January Newsletter
January/February/March
Letter from Administrators
Dear Families,
Happy New Year! Thank you for such a smooth transition into the New Year. Beginning with us this semester we have a new school secretary, Mr. Sean Balay. We are excited about this new addition to our campus and know he will do a great job working and building relationships with our Mustang Community. As we gear up for the second half of the school year and continue to foster relationships, we are asking you to please do the following:
- Attend MC #2 on January 23rd at 4:30 or 5:30- Please remember to set goals, review progress, and play the instructional games.
- Encourage your child to do his/her best daily. This will help set the tone for your child’s day. Set short term (daily or weekly) goals and long term goals (monthly or grading period).
- Make sure to communicate with your child every day after school. Ask them about their day, what they learned, and what you can do to help. Showing interest in your child’s education can be the difference between a successful year and an unsuccessful year!
- Make sure your child reads daily at home, and works on Reading Istation and Math IReady.
- Keep in touch with Martin’s happenings and information in the case of any emergencies through our social media sources which includes; Martin’s website www.aliefisd.net/Martin.
We are excited about the growth students have made since the beginning of the year, although our DCA Mid-Year Test results were not as expected, we will continue to grow lifelong learners.
Thank you,
Martin Administration Team
Janay Boykin
Assistant Principal
Dr. Ting-Ling Sha
Principal
Joseph Sanchez
Assistant Principal
Counselor's Corner
2nd Grading Period
I have met with all grade levels to discuss topics that will help students succeed in the classroom and at home. Some topics included friendship, honesty, anxiety, stress, responsibility, and respect. I am continuing to meet with individual students and small groups in an effort to help our students to be their best. Please encourage your child to try his or her best at all times, behaviorally and academically, to never give up, and to make good choices. I enjoy working with students and I am pleased to see the progress many of our students are making. If your child would like to speak with me, please have them fill out a blue referral form found outside my office. They can place it in the black mailbox on my door, and I will gladly meet with them.
3rd Grading Period
As we enter our 3rd grading period, I will continue to visit classes and assist students and teachers. Small and individual student groups will continue during our 3rd grading period. Topics will cover social skills that will help students academically and socially. Third and Fourth grade students will especially be encouraged to set goals for themselves and monitor their academic progress as we are preparing for STAAR testing. Lessons in problem-solving, listening, teamwork, motivation, and anger management will continue throughout the year. Please continue to have conversations with your child. Ask them about their school day, encourage them to ask questions, and listen attentively to what they are saying. Children are more willing to share their feelings when they know that parents are actually listening to what they are saying. Thanks for your help and support!
Study Skills and Testing Tips
- Set up a quiet study area for your child
- Plan a study schedule (help them review their spelling words, math facts, vocabulary words and other content objectives)
- Break studying and homework into small chunks of time/take breaks
- Review graded classwork with your child
- Encourage your child to try his/her best and use strategies taught in class
- Read together and ask higher level thinking comprehension questions
- Make sure they get a good night’s sleep each night, especially before a major test (10-12 hours)
- Make sure they eat a healthy dinner and breakfast
If you need support, please don't hesitate to contact teachers. You can always make an appointment to see me as well.
Remember that a child's first and last 3 minutes of the day are the most important. Let's make sure we fill those precious moments with positive words of encouragement and love.
Pre-Kindergarten
Kindergarten
First Grade
In math, students will be exploring 2D and 3D shapes. Take this opportunity to ask your child about the shapes that they see around their everyday lives. They will also learn about length through various hands-on activities. We will continue to develop number sense to 120. Have them show you all the ways that a number can be represented. In reading, students will take a deeper look at different genres and continue to describe the plot of the fiction stories that they read. You can assist by asking your child questions at home about the books they are reading in class, and at home. See the School to Home Connections flyer for updates and activities to practice at home.
Second Grade
In math, students will be working on multiplication tables of 2, 5, and 10. The students will relate multiplication as repeated addition (i.e., 3 x 2 is the same as 2 + 2 + 2) and division as sharing or grouping. The students will also learn the relationship between multiplication and division. Students will also practice using tools to measure the length of objects in the customary and metric systems and apply their understanding in problem solving situations. The fun will continue as students learn how to show and count different amounts of money using the dollar symbol ($ ) and the cent symbol (¢). In reading, students are reading informational texts focusing on weather. They are reading to find out how weather affects us. Students will revisit Point of View and text features. They will also learn various vocabulary words that are related to the topic. Students will wrap up the nine weeks with studying biographies. They will learn how experiences shape our lives. In writing, students will be working on a poem and a narrative story.
Third Grade
In reading, students will learn about animal behaviors. They will use informational text to learn how animals survive. Students will identify graphic features and the central idea. In the following weeks, students will read biographies and historical fiction stories to discover how one person can make a difference in their local and global community. In writing, they will work on an expository essay and an opinion essay. In math, students will be problem-solving by using known facts and bar models to help visualize addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division word problems. Students will also dive into learning how to collect, organize, and analyze data graphs. Third graders will have fun hands-on experiences exploring how to represent and explain fractional units using objects and pictorial models. In science, we will be exploring the Solar System, creating models, and discussing the relationships between the Sun, planets, earth, and moon. In Social Studies, we are working on discussing how climate, natural hazards, natural resources, and landforms affect how people live.
Fourth Grade
In reading, students will read informational text to understand Earth’s natural wonders and how unique they are. For the upcoming week, the students will read stories to learn lessons from the characters in traditional tales. In writing, students will work on letter writing and creating imaginative stories. In math, students will be expanding their understanding of place value with decimals in the tenths and hundredths place. In addition, students will be learning how to add and subtract decimals, explore the use of decimals in the world around them, and apply their knowledge in problem-solving situations. Families can help their children build background knowledge by looking at newspaper advertisements and bill statements to see when and where decimals are used in everyday life. In Science, 4th grade has just finished learning about the different patterns on Earth – shadows, moon phases, and the seasons. Students are now starting to learn about the different properties of matter including mass, magnetism, the ability to sink or float, and the states of matter. In Social Studies, students are continuing to learn about explorers and the different types of settlements in Texas including missions, presidios, and villas.
Block Classes
MUSIC
Kindergarten and first grade have been doing an amazing job learning their singing voices, working in self space and how to dance/sing in a performance with their classmates. They will be jumping further into shared-space and how to sing and move their bodies while being in shared space. 2nd grade will begin learning their program music! 3rd grade will begin learning the notes on the staff since they have executed reading rhythms so well during this last nine weeks. 4th grade just finished up their Nutcracker Musical and did a fantastic job!! They will be jumping right into reviewing the notes on the staff and learning the recorder. Please make sure students bring $5 for their recorders; they will be able to keep them/take them home at the end of the year!
ART
- It’s going to be a busy 3rd nine weeks in Art! We will be relying on our personal observations and perceptions, which will be developed through increased visual literacy and sensitivity to our surroundings, imagination and life experiences. We will create clay sculptures, paintings and learn about various artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Georgia O’Keeffe. We have been working on our descriptive skills during art critique time and many of our young artists are full of insightful responses. I hope that you will stop by the art hallway and check out some of our beautiful artwork
PE
Spring Semester at Martin is full of exciting events: 3rd and 4th grade students will continue to work on their overall fitness in preparation for the FitnessGram Test in January. This year, Martin will participate in the Hoops for Heart Challenge where students will learn about their heart, the cardiovascular system, how to stay healthy and fit with lifetime fitness activities, fundraising/donating and making a difference in the lives of others. Our Hoops for Heart Challenge will kick off on January 17th, 2020 and our main event (where students will be able to demonstrate the basketball, jump rope and hula hoop skills they have learned in class) will be held on February 14th, 2020. Our Mighty Mustangs will be dancing and celebrating Go Texan Day with our annual Martin Hoedown on February 21st , 2020. In April, we will have our Mustang Gallop along with our Health Fair where students and their families can participate in health and fitness activities.
HEALTH/TECH
- As we move into the 3rd nine weeks, one of our areas of focus in Health/Tech will be Dental Hygiene (all grades). We plan to help children understand the importance of their teeth, provide basic information, appropriate to their age and experience, about keeping teeth clean and healthy, and introduce the dentist as a friendly doctor who helps them take care of their teeth. Older grade levels (3rd & 4th) will learn the basics of the Cardiovascular System and how the heart works!
- Within technology, students will apply critical thinking skills to solve problems, guide research, and evaluate projects using different digital tools and resources.
ACTION-BASED LEARNING
- Martin students have been using Action-Based Learning all year to help in various content areas including reading, math, science, social studies, and writing. Action-Based Learning uses movement to reinforce academic skills. Each morning, classes start with a dance to wake up their sleepy brains. Throughout the day, teachers use “Go Noodle” (a web-based program that includes yoga, Zumba, and dancing) to give their classes motivation and movement after sitting for extended periods of time. We have added an additional Block class this year in which students participate for 55 minutes in one of the ABL labs in structured activities led by an ABL trained staff member to encourage blood flow and brain development through movement. In addition, teachers utilize one of three ABL labs throughout the week to support the “learning with movement” that research has shown to improve retention. Teachers are able to use these times to help reinforce skills that are being taught in their classrooms. Students can be heard all over Martin chanting “Exercise Grows Brain Cells!”
Shelf Talk from Martin Library
Greetings from the Martin Library! In the Spring Semester, we are going have plenty of reading incentives that will include MyOn minutes and the Houston Public Library program. So . . . let’s get busy!
Happy Reading!
Ms. T. Jones and Ms. Lopez
Library Happenings during the 3rd Marking Period
Alief Elementary Battle of the Books Practice will begin in January. Students who want to participate will practice every week until the competition, which will be in March 2019.
What We Offer at Martin Library:
Reading Celebrations
Parent and Student Book checkout
Reference resources for research
Instruction in technology
Makerspace Explorations - STEAM
Front Office Reminders
Photo IDs:
Please remember to have your government issued photo identification with you when you visit Martin. You will need to go through our security screening before you are permitted beyond the front office. All visitors must wear the visitor tags while in the building. This includes going to lunch, attending awards ceremonies or assemblies, going into classrooms to volunteer or for parent conferences, and going to the library or parent center. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in this District Policy, as we work together to keep Martin a safe and secure place for our students, staff, and families. As you leave the building, please remember to stop by the office to sign-out and return the visitor tag. Please make sure you exit the building through the front doors only.
Phone Calls:
- When calling to speak to Martin staff, please be ready with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and the purpose of your call. This will help us expedite the phone calls and get messages to the appropriate staff.
- Prior to calling the school back when you have a missed call, please check your voice messages on your cell phone or home phones. Sometimes, the teachers will call with a message or comment about your child’s day, or to ask for a conference to be arranged.
- Please remember to inform the school when you change phone numbers so you can be reached in the event of an emergency.
CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION: If your child is to go home from school by another mode of transportation (i.e., car rider rather than bus, walker rather than bus rider), you must send this information in writing to your child’s homeroom teacher and the front office. To ensure plenty of time to notify all parties, no changes to transportation will be accepted after 1:30 pm. Thanks in advance for your help.
RELEASE OF STUDENTS: In order to maintain the safety of all our students, no student shall be released to persons other than their parent, guardian, or emergency contact listed on the registration card. If someone other than the parent is to pick up your child, the person’s name must be on the registration card. If the person’s name is not on the registration card, the parent will be required to call the school advising school officials of the situation. The parent must send with the child a signed, dated note, identifying the person picking up your child. The person designated to pick up your child must be prepared to show appropriate identification to school officials.
This year, Martin’s Parent-Teacher conferences are again conducted in a 3-part series of MC2 Parent Meetings, Meaningful Connections and Meaningful Collaboration. Staff will share campus initiatives and data, including class and individual student growth data, parents set goals for their children, and strategies for reviews and reinforcements are learned and practiced with each other. We respectfully ask parents to find child care for their children, but Martin will have some child care options available for Martin students during these adult-only meetings in PK, KN, 1st, and 2nd Grade. For January's MC^2, 3rd and 4th grade students will be invited to these meetings with their parents to set goals for STAAR.
Attendance Policy
We continue to push and encourage every student to attend school regularly.
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in pre-kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and in understanding why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school— regardless of the reason – it can cause them to fall behind academically and/or be retained for that grade level. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Research shows:
- Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!
Going to school regularly matters!
We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
- Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
- Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
- Plan plenty of time for traffic, as rain, fog and construction could increase your commute time.
Things to remember about attendance procedures at our school:
- We would prefer that all students be in class by 7:50 a.m. — students who are not in class by 7:55 a.m. are considered tardy. Students, who are 10 or more minutes late are noted as tardy towards attendance record.
- Martin’s goal is for 98% attendance each day and for the year. However, we are currently averaging 95%. Please do your part to help us reach our goal! EVERYONE counts!
- Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m.—students may not be released after 2:30p.m. because CHAMPS and/or dismissal procedures may have already started.
- Students who are picked up before dismissal time (3:20 pm) will be considered as an “early leave”, which is a part-of-day attendance violation.
- Excuse notes for absences must be returned no later than 3 days after returning to school.
- Students with less than 90% attendance of the year may not earn credit for the school year and may be expected to attend summer school and/or be at risk of retention.
- Martin celebrates students who have perfect attendance with monthly incentives, as well as semester/all year recognition, awards, and opportunities for additional prizes.
Clubs at Martin Elementary
At Martin Elementary, we are very fortunate to have clubs that fit each of our third and fourth graders’ interests (and some 2nd graders). Many of these clubs meet on a weekly basis in order to promote a more responsible and healthier child. Below are some information on the clubs we offer:
Mustang Academy- Free tutorials or free enrichment activities, both academic and personal interest clubs are offered to our students to support our students in their growth. These opportunities offer our students extra support and assistance with:
- Daily academics
- Team Work
- Vocabulary
- Collaboration
- Work habits
- Problem-Solving
Student Council- Student Council is a program designed to make students leaders and give them pride in helping their community. During December, Student Council was able to make a large donation to the community, thanks to parent/student participation during our Toy Drive. Please see Mrs. Sepulveda if you have any questions.
Safety Patrol - Next week, Coach Dickens will be meeting with current safety patrol members to discuss their grades/conduct for the 2nd grading period to determine if they continue to meet requirements to be part of the elite group that is tasked with monitoring the halls and events throughout the year. 3rd graders that are recommended by their teachers as potential candidates for next year will be notified next week and shadow the 4th graders in preparation for their future roles. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Dickens or Coach Ary.
G.A.P. (Girls/Gentlemen Achieving their Potential) – The G.A.P. program is designed to help fourth grade girls/boys reach their full academic and social potential. The girls/boys meet bi-monthly with their mentors (Martin Staff Members) to discuss topics that will help them grow in and out of the classroom. Some topics that will be discussed at upcoming monthly meetings are: hygiene, proper manners, exercise/nutrition, and self-esteem. Students will participate in field trips that support social/emotional growth. Please see Mrs. J. Davis if you have any questions.
Ukulele Club - This is a club for beginning to learn the basics of Ukulele all thanks to our Alief Education grant that the district awarded our music program with! We are so excited to learn, play and sing on the ukulele! This will be happening during early bird specials and only the first 20 students that arrive at 7:20 will be able to play during early birds! Look out for our performances that will soon arise once we are ROCKSTARS on our new ukuleles. Please see Ms. Martin if you have any questions.
Art Club- The purpose of Art Club is for students to express themselves in a creative way while learning about how art plays a part in our daily lives. Art Club in full swing! We have worked hard in creating ornaments and made a field trip to Focused Care at Beechnut to hand them out and sing holiday songs. We have enjoyed painting, sculpting and drawing. We look forward to creating many more projects and sharing them with our community! Please see Mrs. Rogers if you have any questions.
Soccer Club - Soccer is fun and enjoyable for all soccer players who want to learn! We incorporate social interaction, motor soccer skills and technical development through games and exercises. We strive to give each student the opportunity to love soccer and develop skills. We will meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 p.m – 4:45 p.m starting December 12, 2019. Please see Mr. Mireles if you have any questions.
Coding Club - 3rd and 4th graders are invited to join our Mustang Coding Club this spring semester. You will learn how to code through various programs such as Scratch.com and Code.org. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with others by completing challenges. We will meet every Thursday after school. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Saldana.
Science Club - 3rd grade students are learning all about the human body and the body systems through interactive and engaging lessons with expertise from medical professionals. Students will conduct research and present a project upon completion. Students meet every Tuesday from 3:40-4:40PM. For any questions, please contact Ms. Jaramillo.
January Events
1/7 - Character Trait - Perseverance - Wear Neon
1/8 - Spelling Bee Finals
1/9 - Report Cards Go Home
1/9 - Brighter Bites Returns
1/13 - Family Center Re-Opens
1/13 - Awards Assembly* Schedule Change
1/16 - GT Showcase 8:10
1/16 - Living Museum 8:05-10:30
1/16 - Brighter Bites
1/17 - Career Day 9:00-10:30
1/20 - No School - MLK Day
1/21 - Pennies for Patients Fundraising Launch
1/23 - MC^2 Parent Meetings #2
1/23 - Brighter Bites
1/24 - Spring Class and Individual Photo Day
1/29 - 100th Day of School
1/30 - 101st Day of School
1/30 - Progress Reports Go Home
1/30 - 4th Grade Writing DCA Test (No Visitors)
1/30 - NO Brighter Bites
February Events
2/5 - Counselor's Day
2/5 - 3rd & 4th Grade Social Studies DCA Test (No Visitors)
2/6 - Brighter Bites
2/13 - U of H Field Trip 4th Grade
2/13 - Brighter Bites
2/14 - Hoops for HEART
2/14 - Lunch with a Loved One
2/17 - Student Holiday
2/18 - 3rd & 4th Grade Math DCA Test (No Visitors)
2/19 - 3rd & 4th Grade Reading DCA Test (No Visitors)
2/20 - Progress Reports Go Home
2/20 - Brighter Bites
2/21 - Go Texan Day
2/21 - Hoe Down
2/27 - Brighter Bites
March Events
3/5 - Last Day of Brighter Bites
3/5 - STEAM Night 5:00-6:00
3/6 - Book Character Parade
3/7 - Alief Family U Conference 8:00-2:00 @Hastings Ninth Grade Center
3/8 - Day Light Savings Begins (Fall Forward)
3/16-3/20 - Spring Break/No School
3/23 - Early PK Registration at Martin Opens
3/26 - Report Cards Go Home
3/26 - Science DCA Test 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grades (No Visitors)
3/30 - Awards Assemblies - House Assembly
Martin Elementary School
Email: Martincontact@aliefisd.net
Website: aliefisd.net/martin
Location: 11718 Hendon Lane, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-983-8363
Facebook: facebook.com/aliefmartin
Twitter: @Martin_Mustangs