Buckalew Buzz
February 11, 2019
Buckalew Elementary School
Buckalew Bears Motto:
"Today I choose to Be Kind, Work Hard, and DO MY BEST!"
Email: donotreply@conroeisd.net
Website: www.buckalew.conroeisd.net
Location: 4909 Alden Bridge Drive, The Woodlands, TX, United States
Phone: 281-465-3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuckalewCISD/#
Twitter: @buckalewbears
From the Principal,
Happy Monday!
We have had a wonderful last several weeks full of fun! Our after school play date fundraisers have wrapped up, Sci-Tech festival was a hit, our Book Fair is currently underway, we had our 1st grade Reading Restaurant, our 2nd grade Math Olympics, and our after school playground FREE celebration, rain or shine! Whew, our kids have been busy!
This past week we celebrated Counselor's Week, recognizing Mrs. Points in her first year as Buckalew's Counselor. This week, we celebrate our Teacher of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and Rising Star for the 18-19 School Year! The end of this month, we would like to invite you to help recognize our crossing guards on February 28th, by doing something special on the way to or from school that day (see details below in the Buzz).
We have Field Day and our Spring Carnival coming up soon, so please feel free to reach out to our PTO for several volunteer opportunities ahead!
Thanks for your continued support and Happy Valentine's Day!
Jill Price
Important School-Wide Dates:
Please see your child's teacher communication for grade-level and class-specific events.
February:
11th-14th- Book Fair
11th-15th- Second Grade Book Drive
15th- Box Tops are due
16th- Yearbook Recognition Ad deadline
18th- Student Holiday/Teacher Staff Development Day
22nd- Go Texan Day! Wear Cowboy/Cowgirl Gear
28th- 1st Grade Art Night 6:00 p.m.
28th- Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
March:
1st- Spring Picture Day
1st- PTO Meeting 9:30am
4th- Spirit Even at Gringo's Mexican Kitchen @ 30420 FM 2978
8th- Field Day 8-11:30am
8th- Early Release
11th-15th SPRING BREAK
30th- CARNIVAL
Need Translation of the BUZZ?
Did you know you can scroll to the bottom of this newsletter and a bar will appear at the bottom. You will be able to translate your newsletter to your desired language. Check it out!
Parent Workshops and Counseling Information
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO CYBER SAFETY Michelle Sacks Safe School Institute Director Crime Stoppers April 16, 2019 9:30 -10:30 am Bush Elementary 7420 Crownridge Drive *Adults only
Buckalew Carnival
Mark your calendar! The 2019 Buckalew Bash Spring Carnival will be held on Saturday, March 30th from 3-6 PM. Rain date is April 6th.
This celebration is hosted by the PTO and is open to the community, so invite your neighbors and friends, too. Admission is $5 per person and includes all of the games, outdoor activities, and prizes. The always popular kid's raffle is returning as well as the wonderful silent auction, which includes class baskets, great business donations, and one-of-a-kind experiences hosted by Buckalew staff members. It's going to be a blast!
Would you like to join us behind the scenes in making this event spectacular? We'd love your help! Contact Tracy at volunteers@buckalewbearspto.com .
Buckalew Auction
The Buckalew Carnival is quickly approaching and as you know the auction is a main attraction and huge fundraiser for Buckalew PTO. The auction team is looking for any Buckalew families who may be willing to donate auction items from their business or company. We are also looking for any of you creative parents to donate a hand made item that we could add to this years auction. Please contact Shelly Alexander shelly9679@yahoo.com if you'd like to donate or have further questions.
Thank you for your support! As always our auction would be nothing with out the support of our amazing Buckalew Bear families!
Got Books?
Calling ALL BOOKS, Books, books, bOOKs, booKS!!!
CLICK HERE FOR OUR STUDENT VOICE VIDEO EXPLAINING MORE!! Students from Mrs. Warren, Mrs. Ramirez, and Mrs. Dillow's classes explain why our teachers need more books! We hope you enjoy!
Our teachers are in great need for their personal classroom libraries for OUR students! Please use this time to clean out your home library, shop the book fair and replenish, or purchase your teacher some of their books they have selected at the book fair!
2nd Grade Community Service Project February 11- March 8th!!!
Please DONATE NEW AND GENTLY USED children's books. ALL grade level appropriate books will be used to enrich Buckalew teachers' classroom libraries. Each year we have selected a different agency or school for these donated books, this year the need is for our own teachers so they aren't spending their personal money to re-vamp and re-plenish and re-organize their classroom libraries. Any extra books will be donated to the Friends of Montgomery County Library.
We thank you!!!
BOOK FAIR INVITATION
Book Fair Preview
Monday, February 4th - Wednesday, February 6th
All students will preview the Book Fair during their library time.
Sales Week
Monday, February 11th - Wednesday, February 13th
7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 14th
7:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Students may shop during their regular library time, before school from
7:30 a.m. – 7:55 a.m., and during their recess time.
*During sales week, parents are welcome to have lunch with their child and then shop the Book Fair afterward.
If you would like to volunteer for the Book Fair please email: buckalew.bookfair@gmail.com
Attendance is Important
In the event your child will be absent from school, please call the attendance line at 281-465-3410. To insure the accuracy of your child’s ‘excused’ and ‘unexcused’ absences, please call the attendance line EACH DAY your child is absent.
Following an absence, please send a note explaining the reason for your child’s absence. If your child will be out for an extended period of time, please let his/her teacher know, as well as our attendance clerk.
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 and students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom at that time. Attendance is taken at 9:00 a.m. each day. If your child is absent at 9:00 a.m. 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 doctors statement that verifies the appointment.
When students are absent, they are expected to make up all worked missed. Students will have the same number of days to complete assignments, as they were absent. The student handbook states that make up work cannot be given in advance of absences.
Please avoid scheduling vacations while school is in session. State law requires that children miss no more than 10% (18 days) of the school year. If a child misses more than 10%, they do not have the required attendance to be promoted to the next grade.
Additionally, Attendance is a major component of our state’s accountability system. Our attendance percentage is factored into every measure of our accountability, which impacts our school ranking.
Regular attendance is very important. Every day is packed with valuable instruction that cannot be reproduced at home. Attending school regularly has a huge effect on your child’s academic success, and success later in life. Parents play a key role in setting an example as to the importance of regular attendance and arriving to school on time.
Please feel free to direct all questions or concerns to Jayne Bull at 281-465-3410 or jbull@conroeisd.net.
From Police Officer Davis
Dear Buckalew parents,
Recently it was reported that a student's bicycle and scooter were taken off Buckalew property without their consent. After filing a police report I began viewing the school camera system and observed an individual taking multiple bicycles and scooters after the school day was over. If your child’s bicycle or scooter have been taken without consent please feel free to let the administration know. The individual observed taking the bicycles and scooters has been identified. Please have your child lock their bicycles and scooters so no one can take them, especially if they are left beyond school hours. If you have any questions please feel free to have school administration contact me and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Thank you, Officer M. Davis
CROSSING GUARD APPRECIATION
Conroe ISD will be recognizing February 28, 2019 as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.
Crossing guards are unsung heroes that play a vital role in the students’ safety to and from school. Our hope is that each school finds a unique way to recognize their crossing guards and let them know they are appreciated.
If you are a biker walker, take this time to bring a card, a flower, or a sweet verbal something to them on February 28th!
The following crossing guards are assigned to Buckalew
We want to show our love and support to the following crossing guards:
Kris Wall Branch Crossing @ Alden Bridge
Shanna Sanders Branch Crossing @ Alden Bridge
Rosa Mills Alden Bridge @ Slatestone
Betty Manning Entrance to Lakeside Park
Sheila Young Alden Woods @ Benton Woods
Michelle Garry Alden Bridge @ Crown Ridge
Frank Tranfa Alden Bridge @ Maple Glade
Debbie Goulding “Substitute”
Janice Grahek “Substitute”
The Positivity Project Comes to Buckalew!
This year, Buckalew will be joining forces with The Positivity Project to teach our students such character traits as:
- Teamwork
- Perspective
- Bravery
- Gratitude
- Kindness
- Self-Control
- Perseverance
- Enthusiasm
- Forgiveness
- Leadership
Each week, we will be recognizing students from every grade level who exhibit "Paws"itively Awesome Character! Each student is recognized on the announcements, they receive a certificate to take home, a "PAW" with their name on it displayed in the main hallway. Check out this week's winners!
PTO NEWS:
The Buckalew PTO needs YOU!
If you would like to be involved in some of the wonderful programs that go on at Buckalew Elementary we would love your help! The PTO is looking for a few great volunteers to fill some openings for the 2019-2020 school year. If you would be interested in any of the positions listed or need any further information on any position, please contact Jill Gordley via email at jillgordley@gmail.com
VP Fundraising
President Elect
Entry Way Beautification Co-Chair
Garden Club Co-Chair
Carnival Chair
Carnival Silent Auction Co-Chair
Carnival Outdoor Entertainment Chair
Carnival Marketing Chair
Staff & Grade Level Experiences Chair
Family Connections Chair
Marquee Co-Chair
Music Dept. Liason (4th Grade Parent)
Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you!
Community Partners
We would like to thank Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics for their continued support to our school!
Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics:
Hughes & Cozad Orthodontics services patients in The Woodlands, Spring, Magnolia and Oak Ridge areas. Their goal is to offer affordable, expert orthodontic care and outstanding customer service to children, teens, and adults in a fun and friendly environment.
We Love Our Volunteers
Buckalew Elementary LOVES our volunteers!
It is never too late to start volunteering at our great school. There are plenty of small and large opportunities that can use your help. Contact Tracy K. to help you get involved.
SPIRIT EVENTS
Gringos on Monday, March 4th
Come out for a great meal at Gringo's Mexican Kitchen @ 30420 FM 2974. Dine in or Carry out any time all day. Gringo's will donate 20% back when you mention you are with Buckalew.
Jason's Deli on Tuesday, April 2nd
Jason's Deli @ 32818 FM 2978 -more details to come!
Orange Leaf after school at Lakeside Park on April 12th.
Always There Bears!
Congratulations to the following classes for having excellent attendance in the month of January!
Kindergarten Mrs. Warren's Class
1st Grade Mrs. Balzer's Class
2nd Grade Mrs. Carter's Class
3rd Grade Mrs. Manchac's Class
4th Grade Mrs. Triem's Class
Playground Celebrations-Save the Dates!
Saturday April 13 - 9-11am
2nd Grade Program
2nd Grade Program!!!
Attention 2nd grade parents: The time to prepare for the 2nd grade program is already here! The program will take place on April 4th, but we have many things planned in preparation for that. The title of this year’s program is Pajama Party!
Each year, the music teacher counts on parent volunteers to help make the stage decorations and props. If you are interested in volunteering, please attend the parent meeting on Wednesday, February 20th at 12:00 pm in the Music Room. The more the merrier!
Additionally, there are MANY speaking parts and a handful of solo singing parts available for students to audition. We will be holding auditions for 2nd graders on Friday, February 22nd during specials time. It is important that your child come prepared, so please note that if they would like to audition, they must bring a filled out copy of the attached audition form. Without a form, they will NOT be permitted to audition.
(See Attached audition form)
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email at sdramirez@conroeisd.net.
Musically yours,
Mrs. Ramirez
YEARBOOK NEWS
Deadline to order your guaranteed Yearbook copy is February 26. Please note, the number of extra yearbook copies that were available for purchase after the deadline in the past years will now be very limited and intended to cover only any accidental damage. If you would like a yearbook for your student, please make sure to order it by February 26.
Deadline to order your Personal recognition Ad is February 16! It is a great way to leave a special message and celebrate your student's achievements. The personal Ads are $25.00 for 1/8 page ad. Easy to create in 3 simple steps. All you have to do is chose a design, type your message and upload your favorite picture of your student. Order online at www.jostens.com.
++++++++ IN EVERY BUZZ +++++++++
Buckalew Visitors and Volunteers
Safety is our top concern, and surveillance cameras are placed at all doors and in the hallways of our school. Each camera records all activity. All outside doors are locked including the front doors. Please be sure to have your driver’s license with you during every visit to the campus.
Upon arrival, please see the receptionist for a visitor’s tag. The receptionist will ask for your driver’s license. It will be scanned using a system that is connected to the database that provides an alert of any person who may jeopardize the safety of our campus. If no such alert is discovered, the receptionist will then electronically permit entrance into the building.
Each time you enter the school, please remember to bring your license. The nametag given to you on each visit will show the date and the purpose of your visit. Please know that every visitor must have a name tag, and anyone without it will be stopped. Even though this is time consuming, it is essential to our children’s safety. For your child’s protection, parents and visitors are not allowed to go to their child’s classroom to pick him or her up during or at the end of the day. All check out is through the front office. Please allow students to walk to classrooms independently in the mornings and to go to the designated areas for dismissal in the afternoons.
If you need to pick up your student, you will be asked for your driver’s license. Students will only be released to parents with ID, unless we have written correspondence or an email to brobinson@conroeisd.net with identifying information on who will be picking up the student.
If you plan to be in the building during the school day at any time during the school year, please fill out the volunteer application on the CISD website: https://apps.conroeisd.net/volunteer/. This must be done yearly and will be necessary in order to volunteer in any position on campus.
Student Handbook
Give the Gift of a TAE "Teacher's Achieving Excellence"
Log Into "Parent Access" by clicking:
and click on the "Teachers/Staff Excellence" Tab.
Feel free to type your own message and send any staff a positive message!
Wear any day to show your Buckalew Pride!
Work-Hard Wednesday Shirt!
Active-Tee
Calling All Bears!! Big-Bear, Little-Bear Program
We are excited to start our new program for the 2018 - 19 school year called Big Bear/Little Bear. This program is for new families entering Buckalew to be placed with a veteran Buckalew family. If you are new to the area or new to Buckalew, please contact Mrs. Lozinak and she will connect you with a "Big Bear" family who will help you navigate for an easy family-friendly Buckalew start.
Heather Lozinak: havillano@yahoo.com or 402-661-0547.
PTO DOES THAT!
Our PTO believes in the students, staff, and families at Buckalew. By becoming a PTO member you have the voting power to affect the enrichment and lives of our students. Also, by contributing to our fundraisers, you are making all kinds of quality programs and events available to ALL of our students! Become a PTO member for $25 and see how your PTO dollars are benefiting your child.
http://buckalewspiritstore.com/product/buckalew-elementary-pto-membership/
Click to see what's going on in Buckalew's PTO!
The purpose of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to:
(a) promote the welfare of children at Buckalew
(b) to foster cooperation between parents and teachers in the education of children at Buckalew
(c) to unite school and community efforts in securing for all children the best education
(d) to engage in fundraising activities for the educational and recreational benefit of Buckalew, its children, teachers, and staff as determined by the PTO and in accordance with the PTO by-laws.
KROGER CARD
A new school year is about to start and that means it is time to link or re-link your Kroger Plus Card with the Buckle Elementary PTO barcode.
Even if you have signed up before, you have to renew each August! Just register online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com Once you register, every dollar you spend at Kroger means money for Buckalew-even those lattes at Starbucks!
Please clip and save your Box Tops. Our first collection drive will start October 1st.
Thank you for supporting Buckalew by participating in Kroger Community Rewards and Box Tops for Education!
2018-19 AND 2019-20 School Calendar
We appreciate your support of public education and the value of attendance. Because of YOU and our amazing staff, Buckalew continues to rank among the best in the state and we are very proud of that and want it to continue!
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
Parents just a reminder to send all transportation changes to school with your child in their backpack. E-mail changes are for emergency changes only and must be made before 2:00 p.m. Please note weather is not considered an emergency. For emergencies only, e-mail brobinson@conroeisd.net and make sure you get a confirmation that your change was received. Classroom teachers do not always check emails throughout the day or may even be absent and that request would not be received in time. If you have sent a note with your child it is not necessary to e-mail the note to the front office. Thank you.
Safety Reminders from our Police Department:
- Please remember to remind your children NOT to cross until the crossing guards are at their posts in the morning. The building is not open until 7:30.
- Please remember if you are in your car, to wait for the crossing guards not only to cross the children, but for the crossing guards themselves to make it back to the sidewalk.
- Please remember to stay off your cell phones when driving in school zones.
- Please remember their are NO DOGS allowed on school property. This is for your personal liability and the safety of all of our students.
- Please remember there are no U-Turns in front of the school.
- Lakeside Park- if you are dropping your kids off or picking them up from Lakeside Park please park your vehicle to do so. It becomes a safety issue to just drive up and let your kids out or have them get in without parking. Please use our car line in the back of Buckalew if you want just drop off your child.
Parent Access Login
Canvas Login
Lunch Information:
A Full Price student meal is $2.85 and for a 2nd meal is $3.55. “Extras” range from $.50-$2.00.
Did you know you can put limits on your child’s account? You can limit your child to one complete lunch so your child is getting the complete lunch on the menu.
You can also limit your daily expenditures or snack choices or ala carte by calling our cafeteria at 281-465-3467.
Lost and Found
Be sure to label your child’s belongings that they bring to school (jackets, sweaters, water bottles, etc.). Lost and Found fills up quickly with the cold weather. Lost and Found is located outside of the school gym.
For specific questions, please contact Kalyn McQuain at kalyn@mcquainagency.com.
Amazon Smile~ You shop. Amazon gives.
Select Buckalew Elementary School as your charity!
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organizationHow do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.How do I select a charitable organization to support when shopping on AmazonSmile?
On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.ExxonMobil Grants
Calling all ExxonMobil employees, their spouses, children or retired employees.
You can help Buckalew Elementary receive a grant by doing what you love, volunteering. ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program is a program that encourages its people to get involved within their community. It is as simple as doing what you are already doing, volunteering. By volunteering at our various school events (IE: Library, Carnival, workroom helper etc.) you can earn Buckalew a sizable grant. All we need is your 20 hours of individual or team (not to be combined) volunteer hours recorded. If you are interested in this program, please email Tracy Kumin at volunteers@buckalewbearspto.com
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The Conroe Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner. For information about Title IX rights or Section 504/ADA rights, contact the Title IX Coordinator or the Section 504/ADA coordinator at 3205 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 77304; (936) 709-7752.