Bryant Bulletin
Weekly Campus Updates for Parents & Guardians
February 3, 2021
Bryant Bulletin Translations Available by Opening in a Chrome Browser
A Message from Dr. Rhodes
Happy Wednesday Bryant Families. Our playground enhancement is solidifying!! I want to thank our Bryant PTA, Willow Creek Farms Municipal Utility District (MUD), Harris-Waller Counties MUD #3 (Cane Island), and Fort Bend-Waller Counties MUD #3 (Young Ranch). Together $38,000 has been raised. We will be adding this new play structure to our playground. I know the kids will love it!! We are hoping to have everything in place for kids this spring!! Have a great reminder of the week.
Meet Our Staff...
Ms. Polivka
Ms. Polivka joined our Bryant 5th Grade team this year. She graduated from Texas A&M and is working on her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This is her 2nd year in education. When not planning awesome lessons for her students, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and doing outdoor activities - especially camping, hiking, kayaking, and biking.
From Our Counselor, Mrs. Flores
Bryant Community & Student Kindness Challenge
***Stand up for someone being picked on, teased, or bullied.***
For the month of February, we will introduce the character trait: Kindness. Throughout the month, students will engage in conversations and activities to help develop and apply kindness in their daily lives! Kindness can help unite us and bring us together. At Bryant, we work hard to instill a culture of kindness and care. We are using this definition at school: Kindness: the choice to act with words, gifts, or actions to bring appreciation, positivity, and encouragement to others and yourself. If you are looking for ways to extend this trait at home, check out our K-2 resource (en Espanol) and 3-5 resource (en Espanol). For more information, contact Penny Flores, the school counselor, at penelopewflores@katyisd.org.
Happy School Counselor Week!
The Literacy Corner: Family Support for Building Strong Readers and Writers
Parents and Caregivers,
The Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University, in collaboration with school leaders and teachers, have developed free offerings for families to help you support your child’s reading and writing. We hope these will bring more joy to home literacy learning. Each week, we will feature a different video or resource from this collection. The full list of resources can be found on this page.
K-2 Family Videos: This week’s video (7 mins.) describes a few at-home routines or habits parents can establish to help children engage in reading. Click here to view the video!
3-5 Family Videos: This week’s short video (6 mins.) introduces to parents eight wonderfully interesting nonfiction books that have excited and enticed thousands of young readers and have inspired thousands of aspiring nonfiction writers. Click here to view the video!
Free Office Hours for Parents and Caregivers: Ask a Literacy Expert
Have questions about your child’s reading or writing? Talk over zoom with Lucy Calkins and other experienced Reading and Writing Project faculty.
Schedule for office hours:
K-2 Families: Wednesday, February 3rd at 7-8 PM
3-5 Families: Thursday, February 4th at 7-8 PM
We look forward to sharing more valuable resources to build strong literacy connections in school and at home.
Bryant Elementary Online Book Fair
General Campus Information and Reminders
Please Pack a Water Bottle Daily
Are You a New Enrollee?
Changes of Transportation
Reminder- Changes of Transportation must be either sent in with your student on the day of the change by filling and printing out this form, emailing bryantelementary@katyisd.org from a registered email on your student’s account, or by coming up to the vestibule of the school with your valid ID to verify guardianship before 2pm. If emailing, please be sure to include student’s name, grade, teacher, change of dismissal (include bus #, address, and stop location if changing to bus), and the date(s) of the change. NOTE- emails sent to teachers for Changes of Transportation are not accepted. Please use the email address above.
Upcoming Events
1/25-2/5- Scholastic Book Fair (virtual)
2/1-2/5 National School Counselor's Week
2/9- KVA Grab & Go 4p-5p
2/11- PTA Paws for Kindness Fundraiser Kickoff (More details to come)
2/15- President's Day (Student Holiday- No school)
2/15-3/1- KVA/F2F window open for Elementary 4th Nine Weeks
2/24- College & Career Shirt Day
2/26- Go Texan Day
Friendship Party / Friendship Card Information
Each year we usually have a Thankful Party and a Friendship Party as our two designated party dates. With the many changes of this year, parties changed too. Students had Winter Parties before Winter Break and will have their second party later this year as a Spring or End of Year Party. We will not have a Friendship Party this year.
We know some students may want to share Friendship Cards on February 12th. In order to work within all safety protocols, we will follow these guidelines:
-Students may pass out Friendship Cards on 2/12 only.
-Students will take turns passing out cards (all students will not be passing them out at the same time).
-Students who would like to share cards with the students in their class will pass them out during the last hour of the day.
-Bags with cards will go home the afternoon of 2/12.
-Students will open their cards at home.
These Bryant Guidelines will also be used:
-If students would like to share cards, they need to bring a card for each student in the class.
-Homeroom teachers will provide a list of all students' first names via email in the coming two weeks.
**If you do not want your child receiving Friendship Cards on 2/12, contact your child's teacher ASAP.**
From the District
*KVA/F2F Window to Opt In/Out for 4th Nine Weeks*
Elementary Window for the 4th Nine Weeks
Opens Feb 15 – Closes March 1
Show Your Support for Katy ISD Teachers
Since our school opened in 2017, Bryant Elementary has received $17,495.98 in Inspiring Imagination teacher grants. This year, we invite you to join our community-wide initiative rallying friends and neighbors in support of Katy ISD teachers. Support the Katy ISD Education Foundation with $20 + monthly and receive an “I Support Teachers” decal in the mail!
All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s Inspiring Imagination teacher grants.
Free & Reduced Lunch Application
Due to the impact of COVID-19, Katy ISD is providing a free breakfast and lunch to all students through the end of June. However, since the free meal waiver for all students expires on June 30, we want to make sure that students who were eligible for free and reduced meals last school year continue to receive free meals as we continue into the start of the new school year. Student meal eligibility also contributes to additional funding for your child’s campus and the district. The Free & Reduced Lunch application can be completed in your student’s SchoolCafe account here.
FREE Rapid COVID-19 Testing Option to Enrolled Katy ISD Students
The district is offering FREE rapid COVID-19 testing to enrolled Katy ISD students. The FREE test is in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency’s COVID-19 Testing Project. The test is a saliva based method that is considered to be just as accurate as other tests, such as nasal swabs.
Students will still have the option of being administered a nasal swab rapid test by RediMD at a cost of $125, via credit card or cash at point of service. Insurance company billing is not available through this option.
Both the rapid, free saliva tests and the rapid, RediMD nasal swab tests are available at the District’s Agricultural Sciences Center located at 5801 Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Appointments are necessary and can be made by clicking the icon below:
Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
The Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan can be read by clicking the blue icon below.
Katy Virtual Academy (KVA) Information
KVA Grab & Go Information
Hi KVA Parents!
We will be hosting a KVA Grab & Go on Tuesday, 2/9 from 4p-5p. All KVA students and all car tag colors will come on Tuesday to pick up their materials. Please have your car rider tag displayed in your car. If you are unsure of your 2020/2021 car rider number, please contact your child’s teacher. The students will receive a Ziploc bag that will include independent reading books, paper copies of future assignments, and other instructional materials. Please return the bag you were given at the previous Grab & Go. We will be distributing the bags from the Gym Doors. Please pull through the teacher parking lot with your car rider tag hanging from your rearview mirror. A teacher will bring your child’s bag to your car and collect the previous bag that was given.
District KVA Newsletter
News From the Bryant PTA
Paws for Kindness Support
We are excited to bring back our Paws for Kindness fundraiser where we encourage our students to complete Acts of Kindness to help build up our community. Last year, our students completed more than 11,000 Acts of Kindness and were able to raise over $50,000. Information regarding the kickoff will be available soon. If you have or know of a business that would like to help sponsor our efforts, please contact bryantpawsforkindness@gmail.com.
Spirit Wear
We have a limited amount of spirit shirts available. Order yours today to make sure you get one!
Order 2020-2021 Yearbooks NOW!!
Parents- Get YOUR Photos in the Yearbook!!
Don't miss out on an opportunity for your student to be in the yearbook!! We want to see what your kids are doing!! Share your pictures with us. Click here for more information!!
Check out Wednesday folders and PTA Social Media for different picture challenges this year!! This year we need all the parent and Bryant Staff help we can get to make our yearbook successful!!
Visit Us Online
Click here for PTA Facebook.
Click here to follow PTA on Twitter.
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Important Reminders From Previous Bulletins
Katy ISD COVID-19 Dashboard
Modified Phase One Safety Protocols
Effective September 28th.
- Classroom protocols modified to require students and staff to wipe down their workspace at the beginning of use. Hand sanitizer and wipes will continue to be available in all classrooms for students.
- Elementary playground equipment may be utilized by students during recess ensuring hand sanitizer and hand washing time is available immediately after use and before returning to class. District custodial staff will sanitize the playground equipment each morning prior to student use.
- Library and computer lab(s) may be utilized with the requirement of cleaning workspaces before student use. Additionally, time should be incorporated following group instruction for hand washing before returning to regular class instruction.
- Returned library book are quarantined for a 6-day period before being checked out again to students.
- Elementary & Secondary grouping of students for instructional purposes will be allowed with facial covering protocol strictly adhered to, desk shields utilized where possible and continued cleaning of workspaces by students.
- Campus events, outside the instructional day, may be allowed with supervising event staff completing a required COVID-19 safety and mitigation training. Event capacity for indoor events, outside the instructional day, may be limited and must follow current state, local and TEA guidance.
Behavior Expectations for Virtual Learning - Guidance for Parents
Behavior expectations for students enrolled in Katy Virtual Academy are the same as expectations for students enrolled in face-to-face instruction. All students are still required to follow the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct as participation in virtual learning is an extension of the classroom. In addition to the District’s discipline guidelines, parents and guardians should be aware of the following:
A. Students must log in as themselves. Impersonating another user is a violation of the Responsible Use Guidelines and is prohibited.
B. Students will be expected to participate in discussions and activities. Additionally, it is critical for students to complete assignments independently to allow teachers to accurately identify progress. However, as established in KVA Guidelines, parents must be prepared to monitor their student’s learning and may need to provide assistance for younger students to support instruction in a virtual learning environment.
C. When logging into virtual learning sessions (i.e. Zoom):
- Students must have their video on. It is an expectation of learning to allow the teacher to check for engagement and understanding.
- If a student is using a virtual background it must not be offensive or inappropriate. Students must be prepared to hide the background or change it at the teacher’s request.
- Students must use the name that is on school record or birth certificate (names can be shortened such as : William to Will or Tamara to Tam) TBD
- Students must not share specific meeting links or passwords.
- Students must only enter their class virtual meetings they are scheduled for.
D. Appropriate school language must be used on all applications such as but not limited to: chat, discussions, whiteboards, and shared documents.
Parents will be contacted if a student violates classroom expectations or the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. Persistent or serious offenses will be referred to the appropriate campus administrator and additional consequences may be assigned, including but not limited to:
- Parent Conference,
- Behavior Contract,
- Recovery Time,
- Loss of Privilege,
- Overnight Suspension,
- Suspension, or
- Referral to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement.
Bus Safety Rules
1. Mask/Face covering should be worn on the bus and the bus stop, until further notice.
2. Observe the same conduct as in the classroom including cell phone use.
3. Enter the bus and immediately go to the assigned seat.
4. Talk in a normal tone of voice.
5. Remain seated and facing forward in the assigned seat until time to exit the bus.
6. Keep head, hands, feet, and other objects to oneself; do not tamper with bus equipment.
7. Use acceptable language; obscene, profane, unacceptable language and/or gestures are prohibited.
8. Refrain from eating and/or drinking on the bus; keep the bus clean.
9. Refrain from throwing objects within the bus or out of the windows.
10. Follow all rules outlined in the District’s Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, as well as safety rules established by the driver.
11. Arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop-time and wait a safe distance from where the bus stops. 5 giant steps away from the stop is a good rule.
12. When the bus arrives, do not approach it until the bus has come to a complete stop. Form a single line and board the bus. Go directly to a seat and sit in a safe position. If seats are
equipped with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times as required by law.
13. When it is time to get off of the bus, wait until it comes to complete stop before getting up from your seat.
Procedures when Checking Students In or Out During the School Day
MyOn Reading
Students can access MyOn using their Katy Cloud Login information. Renaissance MyOn Readers is a student-centered, personalized literacy environment that gives students access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to individual student’s interests, grade and Lexile reading level. MyOn fosters student engagement and achievement. MyOn is a great resource for students to use to complete 20 minutes of daily reading outside of school. When a child logs in for the first time, the child will be prompted to complete a reading interest inventory and a quick reading assessment. This helps the system to match your child to texts that match their interests and reading level. Stay tuned for Campus MyOn Challenges that will be coming soon! Happy Reading!
A Parent's Guide to Navigating the KVA Classroom
While the KVA experience has opened up a whole new world for parents to see the educational world our kids live in, it does come with its challenges as well. What we have to remember is, though we are able to be right beside our child and hear more than we ever have before, this is still your child's educational experience.
A child learns so much more than academics at school. They learn independence, confidence and they begin to develop their thoughts, beliefs and ideas about who they are and who they want to become.
In the end... they grow.
Growth comes when we are faced with challenges we must solve, not by someone providing the solution. Growth comes from running into obstacles so we learn how to avoid them, and make our own path, not by someone removing everything in our way.
It is difficult to watch a child deal with an obstacle or a struggle. However, if we truly want full growth for our kids, we must learn how to navigate this new world where your child would normally be in the driver's seat.
Trust, communication, patience and understanding with one another will help us see it through so your child is the focus and their GROWTH is our goal.
Please see this list (click here) of a few Do's and Don'ts as you work with your child and their teacher through this KVA process.
Front Vestibule Drop Boxes
Required Daily Self-Screening of Students
For the health and safety of all students and staff – parents are required to assist their children with a daily self screening for COVID-19 symptoms and fever before arriving to school, or boarding school transportation.
Per TEA “In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following questions: Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?"
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Shaking
Exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
COVID-19 Self-Reporting App, Notifications & Information
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students, and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building. If there is direct exposure due to improper use of PPE, individual families will be contacted.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.
Amazon Smile
You can make a difference while you shop with Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/82-0726214 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to PTA Texas Congress (Bryant PTA). Last quarter our income was $22.06!! Every little bit counts!!
To turn on Smile in your Amazon App, follow these directions:
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process