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!