GALATAS GAZETTE
October 13, 2023
Contact Information
Denae Wilker, Principal
Candace Mathis, Assistant Principal
Dawn Wright, Assistant Principal
Laura Heemann, Counselor
Through the collaborative efforts of all who pass through our door, we provide a safe learning community that develops lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
Website: http://galatas.conroeisd.net/
Location: 9001 Cochrans Crossing Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-5000
Front Office Hours: 7:25 AM-3:45 PM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalatasCISD/
Twitter: @GalatasCISD
Upcoming Events
Lunch Visitors During the Week of October 16-20
During the week of October 16-20, the Activity Room will be unavailable for inside lunch guests due to the Book Fair set-up. As a result, only outside dining options will be available for lunch guests during those two weeks. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause on inclement weather days.
We thank you for your understanding, and invite you to visit the Book Fair with your children before and after school the week of October 16-20.
Reading Week: October 16-20
Book Fair is Next Week!
We are so excited about our upcoming Book Fair! This year our campus will host the Literati Book Fair on October 16-20. Students and families are welcome to shop during the hours listed below. We will also have an evening opportunity for you to shop at our Bedtime Story Night (more information below)!
Book Fair Hours:
Monday, October 16: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00
Tuesday, October 17: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00
6:00-7:30 (Bedtime Story Night)
Wednesday, October 18: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00
Thursday, October 19: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00
Friday, October 20: 7:35-12:00 (Storybook Parade Day)
All students shopping before going to their classroom in the morning must have a parent or guardian with them. Your student will need to be in their classroom before the bell rings at 8:00 a.m. Otherwise, students will be able to shop independently when teachers allow, as well as during their Library Specials time.
Our Book Fair has a wide variety of titles and interests for all students and may include books for parents, siblings, and family members of all ages. Families can visit the Book Fair website at https://efairs.literati.com/ to read reviews of featured books, as well as watch book trailers and author videos. We encourage you to shop with your child or create a shopping list with your child.
There are also gift cards available online for purchase to use at the book fair! We are excited for families to have an opportunity to shop our online Book Fair. Please visit the link below to purchase a gift card and/or shop online.
The teacher will have wish lists filled out with books they would like to have for their classroom libraries. Please feel free to purchase something from their selections, and ask the person helping you at the register for a bookplate sticker to add to the book.
With your involvement, we can inspire children to practice reading and read more often. Together, we can build readers and read for a better life.
Thank you for your support,
Librarian
Reading Week Activities
Click on each picture to read more about the fun activities we have planned for Reading Week!
Reading Week Schedule
Reading Challenge!
Students AND parents can log their reading minutes using the QR code above to earn prizes for themselves and their class!
Bedtime Story Night: October 17
Join us at 6 PM or 7 PM for a night of thrills, chills, and laughter as we experience a not-too-scary story presented by a group of Galatas parents! Wear your pajamas and enjoy shopping at the Book Fair, too!
Storybook Parade: Friday, October 20!
We are looking forward to our Storybook Parade on Friday, October 20. We will have an outside "Family Viewing Area" so that everyone can enjoy seeing the creative costumes while we celebrate our favorite books!
The parade will begin at 8:20 AM. As part of our parade route, our students will exit through the gym doors at the rear of the school, around the car loop, and then back into the school through the other set of gym doors. Families will be able to view the parade around the car loop at the back of the school. Please see the map below for specific details.
Parking will be available at Cattail Park, and there will be limited spots at Community Baptist Church as well. Please be careful and courteous, as the pre-school will be having their drop-off at the same time. Please do not park or drive through the Good Shepherd parking lot.
Students may come to school dressed as their favorite storybook character (no weapons, masks, face paint, or spray-painted hair, please), and should bring the character book to carry in the school-wide parade. Students should be able to change out of their costume independently.
Volunteers Needed for Reading Week!
Your help is needed for Reading Week! Please check out the opportunities at the links below.
Book Fair
Volunteers needed to man cash registers, restock, and assist students. Literati (our Book Fair company) is offering a 20% discount to Book Fair Volunteers.
Sign up here: Book Fair Volunteers
Reading Week Volunteers
Looking for volunteers to support Reading Week events, including a parent Reader's Theater for Bedtime Story Night and Reading Fair Project judges!
Author Visit for K, 1st, and 2nd Grades
Dear Galatas Families,
I am so excited to announce that award winning author, Susan Stevens Crummel, is visiting Galatas kinder, first, and second graders on Wednesday, November 8th!
All students have an opportunity to purchase her books and have them autographed the day she visits. The picture shows a QR code to scan which will bring you to the online order form, or you may use the link in the button below if you would like to purchase one or more of her books to be autographed. The books will be delivered to Galatas and sent home after they are autographed. Orders need to be placed no later than Thursday, October 26th. The purchase price includes tax.
You must include your student's name and school name in the appropriate box on the order form to ensure the books are autographed to your child, and delivered to Galatas.
Visit https://www.susanscrummel.com/ for more information about books by Susan Stevens Crummel.
Galatas Librarian,
Dawn Michalsky
Yearbook Cover Contest!
Students will have a chance to help us create the cover of this year’s Galatas yearbook!
The theme this year will be "Gameshows"! Help us celebrate Galatas by submitting your best artwork today. You can help your child find inspiration by tuning into the Gameshow Network for ideas. Information regarding ordering yearbooks will be available soon.
Guidelines:
• Entries should be original student artwork, and may be done with marker, pastels, paint, watercolors, etc…
• Maximum size should be 8.5”X11” and must be a portrait (vertical) layout.
• Artwork should feature a Greyhound!
• No need to include our school name or the year...those will be printed on the yearbook by the publisher.
• All submissions must be received by Friday, November 3.
Initial submissions will be collected electronically - we will select one winner from each grade to be featured on the inside, as well as an overall design winner for the cover. We will then make arrangements to collect the original artwork from the selected students.
Please email a photo of your students' artwork to galatasyearbook@gmail.com, and include their name and section number in the email (images will be judged anonymously by grade level). Please make sure your child's name is not on the front of the picture.
Conroe ISD Bond 2023 Information
Prop A includes infrastructure work at 45 campuses. Projects at these campuses may include addressing chillers, boilers, air handlers, generators, freezer/coolers, roof sections, and electrical service equipment. Safety projects for all campuses are also included in Prop A. These could include door or window glazing, fencing, and security camera updates among other things. Safety projects are approved by the Board of Trustees based on safety recommendations made by the District Safety Committee, which is composed of safety experts and stakeholders from across our community.
To view details about these projects and learn more about Bond 2023, please visit the link below.
Bond 2023 Town Halls
Mark your calendars and let your community know about the Bond 2023 Town Halls! On October 21 (11 AM) and 23 (10 AM & 12 PM), Dr. Curtis Null, Superintendent, will present information about Bond 2023 at the Jett Center and be available to answer questions from community members. We hope to see you there!
Gifted & Talented Nominations Now Open
The GT Nomination window for parent nominations for the Spring, 2024 Gifted and Talented screening opens October 2- December 12, 2023.
Parents may nominate their 3rd and/or 4th grade student by completing the District GT Nomination packet, available by contacting our Assistant Principal, Dawn Wright, at dwright@conroeisd.net. It is strongly encouraged that parents consult with their child’s teacher(s) prior to nominating their child. If your child has already qualified for Gifted and Talented services in some content areas but not all, you must nominate them again if you would like for them to try to qualify in additional areas. Students must take the full battery of tests as specific subject areas cannot be isolated for testing purposes.
Parents of 2nd grade students: Please do not nominate your 2nd grade child at this time! All second grade students will participate in the CogAT assessment in October which will serve as a GT screener for second grade students. More information to come at a later date.
Parents may nominate their Kindergarten and/or 1st grade student but it is highly advised that parents consult with their child’s teacher prior to nominating their child as tests can be frustrating for younger students due to the amount of time involved in testing.
Spring GT testing will take place at Galatas Elementary during the school day from January 22-February 2, 2024.
All completed nomination packets must be returned to Dawn Wright on or before December 12, 2023.
Counselor's Corner
Coats for Kids Drive Begins October 2!
The 21st Annual Conroe ISD Police COATS for KIDS DRIVE will take place from October 2-18! We will have collection bins on the Galatas front and back porches to collect new or gently used (clean) coats, hoodies, and sweaters.
During last year's Coats for Kids Drive, 1,100 coats, jackets, and hoodies were collected and distributed to campuses in need!
Coming Soon: Red Ribbon Week, October 23-27
We will enjoy some fun dress-up days and daily health challenges!
Safety Updates to Our Lunch Visitor Information
We are so happy that the weather is cooling down, and that families are able to enjoy visiting for lunch on our patio! We would like to update our information to include two important safety reminders.
1. Please keep students and other children at the tables with you ; do not allow them to run or play during lunch time.
2. Students may enjoy lunch with their parents/family only; please do not invite other students to eat lunch with your family.
These changes will be added to our Lunch Visitor Information article below for your future reference. Please review the information regarding lunch visitors with your family.
Get Involved at Galatas!
Join the PTO!
Please support our school by joining our amazing PTO. The link below will take you to the Galatas PTO website, where you can join the PTO and explore ways to get involved at Galatas.
It is a great way to get connected with our Galatas community and other parents.
Volunteer Application for Galatas Volunteers
A Volunteer in CISD Application must be completed EACH YEAR in order to volunteer at Galatas.
Please visit the link below to begin the application process.
Library Volunteers Needed!
The Library is looking for volunteers to help with shelving, straightening, organizing, checking in books, checking out books, assisting students in finding what they are looking for, minor book repair, and assisting our librarians.
For information, details, and to sign up, please visit the link below:
23-24 Directory Available
The updated Galatas Digital Directory is now available! Directory access is only available to PTO members. It's not too late to join!
For more information about the Directory, please take a look at the document below.
Sponsors Needed!
For more information, please email partnerships@galataspto.com.
ExxonMobil Grant Program 23-24
Please sign up below if you are an ExxonMobil employee or spouse of an ExxonMobil employee. You will be contacted by the ExxonMobil Coordinator with further details.
Galatas Yard Signs For Sale!
If you would like to display your Galatas Pride in your neighborhood, the PTO has yard signs for sale! Signs are $25, and you can order yours at the link below.
Coming Soon!
TWCPHS Theatre Presents: Pride & Prejudice
October 18-21 For information and tickets, visit link here.
TWHS Highstepper Dance Clinic
October 21 For information and Registration, visit twhshighsteppers.com.
TWHS Theater Presents: Puffs
Cars & Coffee
The second district-wide Cars & Coffee will be held Saturday, October 21 from 8-11 a.m. at Woodforest Bank Stadium. Admission is free and car entry is also free, with roll-in from 7:30-8 a.m.
Lone Star Preview Day
October 21
TWCPHS Interact Pumpkin Fest
October 28
TWHS NHS Trunk or Treat
October 28
TWHS Theater Improv Camp
November 4. For more information and registration, visit TWHS Improv Camp.
CISD Job Fair
CISD will be holding a job fair for teachers and instructional paraprofessionals on Tuesday, October 24 from 5-7 p.m. at The Jett Center.
~INFORMATION FOR ONGOING REFERENCE~
Parent Information Sheet
Galatas Student Handbook Addendum
CISD Child Nutrition Information
REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES AND ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
When your child is absent, please call the school attendance line (936-709-5014), the front office (936-709-5000), or email Robin Curtis (rcurtis@conroeisd.net) before 9:00 AM to explain the reason for their absence. To ensure the accuracy of your child's attendance records, please call or email each day your child is absent.
Attendance is recorded at 9:00 AM each day. If your child is absent at 9:00 AM due to a doctor’s appointment, he/she will be counted present if you bring your child back to school on the same day with a doctor's statement that verifies the appointment.
If your child will be out for an extended period, please let us know by emailing Robin Curtis at the email above.
Campus Visitors
All visitors must be able to provide a government issued, photo I. D. at each visit. Photos of the I.D. will not be accepted. Visitors will check in at the front office and receive a Visitor Badge which must be worn at all times in the building. When leaving the building, visitors must check out with the front office and return the badge.
Lunch Visitor Information
Lunch visitors are invited to enjoy our outdoor dining area (weather permitting). On rainy or other inclement weather days, we will have seating available in the Activity Room.
** Please consider limiting lunch visits to once or twice per month for each student, so that all parents have an opportunity to visit for lunch.
**Please limit the number of visitors to no more than four.
**Students may enjoy lunch with their parents/family only; please do not invite other students to eat lunch with your family.
**A driver's license or government issued photo i.d. is required for adults each time they visit Galatas. We are unable to accept a photo of an i.d. Please allow time (about 5 minutes) to complete the required check-in at the front office prior to your child's lunchtime.
**Please keep students and other children at the tables with you; do not allow them to run or play during lunch time.
**Please understand that if you arrive more than 5 minutes after your student's scheduled lunchtime, there is a possibility you will not be able to eat with your child, due to the limited amount of time allotted for lunch.
**We want to ensure the safety and security of everyone as they enjoy time together. If a grandparent or other family member of the student wants to visit your child during lunch, the parent must send in written permission to the front office. The note will only need to be sent in once, and at that time a notation will be made in the visitor system so that the school will have a record of the permission being granted. If a note is not sent, we will call a parent to grant permission before the visitor is allowed to join a student for lunch.
Lunchtime is limited to 25 minutes. A staff member will be monitoring the door, and will assist your child in returning to the cafeteria to join their class. Guests should then head back to the front office to return your visitor sticker.
Kindergarten 12:05 PM-12:30 PM
1st Grade 12:20 PM-12:45 PM
2nd Grade 11:50 AM-12:15 PM
3rd Grade 11:35 AM-12:00 PM
4th Grade 11:10 AM-11:35 AM
Please be mindful that the next grade level parents are also excited to visit their children for lunch. We ask parents to exit promptly at the designated time, to allow the next group to have lunch together. Thank you!
Birthday Book Club
The Birthday Book Club is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday or half birthday and help support the Galatas Elementary Library. We have partnered with Bound to Stay Bound, one of our library book vendors, so book selections can be made directly from the website.
Please visit the link below for more information and ordering instructions.
A Message from the School Nurse
- Medication: If your student requires daily or "as needed" emergency medication at school, please email the nurse at kriggs@conroeisd.net, as soon as possible to set up an appointment to check in the necessary medication/medications and forms.
- All medications must be checked in by a parent/guardian. Students may not bring medication to school. **Cough drops/cough lollipops ARE considered medication, and also must be checked in through the clinic for student use.
- Change of Clothes: Please provide a daily change of clothes in your student's backpack. This is especially important for our kinder and first grade friends.
- Illness at School: If a student is sent home sick, per CISD policy, the student must be symptom free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to campus or attending any school sponsored function.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our Galatas family healthy! I wish everyone a happy and healthy school year.
Kind Regards,
Katy Riggs, RN
SMART Tag Backpack Tags
All students should have a SMART Tag on their backpack. Each day these tags are scanned by our staff members as part of our dismissal procedure to ensure that each student goes home the correct way.
SMART Tags are also used by our CISD Transportation Department, as a way to ensure authorized riders board our buses and improve the safety and security of students who utilize our bus transportation services. For more information on the SMART Tag system, please click here.
If your child loses their SMART tag, please notify their teacher and we will replace the tag. There is a $2.00 fee to replace a lost tag; that fee will be assessed in our School Cash system and you will be notified of the charge.
Transportation Changes
Transportation change notepads were sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year. Please use these forms any time a student needs to go home in a different way from the permanent designated mode of transportation.
All transportation changes must be received in writing by 2:00 p.m. We are unable to accept a phone call. You may send a written note to your child’s teacher (place it in your student's PAWS folder), or fill out a form in the front office. Please include the date, your child’s full name, section number, bus number (if applicable), and your signature. If an emergency arises, you may send an email to galatastransportation@conroeisd.net . The e-mail must include all of the above information, including a parent signature, and must be received before 2:00 p.m. If you submit a transportation change by email, it must go to the email address referenced above; transportation changes should not be emailed directly to the teacher.
Please send a new note for each day the change occurs; we cannot accept notes for multiple days or with multiple changes. District policy states that a student may only ride the bus they are registered to ride; students may not have a transportation change to ride a different bus.
Library Daily Email Notifications
Library Books
Conroe ISD Library Services is enabling daily email notifications so you are informed of the items checked out by your student. Daily emails will list the item(s) currently checked out. If the book(s) your student selected is not a good fit, please have your student return it to the campus library and choose a new title. If you have questions about the book(s), please contact the school librarian. Notifications for these daily messages can be managed in Parent Access Center (PAC). If you don’t have a PAC account, you will need to register for one to access the email settings. You can also view the item(s) your student checked out by logging in to Destiny Discover through your student's SSO account. You can further manage your student’s access to library materials by completing the Library Access Form found on the Library Services website along with viewing other helpful information.
Directions for opting in or out of these notifications can be found in the document below.
Drop-off Procedures for Forgotten Items
Please help your student be fully prepared for their day by ensuring that they have all needed materials (backpack, lunch, water bottle, etc...) before leaving for school in the morning.
To minimize interruptions to classrooms, please limit drop-offs to the following items:
- Water bottles and lunches may be placed on the Drop-off table before 10:00 a.m. at the front office. These items should be labeled with your child’s name and section number to ensure proper delivery. Items are taken at 10:00 a.m. to a drop-off table at the end of each hallway, so please email the teacher to let them know that you have dropped off the water bottle or lunch. You may email your child’s teacher to let them know to allow your child to check the drop-off desk after 10:00 a.m.
- If you need eye glasses delivered to your child, please do not put them on the drop-off table. Bring them to the office staff for immediate delivery to your child.
- Any class work or homework that is dropped off will be placed in the teacher’s mailbox to be picked up during the day.
Delivery of flowers, balloons, etc. to students at school are not permitted.
Water Bottles
CELEBRATE TEACHER AND STAFF EXCELLENCE!
Do you want to recognize an AWESOME Galatas Staff member? If so, follow the steps below:
- Log in to Parent Access.
- Click on communication.
- Choose Teacher/Staff Excellence from the drop down menu.
- Select the employee to receive recognition from the drop down menu.
- Click create TAE.
- Click any of the pre-populated choices that apply.
- Type any additional comments in the Additional Comment box.
- Click the box labeled Create Teachers Achieving Excellence button.
Parking Lot Request
If all the visitor spots are full, we ask that you please park at either Cattail Park, the row of spots closest to Galatas in the Community Baptist Church, or the closest end spots at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. These two churches have graciously offered these spots to us as our Galatas Family grows.
Thank you for your help with parking!
STUDENT EARLY CHECK-OUT
Sometimes it is necessary for a student to be checked out of school before dismissal.
If you know that you will need to check-out your child during the school day, please let their teacher know so that they can help your child gather their belongings and prepare for an early departure.
As a reminder, to ensure the safety of all students at dismissal, the latest a student can be checked out of school is 2:45 p.m.
School Zone Safety Tips
In addition, cell phone use in a school zone is prohibited. As you enter areas around schools, please end your calls and put your phone away.
The CISD Police and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department patrol our school zones to ensure everyone's safety, and will issue citations if necessary.
Thank you for your help in keeping our community safe!
SAFETY REMINDER: NO PETS ON CAMPUS
With the exception of service animals, dogs and other pets are not allowed on school grounds, including at the top of the hill during arrival and dismissal.
This is for the health and safety of our students and staff.
School Dismissal Safety Notes
--Only cross at crosswalks! Our crossing guards and staff are here to keep everyone safe and ensure that families cross intersections in an efficient manner.
--Please do not park behind staff cars in the school parking lot. Please park in a parking space, as blocking cars could cause a safety concern in case of an emergency.
--Please be considerate of our neighbors at Hayden's Run and Wyndspire South. Please keep the sight lines at the entrance clear for entering and exiting vehicles.
--Please be considerate of our neighbors at South Silvershire Circle. Please do not park on the grass or lawn of the homes. Take care not to block driveways and leave enough room for residents to easily drive in their neighborhood at all times.
2023-2024 CISD School Calendar
We thank you in advance for planning all vacations and travel outside of the school calendar. When students are absent, they miss valuable instruction that takes place daily. In addition to the loss of that instructional time, Texas schools are rated not only on academic performance, but also on student attendance. Daily attendance plays a large role in our accountability rating from the state.
We appreciate your support and look forward to a great school year!
Galatas Calendar
Upcoming Events
October
16-20 Book Fair
17 Bedtime Story Night-6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
20 Storybook Parade-8:20 a.m.
23-27 Red Ribbon Week
26 Individual Picture Make-up Day
31 Science Day
November
7 No School: Staff Development
9 3rd Grade Program: 6:00 p.m.
10 Galatas Family Movie Night: 6:30 p.m.
13-17 Generation Texas Week
14 PTO Meeting- 10:00 AM
17 Galatas Fun Run
20-24 No School: Thanksgiving Break
December
4-8 Hour of Code
8 4th Grade Choir Program 8:30 a.m.
12 PTO Meeting-10:00 a.m.
12 Holiday Party: 2nd grade
13 Holiday Parties- Kinder & 1st
14 Holiday Round Robin–3rd
14 Holiday Party/Service Project- 4th & Special ProgramsParty
15 Polar Express Day (Students wear p.j.’s)
15 Early Release Day, End of Nine Weeks– 12:10 p.m.
December 18-January 2 Winter Break
January
3 Classes Resume