Searching for the Gingerbread Man
Submitted by Gayle Colburn, Timber Creek Elementary, September 22, 2008

Livingston –Ms. Taylor’s and Mrs. Colburn’s classes read several versions of the story “The Gingerbread Man.”  We read “The Gingerbread Baby,” “The Gingerbread Girl,” and “The Gingerbread Man.”  Then we compared these three stories to see how they were alike and how they were different.  At the end of the week, we made a gingerbread man cake, and were preparing to eat him for snack when he up and ran away. Our classes searched all over the school to find him.

This was a good opportunity to learn about where important places are located in our school. Ms. Taylor’s class finally found him in Mr. Rice's office with a huge hunk of gingerbread missing from his left knee. We finally came to the conclusion that Mr. Rice ate a piece of his leg to keep him from running away again.  Mrs. Colburn’s class found their Gingerbread Man in Mrs. Dickerson’s office by following gingerbread crumbs. 

Click here to view Photo Gallery 1!
Click here to view Photo Gallery 2!

Find ways to spend quality time with your teen this year
Submitted by Gregg Faith, LISD Communications Department, September 22, 2008

Before kids can drive, they have to spend time with their parents. Otherwise, they won’t get to friends’ houses, sports practices and other activities. But by high school, either they can drive—or they can find a friend who can get them places. And time spent with parents decreases. But it’s a mistake to think that teens don’t want to spend time with parents. A survey conducted for the White House Conference on Teenagers found that “not having enough time together” with parents was the top concern of teenagers. In the survey, teens said they wanted their parents to spend more time with them. How can you do that? Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Plan family meals. Plan and prepare a meal with your teen. Talk about the kinds of food you might like to try. Divide the responsibilities. You’ll get a great meal and a great conversation.

• Look for “teachable moments.” Talk about underage drinking when you see a story about a car crash caused by someone drinking and driving. Talk about violence and better ways to solve problems when you see a TV show that includes violence.

• Read together. Choose a book that you’ll both enjoy reading and make time to discuss it.

Source: “Talking With Teens: The YMCA Parent and Teen Survey Final Report,” White House Conference on Teenagers, http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/EOP/First_Lady/html/teens/ survey.html.

Help your preteen create habits for a successful year in school
Submitted by Gregg Faith, LISD Communications Department, September 22, 2008

The beginning of the school year offers your child an opportunity to start off fresh. Help your preteen shine in class this year by establishing habits that will help her succeed in school and in life. Make sure your preteen will:

• Get enough shut-eye. Preteens won’t succeed if they’re snoozing at their desks. So make sure your child gets to bed at a reasonable time each night. And have her unplug before lights-out. That means no TV, loud music or computer in the hour leading up to bedtime. Also, make sure her alarm clock plays soothing music. No one likes to be awakened by a loud, annoying alarm!

• Eat a healthful lunch. It’s great that your preteen eats breakfast every morning, but don’t forget about lunch! After all, she’ll need the midday fuel. So send her to school with a nutritious meal— not a sack full of chips, cookies and soda.

• Use the right workspace. Be sure your preteen has a place to do her homework—a desk, her bedroom floor or the kitchen table. It should be quiet, comfortable and well-lit. It should also be as free from distractions as possible. Make sure it’s stocked with plenty of paper, pens and pencils.

• Study ahead. Don’t let your preteen get into the “cramming” habit! If she knows there’s a test coming, remind her to review the material a little bit each day. This is much more effective than trying to memorize tons of material the night before an exam.

Start the school year off with research-based tips for success
Submitted by Gregg Faith, LISD Communications Department, September 22, 2008

The start of a new school year is filled with promise. Notebooks are filled with shiny white paper. Crayons still have their sharpened points. Even your child’s backpack is organized! The start of a school year can also be a time for you to set some goals. Research has identified three easy— but important—ways to help your child do better in school this year:

1. Get to know your child’s teacher. When parents and teachers are on the same team, kids do better in school. So make plans to go to back-to-school night. If you can’t attend, contact the teacher to set up a short meeting to talk. Once you’ve met face to face, you’ll find it easier to ask a question or share a concern about your child.

2. Settle into a routine. Kids thrive on predictability. So have a regular time for doing school work. Set— and keep—a regular bedtime. Plan a morning routine that gets everyone out the door on time. Your family will be happier and you’ll all have less stress.

3. Make reading a habit. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes each day for reading time. If your child is learning to read, let her show off her new skills. Set aside some time when you all read together and then talk about what you’ve read. If your child sees you reading, she’s sure to catch the reading habit.

Source: Michigan Department of Education, “What Research Says About Parent Involvement in Children’s Education in Relation to Academic Achievement,” www. michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_ Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf. BUILDING RESPECT Copyright © 2008, The Parent Institute® www.parent-institute.com Practical ideas for parents to help their children.

Livingston Lions 2008 Football Magazine
Submitted by Karla Lewis, Livingston ISD Athletics Booster Club, September 22, 2008

Buy your 2008 Lion Football Magazine today. The magazine is in full color and has 56 glossy pages. This exciting book is great to save for scrapbooks, memorabilia, and has lots of ads, personal and business. As you read you will be able to ID your favorite Lion Varsity football players, along w/ band, Emerald Belles, Cheerleaders, Volleyball, and Cross Country as well as Girls basketball, FFA, LHS Choir and JROTC. All proceeds from sales support LHS and LJHS boys and girls athletic - all sports.  Magazines are $3 each.  E-mail klewis@livingstonisd.com, buy at football games, or come to room L512 at LHS to buy a copy.

Get Your "Green Out" Shirt Today
Submitted by Mati Rowe, Livingston ISD Athletics Booster Club, September 22, 2008

The LISD Green Out Game/ Tailgate Party is Friday, October 3, 2008. Get your Green Out Shirt today for $10 for most sizes. Available in Youth S,M,L and Adult S,M,L,XL,2X & 3X. Contact mrowe@livingstonisd.com or klewis@livingstonisd.com or come by LHS room L512. They will also be on sale at all home football games.

Proud Lion Parent Signs
Submitted by Karla Lewis, Livingston ISD Athletics Booster Club, September 22, 2008

If you have a son or daughter participating in a Livingston Jr. High or Livingston High School sport, you may purchase a Proud Lion Parent sign for your yard or home. They are $20 each. They have your child's name and sport number. Payment is due when ordering. Order forms available from klewis@livingstonisd.com, at home football games, or LHS room L512. If you would like a metal stake for your sign, they are $2. Proceeds benefit all boys and girls Livingston ISD sports.

Underclassmen School Portrait Re-Takes
Submitted by Marci Dickens, Livingston High School, September 22, 2008

Underclassmen school portraits will be re-taken on Thursday, October 30 from the beginning of school until lunch in the auditorium for those students who were absent or have moved in since the September 4th portraits were taken. Any students who wish to buy portrait packages must have payment with them that day.See the LHS Publications link on the school website for a copy of the price list for portraits.

Click Here to print the information!

The LIvingston ISD Calendar - September 2008

Monday, September 22, 2008
4:00 pm EB-Rehearsal - Livingston Int
4:30 pm ATH - Junior High Volleyball - At Crosby
5:30 pm LHS Band - Evening Marching Rehearsal - Livingston HS

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
4:00 pm EB-Rehearsal - Livingston Int
4:30 pm ATH - FRE Volleyball Vs. Nederland Away
4:30 pm ATH - JV Volleyball Vs. Nederland Away
4:30 pm ATH - Varsity Volleyball Vs. Nederland Away
4:30 pm LJH - 7th Grade Football - Crosby     Away
4:30 pm LJH - 8th Grade Football - Crosby     Lion Stadium
5:30 pm LHS Band - Evening Marching Rehearsal - Livingston HS
6:30 pm PRE - Boy Scout Round Up

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
1:30 pm District Advisory Council Meeting - Livingston JH
4:00 pm EB-Rehearsal - Livingston Int 

Thursday, September 25, 2008
5:00 pm ATH - Freshman Football - Lumberton  Away
5:00 pm  EB-Rehearsal  - Livingston HS
5:30 pm ATH - JV Football – Lumberton - Lion Stadium
5:30 pm LHS Band - Evening Marching Rehearsal - Livingston HS

Friday, September 26, 2008
End Of 1st 6-Weeks    
All Day LHS - "Drown The Raiders" - Livingston HS
4:30 pm ATH - FRE Volleyball Vs. Central      Away
4:30 pm ATH - JV Volleyball Vs. Central         Away
4:30 pm ATH - Varsity Volleyball Vs. Central Away
7:30 pm ATH - V Football Vs. Lumberton       Raider Stadium

Saturday, September 27, 2008
All Day ATH - Aldine ISD Cross Country Meet - North Harris College
All Day HS - All-Region Choir Audition - Nederland HS
TBD     ATH - Junior High Volleyball - Lufkin Tournament - Away