Congratulations to all of our Super Spellers who competed in our Spelling Bee on Friday. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Out of over 300 students in third, fourth and fifth grade, the following spellers competed in the Bee.

Congratulations to our third grade spellers Zahra P., Zayan P., Adyant L., Noah S., Haleigh M., Boyd B., Lukshanaa V., Aryan O., Nina C., and Robert H..

Way To Go fourth grade spellers Quin N-L., Sara A., Emma B., Sahasra B., Sumaiya J., Hemang P., Jonathan P., Akilan R., Omotara A., and Sadra T.

Woo Hoo to our fifth grade spellers Zion J., Seyitahmet A., Svana D., Anna Z. Jayda M., Nivetha P., Rio Tsuzaki and Martin G. We are so proud of all of you!

Congratulations to Martin G. for winning the Spelling Bee in the seventh round! Martin will go on to represent Bush Elementary at the HISD Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Zayan P., Sahasra B., and Svana D. for coming in second place!

I hope all members of the Bush family have an enjoyable and relaxing Winter Holiday. Enjoy the time with your family and we'll see the students back at school on Monday, January 9 at 7:30 a.m.

Students will have access to the online HISD programs over the break. Students can stay up to date on their skills using the online programs. In addition, nothing beats picking up a good book and reading. At Thanksgiving break I stated my goal was to read and finish a book. I met and exceeded my goal as I completed 2 books. My Winter Holiday book challenge will be to read at least 3 books. How many books will you read over the break?

We are planning a big party to celebrate every student who has perfect attendance for the fourth six-week marking period! Students will be invited to this party if they are at school every day between Monday, January 9th through Friday, February 24th. Let’s see how many Bush Bobcats we will have at our party! It is so important to be at school each and every day and we want to recognize our students who come to school every day and have perfect attendance.

A cold front is coming to Houston later this week. Please read over the following recommendations on how to prepare for it along with resources in case you need them:

• 3-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned or pouched food
• 1 gallon of water per day for each person and pet
• Manual can opener
• Baby items (baby food, formula, bottles, diapers)
• Pet supplies (more details below)
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries or crank radio (emergency alert radio is best)
• Extra cell phone battery and car charger
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Matches and lighter – keep in a waterproof container or sealable plastic bag
• Whistle

In the event of a winter storm:

• Find shelter; stay inside and as warm as possible.
• Avoid driving and stay off the roads.
• Wear several warm yet loose layers of clothing.
• Stay hydrated.
• Be aware of potential carbon monoxide poisoning from using cars, gas ovens, or other gas-burning equipment to heat indoor spaces.

Resources:

City of Houston Emergency Operations Center-https://houstonemergency.org/

Ready Harris - Prepare for Winter Weather- https://www.readyharris.org/prepare-for-winter-weather

Ready South Texas - Winter Weather-https://www.readysouthtexas.gov/Know-Your-Risks/Natural-Hazards/Winter-Weather

Emergency Preparedness Resource Guide from the Texas State Law Library-https://guides.sll.texas.gov/weather-emergencies/emergency-preparedness

HISD runs all pre-kindergarten lotteries through their School Choice site on the HISD portal at https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/177890

Parents are able to submit applications online for their child to attend PK at Bush Elementary starting today through February 2, 2023. Parents will be notified if their child received a place in the lottery on April 5, 2023. Then, if the space is accepted, the student needs to be tested and paperwork checked to ensure the student qualifies for pre-kindergarten. Applications are only completed online and the Bush front office does not have any part in the PK lottery application process.

The pre-kindergarten program at Bush Elementary consists of one class of 22 students. Students must qualify for the program via a variety of means such as Limited English and Economically Disadvantaged. Students must also be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023.

Lottery priority is given to siblings of students currently enrolled at Bush Elementary. Next, the students living in our school zone will be included in the lottery. Due to the limited space in our pre-kindergarten program, we are unable to have any students out of our school zone apply. Those applications will be removed from the Bush Elementary PK lottery.

We will be conducting GT testing for first through fifth graders beginning January 10th. If you would like to have your child tested, please print out and complete the application below and turn it into Jessica Ayala in the front office by Monday, January 9. You may also ask your child’s teacher for a paper copy of the application.

The GT testing window this year runs from January 10th – February 11th. Students will be taking an abilities test and academic tests over several days. All testing will be on paper this year and will be administered during the school day. Results of this testing will be sent home sometime in late spring. If your child qualifies for the GT program, they will be placed in a GT homeroom for next school year.

All kindergarteners were tested for GT in November.

22-23 GT APPLICATION

It is that time of year to reflect, give, and grow. The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to pause and remember everything that makes us feel grateful. It is important for us to teach others that we must continue to focus on ways to continue to be compassionate and kind to others, especially to ourselves. We must have positive self-talk and encourage ourselves to always do our best and never give up.

This week's printable:
Growth Mindset- Entertainment Holiday Pack
By Big Life Journal

As we move into the holiday season, please see attached document full of awesome suggestions to teach perseverance, personal growth, kindness, compassion, and friendship. Movies, books, and other resources are a great way to continue to learn about growth mindset over the holiday break for all the family.

West Briar Middle School is offering campus tours for interested parents and guardians on the following dates:

January 17th at 10am

February 21st at 10am

No registration is required; please check in at the front office.

The Spectacular Science Word for the week of December 19 is opaque.

Ms. Rose would like to wish a very special birthday to:

Yekta S. who turned 6 years old on December 19 and is a kindergartner in Ms. Bracken's class.

Aarush M. who turned 11 years old on December 21 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Hillman's class.

Kylee M. who turned 11 years old on December 21 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Mireles's class.

Hunter C. who turns 9 years old on December 23 and is a third grader in Ms. Baber's class.

Christina L. who turns 8 years old on December 23 and is a second grader in Ms. Brown's class.

Ran I. who turns 9 years old on December 24 and is a third grader in Ms. Baber's class.

Sophia K. who turns 7 years old on December 26 and is a first grader in Ms. Fox's class.

Sara T. who turns 7 years old on December 27 and is a first grader in Ms. Mi's class.

Hudson V. who turns 7 years old on December 29 and is a first grader in Ms. Baldwin's class.

Anne N. who turns 9 years old on December 31 and is a third grader in Ms. Baber's class.

Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!

The PTO website is getting a facelift! Beginning in January, we will be changing our web hosting platform. The website URL will still be the same, www.BBEpto.com, but it will have a whole new look. The new website will include many new features, so stay tuned for more information coming the week of January 9!

School Store on the Go will return next semester! Prices range from $0.10- $5. Please help teach your child how to be responsible with their money and to also be kind to students who did not bring money.

1/20 - 4th and 5th Grades

1/27 - 2nd and 3rd Grades

2/3 - 1st Grade, Kinder, and Pre-K

2/10 - 4th and 5th Grades

2/17 - 2nd and 3rd Grades

3/3 - 1st Grade, Kinder, and Pre-K

The online store has closed for Winter Break. All items purchased online on or before Thursday, 12/15 have been delivered to classrooms.

The School Store will NOT be open today, Wednesday, December 21st for in person shopping.

Be sure to follow @bbepto on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates when we get new stock!

Please contact mybushstore@gmail.com with any questions about the School Store.

Join the Birthday Book Club and make your student’s day extra special! Your student will receive a personal birthday greeting from Ms. Rose during the morning announcements, and have their name printed in the weekly Paw Prints newsletter, in a book for the library, AND on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday.

We would love for families to send in any photos that are school-related, such as photos you snapped at the Let’s Glow Wild Party on Friday, Pajama Day, Astros day, or any grade-specific event/project that we can include in the yearbook!

Please send no more than 3 photos to bushptoyearbook@gmail.com and label the pictures with your child's grade.

For the month of January 2023, First Fridays and Second Saturdays with PTO will be taking a break. Our bi-monthly social hours will resume in February– we hope to see you then!

22-23 Faculty and Staff

Counselor - Jewell Quinonez

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext: 275212)

Jewell.Quinonez@houstonisd.org

Click here to visit the BBE Counselor Corner

FOR RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH -

Wraparound - Maria Quevedo

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275105)

maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

FOR ATTENDANCE -

Registrar - Adriana Rosales

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275104)

arosale3@houstonisd.org