The Connection

Anna High School Senior Bryce Denton is the 5A Cross Country State Champion. Bryce ran a 15:17, winning with a 15 second lead.

This week, the Anna Education Foundation Prize Patrol hit the road to deliver teacher grant checks, celebrating a record-breaking 53 grant applications. A total of 35 grants were awarded, amounting to over $50,000 in funding. Grants covered a range of needs, including classroom technology, novels, math and science programs, microscopes, courtyard play spaces, SEL programs, and more.

Students at Anna High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. The programs celebrate the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide to help them showcase their strong academic performance.

Congratulations to the following students:

Agnes Appiah-Kubi Rural

Yadira Bastida First Generation, Hispanic

Daviana Becerril Hispanic, Rural

Recina Bond First Generation, Hispanic, Indigenous

Sebastian Martinez First Generation, Hispanic, Rural

Keely McGrath Rural

Jackson Sugden First Generation, Rural

Yixuan Wu First Generation, Rural

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

· Earn a GPA of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) or higher.

· PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams by the end of 10th grade.

· Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or a first-generation college student.

by : Emily Burke, CTE Coordinator

Our 8th-grade Makerspace teachers, Barbara Coleman at CCMS and Leslie Brazell at SCMS, have once again demonstrated their expertise in project-based learning, fostering both creativity and leadership among students. Recently, they embarked on a unique initiative known as the "Monster Project." In collaboration with kindergarten teachers, they challenged 8th graders to bring young students’ monster drawings to life, combining creativity, skill-building, and cross-grade mentorship in a way that truly embodies our district’s Portrait of a Graduate vision and aligns with the Gold Standard Project-Based Learning model.

For this project, each kindergartner designed a “monster,” which was then passed on to an 8th-grade partner to transform into a hand-sewn plush toy. This hands-on task presented students with a Challenging Problem or Question, requiring them to engage in Sustained Inquiry as they practiced sewing and problem-solving to match the monsters with their original drawings. They learned through Critique & Revision, addressing any mistakes in their sewing or design, an iterative process that builds resilience and the confidence to learn from setbacks—key qualities of an Adaptable Learner.

This project was guided by milestone walls, an instructional strategy that allowed students to revisit steps at their own pace, promoting differentiated learning. Those who finished early took on leadership roles, assisting peers and even helping teachers repair and maintain sewing machines. These students, known as junior MTAs (Makerspace Technology Assistants), demonstrated Student Voice & Choice and Public Product as they led peers and showcased their completed monsters.

As a gesture of appreciation, some early finishers also took the initiative to create laser-engraved monster puzzles and screen-printed bags for their kindergarten partners. This enrichment activity further showcased their Innovative Problem Solver skills and readiness to engage in real-world, hands-on projects, reinforcing the district’s vision of fostering creativity, as well as meeting the Gold Standard PBL’s emphasis on Authenticity and creating a tangible product to share with their young partners.

These 8th graders are now in the process of hand-delivering their monster stuffies to their kindergartner partners, a moment of pride that highlights the success of project-based learning and cross-grade collaboration. This project not only introduced students to various CTE and STEAM pathways but also served as a perfect example of how our students embody the district’s Portrait of a Graduate qualities and the Gold Standard PBL model through hands-on application, innovative thinking, and a commitment to growth.

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Day is celebrated every year in November to encourage kids to explore their interests in STEAM careers.

The Anna Student Advisory Council (ASAC) was created to make sure the voices and perspectives of students in Anna ISD are heard and valued. ASAC helps the District improve the overall educational experience by including the input of students who are directly impacted by the district's actions and decisions. We believe that your ideas and opinions matter and can make a real difference in our schools.

ASAC is comprised of students in grades 9-12 who meet with Jennifer Kelley, Assistant Superintendent, and Paula McMillion, Executive Director to provide feedback from a student's perspective and share ideas to help improve student's high school experiences.

• Register to be a volunteer at your child's school. Volunteer Application.
• Join your school PTA or Booster club. AISD is grateful for the support of these parent leaders.
  

In the know: In addition to this eNewsletter, which typically comes twice a month, there are other ways to keep up with all the great things happening in Anna ISD:

• Ensure your information is current with your school, so you receive text message alerts, phone calls, and emails.
• Visit our website annaisd.org
• Follow AISD and your campus on social media. Facebook Twitter Instagram
• Download our mobile app

November.....................Native American Heritage Month

November 21 ...............Board Meeting

November 25-29 ..........Thanksgiving Break