It is an Excellent Day in Athens ISD!
It’s TAKS week! I have gone to two of the three campuses who are testing this week, and as always, I am so proud of all of our staff and students. It is obvious how seriously the students are taking the tests and how much work the staff has put in preparing for the administration of the assessments. There is no doubt that Athens ISD is full of winners. Thank you for all that you do.
• On Saturday members of the “Pride of the Hornets” band competed at the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest held at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, and once again, under the direction of Mr. Lay, Mr. Barrier, and Mrs. Scotchmer, the Band represented Athens ISD in an excellent manner. Many students earned Superior Rating in Solo competition with three of them advancing to the UIL State Competition: Khush Parmar, Willie Hadnot, and Ash Gimler. A complete list of the UIL Superior Ratings for Athens ISD can be found at
Pride of the Hornets.
The following ensemble’s earned a Superior rating and will compete in the UIL State competition to be held at the end of the school year: Flute Trio, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Sextet, Brass Sextet, and Percussion Ensemble. A list of the students who compose each ensemble can be found at
Pride of the Hornets. The UIL State competition will be held in Austin on May 31, 2010. Our band is EXCELLENT!
• Bel Air Elementary will have their second Math Friday where students rotate through fun activities to strengthen their skills and strategies in math. The staff does a great job putting these fun alternative learning days together and I am very proud of the efforts they go through to make learning enjoyable.
• Learning by doing is happening at Athens Middle School! Students in the 8th grade will be stepping back in time to experience two 19th century epic events that forged our nation’s identity----the American Civil War and the westward expansion that followed. The 8th grade students will be touring the Pearce Museum at Navarro College in Corsicana. Through diverse activities and programs our students will learn about their history and heritage. Once again, Athens ISD students are engaged in a fun experience that shows all that learning occurs even outside of the classroom. We believe in teaching and learning for everyone.
• The Athens Middle School Theater Arts department, under the direction of Margaret Rollins, will present “Livin the Life” on Thursday, March 4, 2010. The first performance will be at 5:30pm and the second at 7:00pm. There is no charge for the performances. On March 5th they will perform for 1st grade students from South Athens Elementary. This is the classic tale of Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and the antics of Brer Rabbit in the Briar Patch. These students always do a great job because of the talent and efforts of Mrs. Rollins and the support she receives from the entire campus.
• South Athens Elementary held an Honor reception recently where 98 students were honored for all ‘A’s, 81 students were honored for all ‘A/B’s and 162 students have received ‘E’ conduct. There was amazing support from the families. Thank you Mrs. Eaton and everyone at South Athens for this Excellent effort.
• John Randall, a motivational speaker on success and goal setting, was a guest speaker at AHS this week. Mr. Randall is known nationally as a speaker for several Big 12 Conference teams in addition to other athletic groups. His message of setting goals and success was well received by the students and the staff as they prepare for an excellent final 13 weeks of school.
• This Saturday, March 6th promises to be a great day. Athens Middle School will host the Youth Art show from 9 am until 2pm. All work has been produced by Athens ISD 6th, 7th and 8th grade art students. Don’t miss the wonderful work these students have created.
Have an excellent week.
Dr. Fred Hayes, Superintendent of Schools