Week of February 23, 2026 |
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February
24: 4th Grade Spring Mock -Reading No Lunch Visitors
25: 3rd and 5th Grade Spring Mock -Reading No Lunch Visitors
26: Black History Performance 8:30 am PreK-2, 9:15am 3rd-5th, 5:30pm
27: 4th Grade Field Trip to Austin March
03: 5th Grade Spring Mock-Math
03: Author Visit K-3
04: 4th Grade Spring Mock -Math
05: 3rd Grade Spring Mock-Math 13: Pre K-4th grade Field Day
16-20: Spring Break *Dates & Events Subject to Change |
February
24: Rosana Pacheco
28: Maria Salazar March
02: Trina Johnson
03: Floralba Aguilar
08: Jocelyn Gregory 15: Susan Schramm
21: Venessa Deanda
25: Sarah Rodriguez
28: Alice Harris
29: Leah Moser
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Dear Pine Forest Team,
As we move into a busy stretch with mock assessments, field trips, performances, and Field Day on the horizon, I want to pause and say thank you. The level of planning, intentionality, and heart you bring to your classrooms and roles each day is what makes Pine Forest such a special place for students.
Over the past several weeks, we have welcomed multiple new students to our campus. The care, patience, and warmth you consistently show our new Panthers speaks volumes about who we are as a school community. From the front office to classrooms to specials and support staff, the way our students are welcomed, supported, and made to feel seen truly sets PFE apart.
These next few weeks are critical for student growth, and your commitment to high-quality instruction, strong routines, and calm, supportive environments is making a difference. Even with seasonal illness and allergies impacting attendance and energy levels, you continue to show up with grace, flexibility, and a relentless belief in our kids.
Please know that your work does not go unnoticed. The preparation you are putting in now is building confidence in our students and setting them up for success. As we push through this final stretch before Spring Break, take pride in the impact you are making—sometimes the hardest weeks are the ones that move learning the furthest forward.
Thank you for your professionalism, your teamwork, and your heart for kids. I am grateful to serve alongside each of you, and I am so proud of the work happening across our campus every day. With appreciation and Panther Pride,
Wendy |
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PBIS Focus for This Week: Reset, Don’t Escalate (2-Minute De-Escalation) When a student is dysregulated, our goal is to de-escalate first, then reteach. Next week, let’s all try the same quick reset routine to reduce some of those power struggles and help students return with dignity. The 2-Minute Reset ⏲️
State the expectation (calm + brief):
“We use calm voices.” / “Hands and feet to self.” / “We follow directions the first time.” Offer 2 clear choices:
“You can reset at your seat or take a 2-minute break.”
“You can start the first problem with me or independently.” Return with dignity (no lecture):
“Thanks for resetting. Join us when you’re ready.”
“I’m glad you’re back—let’s jump in.”
Key reminder: The fewer words, the better. Keep your tone neutral and your message consistent. Quick Scripts for Hotspots Hallway / Transitions 🚶♂️🚶♀️ 🚪
Expectation: “We’re silent and single-file.” Choices: “You can reset to the line now, or step to the side for 30 seconds and rejoin.” Return: “Thanks—show me the right way.” Cafeteria 🍽️
Expectation: “Voices at Level 1 and stay seated.”
Choices: “You can lower your voice and stay with your table, or take a 2-minute reset seat.” Return: “Thank you—join us when you’re ready.”
(If it’s time to transition and the reset isn’t effective, you can just use your best judgment - pick your battles ✅ 👉
Recess 🤸♂️
Expectation: “Hands and feet to self—play safe.” Choices: “You can choose a different game, or take a 2-minute break and then try again.” Return: “Glad you reset—now go play safe.”
Small Group / Instruction 👩🏫
Expectation: “We’re working—eyes on the task.”
Choices: “You can start with me for the first one, or start independently and I’ll check in.” Return: “Nice choice—let’s go.” Dismissal 🚗🚙 Expectation: “Stay in your spot and follow directions.” Choices: “You can stand quietly in line, or step out for 30 seconds and rejoin when you are ready.”
Return: “Thank you—back in line.” |
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🌟 Coaching Corner: The Power of Exemplars |
When students can see what success looks like, their learning accelerates. Exemplars—whether in writing or math—make expectations concrete. They answer the unspoken student question: “What does a great one look like?” Instead of guessing, students can study quality, notice patterns, and aim their effort in the right direction. This builds clarity, confidence, and higher-quality work. Why Exemplars Work They clarify the target (students know what “good” looks like). They build schema (students internalize structure, strategies, and language). They raise the bar (expectations become visible and reachable). They support all learners—especially those who struggle to visualize the end product. How to Introduce an Exemplar (The Right Way) Start with the purpose: Tell students what skill or standard the exemplar demonstrates.
Notice, don’t judge: Ask, “What do you notice this writer/mathematician did well?” before naming it yourself. Connect to criteria: Link student observations to the rubric, success criteria, or anchor chart. Make it transferable: Ask, “How can we try this in our own work?”
Avoid cloning: Emphasize that the exemplar is a model, not something to copy—students should apply the strategies, not replicate the product. Bottom line: Exemplars turn abstract expectations into visible, achievable goals—and when students can see the target, they’re far more likely to hit it. |
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Thank you Adrienne Despeaux for inspiring our third graders to read more series chapter books. Your lessons to highlight some of the new chapter book series are really helping them move from graphic novels into chapter book land! Sincerely, Stephanie Mize
A HUGE shout out to Mrs. Ford, Ms Despaux, Ms. Thompson, Ms. T. Johnson, and Ms. Philan for helping with the first round of TELPAS testing this week. You helped make our first week successful. ~Potter
Big shout out to all of our lovely ladies staying after and working with the kids for the Black History Performance. Thank you to our teachers that received new students in the last couple of weeks and have been so welcoming, the parents are happy and students are happy to be here. Thank you to all of our staff that have helped with testing for TELPAS and MOCK Science~ it takes a village!~Wendy Anaya
Thank you Wendy for setting everything up for PD after break and always just being so supportive, love working with you, you are the best ! Ford :) Thank you Ms. Harris for working with my small groups in the morning when you push in! ~
Thank you everyone for helping my son Thomas feel so comfortable coming back in a wheelchair this week and especially Mrs. Avina and Mrs. Espinosa for thinking about all of the little but very important details ahead of time, I appreciate you more than you know! - Ford
Thank you Mrs. Potter for being so organized and for your attention to detail with TELPAS testing this week—you’re doing an awesome job ! - Ford and Anaya :) Congrats on getting through test 1 of the Science Mock~ thank you to Despaux, Ford, Thompson and all of those that made it go off without a hitch.
5th graders teachers and Vonderheide for debriefing after Science MOCK. Vonderheide, Hentges, Zmolek, Tashida, Alice, and Angela Smith for assisting with Testing during Science Mock. Also, Saye and James for being available for lunch support! Carrie Slayton for sharing Tashida during Testing days!
Margie Potter and Lara Thompson for supporting my "Think Alouds" when prepping for testing. ~Despaux
Thanks to Mrs. Potter for helping walk our ECSE kiddos in the afternoon. An extra hand to hold and those few more steps are appreciated. Thanks to Sara and Yami for helping with our ECSE kiddos in the morning if we aren't right at the door when they arrive. ~
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Campus News~Information~Opportunities |
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EMPLOYEE Options for Pre-K for 26-27 School Year
Thanks to a provision from the 89th Texas Legislature, Humble ISD is able to offer Pre-Kindergarten at no cost to classroom teachers. Teachers who are classified as 087 are eligible for free Pre-K, including elementary library teachers, elementary digital integration teachers, middle school social studies instructional coaches and high school athletic trainer teachers. Other employees, including paraprofessionals, administrators, auxiliary staff, and specialized professionals are able to apply for fee-based Pre-K through the district. The cost is $6,620 a year, paid through payroll deduction (non-optional).
Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026 to be eligible for Pre-K. When can I register?
Registration for Pre-Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year will open in April. Will my child be at the same school where I work?
Children will be assigned based on classroom capacity, and while requests for specific campuses can be considered, there’s no guarantee your child will be at your workplace or near your home. Pre-K classes usually have 22 students, led by a teacher and a paraprofessional. Once you apply, you’ll set up a verification appointment where you can discuss and confirm your child's campus.
Where are Pre-K classes located?
Pre-K classes for the 2026-2027 school year will be located at Atascocita Springs, Early Childhood Center, Eagle Springs, Fall Creek, Foster, Hidden Hollow, Humble, Jack Fields, Lakeland, Lakeshore, Maplebrook, North Bend, Oak Forest, Oaks, Park Lakes, Pine Forest, River Pines, Summerwood, Timbers, and Whispering Pines elementary schools. Your child will be in a class that includes children qualifying for Pre-K under various state provisions.
What are the times for Pre-K?
Pre-K classes run Monday through Friday, with campus doors opening at 7:30 a.m., and classes starting at 7:55 a.m. and ending at 3:20 p.m. Pre-K students have the same holidays as Humble ISD elementary schools. Check out the 2026-2027 academic calendar for details.
How do I apply? Visit the district enrollment website in April. Choose New to District Enrollment when enrollment for the 26-27 school year becomes available.
On the application, choose either the Humble ISD classroom teacher or employee tuition-based option based on your eligibility.
After submitting, you'll receive a "PK Next Steps" email with a link to book your verification appointment—make sure to choose the times designated for Humble ISD employees.
If you have any questions, please email the Early Childhood Department at earlychildhood@humbleisd.net.
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Check out the 3rd quarter Counselor Newsletter here |
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