BETHKE BISON BULLETIN
August 12, 2017
Bethke Elementary
Email: carrielowery@katyisd.org
Website: www.katyisd.org/campus/cbe/Pages
Location: 4535 East Ventana Parkway, Katy, TX, United States
Phone: 281-234-4200
Facebook: facebook.com/BethkeElementary
Twitter: @BethkeElem
Here We Grow!
Our theme this year is "Here We Grow!" As you know, our community is exploding! We have already added dozens of new staff members, and so far, we are expecting over 900 students! Last year we opened with only 640. This is exciting "growth". Bethke was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture to build a garden. Plans are being made to install this garden right outside the downstairs science lab. We'll be asking for some help to get our garden up and running and our students will soon be able to taste the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor! Finally, we will be talking with our students about their own personal goals and growth throughout the year. We expect great things from our Bison both academically and socially. Their "growth" is our number one priority and we can't wait to see how far our student go! We are so honored to have you a part of our journey!
Mrs. Lowery Welcomes you to Bethke!
Hello and Welcome to Bethke!
For those of you returning, we can't wait to see you! If you are new to Bethke, we can't wait to meet you!
I am so honored to be the Principal at Bethke Elementary! I moved to Katy at the age of 10 and attended Hutsell, Katy JH and graduated from Katy HS. Many of the campuses in our district are named for my former teachers, so I know what a legacy our schools are for our community! When I graduated, I attended Texas Tech University where I met my husband of 20 years, Warren. He works for our family commercial landscape construction business with my parents and brothers. We are proud parents of our 17 year-old twins, Blake and Brooke. They are seniors at Katy HS and keep us busy with football and FFA. This will be my 22nd year in education. I taught 4th grade for 11 years at a couple of Katy schools, including Katy Elementary. In 2006, I became the assistant principal at Hutsell for 5 years. It was an amazing experience to be working at the school I attended! In 2012 I became the principal at Rhoads Elementary. I was honored to be asked to open Bethke last year, and I am so proud of our school.
Our school is focused on collaboration of teachers, students and our community. We are strive to provide experiences for our students that will inspire and motivate them.
I welcome your input and support as we all work to make Bethke the most amazing school in Katy ISD!
First Day Helpful Hints!
Each day our doors open for students to arrive at 7:55. Students are expected to be in class by 8:20 each morning to avoid a tardy. If you are running late, we ask that you walk your student into the school to sign them in. We appreciate your help with this.
You will be able to walk your student to class the first 3 days of school. After that, our Bison will be able to get to class on their own. We will have staff stationed throughout the hallways to help them. Please remember that parking is never allowed through the parent pick-up line that is marked as a fire lane.
We ask that parents refrain from joining their students for lunch for the first couple of weeks. This allows kids to learn the café routine, make friends and enjoy their new classmates.
Mondays and Fridays at Bethke are special! On each of these days, you'll see our parent drive jamming with music. :) Each Monday we wear our "BISON" grade level shirt. These are available in the front office for $15. Each Friday we wear our Spirit Shirt that is available from the PTA.
*********NEW THIS YEAR!*** CHANGES TO LUNCH DELIVERIES*******
We've changed our lunch delivery procedures. If your child forgets their lunch and you need to bring it to them, you'll now have to "raptor" in at the front office and take the lunch to a table just outside of the cafeteria for your student to pick up. We won't be calling into classrooms and having kids come to the office to get their lunch. We have found that we were making numerous calls, sometimes to the same classrooms, and wasting quite a bit of instructional time. This new procedure should help. Thank you for your cooperation.
ARRIVAL:
*Drop-off each morning begins at 7:55. Students are counted tardy after 8:20. We ask that if your student is tardy, you walk them into the building to get a tardy note.
*Parent Drop-Off line begins behind the building on the southeast corner, by the gym. The drive goes around the back of the school all the way to the front. This is a one-way road. (See traffic map) PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE PARENT DRIVE.
*Parents may walk students to class on Wednesday (8/16), Thursday (8/17) and Friday (8/18) only. Please exit the building by 8:20.
*You may take money to the café to put on your child's lunch account.
*Walkers should follow the signage, and stay on the sidewalk. They will enter the building by the bike racks.
DISMISSAL:
*Dismissal begins at 3:30, with students exiting at 3:40. The first few days will take longer, for both busses and car riders.
*Parent Pick-Up will form 1 line on the Parent Drive in the right hand lane. Please enter from the rear of the building. Please do not get in line until after 2:45. Have your car tag visible. If you need one, we will be passing them out in line.
*Bus Riders: The first few days the busses will arrive later than normal. All kinder students must have a parent at the bus stop to exit the bus.
*Walkers and bikers: Will exit the building on the southeast corner by the gym. If you are picking up a walker or biker, please meet them at the park on E. Ventana Pkwy. Walkers will not be released to parents on school property.
"The strength of the Bison is the Herd, and the strength of the Herd is the Bison! "
Upcoming Events!
8/16 First Day of School!
8/21 Principal's Coffee @ 9, Q&A with Mrs. Lowery and Bond Presentation
8/23 Core Essential--Respect--Wear Grey
8/31 Fourth Grade Parent Night @ 5:30
9/4 **LABOR DAY** SCHOOL HOLIDAY
9/6 Core Essential--Friendship--Wear Purple
9/7 Kinder Family PE/CATCH Nigtht 5:30, PTA Meeting at 5:00
9/12 Second Grade Parent Night @5:30
9/13 FAMILY NIGHT--NO HOMEWORK
9/14 RDR Parent Meeting @ 5:30
9/19 Third Grade Parent Night @ 5:30
9/21 WATCHDOG Dad Kick Off Night
9/25 CAT-Campus Advisory Team Meeting @ 4:00