News From The Nest
April 6, 2023
Day of Awesomeness
Day of Awesomeness Shirts
Dynamo Game
Amazing Owls
Third grade hosted The Shoppes on Main, showcasing handmade items available for purchase in their classroom stores, Fourth grade wowed us with a Broadway Musical, and Fifth grade had a Living Wax Museum celebrating historical figures! We can't wait to see what April brings!
It is so fun to see our Owls in action!
Third Grade Shoppes on Main
Fourth Grade Musical
Fifth Grade Wax Museum
Library
Makerspace
Spring Makerspace volunteer opportunities are available!
Makerspace is a time for students to tinker, create, solve problems, and learn new techniques. Volunteers will follow a lesson plan written by Mrs. Hogan. Each class spends 45 minutes. Lessons should be between 10-15 minutes and the students should have about 30 min. to tinker and work with support. Teachers will stay with their class to help support you and all materials will be out and ready.
Volunteers will be provided with materials and the book to go along with the lesson. The lesson is here for your review: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bf1l-P0MWFBXosC0zrFXvLkfnPMdDZLDYX5AchAmDHY/edit?usp=sharing
At McGown, prior to volunteering, all volunteers must sign the McGown Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement. Please complete this form prior to signing up for Makerspace. The form is here: https://forms.gle/3Z8NidfkdLVjQHZL7
The sign up for Makerspace is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EAFAF2AA0FFC25-spring
We look forward to creating a truly special experience for the kids together. Please reach out to Mrs. Hogan with any questions.
Thank You to Volunteers
I want to express my immense gratitude for all of your help in the library this year! I could not have accomplished even a fraction of our events and activities without your generous support, donations, and time. I hope to see you all around the library again next school year. You are so loved and appreciated! -Mrs. Hogan
All library books are due on Friday, May 5. Getting library books back on time is essential as we do our very first end of year inventory at McGown.
School Library Month
Name That Book
Congratulations to Lee Dao, Akhil Teegala, Kevin Vodo, Nathan La, Emma Sycamore, and Ankith Gadde. These students represented McGown Elementary at District Regionals on March 28 at the Berry Center. The team worked to read all 100 books and did an "Owl"mazing job representing our school. We are so proud of you!
Counselors' Corner
March Counselor Lesson
Counselors provide monthly lessons within student classrooms each month. For the month of March we discussed the word assertive. Being assertive means that you are able to let others know what you feel and need in a kind, respectful manner. Students learned how to use an "I" statement to help them in times where being assertive may be challenging. Here are two examples of what it might look like when using an "I statement.
Example: I feel confused (insert the feeling/emotion) when (explain the problem)we learn new things in math. I need (say what you need or want) you to show me how to do the math probelm again. (Being assertive and letting an adult know how you are feeling and that you need something)
Example: I feel hurt (insert the feeling/emotion) when (explain the problem) you tell me I can't play with the group at recess because (explain why you are upset) I like spending time with you. (Being assertive and letting a friend know how you are feeling and what you need)
Bringing Out the Best
During the month of March, CFISD students learned about the character trait patience. Our character trait for April is perseverance. Perseverance is the act of continuing to do something even though it is difficult. At home you can discuss a time that you showed perseverance and also think of times where it might be necessary to demonstrate perseverance.
Pre-K and Kinder Pre-Registration
5th to 6th Grade Transition
K-Level
Parents of 5th Grade students – K-Level letters will be sent home April 6th for those who qualify. This is the preliminary letter based off of report card averages for the first three grading periods. Please see the image below, that was sent home in October, regarding qualifications for K-Level classes. Those who qualify for K-Level courses will be automatically enrolled in those courses. If your child qualifies and you would like for them to participate, there is nothing for you to do. If you decide you would not like your child to participate in K-Level courses, please contact Jen Koester at jennifer.koester@cfisd.net. More information will be sent home on April 6th via the weekly newsletter email sent by the teachers.
Sprague Middle School Cub Connection
Please join us at our first Sprague Middle School Cub Connection meetings! Click on the link to submit questions you have for Sprague Middle School: https://forms.gle/Cs5PoSxKU8zWxRq1A
State Testing
STAAR tests are quickly approaching for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Benchmark testing in February allowed students to experience a longer test and show what they know on a large amount of content, similar to the STAAR test. STAAR testing will be conducted similarly to the benchmark exams. Please review the information below for an overview of how STAAR testing will be conducted at McGown Elementary.
McGown Elementary will be a closed campus on STAAR testing days. We ask that appointments for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students be scheduled outside of the testing window. Lunch visitors will not be allowed.
All STAAR tests will be administered online. Please make sure that your child comes to school with their charger and a fully charged Chromebook. Teachers may request that students leave their Chromebooks at school the day before a STAAR test.
Your child’s schedule will be different on these days and some students may eat lunch a little later than usual.
A snack of cheese-flavored crackers will be provided to all testers.
Please make sure that your child brings a full water bottle to have during the test.
If your child wants a different snack, we ask that you choose something that is healthy, dry, quiet, and non-messy.
We ask that all students dress in layers for personal comfort, but in order to protect the assessment environment, blankets and pillows will not be allowed. Books for students to read after completing the assessment will be encouraged.
Please help your child get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast so that they are ready to give the assessment their very best!
If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher or the campus testing coordinator, Amanda Sager, at Amanda.Sager@CFISD.net.
Yearbook
Due to popular demand, we have more yearbooks. This last set is available to the first who order and when we run out we do not have the ability to buy more, so please don’t miss out…Order yours today!
News From the Nurse
Vision and Hearing Referrals
If you received a referral for vision or hearing for your student, please make sure you send the referral back to the clinic once you see the doctor. The documentation is needed for our records.
Lunch Visitors
Stay Connected
We want to stay connected with you! Please visit our website at www.cfisd.net, select schools and then McGown Elementary. This will take you to our website. We will also regularly post photos and news on the Official McGown Facebook and Twitter pages. To locate our pages, search @CFISDMcGown.
Our VIPS are now on Instagram! Follow their page @mcgownVIPS for up to date news and stories about the "owl"mazing things happening at McGown.
Birthday Marquee Announcements
Birthday Book Club
McGown Elementary Parent-Student Handbook
Absences
Absences
If your student needs to be absent from school, please send a written note when they return. Absences cannot be excused in advance. The note needs to include the following:
- Student’s first name, not initials or nicknames
- Student’s last name
- Homeroom Teacher’s name
- Parent’s name
- Parent’s signature
- Parent’s phone number
By providing the above information, we are certain to give your child the credit for the note.
Please do not send absence notices to the McGown@cfisd.net email address.
Car Rider Information
Please remember that our car rider line begins at 7:50. We want all of our Owls in class on time. Refer to page 27 in our student handbook to review protocols for safely navigating our line. If you are in line by 8:15, your child will NOT be marked tardy. After 8:15, you will be asked to park and sign your child into school.
Car Rider Tags
Reminder that orange McGown car rider tags are required for picking up students through the car rider line at dismissal. Cars that do not have the official orange McGown car rider tag will be directed to park and walk inside to check out the student from the front office. Thank you for displaying your orange McGown car rider tag to ensure the safety of our students at dismissal. If you currently do not have a car rider tag and need one, then use the link below to register for a car rider tag.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGk1qfSvadfrLvfnfxQCcGGS-5dPmZ88ttYl19WCblaSR_JA/viewform
April and May Events
April 10- No School- Teacher Workday
April 11- Kindergarten Cap and Gown Portraits
April 11-12- Field Trip- Science Resource Center- 1st
April 13- Mobil Dairy Classroom
April 14- Literacy Luau- Kindergarten
April 16- School Librarian Day
April 18-19- Field Trip- Science Resource Center- 2nd
April 18- Choral Festival
April 24- Field Trip- Clebb Woods- Kindergarten
April 25- Reading/LA STAAR Testing- 3rd-5th
April 26- STAAR Make-up Testing 3rd-5th
April 27- STAAR Science Testing- 5th
May 1- School Principal's Day
May 2- STAAR Math Testing- 3rd-5th
May 5-4- STAAR Math Make-up Testing
May 8-12- Staff Appreciation Week
May 8-12- Career Week
May 8- Field Trip- Clebb Woods- 4th
May 9- Kindergarten Musical
May 10- School Nurses' Day
May 11- Biztown Field Trip- 5th
May 16- Day of Awesomeness
May 18- Spring Showcase for Music and Art
May 19- 5th Grade Day
May 24- End of Year Parties- PK-4th
May 24- Kindergarten Recognition
May 25- 5th Grade Recognition
May 25- Last Day of School
About Us
Email: mcgown@cfisd.net
Website: https://www.cfisd.net/McGown
Location: 21211 Tuckerton Road, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 832-349-7700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cfisdmcgown
Twitter: @cfisdmcgown