The Paw Print
Official Newsletter of Houston Elementary September 2021
The Upgrade...Uploading Achievement, Commitment and Engagement.
We are well on our way into the third week of school here at Houston Elementary. We are implementing systems and programs at Houston that will ensure your student has a safe and successful school year. The task at hand seems very daunting with a pandemic still among us. However, here's how you can help to ensure that your child's experience here at Houston Elementary is "UpGRADED" this year:
1. Make early and frequent contact with your child’s teacher.
Don’t be afraid to send an email if you have a question or concern, or just send a note to say ‘hi’ and introduce yourself. Ask how you can support classroom learning at home, and ask how you can help the teacher–by classroom volunteering or doing what you can at home.
Have your child write a Hello Teacher Note during the first month of school so that he/she feels a special connection with his/her teacher. It helps!
2. Create a structured time and place for homework.
For some, it works to get homework completed immediately after walking in the door and finishing snack; for others, homework’s best saved for after dinner. It doesn’t matter when you choose–just make a choice and stick with it.
3. Ask your child questions and listen to the answers.
Yes:Hi, Honey, so happy to see you! What did you do in P.E. today? OR What book did you read in Reading Group? OR What was your favorite part of your lunch? OR What did you like about the assembly today?
No:Hi, Honey! Did you have a good day?
Shoot for specific, open-ended questions and go with whatever he wants to talk about. Close-ended questions (that result in a yes or no answer) stop conversation before it begins. And rapid-fire questions about what you want to know but what he’s not ready to share are enough to make a kid want to turn around and run back to the bus for safety.
4. Be thankful. Be supportive. Be grateful.
Teachers’ jobs are seriously more difficult than most people can imagine. The amount of work that they do–during the week and on the weekends–to prepare lessons, ready their classroom, research best practices, work with specialists, grade schoolwork, respond to parents, attend meetings, and (for many) continue their own education–is insane.
So we need to be thankful for their hard work–today and every day–not just Teacher Appreciation Week or at the end of the year. Sign your emails with a sincere, ‘thank you for all you do‘ and mean it. Ask what you can do to support them, and follow through.
Say ‘thanks’ to the administration, the para-educators, the specialists, the custodians, and the lunchroom workers because they’re all working towards creating a safe environment for your child to meet with success and have the best year possible. So why wouldn’t you want to be thankful for, supportive of, and grateful for this school community?
We are certainly grateful to have your student with us at Houston Elementary. #The Upgrade #houexceeds
Principal Stevenson
Please, click below to hear a message from Supt. Perera.
Greetings Parents!
District-wide (grades K-12) MAP testing will take place in the coming weeks. We ask that you ensure your child is on time each day and well-rested. Please read the information below to learn more about the MAP assessment that will take place this coming week. Your child's campus will share additional details after the results of the MAP tests are made available.
Students participating in our remote learning pathway or currently pivoted to virtual learning due to health and safety protocols will be able to participate in MAP testing virtually from home. Additional information will be shared with parents regarding the at-home MAP assessment option soon.
We encourage all parents to review the information below.
What is the MAP test?
The Measures of Academic Progress, or MAP, is a nationally norm-referenced test administered on a computer. MAP measures achievement in mathematics, reading, language usage, and science.
How does the MAP test work?
Your child will take the MAP test on the computer during the school day. Students will view each question and select an answer with the keyboard or mouse. Because MAP is an adaptive test, the difficulty of each question is adjusted to the student’s answer on the previous test question. If a student answers a question correctly, the questions become more difficult. If a student answers a question incorrectly, the questions become less difficult. Because of this technology, the MAP system can assess students at a variety of achievement levels.
What does MAP measure?
MAP Growth uses a RIT scale to accurately measure what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your child’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Once your child completes a MAP Growth test, they receive a RIT score.
What is a RIT Scale?
The RIT scale precisely measures student performance, regardless of whether they’re performing on, above, or below grade level.
How do teachers use the data from the MAP test?
Along with other district assessments, data from MAP allows teachers to measure a student’s academic growth. The results from these assessments let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is necessary in any specific areas. Teachers use this information to guide instruction in the classroom and insure appropriate growth for students at all levels.
What will be done in the classroom to help my child?
If a student’s RIT score shows that they do not have a high probability of mastering the state standards, the student may require targeted instruction to strengthen their specific needs. Teachers use data from all administered assessments and a variety of classroom activities to design an instructional plan to help a child reach success in mastering the state standards. If the RIT score shows the student has a high likelihood of success in mastering the state standards, the student is prepared for enrichment in the classroom. Teachers use this information to guide instruction in the classroom and insure appropriate growth for students at all levels.
Thank you for your partnership,
Lancaster ISD Accountability and Assessment Team
School Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:50 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. Please, do not drop off students before 7:30 a.m.
HES Rings in the New Year
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15
Please, check your child's Tuesday folder each week.
Progress Reports go out on September 10th. Please, contact your child's teacher if you have questions or concerns.
Car Riders- Thank you for having your car tag visible for pick-up each day. This helps us ensure your child's safety.
Please, do not exit your car at any time.
Bus Transportation
Early Pick-Up Policy
Please note: Students will NOT be released after 3:00 P.M. Please, make sure you wait at your child's dismissal location for after school pick up.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Students may wear college shirts on Wednesdays with Uniform Bottoms.
Labor Day Holiday is Monday, September 6, 2021. All district offices and campuses will be closed.
Students may wear jeans on Fridays with a spirit shirt.
Parents, please continue to clip and send box tops in the traditional way, or download the new digital app and scan your receipts. Every top helps to support our students!
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see our daily morning announcements. Click below to see a snippit of what to expect.
Student Storytime
Let it Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
The leaves turn red, brown, and orange, then drift down from the trees. It is time to go apple picking and on hayrides at the county fair. Fall is finally here!
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries—and not only that, there’s a great way to get rid of them too….
Hey Grandude! by Paul McCartney
Breakfast and Lunch are FREE at Houston Elementary!
Stay Connected!
Twitter: @HESLancaster
Facebook: @HoustonESLancaster
Website: www.lancasterisd.org
Houston Health Science Technology Academy
Email: tatanishastevenson@lancasterisd.org
Website: www.lancasterisd.org
Location: 2929 Marquis Lane, Lancaster, TX, USA
Phone: 972-218-1512
Twitter: @HESLancaster