Tiger Talk
04/25/23
Mrs. Summer Miller named WCHE Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023!!!!!
Congratulations, Mrs. Miller!!!
Mrs. Summer Miller is a first-grade teacher of the Miller's Caterpillars. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Mrs. Miller graduated from Angelo State University with a Business Management degree in 1999. Mrs. Miller has worked for the Lake Travis Independent School District for over ten years, and this is her fourth year teaching first grade.
For fun, Mrs. Miller enjoys photography, kayaking, reading, attending her daughters' sporting events, and spending time with friends and family. She lives in Spicewood with her husband Chad, two daughters Morgan and Maddie, three dogs and one cat.
She adores teaching first graders to read and working with the talented students at WCHE, and the WCHE staff and students ADORE MRS. MILLER!!!!
Please complete our Parent Input Form for 2023-2024 Tigers' Class Placements
In making class assignments, our goal is to place each child in a class where he or she can be most successful. A secondary goal is to also maintain a balance among classes in terms of gender, academic ability, disciplinary and social needs, learning styles, and individual needs of all of the students. All information shared on our input form is confidential and submitted electronically to West Cypress Hills Elementary administration.
We hope to make classroom assignments that will maximize the opportunity for your child’s success. If you have information you would like to have considered in your child’s placement, please complete and submit this form no later than May 5, 2023. Please limit your input to the way your child learns and to information about any special needs that we should consider.
Staffing and staff assignments for next year have not been finalized; thus, we will not be able to honor requests for a specific teacher. We will do our best to honor your feedback.
No Visitors/Volunteers on Campus on STAAR Dates
The LTISD STAAR dates for elementary schools are:
Wednesday, April 19 -- 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade RLA (Makeups due by April 28)
Tuesday, April 25 --5th Grade Science (Makeups due by May 5)
Wednesday, May 3 -- 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Math (Makeups due by May 12.)
Visitors may enter the Front Office to conduct business in the office. Otherwise, we cannot have visitors and volunteers on campus on STAAR dates. We appreciate your understanding and regret any inconvenience this may cause.
Smiles in Schools
The Lake Travis Independent School District has partnered with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide a free dental screening clinic for students in grades PK-5. Participation is optional; students will only receive screenings with written parental consent.
A registered dentist will perform a visual oral exam to check for problems with the teeth, gums, or mouth, and you will be notified of any findings that should receive follow-up care. They also offer a free fluoride varnish to be brushed over the teeth to stop or reverse tooth decay; parents have the option to decline the fluoride varnish but still allow their child to be screened.
The clinic for West Cypress Hills Elementary is scheduled for April 26, 2023. Permission forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack. Please return the signed forms to your child’s teacher before April 25 only if you wish for your child to participate.
Smiles in Schools Permission Form
Nurse Kate is looking for volunteers to help from 8-12 on the 26th. If you would like to volunteer please email her at chapmank@ltisdschools.org or call 512-533-7593. Thank you so much!
WCHE Celebrates our Fabulous Librarian, Mrs. Cathy Seidenberger!!!!
One Community | One School | One Book
On Monday, April 10, our school will embark on a special project: an all-school book club called One Community One School One Book.
Every family will receive a copy of Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech. Students will receive the book this week during library classes, and families will be invited to read it together at home during the program.
Please click this link to view the reading calendar and to learn more. Happy Reading!
Dear Parents & Guardians of 4th Graders
REMINDER:
FINAL DATE FOR ADVANCED MATH TESTING APPLICATIONS: April 28, 2023
If you are interested in having your child assessed for our Accelerated Math program, please complete the form below. In addition, our Accelerated Math teachers will host an online meeting to discuss the Accelerated Math testing process in addition to providing parents time for Q&A regarding the curriculum. Below is the link for the virtual meeting, please join us!
Advanced Math 4th Grade Parent Meeting
Thursday, May 4 · 11:30am – 12:15pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/von-iauo-hho
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 337-346-2653‬ PIN: ‪634 910 223‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/von-iauo-hho?pin=9786435981875
Lake Travis ISD offers an accelerated mathematics course during the 2023-2024 school year for qualified 5th grade students exhibiting exceptional talent in the area of mathematics.
This 5th grade accelerated mathematics course includes all of 6th grade and vertically aligned 7th grade Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Successful completion of this course allows students to begin middle school in a 7th grade Pre AP mathematics class (which covers 8th grade math TEKS).
Further explanation of this math path: If your child qualifies for Accelerated Math in 5th grade, this would be a double-accelerated leap to 8th grade math TEKS in 6th grade, leading to Algebra 1 in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th grade. This math path would lead to a student being placed in Algebra 2 as a freshman at Lake Travis High School along with students from the sophomore and junior class. The intent of this math path is for students who qualify to take higher level math courses during their junior and senior years, not to finish their math requirements early to avoid taking math in the last two years of high school.
If you would like your child to be assessed for consideration, please complete and submit this form. Your typed name and submission of this form acts as permission to assess for the Accelerated Math Program in LTISD for the 2023-2024 school year.
Students will be tested during the month of May on their home campus by the Accelerated Math/GT teacher on that campus. The Accelerated Math/GT teacher for your child's campus will be in touch regarding when your child's testing will take place on campus.
Thank you,
Amanda Prehn | Director of Elementary Curriculum & Instruction
Phone: 512.533.5761 | prehna@ltisdschools.org | www.ltisdschools.org
Lake Travis Independent School District | Learning & Teaching Services
Education Development Center | 607 Ranch Road 620 North | Austin, TX 78734
Wondering how your child can be Principal for a Day? Art Teacher for a Day" PE Coach for a Day? Music Teacher for a Day?
Wondering how to score VIP parking for special events?
Wondering how to score VIP seating for special events?
Looking for great things to do, places to go, people to see?
THEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE WCHE PTO AUCTION!!!!! Click the link to see our great auction items!
Please keep in mind when bidding for goodies for students that the auction winnings are for the 2023-2024 school year, and if the prize is based on grade level, the grade is the student's grade level in the 2023-2024 school year. So if your Tiger is in 1st grade this year and will be in 2nd grade next year, bid on goodies for 2nd graders.
Help your Tiger's Classroom win the Snow Cone Party! Buy your Tiger Gala Tickets by Wednesday, April 26!
April 28 - Last Day to Order Your 2022-23 Yearbook!
There will be a VERY LIMITED number of yearbooks available for purchase at the school this year. The only way to ensure that you will have a yearbook is to order one now from Balfour.com.
Be sure to order your 2022-2023 yearbook at Balfour.com by April 28!
Hit the Easy Button! Order WCHE 23-24 School Supply Kits Here!
Thanks to our fabulous PTO, supplies can be ordered online from schoolkidz at your convenience! The online prepackaged grade level supplies can be ordered until June 9, 2023. If you purchase your student school supplies online, the supplies will be delivered to the school before the first day of school. Grade appropriate kits are available to order online now. Click here and use account #79519 to view our kits.
We also have lists of the school supplies for 2023-2024 so that, if you prefer, you can purchase the supplies on your own from any source convenient to you.
Dear Parents of WCHE 5th Graders
If your child receives updated immunizations at his/her 11-year-old well check, please turn the record in to me. I will then be able to make sure that the immunization record is as up to date as possible before he/she is promoted to middle school.
There are 3 vaccines recommended for preteens. At 11-12 years old, your preteen should receive vaccines to protect them from the following diseases:
- Meningococcal disease (MenACWY) (one dose)
- HPV (two doses)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap) (one dose)
Please remember that you are welcome to contact me if you have questions concerning immunizations.
Warmest regards,
Kate Neal, RN
Superintendent provides weekly update in "Norton's Notes"
Since early September 2022, LTISD Superintendent Paul Norton has been sharing a weekly update with news, notes, and shout-outs from across the District. The update, better known as "Norton's Notes," is posted on our District website by 4:30 pm each Friday during the school year. Stay informed - visit www.ltisdschools.org/nortonsnotes.
Dogs of Character Coming to WCHE May 16!
Dogs of Character is an anti-bullying, empathy-based assembly taught with the assistance of rescued dogs. Each dog in the cast teaches children life lessons in perseverance, courage, self-worth, leadership and responsibility. The rescue dogs in the program are living examples of virtues children will find relatable and meaningful. Each assembly is modified to address specific needs of the participating school and its students.
The Dogs of Character Creative Director, Joy Southard, and cast will promote and teach effective messages to address bullying, at-risk behavior, and empathy for others. With the assistance of rescue dogs, children are shown a living example of positive life skills and responses. Each of the dogs in the program are temperament tested with a calm and gentle demeanor. For more information please visit http://www.dogsofcharacter.com
In order for students to attend, signed parent/guardian permission forms must be received by the school by May 15. The permission forms will be sent home with students soon.
Kinder, 1st, and 2nd Grade Tigers with signed parent permission forms will attend the assembly May 16 @ 8:15 am.
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Tigers with signed parent permission forms will attend the assembly, May 16, @ 9 am.
Seeking Speakers for our Tiger Career Day!
We are looking for parents or community members who would be willing to speak to classes of students about their jobs or submit a pre-recorded video telling us what they do, when they first knew that they wanted to pursue this career, what was required to get them in that position (education,) how their job relates to their interests now, the most rewarding part of their job, and the most difficult part of their job. They will also have an opportunity to "show and tell" with props, photos, video clips, or demonstrations. Finally, they will be able to answer student questions.
In-person speakers will present to a particular grade level (specify below) on Tuesday, May 23, and they will present 4-5 sessions across a period of 1-2 hours. Speakers will be selected by our Social Emotional Learning Team with the goal of representing a variety of career fields. If we have multiple volunteer speakers from similar career fields, speakers will be selected randomly. Virtual speakers will submit a pre-recorded video (5 minutes in length is perfect) that all of our Tigers will be able to access.
If you would like to sign up to help make our 2023 Career Day a HUGE success, click here. Thanks!
Upcoming Events
04/01 - 04/30/23....National Occupational Therapy Month
04/10 - 04/26/23....Classroom Contest to Win Tiger Gala Snow Cone Party!
04/10 - 04/29/23....One Community One School One Book - Saving Winslow
04/23 - 04/29/23....National Library Week
04/24 - 04/28/23....PTO Auction!!!! Check it Out and Bid Here!
04/25/23................5th Grade Science STAAR (No Visitors/Volunteers on Campus)
04/25/23................Smiles in Schools Parent Permission Form Due if Participating
04/26/23................Smiles in Schools Day!
04/26/23................National Administrative Professionals Day
04/27/23................WCH PTO General Assembly in the Tiger's Den @ 9 am RSVP
04/28/23................Last Day for 4th Graders to Apply for Advanced Math Testing
04/28/23................2022-23 Yearbook Sales End TODAY!!!!!
04/28/23................Tiger Pep Rally in the Gym @ 7:40 am RSVP
04/28/23................WCH PTO Tiger Gala 6 - 9 PM @ Lopez Hill in Spicewood
05/01 - 05/31/23....National Better Hearing & Speech Month
05/03/23................3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Math STAAR (No Visitors/Volunteers on Campus)
05/03/23................Parent Input Forms for 2023-24 are Due Today
05/04/23................4th Graders' Advanced Math Virtual Parent Meeting 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
05/04/23................LTCL Bookmobile Comes to WCH Amenity Center 3 - 5 pm
05/05/23................School Lunch Hero Day!
05/08 - 05/12/23....WCHE Staff Appreciation Week
05/10/23................Paraprofessional Day & School Nurse Day
05/16/23................Dogs of Character Visit WCHE Learn More
05/18/23................3rd Grade Field Trip to Science Mill
05/19/23................5th Grade Field Trip to Highland Lakes
05/19/23................LTHS Punt, Pass, Kick Contest and Spring Scrimmage! Learn more!
05/23/23................WCHE Career Day
05/25/23................Tiger Pep Rally in the Gym @ 7:40 am RSVP
05/25/23................End of Year Class Party Day
05/26/23................5th Grade Student-only Breakfast 7:20 - 8:00 am
05/26/23................5th Grade Promotion Ceremony in the Gym 8:30 - 9:30 am RSVP
05/26/23................5th Graders Celebrated by Tigers Indoors 9:45 - 10:00 am
05/26/23................5th Graders Celebrated by Families Outdoors 10:00 - 10:45 am
05/26/23................Last Day of School - Early Dismissal @ 12:40 PM - No Extended Care!
05/29/23................Memorial Day Holiday - Office & Campus Closed
05/30/23................Staff Professional Development Day
We would love for you to join us!
WCHE is looking for additional staff members, and one of our open positions could be a perfect fit for you!
Currently, we are looking for lunch monitors, recess monitors, instructional aides, and special education teachers. To view the LTISD employment website, click here!
Useful Links
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: WCHPrincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://www.ltisdschools.org/Domain/16
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @principalwch