Explore Pampa Independent School District

Explore Volume 1 • 2018

Pampa Independent School District

Showcasing the Purpose, Passion & Pride of Pampa ISD What's Your Plan?

College, Career and Military Readiness Guide

College Board Honor Roll Community Partnerships Distinguished Alumni Project Lead the Way

Robotics Program

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2 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Pampa ISD

A Publication of the Pampa Independent School District

1233 North Hobart Pampa, Texas 79065 806-669-4700 www.pampaisd.net Staff & Contributors Tanya Larkin

PISD Superintendent

Pam Mitchell

Associate Superintendent

Nathan Maxwell

Executive Director of Human Resources

Jana Williamson

HR/Family/Community Relations

Robert S. Forester

Media Production Specialist

Superintendent’s Message “Our job is not to prepare students for something.

Our job is to help students prepare themselves for anything.”

-A.J. Juliani

Additional Contributors Susan Baker

Austin Elementary Principal

Jamie Winborne

Lamar Elementary Principal

April Cross

Travis Elementary Principal

Keana Daughtry

Wilson Elementary Principal

Jennifer Studebaker

Pampa Junior High Principal

Hugh Piatt

Pampa High School Principal

Carrie Williams

Director, Pampa Learning Center

Pampa ISD is a school of Purpose, Passion, and Pride! We live and work each day with intentionality to reach our goals and ensure success for ALL. Our parents, community members, students, and staff all have one thing in common. We have a deep desire to achieve excellence in everything we do. I feel blessed to live and work in the Pampa community and school district. What makes Pampa so special is the core values of the people, the relationships forged through good times and bad, and the relentless focus on the future for the next generation of Harvesters.

Our mission as a school district is to produce learners who are compassionate, competent, confident and future-ready! In order to do that, we must create a safe environment where our students and staff engage in high quality, challenging, and meaningful learning experiences that empower and prepare us all for the future. Our purposeful attention to educating the whole child is evident in every decision we make and in every action we take. As you #Explore this publication, you will notice how the people personify the purpose, passion, and pride that is Pampa ISD. Our community is united in the work of teaching, learning, creating and innovating, so that we are all making a difference not only in each other’s lives, but in the lives of those around us.

Tania Greer

Tanya Larkin, Pampa ISD Superintendent

Director of Bilingual/ESL/Migrant Programs

Danny Seabourn

Chief Financial Officer

Susan Furguson

Director of Special Education Services

Suzanne Pingel

District Social Worker/Safe & Drug Free Coord.

Molly Brinkley

Thank You!

We appreciate the advertisers who made this Explore Magazine possible.

Director of Instructional Technology & Assessment

Heather Wallace-Weinette Director of Theatre Arts

Fred Mays

Choir Director

John Benton

Head Band Director

Marissa Biven Art Teacher

Greg Poynor, Athletic Director

PHS Athletic Department

The Pampa Independent School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX officer and/or Section 504/ ADA coordinator.

Some graphic assets courtesy of Vecteezy.com

About the Cover

Physics teacher and Robotics Team sponsor, Colby Dennis, with two robotic team students Monica Apodaca and Alexander Smith.

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4 • Explore Pampa ISD

C O N T E N T S Business Supports 30

Pampa ISD

3

Superintendent’s Message

7

Pampa ISD School Board

Anti-Bullying

58

Pampa ISD 10 Campuses

32 22 24 Assistant Principal Receives Honor

36 A Student Voice Pampa ISD Named to 37

AP Honor Roll Career and Technical 38

Education

What's Your Plan?

Student Ambassadors

44

College, Career, and Military Readiness Preparation Guide

52 Senior Traditions 54 Special Education 56 Creative Thinkers 28

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26

Fine Arts

8th Annual Educational Showcase Push Here!

Students from Lamar Elementary posed as living wax figures at the 8th Annual Educational Showcase. When attendees pressed a button, the figures came alive! Rhyder Murrell, aka George Washington, gave a brief synopsis of his life... and that is not a lie!

Priority at Pampa ISD

59 Digital Citizenship Pampa Education 60

Foundation 62 Cafeteria Excitement 66 Bilingual Programs 68 Dedicated Driver

70 Virtual Reality Project 74

Lead the Way 76 Harvester Sports

80 Pampa ISD Receives Superior Achievement 82 84 85

Financial Information

86

Who is this Pampa Harvester?

Alumni Awards Celebrating Our Heritage

Explore Pampa ISD • 5

6 • Explore Pampa ISD

Pampa Independent School District School Board 2017-2018

Back L to R: Matt Brock, Jay Johnson, Lance DeFever, Luis Nava Front L to R: Cay Warner (Secretary), Lee Porter (President), Richard Qualls (Vice President)

Message from Lee Porter, President On behalf of the Pampa Independent School District Board of Trustees, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you to this edition of Explore Pampa ISD Magazine. Our board’s goal is to provide our community, state, and nation with well-educated and well-rounded graduates. This can only happen when our students have safe, secure facilities in which to learn and with outstanding administrators, teachers, coaches, and support staff to teach. We believe that every employee of our district impacts our students and endeavor to employ only the most highly qualified people regardless of what position that employee may hold.

Pampa Independent School District offers a variety of academic choices as well as many extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities.

Our students excel in all of their endeavors. Our academic and fine arts UIL teams compete and earn high honors in all competitions. As recently as 2016, one of our students was recognized as a State Champion in Fine Arts. At graduation ceremonies in May, we routinely recognize students that are not only graduating from high school, but have also earned an Associate Degree from Clarendon College.

The athletic teams routinely compete in playoff games, and we have a number of all state academic athletes. Our musicians can be found in all state choirs and bands, even though we compete with the largest school districts in the state. Students from the Pampa ISD DECA program have competed and won at state and national contests, and we expect this to continue as we transition into BPA. We are proud of the history, traditions, and accomplishments of the students from Pampa High School. A Pampa High School Hall of Fame was created to honor those graduates that have made significant contributions to our society. In viewing the Hall of Fame, which is found in the Rotunda of Pampa High School, you can see titans of industry, respected medical researchers, highly acclaimed athletes, accomplished musicians, as well as those that have served our country in the military to name just a few. One of the members of the Pampa High School Hall of Fame has provided more than a million dollars of scholarships for our graduates. The board has just recently approved the creation of a memorial to those Pampa High School graduates that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Our community supports our students in every way imaginable. In the 2016 – 2017 school year, our citizens contributed over $500,000.00 to various booster clubs and organizations in order to enhance our student's various activities. Whenever a Pampa team competes away from home, there will often be more Pampa fans in attendance than the home team. Our superintendent, Mrs. Tanya Larkin, coined the phrase – PAMPA PROUD. The Board and I are indeed PAMPA PROUD of our students, staff, and schools.

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Pampa ISD: Our Mission!

The Mission of Pampa ISD is to produce learners who are compassionate, competent, confident and future-ready!

What we Value! What we Believe! How we Behave!

Purposefulness

We believe that the core business of schools is to ensure that every student, every day, is provided challenging, engaging , and meaningful work; therefore we will purposefully prepare ourselves and our students for authentic experiences to ensure their future readiness.

Authentic Engagement

We believe that students and adults learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process; therefore, we will promote engaging and active learning opportunities to staff and students that foster an attitude of being life-long learners.

Mindset for Growth

We believe that all students are capable of high achievement; that intelligence is developed, and that achievement results from consistent and effective effort; therefore, we will support and encourage students and staff to have a growth mindset in order to meet expectations of excellence.

Preparedness

We believe that students must be prepared for a future of rapid change; therefore, we will foster the abilities to reason, to solve problems, to be challenged, and to use technology as a significant tool for learning.

Assurances

We believe we have a collective responsibility to create and sustain a safe environment that is respectful, caring, engaging, vibrant, and culturally responsive. We believe that the alliance of home, school, and community promotes both school and student success; therefore, we will promote ongoing stakeholder communication and seek authentic, trusting relationships.

8 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Pampa ISD • 9

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S E S U P M A C D S I PAMPA Producing Learners who are Compassionate, Competent, Confident and Future-Ready!

Austin Elementary School

Susan Baker,

Austin Elementary School Principal This year, Austin Elementary is celebrating 60 years of excellence.

Austin is a K-5 school located in the northeast section of Pampa.

Established in 1957, the school has always been a happy, productive place for the children of the community. Today, Austin operates with 396 students and 53 staff members.

or her potential. Austin makes use of several engaging and relevant computer programs to supplement the outstanding Pampa ISD curriculum. The students do very well in the classroom and on STAAR. The teachers attend weekly professional development to ensure that they keep up with current best practices and are constantly reading and learning in order to bring the best instruction to their classrooms. From the cafeteria staff who provide nourishing meals, to the custodial staff who keep the school looking its best, to the office and support staff who provide a variety of support, to the instructional staff who make learning engaging and rigorous, the Austin students benefit from a staff who puts students first and wants nothing but the best for them.

Austin is a fun place to be! In addition to recognition assemblies every six weeks, they participate in the WOWW (Windows on a Wider World) programs, participate in a book character parade on Halloween, are entertained by the junior high and high school students periodically, participate in a spring Easter Egg hunt and field day, and participate in district events such as Pampa ISD Showcase and the elementary track meet. The grade levels enjoy dif-

Austin students are the first part of what makes the school so great!

The little Lions exhibit both scholarship and character. Students work continuously on being kind, being trustworthy, and being respectful, being hardworking, and having a growth-mindset.

Austin has a thriving program in place to honor students for their good character, good grades, good attendance, and good choices.

Austin parents are a vital part of the school community. They support the school in many ways and volunteer consistently through the Booster Club and through the Pampa ISD VIPs program.

Anyone who comes to Austin will find an assortment of people reading with children, running copies for teachers, working at the Spirit Shop with the booster club, or painting background for the music program. Those are just a few examples of how Austin parents fulfill their part in their child’s school experience.

The Austin staff is a group of dedicated and compassionate individuals who work hard to make sure each of their students is successful. The staff is committed to helping each child reach his 10 • Explore Pampa ISD

It's music trivia time in this Austin Elementary music class. Teacher, Tracy Bruce calls for the correct answer by tossing a donut shaped pillow to her students.

ferent activities within their music classes. 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades each perform a musical program, 4th graders, 2nd graders and kindergarteners go caroling at Christmas, and 4th grade students participate in the District Veteran’s day program. Students also have an opportunity to participate in the growing UIL program and the monthly writing contest, along other fun learning opportunities.

In the future, Austin will show remarkable progress in becoming and maintaining a true community where each stakeholder is valued and utilized to the benefit of the children. Some goals include growing the UIL program, increasing the scores on the end of year testing so that every child is meeting grade level standards, in-

Austin Elementary 3rd grade students appear to be paying close attention in Lynn McCook's math class. In this lesson, Mrs. McCook teaches about dividing into equal parts.

creasing parent involvement in more academic areas, and finding more ways to connect all stakeholders through good communication and appreciation.

Austin Elementary school is a wonderful place to learn. It truly is a community of learners who put the needs of the children first and where children and adults alike can learn and grow and become more connected as a community.

These Austin Elementary students are taking an assessment on the computers. Google Chromebooks are an important instructional tool used on all Pampa ISD campuses.

Jamie Winborne,

Lamar Elementary School Principal

Lamar Elementary School The school day begins early at Lamar Elementary. Doors open at 7:20 a.m. as some students head to Homework Club while others socialize with friends in the gym. Every morning the Lamar family meets in the newly remodeled gym for a morning meeting. Staff and students say the pledges, hear daily announcements, sing the school song, celebrate successes, and have a short lesson on the really important things in life such as kindness, doing what’s right, and being courteous and compassionate. Every Thursday the focus shifts toward the future as a different career, military branch, junior college, vocational school, or university is the spotlight of the meeting. “What’s YOUR Plan?” is asked of students to promote a mindset that preparedness for the future must be purposeful and intentional. Lamar is a wonderful place for students from diverse backgrounds to grow educationally into global minded citizens, get involved, and have a memorable school

Lamar Elementary Teacher, Heather Hall, delivers a reading lesson on Groundhog Day to her students. They learned about Punxsutawney Phil, and the traditional belief of his ability to predict the end of winter... did he?

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experience. Lamar Elementary is home to PreK-5th grade serving over 600 students each day. Approximately 80 members of the faculty and staff work together to make each day meaningful.

Principal, Jamie Winborne, came to Lamar during the 2016-2017 school year. Winborne attended Pampa schools and is a proud graduate of Pampa High School. She completed both undergraduate and graduate studies through West Texas A&M University.

“It has been a pleasure being at Lamar Elementary. The faculty at Lamar are among the most caring individuals that I’ve had the privilege of working with.” Winborne goes on to say, “The energy and hard work of the staff at Lamar is evident. Our staff is highly trained to meet the needs of each child. We work hard every day to make Lamar a place where students can learn and where their individuality is valued. It is imperative that we live up to the district goals of producing learners who are compassionate, competent, confident, and ready for the future! We do not take this task lightly.”

Troy McClendon came to Lamar for the 2016-2017 school year as the assistant principal. McClendon graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Angelo State and with a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. McClendon says of Lamar, “Lamar is an amazing campus to work and learn. The staff and students truly care about one another.

Lamar teachers believe in doing whatever it takes to help all students succeed.” Hard work is a given at Lamar. Teachers and students alike work hard, very hard, every minute of the day. All members of the Lamar family understand there is nothing more satisfying and rewarding for a student who has worked hard than to receive a good grade or for a teacher to see students become more confident and competent. When results are earned, they are recognized and celebrated. Lamar has received academic distinctions over multiple years; the most recent distinctions were earned during the 2016-2017 school year for student performance on the Math STAAR and for Post-Secondary readiness. The combination of a caring staff, high expectations, and hard work create a successful learning environment for all stakeholders. Lamar Elementary is a wonderful place for learning!

Like all Pampa ISD students, these young ladies at Lamar Elementary learn that exercise not only keeps them physically fit, but helps keep them mentally alert. It's a great way to burn a little excess energy, too!

These Lamar Elementary students are all about getting their classwork completed.

Lamar Elementary students are learning about the solar system in this science lesson.

12 • Explore Pampa ISD

April Cross,

Travis Elementary School Principal

Travis Elementary School Producing learners who are compassionate, competent, confident, and future-ready is the mission of Travis Elementary. As a campus, it is our plan to excel in academics, special programs offered to students, and compassion. Our professional staff serves over 390 kindergarten through fifth grade students from Pampa and surrounding communities. Travis is a strong academic campus that has met and exceeded Texas accountability standards in student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps, and post-secondary readiness each school year. Our highly qualified teachers prepare lessons that not only challenge students, but also interest them. Our students are provided unique opportunities to engage in cooperative and collaborative learning tasks.

Increased technology is one initiative used to provide new, innovative models of instruction. Every learner, beginning in third grade, utilizes technology in the classroom. Students in kindergarten, first, and second grades have access to learning opportunities on iPads. SmartBoards are also in each classroom. The goal of our digital learning program is to provide students with the opportunity to learn skills that are essential to success, including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Quality data is also utilized to drive classroom instruction.

Travis Elementary encourages all students to participate in UIL academics each year. Our teachers are eager to teach our students to succeed in events such as storytelling, mathematic calculations, spelling, art, music memory, and numerous other categories. Every student is encouraged to try out for an event. In the 2017 school year, our campus had 33 students go to the district level to compete against four other school districts. We are proud of our students’ determination to succeed as well as our teachers’ willing-

This Travis Elementary student's hand was first to pop up when social studies teacher, Haili Kotara, asked a question.

Travis Elementary teacher, Lena Mendoza, checks on her 1st graders as they work on their writing lesson.

ness to go above and beyond to provide academic opportunities outside of our school building.

Students are shown compassion throughout their time at Travis.

Teachers recognize the value of building relationships with each student. Students are directly taught social emotional classroom learning lessons that focus on kindness, compassion and generosity. These lessons facilitate the development of today’s students into productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. Each semester our students have a service opportunity they participate in that benefits others and not themselves. Each fall our students participate in a canned food drive for our local Salvation Army. In 2017, the students and their families donated over 800 food items. Our learners not only take their cans to the collection bins, but also help count and pack the items to send. In the spring, our campus has a penny war to raise funds for our local Snack Paks for Kids organization. It is a high priority to teach our students to find joy in giving and serving others.

Travis Elementary hosted a "tailgate" style open house. It provided an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to visit in an informal setting and enjoy some great food, too! The Pampa High School cheerleaders and drum line performed, completing the evening.

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We are also proud to offer a homework club every morning from 7:30-7:50 a.m. This homework club is staffed with two certified teachers every morning, one from 3rd to 5th grade and one from K-2nd. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to receive homework support.

Keana Daughtry,

Wilson Elementary School Principal

Wilson Elementary School If you ask a teacher from Wilson Elementary what makes Wilson so great, they will all agree that it is their team of teachers.

Wilson’s strengths come from the teachers. So many teachers are willing to grow for the sake of their students’ well-being. This is a campus where traditional education is turning into modern education. The staff of this campus are implementing new ideas, techniques, and methods to increase the student experience, and the students are responding to this student-centered approach to learning in the 21st Century.

– Stephanie Malone, GT Coordinator We understand that there is not an “I” in team. We all put in the work and strive for excellence for our little Wolves. We are all doing the very best we can to help our school.

– Kayla Hernandez, 2nd gd. Math/Writing/Science Wilson Elementary has many strengths. Some of these would include an environment that is caring and safe, a hard working staff that works together for the benefit of the individual child, and grade level teams, along with supporting staff, that constantly strives to raise the academic expectations of the education system.

–Darla White, Special Education Inclusion Aide The Wolf Pack has been a close family for a number of years. The atmosphere is welcoming and accepting of all. Staff and students alike are so helpful and kind to all members of the family.

– Maggie Zamudio, 4th grade Writing Teacher, 3-5 Writing Master Teacher

Additionally, we offer 45 minutes of interventions for first grade through fifth grade students every day. This is meant to meet each student where they are and we focus on providing in depth, high-impact strategies for all of our students. We work to enrich and extend the learning for our students that are meeting and mastering grade level material and help to provide researched-based instruction with high-yield strategies for our students that are struggling. We truly work to push all of our students toward academic excellence.

Wilson Elementary wholeheartedly believes in our students and their growth both academically and social/emotional health. We work to teach our students good character and utilize a restorative student management plan. The goal of any student management system is to develop and nurture the ability and capacity of individuals to become self-aware, to be able to self-monitor, and to exercise self-regulation of their emotions and behaviors daily. This is what we want for all of our students not only in school, but for the rest of their lives. We desire to ensure that our students have happy, healthy, and productive lives.

We value the partnerships and relationships that are critical to accomplish this goal. Working with parents, guardians, staff, and students, we will work every day to create the conditions for success socially, emotionally, and physically, as well as academically.

Wilson is looking to the future. We are working hard to ensure our student’s success that spans across academics and includes success for their future. With our L³ Distributed Leadership Model, we are able grow as both a faculty dedicated to lifelong learning and honing our craft as well as provide our students support in the areas they need it most. The goal for this campus is to challenge the status quo, to meet and flourish in academic excellence, and to give our students everything they need to be learners who are compassionate, competent, confident, and future ready.

I have never wanted to teach anywhere else! They have a way of capturing your heart forever! I still think of my former students and wonder what they may be doing. When I see them around town and they are working or making a good mark for themselves, it makes me so proud of them!

– Stephanie Parks, Kindergarten Teacher I am thankful to be part of such a great school.

– Maggie Zamudio, fourth grade Writing Teacher, 3-5 Writing Master Teacher Among the many programs offered at Wilson, we are most proud to offer a Breakfast in the Classroom, a program that offers breakfast, every day, to every one of our students, at no charge. This program is extremely beneficial and helps our students focus on learning! It is a wonderful way to start the day. Our students leave our morning assembly where they have a learning or educational highlight piece. Next, we do our pledges to the American and Texas flags, sing our school song, and then head off to breakfast in the classroom with their peers and teachers.

14 • Explore Pampa ISD

Wilson Elementary teacher, Maggie Zamudio, stops to answer a question asked by one of her fourth grade students during a writing class.

Top: Wilson Elementary received a distinction for Science on their 2017 testing! Several Wilson staff members showed off a new banner that was made to commemorate the accomplishment. The banner was presented at the Annual Educational Showcase. Left: Teachers, Natalie Davis (above) and Cinthia Mendoza (below) take great care to monitor their students closely for comprehension. Above: Mrs. Parks delivers a lesson to her group of well behaved first grade students.

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Pampa Junior High has the privilege of bringing together the students from our community. We are the place where the 6th graders from the 4 elementary schools in our community merge together to become one. The three years we have with them is a time of great learning, social and emotional development, and of hope for a bright future. Our staff is dedicated to developing their talents and skills and for preparing them for the road ahead of them.

Jennifer Studebaker,

Pampa Junior High Principal

Pampa Junior High What is a Reaper? The Reaper follows a path cleared by those who have gone before. He or she, although still young, knows the value of hard work. The Reaper knows what it takes to clear the field, but is still learning the skills that allow one to make the right decision at the right time. The Reaper knows that, at this time in his/her life, the foundation is laid for future endeavors. The traits of the Harvester will be instilled in the hearts and minds of willing students during these years. The Reaper will continue to work hard and learn, so that the tradition of the Harvester continues through generations to come.

Pampa Junior High is excited about the journey that students and staff take together, and believe that great things are in store for the campus. The students are blessed with staff members who are dedicated to serving students and are committed to helping them become the very best version of themselves. Junior high students are growing and changing daily. They are energetic, passionate, loyal, and kind. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they will become. It is an important age and we will work diligently to help them develop into healthy, confident, and capable individuals! We are committed to challenging them, letting them safely learn, and celebrating their accomplishments.

Our students are involved in fine arts programs all 3 years of junior high. Our students are fortunate to begin choir or band in the sixth grade. We are also able to provide art as well, to all 7th and 8th grade students. Additionally, we are a Project Lead the Way campus which offers classes that are in the STEM pathway such as Robotics, Energy and Flight.

Our campus schedule is blocked to allow math and english/language arts classes an extended instructional time, ensuring those critical foundational skills are being mastered. ELA classes follow Lead4ward’s framework for aligned curriculum and our math classes are transitioning to the math workshop model which is based on higher order thinking strategies.

We have an after school program called D.E.L.T.A. (determination, enrichment, leadership, teamwork, and achievement) that allows learners at every level to improve their skills and deepen their understanding of the content. DELTA weeks ensure that our students are at their best.

Our future is bright at Pampa Junior High. Our goal is to support students at every level. We want them to develop into learners who are able to think critically and to achieve at their best . We want our kids to be prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary for the future that awaits them. Our staff is also a body of learners that embraces taking risks and are committed to their calling to serve the students of Pampa Junior High.

Our parents and community members are valuable stakeholders in the education of our students and we are grateful for their support.

Please know we will never take for granted that parents entrust us with their children. Thank you for sharing them with us and for helping us make a positive difference each and every day in their lives.

Left: Pampa Junior High School teacher, Mattie Williams, pauses to answer a question from one of her math students. Above: These percussion members of the Pampa Junior High Band practice for the spring concert.

16 • Explore Pampa ISD

The Pampa Junior High Girls Choir, directed by Choir Teacher, Tammy May, practice for an upcoming concert.

This PJH student is working on a transforming geometry lesson.

Students in Mrs. Roberts' art class work diligently on wire sculptures.

Pampa Junior High math teacher, Brandy Peterson delivers a lesson to her seventh grade students.

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Hugh Piatt,

Pampa High School Principal

Pampa High School It is an honor to be serving in my third year as principal of Pampa High School. We are looking to build on the many successes from previous years as we seek to fulfill the vision of Pampa ISD by becoming the premier destination district in the Panhandle! With an outstanding student body and dedicated staff members, our mission is to produce learners who are compassionate, competent, confident, and future-ready! Our driving question this year is “What’s Your Plan?” Pampa High School is committed to providing the resources needed to ensure that our students are more than ready for success once they graduate.

Pampa High experiences success in all aspects of the school.

The strength of the school is its people. Our students are amazing, as evidenced by their accomplishments. All 20 UIL sports at PHS made the playoffs last year. We are off to the same outstanding start this year with volleyball and football, both in the playoffs. Many of our athletes have received district, regional, and state honors for their successes. Our outstanding band received straight ones at every contest in which they competed. The choir at PHS is one of the best in the state. Pampa is the only 4A school

These two students in Kimberly Asencio's chemistry class are observing a sodium acetate reaction.

in the state to receive straight ones for all three of its choirs for the past four years! We have multiple All-State performers. Our theatre department’s One Act Play has advanced several rounds the past few years. Our UIL Academic team finished second in district last year, after winning the previous three years in a row.

Pampa High offers several special programs in Career and Technology Education (CTE) and in Advanced Placement (AP). CTE courses include Health Science, Business, Audio/Video, Culinary, FFA, Law, Education, and Automotive Technology. Our AP courses include English Literature, English Language, Calculus, Chemistry, United States and World History, Spanish, Psychology, and Human Geography.

The Harvesters of Pampa High are amazing students and fine young Americans. They represent their school and community with pride, are willing to help others when needed, and look for ways to serve. We often receive calls and letters from others like these:

American Sign Language is taught by teacher Eric West. This PHS student is demonstrating his homework assignment.

18 • Explore Pampa ISD

Dear Mr. Piatt, My family and I were in line behind your students at Fazoli’s Saturday night in Abilene. They were carrying on normal conversations.

Although the line was long, we decided to stay. A couple of students came in and informed the other students that they needed to part and let us go to the front. We thanked them and their reply was, “No problem, this will take you forever if you don’t go now.”

Their kindness and politeness was the topic of our dinner conversation. They represented themselves, their families, school, district and community well! –Way to go!

Annette Shelton, Kindergarten Ortiz Elementary, Abilene TX

Good morning!

Your drum line was amazing, as usual!!!! Everyone loves the drum line and they made the event truly a tailgate! People were taking video and clapping for them! They were great! They even played a little longer asking if they could play one more set ~ I think they were saying “let’s play number 5”? I’m sure you know what that means more than I do! It was a pleasure to see your students having as much fun as the Travis families were listening to them!

Thank you so much! Pray you have a blessed and wonderful weekend! —Charlene Gee Dear Mr. Benton: Angela and I, here at Dalhart High School, would like to thank you, your staff, and especially the band students for joining us for dinner last Friday evening, Oct. 6th. More importantly, though, we would like to thank you for the complete and total respect your students had while at our function. It is so rewarding to us to see that young adults can come into a place and eat and clean up after themselves and be respectful to the surroundings they are in. We would ask that you forward this to your superintendent and school board members as well. Pampa should truly be proud of these young adults and the promising futures they have. Again, thank you so much for dining with us and we hope to see you again soon.

—Lori Garcia and Angela Woolley Dalhart High School office secretaries We are working hard at PHS to help our students become College, Career, or Military ready. The guiding question for the district and campus is What’s Your Plan? Teachers and staff are helping students develop their plan by having personal conversations and providing the necessary resources for students to achieve their plan. Students are striving to own their own education by advocating for themselves, knowing what is needed to achieve their goals, and working through the struggles to get there. By taking the most challenging courses possible, students are able to build their study skills, improve their time management, and increase their threshold for solving problems.

Please know that we are here to serve our students. The staff and I are honored to have been entrusted the education of them. There is always something good going on at PHS!

Top: Michelle Jensen explains an assignment to her English class. Middle: PHS choir sings warm up exercises at the beginning or their rehearsal. Mr. Mays, PHS choir teacher leads the group. Bottom: (L) Mrs. Perez's Spanish students are focused and engaged. (R) Students in Kate Devoll's Geography class learn about different cultures. This lesson is on the Kingdom of Morocco!

Explore Pampa ISD • 19

Carrie Williams, Director

Pampa Learning Center W elco me to PLC ! W e are proud to offer an alternative sch ool setting for high sch ool students in Pampa. Learning occu rs in many different ways, and students ca n be succe ssful adults in a variety of venues. A self-paced curriculum enables flexible, individualized progress for our students. W hether a student needs additional time for remediation or an enhanced experience in order to reach personal aca demic goals, self-paci ng is a valuable tool for student succe ss. Our goal is to allow them to progress while providing needed resource s and teach er assistance .

Students enrolled at Pampa High Sch ool may apply to co me to PLC. The application process begins with Suzanne Pingel, the district social worker, whose office is at the high school. While students apply to PLC for many different reasons, we are proud of our ca mpus, happy to build positive relationships with our students, and co ntinuously mentor students in maki ng a plan for lifelong learning and succe ssful ca reers. W e strive to assist our students in finding their own definition of success and happiness. In addition to the students requesting to attend PLC , the entire staff have requested to be here. Pampa Learning C enter is “the place to be� in great part beca use of the dedic ation and genuine love shown by these master educa tors.

PLC students are able to take dual cr edit cl asses in co nj unct ion with C larendon C ommunity C ollege, Pampa ca mpus. A ca demic courses, Cosmetology, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, and more enable a student to potentially obtain co llege cr edit or gain a certification while still in high school. On the PLC campus, students rece ive assistance with interest inventories, co llege applica tions, and financial aid.

Bright Beginnings is a state-accredited daycare specifically for the babies of teen parents. In addition to academic services during maternity leave, this program is available in order to ke ep students in sch ool, ensuring their goal of ach ieving a high sch ool diploma.

This is at no cost to students. Children of Pampa ISD teachers are acce pted at B right B eginnings for a fee if there is space available.

Children from newborn to 3 years of age experience a curriculum built specifically for their developmental needs. The caring and experience d staff love on these babies!

W e are very proud of our succe ss stories and would welco me a visit or a phone ca ll for more information. Please Like our F ace book page and follow the great things happening on our ca mpus!

Top: PLC teachers and students are enjoying a book study during R.I.P. time (Reading Independently in Peace). Middle: Carrie Williams, PLC Director, stops to celebrate the success of a recent PLC graduate. Bottom: Happy days for both staff and kiddos at Bright Beginnings.

20 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Pampa ISD • 21

Volunteers... Passionate About Making a Difference in the Lives of Students!

Public school systems, such as Pampa ISD, are tasked with enormous challenges, not only to instill curriculum but to also develop children into future learners, leaders, and productive citizens. Pampa ISD is blessed to be surrounded by a strong community, the fabric of which has much to offer the children we are fortunate to serve, who are our future community leaders. With this “looking beyond the classroom� vision for building students into productive citizens, Pampa ISD is excited to welcome the community into our schools as VIPS! As a featured component of the #pampaproud! campaign, our Public Relations/ Family & Community Engagement Department enlists the support of parents, civic organizations, churches, and businesses to impact our students, faculty, and overall campus environments. Volunteers are truly making a difference in the lives of our students and our staff in a seemingly endless variety of ways.

Students who are struggling with reading have seen improvements as a result of volunteers taking the time to mentor and encourage them toward academic

Learn more about joining the V.I.P.S. Access the online application on the VIPS page under Departments at pampaisd.net

Above: Volunteers, like Daniel Ortner (black shirt in center), can routinely be spotted working alongside teachers and lending a hand at events such as this Open House at Travis Elementary. Top Right: VIP, Bobbie West, serves food to a PLC student during a tailgate event.

22 • Explore Pampa ISD

The VIPS handbook and application can be accessed there.

It takes less than 3 minutes to complete the application.

success. Schools have been adopted by churches, civic groups, and businesses who are committed to encouraging the staff and students. Local businesses have invested money and valuable time of their employees to provide supplies and tools for continued growth and success. We have seen a growing army of family and community members who are dedicated to serving the Pampa ISD students and staff. Volunteers have selflessly served through school sponsorships, reading to classes, field trip sponsors, mentoring students, teacher encouragement and support, event volunteers, school supply/backpack donations, Snack Pack for Kids, classroom speakers, monetary donations, and many more!

VIPS is not simply throwing the doors open to anyone that may want to walk into our schools. Those desiring to serve as VIPS complete an online application at www.pampaisd. net and are then vetted through background checks. VIPS may choose a specific campus on which they will volunteer, or our Public Relations/Family & Community Engagement Department will help to match them with a campus according to their abilities and availability. To date, the support of the Pampa community has been outstanding, with over 300 registered VIPS who are actively engaged in volunteering time and money to the #pampaproud! campaign!

The first two years of the #pampaproud! campaign and VIPS are yielding wonderful results within our schools as well as throughout our community. As more people become aware of successes and needs in our schools, a growing volunteer army stands ready to jump in and assist in supporting our ultimate goal of producing learners who are compassionate, competent, confident and future-ready!

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Above: Pampa ISD makes it easy to join the VIPS! A sign-up event is held each year, but application can be made at any time by completing the online application or by stopping by the Pampa ISD Administration building.

Right: Marlene Kyle volunteers on a regular basis in her granddaughter's first grade class Lamar. She enjoys helping her granddaughter's students with their reading!

Explore Pampa ISD • 23

Byron May at the 2017 Educational Showcase.

Byron May Receives Top Honors Byron May, Assistant Principal of Pampa Junior High School, has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as a Region 16 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year. TASSP recognizes outstanding principals and assistant principals from the twenty region Education Service Centers in the state. School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based upon exemplary performance and outstanding leadership.

As a Region 16 winner, May is eligible to compete for the state title of Texas Assistant Principal of the Year.

Byron May has spent all fifteen of his years in education at Pampa ISD, the last three as an Assistant Principal at Pampa Junior High. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Abilene Christian University, and holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. May sees himself as a “lead-learner” who serves students and staff so they might become successful in all their endeavors.

Byron May, Assistant Principal of Pampa Junior High School

24 • Explore Pampa ISD

Regional winners will be recognized during the Josten’s Night of the Stars Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at the Hilton Austin Downtown Hotel. Each will be presented with an award and recognized in a commemorative book entitled Texas Principals, Texas Heroes. The TASSP Summer Workshop will be held June 13-15, 2018, at the Austin Convention Center.

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We are proud to support these dedicated men and women who put their own lives on the line to ensure that ours are protected at all times. When the energy you invest in life meets the energy we fuel it with, safe communities happen.

Explore Pampa ISD • 25

Student Ambassadors...

Leading and Learning with Purpose!

When Tanya Larkin began serving Pampa ISD as the Superintendent of Schools, she immediately began to assemble a group of students to not only provide her with their perspective, but also to serve as ambassadors for the district. Students

are who we serve, they are what we are here for, and they should be the “face” of this organization. –Larkin said. Seeking the counsel of students is something all school leaders should consider. Providing a place for students to have a voice in their education and a place for them to serve the school and community is critical for innovation, collaboration, and inspiration. The Superintendent’s Ambassadors is a small group of students who both apply for consideration and are nominated by campus staff and administration in grades 5-12. The students must present a persuasive personal essay or digital message that explains their passion for being an ambassador and their goals for leadership and for serving the school and the community. The ambassadors work closely with the Superintendent to not only be the voice of the students and the face of the district, but to help solve problems, make improvements, and serve as advisors to the leaders in the school about policies and decisions that impact students.

Service

Ambassadors are characterized by WHAT they do, HOW they are, and WHO they are. First, a student ambassador serves. They serve their school, their community, and their peers. Ambassadors collaborated with local First Responders to pass out school supplies and books to children at the Back To School Drive at Recreation Park. The Ambassadors held a drive for emergency supplies for victims of Hurricane Harvey and continue to collect items to send each month to needy schools in Lake Jackson, Texas. They also work closely with SnakPak4Kids to provide healthy snacks for students in Pampa schools.

Leadership Second, a student ambassador leads. This year the student ambassadors conducted school-wide assemblies in grades 3-12 to bring awareness to students about the importance of college and career readiness. The “What’s Your Plan?” campaign sparked the conversation among school leaders, teachers, students, and parents about the vital importance of purposeful planning for the future.

Character Lastly, a student ambassador is a person of high character. The ambassadors attend classes each month to learn about core morals, values, ethics, leadership skills, and decision making. They understand that integrity is best defined by what you do when nobody is looking.

26 • Explore Pampa ISD

Ambassador: (noun) a “diplomatic”

person who represents an organization, an idea, or a philosophy. A diplomat is a special person selected to engage in relationships and communicate with others within and outside of an organization.

Recognized by Region 16 The Superintendent’s Student Ambassadors were recently recognized as a Best Practice Program for Region 16 schools in the Panhandle at the Annual Back to School Kick-Off at the Amarillo Civic Center. Student Ambassadors presented to teachers and administrators from all over the panhandle and discussed their projects and purpose for leading and serving in Pampa ISD. As a result, many area districts began to implement similar programs in their schools.

Attributes, characteristics, and skills

of a student ambassador. These are the core ingredients to the success and influence of the group.

• • • • • • • • • • •

integrity honesty good moral character active in school activities kind helpful desire to lead desire to serve articulate trustworthy strong academic performance • strong work ethic

Ambassadors Team Up with Harvey the Harvester to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims!

A group of Pampa ISD Student Ambassadors pitched in to help with “Harvey Helps Harvey”, an initiative to help Hurricane Harvey victims by collecting non perishable food items, toiletries and diapers. The group joined Harvey the Harvester in the effort at one of the home Harvester football games. Items collected were sent to Lake Jackson, Texas.

The community was encouraged to participate in the drive through social media, take a photo at the donation site with Harvey and post their photos tagged with either #harveyhelpsharvey or #pampaproud, to spread the word about the program. To see more check out PISD on Twitter or Facebook.

Ambassadors in Action! Opposite Top: Lending a hand for Harvey Victims, Opposite Bottom: Working the Lamar School supply store on Open House night. Top: PHS Junior, Jastein McGahen, dressed as "Waldo" for photos to advertise the Educational Showcase. Middle: Pausing for a photo at the Harvey Helps Harvey event. Bottom: Ambassadors attend a leadership class with Mrs. Larkin.

Explore Pampa ISD • 27

8th Annual Educational Showcase The Educational Showcase is an annual event that highlights the academic lessons and accomplishments of Pampa ISD students. Manned by students, booths demonstrating the academic work of all grade levels, content areas, and disciplines fills the high school.

The 8th Annual Showcase did not disappoint. Over 2,000 family and community members, Pampa ISD students and staff gathered to visit the 116 booths on October 30th. It was an event full of energy and excitement that all began as attendees were greeted at the front entrance of the High School by the Pampa High band and drum corps. Performances and demonstrations by elementary students attracted a large crowd of onlookers around the commons area stage.

The high school Theater Arts department hosted a one act play demonstrating skills of some of the PHS Fine Arts students.

Once registered, everyone attending was given a passport. The passport contained spots for stamps from different booths to be collected. Once full of stamps, the passport served as an entry form for a door prize drawing. This encouraged participants to “explore” the showcase, tying into the theme of “#EXPLORE”.

The annual event is a collaborative effort as representatives from all departments and campuses take part in planning the Showcase. The Showcase gives an opportunity for families, community members, school personnel, and students to engage in conversation and fellowship with the primary purpose of celebrating student engagement and authentic learning.

If you have never attended the event, you should plan on attending next time to witness for yourself the creativity, communication, collaboration and the critical thinking of Pampa ISD students.

28 • Explore Pampa ISD

Explore Pampa ISD • 29

Cara Waterson

30 • Explore Pampa ISD

Businesses Making a

Big Impact

There is a parable that states “For whom much is given, much shall be required.” Bill Gates was quoted “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” This frame of thought is taken to heart by the leadership of area businesses, and it is paying great dividends to the students of Pampa ISD. Area business leaders and community members have recognized that there are many ways to give back to our community. Pampa ISD appreciates its community partners and these people play a vital role in the education of our students. The VIPS, Volunteers in Pampa Schools, is one avenue of service in our schools. Many community members and business leaders have spent countless hours working along side with our teaching staff, helping with reading and other tutoring or just mentoring students.

them become better learners who are compassionate, competent, confident and future ready” Superintendent of Pampa Schools, Tanya Larkin added. A presentation event was held with school officials and Cable ONE area employees on September 22nd at Lamar Elementary.

The “Prize Patrol” is another great way local businesses can make an impact. Once every six weeks outstanding teachers are recognized through this program. Donated funds are made available for classroom supplies,making a direct impact on the students. Receiving teachers are surprised with a “Sweepstakes” style knock at their classroom door. Representatives from the donating business are invited to participate, giving them a chance to see how much the donation is appreciated and allowing them to take part in the celebration.

Earlier this year, PISD Lamar Elementary School students were on the receiving end of a Cable ONE initiative, Cable ONE Cares, designed to improve student access to technology in schools. Through this program, Lamar, a Title 1 campus was given 50 Google Chromebooks. “Students’ lives are impacted by the use of technology every single day, even in the elementary setting,” Lamar Principal, Jamie Winborne said. “Pencils and paper are being replaced with online tools; it is imperative that students be adept with the use of technology. Thanks to Chromebooks donated

by Cable ONE, students are able to master these twenty-first century skills.”

Left to Right: Lamar Principal Jamie Winborne, Pampa ISD Superintendent Tanya Larkin and Cable ONE General Manager Sam McGill

Cable ONE General Manager, Sam McGill stated that “Cable ONE is committed to strengthening and improving the communities they serve, not only through its products and services, but through support of the local community.”

“Our Cable ONE associates are passionate about giving back to the community where they live and work,” McGill added. “We know that improving access to technology in our schools will improve education and benefit our community for the long term.”

“I want to thank all of our community partners for their efforts and dedication in working with our students to help

Left to Right: Jana Williamson, HR/Family & Community Engagement Coordinator; Stephanie Nelson, Open Range representative; Rachel Bridges, Lamar Teacher and recipient; Troy McClendon, Lamar Assistant Principal; Charlene Gee, PISD Family & Community Engagement; pictured with students from Mrs. Bridges Class

Explore Pampa ISD • 31

Students Express their Passions Through

Fine Art Programs There is no doubt that fine arts programs play an essential roll in a complete education. Students of all ages benefit from artistic learning through the various fine art programs that Pampa ISD has to offer. These programs allow for students to grow creatively through self expression and become innovative thinkers. As students are encouraged to express themselves and take risks while engaged in any art form, they begin to grow and become innovative, which is crucial in their adult lives.

32 • Explore Pampa ISD

Visual Arts

Pampa ISD recognizes the importance of giving our students the opportunity and the space to express themselves. Students at Pampa High School and Pampa Junior High School are given a solid foundation in the fundamental elements and principles of art, but are also encouraged to use their art classes as a means for self-expression.

Visual art is full of opportunities to learn to think critically and analytically. When completing projects, students must evaluate whatever problem their project presents, decide on a way to solve it, and then be able to explain and justify their choices at the end of each project.

Art 1 at Pampa High School is an introduction to the world of visual arts, where students are exposed to a wide variety of art materials and methods so that they can gain a solid understanding of the basics of art and discover which medium they would like to focus on if they advance to an upper-level art class. In the upperlevel art classes (Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture), students are given instruction in the materials they’re using, but their

imagery is left mostly up to them. This gives students a wide latitude to decide what they want to communicate and how they will do so within the specifications of the assignment. This allows our students to truly learn how to express visually whatever it is they’re feeling or thinking.

The spring semester brings the opportunity for students to enter VASE, a Texas visual art competition, and not only show off the work they are most proud of, but be exposed to the work of their peers from around the panhandle. During this event, students must complete an interview with a judge who is involved in the art community and justify the creative choices they made on their artwork. This requires the students to perform higher-order thinking, and analyze and justify their choices.

Another demonstration of Pampa ISD’s support of the visual arts that comes with Spring is Big Art Day, a district-wide arts event held in conjunction with Youth Art Month, and following the ideals of the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA). For Big Art Day, students from pre-k through 12th grade all contribute to a collaborative art project that is displayed at the Big Art

Day event. To create this collaborative art project, students from the high school travel to each elementary school and help the younger students complete their part of the project. Then, the collaborative project is assembled by teachers and students to be displayed. At the annual Big Art Day event, students from all grade levels and their families are invited to come see the collaborative project, the display of artwork created by the junior high and high school art students, and to make some art of their own. This event is quite popular and a really fun opportunity for students and their parents to spend time together, see amazing artwork created by Pampa students, and to make some projects of their own to take home!

Theatre Arts

Noted author and playwrite, Oscar Wilde, once noted "theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it means to be a human being." Whether or not the production is comedic or tragic the generation of emotion provides an unique cathartic

moment for the audience allowing each individual a personal experience. Often times theatre can serve as a relief from social tensions and fears by addressing these issues in a non-threatening manner.

For the students upon the stage or those behind the scenes theatre creates a home away from home. Students involved in theatrical productions report higher levels of success in collegiate and professional endeavors as they feel more at ease in decision making processes. They can think more quickly, their memorization skills are top notch, they can handle the pressures of time constraints, and socialization is not difficult for them. More internally, selfesteem is boosted and levels of creativity are reportedly higher. It is an art form that moves the soul - for both the audience and the participants.

Band

In Pampa ISD, students have the opportunity to participate in and make music with the Pampa Band. Our students start in the Junior High Band, consisting of our primarily sixth grade Beginning Explore Pampa ISD • 33

Band and two mixed seventh and eighth grade bands, the Concert Band and the Symphonic Band. All three years in the junior high band program, students learn the fundamentals of music literacy and fluency as well as ever increasing technical proficiency on their instruments.

All band students learn large wind ensemble skills through their large performing ensembles. These bands apply their considerable instrumental and musical skills as they perform throughout the year at events such as the Pampa Academic Showcase, the Christmas Concert, UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest in the spring, and the program’s Spring Concert shortly thereafter. These are exciting performances you won’t want to miss!

Students in the seventh grade up through high school participate in the All-Region Band. After very rigorous and competitive auditions take place in the fall, the Pampa Band routinely seats dozens of musicians with one of the strongest showings in the Panhandle. These students perform as part of the Panhandle-wide All-Region Band during the spring Clinic and Concert.

34 • Explore Pampa ISD

Additionally, Pampa Band students, both Junior High and High School, have the opportunity to learn small ensemble skills and individual musicianship through Solo and Ensemble Competition and Percussion Ensemble in the spring, as well as Jazz Band year round. These activities encourage hard work and diligence as students spend time perfecting their music and honing their skills before their adjudicated performances and auditions.

The Pampa High School Band, also known as the “Pride of Pampa,” has a long-standing history of excellence.

Having earned numerous superior ratings over the years, performed at invitationals, and often advanced in the Association of Texas Small School Bands Outstanding Performance Series, the Pride of Pampa showcases their musical skill through dozens of performances for the community throughout the year. From Friday night lights to the stage at MK Brown, Christmas carols to pep rallies, parades to community events, the Pride of Pampa band is always showing students’ exceptional musicianship!

Choir The PHS Choir Department has a very long tradition of excellence. Each year the choir department has brought home multiple sweepstakes awards from the UIL Concert and Sightsinging Contest.

In addition, the choir department has celebrated the successes of many AllRegion Choir members as well as of over 120 Texas All-Staters. Many medals have been won at the regional and state UIL Solo and Ensemble contests each year.

The Concert Choir has been selected to sing at the TMEA Convention as a state honor choir three times in its history. Each year the Concert Choir has produced a full length Broadway musical. In addition to its tradition of competition successes locally and statewide the Choir has toured and performed in England, Italy, New York City, Boston, Anaheim, Nashville, Orlando, as well as festivals in Texas.

600 North Ward • Pampa, Texas 79065

(806) 665-2323 www.carmichael-whatley.com At your side through the journey Explore Pampa ISD • 35

Trey Hon...

One of Pampa High’s Golden Voices To say that Trey Hon has excelled in vocal performance at Pampa High School would be an understatement, to say the least. He demonstrates what exceptional talent, hard work, and a lot of Harvester Spirit can accomplish. After making Texas UIL All-State Choir for the third year in a row, it is obvious that anyone could take notes from Trey! Here is what this high-achieving, yet unassuming Pampa High senior had to say.

At what age did you start singing?

"I remember joining the 6th grade choir. Mrs. May was my choir teacher, she has mentored me... I still take lessons from her."

What are your college or career plans?

"Right now, I plan on attending Southwestern Oklahoma State. I'm going to stay in choir in college. I want to eventually go to pharmacy school in Tulsa or Oklahoma City."

How did you discover your passion for singing?

"In 7th or 8th grade when I competed in a TMEA competition, I won a medal and realized that this is something I could do."

What is you favorite activity outside of singing?

"I just like to relax, maybe play XBox or watch Netflix movies!."

What type of music is on your play list?

"I like to listen to about anything ...except hard core rap!

Classic Rock like Queen, Foreigner, Kansas, Aerosmith, the Eagles... groups like that."

What have you learned from competing in choir?

"I have learned perseverance and hard work... knowing that there is a way to be better. Being open minded to suggestions and being able to accept constructive criticism."

What is the biggest challenge you have faced while trying to reach your goals?

"Staying on top of things is my biggest challenge. Each round of competition you are given new music to learn. I have had to prioritize things like school work, learning new music, and working on the High School Musical."

What have you enjoyed the most about competing in choir?

"I have enjoyed getting to see my fellow PHS Choir members, Taylor Lindley, Lacey Bilyeu and Xander Karson make the All-State Choir this year too! The look on their faces when their names were called out was priceless."

What is your typical practice routine before a big competition?

"Well, for several weeks leading up to one, I sing the music from the previous elimination rounds, district, region and pre-area. By the time I get to area and all-state tryouts, I have learned all of the possible cuts, which are the parts of the songs that you might be given. During the few weeks before, I fine tune my performance hoping any mistakes made would be minor."

36 • Explore Pampa ISD

Trey Hon

Pampa ISD Named to College Board’s 8th Annual Advanced Placement District Honor Roll Pampa Independent School District has been named to the College Board’s 8th Annual AP® District Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognized 447 school districts in the U.S. and Canada that have increased access to AP coursework while maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams.

We’re proud to have been named to the College Board’s 8th Annual AP® District Honor Roll for our efforts to expand access to AP coursework and improve student performance on AP Exams.

For more information about the distinction, visit the College Board AP District Honor Roll web page at: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/score-reports-data/awards/honor-roll

“For Pampa ISD to receive NATIONAL RECOGNITION for an academic program is a sign of the excellent educators and students we have in our schools. Our Board of Trustees and school staff have worked hard to remove the barriers for all students so that they may engage in the rigorous curriculum and have the opportunity to experience college level work with zero risk and zero cost. What a blessing it is to so many to have this kind of open-access. For many of our students, they will be the first one in their family to go to college. The Advanced Placement program is just one of many programs we offer in Pampa ISD to set students up for success and to ultimately change the trajectory of their future. It is inspiring to be a part of such a life-changing school district!”

Tanya Larkin

Pampa ISD Superintendent

Explore Pampa ISD • 37

E T C

Preparing for the Future

Career and Technical Education Programs enable students to apply academic principles and skills essential to career success!

Students face a changing work place with increased international competition and new technologies. They need current information, rigorous academics and training. The Career & Technical Education Department assists students with that process! Pampa ISD is committed to providing students that want to enter the workforce directly from high school opportunities to be prepared to do so. Students can choose their field of study by following one of the career tracks or class cluster programs.

Business Management and Administration BUSINESS TOUCHES EVERYTHING IN YOUR WORLD. It’s behind the food you eat, the vehicles you drive, the clothes you wear—every product or service you consume is the result of a business somewhere organizing the people, money, materials, and other resources to deliver that product or service to you. From chief executive officers (CEOs) overseeing worldwide organizations of hundreds of thousands of workers to receptionists answering phones, well-educated employees make businesses run more smoothly and profitably. The skills you learn in Business Management & Administration can make you an attractive job applicant for any company. If

you see yourself managing teams of people to get projects done, crunching numbers to keep costs down, or becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own venture, then Business Management & Administration could be the right career cluster for you.

The PHS Business Management and Administration Pathway includes extensive training in business applications in technology, financial responsibility, and can be enhanced by adding Accounting I/II from the Finance Cluster.

Health Science

EVERYONE NEEDS HEALTH CARE. From newborns to seniors, Texans require professionals who are experts at diagnosing and treating disease, using medical technologies, and providing preventive care. Although ev-

Preparing for the Future The Pampa ISD Career & Technical Education Programs complement and enhance academic preparation by enabling students to apply academic principles and technical skills essential to career success. CTE allows students to see the relevance of their academic preparation to their future career goals. Our programs of study include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career technical content.

e r a p re

Our Career and Technical Education Programs include:

• A relevant, coherent sequence of CTE courses with college credit opportunities.

• Opportunities for industry-recognized certifications and licensure • Extended learning including curricular and extracurricular activities, work-based and service learning, and professional associations • Preparing students for the changes and challenges of the future enabling them to pursue productive and fulfilling lives.

38 • Explore Pampa ISD

P

eryone thinks of doctors and nurses when they contemplate careers in health care, there are hundreds of other specialties available in the Health Science cluster, including technicians, skilled support personnel, dentists, and scientists. In fact, a typical medical center is a giant business with employees as varied as aides and CEOs (chief executive officers). As the baby boomer generation in Texas ages, demand for health services grows, meaning that job security in the cluster is strong. If you feel a calling to care for others, won’t faint at the sight of blood, or want to pursue a profession on the cutting edge of technology, then Health Science may be the right career cluster for you.

The Health Science program at Pampa High School prepares students for a 21st century career in healthcare.

Students are given the opportunity to explore many different careers within the healthcare field during their four years in the program. Courses include: Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Terminology, and Practicum in Health Science. As hands-on experience is critical for success in health science education, the program offers multiple job shadowing opportunities in diverse locations as well as certification opportunities in CPR, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technician (coming soon).

See also, dual credit nursing section/ Introduction to Nursing with CC. Accelerated Opportunity.

Audio Video Production The Arts, A/V Technology and Communications (AATC) Career Cluster focuses on careers in designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services. Careers in the AATC Career Cluster require a creative aptitude, a strong background in computer and technology applications, a strong academic foundation, and a proficiency in oral and written communication.

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AS SHAKESPEARE OBSERVED, ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE. Whether it’s music, painting, drawing, sculpting, writing, dancing, or any other genre, artistic expression is all around us—on TV and radio, at the movies, in art galleries, on the Web, in our MP3 players. People who work in the Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications cluster may entertain and inform through an ever-growing array of new media forms such as cell phone ringtones, text messaging, and shared online videos. A world of audio-visual (A/V) technology, and communications professionals—including producers and directors, print and electronic journalists, website designers, video game programmers, and multimedia artists—makes it all possible. If you have a calling to be creative, yearn to express yourself, or love using new technologies, then Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications may be the right career cluster for you.

The PHS AV Pathway offers students options such as: Principles of Arts, AV, and Communications, Audio/Video Production I/II, Graphic Design, and Commercial Photography. Students in this program also contribute to the high school yearbook each year, serve on film crews for extracurricular events, assist with live-streaming events, and produce video announcements for the school.

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Automotive Technology TEXAS IS ON THE MOVE. Every day, everywhere in the northern, southern, eastern, and western parts of the state, people and products travel hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, waterways, railroad tracks, and air routes— all because of those who work in Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics.

These professionals are responsible for ensuring that everyone and everything gets to the right place on time at the lowest possible cost.

The Automotive Technology Pathway at PHS provides students a foundational knowledge of automotive systems, automotive maintenance and repair of primarily gas, but also diesel engines.

Advanced students will have opportunities to earn multiple Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications which are recognized and promoted by industry professionals across the nation.

If you are a mover and shaker, have a talent for organization, or yearn to see new places, then Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics could be the right career cluster for you.

Ag, Food and Natural Resources AGRICULTURE, FOOD, & NATURAL RESOURCES FOCUS ON THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF LIFE—WATER, AIR, FOOD, AND LAND. The people who work in this cluster include farmers and ranchers tending Texas crops and livestock; utility operators providing oil, electricity, and natural gas; and conservationists protecting wilderness and wildlife. They put food on our tables and turn raw materials into products we all use. For students and workers in Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources, the Earth is one giant classroom full of natural wonders to explore. If you love to be outdoors, enjoy caring for plants and animals, and want to help conserve our natural resources, then Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources could be the right career cluster for you.

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Five Endorsement Areas offered by

Pampa ISD

Students can also receive endorsement certificates in five different fields of study.

The requirements are outlined below.

Multidisciplinary Studies

(One of the Following)

• 4 advanced courses from other endorsement areas • 4 credits in each foundation subject area, including English IV and chemistry and or physics • 4 credits in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit selected from English, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, LOTE or fine arts

Arts and Humanities (One of the Following) • • • • •

2 levels each in two languages other than English (LOTE) Social Studies 4 levels of the same LOTE American Sign Language (ASL) Courses from one or two areas (Music, Theater, Art, Dance) in Fine Arts • English electives not included in Business and Industry

Business and Industry (CTE) (One of the Following or a combination of areas) • • • • • • •

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Agriculture and Construction Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communication Business Management and Administration Finance Hospitality and Tourism Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Public Services (CTE)

(One of the Following) • • • •

Human Services Health Science Education an Training Law

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) (CTE) • Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses related to STEM • Mathematics • Science • Combination of no more than two of the categories listed above

Explore Pampa ISD • 41

Law, Public Safety, Corrections

designed to introduce learners to the various careers available within the Education and Training career cluster.

The Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. Students will examine the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, corrections, private security, and protective agencies of fire and emergency services.

Hospitality /Tourism & Culinary Arts

Education and Training

The Education and Training Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing education and training services and related learning support services. All parts of courses are

TEXAS IS A TOP DESTINATION. People from around the globe come here to visit attractions such as the Alamo, Six Flags Over Texas, and Padre Island National Seashore — all ranked among the top draws for tourists in the state. Untold millions enjoy our wealth of hotels, restaurants, theaters, museums, zoos, aquariums, rodeos, campgrounds, state and national parks, racetracks, cruises, and more. The job of keeping all those people happy falls to workers in Hospitality & Tourism.

Whether chefs or concierges, travel

agents or tour guides, park rangers or players for sports teams, the professionals in this cluster are experts at pleasing the public. If you want to see the world, enjoy serving others, or dream of opening a restaurant or bed and breakfast someday, then Hospitality & Tourism may be the right cluster for you.

Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.

Parents need to know!

A Career and Technical Education program can: Show how reading, math, and science are used in careers by relating academic subjects to the real world. Start college studies while in high school through dual enrollment with a community college. Add a new dimension to learning with “hands-on" in addition to “eyes-on” activities – a more effective way of learning.

Enhance Success in School: CTE programs teach the Texas Academic Standards needed to be successful on the state graduation exam while enhancing students’ enjoyment of school. Academic Standards may come more easily when taught in a Career and Technical program.

Provide College Prep and Career Prep: CTE blends rigorous academic content with technical skills in a hands-on setting so students find greater meaning and greater success in their studies. Career and Technical programs meet the entrance requirements of four-year colleges and universities while including skills employers are looking for.

Challenge Students to Think: CTE students are challenged to apply theoretical knowledge - learned in academic & technical classrooms - to practical problems in laboratories or at worksites. This is a basic lifetime skill.

s t n e ar

Test Career Interests before College: CTE provides career focus as insurance for success in post secondary education. Before students invest in college, they can test their interest in areas such as health care, culinary arts, information technology, hospitality, child care, agriculture, and business - just to mention a few.

Help Pay for College: Technical skills that focus on a specific career area help students get better higher paying jobs to meet the cost of college education.

P

Broaden Lifelong work and Educations Options: CTE prepares students for well-paying, satisfying careers even in nontraditional fields.

Acquire Life Skills: CTE programs instill the desire to learn because every student feels a sense of accomplishment. Personal skills such as self-confidence, self-awareness, good work-habits, practical problem solving, punctuality, reliability, and teamwork are essential in any career.

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Article Photos 1. Health Science students practiced taking blood pres-

sure at the Educational Showcase.

2. Audio/Video Production Students recorded the festivities at the Hall of Fame induction.

3. & 4. Culberson-Stowers Automotive has partnered with Pampa ISD by allowing Automotive Technology students to observe and participate in their repair shop.

5. Welding II student, Alex Huerta, hones his metal cutting skills.

6. Alex Huerta and Jared Thomas compete in a "West Texas Weld-Off Competition".

7. Culinary Arts students recently served an Appreciation Dinner to the Pampa ISD School Board. Hannah Nichols served as waitress for this table of school board members and their wives.

8. Pampa FFA member, Jacey Baten, exhibiting her Breed Champion Charolais Steer at the Gray County Stock Show.

8. Melina Solis Madrid, pastry chef and Sergio Nevarez, saucier, plated dishes served at the School Board Appreciation Dinner.

10. Steve Kersh, Chief Meteorologist at KVII in Amarillo visited with Audio/Video students.

11. Health Science students get a hands on biology lesson... enjoyed by some more than others!

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Charla Shults

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Explore Pampa ISD • 43

What’s Y

College, Career, and M

Simply stated, College, Career, and Military Preparation endeavors at Pampa ISD are based on our conviction that all students can experience success in high school, college/university, career, military service, and ultimately life in general if they choose to plan for that success. For this important reason we habitually pose the same question year after year beginning in elementary and throughout high school to our student body:

“What’s Your Plan?”

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Your Plan?

Military Readiness Preparation Guide Elementary School Children as young as kindergarten are beginning to think about their identities, strengths, differences, and to absorb messages from adults—spoken and unspoken—about what kind of students they are and what is expected of them. It is very important that parents, teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors send clear, consistent messages to young children that adults believe in them, think they are capable, and that they are valued as members of the school community. By doing this, the adults create a positive association with school at an early age.

Early elementary school is also a time when students are developmentally ready to build awareness of different subjects and disciplines, of school-related milestones and benchmarks, and of different types of careers. Kids this age may not grasp the details, but exposure to different types of training and work builds background knowledge to prepare them for later exploration of various career options, and ultimately concentrating on a particular field.

Students to do: Do you best in school everyday Read as much as possible Have fun learning If you have a question, ask someone Attend any college, career, or military prep events offered at your school Students to explore: Visit www.kids.gov to learn about jobs and to find fun online games. Check out the Kids’ Zone at www. nces.ed.gov/nceskids

Parents to do: Help your kindergartener develop an interest in reading by reading aloud to him or her.

Check your child’s homework and follow his or her progress in school by looking at report cards and attending teacher conferences Start saving for your child’s college education. Learn about the tax advantages of state-offered college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans at www.collegesavings.org.

Take a look at the K-12 resources for parents provided by Texas Workforce Commission at http://www.twc.state.tx.us/ students.

Students who have been in school for several years have learned the routines of the classroom, have likely developed preferences for certain subjects and learning modalities, and have experienced both academic success and frustration.

They are more self-aware as students and better equipped to both communicate about their learning and exhibit agency in their academic lives. Upper elementary students are developmentally ready for more accountability and a higher degree of exposure to different types of post-secondary speakers and career professionals.

Junior High Middle school students are at an age where interest inventories can be helpful tools to promote self-knowledge and to see how their aptitudes align with various workforce opportunities.

They are also ready to begin regularly practicing academic goal setting. The influence of older students can play a significant role and may be very helpful for transition to high school.

Students to do: Make continuing your education after high school a definite part of your future plans. Discuss ideas with family and trusted teachers and counselors at PJHS. Start saving money for college if you have not already.

Choose challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school; including the College and Career Readiness course which offers interest and skill inventory assessments.

Explore Pampa ISD • 45

Discover additional resources by visiting: https://texasoncourse.org/students-families#level-1 Parents to do: Use FAFSA4caster at fafsa.gov to find out how much federal student aid your child might receive. This information will help you plan ahead.

Continue saving for your child’s college education. If you have not opened a savings account, you can find information about tax advantages and links to state plans at www. collegesavings.org.

Talk to your child about his or her interests and help match those interests with a college major and career.

Help your child develop good study habits, such as studying at the same time and place every day and having the necessary materials to complete assignments.

Stay in contact with your child’s teachers and counselor so that they can let you know about any changes in your child’s behavior or schoolwork.

Keep an eye on your child’s grades, and help him or her find tutoring assistance, if necessary.

Pampa ISD superintendent, Tanya Larkin, leads an activity at the Austin Elementary "Whats' Your Plan?" event last fall. Annual assemblies are held at each campus to remind students that is never too early to develop a plan.

Junior High cont.

Develop strong study habits.

Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up—get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.

Become involved in school or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things.

Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counselor or librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them what they like about their job and what education they needed for it.

Review endorsement options available at Pampa High School. Consider what you (only you, not everyone else) find interesting.

Prepare important questions to ask high school CTE teachers when they come to visit your class to talk more about what programs they teach and what jobs they prepare you for.

Students to explore: Find out why you should prepare for college now at www.StudentAid.gov/prepare Browse My Future, My Way: First Steps Toward College, a workbook for middle and junior high school students, at www.StudentAid.gov/resources#my-future

46 • Explore Pampa ISD

Parents to explore: Get tips from the following documents at www.ed.gov/ parents/academic/help/hyc.html: Helping Your Child With Homework offers suggestions on how to empower your child to successfully complete assignments.

Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence addresses issues that parents of 10- to 14-year-olds generally find most challenging.

Browse Parent Power at www.ed.gov/parents/academic/ help/parentpower/booklet.pdf for ideas to help support your child as he or she transitions into high school.

High School Students often enter high school with a somewhat fixed idea of their skills and interests. This can be beneficial in some ways because it can allow them to focus, but it can also potentially limit them from new or unexplored opportunities or skill development. At Pampa HS we encourage students to continue exploration but to also endeavor to take rigorous coursework to further abilities for critical problem-solving and independent practice.

Once students reach the upper levels of high school, their post-secondary planning should have already begun. They are now ready to concentrate on specific career possibilities through activities like practicum courses, internships, job shadowing opportunities, and dual credit opportunities. Ideally, by the time they graduate, students should exhibit independence, the ability to critically think and solve problems, and perform at the college-ready level. Students who prioritize their abilities to perform at the college-level, may successfully earn valuable industry recognized credentials, and/or earn college credit hours for transfer or even earn a fully-accredited Associates Degree from Clarendon College by the time of their high school graduation.

Every Year in High School Students to do: Review TEA’s Graduation Toolkit for information about graduation requirements, programs of study, and ways to earn distinguished achievements.

Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember that it’s quality—not quantity—that counts.

Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college.

Create a personal email account (google, yahoo, Microsoft live, etc) with appropriate email address, and a password you can easily remember. Plan to retain this email account for many years, use it for all important college, career, and/ or military email correspondence.

Attend the Fall College Night, and Spring Career Day. As well as any local events: such as job fairs, soft skills trainings, college prep programs offered by local community-based organizations Students to explore: Check out KnowHow2Go: The Four Steps to College, at www.knowhow2go.org for more advice on actions you can take as you start thinking about education beyond high school.

Explore the resources for high school students and families at: https://texasoncourse.org/students-families#level-1 Get answers to common questions about college by watching our videos on the “Prepare for College” playlist at www.

YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid. Parents to do: Attend the PISD Annual Educational Showcase event Continue to talk to your child about college plans as if he or she will definitely go to college.

Keep an eye on your child’s study habits and grades. Stay involved.

Encourage your child to take dual credit, advanced placement courses, or other challenging classes.

Add to your child’s college savings account regularly.

Submit the PISD application for free/reduced lunches each year. Results from this form will determine eligibility for dual credit class tuition waiver.

Parents to explore: Explore www.StudentAid.gov/parent for information on saving for college, borrowing for college, applying for financial aid, getting tax benefits to help make college affordable, and more.

9th Grade Students to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Talk to your school counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement courses. Find out what courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them.

Hot Tips: • File your federal income taxes as soon as possible.

Your FASFA cannot be filed until after your taxes have been submitted. Schools have limited scholarship funds and delayed FASFA filing could result in missed college scholarship opportunities!

• Pay careful attention to deadlines!

Mark a calendar or set reminders on your phone. Missed deadlines are not overlooked by colleges or other scholarship opportunities.

• Pampa ISD allows for students to have two days of excused absences for college visits.

The absences must be pre-approved. Ask the school office for details.

Use the career search at www.StudentAid.gov/careersearch or utilize the valuable tools located at: http://www.texascareercheck.com/ which focus on exploring careers, exploring education, and planning for college, career, and/or military success in Texas.

Make a list of your awards, honors, extracurricular activities, and paid and volunteer work. Consider participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science.

Declare an endorsement, review preliminary graduation plan with counselors, then take home and return with parent/guardian signature. Note the plan can be changed anytime upon student request.

Any students planning to start dual credit classes their Sophomore year should find an opportunity to take the TSI test before the end of 9th grade year.

Students to explore: Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college#why-college for a quick rundown on why deciding to attend college is a no-brainer.

Find ways to get help preparing for college at www.StudentAid.gov/prepare-for-college/help Other courses of interest for next year Specific requirements to take dual credit, or AP classes

Explore Pampa ISD • 47

Did You Know?

Students can Earn an Associate Degree before High School Graduation!

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board defines "dual credit" as the process by which a high school junior or senior enrolls in a college course and receives simultaneous academic credit for the course from both the college and the high school. While dual credit courses are often taught on the secondary school campus to high school students only, a high school student can also take a course on the college campus and receive both high school and college credit. Dual credit courses can be academic or technical in nature. These courses are stepping stones from high school to college, and serve as a path to academic degree programs or college-level workforce education certifications.

There are numerous advantages for both the student and the state in regards to dual credit. A few possible advantages include: • Increased likelihood that a student will complete high school, enroll in, and persist in college • Decreased cost of tuition and fees for students by accelerating time to degree • Accelerated degree time may free up facility space and faculty for additional students to enroll • Expedited entry into the workforce and into wage earning and beneficial positions PHS students enroll in dual credit courses for many reasons: • Earn general education credit to transfer to other colleges or universities • Earn a workforce certificate to utilize while pursuing additional education • Earn an Associate Degree PRIOR to PHS graduation • Accelerate time to PHS graduation Current offerings derived from 2 higher education partners: 1. College-level engineering credit is provided through a partnership between PISD and UT Tyler and is aligned around the widely accepted Project Lead the Way curriculum.

“Keep up the PACE with UT Tyler. The PACE Program at UT Tyler allows students the opportunity to earn dual credit for core academic courses that will transfer to all public institutions in Texas as well as many out-of-state institutions. The PACE Program partners with high schools across the state by offering college courses in a variety of formats to meet the needs of administrators, teachers, and students.”

2. Texas general education core courses, provided through Clarendon College, allow students to earn college level credits, at a reduced price. These credits can be applied towards an undergraduate degree at any public college and university.

Dual credit career/technical courses offer students the opportunity to earn college level credits toward nursing, welding, cosmetology, and industrial maintenance. Through our local partnership with Clarendon College, Pampa High School students may attend dual credit courses on either the college or high school campus, receive automatic admission to pathway programs, and accelerate their time to completion.

The citizens of Pampa and other stakeholders provide financial assistance for economically disadvantaged students to participate in dual credit courses for little to no cost.

48 • Explore Pampa ISD

9th Grade cont.

Parents to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Make sure you are fully aware of the provisions of any college savings accounts you have opened for your child.

Question your child about their choice of endorsement, their class schedule, and their current career aspirations. Sign and return your student’s Personal Graduation Plan (contact counselors for more information).

Discuss AP and dual credit options with your child.

10th Grade Students to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their admissions requirements.

Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) or PSATTM 10.

After all, EOC/STAR testing completed this year, sign up for your first attempt at the TSI Assessment.

Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away from home or at a local college).

Go to career information events when possible.

Research majors that might be a good match with your interests and goals. Consider what fits well with your results from the career search at StudentAid.gov/careersearch, or from the Interest Profiler at www.texascareercheck.com Students to Explore: Learn the differences between grants, loans, workstudy, and scholarships at www.StudentAid.gov/types.

Think about starting to research different colleges. Play around with the College Scorecard tool at www.collegescorecard.ed.gov to explore schools based on size, location, programs, and more.

Find information about where to find career focused programs and education in Texas at www.texascareercheck. com.

Parents to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Talk with your child about dual credit, AP, and other advanced courses Plan to attend the college night event at PHS in the fall semester.

Help your child develop independence by encouraging him or her to take responsibility for balancing homework with other activities or a part-time job.

11th Grade Students to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Explore careers and their earning potential with the Occupational Outlook Handbook search tool at https://www.bls.gov/ ooh/.

Learn about choosing a college using the college search

tool provided at www.studentaid.gov/prepare-for-college/ choosing-schools. Or by using the college planning guide found here: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations hosted by school counselors and/or college representatives.

Take the PSAT/NMSQT.* You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Register for and take exams for college admission and placement.* The tests that many colleges require are the TSI, SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

Use the free scholarship search tool at StudentAid.gov/ scholarships to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

Students to explore: Visit www.YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid and go to the “Types of Aid” playlist to see how the government can help you pay for college.

Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/scams Parents to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Take another look at your financial situation, and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college.

Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering.

Ask why those schools appeal to your child, and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.

Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen; let your child do the talking.

Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.

Attend any financial aid information events at your child’s school.

As soon as possible after its Oct. 1 release, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at fafsa.ed.gov, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen school(s) may require. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February.

After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks.

This document lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA and gives you some basic information about your aid eligibility. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.

If you haven’t done so already, register for and take such exams as the TSI, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or ACT for college admission.* Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! Well before your college application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit the required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.

Complete any last scholarship applications.

Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll.

(Review your college acceptances and compare the col-

12th Grade Students to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Work hard all the way to graduation—second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility.

Stay involved in after-school activities, and seek leadership roles if possible.

By October 1, create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. You and your parent will each need your own unique FSA ID. Learn about the FSA ID, and create yours, at https://fsaid.ed.gov/ npas/index.htm Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that will cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.

Attending Spring College Night at PHS is a great way to learn more about different schools, as well as college life in general. College websites are great resources, too. Military recruiters are also there to answer any questions.

Explore Pampa ISD • 49

12th Grade cont. leges’ financial aid offers. Use the “Compare Financial Aid Offers” tool at www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college to analyze aid offers side by side.

Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what—they can tell you about deadlines, paperwork you might need to submit, and other aid for which you might wish to apply.

When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.

Once you have chosen the specific college, university, or branch of military you will attend, ask your college admission counselor or recruiter for some type of regalia to display on PHS CCM Signing Day. Students to explore: Refer to StudentAid.gov/fafsa to learn about the FAFSA process.

Understand the FAFSA better by watching the videos in the “FAFSA: Apply for Aid” playlist at www.YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid. Follow or like the office of Federal Student Aid at www.Twitter.com/FAFSA and www.Facebook.com/FederalStudentAid to get regular financial aid tips.

Make informed decisions about student loans; find important information at the “Why Get a Federal Student Loan?” and the “Federal Versus Private Loans” page at www.StudentAid.gov/federal-vs-private.

Parents to do: Review “Every Year in High School” checklist.

Work with your child on collecting all required documentation and submission of the FAFSA.

Charla Shults

Military Preparation The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude test that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. To date this test has been administered to seniors each fall, but beginning in the fall of 2018, Pampa ISD will be offering the ASVAB to sophomore and junior students, as well. Information regarding the ASVAB will be announced as the fall test date nears.

50 • Explore Pampa ISD

Parents to explore: Make sure your child’s personal information is safe when he or she applies for financial aid. For tips, read Federal Student Aid and Identity Theft at www.StudentAid.gov/resources#consumer-protection.

Go to www.irs.gov and read IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses. Search for “Publication 970” from the IRS home page to find the most recent version of the document.

Understand the benefits of federal student loans by reading “Why Get a Federal Student Loan?” www.StudentAid.gov/ federal-vs-private.

Help your child learn about the responsibilities involved in accepting a student loan by reviewing www.StudentAid.gov/ types/loans#considerations with him or her.

Look at communications from schools to which your child sent FAFSA information. If a school has offered you or your child Direct Loans, the Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students and Federal Student Loans: Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents booklets might be useful to you. Find them at www.StudentAid.gov/resources#loans.

_College

Tuition

Whether you have years to prepare, or the time is drawing near, financial preparation is a BIG DEAL! For most families, paying for college is an “elephant-sized” task! But the U.S. Department of Education offers a helpful variety of options to aid in reducing this gigantic task down to size, whether applying to a vocational/technical school, college or university. It is essential to know the eligibility requirements and application process for federal student aid. And it is necessary to understand the different types of financial aid available to help cover expenses such as tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board. Aid can even help pay for transportation, a computer, and dependent care as needed.

Who is Eligible for Federal Student Aid? To meet the basic eligibility requirements, you must: • Demonstrate financial need • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen • Have a valid Social Security number • If male, be registered with Selective Service (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25) • Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent, such as a General Educational Development (GED) OR - a completed high school education in a state approved home school setting • Be accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certification program • For more details about our eligibility criteria, visit StudentAid.gov/eligibility

How does one apply for Federal Student Aid?

To apply for Federal Student Aid, you must: • File Federal Income Taxes • Fill out FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.ed.org

There are three main categories of federal student aid:

Grants The U.S. Department of Education offers many different types of grants. Most are awarded to students based on financial need, and are not required to be paid back.

Loans There is a wide variety of federal and private loans available to help to meet college expenses. Loan money must be repaid, the majority, with interest.

Work Study Programs The work-study program helps college students find employment on or near campus, offering accommodating earning opportunities while attending classes.

For more information on federal student aid visit: www.StudentAid.gov

Explore Pampa ISD • 51

Senior Walk and Signing Day New Traditions Inspire Success!

by Hugh Piatt Senior Walk The tradition of having a Senior Walk came about two years ago. The idea was to give our senior graduates an opportunity to stroll the hallways of their old Jr. High and Elementary Schools while providing them time to reminisce about their Elementary and Jr. High years, say good bye to teachers and faculty members that made an impact on their life, show those same important people that they “made it�, and provide a little inspiration to the younger kids. Graduating seniors, dressed in their caps and gowns, load up on buses and travel to PJHS. After unloading, the seniors walk through all the hallways giving high fives to the students and staff. Many of the seniors spend a few minutes thanking and hugging their favorite teacher or staff member, some even shed a few tears. Next, the seniors get to travel to their elementary school and repeat the same pattern.

The event is very special for the seniors. They take time to reflect on where they have been, what they have accomplished, and the people who have helped them along the way. The staff members at the schools seem to enjoy seeing the students they taught not so long ago, in their caps and gowns, symbolizing the completion of this stage of their journey.

Signing Day

Last year was the inaugural Signing Day at PHS. The event is an opportunity to showcase the successes of the senior class in front of the student body, staff, and community members. All graduates that have committed to a university, college, trade school, or a branch of the military are represented. Seniors send off for or design their own table drape to show off where they are headed. The underclassmen fill McNeely Fieldhouse and then the seniors march in and sit at their respective table. Many of the seniors volunteer to talk about why they chose to continue their education at the particular location, what they hope to accomplish in the next few years, and also provide advice to their peers on what it took to get to this point. The stories are personal and heartfelt. Countless accomplishments of our students are amazing, especially considering the obstacles some of them have overcome. The hope is that the visual of the numerous seniors sitting in front of the entire student body will motivate and encourage the underclassmen to achieve that level of success and more.

52 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Pampa ISD • 53

Special Education, Fostering Independence

By Susan Furgason The Pampa ISD Special Education Department works with students with disabilities to assist them to move as independently as possible through the educational programs in Pampa ISD and to fully prepare them for life after graduation.

Services such as Speech/Language Therapy, Inclusion, and Resource Classes are provided on each campus. Other services, such as PPCD (Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities), Re-Direct Classes, Medically Fragile Classes, and Life Skills Classes are centrally located at various campuses across the district.

We take great pride in our students, and upon graduation, we strive for ALL of our students to be compassionate, competent, confident, and future-ready. One such graduate of Pampa ISD, who went through the Special Education Program, recently completed the WTLC (Where the Learning Continues) Program at West Texas A&M University and was honored during the Commencement Ceremony.

Pampa ISD is the fiscal agent for the Pampa Shared Service Arrangement which also includes the Special Education programs from Grandview-Hopkins ISD and Lefors ISD.

Pampa ISD currently serves approximately 430 students with special needs. There is a two-part test for determining whether a child is eligible for special education and related services: (1) a child must have a disability; and (2) as a result of the disability, a child must need special education and related services to benefit from education. To meet the first part of the two-part test for eligibility, a child between the ages of 3 through 21, except as noted, must meet the criteria for one or more of the disability categories listed below: • Auditory impairment (from birth); • Autism; • Deaf-Blindness (from birth); • Emotional disturbance; • Intellectual disability; • Multiple disabilities; • Non-categorical early childhood (ages to five); • Orthopedic impairment; • Other health impairment; • Specific learning disability; • Speech or language impairment; • Traumatic brain injury; or • Visual impairment (including blindness from birth).

Most students receive instruction in a variety of settings throughout the day with an emphasis on opportunities to interact with age-appropriate non-disabled peers.

54 • Explore Pampa ISD

Pampa ISD also provides services for eligible students under Section 504, which includes Dyslexia Services. The main emphasis of Section 504 in the schools is equal educational opportunity, which is primarily accomplished by providing appropriate classroom accommodations to eligible disabled students. Section 504 also requires that eligible students are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in school extracurricular and nonacademic activities.

Section 504 is a nondiscrimination statute. The results of the disability must be that the student is unable to achieve equal access or benefit from the school’s program and activities as compared to a non-disabled peer. The existence of a physical or mental impairment does not mean that the child automatically qualifies under Section 504.

An eligible Section 504 student is one with: 1. A physical or mental impairment 2. That substantially limits learning or another major life activity Pampa ISD is committed to providing students, parents, teachers, and administrators with programs and services that will promote student success and achievement.

If you have questions regarding any of these services, please contact your child’s Principal or the Director of Special Education.

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Pampa ISD Gifted and Talented Program Fosters Creative Thinking!

By Pam Mitchell Pampa ISD provides unique opportunities for high achieving and underachieving students who are identified as gifted and talented through the Pampa ISD Gifted and Talented Program. A gifted/talented student performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment.

What makes a child gifted /talented? He or she exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or excels in a specific academic field. This capacity includes many and varied characteristics that require modifications of curriculum and instruction.

Pampa ISD provides exceptional services for gifted and talented students. By the nature of their exceptional abilities, gifted students need a differentiated educational program that provides learning commensurate with their abilities. These modifications form the basis of Pampa ISD’s K-12 Gifted and Talented Educational Services. Gifted children have unique academic, social and emotional needs. If these needs are not met, there is a loss to the individual, to the school, and to society. Two of the most basic needs are delivering the appropriate level of academic challenge and meeting the social and emotional needs of the gifted and talented student through interaction with other gifted and talented students and appropriate programming.

Pampa Independent School District is committed to a school environment that fosters achievement and the realization of each student’s potential. The belief in the possibility of individual excellence and unique achievement, as well as the school’s responsibility for fostering both in gifted students, serves as the foundation of our GT program. The GT program is dedicated to recognizing the unique needs, interests, and abilities of these students and to providing enriched and enhanced educational endeavors. It encourages them to assume greater responsibility for recognizing and fulfilling their own affective and cognitive potential. In our rapidly changing world, students must be prepared for tomorrow to actualize their potential, become producers of knowledge as lifelong learners, and enhance and enjoy the society in which they live.

Services to gifted and talented students may take several forms such as differentiated instruction within the regular classroom, pull-out experiences led by a GT facilitator, field trips and other extended learning opportunities, as well as PreAP and AP course options.

56 • Explore Pampa ISD

We Believe That…

● Each individual has unlimited potential for success ● Unified efforts improve the quality of life for all ● All people have value and worth ● Teamwork, commitment, and dedication will make a difference ● A nurturing environment fosters individual growth ● The essence of society is its educational strength Photos on opposite page: Top Left: Cheyanne Mobbley, (Lamar) researches her independent study topic on Wolves.

Middle Left: Clayton Rogers and Jarren Hill, (Austin) write a project proposal listing materials needed, and describing their final product they will create in detail.

Bottom Left: Katelynn Cepeda, (Wilson) reads her informational tweet about musical intelligence at the Pampa ISD 2017 Showcase.

Top Right: Wyatt Johnson (Travis) presents his information about Howard Gardner’s Eight Intelligences Model at the Pampa ISD 2017 Showcase.

Bottom Right: During the Pampa ISD 2017 Showcase, Genevieve Thorum (Austin), explains how individuals show visual-spatial intelligence using a globe.

Explore Pampa ISD • 57

Pampa ISD Strengthens Anti-Bullying Agenda

By Suzanne Pingel Every year school districts in Texas must be aware of new laws that affect students and the operations of their schools. On September 1st, 2017, a law referred to as “David’s Law” became the center of attention for schools across Texas. “David’s Law,” named after David Molak, a 16 year-old boy who committed suicide after experiencing relentless cyberbullying, was created in an effort to allow communities to work together to assist the hundreds of students that are bullied across the country.

Pampa ISD has always taken aggressive measures to support and protect our students against all types of bullying.

So, when David’s Law, Senate Bill 179, went into effect, we were already a step ahead. During the summer of 2017, Pampa ISD began to investigate ways to ensure that all of the components of this new law would be followed. One of the important aspects of David’s Law is that school districts are required to have a means by which students and parents can anonymously report bullying. Melody Baker, Director of Technology, and Suzanne Pingel, Safe and Drug Free Schools Coordinator, investigated several options and Pampa ISD chose to offer a district wide program called STOP!T™. This program is designed to be used in an app format, but it can also be used in a web-based format. By using this program people can anonymously report issues makof bullying to trusted adults in the schools. The person mak

ing the report is able to remain anonymous, but the person receiving the report is able to converse back and forth with them, as necessary to gain more information about the situation.

In September of this year, each campus administrator spoke to their students about the app and gave information and instructions on how to use it. There was also a community meeting in which all parents and students, district wide were invited to attend and receive even more information on this app and how it works. The response from students and parents has been nothing but positive. Students who once felt that they had no voice are now able to speak up for themselves and for others. Administrators now have a format and a way to follow up on situations and document the stages of investigation, and the discipline that takes place with these reports.

Pampa ISD realizes that this app alone will not stop bullying. Communication and education of students and parents, bundled with the app itself, provides a way to lower occurrences and lower the severity and possible long term effects of bullying and cyberbullying. The nationwide number of students who report being cyberbullied is staggering.

Victims feel powerless and weak, and witnesses don’t want to be known as a snitch or a tattle-tale. With this anonymous app we are now putting power in the hands of students that once felt powerless by giving them the tools to protect themselves and one another. And, in a unique and powerful way, we are helping these students fight technology with technology.

There are campus specific access codes needed.

Contact your school office to get them!

58 • Explore Pampa ISD

Responsible Digital Citizenship Students Learn “Netiquette”!

By Molly Brinkley Today’s students are surrounded by a digital world. Students interact with media every day from various devices using social media, apps, and multimedia resources.

The world is literally at their fingertips. A quick internet search can provide answers to the most complex questions or the simplest everyday problems. Our responsibility goes beyond just teaching students how to use a technical application; it now stretches to being a responsible digital citizen.

Through the Common Sense Media website, teachers have access to classroom lessons and resources to use with students. The K–12 digital citizenship program includes comprehensive learning resources for students, teachers, and parents. Common Sense Media addresses real challenges to help navigate cyberbullying, internet safety, and other digital dilemmas. Resources provide background knowledge, guiding questions, and strategies to help students realize the impact of their digital footprint.

Campuses integrate the lessons from Common Sense Media differently based on the age appropriateness. High School students receive instruction through Common Sense Media lessons during their English classes at the beginning of the year. Students at Pampa Junior High receive similar Common Sense Media lessons throughout the year during their technology classes. Elementary students attend a class in the computer lab each week focusing on technology curriculum, including digital citizenship, through a program called Learning.com. Topics include discussions such as online etiquette, texting safety, cyber bullying, and online safety to meet the needs of students at each grade level.

Pampa ISD desires for our students to be prepared to utilize the resources they have available to maximize their effectiveness while still being safe and respectful online. Our goal is to continue helping students grow their talents in the most appropriate manner possible. In Pampa ISD we strive for our students to be ready for the real world and understand how to handle situations they may encounter.

For more information on Common Sense Media, visit: https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Explore Pampa ISD • 59

The Pampa Education Foundation

By Brenda Scott Tucker

The Pampa ISD Foundation addresses the need for funding of special resources and projects in the classroom.

While in attendance at a School Board Convention in 2007, board member Dana Terry heard about a wonderful opportunity for the community to help pay for special projects and resources—an education foundation.

She brought the information back to Pampa Superintendent Barry Haenisch and the Board, and an investigation into the possibility began. Many things had to be considered, from getting the money to disbursing it. With input from other districts and foundations, planning began. Later that same year, a letter went out to the community announcing the formation of a 501c3 non-profit called The Pampa Education Foundation. Its mission read: “Our mission is to create and sustain a coalition of business and citizens to support funding for innovative programs and initiatives that enrich educational opportunities for Pampa ISD students and staff.” With a $1,000 donation from Dona Cornutt, the PEF began receiving funds. The committee designed Applications for grants, held a letter writing campaign to local citizens, and held a barn dance to continue to fill the coffers. The Pampa Education Foundation had an initial goal to have $100,000 by the first year end, with a minimum of 15% going back into the Pampa schools and students.

They wanted $500,000 by the fifth year, and permanent fund endowment of $1,000,000 by the tenth year.

shops, fine arts sponsorship, and field trip funds. Its purpose is to enhance academics only. Absolutely no funding is used or will be used to augment school athletics.

To receive a grant, a teacher or group of teachers must go through an application process. All applications are reviewed and recipients are chosen. The fun begins when the Foundation members visit the schools to make the presentations of the grants to the teachers.

Some of the awards have been given for local elementary schools in math, music, science, reading and writing. For instance, Austin Elementary has received Bouncy Bands for 4th grade math, Lamar has received interactive classroom supplies for 3rd grade, Travis has received reading apps for iPads and Wilson has received StemScopes

The Foundation’s Board has its own governing body independent of the Pampa Independent School District. To avoid any conflict of interest, any school board trustees who serve on the PEF do so as a non-voting member. The Pampa Education Foundation board consists of 15 members, three of whom are ex-officio. The Foundation carefully reviews their actions with the school board, however, to avoid overlaps.

A foundation pamphlet was created citing examples of the areas in which awards would be considered, such as science laboratory equipment, maps, globes, computers and software, orchestra instruments, guest speakers, work60 • Explore Pampa ISD

Elementary teacher Rachael Osborne is giddy with excitement as she and fellow teachers Alyssa Poynor and Keely Downs receive a grant presented by Glennette Goode.—Photo by Sherry Seabourn

Award recipients are met with fanfare, and the PHS Drumline sets the tone of excitement. - Photo by Sherry Seabourn

curriculum. Other recipients have been Pampa Learning Center, Pampa Junior High Science department, Pampa High School Drama, Pampa High School IPS and Physics, Pampa High School Biology, and others. Every year, the Foundation gives grants to recipients, based on the amount requested and funds available. Grants have ranged from $164 to $3500. The Foundation has been able to fund requests from all campuses. For certain, if no request is made, no grant is given. The process is open to all PISD educators.

Area business owners who see the need for enhanced local education, alumni of Pampa schools, or someone looking for a tax deductible non-profit to support, the PEF would welcome your donations. If someone would like to honor a former teacher or student with a memoriam, the donation would be appreciated and used to further the education of local students. Donations may be made with specificity if someone has an area to support.

Mailing address is: Pampa Education Foundation, P O Box 1045 Pampa, TX 79066.

For more information, check the website: www.pampaeducationfoundation.com to see the current list of committee members or make a donation online.

For more details, call one of the members or send an email to: pampaeducationfoundation@pampaisd.net.

We welcome your interest!

ARTICLE REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM FOCUS MAGAZINE

Explore Pampa ISD • 61

Raising the food bar!

62 • Explore Pampa ISD

Pampa ISD Cafeterias Transforming the Mundane, Creating Excitement in the Lunchroom!

There is a buzz of excitement in the cafeteria lines at Pampa ISD! This buzz has been created by the Child Nutrition Department's new emphasis on food presentation, increased use of fresh ingredients, and new menu selections.

Approximately 70% of Pampa ISD students count on getting at least one meal from a school cafeteria during the school day, with most getting both breakfast and lunch. “Our priority is serving meals that are nutritious, but our meals must be visually appealing too. If students don’t think the food looks good, they will never try it, and never discover that it tastes good,” said Rebel Fulton, Pampa ISD Child Nutrition Manager.

With this goal in mind, Mrs. Fulton, and several Pampa ISD Cafeteria Managers, attended the School Nutrition Association (SNA) Annual National Conference in Atlanta, GA last July. While there, the group participated in unique “hands-on” sessions where they were bussed, with others, to several area school campuses. During these sessions, experts demonstrated new and interesting ways to make food more appealing to students. This is just one of the types of educational sessions that they attended at SNA. Techniques demonstrated in Atlanta were brought back and have been put into place at all Pampa ISD campuses. “A lot of the things they showed us dealt with garnishment and presentation of different meals. For example, hamburgers and sandwich entrées are now being served in restaurantstyle boats with checkered paper. We are offering a great selection of dipping sauces with our chicken nuggets and have introduced Asian bowls and mashed potato bowls to the menu,” said Belinda Teague, Pampa Junior High Cafeteria Manager. This is all in an effort to mimic what kids get at fast food restaurants, but with food that is much better for them. “You would be surprised how something as simple as changing how the food is served makes a difference, but it does.” Teague added. “We have increased the use of fresh ingredients, too. Our chili and our taco meat are cooked fresh daily and we only use fresh onions and garlic in the recipes."

The feedback from students has been very positive. Students are surveyed on a regular basis, especially when new

items are introduced. When PJH students were asked, they gave overall positive reviews of these new changes. They seemed to appreciate the efforts being made. “The food is good here... I like it when they decorate the fruit counter with animals made from bananas!” said one seventh grade girl.

“My favorite is the mashed potato bowl. It is pretty good!” one of her friends chimed in.

The selections in each of the four serving lines at PJH change daily, based on the popularity of the menu items.

This enables students to get in the appropriate line in order to get what they want in a timely manner.

The Child Nutrition Department of Pampa ISD works under Federal and State guidelines to ensure that all students receive nutritious meals that promote good mental and physical health.

Above: Monitors hang above each of the four serving lines at PJH. The menu selection, along with nutritional information, is displayed informing diners of calories, carbohydrates, fats, and sodium levels.

Opposite: PJH Cafeteria’s Rita Raines and Belinda Teague show off two entrées of the day.

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Campus menus for the current month, nutritional information, food allergy information as well as other information including cafeteria guidelines can be found on the Pampa ISD website www.pampaisd.net. Links to various websites regarding nutritional assistance programs can be found there as well.

64 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Pampa ISD Bilingual & ESL Programs

by Tania Greer “One language sets you in a corridor for life.

Two languages open every door along the way.”

—Frank Smith In today’s globalized world, being bilingual can open many doors. These doors pertain to everything in life from social, educational, and the workplace.

Being bilingual has shown to have many cognitive benefits for both children and adults. Some of these benefits include having a better attention span, less stress from environmental changes, and even reduced risk of stroke later in life. People who speak multiple languages also tend to be more open minded than monolinguals. Research has shown that being bilingual has its advantages in the classroom. Bilingual students who are educated in the second language with time can outperform their monolingual peers.

The goal of the programs is to prepare bilingual students to be linguistically and culturally successful as they strive to be productive citizens of the 21st century. The mission of the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Program is to ensure that English Learners acquire a high level of proficiency in English in order to participate actively and meaningfully in both social and academic settings and to attain academic achievement in all content areas. Our teachers receive training annually on the best practices and strategies for bilingual students. As educators, we strive to help bilingual students become successful in acquiring English as well as preserve their native language.

Pampa Independent School District offers a Transitional Bilingual Early Exit program starting in prekindergarten through grade five. We serve children whose first language is Spanish. The program enables students to become proficient in literacy and academic skills in English through their native language. To be eligible for the bilingual program, students take an English and Spanish proficiency test, and parental approval is required.

In addition, we offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) Program starting in prekindergarten through twelfth grade. The ESL Program is an intensive instructional program designed to develop proficiency in the English language. To be eligible for the ESL Program, parental permission must be granted, then students complete an English proficiency test to determine their level of need.

66 • Explore Pampa ISD

Wilson Elementary's 1st Grade Bilingual Teacher, Cinthia Mendoza interacts with students during a recent reading lesson. —Photo by Tania Greer

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Wheels on the Bus,

Dedication in the Driver’s Seat

By Robert S. Forester

By 6:15 a.m. Pampa ISD school

bus drivers have checked fluids, conducted safety inspections and have cranked up their buses. Bus 27’s driver, Linda Hawley is no exception.

Hawley is one of the 20 Pampa ISD bus drivers and 10 aids that, together, transport over 700 students to and from school each day. Over the course of a school year, that works out to be about 123,000 rides covering about 123,000 miles. An additional 572 bus trips were made for athletic purposes and for class field trips, clocking another 138,000 miles during the 201617 school year.

Bus drivers are the first to greet their students in the morning and are the last to say good-bye at the end of the day. “I love my kids, they are pretty much everything to me!” said Hawley. “I love driving a bus and the people I work with are like family to me.” she added.

She must love her job, as this is her 9th year as a Pampa ISD bus driver.

Hawley takes dedication to a new level, as she was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 21, 2017.

Since then she has faced two surgeries and a 30 day course of radiation. “They keep me going," referring again to the children she fondly calls “my kids.” Hawley spoke of the special relationships she has developed with her kids and takes pride knowing that she plays a vital role in her students' education.

Bill Hieronymus, Transportation Supervisor, and Stuart Smith, Pampa ISD Director of Student Services both spoke of Hawley’s dedication to her job and to the stu68 • Explore Pampa ISD

Linda Hawley, Pampa ISD Bus No. 27

dents she transports. “Linda is amazing. She has had a couple of surgeries, and each time, she comes right back to driving. She is truly dedicated!" noted Smith.

Every Pampa ISD bus driver must pass a 20 hour class prior to driving students. They are also subject to an 8 hour refresher course and a DOT physical each year. Drivers conduct daily bus inspections (as required by law) to help ensure that students get to and from school in the safest manner possible.

Technology plays a part in safety, too. Pampa ISD uses Transfinder software. With this software, district vehicles can be tracked by GPS, allowing supervisors to see exactly where trucks and buses are at all times.

It detects when the flashing lights are on, and tracks maintenance information, all in real time. In addition, Transfinder automatically sends an alert to supervisors if speed limits are exceeded. All data is recorded and time-stamped. Computer software is also used to help keep track of student information, such as, address, proper bus route assignment and location of the nearest bus stop. Routing Coordinator, Jackie Hieronymus keeps this data current.

To ensure that all these efforts translate into safe driving, the transportation department conducts regular safety briefings for all bus drivers and aids. Pampa ISD continues to look for ways to improve transportation operations and to utilize technology in order to help keep students safe.

In the meantime, Pampa ISD bus drivers will keep the wheels rolling. Regarding Hawley’s fight with cancer... she stated that, with the support of her kids and her Pampa ISD transportation family, she will continue to follow God’s plan and keep on rolling, too!

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“Serving Everyone in Gray County” Explore Pampa ISD • 69

Virtual Reality Technology and Learning...

Infused with Fun!

By Molly Brinkley

70 • Explore Pampa ISD

Have you ever wanted to visit countries around the world to find out about their culture? Want to take a look into outer space and tour the planets? How about a dive into the Great Barrier Reef? Maybe a college tour? What about following a person through their work day to experience different jobs? The opportunities are as limitless as the world around us. Students at Lamar Elementary are doing just this, since the addition of the Google Expedition Virtual Reality Headsets. Lamar first through fourth graders are now using this new virtual platform to see and experience new places as they embark on grand adventures and travel beyond the four walls of their classrooms, further than any school field trip could take them.

Virtual Reality offers an experience like no other, way beyond what looking at traditional photographs offers.

Teachers use a tablet to control the devices, they select the location for the class to travel. Each student or group of students, has a viewfinder with a device inside. The students’ devices immediately connect to the teacher’s tablet. Both the students and the teacher are looking at the same image and begin their journey. Students take a 360 degree look around to explore, or the teacher can select a specific area to guide students’ attention. When the teacher selects a point on the image, all devices point to the instructed area using arrows. Pre-made lesson plans and points of interest help guide teachers through each traveling expedition. Teachers have an amazing opportunity to take their students’ learning to new heights.

The lesson doesn’t end there. After each Google Expedition, teachers engage students in a continuation of the learning focused on the topic observed.

Students now understand what objects or locations

look like in real life. Imagine having to describe a cave without ever stepping foot inside. Initially students do not understand what the information they are learning about means. Think about being able to peer into a cave for the first time to grasp how the stalagmites and stalactites cling to the ground and ceiling, seeing how blue and clear the pools of water staggered throughout, traveling across a tiny wooden bridge, or understanding how dark areas are when there are no lights. Previously, students may not be able to grasp the full meaning of these scientific terms and had no connections to the concept.

Virtual reality addresses one of the biggest issues facing teachers, that of student engagement. Students love the new virtual reality systems.

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After an expedition, students describe details of what they observed with excitement, and they have something to link future learning to in the classroom.

In today’s world virtual reality is being used way beyond the elementary classroom. Higher education is using virtual reality technology as well and is revolutionizing the way future doctors are learning about our bodies. NASA has been using virtual reality to train astronauts for space walks since the early 90’s. The real estate industry uses virtual reality for house hunters to take tours of properties. Of course, nothing replaces the real thing, but it helps buyers narrow down the locations they actually visit! The list of skilled trades that takes advantage of virtual reality is long, but includes the oil and gas industry, too. It is exciting that young Pampa ISD students are experiencing this new technology that they might encounter when they get older or even as they start their careers. This is one way Pampa ISD is staying “ahead of the curve."

“This has added an entirely new dimension to the way our students learn.”

Jamie Winborne, Lamar Elementary Principal

Just a few weeks before the Christmas break, teachers at Lamar Elementary attended training on the new VR systems. Top Right: Joanna Machado, Lamar Bilingual paraprofessional checks out one of the VR Headsets. Below: PISD Technology Specialist, Greg Wariner explains how the VR system works to the teachers.

72 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Pampa ISD • 73

Project Lead the Way! Students Explore STEM FIELDS

By Molly Brinkley As students continue to investigate their future goals, we strive to educate our students on opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Through a program called Project Lead the Way, students at Pampa Junior High and Pampa High School have an opportunity to investigate these fields through project-based learning experiences.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a partnership with the University of Texas at Tyler where students receive instruction through discovery and investigation. Project Lead the Way students are empowered as problem solvers as they work through real world problems from the vantage point of an engineer, scientist, or mathematician. The courses are engaging students to collaborate with their peers and critically think about solutions.

At Pampa Junior High, students have an opportunity to begin working with Automation and Robotics to learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students are introduced to VEX Robotics to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms. During their time with the Design and Modeling class, students have an opportunity to design and create innovations, applying what they’ve learned. Students also explore the world of aerospace with the Flight and Space course to design, build, and test an airfoil. The fourth course option for students is thinking on a global scale towards sustainable solutions to meet energy needs while understanding the impact on our lives. These four courses are taught in semester time periods, so students can take all four courses over two years.

These courses are an introduction to the STEM fields and help prepare students who want to enter the engineering courses at Pampa High School.

The level of rigor increases, and the focus is brought into year long courses at Pampa High School. The track of Project Lead the Way courses is directed towards the Engineering

Left: Sachio Pettit, Math teacher, PLTW Gateway teacher and Robotics Team coach at PJHS oversees students Lizzy Devoll and Lexi Maul assembling a robot prior to a recent robotics competition. Above: Students from Mr. Pettit's class participate in a group project. For the assignment, the groups must construct a toll booth system, then program the gate to raise and lower when a button is pushed.

74 • Explore Pampa ISD

field and must be taken in progression. Students interested in the engineering field, begin their study with an Introduction to Engineering Design where students uncover the design process while applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects like designing a new toy or improving an existing product.

Through the Principles of Engineering class, students explore a broad range of engineering topics including mechanisms, strength of structure and materials, and automation. Students then apply what they know to take on challenges. Both the Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering courses may be taken for college level engineering credits through the University of Texas at Tyler. The third course students may take is Civil Engineering and Architecture where students learn important aspects of building and site design and development, and then they apply what they know to design a commercial building. As seniors, students who have completed the previous three courses, may take the capstone class called Engineering Design and Development.

This course involves students identifying a real-world challenge and then researching, designing, and testing a solution, ultimately presenting their unique solutions to a panel of engineers. Students who complete all four courses are far more prepared for college level engineering courses.

In addition to providing course content for students, Project Lead the Way has a robust program for teacher education. The teacher preparation is completed during the summer prior to teaching any Project Lead the Way course. During one to two weeks of intensive training, the teachers will learn the entire years’ worth of content and practices. Teachers come away with knowledge of all the units of study and where student misconceptions may arise.

Project Lead the Way’s Professional Development is a dynamic learning experience for teachers focused on robust and flexible instructional support, on-demand resources, and a close-knit community of collaboration with fellow educators.

The Project Lead the Way program has brought a heightened awareness of the STEM fields into the classroom. Students who complete one or more courses will have an opportunity to learn what it takes to create, analyze, annotate, and examine their thought processes through real world application. Students build both knowledge and skills to think critically and create new innovations which often takes collaboration and perseverance.

PHS STEM teacher, Colby Dennis, is shown with Ismael Miranda, Monica Apodaca and Alexander Smith, members of the High School Robotics Team.

Explore Pampa ISD • 75

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Harvester Sports Continuing the Tradition of Sports Excellence at Pampa ISD

For many students, sports is an essential component to a well rounded education. Pampa ISD currently offers 20 different girls and boys sport activities that gives students a means to keep physically fit, learn good sportsmanship, self-discipline, team work and leadership skills.

Softball Packed with excitement, fast pitch softball is an extracurricular spring sport that packs the heat at Pampa ISD. The last 2 years the Lady Harvesters have been led by Dottie Hawthorne, with assistance from Kelby Winkler and Sean Hardeman. The Lady Harvester Softball team has done very well the last few years winning district, bi-district and area in 2016 and 2nd place in district and winning bi-district in 2017. The first official day of practice was January 19th. The 2018 Lady Harvesters are young but strong, we are looking forward to a great season!

Girls Soccer The girls soccer team has been gaining momentum for the past 4 years. The program is led by a passionate coach, Coach Hugo Aguillon. The Lady Harvesters were bi-district champions in 2017 and have been runner up in district for the past 3 years. Coach Aguillon is excited for the future of the program. There is a ton of young talent coming up and every year they are competing in the playoffs.

in 2017. The soccer program is led by Joel Baker who has guided the program through a complete overhaul, taking the program from a 5 year losing streak to the district championship in just 3 years. The 2018 addition of the Harvesters are looking to reach new heights and should be among the top teams in Region-I.

Tennis Pampa ISD tennis is played year round and has two seasons.

Team tennis is played in the fall and individual tennis is played in the spring. In team tennis we have won the district the past two years, this last fall we qualified to the regional semi-finals. In spring tennis last year we qualified 13 of 16 players to regionals. The team is coached by Sarah Corse and we have continued to grow in size the last several years. We our able to practice all school year long and then have open courts and camps in the summer to help advance our players. We have a lot of good young players and look forward to continued success.

Volleyball Volleyball is another fervor-filled extracurricular sport at Pampa ISD. Volleyball is a fall sport, beginning in August along with football.

The team is lead by Coach Kelby Winkler. During the fall the volleyball team plays on Tuesdays and Saturdays in McNeely Field house. The Harvester Volleyball Team placed 2nd in district this year with a young team and likely to have another great year in 2018. According to Coach Winkler this program is headed in the right direction, and she cannot wait to see many years of greatness from these girls!

Boys Soccer Boys soccer has been a part of the Athletic Department lineup since 1988. The program has seen recent expansion to include a freshmen team in addition to the varsity and junior varsity. The Harvesters were area champions in 2016 and district champions Explore Pampa ISD • 77

Baseball The Pampa Harvester baseball program is rich with tradition.

Coached by class of 2000 Pampa High School graduate and former second baseman, Kaleb Snelgrooes, the team is celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. The baseball program was started in 1948 by legendary Coach Clifton McNeely. The Harvesters celebrated their very first playoff series win in 1999. Under Coach Snelgrooes, the team won the district championship in 2013, their first since 2006. The PHS baseball team has made the playoffs every year for the past 7 years. They are currently back to back to back bi-district champs and area champs the last 2 of 3 years.

The team can also boast 3 all-state players in recent years with Jordan Lemons, Cade Engle and Brendon Woelfle all making the all-state team! The 2017 season was an exceptional season with Coach Snelgrooes obtaining his 100th career victory as the head coach during the bi-district championship game against Lubbock Estacado. The team qualified for the regional quarterfinals with 5 freshman on the varsity roster led by senior pitcher, Cody Scarlett.

Needless to say, Coach Snelgrooes and the team are excited for the next season to begin!

Girls Basketball The Lady Harvester basketball team is a family focused on growth and success in the classroom, on the court, and in all of life’s endeavors. The Lady Harvesters are on the brink of greatness as the improvements continue to roll in. The hunt for “gold” is a continuous mission each and every season. Having non-freshmen athletics 1st period and freshmen athletics 8th period allows the team the ability to alternate morning and afternoon practices with ease. The ambiance of the historic McNeely Field House on a game night is something that every sports enthusiast can appreciate. Head coach, Kim Chaffin, is a former college athlete with a burning passion to teach the game of basketball to all that aspire to be a part of the program. The future is bright for the Lady Harvesters, and if leaving a legacy sounds appealing, Pampa is the place for YOU!

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Wrestling Pampa ISD offers one the oldest and toughest sports known to man. Coach Clint Wood leads the boys and the girls wrestling programs at Pampa High and the Junior High. Pampa ISD wrestling is currently a growing program with a growing and excited fan base. In the past four years this intense sport has produced 2 state runner ups, multiple state placers and consistently is taking 10 to 12 boys and girls to the regional tournament. This prestigious sport is producing college scholarship opportunity's for its athletes as evidenced by recent Pampa High School wrestling grad JT Belcourt who is attending and wrestling at the highly regarded Colorado School of Mines. We practice daily in the turf room of the field house affectionately known as Valhalla and compete from December through February. Coach Wood expresses the excitement for the coming years as the program keeps growing and interest keeps expanding.

Boys Basketball We currently have 33 players in the boys basketball program split up into 3 teams. All 3 teams have been very competitive and have been playing very hard. We have played some extremely tough teams from bigger classifications that have hopefully prepared us for our district opponents. Some season highlights so far are: placing 3rd in the Vega tournament, attending the Weatherford, Oklahoma tournament while competing against very high level competition, and beating 3 state-ranked opponents in non-district.

Our goal is to win the district championship, and advance several rounds in the playoffs.

Girls Golf

Boys Golf

If golf is your game, Pampa ISD has it! The ladies golf program went to a couple of fall tournaments, but the majority of our tournaments will be this spring. The first tournament will be February 9-10 in Borger. There are currently 7 girls in the program, so we are looking to add a few more this spring when they are finished with other sports. These girls work extremely hard, and have a very good chance of advancing to Regionals in Lubbock. I look for Adeline Little to have a great spring season, as she has advanced to regionals the last couple of years.

The 2017-18 Pampa boys' golf team is coming off a very successful regional qualifying 2016-17 year. Coming one stroke short of qualifying for the state championships, we hope to return to the regional tournament and take that extra step with several returning golfers. With young and talented athletes coming, we hope to make the state tournament an annual event that generates great excitement for years to come!

Girls Track The girls’ track program has been a strong program at PHS for many years. The last seven years have produced one district championship, 70 area qualifiers, 132 regional qualifiers, and 10 state qualifiers. The program in past years has also produced two state team championships. Our team enjoys very good workout facilities with coaches that are highly qualified in their area of track and field.

Cross Country The cross country program has been going strong for the last 33 years, now under the direction of Coach Mark Elms. Having had many girls and boys come out for cross country, Pampa High has had 2 district championships, one regional championship, and one state championship. We have had 98 regional qualifiers in both the boys’ and girls’ teams combined along with 45 state qualifiers.

Our teams enjoy a pleasant team atmosphere. We are all about the experience and the knowledge of running. We will give the runner a base that can be used to run for pleasure as they get older.

Swimming Pampa ISD swimming makes a big splash as one of the extracurricular sports. The team is coached by Colby Dennis, a former Pampa High swimmer. The team has seen growth and an overall time drop across all events. There is also a junior high team that has seen a large influx of athletes as well. Currently we are competing against some very strong teams such as Lubbock High and Amarillo High. From our district meet we now have 6 relays and one individual going on to regionals.

Football Like most Texas towns, Football has been a big part of Pampa High School athletics for many years. The Harvester football program continues the tradition of success, as it is currently on a streak of 3 years with playoff wins and were district champs in 2015 and bi-district champs in 2015, 2016, 2017. Everyone is excited about the future of Pampa football and feel as though the next few years will be very successful. The football program is led

by Head Coach Greg Poynor.

SPORTS PHOTOS BY CHARLA SHULTS

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Pampa ISD Earns State’s Highest Fiscal Accountability Rating Pampa Independent School District received a rating of “A” for “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ School FIRST financial accountability rating system. The “A” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Pampa ISD’s financial management and reporting system.

This is the 15th year of School FIRST (Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas), a financial accountability system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amendments under House Bill 5, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013. The primary goal of School FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts’ financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system.

The Texas Education Agency assigned one of four financial accountability ratings to Texas school districts, with the highest being “A” for “Superior Achievement,” followed by “B” for “Above-Standard Achievement,” “C” for “Standard Achievement” and “F” for “Substandard Achievement.” Pampa ISD achieved the rating of Superior Achievement for the 2015-2016 rating year.

This is the 15th consecutive year Pampa ISD achieved a Superior Achievement rating.

More information regarding the Pampa ISD FIRST accountability rating may be accessed through the Pampa ISD website, www.pampaisd.net or through the Texas Education Agency website, tea.texas. gov.

“The A Superior FIRST rating is a testament to the diligence and mindfulness that our staff employ daily when it comes to decision making on expenses and priorities. We know that every penny counts and we do not take the fact that we are spending tax dollars lightly. We do our very best to maximize every dollar spent in Pampa schools to ensure that our students and staff are benefiting from the communities’ investment. Making an investment in Pampa public schools is bringing large dividends back into our community in every child that is inspired to dream and in every student that graduates as a compassionate, competent, confident learner who is future-ready!”

Tanya Larkin

Pampa ISD Superintendent

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Please direct advertising inquiries for the next issue of

or other advertising opportunities to: Jana Williamson 806-669-4700 Jana.Williamson@pampaisd.net

Explore Pampa ISD • 81

Making the most out of every dollar!

This illustrates how each dollar is divided and spent on the various student services and operating departments of Pampa ISD. These pennies depict rough percentages and are based on the 2016-2017 audited general operating and food service expenditures.

TRANSPORTATION

B obby, like many students in Pampa ISD , begins his day with a bus ride to sch ool. Pampa ISD students who ride the bus are those who live too far to walk or who live along a route that the district has determined warrants the provision of a safe ride to sch ool.

FACILITIES

Bobby and his classmates arrive to find a building that is clean and well maintained.

UTILITIES

The lights are on in B obby’s cl assroom and the sch ool building is heated in the winter and co oled on warm days insuring a co mfortable learning environment. The co mputers are powered up and ready to go!

SECURITY MONITORING & HEALTH SERVICES

Students and parents are assured that Pampa ISD sch ools are made safer beca use of secu rity. If B obby beco mes ill or is inj ured, he will be ca red for by a sch ool nurse.

TEACHERS, INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPLIES AND INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS

Bobby goes to class and finds a teacher ready to begin his lesson. Many times while in class, he uses district -purch ased instruct ional supplies and tech nology and he has acce ss to an instruct ional aide who supports the teach er in delivering instruct ion.

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT

B obby’s teach er uses a cu rricu lum aligned with state standards and designed to build on information the students learned the year before. The teach er has been trained on effect ive instruct ional pract ice s and has acce ss to instruct ional strategies and instruct ional leadership staff who provide support.

FOOD SERVICES

Bobby and his classmates go to the school cafeteria for lunch. They find a cafeteria staff that has worke d hard to provide delici ous meals that follow state and federal guidelines on nutrition!

LIBRARY & SAFE SECURE COMPUTER NETWORK

A fter lunch , B obby drops by the library to gather information on a research paper. W hile in the library, he has acce ss to research on the Internet provided on a safe and secu re co mputer network and co mputers provided by his sch ool.

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

B obby visits with his guidance co unselor to talk about the proce ss of applying to and paying for co llege. He is given information about loan programs, how to take the A C T, and what co urses he will need to take in order to be prepared for a postseco ndary educa tion.

PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

Throughout the day, Bobby benefits from the fact that the school is well-managed by his principal and assistant princi pal. C lasses begin on time, disruptions are ke pt to a minimum, and staff members have acce ss to the support they need to be effect ive.

DISTRICT LEVEL STAFF

Bobby also benefits from the fact that his school has access to district-level staff who make sure that the paych ecks to his teach er are written on time, that all the sch ools are fully staffed, and that the ca mpuses have acce ss to the support struct ures they need.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

A t the end of the sch ool day, B obby rides the bus back home—u nless, of co urse he stays to partici pate in an extracu rricu lar act ivity or an after sch ool program.

2¢ 9¢ 3¢ 2¢ 51¢ 3¢ 7¢ 5¢ 4¢ 6¢ 4¢ 4¢ $1.00

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Pampa ISD: Doing More with Less!

2016-2017 Audited General Operating and Food Service Expenditures

Instructional & Instructional Related Services ................. $19,735,126 ....... Teachers, Counselors, Curriculum, Extra Curricular Instructional & School Leadership ...................................... 2,273,047 ....... Principals & Teacher Support Ancillary Services .................................................................. 391,892 ...... Social & Health Services Student Support Services ................................................... 4,094,601 ....... Transportation, Food Services, Information Technology Administrative Support Services......................................... 1,440,548 ....... District Level Administration Non-student Support Services............................................ 4,470,904 ....... Facilities, Maintenance, Security, Community Services

2016-17 Tax Rate

Maintenance & Operations PISD: 1.0400 ......................... State Avg: N/A Debt Service PISD: 0.2691 ......................... State Avg: N/A Total PISD: 1.3091 ......................... State Avg: N/A

2015-16 Tax Rate

Maintenance & Operations PISD: 1.0400 ......................... State Avg: 1.0812 Debt Service PISD: 0.2691 ......................... State Avg: 0.1991 Total PISD: 1.3091 ......................... State Avg: 1.2803 2014-15 Average Property Value per Student* PISD: 342,750 ......................... State Avg: 404,762

PISD: 8,077

2015-16 Per Pupil Expenditures* ......................... State Avg: 9,373 *Source 2015-16 PEIMS Actual Financial Data Report

2525 W Highway 152 Pampa, Texas 79065

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2017 ALUMNI AWARDS

Pampa ISD annually bestows its highest honors on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and community, committed themselves to advancing the values and goals of Pampa ISD, and ensured a better quality of life for future generations.

2017-2018 Hall of Fame Inductees Narcisso Soliz

Walter L. “Chuck” Worley

Narcisso Soliz is a 1999 graduate of Pampa High School. He received a Doctorate of Pharmacy, and a Master’s of Healthcare Administration. He commissioned as an officer in the United States Public Health Services; and he has spent his career working to improve the health and wellness of underserved Native American Communities within the Indian Health Service. He is currently the Chief Pharmacist for the Clinton Service Unit. He is regarded as a subject matter expert in tobacco cessation, and serves as a developer, trainer, and lecturer for tobacco cessation.

Walter “Chuck” Worley, is a 1965 graduate of Pampa High School. He received a Business Administration degree and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

His Air Force career includes maintenance and repair of aircraft in Iran and Vietnam, Chief of Allied and Soviet maintenance at the Pentagon, Projection Analyst for countries in the Middle East and Africa and the Defense Intelligence Agency, and teaching national intelligence courses for the DIA College. He retired from the Air Force as Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service.

Class of 1999

84 • Explore Pampa ISD

Class of 1965

One might agree that Harvesters have every right to stand a little taller than most after visiting the Pampa ISD Heritage Room. The history of Pampa Schools comes alive when one visits the archives, nestled in the front corner of the Pampa ISD Administration Building. The walls are lined and the room is filled with displays showcasing a variety of photos and school memorabilia.

During the time when the High School was going through a major remodel and the Junior High was being replaced, it became apparent that Pampa ISD needed to address the disposition of the many pieces of memorabilia that had been collected over the years. It was decided to form a committee to address this problem. Alumni, community members and school board members made up this committee. It was soon concluded that there was a need for a small area in the new administration building to house the “crown jewels” of Pampa ISD. In addition, the need for funding this exhibit was apparent as well. A Foundation was soon formed, and a call for financial support was “telegraphed” among the citizens and businesses around the area. Funds were soon raised through grants and by the generous donations of local businesses and individuals. These funds paid the cost of the construction, furnishing and the preservation of the items that are proudly displayed. (No tax dollars were used.)

Scholastic and athletic awards, trophies and various uniforms from years past are presented in a professional manner. Among the most notable is a showcase featuring James Randel “Randy” Matson (class of ‘63). Matson, a multi sport standout in football, basketball and track and field in Pampa earned himself “High School Athlete of the Year” in 1963 from Track and Field News. He attended Texas A & M University, where he excelled in shot put and competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he took Silver, then later he won a Gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Mary Jane Rose Johnson (class of ‘68), an accomplished opera singer, is also featured.

After graduating from Pampa, Johnson continued to hone her voice at Texas Tech University. During her career, she more notably performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall as well as in Spain, Canada, Australia, Japan... just to name a few.

Twirler Uniform from the 1950’s.

The displays spill out into the foyer of the administration offices. This is where photos and items from the latest Pampa High School Hall of Fame inductees are housed.

If you would like to donate items of interest, please contact Pampa ISD. Monetary donations are accepted as well to help with the restoration and preservation of the items.

It goes without saying that the donation of the many man hours that volunteers have given are most appreciated.

You are invited to visit the Heritage Room. It is open to the public and free of charge, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The facilities are also available for class reunions and other functions by contacting Pampa ISD at 806-669-4700.

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The Pampa High School Class of 1956 sponsors an annual essay contest.

Inspired by ‘56 Ted Swindle’s description of the bronze harvester statue that resides in the rotunda of Pampa High School, this contest challenges participants to give their answer to the question...

Who is this “Pampa Harvester?"

By Angel Garcia Gonzalez, Class of 2018 2017 Contest Winner Established in the late 1800’s, the small oil town of Pampa, Texas was booming. This wonderful town was established in the foundation and understanding that different cultures would inherit the everyday life in the Panhandle. Just like America, Pampa welcomes all ethnicities and newcomers. This land is made for the people, much like America is.

To be a Harvester is to be generous and respectful even to the ones who do not reciprocate it back to you. Many things define us as people but very few characters shape us to be the people we were destined to be, and in this understanding we can become the Harvester we dreamt of. The intention and honor of being recognized as a Pampa Harvester is one that many take for granted, but this award stands for something much greater than just an accolade that you may receive during your tenure in high school. This award is something that reminds you of your time in high school while remembering the town that raised you so well. Pampa will turn into your home and will shape you into the person you were destined to become. Many people will leave but will always remember the place that has been a huge part of their lives many years prior to their departure. This town is full of the compassion and passion that many other places lack. We, as a community, come together in times of need and help the people who need it most. We may have scarcity in work and new jobs, but we are rich in nature and stories we tell.

We tend to see new people every day and miss the people that have left. People do come and go, but the memories they made always have impacts on the lives of the people they love. Years from now when we grow old and all we have left is the impact of this wonderful town we all once called home, we will share our adventures with our following generations. In that span of time new stories will be made but every other one will reside.

Many things happen in our lives that will forever impact us in the way that we may never go back to the person we once were. Make it your mission to be a great person and let this town show you the way of doing everything with love. This is what it means to be a Harvester.

86 • Explore Pampa ISD

Angel Gonzalez, 2017 essay winner, receiving his award from Ted Swindle. Swindle is the author of the original Who is this “Pampa Harvester?” and presents the award each year.

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2 • Explore Pampa ISD

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Explore Volume 1 • 2018

Pampa Independent School District

Showcasing the Purpose, Passion & Pride of Pampa ISD What's Your Plan?

College, Career and Military Readiness Guide

College Board Honor Roll Community Partnerships Distinguished Alumni Project Lead the Way

Robotics Program

Gains Traction