BearKat Chat
#BearkatBEST, #❤️ofaBearkat - January 2023
Our Vision: Educating the whole child: mind, body and spirit!
January 2023
Mote's Note - A note from the Principal - Kyla Mote
Happy 2023 to our Bearkat Community! We hope this Bearkat Chat finds you and your family doing well.
Thank you to all of you that contribute to our PTO, we had a wonderful Hot Cocoa/Apple Cider and treat bar before the break. We also appreciated all that you did for us during the week before our break including hosting the fun filled parties.
We are looking forward to an amazing 2023 and all the things we have "not YET" mastered but we will soon with the power of "YET". Please ask your students about their power of YET and how they plan to use it.
We look forward to our many events coming soon.
January 9 - Wear purple to support our CFISD students at TCU.
January 10 - Lockdown Drill
January 11 - Jeremiah Ice Night
January 12 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Houston Interactive Aquarium (Last day of the 1st semester grading period)
January 12 - PTO event: Main Event on Tomball Parkway
January 13 - Student Holiday (staff workday)
January 16 - Student and Staff Holiday
January 18 - Group Picture day & Bearkat Kouncil Meeting & NO PARENT VISITORS AT LUNCH due to photos taking place in the cafe.
January 19 - StuKo Shop on stage 8:25am
January 19 - Annual Food Tasting 4:30-6:30 @ Berry Center - community welcome
January 23 - GT Night at CyFair HS
January 24 - Parent Info Meeting: topic: resources to help your child in my.cfisd.net, elective choices for 5th grade
January 25 - PTO spirit shop during lunch
January 27 - Name that Book school competition by gradelevel (for students only)
January 30 - Nature Trails 3rd and 5th grade & Texas Roadhouse PTO Spirit Night
January 31 - Nature Trails 3rd and 5th grade
February 1 - Global Day of Play (our 4th annual day of play) & District Spelling Bee
February 3 - Fire Drill
February 6 - GT Night at CYWoods HS & Willie's PTO Spirit Night
February 8 - PTO Spirit Shop during lunch
February 10 - Support your favorite NFL for superbowl: wear anything football
February 11 - PTO event: Sweetheart Dance (Daughters and their dates) 6pm
February 14 - Jeremiah's Ice Night (what a great quick treat after Valentine's dinner)
February 14 - Spring Bookfair Begins
February 15 - StuKo Shop on Stage 8:25am
February 17 - Student Holiday
February 20 - Student Holiday
February 21 - Spring Bookfair Parent Night in the Library and Parent Info mtg (topic TBD)
February 21 - 23 5th/4th/3rd Grade Reading Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
February 28 - March 2 - 5th/4th/3rd Grade Math Benchmark (schedule changes will occur-TBD)
February 28 - Name that Book School Competition 5:15pm in Cafe: parents welcome
March 2 - Fire Drill, 4th grade Field Trip to HLSR, Dr. Suess Day/Read Across America, PTO Jersey Mikes Spirit Day
March 3 - Spring Picture Day
March 6, 7, 8 - Tentative Field Day dates
March 8 - Jeremiah's Ice Night
March 13-17 - SPRING BREAK
More will be added later (changes will be in bold).
NURSE NOTES
• Our Bearkat Clinic is in desperate need of shorts and long pants size 7-14 for both girls and boys. Please consider donating to the clinic before dropping your student’s old clothes off at a donation spot.
• Strep, Covid, and Flu…OH MY! The season is upon us, so keep a watch on your kiddos. Encourage proper hand washing and healthy practices at home and out and about. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, persistent coughing, headache, or sore throat should be taken seriously. If you suspect that your child may be showing symptoms of illness, please keep him/her home from school until the symptoms have improved. Also, if your student has a fever at/over 100.0 he/she will need to be kept home until fever free without medication for 24 hours. We greatly appreciate your help in keeping our students and staff healthy!
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS FROM THE REGISTRAR
Remember to send an excuse note anytime your student is absent.
- Calling in a student absence or emailing the teacher/nurse does not excuse the absence – only a submitted care provider or parent note to the attendance secretary excuses the absence.
- A note from the care provider to the attendance secretary will only excuse the day(s) listed - If your student is out for longer, an additional note from the parent is required to excuse the extra days.
- If your student is sent home by the nurse - a note from a parent is still required to excuse the time your student missed school.
- Absence notes must include:
- student’s full name, date(s)
- dates of absence
- reason for absence
- parent/legal guardian signature
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Attention 5th Grade Parents:
If your child will be attending Hamilton Middle School next year, mark your calendar for their Future Tiger Night on Tuesday, February 7th. Session 1 is at 4:45 and Session 2 is at 6:15. You may attend either session. Be on the lookout for more information regarding 6th-grade course registration coming in late February.
If your child will be attending Goodson Middle School next year, be on the lookout for more to come regarding their Future Grizzlies Night.
Atención padres de 5to grado:
Si su hijo asistirá a la Escuela Intermedia Hamilton el próximo año, marque su calendario para la Noche del Futuro Tigre el martes 7 de febrero. La sesión 1 es a las 4:45 y la sesión 2 es a las 6:15. Puede asistir a cualquiera de las dos sesiones. Esté atento a más información sobre la inscripción a cursos de sexto grado a finales de febrero.
Si su hijo asistirá a Goodson Middle School el próximo año, esté atento a más información sobre su Future Grizzlies Night.
Texas Essential Knowledge/Skills (TEKS) established for that grade level. Parents interested in having their children screened for credit-by-exam should contact their school counselor. If the school is unable to answer a question, please call the testing office at (281-517-6592). Students in grades K-5 will have four opportunities during the school year to use “credit-by-exam” to accelerate to another grade level. Students will only have one opportunity to test for each grade level considered. Testing will begin with mathematics, followed by reading/language arts and science, if required. Students who meet the criteria ⎯ [score of 80% or better on each subtest of the exam] ⎯ may advance one grade level.
Middle of Year Testing (February) ●
Testing during this period will be for acceleration the following school year only. ● Students will be tested at their campus to accelerate for the upcoming school year. Grade placement will be made at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. ● Campus testing will be administered by campus personnel. ● Parent permission due January 20, 2023. Please reach out to the counselors for more information. Aviso para los padres sobre el programa
“Crédito por Examen”
La Junta de Educación del estado ha establecido procedimientos para permitir que los estudiantes de primaria puedan “saltarse” un grado rindiendo una serie de exámenes que evalúan los Conocimientos y Destrezas Esenciales de Texas (TEKS) establecidos para ese grado. Los padres de familia interesados en que sus hijos sean evaluados para el programa “crédito por examen” deben llamar por teléfono al consejero de la escuela. Si la escuela no puede responder las preguntas, agradeceremos se comuniquen con la Oficina de Evaluaciones al 281-517-6592. Los estudiantes de kindergarten a 5to grado tendrán cuatro oportunidades durante el año escolar para usar el sistema de “crédito por examen” para adelantar y pasar al siguiente grado. Los estudiantes solo tendrán una oportunidad de rendir la prueba por grado considerado. Las pruebas empezarán con Matemáticas, seguidas por Lectura/Lenguaje y Ciencias, si fuera necesario. Los estudiantes que cumplen con los requisitos - [puntaje de 80% o más en cada prueba del examen} - podrían avanzar un grado. Pruebas de mediados de año (noviembre/diciembre y febrero) ● Las pruebas durante este periodo serán solo para avanzar el siguiente año escolar. ● Los estudiantes rendirán las pruebas en sus escuelas para avanzar al próximo año escolar. La colocación en el grado será a principios del año escolar 2023-2024. ● Las pruebas en las escuelas serán administradas por el personal de las mismas. ● P e r mis o d e lo s p a d r e s v e n c e el 2 0 d e e n e r o d e 2 0 2 3. C o m u n í q u e s e c o n lo s c o n s e j e r o s p a r a o b t e n e r m á s in f o r m a ció n.
Lenny's Tails:
Happy New Year!!
It feels so good to be back at school. I missed my friends and story time in the library. December was such a festive month. We had our Family Fun Night event. There were so many different cultures represented. Mrs. Mirelez took me to the gym for a split second. They had dancing, and FOOD! She quickly walked me out though. She said there were too many families enjoying the samples and she didn't want me to get distracted or pick up something by accident. All of the food smelled so good! Everyone had a smile on their face at this event. We walked through the hallways and there were games being played, kids laughing, stories being read. Everyone truly was having a great time.
Before the holiday break I received a lot of treats and gifts. I am so thankful for those who thought of me. This is my first Christmas here at my forever home. I was not expecting any of that. I have goodies to play with and do not even know which one I want sometimes. Santa Paws brought me some goodies too, maybe I will meet that guy one day. I am genuinely thankful and feel the love. I hope all of the Bearkats know how much I love them too.
When we came back to school after our break I went to my play area and was a little sad. All of the sweet potato plants near the butterfly garden died due to the freeze we had. Those are my favorite plants to roll in when I go for my break. I attempted to roll around in the dead plants, but they were crunchy at the top and mushy in the middle. Mrs. Mirelez told me to stop moving, so I jumped out of the plants as quickly as I could and ran to her. Turns out there was a ladybug on my nose. Mrs. Mirelez said ladybugs mean good luck. I think she was right. I participated in two storytime lessons in the library. I was able to spend time with Mrs. Rivera’s class, Mr. Taylor’s Class and a few Pre-K classes. Storytime and library time are my favorite other than hanging out in classrooms.
I cannot wait to see what the remainder of the school year has in store for us. My Bearkat Family is super special to me, I love spending time with them and do not want it to end.
THANK YOU TO OUR LENNY SPONSORS
Telecommunication Letter (link)
BLACK PTO
Presidents Corner
Our PTO volunteers have been busy! Volunteers are reading to students, helping in the workroom, shelving books in the library, assisting students at Spirit Shop and so many other tasks. Thank you to all of our volunteers, we appreciate your help and your time!
Have you considered a position in our PTO as a Committee Chairperson or as a PTO Board member for our 2023-2024 school year? Look for more information coming soon about open positions and PTO Board elections.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Kim Elliott
PTO President
From the Secretary
Happy 2023! Stay tuned for more information and Volunteer opportunities.
From Fundraising
Please see all the upcoming opportunities to support our school.
Spirit Nights:
January 12th : Spirit Night at Main Event
January 30th : Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse
February 17th : Spirit Night (Newk’s, Nestle, Color Me Mine and Learning Express) 5-9pm
March 2nd : Spirit Night at Jersey Mike’s (ALL DAY)
April 3rd : Juanitas – 5-9pm
April 10th : Urban Air
April 17th : Crust Pizza
Spirit Shop: Held during student lunches
January 25th
Please see flyers below in regards to our 1st Annual Sweetheart Dance.
From Membership
Hi Bearkat Families! Remember you can join our amazing PTO at any time
during the year! The cost is just $5 per family.
While there please pay the required fees for the classroom parties for each
student. These are $10 per student and will cover costs of the December holiday
party and the end of the school year party in May. Any questions please contact
THANK YOU TO OUR BEARKAT CHAMPION LEVEL PTO SPONSORS!
https://agents.farmers.com/tx/fulshear/laurel-jonas
https://www.clearwaterexpresswash.com/
Safety Information
District Childfind
Childfind services
The Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District Special Education Department provides educational services to over 10,000 students with special needs.
Teachers, instructional aides, speech pathologists and related service personnel provide instruction and related services to students who have a disability. Students are eligible for special education services from the age of 3 through 21. Students who have hearing and vision disabilities may receive services from birth.
To be eligible for special education services, students must meet eligibility requirements as a student with an orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, auditory impairment, visual impairment, diagnosis of deaf/blind, intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, learning disability, speech impairment, multiple disabilities, autism, non-categorical early childhood, or traumatic brain injury.
Cypress Fairbanks ISD instructional arrangements for elementary school-aged students include in-class support, resource classes and speech/language therapy. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE, formerly PPCD), adaptive behavior, and LIFE Skills classes are offered as cluster services at the elementary level.
In-class support, resource classes, LIFE Skills, adaptive behavior and speech/language services are available at all secondary level campuses.
Related services may include psychological services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, orientation and mobility training, school health services, adaptive equipment and special transportation.
Other special education service options include the Dorothy Carlton Center, the Maybelline Carpenter Center, homebound, adaptive physical education, itinerant and on-site services to the visually impaired.
As part of the Northwest Harris County Cooperative for the Hearing Impaired, services for students who have auditory impairments are offered at Birkes Elementary, Matzke Elementary, Spillane Middle School and Cy-Ridge High School. In addition to receiving instruction at the on-site campuses, students may be served by itinerant teachers, speech pathologists, and/or an audiologist at their home campus.
Are you the parent of a pre-school (3-5 years) or school aged child and have concerns regarding your child’s physical, speech, and/or emotional development? Is your child experiencing academic problems which could interfere significantly with educational success? If so, contact the Special Education Department at 281-897-6400 to discuss your concerns and learn more about the referral process.
Tipline @ Black Elementary
Cy-Fair Tipline is an anonymous reporting system that allows students and parents to communicate school concerns or threats to their campus administration through the Internet or via text messaging. Students and parents are able to submit reports/tips via text or email anonymously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the system: http://www.safe2helptips.com/cf148s. This link is also located on the school website under 'Contact Us'.
School Messenger
School Messenger
School Messanger -
Siga los siguientes pasos para registrarse y recibir alertas de emergencia del distrito.
OTHER FLYERS AND INFO
Thank you to the following corporate sponsors that support our school.
Black Elementary Info
Email: black@cfisd.net
Website: black.cfisd.net
Location: 14155 Grant Road, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-320-7145