AISD launches benchmark testing
Teachers update web pages with assignments
BY LELAND ACKER

The school year is off to a great start, reported the principals of Alto Elementary, Middle and High Schools during Monday's regular meeting of the Alto ISD Board of Trustees. Melody Witt, Kelly West and Donald Patton all reported improvements in classroom operations and parent orientation meetings.

"We had a wonderful start, one of the smoothest I have ever witnessed," said Mrs. Witt, elementary school principal.

Mrs. Witt reported that teachers are beginning to prepare students for the upcoming UIL(University Interscholastic League) academic meet. Alto Elementary School won the district championship in that competition last year.

"We're off and rolling," said Kelly West, middle school principal. "The children are actively engaged in learning and are preparing for benchmark testing. We'll use the benchmark testing to drive our tutorials."

All principals reported preparing their students for benchmark testing, which will take place Thursday. The goal of benchmark testing is to see where the students are in regards to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which is what the state bases the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).

"The main focus this year is parent communication," Mrs. West continued, explaining that Alto Middle School teachers are requested to keep a Web page which informs parents of assignments for classes and announces testing dates.

"If a child loses a spelling book, the parent can log on to that teacher's Web page and find the spelling list," she said, adding the teachers' Web pages are accessible through the school district's Web site, www.Alto.esc7.net.

Mrs. West also reported the Cherokee County Spelling Bee will be held in October this year, much earlier than the traditional time in February. She said she favored the change because the spelling bee will not interfere with the UIL Literary Meet in the spring.

Alto High School Principal Donald Patton said, "We had a fantastic start to the school year." Areas of optimism include the school's UIL academic program.

"Last year was the first year for many of our teachers to coach UIL This year, we have more experience and the teachers are beginning to recruit their teams," he said.

Mr. Patton said he is pleased with the performance of the new teachers, Erica Hunt, Alice Hunt, Celeste Mitchell and Ted Steah, at Alto High School.

"Their students are well aware of the classroom expectations and they have the skill to work with the students," he said.

Superintendent Dr. Ray DeSpain reported on the enrollment and average daily attendance (ADA) at Alto ISD. In grades K-12, Alto ISD has an ADA of 636 students.

AHS had an enrollment of 175 students. Alto Middle School has an enrollment of 190 while Alto Elementary has an enrolment of 266 in grades K-4, and 21 in Pre-K.

Dr. DeSpain also briefed the board on Alto's involvement in UIL, including district alignments. Dr. DeSpain praised Kelley Robertson's efforts on maintaining the financial records for Alto ISD.

Alto ISD will hold a public forum on the school bond election at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the cafeteria. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15.

Present at the meeting were Board President Freddy Johnson, Board members Lee Pearman, Randy Low, Jay Jones and Britton Tilley. Absent was Board Vice-president Greg Duplichain. Also present were Dr. DeSpain, Mr. Patton, Mrs. West, Mrs. Witt, Mrs. Robertson, Sherry Dover and Fay Hudson.