Buckalew Buzz
August 29, 2022
Connect With Us!
Buckalew Bears Motto:
"Today I choose to BE Kind, Work Hard, and Do My BEst!"
Our school hours are officially 8:00-3:10. Students may arrive as early as 7:30.
Email: contactbuckalew@conroeisd.net
Website: https://buckalew.conroeisd.net/
Location: 4909 Alden Bridge Dr, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 2814653400
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckalewCISD/
Twitter: @buckalewbears
From Mrs. Price
Hi Buckalew Family,
We had a great turnout for our grade level orientations last week. Thank you for investing your time either during our day orientation or evening option. We have completed almost 14 full days of the school year and classroom and school-wide routines are quickly coming along.
If your student is a bus rider, we want to thank you for your patience as bus routes are continuing to adapt and adjust. CISD is short numerous bus drivers, and they are doing an incredible job despite the shortage to make every effort to get your child here safely and efficiently. As those students who are registered for bus routes level out, I expect our bus routes to become more consistent. Please check your email before arrival and dismissal daily for "bus hub" updates to stay in the loop about your specific child's bus. If there is an issue, you will be notified directly from "bus hub". The drivers that are driving our buses to Buckalew have been incredibly positive and flexible and are working extremely hard to get all students where then need to be both am and pm.
On behalf of our staff, we want to give a big thank you to PTO's Hospitality Committee Friday for hosting our staff with an incredible luncheon. You are appreciated and our staff are grateful and look forward to these wonderful lunches.
As I mentioned in the last Buzz, our enrollment continues to climb, and our "Buckalew Bistro" was converted into a classroom for this school year. Due to our enrollment, we will be hosting parent visitors in our cafeteria for the first time in over 11 years. We hosted 3 full days of our lunch visitors this past week and it will continue to be a work in progress due to limited tables, space, and safety regulations, so we appreciate your patience while we are adjusting to new table arrangements with our growth, and helping students feel most comfortable in the cafeteria, learning routines and making friends.
While we encourage making lunch visitation a special treat, we do ask that you please limit the number of people and frequency of your lunch visits due to our limited space in the gym as well as limited table space. At this time, we will be requiring LUNCH reservations through a sign-up genius so we can make sure we can accommodate our visitors while keeping in mind our cafeteria space is also our gymnasium where PE classes take place immediately before and after our lunches. Our ultimate goal will be to alleviate the process of reservations, but our space in the cafeteria and table space for visitors is extremely limited and we want to make sure we can accommodate our visitors.
Just a reminder, Monday September 5th is Labor Day, and a school Holiday. We will not have school and will resume Tuesday September 6th. Enjoy this long weekend ahead with your family.
Thank you for your amazing support,
Jill Price
Upcoming Events
**Please pay close attention to homeroom teacher newsletters for class-specific events.**
September
02- PTO Meeting 11:30-12:30 (Library)
05 - Labor Day (no school)
16- Fall Student Pictures
*3rd Grade Community Service Food Drive*
October
04-Chalk the Walk/Walk to School Day (partners with The Woodlands Township)
06- Storybook Parade
07-Staff Development Day (no school for students)
10 - Holiday (no school)
14- PTO Meeting
24-28- Red Ribbon Week
21- Picture Retakes
*Kindergarten Community Service Coat Drive*
*2nd Grade Community Service Pajama Drive*
November
02- Boosterthon Kick-Off
08 -Staff Development Day (no school for students)
11- Boosterthon Run
14-18- Generation Texas Week
21-25 - Thanksgiving (no school)
4th Grade Community Service Project *CISD Toy Drive*
December
16 - Early Release 12:10
19- Jan 3- Winter Break
January
03 - Staff Development Day (no school for students)
04- School resumes
- From Nurse Alison -
Medicine at School
The District encourages parents to administer medication at home before and/or after school whenever possible. Any medication that will be administered at school must be brought to school and picked up by a parent or designated adult. When the student is withdrawn or before the last day of school, the parent must make arrangements to pick up the medication from school. Any unclaimed medications will be safely discarded in accordance with state and federal guidelines. To administer prescription or non-prescription medication at school, the school must receive a written and dated request from the parent or legal guardian. The medication must be in the original container and properly labeled. Only the guidelines printed on the container will be followed unless a physician order is present. Additional guidelines for medication to be administered at school are:
• All medication must be kept in the clinic during the school day.
• The District will not purchase medication to give to a student.
• The school nurse is authorized to train other school employees to administer medication to students during school hours and for off-campus school sponsored activities.
• Over-the-counter medication dosage must not exceed the dose recommendation listed on the bottle. Exception: If your physician, dentist or orthodontist has directed a certain dosage to be given that is greater than that recommended on the bottle, a written order will need to be included with the written permission from the parent.
• The use of “sample” medication from the physician, dentist, or orthodontist must have signed written instructions from that doctor accompanied by the parent written permission.
• Students may not transport medication on the school bus with the exception of asthma, anaphylaxis, and diabetes medications with physician’s orders.
• Medication required “daily,” or “twice a day,” should be administered at home. Many “three times a day” orders should also be given at home unless the doctor requests a specific time during the school day.
• A record of each medication given at school is maintained in the clinic.
• The Texas Nurse Practice Act allows registered nurses to refuse to administer medications anytime the nurse believes the medication is contra-indicated for the student.
Checking Out Your Child
If anyone other than a parent/ guardian checking out a student from our campus, we will need a note, sent in with your child, in their backpack on that day or an email to buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net. If we do not have a note from a parent/guardian, the Front Office will call to get permission for your child to leave our campus.
The Emergency Card completed at the beginning of the school year is for us to be able to contact someone in a situation where we cannot get hold of a parent/guardian. It is not permission for those emergency contacts to check out a child, any time.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to keep our students safe whilst on our campus.
- Parent Lunch Reservations -
Bring Your ID
Car Rider/Dismissal Sign- Take a PHOTO!
NEW THIS YEAR for KG: We are requiring Kindergarten parents only at Biker Walker to carry this sign with them to pick up their child at the biker walker doors. With our growing enrollment and various staff members on duty, it adds an extra layer to make sure we are connecting the correct kindergarten student with their care giver.
Take a photo of the sign? We have had several people ask if they can use a photo of this Dismissal Sign on their phone. The answer is YES! Feel free to take a picture to keep on your phone in case of transportation changes or loss of the sign, or emergency instances with severe weather. Please know that the original sign is IDEAL, as it is designed for those calling dismissal to be able to read. On a cell phone, that will slow down the line.
Active Start and Breakfast
Breakfast is served in our cafeteria from 7:30-7:55 daily. See below for menu. See fees below for both breakfast and lunch.
- From Specials -
Music News - WANTED: Singers to join Buckalew Choir
Do you like to sing?
Do you like to try new things?
Do you like to learn new things about music?
Then the Buckalew 4th Grade Choir is just for you!!
Dear 4th grade parents,
Don't forget to sign your child up for 4th grade choir! Rehearsals begin TOMORROW 8/30 at 7:15 am. All information needed is in the sign-up form which can be found digitally on the following link or via a hard copy located on the wall outside the Music Room. Email Mrs. Ramirez with any questions! sdramirez@conroeisd.net
Sign up form: https://forms.gle/jHTtDyr5QfBLPdeQ7"
Library News
If you would like to volunteer in our library please contact our volunteer coordinator: Jenny Bardoux at buckalewptovolunteers@gmail.com. Our library is fun and BUSY!
Buckalew does not charge fines for overdue books, we just want the book returned. We do ask that if the book is damaged while in your care that you pay to have the book replaced. The most common damage is from pets or water. If a book becomes damaged, just let me know and we can add the cost of the book to your School Cash Online account for easy payment.
Sending in a book you purchased from a local bookstore like Barns & Noble or Amazon, even if it is a hardback book, is not an equitable replacement for a library book. The majority of the books we purchase for our library are books made with reinforced binding guaranteed to withstand hundreds of checkouts.
Book fair is just around the corner! If you would like to help with the book fair please contact Kerri McWilliams at kerrimcwilliams@hotmail.com
Counselor's Corner
Social and Emotional Learning Objectives
I am self-aware.
I can manage myself.
I am aware of others.
I can build relationships with others.
I can make responsible decisions.
CISD Community Presentations
Our CISD Guidance and Counseling Department host parenting presentations throughout the school year. The following sessions are open this school year for any CISD parent to join:
https://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Copy-of-22-23-Community-Presentations-Flyer.pdf
.
- Information For Ongoing Reference -
Transportation
1. Bus rider (eligible if home is 1 mile or further from school) Bus routes are posted online on and you can check the link below in "what bus do I ride". You can also register your child for the bus by clicking the link below in the Buzz.
2. Car Rider Signs. The car rider line will be at the rear of the school and the bus line will be at the front of the school. ALL Parents should have received TWO car rider signs (yellow) at Meet the Teacher night. Please display the car rider sign in your front passenger window so our staff can read your card. See below to help you navigate our car rider line if you are new.
3. Day Care. Day care vehicles drop off and pick up students in the front of the school with the buses. If your child will not be riding the day care bus due to an early pick-up or transportation change, please notify the day care so they know your child will not be riding that day.
4. Biker/Walker. Kindergarten students must have a parent/guardian/designated adult present with the car rider sign at the Biker Walker doors (under the patio) at dismissal in order to walk or bike home. All other Biker Walkers will exit the school near the bike racks. All other biker/walkers are released at dismissal to ride or walk home independently.
On severe weather dismissal days, students will not walk or bike ride home. If your child is a biker/walker as your primary mode, then you will be a car rider on severe weather days.
Please see updated District Covid-19 Guidelines in link below
Parents of students who have received COVID-19 positive results are asked to complete the self-report in the SSO portal:
Drop Table
We offer parents the courtesy of a drop table to deliver forgotten items, which is located just inside the entrance foyer. There are pens, paper and tape available for you to use to clearly identify items for your child to collect. We will call the classrooms at 10am to inform all students of items on the drop table.
Student Lunches and birthday cookies will be taken to the Cafeteria, on a cart, for your child to pick up at their allotted lunch time. Please make sure ALL ITEMS are clearly labeled.
Transportation Change / Early Dismisal
You will be asked to provide photographic identification when collecting your child.
To make transportation changes, please send a note in your child's backpack to the teacher OR email: buckalewtransportation@conroeisd.net prior to 2pm. Any changes submitted after 2pm will not be seen until the following day.
Absences
When your child is absent, please call the school attendance line (281-465-3410) or email Lindy George legeorge@conroeisd.net 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.
Please remember that attendance is recorded 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 doctor's statement that verifies the appointment.
If your child will be out for an extended period, please let us know.
School hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. and students will be counted tardy if they are not in their classroom at that time.
Lunch Information
We are working with our students on understanding the lunch-buying process. It can be quite confusing for our elementary students. We are currently speaking with our students and explaining to them, if they bring a lunch, they should eat their lunch before going through the line and purchasing an additional lunch. As we try and navigate each student through the lunch line, every child has a different need, and we never want to deny students from going through the lunch line. We encourage you to communicate with your child your expectations in either: eating the lunch you are providing/packing; buying extra lunch only and going through the line one time; or explaining that if they go through the line a second time, their account is charged again. We also encourage you to check your child's account, by going to the link below and you can check and monitor your child's purchase history, and if necessary put a limit on the account by contacting our cafeteria directly.
Breakfast
Reimbursable Meal Prices
$2.00 Full Price Student Breakfast
$0.30 Reduced Price Student Breakfast
$3.00 Non-Student Breakfast/2nd Breakfast
Ala Carte Prices
Entrée- $1.50, Milk- $.95, Fruit/Vegetable/Grain- $1.15
Lunch
Reimbursable Meal Prices
$3.20 Full Price Student Lunch
$0.40 Reduced Price Student Lunch
$4.20 Non-Student Lunch/2nd Lunch
Ala Carte Prices
Entrée- $2.30, Milk- $.95, Fruit/Vegetable/Grain- $1.15
Kettle Corn Popcorn-$1.50,
Slush, Brownie, Rice Krispy Treat- $1.00
Chips, Cry Baby- $.75
Freshly Baked Cookie, Fruit Roll-Up- $.50
You may prepay by using My School Bucks. You will find a link to this service, lunch menus, and other helpful information by clicking on the child nutrition resource button below. If you would like to put a cap on your child's spending on your lunch account, then please notify our cafeteria manager by calling 281-465-3467.
- PTO Information -
Buckalew Bears P.T.O
Please consider joining the Buckalew Elementary PTO! Memberships and yard signs are currently available for purchase on the Buckalew Spirit store at https://buckalewspiritstore.com. The cost of your membership helps support PTO activities and includes a copy of the school-wide student directory.
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 the best education for all children
(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.
The first PTO Meeting of the 2022-2023 school year is scheduled for Friday, September 2 at 11:30 AM in the Buckalew Library. We hope to see you there!
Volunteer with PTO
If you are interested in hearing about volunteer opportunities, please email BuckalewPTOVolunteers@gmail.com and let us know that you would like to be included on our volunteer list.
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram!
BuckalewBearsPTO.com
Kroger - Give Back Rewards
Amazon Smile
Select Buckalew as your charity!
This is a simple & automatic way for you to support Buckalew every time you shop. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price. On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select a charitable organization & your selection will be saved for future purchases. Just remember to always login under smile.amazon.com.
Box Tops for Education
The traditional clipping of Box Tops is going away but the Box Tops app makes it so easy to just scan your receipt after you shop. Box Tops are worth $.10 each and can add up fast! Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need. There are also times to earn Bonus Box Tops and the App will send you these notifications. Participating companies include General Mills, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Hefty, Juicy Juice, Annie’s and many more.
Remember to scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase or it will expire.
Please sign up as a CISD VOLUNTEER
Click the button below to complete the form. You will need your drivers license number;
School Cash Online
We are very excited to announce that Buckalew Elementary will join in with other CISD schools and will be offering School Cash Online, which provides you with the convenience of paying online for school items such as trips, Scholastic Magazine subscriptions, and various activities. We really want to save you time when paying for school expenses, so we can’t wait for you to take advantage of this opportunity. School Cash Online is a great way to pay without the need for cash or checks!
Please follow the link below to register online (it takes less than 5 minutes!) Once you have registered your child, you will be able to see when they have a new item posted online for purchase. You also have the option to be notified whenever your child has a new school expense due, so you don’t have to worry about missing the deadline.
To set up an account and explore the system, please follow the instructions below. We look forward to hearing your feedback!
Register Online:
Step 1: Please click on this link: https://conroeisd.schoolcashonline.com/
Step 2: Register by selecting the “Get Started Now” and following the steps.
Step 3: After you receive the confirmation email, select the “click here” option, log in and add each of your children to your household account.
If you have any questions during the registration process or while shopping online, please select the SUPPORT option in the top right-hand area of the screen or you may contact the parent help desk at 1-866-961-1803 or at http://schoolcashonline.co./Home/Support or see the handout below.
CISD-Foldable-Brochure-English.pdf
Currently, in grades 1st-4th, the classes are utilizing Scholastic News and Storyworks Jr magazine subscriptions to read high interest non-fiction texts and to learn about text features and engaging stories and different genres. We thank you in advance for purchasing this wonderful subscription for your child.
For the first time, Buckalew will be collecting money through School Cash Online vs requesting parents send in a check or cash.
Thank you again for your support in our students.
Water Bottles
Children are encouraged to bring water bottles each day. Please clearly write your child's name on the bottle with permanent marker.
Lost and Found
A friendly reminder to please label all of your child's belongings with first name and last initial or last name. **Water bottles, lunch boxes, hats, and especially outerwear such as hoodies/jackets/sweaters are all great things to label as these items tend to pile up quickly in the Lost and Found, which is located right outside of the gym. We really hope to reunite these lost items with their owners before the break!
If you have any additional questions, please contact Jo Whitten at jojowhitten@me.com or Val Eissler veissler@gmail.com
If your Child is Absent
Dreambox for Math can be found on your child's "SSO" and is online and can be done at home, without parent support. We recommend no more than 7 lessons a week at home, independently. Parents assisting their child with Dreambox will alter their path and not provide independent pathways for your child.
Reading either with your child, or your child independently reading is one of the best things you can do with your child in their absence from school. Ask comprehension questions: who, what, where, when, why?