Martin Mustangs Newsletter
Summer 2019
Letter from the Administrators
It feels like just yesterday we were kicking off the 2018-2019 school year and now we have already arrived at the end! We are extremely proud of the growth and progress that all of our students have made this year and have much to celebrate. Our primary students have become much more independent and are taking more responsibility for their own learning. Martin Mustangs are reading and writing more than ever and are becoming experienced leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Our third and fourth graders have finished their STAAR tests for the year and showed all they have learned throughout. Thank you for helping us and your children through a very busy, and eventful, testing period. Results from TELPAS and STAAR will come during the Summer. Look for the results either in your mailbox and in the TEA parent portal (access information can be found below).
Our teachers and staff have all made contributions to ensure that Martin is a safe and enriching environment for everyone. We have continued to focus on building lasting relationships with students and families, while increasing student achievement and instruction rigor. Our MC^2 Meetings this year allowed for all of us to come together to analyze student performance in Math and Reading so we could collaborate together in our pursuit to ensure our Martin Mustangs achieve to their greatest potential. We look forward to continuing this collaborative effort next year. Our first 2019-2020 MC^2 Parent Meeting will take place tentatively on September 19th. The success of each Mustang hinges on a close partnership between home and school so we look forward to your continued attendance with us!
We will ensure our school continues to have the most qualified staff and high-quality instruction for years to come. The administrative team will always hold high expectations for students and staff alike and cannot wait for the 2019-2020 school year.
Have a restful, safe, and wonderful summer!
-Dr. Sha, Ms. Boykin, and Mr. Sanchez
STAAR Parent Portal
You may view your child's test scores online by using the student portal: http://www.texasassessment.com
To access this portal you will need:
- Your child's Unique Access Code
- Your child's date of birth
If you do not have your child's Unique Access Code, click "Find My Unique Student Access Code" to retrieve it.
You will need:
- Your child's First Name
- Your child's Social Security Number (SSN) or State ID Number (S-Number)
- Your child's date of birth
3rd and 4th Grade Reading, Math and Writing STAAR results will be available by June 11, 2019.
Free Summer Meals
Alief ISD Summer Service Program
- Free for youth ages 1-18 Monday-Thursday from June 4-28, 2019. Children do not have to be in summer school.
- Breakfast: 7:15 am-8:05 am, Lunch: 10:30 am-12:05 pm.
- Location: Martin Elementary School, 11718 Hendon Lane, Houston, TX 77072. 281-983-8363.
City of Houston Summer Food Service Program
- Free for youth ages 1-18 Monday-Friday from June 3-August 9, 2019. No registration required.
- Lunch: 11:00 am-1:00 pm, Snack: 3:00 pm-4:00 pm.
- Location: Alief Community Center, 11903 Bellaire Houston, TX 77072. 713-676-6832.
Lunch @ the Library
- Free for youth ages 1-18 Monday-Thursday from June 3-July 31, 2019. No registration required.
- Lunch: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm.
- Location: Henington-Alief Regional Library, 7979 South Kirkwood, Houston, TX 77072. 832-393-1820.
Healthy Lunches and Wellness Wednesday Lunches with Families
- Send lunches with your child in the morning, in a labeled lunch kit. Please do NOT drop them off to the office during the day as this interrupts the work of our front office staff as they attend to their regular duties. If lunch deliveries MUST be made, please send them only on the assigned lunch day. This will help our cafeteria stay in compliance with the Federal Lunch Program regulations, increase our school security, and maintain an uninterrupted learning environment.
- Approved family members will have one day a month to eat lunch with their Martin Mustang if they choose. Please bring healthy lunch options such as those listed above. Please do not bring unhealthy lunch choices for students, such as junk food, foods heavy in sugars, greasy food, fast food items, and large bags of chips. Drinks such as sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc) are full of hidden sugars that can increase cavities and cause spikes and drastic drops in students' blood sugar levels.
- We also encourage quality time during these lunches between families and their Mustang and request you limit your technology use. We know you may have emergencies or work expectations on your phone, we hope the 30 minute lunch time can be a short break from those.
Wellness Wednesday Lunches with Families Dates for 2019:
- Kinder- Sept. 4th, Oct. 2nd, Nov. 6th
- 1st Grade - Sept. 11th, Oct. 9th, Nov. 13th
- 2nd Grade - Sept. 18th, Oct. 16th, Nov. 13th
- 3rd Grade - Sept. 25th, Oct. 23rd, Nov. 27th
- 4th Grade - Sept. 25th, Oct. 23rd, Nov. 27th
Martin's New Student Registration Information 2019-2020
- Visit http://www.aliefisd.net/enroll for instructions
- The application can be found here: https://aliefhac1.aliefisd.net/EO_Parent/User/Login.aspx
You can access the application at home or using a computer at the front office of Martin. Once your application is completed, please take all required documents to the assigned school to complete registration.
Registration dates and times at Martin Elementary are as follows:
- August 1 - 12pm - 7pm
- August 2 - 8am - 1:30pm
- August 5 - 8am - 1:30pm
- August 6 - No Registration
- August 7 - 9am - 1pm
- August 8 - 9am - 1pm
- August 9 - 9am - 1pm
- August 12 - 9am - 1pm
- August 13 - 9am - 1pm
- August 14 - No Registration
- Regular registration hours will resume on August 15th (9am-12pm)
Registration Requirements
Parents or guardians will be required to bring the following items to register their child:
- child's complete immunization record
- parent/guardian's proof of residence (see below for details)
- parent/guardian state or government issued picture ID
- PK to 1st grade - an official state-certified birth certificate
- 2nd to 4th - birth certificate or other documentation of identification along with withdrawal form or last report card from previous school
Proof of residence requirements may be satisfied by showing a current utility bill or business mail addressed to registering parent/guardian AND a mortgage deed, tax statement, or lease agreement showing registering parent/guardian's name and current address.
An affidavit of Multi-Family Residence is required if the parent resides in premises leased or owned by another person. This affidavit, which is available at the school, must include notarized or school verified signatures of both parties and copies of the proof of residence presented by an Alief resident. Business mail addressed to the parent at this address must be provided to the school office within 30 days.
Current immunizations must be completed by the time of enrollment. Signature of rubber stamp validation of students' personal records by physicians or public health clinics is required. If you have any questions, please contact the school nurse, your family physician, or the local health department.
Only those students who are new to the Martin attendance zone need to register for the 2019-2020 school year. All those returning students will be automatically enrolled. Class lists will be posted on the front doors by August 12, 2019.
School Supply Lists 2019-2020 School Year
Martin Mustang Standard Mode of Dress 2019-2020
TOPS:
- Sweatshirts, Sweaters, and Cardigans: Any solid color (appropriate size) with shirt collar showing
- Turtle Necks: Any solid color (appropriate size)
- Polo Shirts: Any solid color with collar (appropriate size, long sleeve or short sleeve
BOTTOMS:
- Slacks and Shorts: Navy, Blue, Khaki, or Black (appropriate size)
- Jeans: Solid blue with straight leg fit (appropriate size and no designs) ONLY on approved days (Mondays w/ Martin spirit shirt and Fridays with college/university shirt)
- Skorts, Jumpers, Dresses, and Skirts: Navy, Blue, Khaki, or Black (solid colored, appropriate size, no shorter than 2 inches from the knees, and shorts or leggings must be worn under dresses and skirts)
- If a students' shorts or pants have belt loops, then a belt is required to be worn
SHOES:
- Must be rubber soled and cover the entire foot (socks must be worn)
- Sandals, flip flops, wheels, and heels are not allowed
HAIR:
- Must be clean and well maintained
- Must be kept back, off the face, and tied in a ponytail, braid, or bun
Please refer to the Alief District Handbook for additional mode of dress regulations. If a student is out of mode of dress, parents will be called to bring a change of clothes. Please ensure clothing completely covers a student's back and bottom when seated criss-cross on the floor.
Additionally, if you have any clean, gently worn uniform clothes that you would like to donate, please bring them to Nurse Shy in the clinic or to Jennifer Davis with Community In Schools (CIS).
Counselor's Corner
- Never show or give your key to anyone.
- Know what to do if you lose your key.
- Never enter the house if it looks like someone has broken in.
- Always lock doors.
- Never tell anyone you are alone.
- Know the following numbers and when to use them:
- Parent's cell phone
- Parent's work number
- Fire and Police departments - 911
These children may need a little extra reassurance that they are loved and their safety is important. An occasional or unexpected check-up call from a parent will mean a lot.
Stay Sharp During the Summer:
Help your child retain and/or improve his/her academic skills by doing the following:
- Read with your child every day. Take turns reading books with your child. Remember to talk about the story/information you just read. This will help your child with his/her fluency, comprehension, and a love for books.
- Practice math facts with your child every day. Practice whenever you get a chance, make it a game (in the car, while grocery shopping, etc).
- Allow your child to access Imagine Learning, Istation, and Reflex Math at least 30 minutes a day.
- Encourage your child to keep a journal. Keeping a journal will create opportunities for writing.
- Utilize the suggested summer activities sheet for suggestions, as provided by teachers.
- Access the Martin website for child-appropriate activities, games, and links.
- Play and review the games and activities which were provided during MC^2 Parent Meetings.
News from Nurse Shy
- Protect your skin. Wear sunblock anytime you are outside at the beach, park, or pool. Also cover up with a cap/hat and sunglasses.
- Always swim with an adult, NEVER ALONE. Walk! Don't run in the pool area.
- Wear protective gear when biking, skateboarding, or rollerblading (helmets, knee pads, elbow pads).
- Wear mosquito and bug repellent when outdoors.
- Always remember to wear your seat belt in a car for safety.
- Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking LOTS OF WATER.
- Make sure everyone is out of the car before exiting and locking vehicles.
- Never allow the driver to text or talk on their cell phones while operating a vehicle.
Check out http://kidshealth.org for more fun safety tips. Have a wonderful and safe summer!
Service to the School and Community
Thank you to all the 2018-2019 members of Safety Patrol for helping make Martin the wonderful place it is!
Martin Elementary Volunteer of the Year
Meet the Teacher Hour 2019-2020
Pre-K Orientation will be August 12th at 3:30pm.
Martin's MC^2 Parent Meeting #1
METRO's Summer of Fun Pass
School is almost out, and METRO wants to give you FREE RIDES all summer long! From June 1 - Aug. 31, 2019 the METRO Student Summer of Fun Pass offers K-12 students the opportunity to travel anywhere METRO goes…any time…any day…FREE!
Apply for Your Card One of Three Ways (Cards must be registered for activation.)
1. Applying Online
a. https://www.ridemetroapp.org/GetQCard/StudentFull
2. Applying by Mail
a. Download the form, fill it out and mail it back. Don't have a printer? Call 713-635-4000 and we'll mail you one. A parent or guardian must sign it, then mail it to the address on the form.
3. Applying in Person
a. Visit one of our RideStores, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1900 Main St. or 1001 Travis St.
b. Provide only one of the following:
i. Current school ID
ii. Report card
iii. Class schedule
Your Summer of Fun Pass is good from June 1 - Sept. 1, 2019.
Free/Reduced Fee Summer Camps and Programs
Enrichment
- City of Houston Summer Enrichment Program (sliding scale fee): https://apm.activecommunities.com/houstonparks/Home
Swim Lessons
- Free swim lessons offered through the City of Houston: http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/pools.html
Camp STREAM
- Camp STREAM offered through the Houston Public Library: http://houstonlibrary.org/camp-stream
Fun and Free Events this Summer!
Miller Outdoor Theater ~ 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Miller Outdoor Theater has several family plays and musicals this summer including:
- June 5-8: The Addams Family
- June 13-14: Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School
- July 16-21: Seussical the Musical
Emerald Bowl ~ 9307 Boone Rd, Houston, TX 77099
Kids can register to bowl 2 free games each day during the summer at Emerald Bowl as part of the Kids Bowl Free program. For more information and to register, go to https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/.
Henington-Alief Regional Library ~ 7979 S Kirkwood Rd, Houston, TX 77072
The Henington-Alief Regional Library will have several events this summer including:
- Storytime
- Family Movie Nights
- Video Gaming
- Crafting
Go to http://houstonlibrary.org/ for dates and more information.
Discovery Green ~ 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Discovery Green will be offering several activities this summer including:
- Young Writers workshops
- Thursday Night Concerts
- Yoga
- Movie Nights
Go to https://www.discoverygreen.com/ for dates and more information.
For more information contact:
Communities In Schools of Houston
Mrs. Jennifer Davis
Martin Elementary School, Room 141
Email: jdavis@cis-houston.org ~ Phone: 281-983-8363
School to Home Communication
There are several ways for you to stay in touch with Martin Elementary. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@Martin_Mustangs). You can also sign up for Remind messages by following the instructions in the image to the right. You can also visit the Martin Elementary website by using the links at the bottom of this newsletter.
Summer Enrichment Activities for Students
Want to keep your little one fresh and actively engaged in learning? Use the recommended summer calendar below for daily activities to keep your young Mustang learning based on grade level.
Martin Elementary School
Email: Martincontact@aliefisd.net
Website: aliefisd.net/martin
Location: 11718 Hendon Lane, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-983-8363
Twitter: @Martin_Mustangs