The Prairie Pulse - December
DPES Family Newsletter
Please be sure to revisit for updates throughout THE MONTH.
Tomball ISD - Where we focus on the Social-Emotional well-being of our staff, students, and families, High-Quality Instruction, and Collaboration to ensure learning for all of our Tomball ISD students.
DECKER PRAIRIE -
Mission: Decker Prairie Elementary is dedicated to high levels of learning for all.
Vision: We will create an environment where everyone takes risks and collaborate respectfully through innovative learning.
WHAT'S NEXT?
12/13- Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 5:00-8:00
12/14 - 4th Grade Holiday Program (4th graders report to the gym at 6:00, the program begins at 6:30 pm); Dress for 4th graders (red, white, green with long pants - no shorts / or fifties attire)
12/16 - Winter Wonderland
12/15 - Christmas in the Barn
12/17 - Classroom Parties / Early Release Day
Kinder, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade 10:30-11:15
PreK, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade 11:30-12:15
12/20-1/4 Holiday Break - NO School // School Resumes January 5th!
JAN 7TH - 6-8pm NEON SKATE NIGHT - SKATE CHAMPIONS 6-8PM
(NO DROP-OFFS -PARENTS REQUIRED) More info below.
1/17 - Staff and Student Holiday; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day- NO School
THANK YOU --- OUR ATTENDANCE IS GOING UP!
HELP US KEEP IT GOING!
We are up EVEN MORE....to 93.6%! That is trending in the right direction!!!
Let's keep it going ALL THE WAY T0 97!!!
Teachers - Party Information
- Who will be attending the party (encouraging limit of 2)
- If you are checking your student out, Name of Parent/Guardian, OR current emergency who will be checking them out from classroom teacher
- Relationship of the emergency contact
We ask that you respond ASAP. We appreciate your help!
PARTY INFORMATION - ATTENTION DECKER FAMILIES
PARTY INFORMATION
Party Times
K-2 10:30-11:15
Pre, 3rd-4th 11:30-12:15
- Please note that 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade will be receiving skate time prior to party times.
- PTO will provide pizza, drink, dessert, and activity. Alternative to pizza will be provided for any known/reported allergies.
- If you haven't already, please be sure to reach out to your child's teacher if the food list above does not suit your child's allergy restrictions so that plans can be made.
- PARTY FAVORS / GOOD BAGS- Only pre-wrapped (INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED), store-bought treats may be supplied. Ex. Little Debbie's, Rice Krispie treats, Candy. NO HOMEMADE items to students.
- Parents will be allowed to check-in as early as 30 min early for a party but will wait in the cafe until party times begin.
- Reminder for Parents to use marked "adult restrooms".
- Please know that our staff does their best to adhere to restrictions around photos being taken of others' children, but we ask that if you have additional concerns consider attending the parties as we can't guarantee that he/she won't end up in the background of someone’s picture unintentionally.
- Due to limited space in the building and parking as well as an increase in enrollment/numbers and event turn-out, we are asking families to try to limit guests to 2 per student.
PARKING INFORMATION
We anticipate that many parents will be checking out students early after parties due to early release day. To help with parking, our staff on this day will do our best to move our vehicles to one lane in the car rider line to help with parking and congestion. We will also be moving our cars to non-designated parking areas so that you have designated parking areas open as much as possible. We ask that you do not block on other cars in case of emergencies and be cognizant of other drivers.
See map below :
parent parking for parties.PNG
Following the final party end time, the car rider gate will be opened for end-of-day dismissal. Please note that only the inside lane will be open. (The Left lane will be full of employee cars, as we will not have time to remove them prior to dismissal. We do anticipate that the car rider line will be less than usual as in years past.) We appreciate your support and cooperation with this as we accommodate a large number of visitors.
If you are NOT able to park on our property, you will most likely be parking in the nearby neighborhood. Please be mindful of those residents and do not block driveways, mailboxes, or fire hydrants.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT INFORMATION
Due to limited space in the building and parking as well as an increase in enrollment/numbers and event turn-out, we are asking families to limit guests to 2 per student.
At this time, all families should have responded to an email from their child's teacher with information regarding:
- Who will be attending the party (encouraging limit of 2)
- If you are checking your student out, Name of Parent/Guardian, OR current emergency who will be checking them out from classroom teacher
- Relationship of the emergency contact
(If you have not yet responded to your child's teacher, please do so today.)
**IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED** FOR ALL VISITORS- for entry into the building - this includes, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. *Please make sure that the Parent/Guardian/Emergency contact that will be checking your student out knows that they will be required to show identification at the front door and classroom teacher upon signing out (if not previously known/identified parent/guardian). Any questions/needs for verification will be directed to the parent/guardian at the time of check-out as needed.
We will begin to check visitors around 10:00 am Friday morning.
We encourage you to come early and please bring your holiday spirit and patience as we do our best to you all where you need to go as soon as possible.
ENTRY PROCESS-
- Visitors will show valid Identification- Please have them out and ready. VALID ID OR DRIVERS LICENSE.
- They will then receive a band and this band will need to stay on while they are on campus (showing they have been checked in/ID'd)
- If visitors are checked in prior to party time - they will be directed to the holding area in the cafe.
- Staff will be on hand to help direct visitors to classrooms (should anyone need help).
CHECK-OUT/EXIT PROCESS-
- You will present ID to the classroom teacher
- You will sign a check-out sheet (similar to the front office sign out sheet)
- You will receive an exit ticket with your child's name on it (PLEASE DO NOT LOSE THIS TICKET) - This is your exit out the door. We ask that ADULTS HANG ON TO THE TICKETS - please do not let students hold them.
- If for any reason, you lose the ticket, you will need to be processed through our front office, so please be patient.
- At the exit doors, we will take all bands, exit tickets, etc.
- We ask that visitors exit the front entrance for safety reasons or the south gym doors (both will be staffed by DPES employees). All other entrances will be marked "NOT a party exit - Please EXIT at the front of the building". We appreciate your help with this as we collect exit tickets and maintain the safety and security of all students.
***Visitors with multiple parties*** - please be sure to read all the way through this letter.
**TRANSPORTATION CHANGE** - Any transportation change requires a note or fax. We encourage you to send these in AHEAD of time (check accurate date, name, and information AND double-check that the teacher received the note.
If checking out early during party times, students can be checked out by designated parents/guardians. If it is someone other than the parent or guardian, they must be listed as an emergency contact, the teacher would have been previously notified through email and note sent with permission. NOTE - any changes to what we have on file, must be handled prior to the event if the person picking up the student is not listed - they will need to be added as an emergency contact. (More information will be coming to families on this process)
***Once a student is checked out by the classroom teacher, they will need to leave campus with the parent/guardian.
Students checked out will NOT be readmitted and allowed to attend other DPES parties. We appreciate your help and support to prioritize instruction. We encourage all parents to allow students to complete their school day. This applies to Decker Prairie students as well as other TISD students where instruction is still occurring and attendance is expected/required. (See alternative below, if you have multiple parties.)
I have had one party but I still have another student who has a party:
- Please leave your first student with their teacher.
- Notify that teacher you will be back later.
- Then attend the second party, where you will check out your second student (should you choose to do so), and receive your exit ticket for that child.
- After the party is over, you may return to the first child's classroom, where the teacher will have his/her things ready. You will sign them out from the classroom and receive your exit ticket for that child.
Students not checked out will go home their regular mode of transportation unless a change is received.
Enjoy the holiday season alongside our staff!
What do I get my teacher for the Holidays?
Gift of Words
While the special gift a student picked out, and amazing chocolate that no one can turn down is always a highlight of the holidays, there is one special gift that continues to give many years down the road.
While we have all heard the challenges that teachers face, we know that all professions continue to face them. What we don't often think about is that our teachers, just like other professions and just their very own students, love to hear the wonderful things their students love about their class and school. They love to hear about what impact they have made on students and what joy they have brought them.
What stories do you hear at the dinner table and how does your child light up when your student talks about them?
These are the gifts that you can't buy or replicate. They are pure gifts of love.
Consider a thought "gift of words" this holiday season, letting your child's teacher know how much YOU know they care and what impact they have on your child.
JANUARY 7TH NEON SKATE NIGHT
We can't wait to skate! First EVER Decker Night Skating Event!!
Come skate with us!
Skate Champions
5504 Fellowship Lane
Spring, Texas 77379
- 6-8pm
- $10 at the door!
- Families welcome
- NO drop-offs - PARENTS REQUIRED
See video below
Prairie Parent Partners
This is an opportunity for our parents to walk our campus and see what Great Expectations looks like, our campus improvement plan efforts, implementation of professional development, and just the day-to-day inner-workings of an elementary campus.
SIGN UP - HERE
UPDATE - LUNCHROOM VISITORS AND CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Lunchroom Visitors:
Assigned lunch visitors will be divided over 4 days, Monday through Thursday, with Friday’s rotating each month for an assigned alpha. (Based on campus numbers and spread in the alphabet)
Visitors ARE REQUIRED to be listed as an emergency contact if not accompanied by a parent/guardian. Identification IS REQUIRED to enter any TISD building.
Assigned alpha days are as follows:
December Schedule:
· Monday: Student Last Name= A thru F
· Tuesday: Student Last Name= G thru L
· Wednesday: Student Last Name= M thru O
· Thursday: Student Last Name= P thru Z
· Friday: Student Last Name M thru O
(January will be P-Z)
REMINDERS - VISITORS MAY ONLY BRING FOOD FOR THEIR CHILD AND MAY ONLY SIT WITH THEIR CHILD.
Volunteers - WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS BACK ON CAMPUS.
All school volunteers must complete a volunteer application.
BIRTHDAYS
We are NOT allowing birthday cupcakes.
If you are interested in sending a birthday treat, please a Pre-wrapped/Store-bought items to share.
Ex. Litte Debbie, Ding-Dongs, Twinkies, etc.
Order your yearbook from our PTO!
How to log into Lexia:
- Go to the DPES homepage at dpes.tomballisd.net
- Click Academics
- Click ClassLink
- Login with username (student 6-digit lunch#/ID#) and password (tisd+8-digit birthdate)
- Ex: 123456, tisd01012011
- Click the Lexia Core5 icon
- Click login with Google
- Enter email (student 6-digit lunch#/ID#@elem.tomballschools.net) and password (tisd+8-digit birthdate)
- Ex: 123456@elem.tomballschools.net, tisd01012011
- Lexia Core5 will then open.
Math Fact Fluency
Mastering basic facts is essential to being proficient mathematicians. Below is more information about the importance of fact fluency.
*What is fact fluency?*
Math fact fluency, or the ability for students to recall basic math facts quickly, accurately, and effortlessly, is an essential component of students’ math knowledge. It would take you ages to write a paper if you had to look up the spelling of each individual word. In the same way, lack of fact fluency can slow down students’ processing of more complex math problems and situations.
*How do we build fact fluency?*
It is important to realize that fact fluency is not just memorizing the basic facts. It is building students’ conceptual understanding of the basic math facts, rather than focusing solely on memorization. We encourage children to focus on looking for patterns and relationships between the facts, building on and connecting to what facts they already know (for example, if students know 5+5=10, then 5+6= one more than ten, or 11). This conceptual framework anchors students’ recall in meaning. In other words, students are making meaningful connections that make remembering the facts easier.
*What can you to help?*
Students should practice math facts at home. This extra practice helps the brain transition facts from short-term memory into long-term storage. Practicing can be as easy as creating and using flashcards or quizzing your child in the car on the way to school or while cooking dinner. They could also do the Fact Practice in Freckle. In addition, a quick internet search will provide tons of great websites and apps that provide practice opportunities.
Please reach out to your classroom teacher or Mrs. Finney if you have any questions about how to help your child master their facts.
DPES Problem Solving Model
Here are examples to familiarize yourself with our model. If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to Mrs. Finney at BrandyneFinney@tomballisd.net
IMAGINE MATH - Math at Home
Below you will find steps on how to access Imagine Math from tablets and computers.
Go to the DPES homepage at dpes.tomballisd.net
Click Academics
Click ClassLink
Login with username (student 6-digit lunch#/ID#) and password (tisd+8-digit birthdate)
Ex: 123456, tisd01012011
Click the Imagine Math icon
Enter email (student 6-digit lunch#/ID#@elem.tomballschools.net) and password (tisd+8-digit birthdate)
Ex: 123456@elem.tomballschools.net, tisd01012011
Imagine Math will then open.
Please let us know if your family needs support!
Do you want to be a Watch Dog?
OUR WATCHDOG DAD SIGN-UP IS TEMPORARILY ON PAUSE AS WE WORK TO IMPROVE OUR EXPERIENCE FOR 2022.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK WITH A STRONGER AND MORE BENEFICIAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL INVOLVED PARTIES JANUARY 2022 - STAY TUNED
NURSE
Clinic
If your child will require medication administration during school hours, please note that all prescriptions must have a written/signed order from a medical doctor licensed in the state of Texas. Medication will not be administered without the correct documents.
Please contact the clinic in advance to drop off medication. Students should NOT be sent to school with the medication. Please contact the DPES nurse, Lance Culver, at 281-357-3134 EXT 3006 if you need to schedule a time to present documents and drop off medication for your child.
COVID
Isolation and Readmission Criteria for a Positive Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Student Students who test positive for COVID-19 must enter isolation.
Parents must notify the school nurse if their student is lab-confirmed positive via the District’s online reporting tool. In order for the student’s absence during isolation to be exempted, a student must provide to the school a physician’s note and a positive COVID-19 lab result. Individuals in isolation should meet the readmission criteria outlined below before returning to school. 3
● Isolation: Students must not come to school and should isolate themselves from others for a period of 10 days after symptom onset or a positive test date (whichever occurred first) in accordance with the Texas Department of Safety Health Services (DSHS) Exclusion and Readmission criteria for Schools and Childcare Centers.
● Return Criteria: Per CDC guidance, students can return to school after 10 days of isolation, if all symptoms are improving or resolved and the fever has been absent for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
Please refer to the district website for updates
Safety Protocols
We wanted to share some of our safety protocols that help bring clarity to what you may hear about when your student(s) may report drills.
You may also come to campus during a drill and wonder what, why, and how.
Santa's Barnyard
Spirit Nights
Decker Prairie PTO
Child Nutrition - District Menus
We are excited to announce for the 2021-22 school year ALL Tomball ISD students will receive FREE school meals, regardless of eligibility! #DestinationExcellence
More info from Child Nutrition: https://www.tomballisd.net/apps/news/article/1469018
Technology Help
All DPES Families - Stay Updated!
Join our Twitter - @TISDDPES
Join our Decker Prairie Facebook PTO page - https://www.facebook.com/ptodpes
Decker Prairie Elementary
Principal - Brenda Blackmon
Pk-2nd grade Asst Principal - Tammy Sebesta
3rd-4th grade Asst Principal - Justin Pluckhahn
Counselor - Zakiya Bircher
Librarian - Mandy Watson
Email: cynthiawallace@tomballisd.net
Website: https://dpes.tomballisd.net/
Location: 27427 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road, Magnolia, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 357-3134
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TISDDPES
Twitter: @TISDDPES