Attention Freshman Parents!

Any freshman who plays football will be able to attend this Friday's freshman orientation at Corsicana High School.  The football players will be back from their football scrimmage in Mansfield around 12:30 pm and will begin their orientation at 1:00 pm.  They will receive their schedule, take part in a campus tour, and meet their counselors and administrators.  They will also receive information about their iPads.

Please do not forget that Freshman Orientation is 9:00-12:00 pm for all other students.  iPad sessions will be from 1:00-3:00 pm.    

As always, we thank you for your continued support of Corsicana High School.

Herbert O'Neil, Jr.

Principal

Corsicana High School

"Home of Champions. 

Almost Go Time!

Yes!  It's almost go time at Corsicana High School!  Our wonderful faculty and staff will return bright and early Monday morning (8:00 am) to begin the process of improving their instructional practices for our great students.

The beginning of the year always brings so much excitement from all involved.  If you are like me you are thrilled about the first pep rally, as well as the many athletic and fine arts activities that our students participate in.  

Students, please do not forget about schedule pick-up which begins this Wednesday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.  We will continue to give out schedules through Thursday at the same times.  This is only for grades 10-12.  Freshman students will receive their schedules Friday during orientation.  Freshman orientation will be from 9:00 am-Noon.  Beginning at 1:00 pm freshman will receive information in reference to their iPads.  This process will end at 3:00 pm.

Please do not forget about the new school times.  School will begin at 7:40 am and end at 3:15 pm.  All students must be in their first period class at 7:40 am sharp.

Most of you know that I had knee surgery earlier this summer.  You will find me rolling around the school in a motorized scooter.  My knee has gotten a lot better and I hope to get out of the straight leg brace real soon.  I will still be all over the place.  When you hear the horn honking, get out of the way! Lol!  

We are here for you.  If you need us, just stop by the office.  

Herbert

The Scooter

Why We Need Tech In Schools-Raymond Speaks

We currently cannot use electronic devices at Corsicana High School in the learning environment without special permission.  What if we could? This may sound threatening to some people because their way of viewing things may be different, but I think most of us would actually agree that the use of phones or any other hand held technology can actually be very beneficial. For years school administration has taken up student devices as punishment. Question is, why would they take up something that can actually be very helpful? The answer is because students almost always decide to use their tech while the teacher is giving instruction, which we all agree that the use of tech at that time isn't right. When the teacher is speaking, we should be listening. In my opinion, that is the only possible negative that would happen if tech were in schools. If there were a solution to this problem, which I'm sure administrators are looking for one, then there wouldn't be a problem for such a great thing in our schools. Many people say that students would only use tech to be on Twitter, Facebook, or to be texting their peers but this isn't all true. In my opinion, we are in school to learn and to further understand the things that will help us in the future. Tech can sure help us further understand what our teachers are teaching us.  To sum this up, I believe tech is a great thing for our schools!  It is also very beneficial not only because textbooks are outdated and old, but because our world changes everyday and we as students have to keep up with what is around us. Not only at our homes, or at work, but at school too because tech is sure to be a huge part of our generations future and we need to stay up to date with what tomorrow will bring!

Raymond Hurtado

Raymond is a junior at Corsicana High School.  He passionately believes in #edtech and what it can do for him and other students.

My Journey With Math!

Most people that know me know that I have always struggled with math.  I can remember as early as 2nd grade sitting at the table with my mom going over math facts and not being able to quite "get it."  I was always that one kid in math class that would pay attention, actively participate, and even go to the chalk board to practice problems, and still wouldn't "get it."  I remember having to deal with the fact that all of my close friends were able to take Algebra I in 8th grade.  Not me...I had to take Pre-Algebra.  I think I was sort of embarrassed by this.  I always considered myself a good student, but this math thing always stood in my way.  What made it even worse was the fact that it seemed to always build on the last concept taught.  That meant I was stuck in a never ending cycle of not knowing!  Ugggghhhh!

So I go to high school in the fall of '95 and I am super excited.  I am finally at the big school where my mom teaches.  I am excited about everything except Algebra I.  I have it 2nd period and I can still remember who my teacher was.  I will say this boldly, she was not the best teacher.  It was bad from the very beginning.  I remember failing a couple of tests and basically not given an opportunity to re-test (crazy).  I had to switch teachers later and basically lost another year of math.

Let's fast forward to my senior year.  I took Algebra II as a senior, which was a good choice.  My teacher was Daryl Edwards and he was the single reason that my fear of math began to go away.  He introduced our class to a little device called the TI-82.  Who knew they made a calculator that could basically do every math problem? Who also knew that he would show us how to use it effectively?  Well, he did!  I finished the class with a 99 average!  And even more powerful, I learned the math!

I went off to college and had to take two math classes: College Algebra, and Structure of the Number System.  I used the calculator and blew through College Algebra with an "A".  I didn't do to well in the Structure class.  I barely squeaked out of that class.  I felt like I was in the 9th grade again!  I didn't know anything from start to finish.  Whew!

Let's fast forward to the fall of 2002 around November.  It is time for everyone to find out where they would be student teaching.  Sitting in a seminar Dr. Bailey, the director of field experiences gives everyone their student teaching assignment.  I open mine and it says Herbert O'Neil-Schultz Middle School, Waller ISD.  I'm excited because I think that I received just what I wanted.  I call the school the next day and they told me that I would be paired up with Bryan Wright a 6th grade math teacher.  My first reaction is "whatever" these people are playing with me.  There is no way that I could teach any math beyond maybe 3rd grade.  Besides my specialization is Reading and English.  Well, turns out it couldn't be changed.  Yes, I had to teach math a whole semester.  It was not easy!  I had to work at it.  I went home and studied most nights so I could put my best foot forward with the students.  It was uncomfortable most days, but it made me a better teacher.

The moral of this story is that my weakness had to be destroyed!  As much as I still do not like many forms of math, I would not be where I am now without conquering some form of math.  The student teaching experience was very humbling to me.  I worked hard to make my lessons relevant and engaging because I didn't want the students to end up like me.  I had to work hard to ensure they learned.

As educators we have to remember those students that work hard and still do not get it.  We have to find what works for them.  We can never stop at one way to find the key to their success!

Corsicana Twitter Power: Creating a District Twitter Presence!

ISTE '13

In case you haven't noticed several of the Corsicana ISD learning community is connected to the educational world via twitter.  It has been amazing seeing so many educators on twitter learning, growing, and using it in the classroom. 

The most powerful piece to the Corsicana twitter puzzle is the fact that our superintendent @Dianedfrost  has supported and embraced twitter from the very beginning.  If the leader is on board, then most likely the others will move along. 

So how did this process all begin? 

Someone must have a vision
Someone in your district must believe in twitter and the power that it has in developing a Personal Learning Network or for classroom use. 

Someone must be willing to provide training
Once the vision has been realized this individual or someone else must provide training. Twitter is a microblogging site that many must be trained on how to use.  It takes more time to learn versus facebook.  They need a jumpstart on who to follow to build their PLN and how to mention, retweet, and all the other things you do with twitter.  They must also learn how to communicate with students via twitter if they so choose.

Someone must determine the initial target audience
The first big twitter learning session at Corsicana ISD took place at our summer administrative training.  Every single administrator in the district was trained on twitter by @herbertoneiljr. As I said earlier if you receive buy-in from the leadership in the district then the teachers will follow suit.

Someone must ensure that newly trained folks are engaged
  After the training all administrators were encouraged to participate in the weekly #txed chat that took place that night.  Our superintendent, Dr. Diane Frost participated as well as just about every single administrator.  After that night several of the administrators were sold on its power.  Again, after the training the educators must be exposed to something that will hook their interest.  Every time I teach a session on twitter I make sure that it is followed up by an educational chat. 

Someone must keep the conversation going
I felt it important to keep the conversation going via twitter.  Before I knew it more and more of our administrators were continuing to learn, grow, and communicate via twitter, and because of that many of our staff members took notice.  Remember superstars never want to be left out of something good!

Someone must train the staff
At a faculty meeting I held an optional learning session after the main meeting.  Several teachers and staff members stayed and were trained on Remind 101, Today's Meet, and Twitter.  Many staff members either signed up or learned more about twitter.  That night everyone was invited to participate in the #txed chat.  After that meeting several of the Corsicana High School staff members were immediately bought in to its learning opportunities.

It has been great watching all of this unfold.  We still have a lot to learn, but it is wonderful being around people that are embracing learning.

Herbert 

Summer Time!

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

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

STAAR Update

CHS will host STAAR retests on the following dates:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Go Tigers!
Home of Champions!

Herbert

Calico Dance Officers at Camp

One of the Many Long Lines at ISTE

Just About Done!

Well, it's all coming to an end for the 2012-2013 school year.  I can hardly believe it.

This year has been great for me.  I have truly learned a lot.  I can still remember when Dr. Frost asked me to  become the next principal of Corsicana High School.  It was one of the most joyful times in my life.  I am forever grateful.  As I reflect on the year I can think about all the fun times just as well as the challenging times.  I can remember all the fun times like dancing at pep rallies, enjoying the football games, dressing up during homecoming, and so many other great times.  There were also times that were challenging.  I can think about the time when I had to come back early from the Mid-Winter conference because of a matter that took place at school.  That drive home from Austin was one of the toughest drives that I had ever made.  However, during the tough times I am thankful that I can always hold on to my faith that it will always work out! The great times have always out weighed the challenging times!  Go CHS!

I would like to give several shout outs.  I want to start with the students of Corsicana High School.  It has been an honor to serve as your principal this school year.  All of you have been so receptive to my style of leadership and I appreciate that.  Our school is great because you help to make it great.  Every day you walk through the doors ready to work and to give your all.  Next year will be even better!

My second shout out goes to the faculty and staff of Corsicana High School.  Wow!  You have made my job easy.  I came into CHS not knowing a whole lot about the school and you helped me along the way.  This year could not have been as smooth as it has been without all of your help.  I am thankful to have such a a great staff!

The final shout out goes to the parents and community of Corsicana.  I am thankful that I work in a community that cares so deeply about the education that their children receive.  This does not happen in every community.  From my first day in Corsicana at Drane Intermediate you have been welcoming and friendly and you have continued that same spirit throughout this year.  Thanks!

_____________________________________
To all stakeholders:

Do not forget that we begin finals this week.  I will post the same message here that I posted to our facebook page.

Students who are exempt from finals do not have to attend classes during the time the final is scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Finals begin Tuesday at CHS and finals for seniors begin Monday. Students in grades 9-11 will not be able to leave school Tuesday for the 4th period exam. We are on regular bell schedule that day. For grades 9-11 there are no in and out privileges. That simply means you may not come for one final, leave and then come back for another. This would only apply Wednesday. Good luck!

Please click on the link for the CHS Final Exam Schedule: CHS Final Exam Schedule 2013

Buses will run after each final beginning Wednesday.  Seniors will not have school transportation for their finals. 

Graduation will be this Friday at 8:00 pm at the CHS Competition Gym.  You must have an admission wristband to enter.  

I encourage everyone to have a safe and productive summer.  

Go Tigers!

Home of Champions!

New Calico Dance Officers

With my family!