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Teacher of the Year Shares Distance-Learning Tips

By
Statepoint
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School closures and hybrid learning models have forced educators, parents and students to adapt to new forms of learning; the impact of this is not to be underestimated. Teachers and parents around the country have expressed concerns about the accessibility and quality of education under these conditions.

Fortunately, new tools and educational resources are being made accessible to help tackle these concerns. “Teacher of the Year” and author Michael Bonner is sharing resourceful ways for educators, students, families and communities to address some of the common challenges associated with distance- and hybrid-learning.

  1. Students: Create Personalized Workspaces: When students have a lack of comfort, stress has a way of compounding at an exponential level. To combat this, focus on the things that create a productive and inviting learning environment, like creating a workspace that is functional, fun and organized.

The good news is that it doesn’t require many materials to create a DIY desk and it’s a great activity to do together. Using science tri-folds and heavy-duty tape, parents and kids can create private cubicles that can be propped up on any surface and customized to their liking – be creative and look to bring things into the space that will keep your child energized and motivated.

  1. Parents: Increase Communication Touchpoints: With most schools operating through some variation of distance- or hybrid-learning, communication is a key asset for parents. Staying in regular contact with your child’s teacher can help you better understand and track how your child is performing and get ahead of any potential issues or concerns.

Parents should feel empowered to reach out to their child’s teacher for progress updates or to address any areas of confusion with class schedules or assignments. Something as simple as sending a bi-weekly email with questions could help improve the overall experience for you and your child.

  1. Teachers: Keep Kids Engaged: Teachers can break up the day by infusing different educational games and hands-on learning opportunities like 3M Science at Home. This online STEM video series is a great example of how students can tap into their curiosity about the world around them. By discussing observations and giving kids a chance to ask questions and come up with solutions, teachers and parents can foster a growth mindset while keeping kids engaged.
  2. Community: Working Together to Improve Educational Access and Equity: COVID-19 has forced organizations, businesses and education systems to configure new frameworks to continue functioning. Unfortunately, educators are facing a huge wall as roughly 15 percent of U.S. households with school-age children do not have the high-speed internet connection at home needed to complete their assignments, according to Pew Research Center data.

While options may vary based on a school district’s ability to provide resources, parents can reach out to their local community boards and school districts to see what options are available to them. Some schools are creating hotspots or are teaming with local libraries and community partners such as churches and businesses to extend their connections.

As we all adjust to new educational models, ensuring learning is engaging and fun doesn’t have to be challenging, it can start with just a few simple techniques. Whether you are modifying a space to be more inviting for learning or finding supplemental, interactive activities to break up the day, diversifying your approach will help students better retain information and grasp new concepts while having fun.

2020 Landscape Leadership Award Presented by Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful and The Garden Capital of Texas Committee

By
Joshua Blackwell
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On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 2:00 pm The Taliesin Apartments, located at 1811 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965, was recognized for going above and beyond to invest in the beautification of the Nacogdoches community and awarded the Landscape Leadership Award. The Landscape Leadership recognition program is an initiative of KeepNacogdoches Beautiful and The Garden Capital of Texas Committee. Nominations for the Landscape Leadership Award can be made by any member of the Nacogdoches community at keepnacbeautiful.org/awardsand are accepted throughout the year. Nominations are reviewed semiannually (fall and spring seasons) by the Keep Nacogdoches Board of directors and a winner is chosen by The Garden Capital of TexasCommittee.

WORK SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON US 59 NORTH, SOUTH OF NACOGDOCHES

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Crews are expected to begin work in coming days on the northbound side of US 59, south of Nacogdoches, where motorists will experience daily lane closures as work progresses.

Work is completing on the southbound side of US 59 to widen the roadway and is scheduled to move to the northbound side beginning at the grassy median, south of Nacogdoches and continuing to CR 523, near Woodland Hills golf course. Work will include the addition of a crossover and truck turnaround which will allow southbound motorists the option to make a safe turn to access northbound lanes.

Barriers will be placed along the northbound shoulder of US 59 where work will begin. Moore Brothers Construction Co., Lufkin, will serve as contractor for the $1 million construction project that is scheduled to be completed by March 2021, weather permitting.

As this work begins, motorists should expect daily lane closures through the area until work is completed. This project is designed to enhance safety and facilitate traffic flow in the area.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395. Visit drivetexas.org for roadway conditions and closures statewide.

Angelina College to Host Live Registration Rally Spring Semester Begins Jan. 11

By
Gary Stallard
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Students looking to register for the upcoming Spring 2021 semester at Angelina College will have an opportunity next week for face-to-face advising.

On Wednesday, Nov. 18, AC faculty and advisors will be on-hand inside the campus library for a “Registration Rally” designed to help students enroll in courses for the upcoming semester. The session will run from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Students will start at Roadrunner Central in the AC Student Center and move over to the library for actual advising.

Students registering on the 18th will have their names placed in a drawing for a new laptop computer, and any student who registers by Nov. 20th will have a chance at a full scholarship for the spring semester.

During Wednesday’s live session, all participants are asked to follow current COVID-19 guidelines, including the wearing of masks inside and proper social distancing measures.

For further information, contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.

Lady Roadrunner Softball Signs Area Standout Fuentes Diboll Sparkplug Brings Versatility to the Game

By
Gary Stallard
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Sparkplug. Fireball. Catalyst. Playmaker.

Those are just a few of the words used to describe Diboll High School standout Hailey Fuentes, who has started for the Ladyjack softball team since her freshman season. Fuentes has played catcher and middle infield, has proven herself as a hard out to get at the plate and has contributed to Diboll’s presence as a perennial district championship contender.

However, the most apt description for a player of her dedication and caliber might just be “Total softball player.”

Fuentes’ offering of the complete package earned her plenty of attention from next-level programs, but the Diboll dynamo this week signed her letter of intent with Angelina College.

“I like that it’s close to home, and Coach [Josh] Barnes seems like a really good coach,” Fuentes said during Saturday’s signing ceremony. She added she hopes to bring leadership skills she learned under Ladyjack head coach Hayland Hardy to the Lady ‘Runner lineup.

Fuentes said she sees her role as just finding a way to get on the field and find ways to contribute, no matter where on the diamond she may find herself.

“I really like her energy,” Angelina College head softball coach Josh Barnes said. “I love her explosiveness as an athlete, and she’s always playing with a smile. No matter what’s going on during a game, she’s competing with a smile, and that’s something we like in our program. I see her competing for a place anywhere on the field.

“Hailey’s in a slightly different mold for what some may consider a typical softball player. She’s small, but she’s fast and has a lot of pop in her bat. Those are qualities you can really see translating well at the next level.”

Following her sophomore season as a Ladyjack, Fuentes was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State list. She batted .265 with 12 RBI and six doubles in her freshman year – and nearly launched a walk-off homer in the 2018 regional quarterfinals as part of the Ladyjacks’ historic season. A COVID-ruined junior season did nothing to lessen her reputation among her peers and coaches.

Fuentes said she plans to major in Business at AC.

She is the daughter of Esmeralda and Olizer Juaraz.

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

How to Make Remote-Learning More Rewarding and Fun

By
Statepoint
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In the remote-learning environment of the 2020-21 academic year, certain types of classes have been deprioritized and the school day has lost some of the structure and sociability that in-person learning affords.

In the face of these challenges, how can you make remote-learning more rewarding and fun for your child? Consider the following tips and ideas:

• Encourage video study sessions: Socializing is an invaluable aspect of a traditional school day. Unfortunately, remote-learning can be a lot more isolating. Have your child invite classmates to form a remote study group. Doing so will help reinforce lessons, make learning the material more interactive and provide a much-needed opportunity for students to socialize.

• Reincorporate music education: Have music classes been cancelled this year? Your child can still reap the benefits of a music education by playing an instrument like a Casiotone Keyboard. The Casiotone series of keyboards are great for beginners. Not only do they have a built-in learning system, they have a 3/4 jack for headphones so the rest of the house doesn’t have to be distracted during practice sessions. Learning to play a keyboard is not only fun, it can help with science, math and cognitive learning. Studies have shown that children and adults with musical training have heightened skills in an area called executive functioning.

• Schedule midday movement: Physical education may no longer be part of your child’s curriculum, but you can still make time for movement. Schedule a screen-free block of time each day to replace gym class or recess. Encourage kids to move around and if possible, get some fresh air. They’ll return to their next class refreshed and focused.

• Master math at home: Math can be an especially tricky subject to master remotely. But new tools can help students grasp complex concepts. For example, ClassPad.net is a tool geared toward K-12 and beyond that exceeds the functionality of a calculator. Among its many features are a virtual protractor and compass, and a math-based text editor that provides a rich assortment of mathematical templates. This web-based calculator also gives users the ability to create folders, organize and share work. These tools are free to educators and students and can eliminate the need for an expensive graphing calculator. To register or learn more, visit ClassPad.net.

• Create digital masterpieces: Art is still an important subject for kids, even if it isn’t being offered this year. However, you don’t need to install a full-fledged art studio in your home for kids to be able to create artwork in a range of mediums. Digital apps mimic the act of drawing, painting, illustration, collage and more, helping to build a foundation of skills and lay the groundwork for further exploration.

While some of the challenges of remote-learning are inevitable, there are many ways families can make the experience more positive for students.

5 Ways to Show Your Pet You Care This Holiday Season

By
Statepoint
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During the holidays, there are endless ways to show the humans around you how much you love them. Finding ways to extend the joy of the season to pets who are a part of the family takes a bit more creativity.

Here are five ideas for celebrating with furry friends this holiday season:

  1. Spend quality time together: Between shopping, cooking and decorating, the hustle and bustle of the season can be distracting. However, no matter what’s going on, it’s important to spend quality time with your pet each day. So, go on some extra long walks with your dog, extend your cat’s playtime sessions and brush your pet’s coat. These activities may help alleviate situational anxiety brought on by shifting holiday routines.
  3. Pamper your pet: The holiday season can be tiring and stressful on every member of the family, including your dog. Gift your dog relaxation and better health with Pet Releaf CBD-infused Edibites. Whether your dog is in incredible health or is experiencing discomfort, these chews offer a needed immune system turbo boost, making them a great daily supplement. Not only that, they have calming and soothing properties, which may help ease your pet’s situational anxiety should travel or houseguests be part of your plans this season. Containing human-grade ingredients, no fillers and no chemical preservatives, these handmade chews come in flavors like Peanut Butter & Banana, Blueberry & Cranberry and even Pizza!
  5. Stuff your pet’s stocking: A whopping 72 percent of pet parents plan to give their pets a gift or stocking stuffer this holiday season, according to a recent Pet Releaf survey conducted by The Harris Poll. Not only is hanging a stocking for pets a fun way to include them in a family tradition, it’s also a great opportunity to give products a test run. Look for pet products offered in trial or small sizes, such as CBD-infused Edibites Hemp Oils, Liposome Hemp Oils, or Hemp Oil Capsules.
  7. Decorate safely: When selecting holiday décor, prioritize your pet’s safety above all. Steer clear of plants toxic to pets, like holly, poinsettias and mistletoe; and avoid stringy items such as tinsel, curling ribbons or other tree and gift trimmings that when ingested, can cause intestinal blockage.
  9. Outfit your pet: Taking a festive family portrait for this year’s greeting card? Just want your pet to be comfortable and stylish on all those winter walks in the months ahead? With several major retailers offering ugly holiday sweaters for pets in a variety of sizes and designs, it’s easy to get your pet in on the fun.

For more pet parent tips and insights, visit petreleaf.com/blog.

The holiday season is all about showing loved ones you care. This year, make sure that also includes furry friends.

Insect Calls Over the Past Week

By
Cary Sims
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With fall upon us and getting closer to winter, my week was filled with questions about bugs. Bumble bees, honeybees, armyworms, and a potential sighting of the Asian giant hornet are among the questions that I fielded.

The first question was about Bumble bees. Specifially, the question was if they migrated south for the winter.

They do not.

Like many other insects, you’ll find them preparing stores for winter. Fertilized queens survive the winter, select an underground nesting site in the spring and construct a nest in which worker bees are raised. In the fall, all members of the colony die except the fertilized queens.

Nesting sites include clumps of dry grass, old bird nests, abandoned rodent burrows, old mattresses, car cushions or even in or under old, abandoned buildings. Most colonies contain a few hundred bees although thriving colonies can contain up to 2,000 bees.

Bumblebees are important pollinators. Only the females are capable of stinging. They can be aggressive around nesting sites, but they are rarely aggressive during foraging activities. Though rare, there may be problems when their nest is located next to a building or walkway.

A second insect call this week was about honeybees. The caller wanted a beekeeper to remove a honeybee hive from a tree on her neighbor’s property. Removing honeybees from an established hive at this time of the year could be done, but often results in the failure of a hive to survive the winter. Honeybees spend most of the year gathering pollen and nectar (which they turn into honey) to make it through the winter. It is important to note that the honeybees are staying active as long as they can during these last warm days to store up pollen and nectar for the upcoming winter. To upset them now would be almost certain death.

On a side not, the caller asked if a beekeeper could “smoke them out”. “Smoking them out” is common misunderstanding about honeybees. Beekeepers will smoke bees every time they work them, but we do not use smoke it to run them off. Obviously, the last thing we want to do is to run them off their livelihood. Beekeepers use smoke to calm honeybees so that they can more easily attend to their hives.

I am continuing research into the occurrence of armyworms at a hay meadow just east of Lufkin. Since this past summer, I have been trapping the adult armyworm moth and tracking the emergence of the armyworm caterpillar in the field. The traps that I have out are collecting armyworm moths and then I sample the fields for the caterpillars that are so destructive to hay crops and some pastures.

As of this past Wednesday, I still found army worm moths in the traps! I doubt that there will be any problems with the caterpillars eating the Bermuda hay meadow, but it is interesting to note that there still out there.

Lastly, I had a call about a potential Asian giant hornet sighting. The Asian giant hornet is also known is the “Murder Hornet” in some circles.

Rest assured, it was certainly not an Asian giant hornet but some type of wasp that had been killed and beaten to such an extent but only one wing was able to be identified used as identification. I consulted our local entomologist, Joe Pace, and he confirmed that it was absolutely not the dreaded invasive species Hornet and that the closest one is well over two thousand miles away.

With winter just around the corner, be sure and get outside look at the bugs that are still around look at the winter annuals that are germinating and enjoy this cool wonderful fall weather.

In a year like no other, Texans celebrate 2020 Arbor Day in Harker Heights, Texas – and beyond

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Texans from across the state gathered today in the City of Harker Heights to celebrate Texas Arbor Day and grow new Texas traditions.

Today’s celebration supports part of the City’s mission to educate and engage the community through excellent service delivery that protects health and promotes a sustainable environment. The celebration was also live streamed across Texas A&M Forest Service Facebook and YouTube pages – encouraging and highlighting other Arbor Day activities across the state.

The theme of the celebration was Growing Texas Traditions.

The theme highlights the connection between trees, forests and people, and ties them into our deep Texas heritage. Traditions are about maintaining information, behaviors and customs handed down through generations. This Arbor Day, we encourage individuals, families and communities to establish some activities with the trees around them, and pass those activities to family, friends and future generations.  

“True to its name, Arbor Day celebrates the preservation and planting of trees. Harker Heights has a tradition of planting trees in our parks. I was a Boy Scout, and I had a lot of interest in forestry and even thought about majoring in it in college. You can plant trees in your yard, at your school or place of business, or explore the community while on a neighborhood walk among the trees,” said Harker Heights’ Mayor Spencer Smith. “These new Texas Arbor Day traditions can bring you closer to the people and the trees around you.”

The main stage celebration, held at Carl Levin Park, included a ceremony, tree awards and a tree planting. It also included a special recognition for an individual instrumental in elevating the importance of urban forests in Harker Heights.

“We celebrated the City’s nine year anniversary as a Tree City USA today, and honored our former city manager, Steve Carpenter, for his contribution and foresight in seeing that Harker Heights received this special designation,” said Harker Heights Activities Center Specialist Adam Trujillo.

On Arbor Day, we emphasize the importance of conserving and managing our urban tree canopy specifically to positively affect the health and resiliency of the community.

According to Paul Johnson, Texas A&M Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program Leader, the City of Harker Heights was selected as this year’s host city for their excellence in community forestry. City departments joined forces to amplify the importance of trees in their community through the power of education, sustainability and instilling new traditions involving trees. 

President-Elect of the International Society of Arboriculture Dana Karcher delivered the Arbor Day Keynote Address on the importance of small cities across the country, like Harker Heights, and their contributions to urban forestry.

The Great State of Texas is steeped in history, culture and tradition. This Arbor Day, in a year like no other, we encourage all Texas communities to celebrate trees and to grow some new Texas traditions. This is a great opportunity for families to get out and learn about trees and how they protect and affect us.

Even if you missed today’s ceremony, Texas A&M Forest Service is making it easy for anyone, anywhere to participate in Arbor Day. We’ve provided tips online to help communities create a memorable Arbor Day, as well as educational activities for schools, groups and families to get outdoors and learn more about trees.

Please visit http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu/arborday/ for ideas on how to host an Arbor Day ceremony. Here you can also find instructions on how to properly plant a tree and activities about the benefits of trees, tree parts and how to identify a tree by its leaves or structure – plus so much more.

You can also watch the ceremony on playback at @texasforestservice.

About Texas Arbor Day: Under the leadership of the Texas Forestry Association, Texas first observed Arbor Day in 1889, celebrating the benefits that trees provide over a lifetime. Today, the Texas State Arbor Day is sponsored by Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association and the Texas Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program

By
Joshua Blackwell
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The Angel Tree Program, along with The Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettle Campaign, is one of The Salvation Army’s best-known Christmas efforts. More than 100,000 children across Texas will experience the joy of opening presents on Christmas morning thanks to generous donors and the help of The Salvation Army.

“The Angel Tree program provides toys and clothing to children, seniors, and families who might be struggling to afford Christmas gifts this year. With all that 2020 has brought, more families than ever are in need of a little extra support and assistance,” said Captain Phillips of The Salvation Army. “Angels are available for adoption by community members and businesses, who in a small way will deliver the magic and message of Christmas to those in need.”

The Salvation Army Angel Trees are located at Southside Bank 2510 W. Frank St., Southside 541 S. Timberland Dr., Walmart 2500 Daniel McCall Dr., The Lufkin Mall 4600 S. Medford Dr., Olive Garden 3801 Medford Dr., Old Navy 4505 S. Medford Dr., CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial 1201 W. Frank, Hobby Lobby 2215 S. First St., Belk 2215 S. First St. The trees are decorated with paper angels, each representing a child or senior who – without this program – may not receive a gift at Christmas. “We are grateful for the generous support of our community and local businesses that work alongside The Salvation Army to provide a joyous Christmas to those in need,” said Captain Phillips.

Angels will be available for adoption throughout the months of November and December. Last year, 250 angels were available for adoption in Lufkin, and this year we expect to have 600 children and seniors enrolled in the program. Gift distribution will take place at Pitser Civic Center, from 12/16/2020.

“A brand-new way to support The Salvation Army Angel Tree this year is through Walmart Registry for Good,” said Captain Phillips. “Walmart has partnered with The Salvation Army to make it possible for donors to purchase needed items online that will be delivered directly to The Salvation Army. You can search for The Salvation Army Lufkin at www.walmartangeltree.com and order items today that will benefit local families.”

Volunteers are needed throughout November and December to help manage Angel Tree locations and work to sort and distribute items received.

For more information about adopting an Angel, or current volunteer opportunities please call The Salvation Army at (936) 634-5132 or visit us at 412 S. 3rd St., Lufkin, TX 75901. Check out other ways you can give or get involved at www.salvationarmytexas.org/Lufkin/.

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