Bryant Bulletin
Weekly Campus Updates for Parents & Guardians
January 6, 2021
Bryant Bulletin Translations Available by Opening in a Chrome Browser
A Message from Dr. Rhodes
Happy New Year to all our Bryant families! As a staff, we look forward to continuing to offer unparalleled learning experiences for all students this second-half of the school year. These experiences will continue to look different as we implement district safety protocols. On the note of protocols, if you receive a call from our Nurse or Clinic Assistant, they are following protocols set forth by the Katy ISD Office of Emergency Management and the Katy ISD Health Services Department. Please do not yell, curse, or be rude to them over the phone or in person. I know protocols can be cumbersome, but as one community we will continue to keep all students as safe as possible during a global pandemic. I appreciate everyone working as one Bryant team.
We will have our own Blood Drive at the end of January (see details below). Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has stated they are experiencing very low donations throughout the area, so we want to help. I know not everyone can donate blood, but if you can, please see below for full details.
Meet Our Staff...
Mrs. Taylor Kortlever
Mrs. Taylor Kortlever is part of our expanding 3rd Grade Team! She joined us from Omaha, Nebraska where she gained experience as a math teacher. Mrs. Kortlever earned her degree from Iowa State University before beginning her teaching career. Her husband is also a teacher in Katy ISD at one of our Junior High Schools. Outside of school, Mrs. Kortlever enjoys being outdoors, baking sweet treats, trying new foods and being active (She is currently training for a triathlon!).
From Our Counselor, Mrs. Flores
Bryant Community & Student Kindness Challenge
** Nominate someone for showing extraordinary kindness**
For the month of January, we will introduce the character trait: Empathy. Throughout the month, students will engage in conversations and activities to help develop and apply empathy in their daily lives! Did you know that today's youth is 40% less empathetic than they were 30 years ago? Empathy is an important trait for our children to develop. We are using this definition at school: Empathy: the ability to understand and connect to the feelings of another. If you are looking for ways to extend this trait at home, check out our K-2 resource (en Espanol) and 3-5 resource (en Espanol). For more information, contact Penny Flores, the school counselor, at penelopewflores@katyisd.org.
Calling All Student Artists
General Campus Information and Reminders
Changes of Transportation
Reminder- Changes of Transportation must be either sent in with your student on the day of the change by filling and printing out this form, emailing bryantelementary@katyisd.org from a registered email on your student’s account, or by coming up to the vestibule of the school with your valid ID to verify guardianship before 2pm. If emailing, please be sure to include student’s name, grade, teacher, change of dismissal (include bus #, address, and stop location if changing to bus), and the date(s) of the change. NOTE- emails sent to teachers for Changes of Transportation are not accepted. Please use the email address above.
Upcoming Events
1/7- 2nd Nine Weeks grades posted in HAC
1/18- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School
1/20- Legacy Parent Academy (Click here for schedule & details)
1/23- Bryant Elementary Blood Drive (details below)
1/26- PTA Spirit Night (TBA)
1/27- College & Career Shirt Day
Bryant Elementary Blood Drive
From the District
FREE Rapid COVID-19 Testing Option to Enrolled Katy ISD Students
The district is offering FREE rapid COVID-19 testing to enrolled Katy ISD students. The FREE test is in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency’s COVID-19 Testing Project. The test is a saliva based method that is considered to be just as accurate as other tests, such as nasal swabs.
Students will still have the option of being administered a nasal swab rapid test by RediMD at a cost of $125, via credit card or cash at point of service. Insurance company billing is not available through this option.
Both the rapid, free saliva tests and the rapid, RediMD nasal swab tests are available at the District’s Agricultural Sciences Center located at 5801 Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Appointments are necessary and can be made by clicking the icon below:
Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
The Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan has been updated to provide the following clarifications:
- If a student that was sent home from school because they were deemed to have been in close contact and then is able to attain a negative result from an acute infection test at an approved testing location – they will at minimum need to wait until the start of the following school day before returning to school.
- If any individual is living in the same household with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, they must:
- Notify campus nurse AND
- Self-isolate for 14 days
- The individual may return to school / work if;
- They receive an acute infection test at an approved testing location that comes back negative for COVID-19 with a medical professional’s release clearing the individual to return to school /work
- Recommended statement from medical professional allowing student to return to school, “Household mitigation has been assessed, individual is cleared to return to school/work.
OR
Self-isolate for 14 days after exposure with no further symptoms.
Click the icon below for the entire Mitigation Plan.
Katy Virtual Academy (KVA) Information
*NEW* KVA Attendance (District Clarification)
Effective January 5, 2021, if your student is unable to attend a class period or full day of learning in KVA due to a Technology/Internet/Power Outage, a parent/guardian of the student should notify the Attendance Office of an absence within 24 hours of the absence. The absence will not be updated to excused unless written/phone call notification has been made by the parent/guardian to the Campus Attendance Office.
District KVA Newsletter
News From the Bryant PTA
PTA members mark your calendars, We will be holding a General Board Special meeting to approve the standing rules. Please be on the lookout for a link to register in the near future!
Spirt Wear
We have a limited amount of spirit shirts available. Order yours today to make sure you get one!
5th Grade T-Shirt Design Contest
5th grade students! It’s your chance to create the design for the 5th grade shirt! Entries are due this Friday (1/8/21).
Order 2020-2021 Yearbooks NOW!!
Parents- Get YOUR Photos in the Yearbook!!
Don't miss out on an opportunity for your student to be in the yearbook!! We want to see what your kids are doing!! Share your pictures with us. Click here for more information!!
Check out Wednesday folders and PTA Social Media for different picture challenges this year!! This year we need all the parent and Bryant Staff help we can get to make our yearbook successful!!
Visit Us Online
Click here for PTA Facebook.
Click here to follow PTA on Twitter.
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Important Reminders From Previous Bulletins
Katy ISD COVID-19 Dashboard
Updates to Grab & Go Meal Program
Breakfast and lunch meals are free to all students whether on campus or enrolled in KVA and using the grab n go pick up. Breakfast and lunch meals served at the curbside sites are also available to all Katy area children 18 and under.
Beginning November 3rd, two curbside Grab and Go meals sites will be added: Tompkins High School and Katy High School. Also beginning November 3rd, all curbside Grab and Go meal sites will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Patrons will pick up breakfast and lunch for Wednesday and Thursday on Tuesdays, and meals for Friday, Monday, and Tuesday on Thursdays. Meals are ready to heat and eat at home.
Curbside Grab and Go is available at: Morton Ranch High School, Mayde Creek, Cinco Ranch, Tompkins and Katy high schools from 4 – 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Meals are available at no cost to all children 18 and under. If parents are picking up meals for their children and the children are not present, identification for each child such as an ID, report card, or birth certificate must be presented prior to receiving the meals.
Students enrolled in in-person learning at their home campus are not eligible to receive curbside Grab and Go meals. Receiving the same meal at multiple campuses on the same day is not permitted.
Breakfast and lunch meals are free, but a la carte options are not. A la carte options are available for an additional cost on campus (extra entrée, chips, ice cream, water etc). A la carte options not available at curbside pick-up. To deposit funds onto your student account, please visit Pay N’ Go.
Even though meals are currently free, it is still encouraged for you to apply for free or reduced-meal benefits through SchoolCafe.com as it impacts school funding and future eligibility for your child.
Modified Phase One Safety Protocols
Effective September 28th.
- Classroom protocols modified to require students and staff to wipe down their workspace at the beginning of use. Hand sanitizer and wipes will continue to be available in all classrooms for students.
- Elementary playground equipment may be utilized by students during recess ensuring hand sanitizer and hand washing time is available immediately after use and before returning to class. District custodial staff will sanitize the playground equipment each morning prior to student use.
- Library and computer lab(s) may be utilized with the requirement of cleaning workspaces before student use. Additionally, time should be incorporated following group instruction for hand washing before returning to regular class instruction.
- Returned library book are quarantined for a 6-day period before being checked out again to students.
- Elementary & Secondary grouping of students for instructional purposes will be allowed with facial covering protocol strictly adhered to, desk shields utilized where possible and continued cleaning of workspaces by students.
- Campus events, outside the instructional day, may be allowed with supervising event staff completing a required COVID-19 safety and mitigation training. Event capacity for indoor events, outside the instructional day, may be limited and must follow current state, local and TEA guidance.
Behavior Expectations for Virtual Learning - Guidance for Parents
Behavior expectations for students enrolled in Katy Virtual Academy are the same as expectations for students enrolled in face-to-face instruction. All students are still required to follow the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct as participation in virtual learning is an extension of the classroom. In addition to the District’s discipline guidelines, parents and guardians should be aware of the following:
A. Students must log in as themselves. Impersonating another user is a violation of the Responsible Use Guidelines and is prohibited.
B. Students will be expected to participate in discussions and activities. Additionally, it is critical for students to complete assignments independently to allow teachers to accurately identify progress. However, as established in KVA Guidelines, parents must be prepared to monitor their student’s learning and may need to provide assistance for younger students to support instruction in a virtual learning environment.
C. When logging into virtual learning sessions (i.e. Zoom):
- Students must have their video on. It is an expectation of learning to allow the teacher to check for engagement and understanding.
- If a student is using a virtual background it must not be offensive or inappropriate. Students must be prepared to hide the background or change it at the teacher’s request.
- Students must use the name that is on school record or birth certificate (names can be shortened such as : William to Will or Tamara to Tam) TBD
- Students must not share specific meeting links or passwords.
- Students must only enter their class virtual meetings they are scheduled for.
D. Appropriate school language must be used on all applications such as but not limited to: chat, discussions, whiteboards, and shared documents.
Parents will be contacted if a student violates classroom expectations or the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. Persistent or serious offenses will be referred to the appropriate campus administrator and additional consequences may be assigned, including but not limited to:
- Parent Conference,
- Behavior Contract,
- Recovery Time,
- Loss of Privilege,
- Overnight Suspension,
- Suspension, or
- Referral to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement.
Bus Safety Rules
1. Mask/Face covering should be worn on the bus and the bus stop, until further notice.
2. Observe the same conduct as in the classroom including cell phone use.
3. Enter the bus and immediately go to the assigned seat.
4. Talk in a normal tone of voice.
5. Remain seated and facing forward in the assigned seat until time to exit the bus.
6. Keep head, hands, feet, and other objects to oneself; do not tamper with bus equipment.
7. Use acceptable language; obscene, profane, unacceptable language and/or gestures are prohibited.
8. Refrain from eating and/or drinking on the bus; keep the bus clean.
9. Refrain from throwing objects within the bus or out of the windows.
10. Follow all rules outlined in the District’s Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, as well as safety rules established by the driver.
11. Arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop-time and wait a safe distance from where the bus stops. 5 giant steps away from the stop is a good rule.
12. When the bus arrives, do not approach it until the bus has come to a complete stop. Form a single line and board the bus. Go directly to a seat and sit in a safe position. If seats are
equipped with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times as required by law.
13. When it is time to get off of the bus, wait until it comes to complete stop before getting up from your seat.
Procedures when Checking Students In or Out During the School Day
Katy ISD Legacy Parent Academy
- Wednesday, 1/20/21- Destigmatizing Mental Health
- Wednesday, 3/24/21- Managing Test Anxiety
Each Legacy Parent Academy event for the 2020-2021 school year will be in webinar format. Sessions will be translated into Spanish and posted on the Legacy Parent Academy webpage following each event. Additional information is available on the Legacy Parent Academy webpage.
MyOn Reading
Students can access MyOn using their Katy Cloud Login information. Renaissance MyOn Readers is a student-centered, personalized literacy environment that gives students access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to individual student’s interests, grade and Lexile reading level. MyOn fosters student engagement and achievement. MyOn is a great resource for students to use to complete 20 minutes of daily reading outside of school. When a child logs in for the first time, the child will be prompted to complete a reading interest inventory and a quick reading assessment. This helps the system to match your child to texts that match their interests and reading level. Stay tuned for Campus MyOn Challenges that will be coming soon! Happy Reading!
A Parent's Guide to Navigating the KVA Classroom
While the KVA experience has opened up a whole new world for parents to see the educational world our kids live in, it does come with its challenges as well. What we have to remember is, though we are able to be right beside our child and hear more than we ever have before, this is still your child's educational experience.
A child learns so much more than academics at school. They learn independence, confidence and they begin to develop their thoughts, beliefs and ideas about who they are and who they want to become.
In the end... they grow.
Growth comes when we are faced with challenges we must solve, not by someone providing the solution. Growth comes from running into obstacles so we learn how to avoid them, and make our own path, not by someone removing everything in our way.
It is difficult to watch a child deal with an obstacle or a struggle. However, if we truly want full growth for our kids, we must learn how to navigate this new world where your child would normally be in the driver's seat.
Trust, communication, patience and understanding with one another will help us see it through so your child is the focus and their GROWTH is our goal.
Please see this list (click here) of a few Do's and Don'ts as you work with your child and their teacher through this KVA process.
Can My Child Go to School?
Front Vestibule Drop Boxes
Required Daily Self-Screening of Students
For the health and safety of all students and staff – parents are required to assist their children with a daily self screening for COVID-19 symptoms and fever before arriving to school, or boarding school transportation.
Per TEA “In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following questions: Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?"
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Shaking
Exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
COVID-19 Self-Reporting App, Notifications & Information
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students, and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building. If there is direct exposure due to improper use of PPE, individual families will be contacted.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.
Amazon Smile
You can make a difference while you shop with Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/82-0726214 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to PTA Texas Congress (Bryant PTA). Last quarter our income was $22.06!! Every little bit counts!!
To turn on Smile in your Amazon App, follow these directions:
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process