January, 2016

The Slate

Anahuac

Independent School

District

Inside this issue

of The Slate: Board Honorees

Pgs. 2,3,4

Ugly Sweaters

Pg. 5

Bully Prevention

Pg. 7

Anahuac ISD eighth graders recently joined about 3,000 other local eighth-graders at Lee

College for Junior Achievement Inspire, an interactive experience and career awareness fair.

This is the second year that Lee College has partnered with Junior Achievement of South-

east Texas to host JA Inspire for students from the Anahuac, Goose Creek, Barbers Hill, Cros-

by, Hardin, Liberty, Dayton, Hull-Daisetta and East Chambers independent school districts.

The event displayed the growing demand for local jobs in interest areas that align with high

school endorsement tracks in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),

Business & Industry, Public Services and Arts and Humanities.

The students began their JA Inspire Day at Lee College December 16 with an opening

ceremony, then rotated sessions to interact with businesses through industry presentations,

career stations and exhibits and displays from regional companies.

They will also participated in a play that explores the qualities employers look for in pro-

spective hires, such as leadership and communication.

The day at Lee concluded with students recapping their experiences and hearing from

event spon-

sors.

Some of the

students are

shown at left

with Superin-

tendent James

hopper and

AMS teacher

Jennifer Bar-

ber.

8th Graders Get ‘Inspired’

AFFA Students Compete

Members of the Ana-huac FFA Chapter trav-eled to Huntsville Decem-ber 4 to compete in Texas FFA’s Leadership Career Development Events. Anahuac’s Greenhand Farm Skills Team qualified for the state competition by finishing first or second in one of the state’s 57 district competitions and first or second in one of ten area competitions. A total of 5,973 entries began the statewide-tournament in 13 different events which reflect class-room instruction in basic leadership skills. Anahuac FFA placed 7

th in

the Greenhand Farm Skills Contest. Team members included Cole Edwards, Mitchell Hargraves and Kate Hankamer.

Mugs & Hugs Abound Community members and Anahuac ISD

staff members stopped by AISD Admin-

istration Building December 11 for the

Anahuac Mug and a Hug.

Those stopping by were treated to holiday

refreshments, a mug and, of course, a hug

by Superintendent James Hopper.

Supt. Hopper is shown at left with Coach

Ryan Roecker, Laci Johnson and her

daughter, Lorelai.

Page 2 The SlateThe Slate

Anahuac ISD school board mem-bers voted December 15 to estab-lish a UIL Soccer program. The program that will feature Boys and Girls Varsity teams will begin next school year. Several Anahuac High School students had asked that a soccer program be considered.

During the November board meeting, Superintendent James Hopper told the students in attend-ance that a 3A UIL Soccer program does not currently exist in Texas, adding that the athletes would be playing larger schools. The stu-dents responded in November that they were ready for the challenge.

Students/Staff Recognized In other matters, students and

coaches in fall sports programs were recognized December 15. The Anahuac High School Band and FFA and Ag programs were also spotlighted.

From Anahuac Elementary, the fifth grade flaggers were recog-nized. AES Principal Mitzi Hig-ginbotham commended the stu-

dents on their faithfulness on rais-ing and lowering the flag each school day.

Also recognized was AES Music teacher Meredith Johnson.

“We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Johnson,” said AES Principal Mitzi Higginbotham.

“She has been doing an incredi-ble job with our students.”

(More photos on Pages 3 & 4) The board held a Public Hearing

for its annual Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. Anahuac ISD received a 100 percent rating.

AISD Education Foundation The board approved a Memoran-

dum of Understanding between Anahuac ISD and the AISD Educa-tion Foundation. Currently, Supt Hopper and AISD board member Lane Bertrand serve on the founda-tion board.

Foundation Board President Da-vid Harmon reported that the Foun-dation gave away $11,500 last year to AISD educational programs. The foundation sponsored its First An-

nual Black and Gold Academic Banquet last spring and plans to begin a scholarship program soon.

Mr. Harmon reminded that board that all funds given and spent at Anahuac ISD are through dona-tions given to the non-profit organi-zation.

Supt. Hopper reported that the architects hired to assess AISD’s facilities will present their findings during the January meeting.

Child Nutrition Director Teonna Flowers present findings of a re-cent cafeteria audit. She reported that the district-wide audit went well and that auditors were pleased to see how little food was thrown away by students.

Disciplinary Alternative Educa-tion Program Principal Patti Nau-man gave a presentation on the use of Blended Learning within the program. She spoke on the person-alized learning conducted with DAEP that includes video feeds from classrooms to keep the stu-dent connected to school while in the program.

Technology Director Kenny Dean presented findings from a technolo-gy audit recently conducted. He spoke of the many equipment needs and updates necessary to keep the system, that continues to expand, running efficiently.

UIL Soccer Coming to Anahuac High School

AMS athletes who attended the AISD board

meeting are Kaylen Rivas, Gracie Berry, Liz-

beth Acosta and James Henry.

Also pictured are AMS Principal Tammy Duhon

and AISD board member Chris Jircik.

The Cross Country teams were spotlighted. Pictured are Coach Vic-

ki Vardell, Ana Gonzalez, Maricela Hernandez, Addison Hemphill

and Samantha Lopez with board member Cris Stephenson.

Anne-Marie Henry and Haegan Ullrich

were named to the volleyball All-District

Academic Team. They are shown with

Coach Brandee Elliott and Board Presi-

dent Ken McGraw.

Page 3 The SlateThe Slate

Many members of the AHS Band attended the December 15, filling the stage. They are shown with Band Director Mi-

chael Brodowski and board member Chris Jircik.

Members of the Anahuac FFA and Ag welding classes were honored by the AISD board in the Auditorium.

They are shown with Ag Science teachers Hilary Otto and Rainge Armentor and board member Cris Stephenson.

Shown with Supt. James Hopper

are UIL Varsity hopefuls Jorge

Hernandez, Juan Pescador, Jose

Cabrera and Jesus Pescador.

More AISD Board Honorees

Page 4 The SlateThe Slate

Pictured are football players who made All-District teams. Left to right are Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Ja-

son Speights; Darren Lugo, Senior, 1st Team Offense - Offensive Tackle; Deon Mayes, Junior, 2nd Team Offense - Run-

ning Back, 1stTeam Defense – Cornerback; Dylan Lugo, Senior, 2nd Team Offense – Center; Cesar Molina, Senior,

1st Team Defense – Inside Linebacker; Melvin Spencer, Senior, 1st Team Defense – Safety; Brandon Hoskins, Sopho-

more, 2nd Team Defense – Defensive Tackle; Taylor Hankamer, Junior, 2ndTeam Defense – Defensive End; Savio Fon-

tenot, Senior, 2ndTeam Defense – Inside Linebacker; Christopher Moulton, Sophomore, 2nd Team Defense – Safety;

Denton Fugere, Junior, Honorable Mention – Running Back; and board member Kate Hampton.

The Anahuac Elementary fifth grade flaggers were recognized Decem-

ber 15. Those attending the board meeting are shown above with Prin-

cipal Mitzi Higginbotham, Asst. Principal Lynna Stephenson and board

member Cris Stephenson.

At right is AES Music teacher Meredith Johnson with Mrs. Hig-

ginbotham and board member Kate Hampton.

Page 5 The SlateThe Slate

Board Training The following Anahuac ISD Board of Trustees members have completed the required Tier One Update to the Education Code – Ken

McGraw, Chris Jircik, Kate Hampton, Calvin Hill, Lane Bertrand and John Redman. Cris Stephenson’s new job prevented him from attending

an Update to the TEC but he is expected to receive the update very soon.

Superintendent James Hopper, Ken McGraw, Chris Jircik, Kate Hampton, Calvin Hill, Cris Stephenson, Lane Bertrand and John Redman

completed the required Tier Two Team Building session.

Ken McGraw, Chris Jircik, Kate Hampton, Calvin Hill, Cris Stephenson, Lane Bertrand and John Redman exceeded the required Tier Three

Continuing Education Hours. Completing the annual; required continuing education is a basic obligation and expectation of any sitting board

member under State Board of Education rule.

Sock It to Me! Roots and Shoots members celebrated the holidays with a Crazy Christ-mas Sock party. The gathering was held December 12 at member Blane Daugherty’s home.

Ugly Sweater

Contest Winners

AES Winner

Katherine Wilkins

AMS Winner

Michael

Andrade

AMS Student Winner

Diego Mares

AMS Contestants are shown below

Winning Christmas Cards Winners of the AES Christmas Card Contest are

pictured above — Jada Lewis, Zoey Magana

and Braden Lanferman. Also shown are AES

Principal Mitzi Higginbotham and AISD Superin-

tendent James Hopper.

Page 6 The SlateThe Slate Anahuac Elementary

UIL Results Listed This year, nearly 70 elementary

students participated in one or more

of 23 UIL academic events. Students

and coaches traveled to East Cham-

bers for the district meet on Decem-

ber 8 and December 10. An award

ceremony was held Friday, January 8,

in the elementary school gym. Par-

ents were invited to attend the cere-

mony, and medals and ribbons were

handed out. The coaches and stu-

dents for each event and the results

from the meet are listed below.

2nd Grade Creative Writing

Coach: Deanna Henicke

Members: Tucker Anderson, Leah

Borne, Kendall Hutchins, and Taylor

Neumann.

2nd Grade Math

Coach: Billie Savoie

Members: Kayden Billiot, Jake Chris-

tensen, Ivan Salazar (4th Place), and

Eli Swonke (5th Place).

2nd Grade Storytelling

Coach: Lakesha Humphrey

Members: Natalie Garner, Madison

Willis (1st Place), Elizabeth McMinn

(2nd Place), and Joshua Moore (4th

Place).

3rd Grade Math

Coach: Kay Zieschang

Members: Ty Wilcox, Ryan Tu (1st

Place with a perfect paper), Tina Ly

(3rd Place), and Daniel Casillas (6th

Place).

3rd Grade Music Memory

Coach: Meredith Johnson

Members: Drake Price (2nd Place),

Shane Rakestraw (4th Place), and Ty-

ler Hart (6th Place)

*This event was also a team event.

The boys earned 2nd Place as a team.

3rd Grade Ready Writing

Coach: Deanna Henicke

Members: Tina Ly, Matthew Previte,

Joe Previte (3rd Place), and Renata

Ward (4th Place).

3rd Grade Spelling

Coach: Paula Pilant

Members: Saniya Pedraza, Ty Wil-

cox, Tina Ly (2nd Place), and Ryan Tu

(3rd Place).

3rd Grade Storytelling

Coach: Melissa DuBois

Members: Hannah Anderson, Jayden

Thrower, and Zanica Fortenberry (2nd

Place).

4th Grade Art Smart

Coach: Alma Moore

Members: Marcos Curiel, Savannah

Desormeaux, and Raeganne Wiggins

*This event was also a team event.

The students earned 4th Place as a

team.

4th Grade Music Memory

Coach: Meredith Johnson

Members: Valerie Castillo, Lexxy

Cooper, Laci Johnson, Baylor Lanfer-

man, and Perry Harris (4th Place)

*This event was also a team event.

The students earned 2nd Place as a

team.

4th Grade Number Sense

Coach: Deana Price

Members: Marcos Curiel, Brooks

Henicke, Brenda Hernandez, and

Christian Valencia (3rd Place).

4th Grade Oral Reading

Coach: Shae Bowman

Members: Kamryn Hampton, Perry

Harris (2nd Place), Sonjia Hankamer

(3rd Place), and Teagan Doucet (5th

Place).

4th Grade Ready Writing

Coach: Billie Savoie

Members: Matti Anderson, Karlie

Guzman (1st Place), Kiera Beecham

(2nd Place), and Laci Johnson (4th

Place).

4th Grade Spelling

Coach: RosaLinda Campbell

Members: Brielle Christensen, Bren-

da Hernandez, Alan Mares (4th Place),

and Artemio Banda (5th Place).

5th Grade Art Smart

Coach: Alma Moore

Members: Jaime Garza, Jamie

Granger, Heather DeLaCruz (4th

Place), and Payton Johnson (6th

Place)

*This event was also a team event.

The students earned 3rd Place as a

team.

5th Grade Dictionary Skills

Coach: Alma Moore

Members: Jathan Sherman, Richard

Tu (1st Place), Heather DeLaCruz (2nd

Place), and Landon Corbitt (6th Place).

5th Grade Listening

Coach: Mary Coward

Members: Cameron Edmonds, Ian

Martinez (1st Place), and Heather De-

LaCruz (5th Place).

5th Grade Maps, Graphs, & Charts

Coach: Mary Coward

Members: Juan Muniz, Jake Previte

(1st Place), and Jamie Granger (5th

Place).

5th Grade Music Memory

Coach: Meredith Johnson

Members: Bryson Campbell, Alissa

Lino, Cole Majors, and Ian Martinez

(4th Place)

*This event was also a team event.

The students earned 3rd Place as a

team.

5th Grade Number Sense

Coach: Deana Price

Members: Bryson Campbell, Paola

Chavez, Richard Tu (1st Place), and

Jathan Sherman (5th Place).

5th Grade Oral Reading

Coach: Allison Fiegel

Members: Ian Martinez (1st Place),

Maggie Stephenson (3rd Place), and

Hadlee Richard (5th Place).

5th Grade Ready Writing

Coach: Billie Savoie

Members: Mattie Bess, Ernesto Gon-

zalez, Rylee Hatfield (1st Place), and

Jake Previte (2nd Place.

5th Grade Spelling

Coach: RosaLinda Campbell

Members: Mattie Bess, Holden

Smith, Jake Previte (3rd Place), and

Bryson Campbell (5th Place).

Page 7 The SlateThe Slate

Anahuac Elementary students attended

a program December 15 on Bullying Pre-

vention presented by Gary Lee.

The event was presented by Third Coast

Integrated Martial Arts of Anahuac. Pro-

fessor Gary Lee holds the

rank of Grandmaster in Ha-

waiian Kenpo Karate and

other Japanese and Okina-

wan styles. He is also a

sword master. Presenting

with Professor Lee was Dar-

lene McPherson-Pagels,

Shihan, 5th Dan. Shihan

McPherson owns and oper-

ates the Anahuac martial

arts school.

The presentation included

AES students Tyler Hart,

George Hisler III, Kyla Hart,

Anthony Adams and Cloey

Adams who are students at

Third Coast Martial Arts.

Assisting and demonstrating

were adults Rachal Hisler

and Lyndon Gilmore.

During the program, Pro-

fessor Lee and Shihan

McPherson talked to the

students about being in

"active shooter" situations in

public places and a few sim-

ple things to remember if that should ever

occur.

Professor Lee had the students stand

straight and tall, look straight ahead with

hands at their sides and say, "I can do

anything I think I can do” (pointing to their

temple).

Professor Lee presented the AES Li-

brary with two copies of his book, Memoirs

of An American Samurai.

Learning to Use Martial Arts to Prevent Bullying

Rally Crew Recruits

Wanted! Calling all baseball fans, the Anahuac Baseball Program is now recruiting new members for our Rally Crew. We are selling T shirts for $20 for the 2016 sea-son. These are approved spirit shirts that can be worn on Fridays at school. Also when you look at the flyer at left, there are a cou-ple of other incentives that come along with joining the Crew this year. We initially put Pre K to 5th grade but we will allow any age to join the Rally Crew and support the Pan-thers!!!! Please fill out the form and return it with payment to Coach Roecker. They can be returned to the Middle School, Elementary School or Administrative Offices. Thank you again for the support and see y'all all out at The Fort!

The Slate

Important AISD Dates To Remember:

Jan. 15: Teacher In-service — student holiday. Jan. 18: MLK Birthday — no school.

Jan. 19: Beginning of 4th six weeks. Feb. 9: AISD Board meeting 6 p.m., Administration Build-ing. Public welcome to attend.

Anahuac ISD Administration Office

804 Mikhael Ricks Drive

Anahuac High School

201 S. Kansas Street

Anahuac Middle School

706 Mikhael Ricks Drive

Anahuac Elementary

905 Ross Sterling

District Phone: 409-267-3600

The Slate Is published by

Anahuac Independent School District

P. O. Box 369 Anahuac, Tx. 77514

Superintendent

James Hopper

Board of Trustees

Ken McGraw …………...…....…. President

Kate Hampton ….……..…. Vice President

Chris Jircik ……………………...…. Secretary

Calvin Hill Dr. John Redman

Lane Bertrand Cris Stephenson

Sue Hawthorne Editor, The Slate

Anahuac ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, or disability in providing education services, activities, and pro-grams, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

The following district staff members have been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements:

· Title IX Coordinator, for concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex: James Hopper 409-267-2001.

· Section 504 Coordinator, for con-

cerns regarding discrimination on the basis of disability: Cindy Ber-trand 409-267-2017.

Academic Team Goes Virtual The Anahuac High School Academic team has participated in two virtual chal-

lenge meets over the last two months. These meets are paper/pencil and comput-

er based competition against hundreds of students across the state of Texas. This

is the second year that the Anahuac Team has participated in this type of contest,

and it helps the students to progress for the actual meet competitions that begin in

January.

In the first virtual meet, Anahuac had 30 students participating from more than

5000 scores reported to the site. These individuals represent a variety of academ-

ic events and all school classifications. Senior Carlos Chavez finished the Current

Issues event in 3rd place for 3A classification and 7th place overall classification.

The Current Issues team consisting of Carlos Chavez, Luciano Palacios, and Tia

Cormier finished in 5th place for the 3A classification. Anahuac had students com-

peting in math, number sense, accounting, spelling, science, calculator, and liter-

ary criticism.

In the second virtual meet that was held on December 11, the Anahuac Team

had a few more students placing in the top 20. Senior Jacob Jackson finished in

17th place for 3A Number Sense, sophomore Ty Bergeron finished in 18th place for

3A Accounting, and senior Luciano Palacios finished in 14th place for 3A Current

Events. Senior Carlos Chavez finished in 2nd place for 3A Current Events and over-

all and the Current Events Team of Carlos Chavez, Luciano Palacios, and Armando

Netro finished in 2nd place.

Each of these students and all the others work very hard to do the best that they

can, and we are proud of the results, and the effort they put forth. The next virtual

meet will be January 30. The team will travel to Hamshire-Fannett on January 8

and 9 to start the UIL Academic Season.

Gingerbread

Construction

Fourth grade teacher

Melissa Boudreaux

works with students on

the construction of

gingerbread houses.

Students Kiera Bee-

cham and Marcos

Curiel concentrate on

their project.