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A Message from our Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
What a week we had last week. It was truly a historic time for Anderson High School. The Declaration of Independence visit was a great day for our students and for the community as a whole. We estimate that close to 2000 students, staff, and state and local dignitaries viewed the broadside of the Declaration of Independence during the school day and another 800+ visitors from the community joined us during the evening public viewing hours. People were impressed with this opportunity to see such a primary source/original document and we have the great participation of our students in the Mock Election of 2008 to thank for this opportunity.
During the reception at noon, we had representatives from our five feeder elementary schools, Doss, Davis, Hill, Pillow and Summit, as well as a representative from Murchison Middle School lead the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Daniel Hurwitz, an Anderson senior IB student, gave a compelling speech during the reception about the historical importance of citizen participation in the democratic process. He spoke as a seasoned orator and really represented our student body well. The Anderson Barbershop Chorus, under the direction of David Beussman, performed our National Anthem and the Hill Elementary fourth grade choir, under the direction of Debra Erck, sang a patriotic anthem. Greetings were offered by Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, Randall Dillard from the Secretary of State’s office, and Joe Ramirez, Coordinator of the AISD Social Studies department. Additionally, Supreme Court Justice Don Willet and AISD Board of Trustees’ Member, Vince Torres, were in the audience. It made my heart beat with pride to see the faces of our vertical team students as they greeted this historic document.
We need to give special thanks to many people in the district who helped with the organization of the event – Library/Media Services, Environmental Control, the Social Studies Curriculum Department, AISD Police, and the AISD Communications Department. We need to thank the Anderson teachers who arranged with Costume World to be fitted with period costumes and who acted as “docents” throughout the event. Mr. Powell, Mr. Lampkin, Mr. Carcione, and Ms. Crowe added just the right ambiance of the period and made each child and adult feel “carried away” to the era of our country’s birth. Ms. Wilson and Mr. Timmons and several senior Government students helped to usher students to the viewing area and added historical context about the document. And - Yvonne Fuller and her staff opened up the library and made sure that the document had an appropriate viewing area in which to be shown. We thank the PTSA and President Marc Erck for their support in helping to defray expenses incurred due to the visit and for Marc’s participation in planning the event.
Which brings us to the organizational wizard who put this whole project together – Julie Cowan. I dare not say too much about Julie’s efforts, as she is so humble that she is truly upset when we recognize her, but we have to honor her hard work and her oversight of the visit. Every detail was well thought out and orchestrated weeks in advance so that the visit was seamless and flawless. If Anderson High School received any accolades or positive regard for the handling of this community event, it was due to the hard work and vision of Julie Cowan. We are forever in her debt.
Many other important events occurred during the past week – notification of twelve National Merit Finalists from Anderson, a second place finish in the district swim meet, a first place finish in the district wrestling tournament – I know I have forgotten many others. (I haven’t heard how the Belles did at Bowie at the Dance Competition on Saturday at the time this article was written. We know there are great things to report there.) Suffice to say, Anderson High School is the place to be for high achievement and great community-wide events.
I need to remind everyone that we will have two days of professional development for our staff that means that students will not attend school on February 12th or 15th. Our staff will be involved in district departmental professional development on February 12th and will be working with their campus departments planning curriculum and testing strategies for the second semester on February 15th. Please remember that students will not be in school those two days and take advantage of the four-day weekend to make a college visit or explore post-secondary options. It is never too early to begin the conversation with high school students about “next steps.”
And, last, I would like to remind everyone that the Project Graduation Silent Auction and Dinner to raise money for the Substance-Free Grad Night party will be held on Sunday, February 21st at Mesa Ranch, 8108 Mesa Drive, from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and will include a three-course dinner with your choice of entrée and dessert. The evening features a fabulous silent auction. This is a great way for parents of seniors and underclassmen’s parents, alike, to support a very worthwhile effort by our PTSA. Our children are certainly safer since this initiative was first conceived and each year it gives our seniors a “place to be” that is alcohol-free for celebrating after the graduation ceremony. I would like you all to consider supporting this important program (and have a lot of fun along the way). Contact Karen MacMurtrie at kmacmurtrie@yahoolcom to RSVP and send checks to Jill Zeitz, 3904 Edgerock Dr., Austin, TX - 78731. This is an event you won’t want to miss.
That is all for now, but each week just gets busier than the last. We have basketball, soccer, wrestling, swimming, tennis, golf, baseball, softball, and Lacrosse all in active competition. Track meets start in a few weeks and our students are already busy in training and conditioning. Belles, orchestra, choir, and band are all in their competitive seasons. Debate and Robotics are preparing for the finals of their competitive seasons. The yearbook staff is finalizing the pages for publication and the film and animation department are getting ready for their film festival. Our marketing teams are going to the state competitions and we are beginning IB oral examinations for our juniors and seniors. February 16th brings the one-man show, “Incognito,” to Anderson to celebrate Black History Month. Top it all off with the excitement over the February 25th It seems like it just gets busier every day and every day is greater than the last. I hope you all know how lucky we all are to be at Anderson High School, the best high school anywhere around. lunchtime concerts by American Idol alumnus, Jason Castro, and you have a month of intense energy and incredible opportunity for our students.
Donna Houser, Principal
CALENDAR
MONDAY, February 8, 2010
All Day – Theater Teddy Bear Sale Fundraiser
4:15-5:00pm – Knitting for the Needy, IB Office
4:30-6:30pm – Varsity Baseball Scrimmage @ McNeil
7:00-9:00pm – Boys Varsity Lacrosse @ St. Michael’s
TUESDAY, February 9, 2010
All Day – Theater Teddy Bear Sale Fundraiser
4:30-6:30pm – JV 2 Baseball Scrimmage @ McNeil
5:15pm – Girls Basketball vs Austin @ Anderson
5:15pm – Boys Basketball vs Austin @ Austin
5:30pm – Softball vs Taylor @ Noack #4
6:00pm – Varsity Boys Soccer vs Westlake @ Westlake
6:00pm – JV Girls Soccer vs Westlake @ Nelson Field
6:00pm – Boys Basketball Booster Club Meeting, Art Rm
6:30-7:30pm – Cheer Booster Club Meeting, Rm 130
7:00-8:00pm –Murchison Pre-UIL Concert, Theater
7:00-9:00pm – JV 1 Baseball Scrimmage @ McNeil
7:45pm – Varsity Girls Soccer vs Westlake @ Nelson Field
WEDNESDAY, February 10, 2010
12:00-1:00pm – Brown Bag Meeting, Rm 130
4:30-6:30pm – Benefit Concert for Haiti , Gym
6:30-7:30 pm – Baseball Booster Club Meeting, Cafeteria
THURSDAY, February 11, 2010
4:30-5:30pm – Cheer Workshop, Small Gym
6:00-8:00pm – JV Boys Lacrosse vs Cedar Park @ House Park
6:30-7:30pm – College Authority, Rm 134
7:30-9:00pm – Fellowship of Christian Athletes @ Hillcrest Baptist Church
8:00-10:00pm – Varisty Boys Lacrosse vs Cedar Park @ House Park
FRIDAY, February 12, 2010 – STAFF DEVELOPMENT/STUDENT HOLIDAY
8:00am-8:00pm – Tennis vs Lake Travis/Lakeway Tournament @ Lake Travis
9:00am-5:00pm – JV Wrestling JV State @ Arlington Bowie
12:00-1:00pm – Mary Alice Luncheon, Rm 130
5:00pm – Softball vs Liberty Hill @ Liberty Hill
5:15pm – Boys Basketball vs Akins @ Akins
6:00pm – Varsity Girls Soccer vs Connally @ Nelson Field
6:00pm – Varsity Boys Soccer vs Connally @ Connally
6:00pm – JV 1 Baseball Scrimmage @ Stony Point
UIL Region VII-5A Championship Meet @ Josh Davis Pool, San Antonio
SATURDAY, February 13, 2010
All Day – JV Boys Lacrosse @ Aggieland Classic/ College Station
7:00am-10:00pm – Belles Competition @ Westwood HS
8:00am-8:00pm – Tennis vs Lake Travis/Lakeway Tournament @ Lake Travis
10:00am – Anderson Bowling Club District Meet @ Dart Bowl
9:00am-5:00pm – JV Wrestling JV State @ Arlington Bowie
11:00am-1:00pm – Varsity Baseball Scrimmage @ Stony Point
11:00am-1:00pm – JV 2 Baseball Scrimmage vs Stony Point @ Anderson
UIL Region VII-5A Championship Meet @ Josh Davis Pool, San Antonio
SUNDAY, February 14, 2010
All Day – JV Boys Lacrosse @ Aggieland Classic/ College Station
STAFF DEVELOPMENT/STUDENT HOLIDAY ON MONDAY, FEB 15TH – ENJOY THE 4-DAY WEEKEND!
Save the Dates:
Saturday, Feb 20, 10:00am-2:30pm – Anderson Bowling Club District Meet @ Westgate Lanes
Feb 26-27 – State Championship Meet @ UT Swim Center
Saturday, March 27, 2010 – Prom @ Doubletree Hotel
June 5, 2010 – Graduation @ Erwin Center
May 30 @ 3:00pm – Baccalaureate Service @ Westover Hills Church of Christ
(*New Entry)
New Announcements:
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From the Counseling Office:
Just a reminder that rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade course contracts are due in English classes on February 10th and 11th. Students will meet individually with their counselor to go over course selections and credits either the week of March 8th or March 22nd. If your student did not get a course contract or lost theirs, we have electronic copies available on our link through the PTSA website and also in the counseling office.
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Girls Soccer News
Friday February 12th Vs. Plugerville Connally @ Nelson Field Varsity only @ 6pm
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There will be an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting this Thursday, February 11th, at Hillcrest Baptist Church in the 3rd floor youth room. We will have a special guest speaker, Kacy Benson, so make sure you attend! All are welcome.
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All students interested in signing up for ACC in the summer or fall of 2010 need to plan on attending a meeting for ECS
February 8th 8:30am or during lunch
In the Counseling Center
We will discuss TSI , ACC application and sign up process
Pam Mason
Project ADVANCE
M,W,TH 8:30-2:30
Anderson High School
8403 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
(512)414-0909
(512)414-7989 fax
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Learn More About the State Board of Education
Texas PTA and the Texas Association of School Boards has put together information regarding the State Board of Education, its roles, and its responsibilities. The neighborhoods of Anderson High School fall in District 10, currently represented by Cynthia Dunbar. She is not running for reelection. This March, you will have the opportunity to vote in the primary. Only the Republican primary has multiple candidates; the Democrat, Libertarian, and Green Parties all have one candidate. The general election will be in November. Please take a moment to educate yourself on this state board and consider how it impacts our children. The SBOE has most recently been in the news as they re-wrote the Science TEKS last year and are working on the Social Studies TEKS this year. The TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) drive what publishers put in their textbooks.
http://www.andersonptsa.com/index.php/ptsapta/parented/sboe/
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Calling all Senior Parents!
Reserve your tickets to the
Mesa Ranch Dinner and Silent Auction
(benefitting 2010 Project Graduation)
NOW!
We are already over half our capacity.
Seats are still available but space is limited!
Join us
Sunday, February 21st
6 pm to 9 pm
Mesa Ranch Restaurant
8108 Mesa Drive
Tickets are $50 per person with half the proceeds going to Project Graduation.
E-mail your RSVP to Karen MacMurtrie at kmacmurtrie@yahoo.com and
send your check, payable to AHS-PTSA Project Graduation,
to Jill Zeitz, 3904 Edgerock Drive , Austin , TX 78731 .
Come enjoy an evening specifically for the Class of 2010 Parents!
Includes a three-couse dinner with your choice of entree and dessert, plus cash bar.
Bid on great deals at the Silent Auction including:
Texas coast getaways, rounds of golf, spa pampering, custom jewelry,
professional photo sessions, and other exciting items!
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Project Advance
Sadly, we’ve had a few college representatives come to Anderson and have no one to talk to because students didn’t sign up for the visit. Please make sure your junior or senior is checking the visit schedule in Naviance and taking advantage of this opportunity.
I have received messages about logging into Naviance and wanted to make sure everyone has the information. Go to www.austinisd.org and click on Naviance, then Anderson. This will take you to the log in screen. Enter the student ID where it says “email” and again for the password. (You do not need a registration code) Once logged in, you can change the password to whatever you like….please make sure your student knows the password! For those that receive multiple messages whenever I send an email from Naviance, this is because your email address is listed multiple times. You’ll need to go to the profile and delete any duplicate information. As always, let me know if you need help.
There will be a Brown Bag meeting on Wednesday, February 10 from 12-1pm in room 130. It is for Junior parents and the topic is Beginning the College Process.
Class rank has been updated in Naviance for 10 - 12 grade. 9th grade rank is not yet available. As soon as it is, I will post it in Naviance.
Ms. Mason will be meeting with students before school and during lunches on February 8 to hand out packets for ACC Early College Start Registration. She will be in the counseling center. If a student is planning to take an ACC class over the summer or in the fall, they must stop by to see her…this includes returning ACC students.
Please be aware that I will be on maternity leave from March 22 until approximately the first week in May. At that time, Pam Mason will be working in my place. Pam has been working with our Early College Start program and will be wonderful!
Michele Reynolds
Project ADVANCE
Anderson High School
8403 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
(512)414-0551
(512)414-7989 fax
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Ever thought about hosting a foreign exchange student? Currently, a Korean boy is living with a “welcome family” who wanted to make sure he got off to a good start here in the U.S. Due to work conflicts, Yae Dam will now need to find a permanent host family through the end of June. He plays soccer, loves math, and is friendly and sweethearted! Contact Laura Slaughter at 825-2288 or laura_slaughter@hotmail.com if interested!
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What should the Austin School District name its newest elementary school? The AISD Board of Trustees invites you to submit your nominations for the name of a new elementary school campus in Southwest Austin that will open in August 2010.
Some of the criteria for the naming of district facilities include the following:
· Facilities may be named for individuals, places such as landmarks or neighborhoods, or other reason as determined by the Board.
· The name must not already be used by another Austin District school or facility.
· Nominators must provide a succinct description of the nominees’ contributions, why they are important, and any pertinent history that should be considered.
You can mail your nominations to:
Office of Planning and Community Relations
Austin Independent School District
1111 West Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78703-5399
Or, you may submit your nominations online at the District’s website http://www.austinisd.org.
Names that have been previously submitted for new schools and facilities will automatically be considered for the new elementary school campus, and need not be resubmitted. Your input is important to this process. Please remember to submit your nominations by the deadline of February 18, 2010. Trustees are scheduled to select the school’s name on March 29, 2010.
The next Free Practice ACT or SAT for Jrs (the student chooses which test)- will be given Sat, 2/13 and 3/6 at the College Nannies & Tutors Learning Center (3908 Far West ). The test will start at 9am, conclude at 12:45 pm, and mimics the setting and timing of the actual tests. Students will grade their own test immediately upon completion and will leave with their results. The more familiar students are with the test, the better they will perform on the “real thing!” Call 372-8385 to reserve your spot.
Previous Announcements:
RAD (Resisting Alcohol and Drugs) Event Planned for Seniors
Senior parents, please mark your calendars for Wednesday evening–February 24th.
All seniors are invited to visit with Todd Hanna of Explore Austin to discuss how to make healthy choices after high school. In addition to working in various capacities with youth and teens, Todd will bring his insight from knowing the Carson Starkey family. (Carson was the Austin High graduate who died of alcohol poisoning at Cal Poly one year ago.) This event is for students only. We hope to have a follow-up session for parents sometime in late February or March.
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PROJECT ADVANCE NEWS:
Please note that Mrs. Reynolds will be on maternity leave from March 22 until approximately May 3. At that time, Mrs. Mason will be taking over as the full time Project ADVANCE counselor.
Michele Reynolds
Project ADVANCE (512)414-0551
Part Time Replacement–
Pam Mason
(512)414-0909
pamela.mason@austinisd.org
All students interested in signing up for ACC in the summer or fall of 2010 need to plan on attending a meeting for ECS.
Monday, February 8th at 8:30am or during lunch
Location: Counseling Center
We will discuss TSI , ACC application and sign up process.
Pamela Mason
Project ADVANCE –Part Time
M,W,TH 8:30-2:30
Office 414-0909
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Project Graduation 2010 NEWS!
Please Join the AHS Class of 2010 Parents
For the Mesa Ranch Dinner and Silent Auction benefiting Project Graduation 2010!
Sunday, Feb. 21, 6 – 9 pm, 8108 Mesa Drive
Tickets are $50/person and ½ the proceeds of ticket sales support Project Graduation 2010! Ticket includes three-course dinner, with your choice of entrée and dessert. The evening features a fabulous silent auction and cash bar. Space is limited!
RSVP to Karen MacMurtrie at kmacmurtrie@yahoo.com and send your check made to AHS-PTSA Project Graduation, to Jill Zeitz, 3904 Edgerock Drive , Austin , TX 78731 .
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Tuxes Rented for Prom from Royal Tuxedo = $ for Project Grad!
Prom is only 5 weeks away! For every tuxedo rental from Royal Events & Tuxedos, Anderson Project Grad will receive $5 to $7!
Royal Events & Tuxedos also offers professional dress/suits alterations as well as Custom-made Prom Dresses. For every alteration or custom- made dress, Project Grad will receive $5 to $7!
Be a Prom Student Agent! Anderson Guys can receive your Prom Tuxedo rental for free by sending 10 fellow students to Royal Events & Tuxedos store. See www.royaltuxedo.com, click Austin , click Proms, for details.
Reserve your tux or design your dress TODAY at 7930 Burnet Road, #200 (by Houston ’s Restaurant)!
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Parent Book Study Continues
All parents are invited to join in on the weekly book study of Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years. So far, we have had between 15 - 20 parents each Friday at our noon gatherings in the Library’s Distance Learning Lab. For more information, please contact Julie Cowan at Jscowan@aol.com. It’s been a great opportunity for sharing and discussion. Please consider joining us.
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Parent Tours-
Parent tours begin this week for parents who will have children entering Anderson High School for the first time in the 2010-11 school year. Please share this schedule with your friends:
Members of the PTSA are offering group tours of the school on the following dates:
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1:15 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 19, 9:30 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 26, 1:15 p.m.
Tours will last approximately an hour. RSVPs are not required. Parents should meet tour guides in the main office. Parents may park across the street in the parking lot of our valued partner in education Westover Hills Church of Christ.
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Calling all adventurous families! Host a Foreign Exchange Student!
Have you ever thought about hosting a foreign exchange student? Well, maybe now it’s time to do it! We’re currently placing exchange students for Fall 2010 or the entire 2010-2011 school year, and we’d love to talk to you about hosting! Our family has hosted several over the past few years, and we have wonderful tales to tell. Currently, we’re seeking a host family for an Italian girl who plays jazz piano, and a Korean girl who plays violin and drums and is very active in her church. Those are just two, though, and we’d love to find the perfect student for you! For more information contact Mary Kahle at 458-5038 or mary@kahle.org.
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Next Anderson Band Booster Association (ABBA) meetings…
February 8, 2010 at 6:30 pm
March 1, 2010 at 6:30 pm
For more information, please check our website www.andersontrojanband.com
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Project ADVANCE
Financial Aid Saturdays - volunteers from area high schools and colleges will be available every Saturday, beginning in February. We will help you fill out the FAFSA and, at some locations, prepare taxes. Schedules are available in the counseling and registrar offices.
More scholarships have been added to Naviance, please make sure students of every grade are checking the list. Most are for seniors, but a handful are for 9-11 graders.
Remember that the format of Naviance has been changed. The same info is there, but it looks quite different. I sent emails about this change, if you did not get them, please log in and ensure that you have an updated email address in Naviance.
Michele Reynolds
Project ADVANCE
(512)414-0551
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HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY to PILLOW ELEMENTARY!
Calling all Pillow graduates! Save the date! Pillow is 40 years old and will celebrate on Thursday, February 11th. Come see old friends and teachers! An Olive Garden dinner is planned, so make plans to join us. Please pass along this info to any other Pillow alumni you know. More info soon! Contact Huddie Murray with questions: 841-4837 hmurray@austinisd.org hwmswim@yahoo.com
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5. We reserve the right to edit all submissions.
Phyllis Woodley, Editor
TrojanTimes
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