Ferguson PTO Weekly Newsletter

Friday, November 17, 2023

Firefly Families,

It is hard to believe that the Thanksgiving break is next week! We have SO much to be thankful for!!

Our Founding Firefly Students illuminate our hallways each and every day. Each student, with their unique talents and dreams, continues the dynamic spirit that defines our school. Together, they propel us forward into a future filled with endless possibilities!

Our Founding Firefly Staff, dedicated and driven each day. They are the backbone of our daily operations! We are grateful for each one of them who continue to contribute to the success of the students and the success of our school.

Our Firefly Firefly Families, your passion and commitment to our school and school community is undeniable. We are grateful for the trust you place in us, the partnership you offer and the shared vision of providing the best possible educational experience for our Fireflies.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let this be a moment to reflect on the collective strength that emerges from our shared commitment.

Wishing you a season filled with warmth, gratitude and knowledge that your presence is genuinely appreciated!

Filled with Firefly Pride,
Carla

• Congrats to Our Stars of Honor
• All Pro Dad's Meeting
• Shared Dreams Volunteers Needed Nov. 29
• A Letter from Our PTO President: National Parent Involvement Day

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 teacher of the year finalists for Alyssa Ferguson Elementary!

Ms. Ciara Marks - 1st grade Math and Science Teacher

Ms. Katie Valdez - Prekindergarten Teacher

Mr. Jason Strutton- Physical Education Teacher

The nominations of the staff above are a testament to the positive impact that these teachers have made on our staff and students. We are beyond blessed to have these educators support our students, school and community. Their influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the leaders, thinkers and dreamers of tomorrow!

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 teacher of the year Coach Strutton!!!!

We have been working hard on our dismissal systems to ensure that we are progressing swiftly through the front car riders. We are asking for your cooperation in this process.

• Dismissal begins at 3:25pm.
• Please have your dismissal number(s) clearly visible in your car when you enter the car-rider line and contact the front office if you need a new family dismissal tag.
• If there is a glare and staff are unable to read your tag, you may be asked to lift your number up.
• Please do not switch lanes as you are moving through our car lines. Inside we give the kids a color based on how the cars line up. When cars switch lanes, it throws off our colors and disrupts our flow.
• We have been loading the last car around 3:40 p.m. Students who have not been picked up after 3:40 p.m. parents/guardians will need to walk into the front office to sign their firefly out.
• Staff are off duty at 3:50 p.m. please be timely.

If your child’s regular plan of dismissal should change, please notify the front office via email.

Any change in dismissal requires an email to Amber.Whitley@fortbendisd.com from an email listed on Skyward no later than 2:00 pm. Changes should not be made after 2:00 pm, with the exception of unforeseen emergencies.

If you are not receiving our emails, please go to the following link for more information on our notification system and how to set up your notifications: Click Here.

Click on the following link to see the step by step instructions on How To Verify Existing Information in Blackboard: Parent - How To Verify Existing Information in BlackBoard - Add Alternate Contact Info

https://www.fortbendisd.com/BlackboardConnect

Whole Child Health, aligned with the FBISD’s Profile of a Graduate, is committed to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional, and physical health of all students in FBISD. Students are best equipped and inspired to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine when these needs and skills are met and developed. The purpose of the Whole Child Health campaign is to increase awareness of FBISD’s diverse and robust health services and supports and to decrease the stigma around mental health. Our commitment to Whole Child Health includes making sure that each student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.

Congrats to all students that were nominated by their teachers for the STARS of Honor program. Teachers in each grade chose students with excellent academics and good behavior. Job well done, Fireflies!

See Ms. Taelor Coleman for additional information.

We welcome our families to come enjoy lunch with their Firefly!

• Guests will sit at the designated guest tables with the student they are visiting.
• Guests will only be allowed to eat with their Firefly when visiting for lunch.
• Guests will only be able to eat with their Firefly on designated days beginning September 5th, 2023.
• Guests may be invited to exit the cafeteria during the start of the 5-minute quiet SEL moment.

Thank you to those of you that were able to join us in celebrating National Parent Involvement Day! I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and awe for the power of community, connection, and communication. The breakfast gathering served as a reminder of the importance of coming together and fostering meaningful relationships within our school community. I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate all the ways parents can be involved in their child's education, no matter how big or small.

A huge thank you to our volunteers that are able to dedicate their time on campus. Your selflessness and dedication make a significant difference in the lives of students, teachers, and the entire Firefly community. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for the impact you make every day. However, when it comes to parent involvement, there are many forms that go beyond traditional volunteering. It encompasses the little things that parents do every day to support their child's learning.

Thank you to the parents who take the time to read to their children every night.

Thank you to the parents who have conversations with their children about their day at school. Thank you to the parents who create a learning-rich environment at home.

Thank you to the parents who attend their child's extracurricular activities and show an interest in their hobbies and passions.

These unconventional methods of parent involvement may seem small, but they have a lasting impact on a child's educational journey. So, to all the parents who engage in these little things, thank you for your dedication and for making a difference in your child's educational experience. We appreciate you!

Keep shining your light!

- Stephanie

Mark your calendars! We have some fun-filled days planned in December. On Thursday, December 14 all classes will be viewing Polar Express and having hot cocoa in their classrooms.

Click the signup to see how you can help.

Polar Express Hot Cocoa Day Sign Up https://www.konstella.com/cd/8ulNde Holiday Parties for all grades will be December 15th from 11:00-11:45. We will need 3 volunteers per class to help lead one of 3 stations.

Holiday Party Volunteers https://www.konstella.com/cd/aCOMkY

Please note that all volunteers MUST have their 2023-2024 FBISD background check completed in order to volunteer. https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/133013

Save the date for our November Spirit Days with Code Ninja! Please note, this event is for 2nd grade and up.

Join the thriving community of sponsors who are making a significant impact on the success of our students and teachers at Alyssa Ferguson Elementary School during the 2023-2024 school year. Your partnership with us means that 100% of your generous contribution will directly benefit the students, teachers, staff, and campus of FE. The best part? Your donation is completely tax-deductible, making it a win-win for both your business and our school! Click on the button below to learn more.

We welcome all volunteers at Ferguson Elementary and our PTO offers many ways to get involved! If you would like to volunteer at Ferguson, you must first have a current background check through Fort Bend ISD. Click below to complete the application. Be sure to attend our Veg Out with VIPS event mentioned above!

Firefly Wishes are birthday messages displayed on the school marquee and mentioned in the weekly Fireflyer newsletter. Click on the graphic below for more information.

**Please submit your request at least one week prior to your desired publishing date. We will not be able to enter late submissions into the system. Firefly wishes are $10 plus a $.59 processing fee. Availability is based on a first come, first serve basis. Firefly wishes can be purchased through Konstella under the "sales" link. When you are on the home feed, click "more", and "sales".

Click on the logos below to check us out on our websites and social media.

Keep up with grade-level info via Facebook. Click on the grades below to see what's happening in your child's grade.

President: Stephanie Titas

Vice President: April Royston

Secretary: Whitney Johnson

Treasurer: Kiran Agarwal

Parliamentarian: Megan Allshouse

The PTO Board meets monthly at the dates and times listed below. Meetings at 12 pm will be held in person in the Extended Day Room. Meetings held at 7 pm will be on Google Meet.

Everyone is welcome and invited to join us. It is a great opportunity to hear what the PTO is doing and share ideas with us; however, only PTO Voting Members and Board Members can vote on motions that are on the agenda. The PTO Board will convene on the following dates:

• December 11, 2023 - 12 pm
  
• January 8, 2024 - 7pm (Virtual)
• February 5, 2024 - 12 pm
• March 4, 2024 - 7pm (Virtual)
• April 8, 2024 - 12 pm
• May 6, 2024 - 7pm (Virtual)

• A one-stop place for school-wide, room-wide, and committee-wide activities and events
• Access Konstella via the App or on your desktop
• Get an organized view of all the files shared in your classrooms, grades, committees, social groups, and school

Invitation Code: WA8X61