Boone Bear Facts
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Notes from the Principal
Fall Workday a Huge Success
A big Thank you to all of you who helped at our first Grounds Work Day last Saturday. We had student volunteers form St. Edwards and a crew of parent, teacher, and student Boone Bears. Together they were able to get the garden completely weeded and the beds up and ready for fall panting and our PEAS classes which begin this week.
You guys are what makes Boone such a great place for our children!!!!
Boundaries, Scenarios, and Bears – Oh, My!!
Please join us for our first Parent Coffee of the year on Friday, October 4th, in the Library from 8:30 – 9:30am. (or at the completion of the Second Grade Music Program.) Our main topics will be the proposed Boundary Changes and how the School Change Scenarios that were recently sent out by the district could potentially effect the Boone community. We will also be discussing the Gifted and Talented identification process and timeline.
Boone Grounds Improvement Team
In a recent Boone Facebook post, several parents mentioned that the picnic table near the dismissal area had seen better days. This summer, as part of the Bond work that has been going on, there was some extensive landscaping and drainage improvements done to that area. There were several parent who expressed an interest, on the FB post, in getting involved in developing a plan for building on the improvements completed this summer.
In response to this post, we are creating a committee to specifically develop a plan for improving the landscaping and the accessibility in the dismissal area. There is a need to continue to develop this area into a more family friendly location during our daily school dismissal time. We will plan to meet monthly. Meeting time and date will be based on replies below. In the past, the committee has met the third Tuesday of each month from 4-5 pm.
If you would like to participate in this planning process, please use the link below to access a Google form to indicate your interest. https://tinyurl.com/BooneGroundsTeam20
IMPORTANT - Front Circle Parking at Dismissal
During afternoon dismissal, the Circle Drive, in the front of the school, is reserved for AISD bus and Day Care bus pick up only. Recently, we have had parents park in the visitor spots in the parking area for a quick exit at dismissal. They are then attempting to leave the lot just as the day care buses are pulling in to pick up students. If you are parked in this area when dismissal begins, you will not be allowed to leave the area until after the AISD and Day Care vehicles leave the driveway.
This additional traffic flow has created a safety concern for our students loading the buses and for those students walking home after school. Please do not park in the Circle Drive for picking up your child at dismissal. If you do, please be prepared to wait until the drive is cleared at the end of dismissal at 3:15 pm.
Crawford's Connections
Happy Fall to everyone!
I am so excited about the cool weather heading our way, and the exciting news from the library. I know we are still getting to know each other so one thing that I want you to know that makes my heart grow with happiness is when I see young people find the joy in reading! When I was in graduate school at Texas State University, I had limited time I could read for joy so this past summer I took advantage of my time and read what I wanted to read. Reading what we love is what it is all about! My students, when I was a classroom teacher and reading specialist, would come to me often and say, " I don't like to read." I always expressed emapathy, but I always asked, " Have you found the right book?" Most of the time I could dig deep and find my students' interests and loves and we could find that one book that peaked their interest. So if you have that kiddo who is a reluctant reader, keep asking about what they are interested in and let's find the perfect book for them!
Encourage your child to put a favorite book or any book they are reading of their choice in their backpack! Every minute counts, so if they use time before morning assembly to read that's AWESOME! This goes for our youngest students to our oldest students....I hope I catch many students taking advantage of this time to get some reading time in!
On Monday, October 7th, we will have exciting news about how students can be "caught reading" and what rewards come with that! I hope to see all our Boone Bears, no matter the age, taking advantage of time to read!
What is my favorite novel? Where the Red Fern Grows Why? This is a novel I love but also made me cry for the first time in front of my students when we read this as a class. If you have not read this novel, I give it four stars! If you have a soft spot for animals, well, bring your tissues! It is a great story that teaches empahty and perseverance. I would be dishonest though if I told you though this was my only favorite. There are so many.... Come ask me about my other favorites!
I hope you know how much we value you all in the Boone Community! You all make us better, and we love your children!
Take care!
Library Lines
We are having a great year in the library. If you haven't visited us yet this year, come by and see us. We love visitors and especially volunteers. If you would like to help in our library, please use the link below to complete a background check. Make sure to indicate that you are interested in helping in the library. If you already have a background check completed, contact me using the info at the bottom of this page. I will contact you when the background check is complete. You do not have to make a donation in order to volunteer.
https://austinpartners.secure.force.com/BeginRegistration
Follow Us! The Boone Library is on:
Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/boonelibrary/
Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/boone_library/?hl=en
Twitter -- https://twitter.com/library_boone
Website: http://boonelibrary.wixsite.com/boonelibrary
Facebook is the best place to stay updated on all current events and happenings in our library.
SAVE THE DATE:
Dec. 2-6 -- Fall Book Fair
Feb 1 -- Fun Run/Read In
Feb. 1-14 -- 3rd annual Read a Thon
May 4-8 -- Spring Book Fair
Author visits and other activities TBD
Please feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns.
Michelle Lightbourn, Librarian 512-414-5320
michelle.lightbourn@austinisd.org
Library Schedule 19-20: http://bit.ly/2ploQAI
PTA News
Mark Your Calendars
Oct 3 - 17: Candy Drive
Wed Oct. 9: Haunted House Team Meeting, 3:15pm
Fri Oct. 11: GroupRaise at Jason's Deli, 5-10pm
Sat Oct. 19: Fall Carnival, 4-8pm
Tue Oct. 22: Spirit Night at Bush's Chicken, 5-8pm
Fri Nov. 8: Veterans Coffee, 7:45am
Family Night Dance Party was a SUCCESS!
Thank you to all the families who were able to join our first Family Night of the school year! We hope you had a lot of fun! One thing's for sure: Boone Bears are AMAZING at the Floss. The costumes were top notch, and hopefully everyone slept well that night. If you missed out on the fun, you can see some live footage from the party on the Facebook Boone Elementary Community Page.
Big props to Chanelle Salinas for putting together this fun event! Thank you to Marcus A. Jones Insurance & Financial Services for sponsoring the pizza. And snaps to all the dancers giving it their all.
The next Family Night will be a MESSY ART PARTY!
Support Boone at Jason's Deli, October 11
Save the date for another great way to support Boone! Eat at Jason's Deli on Friday, October 11 anytime from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Boone PTA receives 15% of the proceeds. Be sure to mention 'Boone Elementary' at check out. Share this GroupRaise link with friends and family and make it a fun dinner outing. https://www.groupraise.com/events/113154
Jason's Deli
9600 IH-35 Service Rd. SB, Suite D-500
Friday, October 11, 5-10pm
Box Tops & Dime Collection Drive
There's only about 1 week left to submit Box Tops or Dimes! The Collection Drive ends Friday, October 11th. Box Tops and Dimes can be turned in to your teacher or put in the bin in the office. Be sure to write your teacher's name on your sheet/baggie so your class gets credit. Thanks to everyone who has already participated!
Veterans Coffee
Please invite a Veteran to be honored during Morning Assembly, Friday November 8 at 7:45am. Boone PTA will provide Coffee & Pastries immediately following in the Library!
ALL THINGS FALL CARNIVAL
Are you ready to welcome Fall? Join us for Boone Elementary's biggest fundraiser: Fall Carnival Saturday, October 19 from 4p-8p. There will be rides, games, a haunted house, corn maze, and so much more.
No hassling with paper tickets this year! We're going green and selling all-inclusive wristbands for unlimited fun. Only kids ages 4 and up will need wristbands. Accompanying adults and kids under 3 will not.
Pre-sale for wristbands are available October 1-15 for $20. Look for order forms in the Thursday folder, or purchase online at https://squareup.com/store/BoonePTA Please note your oldest child's name and teacher in the comments at checkout.
Wristbands purchased the day of the Carnival are $25.
Boone PTA will be raising funds to purchase wristbands for students that are financially unable to attend. If you would like to sponsor a student in need, donate any amount through the Boone PTA store and note in the comments you are sponsoring a wristband. We will be giving them to Boone's Administration to distribute. Any donation will be much appreciated.
Concessions will be on site with a variety of food options for purchase. Cash only.
Carnival Business Sponsors Wanted
Do you own a business? Know someone who does? Join us at our Fall Carnival as a sponsor by passing out goodies to our students in our trick-or-treat area. As a sponsor, you are welcome to bring business cards, flyers, and other promotional materials to distribute. If you or anyone you know would like to participate, please contact Crystal Brothwell Hernandez, president@boonepta.com.
Can't come out but still want to help? We are looking for business partners to sponsor student wristbands.
Haunted House
We're looking for some creative minds to join the Haunted House team Wednesday, October 9 at the playground after school 3:15p-4:15p. Bring your spookiest ideas to help make this our greatest Haunted House at Fall Carnival yet!
Candy Drive
October 3-17. We'll be collecting bags of candy for the Carnival - individually wrapped please. The class that brings in the most candy, by pound, will get a free snow cone from Shaved Ice Island. The top 2 students will win a free wristband. Please label bags with your student's name and teacher.
Parent Volunteer Opportunity
Running a Carnival this size needs lots of helping hands. A sign up will be sent from your room parent to volunteer at the classroom booth during Carnival. If you are able to donate more of your time setting up, during, or at take down, please sign up for a shift here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054facac2fa3f58-carnival
Calendar of Events
Oct 4 - Cole/Maag to Laguna Gloria 9:30 - 1:00
Oct 11 - Spirit Night at Jason's Deli 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Oct 14 - Student Holiday/Parent Conference Day
Oct 19 - PTA Fall Carnival 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.