The Connection

The Anna ISD Education Foundation (AEF) handed out 20 teacher grants totaling nearly $30,000. This was part of the Grants for Great Ideas program. Teachers were asked to fill out an AEF grant application if they had an innovative project idea for which they needed help funding. The AEF receives donations throughout the year to fund these types of projects and student scholarships.

Three companies were recognized at November's school board meeting for their partnership and support for the Anna ISD Education Foundation. We want to thank WRA, Claycomb Associates, and Jackson Construction. The money donated will go towards Anna ISD teacher grants to provide innovative lessons in their classrooms and student scholarships.

Story by: Melane Woodbury, AISD Communications

In a heartening collaboration that spanned across generations and classrooms, Slayter Creek Middle School's Makerspace classes teamed up with Bryant and Rosamond-Sherley kindergarten classes for a unique and imaginative project just two months ago. The project revolved around the letter "M," a pivotal point of learning for the kindergarteners, who embarked on a journey of creativity and expression.

This initiative began in September when the kindergarten classes dove into the world of the letter "M" through engaging read-aloud stories that supported social and emotional learning (SEL). Guided by their dedicated teachers, the young minds set out to design their very own monsters. Little did they know that these drawings would soon come to life as lovable stuffed animals, thanks to the skilled hands of the middle school students.

Mindy Powell, a kindergarten teacher, reminisced, "I get teary-eyed and chills thinking of how special and fun this project has been, especially since some of these kiddos now in middle school were once mine." The connection between past and present students added an extra layer of sentimental value to the project.

The kindergarten students approached the task with enthusiasm, creating monsters that ranged from happy and silly to sad and excited. A total of 243 vibrant and imaginative monsters were carefully colored, named, and sent over to Slayter Creek Middle School, where Leslie Brazelle and Michel Lain's Makerspace classes eagerly awaited the chance to bring them to life.

The middle school students, ranging from seventh to eighth grade, embarked on a journey of skill development as they delved into the world of machine-sewing. Learning techniques such as the straight stitch, curved stitch, and hand stitch, they also encountered the occasional frustration of ripping stitches and starting all over.

Leslie Brazelle, the visionary Makerspace Teacher behind the entire project, expressed her delight at witnessing her students fully engaged in the process. "Students put more of themselves into this project than previous because they knew someone would receive it instead of another project to throw away," she shared.

This past week, the middle school students hand-delivered the stuffed monsters to their original kindergarten creators. The teachers and middle school students expressed the joy shown by the five and six-year-olds as they received their unique companions.

This collaborative venture showcased the creative side of the young minds and instilled a sense of accomplishment and generosity in the older students. Brazelle said that her students realized the profound joy that comes from giving to others, turning this project into a valuable lesson in empathy and connection that transcended the typical classroom experience. The "M is for Monster" project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity, and the enduring spirit of generosity that bridges the gap between different stages of education.

After dedicating 30 years to education, the current Principal of Harlow, Kelli Abohosh, is retiring. We extend our heartfelt wishes for a well-deserved retirement.

We are excited to share that Rhonda Bernard will be taking on the role of the new Principal at Judith Harlow Elementary. Rhonda has played a crucial role in our school community, having served as Assistant Principal for the past three years, in addition to her previous roles as instructional coordinator and teacher. Mrs. Bernard will assume the position of Principal at Harlow starting January 8, 2024.

Rhonda's dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work have not gone unnoticed. She brings a wealth of experience and a collaborative spirit that has contributed significantly to the success of Harlow Elementary. Her commitment to students and teachers and fearless advocacy have set her apart as a leader.

We are confident that Rhonda's leadership will continue to foster a positive and nurturing learning environment at Judith Harlow Elementary. Her ability to bring joy and enthusiasm to her work, coupled with her strong collaboration skills, makes her an excellent fit for the role of Principal.

We look forward to the exciting opportunities and positive changes Rhonda will bring to our school. Please join us in welcoming Rhonda Bernard as the new Principal; we are confident that her partnership with you and the JLH community will be invaluable.

The testing referral window for Anna ISD's Gifted and Talented program has opened for the 2023-2024 school year and will close on December 21 at 4:00 pm.

A gifted/talented student is a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who

• exhibits high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;
• possesses an unusual leadership capacity; or
• excels in a specific academic field. (Texas Education Code §29.121)

Please follow the link in the flyer or scan the QR code to fill out the referral form. An administrator, counselor, teacher, parent, or self can refer students. Testing will be conducted after winter break.

If you have any questions, please contact your campus GT Specialist.

Rosamond Sherley Elementary- jennifer.bernard@annaisd.org

Sue E. Rattan Elementary heather.boykin@annaisd.org

Joe K. Bryant Elementary- abbie.kinder@annaisd.org

Judith L. Harlow Elementary- ronalea.freeth@annaisd.org

Slayter Creek Middle School- leslie.brazell@annaisd.org

Clemons Creek Middle School- zachary.hartman@annaisd.org

Anna High School- julie.kistler@annaisd.org

Anna ISD would like to thank all stakeholders who responded to our recent campus climate surveys. Your feedback is essential to improving the educational experience for all students. Fostering a positive school climate requires a collaborative effort from students, parents, and staff alike. Because of your feedback, we are actively implementing strategies to enhance communication and cooperation between these groups to ensure that everyone feels heard and supported.

After carefully analyzing the results, the message is clear: student behavior is a top concern for all. In response, we are reviewing and reinforcing our behavior expectations district-wide. Each campus has been tasked with creating avenues to identify the most common misbehaviors, the triggers and root causes, and an action plan to address specific concerns and needs. These plans include strategies such as student education, staff training, increased monitoring and enforcement of schoolwide systems, improved parent communication, appropriate and consistent consequences, and administration calibration on discipline processes.

While discipline is necessary to maintain a safe and productive learning environment, we also understand that fostering a positive climate involves addressing our students' social and emotional well-being. In collaboration with our counseling and support services, we are building partnerships with community organizations and resources to support students facing challenges that impact their behavior.

We know this is not a concern that will be resolved overnight, but we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive by practicing empathy and accountability. Your continued support and dedication to our school community is valued and deeply appreciated.

WHAT IS A COYOTE SALUTE?

It's our monthly employee recognition program. A Coyote Salute is awarded to individual staff members, and a Collaborative Coyote Salute is awarded to a group of staff members that have done something EXTRA special and beyond their regular job duties.

WHY:

We want to intentionally honor staff members who have gone the EXTRA mile for our students.

WHO:

Think of teachers using innovative teaching strategies or support staff members who go that extra mile to make our children feel safe and loved. This award is not limited to individual recipients. Collaboration encourages professional growth and student success. We would also like to honor teams of staff members who collectively worked on a positive project or had a fantastic outcome on something important to our students.

HOW:

Any Anna ISD employee, parent, or community member may nominate AISD staff members who have gone above and beyond their specific job duties by filling out this form. From your nominations, a recognition committee will select the recipients for a Coyote Salute and the groups for a Collaborative Coyote Salute.

WHEN:

You may nominate staff anytime you see someone or a group that goes above and beyond their regular job duties. Staff members who have been selected for a Coyote Salute or Collaborative Coyote Salute will be notified by the Administration and recognized at an upcoming board meeting.

• Register to be a volunteer at your child's school. Volunteer Application.
• Visit the Parent University to learn about Anna ISD. Parent University
• Join your school PTA or Booster club. AISD is grateful for the support of these parent leaders.
  

In the know: In addition to this eNewsletter, which typically comes twice a month, there are other ways to keep up with all the great things happening in Anna ISD:

• Ensure your information is current with your school, so you receive text message alerts, phone calls, and emails.
• Visit our website annaisd.org
• Follow AISD and your campus on social media. Facebook Twitter Instagram
• Download our mobile app

Tell us why you 💜 AISD.

December 14 .......................... Board Meeting

December 25-January 5...........Winter Break