February 3, 2017 Volume 5: Issue 15 Palestine Independent School District Inside this issue: Athletics 2 Campus Happenings 3-8 TACE 9-14 Wildcat Weekly from the Superintendent: Jason Marshall Looking Forward 15 UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, February 6 5:00p Jr. High Girls & Boys Basketball vs. Athens (Girls Home/Boys Away) 5:00p Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Robert E. Lee 6:30p Girls JV1 Soccer vs. Robert E. Lee Tuesday, February 7 5:00p Northside TACE Paint Night 5:00p Girls & Boys F/JV/V Basketball vs. Fairfield (Home-Senior Night) 5:30p Boys JV1 & 2 Soccer vs. Pittsburg (Away) Thursday, February 9 5:00p Girls JV2 Soccer vs. Carlisle Friday, February 10 End of 4th Six Weeks 5:00p Boys V Soccer vs. Port Arthur Saturday, February 11 7:30a ACT Testing I was in Austin earlier this week for the Texas Association of School Administrators' midwinter conference. In doing so, I was able to visit with our Texas Senator Robert Nichols and our Texas House Member Byron Cook. Additionally, I was able to attend several meetings specifically geared toward current legislative topics. The bad news is that "all" of our elected officials are saying that the 2017-18 A-F Accountability Rating is not going away. Secondly, there is no additional money projected for Texas schools over the next two years. And, in spite of the fact that Texas public schools were strongly represented in Austin this week, the Texas Senate rolled out its school choice (voucher) legislation. If there is any good news, it is in the fact that "all" Texas legislators are interested in seeing that the Commissioner of Education makes significant changes to the A-F plan. And, there is still time for us to make our voices heard. To share your thoughts on this topic or others that affect education you can reach the following elected officials by phone: Representative Byron Cook: 512-463-0730 Senator Robert Nichols: 512-463-0103 National Signing Day for PHS Seniors The Palestine Wildcats were super excited and proud this week as four seniors signed letters of intent to play college football. Congratulations and good luck to each athlete as they continue on to the collegiate level playing the sports they love. From left to right: Edward Reese - Trinity Valley Community College - Athens, Texas Jake Neal Trinity Valley Community College - Athens, Texas Quinn Tinley - University of Texas at Permian Basin - Odessa, Texas Jhamonte Milton - Grand View University - Des Moines, Iowa PHS Alumni Dinner I was proud to be among many of Palestine ISD s great alumni at the Palestine High School Alumni Association annual dinner on Friday, January 27th. Judge Bascom W. Bentley, III, was honored as the PHSAA 2017 Distinguished Alumnus for his many accomplishments. Judge Bentley graduated from Palestine High School in 1969, and went on to graduate with a BBA from the University of Texas in 1974, receive his Dr. of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston in 1976, and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1977. We are thankful to Judge Bentley for his years of leadership and service to the residents of Palestine. Thank you to the PHS Culinary Arts Class for their assistance at the PHSAA Alumni Dinner 10:30a Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Hudson Dr. Keven Ellis, State Board of Education: 512-710-7915 Happy 2017!
P a ge 2 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Go Wildcats Athletic Director: Robby Clark Palestine Athletics Basketball The Ladycat Basketball Team hosted Athens in a home game this week that had lots of meaning for both programs. The team didn't disappoint as they came away with a solid home win 66-44. This win clinches us a playoff spot for the second straight year in our program and this week s win gave us more than the previous year. We still have two games and are playing for seeding now. Destiny Mathews continues her all-state pace with 26 points. Jaila Cook had 18 points and Jessie Storment had 11 points. Their spark got us going as a team. JV LADYCATS lost a heartbreaker 34-35. Both teams played well and very hard. Fun game to watch! Next game is tonight at Mexia. Coach Ross The Freshmen Boys Basketball Team absolutely dominated Athens 64-25. They played great defense and executed on offense. Players of the Game: Dekedryn Butler - 15pts, Aaron Deckard - 11 pts/15 rebounds The JV Boys played an awesome game vs. Athens this week. Everyone contributed and played good defense in the 72-54 win. The Varsity Boys played an exciting game vs. Athens that came down to the last shot. End score was 75-72. Behind the scoring of Claude Rodgers (18) Eric Rhodes (18) Kadarius Spurlock (18) Kameron Hamilton (11) the Wildcats went back and forth with the Hornets. I was proud of how hard our guys played and how they keep coming to practice and trying to improve. We play Mexia tonight and have to get a win to stay in the playoff hunt. Coach Johnson Soccer The Varsity Girls Soccer Team traveled to Lindale, TX this week to play a soccer match. Varsity came home with a 4-0 Win! The lady cats did an amazing job and outplayed their opponent. Goal scorers were: Lauryn James, Madison Munoz, and Olivia Cone with two goals. The assists were from Iris Chavez and Olivia Cone with two assists. Outstanding performance by our defenders: Isabel Garcia, Yaneli Casas, and Catie Martinez The Ladycat record is 6-6-4 as the team gets ready for district play. Coach Luis Hernandez The Wildcat Soccer Team hosted the 5A Jacksonville Indians this week and came away with a very convincing 5-0 win. Your Wildcats were ranked #1 in the state by Maxpreps this week and have an overall record of 15 wins, 1 lose and 1 tie. Goals last night were scored by Riley Harper, Chris Giron, Humberto Mendoza, Edgar Ayala and Miquel Alejo. Assists were made by Chris Giron, Frank Durugbor, Riley Harper and Edgar Ayala. Once again the defense was outstanding and had their 9th shutout of the season. Christian Hutchinson had a fantastic night in the goal with outstanding defense by Malachi Musil, David Egbe, Cruz Alejo and Frank Durugbor. The Wildcats return to action against Port Arthur Hope on February 10th at Wildcat Stadium. Please come out and support the #1 team in the state!! Coach Absalom Tennis The Palestine Tennis Team competed in their first tournament at Hallsville last week. It was a great start to the season with most players winning three of four matches. Coach Tyler Softball Softball has begun and we are very excited about the season at every level and look forward to the improvement we are going to see throughout the season. Coach Kym Chapa
P a ge 3 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Palestine High School Principal: Dr. William Stewart Several of the JH and HS Wildcat Choir members competed at the UIL Solo & Ensemble vocal competition this past Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th in Whitehouse. At the HS level, Jessica Valencia, Chloe Boyce, and Allyson Byrd scored Superior ratings and will advance to State competitions in May. At the JH level, Traeveona Hamilton, Paige Minerly, Heather Moore, Hannah Raymond, Katelyn Tatum, and Katie Wheat also scored Superior ratings. The following JH students: Fatima Garcia, Sara Griffith, and Emy Nicholson and HS students: Monia Bradford, Erika Diaz, Erika Mejia, Kelly Pham, Joy Ruffin, Destiny Williams, and Rebecca Zepeda performed extremely well and scored high considering the difficulty of their songs. Future Farmers of America presenting at the PHS Showcase. Culinary Arts had an incredible time learning from Mrs. Natalie Byrd of Palestine Painted Cookie.
P a ge 4 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Palestine Junior High School Principal: Stephen Cooksey Students in Mrs. Aylor s 8th grade class are working on moon phases and demonstrating them with Oreo cookie models. Mr. Sloan s STEM class is learning about the circulatory system and the organ system. They learned to take blood pressure by practicing in small groups.
P a ge 5 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 A.M. Story Intermediate Principal: Jaime Clark Mr. Buell with the Story Robotics Team that placed first at the VEX IQ Robotics Tournament in Terrell, Texas. Wednesday was College Day! We LOVE our Story students! All smiles at breakfast! Our Music Teacher, Mrs. Bell, welcoming Lori Camacho to Story Intermediate! Mrs. Camacho is our new Art Teacher!
P a ge 6 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Southside Elementary Principal: Melissa Molandes Southside students enjoying the Incentive Party Hunt Mason says, It pays to get an E in Conduct! Southside students wear orange for Fairness during Character Education. 100 Days of School We ve been bugging Mr. Richardson for 100 days, but who s counting? I am, said Mr. Richardson.
Page 7 Wildcat Weekly Volume 5: Issue 15 Northside Primary Principal: Barbara Dutton Northside celebrated the 100th Day of School on Wednesday, February 1st. Students made their own 100th Day T-Shirts. Teachers joined the fun as well!
P a ge 8 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Washington E.C.C. Principal: Sheila Bradley Winter Ball
P a ge 9 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 PALESTINE ISD TACE Northside Primary TACE Center Students and parents enjoyed practicing the art of painting Snowmen at TACE Paint Night.
P a ge 10 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 PALESTINE ISD TACE Southside Elementary TACE Center Journaling Mrs. Ballard working with students during Brick Lab. Cooking Grilled Ham & Cheese!
P a ge 11 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 PALESTINE ISD TACE A.M. Story Intermediate TACE STEM Center Robotics in Action Students using their creative side
P a ge 12 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 PALESTINE ISD TACE Palestine Junior High School TACE STEM Center PJH students are honing in on skills using Compass Learning while integrating technology. Bass Masters is in full swing with knot rod and reel challenges. The Sweet Rules class makes no bake cookies while learning about etiquette.
P a ge 13 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 PALESTINE ISD TACE Palestine High School TACE College & Career Readiness Center PHS TACE Chem Club making bath bombs for Valentine s Day. PHS TACE Aaron Jackson shows chemistry club The Electric Pickle.
P a ge 14 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15
P a ge 15 Wildcat Weekly V olume 5: I ss u e 15 Looking Forward February 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 6:00p Athletic Banquet for Fall Sports @ PHS Auditorium 3 5:00p Girls JV/V Basketball vs. Mexia (Away) 5:00p Boys F/JV/V Basketball vs. Mexia (Away) 5:00p Girls JV2 Soccer vs. Madisonville (Away) 6:00p Boys JV1 Soccer vs. Carlisle 4 5 6 5:00p JH Girls & Boys Basketball vs. Athens (Girls Home/ Boys Away) 5:00p Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Robert E. Lee 6:30p Girls JV1 Soccer vs. Robert E. Lee 7 5:00p Northside TACE Paint Night 5:00p Girls & Boys F/JV/V Basketball vs. Fairfield (Home- Senior Night) 5:30p Boys JV 1&2 Soccer vs. Pittsburg (Away) 8 9 5:00p Girls JV2 Soccer vs. Carlisle 10 End 4th Six Weeks 5:00p Boys V Soccer vs. Port Arthur 11 7:30a ACT Testing 10:30a Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Hudson 12 13 Begin 5th Six Weeks 5:00p JH Boys Basketball vs. Mexia (Away) 6:00p Boys JV1 Soccer vs. Waco 14 4:30p Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Athens (Away) 5:00p Boys JV/V Basketball vs. Madisonville 6:00p Girls JV2 Soccer vs. Navasota 15 16 Flex Day/Student Early Release 11:00a PHS Talent Show 17 Student & Staff Holiday 5:30p Girls V Soccer vs. Cumberland 7:00p Boys V Soccer vs. Cumberland 18 12:00p Boys JV1 Soccer vs. Van 19 20 6:00p Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Carlisle (Away) 7:00p School Board Meeting 21 5:30p Northside TACE Teacher Boot Camp 5:30p Girls JV1 & V Soccer vs. Athens (Away) 22 23 24 5:00p Boys JV1&2 Soccer vs. Waco (Away) 5:30p Girls JV1 & V Soccer vs. Chapel Hill (Away) 25 5:30p Boys JV1 & V Soccer vs. Chapel Hill (Away) 6:00p Boys V Soccer vs. Mineola 26 27 5:30p Boys JV2 Soccer vs. Crockett 28 5:30p Boys JV 1 & V Soccer vs. Athens (Away) 6:30p Band Percussion Concert @ PHS Auditorium 6:00p Girls V Soccer vs. Cumberland 7:00p Girls JV2 Soccer vs. Crockett