It is my hope that everyone has been having a fun, safe, and relaxing summer.  CHS has been pretty boring without all of the students there.  We have a few students who are there either receiving STAAR intervention, or making up credit for classes.  We appreciate all of the students who are there “taking care of business.”

I have spent a large amount of time at conferences learning about how to become a better leader.  The amount of learning I have received has been great!  The first conference I attended was the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).  This conference is mostly for principals and focuses on leadership and curriculum and instruction.  I spent most of my time learning about updates to the STAAR program in Texas as well as technology integration.  The second conference I attended was the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).  This conference was huge!  If you love technology this is your conference.  As most of you know I love technology.  I will admit that it has been hard for me to keep up with all of the changes as it relates to technology, but I am committed to working hard to stay abreast of all of the changes.  My biggest take away from the ISTE conference was that technology is great, but if we do not find a way to properly integrate it into our instruction we are failing our students.

STAAR Update

CHS will host STAAR retests on the following dates:

•  Monday, July 8 – English I/III Writing, TAKS ELA (all day)
• Tuesday, July 9 – English I Reading, TAKS Math (all day)
• Wednesday, July 10 – English II Writing, TAKS Science (all day)
• Thursday, July 11 – English II Reading, TAKS Social Studies (all day)
• Monday, July 15 – Algebra I, 8 a.m.-Noon
• Tuesday, July 16 – Biology, 8 a.m.-Noon

While many of us are spending our time chilling and resting many of our students are still out working hard for Corsicana High School.  The cheerleaders and the Calico dance officers both attended camps in Galveston.  The coaches and directors have been tweeting, facebooking and posting on instagram and vine all of the great pictures and videos.  I can tell that both groups are pumped up about the school year!

Many of our football players are participating in 7 on 7 competition.  I love the excitement that I have seen out of our football players.  I have not had the opportunity to attend any games because I have been out of town, but I have been to workouts and have seen the vine videos that have been tweeted out.  I cannot wait until the football season starts!  I know that our band has also been meeting to get ready for the school year.  The band is growing and will be a force this year.  Go Band!

If you are going somewhere extra special this summer, please let us know.  We want to hear about it!  Tweet me @ONeilCHSprincip!

*Staff I will send you an official letter in mid July via the US Postal Service.  This letter will include information about our beginning of the school year staff development plans, and updated staffing information.

*Parents and students you will receive an official letter in mid-late July via the US Postal Service. This letter will include important information and any updates for the 2013-2014 school year.

Please do not forget to vote for Corsicana High School in the “Best of the Best” competition.  We sure appreciate it.  You can vote through Friday, July 12.  Vote here: Best of the Best

Go Tigers!
Home of Champions!

Herbert