The week of May 3-9 is national Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s a time for us to celebrate and thank those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the education and upbringing of children. We have some fantastic teachers at our school, and I look forward to honoring them this week in big and small ways. The best way you can show your appreciation for a teacher is through a word or note of encouragement, from you or your child. These things, more than gifts you can buy, are what mean the most to a teacher!
As always, thank you for your support. Enjoy the week!
Mrs. Lee
We have learned this morning that Navasota ISD has closed due to suspected cases of swineflu. They will re-open May 11. As a precaution, due to the proximity to Navasota, Anderson-Shiro has also decided to close their doors. They are set to re-open May 5. We will continue to update you as we get information.
Mrs. Lee
Normangee Elementary students raised $1,350 for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope for Heart! Coach D and Coach Lynne did a great job coordinating this fundraiser, and of course our students were great “jumpers”. I know the AHA appreciates that hard work!
Check out the 2nd grade page for new information and pictures from Mrs. Ellison’s class!
We have our Lady Panthers to thank for giving us the day off today, Thursday. I know almost the entire community will be in Austin celebrating a fantastic season and cheering our team on in hopes of a championship play on Saturday.
Last night, the boys earned a spot in the regional tournament and will play on Friday at the Delco Center in Austin at 5:00 pm. We will release students at 12:40 (car riders) and 12:50 (bus riders). Buses will run at 1:00 pm. If you plan to pick up your child instead of having them ride the bus, please contact the school Friday morning.
See you in Austin!
Mrs. Lee
Tuesday, March 3rd our students will take the first TAKS test of the year. Third graders and fifth graders will take the TAKS Reading Test. Fourth graders will take the TAKS Writing Test. For third and fifth graders, this test is especially important because the results of the test help determine whether or not a student will go into the next grade. I know that this often causes stress for kids, which in turn causes stress for parents. But there are some things you can do at home to help your child do his or her very best.
1. Put your child to bed early. You might also read a story to them that night or have them draw before going to bed. Watching TV or doing something active before bed can make it harder to fall asleep.
2. Make sure they eat a good breakfast Tuesday morning. A combination of protein and carbohydrates is best. (eggs w/ toast and jelly, or sausage and biscuits, etc.)
3. Encourage your child the morning of the test with positive words to help them feel confident.
4. Get them to school on time. Being rushed might cause them to feel anxious.
If you have any questions between now and next Tuesday, please contact your child’s teacher. And thank you for doing what you can at home. When we all work together in partnership, your child has a greater chance to succeed!
:-) Mrs. Lee
Last week our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders took benchmarks in all their required subjects. As an incentive for kids to do their very best on these “practice” tests, I gave them a little incentive. Any student who performed 30% better than their last benchmark would have their name put into a hat for a drawing. Any student who earned commended performance would get their name put into the hat too. If a student’s score was 30% better and commended, then of course their name went into the hat twice. They had an opportunity to get their name in the hat for each test they took. I would be giving away two awesome prizes for each grade level … a $15.00 gift certificate to the Scholastic Book Fair this spring, and $10.00 cash!!
Today, I had our high school aide, Shelbi Cheatham, help me with the drawings during lunch. The winners and their prizes are pictured below. The top row is Gunnar Patterson and Merrilon Garlick (5th grade). The next row is Cameron Ranton (3rd grade) and Jackson Moss (4th grade). And the bottom row is 3rd grader Nikki Moore. Not pictured is 4th grader TyDraious Jordan. Congratulations to these students and to all the students who worked hard last week. We still have some work to do, but you are on the right track! Keep it up! 
(Click on image to enlarge.)
Yesterday we began our week of Mock TAKS testing. Tuesday we benchmarked math in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Results from those tests are coming in, and I know teachers will share those with you shortly. The TAKS math test is the furthest away (April 7 for 5th grade and April 28 for 3rd and 4th), but we want to continue with our progress towards outstanding success on that test. Today (Wednesday) we will benchmark 4th grade writing and 5th grade science, and tomorrow is reading for all three grades. The reading test is our first test scheduled for Tuesday, March 3. Teachers may be requesting additional help at home to get all of our children ready. This is a team effort - when teachers, parents, and students work together, that’s when we truly succeed! Please be open to ideas your teacher may suggest to help your child at home. If you have any questions about TAKS testing or about the results that come home from the benchmarks this week, please contact your child’s teacher. You can also call or come visit me. My door is always open.
Mrs. Lee
Due to expected bad weather conditions, we have decided to start school at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday. Buses will run two hours later than usual. Please stay tuned to local news for any updates, but at this time we do not anticipate having to cancel school.
This post has nothing to do with education but everything to do with the people in our lives. So just bear with me. Earlier this year my dad’s physical and mental health began to decline rapidly. It has been very difficult to accept the way he has changed because of a debilitating disease. I have vacillated between being angry, worried, scared, and regretful about times in my life when I should have appreciated my relationship with him far more. Because of Alzheimer’s and a body that doesn’t want to cooperate, he is not the man he once was, but since the day he married my mom when I was 11, he has been my hero, and he still is.
This past Friday two members of our school family experienced deep losses. On that day, and since then, I hope that they have felt us wrap our arms around them to comfort and care for them while they grieve. That’s what friends and “extended families” do for each other when times get tough. That is the way I have felt at times through the last many months with my dad. There are teachers and staff at school who remember what I’m going through with my dad and they quietly ask about him. They don’t make a production out of their concern; they just find me in a still moment and check in. These little things let me know that my troubles are important to them and that our relationship is more than just work. No need for me to call you by name - you know who you are - and I am grateful.
As my husband will tell you, I am not the most vulnerable person in the world. It takes a lot for me to open up to others, but I’m working on this. I am continuing to understand that needing and relying on people is not a weakness. We all experience loss in one form or fashion, and when we lose, it’s comforting to know that there are people in our lives who will stand up with us in our hurt, or our pain, or our shame.
