GALATAS GAZETTE
December 3, 2021
Contact Information
Denae Wilker, Principal
Candace Mathis, Assistant Principal
Lyndsey Christopher, Counselor
Through the collaborative efforts of all who pass through our door, we provide a safe learning community that develops lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
Website: http://galatas.conroeisd.net/
Location: 9001 Cochrans Crossing Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalatasCISD/
Twitter: @GalatasCISD
Moving During the Winter Break?
If you have moved, or are planning to move during the upcoming break, please e-mail the Galatas Registrar, Robin Curtis. In your communication, include the location of your family's new home.
--If you have/are moving within the school district, Ms. Curtis will help you with the necessary documentation to facilitate the transfer to a new CISD school.
--If you have/are moving outside of CISD, please let Ms. Curtis know the date of withdrawal, and she will get in touch with you to send the withdrawal papers to be signed.
You can reach Robin by e-mail at rcurtis@conroeisd.net.
Lunch Visitor Information
As we continue reopening Galatas to visitors, we are pleased to announce that families no longer need to signup to visit for lunch! Families will be able to dine in our Activity Room or outside (weather permitting), which will allow more space for our visitors to enjoy lunch with their child.
**Please note that due to Holiday Parties and service projects taking place in our Activity Room, we will not be able to accommodate lunch visitors December 15-17.
1. We ask that families limit their visit to once per month for each student, so that all parents have an opportunity to visit for lunch.
2. Please continue to limit the number of visitors to no more than three. The tables in the Activity Room are set up for 4 people each.
3. A driver's license or government issued photo i.d. is required for adults each time they visit Galatas. Please allow time (about 5 minutes) to complete the required check-in at the front office prior to your child's lunchtime.
4. Please understand that if you arrive more than 5 minutes after your student's scheduled lunchtime, there is a possibility you will not be able to eat with your child, due to the limited amount of time allotted for lunch.
5. Please remember that family members may only eat with their child. We want to
ensure the safety and security of everyone as they enjoy time together. If a grandparent, family member, or adult other than the parent of the student wants to visit your child during lunch, the parent must send in written permission to the front office. The note will only need to be sent in once, and at that time a notation will be made in the visitor system so that the school will have a record of the permission being granted. If a note is not sent, we will call a parent to grant permission before the visitor is allowed to join a student for lunch.
Lunchtime is limited to 25 minutes. Once the lunch time has ended, you will drop your child at the cafeteria doors to return with their class to the next activity. Then you will head back to the front office where you will return your visitor sticker.
Kindergarten 11:30 AM-11:55 AM
1st Grade 11:05 AM-11:30 AM
2nd Grade 12:15 PM-12:40 PM
3rd Grade 12:25 PM-12:50 PM
4th Grade 11:55 AM-12:20 PM
Please be mindful that the next grade level parents are also excited to visit their children for lunch. We require parents to exit promptly at the designated time, to allow the next group to have lunch together.
Volunteers Needed!
At this time, the Library is looking for volunteers, and there are also opportunities in the school copy room in January.
The link to the Volunteer page is below:
School Zone Safety Tips
In addition, cell phone use in a school zone is prohibited. As you enter areas around schools, please end your calls and put your phone away.
The CISD Police and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department patrol our school zones to ensure everyone's safety, and will issue citations if necessary.
Thank you for your help in keeping our community safe!
PE Parachute Fun!
Counselor's Corner
Holiday Assistance
Throughout the year, different organizations offer students and families at Galatas Elementary assistance with school supplies, clothing, food, and other various needs. As the holidays approach us, I will have organizations reaching out to me to refer families who may benefit from receiving assistance with holiday needs. If you would like to be considered when I have the opportunity to help out a family in need, please click the link below and fill out the Google Form.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that makes student educational records confidential, prohibits me from releasing student information to these agencies without your permission. By filling out the Google Form, you will give me permission to refer your family to these programs and share essential information. In turn, these groups agree to use your information only for the purpose of their assistance program(s). Assistance programs vary from year to year, filling out the form does not automatically mean you will receive assistance.
I would love to help any of our Galatas families in need. If you need assistance but feel more comfortable contacting me directly, please do not hesitate to do so. You may email me at lynchristopher@conroeisd.net or call at 936-709-5008.
December PTO Meeting and Springetti Kick-off: December 14
Welcome to Springetti 2022: Galatas in Toyland!
Join us for the Kick-Off Social & Nutcracker Exchange right after the December PTO meeting on Tuesday, December 14 at 9am in the Activity Room.
There are so many ways to get involved in the fun and excitement of Springetti! Come find out about all the volunteer opportunities available and how you can get involved.
Springetti is the annual (and much-loved) festival style fundraiser that is 100% run by amazing and dedicated volunteers. Springetti features auctions, raffles, games, food, and more! All funds raised go directly towards educational programs, technology, teacher materials and enrichment activities for all students.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Nutcracker Gift Exchange details: This White Elephant style gift exchange will be a fun social gathering to meet fellow parents and find out more about Springetti. Please bring a Nutcracker or nutcracker themed gift ($10 value) to exchange.
Yearbooks on Sale Now!
Purchase your yearbook now at www.balfour.com.
Top Dog Yearbook Shout Outs!
•Applaud your 4th grader’s achievements with a tribute in the Yearbook! You can purchase an ad for only $20 when you order your yearbook or separately.
• To purchase: go to the link above, click on Yearbook, then TOP DOG ADS
For any questions, please e-mail galatasyearbook@gmail.com.
Join the PTO and Support our Greyhounds
Please support our school by joining our amazing PTO. The link below will take you to the Galatas PTO website, where you can join the PTO and explore ways to get involved at Galatas.
It is a great way to get connected with our Galatas community and other parents.
PTO Directory Update
Did you know Galatas has a digital directory? Current PTO members have access to the Galatas digital directory by using the DirectorySpot app or visiting https://www.directoryspot.net.
If you were a PTO member last year, you can access the directory with the same username and password. New members will use the email they signed up for the PTO with as their username. Directory access is only available by being a current PTO member. You can join the Galatas PTO at the link above!
More Parachute Fun!
2022-2023 School Calendar Feedback
Gifted and Talented Nomination Window Now Open
The window is now open for parent nominations for the Spring, 2022 Gifted and Talented screening. Nominating packets are available by contacting our Assistant Principal, Candace Mathis, at cdmathis@conroeisd.net.
Parents of 3rd and 4th grade students may nominate their student by completing the District GT Nomination packet. It is strongly encouraged that parents consult with their child’s teacher(s) prior to nominating their child. If your child has already qualified for Gifted and Talented services in some content areas but not all, you must nominate them again if you would like for them to try to qualify in additional areas. Students must take the full battery of tests as specific subject areas cannot be isolated for testing purposes.
Parents of 2nd grade students: Please do not nominate your 2nd grade child at this time! All second grade students will participate in the CogAT assessment in late October which will serve as a GT screener for second grade students. More information to come at a later date.
Parents or Kindergarten and 1st grade students may nominate their student, but it is highly advised that parents consult with their child’s teacher prior to nominating their child as tests can be frustrating for younger students due to the amount of time involved in testing.
Spring GT testing will take place at Galatas Elementary during the school day, on dates yet to be determined in late January/early February, 2022.
All completed nomination packets must be returned to Candace Mathis on or before December 10.
Drop-off Procedures for Forgotten Items
Please help your student be fully prepared for their day by ensuring that they have all needed materials (backpack, lunch, water bottle, etc...) before leaving for school in the morning.
To minimize interruptions to classrooms, please limit drop-offs to the following items:
- Water bottles and lunches may be placed on the Drop-off table before 10:00 a.m. at the front office. These items should be labeled with your child’s name and section number to ensure proper delivery. Items are taken at 10:00 a.m. to a drop-off table at the end of each hallway, so please email the teacher to let them know that you have dropped off the water bottle or lunch.
- If you need eye glasses delivered to your child, please do not put them on the drop-off table. Bring them to the office staff for immediate delivery to your child.
- Any class work or homework that is dropped off will be placed in the teacher’s mailbox to be picked up during the day.
Delivery of flowers, balloons, etc. to students at school are not permitted.
Transportation Changes
Transportation change notepads will be sent home with each student on the first day of school. Please use these forms any time a student needs to go home in a different way from the permanent designated mode of transportation.
All transportation changes must be received in writing by 2:00 p.m. We are unable to accept a phone call. You may send a written note to your child’s teacher (place it in your student's PAWS folder), or fill out a form in the front office. Please include the date, your child’s full name, section number, bus number (if applicable), and your signature. If an emergency arises, you may send an email to galatastransportation@conroeisd.net . The e-mail must include all of the above information, including a parent signature, and must be received before 2:00 p.m. If you submit a transportation change by email, it must go to the email address referenced above; transportation changes should not be emailed directly to the teacher.
Please send a new note for each day the change occurs; we cannot accept notes for multiple days or with multiple changes. District policy states that a student may only ride the bus they are registered to ride; students may not have a transportation change to ride a different bus.
Parent Information Sheet
Please download and print this handy Parent Information sheet for quick reference of some of our school's most frequently accessed information.
Teacher & Staff Excellence
- Log in to Parent Access.
- Click on communication.
- Choose Teacher/Staff Excellence from the drop down menu.
- Select the employee to receive recognition from the drop down menu.
- Click create TAE.
- Click any of the pre-populated choices that apply.
- Type any additional comments in the Additional Comment box.
- Click the box labeled Create Teachers Achieving Excellence button.
21-22 Student Handbook Addendum
TWHS Band Holiday Market
TWCPHS Band Winter Festival
Roadmap to Remaining Open
The content on the Roadmap to Remaining Open webpages are designed to provide information relevant for the 2021-2022 school year. The details on this page are subject to change as we receive guidance from the Texas Education Agency, Governor’s Office, and State and local officials. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information.
Currently, the District Safety Alert Level is Level 2. To see the full Safety Alert Levels chart, please click on the Roadmap to Remaining Open button below.
A Message from the School Nurse
Please keep your child home if they are showing any signs of illness or reporting that they do not feel well.
For example, if your child comes to you in the morning and reports any of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, stomachache, or headache, or tells you they had diarrhea or vomiting, DO NOT send them to school. Please keep your student home and monitor the symptom or symptoms until they resolve.
Keep students home if they are waiting for results of a COVID test (even if the student is asymptomatic). You may refer to the CISD Roadmap to Remaining Open at the link above for specific health information.
NEW Update - When a student has a positive COVID result, parents will now self-report through their student's SSO at sso.conroeisd.net
- Log-in to the student's SSO portal (same as scheduling a test) and click on the Self Report button.
- Parent acknowledges they are the parent/guardian of this student and enters their name.
- Parent completes the required information and clicks submit.
- Parent receives a popup with information about isolation, severe symptoms, attendance, and a return to school date.
- Parent receives an email with the information contained in the popup.
Free COVID-19 testing is available to all CISD employees and students Monday-Friday at the CISD Police Department located at 2900 N. Loop 336 E. Conroe, TX 77301. You must schedule a test through the CISD SSO in the COVID Central app prior to arrival.
Medication at school: If your child needs medication while at school, please email Mrs. Riggs, Galatas School Nurse at kriggs@conroeisd.net to set up an appointment to drop off the medication.
Upcoming Events
December
6-10 Hour of Code
14 PTO Board Meeting-9:00 a.m.
14 Holiday Parties- 2nd (10:30 a.m.) & 1st (2:00 p.m.)
15-17 No lunch visitors, please
15 Holiday Party- Kinder (9:30 a.m.)
16 Holiday Round Robin–3rd (9:00 a.m.)
16 Holiday Party/Service Project- 4th (8:15 a.m.) & Special Programs (1:45 p.m.)
17 Polar Express Day (Students wear p.j.’s)
17 Early Release Day, End of Nine Weeks– 12:10 p.m.
December 20-January 4 Winter Break
January
5 Classes Resume