school districts. I am proud of PISD’s rating and what the district has accomplished over the past two years, but as I read the articles, listened to other superintendents and principals discuss their academic ratings, I could not help but reflect on the true meaning of education. Webster defines education as instruction or training by which people learn to develop and use their mental, moral, and physical powers. Wow — what a statement!
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3-Minute Bible Study: The heart of the gospel
Rome was known for it's great road system. So Christians call five verses in the book Romans that lead us to salvation the "Roman Road". Today's Bible Study, Romans 5: 1 - 9, takes a look at the passage surrounding the middle verse of the Roman Road:
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County extension report: Good news and bad news
I have very good news and very bad news.
Good news first! Two great programs are coming in early September to the Palestine area. -
PISD starts school year with more students
Another summer has come and gone and we are off to another great start in PISD. The 2010-2011 school year has welcomed the district with over 100 more students than last year at this time. We want to welcome those families and students who chose PISD as their new home and we are honored that you decided to attend PISD.
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3-Minute Bible Study: Hope in times of trouble
One of my favorite scriptures for encouragement is Lamentations 3. Jeremiah wrote this about 600 years before Christ. Jerusalem had been overtaken by Babylon and the people had either been killed or taken as slaves. Jeremiah had been trying to warn the people, but they wouldn't listen.
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8-22 Fantastic Fridays
We have made it through another summer and the beginning of school is upon us. I hope each of you had a restful and enjoyable summer with family and friends.
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3-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY: Sharing basic truths about Christianity
I think we all need more of God's Word in our lives, but the challenge is finding the time. I'm planning to write a Bible study column that you can read in less than three minutes. I'll never be preachy or dogmatic, but will simply try to expose what is taught in the Scripture. We all have our different beliefs on spiritual issues, and I know I have mine, but as a journalist I vow to be as fair as possible.
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Repent pride, sins and come before the cross of Jesus
If I remember all the Greek tragedies I had to read and study in college, it seems the main characters always had what was referred to as the “fatal flaw.”
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Professional development promotes academic success
