BearKat Chat
#BearkatBEST, #❤️ofaBearkat - December 2022
Our Vision: Educating the whole child: mind, body and spirit!
December 2022
Mote's Note - A note from the Principal - Kyla Mote
December is a busy month with only a few weeks so here we go!
Please join us tomorrow night for our annual family night. We will have activities for students of all ages around the building. We have spread into some classrooms to make the hallways not quite as crowded. We will have the shared cultures in the gym so please stop by to learn about each of them as well. PTO has brought a Kona Ice truck in since our Houston weather is not supporting hot chocolate just yet. These will need to be purchased. PTO will also have their spirit items and shirts for sale at their booth. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there so bring your camera and dress for the fun.
Dress up days these next two weeks for the staff and students. These days are always optional:
Wednesday Dec 7th - Grinch Day - Wear Green
Thursday Dec 8th - Crazy Socks and Headwear (hats, bows, headbands, etc)
Tuesday Dec. 13th - Wear Plaid/Flannel
Thursday Dec. 15th - School Wide Pajama Day
Spelling Bee Participants: we will see you on the 12th in the cafe at 4:45pm - parents and guests are welcome to come cheer on your speller!
4th grade parents: Your students have a concert on the 13th from 6:30-7:30. All are welcome.
Please consider going to Jeremiah's for a treat after since Black Elem. receives 30% of all procedes that night.
Our student holiday class parties are being done by PTO during large group rotations on Dec. 16th. We are not doing the traditional parties in the classroom this year. If you are planning to take your student home early on December 16th, please send your note in by December 13th stating what time they will be picked up and which guardian will be picking them up. This will assure your student is ready and waiting for you and you should not have to wait in a very long line. Those that do not send a note early may be waiting quite a while as we do not have extra staff to run and find students. Thank you for helping by planning ahead.
December 6 - Bearkat Family Learning and Holiday Night - our favorite night of the year!
December 7 - Spirit Shop
December 8 - Picture retakes
December 12 - Campus Spelling Bee (4:45pm-7:45pm in the cafe)
December 13 - 4th Grade Music Performance and Jeremiah's Italian Ice Night
December 16 - Student Holiday Parties hosted by PTO during PEAM times.
December 19-January 2 - Winter Break
January 3 - Back to School for everyone and Jan. Firedrill at 2:45pm
January 11 - PTO spirit shop during lunch and Jeremiah's Ice Night
January 12 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Houston Interactive Aquarium (Last day of the 1st semester grading period)
January 13 - Student Holiday (staff workday)
January 16 - Student and Staff Holiday
January 18 - Group Picture day & Bearkat Kouncil Meeting & NO PARENT VISITORS AT LUNCH due to photos taking place in the cafe.
January 19 - StuKo Shop on stage 8:25am
January 23 - GT Night at CyFair HS
January 25 - PTO spirit shop during lunch
January 30 - Nature Trails 3rd and 5th grade & Texas Roadhouse PTO Spirit Night
January 31 - Nature Trails 3rd and 5th grade
February 1 - Global Day of Play (our 4th annual day of play) & District Spelling Bee
February 6 - GT Night at CYWoods HS & Willie's PTO Spirit Night
February 8 - PTO Spirit Shop during lunch
February 10 - Support your favorite NFL for superbowl: wear anything football
February 14 - Jeremiah's Ice Night (what a great quick treat after Valentine's dinner)
February 15 - StuKo Shop on Stage 8:25am
February 17 - Student Holiday
February 20 - Student Holiday
February 21-24 - Spring Bookfair in the Library
February 21 - 23 5th/4th/3rd Grade Reading Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
February 28 - March 2 - 5th/4th/3rd Grade Math Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
March 2 - 4th grade Field Trip to HLSR, Dr. Suess Day/Read Across America, PTO Jersey Mikes Spirit Day
March 3 - Spring Picture Day
March 6, 7, 8 - Tentative Field Day dates
March 8 - Jeremiah's Ice Night
March 13-17 - SPRING BREAK
More will be added later (changes will be in bold).
Our Holiday Night Info
NURSE NOTES
• Our Bearkat Clinic is in desperate need of shorts and long pants size 7-14 for both girls and boys. Please consider donating to the clinic before dropping your student’s old clothes off at a donation spot.
• Strep, Covid, and Flu…OH MY! The season is upon us, so keep a watch on your kiddos. Encourage proper hand washing and healthy practices at home and out and about. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, persistent coughing, headache, or sore throat should be taken seriously. If you suspect that your child may be showing symptoms of illness, please keep him/her home from school until the symptoms have improved. Also, if your student has a fever at/over 100.0 he/she will need to be kept home until fever free without medication for 24 hours. We greatly appreciate your help in keeping our students and staff healthy!
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS FROM THE REGISTRAR
Remember to send an excuse note anytime your student is absent.
- Calling in a student absence or emailing the teacher/nurse does not excuse the absence – only a submitted care provider or parent note to the attendance secretary excuses the absence.
- A note from the care provider to the attendance secretary will only excuse the day(s) listed - If your student is out for longer, an additional note from the parent is required to excuse the extra days.
- If your student is sent home by the nurse - a note from a parent is still required to excuse the time your student missed school.
- Absence notes must include:
- student’s full name, date(s)
- dates of absence
- reason for absence
- parent/legal guardian signature
Lenny's Tails:
Classrooms, students, tents, turkeys, and toe nails. That is what my November month consisted of.
I spent the beginning of the month in many classrooms and playing with my bearkat friends. Some of the classrooms have reached their PBIS Bearkat goals and they have earned me as a special class visitor. Other classes I just made surprise visits to and they were so excited to have me join in for learning time.
Mrs. Mirelez and her family went on a camping trip. I was able to stay with Mrs. Mote and her family for a few days while my family was gone. Grandma Mote’s was so much fun. I was able to play with a rabbit and a cat. I’m not sure that the cat really liked me. However, the rabbit loved me. I would look over his fence and he would give me these tickly kisses with his whiskers. After a few days I returned home. I missed my family, but then was a little jealous that they went to the woods and slept in tents. I had never seen a tent before until Mrs. Mirelez set it up in the backyard after the trip to clean it. I sniffed around it for a while then went inside. It was a neat experience.
"Gobble, Gobble!! Turkey Time!!" All of these things were being said around school and at home. I was not sure what all that was about. Then I smelled it. It was a house full of smells that made my tummy growl. Mrs. Mirelez prepared a turkey and said it was going to be fried. She also spent time in the kitchen making other yummy sides. She said that this was what we call Thanksgiving. She explained that this is when people have a meal or two with their families and friends. No one would give me turkey and I was a little sad thinking I was not going to enjoy Thanksgiving like my human siblings, but then I did get a sweet potato and some carrots. Now when I hear "Gobble, Gobble",I hope it means there is tasty food around.
Toe nail trimming was the perfect ending to our weekend. I went and saw my amazing vet, Dr. Alford at Cy-Fair Veterinary Hospital off Louetta Rd. She was able to see me around 3pm on a Saturday. When Mrs. Mirelez put me in the truck, I was so excited to go for a ride, but was a little confused on why it was so late. Dr. Alford clipped my nails, and did a wonderful job. She also told me that I have lost some weight and am back on track for my age and size. All good news! My doctor is so nice. I love when I get to hang out with her.
Now it is officially December. I was told that we are going to have school for 3 weeks, then we are going to be off again. That does not give me much time with my Bearkat friends. I will need to get in the classrooms to make sure I see them all before the new year. I have also noticed there is a chill in the air now. My dog sibling who is 16 years old wears a sweater. I wonder if I will be asked to wear a sweater or maybe I will get to wear a fun hat soon? I cannot wait to see what all the month of December has for me. I know that it is going to be full of a lot of firsts and cannot wait to write to you all next month, and let you know how it went. I hope that you all have a fantastic December and winter holiday. Stay safe, warm, and enjoy your break!
THANK YOU TO OUR LENNY SPONSORS
Telecommunication Letter (link)
BLACK PTO
Presidents Corner
Thank you to our Bearkat families for supporting our school through our fundraising and/or volunteering your time. We couldn’t do all we do without your support.
We would like to wish each of you a safe and wonderful holiday season.
Kim Elliott
Black Elementary PTO President
From the Secretary
Stay Tuned for Calendar dates, Volunteer opportunities and Exciting Events!
From Fundraising
Save the date for Spirit Shop on Wednesday, December 7. Students will be able to shop during lunches in the cafeteria. We always need and love having volunteers assist on Spirit Shop days, so please reach out to Elena at spiritshop@blackpto.net to sign up for a spot.
Be on the lookout for more ways to give back to our school with fundraising options this winter!
And Kona Ice will be available to purchase during our Family Fun Holiday Night on December 6!
From the Cultural Arts Team
Calling all BearKat’s birthday!
Are you wanting the school to recognize your BearKat’s birthday? For just $5 dollars you can have your BearKat’s picture displayed on the fabulous birthday wall, (located in the main hall during their birthday month). The form can be found in the PTO packet that was sent home with your child(ren). If you have any questions or need a form, please feel free to reach out to Mercedes Chesnutt at culturalarts@blackpto.net
Science Resource Center Demos
The Science Resource Center demos are in full swing at Black but we are still in need of a few more volunteers! 5th grade volunteers are currently our highest need. Please sign up, get trained, and get excited to have the opportunity to spend time in your own child’s classroom, teaching them valuable science information! If you have any questions, please email Melissa Palomarez at SRC@blackpto.net
From Hospitality
Thank you, Bearkat Best Family, for everything you did to contribute to the school Annual Thanksgiving Pie Day. There wasn’t a teacher or staff member that wasn’t excited about it. Everyone we greeted said I can’t believe it’s Pie Day and I’m so excited and Thankful for all the donations the parents made for this day to be possible.
This has been a tradition at Black Elementary for years past and years to come with your help you made this happen. Once again, the PTO Hospitality Staff appreciates you and Thanks for each donation.
Now we have one more event for the year that we need your help with and that is Hot Cocoa/Apple Cider & Pastry Day that will be on Thursday December 15, 2022.
We are including another Signup Genius for items needed, perhaps you know a business that would donate some pastries please feel free to email us at hospitality@blackpto.net.
If you know of any business or individual that would like to donate anything to Black PTO Hospitality, please contact us this would be greatly appreciated. Through our donations from businesses and individuals this allows us to spoil the teachers and staff more. Please remember all the countless sacrifices that they make each and every day during school hours and outside of school hours. If you have any questions at any time, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please see link for the Hot Cocoa/Apple Cider & Pastry Bar https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084BA5AF2EA6FA7-hotcocoaapple2
From Membership
Hi Bearkat Families! Remember you can join our amazing PTO at any time during the year! The cost is just $5 per family.
While there please pay the required fees for the classroom parties for each student. These are $10 per student and will cover costs of the December holiday party and the end of the school year party in May. Any questions please contact membership@blackpto.net
THANK YOU TO OUR BEARKAT CHAMPION LEVEL PTO SPONSORS!
https://agents.farmers.com/tx/fulshear/laurel-jonas
https://www.clearwaterexpresswash.com/
From Yearbook
Safety Information
District Childfind
Childfind services
The Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District Special Education Department provides educational services to over 10,000 students with special needs.
Teachers, instructional aides, speech pathologists and related service personnel provide instruction and related services to students who have a disability. Students are eligible for special education services from the age of 3 through 21. Students who have hearing and vision disabilities may receive services from birth.
To be eligible for special education services, students must meet eligibility requirements as a student with an orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, auditory impairment, visual impairment, diagnosis of deaf/blind, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, learning disability, speech impairment, multiple disabilities, autism, non-categorical early childhood, or traumatic brain injury.
Cypress Fairbanks ISD instructional arrangements for elementary school-aged students include in-class support, resource classes and speech/language therapy. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE, formerly PPCD), adaptive behavior, and LIFE Skills classes are offered as cluster services at the elementary level.
In-class support, resource classes, LIFE Skills, adaptive behavior and speech/language services are available at all secondary level campuses.
Related services may include psychological services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility training, school health services, adaptive equipment and special transportation.
Other special education service options include the Dorothy Carlton Center, the Maybelline Carpenter Center, homebound, adaptive physical education, itinerant and on-site services to the visually impaired.
As part of the Northwest Harris County Cooperative for the Hearing Impaired, services for students who have auditory impairments are offered at Birkes Elementary, Matzke Elementary, Spillane Middle School and Cy-Ridge High School. In addition to receiving instruction at the on-site campuses, students may be served by itinerant teachers, speech pathologists, and/or an audiologist at their home campus.
Are you the parent of a pre-school (3-5 years) or school aged child and have concerns regarding your child’s physical, speech, and/or emotional development? Is your child experiencing academic problems which could interfere significantly with educational success? If so, contact the Special Education Department at 281-897-6400 to discuss your concerns and learn more about the referral process.
Tipline @ Black Elementary
Cy-Fair Tipline is an anonymous reporting system that allows students and parents to communicate school concerns or threats to their campus administration through the Internet or via text messaging. Students and parents are able to submit reports/tips via text or email anonymously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the system: http://www.safe2helptips.com/cf148s. This link is also located on the school website under 'Contact Us'.
School Messenger
School Messenger
School Messanger -
Siga los siguientes pasos para registrarse y recibir alertas de emergencia del distrito.
OTHER FLYERS AND INFO
Thank you to the following corporate sponsors that support our school.
Black Elementary Info
Email: black@cfisd.net
Website: black.cfisd.net
Location: 14155 Grant Road, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-320-7145