Weekly Happenings Feb. 22-26

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

• Report cards will be going home with students on Wednesday, Feb. 24th
• We are in final preparations for the first TAKS test of the year. Next week, students in grades 4 & 7 will be taking the TAKS writing test. Good luck to those kiddos!
• Students interested in participating in the Junior League of Bell County and Children's Miracle Network St. Patrick's Day 5K Run/Walk need to see Mr. Steele for details. The run benefits the Children's Miracle Network and will be on March 13. The cost for participants is $10, but the local school with the must participants has the opportunity to win $500-$1,000 for their PE program. Again, anyone interested should see Mr. Steele for details.

Message for the week: Study and the Opportunities will Come!

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

Field Trip

I love field trip days. There's just something about field trips that gets everyone excited about being at school. I guess it is probably the fact that students think they are somehow playing hooky or the fact that it is just out of the routine that gets them excited.

Today, our students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade have the opportunity to go to the Bell County Expo Center in Belton to attend a mini-rodeo. We had several show up with their cowboy hats and boots on excited about getting the chance to go. Probably the greatest part of field trips is that the students are learning in a real world, hands-on way. I think that is the best way for kids (or for anyone for that matter) to learn.

Our teachers strive to create an environment like that everyday here in Westphalia. While learning learning seemingly useless facts such as factorization or least common denominators, our teachers do a great job interjecting real world reasons why these concepts are important. I think that is one of the reasons our students are so successful. Though we are unable to physically leave school everyday, our teachers are able to connect students to the outside world in an effort to encourage learning and further exploration by students.

So, next time you ask your son or daughter "What did you learn at school today?" make sure you follow it up with "How will that help you in your life as you get older?" If possible, share how you use that concept in your work or life. Together, we can take our students beyond the four walls of the classroom and into the real world everyday.

Weekly Happenings Feb. 1-5

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

• Progress reports will be issued on Wednesday, Feb. 3
• Valentine's Day goodies forms are being collected in the office.
• 2010 Keep Falls County Beautiful calendars are on sale in the office at a cost of $5 per calendar. All students who submitted artwork are in the calendar.
• Students in grades 6-8 who are interested in participating in the Bell County Spelling Bee should let Mr. Steele know by Friday.

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!

Happiness On Hold--

It's been a while since I have posted, and I apologize about that. It sometimes becomes easy to fall out of a routine. I received a good message today that I thought I'd share, and I promise to make better effort in the future to keep up with the blog.

Happiness On Hold--

I needed this reminder...maybe you do too. We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are we able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way.

So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting....
--until your car or home is paid off
--until you get a new car or home
--until your kids leave the house
--until you go back to school
--until you finish school
--until you lose 10 lbs.
--until you gain 10 lbs.
--until you get married
--until you get a divorce
--until you have kids
--until you retire
--until summer
--until spring
--until winter
--until fall
--until you die

There is no better time than right now to be happy.Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

So-work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching.

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!