Sam Houston Elementary
Every Child Every Day with Excellence!
December 2020 Family Newsletter
Sam Houston Elementary Mission
From Principal Cavazos
Happy December!
We want to thank all of our Sam families for a wonderful month of November.
November Highlights:
- Students participated in a mock Presidential election process.
- We celebrated NSSH Homecoming Week.
- We celebrated Kindness Week.
- Students enjoyed a virtual read aloud of We're All Wonders from our counselor Ms. McCabe.
- Students listened to guest speakers on college and careers.
- Third graders from Mr. Rodriguez and Ms. Casasola's classes participated in a virtual call from author, Marcus Ewart who wrote "She Wanted to Be Haunted."
- Second graders created kites after learning about procedural text, text that tells readers how to do or make something.
- Hosted two Brighter Bites produce pick ups for our school community.
- Our Rise club held a No Place for Hate Kindness Poster contest.
- Our Robotics club participated in the STEM Robotics Virtual Kick Off.
- We held our first Virtual Coffee with the Principal.
- Students enjoyed their annual Thanksgiving lunch.
- All students received their Take Home bag of instructional materials to be used for virtual learning.
- Every child in Kindergarten-5th grade received a book to take home.
We look forward to even more great things to take place in December! Stay tuned!
This month many of our students will be taking a district semester exam. This is one of the ways we get to see what our students have learned and what they still need to learn in order to grow. If your child is a virtual student, we ask for your help in making sure your child has little distractions during the assessments.
We thank you for your continued support for Sam Houston Elementary. We know it has been a challenging year. Your support means the world to us! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at our school.
We wish everyone a Happy and blessed holiday season!
Michelle Cavazos
Principal
This Month at Sam!
November 3-December 4- ELAR 1st Gr District Reading Unit 1 Assessment
December 3- Sam Spanish Spelling Bee
December 7-11- Math & Science Unit 2 District Assessment (2nd-5th)
December 10- Virtual Coffee with the Principal
December 14-18- Math District 1 Assessment 1st Gr
-Reading District ELAR Unit 1 Test (2nd-5th)
-Writing District Unit Test (3rd-5th)
December 16- Winter Showcase
December 21-January 4- Winter Break
January 5- Students return
Student Daily Self Assessment
Telpas Assessment
All 2nd-5th bilingual grade students will need to complete a Telpas Practice and a Telpas Tutorial. The Telpas Practice is an online practice that gives students an opportunity to practice different parts of the Telpas test. The Telpas Tutorial allows students to practice the tools needed to take the test. Kindergarten and first grade bilingual students do not take a Practice or Tutorial.
Students attending Face-to-Face will complete their practice and tutorials while at school.
Virtual students will complete their practice on their own at home. Teachers will assign the practice to students. The Telpas Tutorial will be scheduled to complete at school.
We will be sending more information about schedules for all Telpas assessments next month. We will also review the Telpas plan for stuents during our January Coffee with the Principal.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our school's Assessment Specialist, Mrs. Macias or our assistant principal, Ms. Nanez.
From our School Nurse, Mrs. Calles
Here is one thing the CDC wants you to know about the flu vaccine:
When Should Children get a Flu Vaccine
Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. For most children, it is good practice to get them vaccinated by the end of October. However, getting vaccinated later can still be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating. While seasonal flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, during most seasons flu activity peaks between December and February. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to develop antibodies against flu virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community. Some children will need two doses of flu vaccine. Those children should get the first dose as early in the season as possible.
Parents, please speak with your child's health care provider to find out when you can have your child vaccinated.
Message from Ms. McCabe, Counselor
Message from Mrs. Tovar, Librarian
It is time for our annual Prose and Poetry Competition! If you would like for your child to participate, please have them select and memorize either a poem or prose piece. The selection can be in English or Spanish, but not exceed more than three minutes. You can submit a video to Mrs. Tovar by January 6th, or they can sign up for a google meet time to audition virtually. There will be 3 groups: K-1, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th. The first-place winners from each group will represent Sam Houston in the district virtual showcase.
Technology Corner
Please check out our Technology page to find support for remote learning.
PTA News
PTA is still accepting orders for membership. We have membership bundles available this year. Please see the flyer below.
We only have so many shirts left in stock, so make sure to order while you can! Those who sign up to be a PTA member by December 11th will be given a Winter Treat to get into the Holiday Cheer for the Winter Break. Those will be passed out Wednesday, December 16th.
We will be in the carpool lane on Thursday December 3rd and Thursday December 10th from 3:45 to 4:45 for membership bundle pick up for those who placed their order before Thanksgiving break. We will also take PTA Membership bundle orders.
Please make sure to bring cash for what you are planning to purchase. PTA will have change available for you. Use the link to place your order.
We would love to have you as a member! Join today!
GPISD COVID-19 CONTROLLED ACCESS AND VISITOR POLICY
In order to protect the security of District students, staff, and the learning environment at schools, all visitors, including parents/guardians, shall conform to the GPISD Visitation Policy.
Please click on the link below to familiarize yourself with the GPISD COVID-19 Controlled Access and Visitor Policy.
Curbside Meals
Sam Houston Elementary, Galena Park ISD
Email: mcavazos@galenaparkisd.com
Website: https://www.galenaparkisd.com/Domain/25
Location: 4101 East Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 832-386-4430
Facebook: facebook.com/samhoustonel
Twitter: @samhoustonel