Eagle Updates
September 20, 2020
In this Issue:
- A Message from Mrs. Barry
- Welcome, New Eagles!
- Curriculum Nights - September 22 and 23
- Second Nine Weeks Learning Model Selection - ACTION REQUIRED!
- School Hours
- REMINDER!
- Bike Rider Reminders
- PreK-2 Virtual Author Visit with Laurie Keller
- Campus Improvement Team
- Kids Heart Challenge
- Staff Spotlights
- Purposeful People/Character Strong
- A Few Distance Learning Reminders
- A Few In-Person Learning Reminders
- New: Technology Office Hours
- MWE One-pager (General Information)
- LearnSBISD
- Raffle for Parking Spots and Principal/Assistant Principal for the Day
- PTA Needs YOU!
- Spartanaire Spaghetti Supper
- Join the PTA Today!
- Create a Membership Toolkit account
- Eagle Excellence Fund
- Yearbooks!
District Information
- Superintendent's Message - For Distance Learning Families
- Superintendent's Message - For In-person Families
From Mrs. Barry:
Since August (well, really since March), we have been going, going, going. We've taken all the fast balls thrown at us and have done our very best to hit a homeroom. We've been reacting to all the pitches that have come our way. This week, our Instructional Leadership Team took time to stop, reflect, and refocus on the tenets that truly guide what we do. We'd like to revisit these with you.
Meadow Wood's Mission
At Meadow Wood Elementary, our mission is to provide the personalized academic, social, physical, and emotional support for each student to grow and reach his or her personal best.
Meadow Wood's Vision
Meadow Wood Elementary is where…
- Our mistakes turn into goals.
- Our failures turn into achievement.
- Our pain turns into empathy.
- Our friends turn into family.
SBISD's Core Values
Every Child
Collective Greatness
Collaborative Spirit
Limitless Curiosity
Moral Compass
The Big Ideas for PLCs (Professional Learning Communities)
- We accept learning as the fundamental purpose of our school and therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning.
- We are committed to working together to achieve our collective purpose. We cultivate a collaborative culture through the development of high-performing teams.
- We assess our effectiveness on the basis of results rather than intentions. Individuals, teams, and schools seek relevant data and information and use that information to promote continuous improvement.
All of these guide everything that we do for our students every single day. Regardless of what school "looks" like, if remain true to the basic guides, we know that we will provide the very best possible learning environment for our Eagles.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Together, we are Growing Great Minds at MWE!
Welcome, New Eagles!
- Victoria Royalty - Ms. Royalty is coming to us from Bendwood and will be teaching in 1st grade this nine weeks. She will be working with our virtual students.
- Meimanat Tabbodi - Dr. Tabbodi is joining the 3rd grade team. She will be in charge of the digital lab.
Please join me in giving our new Eagles a wonderful Meadow Wood welcome!
Curriculum Nights - September 22 and 23
Second Nine Weeks Learning Model Selection - ACTION REQUIRED!
Any parent wishing to change their child's current learning model MUST complete a form on Skyward Family Access, expressing your wish to switch. This is for Distance Learners who which to change to In-person AND In-person Learners who wish to change to Distance. These forms are currently open. Decisions must be made by October 2nd. A copy of the form is attached below. Details can be found in the Superintendent's Letter below. (Please note: if your child's learning model changes, his/her teacher may change. Please reach out to Mrs. Barry with any questions.)
If you do NOT wish to change your child's current learning model, you do not need to do anything. (Please note: your child's homeroom teacher will be reaching out to you to confirm your selection!)
The second nine weeks begins on Monday, October 19, 2020.
School Hours
REMINDER!
Bike Rider Reminders
PreK-2nd Virtual Author Visit with Laurie Keller
I am so excited to announce that Author Laurie Keller will virtually visit students at MWE and MDE on October 1st. She will share her experiences and talk about the writing process as well as her new book, Hello, Arnie!: An Arnie the Doughnut Story.
You can purchase a copy of Hello, Arnie!: An Arnie the Doughnut Story from the link below. If you would like to place an order, please click “add to cart” to continue the purchasing process. I encourage you to purchase a book and help support our wonderful neighborhood bookstore, Blue Willow. By supporting them we can continue having virtual school visits like this!!
PLEASE NOTE: Books will be available for pickup or delivery to the campus once the books arrive. I will share with you when books arrive once Blue Willow reaches out.
https://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/virtual-visit-laurie-keller
Campus Improvement Team
CIT dates, agendas, and minutes are posted on the Meadow Wood web page. We welcome you to attend our meetings, which will be held this semester via Zoom. Please reach out to Mrs. Barry if you would like to attend!
Kids Heart Challenge
Hi MWE Parents and Eagles!
We are preparing for our official Kids Heart Challenge launch during Health Fitness time on Monday & Tuesday – if you are learning from home, be sure to log in! Yes, that means follow the Health Fitness Zoom ID: 989 128 6638 with password: Specials. As Inductees into the Heart Hero training program, students will receive daily and weekly missions to complete. The more missions they achieve, the more activities that are available to them.
You can get a head start with your student by watching the Official Trailer and using this QR Code below to download the FREE Kids Heart Challenge app and register for FREE on our team.
Click here to visit our school page!
Watch MWE’s Facebook and look for a weekly update email for the link to the KHC Mission Experience and to unlock that week’s Top-Secret Vault.
Meadow Wood Elementary is proud to help the American Heart Association as they are supporting our community in many ways during this pandemic. In a normal year, heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but now people who have had a stroke or live with heart disease make up more than 40% of those hospitalized for COVID-19. The AHA has already funded $2.5 Million in fast-response grants to study COVID-19’s effects on heart disease patients, launched a COVID-19 Data Registry within the Get with the Guidelines registry that is used by hundreds of hospitals nation-wide. This has made it possible to learn from COVID patients quickly and improve treatments more rapidly. The more that is discovered, the more research is needed. Some recent studies show that as many as 60% of healthy young people who recover from the virus have evidence of long-term damage to their heart.
We understand that every family may not be able to donate, but all MWE students will enjoy (and learn from) the weekly missions and have the opportunity to share about heart disease in your family and community. If you are able to help raise funds, the American Heart Association will put those to work right here in Houston.
Thank you!
Coach Hollmann
Staff Spotlights!
Mrs. Barry
I am a native Houstonian, growing up in Klein. My grandparents actually lived in Spring Branch, and I was born in what was then the Spring Branch Memorial Hospital. I am a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie class of 1991! My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 28 years. He also is an administrator in SBISD (fun fact - he taught both Ms. Moffett and Mrs. Camey in 8th grade science). We have two grown children - Mitchel, 25 and Alyssa, 21. Both are in College Station - Mitch works and Alyssa is starting her Senior year at A&M.
In my free time, I love to read, spend time with family and friends, eat/shop LOCAL, and camp. (Okay, we have a travel trailer that we've nicknamed the "Barbie Dreamhouse" - we don't exactly "rough it"!)
I love being a part of this amazing MWE community, and I am proud to serve your Eagles!
Ms. Vendetti
I grew up in a small town in Northeast, Ohio where every Tuesday night was Grandma Vendetti night, pizza, and Who’s the Boss.
A little bit more about me, I come from a big Italian family where I am the youngest of six. Yes, I am the baby and love it! I am a proud aunt of 13 nieces and nephews and 1 great niece. In my free time, I enjoy listening to books on Audible, walking my dog Beignet, talking with my family, and spending time with friends.
No, I did not graduate from A&M, UT, Texas Tech, or LSU; however, Mrs. Barry likes when I wear a maroon shirt every now and then. Not to disappoint… I am a proud graduate of Cleveland State University as well as the University of St Thomas, Houston.
This is my 15th year in education, while serving 13 of these years in SBISD. Fun fact, Mrs. Barry hired me as her 3rd grade teacher at Edgewood Elementary. I have taught Kindergarten through 4th grade. In 2013, Dr. Blaine hired me as a District Care Coach. In this role, we focused on supporting teachers with classroom management, PBIS, and positive behavior intervention plans. This is my third year at MWE, and I am so honored to serve our fabulous Eagle community!
Mrs. McCracken
Hello fabulous MWE families!
I am thrilled to be in my 3rd year as the librarian of this fabulous school. A few things about me: I have been in education for 15 years. I live in the area with my husband and two daughters. I love to read, shop, and cook (which included eating)!
Although library may look a little different this year, I am looking forward to fostering a love of reading and curiosity to all students through read aloud, research and (hopefully) makerspace activities.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Luberger
I have had the pleasure to serve as a school counselor to families in SBISD for over 38 years. I have a passion for helping students and families cultivate healthy coping strategies for handling life’s ever changing challenges. Assisting children in learning to make better, more empowering choices is very rewarding to me. When students learn to capitalize on their strengths, become resilient, and develop a strong moral compass they are better prepared for the world of tomorrow. I feel privileged to be part of their journey!
I am excited to job share with my dear friend and longtime colleague, Pat Waldrop. I serve PK, Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade. I am on campus Wednesday pm and all day Thursday and Friday. Ms. Waldrop serves 1st, 3rd and 5th grades and is on campus all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday pm. However, we are very flexible and available to fill the needs of all our students at any time, regardless of the grade level assignment.
I have been married for 39 years and have been blessed with two wonderful children, Chase and Ashley. Chase lives in Houston with our precious daughter-in-law, Caitlyn and their three red headed boys, Charlie, Oliver and Sullivan. Their ages range from 5 years to 7 months. My daughter Ashley and her husband Steve live outside of Philadelphia and have two precious children, Mikey, age 3 and Stella age 16 month. My favorite past time is spending time with my family and being Lulu to this precious crew of 5 grandchildren. I enjoy planning family vacations so that we can all get together. Having all the grandchildren together is very special indeed!
Ms. Waldrop
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pat Waldrop and I am the newest addition to the counseling team at Meadow Wood Elementary.
After working in education for 35 years, I retired on July 31, 2019. My previous employment in Spring Branch ISD allowed me to serve as a counselor at Pine Shadows Elementary, Northbrook High School, and Westchester Middle. Having wonderful experiences at all levels led me to the SBISD Administration Building where I have served for the past thirteen years.
Over the years, it has been my privilege to work with SBISD students! This opportunity with the Meadow Wood family allows me to come full circle and work directly with students again.
I have the good fortune of sharing the counselor position with Lynne Luberger. Along with her, we will continue to offer guidance lessons, assist with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and collaborate with families, staff and administration to help students become successful and productive learners. I will be working with grades 1, 3 and 5 and Lynne will be working with grades K, 2 and 4.
On a personal note, I have two grown children and they each have a daughter. I am grateful that this half time position allows for me to enjoy more time with them. I look forward to working with your child and you.
Mrs. Oxener
I’m Amy Oxener and I am your Student Support Manager with Communities In Schools (CIS). I love working at MWE and getting to see your kids every day! I am originally from Louisiana then moved to Katy, TX to start high school. My husband and I went to the same high school (although we met years later) and we have just moved back to our old stomping grounds. I love spending time with my family, being active, playing with my dog Shipley, adventures while traveling, and trying new restaurants. You can find me at a good Mexican food restaurant on a Friday night and watching Texans football on a Sunday.
Ms. Pollpeter
Hello! My name is Jacque Pollpeter and I am thrilled to be joining the Meadow Wood staff this year as the K-2 Literacy Instructional Specialist! I am brand new to Spring Branch, and I’m loving it so far! This is going to be my 12th year in education. I graduated from The University of Iowa (Go Hawks!) with a degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Reading Instruction. I spent my first 11 years in education in Aldine ISD, where I taught 2nd and 3rd grade, was a Skills Specialist, and then served as a K-5 literacy coach the past 4 years. I have experience working with a wide range of student populations, including General Education, Special Education, G.T., and ESL. I have a passion for children and literacy and I love what I do!
I was born and raised in Iowa. I miss my family terribly, but I don't miss the winters there at all! A few things that make my heart happy include: Spending time with my family and friends, being an aunt, my sweet dog, cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers, Amazon, dark chocolate, sunshine, and office supplies. I’m excited to work with our awesome Meadow Wood staff and families this year!
Mrs. Unger
My name is Lisa Unger, and I am a part-time math specialist at Meadow Wood. This is my 15th year with Spring Branch ISD, but began my career 20 years ago, and spent a few years living out of the country for my husband’s career. My passion in education is creating rigorous, engaging, and accessible math experiences for all. I am a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, and have a Master’s degree from the University of Houston. My son Quinn is a Meadow Wood graduate and now a high school freshman at Westchester Academy for International Studies. My family and I enjoy traveling (not so much these days!), skiing, and spending time in the great outdoors.
Ms. Roth
Hello Meadow Wood Eagles! I am Cathy Roth-I am a long-time SBISD teacher & coach-the years are too many to count- and I will be supporting MWE teachers with literacy for the 2020-2021 school year. I am currently the SBISD District Lead Instructional Coach for Language Arts and I am beyond thrilled to be helping MWE teachers help your kids be the best readers & writers they can possibly be.
I am a proud TCU Horned Frog-I bleed purple-and a lover of all things reading & writing-books, cool paper and fantastic pens! I will supporting MWE teachers as they build reading & writing workshop classroom communities for your kids.
Please stop me & say Hi the next time you are at MWE-and if you ever want to talk books-I’m your gal!
Go EAGLES!
Purposeful People/Character Strong:
Dear Family,
We are grateful for your involvement in our school and community! Children today are faced with
many opportunities and challenges as they enter a fast-changing world and we want to do everything
we can to encourage and empower their success. It is fun to think about all the ways they will make
the world better in the future and all the things they get to navigate now. Every day, they are meeting
new people, learning new words, solving problems, making friends, and being a part of a community.
Research would tell us that it is not grades or IQ scores that make us most successful, but instead
the ability to “fail forward” - to develop resilience and persevere even when things get tough. The
data would tell us that happiness in life comes more from our ability to understand and manage our
emotions than from our test scores or income. All the stories and stats suggest that the pathway to a
joyful life comes from what we give and not what we take.
So, how do we help young people become more resilient, generous, and emotionally intelligent?
We are excited to share that we will be using a program called PurposeFull People this year. It is all
about helping schools weave simple, powerful, relatable content into everything happening at school
and beyond! It includes a huge library of practical resources and activities to help effectively teach a
wide variety of traits that we know help make students more successful in their academics and in their lives outside of school.
Over the course of the year, you’ll be invited to join in the fun! We will provide letters home related
to each trait. Each letter has some great conversation starters, books to read, activities to pursue,
and some challenges (“PurposeFull Pursuits!”) that we encourage you to look at and try out with your
family.
At school, our teachers will be role modeling this work by doing their own challenges! There will be
games on the playground that help reinforce the messages. In the classroom, our educators will be
integrating everything from 30 second strategies to longer activities designed to teach skills like
Courage, Kindness, Empathy, and Responsibility. To teach young people to connect with one another
more thoughtfully and skillfully. To work together to solve the small and big problems of the world.
To do life, on Purpose.
We know that it takes a village and we are grateful to be a part of this community.
With excitement,
The PurposeFull People Team
A few Distance Learning Reminders
- Please remember that being present for Zoom meetings/instruction is very important! Though we realize it is sometimes hard for your child to be in front of the computer for extended periods of time, the synchronous time with teachers is critical to student success! Concerns? Contact your child's teacher!
- Please review our Zoom expectations with your child. Designed to protect our students AND to maximize learning, these are non-negotiables!
- Reminder: All specials classes are now asynchronous. Your child should be working through ItsLearning to complete these assignments. Your child will receive their art, music, and health fitness grade through these submissions.
- A gentle reminder: We thank you, parents, for facilitating your child's online learning. Please remember that you are an observer and facilitator, rather than a participant. Just as you would watch without interjecting if you were in the physical classroom, we ask that you follow the same guidelines in the virtual setting. Please utilize a teacher's conference period for asking questions, etc., rather than class time. Thank you!
A few In-Person Learning Reminders
- Our building opens at 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop students off before this time as there is not supervision.
- Students are tardy if not in class at 7:55. Parents will need to sign tardy students in, and students must have a tardy slips to enter class.
- Please label your child's water bottles before sending them to school!
- Please do not send medications in student backpacks; rather, make an appointment with the clinic and fill out appropriate paperwork.
- Please be sure your student comes to school with a clean mask!
- Parents may not drop items off at the school during our school day, including food items.
Forgot mask-we have extra!
Forgot water bottle-we have extra!
Forgot homework-it can wait until tomorrow!
New: Technology Office Hours
MWE One-pager (General Information)
LearnSBISD
RAFFLE FOR PARKING SPOTS AND PRINCIPAL / ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR THE DAY!
We are making a couple of incentives to donate to Eagle Excellence. If you donate $1000 you will be entered into a raffle for two parking spots in front of the school. If you donate $250 you will be entered for a raffle for your child to be principal of the day or assistant principal of the day.
If you have already donated and want to be in either of these drawings just donate the difference in the amount you've already donated.
Drawing will take place on October 1st.
Thanks to all those who have donated we are about 40% of our goal. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Trahan - jennyRtrahan@gmail.com
713-248-3665.
PTA Needs You!
Hello Parents,
Thanks to all of you who showed up for our first virtual meeting. We were happy to see if so well-attended, with both old and new members. Thanks to all of our volunteers who keep it running!
Don’t forget to sign up to join PTA and while you’re at it, update your child’s teacher in Membership Toolkit. This helps our room parents determine who is in whose class.
We appreciate all of our volunteers who help to make PTA so successful! We are looking for a volunteer to step up for our Reflections position for this school year. You will work to gather our school’s entries for the contest. If you are interested, please send me an email at president@meadowwoodpta.com.
Thanks!
Catie Winegar
PTA President
Spartanaire Spaghetti Supper
There is no need to worry about cooking dinner on Thursday, October 1 as the Stratford
Spartanaires and BB Italia have you covered. Supper will be a “Grab and Go” spaghetti
dinner that can be picked up in the east parking lot off of Tully at Stratford from 4:00 to
6:30. All proceeds from the supper support the Stratford Spartanaires. Tickets are $10 and
they can be purchased at www.supportingspartanaires.weebly.com. Deadline to purchase
tickets is Sunday, September 27. We look forward to serving you!
Join the PTA Today!
Your PTA dollars connect you to the organization and the school and helps make programs, events, and other student/teacher support possible.
Joining is easy! You can download the Membership Toolkit app on your device, or go to https://meadowwoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com and sign up. Thank you for your support!
Create a Membership Toolkit account
You must complete this if you would like to be included in the online directory. There will not be a printed directory.
https://meadowwoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com/login
This will allow you to access:
1. PTA Membership Forms
2. Student Directory
3. Spirit Wear Sales
4. Volunteer Opportunities and Signups
5. PTA Communication
6. Eagle Excellence Family Donation Forms
7. Birthday Marquee Message Purchase
8. Yearbook Order forms
9. … and more!
If you are a returning family and/or already have an account, please log into your account and update your contact information as well as your student(s) current year teacher.Eagle Excellence Fund
EAGLE EXCELLENCE FUND
CHECK WRITING CAMPAIGN 2020
Have you been wishing for a fundraiser that donates 100% back to Meadow Wood Elementary?
● 100% of your contribution will go directly to the PTA general fund which will impact your child’s educational experience at MWE.
● This year’s goal is $15,000. We value contributions in any amount.
● Your donation to the Eagle Excellence Fund is tax deductible and may even be matched by your employer if they match charitable donations.
Since this year is going to be a little different we are adjusting the budget as needed for this unconventional school year. Here are some things your support could go towards:
✔ Staff Appreciation
✔ Spirit Wear T-shirt for each student at MWE
✔ Playground Ground Equipment for MWE
✔ Faculty and Staff support
The easiest and fastest way to donate is when you sign up for your PTA membership under our new Membership Tool https://meadowwoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com. After setting up an account, please visit Eagle Excellence Fund where you can select your contribution amount. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Trahan at (713) 248-3665 or JennyRTrahan@gmail.
Yearbooks!
Superintendent's Message - For Distance Learning Families
Dear Families of Distance Learners,
I hope you have had a great week of school! Below, please find important information regarding the process and deadline to change your student’s learning model for the second nine weeks, if you desire to do so.
Learning model change for second nine weeks
If you wish to change your child’s learning model from distance learning to in-person learning for the second nine weeks, you may do so beginning today, Friday, Sept. 18. We have listened to your feedback and extended the deadline to make this change, if desired.
The window will close on Friday, Oct. 2, at midnight.
The second nine weeks begins on Monday, Oct. 19.
If you choose to move from distance to in-person learning, the process requires you to complete:
- Learning Model Selection Change Form - Access via Skyward Family Access.
- In-Person Acknowledgement Form - Access via Skyward Family Access.
- Mask Accommodation form - Access via Skyward Family Access.
Note: If your student will remain in their current Learning Model for the second nine weeks, no action is required.
When changing learning models, please know your child’s teacher(s) may change. Class assignments have been made based on family choice for the first nine weeks. As we move forward, class assignments will depend on your child’s grade level and how many students are online or in-person. For specific questions, please contact your child’s campus.
Transportation
Parents choosing in-person learning for their student(s) for the second nine weeks who need district transportation can go to Info-Finder to locate their child’s bus route. For assistance, call or email the SBISD Transportation Routing department for assistance at 713-251-1077 or 713-251-1063 or anissa.mcdonald@springbranchisd.com.
Parents do not need to fill out any paperwork to register. Your child’s bus driver will provide your child a registration card the first time they ride.
Elementary/Pre-K parents will want to ensure they notify their campus as to their selection of afternoon dismissal procedures. (Example: Bus Rider/Car Rider/Walker)
Roles, responsibilities & expectations
I would like to reaffirm the roles, responsibilities and expectations of our students, and you as parents and guardians, during this period of Distance Learning. We appreciate and applaud you for the support you have given your students so far this school year. Needless to say, their success is heightened with your support and encouragement.
As a reminder, our classroom and school protocols are still in place, even when classes are held remotely via Zoom. If you have a question or concern about an assignment, course or resource, please reach out to your child’s teacher outside of classroom instructional time.
You are always welcome to reach out to your child’s principal or assistant principal for other issues related to distance learning.
Please also be reminded that your student(s) must follow their established campus schedule and participate throughout the entire school day, just as they would if they were at school. While our students are not expected to be online all day, as there are times set aside for both synchronous and asynchronous instruction, attendance will be taken daily, and engagement throughout the entire school day is required.
Last, please be sure your child knows and understands that although they may not physically be in a classroom, they are still expected to comply with SBISD’s Acceptable Use Policy, including expectations for online etiquette, as well as the SBISD Student Code of Conduct.
For a full list of roles and responsibilities for Digital Learning under the LearnSBISD plan, click here.
Student meals
Currently, and until Dec. 31 (or until further notice by USDA), the District will provide meals at no cost to all students in SBISD.
Grab & Go Meals for Distance Learning Students are distributed Monday through Friday, from 4:00pm until 5:30pm at the following locations:
- Northbrook High
- Spring Branch Middle
- Sherwood Elementary
- Shadow Oaks Elementary
- Pine Shadows Elementary
- Spring Branch Elementary
- Hollibrook Elementary
- Ridgecrest Elementary
- Meadow Wood Elementary
- Treasure Forest Elementary
For more info on Grab & Go Meal Service and proof of enrollment criteria, click here.
Reminder: Continue to complete and return your Free & Reduced Meal Applications or Income Survey forms via Skyward Family Access as soon as possible. The information these forms provide is critical to fully understand the needs of your student and your campus.
2020 fall athletics
Over the past few weeks, our Athletics team and high school principals have been working diligently to find great solutions for our volleyball and football seasons that enable us to maximize the number of parents and spectators that can attend games, while honoring our health and safety protocols.
Visit the Athletics webpage for a list of FAQs, game schedules, ticket/pass procedures and other updates.
Flu shots
This season, a flu vaccine is more important than ever! Getting a flu vaccine protects you, your family and our community from the flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.
The more people vaccinated, the better, lessening everyone’s chance of exposure to the flu. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall. For more information, visit the CDC webpage on Flu Vaccines.
Reminder about weekly updates
Each Friday, you will receive an email to update you on any important news for the coming week(s). Be sure to also check the SBISD Distance Learners webpage weekly for updates, reminders and quick links to forms, resources and documents. The page can also be accessed from the homepage of the SBISD website as well as every campus website.
With appreciation,
Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent's Message - For In-person Families
Dear Families of In-Person Learners,
This marked the second week of our students back on campus, and we couldn’t be more excited! We are so proud of how our students have adapted to our new health and safety protocols. They’re doing a great job!
Our SBISD leaders also continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our strong health and safety protocols are in place and being followed throughout our facilities. It will take a village to provide a great and safe learning environment for Every Child.
Please be sure that you are doing your part and help us through:
- continued use of required daily health screeners, masks and face shields, and
- smart choices about parties, social gatherings and other off-campus socializing that we know our children and families enjoy and desire but heightens the risk of COVID-19 spreading to and within our schools.
To view the full LearnSBISD Health & Safety plan, please click here.
Below, you will find information regarding the deadline to change your student’s learning model for the second nine weeks, if you desire to do so.
Learning model change
If you wish to change your child’s learning model from in-person to distance learning for the second nine weeks, you may do so beginning today, Friday, Sept. 18. We have listened to your feedback and extended the deadline to make this change, if desired. The window will close on Friday, Oct. 2, at midnight.
The second nine weeks begins on Monday, Oct. 19.
If you choose to move from in-person learning to distance learning, the process requires you to complete the Learning Model Selection Change Form. Access via Skyward Family Access.
Note: If your student will remain in their current Learning Model for the second nine weeks, no action is required.
When changing learning models, please know your child’s teacher(s) may change. Class assignments have been made based on family choice for the first 9 weeks. As we move forward, class assignments will depend on your child’s grade level and how many students are online or in-person. For specific questions, please contact your child’s campus.
Roles, responsibilities & expectations
I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm some responsibilities and expectations of our students, and you as parents and guardians, while participating in In-Person Learning.
Prior to the start of the school year, all families completed the SBISD Health & Safety Protocol Parent Acknowledgement Form. Included in these protocols is ensuring that every child coming to campus has a completed SBISD Health Screener every morning.
As a reminder, the health screener can be accessed via the district website (there is a blue box on the homepage titled ‘HEALTH SCREENER’ or by clicking here.) High school students may complete their own screener, but not those of their siblings.
Parents, it is critical that you report to your child's school if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, has had prolonged (15 or more minutes) direct exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive, or is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. Please do not send your child to school. Please do complete the health screener and report to your school attendance office or nurse immediately. Please be sure to provide your contact information including a daytime telephone number where you can be reached.
Student meals
Currently, and until Dec. 31 (or until further notice by USDA), the District will provide meals at no cost to all students in SBISD.
Reminder: Continue to complete and return your Free & Reduced Meal Applications or Income Survey forms via Skyward Family Access as soon as possible. The information these forms provide is critical to fully understand the needs of your student and your campus.
2020 fall athletics information
Over the past few weeks, our Athletics team and high school principals have been working diligently to find great solutions for our volleyball and football seasons that enable us to maximize the number of parents and spectators that can attend games, while honoring our health and safety protocols.
Visit the Athletics webpage for a list of FAQs, game schedules, ticket/pass procedures and other updates.
Flu shots
This season, a flu vaccine is more important than ever! Getting a flu vaccine protects you, your family and our community from the flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients.
The more people vaccinated, the better, with lessening everyone’s chance of exposure to the flu. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall. For more information, visit the CDC webpage on Flu Vaccines.
Reminder about weekly updates
Each Friday, you will receive an email to update you on any important news for the coming week(s). Be sure to also check the SBISD In-Person Learners webpage weekly for updates, reminders and quick links to forms, resources and documents. The page can also be accessed from the homepage of the SBISD website as well as every campus website.
With appreciation,
Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools