Tiger Talk
10/12/21
Superintendent Norton to Speak at our Virtual WCHE PTO General Assembly Tuesday, October 19!
The West Cypress Hills Elementary PTO Board will hold its next General Assembly Meeting at 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 19. We are very excited that our guest speaker will be our LTISD Superintendent of Schools, Paul Norton. We hope that you will be able to join us for this informative virtual meeting.
Here is a link to our Virtual PTO Assembly via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 848 7702 4345
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APEX Leadership Program Coming to West Cypress TODAY!!!!
Visitors and Volunteers Welcome to Attend the October 21 Obstacle Course Event!
Provided that our weather cooperates, our Tigers will enjoy running the APEX Obstacle Course outdoors on our field on Thursday, October 21. And, weather permitting, families may come to the field to watch the running of the APEX Obstacle Course!!!!
The playground gate on the Verbena side of the school will be manned by PTO Volunteers, and they will allow entrance to visitors wearing our visitor badges. If you have already had your photo ID scanned into our WCHE Raptor security system, RSVP here so that we can print your visitor badge and have it available for you at the "will call" table at the gate. All other visitors will need to bring a photo ID to the Front Office to obtain a visitor badge.
If you'd like to lend a hand and VOLUNTEER, just sign up here! We'll print your volunteer badge and have it waiting for you at the "will call" table, too!
We are currently unable to invite visitors into our school building; thus, our restrooms and other indoor facilities remain unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Obstacle Course Schedule for Thursday, October 21--Want to be a Volunteer?
Kindergarten...........10:50 am
1st Grade..................1:10 pm
2nd Grade................11:45 am
3rd Grade...................9:55 am
4th Grade...................9:00 am
5th Grade...................8:00 am
If you'd like to be an APEX Obstacle Course Volunteer and lend a hand on the BIG DAY, sign up here! We will print Volunteer badges and have them ready for you at the "will call" table located at the gate. Thanks for volunteering!
Tigers wear blue, orange, or blue and orange on Friday, October 15!
Campus Advisory Team (CAT) needs parents, community members, and business owners
What is it?
Who are the members?
What would be the obligation if I were interested in serving on the committee?
Committee members will serve two-year terms and be limited to three consecutive terms on the committee.
If you would like to be considered or know a community member who would be a great addition to the West Cypress Hills CAT team please click on the google link below.
Join the Tiger Reading Choice Board!
This semester our school is participating in a reading program called Reading Choice Board. The purpose of the Reading Choice Board is to encourage reading and to have students set personal reading goals. The program begins this week and ends Friday, December 10. For more information, please click here.
Thank you for supporting your child’s reading this year!
Contact us here about the Wall of Fame for Shoe Tying
Hispanic Heritage Month
We are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at WCHE! Our foyer features the flags of Latin countries. It, also, features the artwork of our own Tigers, as they showcase amazing Latin figures; such as, Cesar Chavez, Pele, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Frida Kahlo, and Jaime Escalante.
On our morning broadcasts, we look forward to showcasing various Latin artists, scientists, athletes, and writers.
Thank you for celebrating with us!
Apply for a Super Fun Job--Be our WCHE Crossing Guard
We are still looking for a new crossing guard to assist families who walk to and from school in the mornings and afternoons. If you would like to learn more about working for our school a couple of hours a day, click here.
LTISD Updates COVID Protocols
Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff, Parents and Guardians,
As we continue to respond to COVID-19, updates have been recently made to the District’s “Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Instruction Plan.” The updated document is posted on our LTISD Response to COVID-19 webpage.
Originally released on August 6, the updated document reflects changes prompted by recent guidance from Austin Public Health. Key updated content includes:
- Requirement for household close contact quarantine has been updated to reflect that students who are asymptomatic and who are either fully vaccinated or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days will not be required to quarantine (page 9)
- A corresponding flowchart to reflect this change (page 11)
Additionally, there are a number of Frequently Asked Questions which continue to be updated as needed. If you have not yet reviewed our FAQs, visit our LTISD Response to COVID-19 webpage.
The conditions surrounding the pandemic are continually evolving. Our plans will be evaluated and updated as needed.
Sincerely,
Marco AlvaradoExecutive Director of Communications & Community Relations
If my child is symptomatic at home, what should I do?
People with COVID-19 have a wide range of reported symptoms - from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Parents should self-screen their children every day before coming to school. If your child is exhibiting symptoms, please keep your child home.
Self-screening with the following questions can help assess the risk that an individual has been exposed to COVID-19 and help determine when symptoms are more likely to be from COVID-19.
★ Have you recently begun experiencing any of the following symptoms in a way that is not normal for you?
- 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
- Muscle or body aches
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
★ Have you had close contact with an individual who is test-confirmed with COVID-19?
★ Have you been tested for COVID-19 and are currently awaiting test results?
If my child is symptomatic at school, what happens?
Students may be sent home for reasons other than COVID. The school nurse will talk with you when you pick up your child and will give you specific information about what is needed to return and may provide you with a letter. IF a negative COVID test is required to return, rapid tests and home tests are not sufficient to rule out COVID and a PCR test would be required.
I have a question about something I read in Tiger Talk...
As informative as our Tiger Talks are, there may be some lingering questions. Select the category your question falls in and be as detailed as you can in your question. Please use the link below.
Gifted -- So much more than just smart kids!
The yearly nomination window to have your child tested for the LTISD Discovery (Gifted & Talented) Program is currently open. The deadline for nominations is October 15, 2021. You can find the nomination form here or on the district GT website. The form is accessible in both English and Spanish.
Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skill in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment.
Elementary Discovery Program
● Program is based on intellectual ability, creativity, and advanced academic achievement.
● Needs based program
●Thematic curriculum addressing depth and complexity of ideas, creativity, and problem solving (not accelerated coursework)
● GT teachers provide: pull out program, classroom enrichment, and resources for teachers
Identification for the GT Program
● Looking for students who score in the top 4% nationally
● Tests are given to measure aptitude, creativity, and achievement
●The profile generated from the identification process will show a preponderance of evidence that gifted services are needed
● No single indicator can include or exclude a student from placement
Referral Process
● Submit a Discovery Referral Form by October 15, 2021.
● The nomination form can be found here.
● Testing - takes place during the 2nd grading period or in January for virtual students
● Committee Review of Results
● Parent/Guardian Notification
● Placement/services in GT program begin at the start of 2nd semester (January 2022) for in-person learners and in the spring for virtual students.
Questions? An informative slide show about the LTISD Gifted & Talented Program is available, and we recommend that you view it before joining us for a virtual question and answer session to be held October 1, from 11:30 am to 12 noon.
Visitors/Volunteers Are Not Permitted on Campus During the School Day
We are not allowing visitors during the school day for the time being.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and we are looking forward to welcoming our volunteers and visitors when we are able to do so.
Fall Picture Retake Day is Thursday, November 18
No worries! For our Tiger(s) unable to have photos taken October 7, we have a picture retake day!
Retake day is Thursday, November 18! Let us know if you need to schedule a retake on November 18. We'll be happy to make the arrangements.
Photo packages may be purchased on line at mylifetouch.com using our picture day ID EVT6CPZHZ.
Embrace the Noise for WCHE's Yearbook Cover Contest!
Criteria:
- artwork needs to be on plain white 8.5" X 11" copy paper
- artwork should be displayed in portrait (tall as a building)--NOT landscape
- artwork must be in crayon or colored pencils only
- artwork needs to include the words "Embrace the Noise," the name of the school "West Cypress Hills Elementary," and the year "2021-2022."
- on the back side of the artwork write in pencil the name of the student, grade, and homeroom teacher's name.
Tigers in Grades K - 2 should turn their artwork in by October 29 to Mrs. Sanderson in Room 103.
Tigers in Grades 3 - 5 should turn their artwork in by October 29 to Mrs. Vilven in Room 407.
Good luck, Tiger artists!
Farmers' Market Scavenger Hunt!
Join the fun! Tiger families are invited to visit one of our local farmers' markets and check off each item as you find them at the market.
Tigers should submit completed scavenger hunt forms by November 1 here to be recognized as LOCAL FOODS LEADERS in their classrooms and have their pictures featured on the digital menu screens in our Tigers' Den (aka cafeteria.)
Friday, October 29, is Book Character Costume Day
For the safety of all, the costumes should not include any toy weapons or items that might be mistaken for a weapon, and there should be no plastic or rubber masks covering Tigers' faces.
We're looking forward to seeing everyone's favorite book character!
Upcoming Events
by 10/21/21............RSVP to be on the WCHE Field for APEX Obstacle Course Event!
by 10/21/21............Sign up Here to Volunteer to Help with the APEX Obstacle Course!
until 10/29/21.........Tigers Invited to Enter WCHE's Yearbook Cover Contest!
until 12/10/21.........Join the Tiger Reading Choice Board! School-wide Reading!
09/15 - 10/15/21....Hispanic Heritage Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....National Bullying Prevention Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....National Physical Therapy Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....Dyslexia Awareness Month
10/01 - 10/31/21.....Principals' Month
10/12/21.................Apex Leadership Programs Begins Donate/Pledge Here
10/12/21.................LTISD Zoom VATRE Webinar @ Noon
10/13/21.................LTHS Homecoming Parade & Extravaganza 5 - 8 pm. Learn more.
10/14/21.................LTISD In-Person VATRE Presentation @ LTHS 6 pm
10/15/21.................Tigers Wear APEX Blue, Orange, or Blue & Orange Today!
10/15/21.................GT Referrals Due Today Learn More Here
10/18 - 10/22/21.....National School Bus Safety Week
10/19/21................Superintendent Norton to Speak Virtual PTO General Assembly 8:30 am
10/21/21.................APEX AS ONE Obstacle Course Event!
10/21/21.................LTCL Bookmobile @ WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
10/29/21.................Book Character Dress Up Day!
11/01/21.................Farmers' Market Scavenger Hunt Forms are Due Today!
11/01/21.................No School for Tigers! Staff Development Day
11/04/21.................LTCL Bookmobile @ WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
11/08 - 11/12/21.....National School Psychology Week
11/11/21.................Veterans' Day
11/18/21.................Fall Picture Retake Day! Schedule Retakes Here
11/18/21.................LTCL Bookmobile @ WCH Amenity Center 3 - 4 pm
11/22 - 11/26/21.....No School! Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your Fall Break
More Information about WCH
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: wchprincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/WCHE
Location: 6112 Cypress Ranch Boulevard, Travis County, TX, United States
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @principalwch