Penguin Post January 2010

December/January 2010
In this Issue
dren. Since Mike’s father was a doctor, the family lived in relative comfort in Vietnam. However, things changed very quickly in 1975. His father, fearing for his family's safety,
decided to immigrate to the United States. They were among the many thousands of Vietnamese refugees who made a new home in the US. Mike was just 13 years old. After a
brief sojourn in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, they settled in Canadian, Texas. Canadian is a
small town, north of Amarillo. His was the only Vietnamese family in this town of about
3,000 people.
Interview with Mike
Buì
Classroom news
MLK crossword
Haiti fund-raiser
And more...
Mike's first year in Texas was confusing, exciting and hard. He started his freshman year in
high school not being able to speak English. Also, his parents were away for extended periods so that his father had could re-qualify to work as a doctor in the US. Mike’s father,
while fluent in Vietnamese and French, needed to learn English and then the materials
necessary to pass the Texas medical exams. Both his parents and the two younger siblings lived in Oklahoma for months at a time, so that his father could get the help necessary to do well. Except for some help from the local Methodist Church, Mike and his other siblings were on their own.
While being without parental supervision may be the dream of most American teenagers, for Mike and his brothers and
sister, it meant having to find the means to buy groceries, pay bills and manage school, without much help and without
knowing the language and culture.
When asked how he managed, Mike said that he
didn't have any choice. He had to manage. Mike
and his siblings worked while going to school. He
found a job as a fry cook at the local Dairy
Queen. He said that work was easy since it
didn’t require much English to wash dishes and
cook burgers. When the shift ended near midnight, Mike had to walk several miles to get back
home.
Just five years after arriving in the US, Mike
started college at the University of HoustonClear Lake, majoring in computer science. He
said that he was drawn to the logic of programming. With a laugh, Mike said that programming
only required a vocabulary of about 50 English
words! All of his siblings eventually found various
successes in their American Dreams.
Today, you may only know Mike as a friendly
and devoted father of three children.
Mike Buì , first from the left
(continued on page 3)
1
Congratulations to our KHS Seniors!
Every year Kirby Hall School produces graduates who represent the pride of their teachers and families. We have seen
them blossom and grow into intelligent and beautiful people. We are very proud of our seniors and of their
achievements:
Senior Anne Melton was honored by being selected to join the National Youth Leadership Council, in Washington, D.C.
this past summer. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is also one of the co-founders and the
photographer of Beautiful Austin, a non-profit organization.
Senior Jeane Wenzel is also a member of the National Honor Society and has qualified for the National Merit
Scholarship Program by receiving a perfect score on her PSAT exam, taken in her junior year.
Senior Marguerite West-Driga, also a member of the National Honor Society, has qualified for the National Merit
Scholarship Program by receiving a high score on her PSAT exam.
It is a great honor to become a candidate of the National Merit Scholarship Program, and an outstanding achievement to
receive semi-finalist status.
Anne, Jeane and Marguerite are such treasures for Kirby Hall School. Naturally, we are very pleased with their achievements. More importantly, however, they should be proud of themselves for their outstanding accomplishments!
Duke TIP - 7th Grade
The Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search is the largest summer program of its kind in the nation, representing participation
from 6,000 junior high and middle schools in the Duke TIP 16-state region. Duke TIP identifies gifted children and provides resources to nurture the development of these bright youngsters. In order to qualify, students must score in the
95th percentile on the ITBS standardized test. The 7th Graders at Kirby Hall School have proved themselves outstanding in the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Eleven students have qualified for the program. This year’s
qualifying 7th graders are Taylor, Lina, John, Victor, Mary Ellen, Ana, Nikhil, Elliot, Quinn, Michaela and Lucy.
2
(continued from page 1)
With the perspective of his journey from Vietnam to Texas, Mike
takes most things in stride. Last year’s economic downturn was
challenging for almost everyone, and Mike and his family were
anchors the family with her job as a manager at IBM. Mike now
spends his time looking for work as a database engineer and taking care of their children. You may know them: Taylor is a 7th
grader, Nicholas is a 5th grader and Jennifer is in kindergarten.
This is the family’s 8th year at Kirby Hall School. You may find
Mike giving snacks to his kids after school, exchanging brief hellos with his teenage daughter, being the backdrop to Nicholas's
ninja-Jedi-soldier rumpus and tutoring Jennifer with her homeTaylor (first from the left), in the second grade, 2005
work. They work at school for an hour before zigzagging traffic to
soccer, swimming, or piano lessons (depending on the day of the
week). Mike once added the hours he devotes to driving his kids
to and from their various activities and the time he spends waiting
for them. It worked out to be about 30 hours a week! His minivan
is their second home.
ing the best education and opportunities for their children. “A
good education is the only option. No question about it.” says
Mike. In the early years, he adds, it builds a strong academic
base as well as a healthy emotional foundation. He resists
preaching to his kids the mantra that most Vietnamese parents
instill in their kids: ”doctor, lawyer, engineer”. Mike laughs about
this, because he heard the same thing while growing up, and he
is an engineer. However, he generously adds that it was the only
way his parents knew toward a better future. Other than advising
his children that they may find limited success in the NBA, Mike
Mike Buì , today, with Jennifer
wants to give them opportunities, and then, the freedom to
choose. Wise words gathered from the vantage of time and experience.
Kindergarten’s Christmas train parade
2nd grade’s pioneer Christmas party
3
Classroom News
KHS Events
February
Primer – Ms. Kat Campbell
The primer students have been very busy the last two months. In
Presidents’ Day Holiday
December, we studied penguins and continued working hard on
Spring Conferences Starts
identifying our letters and numbers. We also helped the kindergartners and first graders collect pet supplies for a local shelter. In January, we are studying dinosaurs. We like learning all of their names
and whether they are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. We are
Enrollment Day
looking forward to the 100th day of school on February 2nd.
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Spring Break
Kindergarten– Ms. Hallye Robertson
Spring Break
The kindergarten class has been very busy! We are currently readSpring Break
ing Aesop's Fables, reviewing nouns and adjectives, learning about
Spring Break
our five senses and studying about George Washington. Our
Spring Break
next field trip will be on Feb. 25th to see “Alice in Wonderland” at
Third Quarter Ends
the Scottish Rite Children's Theatre.
Group Picture Day
15-Feb
16-Feb
March
First Grade – Ms. Terry Parks
First Grade was super busy raising funds for Heifer Project International! Students participated in a Read-a-Thon to earn donations,
and we held our first ever Pancake Breakfast to benefit the organization as well. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and support
for this endeavor. The children read with fierce determination to
meet the goals they had set. The generosity of the Kirby Hall family
was amazing. Our goal in the beginning was to buy a water buffalo.
We were able to pay for two heifers, two goats, a water buffalo, two
llamas, two sheep, a pig, three rabbits, one flock of chicks, honeybees, and also to make a donation to the Women In Livestock Development. We raised a total of $2,396.00! Thank you to everyone
who helped to make these incredible gifts of hope possible.
01-Mar
14-Mar
15-Mar
16-Mar
17-Mar
18-Mar
19-Mar
26-Mar
29-Mar
Staff Birthdays
Ms. Paige Arnell
Ms. Barbara Horan
Ms. Kat Campbell
Ms. Sasha Roberts
Ms. Michelle Escuder
Ms. Kelly Smith
05-Feb
15-Feb
19-Feb
06-Mar
15-Mar
27-Mar
Some highlights of our in-class work are: addition with regrouping, nouns and proper nouns. In science, we studied the
food chain and conservation, and we learned about the work of Rachel Carson. In manners lessons, we attempted our
own Pay-It-Forward Challenge. Students were encouraged to perform acts of kindness and to report back on the
reactions they received and how it made them feel. Hopefully, we put some extra goodness and love out there, to be
spread around!
Second Grade – Ms. Jenifer Wiese
Second grade had an educational and fun-filled December!
We kicked-off the holiday season with our annual bake
sale. Thank you so much to all the second grade parents who
supplied the many goodies we sold. Also, thank you to the
KHS students, teachers and parents who generously donated
their money to our effort to help the wonderful preschoolers of
St.James’ Episcopal Church. With the funds raised, our second grade class purchased art supplies, CDs and Spanish
books for the children of St. James’. A great time was had by
all during our visit with these special little ones! Second grade
celebrated Christmas with a pioneer- themed Christmas party. We had a blast churning butter, creating clove apple sachets and making old-fashioned Christmas crackers. The
New Year has us discussing resolutions and reading the ever
popular Matilda.
Sophia, 2nd grader, lending a helping hand at St. James’
Third Grade – Ms. Kelly Smith and Mr. David LaLonde
Third grade students have been busy volunteering, going on field trips, and learning! In November, we collected 432
pounds of food to donate to the Capital Area Food Bank. This is roughly equals to 366 meals provided to our neighbors
in need! Students, teachers, and parent chaperones worked for a few hours, sorting the crates of carrots. It was a
terrific lesson about giving back to our community. Thank you to all of the Kirby Hall families who helped to make our
4
Student Birthdays
Happy Dec.
Birthday!
Happy Jan.
Birthday!
Kindergarten
Eliza
1st Grade
Rose
Audrey
3rd Grade
David
Jessica
5th Grade
Brock
6th Grade
Faris
Damon
8th Grade
Alora
Madeleine
9th Grade
Lillian
Bryce
11th Grade
Emily
Loraine
30-Dec
2nd Grade
Sophia
4th Grade
Haden
5th Grade
Ethan
Nicholas
17-Dec
02-Dec
04-Dec
07-Dec
21-Dec
13-Dec
08-Dec
21-Dec
06-Dec
20-Dec
15-Dec
20-Dec
12-Dec
04-Jan
27-Jan
11-Jan
29-Jan
service project possible by donating food! The third grade students also donated three presents each to Operation Blue Santa
toy drive. The children carried the large bags of toys to Fire Department Station 3, located behind the school. In December, a
docent from Ballet Austin visited with third graders about the ballet, its history and dancers. We then went on a field trip to see
"The Nutcracker." What a wonderful experience!
Academically, the students will be learning about the earliest
Americans in history, hearing and sound in science, and in computer class, learning how to type. Third graders are also
completing an author study, while researching and reading a book
by their favorite author.
Fourth Grade Advisory - Coach Angie Helvey
The fourth graders donated over 120 books to "build a library" for
Ortega Elementary! Thanks to Kelly Stokes for donating two sets
of Encyclopedias!!
Library – Ms. Kelly Stokes
Library classes are buzzing along as usual, from the primer students who are learning about authors, to the 4th graders who are
learning how to navigate online databases. On January 26th, our
3rd-6th graders took part in a statewide vote to determine the winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award. For the first time,
our students voted on the computer instead of by paper ballots.
Keep an eye on the library bulletin board in the hallway for the announcement of the school and state winner!
Preparation is under way for our annual spring Book Fair, which
will be held in the library, April 26-30th. Watch your email for more
information and volunteer requests! Ms. Stokes is at school on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays and reachable by email
at [email protected], if you'd like suggestions or just want to chat
about a few good books.
Drama – Ms. Michelle Escuder
This fall, the Kirby Hall students put on a series of outstanding drama productions. The kindergarten class performed “'Twas The Night Before Christmas”
and the “Gingerbread Man”. The second grade class performed Kirby Hall
School’s favorite, “The Bookworm”. The third grade class performed an original script written by our very own Michelle Escuder, titled “Kirby the
Penguin”. The play tells the story of the Kirby Hall School’s mascot, Kirby, as
he greets students at the start of a new school year. Ms. Escuder played the
role of Kirby the Penguin, and the third graders played the roles of students
and teachers. The students provided input on the dialogue, which included
favorite parts of the school day (lunch, recess on the new playground, science, library, art and physical education). It also highlighted the KHS’s values
of friendship, sharing and love of learning. The play was a big hit, especially at
the special evening performance. The fourth grade class performed “Big Bad”,
a play about the trial of the Big Bad Wolf. The fifth grade class performed a
version of the Shakespearean play “Much Ado About Nothing”. The sixth
grade class performed a comedic mystery titled “Miss Maggitys” and the “Dark
and Stormy Night”. The seventh grade performed a comedy called “Mr. Jekyll's Hyde”. The Upper School performed an uncut version of “Romeo and
Juliet”, starring Harrison and Annie as the title characters. Congratulations to
all our young thespians for their stellar performances! The spring musical will
be “Big the Musical”, with performances scheduled for April 15th, 16th and
17th.
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Art – Ms. Tiffany Campbell
Art news! Lower School finished last semester with creative Christmas crafts
and cards. Students learned how to sew while creating felt Christmas ornaments. We have since started the new semester with new themes: kindergartners are studying Dada art and making random, carefree collages, pastels
drawings and sculptures; first graders are studying portraits in the styles of various famous artists like Picasso and Klimt; second graders continue an exploration of landscapes and simple principles of perspective by creating an acrylic
painting; third graders are beginning a study of light with value in pencil, charcoal and watercolor. This effort will culminate in the reproduction of an Impressionist painting; fourth and fifth graders continue their experiments with design
and are beginning a small introductory art memory unit; sixth graders are trying
their hands at the pottery wheels and will also copy pastel masterworks by
Georgia O'Keefe. High school students began an elective digital photography
class this semester. We have kick started the course with an "Inspiration" assignment and had our first class critique. Keep your eyes open at the semester's
end for a possible photography art show where the students will display their
best works. Likewise, AP Studio Art students will have the opportunity to display
a portion of their portfolio before they send it to the College Board for grading. I
can tell you there is some serious talent brewing in the art room these days!
Carolina, 3rd grader, helps at the
Capital Area Food Bank
Physical Education - Coach Angie Helvey
1st grade has been working on a number of things such as basketball and tennis! Their two favorite games are Alphabet Relay, which consists of relaying letters back and forth to create spelling words, and Burner Ball, which is a
modified, indoor baseball game! We continue to improve our sportsmanship, cooperation, and good manners.
3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders have practiced Ultimate Frisbee, Field Hockey, Floor Hockey, and several fitness-related
activities. We have also finished our second round of testing for the Fitness Report Card, which encourages each child
to do their physical best in four different areas (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and
flexibility). This spring, look for baseball/softball, tennis, cricket, bocce ball, track, and badminton. We will also revisit
previous lessons in basketball, volleyball, and football.
8th graders have been hard at work with their weekly regimen. We have recently finished testing and have been working
on bowling, juggling, and tennis.
Physical Education – Coach Deborah Newkirk
Kindergarten PE is ROCKIN! We just finished up the THROWING CARNIVAL where a ticket, which can only be
"purchased" through exercise, can get you in one of a dozen throwing events. We focused on stepping with the opposite
foot; accuracy was the name of the game!
Pre-Kinders are having tooooo much fun!!! They have been building butterfly domes around the beautiful butterfly stickers by using their basketball PIVOT FOOT. They also have enjoyed the Throwing Carnival and we even did a little rainy
day yoga. Climbing and teamwork challenges have been fun along with some kicking and stretching challenges.
My awesome second grade students have been joined by two new children, and we sure are excited to have Zachary
and Vijay at KHS! Marathon Kids laps are adding up and many children have earned over 3 miles in jogging during
class. Second graders have enjoyed some team games this nine-weeks including a class favorite, Gozenator! Operating
the timing of working a YO-YO and juggling has helped us through the rainy days.
Our seventh-graders have successfully, and with great progress overall, completed their second round of fitness testing.
Team games such a Gaelic football, basketball, kickball, and volleyball have kept us healthy and moving during the
school day while offering a little outlet from their classroom studies. I'm very proud of our fitness testing results and your
family will be mailed a copy of your child’s Fitness Report Card.
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Celebrating
Martin
Luther
King, Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out
darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only
love can do that.”
Suitable for 2nd graders and older
Down
1.
In 1963, hundreds of ____ children marched along with King and others down the streets of downtown Birmingham. They were violently
stopped by attack dogs, police officers, and firefighters.
2.
In 1965 King won the ____ Peace Prize.
4.
She refused to give up her bus seat to a white person. As a result, she was arrested and jailed. (2 words)
6.
In 1956 the United States ____ ____ ruled that segregation on public buses was not legal. (2 words)
7.
King's life came to an end when he was ____ in 1968.
8.
King led many of these, such as the one he led at an Atlanta department store lunch counter.
9.
King spoke out against the war with this country that the United States was involved in. King believed it would not be right to protest against
racial violence without also speaking against the violence of war.
13.
King's memoir, Stride Toward Freedom (1958), focused on the ____ boycott.
15.
When King was only 6, he had an experience with this. The parents of two of his white friends said that King could not play with them because of his skin color.
16.
In 1959, King went to this country to study Gandhi's ideas.
Across
3.
Mahatma _____ was someone who practiced nonviolent resistance in India to bring about change. King studied this man's life and his accomplishments.
5.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 authorized the United States government to enforce ____ of public accommodations.
10.
The ____ focused much attention on the nonviolent methods of protest and some of the violent responses. As a result, people around the
world learned of the injustice that was taking place.
11.
King believed that individuals had the moral right and responsibility to disobey ____ laws.
12.
Despite having his house bombed, King believed and persuaded others to remain _____.
14.
Henry David ____ was a man who lived from 1817-1862 and who believed strongly in not supporting a government that permitted slavery.
Martin Luther King Jr. paid special attention to the writings of this man.
17.
The ____ Rights Act was passed in 1965. This law made it illegal to require people to know how to read before they could register to vote.
18.
King gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963. His speech, and the 200,000 people who came to protest, helped pressure Washington to pass the ____ Rights Act in 1964.
19.
The ____ laws in many southern cities required black bus riders to sit in the back of the bus and give up their seats to white riders.
(answers on pg. 8)
(from http://edhelper.com/MLK2550.htm)
7
Haiti Fund-raiser
We are all moved and shocked by the events of the earthquake
in Haiti. We may have helped in our own ways, but our 7th graders, with the help of Sr. de le Llata and Mr. Rumich, decided to
help in their own sweet ways. They held a bake sale on Jan 21st
and 22nd, to raise funds for the Haitian people. The money will
be donated to the Salvation Army's Haiti Relief Fund, as it gives
100% of the money to the relief effort. The 7th graders worked
during their lunch break to tempt students and teachers! Some
were able to be “good” and just donated money; others were
good and enjoyed their “sweet reward”. Because of their hard
work and their parents’ and teachers’ support, the 7th graders
were able to raise $444. Very commendable, 7th graders!
Wickets, Bails and Bowlers?
If you know what these are, then the KHS P.E. Department wants you! Yes, that’s
right; for once cricket will have some representation and recognition here in the
USA. Coach Newkirk and Coach Helvey will start a unit on cricket the first week of
April, and they would love to get help from people who want to join in the fun. The
weather should be perfect. Even if the last time you played cricket was “Gee, I don’t
know when!”- you know you still have it in you! The kids will have a blast as well.
Contact Coach Newkirk ([email protected]) or Coach Helvey
([email protected]) for more information.
PSIA 2010
Testing for PSIA participants is in full swing. Some students have already been selected and are preparing for the district
level competition, which is scheduled for March 11, 2010. Kirby Hall School has earned first place at the district level for
the past nine years, and first place at the state level for the last eight years. (The ninth year’s state competition was canceled.) Good luck to all the contestants!
Thanks to the wonderful people who
helped get this newsletter ready
And...
All the faculty members who kindly
and promptly made submissions.
Special Thanks to the hardworking
Penguin Post staff:
Christine Griffin
Anamika Mitra
Donetta Nagle
Erin Shepler
Phuong Varma
Crossword answers from pg. 6
1. singing 2. Nobel 3. Gandhi 4. Rosa Parks 5. desegregation
6. Supreme Court 7. assassinated 8. sit-in 9. Vietnam 10. media
11. unjust 12. non-violent 13. bus 14. Thoreau 15. racism 16. India
17. voting 18. civil 19. segregation
8