MUSTANG MESSENGER
February 26th - March 1st
We want our students to have the DRIVE to STRIVE so they can THRIVE!
One Team, One Tribe!
Which do you need?
- Focus on the WHOLE Child
VISION:
Produce a community of learners who are well-rounded and ready to accept the challenges ahead with confidence!
BELIEF STATEMENTS:
- We believe every staff member has the responsibility to impact student learning and success.
- We believe in supporting the whole child by providing an inclusive, safe, and engaging environment where achievement and future success is attainable by all.
- We believe that providing meaningful opportunities to engage students, families, and the community will promote positive relationships and foster a sense of belonging.
CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT GOALS:
- By the end of the 23-24 school year, 70% of ALL STUDENTS in K - 5th grade will be above the 40th percentile and will make grade level growth (Fall to Spring) as measured by the MAP Math Assessment. (1st--5.5%, 2nd--4.4%, 3rd--3.2%, 4th--2.3%, 5th--2.0%)
- 73% achievement above 40th percentile
- 47% growth
- By the end of the 23-24 school year, 70% of ALL STUDENTS in 1st - 5th grade will be above the 40th percentile and will make grade level growth (Fall to Spring) as measured by the MAP Reading Assessment. (1st--5.5%, 2nd--4.4%, 3rd--3.2%, 4th--2.3%, 5th--2.0%).
- 71% achievement above 40th percentile
- 52% growth
Attendance Matters
August Attendance: 98.4%
September Attendance: 96.4%
October Attendance 96.4%
November Attendance 95.5%
December Attendance 94.2%
January Attendance 93.5%
This Week's Attendance: 94.5%
This week's 100% Club:
- Rodriguez 3rd grade
This week's 97% Club:
- Cintron ALE
- Layton Kinder
- Armstrong First
- Derrick First
- James Fourth
Grade Level Attendance Winners for the week of February 12th - 16th :
- ECC/ECSE/PK: Dowell 96
- Kinder: Layton 98%
- 1st: Armstrong/Derrick 98%
- 2nd: Sia 98%
- 3rd: Rodriguez 100%
- 4th: James 97%
- 5th: Wilson 94%
HIGHLIGHTING MEMBERS from OUR TRIBE
- The Nature Kids were busy Saturday beautifying our gardens and giving them a Spring Makeover. The Pollinator Patch is ready for butterflies!
- During Random Acts of Kindness Week our Student Council provided our students the opportunity to express words of kindness to staff members. Thank you Mr. Garcia and Mrs. Derrick for leading our students in this community service learning project!
- Hats off to Suzanne Lansdale and Ruby Cardenas for creating a guide for completing MTSS the Nichols Way! (Will be shared with teachers soon)
If you have a "delicious moment" you would like to share or a shout out to a colleague please send an email to jeff.davenport@nisd.net by Friday so it can be included in the weekly Mustang Messenger!
Campus Info
- 2/24 Our campus is the top campus in the district for contributing to the United Way. We are only behind Central Office and Student Services. That is excellent. The only goal we have not reached is the 100% staff participation. Every one has different circumstances but in the case of the United Way, every dollar counts. If you haven't yet contributed, you are encouraged to place the minimum donation of $2. Cash can be given to Ms. Dowell. Monday, March 4th is the last day to donate.
- 2/24 Do you want to participate in the NEF Fun Run or just support it as a "Sleepwalker"?
Register here:
https://solerssports.raceentry.com/races/nef-fun-run/2024/register For those that register by Monday, March 4th you can wear work out gear/jeans the entire week after Spring Break. (March 18th - 22nd) If you have any questions, please ask our Campus Captain, Vanessa Sia.
- 2/17 The Staff Handbook has been shared in the Shared Drive since August. It is each staff members responsibility to read and follow the handbook. Failure to follow the policies and procedures can impact evaluations. The following is listed under PTA:
The school calendar is prepared for the year and includes most of the major activities, so proper arrangements can be made to avoid personal conflicts.
Staff Calendar is updated on Google Calendar.
All teachers who have students participating in a program/activity should be in attendance in order to demonstrate support.
Staff members are encouraged to send thank you notes to the PTA or to partners when given money/gifts/luncheons/breakfasts.
Dates requiring attendance
September 12th – Parent Orientation
October 10th – Hallo-STEAM Night
February 16th – Boots-N-Bandanas
April 9th – Reading Restaurant
May 21st – Student-led Conferences
- 1/12 If you are in need of assistance with MTSS, please refer to the MTSS Handbook (https://sites.google.com/nisd.net/nisdmtss/home) or ask Ruby Cardenas, Laura Estrada, Suzanne Lansdale, or Stephanie Rigby for guidance. Our next MTSS Meetings will be Tuesday, March 19th during conference times. If a student is at Tier II (minimum of 60 minutes per week) they should have a minimum of 4 points entered for the next 8 weeks and 7 points if they are at Tier III (minimum of 90 minutes per week).
Would you like to be CPR Certified?
LaTanya Wilson's church (Greater Works Ministries) will be hosting a CPR/First Aid certification training on March 2nd. The cost is $30.00; however, the church is paying half so it is only $15.00 per person. The slots are limited and are first come-first serve. Those interested can register through the website listed on the flyer.
Week of February 26th - March 1st
Black History Information for February (TpT Black History Facts)
- Monday: Harriet Tubman -- She was an American Abolitionist who fought slavery by helping slaves escape and find freedom. She used a route of safe houses and a network of friends and family. This was eventually called the Underground Railroad.
- Tuesday: Hattie McDaniel -- She was the first African American to win an Oscar Award. She was an actress, comedian, and singer-songwriter known for her role as "Mammy" in the movie "Gone with the Wind.|
- Wednesday: Mary McLeod Bethune -- She was an American teacher, philanthropist, and civil rights activist. She fount for women's rights in additional to racial equality.
- Thursday: Michelle Obama -- She was the first African American First Lady in the United States. In addition to being Barack Obama's wife, she is an attorney and author.
- Friday: Sojourner Truth -- She was an American Abolitionist who was born into slavery but escaped with her daughter. She continued to fight against slavery and also fought for women's rights.
Daily Affirmations for Morning Meetings
- Monday -- I matter, no matter what!
- Tuesday -- I bring joy to this world!
- Wednesday -- I am smart!
- Thursday -- I am adventurous!
- Friday -- I treat myself with compassion!
Happening this week February 26th - March 1st:
African American History Month
Career and Technology Education Month
Wear jeans all week if you donated a minimum of $40 to United Way
***First Grade should submit pictures of "Solution Finder" to Liz Chau by Friday***
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ofDr3Ignmk85x2mHaSCCrWxNjeTjh0OC
Sunday, February 25th Happy Birthday, Mikako Coker!
Monday, February 26th Day 1 National Tell a Fairy Tale Day
- Motivational Message Monday -- Wear a shirt with a positive message with jeans
- 8:45 Special Olympics send off parade (Littles/kinder/1st Foyer, 2nd/3rd Art hallway, 4th/5th cafeteria hallway -- Students will walk from ALE room up the yellow hallway to foyer, out door to primary playground, into door outside cafeteria, up the hallway out the bus loop doors
- 1:30 1st Grade Reading Extended Planning -- Discovery Specialist Planning 12:40 - 1:25
- 3:20 Staff Meeting: Panorama/Insurance Update followed by Committee Meetings
- 5:00 GHLL Softball in Back Field
- 5:30 GHLL Bus Loop Field
- 7:10 5th grade Strings
- Rigby off campus
- 1st grade Field Trip
- 9:40 ARD 4th Thompson/Lansdale
- 10:35 ARD 2nd Sia/Lansdale
- 12:30 ECSE Dowell/Lansdale
- 1:30 2nd Grade Reading Extended Planning -- Discovery Specialist planning time 10:30
- 3:05 Cheer
- 3:15 APEX Pre Meeting: Jeff/Suzanne/Mrs. Morris/Mrs. Perez/Brandon or Johnny
- 3:15 Cardboard Arcade and Flight Club
- 5:00 GHLL Back Field
- 5:30 GHLL Bus Loop Field
- 6:00 Unleashed Athletics
- 5th Grade STAAR Interim Science
- 12:30 ARD ECSE Lopez/Lansdale or Davenport
- 1:30 3rd grade Reading Extended Planning -- Discovery Specialist Planning 8:50
- 5:00 GHLL Back Field
- 5:30 GHLL Bus Loop Field
- 6:00 Unleashed Athletics
- 7:10 5th grade Strings
- Book Fair Set Up
- 8:50 ARD 3rd/Warden/Davenport
- 10:30 Staffing 2nd/Taylor
- 12:30 ARD ECSE/Parker/Lansdale
- 1:30 4th Grade Extended Planning -- Discovery Specialists Planning 9:40
- 3:15 Flight Club/Young Astronauts/Speed Stacking/Choir
- 5:00 GHLL Back Field
- 5:30 GHLL Bus Loop Field
- 6:00 Unleased Athletics
Happy Birthday, Jennette Mbewe
Maintenance Workers Appreciation Day
- Book Fair Preview
- AM Jeff @ ABLE
- 9:40 ARD 4th/Thompson/Lansdale
- 12:40 ARD 1st/Armstrong/Davenport
- 1:30 5th Grade Reading Extended Planning -- Discovery Specialist Planning 8:00
- 2:00 Chau @ GT PLC Mtg
- 3:15 Running Club
Monday Meetings: 3:20 - 4:30
- February 26th: All Staff Panorama Meeting/Committee Planning Meetings
- March 4th: No Meeting
- March 11th: Spring Break
- March 18th: Book Study PLC
- March 25th: All Staff: APEX Kick Off
Actions to Address Panorama Data in February
Self Efficacy: How much students believe they can succeed in achieving academic outcomes
- 42% of our students responded positively to ... How sure are you that you can do the hardest work that is assigned in your class?
- 42% of our students responded positively to ... How sure are you that you will remember what you learned in your current class, next year?
- 44% of our students responded positively to ... When complicated ideas are discussed in class, how sure are you that you can understand them?
Schedule these tips into your Morning Meetings this week:
Taken from Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey
- Today I'm Going to Be ...
- Take in a long cleansing breath and let it all the way out and hold your body still.
- Think about how you want to feel at the end of the day.
- Think how you want the rest of your day to go in order to feel the way you want to at the end of the day.
- Pick a good word to finish this sentence in your mind: "Today, I'm going to be ..."
- Maybe your word was "friendly", "kind", "calm", "positive", or even "helpful".
- Finish the sentence with your word: "Today, I'm going to be ..."
- Remember your word and do your best to make it happen today!
From the Panorama Playbook: Self-Recognition -- Students reflect on something they have done that benefits themselves. This reinforces good decision making and self-efficacy.
Goal -- The goal of the activity is to reinforce good decision making and self-efficacy by having students recognize and appreciate something they did that they benefit from.
Action
Facilitation
(2 min) Introduction: Think about something you have done for your own benefit. Reflect on what the benefit was and why it was a benefit for you.
(3 min) Reflect: What is one thing you are grateful to yourself for? What is something you have done that you benefited from? Describe the action or behavior and explain how you benefited from it.
Tips
It might help for students to know that self-recognition can lead to confidence.
Making a list of possible character traits that students see in each other can help to start self-recognition.
Extensions
What are some of your best character traits? Why?
Reflect: What is something you have done for someone else that has benefited them? What indirect benefit did you receive? Why are you grateful for your action?
Instructional Focus in 2024: Targeted Small Groups
District Volunteer Opportunities
The Elementary and Middle School C&I Science teams are hosting five STEM events from February 16th to April 6th. Each event requires approximately 40 to 100 volunteers. Half day and full day shifts are available for most events to provide maximum flexibility for those able to assist. In addition to adult volunteers, roles are also available for students,14 years and older, who are looking to earn volunteer service hours.
Save the Dates
- July 23rd - 24th Leadership Institute Campus Leadership Teams (will be open to all Professional Staff to attend if it is held on campus)
- July 30th - 31st eNgagement Academy All Teachers and Instructional Staff
- August 1st - 2nd Campus Retreat Days All Professional Staff
- August 5th Elementary Specialist/Facilitators Meeting Campus Specialists/Facilitators
- August 5th - 6th New Teacher Academy
- August 7th Early Childhood Conference Early Childhood and Kindergarten Teachers
- August 9th Campus Leadership Team Meeting Campus Leadership Team
- August 12th Staff return
- August 19th 1st day of School
Professional Development Opportuntities
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
- 1st -- Jennette Mbewe Collab Instructional Assistant
- 2nd -- Jessica Curbow 2nd grade teacher
- 13th -- Maria Demers ECC Instructional Assistant
- 16th -- Cassie Haidin Librarian
- 24th -- Silvia Garcia Zamora Custodian