Dear Parents,

Buckalew Elementary is excited to announce that Buckalew students will be participating in a Storybook Character Parade on Thursday, October 7th at 8:45am. Students in grades Kindergarten through 4th grade can dress up as a storybook character on that day. For this event, students can dress up as their favorite storybook character as they parade around the designated route.

Examples Fancy Nancy Cinderella, Snow White, etc. Greg Heffley (the Wimpy Kid) Ramona Babymouse Bone Olivia Junie B. Jones Ms. Frizzle Nate the Great Geronimo Stilton Harry Potter , Hermione, Ron, etc.

You do NOT have to buy anything new for this event. Instead, be creative – make paper ears, a hat, or wear the clothes the character would wear. K-3 students MUST bring the book they are representing or make a poster replicating the book they are representing. Books may be used from home, the classroom or school library (if available). To support students’ feelings of safety and security in our building, violent or frightening characters are not acceptable. Please note that no masks, toy weapons, or props are permitted and will be left out of the parade if brought to school.

Children should come to school dressed as the storybook character, and should be able to go to the bathroom independently while in character. Students who do not wish to wear a costume may simply carry their favorite storybook in the parade.

Parents are invited to attend the parade, take pictures and cheer as the students walk by. The parade will take place in the large circle drive behind the school (see attached map). There is no need to check in through the front office or to get a visitor tag. You may head straight to the back-parking lot on the morning of the 7th to find your spot along the parade route. You may receive more specific instructions from your child’s teacher regarding this event.

Please note that students do not have school on Friday October 8th or Monday October 11th. Should you plan on taking your child early from school on the 7th, we kindly ask that you do so prior to 2pm so it is a smooth dismissal for everyone. Thank you for celebrating our love of reading with us on this day!

The window is now open for parent nominations for GT Screening and will continue through December 17. Parents may nominate their student for Spring GT Testing by completing the District Nomination Form, available through any 3rd and 4th grade teacher, or by asking Nikki in the front office. If you would like a form emailed to you, contact Mrs. Smith tonsmith@conroeisd.net. All second grade students will participate in the CogAT assessment in October. The CogAT assessment will serve as a GT screener for second grade students. Parents may now nominate, one time per level of test. In other words, students may test once each school year to see if they meet district requirements and /or qualify in other subject areas. GT testing will be held at Buckalew during the school day the weeks of January 24 – 28 and January 31- February 4. Nomination forms may be returned to your student’s 3rd and 4th grade teacher OR to Nikki in the front office. ALL NOMINATION forms are due NO LATER THAN December 17!

Each year at Buckalew, we teach and recognize great character in our students. The following list highlights our social and emotional learning focuses for this school year.

August I can understand my emotions.

September I can manage my behavior.

October I can be respectful.

November I can be trustworthy.

December I can resolve conflicts.

January I can set goals and achieve them.

February I can be honest.

March I can make wise decisions.

April I can be an upstander.

May I can contribute to my community.

Come to our Big Bear Little Bear Meet and Greet! Are you new to Texas, our community, and or to Buckalew? We would love to meet you and welcome you! Please come to our upcoming Big Bear Little Bear Social at Lakeside Park at the playground on Saturday, October 23 from 4:00-5:00pm! Big Bear families will be there to meet you and answer any questions you might have! We can’t wait to give you a big Buckalew welcome! Any questions? Please email us at Buckalewbigbears@gmail.com

CLICK HERE to on how to self report

If positive individual is in same household, 10-day quarantine required unless the student meets one of the exemption criteria included in the attached graphic

Buckalew does not charge fines for overdue books, we just want them returned. We do ask that if a book is damaged while checked out to your student, that you cover the cost to replace the book. The books we purchase for our library are special reinforced library binding books designed to withstand hundreds of checkouts; completely different than a hardcover that you would buy at a local bookstore or online.

We are very excited to announce that Buckalew Elementary will join in with other CISD schools and will be offering School Cash Online, which provides you with the convenience of paying online for school items such as trips, Scholastic Magazine subscriptions, and various activities. We really want to save you time when paying for school expenses, so we can’t wait for you to take advantage of this opportunity. School Cash Online is a great way to pay without the need for cash or checks!

Please follow the link below to register online (it takes less than 5 minutes!) Once you have registered your child, you will be able to see when they have a new item posted online for purchase. You also have the option to be notified whenever your child has a new school expense due, so you don’t have to worry about missing the deadline.

To set up an account and explore the system, please follow the instructions below. We look forward to hearing your feedback!

Register Online:

Step 1: Please click on this link: https://conroeisd.schoolcashonline.com/

Step 2: Register by selecting the “Get Started Now” and following the steps.

Step 3: After you receive the confirmation email, select the “click here” option, log in and add each of your children to your household account.

If you have any questions during the registration process or while shopping online, please select the SUPPORT option in the top right-hand area of the screen or you may contact the parent help desk at 1-866-961-1803 or at http://schoolcashonline.co./Home/Support or see the handout below.

CISD-Foldable-Brochure-English.pdf

Currently, in grades 1st-4th, the classes are utilizing Scholastic News and Storyworks Jr magazine subscriptions to read high interest non-fiction texts and to learn about text features and engaging stories and different genres. We thank you in advance for purchasing this wonderful subscription for your child.

For the first time, Buckalew will be collecting money through School Cash Online vs requesting parents send in a check or cash.

Thank you again for your support in our students.

Just a friendly reminder to make any and all transportation changes, and if necessary in-person early student pick-ups prior to 2pm. Our goal is to dismiss students safely each day. After 2pm it becomes difficult to make changes in a timely and safe manner.

To make transportation changes, please send a note in your child's backpack to the teacher AND email: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net

Thank you for your understanding.

Children are encouraged to bring water bottles each day. Please clearly write your child's name on the bottle with permanent marker.

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. Thanks so much!

Lunches/Recess- To begin our year, we have limited our lunches to one grade level at a time eating in the cafeteria together (as opposed to 2 grade levels). This allows us to spread kids out further during lunch with 6-8 students at a table. At this time, this is what our lunch schedule will be for your child to start the year.

K 10:45-11:15

1 11:15-11:45

2 11:45-12:15

3 12:15-12:45

4 12:45 - 1:15

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 the "free" lunch. For some students, they are eating the "free" lunch and then getting a second lunch, which costs $3.85. 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 the "free" 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 $3.85. If you are providing a lunch/snack and want your child to take advantage of the "free" lunch, a note would help the staff on duty make sure your child is eating what you expect, as there are different staff on duty each day. 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, including the "free" breakfast or lunch, and if necessary put a limit on the account by contacting our cafeteria directly. It is a blessing that all students are provided a "free" breakfast and/lunch again this year, however it does become confusing for our elementary students.

Breakfast

Meal Includes Entree, Fruit, and 1% or Skim Milk Daily

There is no charge for student breakfast meals during the 21-22 school year

Non-Student Meal/2nd Meal $2.60

Lunch

Meal Includes Entree, Vegetable, Fruit and 1% or Skim Milk Daily

There is no charge for student lunch meals during the 21-22 school year

Non-Student Meal/2nd Meal $3.85

Entree A la Carte $2.25

Fruit/ Vegetable/ Juice/ Bread A la Carte $1.10

Milk A la Carte $.90

If your child will be purchasing a second meal or extra items, 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.

Here are some quick links below to help you access content for your child.

Dreambox for Math can be found on your child's "SSO" and is online and can be done at home, without parent support. We recommend no more than 7 lessons a week at home, independently. Parents assisting their child with Dreambox will alter their path and not provide independent pathways for your child.

Reading either with your child, or your child independently reading is one of the best things you can do with your child in their absence from school. Ask comprehension questions: who, what, where, when, why?

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.

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 will receive TWO car rider signs (orange) at Meet the Teacher night. If you have multiple children, you family car rider signs will be found in your youngest child's homeroom. 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 at the Biker Walker doors (under the patio) at dismissal in order to walk or bike home. Our 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.

PDF to help you navigate Buckalew-specific dates, procedures, and information. Please note that all information in the Addendum is subject to change due to Covid 19.