Boone Bear Facts
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Notes from the Principal
Driveway Entrances
I need to ask for your help. Please remember that at all times your first priority when driving in the Boone area is our children’s safety. Entrances and exits to the parking areas are clearly marked. We are seeing an increase in the number of parents entering our large side lot through the exit drive. This is more of a problem after school during pick-up times for our Third Base program. I know that getting home is always a priority, but please remember that children’s safety can never be put at risk. Your help will continue to make Boone a safe place for all. Thanks.
The Spring is off to a busy, busy start. Here are just a few of the fun events and opportunities to put on your calendar:
Science Fair and STEM Family Night
Next Wednesday, 1/23, is our annual Science Fair and Family STEM Night. The fun will begin at 5:30pm in the cafeteria with our science fair displays and presentation. After that we will roll into our STEM Family Night activities that will be in the various pods around the school. Please join us for a fun night of community and learning.
Boone is Going Green!
Here at Boone, we are committed to providing the most enriching, highest quality, academic experience for our students in all STEM areas. We have partnered with the NWF's Eco-Schools USA program to enhance our curriculum and provide a framework for this vision. Part of the program involves creating a school Eco-Club. We sent out an interest form at the beginning of the year and got a great response! However, we are still looking for parent volunteers to take the lead on several of our committees. Meeting times would be based on your availability and everything would be provided to get your started. Our goal is to have parent led groups who plan projects or activities for Eco-Club members to participate in.
If interested, please complete the Sign-Up Genius form through this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0c4caaae2ca5fa7-ecoclub, or contact Ms. Sladek at Jennifer.Sladek@austinisd.org
NWF’s Eco‐Schools USA program is a nationwide program that engages Pre K‐12 school students, faculty, administrators and community volunteers in a comprehensive, environment‐based program to improve student environmental literacy and skills. The schools themselves become greener and cleaner and students learn more science and technology. The Eco-Schools USA program now serves over 4,700 U.S. schools, 2.7 million students, over 130,000 educators, and is growing. The Eco‐Schools USA program focuses on greening existing school buildings, school grounds, curricula, and the student experience. In addition to direct environmental benefits, the program helps to dramatically improve student skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). It is also a proven framework for promoting youth leadership and community service. To learn more about this program, scroll down or follow the link below:
Monarch Habitat Work Day 2/9
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 9th. This past Fall, we completed the first stage of construction of our Monarch Habitat. With Spring on the way, it is now time to complete the second stage of this project. There are additional beds and a pathway that need to be set up. We are asking for family and community volunteers to join us from 9 – 12 on February 9th, to complete this work.
Family Camp-Out 4/26-4/27
Thanks to funding through a Bright Green Futures Grant, (Thanks to Anne Muller for her work in preparing this grant!!!), we will be holding our First Annual Boone Family Campout on April 26-27. Have you ever wanted to go camping, but didn’t know how? Not sure if “family” camping is something you could do? Join us for a fun evening of games and learning, then SPEND THE NIGHT ON THE BOONE GROUNDS!!!!! Sound fun??? There will be tents and other equipment available for families on a limited basis. More details to come, but mark your calendars now.Parent Survey
https://tinyurl.com/AISD-Family-Survey-2019
All surveys must be completed by March 8th.
Counselor's Corner
Gifted and Talented Nominations
Nominations are being accepted for students grades K-2 for the GT/Talent Explore Program until February 1, 2019. Please see the body of the email for the nomination forms and more information.
Also, further information will be provided during the Principal's Coffee this Friday, January 18 from 8-9 in the library.
Library Lines
Library Volunteers Needed for Inventory
Hello Boone Families,
Once a year I am required to inventory the entire library collection. This involves scanning every item. It is an easy job, but it is very time consuming. If you have any time available Tuesday, January 22 – Friday, January 25, 2019, I’d love your help. There is a sign up genius link below. I’d love your help, even if it’s only for half an hour. Please let me know if you have any questions.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C45ADAA2EA5FA7-inventory2
Michelle Lightbourn
512-414-5320
We Have a School Spelling Bee Champion!
Boone Bears have been practicing, studying and learning new words for their school spelling bee. On January 11th, eight 1st – 2nd graders competed in a school spelling bee and eleven 3rd- 5th graders competed to become the school champion.
3rd - 5th Grade Boone Spelling Bee
After six competitive rounds and some pretty difficult words, fourth grader, Arlo Stockstill emerged as the Boone Spelling Bee Champion by correctly spelling the word “diabolical”. As our spelling bee champion in the Scripps Spelling Bee, Arlo has the opportunity to represent Boone Elementary in the Austin regional spelling bee after passing the online exam. If chosen, Arlo will compete against 49 other Austin schools to represent our region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC which is broadcasted by ESPN. Let’s congratulate Arlo and the runner-ups:
First place runner-up and alternate: Grace Busby, 3rd grade.
Second place runner-up: Zach Halliday, 5th grade.
Third place runner-up: Ava de la Garza, 3rd grade.
On a special note, we are grateful to our 2nd place runner-up, Zach who was able to step in as the alternate for his class at the last minute that morning. With just receiving the word list that morning and little time to prepare, Zach made it six rounds in the spelling bee competition and did exceptionally well securing his 2nd place runner-up spot.
1st and 2nd Grade Boone Spelling Bee
Second grader Ava Schroeder competed against her peers in seven rounds during the 1st and 2nd grade Boone spelling bee. Ava won the spelling bee with spelling the word “interviews” correctly. This was a fun bee. Their classmates and parents were able to come and cheer them on. Right away in round one and two, five of the competitors did not advance to next round. During round three and four all of the competitors spelled their words correctly making the competition stiff.
Let’s congratulate Ava and the runner-ups:
First place runner-up: Valentina Vidal, 2nd grade.
Second place runner-up: Sawyer Mueller-Barry, 1st grade.
Third place runner-up: Peysen Hernandez, 1st grade.
Doreen R. Hunter
Boone PTA Student Enrichment ChairPTA News
Spring Carnival and Silent Auction - Saturday, May 18th
The Boone Spring Carnival and Silent Auction will be held on May 18, 2019. We are currently seeking silent auction donations, so if your family-owned business or workplace would like to make a donation we would be most appreciative! Donations will be accepted through the first week in May and can be turned in to the PTA box in the Boone front office, C/O Silent Auction Chair. Many thanks in advance for your support!
If you are interested in helping with the carnival, please email: booneptaspringcarnival@gmail.com.
NOW’S THE TIME SPEAK UP!
It is a legislative year and voting is now to decide on budget reform for our public schools. Let’s get our voices heard at the Capitol. There are some great articles, webinars and a letter we can send to our congressman through email. If you would like any information please email Crystal, Booneptaprograms@gmail.com
Don't Forget! - Every Friday is Boone Spirit Day!
Wear your Boone T-Shirt and show your school spirit!
Calendar of Events
Jan 21 - Student/Staff Holiday
Jan 22 - Spirit Night at Bush's Chicken
Jan 23 - STEM/Science Fair Night 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Jan 24 & 25 - Career Days
Jan 28 - College Shirt Day
Young Rembrandts
Click on the link for more information and to sign up.
https://www.youngrembrandts.com/austinwest/view-classes-enroll