The Booker Bulletin
Parent Weekly Newsletter - November 9 - 13
A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
1. STARTED VIRTUAL SCHOOL
2. STARTED IN PERSON SCHOOL
3. BUILT AN ONLINE COMMUNITY
4. WORKED TOGETHER TO LEARN HAC, SCHOOLOGY, GOOGLE MEETS, & ZOOM
5. COMMUNICATED OPENLY ABOUT OUR NEEDS & OUR GOALS
6. TREATED EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS
7. SHOWED RESPECT TO OTHERS AFFECTED BY COVID
8. PROMOTED PATIENCE & POSITIVITY & NOT PANIC & FEAR
9. SERVED/PICKED UP THOUSANDS OF MEALS
10. REWROTE HISTORY & EDUCATION!
BE PROUD! HUG YOUR BENGAL AND TELL THEM HOW PROUD YOU ARE OF THEIR EFFORTS & PERSEVERANCE! PLEASE KEEP TELLING THEM TO DO THEIR BOOKER BEST! OH, AND DON'T FORGET TO GIVE YOURSELF A BIG PARENT PAT ON THE BACK FOR SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD IN THIS NEW LEARNING ADVENTURE!
Dates to Remember
Nov. 9 -16 - Middle of the Year - Interim Testing for all 3rd -5th grade students
Nov. 9 -15 - Children's Book Week
Nov. 8 - VIRTUAL COLLEGE DAY / NATIONAL STEM/STEAM DAY
Nov. 9 - Testing Accommodations for virtual students (pick up)
Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day
Nov. 13 - World Kindness Day
Booker Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 3rd to 5th:
We will be conducting our Fall Benchmark assessments, Interim in two waves. Beginning on Monday, November 9th through Friday, November 13th, Empowered Learning at Home students who are in STAAR tested courses will take their assessments. The following week, Monday, November 16th through Friday, November 20th, Safety First In-Person students will participate in their assessments. The tests are used to gauge student progress on the learning standards (TEKS) and to help us better support your child during instruction. Teachers use the data to identify areas for reteach and intervention. These assessments will be administered in an online format for all students.
Please note that during this time period there may be some adjustments in the student’s daily schedule in order to allow them time to complete the assessments. If your child has been provided physical accommodations, please ensure they are available to the student on the day of testing. Digital accommodations are available within the testing platform based on student need.
Empowered Learning at Home students who will be coming to the campus to test, have received a confirmation phone call of the dates and times that they are scheduled to test. Please arrive for the morning session at 8:30am and at 11:40 am for the afternoon session. Students will be dropped off and picked up in the car rider line. Students must have on a mask and will have their temperature taken upon arrival. All testing materials will be provided.
Should you have any questions, please contact Booker Elementary School at 281-891-8750.
Thank you
Booker Administration
EVERY BOOKER BENGAL MUST HAVE ...
VIRTUAL CLASSES / ASSIGNMENTS
Chromebook
INTERNET
WE CAN HELP!
- Have access to all of the lessons and materials
- Able to submit work online, daily
- Able to engage with the teacher and other scholars during instructional time.
- Can gain access to group assignments/classes
- Regardless of learning mode, has a Chromebook and internet.
- To engage in small group instruction
- Take state, district, and campus online testing
- Complete all exit tickets/assignments online, daily
- Minimize sharing objects amongst scholars
CHROMEBOOKS & HOTSPOTS AVAILABLE!
TO GET A CHROMEBOOK OR HOTPSOT
Call the front office at (291)891-8750 and press 0 for our receptionist and let them know what you are requesting.
Or email Mrs. Villarreal at CVILLA1@SPRINGISD.ORG or Ms. Mitchell at LBERRY@SPRINGISD.ORG. Please add the following to you email:
- Student name & grade
- Teacher name
- Contact number
Children’s Book Week
Nov. 9-15, 2020
Children’s Book Week has been an annual tradition dedicated to spreading the joy of reading. It is meant to instill the value and benefits of reading good books and develop students’ essential reading and literacy skills. It also helps promote libraries.
Here are a few creative ways to celebrate:
Have a guest reader (virtually)
Visit your school library or public library
Start reading a new book
Create a bookmark
Start a book club
Host a book trade
Put on a play based off of your favorite book
WHY IS READING SO IMPORTANT?
Studies show that reading for pleasure makes a big difference to children’s educational performance. Here’s how you can get your child off to a great start.
Evidence suggests that children who read for enjoyment every day not only perform better in reading tests than those who don’t, but also develop a broader vocabulary, increased general knowledge and a better understanding of other cultures.
In fact, reading for pleasure is more likely to determine whether a child does well at school than their social or economic background.
Use the Election to Encourage Reading
As Election Day has passed and we all await the official results of this historical event, our kids may ask us what the red and blue colors mean on the evening news. The election offers parents the opportunity to discuss the U.S. democratic process. In honor of National Family Literacy Month, what better way to continue the celebration than using books.
We have selected a list of books from Huffpost, that can guide your conversation in talking about elections and voting.
“One Vote, Two Votes, I Vote, You Vote” - Bonnie Worth
“V is for Voting” - Kate Farrell
“If I Ran for President” - Catherine Stier
“If You Go With Your Goat to Vote” - Jan Zauzmer
“Vote!” - Eileen Christelow
These titles are just several of the many options offered to educate children on the process of elections and voting. Visit your public library to search these titles and more resources to build up your future voters!
National STEM Day
National STEM/STEAM day is held every year on November 8. This day is dedicated to all things science, technology, engineering, and math. It is undebatable that these subjects push society forward. Here are a fun few STEM activities that students can do to celebrate STEM day.
Make Your Own Rain Clouds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U33xwGvstO4&feature=emb_logo
Hot Ice Experiment - learn about one of the five senses.
https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/kids-science-experiment-hot-ice/
NASA App - allows you to view pictures from space, watch real-time events on NASA TV, and find information about current NASA missions.
Building STEM skills with LEGO - Become engineers and build logic and reasoning skills while working on fine motor skills.
Work on Math skills
Perform an Easy Science Experiment
School of Choice Application Window is Now Open
Join Us for School of Choice Showcase Week
Families who have students in the fifth grade are invited to learn more about the district’s schools of choice with virtual showcase events Nov. 10 and 11.
The special online meetings will offer additional information about each school as well as answer any questions parents may have about the online application, which opened on Nov. 2.
For more information about all of the programs, please visit www.springisd.org/choice. For a full schedule of the Virtual Showcase events, see below. All sessions will be held concurrently in English and Spanish.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Roberson Middle School
1 p.m.: www.springisd.org/RMS-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/RMS-SW2
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Spring Leadership Academy
9 a.m.: www.springisd.org/SLA-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/SLA-SW2
Prioritizing Your Own Well-Being Benefits Your Family
Self-care often is the last item on your list as a parent. But taking time for yourself is essential, especially during times of stress and uncertainty. By allowing yourself intentional time to recharge and decompress, you are building your own capacity to be a better parent.
Here are some tips, courtesy of childmind.org, to help us stay calm during challenging times:
Designate time for yourself. Some examples include a long shower or bath, walking around the block or even reading once everyone is tucked away in bed.
Be realistic both at work and as a parent. You are doing your best during a very hard time. Give yourself grace if you can’t meet all expectations.
Reconnect with things that you enjoy or choose to learn a new skill, such as trying a new recipe, completing a jigsaw puzzle, or creating some artwork.
Be kind to yourself. This will help you stay calm and assure you have the ability to take good care of your family.
The stress and lack of structure everyone is experiencing can make it easy to fall into habits that feel good in the moment but can be harmful long term. Make sure to eat properly, get enough sleep and get moving. It is important we try to stay healthy so that we can be the best version of ourselves for our children during these unprecedented times.
More Tips to Manage Holiday Stress!
De-stressors:
How to take a time out and dodge holiday stress!
Stacey Ward
McGovern School Psychologist
Plan fun activities with the family- This could be as simple as going out to build a snowman or baking cookies, reading a holiday story, or playing a board game.
Say it ain’t so- Of course you want your holiday’s to be perfect, but not matter how much you plan (and worry), something will go wrong. Instead of freaking out, repeat something that reminds you that imperfection is OK , like it is what it is, or Life happens. “ A moment of self talk helps us turn off the flow of constant thoughts that tell us we’re not doing thins right. It reminds us that the holidays aren’t about being perfect. It is a time to laugh, be with family and share memories.
Create a Holiday playlist- Very few things can make us happier than seasonal songs and with good reason: Research shows that listening to music can crank down stress hormones, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and kick your anxiety to the curb. You can make playlist of your favorites iTunes, go to Pandora.com or tune into one of the holiday stations.
Reminder: New Pickup Times for Free Curbside Meal Distribution
Spring ISD parents and guardians: A friendly reminder that Spring ISD Child Nutrition has changed its Free Curbside Meal Pickup distribution times to Monday through Friday, 4-5:30 p.m.
In addition, beginning Friday, Nov. 6, weekend meals (including breakfast and lunch for both Saturday and Sunday) will be offered on Fridays at all pickup locations. Breakfast and lunch are free for all children 18 years and younger.
Curbside pickup locations:
Anderson Elementary
Booker Elementary
Burchett Elementary
Clark Primary
Cooper Elementary
Hirsch Elementary
Jenkins Elementary
Marshall Elementary
McNabb Elementary
Ponderosa Elementary
Reynolds Elementary
Smith Elementary
Thompson Elementary
For more information on curbside locations and meal times, visit www.springisd.org/nutrition
or follow them on social media at @SpringISD_Meals.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
WATER IS AVAILABLE
Designated fountains have been turned on to ensure our scholars have refilling stations to stay hydrated. However, our teachers have water available for students to refill their water bottles at any time or if they forget their refillable bottles at home! Encourage your students to stay hydrated, but to only use the fountains as refilling stations only. This will help us reiterate the importance of keeping everyone safe during this pandemic! They can decorate their water bottles or bring their own refillable water bottle from home.
Personal Parent Tip: I like to fill my daughter's refillable water bottle half full, freeze it and then fill it up the next morning. This allows her to have ice water throughout the day! I place her water bottle in a cute colorful crazy clean sock to avoid getting her backpack wet as the ice melts! She seems to drink more water this way and it's a great science lesson on condensation!!!
For assistance, please contact:
Ms. Velasquez - dvelas1@springisd.org - 281-891-8756
Cynthia Carrillo - ccarrill@springisd.org - 281-891-8768
Help Desk Hours
- During school hours, call the main office at 281-891-8750.
- Between 5 pm and 8 pm, call 281-891-6249.
- Help is available in Spanish and English.
Booker Elementary School
Website: https://www.springisd.org/booker2
Location: 22352 Imperial Valley Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-891-8750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booker.bengals.3/
Twitter: @Bookerbengals
Join Us for High School of Choice Showcase Week
Families who have students in the eighth grade are invited to learn more about the district’s schools of choice with virtual showcase events Nov. 10-12.
The special online meetings will offer additional information about each school as well as answer any questions parents may have about the online application which opened Nov. 2nd.
For more information about all of the programs, please visit www.springisd.org/choice. For a full schedule of the Virtual Showcase events, see below. All sessions will be held concurrently in English and Spanish.
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Spring Early College Academy
11 a.m.: www.springisd.org/SECA-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/SECA-SW2
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Dekaney P-Tech
11 a.m.: www.springisd.org/DHS-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/DHS-SW2
Spring Leadership Academy
9 a.m.: www.springisd.org/SLA-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/SLA-SW2
Carl Wunsche Sr. High School
11 a.m.: www.springisd.org/WHS-SW1
6 p.m.: www.springisd.org/WHS-SW2
National Scholarship Month
November is National Scholarship Month and this is the time to raise awareness of scholarship opportunities for future college students. November is an excellent time to begin the scholarship application process.
Here are a few resources that will help you
https://www.collegegreenlight.com/
https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships
Naviance - In student’s account
Check your daily emails from your college counselor
Parent Workshops & Resources
Virtual College Fair - November 8th
Thinking about college? Here is your chance to hear from more than 600 colleges and universities who will be online to talk with high school juniors and seniors on Nov. 8 from
1 - 9 p.m. CT. The virtual fair offers a dynamic, new, digital meeting space that connects counselors, students, and their families with colleges and universities around the world.
The virtual fair is a free one-day event. Simply log into virtualcollegefairs.org on Nov. 8 using your phone or computer. Learn, connect, ask questions, and discover your best college fit!
Need Help with the FAFSA or TASFA? Register for a Free Virtual Workshop
Any seniors and their parents who need help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) are invited to attend a free virtual workshop offered by Lone Star College. The sessions are being held weekly through Dec. 10, with opportunities in both Spanish and English.
These virtual sessions will be helpful for any family seeking assistance with the FAFSA, which is used by universities across the country to determine eligibility for federal aid, grants and loan programs. Students who are classified as Texas Residents who cannot apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to complete the TASFA.
To review the FAFSA filing requirements, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov or visit the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.
The Texas state priority deadline for many institutions of higher education is Jan. 15, 2021 for the 2021-22 award year. For more information about the Lone Star College workshops, please visit LoneStar.edu/Financial-Aid. The session times are below. Please visit the website to register for a specific session.
Tuesdays – 10 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Wednesdays, in Spanish – 2 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays 11 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.
Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and will be different from the way many of us have celebrated in past years. As we prepare for family gatherings, the CDC offers the following considerations to help protect individuals and their families from COVID-19.
If you are hosting or attending a gathering:
Remind guests to stay home if they are sick
Consider keeping a list of guests who attended
Encourage social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from others)
Have guests wear a mask
Clean hands often
Limit the number of people handling or serving food
Here are some low-risk activities to consider:
Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the following Monday
Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html