Knightly News Update
January 16, 2021
About Us
Our Mission
Our Misson is to Provide Hope for Students Through Educational Options that Promote a Free Society and Cultivate Moral and Academic Excellence.
Our Creed
Honor--I Will Honor Those Things Which Are Good and True
Respect--I Will Show Respect To Others At All Times
Service--I Will Do Good Things For Others Without Being Asked
Work--I Will Be A Good Learner and Work Hard to Prove It
"Together We Can"
Email: robutler@responsiveed.com
Website: https://thewoodlands-classical.responsiveed.com/home
Location: 6565 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
Phone: (936) 242-1541
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodlandsClassicalAcademy/
Twitter: @TheWoodlandsCA
A Message from Ms. Butler
Dear Woodlands Classical Academy Families,
The first two weeks of our school year has been nothing short of eventful. Through these unexpected events, we are still pushing forward in educating our scholars. This week's edition of the newsletter will focus on two events that are coming up this week: 1.) Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's holiday and 2.) The Presidential Inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris. This week marks the remembrance of a great leader and the beginning of new leadership. I hope that you will enjoy these resources as a family and it opens up great topics of discussion.
Martin Luther King Holiday--No School--Monday, January 18, 2021
This Monday, we pause to honor the life and service of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have posted links about Dr. King under our virtue section of the newsletter. Dr. King is one of the greatest examples of compassion. He arranged a non-violent civil rights movement to gain equality for African-Americans in the United States. I am honored by the work and the mission of Dr. King as I live out his legacy on a daily basis. If it was not for Dr. King, I would not have the honor of leading a school such as The Woodlands Classical Academy. This idea is never lost when I open the doors or work with our scholars. Because of the heroic acts of Dr. King and other faithful leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, I am able to live out Dr. King's Dream. Take a moment to learn more about Dr. King and his work.
Inauguration Day--Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Due to growing safety concerns around the Inauguration, we will not show the live Inauguration as previously stated. Instead, we will watch the replay of the swearing-in ceremonies via YouTube or other news outlets if the ceremony is uneventful.
Mid-Year School-Wide Assessments
We began our Mid-Year assessment this week. Due to our "snow day", all assessments were pushed back by one day. Assessments dates have been updated in this edition of the Smore newsletter, on our school calendar (which is posted on our school website), and in ParentSquare under calendar.
Cold Weather Dress Code
As the weather begins to get colder, I want to remind parents that students can wear any outwear when coming to school; however, the outwear will not be allowed to be worn in the building. Scholars are allowed to wear our The Woodlands Classical jacket or sweater. Please see the dress code information in the Woodlands Classical parent/scholar handbook posted below under handbooks.
Instructional Selection for the 3rd 9-Weeks
All instructional selections for the 3rd 9-weeks are finalized. The only changes that can be made to your child's instructional selection is from in-person to virtual.
Sincerely,
Roxana L. Butler, Campus Director
The Woodlands Classical Academy
COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines
Face Covering Guidance--Substantial Level
Based on county COVID-19 activity levels, our campus will adopt the protective measures found under "Substantial Activity" in our ResponsiveEd COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines this week (01/14-01/18): responsiveed.com/covid-19.
Among other practices, this means that students in Grades PK-12 will wear face coverings when it is not feasible to maintain a distance of at least six (6) feet from other individuals, including in classrooms. Thank you for your partnership in the safety of the students and staff on our campus.
Mid-Year Assessments--January 11-27, 2021
K-2nd Grade Mid-Year Assessments (Updates)
Scholars began taking the Amplify mClass assessment this week. Amplify is assessed on a one-on-one basis with the scholar and teacher. K-2 Reading teachers will reach out to virtual scholars to schedule your assessment. Please see the video below for more information.
3rd-8th Grade STAAR Interim Assessment
- Tuesday, January 19--5th & 8th Grade--Math
- Wednesday, January 20--4th & 7th Grade--Math
- Thursday, January 21--3rd & 6th Grade--Reading
- Friday, January 22--5th & 8th Grade--Reading
- Monday, January 25--4th & 7th Grade--Reading
- Tuesday, January 26--8th Grade--Social Studies
Action Required: Student Consent Form for Optional COVID-19 Testing
The school takes the health and safety of our students and their families very seriously. As such, in addition to steps to screen for the virus and prevent its spread on a campus, we are adding a voluntary K-12 COVID-19 testing program for Students and Staff attending school in person. This program uses Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW tests provided by the federal government. We will only test with your consent. If you are willing to provide consent for us to administer this test on your child or yourself (if student age 18 or older), please fill out this form.
What is the test?
Based on observation of campus-level staff, if your child is symptomatic, and if you give your consent, your child will receive a free BinaxNOW rapid test for the COVID-19 virus . Collecting a specimen for testing involves using a swab, similar to a Q-Tip, placed inside the tip of the nose. A school staff member who has been trained to use this test will collect the specimen and a trained COVID-19 test administrator will oversee the process. Test results will be made available to the parent/guardian who signs this form below. The results will be sent by text message and email within 24 hours of the test. This program is entirely optional for students, although we hope you choose to have the test to keep our schools as healthy & safe as possible. The tests are being offered in addition to existing safety protocols such as mask wearing, social distancing, and frequent disinfection of surfaces.
What should I do when I receive my child's test results?
If your child or you (if student age 18 or older) tests positive for the virus, your child will be moved to a room away from other students and staff until you can pick him/her up. We ask that you keep your child home until the infection period has ended (typically, after symptoms improve and at least 10 days from the date symptoms first appear) and your child is no longer contagious. If your child's test results are negative, the virus was not found in the specimen tested. In a small number of cases, tests sometimes produce incorrect results - showing negative results (called "false negatives”) in people who have COVID-19 or showing positive results (called "false positives") in people who don't have COVID-19. If your child tests negative but has symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have concerns about your child's exposure to COVID-19, you should call your child's doctor, a licensed medical authority, or your local health department.
Known Symptoms:
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported - ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Shaking or exaggerated shivering
- Significant muscle pain or ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
Disclaimer:
While we realize precautions will be taken for the safety of students, please understand that neither the test administrator nor the school, nor any of its trustees, officers, employees, or organization sponsors are liable for any accident or injuries that may occur to your child or yourself (if student age 18 or older), as a result of agreeing to the test.
School Dismissal Manager Set-Up (In-Person Scholars Only)
We have good news! For your convenience, The Woodlands Classical proudly announces that we have began utilizing a new on-line dismissal management system this fall called School Dismissal Manager (SDM). It is dependable, easy-to-use, and can be updated by parents and guardians from the convenience of their smart phones, tablets, and PCs.
Through the on-line dismissal management system, you can:
- Report student absences and late arrivals
- Schedule early departures from school
- Schedule after-school activities
- Make transportation changes as late as 3:00 pm on the current day
… and so much more!
We will began using SDM for dismissal in October. All parents enrolled at TWCA should have received an email in September regarding how to set-up SDM. If you need the email sent to you again, please reach out to the front office at 936-242-1541. The email from SDM contains important instructions and your personal login credentials. Once you receive your credentials, please use them to log into the system so that you can begin to familiarize yourself with it and set up your child’s default dismissal and routine.
All transportation changes will be accepted only through SDM.
I have attached to parent resources on how to utilize SDM. Once you download the app, it has great how to videos on how to utilize SDM. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Roxana L. Butler, Director
The Woodlands Classical Academy
Virtual School Tour
Handbooks
Fully Promoted (Uniform Provider)
Fully Promoted is the official uniform provider for The Woodlands Classical Academy. All uniforms must be purchased from Fully Promoted Only. Please see the pictures below of our uniforms.
Shoes should be athletic shoes (no ballet flats or boots allowed). Shoes should be black or white and can contain up to 10% of another color (please see the examples below). Girls can wear black or white leggings under their jumpers, skorts or skirts. Only Woodlands Classical jackets or sweaters can be worn inside the building (please see examples below). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the front office.
Fully Promoted is having a sale on uniforms. Please use the link below to check out their deals.
Kinder-2nd Grade Girls Uniforms
3rd-5th Grade Girls Uniforms
6th-8th Grade Girls Uniforms
Example of an Appropriate Black Shoe
Kinder-8th Grade Boys Uniform
Example of an Appropriate White Shoe
January Character Virtue--Compassion
Compassion
Investing in whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.
"True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that a system that produces beggars needs to be repaved. We are called to be the Good Samaritan, but after you lift so many people out of the ditch you start to ask, maybe the whole road to Jericho needs to be repaved."
--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Occupation: Civil Rights Leader
Born: January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, GA
Died: April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN
Best known for: Advancing the Civil Rights Movement and his "I Have a Dream" speech
Biography:
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. He led non-violent protests to fight for the rights of all people including African Americans. He hoped that America and the world could become a colorblind society where race would not impact a person's civil rights. He is considered one of the great orators of modern times, and his speeches still inspire many to this day.
Where did Martin grow up?
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, GA on January 15, 1929. He went to Booker T. Washington High School. He was so smart that he skipped two grades in high school. He started his college education at Morehouse College at the young age of fifteen. After getting his degree in sociology from Morehouse, Martin got a divinity degree from Crozer Seminary and then got his doctor's degree in theology from Boston University. Martin's dad was a preacher which inspired Martin to pursue the ministry. He had a younger brother and an older sister. In 1953 he married Coretta Scott. Later, they would have four children including Yolanda, Martin, Dexter, and Bernice.
How did he get involved in civil rights?
In his first major civil rights action, Martin Luther King, Jr. led the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This started when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. As a result, Martin helped to organize a boycott of the public transportation system in Montgomery. The boycott lasted for over a year. It was very tense at times. Martin was arrested and his house was bombed. In the end, however, Martin prevailed and segregation on the Montgomery buses came to an end.
When did King give his famous "I Have a Dream" speech?
In 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to organize the famous "March on Washington". Over 250,000 people attended this march in an effort to show the importance of civil rights legislation. Some of the issues the march hoped to accomplish included an end to segregation in public schools, protection from police abuse, and to get laws passed that would prevent discrimination in employment. It was at this march where Martin gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. This speech has become one of the most famous speeches in history. The March on Washington was a great success. The Civil Rights Act was passed a year later in 1964.
How did he die? Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, TN. While standing on the balcony of his hotel, he was shot by James Earl Ray.
Interesting Facts about Martin Luther King, Jr.
- King was the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a national holiday.
- At the Atlanta premier of the movie Gone with the Wind, Martin sang with his church choir.
- There are over 730 streets in the United States named after Martin Luther King, Jr.
- One of his main influences was Mohandas Gandhi who taught people to protest in a non-violent manner.
- He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- The name on his original birth certificate is Michael King. This was a mistake, however. He was supposed to be named after his father who was named for Martin Luther, the leader of the Christian reformation movement.
- He is often referred to by his initials MLK
Read more at: https://www.ducksters.com/biography/martin_luther_king_jr.php
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood
Think Win-Win is not about being nice
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood means that it is better to listen first and talk second. By taking the time to listen to another person, you reach a higher level of communication. Teaching Habit 5 to young children is done by first considering their age and development. Young children find it difficult to understand another’s paradigm (point of view). This habit is best approached by introducing listening as a skill that should be practiced. Learning to listen without interrupting and learning to listen with your ears, your eyes, and your heart will help children build a foundation for Habit 5. Simply put, we have two ears and one mouth so that we can spend more time listening with the intent to understand.
Listen Before You Talk
I listen to other people’s ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.
No School--MLK Holiday
Monday, Jan 18, 2021, 08:00 AM
6565 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
STAAR Interim Assessment--5th & 8th Grade--Math
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021, 08:30 AM
6565 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
Grab and Go Breakfast Packs for Virtual Students
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021, 09:00 AM
6565 Research Forest Drive, Spring, TX, USA
EF's 2021 Presidential Inauguration Watch Party
EF Explore America is excited to invite you to our free virtual Inauguration event on January 20, 2021 (the day of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration, of course!).
During this event, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of one of democracy’s signature events by tuning into EF’s Inauguration watch party plus a variety of interactive sessions hosted by our incredible educational partners.
You may find the event schedule below-- note that you can join or leave the event at any point during that time. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can look forward to:
- Witness this historic moment in real-time! Enjoy a live stream of the Inaugural ceremonies.
- Hear from a special guest speaker about the impact of the Inauguration and the importance of striving to make a better world.
- Explore civics, journalism, politics, and more during interactive sessions led by our incredible expert partners.
- Round out the educational event in style with a featured musical performance.