Principal Allen's Weekly Newsletter
October 19- October 23
Campus Announcements
Student Report Cards
Report cards will be available through the Home Access Center on Friday, October 23rd. I would encourage parents to register for HAC if you haven't already as printed copies of report cards will not be available. Here is the link to register: HAC (Home Access Center).
Dismissal times will change for the 2nd 9 weeks. Beginning on Monday, October 19, the times will be as follows:
- 2:40PM - Bus Riders
- 2:45PM - Walkers and Bikers
- 2:50PM - Car Riders
Announcements for New In Person Learners
We are excited to welcome more students to in person learning! As you prepare for your first day back, please look over the procedures for arrival and dismissal and campus/ district expectations.
Arrival & Dismissal Procedures: Please view the arrival/dismissal procedures and map to ensure a smooth drop off and pick up.
Students will need to bring the following:
- Face Mask: Please review the RRISD mask requirements and expectations for your child while on any RRISD campus
- Charged Electronic device: Children will be using devices on a daily basis to access Spanish, DreamBox, Istation and to post some of their work. This device can either be one from home (labeled with your child’s name) or a borrowed laptop from school. Either way, students will need to carry their device back and forth between home and school.
- Headphones
- Refillable Water Bottle: Drinking fountains in the school building are closed. Please make sure to send a full water bottle (labeled with your child’s name) in your child’s backpack each day. They may use the water bottle refilling stations that are located throughout the building as needed.
- Lunch: If your child is bringing lunch from home then please make sure that all the items for lunch are together in a bag, container or lunch box. Students are also able to order a school lunch.
TAG Referral Process
Parents and guardians can view an updated recording of our district’s 2020-2021 TAG Referral Process Presentation beginning October 19th.
A link to this virtual presentation will be shared on RRISD’s Talented and Gifted webpage as well as Spicewood’s TAG website.
Our TAG Specialists, Ms. Cimo and Mrs. Mitchell, will be hosting a live Q & A on Thursday, October 29th at 6PM to address any remaining questions.
Virtual meet details will be shared prior to the session.
Choice Workshop Round 2
Spicewood Elementary is hosting a weekly Choice Workshop for students on Fridays. Each Friday during your child’s designated special’s time (both in person and virtual), students will choose one option from the Choice Workshop choice board in their Friday Schoology folder. This workshop will be a 30 minute long recorded video, and gives students the opportunity to dive into their current interests and discover new talents they may have! A new round of workshops will be offered every 3 weeks. Below are the Choice Workshop options and materials your child will need to participate. Please share these options with your child, and collect the materials needed. If your child is an in-person learner, please send the needed materials with your child on Friday morning. If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Oates and Alexandra Peoples.
Choice Workshops for October 16th- October 30th (Fridays Only)
Student Report Cards
Report cards will be available through the Home Access Center on Friday, October 23rd. I would encourage parents to register for HAC if you haven't already as printed copies of report cards will not be available. Here is the link to register: HAC (Home Access Center).
Counselor's Corner
So far this year we have created guidance lessons on the role of school counselors, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and self-esteem/identity for Kindergarten through 5th grade. We are busy meeting with students individually (both virtually and in-person), and we started No Place For Hate student coalition meetings. Our 5th grade NPFH members already have so many great ideas about how to spread tolerance and empathy throughout our school community. We are hoping to start small groups by the end of this month that will focus on things like study/organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and stress management.
We will be celebrating making healthy choices during Red Ribbon Week, which goes from Monday, 10/26 to Friday, 10/30. During this week students will watch daily videos from counselors exploring the themes of Red Ribbon week, and they will also get a more in-depth guidance lesson about how to make healthy choices for our bodies and minds. We also encourage all students and staff (and parents!) to wear red on Monday 10/26, and dress as their favorite book character on 10/30.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the counseling department for any questions or concerns regarding the social, emotional, and academic development of your child.
Wishing you all a Happy October!
Best,
Ms. Alyea and Mrs. Kentopp
Spicewood School Counselors
Announcements from PTA
Grade Level Committee Members Needed
We are very short on volunteers for Grade Level Committees.
**Join the Grade Level Committee (Formerly Homeroom Parent) https://spicewoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com/gradelevel
Upcoming Campus Events & Dates
Friday, October 16
1st 9 Week Grading Period Ends
Monday, October 19
Beginning of 2nd 9 Week Grading Period
TAG Referral Process available for viewing
Friday, October 23
K-5 Report Cards available in HAC
Monday, October 26th- Friday, October 30th
Red Ribbon Week
(Red Ribbon Week Activities : Daily videos from counselors, healthy choices guidance lessons, dress in RED, dress as your favorite book character)
Monday, October 26th
Red Ribbon Week Activity - Dress in Red
Thursday, October 29
6:00PM Virtual TAG Referral Process Q&A
Friday, October 30
Red Ribbon Week Activity - Dress as your favorite book character
Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 3
Make up Picture Day
District Updates
Reimagining Learning Plan
Round Rock ISD has shared very specific details regarding the On- Campus & Virtual Learning Plans. If you haven't already, I encourage you to take a look at the Parent Overview.
Please continue to visit the district's website Reimagining Education 2020-2021 for updates .
Spicewood Elementary Vision Statement:
Spicewood cultivates self-awareness to embrace curiosity, empathy, and collaboration within our local and global communities.