Spring Newsletter
March/April/May
Up Coming Events
Counselor's Corner
Welcome Spring 2022! As crazy as Houston weather is, we know warmer and sunny days are ahead. It is a perfect opportunity to get much needed vitamin D and participate in more outdoor activities. As we are in the 2nd week of the last 9 weeks of the year, we want our students to be healthy and well rested so they can finish off the year strong.
The Counselor's Corner on our Martin Website has the monthly Purposeful Family Newsletters that help explain the month's character trait in English and Spanish. The newsletters also include games, discussion questions, books, and links to resources. I encourage everyone to take a look!
Upcoming topics/events
March: Responsibility
April: Courage/College and Career Week/Interim Assessments
May: Gratitude/STAAR Testing
Students who would like to speak with me can fill out a self-referral form located outside my office. They can also just tell their teacher they would like to see me. I am here to support all students and their families. Please reach out to me if you need support. I am happy to help out with uniform vouchers and school supplies as well. Please call or email me your questions, concerns, or needs.
Parents can reach me via:
Phone 281-983-8363 extension 22577 (Martin Elementary)
Google voice call or text: 281-668-8953
Email: martha.sepulveda@aliefisd.net or mdsepulv@ga.aliefisd.net
Mrs. Sepulveda
Pre-K
Literacy
In Literacy, students continue to work on letter names and letter sounds, their first and last name, print concepts in books, and retelling a story. In phonological awareness, students are working on recognizing rhyming words and syllables.
Math
Students in Prekindergarten will identify patterns and will then create their own. We will continue with a Measurement unit, students will learn concepts such as weight, height, and length. They will have fun experiences comparing different objects applying the different measurement attributes. During the last unit, students will use a variety of objects to sort objects using different attributes.
Kindergarten
Reading
In Kindergarten, students are working on mastering letter names and sounds and read books with familiar sight words. They will explore different genres that will expand vocabulary and build knowledge. They will continue to work on phonological awareness focusing on onset-rimes and phonemes.
Kindergarten students will learn the counting sequence 50-100 and will be able to read numerals. We will classify and sort objects by one or two attributes such as color, shape, size, and develop pattern-related vocabulary. Students will apply their counting skills to organize data and create picture graphs. Finally, students will learn to identify coins by physical attributes. They will learn ways to earn income and understand how that income helps us meet our needs and wants.
Science
In science, we are currently in the last part of our Organisms and Environment unit. Students are learning about plant and animal characteristics and plant life cycle. In May, we will begin doing STEM and PBL activities.
Social Studies
In social studies, kinder students are focusing on life then and now.
1st Grade
Reading
In Reading, we will first finish with Module 8-9, which will cover text features, making predictions, elements of poetry, ideas and support, making connections and creating mental images. In Writing, we will continue to work on writing complete sentences and personal narratives. We will also focus on mastering blending and segmenting sounds.
First grade students will learn to count the value of coins by applying the strategies of skip counting and counting on. They will represent an amount of money in different combinations of coins. We will continue with counting, comparing, and ordering numbers to 120. Students will use place-value charts to show numbers to 120 to compare and order numbers. With an understanding of the hour and minute hand, students will learn to read and write time to the hour and half hour using analog and digital clocks. Finally, picture graphs, tally charts, and bar graphs will be used to organize and display data. Students will interpret information from the graphs by applying learned concepts such as counting, comparing, and adding.
Science
In science, we are currently in the last part of our Organisms and Environment unit. Students are learning about animal characteristics and animal life cycles. In May, we will begin doing STEM and PBL activities.
Social Studies
We will finish with Unit 5, Past and Present, in which we will measure time, American Heroes and how life has changed from past to present.
2nd Grade
Reading
In reading, students are reading informational texts focusing on weather. They are reading to find out how the 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.
Math
Second grade students will be introduced to the two basic systems of measurement - metric and customary. They will learn to estimate and measure lengths of objects using centimeter rulers and meter sticks for metric lengths and rulers for customary lengths. Students will learn to use appropriate tools and units to measure objects. Students will define and classify plane and solid shapes based on attributes. They will explore how shapes can be combined and separated to make other shapes and will learn what area is and to count square units to find the area of rectangles.
Science
In science, we are currently in the last part of our Organisms and Environment unit. Students are learning about plant and animal characteristics and insect life cycles. In May, we will begin doing STEM and PBL activities.
Social Studies
This year students are taking part in a program called Character Strong during Social Studies time as well as other Social Studies skills.. Students learn about different character traits and how they relate to their everyday lives. They are given real life scenarios and have class discussions about solving the problem. In addition, students learn about the past, present, and future.
3rd Grade
Reading
In reading for this upcoming nine weeks students are preparing for STAAR Blitz. They will be reviewing specific skills such as literary elements and informational texts. They will be provided opportunities to work on practice assessments in Schoology and Cambium to prepare them for state testing.
Math
In third grade, students will find the perimeter and area of figures and will analyze the relationship between them. Then, we will use bar graphs and line plots help to organize and analyze data. They will learn the purpose of each type of graph to interpret information and draw conclusions. Students will also be exploring units of measurement in real-world relationships.
Science
In science, we are currently in the last part of our Organisms and Environment unit. Students are learning about adaptions and life cycles. In May, we will begin doing STEM and PBL activities.
Social Studies
This year, students are taking part in a program called Character Strong during Social Studies time as well as other Social Studies skills. Students learn about different character traits and how they relate to their everyday lives. They are given real life scenarios and have class discussions about solving the problem. In addition, students have been learning about influential people and how they shape our lives.
4th Grade
Reading
In reading, for this upcoming nine weeks students are preparing for STAAR Blitz. They will be reviewing specific skills such as literary elements and informational texts. They will be provided opportunities to work on practice assessments in Schoology and Cambium to prepare them for state testing.
Math
Fourth grade students will focus on how to represent data on a frequency table, dot plot, or stem-and-leaf plot marked with whole numbers and fraction. Students will interpret data and draw conclusions. Students will also learning how to convert units of measurement.
Science
In science, we are currently in the last part of our Organisms and Environment unit. Students are learning about traits and lifecycles. In May, we will begin doing STEM and PBL activities.
Social Studies
This year, students are taking part in a program called Character Strong during Social Studies time and Social Studies skills. Students learn about different character traits and how they relate to their everyday lives. They are given real life scenarios and have class discussions about solving the problem. In addition, students have been learning about the Civil War.
Specials Classes
For the 4th nine weeks, 1st through 4th grade students will be practicing fitness activities and games. Students have started to practice dribbling and kicking skills while learning about soccer. They will continue to keep learning more about rules and strategies in the game of soccer. Kinder through 3rd grade students have also started to practice striking skills using balloons, and paddles. 4th grade has started learning striking skills while learning about volleyball. We will continue to learn and practice these skills for the rest of the nine weeks. We are also excited to have the opportunity to implement Drum Fitness for one of our rotations. Drum fitness is a choreographed format where students will use drumsticks or noodles during a workout to target various areas of their body.
Health Tech
In Health/Tech we are excelling and gaining skill practicing and using the “Home Row” keys for improving our use of the keyboard. We are also learning how we can use QR codes when working with iPads. As we move into the 4th nine weeks, Health/Tech students will focus on safety and healthy habits, and continue to integrate technology to enhance our learning and critical thinking skills. Martin students are on a great pathway for setting themselves up for future success by refining their use of PowerPoint, Excel, and Word programs.
Art
In art, we will be diving into ceramics and 3D art forms. Select classes will do glass fusion art! We have 2nd grade students already creating their glass jewelry. We will also create 2D art related to springtime and animals. Be on the lookout for artwork being sent home in the upcoming weeks.
Music
All music students will be practicing reading and recreating different elements of the treble clef staff. In in music, grades K-3 students will be combining their knowledge of beat, rhythm, pitch, and musical notation to begin playing various instruments in ensemble voicing. 4th grade students will continue learning about musical history as they prepare for the Alief ISD 2022 AMMO competition. Students will be researching and investigating different instruments as they prepare to choose 5th grade electives. Students will also be preparing some special musical numbers to celebrate all their accomplishments during their elementary school career. These songs will be performed during the Martin Elementary School 4th grade graduation.
Action Based Learning
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade: Students will continue to work on a variety of skills including developing their fine and gross motor skills to help them with everyday activities such as writing and running. They also work on visual tracking and body awareness to help them with balancing and hand-eye coordination. 2nd Grade will also be introduced to a select number of activities from 3rd and 4th Grade so they are prepared for our ABL Lab next year!
3rd and 4th Grade: The older students are continuing to focus on fine and gross motor skills, physical fitness, balance, and cardio exercise. Students use appropriately sized machines that help familiarize them to different physical activities. We also incorporate math into certain stations where students can practice multiplication and division.
Library Happenings
Currently, we will be holding the Scholastic Book Fair! Students will enjoy finding exciting books to add to their home library and our school will earn funds to build our own library collection. April is poetry month and students will hear funny poems read aloud and have an opportunity to create a poem of their own. In May, we will be promoting the Summer Reading Program hosted by the Houston Public Library to keep kids reading over the summer.
Donations
Hello Mustang Families,
Martin is in great need of new or gently used clothing for our resource closet. We need donations of the following children items:
· Polo uniform shirts (all colors) – sizes XS(4) to XL(16)
· Black pants/Khaki pants/Blue jeans – sizes 4 to 16
· Socks – all sizes
· Sneakers/Tennis shoes – all sizes
If you have any outgrown clothing items that do not have any stains or holes, please bring them to the school Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Thank you for your support!
All the best,
Jennifer Davis, LPC
CIS Martin Elementary
Family Center
The Family Center is open Tuesday-Thursday from 8:30 am-12:00 noon every week. The Family Center is open Tuesday-Thursday from 12:30-2:30 pm by appointment only for one on one assistance.
Upcoming presentations in the Family Center:
Thursday, March 31 9:30 am-Prosalud (Rescheduled)
Thursday, April 28 9:00 am-Bee Busy Wellness Center
Below is information and a link for families to use that have specific needs. Scan the QR code to fill out the form and you will be contacted to help fulfill your needs.
In Person Safety Protocols
- All students and staff in the building will be strongly encouraged to wear a disposable surgical mask covering their nose and mouth at ALL times
- There are hand sanitizing stations around the building for staff and student use
- Classrooms and desks will be thoroughly cleaned daily
- Please remain 6 feet away from other families when you walk your child to school in the morning
- Please DO NOT congregate at the doors during morning arrival
- There will be Limited visitors allowed in the building at this time and NO lunch drop off; Please be sure to send lunch with your child in the morning
- Our first priority is the safety of our students. Please respect the above guidelines and help us to keep your children safe as possible while at school.
Nurse Notes
Parents,
We need your help to slow the spread of the COVID-19 Virus here at school. This is an individual effort that effects the collective as a whole. We can reduce the spreading of COVID by
- Washing/sanitizing hands frequently
- Wearing a mask in public areas
- Social distancing
- Staying at home when feeling sick
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Being current on vaccinations (Both doses of COVID, Booster, Flu, and yearly immunizations).
It is important that you communicate with Nurse Baltimore and Dr. Sha if you and/or a family member have symptoms of COVID and/or test POSITIVE. Nurse Baltimore can be reached by email at jasmine.baltimore@aliefisd.net or by phone at 281-983-8363 EXT 22644. Symptoms for COVID are as follows:
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 F
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty Breathing/ Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Shaking or exaggerated shivering
- Significant muscle pain or ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or Vomiting
If POSITIVE, students and staff will quarantine for 5 days after the date of symptom onset or test date if asymptomatic as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Control (CDC). Individuals must be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications and symptoms improving before returning to school or work. You will be REQUIRED to wear a mask for 5 days when you return.
*Consent Forms will be sent home and must be filled out in order for students to be tested at school. If a student presents to the clinic with symptoms and a consent is on file, they will be tested immediately for COVID.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping Nurse Baltimore and Dr. Sha informed! Down below are helpful links you made need to fight COVID.
Free COVID -19 Testing Sites
- Harris County: Harris County Free COVID-19 Testing
- Night Light Urgent Care: Covid-19 Testing
- Texas Children Urgent Care: Schedule an Appointment
Immunizations
- All students must have their age-appropriate immunizations current before returning to school Easy-to-read Immunization Schedule by Vaccine for Ages Birth-6 Years - shell.
- Send student’s updated vaccine records to the school nurse at jasmine.baltimore@aliefisd.net If you choose to opt-out of vaccinating please provide the school nurse with a notarized Affidavit for Exemption.
Flu Season
Additional Nurse Notes
Dear Parents:
I want to keep you updated on a health matter that is impacting our students. Lice is an issue that is frequently seen in the clinic; Students who have tested positive are sent home with their parent and are not readmitted to school until they have received treatment and are cleared by me for return to the classroom. For more information about Lice, you can go to the Center for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/).
At this time, we are requesting all parents to inspect their families for lice and treat as appropriate.
Signs and Symptoms of Head Lice:
a. Itching and scratching of the scalp, especially at the nape of the neck and above the ears
b. Finding live lice (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long) or nits on the hair shaft – Nits are shiny, grayish-white, and look like dandruff, but won't "flick off." The closer the nit is to the scalp, the newer the infestation is.
Treatment:
a. Treat PROMPTLY if you find lice.
b. Use the treatment of your choice. Pediculocides (medicated shampoos) can be obtained over-the-counter at grocery stores or pharmacies. Prescription treatments are also available from your doctor. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS EXACTLY ON ALL TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
c. After using the pediculocide, remove nits (eggs). Nits can be removed by combing the child's hair with a nit comb. Remove the more stubborn nits with your fingernails. There are also products available that help loosen the dead nits after treatment with a pediculocide. This makes it easier to remove the nits.
d. Wash all clothes, coats, hats, sheets, blankets, pillows, and hair ornaments in very hot water. Stuffed animals are also a source of re-infestation.
e. Keep re-inspecting your child's hair every 2-3 days for the next 2 weeks.
To Help Prevent Head Lice:
a. Do not share hats or coats
b. Do not share batting helmets, combs, brushes, barrettes, or other hair ornaments
c. Wash clothes before wearing if someone else has worn the clothes
If you have any questions, please contact me at the number below. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated!!!!
Sincerely,
Nurse J. Baltimore RN
Martin School Nurse
281-983-8363 ext. 22644
Home Access Center
Events/Reminders
March
- 31st - STEAM Night and Book Fair 5:00 - 6:00 pm
April
- 4th - Librarian's Day
- 4th - Kindergarten Interim Assessment #2 Science
- 5th - AP's Day
- 5th - 1st-4th Interim Assessment Science
- 6th - Career Day
- 7th - Character Strong: Courage: Dress in Red
- 8th - Mustang Gallop - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
- 12th -Kindergarten Round-Up - 5:00 pm
- 14th -Progress Reports Go Home
- 15th -Student/Staff Holiday
- 18th-22nd- Volunteer Appreciation Week
- 18th -Student/Staff Holiday
- 18th - 22nd -Parent MC^2 parent teacher 1:1 conferences
- 20th - MC^2 Data Meeting videos available
- 27th - Secretary's Day
- 28th - FAME STEAM at Children's Museum
May
- 2nd - Principal's Day
- 2nd - 6th Staff Appreciation Week
- 3rd - 1st-2nd - Interim Assessment Math
- 4th - 1st -2nd- Interim Assessment- Reading
- 5th - Character Strong - Gratitude: Dress in Teal
- 5th - Progress Reports Go Home
- 6th - Nurse's Day
- 10th - Math STAAR
- 11th - Reading STAAR
- 24th - Field Day - Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd
- 25th - Field Day - 3rd & 4th
- 26th - Last Day of School
- 26th - Report Cards Go Home
- 26th - Awards Assembly Day
Martin Elementary
Email: Martincontact@aliefisd.net
Website: aliefisd.net/Martin
Location: 11718 Hendon Lane, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-983-8363
Twitter: @Martin_Mustangs