Bear Bulletin
Week of January 11-15
Important Upcoming Dates
1/12 - 2nd Nine Weeks Report Cards Sent Home (Kinder - 5th)
1/18 - MISD Holiday
FEBRUARY:
2 - 3rd Nine Weeks Progress Reports Sent Home
3 - 100th Day of School
5 - February PTO Meeting / Uncle Bob's / 11:00 a.m.
15 - MISD Holiday
16 - 19 - Scholastic Book Fair - (stay tuned for more details)
MARCH:
10 - Early Release Day for Elementary Students @1:00
30 - 3rd Nine Weeks Report Cards Sent Home
31 - Kinder Graduation Pics (more information will be sent home closer to date)
APRIL:
2 - MISD Holiday
6 - STAAR Test (4th Grade Writing)
20 -4th Nine Weeks Progress Reports Sent Home28 - Early Release Day for Elementary Students @1:00
MAY:
11 - STAAR Testing (Math - 3rd, 4th and 5th)
12 - STAAR Testing (Reading - 3rd, 4th and 5th)
13 - STAAR Testing (Science - 5th)
24 - Early Release Day - Elementary 1:00
25 - Early Release Day - Elementary 1:00 /Last Day of School
Recap of Information Shared by Dr. Morrison Via Email on December 17
Dr. Morrison sent out an email to parents on December 17 sharing the information below:
Elementary Early Release Days – Second Semester
Early release days are a calendar item we are bringing back during the second semester on elementary campuses to support our teachers with additional time for grading. The following two days have been identified as early release days for elementary schools:
- Wednesday, March 10
- Wednesday, April 28
COVID-19 Rapid Testing – Texas Education Agency
The health, safety and well-being of students and staff is always our top priority. With that in mind, we have decided to participate in a program aimed at promoting healthy schools and saving families valuable time and money.
Beginning in January, the district will begin offering voluntary COVID-19 testing to employees and students through the Texas Education Agency’s Rapid Testing program. This program uses BinaxNOW tests, which provide results in 15 minutes and are administered using a nasal swab in the front area of the nostril. These tests have been shown to be highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 97-98% for symptomatic individuals.
Please know that the tests will be entirely optional and at no cost to families. Only MISD students and staff may receive the tests. Staff will have the opportunity to self-administer a COVID-19 rapid test on their campuses or at the MISD Education Support Center. However, families who would like their student to get tested will need to sign up and schedule an appointment at the MISD Education Support Center.
More information on how to schedule an appointment for your student receive a COVID-19 rapid test at the MISD Education Support Center will be shared by your campus and posted on the MISD website. ***PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED INFO BELOW***
Campus COVID Notifications
We want to be mindful of the number of COVID-19 related communications families are receiving. After hearing and assessing feedback from families, beginning in January schools will provide one weekly communication regarding positive COVID-19 cases on their campus. Any individual identified as being a close contact of a positive case will still receive a communication once they have been identified.
You can always access the district’s COVID dashboard here. The dashboard is updated in real-time as information is reported.
Last week the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced it has paused A-F campus and district accountability ratings for the 2020-21 school year due to disruptions associated with the pandemic.
What this means is, while the STAAR test will still be administered in the spring, the state will not use results of the assessment for state accountability purposes. All public schools and districts will receive a “Not Rated” designation for the 2020-21 school year. You can read more about TEA’s announcement here.
January's Core Value Trait - RESPONSIBILITY
This month during morning announcements and character lessons, our Lincoln Bears will be learning about the character trait, RESPONSIBILITY. Click on the attachment below to learn how you can talk to you child about ways they can show responsibility.
January is School Board Appreciation Month
This month is School Board Appreciation month. We would like to thank our board of trustees for their service and dedication to MISD students and staff. #thankyoumisdtrustees
January Home and School Connection Newsletter
Looking for some ideas and tips on how to help and support your child at home? Check out the the Home and School Connection Newsletter below. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter and find it helpful.
Did You Know that Lincoln Elementary Is a Title 1 Campus?
What Is Title I?
Title I is a federally-funded program designed to provide a high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state’s student performance standard. Title I is a part of the “No Child Left Behind Act” passed by Congress in 2002. Title I programs can provide supplemental instruction in reading, math, science and social studies. These programs use effective methods and instructional strategies that are grounded in scientifically based research.
A school is selected as a Title I school on the basis of the number of students within its boundaries who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. Students are selected to receive Title I support and services based on academic need.
Title I Family Engagement Policy & Statement of Purpose (Located on LES Website)
Montgomery ISD is dedicated to providing a quality education for every student in our District. To accomplish this objective, the District will develop and maintain partnerships with parents / caregivers, patrons, and community members. A positive link between home and school will create the best learning condition for every child. These open communication lines will expand and enhance learning opportunities for everyone involved.
All students are expected to work toward mastering the Texas Essentials Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for their grade level. Montgomery ISD recognizes the fact that some students need extra assistance to achieve their full potential. The extra assistance is available through the Title I program and various other educational services offered through the District.
Montgomery ISD includes parents in all aspects of the Title I program. Students will be given every opportunity for success through the development and enhancement of the home/school partnership. Title I programs are being offered at Lincoln Elementary, Stewart Creek Elementary, and Montgomery Elementary.
Parent Involvement In Policy Development
Parents, members of the community, and school staff meet to discuss the design and implementation of the Title I Parent Involvement Policy. The Montgomery ISD District Advisory Committee reviews and updates the design and implementation of the Montgomery ISD Parent Involvement Policy annually. Surveys will be sent home to all Title I parents. Participation includes a diverse parent population.
Annual Meeting for Title I Parents / Caregivers
Montgomery ISD will hold at least one meeting annually to review Title I Policy and services offered through the District. Copies of the District’s current Parent Involvement Policy will be distributed at the meeting. Parents are encouraged to become involved in the revising and updating the Policy as necessary and parent volunteers will be recruited for the various District committee appointments.
Newsletters, teacher notes, the school marquee, conferences, personal contacts, phone calls and written notices will be used to establish and maintain open lines of communication with parents / caregivers.
Montgomery ISD staff members are trained in effective ways to work with parents, students, and members of the community. Montgomery ISD staff maintains a record of parent contacts throughout the school year.
Parent, Student and School Compacts
In accordance with Title I regulations, the Parent, Student and School Compacts will be annually updated. This compact will provide an outline to enable the school and parents / caregivers to share responsibility for student performance and success. This compact explains how students, parents / caregivers, and staff will share responsibility for promoting student achievement.
The compacts are designed so that both the student and his/her parents sign this compact. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss the contents of the compact; they are also encouraged to sign that they are in agreement with the compact and return them to the school.
Parental Involvement Opportunities:
Montgomery ISD provides numerous opportunities for parental involvement as it strives to develop and maintain an optimum learning environment for all students:
- Spanish translators will be provided for parents when needed.
- Information will be provided in Spanish when needed.
- Parents may contribute through volunteer programs.
- Parents may contribute by creating a supportive home environment.
- Parents are invited to participate in parent-teacher conferences.
- Parents may participate by attending school meetings and student programs.
- Parents are surveyed to get input about the Title I program.
- Parents are encouraged to become involved with PTA or PTO.
Staff and Parent Communication
Parents / caregivers will be informed of school activities through various avenues of communication throughout the school year; they will be consulted in the design, development and implementation of the Title I program.
Newsletters, teacher notes, the school marquee, conferences, personal contacts, phone calls and written notices are used to establish and maintain open lines of communication with parents / caregivers.
Title I Communication
- Welcome letter
- Parent, Student and School Compacts
- Progress reports sent home each nine weeks
- Fall/Spring parent conferences
Evaluation
Parents’ surveys, including questions about the effectiveness of the program, will be distributed and the results tabulated. Teacher surveys and teacher contact records will be used to determine the number and kind of interaction between school and parents. The District Advisory Committee will revise the District Parent Involvement Policy based on the results of this annual review. Campus Advisory Committees (CAC) will meet throughout the school year to evaluate and update the progress of their Title I programs.
Please e-mail or call The Director of Special Programs, Amy Busby, with questions or input concerning our Title I programs.
Parent Notification of Teacher Qualifications (Located on our LES Website)
Parents of students attending one of the Title I schools have the right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct your child. MISD and The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act recognizes that all children can achieve the same high standards and must be provided the education they need to reach those standards. NCLB gives parents new opportunities to make sure their child receives the very best education possible.
No Child Left Behind Act also requires the school district to provide you with the following information in a timely manner if you request it.
You have the right to request the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:
- Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and subject he/she teaches.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.
- The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and the field of discipline certification or degree.
- Whether paraprofessionals provide services to your child and, if so, their qualifications.
- If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact Beverly Harrod at 936-276-2100.
Order Your 2020-2021 Yearbook
LES 2020-2021 Yearbooks are on SALE!! Click on the link below to place your order.