As we reach the halfway point of the academic year, we are excited to continue to share the progress we've made at Horn, Smith, and Klentzman towards achieving academic excellence within our advanced curriculum. As mentioned before, we have fully implemented our curriculum and structures, resulting in noticeable student growth on CBAs and State Interim Assessments and we want this to carry on as we head towards the finish line.

The Advanced Academics department is preparing for Young Innovators Summer Academic year two. We want to make this year's preparation and planning seamless, so we have developed an implementation system that should support you in this process. We have broken down the process into phases. Phase 1 begins right after STAAR Interim Assessment 2. During this phase you will review Interim 2 data, select your students, staff, and send home invitation letters. Please review your campus phase 1 folders I will share and reach out if you have any questions. 

Finally, we would like to congratulate the Teachers of the Year at Horn, Smith, and Klentzman, all of whom are dedicated Advanced Academics teachers. Congratulations to Mrs. Jessica Jackson, Mr. Jose Cantu Rojas, and Ms. Paula Pineda for achieving this prestigious honor! We also want to spotlight Ms. Jenessia Hubbard.  Group 1 Auto sponsors a Teacher of the Month program for Alief ISD! Teachers are placed in a randomized computer-generated drawing & receive a personalized gift basket! She received this reward in December. Congratulations! 

As we prepare for STAAR Interim Assessment 2, it is crucial to encourage our students to put forth their best efforts. While our students are currently meeting and mastering the expectations, we want to ensure they maintain their levels to avoid being labeled as "droppers." Here are some effective test-taking strategies for students:

• Read Instructions Carefully: Ensure you understand what is being asked before attempting to answer.

• Manage Your Time: Keep an eye on the time to ensure you can complete all questions.

• Eliminate Obvious Wrong Answers: Narrow down your options to increase your chances of getting the correct answer.

• Stay Calm and Focused: Take deep breaths and stay positive to help reduce test anxiety.

• Review Your Answers: If time permits, go back and check your answers for any mistakes.

Let’s keep striving for excellence together!

- Ms. Harris,  Dr. Brotherton & Mr. Hare