Professional Documents
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I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. I also hope everyone is off to a wonderful 2012. The PTA is already busy getting ready for the many activities planned for the remainder of the year. Many volunteers are needed to run these events, so please consider volunteering your time. Upcoming events include, Student and Staff Birthday Celebration, Winter Ball, Election of the PTA Nominating Committee, Used Book Sale, Book Fair, and much more. Look for articles, in this newsletter, regarding some of the listed events. Tejeda PTA encourages everyone to get involved and Make a Difference.
*February 7th - Election of PTA Nominating Committee and Reflection Winners Recognition April 10th - UIL Recognition *NOTE: The previously scheduled Feb. 14th General PTA Meeting has been rescheduled for Feb. 7th at 6:30pm.
Dear Parents:
We have our new semester in front of us and are ready and excited about the challenges that lie ahead. Speaking of the days ahead, I would like to offer a few reminders: STAAR Testing Dates Tuesday, March 27 7th grade Writing Day 1 8th grade Math 7th grade Writing Day 2 8th grade Reading 8th grade Social Studies 6th and 7th grade Math 6th and 7th grade Reading 8th grade Science 8th grade Algebra students ONLY EOC
Wednesday, March 28
Monday, April 23 Tuesday, April 24 Wednesday, April 25 Thursday, April 26 Monday, May 7
Please mark these dates on your calendar. Also, we have early release days in February. These days are put aside for conferences. If you are not contacted by a teacher and you would like to meet during these days, please do not hesitate to give the teacher a call. The early release days are February, 7, 8 and 9. Please note that we will have an exam schedule for the end of the year that I will publish very soon. This exam schedule is being put in place to provide quality study skills for our students. Since your children will be facing the end of course exams, we need to provide a new model for them on how to handle cumulative tests. I waited to write this note in hopes that I could report a complete victory with the Schools to Watch endeavor. The day was amazing and your children were remarkable. We received a call this past Thursday that we were not selected. At this time I do not have a report as to why. I anxiously await the report so we can continue to make Tejeda the most outstanding school in the nation. We will evaluate their comments and make certain that we continue to do what is best for all children and that we make adjustments, if necessary. Every great institution always strives to make their practices as effective as possible. Thank you for your continuous support. Please continue to share your communication with me. Always for kids, Brenda Shelton
STAAR Questions?
Having a lot of questions about the new STAAR tests, you will find many resources, as well as a comprehensive question and answer document, at the Texas Education Agency website. Link: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/
Thank you!
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Congratulations
Honors/Awards
In 1909, the Texas PTA created the Honorary Texas Life Membership as one of the highest honors that may be presented to individuals for outstanding service to children and youth. The recipient does not have to be a PTA member nor must the service for which the honor has been bestowed be connected with the PTA. At Tejeda Middle School, we are fortunate to have a large population of dedicated individuals working and volunteering with our children.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Frank Tejeda Middle School PTA Life Member Award Recipients: John Brown, Melissa Hennig, Stacy Husted and Edwina Colvina. Thank you for your service to our children!!
Pictured left to right: Edwina Colvina, Stacy Husted, John Brown and Melissa Hennig.
Special Thanks
Thank you to the Faculty Appreciation Chairs and their Committee. A wonderful appreciation lunch was served to the Tejeda Staff on Friday, January 13th. Thank you for all the hard work. - Sylvia Theissen, PTA President
Help Wanted
Calling all volunteers!
The PTA needs volunteers to be on the Nominating Committee to look for candidates to fill officer positions for the 2012/2013 school year. The nominating committee consists of five members. Two alternates are also needed in the event an elected member is unable to serve. The nomination committees responsibilities are:
Solicit suggestions for nominees from the membership Select one nominee for each officer position Contact the prospective nominees while meeting Treat all candidates in a fair and consistent manner Fill out the Nominating Committee Report to be presented at the April general meeting Committee Chairman is to read the report at the April general meeting
The committee meets only twice! If you are interested in being on the committee, please come to the PTA general meeting on February 7th at 6:30pm. All committee members will be elected by the members at the PTA meeting. - Amianne Snethkamp, Parliamentarian
The Presidents Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is issued by the Presidents Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States. It is given to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. The Award is given to individuals that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period. For Tejeda students, the PVSA time period is May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012. All hours will need to be turned in by April 15th in order to allow enough time to review and certify service hours and to order awards. HOW TO LOG YOUR HOURS Please log your service hours on the Tejeda Middle School 2011-2012 PVSA spreadsheet found at: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc? pli=1&key=0AnLCpJKNfP1kdEdnaHZuNnVuWGxpY09vVHMzNzFRWkE&gmrcpt You may also pick up the log at the Tejeda Front Office. IMPORTANT For any project that accrues more than 20 hours of service, please have the supervisor of the project issue a signed letter/certificate and attach to your log. The PVSA collection time for your service hours is May 1, 2011 April 30, 2012. Any service done during this time period can be logged. The PVSA log must be turned into the front office by April 15, 2012. The student and parent must sign the log to certify that the hours are accurate. There are three levels of awards BRONZE you have at least 50 service hours SILVER you have 75-99 service hours GOLD you have 100 or more service hours. The award includes a certificate and a letter from the President. Students who receive a Presidents Volunteer Service Award will be recognized at the end of May. If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia Theissen, PTA President at sylvia.theissen@gmail.com.
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative program of the National Center for Fathering focusing on the prevention of violence in our nations schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures for a two-fold purpose: 1) to provide an unobtrusive presence in the schools, and 2) to be a positive and active role-model for students at their school. WATCH D.O.G.S. was founded by Jim Moore, a concerned father who chose to take action in response to a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR. WATCH D.O.G.S. serves to inspire and equip men to be the involved fathers, grandfathers and father-figures their students need. The Tejeda PTA will announce a formal launch of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program very soon, in the mean time, if you have previously volunteered as a Watch DOGS, and are DPS cleared, please contact John Ramirez, Watch DOGS Coordinator, for immediate volunteer opportunities. For more information, visit the WATCH D.O.G.S. website at www.fathers.com/watchdogs, or e-mail John Ramirez atjnjram@gmail.com or call 210-867-8648.
School Dance
Winterball is on Feb. 10 from 6-9 pm for all grades Theme: Winter Candyland Tickets will be available to purchase at all three lunches Feb 6-10 Prices: Dance ticket $7.00 Dance and meal $10.00 includes 2 slices of pizza, drink, candy (concessions will be available for $1.00) Pictures will be available for $2.00 Attire: Semi-formal Boys: slacks, collared shirts Girls: dresses, strapless is fine
Counselors Corner
Homework Hints: Use these helpful strategies to make homework go like clockwork. 1. Think It Through Before your youngster begins, have them make a to-do list. Then, suggest that they number the tasks from toughest to easiest. Then have them start working on the hardest things first. They can save the easiest things for last and this will help them finish on a high note. 2. Think About Time Ask your child to think about other time periods to get homework done. Consider a weekend morning or Sunday afternoon. Also, many students have time during school like AIM or while waiting for the bus to tackle some short assignments. Encourage your child to make the most of class time to complete assignments at school. The more they complete at school, the more time for fun at home! 3. Think Positive Help your student see homework as a chance to prove their independence by getting work done on time and without help. Boost your childs confidence by saying Homework gives you a chance to show all that you know. The more responsible they become with their homework, the more independence they gain as a teenager.
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WOLF CREDO
RESPECT THE ELDERS TEACH THE YOUNG COOPERATE WITH THE PACK PLAY WHEN YOU CAN HUNT WHEN YOU MUST REST IN BETWEEN SHARE YOUR AFFECTIONS VOICE YOUR FEELINGS LEAVE YOUR MARK
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Tejeda Clubs
Tejeda Theatre Dept. presents BOCN!
BOCN! is a light-hearted, bilingual comedy for the whole family. This oneact play explores freedom of speech and expression creatively using rhythms, song, and movement. The central character is Miguel, played by David Lunan, a loud-mouthed young boy (Bocn) who is "frightened out of his voice" by the soldiers who are occupying the village. The people of this village, which is located somewhere south of the border, are fearful because the soldiers mysteriously make people "disappear." Miguel manages to escape from them with the help of his family, who beg him to go North and "search" for his voice. He begins his journey to the land of freedom and opportunity in the north with a very unlikely guide, La Llorona. Played by Leishka Felix, La Llorona, a character from the Mexican folktale known for haunting and scaring young and old alike, uncharacteristically befriends Miguel and offers her age-old, often off-beat insight into Miguel's enlightening journey. BOCN! conscientiously takes a look at the liberties that are fundamental to all human beings. Join The Tejeda Theatre Department for this exciting and innovative One Act Play. BOCN! will be performed for the public on Friday, February 17, 2012, with a show at 6:30 p.m. The performance is at Tejeda Middle School, 2909 Evans Road, San Antonio, TX. On campus parking is available. Ticket prices are $3.00. For more information, call (210) 482-2260 ext. 268. The students in the one act play production of BOCN! will be competing on February 24, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Eisenhower Middle School. Admission is free to the competition, which starts at 2:00 p.m. We are very excited and looking forward to a successful competition where we will see our fellow middle schools perform as well! See you at the show!
Ana (Janeth Juarez) is telling her son, Miguel (David Lunan) the story of La Llorona.
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GREEN CLUB
GREEN CLUB is selling Smencils (smelly pencils) and Smens (smelly pens) again this year! We are also selling special Valentine Smencils (Smalentines). Each pencil has a heart shaped cap. The scents are Sweet Heart, Be Mine, ChCh-Cherry, Strawberry Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip. They are sold every Thursday before and after school. Smencils are $1, and Smens are $2. They are made from 100% recycled newspapers. They are rolled from sheets of newspaper instead of wood. You can even see the layers of newspaper when you sharpen the pencils. Not only do they smell great, but theyre good for the environment, too! Being responsible for the environment is an important part of doing business in today's world. In manufacturing Smencils, recycled newspapers, environmentally friendly fragrances, corn-based biodegradable plastic tubes, and biodegradable erasers are utilized. As we like to say: Saving trees one pencil or pen at a time. 100% of the profit from the Smencils/ Smens is used to keep Tejedas campus beautiful!
Did you know that if everyone in the US recycled just 10% of their newspapers, we would save about 25 million trees each year?
UPDATE: We are also recycling HEB bags! We recycle through the company Enviro-Bag, and for every pound of bags, the Green Club gets one dollar. However, we can only accept HEB bags. There is a specified bin outside of the front office at Tejeda for HEB bags. Did you know that it takes 91 percent less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper? We also recycle empty ink cartridges, used or broken cell phones, and other small electronics. The school has partnered with Eco-phone to recycle these items, and there is also a bin for collection by the front office. With the money collected from recycling, the Green club will give back to the school by having a campus beautification day!
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*=students who went on to compete on day two On January 10th and 11th, Tejeda hosted the UIL Lincoln-Douglas Debate. The top three debaters from each NEISD middle school were able to compete. Tejedas top three debaters were Colin McKay, and Cassie Williams (each with a 2-1 record) and Taylor Sorensen (with 3-0 record). These dedicated debaters served Tejeda well. Taylor Sorensen took 2nd place in the district, and Colin McKay and Cassie Williams tied for 5th place. Way to go Tejeda Debaters! We are very proud of you! Ms. Stroud would like to thank the families who donated drinks and snacks for the hospitality room: Antonio Daniels and Family, Colin McKay and Family, Luis Padro and Family, Ethan Petty and Family, Omar Shamaa and Family, and Cassie Williams and Family. Ms. Stroud would also like to thank our newest science teacher, Mrs. Beth Norman, and our orchestra teacher, Mrs. Paula Fishman, for their donations, as well as Mrs. Bodet, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Shelton, and Mrs. Shore for their continued support of the Tejeda Debate program.
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Tejeda Dance performance at the NorthEast School of the Arts, December 2012
Sport Schedule
Boys Basketball Schedule can be found at: http://www.neisd.net/tejeda/athletics/boysbasketball.html Girls Basketball Schedule can be found at: http://www.neisd.net/tejeda/athletics/girlsbasketball.html
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ATTENTION ALL 7TH GRADERS! IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TEJEDA PAL FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR, PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES:
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Cotillion News
Close to 100 Tejeda 8th- graders who registered for Cotillion in the fall will test their social skills Feb. 4 at the groups first gathering. They will join more than 600 students from local public and private middle schools at the Westin La Cantera from 8 11 p.m. Parents can begin to check students in at 7:30. The dress for this occasion is semiformal: coat and tie encouraged. Hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be served. According to the Cotillion Steering Committee, The purpose of Cotillion is to foster friendships among 8th grade students and to provide two fun-filled social events during the school year. All Tejeda 8th grade students were invited to join Cotillion this fall. Februarys party is for those who responded to the invitation and paid the registration fee. Chaperones will collect students phones upon entrance to the dance and return them at the events conclusion. For the safety and enjoyment of each Cotillion member, the following rules will be enforced at each event: -Members may not bring non-member guests. -No corsages or limousines are allowed. -No weapons, smoking, alcoholic beverages or drugs will be allowed. -Members register at the entrance and may not leave until the end of the event, unless picked up by a parent. -Hired security officers may search a student if necessary. -Inappropriate or dangerous behavior may result in a student being dropped from membership with no refund. Tejeda Cotillion Parent Representatives are Diane Godwin and Renee Woods.
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Order your yearbook and accessories from the comfort of your own home. Design a yearbook RECOGNITION AD or FRIENDSHIP AD online for your child. There are 3 page sizes available to choose from. The deadline to order a recognition or friendship ad is: March 31, 2012.
Ordering is as easy as 1, 2, 3 OR
1. Click on the Yearbook button located on the Tejeda web page for a direct link. 2. Go to www.balfour.com, select Yearbooks, and then enter Tejeda to get started. Or use the following direct link: http://shop.balfour.com/smi110578/catalog/category/view/s/yearbooks/id/ 17/?limit=15 3. Once on the website, everything you need to order your yearbook and create your recognition ad is right at your finger tips! Check us out and get started now. Its really easy!
Ms. Stroud and Ms. Lavender, Thank you for all that you do for the yearbook! You are amazing teachers!
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EXTRA.EXTRA
Read All About It!!!!
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PTA Used Book Sale April 13-15, 2012
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Its that time again!!! Lets clean out those closets, clear those book shelves and save your used books for collection February 28 through March 30!!! PLEASE DO NOT COLLECT THE FOLLOWING:
VHS or Cassette Tapes Books on tape must be in original packaging DVDs/CDs without covers Discarded or withdrawn library books, Encyclopedias Readers Digest condensed books, Class sets, books that were previously owned by NEISD PLEASE ACCEPT ONLY TASTEFUL ITEMS IN GOOD CONDITION PLEASE DO NOT COLLECT BOOKS THAT HAVE: MISSING COVERS DAMAGED SPINES TORN PAGES/MISSING PAGES WRITING ON THE COVER/WRITING ON THE INSIDE* *(exception: college textbooks) ToYS wiTh miSSing piEcES oR SoUnD ThAT DoESnT woRK* *(childrens books)
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Count Calories Youll be amazed at how quickly they add up! Keep A Food Journal Write down everything you eat and drink during the day. Youll be surprised at how much you actually eat in a day! Exercise Sure you can lose weight by eating less, but exercising AND eating less can speed up the weight loss. Try to get at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Eat Healthy Snacks Snacking on foods like an apple with cheese or yogurt with granola may keep you from feeling hungry between meals. Focus on eating more nutrient-dense foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meats), which are high in nutrients and low to moderate in calories. Control Your Portions Start weighing or measuring your food using a food scale or measuring cups.
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Plant a fruit tree. It may take several years for the tree to provide large amounts of fruit, but it could be worth a try! Small herb plants like cilantro, basil, parsley, mint, and sage grow quickly. Some of the individual herb plants cost about the same as a package of fresh herbs at the store, but you will be able to enjoy fresh herbs at your convenience if you grown them yourself. Sweet or hot peppers, such as jalapenos and bell peppers. Squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and beans can also grow well in a garden or a pot.
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PTA Links
NEISD Council of PTAs
http://www.necouncilpta.com/
State PTA
http://www.txpta.org/
National PTA
http://www.pta.org/
Texas PTA
The Winter edition of The Voice is now available online. Get your copy from the Texas PTA website: http://www.txpta.org/about-texas-pta/voice/
MONEY MATTERS As of November 1, 2004, North East ISD has established the following policy for accepting checks and collecting bad checks: For a check to be an acceptable form of payment, it must include your current and accurate name, address, telephone number, drivers license number and state. In the event your check is returned for non-payment, the face value may be recovered electronically along with a state allowed recovery fee. In the event your check is returned for non-payment, checks will no longer be an acceptable form of payment for the remainder of the school year.
Please visit the NEISD's STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) website for a basic overview of STAAR which specifies who will be taking this new statewide test in the coming school years. http://www.neisd.net/staar/index.html The website will be updated as more information from TEA becomes available.
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OFFICERS
NAME
PRESIDENT 1ST VICE PRES 2nd VICE PRES SECRETARY TREASURER HISTORIAN PARLIAMENTARIAN
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
SYLVIA THEISSEN STACY HUSTED SHANNON GRONA YVONNE POE TERRI SEVENING SHANNON MORAVITS AMIANNE SNETHKAMP
ADEPT ARTS IN EDUCATION CAMPUS BEAUT. COUNCIL DELEGATE DIRECTORY DIRECTORY ADS 8TH GRADE PARTY FACULTY APPR. FOUNDER'S DAY HEALS LIBRARY LIFE MEMBER LUNCHROOM MEMBERSHIP MENTORING NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE SPECIAL PROJECTS STUDENT GOVT. LIAS. TEXTBOOKS USED BOOKS SALE VOLUNTEERS WATCH DOGS WORKROOM
KRISTA FURLOW LYNETTE ROPER JULIANNA LESTER KIM GLEASON AMY MORGAN JENY MAURO TRUDY MENCKE MARTHA MONACO PATTI RITTIMANN GINA FONTENOT ELISE BARKER KEREEN BATES MICHELLE KOSKIE GINGER SIEBERT PHAEDRA KINGRY SANDY AGUILAR CINDY ZAGRZECKI BRENDA SHELTON ANN DOWNES MELISSA LING KENDRA BARNES TRACY HOLZMANN MICHELE KELLY EDWINA COLVINA SUE HERNANDEZ CARIN PETROSKY JOHN RAMIREZ SUZANNE WOFFORD HELEN KIEST
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Its that time of year again! Everyone is back in school, and our PTA membership drive is in full swing! We are off to a great start. After the first three weeks of school, we had over 680 members. Thats 45% of our student population! Our goal this year is 70% participation. Our teachers reached 100% last year and are quickly attaining it this year! Its not too late! Lets show them our support and JOIN PTA!
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February 2012
Sun Mon Tue 1
NJHS Eligibility Mtg 330p Tennis 4p Girls Bball
Wed
Fri 3
Bball Tournament
Sat 4
Bball Tournament One Act Play Clinic
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National School Counseling Week
Tennis 4p
7 Early Dismissal
Picture Day
General PTA Mtg 630p
8 Early Dismissal
Girls Bball
9 Early Dismissal
Golf Parent mtg 630p
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Winter Ball
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12
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14 Valentines Day
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Tennis 4p Girls Bball
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Tennis 4p
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NJHS mtg Dinner Theatre 630p
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Choir Clinics
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20 Student Holiday
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Girls Bball
22 Ash Wednesday
Spinal Screening
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Spinal Screening Orchestra Concert 6p Girls Bball Tournament
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Girls Bball Tournament One Act Play Theatre
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Girls Bball Tournament One Act Play Theatre Orchestra Pre-UIL TMSCA at IKE
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Tennis 4p Orchestra 6th grade Concert 630p
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Choir Concert 630p
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