Joe Straus III Newsletter
March 28, 2024
Campus Updates
Our Art students came in 3rd place at Los Leones this weekend! Congrats to our art teachers and the students who participated!
Our 8th Grade girls came in 1st place at our district meet of champs! We are so proud of our students and their hard work!
Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. We are excited that we will be able to share this experience with our Mavericks. The district has provided eclipse glasses for all students and staff and we will take this great opportunity to learn more about our environment. Please take time to learn more about the Solar Eclipse on the NASA Science Website.
On April 8th, we have Science lessons planned to help enhance this experience for our students. To ensure our campus is safe as our students participate, we will have a closed campus from 12-3 pm on April 8th. We are aware that our city will have an influx of visitors and it is imperative that we are able to focus on student safety during this exciting time. We are asking that if you have to check your students out on that day, you do it prior to noon as students will be engaged in various activities to enhance this experience.
STAAR Dates
As we get closer to our state assessment, we ask that you be mindful of scheduling appointments on these days. Also, because the campus is in testing mode it is more challenging to get students out of class to leave campus. We ask that you assist us with maintaining our testing environment by not checking students out early.
We appreciate your support!
BARK Monitoring
We are seeing an increase in our Bark notifications in the evening and on the weekend. Students are chatting with peers and the content is often not appropriate. We are discussing these concerns with students and we encourage you to talk to your child about making sure that they are not having inappropriate discussions on their district monitored device.
Summer Planning-School Calendar
If you have not had the opportunity to look at the 24-25 school Calendar, please do so. NISD is starting school a week earlier next school year and we want to ensure our families are aware of this change.
Purchase Your Yearbook!
The 2024 yearbook is selling out fast! Get your copy today at jostensyearbooks.com or scan the QR code.
Dress Code Reminders
Buses and Parent Drop Off
All buses will enter and exit from the south side of the campus (nearest the bus barn). Parents, please DO NOT USE THIS ENTRANCE. If you will be dropping off or picking up your student(s), please use the entrance in the front of the school on the north end of the building. Once you enter the school, the traffic flow is one way to the right. Please do not drive around the numerous vehicles waiting to enter the campus or attempt to enter the campus using the exit lane. We ask for your patience as we all learn this process. Please be courteous to other drivers around you.
Please check the Buses and Boundaries page on the NISD website for more specific information on your student’s transportation to and from Straus for this coming year.
Away For The Day
At Straus, cell phones and other personal electronic devices will not be permitted during the school day. Students will be able to use devices until 8:40 am each morning, then they will be put away until 3:50 pm. At that time, students will be able to check their devices in order to review end of day parent communication regarding dismissal. Teachers will have the option of allowing the use of electronics in class for instructional purposes only. Telephones are available in every classroom and in all campus offices in the event that a student needs to contact a parent. If you have not done so already, please take time to review awayfortheday.org, a nationally recognized research based initiative that serves as a campus resource.
VAPE FREE IS THE WAY TO BE
Vaping among young people is on the rise, and it poses serious health risks. Recent legislation means that any student caught with vaping devices will face consequences, including mandatory placement in an Alternative Education Placement (DAEP or alternative school). It's crucial to start the conversation about the dangers of vaping at home. We encourage you to learn more about the risks, the new law, and how you can help protect your child's health and academic future. You can find that information on our district website – nisd.net/vape-free.
Together, we can create a safer, healthier environment for our students.
NISD Safety
Social Media Awareness
Social media can be a valuable tool when used appropriately.
Not everything you read on social media is true. Inaccurate or false information spread on social media can be dangerous and disruptive to a school community.
Students who engage in posting or sharing false or hoax reports will be subject to disciplinary and criminal action (possibly a third degree felony).
Please take time to read this video from NISD regarding Social Media Awareness.
No Food Delivery
In order for our front office staff to effectively maintain their focus on campus safety, we do not allow food delivery of any kind to our front office. Should a student forget their lunch, the cafeteria will provide a meal that will be charged to your School Cafe account.
Lunch Account
For questions, please visit our Child Nutrition page.
Straus Sporting Events
As a reminder, all students who attend games are subject to the campus code of conduct at Straus and at all other campuses. Not adhering to campus rules at a game will prevent students from attending future games.
All Straus students who are at a game without parents must be picked up by 7 PM for Football and 7:30 PM for all other games.
Counselor's Chronicle
Leigh Davis
A-F
Head Counselor
398-2578
Heather Callihan
G-N
Counselor
398-2576
Amber Haby
O-Z
Counselor
398-2577
Claudia Duby
Grade Reporting Secretary
398-2582
PTA/Volunteering
PTA (strausmspta@gmail.com)
Become a NISD Volunteer or Mentor
NISD requires that anyone volunteering on campus complete a background check. This can be completed on the district website and is linked here.
Straus Clubs
Parent Q&A
How can we help?
NJHS
NJHS officer and members have been leading the way—“the Straus Way” with over 900 hours of community service since August 2023. Mrs. Garza and Mrs. Galvan are proud of all their efforts and willingness to always give back. Some events include campus tours, elementary events, and community events such as serving our Veterans, Texas Diaper Bank, Food Bank drive, United Way donation baskets and so much more.
Way to go Mavericks!
#Mavsgiveback
What's Happening at JSMS?
- GT competed at Sphero Olympics!
- Choir had an amazing performance at UIL!
- Track season is off to a great start and our Mavericks are doing awesome!
MARCH/APRIL REMINDERS
- 03/29- School Holiday
- 04/01- National Assistant Principal Week
- 04/09-Progress Reports
- Please log into your Home Access Center to check your child's progress report. If you have questions, please reach out to the classroom teacher.
- If you need to set up a Home Access Center account or are having issues logging in to your account, Click here and complete the form.
- 04/10- Early Release
- 04/17- 6th, 7th, 8th Reading STAAR
- 04/23- 8th Science STAAR
- 04/24- 8th Social Stidies STAAR
- 04/26- School Holiday
- 04/30- Progress Reports
- Please log into your Home Access Center to check your child's progress report. If you have questions, please reach out to the classroom teacher.
- If you need to set up a Home Access Center account or are having issues logging in to your account, Click here and complete the form.
NISD Tutoring Resources
Joe Straus III MS
Email: straus@nisd.net
Website: https://www.nisd.net/straus
Phone: 210-398-2550