Kangaroo Connection
Weekly updates for our NCES families
April 12, 2021
Para la versión en español, seleccione "Traducir Newsletter" en el lado derecho de este boletín.
We are so thrilled to see all the Pre-K and Kinder preregistration applications for 21-22! We are offering free and tuition based Pre-Kindergarten next year.
**We have preregistration sessions available next week for parents who are unable to register electronically. If you are able to register online, you do NOT need to attend the preregistration session. We will be sharing the virtual video tour of our campus with parents next week via email and dojo.
Parents, do you have a child who will be 4 or 5 years old by Sept. 1? Our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs are now open for them! Find out more at www.dvisd.net/kindergarten/
If you are planning on enrolling your student in Pre-K or Kinder next year, please complete the preregistration application. This helps us plan for staffing and rooms for next year!
Warm regards,
Ashley Fredo
NCES Principal
Important Dates
- April 13th: Campus Lockdown Drill
- April 13-15th: Pre-K & Kindergarten Pre-Registration
- April 15th: 1pm Dental Health Workshop for parents
- April 20th: 9am STAAR-Parent Information session
Register now for PK & Kinder @ www.dvisd.net
Pre-K and Kindergarten PRE-Registration
Parents, do you have a child who will be 4 or 5 years old by Sept. 1? Our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs are now open for them! Find out more at www.dvisd.net/kindergarten/.
Collins will have free PK for qualifying students AND tuition based option for non-qualifying students in 21-22! Pre-registration can be completed online without visiting a DVISD campus. For families wishing to visit a campus or in need of pre-registration assistance, our school is available at the following dates and times. *Please note: All visitors must wear a mask and pass a temperature screening to visit any DVISD campus.
Pre-registration assistance
- Tuesday, April 13: 8 – 10 a.m. and 5:30 – 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 14: 8 – 10 a.m.
- Thursday, April 15: 8 – 10 a.m. and 5:30 – 7 p.m.
**A Virtual Video Tour will be provided this week to all parents via ClassDojo and School Messenger. We are NOT conducting in-person tours of the campus currently.
Please note: this is PRE-REGISTRATION, not a complete enrollment process. At this time, we are only collecting basic information. More details will be provided when it is time to complete the registration process.
Campus Lockdown Practice Drill
We will conduct a lock-down drill on April 13th at our campus. This will include the presence of law officials on the premises. This drill is in addition to our regularly scheduled fire drills throughout the year. Safety is our priority and we want our students and staff to be prepared to know what to do in the event of an emergency. You or your child may have questions about this; therefore, we encourage you to partner with us in discussing student safety at home.
Attached is information that explains our different emergency procedures. Please contact me with any questions.
Parent Pick Up at Dismissal
Please make sure that you have your orange parent pickup sign visible at pickup. This helps campus staff know that you have been verified as a pickup for your student. We appreciate your partnership and understanding in order to keep our students safe and ensure they get home with the right people! If you do not have an orange sign or need an additional sign, please bring your ID to the front office.
Dental Health Workshop for Parents
Come learn about the St. David's program that is providing dental services to students and how to care for the oral hygiene of your family!
Virtual Session for Parents
Thursday, April 15th
1:00PM
English and Spanish
Zoom link will be provided to parents via Classdojo and School Messenger
- Oral health is essential to general health and well-being.
- Oral disease can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. It can also affect social interaction and employment potential.1
- The three oral conditions that most affect overall health and quality of life are cavities, severe gum disease, and severe tooth loss.2
- By age 8, over half of children (52%) have had a cavity in their primary (baby) teeth.3
- On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned (emergency) dental care, and over $45 billion in US productivity is lost each year due to untreated dental disease.
Reference: CDC
Books for students mailed directly to your home!
Families with children 12 and under, in Central Texas, with less than 15 books can apply to get FREE books mailed directly at home. If you are experiencing economic hardship, please apply.
Your family is eligible at this time if you live in Central Texas. Your application will be prioritized if you qualify for any of the following programs.
The Federal Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program, Woman, Infant and Children (WIC), Texas Unemployment Compensation, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Section 8 (HCV) or other Housing Assistance.
What does BookSpring Direct provide?
Families will receive a package of gently used books and materials, and activities designed to enhance reading motivation and interest. Parents and caregivers are invited to opt into weekly BookSpring text messages for tips, downloadable books, and other free resources to promote reading at home.
Visit https://www.bookspring.org/en/direct/ for more information and to sign up!
STAAR Parent Information Session: April 20th @ 9am
Please join us for an information session about the STAAR test. Each year, all 3rd-5th graders take the STAAR test. We will review the STAAR test, dates, how we support our students at Collins and how you can help your child prepare for this test.
Virtual Session for Parents
April 20th @ 9AM
English and Spanish
Zoom link will be provided to parents via Classdojo and School Messenger
WHAT IS STAAR ?
STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which is the state's student testing program. The assessments are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which are the state curriculum standards. Students will be tested in the core subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics and science.
STAAR TESTING PURPOSE
STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. The goal is to ensure that all students receive what they need to be academically successful.
NCES-STAAR TESTING SCHEDULE
•April 6, 2021, 4th Grade Writing
•May 11 – 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Math
•May 12 - 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Reading
•May 13 – 5th Grade Science
Water Bottles Reminder
COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL !
Here are the ways that we are communicating with our families at Newton Collins. If you are not receiving emails or need help with Dojo, please contact our front office or your child's teacher. We can help!
- Collins Parent Newsletter-Weekly, via email
- Our campus Twitter: Account: @DVISD_NCES
- Class Dojo / Website Updates at http://nces.dvisd.net/
Visit Our Student Learning Portal
Visit DVISD Newton Collins Website
Newton Collins Facebook Page
FREE Austin Public Library Card
All DVISD students can receive a free Austin Public Library card. This card gives them access to millions of books and digital resources as well as free, online homework help. They can even check out print books using APL's Curbside Service!
In-person students in grades 3-5 received their Austin Public Library cards during their library lesson on Friday, 4/9. In-person students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be receiving their card from their homeroom teacher this week.
If your student learns from home, you can pick up their APL card from the front office this week starting on Wednesday, 4/14. If your student didn't receive a printed card, please contact Austin Public Library Customer Service at 512-974-7475, and they can share your student's login information with you.
This video shows students how to log into their APL account and use it. For questions about this program within our school, parents are welcome to contact our librarian, Amy Gonzalez, at (512) 386-3914 or at amy.gonzalez@dvisd.net