One of the highlights of Texas Public School Week is College Hill`s

Spring 2012 Staff eNewsletter
The City of Plainview is well
known for our many creatively
decorated fiberglass cows, but
Edgemere second grade students have brought the number of decorated cows in this
area to new heights.
Students created their own
cows, not out of fiberglass, but
out of plastic bottles, toilet
paper rolls and paper mache.
Once the paper mache was
dry, students carried the cows
home to decorate using the
theme “That’s what I like about
Texas.”
When the cows were returned to school, teachers and
students were able to view
(and admire) them before the
judging began.
The stock show and judging
took place during Texas Public
School Week and was heavily
attended by parents and
grandparents with cameras in
hand.
The owners of the top twenty
cows received a medal. That field
was narrowed down to the top
eight. The owner’s of each of those
cows received a free slushee from
Stripes.
Then the eight winning entries
were narrowed down to four.
Those winners, who received a
free meal at Cotton Patch, were
Briana Salazar with her cow “Tex”,
Nathaniel Beck with “Longhorn”,
Shania Davis with “That’s What I like
about Texas”, and Christopher Alvarez with “Monster”.
All four winning cows were sold to
parents at the auction that followed
for $1000 each (in non-negotiable
currency).
Michael Durham of Lockney was
auctioneer for the Stock Show.
Second-grade teachers (and Stock
Show sponsors) are Salina Marks,
Gretchen Mahagan, Barbara Ramirez, and Martha Shaw.
One of the highlights of Texas Public
School Week is College Hill’s annual first
grade program on American and Texas
history. It’s inspiring to watch these
young students boldly stand up to the
mic and share facts about our state and
nation. The songs are not only
entertaining, but inspire the audience to
tap their toes and sing-a-long.
First grade teachers responsible are
Wistie Rollins, Joyce McCormick, Ida Rascon and D'Anna Kellum. Julie Jobe is the music
teacher.
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Spotlight on Staff: Music teacher Rhonda Buie
Music is part of the fabric of our Elementary Educasociety. It is said to soothe the soul tion and Elementary
and refresh the spirit. It is part of Music.
She
has
been
cultural traditions handed down
from generation to generation and teaching for 33
it often speaks what cannot easily years, 23 of those
years in Plainview
be expressed in words.
There is even scientific evidence ISD. This is her 15th
that supports the theory that stu- year to teach music
dents educated in the arts achieve which, she says, is
higher in math and science due to her first love.
Rhonda
played
increased abilities in non-musical
(linguistic, mathematical, and spa- the saxophone in
high school, plays a little piano and a
tial) reasoning.
Plainview ISD has good reason to lot of violin.
The latter talent, to the delight of
be proud of its music programs. The
PHS band received its
74th First Division Rating
in UIL competition last
fall. The PHS choir also
has a long record of
achievement. Choir members brought home 33
first division solos and
five first division ensembles in UIL competition
in February. Thirty members will advance to state
in May.
Our middle and high
school music teachers
Rhonda and Doug with their daughter Carissa, and
skillfully instruct stu- son-in-law Clifford Hamilton.
dents, refine their skills
and prepare them for
competition, but it is the elemen- her students and the audience, was
tary music teachers who lay the on display during Texas Public School
beginning foundation for our music Week as she accompanied first grade
program. They nurture an under- students on the violin during a constanding and a love for music in cert of Texas songs.
Rhonda also is a member of the
our students that they hope will
Plainview
Symphony and plays in a
develop into a lifelong relationship
string
ensemble
at Wayland.
with music.
She has been married to Doug Buie
One of those gifted elementary
teachers who has a passion for for 40 years. It’s not surprising that
music that she shares with her stu- someone who loves music as she
does and grew up in the 60’s and
dents is Rhonda Buie.
Rhonda splits her time as the 70’s , would celebrate her 40th annimusic teacher for Thunderbird Ele- versary by going to the Graceland
mentary and Edgemere Elementary. Chapel in Las Vegas where she and
Rhonda grew up in Amarillo, Doug renewed their vows and were
graduated from Caprock High remarried by Elvis.
School, and received her degree
from West Texas State University.
While her husband was in the
Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor,
she also attended the University of
Hawaii.
Rhonda was a music major for
three years before changing her
major to Elementary Education. She
is Certified (and highly-qualified) in
Why I Teach Music
-Author Unknown
NOT because I expect you to
major in music.
NOT because I expect you to
play or sing all your life.
The Buies have a daughter Carissa,
who inherited her mom’s love of
music. Carissa teaches Elementary
Music in Odessa and lives with her
husband, Clifford Hamilton, and son,
Jonah, in Midland.
Of her fouryear old grandson
Jonah,
Rhonda says,
“He is the light
of my life!”
What do you
enjoy
about
your job? I love having students
throughout their elementary school
careers. I get to watch them grow
musically from Pre-K little ones to
big 4th grade musicians! That is so
cool! I also love to have a grownup
that I once taught come up and say,
“Mrs. Buie, I really enjoyed being in
your class and learning to play the
recorder!” Now that is making
memories!
What do you enjoy doing in your
free time? It seems like there is
never enough free time, but when I
do have a minute, I love to play
Words With Friends on my
IPAD. (guilty pleasure!)
NOT just so you can relax or
have fun.
BUT so you will be human
So you will recognize beauty
So you will be sensitive
So you will be closer to an
infinite beyond this world
So you will have something
to cling to
So you will have more love,
more compassion, find more
gentleness, more good…in
short, more life.
Of what value will it be to
make a prosperous living
unless you know how to live?
parks that I would love to see –
Yosemite and Yellowstone.
Anything else you want to add? I
have been very fortunate in my
life to be a teacher. I hope that I
have made a difference in kids’
lives.
What is something on your ‘bucket
list’? I would love to go to Mount
Rushmore. And there are national
Members of the Thunderbird
Staff dressed in “Cat in the
Hat” t-shirts to celebrate Dr.
Seuss’ Birthday and Read
Across America Day.
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Coronado math teachers implementing new technologies
Coronado math teachers
Jacquline Blackerby, Maria
Pena, Yvonne Hernandez,
and Nancy Wood are optimizing the use of the new
technologies that are being incorporated into
their classrooms.
The teachers are finding ways to effectively
utilize projectors, document cameras, Mobis
and clickers (student
response systems) to
positively impact student learning by improving students’ attitude, enthusiasm, and
engagement.
Blackerby says the
new technologies are
making a huge difference.
“The projectors allow
the kids to see what is going on and the clickers are
a fast way to find out if
students are understanding the information they
are being taught,” she
said.
“They also enjoy using
the clickers and want to
know when they can use
them again. “
Pena says that using the
technologies have the
greatest impact on classroom management.
“The students are always
engaged and are eager to
participate in their learning, “ she said. “They interact with the technology
well and seem more motivated when learning with
technology.”
She has found the Mobis
to be a useful tool in keeping students on task.
“Each row of students
shares a Mobi,” she says.
“They pass it back to the
next person in their row until everyone has a chance to
use the Mobi.”
Blackerby agrees. “ I can
move around the room and
go stand by a student that is
being disruptive without
interrupting instruction.”
Hernandez says using the
technologies allows the students to see immediate results and is especially useful
for students who are relucTechnology is just a tool. In
terms of getting the kids
working together and
motivating them, the
teacher is the most
important factor.”
- Bill Gates
tant to speak in class.
They are all participating
equally without having to
talk too much,” she said.
The group also is incorporating a shared math web
page created by Maria
Pena as an instructional
component. The page
contains links to math
lessons, help websites,
online practice and review sites, PowerPoints
and games.
“The information is
designed to help them
when we are not
around,“ Pena said. “I
remind them that the
information linked to the
page will be there for their
use even when they are in
high school and college.”
The teachers also use the
webpage for guided assignments in the computer lab.
Students are motivated to
complete the assignment in
time to move on to some of
the math learning games
linked to the page.
The group agrees that
teacher collaboration has
made a huge difference.
“We help one another with
presentation of math lessons
and math concepts,” said
Pena.
“If one of us has access to a
great PowerPoint, we share
it. We also support each
other in using the technologies. When we first received
the Mobis, we worked together to learn how to use
them.”
Blackerby adds that the
implementation of CSCOPE
has benefitted the team.
“We are able to help not just
our students, but any student
in our school with questions
since we are all at the same
spot in CSCOPE and we are all
teaching it in the same
manor.”
As an added advantage,
they have noticed their students are more able to help
students from other classes
because the instruction is so
aligned and they are being
taught the same thing at the
same time.
Teachers who use
technology frequently in
their classrooms perceive
greater benefits to student
learning--particularly
learning 21st century skillsthan teachers who are less
frequent users.
- Walden University findings
on K-12 Technology study
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Jamin Rose, grandson
of Johnny and
Margaret Rose
(Hillcrest/ Highland)
played the starring role
in “The Velveteen
Rabbit” in a community
theatre production in
Yukon, OK in February.
He is a 6th grade honor
student at Mustang
Middle School where
he is in the Gifted /
Talented program and is first chair flutist in the
band.
Congratulations to Plainview FFA member Sterling
Skinner on her
Breed Champion
Maine Anjou at
the Houston
Livestock Show
and
Rodeo. Sterling’s
parents are
Russell and Misty
Johnson (PHS).
Rashaud Ellis, son of Kathy Curry (PHS), will
graduate on May 12, 2012 from West Texas A & M
University with a Baccalaureate of Science
degrees.
Congratulations to Priscilla Becerra (PHS)
graduated from Texas Tech with a Master’s degree
in Bilingual Education on December 16.
Susan Trammell (Edgemere PE teacher)
recently married and is splitting her time
between her home in Levelland and her
home in Plainview. She needs to find good
homes for her two cats because she is
away so much of the time. They are both
over 10 years old, and in very good health.
She is looking for someone willing to take
both so that they will make an easier
transition—one is shy and one is outgoing.
Both are indoor cats and declawed. She
would like to give them to a single person
or a couple without children as they have
not been around children or other pets.
They are current on shots and she has shot
records, litter boxes and everything else a
cat would need.
Susan says, “I will be very picky as to who
takes them. They have been my babies for
so long, but it just isn’t fair to them that I
am gone so much and they don’t get any
attention.
We are excited to announce the marriage of D’Anna
Kellum (College Hill)
to Colby Coleman,
on March 10. D’Anna
graduated from WBU
is 2011 and began
teaching at College
Hill. She is the
daughter of David
and Denise
(Lakeside)
Kellum. Colby graduates from WBU in May and is
student teaching this semester at Estacado and
Edgemere. He is the grandson of Barbara Curry and
nephew of Kathy Curry (PHS).
Landon Thompson, son of
Stephanie Thompson-Sweatt
(College Hill), was married to
Abby Hinojosa on December
29, 2011 in Austin. Landon is a
founder and musician for the Austin-based rock
band, The Black and White years. Abby is a
production coordinator at an advertising agency in
Austin
Ashlee Brown, daughter of Phoebe Jones (PHS)
made the Collegiate national Honor society and will
graduate with honors next year from WTAMU.
Beverly McCaskill (Coronado) and her husband are
now owners of the Elks Restaurant. They will have a
table at the Ollie Liner Center for the “Taste of
Plainview,” and would love for everyone to come by
and sample some of their awesome food on March
22. They would also love to have your vote.
SOFTBALL
TEAM
POSTERS
Varsity Softball is selling 11’ x 14” team
posters for $25.00. If you are interested in
purchasing one, contact Johnny Hill.
[email protected]
Noah Ian
Carrasco was
born to
Amanda
Carrasco
(Thunderbird )
on Feb. 5. He
weighed 7 lbs.
and 6 oz. and was 19 1/2 in. long.
Emory Ann
Lewis was
born on Feb. 2
to Brian (PHS
2000) and
Shelby Lewis
of Levelland.
Emory
weighed 7 lbs
1oz. and was 19 ¼ “ long. Proud
grandparents are Betsy (Highland)
and Mike Lewis (Houston School).
New great-aunt is Nancy Lewis (PHS).
She’s going to be a smart one! As you
can see, they’re already fostering her
love of books.
Pidi and Jennifer
Castaneda (College
Hill) are the parents
of a new son,
William Luke. He
was born on
December 27, 2011,
and weighed 7 lb.
20 oz. and was 20
1/2” long at birth.
Hadley Kate
Whitley was born
to Julie & Daniel
Whitley of Albany,
TX, at 11:17
a.m., on
March
12. Hadley
weighed 7
lbs. 5 oz.
Proud
MeMe of Hadley is Linda Eversole,
Asst. Principal at Plainview High
School.
Jeremy (Thunderbird) and Brittany
(Coronado)
Douglas are the
parents of a new
son, Taelon Dashon
Douglas, born on
March 20. He
weighed 7lbs. 6 oz.
at birth and was 19
1/2 in. long.
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Maribel Yanez (Hillcrest) is looking for a three bedroom house to rent.
Contact her at (806) 685-2027 or email
[email protected]
For Sale: Headboard and footboard for twin bed. The headboard is
shaped and painted like a baseball, and the bed posters are baseball
bats. If interested, contact Karen Taylor through school mail,
[email protected], or call 806-898-0660.
Lisa Wright (Lakeside) and her daughter, Colti, are collecting
new and slightly used shoes to donate at 4H Roundup to Shoes4Soles.
They also are collecting costume jewelry,
even broken or just one earring of a set to use
for a 4-H project.
Cipriana Garcia (PHS) needs a twin bed for her grandson. Her number is
806-543-3862
FOR SALE: 2011 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH, 29 foot travel trailer. Tow
weight 4,700 lbs., sleeps six to eight. Large refrigerator, stove, oven,
microwave, shower, bath and more. Very comfortable-only used three
times-must sell due to tow vehicle issues. $13,750 or make a reasonable
offer. Call Sherri Edwards, 729-3949 or email
[email protected]
Robin Marlar (Edgemere) would like to buy a treadmill. If you have one
you want to sell you can contact her through school mail:
[email protected]
All donations are appreciated. Contact Lisa
Wright at 774-0568 or through school email:
[email protected]
Kenna Cooper (Hillcrest) is seeking double knit fabrics for
bibs for kids at Wee Care Child Center. Also they will take craft
supplies that you no longer need. You can take the items to Wee
Care or contact Kenna and she will pick them up.
[email protected]
For Sale: 1994 Nomad 30 ft. Trailer camper. Loaded and very clean. Has
its own generator, propane tanks, antenna for TV,
radio, microwave, etc. with a special hitch, Houses
8 people. $7,500. Can be seen at 306 SW 2nd St. in
Lockney or call and leave a message at 652-3465,
Melida De Leon (Estacado).
For Sale: White, 2008 4-door Chrysler Sebring for $7,500. Belongs to
Monica Rodriquez (Coronado). If interested call Abel at 729-8922.
Laura Notaro (Estacado) has a glider rocking chair for sale for $25. It
would be great in a classroom or library. You can contact her through
school email or at (575) 605-6428
Jill Freeman ( Lakeside) has an antique vanity and stool for sale for $85.
Also an antique wardrobe for $75. Contact her through school email:
[email protected]
For sale: Sears craftsman 22” lawn mower, about 10 years old.
Excellent condition $40 OBO. Also a 2002 Sportsman Fifth Wheel RV,
one slide out, trailer hitch included, excellent condition. Located at
Wellington, TX. $12,500. Contact Tommy Caldwell (PHS) 293-1652
(home phone).
Lance Corporal Calob Holt, son of Cherrie Taylor
(Lakeside), left Monday for Afghanistan where he will
be stationed as a machine gunner with the 1st Maintenance Battalion in the United States Marine Corps for the next 7
months. While he was in Plainvivew he spoke to Denise Kellum’s
students at Lakeside (picture
below). If anyone has a classroom that would like to send
things to his unit, they can be
addressed to:
Food for the scrumptious brisket
luncheons that are making the rounds
of our campuses is provided by
ARAMARK.
The delicious cobblers are made by the
excellent cafeteria staff on each campus.
Rusty Ingram, Rick Garcia and Rick
Burke man the grills each week
preparing the brisket for our much
deserving campus staff members.
LCPL Holt, Calob J.
1st Maint. BN, (GSMT/1st PLT)
Unit 42300
FPO-AP 9642-2300
Hillcrest third-grade students sing at a recent PTA
meeting .
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Lady Bulldogs Plainview Lady Bulldogs took two of the
top three honor awards on the District 3-4A girls
basketball team in selections made by the district’s head
coaches.
Senior Laura Castillo was named Player of the Year in
district 3-4A and selected to the All-State Team for TABC
(Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) and also TGCA
(Texas Girls Coaches Association). She has also been
selected by TABC to play in the all-star game in San
Antonio and to play in the TGCA all-star game this
summer in Arlington.
Freshman Karli Wheeler earned the Newcomer of the
Year award in District 3-4A. She was also selected to the
TGCA All-State team.
Lady Bulldog junior Bailey Davis was named to the AllDistrict second team.
Members of the 2001-2002 Plainview Lady Bulldogs Basketball team
were honored during the 2012 state tournament. It was the tenyear anniversary of their winning the 2002 Championship game
under Girls Athletic Director and Coach Danny Wrenn.
The little
cheerleader to the
left is Reagan
Wrenn , daughter
of Danny and
Randa Wrenn.
Jeff and Marijo (Hillcrest) Tunnell wait to be
introduced with their daughter and member
of the Lady Bulldog basketball team, Natalie
Tunnell, on Parent Night.
.
Charles Hamilton (right) of the
Texas Crime Stoppers Board of
Directors presents the Campus
Crime Stoppers of the Year Award
to the Plainview Student Crime
Stoppers represented by sponsor
Brittani Brownlee (left), Greg De
La Cerda, Victor Vasquez, Destiny
Talley, and local Student Crime
Stoppers Coordinator Terry
Nelson.
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Gold Award Winners
Puppets created by Theatre I students for Paper Bag Puppet Shows.
Erica Rodriguez (2)
Mayra Garcia
Savanna Nava
Lluvia Lujan
Briane Sanchez
Michelle Perez
Leonel Silva (3)
Jonah Reyes
Reagine Ortiz
Silver Award Winners
Lorenzo Cordero
Letti Cheyne (2)
Heather Bozeman
Kenndreck Brown
Gabby Gamez
“True Colors” personality collages by Theatre I students.
Honorable Mention
Briane Sanchez
Letti Cheyne (2)
Irving Yanez
Kenndreck Brown
Jessica Alderson
Lluvia Lujan
Savanna Nava (2)
Lupita Guerrero
Gabby Gamez
PHS students (and sisters) Maura and Alondra Villegas
working with the new TI-Nspire calculators on their
homework.
eNewsletter Contact: [email protected]
Mayra Garcia
Lorenzo Cordero (2)
Blanca Arellano
I N P L AI N V IE W
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