Friday, August 24 - A Good Week

We had a good week at Tatum Primary.

On Wednesday, we took the kids to the Computer Lab for their technology period, and the kids got to work on the computers for the first time this year.

On Thursday, we did work which highlighted the letter "B"- They did a cut-and-paste craft where they made a "B" out of a bat and ball, and they glued buttons to the letter "B" making an artistic design out of the letter.

The Tatum Eagles football coach and four of his players came and visited with the students Friday. The coach initiated a weekly contest for the best kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade students of that week of a home football game to earn the following:

TATUM EAGLE FOOTBALL

WHO’S THAT EAGLE

Principals,

This is a program designed to reward one student (boy or girl) from each grade level K-5.  Please get with your grade level teachers to determine how your student will be selected.  Please, use your own standards when choosing a child for this honor whether it be grades, attendance, character, or overall improvement.  You will need to select a student the week of every home football game.  I will need an email sent to me by 10 am Wednesday the week of the game with the student names from each grade level and a few comments about those students.  Three seniors from the team and myself will be at your campus sometime between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm on that Thursday to present each student selected with their own t-shirt and recognize them in front of their class.  We will ask them to wear their shirt to the game Friday night, which will get them and their parents into the game FREE!  At the beginning of halftime we will have them lined up by grade level and introduced.  During their introduction they will come to the three seniors and myself for a high-five for a job well done and quick photo!  We are looking forward to the season and getting to meet all the great students on your campuses.  This program hopefully helps you in the classrooms and it helps me instill the true meaning of why we really do what we do.  

Thanks for your help,

Darren Hylander

WHO’S THAT EAGLE ANNOUNCEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At this time we would like to honor those students who have been selected for tonight’s “Who’s That Eagle”.  This program is designed to reward one student, boy or girl, from each grade level K through 5.  Each student was nominated for outstanding leadership, effort, attitude, and great character within the classroom.  Most importantly these kids love to do the Right Thing.  We now direct your attention to the 30 yard line as we present tonight’s “Who’s That Eagle”:

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade   

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Of course, all of the kids are excited about that!

The kids also created a school bus out of a twinkie cake and small oreo cookies to further learn that the word "bus" starts with the letter B. Then, of course, they ate up their school buses!

One of my duties is to accompany a couple of 1st grade students out to the playground for recess, and we've been having fun with that, building towers with blocks and knocking them down-

Of course, I'm back to having bus duty at the end of school- I haven't done bus duty since my 6th or 7th year at LHS-

And that was the week-

Monday, August 20 The Second Week Begins

The Second Week Begins-

I didn't post anything last Thursday or Friday because my grandkids and I were in mourning: our dog, Jacob, passed away Wednesday evening. It's still a mystery as to how he died, because he was fine when I came home at lunchtime and spoke to him. But that evening, he obviously was not well and he died shortly there after.

It's just not the same not seeing him every morning, afternoon, and evening-

Jacob will be MISSED-

                                                                                             *

The fourth school day was spent getting our students used to our (and theirs) routine. After all the kids arrive, we eat breakfast. Then we go back to the classroom and basically do exercises to songs which have to do with colors, days-of-the-week, numbers, etc. Then we have math work or coloring pages for them to do. The coloring pages are usually about rules, how to act in the classroom and in public, and how to carry and take care of oneself. The kids then have a 15-minute morning recess where we take them out to the playground and let them swing on the swings and climb the playground tower/slides. After that, we go back to class, give them some water, and the kids go work/play in their workcenters.

About this time, I go take a couple of 1st grade students to recess. These students who are wheelchair-bound are sweet as can be, and although it has been hot outside, I've enjoyed taking the students outside and helping them to have fun with their peers.

After that, it's my lunch break. My students have lunch at this time also, and then after lunch, it's rest time. After the rest time, the kids are taken to their "specials" (PE, Art, Music, etc.).

Then we have Social Studies and Science time, the kids have a 15-minute afternoon recess, then we may watch a few learning videos while the kids drink some water and relax.

Then at 3:00, it's time to take the kids to their bus and/or parents and the day officially ends-

Until the next day...and it starts all over again!

Exercise and Circle Time!

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The kids work on learning crafts.

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Morning Recess Time

The kids enjoy getting on the swings!

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The principal speaks to the 1st graders and engages them in a dance!

Wednesday, August 15 - The First Day of School!

The First Day of School!

Today is Wednesday, August 15th- It is almost 6:30pm as I type this right now-

Today was the first time I've ever: 1. worked at a primary/elementary school; 2. worked at the same school that my grandkids attend; 3. went home on my lunch break in less than two minutes; 4. truly enjoyed a stress-free first day of school!

My day went like this:

7:30am - Arrive at work, clock in, go to classroom
8:00am - After the kids arrive on the bus, get them situated, then get ready to take them to eat breakfast
8:10am - Breakfast, Met some of the kids' parents and families
8:30am - Exercise
9:00am - Recess
9:30am - Work Time/Restroom
10:00am - Circle time
11:00am - Lunch
11:30am - Kids' Lunch
12:15pm - Rest Time
12:45 pm - Specials / PE
1:45 pm - Recess
2:00 pm - Social Studies/ Science
3:00 pm - Prepare to dismiss/ take kids to bus
3:15 pm - Bus Duty

I got kinda worn out, but I chalk that up to it being the first day and not really knowing what to expect-

All in all, it was a great first day and I think it's gonna be a GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!

Tuesday, August 14 - Back to the Old School

"Back To The Old School!"

Today we spent the day getting ready for the first day of school which is TOMORROW. (August 15th) We finished doing bulletin boards, putting together centers, getting paperwork printed, letters and numbers cut out, and rooms cleaned and arranged.

Since we had stayed for Meet The Teacher night the day before, we got to leave 2 hours earlier than usual today.

So, I spent my two hours in Longview running a few errands and going "Back to the Old School" to tell some of my former colleagues and friends goodbye.

Goodbye to:

Arbee Fuller- Don't let them work you too hard- because it's probably gonna happen-

Ms. Pierson- Stay sane as best as you can- It's up to you to hold up the inclusion department, since it's you and basically four new people-

Ms. McCoy- Have a great school year and take care of Ms. Pierson-

Ms. Liz- Just like you'll always be a red Wolf, I'll always be a LOBO- (I'm exiled)

Coach Lashley, Coach Ashley, Coach Kalmus- I enjoyed working in your classes with my students- I learned more about World Geography and World History than I ever did before, and I'm really going to MISS being in your classes and watching ya'll teach-

Ms. Hatten- Don't ever change- :-)

Mrs. Renee Sanders- I'm glad I got to know you and thank you for being such a positive and uplifting person!

Mrs. Houston- Have a great school year and congratulations!

Mrs. Annie Roberts- Have a wonderful school year and stay positive-

Coach Clay- You and I started together at LHS 14 years ago, now it's just you- take care-

Mr. Zapata- Hope you have a great school year-

Mrs. Jackie- If you're still there, have a great school year-

Mr. Moody- Stay cool!

A lot of my other colleagues have already left the building, so to speak, but I'll miss working with them, too- Especially Mrs. Nellie, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Vicky White, Mrs. Fran, Ms. Yameka, Mrs. Shawn, Ms. Pam, Ms. Shadonna, Ms. Manning, Mr. Davis, Coach Borens, Ms. Letzo, Coach Roberts, Mrs. Nakena, Mrs. Jacquez, Mrs. Jones, Ms. James, Mrs. Winningham, Coach Booker, Mrs. Newhouse, Ms. Lee, and of course, last and definitely not least, Mrs. Wheeler-Earl!

And I'd like to give a special thanks and congratulations to my supervisor for those 14 years, Mrs. Vonda White. She announced her retirement this past July, and I didn't get a chance to attend her retirement party, but I'd like to thank her for the opportunity to work at the high school for 14 years, for the support that was given by her, and for doing a job that not many can do or truly appreciate. Thank you-

Now, it's on to Tatum and Tatum Primary! 

Monday, August 13 - Meet The Teachers Night

Today we got ready for:

Meet the Teacher Night!


The day began with the entire faculty and staff taking group pictures out front and out on the playground. It took awhile for everyone to get positioned...

But once everyone was in the right spot, the pictures were taken.

Then we all went back inside and got busy with setting up our rooms, decorating the hallway, and just making sure everything looked decent-

I'll be working with Mrs. Kirk, Ms. Brooke, and Mrs. Whitney- I think we're going to make an excellent team! They all know what they're doing and want what's best for the kids- They all have kids themselves so they can relate to our students and their needs. I'm blessed to be able to work with them. :-)

Then, it was time to roll out the red carpet and welcome our students (including my grandkids, Aaliyah and Alijah) and parents back to school!

Umm, sorry- I forgot to take some pictures!

But it was a great evening and I cannot remember being this ready to kick off the school year!