GALATAS GAZETTE
August 21, 2020
Contact Information
Denae Wilker, Principal
Candace Mathis, Assistant Principal
Kristi Tabor, Counselor
Through the collaborative efforts of all who pass through our door, we provide a safe learning community that develops lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
Website: http://galatas.conroeisd.net/
Location: 9001 Cochrans Crossing Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalatasCISD/
Twitter: @GalatasCISD
A Note From Mrs. Wilker
Dear Galatas Families,
This edition of the Galatas Gazette contains a great deal of information to help answer questions regarding in-person instruction over the next few weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need clarification or have additional questions.
Our parents are valued partners in our Roadmap to Reopening Plan. In addition to wearing cloth face coverings, social distancing, washing hands, and regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces, an essential element in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 at school is each parent’s commitment to screening their child daily for symptoms. Parents are also asked to keep any student exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 at home and to notify the campus. Attached is a copy of the current screening process which outlines the symptoms. Please review the information and be sure to keep your child at home if he/she is exhibiting any of the symptoms described.
Please note that all campuses are closed to visitors at this time to help stop the spread of COVID-19. If you must visit a campus, we ask that you screen yourself prior to leaving your home. All visitors that come on a campus/facility will be required to use the Access Intercom system or call the front office from their vehicle. Once the reception area identifies the person and their need to be on campus, they will be allowed in the building. All visitors will be required to sign in using the visitor program. Each visitor will be asked the screening questions. If a “yes” response is given to one of the questions, the visitor will be asked to leave the campus immediately.
Parent/teacher conferences, ARDS, 504 meetings etc. will be held virtually or by telephone when possible.
Thank you for helping to keep our school community safe.
Take care,
Denae Wilker
Principal
COVID Screener Forms
Plans for In-Person Learning: Safety Considerations
Face Coverings
The District will rely on guidance from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Montgomery County Health Department, as well as any executive orders or directives from Governor Greg Abbott, to determine the community transmission level and use of face coverings.
Personal Face Coverings as defined by TEA, include non-medical grade disposable face masks, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), or full-face shields to protect eyes, nose, and mouth. Personal face coverings must cover the nose and mouth to maintain effectiveness. Personal face covering must be school appropriate, non-offensive, not considered derogatory or otherwise disrespectful to staff, students, or visitors.
Students in grades 3-12, are required to wear face coverings in all areas, including classrooms, and when social distancing of at least 6 ft. is not possible. Students in grades PreK-2 are asked to wear face coverings. All students (PreK-12) will wear face coverings, as developmentally appropriate and feasible, on buses, during transitions, and in school common areas. (updated 8-21)
Water Bottles
As part of our COVID-19 mitigation practices, we will only be using the water fountains to fill water bottles this school year. The District is in the process of installing no-touch water bottle refilling stations in all schools. Children are encouraged to bring water bottles each day. Please clearly write your child's name on the bottle with permanent marker.
Expectations for Sanitizing
- Our campus will utilize alcohol-based sanitizer stations throughout common areas of the campus to promote safe and healthy practices.
- Sanitizer stations will be set up at the main entrances to campus, classroom entries, cafeteria, gyms, and other common areas.
- Staff and students are expected to regularly clean and sanitize hands throughout the school day.
- All students are expected sanitize hands upon arriving on campus and before loading buses.
Expectations for Cleaning
- Each classroom and restroom will be disinfected daily.
- All high touch areas will be disinfected daily.
- The cafeteria will be disinfected between lunch periods.
- Staff will have access to disinfectant to sanitize working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction.
- The District will utilize an e-Mist disinfectant nightly to occupied buildings.
Classrooms
Hand sanitizer use by students in Early Childhood, PreK, or Kindergarten classrooms will be supervised by a staff member.
Students will use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the classroom.
Every effort will be made to distance students apart from one another as instructionally possible.
Students will use their own supplies and our campus will limit any shared supplies. Shared supplies will be wiped down with disinfectant between student use.
Students will be taught procedures to sanitize their personal work space.
Social Distancing
- Desks will be socially distanced as much as physically possible.
- Students will move in slow lines during transitions to promote students walking 6 feet apart. Hallways are marked with dots and paw prints to provide 6 ft. visual cues.
- Each classroom door will be open slightly to eliminate multiple touches by students and staff.
- High touch surfaces (i.e. table tops, chairs, door handles) will be disinfected regularly.
Fine Arts
Students will rotate through a three day rotation of art, music, library/tech.
- Students will be socially distanced in class.
- Students will use their own set of supplies in class.
PE
Whenever possible, PE classes will be held outdoors to allow for maximum physical distance between students.
Students will sanitize hands before entering and exiting the gym.
Equipment will be disinfected after use.
Recess/Playgrounds
- Enforcing physical distancing in an outside playground is difficult and may not be the most effective method of risk mitigation according to the Academy of Pediatrics.
- Emphasis will be placed on cohorting students (keeping students in the same group) and limiting the size of groups participating in activities on the playground each day.
- All students and staff will be required to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting the playground.
Cafeteria
- Students will be provided a bar code identification to purchase lunches to avoid using a keypad to purchase their lunch.
- Our campus plan currently has students eating lunch in the cafeteria and activity room for social distancing purposes. Each cafeteria table will have clear barriers to protect students when not wearing a mask to eat lunch. A 6ft. table capacity is typically 8-10 students, but we will only be seating 3 students at a table and utilizing barriers. If additional students select in-person learning after the first grading periods, we may also have students eating in their classrooms.
- Hand sanitizer will be provided at cafeteria entrances and exits.
- No visitors will be allowed in the building for lunch.
- Food will be pre-packaged in boats/ bags for quick selection, decreased amount of time spent in line and easy transport to classrooms if necessary.
- Students who forget a lunch will be able to charge a lunch in the cafeteria.
- A la carte items will be limited to minimize time spent in line.
- Students bringing a lunch should be able to open all items on their own.
New Bus and Car Lines: Important Safety Information
Buses will load and unload at the front of the school. Cars may not enter the front loop from 7:25-8:05 a.m. and 2:45-3:30 p.m.
Student drop-off and pick-up car lines will be at the back of the school. Students may be dropped off between 7:30-8:00 a.m. The back driveway will be closed to cars from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The back driveway will be open to cars to form a pick-up line beginning at 3:00 p.m. Dismissal will begin at 3:10 p.m. Cars must enter the driveway from the north and exit to the south (right turns only). Cars will not be permitted to make left turns in or out of the school driveways during arrival or dismissal.
Car Rider Signs
A Message from the School Nurse
If your student will need to take medications during school hours, please complete the medication permission form below, and submit either via email or in person when dropping off the medications. Please note many of the over the counter medications will require a physician signature this year. Please see additional notes from the nurse in the Gazette regarding new guidelines. Due to social distancing, medication drop-off will be by appointment only and the school nurse will meet you on the front porch to check in medications. Please email the school nurse at kriggs@conroeisd.net to schedule the appointment. Thank you!
Take care,
Katy Riggs, RN
COVID-19 Information for Symptom Assessment and Medications
Please take the time to print and read the following document. It details CISD's new student health policies that have been implemented due to the COVID-19 circumstances. If you have any questions, please contact your campus school nurse at kriggs@conroeisd.net.
PARENT INFORMATION QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
CISD Back-to-School Ramp-Up Schedule
Here is a quick overview of the important dates for families who have chosen in-person learning:
Beginning August 26-Kindergarten and 1st grade students are invited to attend
August 31 ONLY- Grades 2-4 students whose last names begin with A-C may attend
September 1 ONLY- Grades 2-4 students whose last names begin with D-J may attend
September 2 ONLY-Grades 2-4 students whose last names begin with K-Q may attend
September 3 ONLY-Grades 2-4 students whose last names begin with R-Z may attend
This link will take you to the detailed "Ramp-Up Plan" for students returning to in-person instruction. If you selected in-person instruction, please see the schedule for the specific dates your child's grade or class is invited back on campus.
https://www.conroeisd.net/journey-to-the-first-day-back-to-school-schedule/Back to School Checklist
Cafeteria Information
The cafeteria menu is available online and will be updated monthly. For menus and prices please visit the Galatas menu site here.
To load money on your student's meal account, please visit www.myschoolbucks.com, where you can set up your account, add money, and check your balance.
Parent Access
New families, please take a few minutes today and register for Parent Access (CISD website) so that you will receive our parent newsletter, the Galatas Gazette. The newsletter is emailed to you weekly and is filled with important information and events that are happening at our school. In addition, Parent Access enables you to check your child’s attendance, cafeteria balance, grades, and other important information. Returning CISD families will not need to re-register for Parent Access.
Join the PTO
Visit our PTO link on our Galatas homepage (http://galatas.conroeisd.net/) or click on the link included in this week’s Gazette to join the PTO and purchase school spirit wear. We value our partnership with the PTO and hope you will become an active member in this outstanding organization.
Transportation Choices
Your child’s teacher sent out an electronic form for you to select your child’s primary mode of transportation. If you have not completed the form, please do so, and if you need to have it sent to you to complete, please contact your child's teacher.
Parents may select from four modes of transportation for their child: Bus rider (eligible if home is 1 mile or further from school), car rider, daycare, or walker/biker.
Bus routes are now posted online on the Conroe I.S.D. website (Click on Parents/Students>Transportation>Find Bus Route). Please check the website to find your child’s bus number, pick-up/drop-off locations and times. Students must be eligible and registered to ride the bus. You can register at the website listed above if you did not ride the bus last year.
Parents of car riders will receive a car rider sign (hot pink) on the first day of in-person instruction, along with directions on how to fill it out. This year, we will be utilizing a car-line app for the car rider dismissal. Cars that do not have the pink sign present at dismissal will be directed to park at the front of the school and check-out their student through the front office (except on the first day). Also new this year, the car rider line will be at the rear of the school and the bus line will be at the front of the school.
On severe weather dismissal days, students will not walk or bike ride home. If you select biker/walker as your primary mode, then you will also be asked to select a second choice for severe weather dismissals (bus if eligible or car rider).
School Arrival
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. Students should not arrive prior to 7:30 a.m. During the first semester, students will report directly to their homeroom upon arriving at school. Hopefully, in the spring semester we will be able to restart our popular morning active start program.
Kindergarten and first grade walkers/bikers will enter at the front of the building. Second through fourth grade students will enter the building at their designated hallways on the north side of the building. There will be staff stationed at the bike rack and hill to assist students to their assigned entrance.
CISD Volunteer Application
It is our goal to maintain a safe learning environment for our students. If you are interested in volunteering on our campus in the future, please fill out the Volunteer Application. The school will be notified when your application has been approved. You will also receive a note from the school when we are able to have visitors and volunteers back on campus.
PTO Welcome Letter
Join our PTO and Support the Greyhounds
Please support our school by joining our amazing PTO. The link below will take you to the Galatas PTO website. It is a great way to get connected with our Galatas community and other parents.
Order Spirit Wear Now!
The 2020-2021 Spirit Wear designs are posted below. TOP DOG Shirts are reserved for our 4th Grade Students only.
You can order Spirit Wear at the link below. The last day to order will be AUGUST 31, with delivery the week of September 21. All sales are final.
Technology Information
Conroe ISD Technology Help Desk
Technology Tips and Help Videos
Please visit the link here to see CISD's "playlist" of helpful tech tips for parents and students!
Online Curriculum Access Videos
Beginning on Wednesday, August 12, all students enrolled in Conroe ISD will start the school year in Remote/Online Instruction. Students in grades PreK-2 will use Seesaw for courses and assignments, and students in grades 3-12 will use Canvas. Please see the videos below to learn about accessing these systems.
- PreK-2: Seesaw – English
- PreK-2: Seesaw – Spanish
- Grades 3-12: Canvas (student) – English
- Grades 3-12: Canvas (student) – Spanish
- Grades 3-12: Canvas (parent) – English
- Grades 3-12: Canvas (parent) - Spanish
On the first day of school, students must log in and complete/engage in an activity through their learning management system (LMS) to be counted as present. Students/parents may also make contact or engage on the first day of school by emailing or speaking with their child's teacher/campus
Get Connected: Stay in touch with CISD by downloading our new mobile app!
Download the app on your mobile device today and select ‘yes’ to receive push notifications with the latest news and updates from the District.
Key Features:
- Push Notifications - Select ‘yes’ when you download the app to receive the latest push notifications from the District.
- Calendar Events - Add events to the calendar on your personal mobile device directly from the calendar section on the app.
- News - Check out the latest District-wide and school news all in one place!
Sign Up For Emergency Notifications through School Messenger:
CISD Student Handbook
CISD Roadmap to Re-opening
The content on the Roadmap to Reopening webpages is designed to provide information relevant for the 2020-2021 school year. The details on this page are subject to change as we receive guidance from the Texas Education Agency, Governor’s Office, and State and local officials. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information.
Conroe ISD is offering both Traditional In-Person and Remote/Online Instruction. Both programs will follow Conroe ISD’s TEKS-based curriculum. Families will be asked to select one of these options when they complete their enrollment. Changes to the selection can also be made at the end of the nine-week grading period.
Campus Curbside Meal Pick-up
Beginning Thursday, August 13, curbside meals will no longer be free for all students. Breakfast and lunch meals will be available curbside for students to purchase or free to students who qualify.
- Families are asked to pick up/purchase meals for all of their children at the campus of their oldest child.
- Meals will be available curbside at all campuses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM - 12 PM.
- Multiple meals will be distributed at a time.
- Tuesday: 2 breakfast meals/2 lunch meals
- Thursday: 3 breakfast meals/3 lunch meals
- A student meal card must be presented to scan and identify the student when meals are picked up.
- This card is located in Parent Access and can be printed on paper or presented electronically on a phone.
- Any change from a cash transaction will be applied to the student's meal account.
- Pre-payments can be made at www.myschoolbucks.com.
- Meal prices and the free and reduced meal application are available on the Child Nutrition website.
Questions? Please contact the Child Nutrition Department at (936) 709-8185.
Upcoming Events
August
26 Kindergarten and 1st grade students In-person students are invited to attend school
31-September 3 On Campus Ramp up for grades 2-4:
Aug. 31: Students with last names beginning with A-C
Sept. 1: Students with last names beginning with D-J
Sept. 2: Students with last names beginning with K-Q
Sept. 3: Students with last names beginning with R-Z
September
7 No School: Labor Day Holiday
8 In person instruction resumes
8 PTO Virtual Meeting – Time TBD
24 Individual Pictures: Including Drive-thru photos for Remote Learning students
October
9 No School: Student holiday
12 No School: Columbus Day
13 PTO Virtual Meeting- Time TBD
16 Kinder and Top Dog pictures
19-23 Virtual Book Fair
20Virtual Bedtime Story Night-6:30
26-30 Red Ribbon Week
30 Science Day
November
3 No School: Student Holiday
11 Veteran’s Day Readers’ Theatre for Fourth Grade
12 Picture Retakes
17 PTO Virtual Meeting– Time TBD
23-27 No School: Thanksgiving Break
December
7-11 Hour of Code
8 PTO Virtual Meeting-Time TBD
14 Holiday Parties- Kinder (1:15 p.m.)
15 Holiday Parties- 2nd (10:30 a.m.) & 1st (2:00 p.m.)
16 Holiday Parties–3rd (10:00 a.m.)
17 Holiday Parties-4th (8:15 a.m.) & Special Programs (1:45 p.m.)
18 Polar Express Day (Students wear p.j.’s)
18 Early Release Day, End of Nine Weeks– 12:10 p.m.
December 21-January 5 Winter Break