Marcus Mustangs Monthly Newsletter
January, 2016
Upcoming...
February
- 2/5 100 Days of School
- 2/8 Random acts of kindness week (see Ms. Gray for details)
- 2/9-2/11 Common Assessment
- 2/15 Higher education week
- 2/15 Teacher/Student Holiday
- 2/19 End of the 4th Six Weeks
- 2/22 Start of the 5th Six Weeks
- 2/26 Read Across America
- 2/29 Report Cards issued this week
March
- 3/1-3/3 Mock STAAR
- 3/7 TELPAS window opens up
- 3/14 Spring Break
- 3/29-30 STAAR testing 4th Writing, 5th Rd & Math
100 days of school!!!
Friday February 5th will be our 100th day in school, and as part of our celebration we would like that the kids come to school dressed up like a person of 100 years of age. It is not mandatory, but we would do it just to have fun and so that the kids remember this special day, for students Prek-5th grade.
In order to dress up, we do not have to spend money, just a Little Imagination would do! Here are some ideas to dress up your child:
Girls: necklace, eyeglasses, scarf, sweaters, wigs or hair rolls, baby powder or gray hair spray, knee high stockings, big purse, scarfs, etc.
Boys: Button down shirt, suspenders, tie, eyeglasses, draw a mustache or a beard, baby powder or gray hair spray, fishing hat, old sweater, a stick that could be used as a cane, etc.
Read Across America Friday February 26, 2016
NEA’s Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on—Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books, and you can too!
We have been chosen as a school to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday and kick off Read Across America with special readings from NEA local President Angela Davis and
NEA National President Lily Eskelsen Garcia.
Over 300 of our students in grades K-2 will receive special readings in the auditorium and goody bags for their participation.
3-5 can also participate in class with other special class activities see the attached link for fun reading ideas.
Monday 2/8 Love is in the air wear RED if you dare
Tuesday 2/9 Pretty in Pink AG style
Wednesday 2/10 Bringing love back wear Black
Thursday 2/11 Love is Pure wear White
Friday 2/12 Enchant us in Purple
Friday 2/26 Wear red and white
Today was good.
Today was fun.
Tomorrow is anther one. Dr. Seuss
Wear red and white with denim for Read Across America event.
Balanced Literacy Cadre
3rd-5th Reading Teachers:
If you are a third, fourth, or fifth grade teacher and are attending the district's Balanced Literacy Cadre at the Buckner Building from 2 - 5 PM, the dates are below.
Feb. 10
March 9
April 4th
May 28th
June 1st
Thank you for being a part of a team that helps the school increase student achievement and as an extra bonus you are enhancing your teaching craft. We look forward to hearing all about the training and sharing these best practices with the rest of the Staff.
Tutoring updates
Tutoring will continue 2x a week Tuesday district time and Wednesday or Thursday paid time 3:30-4:30
Saturday School is NOT mandatory, but if you are interested in tutoring, email Ms. Wallace no later than February 5, 2016. **this will be paid time :)
Tentative Saturday School Dates:
- 2/20, 2/27 and 3/5, 3/26 4th grade Writing and 5th grade Reading and Math
- 4/23, 4/30, 5/7---3rd&4th Reading and Math including 5th grade Science & Re-testers
Common Assessments
Common Assessment #3
- 2/9 K-5 Reading, 4th LA
- 2/10 K-5 Science
- 2/11 K-5 Math
- 2/12 K-5 Writing
Social Studies is not mandatory
Mock STAAR #1
- 3/1 3-5 Math
- 3/2 3-5 Reading
- 3/3 4th Writing & 5th Science
Mock STAAR #2
- 4/12 3-4 Math
- 4/13 3-4 Reading & 5th Science (5th gd R&M retesters only)
Congrats Mrs. A!!!
Because you exemplify:
· Support and respect to all students and staff
· Enforce high student expectations consistently
· Contribute to team experiences and collaboration with colleagues
· Contribute to increasing positive morale throughout the campus
· Has high expectations for students and expect nothing less than 100% of full effort
And because you give much more than we can list, we thank you for being part of our HM family.
Congrats Mr. O
Staff Recognition
Don't forget to complete this week's survey to recognize our first teacher and support staff for the Second Semester. The recognized person will be announced on January 19 at our brief staff meeting.
The teacher and support staff will receive a Recognition Sash to display for the week, a Certificate, you will be highlighted at our Recognition Board, a Parking Spot designated for you, and denim for the whole week as long as you wear the T.O.W. Sash...
Each week we will meet and the award will be passed on to another person, chosen by you based on the given criteria from the google form.
· Supportive and respectful to all students and staff
· Enforce high student expectations consistently
· Contribute to team experiences and collaboration with colleagues
· Contribute to increasing positive morale throughout the campus
· Has high expectations for students and expect nothing less than 100% of full effort
If you have any other ideas that we can add to recognizing staff please do not hesitate to share with us, we are open to ALL ideas :)
Marcus' Mustangs Spirit Song
Praise to Marcus Elementary
Blue and White we strive for Success
Memories here will live eternally
Friendship, Learning, Mustang Pride
Marcus is where we learn good Character
Skills to build our future bright
Memories here will live eternally
Friendship, Learning, Mustang Pride
Herbert Marcus Elementary
Vision:
To be an educational exemplar, whose priority is to provide high quality instruction, increase student academic achievement, and develop our students holistically.
Mission:
To foster a love of learning in a caring, safe, and welcoming school, where the staff works collaboratively with the community to develop confident, responsible students who are well prepared for the future, to ensure that our students achieve their highest academic potential and are college and career ready.
Core Beliefs:
Our main purpose is to improve student academic achievement.
Effective instruction makes the most difference in student academic achievement.
There is no excuse for poor quality instruction.
At risk students will achieve at the same rate as non-at-risk students with our help using a Response to Intervention process.
Staff members must have a commitment to children and a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in a caring classroom.
Location: Herbert Marcus Elementary School, Northaven Road, Dallas, TX, United States