Buckalew Buzz
September 25, 2023
Connect With Us!
Buckalew Bears Motto:
"Today I choose to BE Kind, Work Hard, and Do My BEst!"
Our school hours are officially 8:00-3:10. Students may arrive as early as 7:30.
Email: contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net
Website: https://buckalew.conroeisd.net/
Location: 4909 Alden Bridge Dr, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 2814653400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckalewCISD/
Instagram: @buckalewbears
Twitter: @buckalewbears
From Mrs. Price
Buckalew Family,
We have had a great 2 weeks celebrating reading with our Book Fair, and we also celebrated our district's Read for a Better Life, last Wednesday. Thank you to Mrs. West and our Book Fair volunteers for making our Book Fair so successful. We also want to give a special shout-out to Coach Russell, our PE teacher who brought Roller Skating to our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Not many elementary schools venture to bring Roller Skating into the school, but we are so blessed to have this opportunity to provide our students during the school day. Thank you to the parent volunteers who helped assist our students in getting their roller-gear on.
We will celebrate The Woodlands High School's homecoming week by wearing ONE color on "Monochrome Monday", Wednesday and Friday, students can wear Red & Green or TWHS spirit wear or their favorite school spirit. We also want to congratulate TWHS on achieving the Lone Star Cup! Dr. Landry, Principal of The Woodlands High School, joined our morning announcements Thursday to share the Lone Star Cup with our students.
Thank YOU for your support and for sharing your children with us.
Mrs. Price
Conroe ISD Bond 2023 Information
Prop A in Bond 2023 includes 8 new schools. Conroe ISD schools are collectively at 104% capacity with some campuses exceeding 150% of capacity. The largest project in Prop A is a new high school for the Conroe area to relieve Conroe and Caney Creek High Schools. Conroe High School’s enrollment is over 5,000 students and projected to exceed 6,000 students in three years. New Schools in Prop A are as follows: Prop A also includes additions to 3 campuses. They are as follows: To learn more about these and other items in Prop A, please visit [www.conroeisd.net/bond]www.conroeisd.net/bond.
Upcoming Events
**Please pay close attention to homeroom teacher newsletters for class-specific events.**
September
25th- Show your spirit on "Monochrome Monday" by wearing ONE color
27th- TWHS Red and Green Parade, 5:30
Students wear Red & Green/TWHS to school.
29th- TWHS Homecoming Game
Students wear Red & Green/TWHS to school.
October
2-13- Coat Drive (Kindergarten Community Service Project)
5- Walk to School Day/End of 1st Quarter
6- Staff Development Day- No Students
9- School Holiday- Columbus Day
13- PTO Meeting- Bond Presentation
14- Bike Rodeo
16-27- Pajama Drive (details to follow- 2nd Grade Community Service Project)
20- Picture Retakes
23-27- Red Ribbon Week
27- Storybook Parade
November
1- Boosterthon Kick Off
3- PTO Meeting
7- Staff Development Day/No School
9-4th Grade Music Program
10--Boosterthon Run
11-17- Generation Texas Week
20-24- Thanksgiving Break/No School
30- 4th Grade After School Playdate
December
1- PTO Meeting
7- Choir Concert
14- 2nd Grade After School Playdate
15- End of 2nd Quarter/Early Release 12:10
Dec16-Jan 2- Winter Break
Important Information
Front Office: 281-465-3400 / email: contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net
- Attendance Line: 281-465-3410 available 24/7/ email: buckalewabsence@conroeisd.net
The Woodlands Bus Center: 832-592-8800
Transportation Changes: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net (Before 2:00 p.m.)
Please save the front office, attendance line and if applicable bus hub phone numbers in your cell phone contact list. Don't forget to sign up for Emergency Text Message Alerts: text “Y” to 67587.
Buckalew Important Information: This is a one-page quick reference guide to our student handbook. Great for the refrigerator! Please click below to download a copy. Alternatively, you can pick one up from our Front Office.
Severe Weather Dismissal - ONLY AFFECTS BIKER/WALKERS
Severe weather dismissal only affects Biker/Walkers. Car riders, bus, and daycare dismissals
remain the same. Severe weather notifications will be sent via School Messenger by 3:05 p.m.
Please opt-in for text message alerts by texting “Y” to 67587. You will receive an automated
email/text message.
REMINDER: Every family is provided with two car rider signs. This sign must be visible to staff
members. This is especially important on severe weather days. We suggest you take a photo of this to keep on your phone in case it gets damaged or lost.
On severe weather days, staff members are all hands-on deck making sure students are
dismissed properly. We are unable to call your child to the front office during this time. We
realize that dismissal takes a little longer on these days, but it is necessary to maintain an
orderly and safe environment for our students.
During a tornado warning, our school will shelter in place while students and staff are in our
designated spaces. For safety reasons, we will not be allowing parents in the school during
this time nor can we check your child out.
Rainy-Day Dismissal:
Regular Mode of Transportation
If there is rain with no sign of thunder or lightning, or other severe weather, dismissal will
proceed in the normal way. Please remember after 2:00 p.m. we cannot make
transportation changes, and after 2:30 p.m., we are unable to check students out from the
front office.Smart Tag Bus Program
CISD School District has implemented the Smart tag program to ensure authorized riders board our buses and improve the safety and security of students who utilize our bus transportation services.
Visit the SMART tag™ Parent Portal below for instructions on how to sign up for text notifications.
Buckalew Safety
- Parent Lunch Reservations -
Lunch Reservations
Go to Lunch Reservations and find the green 'Parent Lunch Reservation' button on our Home page. It will take you through to Signup Genius from there.
Click Here to be redirected to our Website
- From Nurse. Alison -
Clinic - Boys Clothes Needed
Are you cleaning out closets and drawers of outgrown clothing? Not sure what to do with the clothes?
The clinic is in need of boys' shorts, pants and shirts.
Also, make sure and back extra clothes for your child in their backpack! Spills also happen at lunch!
Thank you so much!
Nurse Alison
CISD Illness Policy
Now that we are back to school students are sharing germs. Just a reminder about CISD's illness policy.
If your child has a fever of 100 degrees or higher, he or she must stay out of school until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications. In addition, students with diarrhea or vomiting must stay home until he/she is diarrhea and vomiting free without diarrhea or vomiting-suppressing medications for at least 24 hours.
Thanks for helping to keep our Buckalew Bears healthy!
Nurse Alison
- From Specials -
Library News
A big thank you to our seasoned library volunteers filling in where needed these first few weeks!
If you would like to be added to the library volunteer e-mail sign up genius, please contact Jenny Bardoux, our Library Volunteer Coordinator at msbardoux@gmail.com and she will add you to our list.
If your student has a lost or damaged book from last year it was added to School Cash Online in May and you received an e-mail letting you know you have an item to purchase. The expectation is those lost/damaged books are paid for BEFORE checking out books this year. Feel free to bounce back with any questions!
- From Mrs. Points -
OCTOBER 23 - OCTOBER 27TH
Buckalew Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days
Monday: “Proud to Be Drug Free” - Wear Red
Tuesday: “Peace Out to Drugs”- Wear Tie Dye
Wednesday: “Power to Be Drug Free”- Wear a Superhero T-Shirt
Thursday: “My Future is Bright"- Wear Neon or Bright Colors
Friday: “Close the Book on Drugs” - Wear Your Storybook Parade Costume
Conroe Cares
I am self-aware.
I can manage myself.
I am aware of others.
I can build relationships with others.
I can make responsible decisions.
Buckalew's Pawsatively Awesome Character Focus
October Respect
November Gratitude
December Caring
January Wisdom
February Kindness
March Forgiveness
April Perseverance
May Citizenship
- Buckalew Bears PTO Information -
Get involved with the Buckalew Elementary PTO!
Upcoming Events
· Chalk the Walk: October 4th Signup Genius Info: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4AAAAF2DA0FE3-44463957-chalk#/
· Walk to School Day: October 5th
· October PTO Meeting: Friday, October 13 · 11:15 a.m. · Buckalew Library
This meeting will feature a presentation about the CISD bond that will be on the ballot in November.
Yearbook Information
It’s time to purchase the 2023-2024 Buckalew yearbook! Yearbooks will be 10% off until September 30, 2023.
New this year:
-Parents have the option of purchasing either a hard copy or soft copy of the yearbook. You will be asked to choose your cover option during checkout.
-Parents can create two FREE custom pages that will print only in their child’s yearbook. Custom pages do not need to be completed at time of purchase.
-During checkout, the option to purchase a yearbook to donate will be present. Please consider purchasing a donation yearbook if possible!
To lock in the 10% discount price, please follow the directions above to purchase your yearbook using this link: https://web.treering.com/create-account/1016910708713746?PassCode=1016910708713746
Please direct any and all questions to Kristen Stocker or Kate Herring at buckalewyearbook2023@gmail.com
The Spirit Store is Open!
The Second and Final Buckalew Spirit Sale is now underway! The Spirit Web-Store will close on September 15th. Don’t hesitate, order now!
We are so excited that Buckalew is turning 25 and have created a special 25th Anniversary spirit shirt edition with lots of bundle options.
To place your order go to: www.buckalewbearspto.com
Or http://buckalewpto2023.itemorder.com
Please be sure to include your oldest student’s name and teacher for the 2023-24 school year when checking out. Purchases will be delivered to classrooms at the end of October.
Spirit wear items are worn many days throughout the school year including Spirit Days, Field Trips, Boosterthon & Field Day. Don’t forget that Spirit Wear sales are a big fundraiser for the school as well!
*Please note that sizing charts for all shirts can be found on the web-store.
Happy 25th Anniversary Buckalew and thank you for Supporting the PTO!
Kroger Rewards and Boxtops
2023-2024 PTO Executive Board
President – Elizabeth Kutka
VP Fundraising – Catherine Boeger
VP Parent Involvement – Sarah Bartnick
VP Communications – Felisha Hennessey
Treasurer – Carrie Foster
Secretary – Jainelle Kemp
Parliamentarian – Brooke Roberts
Volunteer with the PTO
If you are interested in hearing about volunteer opportunities, please email BuckalewPTOVolunteers@gmail.com and let us know that you would like to be included on our volunteer list. You can also sign up using the QR code.
We currently have several PTO Board/ Committee positions available. We are looking to fill positions for Fall Fundraiser Coordinator (Boosterthon), Yearbook Marketing, 3rd Grade Photographer/ Yearbook, School Supplies, and several positions within the Carnival Committee. If you are interested in any of these positions, or would like more information, please contact Brooke Roberts, PTO Parliamentarian, manchin26@aol.com.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out our website BuckalewBearsPTO.com.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to:
(a) Promote the welfare of children at Buckalew
(b) To foster cooperation between parents and teachers in the education of children at Buckalew
(c) To unite school and community efforts in securing the best education for all children
(d) To engage in fundraising activities for the educational and recreational benefit of Buckalew, its children, teachers, and staff as determined by the PTO and in accordance with the PTO by-laws.
Please Sign Up to be a CISD Volunteer
Click the button below to complete the form. You will need your drivers license number;
- Information For Ongoing Reference -
Bring Your I.D
Need to send a Note to the Front Office?
- From The Attendance Office -
Absences
When your child is absent, please call the school attendance line (281-465-3410) or email buckalewabsence@conroeisd.net to explain the reason for their absence. To ensure the accuracy of your child's attendance records, please call, or email each day your child is absent.
Please remember that attendance is recorded at 9:00 a.m. each day. If your child is absent at 9:00 a.m. due to a doctor’s appointment, he/she will be counted present if you bring your child back to school on the same day with a doctor's statement that verifies the appointment.
If your child will be out for an extended period, please let us know.
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. and students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom at that time.
Moving ?
Dismissal
We strive to dismiss all our students safely from our building. Please do not come to the Front Office at dismissal time to call your child from class. We cannot dismiss students directly from the classroom or in the hallway at dismissal time. Students will not be released after 2:30 p.m. from the Front Office.
If you are checking out your child prior to 2:30pm, please come into the Front Office and provide your identification. We will then call your child to meet you in the Front Office. Due to safety reasons, we cannot call your child to the Front Office unless you are here.
If you are checking your child out during specials or lunchtimes, please note that it may take a little longer to locate your child from their specials or lunch room and for us and them to get their back packs from their room. Please leave ample time for this if you have any appointments to attend.
Parents of Biker/Walkers - No Dogs!
We have an abundance of children and families who bike or walk to and from school. Many of your family members include your pets, joining you on your bike or walk to and from school. For your liability, and the safety of others, please refrain from bringing your dogs into the biker walker area beyond the posted signage. We have 2 signs in this area posted that should allow room for your dog, however, will prevent them from being in our most congested areas during arrival and dismissal. We have many children afraid of dogs, even though your dog may be friendly and well-mannered. We have also had dogs get into altercations with other dogs in front of this area and we kindly ask that if you choose to bring your dog, that they stay beyond the posted signs as you watch your child enter or exit our doors.
Thank you for your understanding.
Need A New Car Rider Sign?
Active Start and Breakfast
Breakfast is served in our cafeteria from 7:30-7:55 daily. See below for menu. See fees below for both breakfast and lunch.
Checking out your Child
If anyone other than a parent/ guardian checking out a student from our campus, we will need a note, sent in with your child, in their backpack on that day or an email to buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net. If we do not have a note from a parent/guardian, the Front Office will call to get permission for your child to leave our campus.
The Emergency Card completed at the beginning of the school year is for us to be able to contact someone in a situation where we cannot get hold of a parent/guardian. It is not permission for those emergency contacts to check out a child, any time.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to keep our students safe whilst on our campus.
Car Rider/ Dismissal Sign
For KG ONLY: We are requiring Kindergarten parents only at Biker Walker to carry this sign with them to pick up their child at the biker walker doors. With our growing enrollment and various staff members on duty, it adds an extra layer to make sure we are connecting the correct kindergarten student with their care giver.
Take a photo of the sign? We have had several people ask if they can use a photo of this Dismissal Sign on their phone. The answer is YES! Feel free to take a picture to keep on your phone in case of transportation changes or loss of the sign, or emergency instances with severe weather. Please know that the original sign is IDEAL, as it is designed for those calling dismissal to be able to read. On a cell phone, that will slow down the line.
Transportation
1. Bus rider (eligible if home is 1 mile or further from school) Bus routes are posted online on and you can check the link below in "what bus do I ride". You can also register your child for the bus by clicking the link below in the Buzz. You can also register for CISD SMART TAG
2. Car Rider Signs. The car rider line will be at the rear of the school and the bus line will be at the front of the school. ALL Parents should have received TWO car rider signs (yellow) at Meet the Teacher night. Please display the car rider sign in your front passenger window so our staff can read your card. See below to help you navigate our car rider line if you are new.
3. Day Care. Day care vehicles drop off and pick up students in the front of the school with the buses. If your child will not be riding the day care bus due to an early pick-up or transportation change, please notify the day care so they know your child will not be riding that day.
4. Biker/Walker. Kindergarten students must have a parent/guardian/designated adult present with the car rider sign at the Biker Walker doors (under the patio) at dismissal in order to walk or bike home. All other Biker Walkers will exit the school near the bike racks. All other biker/walkers are released at dismissal to ride or walk home independently.
On severe weather dismissal days, students will not walk or bike ride home. If your child is a biker/walker as your primary mode, then you will be a car rider on severe weather days. There is no rainy day dismissal.
Drop Table
We offer parents the courtesy of a drop table to deliver forgotten items, which is located in our Front Office. There are pens, paper and tape available for you to use to clearly identify items for your child to pick up. We will call the classrooms at 10am to inform all students of items on the drop table.
Please make sure lunches and birthday cookies are clearly labeled and brought into our school before 11:15am so that we can send them to the cafeteria on our lunch cart, for the allotted lunch times. We have limited staff available after this time.
We thank you for understanding.
Transportation Changes
To make transportation changes, please send a note in your child's backpack to the teacher OR email: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net prior to 2pm with your childs full name, grade and homeroom teacher. Any changes submitted after 2pm will not be seen until the following school day.
Alternatively, please print the form to the Front Office below:-
Lunch Information
We are working with our students on understanding the lunch-buying process. It can be quite confusing for our elementary students. We are currently speaking with our students and explaining to them, if they bring a lunch, they should eat their lunch before going through the line and purchasing an additional lunch. As we try and navigate each student through the lunch line, every child has a different need, and we never want to deny students from going through the lunch line. We encourage you to communicate with your child your expectations in either: eating the lunch you are providing/packing; buying extra lunch only and going through the line one time; or explaining that if they go through the line a second time, their account is charged again. We also encourage you to check your child's account, by going to the link below and you can check and monitor your child's purchase history, and if necessary put a limit on the account by contacting our cafeteria directly.
Breakfast
Student Breakfast $2.00
Student Reduced Breakfast $.0
Non-Student Breakfast/ 2nd Student Breakfast $3.30
Lunch
Student Lunch $3.20
Student Reduced Lunch $.40
Non-student Lunch/ 2nd Student Lunch $4.60
Entree $3.00
Milk $1.15
Fruit/ Vegetable/ Grain $1.75
A La Carte
- Extra entrees, extra sides, chips, cookies, etc. are all charged a la carte prices and are not included in the meal.
- For example, if a student gets a meal of chicken smackers, mashed potatoes, and milk, but wants an extra portion of chicken smackers, the extra portion is not considered a part of the meal and will be charged an additional $3.00.
- If a parent wishes to restrict a la carte purchases, please contact the Child Nutrition Office.
You may prepay by using My School Bucks. You will find a link to this service, lunch menus, and other helpful information by clicking on the child nutrition resource button below. If you would like to put a cap on your child's spending on your lunch account, then please notify our cafeteria manager by calling 281-465-3467.
Water Bottles
Children are encouraged to bring water bottles each day. Please clearly write your child's name on the bottle with permanent marker.
Lost and Found
A friendly reminder to please label all of your child's belongings with first name and last initial or last name. **Water bottles, lunch boxes, hats, and especially outerwear such as hoodies/jackets/sweaters are all great things to label as these items tend to pile up quickly in the Lost and Found, which is located right outside of the gym. We really hope to reunite these lost items with their owners before the break!
If you have any additional questions, please contact gabinkwon84@gmail.com