Principal Allen's Weekly Newsletter
September 9, 2019
Dear Spicewood Elementary Parents & Community Members,
(Several parents have emailed to say they did not receive the Principal's Newsletter on Monday. My newsletters are scheduled to go out every Monday morning at 8AM- I am not sure why this one was not released. Nevertheless, I am attempting to share it again.)
We enjoyed seeing parents and family members at Open House last week! Thank you for coming out and partnering with us in your child's education! Several parents inquired of information regarding Talented And Gifted (TAG) services that evening as well. Our TAG teachers will be hosting an informational session in November. Stay tuned for date and time!
Parents and family members, thank you for supporting our students as they participate in the Adventure Dash campus fundraiser - they are already off to a great start.
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Allen,
Principal
Campus Announcements
In the effort to clarify the traffic pattern for flow and safety, our WatcDog Dads have created an updated traffic map. Please view the map below and follow the directions.
Car Line Window Sign
We need your help! In order to expedite afternoon dismissal, please print the Car Line Window Sign, fill out, and have visible on your windshield. This will help staff members on afternoon duty call student names quickly. Many families are already using the Car Pick Up Window Sign, thank you!
Parents: Please note that when your child is absent for any reason that you must contact the office each day that your child is absent. Please notify the office in one of the following ways:
1. Submit an absence at the Report an Absence link on the Spicewood website (preferred).
2. Call the Spicewood office at 512-428-3600.
3. Email the registrar at cindy_vechan@roundrockisd.org.
4. Call the absence phone line at 512-428-3601.
Last Friday, one of the digital fliers we shared was for the 2020 UIL A+ Academic Competition. I have been notified that the link to register students is not working. For your convenience, I am sharing the interest from in my newsletter. Please refer to the flier you received through Peach Jar for more information about UIL. If you have additional questions, you can also reach out to our Campus UIL Coordinator, Mrs. MIkolay @ Marla_Mikolay@roundrockisd.org
A Note from Mrs. Oates
3rd Grade "How We Express Ourselves"
Art with Mrs. Raybourn
Mrs. Ruplinger's 1st Graders
Announcements from the Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Spicewood Rally Day!
Help us support the school by supporting you student in this fun day! Adventure Dash helps us to keep Spicewood running.
1. REGISTER HERE: https://adventuredash.pledgebrite.org/fund/SWE19/addme
2. DONATE to your student.
3. SHARE your child’s link with 3 (Three) friends or family members via email, text, or social media.
Suggest an educational program to the PTA!
Is there a program that you wish we offered at Spicewood? Spicewood PTA raises money every year to sponsor and support student programs at Spicewood, and we would love to hear your thoughts! Email Resh Basu at SpicewoodEduClubs@gmail.com and we'll be happy to check it out!
Hello Spicewood Volunteers!
Volunteer Training will be held in the library on Thursday September 12th at 6pm and Monday Sept 16th at 8am. This is approximately 30 minutes long and will cover volunteer procedures. It is only necessary to attend one of the sessions. A meeting for homeroom parents will be held afterwards. If you are unable to attend either session please contact Anne McWilliams, the PTA Volunteer Coordinator at: spicewoodptavolunteer@gmail.com
Now accepting registrations for PTA Educational Clubs/Competitions
Spicewood PTA's Educational Competitions and Clubs offer students a great opportunity to get to know each other beyond the classroom, collaborate using creative challenges or strategic games and have some fun! We hope you had a chance to meet some of our dedicated PTA Club chairs at the PTA Fair on September 5th and learn more about the clubs and activities at Spicewood Elementary, such as Reflections, Destination Imagination, Math Superstars, Spelling Bee and more!
The Destination Imagination, Math Superstars and Spelling Bee Clubs registrations opened on September 5th, 2019 and will accept sign ups until September 19th, 2019.
The Math Pentathlon Club registration form will open on September 11th, 2019 at noon.
The REFLECTIONS program entries can be turned into the school's Front Office between October 1, 2019 and October 25, 2019.
For additional questions for any of the above programs, please contact our Club Chairs
Destination Imagination - Lovleen Aulakh at SpicewoodDI@gmail.com
Math Superstars - Liz Simmons at SpicewoodPTAMS@gmail.com
Math Pentathlon - Manisha Gupta at SpicewoodMathPent@gmail.com
Spelling Bee - Herschal Trivedi at SpicewoodSpellingBee@gmail.com
Reflections - Sharon Guv at Sharon.Gu9407@gmail.com
Spicewood Community Work Day
Help us remove weeds, prepare beds for planting, and start new seeds for the teaching garden! Bring gloves and shoes that can get dirty - Breakfast will be provided
Sign up here: signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4EAFAE2BA0F58-20192020
BREAKFAST WITH DADS
Formerly known as Donuts with Dads...Men of Spicewood (Dads, Father Figures, etc.) are invited to breakfast, and if you are able, to help out.
Why do we host this event? Who doesn’t like a little extra quality time with their children and what child doesn’t like a bit more time with their father/father-figure. Donuts. Oh, and fruit too. It is also about kicking off the WatchDOGS year. To re-establish connections with other men at Spicewood, and to introduce those new to the school.
We also want to encourage others to become a member of the parent community which makes Spicewood Elementary such a great school. If you know of father figures (parents, grandparents, etc.) who are new to the school, or those who are not part of WatchDOGS yet, be sure to let them know about this event and the opportunity to join a great organization. One of the reasons why our school is so fantastic is because of parent participation, but we need more men to be participants.
There is no charge for the breakfast or to be a WatchDOG.
What can you do to help with this event?
We need volunteers for the breakfast. Please sign up to help out at https://spicewoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/49383
Volunteers for the Kiss Cookout
https://spicewoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com/kisscookout
The annual KISS (Kids Invite Someone Special) Cookout will be held Friday, September 27th during your child’s lunchtime. You may invite grandparents, friends, neighbors, anyone that is someone special in your child's life. This will also be the last day of the Book Fair, which is always fun to walk through!
An order form will be sent in the electronic Friday Folder, which includes the menu and cost of lunch. If you are going to order lunch from the Spicewood Cafeteria please complete the form and return it to your oldest child’s teacher. You are welcome to bring your own food to the Cookout, in which case you don’t need to return the form.
For questions or to volunteer, please contact our KISS Cookout Chair Liz Chudej at lizchudej@gmail.com.
Upcoming Campus Events & Dates
Monday, September 9 - Friday, September 13
Adventure Dash
Thursday, September 12
6:00PM - 6:30PM Volunteer Training
Monday, Sept 16
8:00AM -8:30AM Volunteer Training
Wednesday, September 18
7:00AM - 7:40AM WatchDOG's Breakfast with Dad
Friday, September 20 - Friday, September 27
Book Fair
Saturday, September 21
8:30AM -11:30AM Spicewood Community Work Day
Friday, September 27
KISS Cookout- (Check with your child's teacher for lunch time)
Monday, October 14
Holiday - No School
Tuesday, October 15
No School - Parent Student Conferences
Spicewood Elementary Vision Statement:
Spicewood aspires to be a caring community of innovative, globally minded citizens who take action.
Spicewood aspira a ser una comunidad solidaria de ciudadanos innovadores y de mentalidad global que actúen.