February Parent Newsletter
February 2024
Message
Dear Parents,
We are entering a season of assessments amidst very important instructional time. Student attendance is critical for student progress.
Please make sure students attend school every day, unless they are sick, of course. Keep in mind that after students come back from an absence (even if it is only a day)it is difficult to get back into the daily routine. We appreciate your support and collaboration in this important matter.
Principal Waters
Our current enrollment is 387 students
What's Going On at School
FEBRUARY-African American Heritage Month
Feb 2nd- Academy 4
Feb 2nd- Group and Individual Picture Day
Feb 5th-9th Counselor's Appreciation Week
Feb 6th- The Thinkery Workshop in the Cafeteria 5-6 pm
Feb 8th- Career Day- We encourage students to dress up on this day.
Feb 9th- Parent Conferences
Feb 9th- Book Fair Kick-Off
Feb 14th- Valentine's Party & Exchange of Cards at 2:15 pm
Feb 16th- Black History Month Door Contest
Feb 15th- Literacy Night for Parents with students in K & 1st 8:30 am & 5 pm
Feb 19th- Student/Staff Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 26th- Mar 1- Food Service Worker Appreciation Week (Cafeteria ladies)
Feb 29th- Black History Program in the gym (Information coming soon...)
Mar 1st- Coffee with the Principal
Mar 11-15- Spring Break
INDIVIDUAL & GROUP PICTURES
Parent Teacher Conferences- February 9th
If you are not able to meet in person with your child's teacher on Friday, February 9th, you may meet via zoom or any other day before or after school, or during the teacher's planning time. These meetings are important as the teacher will share assessment reports and progress reports for the mid year.
You can also request the dyslexia, special education teacher, or the counselor to be present in the meeting, but it must be done with time in advance.
Book Fair HERE at Pickle
BOOK FAIR is coming! Feb. 9th- 16th
Please see events below. We will sell food. Bring your family!
Students of Month in January
Our Newest Graduates from Literacy First
Renessme Lucas
Saul Maldonado
Our 2024 Pickle Elementary Teacher of the Year
Congratulations Ms. Liliana Deaver
Teacher of Promise: Dr. Osezua
Our Finalists
Ms Kelly- Kindergarten Teacher
Ms Vazquez-5th Grade Teacher & Ms Dorantes-Resource
A Special Recognition
A life was saved at Pickle Elementary by Lauren Heck, one of two Literacy First Teaching Assistant Tutors. During lunch time (on Wednesday, 1/24/24), a second-grade student began to choke while eating a chicken bite. Another student quickly got Ms Heck's attention, who was covering lunch duty at that time. Ms. Heck noticed the student's face was changing coloring, so she immediately performed the Heimlich Maneuver. Ms Heck made sure the student was calm and breathing and took her to the nurse's office. Our nurse measured her oxygenation levels and was sent home to rest. We are so grateful Ms Heck acted quickly and calmly to aid our student.
Middle School Planning
Our 5th Grade Girls visited Bertha Sadler Means to explore their options for Middle School school life!
Upcoming Assessments
Prek- Circle PM-CLI MOY Assessment Jan 16-Feb 13
STAAR Interim
Feb 1st- 5th Grade Reading
Feb 6th- 5th Grade Science, 4th Grade Reading
Feb 13th- 3rd Grade Reading, 4th & 5th Grade Math
Feb 15th- 3rd Grade Math
STAAR Field Test
Feb 5-8
TELPAS
Feb 20th- Window Opens for grades K-5th
Noticings
Happy go get a treat after announcements!
Art Club is so much fun!
School Visitors
For security reasons, we will only allow students to enter the building during arrival every morning. Additionally, parents will wait for students outside the building during dismissal time.
ALL VISITORS, including parents, must sign in at the school office, identify the purpose of the visit, and wear a visitor's badge. If a visitor is seen on campus without a badge, they will be asked to go to the school office to sign in.
Parents having LUNCH with their kids
For Safety Reasons Please Adhere to Guidelines
Parents are allowed to eat lunch with their kids in the cafeteria on the following days according to grade level:
Tuesday- PreK and Kinder
Wednesday- First and Second
Thursday- Third, Fourth, and Fifth
Mondays and Fridays will be reserved for special occasions
Please adhere to the GUIDELINES to keep all students SAFE and a RESPECTFUL Environment for all students and adults.
Kinder Activities
First Grade Writing
AR Party for 56 Students- Congratulations!
Family Resources
Foundation Communities Prosper Centers can help with FREE Tax Prep and ITINs in Travis County and Williamson County
FREE Central Texas Food Bank food distributions: Food Resources
- Monday, 1/29, 10am-12pm AND 3pm-5pm, AVEY CTFB Food Distributions, Burnet MS, 8401 Hathaway Dr., 78758: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tf7FKhIwo3Y1TXknWlafDpAF60dPS5m8/view?usp=drive_link
- Monday, 2/5, 10am-12pm AND 3pm-5pm, AVEY CTFB Food Distributions, Dobie MS, 1200 E. Rundberg Ln., 78753: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iyRDCsXSIe26kyEF445BUt-AOSvxxwaE/view?usp=drive_link
- Food Access Calendar from ACC: https://students.austincc.edu/social-support/food-assistance/food-access-calendar/
- February calendars for CTFB Fresh Food for Families and CTFB Mobile Food Distributions and HOPE Food for the Elderly by the Central Texas Food Bank: https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now
Adult Education Opportunities: AVEY Adult Education Catalog
- AVEY Community Block Leader meetings, every Thursday from 1pm-2pm by Zoom. Register here and receive the Zoom link: https://forms.gle/tBq8KGy8pHNK6s3h9 (Orientation for new leaders 2/1, 2pm-3pm by Zoom)
- NEW! EarlyAustin Moves! Walking Groups start in March Register here to be a group leader or participant: https://forms.gle/zYkMUru9oghgA5kW7
- GED Prep Classes (in Spanish, in the evening) by ACC: https://forms.gle/yDupxU6te15zNTUr8 (Orientation & Testing, 2/6 @ 6pm, Navarro FRC - must have an AISD student to enroll)
- Plazas Comunitarias (to complete your primary or secondary school certificate in Spanish) by AVEY: https://forms.gle/9kgRPPJeZJAakJcQA
- Strengthening Families Program at Dobie MS by Phoenix House: https://forms.gle/YamzQFmZYxgNUHvHA (Orientation, 1/29 @ 6pm, Dobie MS)
- NEW! Early Learners Family Engagement Workshops with the Thinkery: by SAFE Strong Start https://forms.gle/qN7MyMNPfEiX2jbQA (2/6 @ Pickle ES, 2/13 @ Barrington ES)
- HVAC Training Certification Program at Dobie MS by ACC: https://forms.gle/kxNVuTSat1MVAYB38 (Orientation, 1/31 @ 6pm, Dobie FRC)
- FREE Mixxed Fit Exercise Class at Dobie MS by It's Time Texas: https://forms.gle/fbyWEwEhgfmxaZZp8 (Every Monday, 6pm, Dobie MS)
- Are you 16-24 years of age and wanting help taking the next step for your education and employment? Goodwill Youth Services can help! Register for orientation here (2/5 @ 1pm, Workforce Solutions, North): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGHTfla6kUlzZm_G3RhURPtMfcTQ_4Ftejh0SLy3m7e5daww/viewform
- Do you need a photo ID? Consider an Enhanced Library Card: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n4tdIr-BD3UoNZ4Fva96joFzMtT8cHLV/view?usp=drive_link
- Rent assistance: I belong in Austin: Online Applications are accepted by El Buen Samaritano: www.elbuen.org/ibia
- Eviction Solidarity Network Resource Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eQxLPdPo9MJFweI-3uNG7eIUEZrhV3nErzVe9Ikgda8/edit?usp=drive_link
Healthy Families Campaign: Find information in this AVEY Healthcare Catalog: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eCnSaK_R65Gnm6myIxQDQ2CTOY-EL0qP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106146300867414978472&rtpof=true&sd=true
- COVER: Get your family the healthcare coverage you qualify for.
- Foundation Communities Prosper Centers can help with state benefits and more: https://foundcom.org/prosper-centers/health-coverage/
- Austin Voices can help with MAP and State Benefits Enrollment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jc5pT3EN4_l12ilv_-qccSsKYYK7Jlhs/view?usp=drive_link Request an appointment here: https://forms.gle/x5v8LYK2u371cYnK9
- CONNECT: Establish a medical home for your family
- PREPARE: Make an appointment for a well-child checkup and get a sports physical for school: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yp-rBHPBakuo2NpnU01ImjT_ZikPrUb7?usp=drive_link
- PROTECT: Ensure your family is up to date with immunizations, Flu and COVID vaccines for adults and children:
- Shots for Tots: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-hsmZ_T4oVRoQWqtWQwQjfmX-hE4tiOx/view?usp=drive_link
- Order 4 FREE COVID Test kits online at https://www.covid.gov/tests
Austin ISD Resources: https://www.austinisd.org/
- AISD Calendar of events, meetings and parent education: https://www.austinisd.org/calendar
- AISD Parent Portal: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/aisd-portal
- AISD Calendar for SY 2023-24: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GmxmQJ9J983iBCVeJeQlJAMQ0yh3a5-A/view?usp=drive_link
- Questions for AISD? Let's Talk: https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk. You can also send a TEXT to Let's Talk at 512-886-6434 or call the Family Support Line at 512-414-9187
Contact Us
Principal: Rosa Waters
Assistant Principal: Clelia Parlange
Counselor: Brenda Hernández
Admin Assistant/Bookkeeper: Krystal Treviño
Registrar: Jennifer Gonzalez
Parent Support Specialist: Norma García
Nurse: Woody Bryant & Elissa Arellano
1101 Wheatley Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
(512) 841-8400
website https://pickle.austinschools.org/
Twitter @JJPickleECP