Jan
28
Are You Registered to Vote?
January 28, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
The Office of the Secretary of the State has created a website with voter registration information and applications. Visit www.votexas.org. The deadline to register to vote in the May elections is April 12.
You will find voter registration applications in your county election offices. Post offices and libraries also have the voter registration applications. However, the application can be found on the state’s voter information website. State Voter Registration Website
Jan
23
Pine Tree Musicians Excel with State-Wide Awards
January 23, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
Joseph Schaetz, Pine Tree High School Band Captain has earned a place in the prestigious 5A all-state band of Texas. Morghan Parker, also of Pine Tree High School, earned 2nd Chair in the All-State Women’s Choir at the Area Choir Auditions. These students have earned the opportunity to perform with the Texas All-State Band or Choir in San Antonio, Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center as part of the 2012 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention. Schaetz and Parker were chosen for this honor through a competitive process held this year across the state at District, Region and Area levels.
Joseph and Morghan practice and perform at PTHS under the direction of instructors: Mark Melton, Pine Tree ISD Director of bands, and Melody McMullen,
Director of Choirs at PTHS, both of whom are members of the Texas Music Educators Association, an 11,000+ member organization headquartered in Austin.
Joseph Schaetz is the lead trumpet player in the Pine Tree jazz band, and is the son Bob and Laurie Schaetz.
“Joseph is an exceptional student in the band, and also on the math/science team. Currently he works very hard also helping younger band students on whatever instrument that they play,” said Director Mark Melton. “He is a great young musician who also excels as a role model.”
Morghan Parker is the daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Waterland.
“Morghan Parker is the kind of student that teachers dream about having in your classroom,” says her choir director Melody McMullen. “She is hard working, dependable, intelligent, teachable, and above all…supremely talented. She is a wonderful section leader in PT Express and excels at everything the tries. Citizens of Longview, keep your eyes on Morghan Parker, she is destined for greatness.”
All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. High school students selected to perform in the All-State concerts have competed through several levels of auditions beginning in the fall of 2011 to arrive at the state level. Over 1,500 students are selected through a process that began with over 60,000 students from around the state vying for this honor to perform in one of 13 ensembles (bands, orchestras and choirs).
Texas Music Educators Association sponsors the Texas All-State competition. This competitive process begins throughout the state in auditions hosted by 28 TMEA Regions. Individual musicians perform selected music for a panel of judges who rank each instrument or voice part. From this ranking, a select group of musicians advances from their Region to compete against musicians from other areas in seven TMEA Area competitions. The highest-ranking musicians judged at the TMEA Area competitions qualify to perform in a TMEA All-State music group.
Jan
23
PTJH Students Earn Awards at One Act Play
January 23, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
The Pine Tree Junior High One Act Play (OAP) cast and crew traveled to Hallsville on Friday, January 20, to participate in the One Act Play District Competition. Under the guidance of drama teacher, Loree Tatum, the team earned 3rd place in the district competition title.
Individual awards include:
Abby Fobell – Star Technical Crew
Hayden Hodges – Honorable Mention All Star Cast
Nathaniel Jackson – Honorable Mention All Star Cast
Alyssa Brazell – All Star Cast
Students performed the play entitled, “Do Not Go Gentle,” by Susan L. Zeder, produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois. “Congratulations to the cast, crew and Mrs. Loree Tatum,” said principal Clay Gillentine.
Full Cast List:
Lillian Barron – Alyssa Brazell
Joanna – Stephanie Williamson
Windsor – Logan Jennings
Kelly – Hayden Hodges
Mildred Flumac – Gena Weese
Nobody – Nathaniel Jackson
Crew
Stage Manager – Abby Simms
Technology – Jordan Fussell
Lights & Sound – Evan Barron
Lights & Sound – Abby Fobell
Jan
23
Longview Schools Shine at Pine Tree UIL Invitational Meet
January 23, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
The annual Pine Tree UIL Invitational meet was held on January 7 at PTHS. In Divisions I, Hallsville was the Sweepstakes winner with Pine Tree second. In Division II, Spring Hill was first and White Oak second. Individual and team winners follow:
Large School- Division 1
Accounting
Individual Event
1. Longview- Marcus Stroud
2. Pine Tree- Thomas Gorman
3. Hallsville- David Harris
4. Pine Tree- Nick Whitman
5. Hallsville- James Kwon
6. Hallsville- Ashley Primrose
Team Event
1. Pine Tree
2. Hallsville
Calculator
Individual Event
1. Pine Tree- Shelby Soltau
2. Pine Tree- Amanda Wallin
3. Pine Tree- Hannah Robey
4. Longview- Andrew O’Connor
5. Pine Tree- Davin Siu
6. Pine Tree- Beth Jones
Team Event
1. Pine Tree
2. Longview
3. Hallsville
Computer Applications
Individual Event
1. Pine Tree- Jason Zhang
2. Hallsville- Rachel Bug
3. Longview- Terrah Dixon
4. Pine Tree- Alexandria Truemner
5. Hallsville- Trent Faucheux
6. Hallsville- Amanda Peterson
Computer Science
Individual Event
1. Hallsville- James Kwon
2. Hallsville- Sammie Yellott
3. Hallsville- Hannah Carroll
4. Pine Tree- Gino Chicon
5. Hallsville- Ravyn Trussel
6. Longview- Andrew Hodson
Current Issues
Individual Event
1. Pine Tree- Miguel Juarez
2. Pine Tree- Petar Badzic
3. Hallsville- Thomas Dunn
4. Hallsville- Dalton Parish
5. Hallsville- Nikal Willerman
6. Hallsville- Alex Vincint
Team Event
1. Pine Tree
2. Hallsville
Journalism- Editorial Writing
Individual Event
1. Hallsville- Sabrina Hill
2. Hallsville- Kristina Brewer
3. Hallsville- Bailey Strahan
4. Longview- Hannah Brown
5. Longview- Caroline Araiza
6. Longview- Laura Aciano
Journalism- Feature
Individual Event
1. Hallsville- Shannon Hughes
2. Longview- Lucia Lopez
3. Longview- Hannah Brown
4. Longview- Yoshiko Guck
5. Hallsville- Bailey Strahan
6. Hallsville- Sabrina Hill
Journalism- Headline
Individual Event
1. Pine Tree- Lizzi Davis
2. Longview- Yoshiko Guck
3. Pine Tree- Hannah Reimer
4. Hallsville- Sydney Alvidez
5. Pine Tree- Amy Johns
6. Longview- Caroline Aranza
Team Event
1. Hallsville
2. Longview
Journalism- News Writing
Individual Event
1. Hallsville- Shannon Hughes
2. Hallsville- Sabrina Hill
3. Hallsville- Bailey Strahan
4. Longview- Yoshiko Guck
5. Longview- Caroline Aranza
6. Longview- Lucia Lopez
Literary Criticism
Individual Event
1. Hallsville- Taylor Hickson
2. Hallsville- Lindsey Winton
3. Hallsville- Katie O’Quinn
4. Pine Tree- Meagan McNany
5. Hallsville- Chrissy Patterson
6. Pine Tree- Allie Gartman
Team Events
1. Hallsville
2. Longview
Math
Individual Events
1. Pine Tree- Hannah Robey
2. Pine Tree- Beth Jones
3. Pine Tree- Shelby Soltau
4. Pine Tree- Davin Siu
5. Pine Tree- Ryan Millikan
6. Pine Tree- Kenneth Williams
Team Events
1. Pine Tree
2. Hallsville
3. Longview
Number Sense
Individual Events
1. Pine Tree- Shelby Soltau
2. Pine Tree- Jason Zhang
3. Pine Tree- Beth Jones
3. Pine Tree- Amanda Wallin
5. Pine Tree- Hannah Robey
6. Pine Tree- Irvin Shen
Team Events
1. Pine Tree
2. Hallsville
Poetry Finals
Individual Events
1. Pine Tree- Meagan McNany
2. Pine Tree- Grant Carrington
3. Van- Adam Luicer
4. Pine Tree- Adrain Hernandez
5. Atlanta- McKenzie Huffman
6. Rusk- Tierra Turner
Prose
Individual Events
1. Pine Tree- Ruben Requenez
2. Van- Jacob Savage
3. Longview- Karis Warren
4. Van- Marleigh Konzem
5. Pine Tree- Allison Garrett
6. Atlanta- Jordan Parker
Ready Writing
Individual Events
1. Hallsville- John Pierce
2. Hallsville- Brooke Buchanan
3. Hallsville- Kathryn Gilbert
4. Hallsville- Kara Burditt
5. Pine Tree- Christina Stone
Science
Individual Results
1. Sammie Yellot-Hallsville
2. Mathew Hart-Hallsville
3. Jared Tracey- Hallsville
4. Alden Hall-Hallsville
5. Sean Mcleod- Hallsville
6. Davin Siu-Pine Tree
Team Event:
1. Hallsville
2. Pine Tree
Social Studies
Individual Results:
1. Miguel Juarez-Pine Tree
2. Andrew O’Connor-Longview
3. Jake Billings- Hallsville
4. Josh HIlscher-Longview
5. Caleb Aster-Hallsville
6. Alex Ball-Pine Tree
Team Results:
1. Pine Tree
2. Hallsville
Spelling:
Individual Results:
1. Damion Hamblin-Hallsville
2. Caleb Osteen-Hallsville
3. Miguel Juarez-Pine Tree
4. Cameron McCray-Hallsville
5. Winter Fielder-Longview
6. Elizabeth Davis-Pine Tree
Team Results:
1. Hallsville
2. Pine Tree
Sweepstakes:
1. Hallsville
2. Pine Tree
Jan
13
Barker Recognized as Volleyball Coach of the Year
January 13, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
Pine Tree ISD School Board members recognized Leven Barker at their January board meeting. Athletic Director Fitzhenry congratulated him on earning the All East Texas Coach of the Year for Volleyball.
By the numbers: Barker has a career record of 385-182, including a 118-52 worksheet at Pine Tree in four seasons. His 2011 Lady Pirates opened the season with six straight wins before dropping back-to-back decisions to Rockwall Heath and Plano Prestonwood in the Garland Tournament. A sweep of Carthage started a six-game winning streak that was halted by Argyle in the Nacogdoches Tournament on Aug. 20, but that was the last loss for Pine Tree until Oct. 29 when the Lady Pirates fell to Rowlett in a playoff tune-up game.
The 24-match winning streak included victories over Class 5A Tyler Lee, crosstown rival Longview (twice) and Class 2A state semifinalist White Oak. It also included a spotless 14-0 record in District 14-4A play to give the Lady Pirates a district championship. Pine Tree opened the playoffs with a four-set win over Mount Pleasant, but fell to Waxahachie in four sets in the area round to finish with a 37-5 record.
“He pushes us hard in practice. He helped me a lot, and I got a lot better. He stayed after practice almost every day helping whoever with whatever they needed. This year he was a little more laid back. He was still strict and stayed on is, but he helped us focus on one game at a time. He also helped us get meaner and tougher on the court. He was a great coach, and all of the seniors will miss him a lot.” — Lady Pirate senior Lauren Cude
Jan
9
Thank a School Board Member this Month
January 9, 2012 | | 2 Comments
Texans benefit every day from the tireless work and countless hours dedicated by a group of more than 7,300 men and women in communities across the state. As public servants, they are elected to serve by local constituents and receive no compensation for their efforts. These men and women are the school board members of Texas.
January is School Board Recognition Month and Pine Tree ISD took an opportunity at the regular meeting January 9th to thank these local leaders for devoting time to support public education and serve our local schools. Special recognition events are planned for the entire month where each board member will enjoy a special event on one of the eight Pine Tree campuses.
One example of a campus experience planned for Dr. Craig Meek’s visit to the Pine Tree High School is for him to take a Points of Pride tour of the campus: After enjoying a light breakfast provided by the students in the Culinary Arts classes, he will visit the band hall for a musical performance, and then on to the science lab for a demonstration of an animal dissection. Next, he will visit an English class where students will present him with a poem written specifically about him and then to a Government class where he will be given an award that shows they have voted him, “PTHS Favorite Board Member”.
At the board meeting Monday night, Dr. Meek was presented with two portraits created by students in the PTHS computer graphics class. Students from each grade, Pre-K through 12th, provided the board members with special creative writing projects and an invitation to visit their campus during the month. A student at the Intermediate School campus created the following recipe for the Vice President of the School Board:
5 cups of Intelligence
8 cups of Heart
9 cups of Pirate Pride
4 Tablespoons of Experience and
5 cups of Hard Work.
The Pine Tree ATPE local chapter provided dinner for the board members prior to the meeting, and the Education Foundation sweetened the pot with a specialized chocolate bar wrapped in a personalized wrapper.
“Even though we are making a special effort in January to show appreciation to our board members, we realize their contributions reflect a year-round commitment,” said Dr. TJ Farler, Pine Tree ISD Superintendent. “They selflessly give of themselves to ensure that decisions directly affecting our local schools are made by representatives of this community. In these challenging times, they face difficult choices and shoulder critical responsibilities. Their ultimate goal is always focused on the future success of every student enrolled in the district,” Farler said.
The PTISD Board of Trustees consists of seven board members elected to serve, without compensation, for overlapping terms of three years each. While candidates run for specific places, they do not represent specific geographical areas; rather, each represents PISD at large. Elections are conducted annually in May.
School trustees voluntarily tackle the enormous job of governing a school district; they donate their time to focus on the crucial role an elected board of trustee plays in our community and school. Many hours are spent researching, monitoring and making all final decisions regarding school district priorities, policies, personnel, textbooks, expenditures, and growth management. Their actions and decisions affect the present and future lives of our children.
Trustees adopt an annual budget, which is necessary to maintain and operate the schools, levy taxes to support the budget, and submit bond issues to the citizens of the district to finance construction projects, and must operate within the legal parameters of the state and federal constitutions, statutes, courts, and administrative agencies.
Among the major district achievements and honors accomplished this past year under the board’s leadership include the recognition for the ninth consecutive year of a “Superior Achievement” rating through the Schools FIRST rating, (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) earning a top honor for East Texas.
Board members presently serving Pine Tree ISD are:
Melinda Burns, President:
Term: 2009-2012
First elected 2003 – 8 years of service
“I count it a privilege to have a voice in making decisions which will impact our students in Pine Tree for years to come. Providing quality education for young people is one of life’s most worthy callings.”
Terre Dunn, Vice President
Term: 2010-2013
First elected 2007 – 4 years of service
“Being on the Pine Tree Board of Trustees offers a tremendous opportunity to serve the children, staff and community members of the Pine Tree District. Education plays a significant role in the lives of individuals and in the community. I hope that by working on the Board of Trustees I can help strengthen and support the mission of the Pine Tree schools.”
Pat Noon, Secretary
Term 2011-2014
First elected 2005 - 6 years of service
“Since 1964, I have been a part of Pine Tree Schools as a teacher, parent and now as a school board member. Pine Tree has always been a leader and I am very proud of our students, teachers and community.”
Charley Peck
Term: 2010-2013
First elected 2007 – 4 years of service
“I consider it a high honor and distinct privilege to serve the students, employees, and voters of Pine Tree. Our job as parents is to provide the best education possible for our children. I will work with my colleagues to make the quality of education, value to the tax payers, and work environment for the employees the best it can possibly be.”
Linda Davis
Term: 2010-2013
First elected 2007 - 4 years of service
“Throughout my past, people have sacrificed their time to insure that I had the opportunity for a great education. Serving on the Pine Tree School Board gives me the chance to ‘Pay it Forward.’ Striving to provide every child with the means to achieve an excellent education not only is an asset to our community, but also the world.”
Kerri Daugbjerg
Term: 2009-2012
First elected 2009 – 2 year of service
“My focus as a School Board Trustee is simple, to ensure that at each level of schooling we as a board are working towards defining and accomplishing goals that truly serve children first. We are charged with creating and providing the best quality education, which enables the success of all our students. I am honored to serve and hope with your honest input, I can be an effective voice for continuing to strengthen a great school district.”
Craig Meek, M.D.
Term: 2011-2014
First elected 2011
“I believe the task is clear: to be known as the premier school district and community in Texas, and to achieve excellence by every measure. The road before us will be challenging. We will have many triumphs and maybe a few set backs along the way, however we must take on this task as a community. Working together we will reach all of our goals.”
Read more about PTISD Board Meetings
Jan
8
Mentors Make a Difference at PT
January 8, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
When you were a child or young adult, was there someone in your life—a teacher, neighbor, relative, coach, friend, or boss—who encouraged you, showed you the ropes, and helped you become who you are today? That person was a mentor to you.
Watch DOGS Pizza Night
January is National Mentoring Month, and Thursday, January 26, 2012 is Thank Your Mentor Day.
“Pine Tree ISD salutes its dedicated volunteer mentors and their commitment to Pine Tree students,” announced Superintendent TJ Farler at the January School Board meeting. “This recognition gives us a chance to spotlight the importance of mentors and their role as a caring adult to make a difference in the life of a child.”
Pine Tree ISD works closely with the City of Longview’s Partners in Prevention Mentoring Program which provides youth, Kindergarten – 12th grade, with a caring, trained, adult friend to serve as a mentor to a young person needing guidance, support and encouragement. The program provides mentors that reach children in a six county area – Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rusk and Upshur Counties. Watch a video featuring Judy Downing, PTISD Chief Financial Officer discuss her mentoring experiences.
In October of last year, Longview achieved national recognition as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People for its initiatives to help youth largely because of the mentoring program offered through Partners in Prevention.
“This award showcases the work of the entire community: the schools, nonprofits, businesses and the City of Longview,” said Mayor Jay Dean. “We have to keep investing in the young people of Longview and encouraging them to be part of building our future.”
Pine Tree has also given fathers and grandfathers opportunity for involvement. WATCH D.O.G.S., sponsored by the National Center for Fathering, provides schools with positive male role models while giving dads — and granddads — the chance to serve as morning greeters, classroom readers, tutors, and mentors.
Primary School Principal, Becky Balboa reports WATCH D.O.G.S. is a welcome addition to the campus environment. “Watch DOGS has been a really successful program on the Primary campus. The youngest pirates really enjoy these men; they are an extra set of eyes, peer reader, someone to eat lunch with, and sometimes even a fun person to climb on!”
They have been called idols and guardian angels by the youth they have helped. All it took to get those accolades was a bit of time and a caring heart. Pine Tree ISD hopes others can give of themselves in a similar way by becoming a mentor. For more information about volunteering at Pine Tree ISD, contact Donna Pruitt, Coordinator for Community Resources. Read more about volunteering at PTISD.
Jan
6
MLK Citywide Celebration Scheduled
January 6, 2012 | | Leave a Comment
(Longview, TX) In honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The MLK Planning Committee, the City of Longview, and other community sponsors present the annual MLK Citywide Celebration with events planned leading up to Monday, January 16. Under the theme “The Dream, From the Community to the World,” several events have been planned including a banquet, essay contest, art contest, jazz concert, parade, festival, humanitarian celebration, worship service, and a memorial march.
According to Longview Community Services Coordinator Dietrich Johnson, “As, always, the City of Longview is excited to be a part of this significant celebration. These events coming together are great examples of Dr. King’s legacy A diverse group of volunteers from throughout the community working together to make it all happen hand in hand.”
Please note that City and School offices and campuses will be closed on Monday, January 16, in observance Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Read more at the City of Longview web page.
See Longview News Journal Article regarding MLK weekend events.
Dec
31
2011 Year in Review: New Leadership, New Bond Projects, New Budgets
December 31, 2011 | | Leave a Comment
Adapted from an article by Christina Lane, in the Longview News Journal
It was a year certain to go down as a turning point for public education across Texas and Pine Tree ISD certainly experinenced it’s share of changes.
Local educators began 2011 petitioning state lawmakers against drastic cuts in state financing. After $4 billion was sliced from the state’s education budget, area school districts had a mountain to battle in their own budgets — a fight that continues through school finance lawsuits and promises of more cuts.
Another battle centered over new solutions to a finance system that values students differently depending where they attend school. Pine Tree ISD was among many school districts in 2011 which offered early resignation incentives.
In the end, legislators cut about $5 billion from the education budget and didn’t change the funding formula. So school officials statewide, including many locally, took the next step by joining in one of three school finance lawsuits filed against the state that call for a reformed public education funding system.
Among the top education stories of 2011 at PTISD:
Superintendent changes
Pine Tree ISD brought Dr. T.J. Farler to the district as its superintendent a few months after Marian Strauss resigned to take care of her parents. Farler came to Pine Tree from Wylie ISD where she served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
School bond elections
Despite a tough economy and cuts to the state’s education budget, several local school bond elections showed East Texans still support their schools. Pine Tree, Kilgore, Union Grove and West Rusk County Consolidated school districts successfully passed bond issues in 2011.
Pine Tree voters approved the district’s $29.9 million bond, 1,436 to 1,339 — a margin of 97 votes. A year ago, the district lost a similar bond election by 12 votes. The bond will provide improvements in technology, academics and extracurricular activities, athletics and infrastructure. A new stadium included in the proposition will be built near campuses off Loop 281 near Pine Tree Parkway.
Read more articles in the PT News Blog, which is searchable by subject and date.
Dec
29
School District Attendance Rates in Line with State Expectations
December 29, 2011 | | Leave a Comment
Adapted from an article by Christina Lane clane@news-journal.com, Longview News Journal
Not only are the children who miss school losing educational instruction, but in Texas, school districts also lose money when the kids aren’t in class.
Student attendance rates across Gregg, Upshur and Rusk counties varied between 94 percent and 97 percent, with most districts hovering around the state’s average attendance rate of 95.5 percent of students in class, according to the Academic Excellence Indicator System reports earlier this month. The reports issued for each district in the state measure everything from district finances to academics to student attendance and student subpopulations.
The state’s school funding formula assigns a per-child dollar amount to each school district. A child attending Longview ISD schools is worth $5,660, according to the state’s funding formula, while children in Pine Tree and Spring Hill are valued less at $4,874 and $4,792, respectively. However, if a family transfers its children to another district, the children will bring in more money — $6,046 each. The per child dollar amount is then calculated for the district average daily attendance based on how many children are in class each day.
East Texas schools have a variety of ways they monitor and encourage student attendance, according to district officials. Pine Tree schools award incentives at the end of the grading periods and require a physician or parent note for absences to be excused, districts spokeswoman Vickie Echols said. Additionally, the district monitors attendance on a weekly basis and reports it to the school board during each month’s regularly scheduled meeting, she added.
“An automated call is sent to each parent when a student misses a school day or a school period in high school, reminding them of the documentation required for excused absences and how to report the reason for the absence,” Echols said.
Student attendance rates across Gregg, Upshur and Rusk counties vary between 94 percent and 97 percent with most districts hovering around the state’s average attendance rate of 95.5 percent. The state’s funding formula is based on a district’s average daily attendance. Funding amounts vary from district to district, but the bottom line for schools is that when more students are in the classroom, it means more money for the district.