The Leopard Tale
September 8, 2020
Principal's Points
Welcome Leopards to a fantastic new year!
We believe that our Andre’ village includes the collaborative efforts of our parents, teachers, and community, and therefore, we invite you to join us in this year’s learning adventure.
Our theme this year is “Building a Culture of Kindness,” as we encourage our students to be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody! Whether your child is participating in in-person learning, or through CFISD Connect, our Leopards will be united together, for a truly remarkable year. Please let us know if there is any way we can assist you in getting this year off to a great start!
Our goal is to provide quality customer service that meets the needs of our entire community. As the health and safety guidance we receive changes, our procedures may continue to evolve as well. The most current CFISD information, as well as frequently asked questions, can be found on the school district website in the Lead Safely plan, LEAD Safely 2020-2021. A video describing our campus safety protocols was sent to all parents through school messenger and posted on Facebook. During this unprecedented time, communication remains a top priority for us. Our campus newsletter will be e-mailed and is typically available online the first Tuesday of the month. Your child’s teacher is your first line of communication and will be a great resource for you this year. Throughout the year, we will keep you informed of Andre’ Elementary activities, ongoing safety precaution revisions, curriculum updates, your child's progress, and all of the events that will make this a successful and memorable year.
We want to stay connected with you! Please visit our website at www.cfisd.net, select schools and facilities, elementary schools, and then Andre’. This will take you to our website. We will also regularly post photos and news on the Official Andre’ Facebook page. This is also where we will post any video messages. To locate our page, search @CFISDAndre. Make sure you follow us on Twitter, @CFISDAndre, as well. Use the hashtag #AndreInAction to join us in celebrating Leopard learning.
We encourage you to sign up to be on School Messenger by texting y to 67587, so that you can receive our newsletter, as well as other information regarding our school and district. Additionally, you can choose to receive texts, phone calls, or emails regarding emergency school closures, upcoming event information, and school reminders. Instructions, a video, and links to signups are posted on the school district website. Thank you for your partnership, as our Andre’ Leopards learn that in a world where they can be anything, to choose kindness always.
News From the Nurse
Hello Andre’ Leopards!
I am Ursula Staten, your new School Nurse. I am looking forward to working with you during this unique school year. I used the word unique, because there will be many new protocols and procedures in place that may be a little different from previous school years. This will not take away from students receiving the best school-based healthcare and education possible.
Important Health-Related Information
· All students (grades PK-12) must wear face masks on buses, in hallways, and in common areas. Face masks will be provided for students if needed.
· Face masks are defined to include non-medical and medical grade disposable face masks and cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth) that meet the same protection standards as non-medical grade face masks. Additionally, face masks with exhalation valves (vents that allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material) may only be worn in combination with full-face shields.
Parents must screen students daily (prior to entering a school bus or school) for the following signs and symptoms of COVID-19:
Are you experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal to you?
o Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.00 F
o Loss of taste or smell
o Cough
o Difficulty breathing
o Shortness of breath
o Fatigue
o Headache
o Chills
o Sore throat
o Congestion or runny nose
o Shaking or exaggerated shivering
o Significant muscle pain or ache
o Diarrhea
o Nausea or vomiting
o Have you had known close contact with a person who is suspected, presumptive or lab confirmed with COVID-19 within the last 14 days?
- Students must stay home if they answer “yes” to any of the above. Students may transition temporarily to the CFISD Connect remote learning option during this period with the ability to keep up with instruction and meet attendance requirements.
- Students who show symptoms of COVID-19 at school will be evaluated by the nurse. The nurse will determine whether that child can remain at school.
- Before a student may return to school, established criteria must be met as stated in the “Students Return to School Protocol” on the district website.
Feel free to reach out to me for any health-related questions or concerns. You can reach me by phone at 281-463-5505 or by email at ursula.staten@cfisd.net.
Healthfully Yours,
Ursula Staten BSN, RN
School Nurse
Notes from the front desk
Lunch Visitors
Due to new health protocols, we will not have lunch visitors or deliveries.
Absences
If your child is absent, please send a note on the first day of your child’s return to school stating the reason for the absence. Thank you.
Transportation Changes
If a child’s end-of-day transportation changes, the parent/guardian must send a note with the date, necessary changes and parent/guardian signature. If a note is not received, the usual method of transportation will be followed.
For safety purposes, no changes will be made after 3:45 P.M. and PHONE CALLS or E-MAILS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
Early Departure
If you need to pick up your child prior to 3:45, please send a note in the morning, with the reason for leaving, as well as the name of the person who will be picking up your child. This person must have an ID that matches the name you provide for us to release your child. We will not dismiss your child from class until you arrive. You are welcome to call from the parking lot to let us know that you have arrived so that your child can begin walking to the front office, but you will also need to meet us at the front door with your ID, where we will deliver your child to you. Again, the ID must match the name of the person you provided in your note that you sent with your child.
Counselors' Corner
Welcome back, Andre’ Leopards!
Meet your counselors:
Ms. Hooper will be the contact for grades PK, 1,3,5, LS, and her website is https://sites.google.com/cfisd.net/mshooper/home
Mr. Finnerty will be the contact for grades KG, 2, 4, and his website is https://sites.google.com/cfisd.net/mrfinnerty/home
Each month we will share any updates on what we are doing, along with the Core Essential Value of the month. Face to face students will be getting a small group counseling sheet on their first day. Please return those by Friday, September 25th. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have throughout the year. We look forward to the 2020-2021 school year.
Homework Information
The tradition of homework has recently been the target of much debate and is often questioned by parents and teachers who either love it or hate it. Current research does not demonstrate a correlation between homework and increased academic achievement at the elementary level. Loading up children with just “more” of anything will not impact learning.
Our responsibility as a school is to support your child in reaching their full potential with the instruction provided in the 7 hours and 15 minutes they are with us each and every day.
While homework will not be formally assigned by the teacher or the campus, there is value in some at-home practices that can solidify learning. Our goal is to give back time and provide opportunities to read with your child, practice math facts, study for upcoming tests, practice spelling words, practice handwriting and talk with your child about their day. This philosophy on homework will also provide opportunity to play outside, engage in extra-curricular activities, and spend time with family after school.
Your child’s teacher should routinely communicate updates, keeping you informed of what your child is learning. If you have specific concerns about your child’s progress, your child’s teacher can share websites or resources to support your child’s continued growth. Additionally, parents can always access resources on the District website, such as daily math for grades 2-5. Access the Parents and Students Tab, Academics, and then Curriculum/Course Descriptions. From there, select Math under Elementary Curriculum and then Math Resources. This will take you to a Google site with videos, slides, and problems of the day.
Honors and Achievements
LEOPARD LEADER
Andre’ Leopard Leaders are a group of students who promote positive
student actions using staff checkpoints and student incentives.
Leopard Leader status is obtained by students who excel in behavior
and responsibility.
Leopard Leader Entitlements:
Each Leopard Leader will be given a badge and expected to wear it
every day. Students must be wearing the Leopard Leader badge to redeem
any special privilege. Wearing of the badge entitles the students to activities such as the following:
· Check out one extra book from the library
· First in line at lunch
· Eating in the Leopard Leader café
· Invited to end of nine-week celebrations
· Special days (ie. Hat Days)
· Grade level specific privileges and rewards
· Any other activities created by the committee
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
Students are recognized each quarter with incentives for earning perfect attendance.
NINE WEEKS HONOR ROLL
Andre’ Elementary follows the CFISD reporting of Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll for students in grades 2-5.
Distinguished Honor Roll: Students must earn straight A’s in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies with all S’s for satisfactory performance in Health, P.E., Art, Music/ Theater Arts and all S’s in conduct.
Honor Roll: Students must earn a combination of A’s and B’s (either 4 A’s and 1 B, OR 3 A’s and 2 B’s) in academic subjects, with all S’s for satisfactory performance in Health, P.E., Art, Music/Theater Arts and all S’s in conduct.
Students who achieve either Honor Roll will receive a certificate and sticker the first nine weeks it is earned, and a new sticker each nine weeks that they earn it to add to the certificate. Gold stickers are awarded for Distinguished (A) Honor Roll, and Silver stickers are awarded for Honor (A/B) Roll.
Stay Connected
Crisis Drills
The safety and welfare of our students and staff are our highest priority. To provide schools an opportunity to practice emergency response procedures, our district Superintendent has asked all students and staff to participate in emergency preparedness drills on a continuous basis.
The goals of the training drills are to improve our ability to protect students, save lives, and reduce injuries. They allow us to evaluate our emergency operations plan and improve our response skills. As part of the drill, the students and staff will participate in the activation of our Campus Emergency Operations Plan. We will follow Covid 19 Safety Considerations during all crisis drills.
In order to protect students, in case of an actual emergency, students will only be released to the parents and/or other adults listed on the student’s Emergency Contacts in Eschool. Please ensure that this information is updated and accurate.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to call our school office at Tel. (281) 463-5500.
Child Find
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.
Student Council
Did you know that Andre’ receives 10₵ for every General Mills Box Tops for Education we collect? Please remember to scan your receipts for Box Tops from participating products. See the flyer below for information on how to download the app and scan receipts.
If each student turns in 10 box tops, our school will earn over $1,100! Wow!
PTO
We are excited to start this new school year with all our Andre’ families either in person or virtually!
The PTO has been busy getting ready and would like to have you join us as a member! By joining as a member, the $15.00 membership fee supports all the programs and events we coordinate throughout the year. As a member, you are not obligated to attend any meetings or volunteer. Your $15.00 membership fee, as well as funds raised from fundraising, spirit nights, donations, and volunteer hours, goes towards classroom parties, STEM programs, and Virtual events. As we venture into the unknown with more Virtual planning, your support will be very much appreciated. Joining the PTO also allows us to build our partnership with you and the teachers and staff at the school!
We look forward to the continued support from our returning families and to meeting all the new Andre’ Elementary School Families.
Please see the attached 2020-2021 Bundle Form to purchase the Spirit Shirts and the Membership.
Help Andre’ Earn “Free Money”!
My Coke Rewards: https://us.coca-cola.com/give/schools/
When you make a Coca-Cola purchase, you simply enter the product codes on the website and we get a donation from Coca-Cola.
Amazon Smile: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/56-2612718
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to Andre’ PTO. Please be sure to add Andre’ PTO as your charity.
Kroger Plus: www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Add Andre’ Elementary PTO Inc as your community rewards organization under “My Account.” You will need to confirm your selection if you have signed up previously.
Next PTO Meeting:
Want to know more about what we are planning this year? Our next ZOOM PTO Meeting will be on Thursday, September 17th at 6:30pm. Please email andreleopardpto@gmail.com if you would like to attend. We will send you the ZOOM link.
PTO Contact Information:
Facebook: Andre’ Elementary PTO – like and share our page to get the most up to date information for the school year!
Twitter: @AndreElemPTO
Email: AndreLeopardPTO@gmail.com
Cafeteria
- SchoolCafé is a safe and secure way for parents to make online payments to their children’s cafeteria accounts.
- School Café also allows parents, students and staff to view and interact with school cafeteria menus, view nutritional analysis, ingredient and allergen information.
- Free/Reduced Price meal applications can also be accessed and completed on School Café.
- Visit www.schoolcafe.com or the SchoolCafe app to apply.
- Call 281-897-4550 or visit the Food Production Center at 11355 Perry Road with questions and for assistance.
- Paper applications are available upon request.
Mark your calendar
9/9- 9:30-10:30- Supply Pick-up for CFISD Connect Students (If you missed the pick-up on 9/3)
9/16- Safety Drills
10/14- Fall Portraits
About Us
Email: andre@cfisd.net
Website: andre.cfisd.net/en/
Location: 8111 Fry Road, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-463-5500
Facebook: facebook.com/cfisdandre/
Twitter: @cfisdandre