Eagle Updates
February 2, 2020
From Mrs. Barry:
When my children were younger, our family went to the Grand Canyon for vacation. What an amazing experience! The grandeur and beauty of this incredible wonder defies words. As much as we talk about the gorgeous views, what my children really remember about this trip is how mom (a.k.a. ME) freaked out. You see, at the Grand Canyon, there aren't many rails. You stand right on the ledge of this great abyss. Okay, I'm slightly exaggerating, but it sure felt like this to me. My saying of this trip was "DO NOT CROSS THIS LINE!" I didn't want my kids to get close to the edge. I didn't want them to fall. I wanted them to step back so they were safe. They weren't fearful...I was. My worry dictated how far out they were allowed to go.
Fast forward a few years when my husband and I went back. On this trip, Steve convinced me to hike partially down the Canyon. Taking those first few steps down the narrow path was terrifying. I clung to his arm, convinced I would meet my doom! As we went lower and lower, I was more comfortable (well, except when we had to let donkeys pass us!) and began to take in my surroundings rather than just focus on my steps. I realized that the view from DOWN in the Canyon is MUCH different from the top. Taking the risk was absolutely worth it!
I couldn't help but think how, in my attempt to keep my kids safe, I held them back from experiencing something incredible. Though they got the "bird's eye" view, they didn't get to go "deep" and experience something more.
I think this story can be applied to education. We often go with what we know to be safe rather than taking a step out of our comfort zone. In our fear of having our students fail, we keep them from going beyond what we think is feasible. Of course, we don't want them to be hurt, but are our own hesitations holding THEM back?
As we begin to plan for next year, we are continuing with our focus on the basics - literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional support. Within this, however, we will continue to seek ways to push our students to take risks, to go deeper, to learn more. This may mean learning looks different than when we were in school. This may mean we have to have faith in the strategies and methods being utilized. We may have to step out of our comfort zone to allow our children to experience wonders that we could only imagine.
As always, thank you for all of your support. This is an INCREDIBLE community, and we couldn't do all we do without you!
Welcome home to MWE!
CIT Applications Now OPEN
Per SBISD Board policy BQB (LEGAL), the CIT is established at each campus to advise the principal on campus improvement. The team shall be chaired by the principal and shall meet for the purpose of implementing planning processes and site-based decision-making in accordance with Board policy and administrative procedures. The committee shall serve exclusively in an advisory role except that each committee shall approve staff development of a campus nature.
The CITs shall be comprised of a combination of certified professional campus-level and District-level staff, parents of students enrolled in the District, community members, and business representatives.
The CIT shall include the following members:
- Campus-level school staff members
- Non-school members
- The majority are parents
- 1 or 2 are community representatives
- 1 or 2 are business representatives
- Additionally, one District-level professional staff liaison shall serve on each CIT.
Our open positions at MWE for the 2020-2021 school year are:
- 3 parent representatives
- 1 business member (cannot be a current MWE parent)
The pdf below is the application for parents. Business and community members can call Shirley Labiosa at 713-251- 6209 for their applications. Any questions? Please reach out to Ms. Labiosa or Mrs. Barry.
The timelines are as follows:
- February 19, 2020 - Application forms due to Mrs. Barry
- February 21, 2020 - CIT Elections
- Week of March 2, 2020 - Announcement of CIT Members
- March 31, 2020 - Mandatory Training for CIT Members at WAIS (5:30 - 6:30 p.m.)
School Counselor Week
February 3rd through 7th is School Counselor Week. This year’s theme is “School Counselors: Helping to Build Better Humans.” We are very blessed to have Mrs. Luberger, Ms. Waldrop, and Mrs. Oxener serve our students.
Please join us in thanking them for all they do!
Mid-year Conferences
Spring Class Group Picture and Individual Pictures
Spring pictures will be taken on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Information went home in your child's Friday Folder. To order group pictures, please pay by Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
· Class Group Picture (5 x 7) $10.00
· Class Group Picture (6 x 8) $11.00
· Class Group Picture (8 x 10) $12.00
Please send payment in the envelope provided to student’s classroom teacher by February 5th. Checks are payable to: Inter-State Studio.
Each student will have individual spring portraits taken. A proof sheet of pictures will go home with an order form when pictures are delivered to MWE in 3-4 weeks.
If you have any questions, please call Shirley Labiosa at 713-251-6209.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 10th through 14th is Random Acts of Kindness Week.
Throughout the week teachers and parents will encourage students to demonstrate acts of kindness through their actions, words, and behavior. Activities for the week are all aimed at encouraging students to display acts of kindness both at home and school.
Our theme this year is Be the “I” in KIND. We encourage students to pose by the KIND display (located on the wall outside the cafeteria) and be the “I” in KIND. Parents, we encourage you to take advantage of this photo opportunity with your child.
On Monday we will kick things off with a food drive. We will be collecting non-perishable food items all week that will be donated to the Houston Food Bank. Items can be dropped in the Houston Food Bank box located in the front office. Please check out the Kindness Bingo board below. This is a great at-home activity to get ready for Random Acts of Kindness Week. Students who turn in completed bingo boards will have their names posted by the KIND display in the hallway.
On Tuesday, we encourage students to wear their Kindness t-shirts. Parents, please help your child locate the t-shirt that were made earlier in the school year. If you were not able to make a t-shirt at that time, now is the perfect opportunity to help your child create a t-shirt with positive messages written on it.
Thursday is Dream of Kindness Day/Pajama Day. Our Eagles are encouraged to wear pajamas as a reminder to dream of a world full of kindness.
Remember that a simple act of kindness can brighten someone’s day. It can be something significant, like donating items to our food drive, or something smaller, like holding a door open for someone or saying a warm hello.
NO VISITOR DATES!
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
Due to campus testing, there will be several dates when visitors (i.e., mentors, volunteers, Watch D.O.G.S, lunch guests, etc.) will NOT be able to visit MWE. Thank you for your understanding as we create the most secure testing environment for our students.
STAAR RELEASE:
Tuesday, February 11th: STAAR Release 4th grade Writing and 5th grade Math.
Wednesday, February 12th: STAAR Release 5th grade Reading.
Note: The regularly scheduled PTA meeting will occur as planned.
Tuesday, March 10th: STAAR Release 3rd and 4th grade Math.
Wednesday, March 11th: STAAR Release 3rd and 4th grade Reading.
Tuesday, March 24th: STAAR Release 5th grade Science.
STAAR:
Tuesday, April 7th: STAAR 4th grade Writing and 5th grade Math.
Wednesday, April 8th: STAAR 5th grade Reading.
Tuesday, May 12th: STAAR 3rd/4th grade Math and 5th Retake Math.
Wednesday, May 13th: STAAR 3rd/4th grade Reading and 5th Retake Reading.
Thursday, May 14th: STAAR 5th grade Science.
Stem-Letics Summer Academy
For the fourth year in a row, in collaboration with the Rice Department of STEM Education, Spring Forest Middle School is hosting a summer academy which combines STEM education and Athletics. It’s targeted at 3rd-5th graders. They are offering two weeks: June 15-19 and June 22-26. Registration is now open and full information can be found here.
Middle School Math Sequence Options
This past month, the district held math meetings for 5th grade parents transitioning to middle school. Below is the power point that was presented by Lance Stallworth, Executive Director of Student Support Services.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Roundup for Parents
Thursday, February 20, 2020
5:30p.m.-6:30p.m.
MWE Library
Please come and meet our Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers, tour the school and learn about our fabulous early Childhood Program here at Meadow Wood. This event is only for parents new to the grade level for 2020-2021. Please share this information with your neighbors!
Family Point Resources Spring Club Information
Please mark your calendar for these important events!
February 4 - 7
School Counselor Week
February 4
Blue Willow Author Visit: Erin Hunter (5 p.m. - Cafeteria)
February 5
School Store
5th to 6th grade Transition Day (SFMS)
Hands on Science - 2nd Grade
February 6
Spring Pictures - Class and Individual
5th Grade Field Trip (Stratford High School - Drowsy Chaperone)
February 10 - 14
Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week
February 11
Please note: No Visitors on Campus Today!
STAAR Release Testing - 4th Writing & 5th Math
Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night (3 - 8 p.m.)
February 12
Please note: No Visitors on Campus Today except for PTA Meeting!
STAAR Release Testing - 5th Reading
Garden Weeding
PTA General Meeting (9:00 a.m. - Multipurpose Room)
CIT Meeting (3:30 p.m. - Library)
February 13
EARLY RELEASE - Students Dismissed at 12:00
February 14
EARLY RELEASE - Students Dismissed at 12:00
Class Parties
February 17
SCHOOL HOLIDAY - No Classes!
February 18
Hands on Science - 3rd Grade
February 19
CIT Applications DUE!
February 20
Pre-K & Kinder Round Up (5:30 p.m.)
Heath Fair (SFMS)
February 21
CIT Elections
College T-shirt Day
Hands on Science - 5th
February 26
Garden Weeding
Parent Night (5:30 p.m.)
February 27
Hands on Science - 1st Grade
February 28
Go Texan Day
Save the Date!
Sponsor Spotlight!
Meadows Property Group is a valued supporter of MWE. Please show your love and appreciation by using Meadows Property Group for your real estate needs. Thank you to Mrs. Erin Meadows, Mrs. Christina Gronauer, and Mr. Jerry Gronauer, Meadow Wood parents and Meadows Property Group realtors.