Buccaneer Break: Parent Newsletter
Take a break and see what's going on at our campus this week
April 27-May 01, 2020
How to Read this Newsletter in Your Preferred Language
Dear Readers: If you need this newsletter translated into Spanish or another preferred language, please click on the click on the web link provided at the top of this newsletter or anywhere on the newsletter itself and a new tab will automatically open in your browser and you will be able to access the Translation Feature at the top, right-hand side of the newsletter.
Cómo leer este boletín en su idioma preferido
Estimados lectores: Si necesita este boletín traducido al español o otro idioma preferido, haga clic en el enlace web que se encuentra en la parte superior de este boletín o en cualquier parte del boletín y se abrirá automáticamente una nueva pestaña en su navegador y usted podrá acceder a la función de traducción en la parte superior derecha del boletín.
Greetings Buccaneer Families
We hope all is well with each of our Buccanneer families. We continue to send well wishes to each of you and all of those who have been affected both directly and indirectly.
We are now entering week 3 of our Empowered Learning student lessons. Our students have been doing great work so far, and we look forward to continuing to see great work.
Each week we share our teacher-student virtual meeting schedule. As we prepared to ensure our students had access to technology by offering our Chromebook distribution opportunities, we mentioned that student attendance was not mandatory at our meetings.
As we move forward with our virtual learning, we now want to stress the importance of student attendance in our virtual meetings, as this is an important opportunity for students to engage with their teachers and gain important insight necessary to complete their weekly assignments. We encourage our parents to ensure students are awake and ready to attend their virtual meetings each day. The schedule is posted below and can also be found on our website.
Completion of the weekly assignments is very important because we will use these grades to average with previous grades to determine a final grade for students as determined in the notice below. We want to ensure success for all of our students. Moving forward, teachers will begin taking attendance during virtual meetings so we’re able to gauge the number of students who are in attendance and offer necessary support for those who are not.
Be sure to visit our "one-stop shop" for resources related to our virtual learning experience. Please click HERE to visit our COVID-19 Buccaneer Central.
As always, our students are our top priority, and together, we will WIN AS A TEAM! Please continue to stay safe and healthy.
Bailey Teacher-Student Virtual Meeting Schedule
Meeting Schedule:
1st Period: Each Monday 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
2nd Period: Each Tuesday 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
3rd Period: Each Wednesday 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
4th Period: Each Thursday 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
- 8th Grade Meetings: 1:15 P.M.-2:15 P.M.
5th Period: Each Friday 9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.
6th Period: Each Monday 1:15 P.M.-2:15 P.M.
7th Period: Each Tuesday 1:15 P.M.-2:15 P.M.
Bailey Middle School Technical Assistance
9:30 am-2:00 pm Mon-Fri
English and Spanish
(281) 301-5509
(830) 488-7035
English Only
(832)-779-7408
(281)-315-9290
Bailey Middle School Help Hotline
6th Grade: 214-843-1284, Ms. Jackson
7th Grade: 281-858-3634, Ms. Cantu
8th Grade: 409-203-7295, Ms. McGlothen
The district has launched it's Empowered Learning project based learning plans. Please select the link below to visit the page for your student. Further instructions can be found on each page.
How Student Grades Will Be Determined
As students start to turn in their completed PBL assignments, we want to update everyone on how the grading system will work.
Within each PBL, there is a grading rubric, which will be used to assess each assignment. That rubric will be used, in conjunction with earlier marking periods, to determine final grades.
Here is a graphic that will help explain how grades will be calculated. Should you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Schoology Library Resource
Hey, did you know our librarian Mrs. Zirkle has awesome resources available in our library schoology page. Students can check out eBooks and learn how to find research materials for the PBL lessons. When students login through Destiny, they have access to all of the databases provided by the state of Texas. These resources have been vetted by educational companies and are safe for our students. The videos start from logging in to the district webpage and show step by step directions how to access and use the resources.
Everything that is on the student page is on the teacher page as well as some additional items just for teachers. Check it out today!
Student Page: Access Code 3X5X-JSM8-CWBDQ
Thanks to Our Volunteers During National Public School Volunteer Week
In recognition of National Public School Volunteer Week, Spring ISD honors all parent and community volunteers. Volunteers play an important role in our schools. When schools and families work together to support learning, everyone benefits. Thank you for all you do to support our schools, students and staff. We appreciate our dedicated volunteers and honor your many contributions. We salute you!
Parent Webinars Scheduled to Answer Questions about Pre-K-12th grade Remote Learning
As students continue to work on Project Based Learning plans, the district is offering a series of webinars to help answer any questions parents might have about remote learning. Topics to be covered include accessing the PBLs, logging into mySpringISD portal and Schoology; completing and uploading assignments, due dates and grading.These webinars will be held using Google hangouts, the same platform our teachers are using to connect with students. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get a personal walk-through of our Project-Based Learning plans.
See the attached flyer for the schedule and the links to the google hangouts. Webinars are being offered in both Spanish and English. If you have any specific questions related to your student, remember that we’re always available to help, as well.
69th Annual Spring Livestock Show and Sale Goes Online April 27-May 2
The 69th Annual Spring Livestock Show and Sale is going online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-bidding on student projects will start April 27 and run through May 2, when the event will close with a virtual live auction at 12 noon.
More than 130 entries, representing a year’s worth of work by the students who are involved in FFA, Family Career and Community Leaders of America and Spring 4-H, will be up for auction including livestock, arts and crafts, welding and woodworking projects.
Students rely on the money they raise each year at the annual sale to purchase their next year’s project and help with college expenses, if they are a graduating senior.
Supporting the students can range all the way from bidding on a steer to donating a few dollars through an add-on process – giving as much as $5 or $10 helps.
Go to Spring Livestock Show and Sale Online Auction and follow the directions posted under the Spring Tri-Club logo to participate in the auction. Spring Tri-Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, www.SpringTri-Club.org.
Achieve 3000 Contest
- Our campus will be giving away a $100 dollars to the student who logs the most time on Achieve 3000 for the month of March!!!
- We will also be giving a Play Station 4 to the student who logs the most Lexile Growth on the April assessment!
All students on our campus have access to this reading improvement tool. Your child should know their username already. However, if you need assistance retrieving your child's username and password, please contact your child's reading teacher via email. You may also reach out to dcole1@springisd.org.
Advice to Families on Staying the Course During the Coronavirus Closures
There are basic things you can do to help navigate through this time, and we'll include a new tip below each week. And remember, it’s not about perfection. It’s about staying grounded, staying safe, and staying the course. *Be sure to click the blue embedded link below to see more info.*
This week's tip is to Stay Active!
Stay Active – It might feel a little like life is on hold right now with so many things canceled, but staying active – both physically and mentally – is the best way to ensure you and your children are ready, no matter what comes. Whether it’s living room dance parties, a staircase fun run, or a walk around the block, don’t forget to move!
MySpringISD Portal Offers Resources for Students and Parents
Students and families have access to MySpringISD, our district online portal, where all the great resources available to parents and students are housed. You can quickly access the my.SpringISD.org portal on our campus website. It’s important to remember that in order for students to access the online instructional resources, they need to use their login information. Parents, your login won’t work for this access because the instructional resources are tailored to each student and his or her grade level.
The default username for all students is the last name initial, legal first name initial, ID number. For example, the username for John Smith is SJ01234567. If you do not have your student’s ID number, please contact their teacher. The default password for Bailey students is 1234567890.
Parents, you too can also log into the portal for access to the Home Access Center, where you can update your phone number and email if needed, so that you will be able to receive important district and campus communications. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it here.
Should you need any help accessing the my.SpringISD.org portal for either yourself or your student, the district has implemented an Empowered Learning At-Home helpline that will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 281-891-6249.
Login via the MySpring Portal
- Visit my.springisd.org.
- Login using your SISD information. (Username: sw3308631@students.springisd.org Password: 1234567890)
- Select Google at the bottom.
- Select Classroom.
- Login using your SISD information.
- At the top, click Add. Join class.
- Enter the class code your teacher gave you and click Join. A class code consists of 6 or 7 letters and/or numbers.
How to Opt Back In to Receive District Phone Calls and Text/SMS
Spring ISD has an automated messaging system that allows the district to communicate with parents and staff quickly and efficiently via phone call, text/sms message and email. The system is only effective, however, if the district has accurate contact information for those groups.
“Now more than ever, parents and staff need to stay connected and be well-informed about decisions that are being made and resources that are available to our families while schools are closed,” said Chief Communications Officer Tiffany Dunne-Oldfield.
Sometimes people choose or accidentally opt out of receiving the callouts and text messages and change their mind later. Spring ISD parents and staff who would like to opt back in to receive phone and text/sms messages, may do so by following the following instructions:
- Phone calls: Call the Blackboard Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)" from the phone line that has been opted out.
- Text (SMS) messages: Reply START to "60680" from the phone line that has been opted out for non-emergency messages. Reply START to "54968" for emergency messages.
Meal Distribution Continues on Mondays and Wednesdays
Free meal pick up will continue on Mondays and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the following sites. Bailey, Booker, Clark Primary, Claughton, McNabb, Reynolds and Westfield. Evening pick up will be available at Bailey, Claughton and Westfield from 4 to 6 p.m.
Please be reminded: Spring ISD employees will only place bagged meals in the trunks or hatches of vehicles to maximize social distancing and ensure the health and safety of all employees and families. No meals will be distributed through vehicle windows, and we ask that drivers go through the line, keep their windows closed and simply pop their trunk or hatch.
Employees will visually look into the closed vehicles to determine the number of children present to receive meals. On Mondays, students will receive meals for Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, students will receive meals for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Remember, federal regulations mandate that children 18 or under must be present in the vehicle to receive meals.
Spring Baptist Church Mobile Food Bank Schedule
The Mobile Food Bank will be at the Spring Baptist Church at 9:30 a.m. April 28 and May 5 for Spring ISD families.
Please complete the attached online registration and show your registration through the car window. If you haven’t registered ahead of time, you will be asked the questions while in line. Your confirmation is a screenshot of the survey completed. It does not send you an email.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JRZRNKF
Enter the driveway at 633 E. Louetta Drive and follow all safety guidelines by staying in your vehicle and having food placed in your trunk or hatch.
Find a Food Bank Near You
Local food banks and free food pantries are a great place to turn to for assistance. The locations will pass out free food, groceries and personal hygiene supplies. Click on the link below for information on food banks and food pantries in the Houston area.
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/houston_food_banks_and_pantrie.html
Abundant Harvest Kitchen Opens to Provide Meals for Spring Residents in Need
The Abundant Harvest Kitchen is a new Spring-based nonprofit food pantry founded by the Saint Isidore Episcopal Church community. They are working to provide meals for area residents who are experiencing food shortages due to the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. Located at 24803 Oakhurst Drive, Spring, 77386, the Abundant Harvest Kitchen officially opened its doors March 30. The pantry is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with half-hour time slots reserved for individuals to visit the facility and to pick up food. For more information, including food order requests, volunteer signups and donation opportunities, go to www.harvestkitchen.org.
Cooking with Family During the COVID-19 Closure
Cooking at home during the COVID-19 closures can be a challenge. With normal schedules upended, grocery store shelves sometimes empty of standard ingredients, and children at home all day, food preparation and family eating might look a little different from usual.
The good news is that now might be the perfect time to invite your children to get involved with you in the kitchen. Even if your children are young and are only ready for a few simple tasks, the experience of sharing family cooking time can strengthen family bonds while at the same time giving children basic skills that will empower them to enjoy preparing food for themselves and others as they get older.
Parents Magazine published a helpful article on the topic, including a list of the different kinds of kitchen tasks most appropriate for different age groups. Of course, every child is unique, but these guidelines may be helpful as a starting place (more details at the link above).
● 2-3 years old – adding ingredients, mashing and squeezing ingredients
● 3-5 years old – whisking, washing, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters and taste testing
● 6-8 years old – meal planning, shopping and helping with cooking and baking math
● 9-11 years old and above – with supervision and proper preparation, older children can be ready for just about anything, including becoming excellent assistant chefs to their parents!
What if you’re not much of a cook yourself, or don’t usually spend much time in the kitchen? That’s okay, and it’s no reason not to learn. With local restaurant dining rooms closed and even many takeout and drive-through options keeping more limited hours to encourage social distancing, now is a great time to up your own game in the kitchen, experiment with some new foods and ingredients, and inspire a love of cooking in your children while also getting to spend some quality time with them.
Have fun, and bon appétit!
*DEADLINE APPROACHING: Application Deadline for Free Comcast Internet is April 30*
Comcast is offering free internet for 60 days to help low-income families who may not have access to the internet at home through its internet Essentials program. The program’s website says to apply by April 30.
To see if you are eligible to apply, click on https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 or call 1-855-846-8376.
Financial Help for Renters
In the past weeks, issues such as food stability, health, education and income have all been impacted. With people’s finances disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, renters may have difficulty making rent payments. We are sharing a list of resources, from the COVID-19 Houston Resource Pack, for anyone who might be facing this issue. We ask whether or not you might need this help, that you share it with anyone who you know might need it as well.
Interfaith Caring Ministries
281-332-3881 or visit http://www.icmtx.org
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
713-667-9336 or visit https://www.houstonjewish.org
Katy Christian Ministries
281-3915261 or visit https://ktcm.org
Memorial Area Assistance Ministries
713-468-4516 or visit https://www.mamhouston.org
My Brother’s Keeper
281-498-9933 or visit http://www.mybkoutreach.org
Red Cross
713-526-8300 or visit https://www.houstonredcross.org
Vincent’s House
409-763-8521 or visit https://www.stvhope.org
Wesley Community Center
713-223-8131 or visit https://wesleyhousehouston.org
Texas Health and Human Service Commission
2-1-1 or visit https://hhs.texas.gov
United Way
713-957-4357 or visit https://www.unitedwayhouston.org
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
713-718-3199 or visit https://www.hud.gov
West Houston Assistance Ministries
713-977-9942 or visit https://www.whamministries.org
Counselor's Corner
Need to speak with a counselor while we're out? No worries!
Complete the form below, and one of our counselors will contact you.