Kangaroo Connection
Weekly updates for our NCES families
March 1, 2021
Para la versión en español, seleccione "Traducir Newsletter" en el lado derecho de este boletín.
Just a reminder that some of our DVISD bus routes have changed beginning TODAY.
You should have received an email from Travel Tracker during February 5th-9th with your student's new bus route information and pickup and drop off times.
If you cannot find the email or need this information again, please email trans@dvisd.net with your students name and ID number for updated information. You can also call the transportation department at:
512-386-3150.
Parents of 3rd-5th REMOTE students, please come to campus beginning Tuesday, 3/2 to pick up a hard copy of your child's benchmark tests and review activities. Campus is open 8:00-3:30PM daily. Please ring the front bell and the front office will assist you. If you need to arrange for after hours pickup, please contact your child's teacher.
If you need assistance with damage from the winter storms, call 844-965-1386 to ask for help. The hotline will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist you. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need. This hotline will remain open through March 5, 2021. Please note: this hotline CANNOT assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. More details at www.crisiscleanup.org
Important Updates
- March 1st: In-Person and Virtual instruction resumes
- March 4th: 5th Grade Parent Meeting Available (Recorded, sent via ClassDojo)
- March 9th: Live Information Session for Parents of 5th graders with our Counselor, 5:30PM
- March 9th, 10th & 11th: 3rd-5th Grade Benchmark Tests
- March 15th-19th: Spring Break
- March 22nd: Internet Safety Parent Education Class, 5:30PM
- March 25th: Parent & Principal Meeting, 5:30PM
BENCHMARK TESTS
These tests are administered to all DVISD students in 3rd-5th grade and are an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they have learned and for teachers to use this data to plan instruction for our students.
Parents of VIRTUAL Students: Please plan to pick up hard copies of the test prior to exam days for your student.
We have found that students are much more successful with showing what they have learned on these tests when they are provided with a paper version of the test during the administration. We are encouraging parents to come pick up these tests and review materials so that students are prepared to be successful. Your students will still attend live classes on these exam days and enter their answers online.
It is extremely important that you do NOT preview these tests before the day of the test or help your student with the test. We want to simply provide students with a hard copy of the test so that they are as successful as they can be with showing what they know by themselves.
You can pick these materials up for your students beginning Tuesday, March 2nd through Monday, March 8th from 7:30AM-3:00PM. If you need to pick them up after hours, we can make a pick up bag for you and leave it outside the main entrance.
It is important for your child to get a good night’s sleep each night, beginning Saturday before the test date. Being completely rested will help improve test performance.
· Eating nutritious meals has also been shown to help students perform under stress. Eating a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner and limiting sugar intake will help keep students alert for longer periods of time.
· Encouraging students to do their best will help them feel more confident on the day of the test. Giving your child positive words of encouragement on a daily basis will let them know you are supporting them on test day.
· If you drop your child off at school, please make plans to get them here early on testing days so that they have time for breakfast and a relaxed start to the day.
· Please remember that if your child is absent on a testing day they may have to take two when they return. It is important that your child attends school during this time.
The teachers at Collins appreciate all you do to help your child succeed academically! Feel free to contact your child’s teacher with additional questions about test day.
METHOD OF LEARNING
If you wish to change your child's method of learning to remote, please contact our front office at 512-386-3900 or our registrar: angelica.matias@dvisd.net.
PRINCIPAL'S WRITING CHALLENGE
Principal’s writing challenge is OPTIONAL for students.
Students may complete this on their own time.
All writing samples will be displayed in the hallway. Students can submit their writing to the front office.
Selected students will be chosen for a special Author’s Visit with the principal and receive a prize notebook and pen to continue their writing!
Ms. Fredo is issuing the Principal's Writing Challenge to all Collins Kangaroos! All essays will be due by 3pm on Friday, February 26th. Only final drafts will be accepted. Final drafts have very few mistakes and are written in your best handwriting or typed. Our lucky winners will be chosen for an Author’s Luncheon and will also receive a prize notebook and pen to continue their writing! Go writing Roos!
Our February prompt is in honor of Black History Month and features the First National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman who read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. She is 19 years old and was the youngest person to perform at a Presidential Inauguration.
Our February prompt is...
Read:
Amanda Gorman is the First National Youth Poet Laureate. She wrote a poem “The Hill We Climb” and read it to the nation at the Presidential Inauguration in January. In her poem she wrote about courage:
There is always light.
Only if we are brave enough to see it.
There is always light.
Only if we are brave enough to be it.
Write:
Think about a time when you had to be brave or have courage. Maybe you had to be brave because you were scared or you had to be brave for someone else like a friend or someone in your family because they were scared or going through a difficult time. Write about what happened and how you had courage or were brave.
COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL !
Here are the ways that we are communicating with our families at Newton Collins. If you are not receiving emails or need help with Dojo, please contact our front office or your child's teacher. We can help!
- Collins Parent Newsletter-Weekly, via email
- Our campus Twitter: Account: @DVISD_NCES
- Class Dojo / Website Updates at http://nces.dvisd.net/