Buckalew Buzz
November 7, 2022
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
Hi Buckalew Families,
Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday November 8th, students do not have school. Buckalew will be a polling location tomorrow.
We have such an exciting week with our Boosterthon fall fundraiser in full swing! We can't wait for our Boosterthon RUN on Friday. Please read carefully the details below for all visitor information.
Last, we look forward to our 3rd graders as they perform a Veteran's Day Program on Thursday.
We hope you and your families have a great week ahead and we look forward to seeing you all at the RUN on Friday!
Sincerely,
Jill Price
All things Boosterthon!!
Dear Buckalew Parents,
Our Boosterthon Fundraiser has been off to a great start! Our goal is to raise $35,000 and we are well on our way before this Friday. The money goes towards student field trips, grade level activities, classroom instructional materials, technology subscriptions, campus enhancements like our daily announcement system, projectors, chromebooks, and ipads. All funds go to support the cost of inflation, our teacher and student campus growth, and to strengthen our successful school community.
REMINDER: The Fun Run is THIS Friday, November 11 at Lakeside Park! Registration is now open! If you haven't already, please register your student at mybooster.com using our school's registration code 417-998 or by searching our school name. After you have registered, you can share your student's link or Star Student Video through email, text, or social media. Last year, 60% of pledges came from non-parent donors. Sharing makes a difference!
If your donation is eligible for your corporate matching program, please help us by submitting a match request.
All students will participate in this year's Grand Land Adventure program, which promotes character traits such as Gratitude, Stewardship, Bravery, Perseverance, Wonder, and Resolution.
There are fun incentives planned for the students. The top grade level will get to participate in a Popsicle Recess, the top classroom will get to participate in a silly string fight, and if we reach the school's goal of raising $35,000 OR get pledges from all 50 states, the entire school gets Kona Ice!!!
As of TODAY only 6 more states to go to get to all 50! We now need Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Maine, and Delaware!
Follow Buckalew PTO on Facebook or Instagram for more updates.
Boosterthon Spirit!
- Tuesday, November 8th – No School (ELECTION DAY)
- Wednesday, November 9th – Get another pledge and wear your favorite hat tomorrow.
- Thursday November 10th – Wear your favorite hat.
- Friday November 11th - K-3rd Grade - wear Running Bear shirt (Pink, Grey); 4th Graders - wear white for Color Run!
Important VISITOR Information for Fun Run day:
The run will take place on Friday November 11th. Weather permitting, visitors will be allowed with prior check-in and reservation. To pre-register you must:
- Bring Your ID to get your "ticket/badge" for the event
- You may get your "ticket/badge" during extended school hours of 7:30-4:30 Monday, November 7th, Wednesday, November 9th or Thursday, November 10th.
- If you do not have a badge for the run, you will need to check in at the front office prior to the run and walk to the field at Lakeside Park.
- All adults will be expected to have a badge on during the Run for safety of all students. If adults do not have a badge on from our campus, they will be asked to go to the front office, provide ID, and come back to the field.
- The fun run will take place on the lower field behind the tennis courts at Lakeside Park. The best place to park is in the parking lot of Lakeside or along Alden Bridge. Feel free to walk or bike to the fields as well. If you pre-register, you will walk to the field with your badge on, and cheer on your student! If you do not have a badge, you will check into the front office, receive your badge, and proceed outside to the field.
- In the event of rain, we will move to the gym for a Glow Run. If necessary, an altered schedule will be communicated closer to the day.
Boosterthon Run will take place at the following times:
8:30 – 9:30 Kinder & 2nd
9:40 – 10:40 1st & 3rd
10:50 – 11:50 4th Grade Color Run!
What to wear:
· K-3: Buckalew shirt - Running Bear shirt it possible (Girls/Pink, Boys/Grey)
· 4th graders WHITE t-shirt (Bring a change of clothes!)
· Tennis Shoes
· Water Bottle
TWO TRACKS, LOWER FIELD
approximately 1 hour start to finish
You will be receiving more information regarding visitor badges for the Fun Run Event from your room mom
Buckalew Safety
We had a successful Evacuation Drill on Nov. 3! The students and teachers walked to our evacuation site at Lakeside Park assisted by CISD police. Our Buckalew Bears continue to do a wonderful job with our monthly fire drills. Our goal for these drills is to practice procedures in case of an emergency situation. To maintain a secure campus, we are also reinforcing that students do not open the doors and that anyone needing entry into a building will have a key. If you have any questions about safety or safety drills, please feel free to contact Mrs. Smith tonsmith@conroeisd.net .
- From Nurse Alison -
Illnesses at School
As we move into November, we are still seeing many illnesses at school. Right now, Strep, stomach viruses, respiratory illnesses and Flu are being reported across the CISD school district ( and of course we are still seeing COVID cases).
I wanted to share a few ways to help your child and Buckalew stay healthy:
- Handwashing is the best way to stay healthy. Talk to your child regarding when and how to wash your hands.
- If your child is sick, keep them at home.
- District policy states a student must be free of fever, vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
Upcoming Events
**Please pay close attention to homeroom teacher newsletters for class-specific events.**
November
08 -Staff Development Day (no school for students)
10- 3rd Grade Program, 6pm
11- Boosterthon Run (see times below)
14-18- Generation Texas Week (see below for information)
21-25 - Thanksgiving (no school)
4th Grade Community Service Project *CISD Toy Drive*
December
16 - Early Release 12:10
19- Jan 3- Winter Break
January
03 - Staff Development Day (no school for students)
04- School resumes
Generation Texas Week - November 14th - November 18th, 2022
During Generation Texas Week, students dream as BIG as the state when it comes to their futures. During this special week, we will answer the question, “What’s next after Buckalew?” and focus on secondary and post-secondary education and career choices.
Monday Hey Go Team!
Wear your favorite college t-shirt.
Tuesday Dress for Success! Career Day
Dress for the career you’d like to pursue in the future.
Wednesday Life is a Highway!
Wear your favorite Buckalew, intermediate school, junior high school, or high school t-shirt.
Thursday Buckalew Strong!
Wear camouflage, Army green, or red, white, and blue.
Friday Your Future’s Bright So Put Your Best Foot Forward!
Wear bright or neon colors and crazy socks.
Get Involved In CISD Activities!
- From The Attendance Office -
Progress Reports for Grades 2 - 4
Your child’s marking period 2 progress report may be viewed in Parent Access on Friday, November 11. Paper copies of the progress reports will not be generated and sent home.
If you have not signed up for a Parent Access account, please visit the Buckalew home page and click on Parent Access tab at the top of the page. Then click on ‘Register’ in the blue box at the bottom of the page. If you have any problems, you may call or email our Technology Help Desk. 936-709-7658, help@conroeisd.net
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.
GT NOMINATIONS FOR 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR – Nominations are Due Friday, December 16
- Parent Lunch Reservations -
- From Specials -
Calling all Veterans/Active Duty Military Personnel!!
Our 3rd grade students are preparing a Veteran’s Day Musical Performance to occur on Thursday, November 10th at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. If your family has a Veteran or an Active Duty Military member and you would like for them to be recognized at our program, please fill out the Google Form below. Additionally, they are invited to join us for one of the performances of our program (in uniform if preferred!) to be further recognized. There is a space to RSVP on the form as well.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ramirez via email at sdramirez@conroeisd.net.
We hope to see you there!!
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!
Buckalew does not charge fines for overdue books, we just want the book returned. We do ask that if the book is damaged while in your care that you pay to have the book replaced. The most common damage is from pets or water. If a book becomes damaged, just let me know and we can add the cost of the book to your School Cash Online account for easy payment.
Sending in a book you purchased from a local bookstore like Barns & Noble or Amazon, even if it is a hardback book, is not an equitable replacement for a library book. The majority of the books we purchase for our library are books made with reinforced binding guaranteed to withstand hundreds of checkouts.
- From Mrs. Points -
Counselor's Corner
Lunch Bunch
New lunch bunch groups will begin meeting the week of November 28th. Each group meets once a week for five weeks during their lunch period. The deadline to sign up for a group is Wednesday, Nov. 16th. If you are interested in your child participating, please fill out the link below:
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.
CISD Community Presentations
Our CISD Guidance and Counseling Department host parenting presentations throughout the school year. The following sessions are open this school year for any CISD parent to join:
https://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Copy-of-22-23-Community-Presentations-Flyer.pdf
.
- Information For Ongoing Reference -
Bring Your I.D
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.
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 just inside the entrance foyer. 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.
Student Lunches and birthday cookies will be taken to the Cafeteria, on a cart, for your child to pick up at their allotted lunch time. Please make sure ALL ITEMS are clearly labeled.
Transportation Change / Early Dismisal
You will be asked to provide photographic identification when collecting your child.
To make transportation changes, please send a note in your child's backpack to the teacher OR email: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net prior to 2pm. Any changes submitted after 2pm will not be seen until the following 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.
- PTO Information -
Buckalew Bears P.T.O
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, December 2nd, at 11:30 AM in the Buckalew Library. We hope to see you there!
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram!
Lost and Found
Amazon Smile
Select Buckalew as your charity!
This is a simple & automatic way for you to support Buckalew every time you shop. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select a charitable organization & your selection will be saved for future purchases. Just remember to always login under smile.amazon.com.
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! Current price is $43! This price is good until December 30th. After December 30th, the price will increase! Limited quantities are printed each year so to guarantee you get a copy, please order your copy today!
https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/about-yearbooks
Yearbook Recognition Ads
Celebrate your kid and what they have done by creating a recognition ad! You can upload a photo or two and write something your kids will cherish forever! A wonderful memory the family can enjoy! Ads are $25. The deadline to submit ads is February 9th! You can create them in Jostens or create them in Canva and upload them to Jostens.
https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/students-and-parents/yearbook-ads
Please sign up as a CISD VOLUNTEER
Click the button below to complete the form. You will need your drivers license number;
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