Buckalew Buzz
April 3, 2023
Connect With Us!
Buckalew Bears Motto:
"Today I choose to BE Kind, Work Hard, and Do My BEst!"
Our school hours are officially 8:00-3:10. Students may arrive as early as 7:30.
Email: contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net
Website: https://buckalew.conroeisd.net/
Location: 4909 Alden Bridge Dr, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 2814653400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckalewCISD/
Twitter: @buckalewbears
From Mrs. Price
Buckalew Family,
What an amazing Buckalew Bash Carnival we had on Saturday! We had amazing weather and an amazing turnout of future, current, and former Buckalew Bears! We thank ALL of you for your attendance and support. I would like to give a special thanks to parent, Catherine Boeger, our PTO Carnival Chair and all of the volunteers in charge of the silent auction, kids raffle, outdoor attractions, concessions, and set up and clean up! It takes a village and what an amazing village we have!
As we continue to focus on safety as a district and campus, please know that we are always looking for ways to improve. I have attached the link to CISD's safety portion on our district website below. Buckalew reviews regularly with our students on announcements not to allow anyone into the building or classroom. We let them know if they need into the building they will walk to the appropriate front doors and/or will have a badge to gain entry. We practice required safety drills as a campus with students and hold required safety trainings as staff members. We do not allow students to hold doors open, nor do we prop doors open. While we do not have our own police officer stationed on our campus, we do have one (or more) nearby, when not physically present on our campus. We also ask if you see something or suspect something, that you say something. We also have a committee that meets bi-weekly that reviews and discusses safety as it relates to Buckalew.
Just a reminder that our 23-24 New Student Registration Opens and Kindergarten enrollment is now OPEN (k-4) Enrollment & Transfers – Conroe IS
We are so blessed to have such an amazing community with such supportive parents.
We appreciate you!!
Jill Price
GT NOMINATIONS FOR SUMMER TESTING – Nominations are Due Friday, April 28, 2023
Buckalew Safety
Upcoming Events
**Please pay close attention to homeroom teacher newsletters for class-specific events.**
April
17-28 1st Grade Montomery County Animal Shelter Donations - box in Front Office
20- 2nd Grade Music Program, 6pm
24-27- Papa Johns Spirit Nights
May
11- Choir Concert, 6pm
12 - PTO Meeting
18 - TWH Senior Walk
25 - Early Release 12:10
25- KG Program
25-4th Grade Graduation/Clap Out
Montgomery County Animal Shelter Donations!
First grade is collecting pet supply donations for the Montgomery County Animal Shelter from April 17th-28th. Needed items are listed below and can be turned into a box at the front office. Items include pet food, towels and blankets.
Thank you for your support!
First Grade Teachers
- From Nurse Alison -
Heart Health from Nurse Alison:
February is heart healthy month. The students have learned a new fact about the heart each day. Each day they can enter to win a prize for remembering a heart fact.
A few facts the students have learned:
1. 1. The heart is a muscle.
2. 2. You need to exercise to keep your heart healthy.
3. 3. Laughing is good for your heart and helps relieve stress.
4. 4. The heart beats approximately 115,000 times per day.
5. 5. You need to eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables to keep your heart healthy.
6. 6. Your circulatory system is like a superhighway moving blood through your body.
7. 7. The heart is about the size of your fist.
I will cover more heart facts throughout the month of February. As our weather is getting warmer, it is a good time to get outside and be active to keep the heart healthy!!
Nurse Alison
- From The Attendance Office -
Buckalew Placement Considerations for 2023-2024
Incoming Kindergarten and New Students to Buckalew for the 2023 -2024 School Year
New student registration for the 2023 -2024 school year opens on March 21. To start the registration process, log on to the CISD District Website: www.conroeisd.net. Under the Parent/Student tab, select Enrollment & Transfers, then select the Family Portal 2023-2024 option.
Once you create your account you can begin the enrollment process. Please upload as many of the required documents (see below) as you can. After your application is completed and submitted, the registrar will contact you.
The following documents are required to complete your child’s enrollment:
- Birth Certificate of Student
- Social Security of Student
- Immunization Records (4-year-old boosters are required for enrollment)
- Proof of Residency: Submit one of the following:
- fully executed lease or sales contract (all pages of main document, signed and dated by all parties
- A recent Utility Bill (Water, Gas, or Electric Bill), within 30 days of online registration submission date. Must show the Service Address or Meter Location and one of the parent/guardian’s names showing as Customer
- Parent/Guardian’s Photo ID (valid driver licenses, state ID or passport)
- School Records for 1st – 4th Grade Students: most recent report card from previous school.
2023-2024 School Transfer Requests
We receive many transfer requests each school year. Families whose parents work in the CISD district, at schools near Buckalew Elementary, need to apply for a transfer annually. The transfer portal for the 2023 2024 school year has opened. Please complete your transfer request as soon as possible to help us with staffing and instructional materials/supply needs.
The portal may be found on the district website under “Parent/Student” and then on the right side of the screen under “Interdistrict (if your family does not live in the Conroe ISD school zone) or Intradistrict (if your family lives in the Conroe ISD school zone).”
- Parent Lunch Reservations -
Lunch Reservations
Click Here to be redirected to our Website
- From Specials -
Keepsake 2nd Grade Program T-shirts
To order a t-shirt, please order online through School Cash by March 31st. You can log in to your School Cash account and find the order page there. If you do not have a School Cash account, please use the link below to set one up. In order to receive a shirt by the evening of the program, this deadline is firm! Thanks for understanding!
https://conroeisd.schoolcashonline.com/
Mrs. Ramirez
Library News
If you would like to volunteer in our library please contact our volunteer coordinator: Jenny Bardoux at buckalewptovolunteers@gmail.com. Our library is fun and BUSY!
Our library does not charge fines for overdue library books. We do however ask that you pay for a library book that has been lost or damaged while checked out to your student. We can have the cost of the book added to your School CAsh Online Account for easy payment. We prefer this option because the books we purchase for our library are reinforced and bound specifically for hundreds of checkouts. The book that has been purchased from a local book store or Amazon is meant for personal use and isn’t an equitable replacement for the lost or damaged library book.
Library books can be kept for up to 2 weeks till they need to be returned. Our library is open for active start for book checkout. So if your student forgets their library book on the day they are schedule to be IN the library, they can return them the following day and get some new books.
Each Sunday evening we send e-mail notifications if your student has an overdue book. Please feel free to e-mail with any questions!
Jennifer West
Buckalew Elementary
Librarian
- From Mrs. Points -
Social and Emotional Learning Objectives
I am self-aware.
I can manage myself.
I am aware of others.
I can build relationships with others.
I can make responsible decisions.
Lunch Bunch
- Buckalew Bears PTO Information -
Are You a Parent of a 4th Grader going to Mitchell Intermediate Next Year?
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to:
(a) Promote the welfare of children at Buckalew
(b) To foster cooperation between parents and teachers in the education of children at Buckalew
(c) To unite school and community efforts in securing the best education for all children
(d) To engage in fundraising activities for the educational and recreational benefit of Buckalew, its children, teachers, and staff as determined by the PTO and in accordance with the PTO by-laws.
Upcoming Events
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 14th, at 11:30 AM in the Buckalew Library. We hope to see you there!
Lost and Found
Please write your child’s last name and First name or at least last name on their belongings. That helps us big time in finding the owners quickly.
If you have any questions, please reach out to gabinkwon@gmail.com or jojowhitten@me.com
Kroger Community Rewards
Box Tops for Education
The traditional clipping of Box Tops is going away but the Box Tops app makes it so easy to just scan your receipt after you shop. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and can add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need. There are also times to earn Bonus Box Tops and the App will send you these notifications. Participating companies include General Mills, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Hefty, Juicy Juice, Annie’s and many more.
Remember to scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase or it will expire.
Yearbooks 2022 - 2023
Yearbooks are on sale now! The FINAL deadline to order has been EXTENDED to April 28th. The price is $48. We have limited copies available! Order yours before they sell out! If you have questions about how to order email us at yearbook.buckalewpto1@gmail.com. Thank you!
https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/about-yearbooks
Please Sign Up to be a CISD Volunteer
Click the button below to complete the form. You will need your drivers license number;
- Information For Ongoing Reference -
Bring Your I.D
Absences
When your child is absent, please call the school attendance line (281-465-3410) or email buckalewabsence@conroeisd.net to explain the reason for their absence. To ensure the accuracy of your child's attendance records, please call, or email each day your child is absent.
Please remember that attendance is recorded at 9:00 a.m. each day. If your child is absent at 9:00 a.m. due to a doctor’s appointment, he/she will be counted present if you bring your child back to school on the same day with a doctor's statement that verifies the appointment.
If your child will be out for an extended period, please let us know.
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. and students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom at that time.
Dismissal
We strive to dismiss all our students safely from our building. Please do not come to the Front Office at dismissal time to call your child from class. We cannot dismiss students directly from the classroom or in the hallway at dismissal time. Students will not be released after 2:30 p.m. from the Front Office.
If you are checking out your child prior to 2:30pm, please come into the Front Office and provide your identification. We will then call your child to meet you in the Front Office. Due to safety reasons, we cannot call your child to the Front Office unless you are here.
Parents of Biker/Walkers - No Dogs!
We have an abundance of children and families who bike or walk to and from school. Many of your family members include your pets, joining you on your bike or walk to and from school. For your liability, and the safety of others, please refrain from bringing your dogs into the biker walker area beyond the posted signage. We have 2 signs in this area posted that should allow room for your dog, however, will prevent them from being in our most congested areas during arrival and dismissal. We have many children afraid of dogs, even though your dog may be friendly and well-mannered. We have also had dogs get into altercations with other dogs in front of this area and we kindly ask that if you choose to bring your dog, that they stay beyond the posted signs as you watch your child enter or exit our doors.
Thank you for your understanding.
Need A New Car Rider Sign?
Active Start and Breakfast
Breakfast is served in our cafeteria from 7:30-7:55 daily. See below for menu. See fees below for both breakfast and lunch.
Checking out your Child
If anyone other than a parent/ guardian checking out a student from our campus, we will need a note, sent in with your child, in their backpack on that day or an email to buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net. If we do not have a note from a parent/guardian, the Front Office will call to get permission for your child to leave our campus.
The Emergency Card completed at the beginning of the school year is for us to be able to contact someone in a situation where we cannot get hold of a parent/guardian. It is not permission for those emergency contacts to check out a child, any time.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to keep our students safe whilst on our campus.
Car Rider/ Dismissal Sign
NEW THIS YEAR for KG: We are requiring Kindergarten parents only at Biker Walker to carry this sign with them to pick up their child at the biker walker doors. With our growing enrollment and various staff members on duty, it adds an extra layer to make sure we are connecting the correct kindergarten student with their care giver.
Take a photo of the sign? We have had several people ask if they can use a photo of this Dismissal Sign on their phone. The answer is YES! Feel free to take a picture to keep on your phone in case of transportation changes or loss of the sign, or emergency instances with severe weather. Please know that the original sign is IDEAL, as it is designed for those calling dismissal to be able to read. On a cell phone, that will slow down the line.
Transportation
1. Bus rider (eligible if home is 1 mile or further from school) Bus routes are posted online on and you can check the link below in "what bus do I ride". You can also register your child for the bus by clicking the link below in the Buzz.
2. Car Rider Signs. The car rider line will be at the rear of the school and the bus line will be at the front of the school. ALL Parents should have received TWO car rider signs (yellow) at Meet the Teacher night. Please display the car rider sign in your front passenger window so our staff can read your card. See below to help you navigate our car rider line if you are new.
3. Day Care. Day care vehicles drop off and pick up students in the front of the school with the buses. If your child will not be riding the day care bus due to an early pick-up or transportation change, please notify the day care so they know your child will not be riding that day.
4. Biker/Walker. Kindergarten students must have a parent/guardian/designated adult present with the car rider sign at the Biker Walker doors (under the patio) at dismissal in order to walk or bike home. All other Biker Walkers will exit the school near the bike racks. All other biker/walkers are released at dismissal to ride or walk home independently.
On severe weather dismissal days, students will not walk or bike ride home. If your child is a biker/walker as your primary mode, then you will be a car rider on severe weather days. There is no rainy day dismissal.
Please see updated District Covid-19 Guidelines in link below
Parents of students who have received COVID-19 positive results are asked to complete the self-report in the SSO portal:
Drop Table
We offer parents the courtesy of a drop table to deliver forgotten items, which is located in our Front Office. There are pens, paper and tape available for you to use to clearly identify items for your child to pick up. We will call the classrooms at 10am to inform all students of items on the drop table.
Please make sure lunches and birthday cookies are clearly labeled and brought into our school before 11:15am so that we can send them to the cafeteria on our lunch cart, for the allotted lunch times. We have limited staff available after this time.
We thank you for understanding.
Transportation Changes
To make transportation changes, please send a note in your child's backpack to the teacher OR email: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net prior to 2pm with your childs full name, grade and homeroom teacher. Any changes submitted after 2pm will not be seen until the following school day.
Lunch Information
We are working with our students on understanding the lunch-buying process. It can be quite confusing for our elementary students. We are currently speaking with our students and explaining to them, if they bring a lunch, they should eat their lunch before going through the line and purchasing an additional lunch. As we try and navigate each student through the lunch line, every child has a different need, and we never want to deny students from going through the lunch line. We encourage you to communicate with your child your expectations in either: eating the lunch you are providing/packing; buying extra lunch only and going through the line one time; or explaining that if they go through the line a second time, their account is charged again. We also encourage you to check your child's account, by going to the link below and you can check and monitor your child's purchase history, and if necessary put a limit on the account by contacting our cafeteria directly.
Breakfast
Reimbursable Meal Prices
$2.00 Full Price Student Breakfast
$0.30 Reduced Price Student Breakfast
$3.00 Non-Student Breakfast/2nd Breakfast
Ala Carte Prices
Entrée- $1.50, Milk- $.95, Fruit/Vegetable/Grain- $1.15
Lunch
Reimbursable Meal Prices
$3.20 Full Price Student Lunch
$0.40 Reduced Price Student Lunch
$4.20 Non-Student Lunch/2nd Lunch
Ala Carte Prices
Entrée- $2.30, Milk- $.95, Fruit/Vegetable/Grain- $1.15
Kettle Corn Popcorn-$1.50,
Slush, Brownie, Rice Krispy Treat- $1.00
Chips, Cry Baby- $.75
Freshly Baked Cookie, Fruit Roll-Up- $.50
You may prepay by using My School Bucks. You will find a link to this service, lunch menus, and other helpful information by clicking on the child nutrition resource button below. If you would like to put a cap on your child's spending on your lunch account, then please notify our cafeteria manager by calling 281-465-3467.
School Cash Online
We are very excited to announce that Buckalew Elementary will join in with other CISD schools and will be offering School Cash Online, which provides you with the convenience of paying online for school items such as trips, Scholastic Magazine subscriptions, and various activities. We really want to save you time when paying for school expenses, so we can’t wait for you to take advantage of this opportunity. School Cash Online is a great way to pay without the need for cash or checks!
Please follow the link below to register online (it takes less than 5 minutes!) Once you have registered your child, you will be able to see when they have a new item posted online for purchase. You also have the option to be notified whenever your child has a new school expense due, so you don’t have to worry about missing the deadline.
To set up an account and explore the system, please follow the instructions below. We look forward to hearing your feedback!
Register Online:
Step 1: Please click on this link: https://conroeisd.schoolcashonline.com/
Step 2: Register by selecting the “Get Started Now” and following the steps.
Step 3: After you receive the confirmation email, select the “click here” option, log in and add each of your children to your household account.
If you have any questions during the registration process or while shopping online, please select the SUPPORT option in the top right-hand area of the screen or you may contact the parent help desk at 1-866-961-1803 or at http://schoolcashonline.co./Home/Support or see the handout below.
CISD-Foldable-Brochure-English.pdf
Currently, in grades 1st-4th, the classes are utilizing Scholastic News and Storyworks Jr magazine subscriptions to read high interest non-fiction texts and to learn about text features and engaging stories and different genres. We thank you in advance for purchasing this wonderful subscription for your child.
For the first time, Buckalew will be collecting money through School Cash Online vs requesting parents send in a check or cash.
Thank you again for your support in our students.
Water Bottles
Children are encouraged to bring water bottles each day. Please clearly write your child's name on the bottle with permanent marker.
Lost and Found
A friendly reminder to please label all of your child's belongings with first name and last initial or last name. **Water bottles, lunch boxes, hats, and especially outerwear such as hoodies/jackets/sweaters are all great things to label as these items tend to pile up quickly in the Lost and Found, which is located right outside of the gym. We really hope to reunite these lost items with their owners before the break!
If you have any additional questions, please contact gabinkwon84@gmail.com