Friday Focus
Week of January 23 - 27
Weekend Weather Alert
Our SBISD Operations Department has advised us that the current forecast for the Houston area calls for a “wind event” to occur late Saturday night and into the day on Sunday. Current models predict sustained winds of 35-40 MPH, with gusts between 55-60 MPH (that is tropical storm force). In preparation for this event, all SBISD campuses and facilities will be secured by the end of the day, and any unsecured items that could become airborne this weekend will be brought inside.
The Houston area last had an event of this type in December of 2012 and it resulted in isolated power outages due to downed trees and limbs knocking down transmission lines. Given the timing, we are hopeful that any issues of this nature will be taken care of on Sunday. the grounds crew will be ready on Monday morning to clear any debris, limbs, etc., that may have fallen at a campus over the weekend.
Bookworm Festival
The Bookworm Festival is a fun morning that celebrates emerging readers, and those who write for them.
If you would like more information about the event, click on the link below. You can also follow on social media; the Twitter handle is @bookwormbkfest and the Facebook page is bookwormhouston.
The festival will be held on Saturday, January 21st at Spring Oaks Middle School (2150 Shadowdale, Houston, TX 77043).
Parents of Students in the Gifted and Talented Program
You are invited to join the email list of MWE’s representative to the Gifted and Talented Parent Advisory Council (GT PAC).
MWE’s representative to the GT PAC is Susan Gunsolley. To join Susan’s email list and receive updates on GT information, please email her at gunsolleys@gmail.com and request to be added to the list.
Mrs. Lynne Luberger, Counselor
Principal's Update
For the January PTA meeting and both sessions of the Principal's Coffee, we discussed the released "what if" A-F ratings for all Texas schools and districts. An explanation of the rating system (as we know it), and the rating assigned to MWE and other SBISD schools was discussed. The discussion was followed by Q & A from the attendees.
From our Superintendent, Dr. Scott Muri:
We do not believe the state’s A-F rating system is the highest and best way to hold SBISD accountable, and we do not believe a single letter grade provides a true reflection of who we are. Rather, SBISD believes in multiple measures to assess how our students, schools and district are faring. Our Board is now finalizing the measures under The Learner’s Journey, our new strategic plan. These measures will all point to our single-focused T-2-4 goal. We aim for each of our graduates to complete a technical certification or military training, or a 2- or 4-year degree.
Key Things to Know About A-F Ratings:
- A-F ratings are based largely on a single, once-a-year, multiple choice bubble test. (STAAR)
- A-F ratings are not transparent, relying on complicated formulas to create a single grade.
- A-F ratings appear to be simple and easy to understand, but in fact provide no insights as to what best practices distinguish an “A” school from a “D” or “F” school.
- A-F ratings fail to account for socio-economic differences and tend to punish schools with significant student populations living in poverty.
- A-F ratings do not account for improvement efforts.
- A-F ratings may create a false impression about an entire community of children. Reducing a school to a single letter grade unfairly attaches that same grade to every student, educator and the neighborhood as a whole.
- A-F ratings have not worked in other states.
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 21
- Pinewood Derby, Scouts - Cafeteria
- Kingdom Kids Basketball
January 23
- Writers in the Schools (3rd grade - Cox)
January 24
- Consultant John Samara here
- STAAR Practice 5th grade Math
- 3:30 p.m. CSHAC meeting
January 25
- Writers in the Schools (3rd grade - Pena)
- STAAR Practice 5th grade Reading
- 9:00 a.m. PTA Executive Officer meeting
- 3:30 p.m. CIT meeting - Library
- Basketball Practice, Family Point
January 26
- 4th grade field trip
- 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. International Festival & Health Fair
January 27
- Spiral
- Wear College shirts
- 8:30 a.m. Lunar New Year program (student assembly)
January 28
- Kingdom Kids Basketball
January 30
- Writers in the Schools (3rd grade - Cox)
January 31
- 4th grade Practice STAAR Writing composition
- 3:00 p.m. - Student Council Meeting - Library
- 6:30 p.m. Scouts - Cafeteria
February 1
- Elementary to Middle School Transition Day
- Writers in the Schools (3rd grade - Pena)
- 9:00 a.m. PTA meeting
- Basketball Practice, Family Point
February 2
- Author Visit - Emily Arrow
February 3
- Spiral
- HOS - 2nd grade
- Progress Reports Go Home
February 4
- Kingdom Kids Basketball
Meadow Wood Elementary
Every student, every day, soaring to greatness!
Email: pamela.redd@springbranchisd.com
Website: mwe.springbranchisd.com
Location: 14230 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 713-251-6200
Facebook: facebook.com/meadowwoodelementarysbisd
Twitter: @reddprincipal