Friday Focus
November 3, 2017
Congratulations to our World Series Champions! Go Astros!
Spelling Bee
Author Visit!
Author Jonathan Stokes will visit third, fourth, fifth grade students at Meadow Wood Elementary School on Monday, November 13. He will share his experiences and talk about the writing process as well as his series ADDISON COOKE.
All students have the opportunity to purchase a signed book that will be delivered to the classroom. If you would like to place an order, please fill out the form below and click “add to cart” to continue the purchasing process. Books will be delivered to the school on the day of the event. Please give the librarian and classroom teacher a day or two to distribute books to the students; if you have any questions about your child's book, please contact the classroom teacher or librarian.
Orders received by Tuesday, November 7, are guaranteed to be signed and personalized. All other orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis on the day of the event.
Orders can be placed using the following link: http://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/jonathan-stokes-meadow-wood-elementary
Storybook Pumpkin Patch
We are proud to say that 112 students participated in this year's Storybook Pumpkin Patch! It has been such a special experience to see the work and creativity that went into each pumpkin! We announced the top 15 pumpkins based on student, staff member, and parent votes. A note will be sent home with those students.
Please pick up your child's pumpkin no later than Tuesday, November 7th. We have had to dispose of two pumpkins thus far, but we are doing our best to save any props or materials your child used to decorate.
Hoops for Heart
Veteran's Day
Spring Branch ISD Bond Election
A brief bit of information is below, but more can be found following this link:
The November Election
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Spring Branch voters will be asked to consider an $898.4 million bond issue to continue rebuilding the district's aging schools and to provide district-wide improvements to all Spring Branch ISD campuses.
A Bond Advisory Committee, co-chaired by parents of current and former SBISD students, worked for several months reviewing district needs (i.e. instruction, technology and transportation) and current and future district facility needs.
The group included parents, business representatives, retirees, teachers and other patrons from every feeder pattern in the district. Their work was informed by the district's Long Range Facilities Plan, which identified more than $1.3 billion in facility needs.
The $898.4 Million Bond Package will:
- Replace remaining 9 oldest elementary schools and 1 middle school
- Add new classroom building at MHS and at NHS, replace auditorium at SHS and renovate cafeteria/library at SWHS
- Add classroom wing at Cedar Brook Elementary
- Upgrade safety and security, building systems, and technology at all campuses, including classroom furniture for secondary schools
- Replace Career & Technical Education classroom equipment
- Replace aged musical instruments and uniforms
- Upgrade athletics, including 4 turf fields (MHS, NHS, SHS and SWHS)
- Replace older buses
No Change to Tax Rate
The District does not expect a tax rate increase if voters approve this bond.
The SBISD Board of Trustees has not raised the school tax rate of $1.3945 since 2010 and does not plan to raise the tax rate as a result of this bond election. The bond package is based on a conservative financial model. A review of the model following Hurricane Harvey continues to indicate the district's ability to complete this bond package without increasing the tax rate.
SBISD offers every tax break allowed by law, including the 20 percent local homestead exemption. Spring Branch homeowners have the third lowest tax burden in the Houston area - less than Katy, Spring, Cy-Fair, and most other surrounding districts (Aldine, Alief, Humble, Klein).
The bond issue will not affect the tax bill or the amount of taxes paid for anyone disabled or 65 or older with a homestead exemption.
Neither the State of Texas nor the federal government pays for school facilities or construction, despite increasing state and federal mandates. All funds must come from the sale of bonds approved by residents of the district. Bond money cannot be used for instructional salaries or teaching supplies.
Important Dates
- November 7: CSHAC Meeting @ 3:00 p.m.
- November 8: 3rd Grade Priority Standards Assessment & Hoops for Heart Celebrations
- November 9: Individual Picture Retakes, PK/K Field Trip, Hoops for Heart Celebrations, & PTA meeting @ 9:00 a.m.
- November 10: Veteran's Day Sing-a-long & Progress Reports go home
- November 13: Author Visit: Jonathan Stokes (grades 3-5)
- November 16: Thanksgiving Feast (cafeteria)
- November 17: Colonial Day (5th grade), PK/K Thanksgiving Feast
- November 20-24: Holidays
Meadow Wood Elementary
Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/mwe4/
Location: Meadow Wood Elementary, Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-251-6200
Facebook: facebook.com/MeadowWoodElementary
Twitter: @MeadowWoodSBISD