Boone Bear Facts
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Notes from the Principal
Welcome Back to our In-Person Boone Bears
Over the last two Mondays, we have welcomed back close to 100 Boone Bears who have chosen in-person instruction and we will be bringing another 15-20 on board next week. While it is good to have children in the building again, please rest assured that we are following all safety precautions as outlined by AISD and the Travis County Health Authorities. Also, know that we continue to support and respect the families who have decided to remain in the virtual setting. This is a difficult time for our community and I so appreciate the love and support all of you have shown us. We are a diverse community with a wide variety of family situations. All families must do what they feel is best for them. We will continue to do our utmost to provide a quality educational experience for ALL of our Boone Bears, regardless of the setting.
I mentioned this in our last newsletter, but wanted to include it in this edition as well. Please remember, as we navigate the challenges presented by having both in-person instruction and virtual instruction happening simultaneously, changes may need to be made in our daily schedules and routines. While our main goal is to maintain consistency in all we do, we are attempting something we have never done before. We have planned for this to the best of our ability. As I have said, however, when theory meets reality, change occurs. We do not know what we do not know. Issues will arise, challenges will surface and changes will need to occur. Please be patient with us. We are doing our best and your children’s needs are always at the forefront of our thoughts.
Good news for our Morning Assemblies!!!
My Zoom account was recently upgraded by AISD. I now have a capacity of 500 participants in our meetings and Morning Assemblies. Hopefully, this will make it easier for families to be able to access our daily assemblies directly through Zoom. I am attaching the Zoom link to our assemblies below. I am still simulcasting through YouTube and posting that link daily on our Boone Community Facebook page.
Thank you for the continued kinds words, support and good thoughts. They are felt and welcomed. I truly love the Boone community. You are a wonderful and very special group.
Together, we are making this work!!!
Link to the Boone Community Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boonepta/
Zoom link info to Morning Assemblies:
https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/85960541115?pwd=OFlVbmljS2c5MVVHM2t2U05JK2pEQT09
Meeting ID: 859 6054 1115
Passcode: qA4UT7
Counselor's Corner
Check out Ms. Lozo's Newsletter for program resources and a Real Talk session to help those in the virtual world!
Library Lines
It is so great to see all the smiling faces on zoom and in our building. I have missed our Boone students so much, and I am enjoying my time with them during our library lessons. Click here to access the current schedule. Library and counselor alternate every other week.
I love interacting with the students on BLEND and Padlet. I have created a video to help students and parents find my page and their grade level activities. I am also available to zoom should you need any help navigating my page. My schedule varies every day so I don’t have daily office hours. Please email me if you need assistance. We can schedule a zoom meeting. I am here for all of you.
Click here to learn about Adding a course.
Click here to get help Finding your child’s grade level activities.
Library Book Collection
We left so quickly last year that most of our students did not get to return their library books. We would love to get these back.
Boone has daily curbside hours: Monday through Friday from 8am-2pm. You will need to wear a mask and park in a designated Curbside Service space. Please text the number on the sign (it will not accept calls) and include which spot you are in and the reason for your visit.
Please send the following text: return library books. No walk ups are allowed at this time.
If these time options do not work for you, please email me. We can work out an alternative. I am even willing to set aside time on a weekend to take a “road trip” to pick up books from your home.
PTA News
IMPORTANT DATES:
- Spirit Night at Bush's Chicken 10/27
- Spirit Night at MOD Pizza 10/28
- Box Tops Submissions Due 11/2
MESSAGE FROM BOONE PTA VP MEMBERSHIP
Hello Boone Family! It’s Jason, your PTA Membership Czar.
First, let me invite you to our FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/boonepta/ & our PTA website https://www.BoonePTA.com . Our Facebook page is the most active, informational, & updated many times a day. Our website is more static but the place to buy anything PTA related.
2020 is an asterisk year for everyone. The PTA is no different. Our goal is 279 members this year & so far, we aren't yet halfway there. Thank you to all who have joined as members so far! We understand that between the hardships & lack of in-person activities, it’s hard to see the value in signing up.
This year, the PTA is pivoting from adding color to providing necessity. We have reassessed our goals and wanted to make everyone aware.
1. Teacher Reimbursement - Boone PTA believes happy teachers are our most valuable resource. Our reimbursement program helps teachers offset some of the cost they spend out of pocket. We hope to both give money at the beginning & the end of the year. Previous years saw $150- $500 paybacks. These keep great teachers happy & help recruit new ones. Boone PTA wants a reputation of teacher appreciation.
2. Outdoor Teaching Spaces - Covid-19 has brought us social distancing. AISD is maintaining social distance where feasible. However, there are situations where there are more than 6-7 students in a class.
The Boone PTA wants to invest in our single already-developed outdoor classroom & add two more. Having these outdoor spaces will allow both teachers & students some reprieve from indoor regiments. We are already an environmentally focused school & some well appointed outdoor classrooms will not only be a luxury during COVID but can be used in perpetuity. Another diamond in our crown.
3. Support Students in Need - We have asked Principal Stevens & Counselor Nicole Lozo to find students who may be falling through the cracks. Whether it’s wi-fi, tutors, or whatever is needed, we want to be able to help. We know we can't fix everything, but we can try like hell!
You can help us help our kids in a few easy ways.
A. Use http://smile.amazon.com/ & Pick PTA Texas Congress Boone Elementary PTA.
B. Join at BoonePTA.com. It’s an inexpensive $8. If you want a dual membership, save a dollar. You can buy a membership for anyone. Grandma, Teen kids, etc.. You can also sponsor one of our awesome teachers. Remember it's called PTA, the Parent Teacher Association. Last year, we were able to sponsor EVERY Boone Teacher.
C. Are you a business owner or work for someone who donates or matches local charities? We can help each other! Contact our President@BoonePTA.com & ask about opportunities for our mutual growth. We have active parents who spend money at our supporters businesses. We like to provide a return on your investment more than great karma.
Sign up now & be entered in our Mother of all Drawings! We will Facebook live an exciting & highly entertaining drawing for luxurious prizes & cold hard cash!
YOUR PTA BUDGET HARD AT WORK
Not only did Boone PTA give $100 to each teacher to help cover supplies for their classrooms, but we welcomed teachers and staff with a first-day-back-in-school lunch and snacks for the teacher's lounge. Thank you to all who donated additional funds or food items! Our budget is also covering much needed equipment for the custodial staff, including vacuum cleaners and leaf blowers.
SPIRIT NIGHTS AT BUSH'S 10/27 AND MOD PIZZA 10/28
Support Boone when you order out! We have two Spirit Nights set up this month.
Bush's Chicken, Tue. Oct. 27, 5-8pm
Pick up dinner through the drive-thru at Bush's Chicken, Brodie Lane, and when you mention Boone Spirit Night, our school gets a portion of proceeds!
MOD Pizza at Southpark Meadows, Wed. Oct. 28, 10:30am - 10pm
Save the date for all-day pizza or salads to raise money for Boone!
You can participate in this fundraiser by:
- Take out
- Delivery
- Pick up
To place your order visit MOD Pizza's online order website: Use the coupon code of "GR163116B" and 20% of your meal’s price will be donated back to Boone Elementary School.
If you know a local business that would like to partner with Boone for future Spirit Nights, please message us on Facebook. We are also looking for a Spirit Night Chairperson to help coordinate these efforts!
BOX TOPS SUBMISSIONS DUE, NOV. 2
As you all know, we are a Box Tops school. We will be running a Box Tops collection drive at the end of this semester and again in the spring. However, BTFE is on a different schedule. They will mail us a check in December based on our summer/fall earnings. The submission date for the December check is NOV. 2, 2020.
Since most of the students are not on campus, BTFE is allowing all families to mail in their own Box Tops. In order to submit your own Box Tops, you will need to log on to the website or app and create a submission form. There are 3 easy steps.
If you choose to go this route, please send a picture of your submission form or what you're turning in, along with your teacher's name. For anyone who would prefer not to submit their own Box Tops, please email Luci at BoonePTAboxtops@gmail.com and she will come by and pick up your clipped Box Tops in time to send on Nov 2.
Submission steps:
https://www.boxtops4education.com/en/Consumer%20Submit%20Box%20Tops
Submission how-to video on YouTube
OPEN PTA POSITIONS
There are still important positions that need to be filled, and we encourage you to consider stepping up to serve our school community.
- Secretary
- Programs
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Spirit Night
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Hospitality
- Business Partners
- Carnival
- Advocacy
- Watch DOGS
Email Crystal at president@boonepta.com or Terri at communications@boonepta.com for position descriptions.
WE NEED PICTURES FOR YEARBOOK!
Please capture photos of your kiddos as they navigate school this year and email them to booneptayearbook@gmail.com
Some images we'd love to see:
- Working on art projects
- Moving their bodies with Go Noodle, PE lessons, or recess
- Your kids wearing their favorite masks
- Creative ways your kids are staying in touch with their friendsCub Scouts - Pack 320
Do you have a son or daughter who loves the outdoors, is inquisitive, loves science or just wants to have fun? Join Cub Scout Pack 320! We are open to girls (yes, girls!) and boys Kinder to 5th grade.
Dens will meet virtually two times a month and the pack will meet virtually once a month. Included with membership, is a supply kit that includes everything needed to complete all requirements and electives needed to rank up!
Contact Martin Packham at martin_packham@yahoo.co.uk for more information.
Free Virtual Primetime After-School Classes
Parents, you can sign up your child through your parent cloud.
Virtual Prime Time registration is now open to ALL AISD Elementary schools. See the link below for more information.