Sparks News
A Weekly Communication from Principal Amy Baker
Friday, August 31, 2018
Izetta Sparks Elementary
Email: sparks@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/ES/sparks/site/home
Location: 8200 Otis Drive, Frisco, TX, United States
Phone: 469-633-3000
Twitter: @SparksElemFISD
School Hours: 7:45am-2:55pm
Morning Drop-Off Begins at 7:25am
Please Follow Our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
In order to protect our students and families, as well as keep our carpool lanes moving smoothly and efficiently, we ask that:
- Families and children should cross the street at designated crosswalks where trained crossing guards are stationed. Sparks staff members are NOT allowed to direct traffic in the streets to help students cross. We are only allowed to help students/families cross safely in our driveways on our school property.
- If you need to exit your vehicle, or if your child needs your assistance when getting out of the car in the mornings (unbuckle car seats, get backpacks out of the trunk, etc...), we ask that you park in a designated parking spot, assist your child and walk them to the building.
- Children should get in and out of the car on the curb side. If this is not an option, please park and assist your child safely.
- Please follow all traffic laws
Sparks Enrolls in Stopit!
We are excited to inform you that our school has enrolled with STOPit!
STOPit is an online ANONYMOUS reporting tool designed to deter and mitigate bullying, cyber abuse, and other inappropriate behaviors, consisting of an app and a back-end incident management system for school administrators. Elementary parents can REPORT incidents to school contacts anonymously. Messenger can be used to engage in anonymous two-way communication with school contacts.
Both Report and Messenger empower parents to stand up for their children. Elementary parents have the power to help put an end to harmful and inappropriate behavior they see online through social media and other means. They can use STOPit to reach out for help if their child is facing a personal crisis or experiencing bullying, abuse, or are otherwise in need of assistance. Our goal with STOPit is to create safer, kinder, school communities both online and off.
No student information is needed to use STOPit. The only way personally identifiable information will be accessible through STOPit is if it is voluntarily included within the content of a report or message.
Both our school and STOPit are committed to protecting the privacy of student data. STOPit is a signatory to the Student Privacy Pledge, spearheaded by the Future of Privacy Forum and the Software & Information Industry Association. You may review STOPit’s Privacy Policy for details, including more information on how anonymous reporting works.
The STOPit link can be found on our campus website.
More information and resources can be found online at stopitsolutions.com.
Spirit Night at Your Pie on September 5th!
Destination Imagination Informational Meeting
Is your child interested in being a part of Destination Imagination? On September 7th, immediately following the assembly, Sparks will be hosting its annual Destination Imagination meeting to educate parents on the ins and outs of DI, as well as allow parents a chance to form teams at the conclusion of the meeting. You won't want to miss this!
If you plan to attend, please fill in your information by clicking on the link below to help expedite the check in process. If you have previously had your driver's license scanned, filling out this form will allow you to preregister. https://goo.gl/forms/QSNBRtljik0jIai13
*Please note: Childcare for younger children will not be provided
Picture Day!
Watch D.O.G.S. Informational Meeting
Join us with your student Thursday, September 20th for the WATCH D.O.G.S. informational meeting to learn about the program and how to sign up to serve our students/school. Dinner will be served starting at 6:00pm, and the PTA/Watch D.O.G. Kick-Off meeting will start at 6:30pm. To learn more about the Watch Dog Program, CLICK HERE
Our Boosterthon Fun Run is Coming Soon!
The times for the run are:
- 1st & 3rd grade: 8:30
- K & 4th grade: 9:30
- 2nd & 5th grade: 10:30
Important Dates!
Sept. 10: Fun Run Pep Rally
Sept. 10-20: Students obtain pledges
Sept. 21: Sparks Fun Run Day
Become a member of a GREAT partnership! Join PTA!
I encourage you to join if you haven't already done so. Click Here to join our AWARD WINNING PTA!
"Anytime the community comes together, everyone benefits." -David Mason
Calling All Photographers!
For information about the app and how to use it, CLICK HERE
COUNSELOR CONNECTIONS
NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
College and Career Week and Guidance
Each year FISD spends one week where the focus is on goals, college, careers and purpose. At Sparks we will have a College and Career Theme each day for the week of September 10 - 14. Tuesday, September 11, is Sparks Picture Day and the theme is Put a "Spotlight" on your Future Purpose. Students are being encouraged to "Dress for Success" for picture day. Throughout the month of September I will be having guidance lessons that focus on purpose, goals, college, careers and learning styles. These topics will vary by grade level. There are some fun activities planned so be sure to asked your students about what I cover in the classroom with each grade level.
Character Strength for September:
During the month of September all students will be focusing on the Character Strength of PURPOSE. The two definitions we will be exploring and discussing are:
- You are oriented toward a future goal
- Contributing to the well-being of others.
I encourage you as a family to discuss each of these definitions, what it means to each of you and what your child can do to develop this strength. For additional information and insight on Purpose go to Character Lab.
Mindfulness & Developing a Growth Mindset
I will be offering a small group opportunity for students to work on mindfulness, learning to control behaviors and emotions and developing a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset in order to help achieve our goals. This group will be limited to 6 students, will consist of 6-8 sessions and a journal will be developed by each participate and sent home at the end of the sessions. If you are interested in your child participating please go to MINDFULNESS & GROWTH MINDSET to sign-up for the group.
Little Miss Sapphires Junior Dance Clinic: Saturday, October 20, 2018
Do you have a future Sapphire in your house? The Reedy High School Sapphires are hosting a Little Miss Sapphire Junior Dance clinic for those K-8 students who may be interested in one day becoming a part of this amazing dance team. Students will enjoy a morning with current Reedy Sapphire members learning Sapphire traditions, team building games, fight song and a dance combo. A snack is included.
Drama Kids International After School Enrichment Program is Enrolling Now!
Drama Kids encourages team building, creative thinking, positive social skills, acting & public speaking skills & performance techniques for personal and academic success!!
For more information about the program and registration, CLICK HERE.
Dates to Remember
Monday, September 3: No School for Staff and Students/Labor Day
Friday, September 7: 7:55am; Friday Assembly;
Monday, September 10-Friday, September 14: College Week
Tuesday, September 11: Fall Picture Day
Friday, September 14: 7:55am; Friday Assembly; Spirit Store Open
Thursday, September 20: 6:30pm: PTA Meeting/Watch Dog Kick-Off
Friday, September 21: Boosterthon Fun Run; No Morning Assembly
Tuesday, September 25: Curriculum Night
Friday, September 28: 7:55; Friday Assembly; Spirit Store Open