ROO WAAG - Edition #14 !

Hey Roos,

As I write this, I do so with a full and grateful heart. Serving as principal of this campus for the past 7.5 years has truly been one of the greatest honors and pleasures of my career. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and continued to grow stronger as a school community. I am incredibly proud of each of you and the work you do every single day for our students. Your commitment, resilience, and dedication have made a lasting impact—not just on this campus, but on the lives of the students and families we serve. It has been an absolute privilege to lead alongside such an outstanding group of educators and staff.

This is not goodbye, but a “see you later.” Killeen High School will always be home, and the relationships we’ve built here will remain close to my heart. Our KHS F.A.M.I.L.Y. values—Integrity, Collaboration, Relationships, Success, and School Pride—are not just words; they are lived out daily through our actions, and I know they will continue to guide this campus forward.

Thank you for the memories, the teamwork, and the unwavering commitment to our ROO F.A.M.I.L.Y. Don’t ever forget we ARE and ALWAYS will be THE ORIGINAL and THE BEST. Much love and hugs to you all as we enter this holiday season. ROO PRIDE IS JUSTIFIED!

Once a Roo - ALWAYS A ROO,

Kt😊

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! 🤟

As a teacher, the holiday season is an enchanting time filled with anticipation and joy for both students and staff. However, this period can also be accompanied by a whirlwind of excitement that can disrupt classroom routines and focus. The days leading up to a much-needed holiday break are often characterized by heightened energy levels among students, making it challenging for teachers to maintain structure and productivity. This blog aims to provide practical advice and support for teachers on how to handle this seasonal excitement effectively, ensuring a smooth transition into the holidays while keeping educational goals on track.

The weeks before a holiday break can be a rollercoaster ride in any classroom. Students are buzzing with festive spirit, eagerly anticipating time off school, family gatherings, and celebrations. During this time, it’s crucial to acknowledge and embrace their enthusiasm rather than resist it. Integrate fun projects that relate to your subject matter; for instance, math classes could explore budgeting for shopping or science classes could delve into the physics of snowflakes.

Engaging students through interactive exercises is another way to manage pre-break excitement positively. Consider organizing group activities that encourage collaboration and creativity. These could range from creating holiday cards for local community centers or engaging in discussions about cultural traditions around the world during the festive season. Such initiatives not only stimulate student interest but also promote empathy and understanding among peers as they learn about diverse customs.

Beyond academic tasks, maintaining open communication is key during this bustling period. Ensure that you have regular check-ins with your students about how they are feeling; some may experience anxiety about changes in routine or personal situations at home during the holidays. Creating a supportive environment where students feel heard can help mitigate these feelings and foster stronger teacher-student relationships.

Moreover, setting clear expectations becomes increasingly important as holidays approach. Establish boundaries regarding classroom behavior early on so students understand what is expected of them despite the heightened excitement levels. Reinforce these guidelines consistently while offering positive reinforcement when they adhere to them successfully – perhaps through small rewards or verbal acknowledgment which can significantly boost morale.

Finally, don’t forget self-care as an educator during this bustling period! Teachers often bear additional stress managing festive events at school along with personal preparations outside work hours. Allocate time for relaxation amidst busy schedules by engaging in activities that rejuvenate you mentally and physically – whether it’s reading your favorite book or taking leisurely walks in nature.

Conclusion:

Anticipating a holiday break brims with potential challenges due to increased student energy levels; however, by adopting proactive strategies educators can transform this period into one filled with joyous learning opportunities rather than distractions alone! Remembering self-care amidst all hustle ensures teachers remain invigorated entering their well-deserved breaks too (Learn Well Services).

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: Why didn't the two 4s want any Christmas dinner?

🎄 Because they already 8!

Question: What's a parents favorite Christmas carol?

🎄 Silent Night

Question: What does an elf study in school?

🎄The elfabet

Question: How much does it cost Santa to park his sleigh and reindeet?

🎄Nothing. It's on the house!

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?

Our students truly shined tonight at the Feast of Carols! Their voices filled the room with Christmas cheer, and they did an amazing job performing classic holiday carols that made the evening extra special.

A huge thank you to our incredible Booster Club for serving a fabulous meal and creating such a warm, welcoming atmosphere for our families and guests.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the season—full of music, community, and Roo Pride!

Last week was a wonderful celebration of the season! The talented sounds of our band filled the room with holiday cheer and made for a truly special evening.

A huge thank you to our Band Booster parents for volunteering and helping make the night extra sweet with hot cocoa and cookies for our guests. Your support and generosity mean so much!

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!

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