Swenke Paw Print
Friday, September 3, 2021 -- Issue #36
Swenke Mission Statement: Preparing kids of today to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world.
WELCOME BACK SNOW LEOPARDS!
We have enjoyed welcoming back our Swenke Snow Leopards this week! This year our theme is "Better Together." You will see this throughout our building, and we are excited to partner with you all. Each Friday our Paw Print newsletter will go out via school messenger. You will find important information that will help keep you in the know on all school events and activities.
Thank you,
Swenke Elementary
Administrative Team
Our Principal
Dr. Elizabeth Miller - Principal
If you need to contact Dr. Miller her email is elizabeth.miller@cfisd.net or you may call the main line and ask for her secretary Mrs. Shelly Deloach at (281)-213-1200.
Our Assistant Principals
Mrs. Sarah Millerhouse - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Millerhouse has been an educator for 17 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Child Study and Language Development with a minor in Special Education from Southwestern University in Georgetown. She earned her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. She has taught special education in all elementary grade levels and content areas. She has also taught all content areas in general education. She was an English and Language Arts Instructional Specialist for 3 years at Swenke before becoming the Assistant Principal. She has served all of her years as an educator in CFISD, and this is her 6th year as an AP at Swenke.
This school year Mrs. Millerhouse serves grades ECSE, Kindergarten, Second Grade, Fourth Grade, and Life Skills. Please contact Mrs. Millerhouse at (281)-213-1206, Option 1 or by email at sarah.millerhouse@cfisd.net.
Mrs. Brandy Breaux - Assistant Principal
Mrs.Breaux has been an educator for 22 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Nicholls State University. Mrs. Breaux became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2009. She has teaching and administrative experience in both middle and elementary school. This is her 7th year in CFISD.
This school year Mrs. Breaux will serve grades prekindergarten, ECSE, First Grade, Third Grade, Fifth Grade. Please contact Mrs. Breaux at (281)-213-1206, Option 2 or by email at brandy.breaux@cfisd.net.
Our Counselors
Mrs. Stephanie Gable, School Counselor
Mrs. Gable has been an educator for 16 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and her Master's degree in School Counseling from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. She has taught various grade levels over the years, and this is her fourth year as a school counselor.
Dr. Scott Talley, School Counselor
Dr. Scott C. Talley has 9 years of public and private education experience. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and his graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Education, his Masters in School Counseling, and completed his Doctorate of Education in Ethical Leadership. He has taught various grade levels over the years, and this is his fourth year as a school counselor.
While he works with all students, please note that for the 2021-22 school year, he will be the counselor to contact for Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, and Life Skills students. We encourage parents to contact him with any questions or concerns regarding their students via email scott.talley@cfisd.net or by phone at (281)-213-1205, Option 1.
Bridgeland Belles - Dance Clinic
The Bridgeland Belles will hold its annual dance clinic on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Please see additional information in the flyer to the right.
Thank you
Bridgeland Belles
Home Access Center (HAC)
CFISD recently upgraded the student information system, including HAC. With this new upgrade, several new security features have been introduced. HAC was activated for the student population on August 22. Students can access HAC by logging onto my.cfisd.net. The new HAC process for our parent community is still disabled. Thank you for your patience as this upgrade is implemented.
Gifted and Talented Education
GT NOMINATION: This year, ALL Kindergarten students will be assessed for GT in early spring, so no referral is required. Currently enrolled students in grades 1-5 may be referred by parents or teachers for the HORIZONS program. Referrals must be received by the last school day in November in order for students to be assessed this school year. To make a referral, click the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDtbRoga6qVcrcDAXcMbD4CICsPFOmRJoOfX179OgUarN-TA/viewform?usp=sf_link
In grades 1-5, testing is for services beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. For kindergarten, services will start in March, 2022. For more information about the HORIZONS program and referral process, please refer to the CFISD Gifted & Talented HORIZONS link below.
WATCH D.O.G.S - Dads of Great Students
http://dadsofgreatstudents.com/media/wysiwyg/support/ALL_ABOUT_WD_Color_2017_Sept_RVSD.pdf
*Plans are underway for bringing back our Watch D.O.G.S. program for the 2021-22 school year. Watch for more information to come!
CFISD Annual Update
Please make sure to update your annual student data. If you have not already been able to complete this, please locate the email sent through Powerschool. Please be advised that this email may be found in your spam folder or in the second primary guardian's email.
Thank you,
Mrs. Yvette Jones
Registrar
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports (PBIS)
Library News
Our Librarian - Mrs. Angie Arnett
Birthday Book Club
At Swenke we love celebrating birthdays. In fact you have the opportunity at Swenke to join our birthday book club. Mrs. Arnett has been celebrating birthdays for years at Swenke. If you are interested in you child joining the birthday book club please view the image to the side.
Thank you,
Mrs. Arnett
Swenke Note-ables Mrs. Gomez
The music room is in need of a class set of tennis balls for some upcoming activities! If you happen to be at a store that carries them, would you consider picking up a tube of 3 and sending it to the music room with your student? It would be so appreciated!
Mrs. Gomez
Swenke Tech News
"Happy Fox" Information!
You may have noticed there’s a new folder in my.cfisd.net. It’s called “Happy Fox” and it is a way for students to report their own issues regarding their Chromebooks. They can now submit and track their own service tickets. Obviously our younger students will still need help from either their parent or teacher to submit the ticket but our older students should be able to do it on their own. (see attached flyer from the district)
Here’s the information from the district:
HappyFox is our new Help Desk for our CFISD LTE 1:1 Program!
- We have successfully piloted HappyFox at the high school level for the last few weeks.
- Elementary and middle school technicians have been trained on how to use HappyFox.
- Students will have the ability to go to my.cfisd.net, click on HappyFox, and submit a ticket for issues they are having with their LTE hardware (Chromebook, charger, hotspot, stylus).
- They only need to go to HappyFox if they have an issue with one of their CFISD LTE devices.
What about iSupport?
- While we are turning on HappyFox, we will still continue to support students and their requests through iSupport until we return in the fall.
- We are strongly encouraging the use of HappyFox as it is easy for students to use and they can track where their ticket is in the process.
- The only exception to this is if a device is physically damaged – those tickets must be submitted through HappyFox so we can submit the student’s answers to our insurance company.
Access to Happy Fox:
- Students can access HappyFox on any device and in any browser.
- HappyFox can also be accessed on a smartphone.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING INSURANCE:
All CFISD devices have insurance on them to protect against any type of accidental damage. When a device has physical damage, there are a few questions that must be answered by the student in order to process the insurance claim. These questions are in HappyFox.
If a student discovers that their device has physical damage at any time (or if the damage is discovered when a student is trying to withdraw) the student must go into HappyFox and create a physical damage ticket. They will be prompted to answer four questions:
1. Does the device power on? Yes/No
2. When did the damage happen? Select the date on the calendar
3. How did the damage happen? Describe how the damage happened in a complete sentence.
4. What damages are you seeing? List the damages (i.e. broken corner, shattered screen, etc.)
The critical question is #3. We need to ensure that students answer this question to the best of their ability in a manner that makes sense.
§ "I don't know", "IDK", or "Maybe" are all words that will cause the claim to be rejected.
§ If it fell, where did it land?
§ "Accidentally" is always a good word.
§ We aren't looking for a dissertation, just a short explanation of what happened... i..e. "I accidentally knocked my computer off my desk and it landed on the floor".
As long as the student is able to answer these questions, insurance will cover the damages. If they refuse to answer the questions or continue to say that they don't know how the damage happened, they will be charged for the damages.
CFISD Quick Tech Links for Parents
School Cash
How to sign up for School Cash.
In CFISD we use school cash a software program to pay for activities, and school items. You might be asked throughout the school year to use school cash. To the side of this brief summary you will find a document that will help you sign up if you have not already done so yet.
Thank you,
Swenke Staff
Covid19 Rapid Testing @ Behind the Science Resource Center
COVID-19 Testing
CFISD will resume offering free rapid COVID-19 testing for CFISD staff and students beginning today, Monday, Aug. 23. The testing site (new location) is located near the intersection of Highway 290 and Telge Road behind the Science Resource Center. Appointments are required for staff and students. For additional information or to sign up for a testing appointment, please see http://www.cfisd.net/c19testing.
Vaccines
On Saturday, Aug. 28, Harris County Public Health will be administering the Pfizer vaccine to individuals age 12 and older at the Berry Center between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Everyone who receives their first dose at this event will qualify for a $100 gift card. Parents of children age 12 and older must sign a consent form with incentive information. No appointment is needed. According to the CDC, vaccination is currently the leading public health strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. See a list of other area vaccine providers.
Self-monitoring for Symptoms
Students and staff must monitor daily for symptoms of COVID-19 and stay home when sick. If COVID-19 symptoms are experienced, individuals must not report to work or school, and test for COVID-19 or consult with a licensed healthcare provider.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
· Cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Loss of taste/smell
· Nasal congestion
· Sore throat
· Headache
· Fever at or above 100°F
· Vomiting/diarrhea
Hand Hygiene
Students and staff will be frequently reminded to wash hands thoroughly and often, cover coughs and sneezes, and use hand sanitizer throughout the day. All classrooms are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers, in addition to building and cafeteria entrances and buses.
The keys to a successful start to the school year are staying home when sick, practicing good hand hygiene, getting a COVID-19 vaccine if eligible, and opting to wear masks when indoors. For more details on the health and safety protocols for the 2021-2022 school year, please view the LEAD Safely plan, which will be updated as needed throughout the year.
From the Clinic: Nurse Jones, RN.
Please screen students daily before sending to school and do not send them if they have any symptoms or if given any fever reducing medication to mask symptoms.
Please refer to the Lead Safely Plan at https://www.cfisd.net/leadsafely for information on what to do regarding exposure, as well as returning to school if exposed or experiencing any symptoms at all.
Please contact our school nurse, Shannon Jones, @ shannon.jones@cfisd.net or
281-213-1211 with any questions after reviewing the Lead Safely Plan on the website.
From the Swenke Clinic - Nurse Shannon Jones, BSN, RN, NCSN
Dear Parents,
Please screen students daily before sending to school, and do not send them if they have any symptoms or if given any fever reducing medication to mask symptoms.
Please refer to the Lead Safely Plan at https://www.cfisd.net/leadsafely for information on what to do regarding exposure, as well as returning to school if exposed or experiencing any symptoms at all.
Please contact our school nurse, Mrs. Shannon Jones, at shannon.jones@cfisd.net or
281-213-1211 with any questions after reviewing the Lead Safely Plan on the website.Thank you,
Mrs. Shannon Jones, BSN, RN, NCSN
Upcoming PTO Fundraiser and Spirit Night
Swenke Elementary
Year Opened: 2009
Deanna Swenke was selected as the namesake for Elementary #50. Swenke, who retired as the associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction in June 2008, spent 38 of her 44 years in education within CFISD
Email: swenke@cfisd.net
Website: swenke.cfisd.net
Location: 22400 Fairfield Place, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-213-1200
Facebook: facebook.com/SwenkeElementary
Twitter: @SwenkeCFISD