From the Desk of Mike Gilbert: Changing the High School Schedule

The cat is out of the bag! On February 2, the High School Site Based Decision Making Team met to discuss options for a new master schedule in the 2005/2006 school year. The current schedule of accelerated block classes has been in place at the high school for nine years. I am asking the team to look at options that will give our students the best chance of high achievement on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Test (TAKS). The first meeting ran about two hours and fifteen minutes, and all members were able to express their views about the current schedule and possible alternative schedules. At the end of the meeting I asked each member to go out and look for ideas to improve our schedule. Team members were given several characteristics that I felt were essential parts of any new schedule.

• Students need to be in class all year long.
• Students need to be able to maintain at least two extracurricular interests for all four years of high school.
• The new schedule should not dramatically increase homework or decrease the student's ability to participate in extracurricular activities.
• The schedule will need to be flexible enough to accommodate both TAKS review and remediation without drastic schedule changes.

There are several ways to meet these goals. I know the site base team will be very helpful in coming up with a good fit for Spring Hill High School. Obviously, this is a major undertaking, and we will not go into it without careful thought and consideration. The educational needs of our students are always going to be the driving force in the decision-making process. Continue to check the Web site for updates on the schedule. I will make every effort to keep all stakeholders informed as this process unfolds.

Go Panthers!

Mike Gilbert, Principal

With the once in a lifetime opportunity to play on the girls’ varsity basketball team as a freshman, Kelsey Krupa’s positive attitude is a vital part of her contribution to the Lady Panthers. “I was extremely excited and honored to be on the varsity, and kind of nervous at the same time because I wasn’t sure what was going to be expected of me,” Krupa said.

Averaging 10 points per game, Krupa is fulfilling her main duty for the team. “I rely on God to give me the energy and ability I need, so I can give all I have during a game,” she said.

The practices not only give Krupa an opportunity to compete against all of the girls and not just the varsity but also push her to become a better player. Walking in with a big smile on her face, Krupa is always ready to learn and have fun. “I have a lot of fun in practice because I get to be with all the basketball girls and the coaches are always pushing us to become better,” she said.

Krupa believes her dad was a main part of where she is today. When the Krupas moved to Longview from Michigan six years ago, Kelsey’s dad introduced her to the sport and did not force or put any pressure on her to play. “My dad has encouraged me not only to be successful but also to be a child of God. I love him so much and thank him for that,” she said.

Krupa is currently an active member in band, the flag line, athletics, FCA, Alpine Church of Christ youth group and choir.

“I like to be involved because I love to be busy and it is very fun, and I like to meet new people,” she said. After high school Krupa plans to attend college and hopefully have a basketball scholarship. “I want to get a scholarship to a great college, but I am not sure which one though,” she said.

“I have a lot of confidence that we will go far this season. Everyone has been working extremely hard and I am very proud of the success we have made,” she said.

Rushing from the junior high campus to the high school, Paige Childers, a 1992 SHHS graduate, temporarily served three campuses as counselor until a replacement was hired for the junior high and middle school position. She is taking the place of the previous high school counselor Peggy Whiteman.

"It's been a little hectic so far, but it's going well," Childers said. "I think in the long-run I'll enjoy working with older students and the issues that they face."

Childers expects a long and prosperous career at the high school. She would like to re-establish a relationship with her former students this year. She is hoping for high school to be fun, exciting and a rewarding experience.

"She was my counselor in eighth grade, so when I moved here that year, she was the first person I talked to other than the people in the office," sophomore Melissa Eades said. "She was very welcoming and that made me a little less nervous about coming to a new school."

Sophomores and freshman had Childers as their counselor during seventh and eighth grades. According to Eades, Childers would be a good replacement since she is familiar with many of the students.

At the junior high and middle school Childers was the TAKS coordinator, 504 coordinator and Forever Friends coordinator. She also counseled students, dealt with student schedules, and with Character Education for the fifth grade. Now she will be helping students and changing schedules for freshman, sophomore, and juniors at the high school.

When she helped students, they felt comfortable with her, because everything they talk about is confidential, and she is not their disciplinarian, which makes the students more relaxed. Childers treated all students the same no matter what grades they were making. Although she is still in the same school district the challenge will be a new campus and a new atmosphere.

Childers has been a Spring Hill employee since the 1999-2000 school year, when she began a two-year stint as a teacher in the high school business department. Prior to that, she was a teacher in the Pine Tree school district. Childers lives in the Spring Hill district with her husband and two-year-old daughter.

Spring Hill FCA Christmas Miracle
submitted by Rusty Robinett

On a night with a 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes completed a fund-raiser, under an umbrella of prayers, to raise money for a needy family.

For the annual Christmas party, the FCA broke up into small groups and ventured into the community asking for coats, clothing, toys, or donations for a needy family in the community. The groups went door-to-door in neighborhoods for about an hour-and-a-half.

"I was really glad I went because I always love the opportunity to help someone else," Vanessa Butler said. "The fact that the rain held off until all of the groups had finished collecting and returned to the fieldhouse was an answer to prayers."

As the last group finished collecting, the anticipated rain began to pour. The FCA set a premature goal of $500, but before the night was over we acquired $1300 for the family.

"God taught us a lesson, not to put a limit on what he can do," FCA Coordinator Rusty Robinett said. "It is really neat when God uses you."

After more than doubling the goal, the group decided to adopt three families instead of two. That just happened to be the last family on the list that no one had adopted.


Manufacturing System Class Ships Pens Overseas
submitted by Ryan Dangel of The Panther's Paw

High school's manufacturing systems classes are participating in the nationally sponsored Freedom Pen Program. The program will help to support our troops, serving in harms way overseas, by sending hand-made wooden ballpoint pens to them.

The pens are made of walnut wood from East Texas. The middle of the pen is made of red, white, and blue corian. The kits are provided through donations from Sawmill Creek Woodworkers.

"I see this project as a great teaching tool and a good opportunity to do something for someone who is helping to preserve our way of life," manufacturing systems teacher Jack Davis said. "It also will give me the chance to teach my students to use the mini lathe."

The school will receive national recognition for participating in the Freedom Pen Program. To achieve this goal all 17 students in the manufacturing systems classes will be participating.

"I think that it is a really cool idea because we get to do something for our troops that are fighting for us far away," senior Brandon Taylor said. "It's also been a really fun and interesting experience."

The programs goal is to ship 150,000 pens overseas. So far approximately 80,000 pens have been shipped. The program is also planning to eventually send a pen to every military personel including veterans.

"Every Freedom Pen that is delivered overseas will serve as a constant reminder to our troops that they are not alone and they will continue to have our continued support until everyone returns safely home." Davis said.


Prom Information
submitted by Mary Lou Berlin

Please note the following 2005 prom information for juniors and seniors.

Prom Date: Friday, May 6, 2005
Location: Maude Cobb Convention Center
Time: 8:30 – 12:00 midnight
Checks payable to: Spring Hill Prom Committee

Payments may be made to Mrs. Berlin (library) during A or B lunch; if Mrs. Berlin is not in the library, leave a note on the clipboard or see Mrs. Willeford (office). Mrs. Berlin will issue a receipt for prom payment.

All juniors and seniors planning to attend the prom will pay $50 or the scheduled fee as shown below. $20 will be the cost for dates that are not Spring Hill juniors or seniors.

Prom Payments and Deadlines:

Wednesday, January 5 – Monday, January 31, 2005 - $50
Prom payment increases $5 each month.
Tuesday, February 1, 2005 – Monday, February 28, 2005 - $55
Tuesday, March 1, 2005 – Thursday, March 31, 2005 - $60
Friday, April 1, 2005 – Friday, April 29, 2005 - $65
$20 for dates that are not a Spring Hill junior or senior
Friday, April 22, 2005 – Last day for a REFUND of money paid for prom.

For more information: Contact Mrs. Berlin 903-323-7862


BIMM Class Completes First Projects of Semester
submitted by Laura Jordan

Students in Business Image Management and Multimedia have completed their first series of projects utilizing Adobe PhotoShop. The required projects included designing mock magazine covers and CD jackets. Students also completed self-portraits and various photo restoration and colorization projects, as well as photo art and composite photos.

Blake Holbert chose to create a sports magazine, using various text effects and photo editing tools to achieve the final product. Brandon superimposed his face upon a famous basketball player's face for a humorous effect.

Other magazine covers created by students included news, music, pet, and fashion magazines. Each finished product reflected the student's individuality as well as his or her PhotoShop skills.


Debate Class Speaking Up
submitted by Ashton Reed of The Panther's Paw

After nineteen years of silence, the debate class is starting up again. 1986 was the last year the course was taught and today government and economics teacher Jeff Sims is taking on the role. “It is overwhelming, I have no prior experience teaching the class. It has been not only a learning experience for the students, but for myself also. The class has been very enjoyable,” Sims said.

Sims expects each student in the class to attend two tournaments before the school year is over. “The students prepare for the tournaments by completing assigned work in and out of the class,” he said. Sims is currently planning for a team to compete in meets this year as well as building a team for next years events. “I am looking forward to the competitions. I hope I’ll be chosen to be on the team,” freshman Lacie Holbert said.

Sims would also like for his students to be more confident in speaking publicly and practice the ability of thinking on their feet. “I joined debate because my mom thought it would be good for me to learn how to speak better in front of people and my sister is the class too,” freshman Kelsey Cheatham said.

A common misconception of debate is that you argue until someone has proven his or her side to be correct. But in class, the students are expected to look up and research their topic in order to have a logical debate. “It’s not just arguing, it’s very educational. We learn our point of view and how to make and present speeches. We have to look up and research all the information ourselves,” freshman Susannah Duncan said.


Art Endeavors
submitted by Howard Dunn

Coca-Cola Art of Harmony
Congratulations to Ashley Rathfon! Ashley is one of 12 finalists out of approximately 2,000 vying for a $5,000 savings bond in the Coca-Cola Art of Harmony Contest themed, "Living in Harmony." Ashley will attend the awards ceremony April 12th in Houston, Texas.

Kilgore College Art Symposium
The Kilgore College Art Symposium was held Friday, February 6, 2004. The symposium provided an opportunity for teachers and students to see a cross section of work from regional schools participating in the high school senior portfolio competition, sponsored by the Kilgore College Art Club. In addition, professional artists and instructors were available for lectures, consultation, and demonstration.

Spring Hill High School seniors that participated in the competition included: Chase Ferguson, Brandon McAnear, and Amanda Reel. Other students in attendance were: Ryan Dangle, Melissa Eades, Saylor Knox, Courtney Kuykendall, Christian Johnston, Jessica Lewis, Katie Pickard, Ashley Rathfon, and Slade Williams.

Advanced Placement Program
This is the first year that Spring Hill art department has participated in the Advanced Placement Program for Drawing. Participating students whose work meets the College Board's criteria will receive three hours of university credit for this weighted course. This is an especially rigorous program for these students. They must put together a portfolio of 24 different drawings demonstrating a variety concepts, media, and approaches. The work will be judged in the categories of breadth, concentration, and quality.

The participating students are Ross Carlisle, Mary Evelyn Coles, Josh Dunaway, Chase Ferguson, Saylor Knox, Courtney Kuykendall, Christian Johnston, Katie Pickard, Ashley Rathfon, and Amanda Reel.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts
The Longview Museum of Fine Arts Student Art Show will be on display from March 12 to April 30th. This competition is open to any student, with a grand prize of $100 for Best of Show. Please see Mr. Dunn, a LMFA board member, for entry forms and rules. The deadline is March 5th.

The LMFA is currently holding its annual membership drive with dues as low as $25. Please see Mr. Dunn.


ARTRAGEOUS Provides Advertising Billboards
submitted by Carol Manley

Spring Hill's Fine Arts Foundation, ARTRAGEOUS, is once again providing the community with three additional advertising billboards. These billboards will be located next to the existing ones in the end zone of Panther Stadium.

ARTRAGEOUS is committed to making the Arts an integral part of our young people's lives through education. We provide opportunities for our children to experience art with talented artists, writers, dancers, etc. that can spark their imagination and creativity in ways not otherwise possible in our current school curriculum.

Currently, billboard advertising is the Foundation's primary fund raiser. If you wish further information about the advertising, and or know of a possible program for us; please contact Amy Curtis @ 297-6566 or Carol Manley @297-3111.

Additionally, ARTRAGEOUS, recently donated $250 to the Longview Symphony in appreciation of their generous time spent with our 4th graders.

If you wish to be removed from this newsletter mailing list, please send an e-mail with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line to newsletter@springhill.esc7.net. Please make sure the FROM address is the same one we mailed so that we can find it in our database. Thank you for helping us serve you better.