Happy Monday Team Bear Creek,

Remember school will not be in session on October 11, 2021 for parent - teacher conferences.

Much Love and Light,

David

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Did you know that 15-20% of the population is affected by dyslexia? Here at Bear Creek, we are a community of literacy learners, and we work together to support and advocate for our students with dyslexia.

Here is a great video that explains dyslexia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zafiGBrFkRM

What is dyslexia? - Kelli Sandman-Hurley

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-is-dyslexia-kelli-sandman-hurley

Dyslexia affects up to 1 in 5 people, but the experience of dyslexia isn't always the same. This difficulty in processing language exists along a spectrum -- one that doesn't necessarily fit with labels like "normal" and "defective." Kelli Sandman-Hurley urges us ...

If you want to learn more about dyslexia, please visit the International Dyslexia Association website and check out this helpful fact sheet from TEA :

https://dyslexiaida.org/fact-sheets/

Fact Sheets - International Dyslexia Association

The International Dyslexia Association, Inc. (IDA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charity, organized and operated to provide advocacy, resources and services to teaching professionals, advocates and individuals and families impacted by dyslexia and other related learning differences.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rOjSDa0vRzGXQwOWoHjRpNFJrCWEDEo0/view

Dyslexia Fact Sheet.pdf

We will host our Inaugural Bear Creek Elementary Electric Dirt Day on Saturday, October 16 at 9am. We will be cleaning up lots of tree beds on and around campus. We will need people comfortable with (and who own) small chain saws, loppers, and shovels/picks.

We also need a small team to put together a large basketball goal.

I anticipate this taking about three hours.

I will send out a Google Form next week for sign ups.

What Do If Your Child Is Not Feeling Well

If your child is ill with symptoms consistent (cough, sore throat, stomach issues, headaches, fatigue, congestion, etc ...) with Covid-19 contact Mr. Crissey and your child's teacher and then the following protocols must be followed:

Students May Return After

10 days have passed since symptoms started, and improvement in overall symptoms, and 24 hours have passed without fever and use of fever-reducing medication.

OR

Provide doctor’s note to campus health room staff stating that symptoms are not COVID-19-related and student can return to school.

OR

Provide a negative COVID-19 test. This MUST be a PCR test not a rapid test.

As an FYI the same holds true for staff members.

It's Bullying Prevention Month

Types of Bullying - Physical, Emotional, Social, and Cyber.

What Bullying is not:

Hurting someone's feelings, teasing or name calling, ignoring or not wanting to play, taking something that's yours, cutting in line, not sharing or turn taking, general meanness.

Unless it is:

• Repetitive or continued after you ask them to stop.
• An imbalance of "power" or strength or being outnumbered.
• Intentional and deliberate meanness or cruelty.
• One-sided, targeted, and purposeful.

Classroom lessons will be on this topic this month!

Virtual Learner Picture Sign Up Genius

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4FAEA92FA0FF2-bcevirtual

Staff Appreciation Spotlight

Today, October 4th, is Custodian/Groundskeeping Appreciation Day, and this week we will honor our amazing custodial staff - Daniel Vargas, Jauna Carrillo, & Carolina Alcala! Not only are we incredibly appreciative of their work in keeping classrooms and other areas healthy and safe, but our beautiful, state-of-the-art school would not shine the way it does without this dedicated team.

Take a moment this week to chat with your kiddos about all the work the custodial staff does and encourage them to say a big "Thank you!" when they see them!

Thanks to all who have joined the Bear Creek PTA! We are 120 members away from meeting our goal. You can still join if you haven't done so—Membership is open all school year. BUT if you join by 10/22, you will be entered in a raffle to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Memberships are available for Families (2 adults), Individuals (1 adult), or Faculty & Staff. Thanks for your support and being part of the Bear Creek PTA!

//my.cheddarup.com/c/bearcreekptamebership2021-22

Mark your calendar! Our Pumpkins & Pictures event at Bear Creek is back on Saturday, October 23rd. We are offering a mini photo session on the Bear Creek grounds for $25 (you will be emailed 1 digital image) along with a pumpkin patch. There will be fall crafts, cider, and a pumpkin decorating station.

Don’t need a family photo? Just come for the pumpkins and fun for $10! All proceeds benefit the Bear Creek PTA and help us support our wonderful teachers and staff.

Sign up for a photo slot here: https://ptapumpkins.cheddarup.com

The PTA Reflections program for 2021-22 is back and Bear Creek PTA is open for entries! The theme is “I Will Change the World By” and entries are welcome in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

Entries due by November 5th!

We will continue our tradition ... nothing scary or gory ... no weapons and all kids need to be able to easily use the bathroom with their costumes on.

It’s back y’all!

Save the date for the 3rd annual Hunter 5K, honoring the life and legacy of Hunter Henderson.

In-person and virtual options available.

Registration is open!

We need volunteers. Please use the link below to help out!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d45a4ad2aa75-the2021

Please reach out to me at david.crissey@austinisd.org