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PTJH Fundraiser Winners Enjoy Lunch at Olive Garden |
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Pine Tree Junior High students, teachers, and staff donated a total of $2,700 during the annual PALS fundraiser for the Leukemia
Lymphoma Foundation. The PALS organization at the school sponsored the event and the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant provided the top advisory class with a delicious pasta lunch. Teacher Denise Lee’s advisory qualified as the top fundraising class to win the "Pennies for Pasta" competition. Pizza parties were furnished the second place tie winners in Janet Francisco’s and Clint McMullen’s advisory classes.
The yearly fundraiser helps children who suffer from blood cancer. More information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can be found at www.schoolandyouth.org/ntx. Karen Darby is the junior high sponsor of PALS, the 9th grade Peer Assistance and Leadership service organization.
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PT 8th Grade Win 1st at UIL Meet |
Pine Tree 6th, 7th, and 8th grader UIL academic teams recently garnered numerous awards during the 4A District Academic meet, hosted by Pine Tree. Saturday, April 5, Pine Tree took home first place again this year in overall scores in all three grades making them the UIL District Champions. The winning 8th Grade team consists of Luke Durden, Austin Horton, Harita Koya, Moses Lee, Kristen Ritch, Hannah Robey, Joseph Schaetz, Shelby Soltau, and Kenneth Williams.
"I'm just grateful for our Pine Tree team of teachers and volunteers who helped everything run smoothly," said Pine Tree's Anna Scholl, 8th grade coordinator. "Planning the meet was rather like planning a very large wedding - we had 8 schools participating which meant we had around 200 volunteers and 600 students in addition to any chaperones and parents who came with the schools."
"I'm thrilled that we were able to keep the Pine Tree tradition alive," said Loree Tatum, 7th grade coordinator. "Winning first place again feels so good. I'm happy that all of the hard work and dedication from kids, coaches, and parents paid off."
"I am proud of all involved," said Donna Jones, 6th grade coordinator. "It is exciting to know that my child attends a school that prepares him so well for the future."
"To become the district UIL champs, Pine Tree students dedicated many hours of their own time outside of school to learn about subject areas and skills outside of their normal curriculum," said sixth grade teacher, Kathy Rhodes. "Their commitment to being the best academically year after year is amazing. We are all so proud of our Pine Tree team."
The teacher sponsors are: Art History - Kathy Rhodes; Dictionary Skills - Julie Dieter; Listening Skills - Donna Jones;; Maps, Graphs and Charts - Donna Jones; Math/Science - Susan Sutton; Music Memory - Carolyn Sims; Oral Reading Coaches - Annette Knight, Crista Black; Ready Writing - Ann Ireland; Social Studies - Helen Spanhanks; Spelling -Suzanne Scott; Art & Listening Skills - Sandy Williams; Social Studies & Maps, Graphs, Chart - Tina Burns; Spelling & Dictionary Skills - Jan Riley; Math & Science - Susan Sutton; Ready Writing & Editorial Writing - Caren Barnette; Speaking Events - Loree Tatum. UIL coordinator Scholl appreciates additional help from local businesses including Zaps, Bodacious BBQ, Chik-fil-A, Pizza Hut, Procell's, and Little Ceasar's.
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PT 8th Grade TMSCA Winners |
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The Pine Tree Jr. High Math/Science Team competed and won the overall 2nd place sweepstakes award for 4A at the state TMSCA meet in San Antonio. There were approximately 35 schools competing for the 4A sweepstakes award. The team also won team trophies for all four events. Listed below are the team placements and the four students on each team.
Number Sense – 2nd place team award
Team members: Kenneth Williams, Harita Koya, Shelby Soltau, Lindsey Sutton
Calculator – 2nd place team award
Harita Koya, Shelby Soltau, Megan McNaney, Hannah Robey
Math – 3rd place team award
Harita Koya, Hannah Robey, Amanda Wallin, Jason Zhang
Science – 4th place team award
Luke Durden, Harita Koya, Glen Rowell, Beth Jones
8th – Luke Durden – 4th in Science
Austin Horton – 15th in Number Sense (T)
Harita Koya – 5th in Number Sense, 1st in Calculator, 1st in Math, 7th in Science Moses Lee – 15th in Number Sense (T)
Hannah Robey – 8th in Number Sense, 11th – Calculator, 8th in Math
Joseph Schaetz – 11th in Number Sense
Shelby Soltau – 7th in Number Sense, 8th in Calculator
Kenneth Williams – 3rd in Number Sense | |
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PTJH Band Wins 1st Division at Concert/Sightreading Contest |
The Pine Tree Junior High Band recently won 1st division ratings at the Region IV UIL Band Concert and Sightreading Contest at Spring Hill High School. "We're extremely proud of our students and their accomplishments," said band director Michael Moody. Several band members had previously won first division ratings at the solo/ensemble contest and numerous students earned places in the all region band contest in Texarkana.
The 8th grade band members are Monica Alvarez, Hannah Ashby, Petar Badzic, Raegan Bethard, Jessica Brice, Dustin Burns, Gino Chacon, Lacey Cline, John Cormier, Samantha Crawford, Marvin Curl, Samantha Donnell, Luke Durden, Laura Fish, Lillie Forbis, Austin Fox, Danny Grant, Austin Horton, Joshua Jenkins, Ian Kilmer, Reginald King, Sarah Kingsley, Harita Koya, Faith Lansdale, Skai Levoy, Stephanie Lopez, Reese McKinney, Laycee Meador, Danielle Morales, Kaitlyn Niehaus, Emily Oliver, Copper Points, Kenya Rose, Joseph Schaetz, Rachel Smith, Hannah Sullivan, Morgan Walters, Cassie Weaver, Ashley Wiley, Kenneth Williams, and Staycia Williams. |
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PTJH Band Students Win at Solo/Ensemble and All Region Contests |
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Not only did the 8th grade band win 1st division at the UIL contest in Spring Hill, but the students pictured also won 1st place at the solo/ensemble meet. The other photo (with fewer students) shows several students who won positions at the All Region contest held in Texarkana.
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PTJH Girls' Choir Wins 1st at Contest in White Oak |
The Pine Tree Junior High Advance Choir recently earned a 1st division rating at the UIL concert and sightreading contest held in White Oak. "These girls worked so hard and we are very proud of them," said choir director Clint McMullen.
The following girls make up the awarding winning choir: Roshae Bagley, Echo Bannister, Angel Cawthon, Ashley Chandler, Victoria Coleman, Katrina Currier, Rolonda Davis, Tierra Fryar, Caitlyn Hayworth, Samantha Hutchison, Michaela Jones, Chesney Lockhart, Ashlyn Mayhall, Cemone Palmer, Jennilee Pelofske, Rebekka Price, Tanesha Reeves, Shea Robinson, Kelsey Sanders, Shannon Smith, Harmonie Street, Emil Summerlin, Natalie Tate-Howard, Chelsey Thompson, Tammy Thornburg, and Brittany Williams.
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Ms. Francisco's Advisory Raises Funds for Leukemia |
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In the recent Leukemia Pennies for Pasta fundraiser, Mrs. Francisco's advisory won a pizza party for their help in bringing contributions for a good cause.
The junior high raised $2,700 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation through the PALS fundraiser, sponsored by teacher Karen Darby. "Awesome Job!!" | |
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Mr. McMullen's Advisory Wins Pizza Party for Help Raising Funds |
In the recent Leukemia Pennies for Pasta fundraiser, Mr. McMullen's advisory won the 2nd place pizza party for their help in bringing contributions for a good cause.
The junior high raised $2,700 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation through the PALS fundraiser, sponsored by teacher Karen Darby. "Fantastic Job!!" |
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PTJH Twirlers Win Competitions |
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Two Pine Tree Junior High twirlers garnered awards from recent competitions at MA Dance Championship contests. In the 2008 regional championships, 8th graders Kaitlyn Niehaus and Laura Fish won first place in Dance Twirl at Grapevine and won first runner-up ensemble in Tyler. In Fort Worth, Niehaus and Fish won second place ensemble at the 2008 MA Dance National Championship. Blair Maxwell is the twirler sponsor.
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PTJH One Act Play Wins 1st Place |
The Pine Tree Junior High One Act Play won 1st place at the 17-4A OAP District Contest with the show THE CURIOUS SAVAGE, by John Patrick. The Pine Tree cast members won individual awards. The TECH AWARD went to Brittany Pool; ALL-STAR CAST to Sydney Beckner and Shelby Soltau. Minta Spears won BEST ACTRESS. Six other schools competed for the district title.
Other cast members include: Ruben Requenez, Kenneth Williams, Ashlyn Mayhall, Dustin Kincaide, Rebekah Bobo, Chelsea King, Hayley Cook, Lauren Cude, Sayra Arriaga, Mary Katherine Sinclair and McKinley Lindwall.
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One Act Play Slide Show |
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PTJH Physical Fitness Assessment for Students |
Pine Tree Junior High students recently took part in a state-mandated physical fitness test. The students did sit-ups, push-ups, flexed their backs, ran, reached over their shoulders to touch their hands behind their backs, and measured height and weight. Physical education teachers administered the tests.
During the 80th Legislative Session, Senate Bill 530 was passed, which requires fitness assessment for all students in grades 3 to 12 starting in the 2007-2008 school year. After a thorough review, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) identified FITNESSGRAM as the assessment tool to be used by all districts throughout the state. There are over 1,2000 Texas school districts that will administer the fitness evaluation.
FITNESSGRAM is a health-related fitness assessment tool for grades K-12. It uses criterion-referenced standards called the Healthy Fitness Zones which are based on age and gender and represent the basic levels for good health and fitness in children ages 5 to 17+ years.
The FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment is based not on athletic ability, but on good health. No matter what children grow up to become, they will live happier, more productive lives if they are healthy - and physical fitness is vital to overall health. The FITNESSGRAM provides accurate and reliable information about each student's level of physical fitness. The FITNESSGRAM test (and report) includes a number of different assessments because fitness has multiple components. Some kids may have good muscular fitness but need improvement on aerobic fitness. By having a complete report, parents will know more about their child's overall level of physical condition and how it can be improved.
The goal of the FITNESSGRAM program is to promote regular, enjoyable, physical activity for students so they can reach and maintain a level of physical fitness that will contribute to good health and well-being. FITNESSGRAM helps teachers to determine student needs and guide students in planning personalized physical activity programs. FITNESSGRAM also helps parents/guardians understand their child's needs so they can help the child develop and stick to a plan of regular physical activity - one that's focused on enjoyable activities the child can do throughout his or her life. For more information, visit the following websiteclick on www.fitnessgram.net/texas/ |
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PTJH 8th Grade Girls' Basketball Wins District |
The Pine Tree Lady Pirates "A" team closed out the basketball season by winning the district tournament and being named DISTRICT CHAMPIONS. The 8th grade girls earned a perfect 10-0 in the district games and had a 15-1 overall record. Each girl on the team scored in the district tournament games.
The district champs are: Hannah Robey, Minta Spears, Lauren Cude, Alex Samples, Abbey Popelar, Marti Hatfield, Sara Farley, Dimenya Booker, Whitney Ford, and Jane Anne Blount. Coach Jana Russell is very proud of her team's accomplishments and efforts. |
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PTJH 8th Grader Wins MVP & Receives Scholarship to Basketball Camp |
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Pine Tree 8th grader Minta Spears was recently voted MVP at the Adidas Phenom Regional Basketball Camp in Dallas. Spears received a $500 scholarship to help pay for her camp experience with the best 8th graders from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. Minta won the shooting and ball-handling competitions at camp and will attend the National Phenom Camp in San Diego this summer with 100 girls from all over the country.
"It was a great challenge and a lot of fun for me," said Spears about her MVP win. Minta plays for Team Texas in the Dallas area on the weekends and is the daughter of Randy and Sandy Spears. | |
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PT Debaters Go to National Tournament in June |
Pine Tree’s Austin Whitherspoon and Mackenzie Dunn will compete in the National Forensic League’s National Tournament held in Las Vegas this summer June. Austin and Mackenzie qualified at the UIL-NFL District meet which was held in Tyler Feb. 15. The two students will be competing in Duo Acting at the National level.
The National Forensics League (NFL) is the premier speech and debate honor society in the nation. The NFL boasts members of more than 120,000 high school students each year. Las Vegas has been chosen to host the 2008 national tournament. It will serve as hosts to the national’s top speech and debate competitors from around the country. These students will represent the best and brightest in the nation.
These competitors are the leaders of tomorrow. Former NFL competitors include Oprah Winfrey, Jane Pauley, President Bill Clinton, Senator Harry Reid, Senator Richard Bryan, and numerous politicians, government officials, actors and professional people.
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PTJH Art Students Win Competition |
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Two 9th grade art students at Pine Tree Junior High recently advanced from regional to area in the VASE competition in February. Miranda Samford advanced from regional competition to area with her color pencil rendition of a wicked grandmother entitled "Grandma's House." Susan Kim advanced from area to state competition in April with her self-portrait named "Contrast."
The Visual Arts Scholastic Event state contest will be held at the University of Houston. PTJH art teacher Amy Brown is proud of her students' accomplishments. Click on VASE website for more information.
At the state contest, Susan and Mrs. Brown will attend professional workshops, lectures, with slide presentations and outdoor sketching demonstrations. The event is intended to provide a forum for art teachers and students to meet and grow artistically and personally. | |
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PTJH 8th Graders Learn Paper Mache |
PTJH 8th grade art students (instructed by teacher Tammy Holmes) create paper mache animals using newspaper strips and glue.
Student creates kangaroo. |
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Student creates Speedy Gonzales cartoon character. |
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8th Graders create bear, dog, and mink. |
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PTJH 9th Graders Win at Area Meets |
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Several Pine Tree Junior High 9th graders have won events in their area invitational meets to prepare for the yearly UIL and TMSCA competitions in March. In November, the freshman Pine Tree math-science team placed 1st in the large school division at the Daingerfield meet. Individual winners in Daingerfield were: Pooja Reddy – 1st science, 2nd calculator, 3rd number sense, 5th math; Shereef Elhalwagi - 1st number sense, 2nd math, 4th science; Molly McGuire - 1st calculator, 2nd number sense, 3rd math; Josh Schulik - 1st math, 3rd calculator, 3rd science, 4th number sense.
At the Spring Hill competition in December, the PT 9th grade winners were: Shereef Elhalwagi - 1st number sense and math; Josh Schulik – 1st in calculator and science; 4th number sense; Susan Kim – 2nd math; Molly McGuire – 2nd science, 3rd number sense, calculator, and calculator; Pooja Reddy - 2nd in number sense and calculator; 4th in math and science. The math-science team won the Division I sweepstakes at the Spring Hill meet.
In January the freshman winners at the Ore City contest were: Shereef Elhalwagi – 1st number sense and math, 3rd science; Pooja Reddy – 1st calculator and science, 2nd number sense and math; Susan Kim – 2nd science, 3rd math. The math-science team won 1st place at the invitational.
High school math teacher Bonnie Edmund is the 9th grade coach. The University Interscholastic League and Texas Math and Science Coaches Association sponsor the competitions to prepare students for the meets. | |
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9th Grade Wins Race in PALS Collection for PT Families |
Members of the PALS service organization at Pine Tree Junior High School recently collected money for local families through donations from students and staff. Chain links and gift cutouts were posted on the snowmen in the cafetorium so students could watch the competition between 8th and 9th graders.
When all donations were counted, the 9th graders had given more money for local families. The 8th graders furnished $182 while the 9th graders collected $237. The PALS group donated $281 to create a grand total of $700 for needy Pine Tree families. “We are very proud of this year’s competition and contributions,” PALS sponsor Karen Darby said.
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PTJH Christmas Artwork |
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Artwork shown in the junior high foyer depicts a boy watching Santa as he flies through the air. Artwork created by 9th graders Dylan Bailey and Ryan Gillam. As in years past, the student council decorated the foyer. | |
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PTJH Foyer Decorated for Christmas |
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PT Education Foundation Donates Microscopes to PTJH Science Labs |
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Science classes at Pine Tree Junior High are enjoying their two new monocular microscopes that were donated through the Pine Tree Education Foundation. A 2007 grant furnished 8th and 9th graders the microscopes to enable more students to gain first-hand experience in locating, focusing, and viewing specimens of plant and animal cells, fungus, rocks, and protists (one-cell organisms). Some labs require the students to identify organisms in pond water, mosses, ferns, roots, leaves, and blood cells of goldfish. Lead teacher Ivy Crawford submitted the grant through the school’s Education Foundation. For more information about making tax-free donations to Pine Tree classrooms, visit the PT Foundation’s website at: www.ptedfoundation.org/ | |
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ExxonMobil Donates Microscopes to PTJH Science |
ExxonMobil recently presented Pine Tree Junior High with a grant for a monocular microscope and a binocular stereo microscope for the 8th and 9th grade science classes. The microscopes are welcome additions to the school’s laboratories where students examine plant and animal cells, water organisms, vegetation, roots, leaves, mosses, ferns, and goldfish blood cells. Also donated were special slides for viewing living organisms such as protist (one-cell organism) locomotion in pond water and hydra feeding on daphnia. Lead teacher Ivy Crawford submitted the ExxonMobil grant for the science department including teachers Tina Burns, Karen Darby, Staci Henderson, Cyndy Herman, and Stephanie Lindwall. |
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PTJH Crimestoppers Collect Toys for Blue Santa |
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Pine Tree Junior High students and faculty recently donated new toys and over $400 to add to the Longview Police Department's “Blue Santa” collection. Local officers will recommend assistance for some families they have met throughout the year. The PTJH Crimestoppers gathered toys and monetary donations so each child will receive an average of three toys.
For more information about the “Blue Santa” project, visit the Longview Police Department's website at www.longviewpolice.com. Donations can be taken to the police department at 302 West Cotton Street or to several other locations listed on the website. Officer Roger Askew and teacher Tammy Holmes are sponsors of the PTJH Crimestoppers.
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PTJH Health Students Learn CPR |
Health teachers Lee Berry and Sandy Williams recently taught CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to their health classes in the gym. Students used mannequins and a video to learn the important technique in saving lives. |
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8th & 9th Graders Learn CPR |
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PTJH History Students See Civil War Re-Enactment |
Several members of Terry’s Texas Rangers showed Pine Tree 8th graders how soldiers took care of their weapons, horses, and themselves during the Civil War. Captain Jim Perry’s team spent all day at the campus giving history lessons about the soldiers. High school history classes also viewed the encampment as well as a “charge” demonstrated by the soldiers. The students were amazed at the primitive conditions of Civil War soldiers when they heard how horse hair was used as suture thread and hardtack replaced bread. The members of Terry’s Texas Rangers are from Lindale, Sulphur Springs, Tyler, Arp, Texarkana, and Laird Hill. For more information about scheduling a re-enactment, contact Jim Perry at 903-882-6330. In 1861 the original Terry’s Texas Rangers group was formed in Houston by Benjamin Franklin Terry. Read more about this group at www.terrystexasrangers.org/
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Terry's Texas Rangers "Charge"
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Civil War Soldiers Show How Horses Were Used In War |
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Veteran's Day Poster at PTJH |
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In honor of Veteran's Day, two PTJH teachers created a flag commemorating Veteran’s Day. Evelyn Tenner (History Department) supplied the idea of using the flag, with the names of battles representing the red stripes. Tammy Holmes (Art Department), with the help of two students, Nathan Wood and Mary Madison Crowson, designed the flag, cut the letters, and did the painting.
This flag is displayed in the front foyer of Pine Tree Junior High.
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9th Grader Blake Dickerson Wins Contest |
9th grader Blake Dickerson placed 3rd in the graphic arts division of the Arts in Character contest sponsored by the LongView Partnership, Chick Fil-A, and several area banks. Blake's project depicted "Joy" with a flying kite and he earned a $50 cash prize for the design. Several area high school students entered the contest. |
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Dickerson's Contest Winner |
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PTJH 8th Grader Kristin Burns Wins Veteran Essay Contest. |
As a tribute to veterans who served or are currently serving in the United States armed forces, the Veterans Services Department of East Texas Workforce Center in Tyler recently sponsored their annual essay contest. Pine Tree 8th grader Kristin Burns won the first prize of a $50 gift card with her moving essay. All compositions were titled “What Being a Military Veteran Means to Me” and all entries were created by 7th and 8th graders. The winning essays are tributes to veterans and were posted in the East Texas Workforce Center during November. |
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Harlem Rockets Visit PTJH |
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“Two members of the Harlem Rockets trick and street basketball team recently visited Pine Tree Junior High with a crowd-pleasing exhibition and a message to say "No" to drugs. Formed in 1993, the Rockets tour the nation with their unique combination of basketball skills, zany comedy, and audience participation. The group is comprised of former college and professional basketball stars who work with schools and civic organizations to present a positive message about education, goal-setting, and avoiding the hazards of drugs and alcohol.
Team members range from 6'2" to 7' tall and all are college-educated players who advise students to study, do their homework, and work hard to become the best they can be. Ricky "7 Footer" Lopes challenged Pine Tree's 8th and 9th graders to listen to their teachers and not be tricked by others to indulge in drugs and alcohol. Lopes said, "Education will support you and help you achieve your dreams." Team member Avery "Slick" Stevenson showed the audience some trick shots and the audience enjoyed seeing several teachers interact with the two players. More information about the team can be found at www.harlemrockets.com
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PTJH 8th Grader Selected for Lone Star Leadership Academy |
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Pine Tree 8th grader Jared Smart was chosen to participate in the 2007 summer Lone Star Leadership Academy program. Smart was among other outstanding 5th-8th grade students from across the state to tour Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston/Galveston as part of the Education in Action's summer academy.
Other Pine Tree middle school students selected were Jacob King, Mallory Knapp, and Slade Parker. Selection for the academy is based on a student's academic success and leadership abilitiy, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities.
During the weeklong Lone Star Leadership Academy programs, students join other distinguished students from across the state to develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas. Participants visit historically, politically, scientifically, and environmentally significant sites including the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District and Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza (Dallas/Fort Worth program), the offices of their state legislators, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, a rafting program and a cowboy cookout (Austin program), NASA, the Houston Ship Channel, San Jacinto Battleground Monument and Moody Gardens (Houston/Galveston program). Career speakers introduce participants to a wide variety of unique career and internship opportunities.
The Lone Star Leadership Academy provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about the spirit of Texas and what it truly means to be from the lone star state. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity, and practice presentation skills in leadership groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students from across the state of Texas and make new friends as they develop leadership skills.
For more information about Education in Action or the Lone Star Leadership Academy, visit www.educationinaction.org or call 817-285-8961.
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PTJH Spanish Students Win Cinco de Mayo Contest |
Pine Tree Junior High Spanish classes displayed Cinco de Mayo posters in the school's foyer this month to commemorate the victory of Mexicans over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. All Spanish students worked on the posters for several days and judges selected the winners. Spanish teachers are Jo Ann Huckaby, Patricia Garner, Kelly Peterson, and Giannina Phelps. Ms. Garner's fifth period class won the contest. |
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