Pirtle Parent Press
Providing Clarity, Kindness and Unity in Purpose
Welcome Back Pirtle Panthers!
Our teachers were so excited to have an opportunity to visit with all of our Pirtle Families this last week. Information is currently updated in Skyward in case you have questions about schedules or homeroom teachers. We ready to get started on Tuesday, Sept. 8!
Scenario 4 Information
- Message from Belton ISD Explaining Scenario 4
- Students are virtual on Sept. 16, 23, and 30 (This means they will be At Home Learners on these dates and will receive assignments to complete virtually from their classroom teacher)
- This scenario will last until Oct. 2
- By that time, the district will have more information regarding which phase Belton will enter into next.
Pirtle Procedures
- Due to the frequent changes that we are facing as a result of Covid-19, this is a living document and will be continuously updated as we receive new information from our district and health services. We appreciate your understanding. Please review our Pirtle Procedures document and the video above with your child before school starts.
Technology
- Device Pick up took place this last week. If you missed picking up your child's device, please email your child's teachers so they are able to send you a user agreement form or link.
- Device Pledge Form
- If your child returns this Tuesday, they will be bringing home a device on Tuesday.
- All students are expected to bring a charged device DAILY to school.
- For any assistance with hardware device issues, or if passwords are not working, contact lisa.langford@bisd.net
- For questions regarding Student ID, SeeSaw Login, Google Classroom Login, ClassLink or Curriculum questions, contact your child's teacher.
District Safety/Instruction Guidelines
- Our number one priority is student and staff safety. We will be following our BISD safety guidelines. If you have missed information provided by the district, please browse through the links provided below for more information regarding these guidelines.
- TEKS will still be used for instruction for all of our Belton ISD students.
Thank you again for your patience and your kindness as we work through this new learning for everyone. This will take a village and we all feel blessed to have such a wonderful Pirtle family working together to make this a success!
Looking forward to seeing you soon! Until then, we will continue sending air hugs and prayers that your family is safe and healthy during this time.
Becky Vaughn
Principal
Joe M. Pirtle Elementary
Tips for a Successful First Day of School
- Please ensure your child and classroom teacher knows how he/she is getting home. All transportation changes must be made by 2:00 with the front office.
- Please arrive to school early enough to give your child time to enter the building and get to class BEFORE 7:40. We have close to 700 students entering our building in a short amount of time.
- As a reminder, parents may drop off in the back car loop or park and walk to the front porch area. We will continue to follow safety guidelines, so parents walking their child to the front porch area will not be permitted inside unless they have a scheduled appointment ahead of time with the teacher.
- A lanyard is encouraged to hold your child's mask during lunch/recess and for mask breaks during the day. If your child does not have one, we will go around Tuesday morning and distribute these.
- Please contact katie.rhymes@bisd.net for cafeteria account questions/information. If they are bringing a lunch, remind them of what comes back home and what gets thrown away.
- Check to see what healthy snacks your child can bring to school. We do have certain food allergies that the teachers will make you aware of.
- Please ensure your child has a filled water bottle to bring with them daily. They will be able to refill these throughout the day, but will not be drinking directly from water fountains.
- Please make sure your information is correct in Skyward. All emergency contacts, etc. have current phone numbers. Family dynamics often change and this is what our office will use should a situation arise where we need to contact you. Our office will follow any court/legal documentation we have on file.
- Label your child's belongings. Often many articles of clothing are never claimed in the lost and found. This will help ensure your child keeps all of their belongings throughout the year.
- Please contact the school nurse with any medical/allergy information. Contact our nurse at molly.mastrilli@bisd.net for questions. This is very important with any changes in medication from previous years.
- Make sure you have had communication with your child's teacher. Teachers are using Remind for quick messages. K-2 is using SeeSaw, 3-5 is using Google Classroom. Information about setting up these accounts was presented by teachers and is located on grade level sites.
- Please know what days your child has PE so they have appropriate shoes to wear in the gym. For specifics on this, please contact danielle.hardin@bisd.net
- Please share any concerns that you have with classroom teachers as soon as possible. They should always be your first point of contact. Our teachers LOVE what they do and communication is key in maintaining a successful partnership throughout the year.
- Your child's safety is our top priority. Please be patient with us as we work with you to try and create a smooth transition to and from school each day. Please call 254.215.3400 if you have any questions or concerns.
We are so excited to see everyone Sept. 8!
Upcoming Dates and Events....
Sept. 7 (Monday)
- Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 8 (Tuesday)
- First day of school
- Doors open to students at 7:10
- Dismissal is at 3:05
- Car Rider Line is the ONLY area for students to be picked up by parents. We are no longer dismissing any students from our cafeteria. Please review our Pirtle Map in Pirtle Procedures for Parent Waiting Areas off campus.
- Please refer to our campus map to see where designated parent waiting areas are off campus to meet your child if they are a walker or bike rider (Pirtle Procedures)
Sept. 9 (Wednesday)
- Students DO have school this Wednesday
- Scenario 4 with Wednesday off will begin the week of Sept. 14-18
ACTION ITEMS
- Review Pirtle Procedures and video to give you a better understanding of our protocols and processes.
- Please provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for your child. This includes a mask, personal water bottle, lanyard for mask, backpack clip with personal hand sanitizer (parent choice) If you cannot provide a lanyard for mask breaks, please let your child's teacher know and our campus can assist with this.
- Review information below (Breakfast/Lunch Information) to set up lunch accounts online for your child
- ReviewTransportation information below for Route and Pick-Up/Drop-Off Times if they are a bus rider
- Please have your child practice logging in to their device before Tuesday (If they have them)
Belton ISD Updates
Please check the Belton ISD Website for the most updated information that is being shared with our Community.
Helpful Links
- BISD Homepage: https://www.bisd.net/
- Students and Families: https://www.bisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=274
- Response Planning: https://www.bisd.net/Page/1739
- Latest Updates: https://www.bisd.net/news
- General Questions: http://bit.ly/2UoBQSe
Meet our AMAZING Nurse!
Pirtle Nurse
- Molly Mastrilli: molly.mastrilli@bisd.net or (254)215.3407
- Please call with questions regarding COVID, Medications, and other Health Concerns
- BISD Crisis Response: https://sites.google.com/mybisd.net/bisd-extendedlearning/mental-health?authuser=0
- COVID-19 Info: https://www.bisd.net/Page/1736
- Parental Authorization Forms: https://www.bisd.net/Page/345
- Immunizations: https://www.bisd.net/Page/346
Breakfast/Lunch Information
- Breakfast @ 8:00-8:30
- Lunch @ 12:30-1:00
- All breakfasts and lunches are picked up from the back car loop
- Please bring proof of enrollment every time (ID badge, verification of enrollment, or Skyward Info)
At School Breakfast/Lunch (Face to Face Learners)
- Grab and Go Breakfast served from 7:10-7:35
- Student Breakfast: $1.25, 2nd Student Breakfast $2.50
- Lunch Times
- Student Lunch: $2.65, 2nd Student Lunch $4.00
New Safety Guidelines
- There will be no snacks or al a carte menu items served during lunch, but they are more than welcome to purchase a 2nd separate meal
- Only students will be eating in the cafeteria at this time
- A designated space labeled "Drop 'n Go Lunches" will be provided in the office for parents dropping off student lunches. Please have your child's first and last name, grade level, and teacher on the bag for efficient delivery during their designated lunch time.
- No cash handling will be done during meal times. Students may give cash or teachers first thing in the morning or pay online (see links below)
- Pirtle Contact: katie.rhymes@bisd.net or (254) 215.3410
- BISD School Nutrition: https://www.bisd.net/Page/336
- School Menus: https://www.bisd.net/Page/318
- My School Bucks/Online Payment: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain.action?clientKey=&requestAction=
- Free and Reduced Breakfast/Lunch Information: https://www.bisd.net/Page/400
Transportation
Helpful Links
- Main Contact: https://www.bisd.net/domain/208
- Smart Tags: https://www.bisd.net/Page/563
- Bus Routes: https://www.bisd.net/Page/351
- Special Needs info: https://www.bisd.net/Page/354
- Bus Handbook: https://www.bisd.net/cms/lib/TX50000217/Centricity/Domain/208/20200708-Bus%20Safety%20Handbook%202020-2021.pdf
School Calendar
September
- Sept. 2-4 (Meet the Teacher/Parent Conferences Only)
- Sept. 7 - Labor Day
- Sept. 8 - First Day of School
- Nov. 9 - Veteran's Day
- Nov. 23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
- Dec. 18 - Early Release
- 21-Jan. 4 - Christmas Break
- Jan. 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Feb. 15 - Inservice Day for Teachers
- Mar. 15-19 - Spring Break
- Apr. 2 - Good Friday
- May 31 - Memorial Day
- June 9 - Last Day of School/Early Release
Support for Families
Bell County Hotline
Bell County started a hotline that residents can call if they have questions about COVID-19. The number is (254) 933-5203. The phone line is staffed 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calls received after hours and weekends will roll to the 2-1-1 Helpline, where United Way’s trained specialists can provide information on area social services.
http://www.uwct.org/who-we-help/211united-way-helpline
Project Heartbeat Information
Reminders...
Skyward
- Please make sure your information is correct in Skyward. For assistance with this process, please contact lorena.ortiz@bisd.net or drenda.capps@bisd.net. This includes guardianship, phone number changes, and emergency contact updates.
Pirtle Contacts....
ARD Information: amy.diano@bisd.net (Diagnostician) (254) 215.3415
Changing information in Skyward: lorena.ortiz@bisd.net and drenda.capps@bisd.net (254) 215.3400
Cafeteria/Meals: katie.rhymes@bisd.net (254) 215.3410
Counselor: Email melondy.kelley@bisd.net (254) 215.3408
Dyslexia: beth.holmes@bisd.net (Beth) and teresa.reynolds@bisd.net (254) 215.3432
Fine Arts (Music): amber.harris@bisd.net and julia.rogers@bisd.net (254) 215.3466
Functional Academics: sarah.wong@bisd.net (254) 215.3478 and rhea.pringle@bisd.net (254) 215.3474
Instructional Coach: paige.carrasquillo@bisd.net (254) 215.3409
Librarian: lanie.white@bisd.net (254) 215.3411
Intervention K-5: carol.holle@bisd.net (254) 215.3461
Nurse: (Medication questions/schedule pick-up) molly.mastrilli@bisd.net (254) 215.3407
P.E.: danielle.hardin@bisd.net (254) 215.3472
Special Education: janet.easley@bisd.net (254) 215.3473
Speech: kathleen.dumas@bisd.net (254) 215.3412
Technology at Pirtle: lisa.langford@bisd.net (254) 215.3463
Withdrawing/Enrolling: drenda.capps@bisd.net (254) 215.3418
504 Information: angelia.tarrant@bisd.net or dominic.white@bisd.net
Information
Email: rebecca.vaughn@bisd.net
Website: https://www.bisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=35
Location: 714 South Pea Ridge Road, Temple, TX, USA
Phone: (254) 215.3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PirtleElementary/?ref=br_rs