Waggoner's Word - July 27, 2015

Waggoner’s Word

July 27, 2015

Dear Parents,

Don’t forget to make sure that your children are all immunized prior to Hornet Hello on Monday, August 24^th! Make those appointments now!

Hornet Hello will be held according to the schedule listed below.  At Hornet Hello, students along with their parents scheduled by grade level will be able to pick up their class schedules, get their locker combination and number, turn in any physical, immunization, or other forms and pick up some cool Hopewell MS gear sold by our incredible Hopewell PTA.  Students will be able to walk their schedules, locate their lockers and get them opened up, and see their friends.  It’s a great way to start out the school year right by having ALL students know where they’re going before the first day of school!  Those students and parents that cannot make Hornet Hello will be able to pick up their schedules the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25^th.  We will not be giving out student schedules to other parents that want to pick them up on behalf of another student. 

6^th Grade WEB orientation program 8:00AM-Noon.  Parents may begin dropping off their 6^th graders at 7:30AM where students will directly go to the gym.  6^th graders will be enthusiastically greeted and welcomed by 75 WEB leaders who are 8^th graders.  These WEB leaders had to apply and get teacher recommendations in order to gain that title and have had to attend WEB leader training conducted by our two WEB teacher sponsors Doug Morgan and Jessica Listi.  6^th grade WEB orientation is for 6^th grade students only and not for parents.  Our 6^th grade parents will have a parent meeting in the lecture hall beginning at 8:30AM until approximately9:30AM led by our Hopewell PTA.

Hornet Hello for schedule pick up:

6^th Grade    12:00PM – 2:00PM

8^th Grade     2:00PM – 4:00PM

7^th Grade     4:00PM – 6:00PM
 

We have 20 new teachers and other staff members here at Hopewell this coming school year with a new era of excellence dawning on our campus.  We will certainly miss those teachers that have decided to leave and move on for whatever reason and wish them the very best in their new ventures.  ALL have added great value over the years to this great school and for that we are very appreciative.  Below is the list of new staff and who they are replacing.  I will have an updated list as I still have one more 8^th Grade Science position to fill and one Special Education Inclusion position to fill. 

1. Mark Broadway-8^th Science from Del Valle ISD: Replacing Holly Faris who took a teaching position in Burnet ISD
2. Sonia Chowdhury-6^th Grade Assistant Principal from Hernandez MS: Added position.Amber Dart-6^th Grade Math:Replacing Willie Kline who is moving over to teach 6^th Grade Social Studies here at Hopewell MS
3. Christy Diver-7^th Grade Assistant Principal from Jarrell HS : Replacing Jorge Meave who took a principal position in Del Valle ISD at their Alternative School
4. Claudia Faulkner-1/2 time Spanish teacher: Added position due to increased Spanish numbers
5. James Gallardo-Art teacher from Corpus Christi ISD: Replacing Audrey Duncan who has decided to be a stay home mom
6. Sierra Jenkins-PE teacher and Girl’s Coach from Paragon School in Austin: Replacing Kayla Sanders who has taken a position at Stony Point HS
7. Christina Kim-Art teacher from San Antonio ISD : Addition to staff due to increased interest in Art
8. Robin LeSene-7^th Grade Language Arts from Grisham MS in RRISD: Replacing Jennifer Lovejoy who is moving over to teach 7^th grade Texas History here at Hopewell MS
9. Chevaun McCray-8^th Grade Science teacher from Del Valle ISD: Replacing Anthony Cacciatore who took a teaching position in Pflugerville ISD
10. Krisina Moyer-Algebra/Geometry teacher from Round Rock HS: Replacing Debbie Bush who left mid-second semester to care for her mother out of state
11. Nick Gabbert-PE and Boy’s Coach from Pflugerville ISD: Replacing Stephen Gradney who is moving over to Stony Point HS
12. Kelsey Roach-8^th Grade Language Arts teacher from Del Valle ISD: Added position
13. Eileen Rothenhausler-7^th Grade Science teacher from Pflugerville ISD:Added Position
14. Eric Sosa-8^th Grade Social Studies teacher from Pflugerville ISD: Replacing Anthony Kuharski who is moving to teach 7^th grade Texas History at Hopewell MS
15. Kelly Stephens-PE and Girl’s Coach from Floresville ISD: Replacing Lynn Kaiser who retired this year.
16. Mindy Weeden-8^th Grade Language Arts and Girl’s Coach from Alvarado ISD: Replacing Veronica Mackey who is moving over to Stony Point HS
    
    
    I am SO excited about this staff and I can assure you that the many hours sifting through resumes, screening, interviewing  candidates, and recommending to hire these 20 new staff members was worth it!  Collectively they are all student-centered, are creative, innovative and engaging teachers.  We all share the same vision for our campus and can’t wait to get started next month!
    
    
    We are working on a new Hopewell grading policy that is more focused on assessing what the students are actually learning.  I know that sounds obvious but prior to my arriving at Hopewell, there was not a consistent grading policy that reflects authentic student learning.  We are going to do away with grade penalties such as taking points off for doing an assignment in ink for example, or for not putting a name on the paper, or other behaviors that will be addressed in another manner.  We want to actually KNOW what your children are learning and have mastered and not have that assessment skewed by points taken off for something totally unrelated to that learning.  You all will be getting that grading policy via a future Waggoner’s Word, will be on our website, and reviewed with all students. 
    
    
    Have a great weekend!
    Pass the word on Hornet Hello!
    
    Karl