BearKat Chat
#BearkatBEST, #❤️ofaBearkat - February 2023
Our Vision: Educating the whole child: mind, body and spirit!
February 2023
Mote's Note - A note from the Principal - Kyla Mote
January has flown by and we have made so many memories already in 2023!
Thank you to the Chen family for providing every student with a Lunar New Year book mark! It is truly going to be a fabulous 2023!
Our field trips have begun, cultural events are in progress, Junior Achievement is about to get started, Science Resource lessons have come to life in our classrooms and parent readers are making their way to our classrooms. We are ready for a fun filled February! We started it off with our Global Day of Play. See the video posted here.
February 8th is our 100th day of school so please consider letting your child either dress like a 100 year old or in something that represents 100.
February 11th is our first every PTO daughter and date dance night. 6pm-8pm in the cafe/gym.
Valentine's Day...February 14th is not a party day for us. However, students are allowed to bring in Valentines for classmates to spread joy. Please make sure your child brings one for every student in the class (and of course the staff that work with them). The cards with "treats" attached are allowed, they will be sent home with each student and not consumed during the day. Please make sure items are individually wrapped. (we can not accept cupcakes or large items that won't fit in a Valentine's lunch bag). Additionally, student council is selling cute Valentine Ducks for their fundraiser this year. If you would like to purchase one for your child or they would like to purchase for a friend, please complete the form and send in money asap. There are a limited number so once we sell out, we are out.
Academically, we are continuing to stay fit and grow as readers, writers, historians, mathematicians, scientists, artists, musicians, and so much more! Please continue to support your child with reading at home. Reading 20 minutes a night with your child has a huge impact on their yearly academic growth. February is also Black History Month so we will be intergrating achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout our country's history and more into our reading and social studies units this month.
We look forward to our many events coming soon.
February 6 - GT Night at CYWoods HS & Willie's PTO Spirit Night
February 7 - Wear Pink or Teal to support Counselor Appreciation & 5th grade Hamilton Night
February 8 - 100th Day of School - PTO Spirit Shop during lunch
February 10 - Support your favorite NFL for superbowl: wear anything football
February 11 - PTO event: Sweetheart Dance (Daughters and their dates) 6pm
February 15 - Spring Bookfair Begins
February 15 - Student Council Store on Stage 8:25 am
February 15 - Jeremiah's Ice Night
February 16 - GO RED DAY - For Heart Health
February 17 - Student Holiday & PTO Fun all day - Great American Cookie Company/Newks, Color Me Mine and Learning Express will give back 10-20% today!
February 20 - Student Holiday
February 21 - Spring Bookfair Parent Night in the Library and Parent & PTO Info mtg (topic TBD) and Goodson’s 5th grade night.
February 21 - 23 5th/4th/3rd Grade Reading Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
February 28 - March 2 - 5th/4th/3rd Grade Math Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
February 28 - Name that Book School Competition 5:15pm in Cafe: parents welcome
March 2 - Fire Drill, 4th grade Field Trip to HLSR, Dr. Suess Day/Read Across America, PTO Jersey Mikes Spirit Day
March 3 - Spring Picture Day
March 6 - K/1/2 - Field Day (parents invited to spectate - schedule will be shared soon)
March 7 - 3/4/5 - Field Day (parents invited to spectate - schedule will be shared soon)
March 8 - Jeremiah's Ice Night
March 13-17 - SPRING BREAK
More will be added later (changes will be in bold).
NURSE NOTES
• Our Bearkat Clinic is in desperate need of shorts and long pants size 7-14 for both girls and boys. Please consider donating to the clinic before dropping your student’s old clothes off at a donation spot.
• Strep, Covid, and Flu…OH MY! The season is upon us, so keep a watch on your kiddos. Encourage proper hand washing and healthy practices at home and out and about. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, persistent coughing, headache, or sore throat should be taken seriously. If you suspect that your child may be showing symptoms of illness, please keep him/her home from school until the symptoms have improved. Also, if your student has a fever at/over 100.0 he/she will need to be kept home until fever free without medication for 24 hours. We greatly appreciate your help in keeping our students and staff healthy!
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS FROM THE REGISTRAR
Remember to send an excuse note anytime your student is absent.
- Calling in a student absence or emailing the teacher/nurse does not excuse the absence – only a submitted care provider or parent note to the attendance secretary excuses the absence.
- A note from the care provider to the attendance secretary will only excuse the day(s) listed - If your student is out for longer, an additional note from the parent is required to excuse the extra days.
- If your student is sent home by the nurse - a note from a parent is still required to excuse the time your student missed school.
- Absence notes must include:
- student’s full name, date(s)
- dates of absence
- reason for absence
- parent/legal guardian signature
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Attention 5th Grade Parents:
If your child will be attending Hamilton Middle School next year, mark your calendar for their Future Tiger Night on Tuesday, February 7th. Session 1 is at 5:30 and Session 2 is at 7:00. You may attend either session. Be on the lookout for more information regarding 6th-grade course registration coming in late February.
If your child will be attending Goodson Middle School next year, mark your calendar for their Future Grizzly Night on Tuesday, February 21st. More information to come at a later date.
Atención padres de 5to grado:
Si su hijo asistirá a la Escuela Intermedia Hamilton el próximo año, marque su calendario para la Noche del Futuro Tigre el martes 7 de febrero. La sesión 1 es a las 5:30 y la sesión 2 es a las 7:00. Puede asistir a cualquiera de las dos sesiones. Esté atento a más información sobre la inscripción a cursos de sexto grado a finales de febrero.
Si su hijo asistirá a la Escuela Intermedia Goodson el próximo año, marque su calendario para su Future Grizzly Night el martes 21 de febrero. Más información vendra en una fecha posterior.
Grade Level Acceleration
Students in grades K-5 will have four opportunities during the school year to use
“credit-by-exam” to accelerate to another grade level. Students will only have
one opportunity to test for each grade level considered. Testing will begin with
mathematics, followed by reading/language arts and science, if required.
Students who meet the criteria ⎯ [score of 80% or better on each subtest of the
exam] ⎯ may advance one grade level.
Summer Testing (June & July)
● Testing will be conducted in a districtwide setting.
● Students who want to skip grades K-5 will be tested in June or July.
● Please contact Mrs. Rhymes (counselor) by May 15th to fill out paperwork
Los estudiantes de kindergarten a 5to grado tendrán cuatro oportunidades durante el
año escolar para usar el sistema de “crédito por examen” para adelantar y pasar al
siguiente grado. Los estudiantes solo tendrán una oportunidad de rendir la prueba por
grado considerado. Las pruebas empezarán con Matemáticas, seguidas por
Lectura/Lenguaje y Ciencias, si fuera necesario. Los estudiantes que cumplen con los
requisitos - [puntaje de 80% o más en cada prueba del examen} - podrían avanzar un
grado.
Pruebas de verano
● Las pruebas serán administradas a nivel distrital.
● Los estudiantes que deseen saltarse un grado entre Kinder y 5to grado serán evaluados en junio
o julio.
● Por favor, póngase en contacto con la Sra. Rhymes (consejera) antes del 15 de mayo para llenar
los documentos.
Field Day Shirts now on sale until February 12, 2023
Lenny's Tails:
New month, new year, new portable!
January, it's a new month and a new year. I hope everyone is enjoying all the new things of 2023. I have done a few firsts this month. I was able to hang out with a group of high school students that come and mentor some of our kids. It was fun to watch each of them bond. When they met in the mall hall, it was so exciting. There was laughter and it made me very excited.
I was also able to spend time in the clinic with some of the students who had minor injuries. One student fell and hurt their knee, and I was able to lay on them and bring a smile to their face. They were given an ice pack and I was even given a piece of ice for doing such a good job. Did I mention I have the best job? It is always fun to go spend time with all of my friends, especially in the library. When Mrs. Bowles reads books to the students, I like to lay there and fall asleep. It is so soothing and the students love it too. Then when the students go pick their books, I walk around with them and help them sniff out a good book that they can borrow for a week.
This month we got a new portable on my playground. I definitely had to sniff that out and make sure that it was safe for all of my friends. While I was sniffing it out, I found a puddle that was full of water and mud. I decided that I was going to play in it. I completely forgot what I was supposed to be doing outside and decided to pounce in the puddle several times. I definitely had to get a bath after that but I didn't mind that either.
I was able to spend a lot of time with some of my kindergarten friends this month. Many have been working hard to earn one on one time with me. I have also been spending a lot of time in music class with third grade, 2nd grade, and first grade. They are learning a lot of different rhythms, and have been learning about musicals. They have this cool activity where they pull out different instruments and put all of the sounds and rhythms together.
February is now here. It's the season of pink and red hearts. So many teachers are putting out cute decorations. I'm looking forward to the Sweetheart dance we will be hosting at Black. I am going to ask if I get to attend even though I am not a girl nor a dad. It would be fun to see all of the sweet girls in their dresses. So much fun and learning is still to be had, and I can not wait!
THANK YOU TO OUR LENNY SPONSORS
Telecommunication Letter (link)
BLACK PTO
Presidents Corner
Our PTO volunteers have been busy! Volunteers are reading to students, helping in the workroom, shelving books in the library, assisting students at Spirit Shop and so many other tasks. Thank you to all of our volunteers, we appreciate your help and your time!
Have you considered a position in our PTO as a Committee Chairperson or as a PTO Board member for our 2023-2024 school year? Look for more information coming soon about open positions and PTO Board elections.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Kim Elliott
PTO President
From the Secretary
Visit our website https://www.blackpto.net/ for more information on Event dates and Volunteer opportunities. If you would like to volunteer at the library or workroom this month please review the following links. We appreciate your time supporting our school, Thank you!!
Library https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BA5AF2EA7FD0-february
Workroom https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BA5AF2EA6F49-workroom
From Fundraising
We have many fun opportunities for you to help our school. Our 1 st ever “Sweetheart Dance” will be on Saturday, February 11 th from 6-8pm. You must have already purchased tickets for this event. The night will be filled with music, dancing, refreshments, raffles & more. Our annual “Boosterthon” is also around the corner. This fundraising opportunity will be held at the end of March. More information on this event will be coming home in a few weeks.
Here are some additional options you can attend to also help our school. Please mention BLACK ELEMENTARY when you pay.
February 6th : Spirit Night at Willies (249 Location) 11am-10pm
February 17th : Newks, Nestle, Color Me Mine & Learning Express (ALL DAY) No School for Students!
March 2nd : Jersey Mikes (ALL DAY) Location is across from Black Elementary near the Pet Supermarket.
April 3rd : Juanitas
April 10th : Urban Air
April 17th : Crust Pizza
Upcoming Spirit Shop Dates are February 8 th & February 22nd. Spirit shop is held during ALL student lunches.
From Membership
Hi Bearkat Families! Remember you can join our amazing PTO at any time
during the year! The cost is just $5 per family.
While there please pay the required fees for the classroom parties for each
student. These are $10 per student and will cover costs of the December holiday
party and the end of the school year party in May. Any questions please contact
FIELD DAY - MARCH 6 & 7
From VIPS
A BIG thank you to the HRC’s, Grade Liaisons and Large Group Teachers that helped make the Holiday Parties during PEAMS time a success! Jessica and I will start working on plans for the End of Year Parties soon.
If you have any ideas or suggestions, please reach out to either of us with your input. We really appreciate your desire to be involved at Black Elementary as a volunteer. If you have any other questions regarding volunteering, please e-mail Jessica Mauro at vips1@blackpto.net or Amy Wurdeman at vips2@blackpto.net.
Our Top Bearkat Volunteer of the Month is Mrs Jo. Corso with 23:49 hours! She will get to use the convenient Reserved Parking Space at the front of the school in February. Thank you to all of our volunteers dedicating your extra time at the school! **Don’t forget to log your hours on the PTO webpage: https://blackpto.membershiptoolkit.com
Please mark your calendars for the following events:
Fifth Grade Day – Main Event, Tomball – May 19, 2023
Committees are being formed to help with this fun event for the Fifth Grade Class. It is going to be AWESOME so don’t miss out on helping! Look for volunteer opportunities to be announced soon.
**Please note that all parents attending 5 th Grade Day MUST volunteer at least 2 hours in the planning/preparation process in order to attend. (Meetings do not count)
Planning Meetings are scheduled as follows:
February 24 – 9:30 am, Cafeteria
April 14, 6:00 pm, Cafeteria
May dates will be set as needed
Fifth Grade Fundraiser – World’s Finest Chocolates – Parents interested in attending 5 th Grade Day arerequired to sell at least 2 boxes of chocolate or opt for the busy parent option donation of at least $60.00 in lieu of selling chocolates.
Junior Achievement – JA will be offered to grades 1-4 this year. Please sign-up to be a parent volunteer! Additional information and a Sign-Up Genius are posted on the PTO Facebook page. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Martin at juniorachievement@blackpto.net
BIZTOWN – Biztown is also being organized by Sara Martin and is a 5th grade field trip to a real simulated city where students will receive an introduction to real-world task management and decision making. Event Date - May 12, 2023 at the Biztown location and the training will be in the same facilities. To attend you must complete ONE in-person training session. They need at least 40 volunteers to facilitate the setup of Biztown's stations and to ensure they run smoothly. Biztown Training Dates: – May 9 (4:00-5:30 pm) and May 11 (4:00-5:30 pm)
THANK YOU TO OUR BEARKAT CHAMPION LEVEL PTO SPONSORS!
https://agents.farmers.com/tx/fulshear/laurel-jonas
https://www.clearwaterexpresswash.com/
Safety Information
District Childfind
Childfind services
The Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District Special Education Department provides educational services to over 10,000 students with special needs.
Teachers, instructional aides, speech pathologists and related service personnel provide instruction and related services to students who have a disability. Students are eligible for special education services from the age of 3 through 21. Students who have hearing and vision disabilities may receive services from birth.
To be eligible for special education services, students must meet eligibility requirements as a student with an orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, auditory impairment, visual impairment, diagnosis of deaf/blind, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, learning disability, speech impairment, multiple disabilities, autism, non-categorical early childhood, or traumatic brain injury.
Cypress Fairbanks ISD instructional arrangements for elementary school-aged students include in-class support, resource classes and speech/language therapy. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE, formerly PPCD), adaptive behavior, and LIFE Skills classes are offered as cluster services at the elementary level.
In-class support, resource classes, LIFE Skills, adaptive behavior and speech/language services are available at all secondary level campuses.
Related services may include psychological services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility training, school health services, adaptive equipment and special transportation.
Other special education service options include the Dorothy Carlton Center, the Maybelline Carpenter Center, homebound, adaptive physical education, itinerant and on-site services to the visually impaired.
As part of the Northwest Harris County Cooperative for the Hearing Impaired, services for students who have auditory impairments are offered at Birkes Elementary, Matzke Elementary, Spillane Middle School and Cy-Ridge High School. In addition to receiving instruction at the on-site campuses, students may be served by itinerant teachers, speech pathologists, and/or an audiologist at their home campus.
Are you the parent of a pre-school (3-5 years) or school aged child and have concerns regarding your child’s physical, speech, and/or emotional development? Is your child experiencing academic problems which could interfere significantly with educational success? If so, contact the Special Education Department at 281-897-6400 to discuss your concerns and learn more about the referral process.
Tipline @ Black Elementary
Cy-Fair Tipline is an anonymous reporting system that allows students and parents to communicate school concerns or threats to their campus administration through the Internet or via text messaging. Students and parents are able to submit reports/tips via text or email anonymously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the system: http://www.safe2helptips.com/cf148s. This link is also located on the school website under 'Contact Us'.
School Messenger
School Messenger
School Messanger -
Siga los siguientes pasos para registrarse y recibir alertas de emergencia del distrito.
OTHER FLYERS AND INFO
Thank you to the following corporate sponsors that support our school.
Black Elementary Info
Email: black@cfisd.net
Website: black.cfisd.net
Location: 14155 Grant Road, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-320-7145