Prepare Your Kids to Head Back to School
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Back to School A PUBLICATION OF THE HILL COUNTRY NEWS n THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 PREPARE YOUR KIDS TO HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL NEW PRINCIPALS AREA SCHOOLS n FOUR POINTS MIDDLE SCHOOL LEANDER ISD n n JOE LEE JOHNSON ELEMENTARY ROUND ROCK ISD n n OLD TOWN ELEMENTARY LAGO VISTA ISD n Cedar Park Pediatric Dentistry Dental care & Orthodontics for your children and teens. HILL COUNTRY NEWS BEST OF THE BEST 2019 • Complimentary Orthodontic Evaluation • Complimentary New Patient Exam (non-emergency) • Flexible Financing Offered Dr. Bert Vasut and Dr. Dan Boboia *Summer Specials Expire 8/29/19 512-258-8888 Pediatric Dental Specialists BirthToBraces.com Comprehensive Dental Care from Birth to Braces 2051 Cypress Creek Rd. Suite N Cedar Park VOTED BEST PEDIATRIC DENTISTS (Corner of Cypress Creek Rd - Hill Country News, 2019 & El Salido Pkwy) 3 Delicious Locations: 1103 N. Bell Blvd Cedar Park, TX 78613 1445 U.S. Highway 183 S. Leander, TX 78641 1410 Cypress Creek Road Now available on the UberEATS app. Cedar Park, TX 78613 2 n THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 n BACK TO SCHOOL n THE HILL COUNTRY NEWS PREPARE FOR SCHOOL n Prepare your kids to head back to school STAFF REPORTS Whether your child’s stance on heading back to school is eager and enthusiastic or falls a bit short of that level of excitement, by working together your family can gear up for a successful school year. Transitioning back into school mode can feel overwhelming for many families. From building re- lationships with the educators at your child’s school to ensuring all the right equipment and supplies are on-hand, you can help your child feel well-prepared when the school bell rings. Talk with teachers Many schools host open house nights, and these serve as opportunities for parents to meet new teachers and discuss any concerns. Particularly as kids ad- vance in grades and begin rotating through teachers, these events provide a chance for parents to begin building a relationship with teachers that develops more naturally in younger grades, when kids are the same classroom most of the day. Use the meeting to talk about your child’s strengths and weaknesses, and to learn what to expect from the year ahead, including communication styles FAMILY FEATURES and frequency. For students in upper grade levels, it’s never too early to begin planning toward college. Whether it’s time to register for entrance exam testing or simply begin taking practice tests or attending coaching sessions, it’s smart to start early and begin working toward those milestones. Gather school supplies Sales start early on all the they’re learning in the classroom sign your child up for any activi- considers which classes to enroll building, new teachers, new back-to-school necessities, so you in practical ways while teaching ties outside of the classroom. in, encourage him or her to con- friends and new coursework can start bargain shopping early. valuable lessons about social sider dual credit classes to get a can all be overwhelming. Even if As kids approach upper grade interaction, teamwork and more. Research college prep head start on college curriculum. your child seems to take it all in levels, it’s also a good idea to start Often, these activities require information Also keep in mind that electives stride, encouraging him or her to exploring long-term supplies they special equipment such as uni- For students in upper grade are a convenient way for students share any thoughts or concerns can use year after year, such as a forms or sporting equipment, so levels, it’s never too early to begin to explore topics and interests that sends an important message that graphing calculator. be sure to check into the require- planning toward college. Whether may translate into future careers. you’re interested in helping work ments, including signups and it’s time to register for entrance through any issues. Gear up for extracurricular tryout dates, and make note of exam testing or simply begin Take time to talk Tackling the preparation for activities deadlines and items you’ll need taking practice tests or attending Especially if your child is a another busy school season as Learning during the academic to obtain. Also keep in mind that coaching sessions, it’s smart to worrier, he or she may bene- a family can help equip your year isn’t limited to the class- some extracurriculars begin be- start early and begin working fit from having you open the child with all he or she needs to room. Extracurricular activities fore school formally resumes, so toward those milestones. As your door to a conversation to air start the year on a path toward allow kids to practice what early is better when planning to child completes registration and any trepidation. A new school success. THE HILL COUNTRY NEWS n BACK TO SCHOOL n THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 n 3 n NEW PRINCIPALS COURTESY LEANDER ISD COURTESY ROUND ROCK ISD COURTESY ROUND ROCK ISD Steve Crawford is replacing LaToya Easter as principal of Four Points Middle School. Marc Scott was selected as the new principal of Joe Lee Johnson Elementary Jessica Schock will serve as principal for Old Town Elementary School. Schock had He earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in STEAM Academy. Scott served Round Rock ISD as the assistant principal of Cedar been the assistant principal of the school since 2015 and has been as a summer education administration at Texas State University. Valley Middle School since 2017 and as a summer school principal for the McNeil school principal since 2018. Learning Community. RRISD and LISD schools get new principals STAFF REPORTS He added, “It’s time to soar for years to Scott, who has over 20 years of edu- leadership journey at Old Town Elementary come!” cation experience, most recently served as the campus principal,” Schock said. “I look As students across the Hill Country Crawford joins the middle school from Round Rock ISD as the assistant principal forward to strengthening our already estab- prepare to go back to school, those in some Reagan Elementary School, where he has of Cedar Valley Middle School since 2017 lished relationships, campus initiatives and will be greeted by a new principal this year. served as principal since 2011. and as a summer school principal for the building on the culture that makes Old Town Leander ISD’s Four Points Middle He earned a bachelor’s degree in inter- McNeil Learning Community. the wonderful school that it is,” she said. School, in addition to Round Rock ISD disciplinary studies and a master’s degree He is replacing Gabi Niño as principal. Prior to her assistant principal role, schools Joe Lee Johnson Elementary in education administration at Texas State Scott earned his Master’s in Educational she served as a behavior interventionist, STEAM Academy and Old Town Elemen- University. He began his career as a fourth- Administration from Lamar University and special education and third-grade teacher tary, have all announced changes to their grade teacher at Giddens Elementary School a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from in Round Rock ISD as well as a first-grade principal positions. in 1998 before becoming an assistant princi- Concordia University. teacher in Pflugerville ISD. She has over 15 pal at Cox Elementary School in 2006. Prior to coming to Round Rock ISD, he years of experience as an educator. Four Points Middle School served Leander ISD as an assistant prin- “Jessica Schock is a strong leader who On July 18, Leander ISD announced Joe Lee Johnson Elementary cipal, math interventionist and teacher at believes in collaborating to ensure cam- Steve Crawford as the new principal of STEAM Academy Running Brushy Middle School. pus goals are best aligned and supported Four Points Middle School. Crawford will In the Round Rock school district, Marc to meet the needs of students, campus be replacing LaToya Easter, who became Scott was selected as the new principal Old Town Elementary School staff and the community,” Superintendent principal of the school in May 2018. of Joe Lee Johnson Elementary STEAM Finally, Jessica Schock was named the Flores said. “There is no question she will “I am excited to join this strong and dy- Academy. new principal of Old Town Elementary continue to lead the Old Town community namic community,” Crawford said. “I can’t “I am honored and excited to work with School in Round Rock. on the path of success.” wait to partner with students, staff, feeder the students, teachers, and families of the Schock had been the assistant principal Schock has a master’s in educational patterns, and our community to continu- Trailblazer community,” Scott said. “My of the school since 2015 and has been a administration from Lamar University and ously support and improve the Four Points hope is that we will continue to build on summer school principal since 2018. She is a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies and Falcons as an elite campus for growth and that legacy to achieve great results for all replacing Leah Ionnotti as principal. literature from the University of Houston development for all,” he said. students at all levels,” he said. “I am beyond grateful to continue my Clear Lake. 4 n THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2019 n BACK TO SCHOOL n THE HILL COUNTRY NEWS Orthodontics for Children and Adults HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED SOME TOOTH MOVEMENT? We have treatment plans using clear aligners that will straighten your teeth over a short period of time and often at a lower cost than SmileDirect.