Fern Bluff Elementary Takes National Championship

FERN BLUFF ELEMENTARY WEBSITE
June 1, 2009

There are only 15 Math Pentathlon National Championship schools in the United States. Fern Bluff Elementary in Round Rock ISD is now one of them.

Yesterday, Rene LeBlanc, Associate Director of the Pentathlon Institute, announced that once scores had been counted and confirmed for all schools nationwide, the Kinder —5th grade team at Fern Bluff Elementary took the Championship with 352 points.

"This is truly an incredible achievement for our kids and our coaches," said Lisa Mack, Fern Bluff Elementary Math Pentathlon campus coordinator. "We know our kids are truly special and now the whole country knows."

Tournaments have been held for the past 31 years with national championships awarded since 1994. Texas has been hosting tournaments since 1997 and this is only the 2^nd time a school in Texas has won the national championship. Thousands of schools around the US have Math Pentathlon games in the schools either in the classroom or as an extracurricular enrichment program. In 2008-2009 there were 219 schools that participated in the national tournament.

What's even more astonishing about the win is that this is the first year Fern Bluff Elementary has even had a Math Pentathlon club on campus. "Clearly the dedication of the coaches, rule experts, and parent volunteers working with the kids each week has made a huge difference on that campus," noted Mr. LeBlanc. "They have an exceptional program, an exceptional staff of parents running the program, and exceptional students."

At 8:00 AM on Wednesday, June 3^rd, the campus will celebrate their victory with a presentation by Mr. LeBlanc and reception.

SPORTS: Fern Bluff free throw queen earns spot at state

Central District champ finishes 5th in Carrolton

ROUND ROCK LEADER
February 26, 2009

Staff Reports

Local student Jennifer Molis of Fern Bluff Elementary School participated in the 2009 Texas Elks Association Hoop Shoot free throw contest in Carrollton on Feb. 21.

Molis earned the spot by winning a local competition sponsored by Chisholm Trails Elks Lodge and then the Central District Shoot-Off held in Georgetown January 31.

Competing against eight other district champions Molis - the Central District champion in the 8-9 year-old girls division - made 16 of 25 attempts to take fifth place.

This year more than 220,000 kids across Texas competed in the contest. Nationwide more than 3.5 million boys and girls will compete in the contest this year.

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Group names Round Rock ISD schools to tops list

ROUND ROCK LEADER
February 20, 2009

Seventeen Round Rock ISD schools were named Higher Performing Schools in 2008 in Texas by education database Just for the Kids.

The group selected schools across the state based on analyses conducted by the National Center for Educational Achievement, sponsor of the Just for the Kids Campaign, and were chosen based on performance in mathematics, reading, science, social studies and writing as well as college and career readiness.

RRISD schools named to the list were:

• Brushy Creek Elementary for science

• Cactus Ranch Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Canyon Creek Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Canyon Vista Middle School for mathematics, reading, science, social studies and writing

• Cedar Valley Middle School for mathematics, reading, science, and social studies

• Fern Bluff Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Forest North Elementary for science

• Great Oaks Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Kathy Caraway Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Laurel Mountain Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Live Oak Elementary for reading

• McNeil High School for science and social studies

• Pond Springs Elementary for mathematics

• Spicewood Elementary for mathematics and reading

• Stony Point Ninth Grade Center for mathematics and reading

• Union Hill Elementary for mathematics

• Westwood High School for mathematics, reading, science, and social studies

There are two ways to be designated as a 2008 JFTK Higher Performing School in Texas. First, schools whose students perform better than predicted for schools with similar demographics were included. Secondly, schools whose student performance was in the top five percent in the state as measured by NCEA's College and Career Readiness Benchmarks in math, reading, and science, or TEA's Commended Standard in social studies and writing were highlighted as a 2008 Just for the Kids Higher Performing School.

Just for the Kids, sponsored by the National Center for Educational Achievement, is aimed at providing school, district, and other education leaders with essential system performance and best practice information they need to make sound decisions.

For more information, go to just4kids.org.

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NEWS: RRHS, Berkman teachers take top honors in school district

ROUND ROCK LEADER
May 31, 2008

LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter

Sandra Husty of Berkman Elementary and Peggy Mica of Round Rock High School were surprised recently as they were selected as Round Rock ISD's Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year May 6 at the annual Teacher Excellence Awards reception.

Husty has taught third-grade English as a Second Language at Berkman for three years. Before teaching at Berkman, Husty taught fifth-grade reading, math and bilingual classes in Georgetown ISD for six years.

Husty attended the Sawyer College of Business in California and worked in the Silicon Valley in the marketing field. Because of her passion for life-long learning, Husty returned to school and received a bachelor of arts in English and history at the University of Texas in Austin. She later went on to complete her master of education in multicultural special education at UT.

"Teaching seemed to be it for me, so I changed careers," Husty said. "It's been a great experience and quite fulfilling. It's great to be able to share my love of learning with the students. I have such great students and work with such great teachers. This award was so gracious and kind and I'm proud to represent Round Rock ISD."

Husty and her husband, Cameron, have two daughters and one granddaughter and have lived in Round Rock for 14 years.

Mica's teaching career began 21 years ago at Round Rock High School.

While at Round Rock High, Mica has taught math, Advanced Placement computer science, technology classes and education academy classes. She has also conducted technology trainings for Round Rock High teachers and worked as a technology coordinator for the school.

"I hope the kids see you always have to learn new things, but I also hope they realize we don't want to ever give up on them," Mica said. "This has been a great 21 years."

Mica's former students, on occasion, make surprise visits to her classroom such as former student and Austin Community College sophomore Alex Speasmaker. Mica taught Speasmaker in his Introduction to Information Technology class. Because of her class, his first job in high school was working at a computer repair shop.

"I've learned many things from her class that I'm going to use for life," Speasmaker said.

Mica grew up in Flatonia, near Houston, and received her bachelor of math and computer science from the University of Houston and then education certification from the same school. Mica and her husband, Darrell, have one daughter, Natalie, who will attend McNeil High School as a freshman in the fall.

This year's Teacher Excellence Awards reception was held on National Teacher Appreciation Day during Teacher Appreciation Week. The RRISD Education Foundation and State Farm Insurance Companies sponsored the reception. The foundation provides cash prizes of $100 for each campus Teacher of the Year, and $500 for each of the district's Teachers of the Year.

All schools in Round Rock ISD selected a Teacher of the Year. Round Rock ISD's Teacher of the Year program is affiliated with the state and national Teacher of the Year programs.

RRISD campus

winners include:

Anderson Mill Elementary - Lisa Adams

Berkman Elementary - Sandra Husty

Blackland Prairie Elementary - Kristi Haskins

Bluebonnet Elementary - Magui Laredo

Brushy Creek Elementary - Katie Maybaum

Cactus Ranch Elementary - Jessica St. John

Caldwell Heights Elementary - April Sweet

Canyon Creek Elementary - Laurie Neuman

Canyon Vista Middle School - Cindy Fleming

Caraway Elementary - Carla Naylor

CD Fulkes Middle School - Robin Mounts

Cedar Valley Middle School - Julie Johnson

Chisholm Trail Middle School - Tim Lowke

Deep Wood Elementary- Kelly Tuxhorn

Deerpark Middle School - Catherine Gutierrez

Double File Trail Elementary - Joanne Sanford

Fern Bluff Elementary - Deidra Floyd

Forest Creek Elementary - Sandy Harper

Forest North Elementary - Casey Koester

Gattis Elementary - Johanna Friedel

Great Oaks Elementary - Nancy Valdez

Grisham Middle School --Kasandra Hughes

Hopewell Middle School - Ron Goins

Jollyville Elementary - Dina Mensing

Laurel Mountain Elementary - Jessica Trejo

Live Oak Elementary - Lorita Beeler

McNeil High School - Larry Vinklarek

Old Town Elementary - Monica Baldini

Pond Springs Elementary - Michelle Peter

Purple Sage Elementary - Katie Balagia

Ridgeview Middle School - Jennifer Ricks

Robertson Elementary - Marnie Rundquist

Round Rock High School - Peggy Mica

Round Rock Opportunity Center - JoAnn Nash

Spicewood Elementary - Eunice Marrero

Stony Point 9th Grade Center - Marie Douglass

Stony Point High School - David Hailes

Union Hill Elementary - Jeff Telle

Voigt Elementary - Esther Benedetto

Wells Branch Elementary - Jaime Castillo

Westwood High School - Mickey White

In addition to the campus and district Teachers of the Year, RRISD teachers who have received grants and/or other state or national recognition were recognized during the May 6 ceremony.

Contact Lauri Zachry at 255-5827 or by e-mail at education@rrleader.com .

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NEWS: Fern Bluff family gathers to remember educators

ROUND ROCK LEADER
May 27, 2008

LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter

The theme of butterflies and the three tiers of a newly constructed fountain in the Fern Bluff Elementary courtyard symbolized the celebration of life for three former educators.

The Fern Bluff Elementary community celebrated the lives of three educators - Debbie Picha, Susan Blount and Pat Matheny - May 18 during a memorial fountain dedication in the school's courtyard.

Picha, Blount and Matheny died in June 2007 in a car accident west on U.S. Highway 71 during rainy conditions while traveling to Fredricksburg for a day trip.

Picha taught first-grade at the school while Blount served as the school's speech therapist.

Matheny worked at Fern Bluff from 1992 until 2006 as a school counselor before moving to Lakeway Elementary in Lake Travis ISD that year.

Teachers, staff, the PTA and other community volunteers began planning for this memorial celebration in January, said Fern Bluff PTA president Shelly Compton.

"We wanted to use a symbol that would bring joy and comfort and symbolize new life," Compton said. "This symbol inspires us and helps us to celebrate."

Preparation for the event

Months before the May 18 memorial, Fern Bluff teachers and staff planted seeds around the campus to attract butterflies just in case a few of them wanted to pop up in and around the courtyard for the festivities.

Guests attending the memorial and fountain dedication received packages of seeds while extra seeds will be distributed at the campus until the end of the school year.

Weeks before the memorial, each grade level conducted a butterfly release in the courtyard, Compton said.

Special guests such as Lynda Carter, the first Fern Bluff principal from 1992 to 2003, and Dale Mitchell, former Fern Bluff assistant principal from 2003 to 2007, shared their memories of the three educators.

Along with sharing memories in person, members of the Fern Bluff community also pre-recorded interviews in which they shared memories of the trio.

People could also write messages to members of the Picha, Blount and Matheny families on green, pink and yellow pieces of butterfly-shaped paper.

Fern Bluff secretaries Dieanna Kierschnick and Barbara Ewing worked with Picha, Blount and Matheny from the time the school opened in 1992 until their deaths in 2007. They both remember the three educators as being special in their unique ways.

Kierschnick remembers the little things the educators did to make a lasting impact - in the lives of students and in their lives.

She recalled Picha being the "perfect dresser" and always having her shoes match her purse, but constantly encouraging her students. One of her favorite memories of Picha was when Picha would play on the playground with her students in the winter while wearing a mink coat.

Kierschnick also recalls the times Blount spent with her when Kierschnick's mother was staying at the Hearthstone Nursing Center in Round Rock after a hospital stint.

"This fountain will be a lasting tribute to three wonderful ladies who left big shoes to fill," Kierschnick said.

Ewing remembers the teachers as loving their students and their families.

"I look forward to eating lunch, enjoying the sound of the water and remembering them," Ewing said. "These teachers all left footprints on our hearts and the memorial committee worked hard on making this such a beautiful tribute for the families and the school community."

The Fern Bluff faculty and community will give members of the Picha, Blount and Matheny families DVD copies of the May 18 memorial as a keepsake, Compton said.

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NEWS: PTA to create memorial for teachers in wreck

ROUND ROCK LEADER
April 5, 2008

LAURI ZACHRY
Education Reporter

Fern Bluff Elementary PTA members plan to create a lasting fountain memorial to remember three Fern Bluff teachers killed in 2007.

First-grade teacher Debbie Picha, speech therapist Susan Blount and Patricia Matheny, former Fern Bluff school counselor, were killed in a car accident in June 2007, which happened in the 17600 block of U.S. Highway 71 West, near Bee Creek Road in Austin.

The official dedication of the Fern Bluff memorial is Sunday, May 18 in the school's cafeteria. Speakers and special guests confirmed to attend so far are: Linda Carter, first-ever Fern Bluff principal; Rosena Malone, Fern Bluff principal until 2006; and Dale Mitchell, assistant principal.

The PTA will also show pre-recorded messages and videos from people whose lives the three women touched, said Fern Bluff PTA president Shelly Compton.

"We want people to feel comfortable and speak from the heart," Compton said. "We want this to be a time to celebrate the lives of these women and their families."

During the weeks before and after the memorial, individual grade levels at Fern Bluff will release butterflies from the school's courtyard near the area where the memorial fountain will rest.

In a couple of weeks, Fern Bluff students will receive butterfly habitat kits to create butterflies. So far, Fern Bluff has received approximately 15 donated kits from Brushy Creek Elementary and other families in the Fern Bluff and Brushy Creek communities, Compton said.

During the May 18 event, the school will show video footage of the grade-level butterfly releases. To further expand on the butterfly theme, students, families and community members will receive seeds at the event for plants and/or flowers that naturally attract butterflies.

Currently, the Fern Bluff PTA has raised $6,800 for the memorial and fountain project since February, Compton said. The cost of the entire memorial project is between $8,000 and $10,000. Three Round Rock contractors, Tony Jacobs, Joshua Cerda and David Botz, will volunteer their time to construct the fountain to reduce construction costs, Compton said.

If the PTA raises more than $10,000 for the project, the organization will donate the extra funds to the Fern Bluff Literacy Library - a project dear to Picha, Blount and Matheny's hearts.

To further raise money for the Fern Bluff memorial project, the organization will sponsor a book fair at the La Frontera location of Barnes & Noble until Sunday, April 6.

For those Round Rock Barnes & Noble customers who mention the Fern Bluff memorial, 10 percent of their purchases will go toward the memorial, Compton said. Along with shopping for books, the public is welcome to listen to guest readers (Fern Bluff teachers and administrators) over the weekend during storytime events.

The weekend storytime events are Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

To print a copy of a voucher, which will ensure Fern Bluff PTA will receive 10 percent of Barnes and Noble purchase prices, go to roundrockisd.org/fernbluff/.

As of Tuesday, the Fern Bluff PTA had received approximately $184 from book sales at Barnes & Noble, said La Frontera Barnes & Noble Community Relations Manager Frank Campbell. Campbell said the funds will increase considerably because of the upcoming weekend storytime events.

"I wanted to contribute in anyway I could," Campbell said. "It was a matter of identifying a need and the book fair was a perfect fit."

The Fern Bluff PTA is still accepting donations for the memorial.

For more information, contact Compton at shelly_compton@roundrockisd.org.

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NEWS: Book fair memorializes Fern Bluff educators

ROUND ROCK LEADER
April 2, 2008

The Fern Bluff Elementary PTA will sponsor a book fair at the La Frontera location of Barnes and Noble until Sunday, April 6, benefiting a memorial for three of its teachers killed in 2007.

For those Round Rock Barnes and Noble customers who mention the Fern Bluff memorial, 10 percent of their purchases will go toward the memorial, said Fern Bluff PTA president Shelly Compton.

As of Tuesday, the Fern Bluff PTA had received approximately $184 from book sales at Barnes and Noble.

Since February, the Fern Bluff PTA has raised $6,800 for the memorial and fountain project, Compton said.

Along with shopping for books, the public is welcome to listen to guest readers (Fern Bluff teachers and administrators) Friday evening and over the weekend during storytime events. The weekend storytime events are Saturday at 10 a.m., noon and 4 p.m. Sunday's storytime event is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The official dedication of the Fern Bluff memorial is Sunday, May 18 in the school's cafeteria.

First-grade teacher Debbie Picha, speech therapist Susan Blount and Patricia Matheny, former Fern Bluff school counselor, were killed in June 2007 in a car accident in the 17600 block of U.S. Highway 71 West, near Bee Creek Road.

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