ROO WAAG - Edition #13 !

Hello ROOS! December is a month of enormous potential. It's a time when we can all give and receive, a time when the spirit of humanity shines brightest! -- Michael Josephson. Believe in yourself this December and achieve the impossible! ----Unknown 🦘 “Roo Pride Runs Deep — KHS Strong, Always Justified!"🤟

December’s CKH Trait is RESPONSIBILITY. Focusing on Responsibility in December gives students a chance to practice being dependable and accountable — encouraging habits that help them succeed academically and socially.

Reading is a critical driver of student success.

Refreshing our knowledge of effective reading strategies — or trying new ones — can make a meaningful impact in every classroom and across all content areas.

These simple and practical approaches support stronger comprehension, deeper thinking, and greater achievement for our students.

Let’s continue growing together. You’ve got this! 🤟

Rita Pierson reminded us that every kid needs a champion, and as we move into the holiday season—a time that can be joyful yet challenging for many students—it becomes even more important to lead with responsibility, compassion, and passion. This season gives us a powerful opportunity to model responsibility not only through our expectations, but through our presence: showing students that they matter, that we believe in them, and that we will continue to show up for them. When we teach with heart, consistency, and high standards, we create the safe, supportive spaces our students rely on. I encourage you to take a moment to watch this short clip from Rita Pierson; let it reignite the purpose behind the work we do each day and remind us why our students need our commitment now more than ever.

Hey ROOS,

The Learning from Mistakes strategy from Lead4ward helps teachers to provide help for students to discover and correct thinking errors and mistakes. Have students get their Brain in the Game by showing them exactly how to start before they analyze a complex assessment question.

🤟

Brain in the Game

Purpose

Students access content by getting their Brain in the Game (knowing how to start) as they analyze a complex assessment question.

Materials

• Assessment question
• Brain in the Game handout (printed or projected)
• Brain in the Game template (English/Spanish)
• Notebook paper (if handout is projected)

Instructions

1. Pair students with a partner.
2. Project the assessment question.
3. Students get their Brain in the Game as they work through a complex assessment question with their partners:
   • Analyze the question’s visual stimulus (chart, table, picture, word problem, genre, etc.) by completing this statement 6-8 times, “If this visual (genre) could talk, it would tell me ____________.”
   • Identify 3-5 important vocabulary terms in the question and describe them to each other.
   • Predict what the assessment question might be about by summarizing the “big idea.”
4. Using a movement and discourse strategy such as Musical Mix-Freeze-Group, have pairs compare, discuss, and justify their responses.
5. Observe students’ thinking and clarify/verify as appropriate.
6. Students answer the assessment question, justify responses, summarize what they learned, and note how to avoid mistakes in the future.

Classroom Management

• Model the tasks with a simple, fun question before using academic content.
• Ensure each student has partner.

Differentiation

• Promote access by allowing students to process questions with a supportive peer/adult.
• Provide response support by providing sentence stems to frame responses, allowing text-to-speech support as needed, and/or allowing for speech-to-text or word prediction support if using a digital version of the Brain in the Game template.

Think It Up!

• Have students think more deeply about the concept by responding to a Think It Up prompt as an exit ticket or journal entry:
  • Compare the stimuli (visuals) in 2 questions. How are they the same? How are they different?
  • Justify that there are different ways to start answering assessment questions.
• Encourage students to use lead4ward’s Thinking Stems (English/Spanish) to frame their responses, if needed.

Question: What do you get if you cross a snowman and a dog?

🎄Frost-bite

Question: What’s an elf’s favorite musical genre?

🎄Wrap music

Question: Why is everyone thirsty at the North Pole?

🎄No well

As we near the Christmas break, I want to take a moment to commend our incredible staff for the outstanding work you’ve done in maintaining a positive and structured environment here at Killeen HS. Your efforts have significantly reduced serious discipline referrals this semester, and that is no small achievement. Every hallway conversation, classroom intervention, and proactive check-in has contributed to this success.

That said, the weeks leading up to the holidays can be challenging. Students often feel the excitement of the season, which can lead to lapses in judgment. Please remain vigilant—consistent routines and clear expectations are key to keeping Killeen High safe and focused. Continue greeting students at the door, reinforcing expectations, and using positive reinforcement whenever possible.

If you notice early signs of disengagement or frustration, address them promptly before they escalate. Collaboration is our strength, so don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues or administration for support. Also, remember that visible presence in the hallways and cafeteria makes a big difference.

Finally, let’s keep encouraging students to finish strong. A quick word of motivation or recognition can go a long way in helping them stay on track. Thank you for your dedication and teamwork—together, we’re creating an environment where every student can thrive.

---------A Message from Mr. Juan Marshall, AP

Serious referrals are down 62% over this time last year, and fights are down 44%! Great job Roos!!! Let's get the momentum going.

---------A Message from Mr. Juan Marshall, AP

WAY TO GO KHS for meeting our our 15 Questions-Per-Week Goa in IXL! KHS Campus Teachers are ROOTASTIC . Let’s KEEP PUSHING FORWARD as we work toward mastering two skills each week. We believe in you — keep shining! We are KHS STRONG!

1. ) What is one responsibility you want to get better at this month, and why?

2.) Describe a time this week when you followed through on something important. How did it feel?

3. ) What does responsibility look like at school? Give an example.

4.) Who is someone you can count on, and what makes them dependable?

5.) What is one winter goal you want to accomplish before break? What steps will you take?

December 1

Write three positive things that happened to you this year. Big or small — they all count.

December 2

List three ways you helped other people this year. Think: friends, family, classmates, teachers, or strangers.

December 3

Write down one thing you’re proud of from this year. Explain why it matters to you.

December 4

Describe an ordinary, everyday conversation you remember. Why did it stick with you?

December 5

Think of a routine you started and stayed consistent with this year.

- What was it?

- How did you stay consistent?

- Why did it matter?

December 6

Write about someone who pushed you to grow this year. How did they help you level up?

December 7

Name one specific moment this year that made you smile. Describe what happened.

December 8

Write about three things you’ve learned about yourself this year.

December 9

Describe a moment from this year that you want to remember forever. Give details so future-you can feel it again.

December 10

List five small things that made your life better this year.

December 11

Remember one of your favorite meals from this year. Who were you with? Why was it memorable?

December 12

What is your favorite place you visited this year? Why did it stand out?

Are you doing something amazing in your classroom that you’d like to share with KHS staff and students? Send and email with photos and a brief one- to two-sentence description of the activity to Dr. Brown-Johnson by each Friday at 4:30 p.m., and it could be featured as ROO NEWS in the next WAAG!

Swing by the basketball gym/concession stand, grab a breakfast treat and some coffee, and support our KHS athletes at the same time!

Our Feast of Carols Concert tickets are now on sale! Please reserve your seat today!

Students have worked diligently to bring a joyous evening of music!

Please follow this link to purchase tickets and reserve your seat.

(Additionally, our Boosters will be selling a dinner plate separately.)

Roo Strong, Student Strong reminds us that when teachers show consistency, care, and calm energy, students mirror that same strength in their work and behavior. December can be busy, but your steady presence helps students feel grounded, supported, and capable of finishing the semester with confidence. Every moment you model resilience and positivity strengthens the entire classroom community.

***December's CKH Monthly Trait: Responsibility***

" Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be."

-----Rita Pierson, Educator

" Teachers who love teaching, Teach children to love learning. "

-----Unknown