The Prairie Pulse
DPES Family Newsletter - March 2021
Tomball ISD - Where we focus on the Social-Emotional well-being of our staff, students, and families, High-Quality Instruction, and Collaboration to ensure learning for all of our Tomball ISD students.
Please be sure to revisit for updates throughout the month!
Updates
Elementary school times to remain the same for Quarter 4. See below.
Quarter 3 ends March 26th (grades due)
Quarter 4 begins March 29th - Quarter 4 Environment Changes go into effect
Friday, April 2nd - Staff and Student Holiday
Elementary School Times
Our times (Elementary) will remain the same; 8:40am start / 4:05pm dismissal
Transportation Changes
It is also a great idea to follow up with our front desk to ensure that your note received their desk.
Thanks for your help
Field Day was a SUCCESS!!!
Great Expectations School
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you for allowing us to educate your child here at Decker Prairie.
We are a Great Expectations school. You have probably heard these words from your student throughout the year. If not, be sure to ask them "What is Great Expectations?"
Our campus vision is “We will create an environment where everyone takes risks and collaborates respectfully through innovative learning.” which is aligned to Great Expectations and guides everything we do here on campus.
As part of our GE culture on campus, each day we have a student-led grade level “Call to Excellence” (CTE) in the classroom in which we review the 8 Expectations for Living, the Life Principle of the Week, and other things like the pledges and important announcements.
Our teachers and staff have been GE trained and incorporate the 17 GE Classroom Practices daily on campus. Practices include: speaking in complete sentences, demonstrating mutual respect, flexible instructional methods, real-world learning experiences, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, enriched language development, and celebrating success, among others.
We have a Decker Prairie Creed that we recite weekly during CTE, as well as a DPES Teacher’s Creed recited by staff members weekly. Each classroom has a Class Creed that was created by the students along with the teacher at the beginning of the year.
- If you wish to learn more about Great Expectations, please visit http://www.greatexpectations.org/
We all appreciate your support as we are privileged to serve your most precious possessions each day. Our greatest resource on campus are the students who challenge us to learn more, be innovative, and model exemplary character and educational practices. They keep us sharp, make us laugh, and bring us joy as we get to witness their breakthroughs and triumphs as they increase their knowledge and learn skills that will serve them well for many years.
Regards,
Brenda Blackmon
Principal
TVS Families or Families who MISSED Picture Day - Please contact PTO for an opportunity to be in the yearbook: Email - Jamie Hamilton <deckerprairieyearbook@gmail.com>
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!
You can also purchase a brag box/ad space for your student.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS:
Attendance is critical now more than ever, as schools continue to address learning gaps and keep students on track. Please be sure to make all efforts to have your student to school on time and remain at school for the entirety of the school day.
We appreciate your support in your student's education.
NOTES FROM THE REGISTRAR
CONTACT INFORMATION: Please keep all information updated.
- Are your phone numbers current?
- Is your email accurate?
- Do you have emergency persons listed?
- Is your address correct?
Any of the bullets above can be corrected and/or updated by contacting the registrar’s office. Changing your address requires a current Proof of Residency to be on file per District policy. Current Proof of Residency can be one of the following: A current lease in your name is required if reside at a rental property. A current utility bill, property tax statement, or closing documents are required if you own the property in which you reside. If you are living with a family member or friend you are required to complete a District Affidavit. Please call the Registrar’s office at 281-357-3134 ext.3009 for further details on an Affidavit or questions regarding any of the above.
F2F students - Please be sure to return notes to excuse absences with 3 days of return.
TVS students - Please be sure to email our registrar your absence excuse within 3 days of return. doristorres@tomballisd.net
REPORT CARDS & Progress Reports
You should now be able to access your student's progress report and report cards via Home Access Center.
We just wanted to remind parents that this year, Tomball ISD is going paperless for all Progress Reports and Report Cards. You can find progress reports and report card grades in the Home Access Center program. Please go into your child’s HAC program and you will view the report card grades from there. The following are directions on how to use the HAC program:
1. Go to https://grades.tomballisd.net/HomeAccess/Registration/Demographic
2. Click on the grades tab in the middle of the page.
3. Click on the progress report or report card tab on the left side of the page.
If you are unable to access or need help with your login, please contact our registrar at 281-357-3134 ext 3009
Thank you, Doris Torres, Registrar
At Home Math
Developing a student's desire to achieve can sometimes be difficult. As parents we are always looking for ways to help our children. Here are some simple tips for helping your child.
There are lots of ways to incorporate mathematical conversations at home that will enhance student growth. Playing games is another great option. Below are some links you can use for engagement and encourage math discourse.
3rd & 4th Grade Fractions Activity
Area and Perimeter- Have discussions related to real-life situations in which area and/or perimeter is needed to solve a problem. Example: painting a wall, putting carpet in a room, size of an area rug, building a fence, etc.
Update from "Nurse Lance"
Students must screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms before entering a school bus or school. Please refer to the following Daily Health Screening for Students document.
Daily Health Screening for Students_English.pdf
Please don't hesitate to call if you have any questions - Nurse Lance
Decker Prairie PTO
Family Fitness Daily Movement Calendar
Here is the February Calendar
Child Nutrition - District Menus
Counselor's Corner
Meeting the Challenge
Elementary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Elementary school counselors don’t work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve school success. Professional school counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program. ASCA’s National Standards in the academic, career, and personal/social domains are the foundation for this work. The ASCA National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 2002), with its data-driven and results-based focus, serves as a guide for today’s school counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this program.Parents,
Here are some parenting tips from Big Life Journal that you may find helpful.
Very often our children challenge the rules and boundaries we put in place.
They want to have more screentime, they want to have their own cell phone, they want to have more dessert...
And when we say no, that's when conflicts and arguments arise...😥
So what do we do in these situations?
Let me first tell you what we USUALLY do.
We explain.
"You can't watch so much TV, it's not good for you."
We explain WHY we have these rules and limitations in place. We explain WHY they can't have more screentime, WHY they can't own a cell phone when all their friends have cell phones, WHY they can't have another cookie.
We explain and explain... and they seem not to care or the conflict doesn't go away...
And here's why.
Because in explaining we actually forget the most important thing.
The most important thing is NOT to get them to understand your logical reasoning.
The most important thing is to help them process their **emotions** and **feelings** AND to show them that YOU understand.
You understand their feelings. You get it.
Here's what you can say:
"I know this is so hard. You really want to keep watching the show. It's so so hard to hear "NO" when you REALLY want to. I get that. I really really do."
Sometimes that's all you need to say.
You can offer a hug, you can let them cry and express their strong feelings. They need to know that all feelings are okay. They're welcome to show how they feel about the rules and boundaries. And you, as their sturdy leader, is there to listen, understand, and hold your ground.
Spirit Nights
UPCOMING DATES
MAR 22nd - Welcome back Cougars!
Friday, APR 2nd - Staff and Student Holiday
STAAR Testing Dates
- Writing: April 27th
- Math: May 11th
- Reading: May 12th
Lost and Found - "Find it Friday" - Check out the inventory pictures via our Facebook page
- Don't forget to have your student check our "Find it Friday" tables each Friday.
- Also, unclaimed items will be posted (pictures) to our DPES Facebook page for parents to double-check.
- It is important that you label everything that goes to school. Any items with names will be returned to owners.
Technology Help
All DPES Families - Stay Updated!
Join our Twitter - @TISDDPES
Decker Prairie Elementary
Email: contact@ourschool.com
Website: https://dpes.tomballisd.net/
Location: 27427 Decker Prairie-Rosehill Road, Magnolia, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 357-3134
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TISDDPES
Twitter: @TISDDPES