Hive Happenings!
October 2022
A Message from Principal Meneses
Ellison Families,
September kept our hive buzzing with excitement, and we are so grateful for your support! We kicked off APEX, our major fundraiser, and had huge success thanks to your help. We truly thank you as funds from this event will be used towards campus beautification, field trips, and resources used for teachers and students.
We also had our first Bee Jubilee of the school year, where we celebrated the learner profile that we learned about during our daily Sunshine Starters- being LEARNERS! We recognized students that exemplified the attributes of a learner- students that are inquisitive, resilient, actively participate, make good choices by respecting the learning environment, and inspire others to grow! Every month, we will be focusing on a different learner profile and character pillar. For the month of October, we will be learning about being RESPECTFUL and being CRITICAL THINKERS. This helps us ensure that students are growing socially and academically!
We've also been busy promoting good attendance habits! Below you will see pictures from our No Tardy Party!
This month, we also launched our school-wide Bee Bucks reward system. Our Bee Bucks are tickets used to reward good behavior, strong work ethic, and kind actions! These tickets can be used to "purchase" special incentives and experiences such as lunch-bunch with the teacher, treasure box, extra recess, and school-wide parties led by our campus leaders. (See flyer below for details.) We hope this inspires our students to be their best!
Here are some other friendly reminders:
If you haven’t already logged into HAC, please do so, as report cards will be ready to view on October 21. Here are some helpful tips as you navigate through the HAC system:
-You can access HAC by clicking the link below: https://hac.nisd.net/HomeAccess/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fhomeaccess
-If you ever have trouble finding the website, simply Google HAC NISD, and it will be the first site that pops up.
-If you have already set up your account, your username is your email.
-Not sure about your password? No problem! Please call Erin Wilson at 210-398-1850, and she can help you reset it.
-Parents, you can also set notifications that alert you when your child’s grade falls below a designated point.
-Report cards will be shared digitally this school year, so please familiarize yourself with the system.
I would also like to share some safety reminders:
-The express lane speed limit is 10 mph. This is for the safety of pedestrians, our student patrols, and our monitoring staff.
-Children should not be dropped off in the parking lot. All families are welcome to park and walk up to the front entrance to drop off their child. If students arrive after the tardy bell at 7:45, please park and check your child in to the front entrance.
Express Lane Reminders:
-Please ensure that your child is ready to exit the vehicle. They should have their backpack ready and be seated on the right side of the vehicle to avoid oncoming traffic. Due to safety and liability, adult and student patrols are not able to walk to the driver's side to assist a student.
-While in the express lane, if you need to exit your vehicle to assist your child, please pull all the way up to the end of the express lane.This will allow the traffic to continue flowing and will prevent you from feeling rushed.
-Once again, all families are welcome to use the parking lot and can walk their child to the front entrance.
Regarding upcoming Parent/ Teacher Conferences:
Our teachers are busy preparing to meet with you. Beginning of the year conferences are crucial because teachers and parents have an opportunity to connect one-on-one and discuss specific academic and social-emotional progress. Recently, our teachers started sharing a SignUp Genius link. If you have not signed up yet, I urge you to log into your teacher’s Sign Up Genius and do so soon!
Once again, thank you so much for entrusting us with your precious children! If you ever need to reach me, have any questions, concerns or would simply like to chat, remember you can always find me by the front drive in the mornings and during dismissal. Also, my email is Julie.Meneses@nisd.net and my direct line is (210) 398-1860. I look forward to hearing from you!
On behalf of our entire faculty, thank you for the privilege of allowing us to serve your family. And thank you for supporting us in our daily mission to put students FIRST in order to grow COMPASSIONATE, INNOVATIVE LEADERS that will THRIVE in today’s society!
Sincerely,
Principal Meneses
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IMPORTANT DATES
10/2 National Custodian Appreciation Day
10/3 Kick Off to Bully Prevention- Wear Blue!
10/11 National School Lunch Week
10/12 Individual Picture Day
10/14 End of Grading Period
10/17-21 National Bus Safety/Digital Citizenship Week
10/19 Student Early Release Day
10/28 Career Day / PTA Reflections Due to Teachers - Submitted to PTA
10/21 Report Cards Ready for Parent View on HAC
10/23-28 Red Ribbon Week
10/28 Career Day!
10/31 Bike Rodeo / Fall Fashion Celebration!
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Here’s what’s Buzzing in the Hive!
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Don't Forget Your Water Bottle!
Bee Bucks Party Dates Announced on Morning Announcements
---------Fall Fashion Day & Bike Rodeo - Monday, October 31-------- (Bike Rodeo Schedule Coming Soon from PTA!)
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BEES Guidance and Counseling Program!
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National PTA Reflections Contest
Does your child enjoy art, music, and dance, or have an interest in writing, producing films, and taking photos? Then join us and have fun helping your child unleash their inner artist with PTA Reflections!
Each year, the National PTA challenges students in Pre-K through 12th grades to create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts into the PTA Reflections Contest.
At Ellison, third, fourth, and fifth graders will be invited to begin drafting their ideas in school. Have a kiddo in Pre-K through second grade? Have no fear, we are here to support them with their fantastic ideas, but parents, WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Here are a few ways that you can support your kiddo to create their masterpiece!
- You can provide items such as a canvas, special paints, pencils, etc.
- You can help by recording singing or dancing performances.
- You can help by revising and editing their writing.
- Need more tips on how to help? Reach out to your child's teacher for pointers!
To register, simply pick up submission guidelines and an entry form in the front office, or you can click the link below to find digital copies. Submissions should be made to your child's teacher no later than October 20th.
There are so many benefits of participating in this wonderful opportunity! Your work may be recognized at the campus, district, and possibly even at a national level, winners may qualify for scholarships, but most importantly, contest registrants will walk away with a sense of pride and achievement! We've got so much talent at Ellison, let's help our students "Show their Voice!"
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Student Arrival
Parents may begin dropping students off as early as 7:05 A.M. Due to safety and security measures, visitors will not be permitted to escort students into the building and must remain in their vehicles during drop-off or may walk their child to the front entrance where you may kiss and say goodbye! If your child needs to be escorted to class, a safety patrol or adult monitor can assist. Adult monitors and safety patrols can be found at the express lane. (Parents are always welcome to check-in to the building to meet with the school nurse, speak to the office staff, or for scheduled conferences or meetings.)
Visitors are welcome on Friday Mornings during Fun Fridays! On Fridays, parents/guardians may enjoy breakfast and/or lunch with their child. All campus visitors must present an ID for entry.
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Convenient Drop-Off for 3rd-5th Grade Students
To ensure safety of younger students, families of 3rd, 4th or 5th graders with younger siblings should use the front express lane for drop-off.
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Student Dismissal
Parents/Guardians picking students up should use the EXPRESS LANE. For safety reasons, all Express Hang Tags MUST be prominently displayed by hanging from your vehicle's rear view mirror.
Parent walk-up is limited to families walking to and from school, not to those in a vehicle. All car riders must use the Express Lane. This procedure helps prevent overcrowding in the front of the school, keeps students and staff safe, and expedites the dismissal process.
Don't want to wait in a long line? No problem! Arrive to campus closer to 3:20 pm when we're getting to the end of the dismissal window and you will be done in no time! We are usually done with dismissal by 3:25 pm.
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Follow us on Social Media!
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Mark your calendars for Early Release Days & Student Holidays!
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Familiarize Yourself with Our Campus Policies and Procedures
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Support our PTA!
Click below to visit our wonderful PTA site. With a click of a button, you'll be able to purchase spirit gear, which students are encouraged to use on the first day of school and every Friday of the year!
Bonnie Ellison Elementary School
Ellison is the place to “bee”- Growing, learning, and building our hive together!
In our hive, our daily mission is to put students first! Our campus vision is that our students grow daily as compassionate, innovative leaders!
Location: 7132 Oak Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-398-1850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisonElementary
Twitter: @NISDEllison