Congratulations UIL Team!

UIL Academic Team - District Competition

The Skidmore-Tynan High School UIL Academic team had excellent results in District 31-2A competition.  The following are the results:

• Samantha Minter – 1^st place headline writing (regional qualifier)
• Zach Guerra – 2^nd place headline writing (regional qualifier)
• D’Anne Wilder – 6^th place headline writing
• D’ Anne Wilder – 1^st place News writing (regional qualifier)
• Sal Soto – 3^rd place News writing (regional qualifier)
• Haley Scott – 6^th place Editorial Writing
• Amber Hughlett – 2^nd place Ready Writing (regional qualifier)
• Amber Hughlett – 4^th place Prose
• Shiloh Dial – 6^th place Prose
• Reid Carillo – 6^th place Informative Speaking
• Ben Krueger – 1^st place Number Sense (regional qualifier)
• Jose Luna – 2^nd place Number Sense (regional qualifier)
• Ben Krueger, Jose Luna, Zach Guerra and D’Anne Wilder – 1^st place Number Sense Team (regional qualifier)
• D’Anne Wilder – 2^nd place Accounting (regional qualifier)
• Alexis Lopez – 4^th place Accounting
• D’Anne Wilder, Brittany Garza, Alexis Lopez and Colton Jobe – 2^nd place Accounting Team
• John Scott – 4^th place Current Issues and Events
• Will Stridde – 5^th place Current Issues and Events
• John Scott, Will Stridde, Sal Soto, and Patrick Dougherty – 2^nd place Current Issues and Events Team
• Sal Soto – 5^th place Literary Criticism
• Sal Soto, Brandon Smith, Nathan Smith and Kayla Sands – 2^nd place tie Literary Criticism Team
• Zach Guerra – 6^th place Science
• Zach Guerra – 3^rd place Calculator (regional qualifier)
• Ben Krueger – 5^th place Mathematics
• Joseph Salinas – 5^th place Spelling

UIL Academic Team - Regional Competition

The UIL Academic team traveled to San Marcos to compete in the UIL Academic Regional meet on April 16.  The team of Ben Krueger, Jose Luna, Zach Guerra, D’Anne Wilder, Sal Soto, Samantha Minter and Amber Hughlett represented Skidmore-Tynan extremely well.  Plans are in the works for next year’s trip to Austin.

Courtesy of Kathryn Head, Skidmore-Tynan High School Teacher and UIL Academic Coordinator

Congratulations Bobcats!

S-T ISD Once Again on Track for Recognized Status

Preliminary unofficial results indicate that the District will repeat its “Recognized” status, the High school and Junior High campuses will be “Recognized,” and the elementary campus will receive the state’s highest rating of “Exemplary.”

100% of Skidmore-Tynan students in grades six, eight, nine and ten passed the reading TAKS test for 2009. 91% of third graders, 95% of fourth graders and 94% of fifth grade students met passing standard for reading at the elementary level. Grades seven and eleven did equally well with 92% of seventh and 98% of eleventh graders mastering the reading test. The district passing rate for reading was 97%.

District math scores showed positive gains in most grade levels. At the elementary level all grades showed positive gains with 89% of third graders passing, 100% of fourth graders passing and 94% of fifth graders passing the test. S-TISD junior high sixth graders had 67% passing, while grades seven and eight showed improvement over last years scores with 82% passing at the seventh grade level while 90% of eight graders mastered the 2009 test. Two out of three high school grades tested showed improvement over last year’s math scores. 67% of ninth grade, 80% of tenth grade and 95% of eleventh grade met math passing standards. The district passing rate for math was 85%.

Science scores across the district were very strong. 94% of fifth graders, 83% of eighth graders, 77% of tenth graders and 96% of eleventh grade students met the science passing standard. The district passing rate for Science was 89%.

Social studies stayed strong with 100% passing in both tenth and eleventh grades, respectively, while 94% of eight grade students met the passing standard. The district passing rate for social studies was 98%

98% of fourth and seventh graders mastered the writing test. The district passing rate for writing was 98%.

School officials are very proud of the effort put forth by S-TISD students and the school district family. The S-TISD school district community continues and improves its tradition of academic excellence.

S-T Elementary Teacher Sacrifices Hair for Student Achievement

"Shorter! Shorter!," chanted Robin Pate's fourth grade class as she prepared to have 20-plus inches cut from her waist-length hair. Mrs. Pate had promised to cut her hair if her fourth grade students achieved 90% or more on their recent TAKS testing. They did, and Wednesday was payback time. The severed locks will be donated to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.

STAAARS DAY

(Skidmore-Tynan Athletics, Ag, Academics Reward Spree)

Due to the H1N1 flu scare, many events at Skidmore-Tynan High School and across the state have either been canceled and/or rescheduled. The S-T Athletic Banquet, originally scheduled for May 4, was right in the middle of the H1N1 flu scare, so it was canceled. The FFA Banquet was also canceled before the state decided that the flu was not as dangerous as previously thought.

In an effort to be fair with all awards and acknowledgements, Skidmore-Tynan High School has decided to combine all awards, banquets, and TAKS reward afternoon into one day-long fun event on Friday, May 22, 2009. Skidmore-Tynan High School invites the parents of all Skidmore-Tynan High School students to join with us for any part or all of the morning awards activities and lunch.

Award Presentation Schedule for Friday, May 22, 2009
9:30 – 10:00- Ag Awards
10:00 – 10:30 Athletic Awards
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:30 Academic Awards
11:30 – 12:30 Lunch

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S-T Awards Banquets Combined

Skidmore-Tynan High School will hold an award day Friday, May 22, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the High School Gymnasium. Students will receive awards from the following organizations: Athletics, FFA and Academic.

S-T ISD Students Excel in First Round of TAKS Testing

There is plenty of reason to celebrate in the Skidmore-Tynan ISD. The district is applauding the results of this year's Reading TAKS test for students in the third, fifth and eighth grades.

Superintendent, Dr. Brett Belmarez, reports all three grade levels met the standard of achievement with an 85 percent or higher passing rate during the first round of testing.

"Our third graders overall had about a 91-percent passing rate and 38-percent of those were commended," said Belmarez, "So we're pretty pleased with that performance." Fifth grade had an 87-percent passing rate with 34-percent achieving commended performance. Eighth graders scored perfectly. 100% passed the test and 54-percent received commended performance. “Tremendous performance,” said Belmarez.

Belmarez says the district is celebrating the success of those students achieving commended performance.

"Many make the biggest deal out of whether a child passes the test or not and certainly that is our first concern. We want our young people to experience success so we appreciate good passing rates, but the TAKS test is a test of minimum standards and minimum skills. So we really like for our kids to have more than just a minimum background. The District wants students to be able to perform at levels that allow them to earn that commended performance. This level of performance (commended) means that students are not just meeting minimum standards, but they are mastering the material at a pace that allows them to excel in later grades. These commended performance levels are very good and we're very proud of that fact," said Belmarez.

Most of the success behind this year's reading test lies directly with the teachers. Belmarez says that Skidmore-Tynan staff members continue to do their part to help each child at each grade level master the state mandated test.

"Our teachers spend a great deal of time educating students and teaching students to apply these learned skills in a daily context. I am proud to be a part of a school system that delivers top-notch results from the early grades all the way through to graduation. This is a great start to academic score performance for this year," said Belmarez.

The reading portion of the TAKS was administered to students during the first week in March.

Elementary All A Honor Roll

The following S-T ISD elementary students made the fourth six-weeks All-A Honor Roll:

First Grade: Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Skylar Hall, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donoyon Perez, Clayton Garza, Avea Gonzales, Noemi Gonzales, Madison Gonzales, Drayden Haggard, Kiersten Magana, Tres Ortiz, Hailey Rivera, Caleb Vickery, Nathaniel Gutierrez, Edward Soto.

Second Grade: Jesse Sabala, Samuel Benavidez, Matthew Carnes, Madeline Dougherty, Bryna Gonzalez, Kayla Rutkowski, Megan Haggard, Cotton Loya, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Storm Toelken, Alyssa Arroya, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Daniel Tyrone.

Third Grade: Timothy Leafty, Katriena Ables, Mackenzie Clark, Kennon Wishert, McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf.

Fourth Grade: Randi Pace, Vincent Flores, Casen Conn, Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Kylie Wallace, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna.

Fifth Grade: Juan Luna, Sarah Colle, Kati Stroman, Trenton Dragon, Sydney Baker, Nick Rayburn, Malyssa Casner, Melanie Martinez.

S-T Elementary 3rd Six Weeks All-A Honor Roll

1st Grade
Avea Gonzales, Madison Gonzalez, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez, Nathaniel Gutierrez

2nd Grade
Jesse Sabala, Tyler Bleibdrey, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Kayla Rutowski, Dani Alvarado, Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Alyssa Arroya, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson

3rd Grade
Timothy Leafty, Alyssa Olivarez, Michelle Flores, McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf, KennonWishert, LC Henning, Katriena Ables

4th Grade
Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Allyson Ruiz, Kylie Wallace, Mikayla Barnett, Vincent Flores, Randi Pace, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna

5th Grade
Sarah Colle, Gabby Gonzalez, Whitley Rix, Ashley Vanecek, Sydney Baker, Trenton Dragon, Joshua Gonzales, Melanie Martinez, Juan Luna, Monserrat Nino, Bobbie Stowe

Submitted by Mich Ortiz.

Elementary Second 6 Weeks All-A Honor Roll

1st Grade
Jacob Brown, Avea Gonzales, Noemi Gonzales, Madison Gonzalez, Drayden Haggard, Kiersten Magana, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez, Nathaniel Gutierrez, Declan McCarn

2nd Grade
Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Alyssa Arroya, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Samuel Benavidez, Matthew Carnes, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Monica Landaverde, Kayla Rutkowski, Jesse Sabala

3rd Grade
Timothy Leafty, Katriena Ables, Melanie Wolf

4th Grade
Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Kylie Wallace, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna

5th Grade
Juan Luna, Melanie Martinez, Trenton Dragon, Nicholas Rayburn

Submitted my Mich Ortiz.

S-T ISD a Recognized District

The 2007-08 official results and academic ratings have been released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and for the first time in many years, S-T ISD has been named a "Recognized" District.

“The District is very proud that the great work of the students and staff is rewarded with this recognition,” said S-T ISD Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez. “Student performance success never occurs accidently. This is a result of students and professionals ‘keeping the main thing (student learning) the main thing’ in the midst of tough times and competing demands, and in employing top professionals to educate great kids. The bottom line is that good things like this happen to those who work hard at the correct goals.”

The Elementary School and High School also received "Recognized" ratings. The Junior High received an "Acceptable" rating.

Stroman First at Science Fair

S-T ISD fourth grader Kati Stroman earned 1st place in the annual S-T ISD Science Fair. MySouTex.com has the story: 82 Skidmore-Tynan students enter projects in annual competition

S-T ISD Distinguished Scholar Finalists

The Signal congratulates the following Skidmore-Tynan students who were named as finalists in the Citgo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times Distinguished Scholar recognition program. The program, initiated in 1988, recognizes best and brightest students across South Texas in 9 categories of achievement.

Science: Joshua Petrus
Achiever: Isidro Luna
General Academic: Nick Gentry
Spirit: Elizabeth Torres
Service & Leadership: Heather Cuevas
Arts: Coleman Mengers
Student Athlete: Cory Markham
Communication: Erica Casas
Career & Technology: Erica Hall

Gutierrez Represents South Texas at National Student Leadership Congress

Left to right: Johnathon Ramon, Beeville Tx., Ricky Gutierrez, Skidmore Tx., Kendra Garza, Falfurrias Tx., and Alyssa Ordonez, Alice Tx. (not Pictured) Rocky Venecia, Pettus Tx.

Skidmore-Tynan's Ricky Gutierrez was among five area students nominated by TRIO Counselors to represent the Southern region of Texas at the 17th Annual National Student Leadership Congress. The students spent six days in our Nation's Capitol in Washington D.C. learning key elements of effective leadership, participating in workshops on decision-making and problem-solving, participating in community building through service, learning and participating in the political process and coalition building, multiculturalism and diversity, attended Mock Congress ,meeting with their Members of Congress, and visiting historical and cultural sites.

Area Students Earn CBC Degrees

The Signal congratulates the following Skidmore and Tynan students earning Spring 2007 Coastal Bend College Academic and Workforce Education degrees:

James D. Henshall,
Skidmore - Associate in Arts with High Honor, Associate in Science with High Honor (Fall 2006)
Patrick D. Campbell
Skidmore - Associate in Science
Amanda Shawn Kovar
Skidmore - Associate in Science
Darcy Marie Curnutte
Tynan - Associate in Science
Kaycee M. Flores
Tynan - Associate in Science
Tim T. Johnson
Skidmore - Associate in Applied Science in Child Development
Jennifer G. Fields
Skidmore - Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
Lisa Kristen Lautenschlaeger
Skidmore - Associate in Applied Science in Drafting and Design Technology with High Honor
Valarie A. Landgrebe
Skidmore - Associate in Applied Science in General Office Management with Honor

S-T Grads Receive CBC Awards

Congratulations to the Signal's own J.D. Henshall who recently received Academic Success Awards in Mathematics & Physics and Computer Science at Coastal Bend College.

Congratulations also to S-T ISD graduate Darcy Curnutte, who earned a listing in Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.

Elementary "All A" Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following students making the Skidmore-Tynan Elementary "All A" honor roll for the 5th six weeks.

Kindergarten (All E’s)

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Alyssa Arroyo
Samuel Benavidez
Brendan Boales
Clarissa Chavarria
Samantha Crawley
Madeline Dougherty
JT Edmiston
Bryan Gonzalez
Megan Haggard
Monica Landaverde
Cotton Loya
Bubba Moreno
Laikyn Lopez,
Anavey Rodriguez
Jesse Sabala
Tyler Salinas
Storm Toelken

1st Grade

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Katriena Ables
Bryce Baker
Alyssa Bennett
Antonio Chockair
Wyatt Daughtry
Michelle Flores
Taylor Gallagher
Shannon Hall
L.C. Hennig
Timothy Leafty
Joseph Medrano
Alyssa Olivarez
McKayla Rocha
Jonathan Serrano
Kristian Sims
Vanessa Vega
Chesi Vial
Logan Williams
Kennon Wishert
Melanie Wolf

2nd Grade

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Grace Calvert
Ana Casas
Rush Hoelscher
Amber Moreno
Felicia Ortiz
Randi Pace
Jette Polasek
Kylie Wallace

3rd Grade

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Sydney Baker
Sarah Colle
Josh Lopez
Melanie Martinez
Kati Stroman
Nicholas Wagner

4th Grade

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Sarah Casas
Rebekah Colle
Kyle Gabbert
Cody Leonard
Simon Perez
Alex Rocha
Marcus Sepulveda
Sal Soto
Sierra Young

5th Grade

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India Aguilar
Caleb Davis

Submitted to the Signal by Jennifer Chambers.

S-T Elementary All-A Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following S-T ISD elementary students who earned a place on the 4th six weeks All-A honor roll.

KINDER (E’s)
Jonathon Alvarez, Alyssa Arroyo, Samuel Benavidez, Brendan Boales, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Megan Haggard, Monica Landaverde, Cotton Loya, Bubba Moreno, Justin Landgrebe, Laikyn Lopez, Amber Puente, Thomas Puentes, Anavey Rodriguez, Jesse Sabala, Tyler Salinas, Storm Toelken, Daniel Tyrone

1st Grade
Katrina Ables, Bryce Baker, Alyssa Bennett, Antonio Chockair, Wyatt Daughtry, Michelle Flores, Taylor Gallagher, Shannon Hall, Timothy Leafty, Evelyn Magyer, Joseph Medrano, McKayla Rocha, Jonathan Serrano, Kristian Sims, Catrina Soto, Vanessa Vega, Chesi Vial, Logan Williams, Kennon Wishert, Melanie Wolf

2nd Grade
Grace Calvert, Ana Casas, Rush Hoelscher, Mariah Lawson, Amber Moreno, Felicia Ortiz, Randi Pace, Jette Polasek, Kylie Wallace

3rd Grade
Sydney Baker, Sarah Colle, Gabriella Gonzales, Juan Luna, Melanie Martinez, Kati Stroman, Nichoals Wagner

4th Grade
Sarah Casas, Rebekah Colle, Sal Soto

5th Grade
India Aguilar, Caleb Davis, Cameron Pace

Submitted by Jennifer Chambers

S-T ISD Junior High Goes High Tech

For the past three years, S-TJH has worked on implementation of the Technology Immersion Program (TIP). The goal of the program is to purchase enough computers to accommodate the entire Junior High and use the technology to enhance the education of students.

To that end, S-TJH announces the addition of a computer cart with twenty five lap top computers for student use. In addition, students and teachers are taking classes given by instructors from the Corpus Christi Service Center to enhance their computer skills.

Soon, S-TJH will send faculty members to schools that have successfully incorporated the TIP program into their curriculum. This will provide S-TJH with direction, hands on training, and an effective outline for implementation of the program in 2007-08.

S-TJH will hold an open house May 16, allowing parents an opportunity to see the work their children have accomplished through this grant.

Next year, the program will begin with 7th grade students who will each receive a laptop to use for school work. Both teachers and students will have on-going computer training as required by the TIP Grant

"We will keep you informed as more information and goals have been met," said S-TJH Principal Dan Garza. "We hope to see you at our open house May 16th."

Students Earn Membership in National Honor Society

Current National Honor Society members were joined by 16 new inductees in a special January 25, ceremony in the S-T ISD Events Center Auditorium.

Newly inducted members include Robert Brown, Jeff Burris, Nicholas Castaneda, Thor Garcia, Beth Gonzales, Jessica Hall, Ruby Hernandez, William Hughes, Victoria Lopez, Coleman Mengers, Zach Petrus, Jessica Romo, Alexis Schmidt, Ashley Scott, Courtney Vandever, and Devon Wilder. Click here for NHS Induction photos at Shutterfly.com

NHS Officers for the 2006-07 school year were installed at the beginning of the ceremony. Stephanie Schirmer takes the helm as NHS President. The position of Vice President was filled by Victoria O'Brien, along with Treasurer Courtney Hudson, Secretary Reid O'Brien, and Public Relations Historian Daen Luna.

National Honor Society Advisor Helen Favre was joined by guest speakers, S-T High Principal Patricia Holubec, and Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez in congratulating the assembled students in their academic success.

S-T Students Place at UIL Practice Meet

Skidmore-Tynan High School speech and academic students competed at the Three Rivers High School tournament on Saturday, January 20. Reid O’Brien placed 2nd in Persuasive Speaking. Jeff Burris placed 3rd in Science, 4th in Calculator, and 5th in Math. Josh Petrus placed 5th in Number Sense. The Signal congratulates these students on their fine performance and wishes them luck at the District Meet.