Friday Focus
Week of November 8 - 12
NEW CROSSWALK PROCEDURES
There was an incident on Monday morning where a couple of our students were nearly hit by a car. The officer dealt with it - but neither the school or the parents were aware until the students told their parents later on that day and/or the next morning.
SBISD Operations was notified, the construction Project Manager, as well as the SBISD Police department and we have made changes to how students will cross. The crossing guards were trained by SBISD officers on Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning. The SBISD officers will continue to monitor to assure these new procedures are being followed.
We ask that you discuss these new procedures with your children. We will have periodic reminders for students on the announcements.
- Students will only be crossed when the light is RED for east/west traffic.
- The police officer and/or the crossing guards will blow the whistle. This is for the CARS.
- Students will remain on the curb until BOTH crossing guards are in place and the signs are up, and the guard gives the signal to cross.
- Students on bicycles will WALK their bikes across the street.
Spelling Bee Information
Here are the dates for distribution of words for classroom Spelling Bee and the school wide Spelling Bee.
Friday, November 4th—Classroom Spelling Bee info and grade specific word lists sent home (3rd/4th/5th).
Monday, December 5th—Classroom Bees held and Grade level winners selected (2/classroom). MWE Spelling Bee info and words sent home with winners.
Thursday, January 5th —MWE Spelling Bee held in MWE Cafeteria. Top 2 students qualify for SBISD Spelling Bee. Info on SBISD Bee and SBISD Spelling Lists will be sent home with winners.
Wednesday, February 15th—SBISD Spelling Bee
Picture Retakes - November 10th
MWE Thanksgiving Dinner - November 17th
If you need to get your tickets prior to the information coming home please contact Shirley Labiosa at Shirley.Labiosa@springbranchisd.com or at 713-251-6209.
MWE Basket for SBEF Gala - November 19th
Thank you all very much for your generous donations for our auction basket for the SBEF (Spring Branch Educational Foundation) Gala on November 19th. It will also be included as a donation from our sister school, Edgewood Elementary. It's valued at $400! There are lots of holiday entertaining items from Leibman's, Pottery Barn, and Barnes and Noble. There are also gift cards included.
Thank you again for your donation!
Leigh Ann Brooks
Madeline (3rd) and Harrison (5th)
International Festival
On Thursday, January 26, 2017, Meadow Wood Elementary will host its International Festival and Family Fun Night. This wonderful event is a celebration of our school's rich cultural diversity. It provides an opportunity for students and families to both share and learn about the cultures and customs of various countries.
During the event, students will be issued passports and be able to visit booths where they can sample food and learn about a country's language, history, geographical location, flag and much more. There will also be games and fun filled activities that are sure to delight everyone.
To make this event a success we need your help. We are inviting parents to showcase a country of their choosing. If you are interested in doing so, please contact Keisha Barnes at ksbarnes@gmail.com.
Keisha Barnes
Raquel (1st), Gabrielle (3rd) and Jonathan (5th)
Changes to STAAR from the Texas Education Agency
STAAR is the acronym for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and is taken by all students in Texas, beginning in third grade.
Beginning with the assessments administered in spring 2017, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is decreasing the number of test questions on the STAAR grades 3–8 assessments based on the requirements in House Bill (HB) 743.
HB 743 added §39.023 (a-12) to the Texas Education Code, which requires STAAR assessments to be designed so that 85% of students can complete the grades 3–5 assessments within 2 hours and 85% of students can complete the grades 6–8 assessments within 3 hours.
To meet legislative requirements for reducing the length of each assessment while maintaining valid and reliable assessments, TEA has decreased the number of test questions on each of the STAAR grades 3–8 assessments.
Since the passage of HB 743 in 2015, STAAR test blueprints for grades 3–8 have been reduced by removing from 5 to 14 test items.
We will continue to provide you with updates as we receive them.
How was school today?
How many times have you asked your child, “How was school today?” and been frustrated by the response? As teachers, we also wish kids would share more information at home about the things we are doing in school.
This article below addresses this and provides some questions that should help you learn more about what we are doing every day.
We are also working on ways here at Meadow Wood to better communicate with you, the awesome things we are doing every day!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, November 7 - WITS (3rd grade)
Tuesday, November 8 - Election Day. MWE will NOT be a voting site.
Wednesday, November 9 - 3rd & 4th grade Priority Standards Assessment - Reading
Wednesday, November 9 - 3rd grade Hands on Science
Wednesday, November 9 - WITS (3rd grade)
Wednesday, November 9 - 6:30 p.m. Scout Pack Meeting - Cafeteria
Thursday, November 10 - 5th grade Priority Standards Assessment - Reading
Thursday, November 10 - Individual Picture Re-take
Friday, November 11 - Progress Reports go home
Friday, November 11 - 3:15 p.m. Odyssey of the Mind practice (multipurpose room)
November 14 - 18 - Book Fair
Monday, November 14 - Writers in the Schools (3rd grade)
Wednesday, November 16 - Writers in the Schools (3rd grade)
Thursday, November 17 - Colonial Day (5th grade)
Thursday, November 17 - 2nd grade Hands on Science (2nd grade pod)
Thursday, November 17 - Cafeteria Thanksgiving Dinner. OVEN BAKED CHICKEN WITH ROLL, MASHED POTATOES WITH GRAVY, SUGAR SNAP PEAS, FRUIT, CHOICE OF MILK, APPLE CRISP, AND DRESSING. For adults the cost is $3.50.
Monday, November 21 - Writers in the Schools (3rd grade)
Monday, November 21 - PreK/K Thanksgiving Program and Feast (1:30 p.m.)
Monday/Tuesday November 21 & 22 - Decorate Gingerbread Houses (Students decorate gingerbread houses and the houses are taken to local hospitals.)
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - November 22, 23, 24 - Thanksgiving Holidays
Monday, November 28 - Harbor Lights Choir
Monday, November 28 - Writers in the Schools (3rd grade)
Meadow Wood Elementary
Every student, every day, soaring to greatness!
Email: pamela.redd@springbranchisd.com
Website: mwe.springbranchisd.com
Location: 14230 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-251-6210
Facebook: facebook.com/MeadowWoodElementarySBISD
Twitter: @reddprincipal
At Meadow Wood, our mission is to provide the personalized support needed for every student to grow and reach their personal best, raking into account the unique academic, social and emotional needs of each child.