Brochures explaining the TAKS test and what each score means were sent home with your child's TAKS scores. Links to that same information on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website are included here for your convenience.

• TAKS June 2010 Understanding the Confidential Student Report Brochures
• TAKS June 2010 Understanding the Confidential Student Report—Texas Projection Measure Brochures

Apache Elementary students have been learning about science outside of their classrooms by spending time with their families doing fun experiements like the one pictured here.

Trent and Mia have fun and spend time with dad while also learning about chemical reactions.Trent is in Mrs. Cantu's First Grade Class. Mia is in Mrs. Sanchez's Second Grade class.

Picture taken and submitted by Mrs. Cantu.

It was an enchanted evening at Apache Elementary on Thursday, May 13th. Our choir and orchestra students were dressed in their finest clothes to perform for their friends and family.

Felicia, Lili and Lacy played two songs each on the harp. The orchestra played "Go Tell Aunt Rhodie", "Lightly Row" and "When the Saints Go Marching In" on the recorder. Krysten, Courtnee, Krystal, Chloe and Joseph each played a solo on the keyboard.

The choir then performed "Dancing in the Moonlight", "It Starts With Me", "Shendoah" and "A New Day".

Mrs. Overton then gave certificates to the performers with special prizes going to her sound technician Abril and equipment manager Andrew. Roses were then present to Mrs. Casas for all her support throughout the year.

Mrs. Overton is the Music and Fine Arts Teacher at our school and also directs the choir and orchestra. She composed several songs for the harp for tonight's performance.

More Pictures

Students on the fifth 6-weeks honor roll have been announced. They are listed below by grade and classroom teacher. Pictures have been added to the Photos page.

2nd Grade
Mrs. Ramirez: Enrique (A), Lupita (A), Gus (A/B), Jonathan (A/B), Jaden (A/B), Uber (A/B), Lazelle (A/B), Izaiah (A/B), Abril (A/B), Andre (A/B), and Ashley (A/B).
Mrs. Benavides: Katilyn (A), Jesse (A), Desirae (A), Kobi (A), Eliana (A), David (A/B), J.T. (A/B), Dominic (A/B), Jose (A/B), Julius (A/B) and Chase (A/B).
Mrs. Martinez: Jagneris (A), Rebecca (A), Jaden (A/B), Isaiah (A/B), Donnie (A/B), Daliyah (A/B), Destiny (A/B), Miguel (A/B) and D’Andre (A/B).
Mrs. Blanco: Raquelle (A), Jared (A/B), Bella (A/B) and Ryan (A/B).

3rd Grade:
Mrs. Hardin: John Albert (A/B), Jayla (A/B), Sarah (A/B) and Aideli (A/B).
Mrs. Calderon: Chloe (A), Spencer (A), Beatriz (A), Felicia (A), Anieleka (A/B), Summer (A/B), Samantha (A/B), Jordan (A/B) and Angel (A/B).
Mrs. Tarpley: Kade (A), Nickolas (A), Shannon (A), Jonathan (A), Courtnee (A), Angela (A), Daniel (A), Annika (A/B), Tony (A/B), Andrew (A/B), Saul (A/B), Nikki (A/B), Krystal (A/B), Kiara Renteria.
Mrs. Measday: Desiree (A/B), Atreyu (A/B) and Sarahi (A/B).
Mrs. Lichty: Glenda (A), Alan (A), Zoriah (A), Treston (A/B), Damaris (A/B), Yaritza (A/B), Alexis (A/B) and Bryan (A/B).

Apache Elementary students participated in the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Mathathon program. Mathathon is an educational program designed to supplement the school’s existing curriculum, while also teaching students the importance of helping others. The program includes a fun, free math curriculum supplement by Scholastic and features comic book characters for grades K-8.The students who participated found sponsors to donate money and in return the students promised to complete math problems for their specific grade level.

Apache Elementary donated $2,377.75 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The following students are Apache’s top earners: Joshua $267.00, Enrique $180.00, Anieleka $150.00, Alexis $140.00, Kylie $140.00, Treston $131.00, Shannon $125.00 and William $100.00. The program was a huge success. The students learned the importance of helping others, while getting lots of math practice.

St. Jude also rewarded the students with prizes according to the donations. The prizes included certificates, t-shirts, backpacks, tickets to six flags, games, radios and basketballs.

Apache Elementary students have been learning about giving and have decided to collect  canned goods and other food items to help others who might otherwise go hungry.

Our counselor, Mrs. Horton, started reading "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein to all our children. Each grade level then began to build a giving tree of their own out of paper. The leaves are added to the trees one at a time as the children bring items to donate. Since it is now fall, the leaves are many different colors. Each classroom was assigned a color - either red, orange, yellow or brown - and all the leaves for a class are the same color. It helps us to keep track of which classes are bringing the most items! The tree for the Pre-K classes has only red and yellow leaves as we only have 2 Pre-K classrooms!

The classroom that brings the most items will receive a small reward such as a pickle party.

Apache Elementary students and staff gathered at the Middle School Auditorium on Wednesday, November 11 to pay tribute to our veterans. Special guests for the program were servicemen and women from all branches of the armed forces. Other guests include speakers Mayor Ruben Falcon, Major Donald R. Speir, Coach Mike Graves, Mrs. Ann Overton, Mr. William Riley and Mrs. Estela Casas.

Also participating in the program were cadets from the Midland High School Air Force JROTC. Members of the color guard were Cadet Captain April, Cadet Captain Miriam, Cadet Captain Jesse and Cadet Captain Ashley. Giving a special drill team performance were Cadet 2nd Lt. Cristobal, Cadet Captain David, Cadet Staff Sergeant Andrew and Cadet Staff Sergeant Jace.

The program began with a welcome from Mayor Falcon. Major Speir then called the color guard to post the colors. The Apache Choir then led everyone in the national anthem. Coach Graves read a proclamation from former President George W. Bush.

The choir then sang a song entitled "You Are Our Heroes" - a tear-jerking tribute to those who serve our country. Next, Mrs. Overton introduced Mr. Riley who spoke on "What Is Service?" The Apache Choir then sang a third song: "Those Who Serve".

Mrs. Casas introduced Major Speir, the next speaker. His topic was "Why They Serve". Major Speir recognized that his audience was comprised of hundreds of people under the age of 10 and decided to give an inspiring illustration of sheep, wolves and sheepdogs. He stated that most people are like sheep and live peaceful lives never wanting to harm anyone else. There are a few wolves in the world, however; that seek to harm sheep and each other. Others in the world are sheepdogs who may at first appear to be wolf-like in dress and manner but are peace-loving creatures who seek to right the wrongs in the world.

Major Speir went on to say that sheep aren't very fond of sheepdogs because they tend to make us obey the rules even if we don't want to. They might give us a speeding ticket or stand in the airport with a loaded rifle. Sheep tend to avoid the sheepdogs. But, when the wolves show up in our neighborhood - that's when things change. We want the sheepdog to be there when there is danger or the threat of danger. Major Speir pointed out that each one of the veterans sitting on the stage had been a sheepdog at one time and some of them still are. He encouraged all of us to not be afraid of the sheepdogs in our midst but to show them the appreciation they deserve even when there are no wolves in sight.

At the end of his speech, Major Speir introduced the cadets who did a drill team performance showing their skills and coordination with their rifles.

After sitting quietly all this time, the school children were ready to make some noise! It was time to sing! Kindergarten students wore their sailor caps and sang "Anchors Away" to honor the Navy. The First Graders sang the Army service song. The Second Graders sang "From the Hills of Montezuma" for the Marines. The Air Force was honored by the Third Grade singing their theme song. Mrs. Overton directed each class.

The veterans were then recognized by groups according to which war or conflict they participated in. The entire audience observed a moment of silence, Taps was played, the colors were dismissed and Mrs. Casas dismissed everyone after making a few closing comments.

After the program, veterans were invited back to the Apache campus for a complimentary brisket luncheon. The FSISD Website crew would like to say thank you to Mrs. Casas and her staff for presenting such a memorable program. It truly honored veterans and inspired everyone who was lucky enough to get to go.

More Pictures

Apache Elementary students performed well on the 2008-2009 TAKS test taken during the spring of 2009. Apache is one of 2 campuses in the Fort Stockton Independent School District to achieve exemplary status.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Estela Casas at (432) 336-4161.