WBE October Newsletter
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go!
Mrs. McMillian's Moment
Open House
Early Student Drop Off
We need your help! If your child ever has to arrive to school prior to 7:15 (again, this is highly discouraged), please help us out by reminding him/her to do the following:
- Sit at one of the tables or benches and wait for the doors to open.
- Read a book, practice sight words/math facts, or sit quietly.
- No one should be on the swing, playing games, or running around.
Thanks in advance for helping us keep our child(ren) safe!
Pink Fridays
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, students, teachers, and staff are encouraged to wear pink on Fridays with jeans in addition to spirit attire for the month of October, so that we collectively spread awareness in our community.
WBE School Store
The school store hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:15-7:45 am. For more information, please contact the front office at 713-917-3540.
Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is slowly filling up. Now that it is starting to get cooler outside, students need their jackets more than ever! If your child is missing a jacket, lunch kit, or water bottle, please send him/her to the Lost and Found. Parents are also welcome to go the Lost and Found Monday-Friday from 7:15-7:45 am after checking in with the Front Office.
Attendance
We can do this but only together!
Tardies
Many of our students are arriving late to school everyday. It breaks my heart when I walk by the front office and I see a line of children coming in at 8:00, 8:30, and even 9:15 sometimes. School starts at 7:30 am, and students are considered tardy at 7:40 am.
Myth
"All they do in the morning is sit and eat breakfast for the first part of the day anyway. My child eats breakfast at home."
Fact
While the first 15 minutes of class is designated for breakfast, the students are working while they eat. The teachers are expected to have what we call a Do Now ready for their students as they greet them at the door. This Do Now is a review from a previous lesson that the students work on it independently while the teachers do social-emotional check ins with each student as they enter the class. This check in could be a fun greeting or a sweet affirmation to brighten up someone's day. The teacher uses this Do Now data to determine which students he/she needs to reteach. This is a valuable time of day! When students come in late, they miss this time of review and preparation that is intended to set them up for success for the rest of the day.
Plus, on Fridays Ms. McMillian plays music as students come in to celebrate another week of learning!
If your child is late 30 minutes every morning, that is 2.5 hours a week, totaling 90 hours of instruction for the school year!
Note from Our Nurse
Hello Parents,
Please remember to notify the school and teacher if your child tests positive for COVID or is going to be out for more than one day due to an illness. A doctor's note is required in order for any missed days to be excused.
Thank you,
Ms. Nobile
Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS Approved)
We have a lot field trips and events scheduled in the month of October. In order to volunteer, participate in school events on campus, and/or attend field trips, parents/guardians must be VIPS approved. Please click on the link below to get started. Now is the time to get approved! Please do not wait until the last minute!
Upcoming Field Trip Schedule
Below are the field trips that are scheduled within the next month. This is SO exciting! I truly believe that you are as wise as your level of exposure, so we will be allowing our students to go on field trips this year. Be on the lookout for permission slips being sent home. We will need chaperones, but they must be VIPS approved. See above for more info. Please let your classroom teacher know if you are VIPS approved and would like to be a chaperone.
Upcoming Field Trips
- Kinder: Tues, Oct. 18th - Houston Arboretum
- 3rd Grade: Wed, Oct. 19th - Museum of Fine Arts in Houston
- 1st Grade: Tues, Oct. 25th - Houston Arboretum
- 2nd Grade: Wed, Oct. 26th - Houston Arboretum
- 3rd Grade: Thurs, Oct, 27th - Houston Arboretum
- 4th Grade: Fri, Oct. 28th - Houston Arboretum
- 5th Grade: Fri, Nov. 4th - Houston Arboretum
Family Library Check Out
Upcoming Short Week (10/4-7)
- Monday, October 3rd: Regular School Day
- Tuesday, October 4th: Teacher & Staff PD Day (No School)
- Wednesday, October 5th: Fall Holiday (No School)
- Thursday, October 6th: Regular School Day
- Friday, October 7th: Regular School Day
Report Cards Go Home on 10/7/22!
Hispanic Heritage Month Parade (10/14)
Rock Your School (10/21)
As a school community we’ve learned that joy can be found even in the smallest of moments, despite whatever we may be facing. We’ve learned that kids still show up, teachers still show up, and education still needs to be celebrated. I along with other teachers have a great day planned for your child. Please encourage your child to step outside of their comfort zone, engage with their peers and teachers, and be open to the incredible learning and fun that will take place.
I am looking forward to the Rock Your School event. Let’s make it a day that we will never forget! The theme this year will be SUPERHEROES, so have your child wear their favorite superhero costume or shirt! Please keep in mind that dressing up is not a requirement, and there will be items available to wear, so that all students will feel included.
Red Ribbon Week (10/24-28)
Red Ribbon Week, which is celebrated annually October 23-31, has taken on national significance mobilizing communities to educate students and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Wearing red ribbons during the month of October represents the pledge to live drug-free and honors all who have lost their lives in the fight against drugs.
This year's Red Ribbon Week theme is: Celebrate Life! Live drug free!
Celebrate the week in your school community and raise awareness of living a drug free life by participating in the following activities for everyone:
MONDAY, 10/24: Pledge to be Bully and Drug Free
- Wear RED to kick off Red Ribbon Week! -
TUESDAY, 10/25: Be a Hero, Not a Bully!
- Wear your favorite superhero gear! -
WEDNESDAY, 10/26: Drug and Bully Free from Head to Toe -
- Wear hats or crazy hair with crazy socks! -
THURSDAY, 10/27: Team Up Against Drugs and Bullies
- Wear your favorite team shirt! -
FRIDAY, 10/28: Don’t Be Caught Sleeping, Say No to Drugs!
- Dress in your school appropriate pajamas! -
Storybook Character Parade (10/31)
KHOU-11 Donated a Grant to WBE!!!
There's Still Time to Join Brighter Bites!
Brighter Bites is a new kind of nutrition education program, and it’s 100% free! You and your child are invited to a fun food experience where you’ll receive 20-25 pounds of fresh produce along with tips and tools to support a healthy lifestyle. You can enroll with the link below. Their next delivery dates are 10/13 and 10/27!
Benefits of Joining Brighter Bites:
• save money on groceries
• save time at the store
• get involved in your community
• socialize with other parents
• learn how to be healthy on a budget
Upcoming Events
October
- 4th: Ms. Jackson's Birthday
- 4th: Teacher Professional Development Day (No School)
- 5th: Fall Holiday (No School)
- 7th: 1st Six Weeks Report Cards Go Home
- 7th: Ms. Wingo's Birthday
- 10th: Ms. Ibrahim and Ms. Qudoom's Birthday
- 12th: Ms. Terrazas's Birthday
- 13th: Brighter Bites Delivery
- 14th: Hispanic Heritage Parade
- 16th: Ms. Ornelas's Birthday
- 21st: Rock Your School Day!
- 24th-28th: Red Ribbon Week
- 27th: Brighter Bites Delivery
- 31st: Storybook Character Parade
2022-2023 Student Code of Conduct (download below)
All About The WBE!
Follow us on social media and tag us on all of your fun pics!
Email: alecia.mcmillian@houstonisd.org
Website: https://www.houstonisd.org/walnutbendes
Location: 10602 Briar Forest Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 713-917-3540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walnutbendes
Twitter: @WalnutBendES