• KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION: Wednesday, May 23rd, PT Road Auditorium, 1701 Pine Tree Road

• ExCEL GRADUATION: Thursday, May 24th, PTHS Theater, Fairmont Street

• PTHS GRADUATION:  Friday, May 25th,PTHS Theater, Fairmont Street  Read more details.

• CLASS OF 2012 Endowment Fundraiser: Reserved Seats for PTHS Graduation!  Read more details.

  
  Pirate Plaza Bricks – a Great Gift to 

  Honor or Remember Someone Special!  Read more.

All children age 18 and under are welcome to eat both breakfast and lunch at either of the following two locations:

Pine Tree Primary School

1808 Silver Falls Road

June 11 thru July 17, 2012

Mon—Friday (closed July 4th)

Breakfast: 8-8:30 am     Lunch: 12-12:20 pm

Pine Tree Elementary School

815 Birch, Longview, Texas

July 16 thru Aug 2, 2012

Mon—Thurs only

Breakfast: 8-8:30 am      Lunch: 12-12:20 pm

“We are proud to offer this service for the first time in Pine Tree ISD,” said Michelle Mitchell, Director of Food Services.  “We hope that our community will share the information about how the Summer Food Service Program helps feed hungry children and discuss how they or their organization can help. The more people know about the issues, the more likely we are to take action to help end hunger or know how to help their own children.”

For more information, contact Mitchell Mitchell at mmitchell@ptisd.org, 903-295-5000.

Click to View / Print Flier

www.votexas.org

Early voting in this year’s primary elections begins Monday, May 14th and will continue through Friday, May 25.    All residents of Gregg County may vote in the Pine Tree ISD Community Center located off Pirate Ave. on Pine Tree Road across from the Pirate Stadium.

Dates / Times:

May 14-18, 8am-6pm

May 21-25, 8am-6pm

For those wishing to vote on primary Election Day, it is set for Tuesday, May 29. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. On Election Day, voters must cast their votes in the precinct in which they are registered in.

Election officials have been working for the past week — since early voting ended for the May 12 local city and school elections — to reset voting machines and deliver them to early voting sites, many of which are different from the May 12 early voting sites.  In addition, redistricting may have changed the districts in which some people vote.

It is important for voters to check their voter registration cards, know what districts they vote in and read their ballots carefully.   A sample ballot is available which lists the propositions and the candidates for each primary ballot.

Two of the propositions regarding education are listed below;  read more by clicking on the links:

REPUBLICAN PARTY PROPOSITION
SCHOOL CHOICE: Yes or No.

The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy, through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their child’s school, public or private, while also saving significant taxpayer dollars.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROPOSITION:
COLLEGE TUITION:  For or Against

Any graduate of a Texas high school, who has lived in the state for at least three years and lived here continuously for the last year, should be eligible for in-state tuition at state supported colleges and universities and given the opportunity to earn legal status through a higher education or military service.

Anyone who hasn’t received his or her voter registration card or believes that something isn’t right may call officials at the Gregg County Elections Center, Kathryn Nealy, Elections Administrator:  903-236-8458.

GREGG COUNTY:  Read more about propositions/candidates – view polling locations.

TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE: Visit the VOTEXAS.GOV web page for one-stop resource.

“We kick off with the parade of athletes led by the Pine Tree Band,” said Cathy Schmidt Director of Special Education.  “It is great way to start the day!”

Last Year's Event Brought Smiles!

The parade is followed by races that will include Amtryke and wheelchair races, dashes, walking and running races.  Field events include Frisbee throw, soccer kick, softball throw and long jump. Face painting for all the kids to enjoy is also a favorite.

Volunteers for the day include many Pine Tree High School students who will serve as buddies and help run some of the events.  Also assisting with events are PT High School Cheerleaders, Band, Choir, Theatre and Art Departments.

The athletes will begin arriving around 9:30 with the Opening Ceremonies beginning at 10:00 am.

National School Nurse Day

“As we celebrate National School Nurse Day, I want to thank each of the Pine Tree ISD nurses for their leadership, professionalism, and kindness that makes each campus a safe and nurturing environment for our students and staff,” said Dr. TJ Farler, Superintendent.   ”Our nurses are a key factor in the success of our students and essential to our educational  program.”

In the United States more than 76,000 school nurses are stepping up to meet the new challenges facing today’s students and improving the health and academic success of all students. “National School Nurse Day accentuates the school nurse’s vital role in promoting wellness now so to ensure healthy futures. It is absolutely essential that the entire school community work with the school nurse to stay informed on public health issues, the latest research, and policy that affects the health, well-being and safety of our students,” said Linda Davis-Alldritt, president of NASN.

School nurses provide a non-negotiable value for our Nation’s children, keeping them healthy, in school and ready to learn. NASN believes every teacher deserves a school nurse so they can focus on teaching success, and every parent deserves to be able to send their child to a school with a nurse, knowing their child will be safe. School nurses bring the nursing assessment skills to manage potentially emergent situations as well as provide daily care for students with chronic conditions, medically complex conditions and other needs requiring daily care in school.

“School nurses reduce absenteeism, provide better attendance rates and care for students in school so parents have to come pick up their children much less often. National School Nurse Day is a prime opportunity for school nurses to emphasize what they do to remove or minimize health-related barriers to student success,” said Davis-Alldritt.

The National Association of School Nurses is a non-profit specialty nursing organization, organized in 1968 and incorporated in 1977, representing school nurses exclusively. NASN has over 15,000 members and 51 affiliates, including the District of Columbia and overseas. The mission of the NASN is “to advance the specialty practice of school nursing to improve

Superintendent TJ Farler and district staff celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week with an array of events and outreach this week.

“First, let me say that I see all educators in Pine Tree as teachers for our PTISD students. Your dedication and efforts continue to impact each student every day,” said Dr. Farler.

“Mary Hatwood Tutrell said that ‘when the uncapped potential of a student meets the liberating art of a teacher…. a miracle unfolds.’  There is no doubt that what you, as teachers, do on a daily basis is extraordinary.  And,  make no mistake,  it takes an extraordinary person to be a successful teacher in today’s world.”

“The Trustees, parents, and community thank you and appreciate your efforts,” said Farler – “not just this week – but each day.  Our teachers truly create excellence for all in Pine Tree ISD!”

Throughout the week, the District will encourage parents, students, principals, teachers and the general public to join a national conversation around Teacher Appreciation Week as well as share and show thanks and support for the teaching profession via the Twitter hashtag #thankateacher. Additional activities and outreach will also be promoted on the campuses.

Click to Enlarge

A new partnership with Good Shepherd Medical Center in conjunction with Kilgore College, has paved the way for Pine Tree HS students who are currently in the 10^th and 11^th grade to take advantage of valuable hands-on learning experiences and observe professionals working in the health care field during the 2012-13 school year.  The work-study combination will afford students the chance to learn to deliver safe, effective, quality health care and also services, which support the health care industry such as office professional and maintenance.

Students will hear about these new options during meeting held on campus this week.  Parents are encouraged to contact the PTHS Counselors for questions.

View Slide Show with information.

Today’s job market is competitive, and it is important for young adults to make as many professional contacts as possible and get their foot in the door early. Internships and work-study programs such as these at Pine Tree High School, which place students at the forefront of potential careers, enhance resumes and enable them to work towards a degree.

In making this decision school officials considered several factors including the effects of start times on teenagers, how student tutorial time would be affected, college courses for high school students, extra-curricular activities, and parent and student work schedules.

Because of decreased funding from the state it was also imperative that all areas were analyzed for the purpose of improving efficiency and achieve potential cost savings.  By changing start times the district will see a potential cost savings of approximately $80,000.00, which is equivalent to about two teacher salaries.

“Another goal in making this change, is to allow bus routes to be shorter to help students with pickup and drop-off times,” said James Skeeler, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services.

“ We believe this initiative will be a positive change for the students as well as the district as a whole, but as with any change there will be questions, and concerns may arise,” said Skeeler.   “We will work to help this transition occur smoothly, and hope that parents will contact us if they have questions or concerns.”  Read Frequently Asked Question.

Comments and questions are welcome – please email info@ptisd.org and/or call 903-295-5000, #114.

PTISD 2012 -2013 Start/End Times:
(All buildings will open for students at 7:30am) 

PT Primary (K):
8:25 am – 3:40 pm

PT Elementary (1-2):
8:25 am – 3:40 pm

PT Intermediate (3-4):
8:25 am – 3:40 pm

PT Middle (5-6):
8:35 am – 3:50 pm

PT Junior High (7-8):
7:45 am – 3:05 pm

PT High School (9-12):
7:45 am – 3:00 pm

View specific times and updated information at the district web page news:  www.ptisd.org

Comments and questions are welcome – please email info@ptisd.org and/or call 903-295-5000, #114

It was one of 32 yearbooks statewide to be recognized with a Star Award from ILPC, which is an affiliate of the University Interscholastic League, and is one of the nation’s largest state high school associations of student newspapers and yearbooks.

Yearbooks from all over Texas were sent to ILPC for a critique and judging. The initial judge nominated the top books for Stars. A panel of judges then decided the Stars.

The yearbook staff also brought home 24 Individual Achievement Awards for writing, photography and design. The group received three gold medals, nine silver medals, five bronze medals and seven honorable mention awards. The editor for the 2011 Buccaneer was Austin Ferguson, an ’11 graduate.

“This is the most individual awards we have ever won,” adviser Susan Duncan said. “And to get a Star Award for eight consecutive years speaks highly of the program and the current staff. I am proud to be associated with such a great group of student journalists.”

The awards were presented during the 85^th annual ILPC state convention at the University of Texas at Austin, April 29.

Voters from all districts will elect a Mayor. Visit the “City Government” page at LongviewTexas.govto see more information, including maps of council districts. Election results will be posted online after ballots have been tabulated.

The following candidates have filed:

Mayor (All Longview):

Tammy L. Barnes and Jay Dean.

District 1 (West Longview):

David J. Sparks, John Sims, Samantha D. Clark

District 2 (Southwest Longview):

Gary L. Smith (Unopposed candidate declared elected).

Early Voting:

 Monday, April 30 – Friday, May 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 Saturday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 Monday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Early Voting Location:

 Early Voting will be held only at City Hall, 300 W. Cotton St.

Election Day Voting:

Saturday, May 12 from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Locations:

 District 1: Pine Tree Community Center, 1701 Pine Tree Rd.

 District 2: Stamper Park Resource Center, 502 S. Center St.

 District 3: Broughton Recreation Center, 801 S. MLK Blvd.

 District 4: Forest Park Magnet School Library, 1644 N. Eastman Rd.

 District 5: Spring Hill Williamson Auditorium, 3101 Spring Hill Rd.

 District 6: City Hall Lobby, 300 W. Cotton St.

For more information: LongviewTexas.gov