Eagle Eye the E-newsletter for Oak Hill Elementary
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Boundary Task Force to Present to OHE CAC
The boundary task force for the new SW Middle School will make a presentation of boundary proposals at the Oak Hill Elementary Campus Advisory Council Meeting on Monday, October 27th at 3:00 p.m. Interested parties are encouraged to attend.
Reflections Update!
The Reflections entries are in! Judging will occur over the next few weeks. All entries will be on display in the Reflections Gallery on Tuesday, November 11.The classes will be given an opportunity to tour the Gallery during school that day. The Gallery will be also be open for public viewing from 5:00-6:00 pm with the Recognition Ceremony to be held immediately following at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria.
It’s a C.A.T.C.H. Fun Field Day!
(coordinated approach to child’s health)
When:
Nov. 3rd (Monday) in the morning = 2nd and 4th grade at 8:30-11:00
Nov. 3rd (Monday) in the afternoon = Kindergarten, Hill’s PPCD, and Pipkin’s PK at 12:30-2:30
Nov. 4th (Tuesday) in the morning = 3rd and 5th grade at 8:30- 11:00
Nov. 4th (Tuesday) in the afternoon = 1st grade, Traylor Price’s, Lumbreras’ and McLaurin’s PK’s, and Schattenberg’s PPCD at 12:30-2:30
(Rain dates are Nov. 5th and 7th)
Bring or wear:
Wear class field trip T-shirt and bring a jacket if weather is cool.
Tennis or gym shoes. Without safe shoes children will not be able to participate at the stations. NO sandals, crocs, flip-flops, or boots.
Optional: water bottle, and a towel for water events. (Please label.)
We will NOT be selling concessions. Instead, students will have a nutritious treat and water provided by P.E. and Whole Foods. We are looking for items to either be borrowed or donated starting ASAP. Please see list below. Borrowed items will be returned after field day. Label items with your name if you want them to be returned.
Wish list:
Donations of paper cups (please bring to Mrs. Bergh or Mrs. Palmer).
Volunteers to help teachers with their classes (contact homeroom teacher)
Volunteers for the snack & water station (contact Brandi Kinkade at 296-4602.
Volunteers who can take pictures of students at events.
Volunteers that have had a school background check that can monitor P.E. students during an educational video.
Need old swimsuits and beach wear like: Hawaiian shirts and cover-ups, (especially adult large and extra large sizes.)
Contact Ms. Keller-Bergh at ckellerb@austinisd.org to help out! NEW EVENTS ADDED - Seeking Volunteers to Write About OHE Events
The OHE PTA Publicity Committee has an immediate need for volunteers to write short articles about the following events. This is not a huge time commitment and the events are ones that you may be attending anyway. Articles may be published in this newsletter, on our website, or in various community publications. 4th and 5th grade students welcome to participate!
Oct. 23, 29 5th grade field trip to McKinney Falls
Oct. 27, 30 Fire Safety Days
Oct. 28 Student Council speeches to 4th and 5th graders, cafeteria 8am
Oct. 30 Author/Illustrator, Laurie Keller, visit to 4th grade
Nov. 3, 4 Fun Field Days
Nov. 5 2nd Grade Field Trip - Austin Nature & Science Center
Nov. 10 Staff Development / Student Holiday
Nov. 14 Friday Morning Assembly
Nov. 14 Annex Assembly in the afternoon
Nov. 17 CAC Meeting
Nov. 18 Magnet & Ann Richard's Schools for 5th grade – Cafeteria 10am
Nov. 19–21 Science Fair at Oak Hill
Nov. 24 Presentation of Earth School for 5th Grade
Oak Hill Elementary 4th Graders Challenged by ROPES Course By Wendy Primeaux
On a beautiful October day a couple of weeks ago, the entire fourth grade class of Oak Hill Elementary made a trip to Zilker park to participate in a ROPES course designed to challenge them at many levels. Working in teams of 10-12, the students worked together to master several interesting and difficult physical and mental challenges. To make it more interesting, the teams were mixed up so that each fourth grade class was represented in every team. That way, the students were working with kids they rarely see in a normal school day. They learned to work together, respect each other's opinions, encourage each other and enhance their ability to work together as a team, and in the process they had lots of fun.
The adults got into the act as well towards the end of the day when they accomplished the task of forming a large circle, and then, without falling, they collectively sat on the knees of the person behind them and raised their arms to fly like eagles. It was quite a site!
This course is facilited by Lorenzo Phillips, husband of Oak Hill's own Pixie Phillips. This annual field trip is a much-anticipated event in the life of Oak Hill fourth graders and is always a wonderful learning experience.
After a picnic lunch at Zilker, the kids boarded the school buses, tired, but happy, and eager to chatter about their favorite part of the day.
Oak Hill Kindergarteners Go Batty!
By Annemarie Read
The Oak Hill Elementary kindergarten classes took their first field trip on Monday, October 20th to the Austin Nature Center. It was a gorgeous, fall day - not too hot and not too cold!
The classes each had three different sessions in which they learned all about bats. In one session, they saw a slide show identifying the different varieties of bats. By the end of this session, all the children could distinguish between microbats (small eyes, big ears) and macrobats (big eyes, small ears). The also learned many other bat facts including that bats are the only flying mammals, and that the Austin bats are a species called the Mexican free tail! In another session, they were allowed to view a live bat (and live bat guano – which was almost as popular as the live bat), and in the final session, the children played a game similar to Marco Polo called Bat, Moth, Tree.
While at the Austin Nature Center, the children were also able to dig for dinosaur bones in the dino pit, view all of the rescue animals in the wildlife exhibit, and explore the indoor Discovery Center. What a great field trip! The children had a great time, and learned some great facts about bats!
Friday Morning Assembly Epitomizes Oak Hill Eagles Spirit
By Ileana Abounader
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the school's Friday morning assembly hosted by our beloved Mr. Cummings. Having never been to an assembly at the school before, I really had no idea what to expect. What I witnessed were well-behaved, courteous, and enthusiastic students gathered together as a group to hear announcements and celebrate school achievements. Here are the highlights:
After the pledges of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and a moment of silence, a very eloquent 4th grader welcomed everyone to the assembly.
Mr. Cummings announced the school lunch menu for the day and reminded students that lunch money should be turned in to the cafeteria by 9am daily.
As part of Red Ribbon Week, Mr. Cummings discussed with the kids exactly how to say "NO!" to drugs.
As part of Bus Safety week, Mr. Cummings reinforced the need for kids to behave appropriately in the bus loading lines.
The children erupted in cheers as Mr. Cummings announced the results of the school's mock election: Barrack Obama won with 435 out of 632 total votes.
Mr. Cummings announced the Eagles of the Day and all Eagles of the Day since the last assembly were called up to the stage to have their photos taken.
Children who recently celebrated a birthday stood and were serenaded with a jubilant singing of Happy Birthday.
Mr. Cummings reminded all students to Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Did you know that only 6 cents provides drinking water for a day for one child?
Kristie Peterman updated everyone on the success of our gift wrap sales and introduced the school's top sellers by grade. Also, the school's top seller overall (for 6 years running!) was introduced – WOW! Way to go future sales people of America!
Mr. Green Apple (a very spirited 3rd grader) talked about the reasons to save money and informed us about the Green Apple Club, a new program which allows students to open bank accounts and deposit money in them at school rather than going to the bank. Keep an eye out for more information on how to participate!
The assembly came to a close with all our kids and teachers proudly singing the school song. I didn't know the words (shame on me!), but when I looked up and saw my first grader singing loudly with a wide grin on his face and I smiled to myself, happy to be part of the Oak Hill Eagles family.
Friday morning assemblies are scheduled about every two weeks at 7:30 A.M. in the cafeteria. All students and teachers in first through fifth grades attend. Parents are welcome. See the school calendar for exact dates
How are we doing? We've added a Guestbook feature to make it easy for you to leave us a comment or send an email to feedback@ohepta.org THANKS! We'd love to hear what you think!
Have website or newsletter technical questions? Send an email to webmaster@ohepta.org
OHE Teachers, Parents, and Administrators:
Help us publicize all the wonderful things happening in our school and with our kids! Has an Oak Hill student done something amazing recently? Has anyone been recognized (in or out of school) academically, athletically, musically, or otherwise? Is your class participating in a special event or doing a special project? Send an email to communications@ohepta.org and let us know! News of past events and announcements of upcoming ones are both welcome.
Principal's Corner! Did you see what Ms. Whistler said this week on her blog? No? Check it out!
Go to www.ohepta.org and click on the button on the home page!
Did you know you can enter your email address there and get automatic updates anytime Ms. Whistler posts something?
Silent Auction Donations?
Volunteers are needed to solicit businesses for donations for Silent Auction for the School Carnival. Please contact Susan White for more information on how you can help.
Oak Hill Elementary Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 20-24
By Cindy Salazar
What is Red Ribbon Week?
It is the kick off to a year of substance abuse prevention in our schools and our communities.
Since the mock election coincided with red ribbon week, this year’s theme was “Elect to be Drug Free”. During this weeklong campaign, students, parents, teachers and others joined together to address the alcohol, tobacco, other drug and violence related issues or concerns in our community.
Monday – wear “red, white and blue”, mock election and discussed medicine as a drug
Tuesday – discussed the effects of caffeine
Wednesday- discussed alcohol
Thursday – discussed tobacco
Friday – How to say “NO” effectively and wear “Red” day
Why?
The Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a DRUG-FREE AMERICA.
SAY “NO” TO DRUGS !!!!!!
Did you see this?
Austin’s Pat Forgione Honored as Nation’s Top Urban Educator in 2008
