ROO WAAG #25

Dear Roo FAM,

As we move through the month of April, we know this time of year brings a full schedule of testing alongside all the responsibilities that come with closing out the school year. It’s a demanding stretch, and your dedication does not go unnoticed.

I encourage each of you to remain steadfast and supportive of one another. Your commitment to our students and to excellence continues to make a meaningful difference every single day. Even during the busiest moments, remember that the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

Thank you for your hard work, resilience, and the care you bring to our school community.

With appreciation,

Miguel Timarky

Hey ROOS ! Check out this brain-based strategy that can really impact these last weeks of learning in the classroom. When teachers intentionally pause every 8–10 minutes, it gives students time to process, reflect, and actually own the learning instead of just hearing it. These short “pause and jot” moments increase retention, boost engagement, and give you quick insight into who’s understanding and who needs support—making your instruction more targeted and effective.

EUTOPIA........ April 3, 2026

😂 1.
Student: "Can I go to the bathroom?"
Teacher: “I don't know, can you?”

😂 2.

Teacher: What do you call a group of friends who love math?
Answer: .

😂 3.
Teacher: What's your favorite element?
Answer: Helium. I can't speak highly enough about it.

😂 4.
Teacher: I'm close friends with 25 letters of the alphabet.....I don't know Y.

😂 5.
Teacher: Why was the computer so good at the test?
Answer: Because it had all the right “bytes”! 💻

😂 6.
Teacher: What’s the best way to eat a big test?
Answer: One question at a time!

Purpose

Students read a text passage (any subject area), select specific facts to promote comprehension, then share/compare facts before making an inference.

Materials

• Text passage
• Just the Facts template (English/Spanish)
• Just the Facts – Assessment Question template (English/Spanish)
• Note cards or notebook paper (if not using templates)

Instructions

1. Students read a selected passage or text associated with the content.
2. Individually, students record a cool fact, an interesting fact, a wow fact, a useful fact, a new fact, and a most important fact/detail from the text.
3. Using Musical Mix-Freeze-Group, students get a thinking partner.
4. Students justify why they chose their selected facts/details.
5. Students select one or more facts from their partner’s ideas and write an inference.
6. Observe students’ thinking and clarify/verify as appropriate.

Classroom Management

• Model the strategy with a previously read text.
• Role-play the movement and discourse strategy Musical Mix-Freeze-Group, and make sure everyone has a partner.

Differentiation

• Promote access to text by providing auditory, summarized, or electronic text in manageable chunks.
• Promote access by providing visually supported text, partnering with a supportive peer for read-alouds, and/or allowing text-to-speech supports.
• Promote response access by partnering with a supportive peer, allowing students to dictate responses to a scribe, providing thinking stems for each response box, and/or using speech-to-text or word prediction support with a digital version of the Just the Facts 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:
  • Connect all six facts, and draw a conclusion about the text’s main message.
  • Cut apart your partner’s facts and sequence the fact cards in the appropriate order.
• Encourage students to use lead4ward’s Thinking Stems (English/Spanish) to frame their responses, if needed.

• Actively monitor your students throughout the lesson.
• Post the focused skill(s) for the week in a visible location.
• Provide support and guidance when students are struggling with skills.

Continue encouraging students as we work toward mastering two skills each week. Let’s keep pushing forward with 15 correct questions per week — we believe in OUR Students, and we are KHS STRONG!

Teachers, please remember to enter grades within five school days of assigning any class assignment, test, or graded task, as timely feedback is essential for student progress, accountability, and clear communication with students and families.

Please join us in celebrating our incredible April Staff Members of the Month at Killeen High School!

Mr. Waltz

Mr. McDaniel

Ms. Cook

Ms. Shoemaker

Ms. Canales

Mr. Gray

These outstanding educators go above and beyond each day to support our students, build strong relationships, and make KHS a place where excellence thrives.

*** Go to any KHS Social Media Site to see the Video Clip!

On Saturday, Killeen JROTC competed in the district archery tournament. Killeen finished 2nd overall and we have the female 3rd (Amaya Stafford) place position. Way to Go!!!🎉🎉✨🥉

Last Friday, we celebrated BIG at KHS with our Honor Roll students, 740 Roos earning it in the classroom! 💯

Your hard work, discipline, and commitment to excellence do not go unnoticed. Snacks, outdoor games, and ROO swag made it a celebration, but the real win is the dedication each of you show every single day. Keep setting the standard and pushing for greatness!

Prom tickets will be sold in advance only and prices will increase as the event gets closer:

• March 30 – April 10: $35

• April 13 – April 17: $40

• April 20 – April 24: $45

Students are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to get the best price, and remember that no tickets will be sold at the door.