Weekly Happenings Nov. 23-27

Here are some things going on in Westphalia this week:

• The Westphalia boys and girls basketball teams begin their seasons on Monday as they host St. Mary's Temple. Tip-off will be at 5:00pm for the girls and boys will begin immediately following the girls game. Good luck!
• Thanksgiving Break begins Wednesday. Enjoy your holiday break!

Message for the Week: Practice conscious acts of kindness!

Have a great week or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Nov. 16-20

Here are some things going on in Westphalia this week:

• The Student Council is sponsoring our annual canned food drive benefiting the Food for Families food drive for the Rosebud Pantry. Please donate your non-perishable food items through Friday, Nov. 20th. The homeroom with the most food received will will an award party!
• The National Junior Honor Society is continuing to collect gently used coats and jackets until Thursday, Nov. 19th. Please donate any coats or jackets to Mrs. Bringman.
• Picture retakes will be Nov. 17th in the library. Students wishing to have their pictures retaken will need to return their original pictures to Mrs. Willberg in the library before Tuesday.
• Students in grades 3-8 will be taking TAKS benchmark tests this week. This will be the first formal practice test of the year and will give a good baseline for where students stand in preparation for the TAKS.

Message for the Week: Do a good deed without being asked!

Have a great week or not, as always, the choice is yours!

Weekly Happenings Nov. 2-6

Here are some things that are happening in WISD this week:

• The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is collecting gently used coats to donate to those in need. Students are encouraged to bring items to Mrs. Bringman's class.
• This week marks the end of the 6 weeks. Students have until Friday to make up any missing assignments or work on extra credit for their classes.
• The Good Behavior Reward drawing will be Friday. Students earning good behavior tickets will have the opportunity to have their names drawn for prizes.
• The WISD cheerleaders will be participating in the annual 101 Garage Sales in Rosebud on Saturday. The girls will have a booth selling baked goods. If you get the chance, please stop by the booth and support our Cheerleader program.

Message for the Week: Life is not always easy!

Have a great week or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Oct. 26-30

Here are some things that are going on this week at Westphalia:

• This week is Red Ribbon Week. Students will have the opportunity to dress up to show their support to being drug free. See prior post for specifics.
• The Lady Jays will host St. Mary's for the final volleyball game of the season. Good luck girls and congratulations on a great season.
• The Westphalia Volunteer Fire Department will be putting on a Fire Prevention assembly for students on Tuesday. Students will learn a great deal of information on how to be drug free.
• There will be a guest speaker on Wednesday to speak to students about the importance of being drug free.
• The football team's game which was scheduled for Thursday, 5:00pm at home has been RESCHEDULED to Thursday, 4:00pm at Waco Parkview. Waco Parkview was forced to reschedule their varsity game and this was the only way to be able to play. Please come support our guys as they attempt to end their season with a victory.

Message for the Week: Be Proud to be Drug Free!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Red Ribbon Week

Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America. And, perhaps more importantly, Red Ribbon Week commemorates the ultimate sacrifice made by DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who died at the hands of drug traffickers in Mexico while fighting the battle against illegal drugs to keep our country and children safe.

The Story Behind the Symbol
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."

The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death.

Within weeks of his death in March of 1985, Camarena's Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena's home. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans. These coalitions began to wear red badges of satin, red ribbons, as a symbol Camarena's memory. The Red Ribbon Week campaign emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions.

Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated, helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his life. The Red Ribbon Campaign also became a symbol of support for the DEA's efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs. They pay homage not only to Special Agent Camarena, but to all men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation's struggle against drug trafficking and abuse.

Red Ribbon Week at Westphalia

As part of our Red Ribbon Week, Westphalia will be having a guest speaker come and talk about drug prevention and the importance of staying drug free. In addition, the district has designated specific dress up days to help energize students to stay drug free. The days are as follows:

Monday - "Team Up Against Drugs" - Wear team clothes from your favorite professional, college, or high school teams.
Tuesday - "Sock it to Drugs" – Wear your craziest socks to sock it to drugs.
Wednesday - We are celebrating a life free of drugs and by doing that we are putting a "cap" on drugs. Wear an interesting cap or hat.
Thursday - The ever-popular "pair up" day. Dress identical to a friend to remind each other that you should believe in yourself, and if you do, you will not use drugs.
Friday - "Our school is drug-free" - Wear Westphalia Blue jay clothing to show our pride in our school and that our future will come from education, not drugs.

We hope you will help discuss the importance of remaining drug free with your students!

Weekly Happenings Oct. 19-23

Here are some things that are going on this week at WISD:

• The boys' and girls' Cross Country teams travel to Temple Monday to compete in the district CC meet. The boys are defending champions and the girls have a strong winning tradition as well. Good luck to both the guys and girls as they compete for the crown!
• The volleyball game that was originally scheduled for Monday has been rescheduled for Tuesday. The girls will host St. Mary's Temple. They hope to avenge a loss from earlier in the season. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
• Our boys' football team will attempt to keep their momentum going when the host Waco Live Oak on Thursday. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. Good luck guys!
• The girls' volleyball team travels to Temple on Saturday to compete in the Temple College volleyball tournament. Our girls have a history of strong performances at the TC tourney and we anticipate another great tournament this year.
• The PTO will host the annual Halloween carnival on Sunday, October 23, at 4 p.m. Wear your best costume and come celebrate Halloween in a fun, safe environment!

Message for the week: Learning means keeping your mind open!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Oct. 12-16

Here are some things that are going on this week at WISD:

• There is a student holiday on Monday, Oct 12.
• Our girls VB team will be travelling to Thorndale on Tuesday to face St. Paul Lutheran and Thorndale. Good luck girls!!!
• The WISD School Board will hold its regularly scheduled monthly board meeting on Thursday at 6:00pm in the library. Items on the agenda include WISD's financial ratings for the 08-09 school year. Other items on the agenda are posted by the entry into the office.
• The Westphalia cheerleaders will host their annual mini-cheer camp on October 17. Camp begins at 10am in the gym.

Message of the Week: Improve you attitude!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Oct. 5-9

Sorry for the belated post. Here are some things going on this week at WISD:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, is picture day here at school.
• Report cards will be issued on Wednesday. Parents, please sign and return to school.
• Math-a-thon money is due on Thursday to Mrs. Bringman.
• Friday is the Rosebud-Lott Homecoming. WISD has been invited to the Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday morning at the RL High School stadium. Buses will depart WISD campus at approximately 8:30am.
• Friday is EARLY RELEASE. Students will be release at 11:45 am.
• The Westphalia Cheerleaders will be having a car wash fundraiser on Saturday from 10am-2pm at Falls Farm and Auto in Lott. Come out and support our girls and get your car cleaned at the same time.
• Monday, October 12 is a STUDENT HOLIDAY. Classes will resumed on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Message of the Week: Love, respect, and enjoy other people!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Sep 28 - Oct 2

Here are some things that are going on in WISD this week:

• The Westphalia cheerleaders will host their annual "Mini-Cheerleader" camp on Oct 17. All students in grades K-5 interested in participating should turn in their forms and money by Friday, October 2.
• The deadline for the "Keep Falls County Beautiful" art contest is Thursday, Oct 1. Forms and permission slip should be turned into the office.
• The football team will be travelling to Jonesboro on Thursday, Oct 1. Kick-off is at 6:00pm. Good luck to our guys as they seek their first win of the year!
• The Good Behavior Rewards drawing will be held on Friday, Oct 2. Students earning Good Behavior tickets are eligible to have their names drawn to win a variety of prizes.
• Friday is the end of the 6 weeks. Students missing work or needing to complete extra credit must ensure everything is turned into their teachers by Friday.

Message of the Week: Be proud of your country, your school, and yourself!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

An Obstacle in Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.

Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse laying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The peasant learned what many of us never understand...

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Weekly Happenings Sep 21-25

Here are some things that are going on in WISD this week:

• The girls volleyball team will be travelling to Temple to take on St. Mary's on Monday at 5:30pm. There has been steady improvement since the beginning of the year, and good luck to our girls as they represent WISD on the road!
• The boys' football team will try to get their first win of the year when they compete in Buckholts on Thursday. Kickoff is at 5:00pm, so be there to support our guys!
• The Math-a-thon, a fundraiser to help St. Jude's Children's Hospital, is underway and will continue until October 8.
• Those interested in competing the the "Keep Falls County Beautiful" art contest will need to submit their entries (along with the parental permission slip) by October 1. All entries will have the opportunity to be in the 2010 Keep Falls County Beautiful calendar.

Message for the Week: Friendship is a responsibility!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

It's a Boy

Congratulations to Kara Hoelscher on the birth of her son, Cash Levi. Cash was born on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:15 pm. He weighed 7 lbs. 8 oz.

Mother and child are doing well.

Medical Updates

I thought I'd update some medical information for some of those in the WISD family:

• Last week, I noted that Stefanie Herring, a former student and daughter of our cook Belinda, was in serious but stable condition at Scott & White following a car accident. Stefanie has undergone several successful procedures and is now out of ICU. Reports from the hospital yesterday is that Stefanie will be going home today. She will have to do some intense therapy on her legs and feet before fully recovering. Please continue to keep Stefanie in your prayers.
• Kara Hoelscher, 2nd grade teacher, is pregnant with her third child and is due today. Mrs. Hoelscher indicated that if the baby is not born today the doctor will induce labor sometime this week. Believe me, she is READY for this baby to be here. Please keep Mrs. Hoelscher and child in your thoughts and prayers for a smooth delivery.

Weekly Happenings Sep 14-18

We have a busy week here at WISD. Here are some things that are going on this week:

• The girls' volleyball team will host Lake Belton Middle School on Monday at 5:00pm. Good luck girls!
• The Westphalia PTO will have its first meeting of the year on Tuesday at 6:00pm. The meeting will be in the cafeteria. The PTO provides great support to our students and staff, so come and participate in a great meeting.
• The Texas Proficiency Reading Inventory (TPRI) will be administered to students in K-2 this week. This tests provides a baseline to measure student growth.
• Progress reports will be issued on Wednesday.
• There is a School Board meeting on Thursday at 7:00pm.
• Good luck to all students participating in the Falls County Fair this week.
• There is a Worth the Wait student meeting on Friday at 9:00am. Doctors from Scott and White will be here to present.
• Fliers were sent home for those interested in purchasing a Rosebud-Lott football shirt. Order forms should be turned in by Friday.
• There is an Early Release on Friday at 11:45am.
  

Message for the Week: Have the courage to do the right thing!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Sep 8-11

Here are some things that are happening this week:

• The Westphalia Bluejay volleyball team will be competing Tuesday, Sept 8, at home versus Waco Live Oak. The White team will begin at 5:00pm and the Blue team will compete upon its conclusion. Good luck to our lady Jays!
• The Westphalia football team will compete at home versus Coolidge on Thursday at 6:00pm. Good luck to our guys as they attempt to even their record for the year.

Special Note - Stefanie Hering, a former Westphalia student and daughter of our cook Belinda Hering, was seriously injured in a car accident on Labor Day while returning to college in Stephenville. At this time, Stefanie is in the ICU at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. While initial reports indicate that the injuries sustained are not life threatening, Stefanie has already undergone multiple surgeries and faces more to come. Please keep in Stefanie in your thoughts and prayers.

Message for the Week: Be responsible for your own actions!

Have a great week or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Aug 31 to Sept 4

Here are a few things that are going on this week in WISD:

• Westphalia Girl Scouts will be having their first meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 1 at the Westphalia Religious Building. Brownies, Juniors, and Cadets (girls in grades 2-8) will meet at 6:00pm. Daisies (KG-1 grade) will meet at 6:30pm. Forms are available in the office.
• The Falls Education Cooperative will be conducting STEEP testing for all students on Wednesday. These brief math and reading tests last one to two minutes and are designed to test the fluency of a student's math and reading. This is a baseline test and will be used by teachers in their classroom.
• The Westphalia volleyball teams will compete in their first game of the season this Thursday, Sept. 3, at 4:30pm. The Bluejays will be hosting St. Louis. Come and support our ladies as they attempt to continue the tradition of excellence!
• The Westphalia football team will also be competing in their first game on Thursday. The boys will be hosting Brenham Christian at 5:00pm. Good luck guys!!!

Message of the Week: Strive for quality in everything you do!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Reflections on the First Week

Well, we are rapidly approaching the end of the first week of school, and (knock on wood) I have to say that I'm very pleased with how things are going. When people have asked me this week, I've told them that the cafeteria never ran out of food, so no one went hungry, and that we didn't have anyone miss a bus or left at school by parents. Overall, I would say that is a good start to the school year.

As we start looking forward, expect a challenging year. We want to continue our excellence both inside and outside the classroom and build on our recent accomplishments. I'm excited about the possibilities, and I hope you are too!

Curriculum Changes

As mentioned yesterday, one of the things I'd like to do this week is discuss some of the changes for the new school year. Probably one of the biggest changes, at least for teachers, is a new curriculum that is to be used. WISD will be using an online curriculum program called C-SCOPE. For those who don't know, a curriculum covers both the scope (what is to be taught and to what depth) and sequence (order) of the different subjects that will be taught.

One might ask why Westphalia, an Exemplary school district, needs to change its curriculum? One of the main reasons is that the new curriculum will serve as a resource for teachers to ensure that they cover everything that needs to be covered during a school year. Also, C-SCOPE is replete with a variety of hands-on activities and example lessons. These lessons include all the core subjects (math, science, social studies, and English) and can be used from the first day of school until the last day. Districts that have used C-SCOPE in the past have reported good gains on achievement testing, and we want to continue to challenge our kids to achieve more. It was great to hear teachers talk about how they are going to use these example lessons and activities with kids.

One of our biggest focus areas is science. WISD and its employees have invested a lot of time, energy, and money into bringing a more hands-on approach to science. We've stocked our storeroom with science supplies and materials that will be used throughout the year at different grade levels. Our goal is to develop one of the best science programs in the state.

If you get a chance, talk to a teacher about how the new curriculum is going to effect what they do in class. Hopefully, you will get the same excitement from teachers as I do when I talk to them.

2009-2010 Budget

I thought I'd spend some time this week highlighting some information about the new school year. One of the main things that I do over the summer is work on the school budget, so I thought I'd talk about it on my blog. Here are some facts about our adopted budget:

• The total amount of revenues (state, local, and federal) is $1,482,254. This is an increase of nearly $200,000 over last year's revenue. The largest portion of that increase is approximately $93,000 in revenue from the state that was earned in 2008-09. You see, schools are actually paid from the state based on the previous year's student count. In 08-09, the state projected a lower enrollment than what we actually had, so the state will have to "settle-up" for what we were to be paid last year. This "settle-up" works both ways - in years past the state has paid us more than what we should have received and WISD has had to pay the state back. This year, however, we are owed money from the state, therefore we will receive additional revenue. The remainder of the additional revenue comes from addition funds provided by the state in the new school finance legislation and some additional federal revenue.
• Expenditures are projected to be $1,426,642. This includes a state-mandated pay raise to teachers and staff, the addition of new personnel, and increases in expenditures for supplies for students. One of the main instructional focuses for the district is science and there is an increase in the budget for science supplies.
• In the end, there is a projected budget surplus of approximately $55,000 that will be used to replenish the district's fund balance (savings account). WISD has needed to use fund balance over the last several years to cover expenses. This year should allow us to save money for future years.
• For local homeowners, the property tax rate is set to $0.90 per $100 of valuation. This means that the average homeowner in the district, with an average homestead value of $43,324, will pay $389.92 in taxes to the school district. WISD has maintained the same tax rate since 2007 and has actually reduced the tax rate 27% since 2005.

For more information about the budget, please see the "Budget Summary" link under finance on the WISD homepage. This budget summary compares last year's budget to the newly adopted budget and will provide more specific details about different funding categories in the budget. Also, you can contact me in the office and I will answer any specific questions about the budget.

First Day of School

I always love the first day of school. The kids are always dressed their best. They are enthusiastic about seeing old friends that they have not seen all summer, so there is always a lot of laughing and talking that first day. There is also a strange sensation of anxiety and hope in the air…anxiety about the unknown and hope that the new school year will be the best year ever.

Although the first day of school sometimes begins with tears (mainly KG parents), the tears are simply the outward signal of the pride that parents feel about their children. Enjoy that feeling.

The best part of being a teacher is working with the kids, and I for one am happy they are back. This has been a long summer and I can’t wait to get the new year going. I’m looking forward to a great 2009-2010 school year!

No Magic Bullet

I was watching one of my all-time favorite shows the other day, Seinfeld, when a classic episode came on. The episode centered around former Major League Baseball player and former New York Mets star Keith Hernandez. In the episode, Kramer and Newman accuse Hernandez of spitting on them after a baseball game. Consequently, Jerry parodied the famous scene from the movie "JFK" where Kevin Costner's character explains the "Magic Bullet Theory." In true Seinfeldian style, he ends his monologue with phrase, "Now that is one magic loogie!"

I am not a conspiracy theorist, but from what I have gleaned from the facts and what experts say, the "Magic Bullet Theory" has been debunked and it has been scientifically proven that Kennedy indeed was killed by a lone gunman.

Now, I bring this topic up not to get into a historical debate on the Kennedy assassination, but to share the idea that there is no magic bullet in education. One can hardly imagine the number of mass mailings and emails I receive on a daily basis claiming that some program, some book, or some manipulative will provide instant results to increase student achievement. I'm here to tell you today that those programs do not work. If they did, schools would simply invest in those programs and all the troubles in school today would be gone.

Student success is based on smart, hard-working teachers, working with smart, hard-working parents, working with hard-working students. WISD is very mindful on what we spend tax payer money, and any programs we purchase are meant to help teachers and students who are working hard...not meant to be a substitute for hard work. I'm as big an advocate for technology in the classroom as you'll find, but I realize that it is the "magic" that teachers do--their daily interactions with students, their caring smiles, their willingness to go above and beyond with students--that makes WISD a success.

So, if you get a chance, thank a teacher for the "magic" they perform everyday but know that there is a lot of hard work behind that magic.

The Tomato Garden

Seeing as today is officially the first day of summer, I thought I'd give a funny story forwarded to me by my wife's grandmother:

An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vincent,
I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over.. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Pop,
Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried.
Love, Vinnie

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Pop,
Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances.
Love you, Vinnie

Congratulations to the Class of 2009

As you know, last week we said goodbye to our 8th graders. The Westphalia Class of 2009 has much to be proud of during its time in WISD. They are the "Millennial Class" since they started in 2000. This class of students once again demonstrated excellence both inside and outside of the classroom. Each 8th grade student passed all portions of the TAKS test, as they did in the 7th grade. They led our athletics teams to district championships in cross country, and for the first time in our history, track and field. They exhibit exmplary behavior both inside and outside of school, and we are proud of the young men and women they are becoming.

So good luck to all the graduating 8th graders. We know that you will succeed in your future endeavors. Though you may be moving on, I hope you always keep Westphalia in your heart. Do not hesitate to come back if you need assistance. We will always be here for you. Congratulations and good luck!

Weekly Happenings May 18 - 22

It's been a busy week at WISD so far, but here are some things scheduled for the rest of the week:

• The MS students will be taking final examinations this week. Good luck to all students.
• All library books need to be turned in to the library by Thursday. Students attending flex-days will be allowed to check out books next week.
• All students must have library fines and lunch fees paid by Friday. Students who have outstanding fines will not receive report cards until the all accounts are closed.
• There will be a cheer leading meeting for 2009-10 cheerleaders on Thursday during reading and tutorials.
• The graduation ceremony for the 8th graders will be held on Thursday at 6:00pm. Please come and celebrate the Class of 2009!
• The Good Behavior Rewards drawings will be held on Friday morning at 8:00am. Congratulations to all students who have earned Good Behavior tickets and good luck in the drawing.
• The annual Awards Assembly will be on Friday at 10:00am.
• There is an early release on Friday at 11:45am.

Message for the Week: Challenge you Mind!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Great Week

It's been a great week in Westphalia, so I thought I'd end the week with a funny story...

An old prospector shuffled into town leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town to clear his parched throat. He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, 'Hey old man, have you ever danced?' The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, 'No, I never did dance, just never wanted to.'

A crowd had gathered quickly and the gunslinger grinned and said, 'Well, you old fool, you're gonna' dance now,' and started shooting at the old man's feet. The old prospector in order to not get a toe blown off or his boots perforated was soon hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet and everybody was laughing fit to be tied. When the last bullet had been fired the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.

The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers back. The loud, audible double clicks carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds and he turned around very slowly. The quiet was almost deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels. He found it hard to swallow. The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man's hands. The old man said, , did you ever kiss a mule on the lips?'

The boy bully swallowed hard and said, 'No. But I've always wanted to.'

There are two lessons for us all here:
1. Don't waste ammunition.
2. Don't mess with old people.

Mayonnaise Jar and the Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember this story...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up every thing else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your wife out to dinner. Maybe even play another 18. There's always time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Weekly Happenings May 11-15

Here are some things that are going on in WISD this week:

• The 8th graders will be going to Rosebud-Lott High School for freshman orientation on Tuesday morning. This is set aside as a time for them to set a schedule for next year and to answer any questions parents may have.
• Students in grades K-2 will be travelling to the Beltonian Theater in Belton on Tuesday.
• The annual Spring Band Concert will be held on Thursday night in the gymnasium.
• There will be a field trip for all students earning 200 AR points on Friday. Students will be going to Lion's Park in Waco.
• Yearbook order forms are due Friday. If students want to order a yearbook and need a form, please see Mrs. Willberg in the library.

Message for the Week: Always do right!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Teacher Appreciation Week

This week has been set aside as National Teacher Appreciation Week to focus attention on the many outstanding educators whose work deserves applause. Let's contribute to the efforts of improving our schools and reinforcing the quality of education in our community; let's recognize teachers for the significant role they play in our lives and in the well-being of our nation. Let's take time to say "thanks" to the teachers of our community and throughout the United States.

Our public school teachers are doing an outstanding job. They perform daily miracles in their classrooms, which many Americans often overlook. We have asked them to shoulder a major responsibility, and we frequently seek their help with non-teaching tasks. We as US citizens are considered to be among the best-educated citizens in the world. And for that, we have our teachers to thank.

In my years of teaching, I have worked with no finer staff than the staff we have here in WISD, and it is reflected in the smiles of our students and the pride in which those of us who are a part of the WISD community speak. I am truly blessed to work with such a tremendous people.


P.S. As an aside, I'd like to personally acknowledge and thank the PTO and specifically the President, Misty Stock, for the hard work and effort put forth in preparing for Teacher Appreciation Week. We have been spoiled this week, and I want to let them know how much we as a staff appreciates the treats and goodies we have received this week.

Weekly Happenings May 4 - 8

Here are some things going on in WISD this week:

• A reward party for all students who earned 100 AR points will be held on Tuesday on campus. Students have the opportunity to play on inflatables and play games in the morning.
• A reward party for all students who earned 300 AR points will be held on Wednesday. Students will be travelling to the Renaissance Festival.
• The end-of-year TPRI (Texas Primary Reading Inventory) for students in grades K-2 will be completed this week. The TPRI offers a battery of tests that will help see at what developmental level our primary students are in reading.
• The STEEP test will be administered to students in grades K-5 this week. The STEEP offers a way to measure reading fluency in students.
• Progress reports will be sent home with students on Wednesday.
• On Friday, there will be a lock down drill to simulate what students should do in case of a lock down.

Message of the Week: Be a Team Player!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Swine Flu Update

In the last couple of days, local and national media sources have been reporting about a growing outbreak of swine flu across our nation.

I want to assure you Westphalia ISD does not have any confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu in our schools. However, we still take this threat seriously and will continue to monitor our campuses. In addition, the district will continue to monitor this situation through the Texas Department of Health in Temple.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Additional information on swine flu can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm.

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illness like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Viruses can be spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

It is also recommended that students and parents are aware that this is not the time to be concerned with perfect attendance and if your child is ill they should remain at home.

If you have reason to be concerned that you or your child may have Swine Flu, please contact your family doctor as soon as possible. Swine flu can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

Weekly Happenings Apr. 27 to May 1

Here are some things going on this week in WISD:

• Students in grades 3-8 will be taking the TAKS test this week. This is the last big administration of the year. Results so far have been solid. Good luck to students taking the test this week!
• The middle school dance has been rescheduled for this Friday, May 1, after lunch. The dance will take place during the last 3 periods of the school day for middle school students.
• The Falls County Relay for Life will be this Friday at 6:00pm and will go until 6:00am on Saturday. WISD raised over $1,500 for this great cause. Thanks to all who donated and was able to help!!
• There will be a hamburger fund-raiser for at the Hering's Store this Saturday, May 2, from 10am until 2pm. Half the proceeds from sales will go to benefit the WISD athletic department. Money raised has been earmarked to go towards the purchase of a scoreboard for the football field. I hope everyone gets a chance to eat a great meal at the Hering's Store on Saturday and help benefit WISD as well.

Message for the Week: Hustle while you Wait!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

TX Legislature Heats Up

In the first 100+ days of the Texas Legislature, very few bills have actually been passed. Last I read there have been a total of 3 bills. However, issues are heating up in the education front. Accountability bills that may stop the use of the TAKS test, school finance reform, and the confirmation of the head of the State Board of Education are being fiercely debated in Austin.

It will be interesting to see how things turn out. Reports are that the accountability bill, which once looked like it might never make it to the floor before the session started, has made it out of committee and will be soon be on the floor for vote. School finance reform, once described as "off the table" by lawmakers, seems to be likely up for vote before the session ends. And Don McElroy, the head of the SBOE who is accused by opponents of using his position as a bully pulpit to force his religious views on students in Texas, might not receive confirmation from the Senate. All of these changes point to the fact that education is a priority in the new legislature, and hopefully good decisions will be made for the future of Texas schools.

Out of the Office

I'm out of the office today and tomorrow at a school risk management conference in Austin (it's amazing how many things a school can be sued for these days). Therefore, I won't be doing my usual "Weekly Happenings" post until Wednesday.

However, I thought I'd share a couple of pictures that my 8th grade BCIS class took last week:

Weekly Happenings Apr. 14-17

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter holiday. Here are some things that are happening in WISD this week:

• The annual fund raiser for the Falls County Relay for Life is going on in WISD until next Friday, April 24. Last year, we raised over $2,500. We hope to exceed that mark this year, so buy your spirit links to show your determination to fight cancer!
• Report cards will be issued to students on Wednesday.
• There will be a School Board meeting on Thursday at 7:00 pm in the library.
• The Junior High will be having a spring dance on Friday from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $5 and former WISD student Collin Kleypas will DJ the dance.

Message of the Week: Nurture our environment!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Joke of the Day

Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging, violent river.

Needing to get to the other side, the first man prayed: "God, please give me the strength to cross the river." Poof! ... God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.

After witnessing that, the second man prayed: "God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river" Poof! ... God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.

Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed: "God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river"

Poof! ... He was turned into a woman. She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.

School Finance Reform

One of the major reasons that this blog was started was to provide a forum to discuss issues relating to public education as a whole, not just WISD. I'm not sure if I'm accomplishing that goal in the way I intended, but I thought I'd take a few minutes today to discuss a state-wide issue: school finance reform.

I've talked previously how low Westphalia ranks in its revenue. We are the 5th lowest district in the state as far as target revenue per weighted average daily attendance (WADA) and are in the bottom 10 districts in the state as far as overall taxable value. That is a bad combination for a school district, and we are in need of some serious reform in order to create a more equity in how we are funded.

There are two bills in the TX Legislature right now that are intended to address the problems of school finance. Senate Bill 982 and House Bill 1555 are companion bills that attempt to return school funding to a formula funding system driven by student need and less reliant on local property tax value. These bills shift some of the share for school funding back to the state and hold the state accountable for its fair share of public education funding. By all accounts (at least from school finance gurus who look at funding from the school's perspective), these bills create a more dynamic and long-term solution than what the current system provides and will increase equity around the state.

My fear is that Austin politics will get in the way of doing what is right for students. I've been told that one of the major proponents of the bill who helped craft it is so polarizing that some legislative members will not vote for the bill just because his name is attached to it. It will be ashamed if a bill that can really make a difference for students does not pass due to personal grudges. I encourage you to reach out to your state representative or senator and tell them to vote in favor of SB 982 and HB 1555. Politicians are (generally) not fools, and they do listen to their constituents when they call.

Weekly Happenings Apr. 6-10

Here are some things going on in WISD this week:

• The 5th and 8th grade classes will be taking the Math portion of the TAKS test on Tuesday. Students in these grade levels must pass this portion of the TAKS to be promoted to the next grade level. Students who do not pass will have two more opportunities to pass this year. Good luck to our 5th & 8th graders...we know you're going to do great!
• The Westphalia chapter of the National Junior Honor Society will be inducting 3 new members on Wednesday. There will be a ceremony at 2 pm in the gym. There will be a guest speaker and current members of NJHS all have roles in the ceremony. Punch and cake will be served afterwards. A big thanks to Mrs. Bringman for all her hard work as sponsor and congratulations to our new inductees.
• Westphalia ISD will be having its annual Kindergarten Roundup on Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. All parents interested in having their KG student attend school in WISD for the 2009-10 school year should attend. Please bring your child’s Social Security Card, birth certificate, and shot records.
• Thursday is the last day of the 5th 6 weeks. All students should make sure that they have any missing assignments or extra credit turned in by Thursday for inclusion for report cards. Report cards will be issued on April 15.
• Friday is a school holiday in observance of Good Friday. Also, WISD will have a bad weather holiday on Monday, April 13. Enjoy your long 4-day weekend!

Message for the Week: Forgive honest mistakes!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Community Involvement

One of the great things about being a part of a small community is the level of involvement that our students and the community can have together. One of the things that the school does on a fairly regular basis is to go to the Senior Citizen group that eats lunch at the Parrish Hall on Thursday. In the past, we've sent band and other individual classrooms to perform for the group.

Yesterday, the 5th grade class went and performed for the Senior Citizens. Each 5th grader researched a famous historical American and wrote a story about their lives. They dressed up as their historical figure and performed their story for the group. The kids did a tremendous job...from the research, to the writing, to the performance...I was really impressed. Kudos to a great class of students, to their teacher Mrs. Fanz, and to Mr. Scott, a community member who comes in regularly and works with the kids on writing. The hard work they put into the presentation was evident yesterday during their performances. Congratulations to everyone involved on a job well done!!!

District CHAMPS

Congratulations to our middle school track athletes on a dominant performance at the district track meet on Tuesday. This was our first ever attempt to compete at a district track competition, and there was little doubt that we were the class of the meet. I was very proud of our kids and how hard they ran, jumped, and threw.

A big thanks goes out to the parents who help carpool their athletes to Rosebud-Lott everyday! This couldn't have been done without you.

Weekly Happenings Mar. 30 to Apr. 3

Here are some things that are going on in WISD this week:

• The track team will compete in the district meet at Rosebud-Lott High School on Tuesday. Field events begin at 4:00 pm and running events will take place after all field events are complete. Come out and support our Blue Jay athletes as they try to take home their first ever district crown!
• There will be a fire drill on Thursday at 1:30 pm.
• The annual Highway Cleanup will take place on Friday afternoon. All middle school students will be helping keep Westphalia clean by participating.

Message for the Week: Study and the Opportunities Will Come!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Sex Ed in Texas

There has been some recent news articles and press releases about sex education in the state of Texas. These articles are based on a recent report by the Texas Freedom Network--an organizations which states that one of its missions is to "counter the religious right"--titled "Just Say Don't Know." This report claims to be a "comprehensive" report. However, the report seems to be more of an attack on sex education programs which encourage students to refrain from sexual activity.

WISD uses the "Worth the Wait" program developed by Scott & White Hospital. As the title infers, "Worth the Wait" does advocate that children refrain from sexual activity until they are old enough and mature enough to handle the physical and emotional components of sex. However, it does include a whole section of curriculum that covers contraceptives and all forms of birth control. "Worth the Wait" is also the most widely used sex education program in the state, and has won both state and national awards from the National Bar Association and the Texas State Board of Education.

"Worth the Wait" is the gold standard of sex education programs in Texas, and WISD will continue to use it as a curriculum for our 6th, 7th, & 8th grade students. Teen pregnancy rates have declined 21% in Texas from 1991 to 2005, and programs like "Worth the Wait" should receive some credit for the job they do.

Quote of the Day

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandella

Weekly Happenings Mar. 23-27

I hope everyone had a restful and relaxing Spring Break. Here are some happenings at WISD this week:

• The track team will be having pictures on Tuesday
• There will be TELPAS testing for all ESL students in grades 2-8 on Wednesday
• The WISD School Board will hold their regular monthly meeting on Thursday at 7:00 pm in the library. It is a public meeting, and guests are welcome.

Message of the week: Live a Life of Purpose!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

The 10% Rule

In 1997, state lawmakers enacted a law that required the 35 state universities in Texas to automatically admit students who are in top 10% of their graduating class. The original intent of the law was to serve as a race-neutral way to increase diversity, ensuring that students from high minority Texas high schools have the opportunity to attend state universities. Over the last 11 years, there have been slight gains in the number of minority students admitted, yet university officials are now crying foul that the 10% rule is hindering who they can admit.

UT President William Powers, Jr. testified before legislators that 81% of entering freshman are a result of the 10% rule and that projections are that 86% of the 2009 freshman class will be from the top 10%. Powers claims that this limits the university's ability to admit students with leadership, artistic, musical, or other talents that don't translate into a high class ranking. Powers wants to cap the number of top 10% students admitted to only 40% of an incoming class. Powers says that by capping the admissions, the university can admit more black and Hispanic students and still create the diversity that was the original intent of the law.

There are others beside university presidents who want the rule to change. Wealthy suburban high school students, who might rank in the top 25% of the class, say that their schools provide much more rigor; thus, they are better prepared for college than other schools. Others want their "legacy" status to be weighted for admission. For a variety of reasons, the opponents of the 10% rule want the law changed.

I'm a believer in the 10% rule. I think it is vital for students from small, rural districts to be admitted to top-tier universities. A student who is in the top 10% in Falls County should have the chance to go to UT, A&M, or any other university in the state as a student from Plano, Frisco, Alamo Heights, or other affluent suburbs. The arguments that suburban high schools are somehow superior to rural schools are elitist and are disrespectful to the talented, intelligent students that come through our school. Our kids deserve a chance, and I hope legislators do the right thing and leave the 10% rule in effect.

Riesel Track Meet

As the track coach, I like to share how proud I am of our track athletes. We travelled to Riesel last Thursday and competed against Axtell and Riesel in a tri-team invitational. We had several outstanding performances from our students. We dominated both the girls and boys sprint and distance events. While we did not win the team competition, our students worked hard and represented our school well. I'm proud of the effort of our kids and hope you can come out to a meet to support our Blue Jays!

Weekly Happenings Mar. 9-13

Here are some things going on in WISD this week:

• Progress reports will be issued on Wednesday, March 11.
• The 8th graders will be traveling to local businesses to job shadow. This is an opportunity for them to learn about a possible future career. A big thanks to Mr. Frei for his hard work in getting these job sites set up.
• There will be a middle school track meet this Friday in Academy.
• Spring Break is next week!

Message of the Week: Make new friends, but keep the old!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Busy Week

It's been a busy week here at WISD. As posted on Monday, the TAKS test was administered to students on Tuesday. I think overall the students felt confident in how they performed on the test, and while not all of them actually like having to take TAKS, they understand it is part of the school.

We'll have results for students in grades 3, 5, & 8 in just a few weeks. Those students took a multiple choice Reading test, so the tests are quickly graded and returned to schools. Students in grades 4 & 7 will have to wait a little longer. 4th & 7th graders took the Writing test, which requires them to respond to a prompt. Each of the compositions (from all students in the state) are hand scored by at least two graders. Obviously, it's a much more labor intensive process and results will not be available until May.

Overall, I think our students performed well. I've always told teachers not to worry about the students' performance. We have a great staff who works hard for our kids, so the TAKS test is something that should not worry them. Keep your fingers crossed for our scores. We are EXEMPLARY BOUND!

Weekly Happenings 3/2 to 3/6

Here are some things that are happening this week in WISD:

• Students will be taking the TAKS test this Tuesday. Students in grades 3, 5, and 8 will be taking the Reading test. Students in grades 4 and 7 will be taking the Writing test. Good luck to all students who will be taking it this week! Do not worry, you have worked hard all year and you're going to do great on the test!!
• Students in grades 3-8 will be taking practice TAKS tests on Wednesday and Thursday this week. This is the final big practice before the rest of the TAKS test will be taken later in April.
• The first track meet of the year will be on Thursday in Riesel. Come out and support our Bluejays as they run, jump, and throw on the track!
• There will be a tornado drill on Friday morning for students.

Message for the Week: If you don't stand for something, you may fall for anything!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Quote of the Day

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

-William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and dramatist

Education Finance is Still a Concern

School finance is an issue that is too big for just one blog. It's too big for one book. It's too big for one person to be able to explain, but I'll do my best.

The tradition on school finance is that the Legislature waits until the state gets sued and then tweaks the system based on the ruling from the courts. However, the school finance system they created in House Bill 1, our current system, is so bad that the Legislature is likely going to be proactive and try to fix the obvious flaws in the system.

The biggest flaw in the current funding system is the so-called Target Revenue per WADA that each district was assigned. In clearer terms, each district is assigned a revenue value for its daily attendance and receives funding based on its Target Revenue and enrollment. In mathematical terms, the equation is:

Target Revenue * WADA Enrollment = Revenue

The problem is that each district has a unique Target Revenue, and the target revenues vary widely from district to district. It's sad to say that Westphalia ISD ranks 5th lowest out of 1,025 districts in the state in Target Revenue per WADA! Westphalia ISD has a target revenue per WADA of $3,990. Compare that Rosebud-Lott ISD, our neighbor to the east, which has a target revenue of $4,321. Using the above equation, that means that 10 students in WISD generates $39,900 and 10 at RLISD generate $43,210, a difference of $3,310. If you take into account that an average class size is 20 students, that is over $6,600 more revenue per classroom in RL than in Westphalia. For a school of 150 students (which is what we have in WISD) that is almost $50,000.

The sad thing is that RL is not even close to the state average ($5,076 per student) or the median ($4,781 per student). Compare Westphalia to Rogers ISD ($4,634), Belton ISD ($4,804), Bremond ISD ($7,479), or the highest district in the state, Westbrook ISD ($12,725), it becomes clear that the funding system is inadequate. If Westphalia ISD had the state average in Target Revenue per WADA, we would generate an addtional $270,000 per year!!! Imagine the great things that could be done with that much additional revenue.

Something needs to be done. Is it equitable that a student in Dallas or Houston or even in other districts in Falls County generates more revenue for a district than a student in Westphalia? If we're going to base school funding on enrollment, shouldn't all students be able to generate the same revenue?

These are the questions that the Legislature will have to answer. I hope they are able to come up with a system that provides adequately for all students. We are not asking for much. Just the ability to provide students with the education they deserve.

Weekly Happenings Feb. 23-27

Here are just a few of the things that are going on in WISD this week:

• Students in grades K-3 need to turn in their 6 Flags reading forms to their homeroom on Tuesday. Great job reading!
• Reminder that there is an early release for students on Wednesday at 11:45 am. Teachers and staff will have professional development in the afternoon.
• Don't forget the TAKS test is only one week away. Good luck to students and we're proud of all your hard work.

Message of the Week: Clear your mind of "Can't"!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

How the Stimulus Package Affects WISD

There has been lots of talk recently, in newspapers, on the radio, on TV, about the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (better known as the Stimulus Package). President Obama signed the 1,000+ page law on Tuesday, and everyone wants to know how it's going to affect them. One of the major tenets of the bill is to help with infrastructure, including the building of schools, and it targets low income students in need better schools.

While the details of the bill are not fully known, it is known that the bill will have an immediate impact on 2 specific areas in education: Title I programs and IDEA programs. Title I programs are programs designed to improve the education of students of poverty. IDEA programs target students who qualify as special education.

Because of the low number of free and reduced lunch students (those who qualify for Title I) and our overall low number of special education students (less than 10%), the stimulus bill does not have the same impact on WISD as some of our neighbors. The last numbers I've seen, and these are definitely not the final numbers, is that WISD will get approximately $11,670 this year and an additional $13,559 next year towards those two programs. This $25,229 is required to be spent on those specific students and programs.

While a mere fraction of a percent in the overall $787 billion dollar package, $25,000 goes a long way in Westphalia. We hope to be able to use this money to better serve our students and will use it to continue our goal of excellence in education.

Parent Letter

Spring always represents a busy time for me and my family. For whatever reason, it just seems as though our obligations and commitments increase as the temperature rises. Maybe it’s the fact that activities increase with the better weather, but for some reason I seem to be barely staying ahead.

I know a lot of and students feel that way as well. As the pressure for the TAKS test mounts, teachers seem to put more emphasis on tutoring and homework. Students who have coasted through the first part of the year now seem to realize that it’s time to buckle down and get serious. The stress level of students seems to be on the rise.

Parents also feel the effect of the stress that is caused by spring. Whether you sense the anxiety in your child, or your own pressures increase, people seem on edge during the springtime.

I think that’s one reason why things like spring flowers and warm weekends happen. There are few things that can relax someone like a walk through a field of bluebonnets or Indian paintbrush. I believe that the sights and sounds of spring serve a purpose of helping relax people in a stressful time. All things happen for a reason, and I think the beauty of spring happens to help off-set the stress that occurs during this time of year. I encourage you to enjoy the beauty and release the stress.

Weekly Happenings Feb. 16-20

Here are some things that are going on in WISD this week:

• Report cards for the 4th 6 weeks will be issued on Wednesday.
• There will be a School Board meeting on Thursday at 7:00 pm in the Library.
• WISD collected 5,235 boxtops, which raised $523.00 for the PTO. This is a new record since the school began collecting in 2000. The 2nd grade wins the popcorn/soda party for the most boxtops collected. They turned in 1,087 boxtops. Great job WISD students and parents!
• 4th - 6th graders who are attempting to earn a free trip to 6 Flags by reading need to turn in their forms to their homeroom teacher by the end of the day Tuesday. Students in grades K-3 have until next Tuesday, Feb. 24, to turn in their forms.

Message for the Week: Cooperate with a Smile!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Quote of the Day

The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth, and to have it found out by accident.

-- Charles Lamb (1775-1834) British Essayist

Weekly Happenings Feb. 9-13

Here are some of the events going on in WISD this week:

• There will be a lock-down drill on Monday afternoon. This drill is to prepare students for what they should do in the case of a school lock down. One can never be too cautious, so this exercise is a good way to ensure students are as safe as possible.
• The annual "Box Tops" drive ends on Thursday. Students are asked to bring any box tops to school by then. This is a great way to raise funds for the school and we hope it will continue to be a success this year.
• The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will have their second service project of the year on Friday. NJHS students will travel to Temple to help out at that Ronald McDonald House and a local nursing home among other things. A big thanks to Mrs. Bringman for her continued efforts with our students.
• Friday also marks the end of the 4th 6 weeks. There will be a Good Behavior Reward drawing on Friday morning.

Message for the Week: Your Actions Speak Louder than Words!

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Weekly Happenings Feb. 2-6

Here are some events going on at WISD this week:

• The first planning meeting for the Falls County Relay for Life is Monday at 6:00 pm. WISD has raised over $5,000 over the past 2 years for this great cause and hopes to continue the tradition this year.
• Girls and Boys basketball team pictures will be on Thursday morning (Feb. 5) during 1st period. Make sure you have your uniforms and picture money on Thursday.
• There will be a parent information meeting for Middle School parents who have a son/daughter interested in running track this year on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6:00 pm. All parents of students who are running track should attend.

Also, I'd like to congratulate Kyle Hoelscher, Michael Heise, and former student Rachel Wright for advancing the the next round of the Knights of Columbus' Free Throw contest. All three students will be competing in Austin at the next round of competition. Great Job!

Message for the Week: Excellence is a Habit!

Have a great week or not, as always, the CHOICE is yours!

Germs, Germs Everywhere

Cold and flu season is in full affect. We had 15 students out on Monday and another 10 out on Tuesday of this week due to illness. One of the best ways to prevent getting sick, and spreading germs to others, is to make sure you wash your hands regularly and use proper hand-washing techniques. Here are some helpful reminders of how and when to wash hands:

Proper Technique
1. Wet hands with clean, warm water
2. Apply soap
3. Lather soap by vigorously scrubbing for at least 20 seconds (this loosens the germs)
4. Rinse hands with warm, running water to remove all soap
5. Dry hands with a clean paper towel
- If possible, use the towel to turn off the water in the sink and to open the bathroom door

When to Wash
- Before eating meals
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- After using the bathroom
- After changing a diaper
- After going to the store
- As soon as a child arrives home from school
- After touching a pet
- After wiping your nose, coughing/sneezing, or touching the face

By using these simple techniques and remembering when to wash your hands, you will be much better prepared to stay healthy during this time of year. And remember, healthy students means happy students.

To Disclose or Not to Disclose...

There is beginning to be concern in the education community about a new bill proposed by Senator Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) regarding the procedure in which Superintendents are hired. Currently, Texas law prevents school districts from disclosing applicants who are applying for vacant Superintendent positions until School Boards have chosen the "finalists" for the position. Since current law does not define what a "finalist" is, districts generally name only one "lone finalist" and wait the required a 21-day waiting period for public scrutiny of the lone finalist before he/she officially hiring the lone finalist.

Senate Bill 503, proposed by Sen. Eltife, would require districts to disclose the names of any person who is formally interviewed by a school board. Eltife believes the public has a right to know who is applying for such important positions in school districts. However, both superintendent and school boards argue that by disclosing the name of any person who is interviewed it will severely limit the number of people who might apply for a job. The fear is that the number of applicants will drop if the applicants think their current employer will be unhappy if they are looking for a new job.

I am an advocate of open government, and I do not have the concerns felt by many of my peers. I do not think that decisions should be made behind closed doors, especially when it comes to public entities like school districts, so I think it is a good thing to know who is applying for jobs. Other states have more open processes, and there is little or no evidence that the number and quality of applicants is somehow diminished by having a more open process.

I also believe that a person should have a strong enough relationship with a boss/employer to be able to speak openly about the possibility of changing jobs. If you find a person who is able to have the type of relationship with an employer that allows for tough conversations, such as the possibility of leaving, then I think that person will be more qualified than a person who does things behind the boss' back. The type of person who is able to have open, honest discussions, even if they are not always easy, is the type of leader one wants for a school and in life in general.

Evolution vs. Intelligent Design

Anyone reading the newspaper recently has probably read an article or two about an upcoming vote by the State Board of Education regarding the way students in Texas are taught in science class. For the last 20 years, the state science curriculum allowed schools to teach "both the strengths and weaknesses" of evolution. However, the clause became a lightning rod of debate over the teaching of evolution with scientific proponents saying that evolution is a well tested theory and that any effort to undermine its concept is nothing but a back door attempt to assert religion into the classroom.

It should be no surprise that evolution has created a controversy in Texas today. Ever since Charles Darwin released his groundbreaking, yet controversial, book The Origin of Species in 1858, the scientific community and religious community have been at odds as to how we came to be. The first major court case in the US was the so-called “Scopes Monkey Trial” in 1927. In the case, a Tennessee teacher was convicted of teaching evolution in the classroom, but his case was overturned on appeal to the TN Supreme Court. This was the first decision to conclude that the teaching of creationism did violate the Establishment Clause of the US Constitution. Numerous court cases since further affirmed that teaching creationism (whether it is called Scientific Creationism, Intelligent Design, or something else) is unconstitutional.

This brings us to the controversy of today. Let me first state that I am not endorsing one side of the issue or the other. WISD will teach the required curriculum, no matter what the decision of the SBOE is. I just want to give you both sides of the argument:

Proponents of Removing the Clause:

• Evolution has countless experiments supporting it
• Does not claim to explain the origin of life, only how it evolved to what it is today
• Does not suggest that individuals evolve, only species evolve over time
• Intelligent Design and other opponents of evolution offer no evidence for their theories or claims
• This clause essentially advocates a view that there is a creator, therefore violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution

Opponents of Removing the Clause:

• There are many gaps in the Theory of Evolution
• Students should be allowed to critically analyze evolutionary theory
• Fear removing the clause will essentially end the debate of evolution and shuts down any dissent

There is no doubt that whatever the decision the debate of creationism vs. evolution will continue. The SBOE has a difficult and controversial decision to make and I hope they make the decision that is in the best interest of the students of Texas.

Weekly Happenings Jan. 26-30

Here are some things going on in WISD this week:

• The boys' and girls' basketball teams will host Central Texas Christian School on Monday. The girls' White team will tip-off at 5:00 pm. This marks the final game of the season for our girls, so come out and support them as they take on a tough CTC squad!
• Progress reports will be issued on Wednesday.
• The boys' Blue basketball team will compete in the St. Mary's of Temple basketball tournament on Saturday. The Bluejays won this prestigious tournament last year and are out to defend their title.

Each week during announcements, we focus on one message and give small bits of wisdom and advice for our students. Our Message for the Week is "Be Content with What You Have!"

Have a great week, or not, the CHOICE is yours!

Westphalia Pride

I had the opportunity to take a former Superintendent and mentor from Waco around our school today. I always love to share the story of Westphalia ISD because its so unique. Between our historical ties to the Church of the Visitation to the sheer make-up of our students, WISD is truly a special place to be.

During our conversation, I was asked of about our student population. I thought I'd share some of it. WISD currently has 154 students. Of those 154 students, only 35 live within the district (22.7%). We currently have 119 students which transfer into our district (77.3%). Those students come from the following districts (percentage of total transfers in parentheses):

Rosebud-Lott -- 75 students (63.5%)
Marlin -- 31 students (26.2%)
Temple -- 5 students (4.7%)
Chilton, Troy, Waco, & Bremond -- 2 students each (1.7%)
Rogers & Chilton -- 1 student each (<1%)

When you stop and think that 3 of 4 students who attend school here do not actually live in WISD, it shows what a wonderful place this must be for students. I'm proud of that fact. I'm proud that I get to work with such great kids with such great parents. I hope you feel the same!