Published: November 22, 2008 01:10 am         

Good things happening at PISD

Fantastic Fridays column

PALESTINE — Dear PISD family and community,

Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving? It seems as though yesterday we were all at Evangelistic Temple attending the convocation. Time sure flies when you are having fun. The district has had another eventful and wonderful week.

Southside had its annual Thanksgiving lunch Tuesday and it was well received by many parents and community members. We are so thankful that the community supports our children and all their activities. It sure makes the little ones feel loved when they see a familiar face walk in the cafeteria to have lunch with them. PISD wants to thank everyone who attended this luncheon.

Today Story will host their luncheon and I know it too will be well represented by parents and community. Last night Story had a choir concert that showcased the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Man, they can sing! This event also had the Story cafeteria filled to capacity. Ms. Bell did a wonderful job of preparing the program and the students sang beautifully. PISD has some of the best young singers in the country! American Idol better watch out as the next young star may be from Palestine.

Northside took learning to an advanced level with the little ones this week as they studied Native American history by listening and viewing artifacts from the past. Judy Robinson's husband, Terry, visited the campus bringing many Native American tools and items used to survive years ago. The students visited a Tee Pee and heard stories of the past. The students learned a great deal and we are proud that we have teachers that think out of the box when it comes to teaching our students.

Basketball is in full swing at the Middle School and High School and we look forward to great things from our men and women on the court. Not only have we begun hooping it up, we are also beginning our soccer season. Our teams have been preparing diligently to make sure we are ready for district in all sports.

This past week I traveled to the Middle School and Northside Elementary, at the principals’ requests, to discuss instructional deliveries and to further explain our district wide teaching tips. Both meetings were wonderful and our teachers are really getting on board with the direction our district is going instructionally. Next week I will finish up meeting with the Middle School and will go to Story to discuss our instructional focus.

Not only has the district begun increasing the rigor in its classrooms, but we are teaching many other valuable lessons about life. A few weeks ago our students at Northside stood in reverence as a fallen soldier was laid to rest. Then again on Thursday during a special dedication ceremony at Story Elementary School, Iraq War veteran, Tech Sergeant Robert Elam, Jr, presented the school with a commemorative United States flag honoring his fourth-grade teacher, the late Cindy Selden Herrington McReynolds. Sergeant Elam explained to the many students and teachers gathered for the event that the flag had flown on a medivac helicopter in Iraq on a mission that saved many lives. He credits his former teacher for helping to shape his career path.

These two examples illustrate that schools and teachers do much more than teach for a TAKS test. Our teachers teach life lessons that will last a lifetime. I am proud that PISD believes in teaching the whole child and does not focus on schools being test-taking factories.

As we enter the holiday season, I challenge each of you to remember what you are thankful for and why. There are so many men and women who will be away from their loved ones this Thanksgiving season defending our democracy and freedom. Furthermore, our country is going through change and economic hardships and we, as a country and community, need to stand united in our endeavors and keep all leaders in our thoughts and prayers.

I leave you today with a Thanksgiving thought shared by a friend.

Be understanding to your enemies.

Be loyal to your friends.

Be strong enough to face the world each day.

Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.

Be generous to those who need your help.



Be frugal with what you need yourself.

Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.

Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.

Be willing to share your joys.

Be willing to share the sorrows of others.



Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.

Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.

Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.

Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.

Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.



Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.

Be loving to those who love you.

Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.

Above all, be yourself.

Have a great weekend and take time for yourselves and your families.



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Thomas A. Wallis, Ed. D, is the superintendent of Palestine ISD.

     

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