Avalos Student Newsletter

Hello and welcome back Avalos P-TECH! It is November and our Thanksgiving break is right around the corner. However, before we go on break, there have been some updates that should be shared. In this newsletter you will read about recent school events, TSI, Thanksgiving traditions, and much more!

How are Phoenixes doing on TSI? Read below!

As winter approaches, the feeling of warmth is something we all want, whether it comes from the comforting blankets we use to the warmth we receive from others. This winter, the crocheting club is using its skills and hearts to help those who are in need of warmth! This cold season, the crocheting club will be creating and donating scarves for the elderly. Diana Sandoval, the creator of the crocheting club and with the help of 6 other members have an impressive goal of the amount of scarves they intend to make, “Our goal is to make 100 scarves by February, but I believe we can make more than that”. These cold seasons remind everyone to stay warm, and remind us to share generosity with others. If you would like to help, the club asks for anyone that can make a scarf to donate it. They are also asking for donations, so they are able to purchase more yarn. The colors pink and red with the dimensions to make a scarf are 30 chains wide by 70 inches long, would be most appreciated. Five dollars can be really helpful, and they will accept yarns from the brands, "I love this Yarn" (Can be purchased in Hobby Lobby) and "Big Twist" (Can be purchased in Walmart). If you want to donate please hand it to Dr. Sanders.

The crocheting club will always accept members, even without experience you can still have fun trying! “We all need to unwind from all the school work we have to worry about and having a hobby can make days more bearable and can improve our mood. Don't be afraid to experiment with something that interests you and it doesn't have to be a common hobby. I want everyone to learn to be themselves or at least find something that makes you unique” Diana says. She is hopeful in the future of the club and its future events, “Now that I started and run the club, seeing all the people who show up actually immerse themselves in crocheting has motivated me to continue teaching them”. If you would be interested in joining the club; consider emailing her at ds947971@aldine-isd.org and stay warm this winter!

Many students believe Thanksgiving break is one of the best parts of the school year because it gives them a full week away from school and the chance to enjoy a lot of good food. I asked several students what they thought about Thanksgiving, and these were their responses.

The first student I interviewed was Serjio Ramirez. He said he loves Thanksgiving break because he gets to spend quality time with his family. Serjio enjoys gathering with them, having a nice time, and eating all the delicious Thanksgiving food.

Another student I interviewed was Daniel Barraza, who shared that he appreciates having a week off so he can relax without worrying about schoolwork. Daniel also enjoys the food his family makes for Thanksgiving. He mentioned that he wishes the break were longer so he could have extra time to catch up on any missing assignments.

The last student I spoke with was Anthony Euceda. He said he enjoys getting together with his family for a big dinner, catching up, and spending time with each other. Anthony also likes having the week off because it gives him time to finish schoolwork, play games, and relax without stress.

Phoenixes share how they spend Thanksgiving!

November is a month where we all pause and reflect on what we’re grateful for and the people who have made an impact on our lives. Here at Avalos teachers and students shared who they are grateful for and the meaningful ways those people have helped them.

“The teacher I’m grateful for is Ms. Rodriguez, she is a very good teacher and is always encouraging us to do better. Ms. Rodriguez stands out from other teachers because she has a unique way of teaching, not only has she helped me with school work but she also takes her time to hear me out whenever I need her to.”

“I’m most grateful for Ms. Demming, she has been there whenever I need her and has helped me get through some difficult days. She stands out from others because of how caring and willing she is to go out of her way to help others. We bring each other Celsius and something she has done that has really stuck with me is send me a text message saying that she was praying for me and that really means a lot to me.”

“The person I'm most grateful for is our principal, Dr. Nickerson, she has given us many opportunities that we didn’t have before and every morning she’ll say hi to every student making sure that none of us is left out. Dr. Nickerson has made my school experience better by pushing me and all the seniors to make sure that our activities are complete. What makes her stand out from others is that she always smiles every morning, she’s never sad and pushes each one of us. We show our appreciation by making sure we have our ID’s and do little stuff for her such as decorating her door and making posters for her. Something she’s done that has stuck with me is how well together she has the seniors because I know we had a rough past and I feel like she fits and understands each one of us.”

“I am grateful for everyone because everybody plays an important role as a student, even the people in the cafeteria and the cleaning staff play an important role. I think in a school we are a community so we should help each other. I show appreciation to everyone by expressing nice words and sharing stuff with those people. They make my days better by coming up to me and telling me a comment or a joke, even when they say good morning and make an impact in my life in some kind of way.”

1 H-E-B parade:The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is a cool event that features elaborate floats, highflying balloons,marching bands, and other performances in downtown Houston. It is also a good time to try new food as there will be a lot of street vendors that sell good food. It usually starts at 9am and ends at 11am.

2 Houston Methodist Turkey Trot: Each year, thousands of people join us in Uptown Houston where The Galleria is for this event, from experienced runners to those just starting out, as well as families and friends who have made this an annual Thanksgiving tradition.

3: TURKEY DASH: Kick off your Thanksgiving celebration with a healthy and fun-filled event at the Houston Turkey Dash in Houston, Texas Whether you're an experienced runner or just looking for a great way to spend time with family and friends, our event has something for everyone. Choose from a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, or the Family 1K, and enjoy a scenic course, long or short, and celebrate gratitude for the time spent with family and friends. Embrace the spirit of gratitude and community as we come together to support The HRC Foundation and promote a healthy lifestyle.

4: YMCA run: A local Thanksgiving morning tradition, YMCA Run Thru the Woods has supported local non-profits with the goal of strengthening The Woodlands, Spring and Oak Ridge communities for over 30 years. The event brings thousands of community members together for entertainment and run/walks designed for all ages. Whether you’re a veteran runner or participating in your first race, we have an event for you, including a 3-mile run, 5-mile run, 3-mile walk, and 1-Mile Kids Race. Strollers are welcomed. Start/Finish Line are located on Lake Robbins in front of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, our race venue host.

Is Black Friday your favorite "holiday"? You told us your thoughts on this frenzied Friday!

Get ready to trade your textbooks for sunscreen and your pencils for hammocks! Next year's school trip to Puerto Rico promises more adventure than a math test and way more laughs. Imagine exploring rainforests, dancing salsa, and discovering beaches so beautiful you'll forget all about cafeteria pizza.

Pack your curiosity, your best jokes, and maybe a hat-because in Puerto Rico, the only thing brighter than the sun will be your smile!

The Puerto Rico trip offers students "a sense of adventure and a desire to travel more," with unforgettable highlights like hiking El Yunque, "the only rainforest in North America," snorkeling coral reefs, and swimming in the Bioluminescent Bay where "the water changes color due to the algae underneath." Students will learn about the island's history and natural features through walking tours, where guides "point out the important parts of the island and how they connect to the everyday life of students." Fun activities include:

• Touring El Yunque National Forest
• Exploring one of Puerto Rico's unique cave systems
• Visiting El Morro, "the oldest Spanish fortification in the Caribbean"
• Taking a cooking class and dance class
• 
  

The sponsor of the 2027 trip to Puerto Rico is, Ms. Stubblefield which I interviewed to get all the information about this trip and this is what she said. Students should "make sure you are ready to walk! It is important because we walk at least 15,000 steps a day." There will be plenty of free time to explore and shop in Old San Juan, and Features through walking tours, where guides "point out the important parts of the island and how they connect to the everyday life of students. There will be plenty of free time to explore and shop in Old San Juan, and students can "choose their own hotel roommates" and use the Photocircle app to share photos so "we don't miss a thing." For updates or questions, email Ms. Stubblefield at sdstubblefield@aldineisd.org or visit the tour website for more information,

https://www.efexploreamerica.com/personal/my-tours/2941741UH/itinerary

The traditional school week typically consists of five days, but some districts are exploring

alternatives. For example, some schools, such as Crosby ISD, have adopted a four-day school week,

eliminating classes on Fridays. To address the teacher shortage by helping to recruit and retain educators. The district's superintendent stated that the change would make Crosby ISD a more attractive place for teachers, and a significant improvement followed the move in their teacher vacancy fill rate.

● Some advantages are that students come to do what they have to do willingly.

● Teachers are not always that tired and stressed out all the time.

● The janitors don't have to overwork themselves for all 5 days.

● The lunch ladies get more time for themselves to do less work.

But parents are against not having school on Friday, primarily due to childcare challenges for working parents, potential negative impacts on student academic performance, and food insecurity concerns for low-income children.

As a student in Aldine, we should not have school on Fridays, mainly because we would

have a four-day school week, which would allow us to even out the workload for weekdays and

school days. In addition, I feel that our staff at Avalos works very hard every day, maintaining

the school and bringing it together in general.