Eagle Family Updates
December 2015
Welcome Back!
I hope you've had a relaxing break and ready for another wonderful round of learning and discovery! Me? I helped one of my twin daughters with her move to the Houston area and celebrated my other twin daughter's engagement to be married! I'm one proud Momma!
We have 3 weeks before our next break so let's make each day count! Please review our upcoming events within this week's updates to ensure your family is ready and prepared for all of our wonderful festivities.
On Thursday and Friday of this week - I have been invited by the District to attend a Game Changers event in Dallas with Southwest Airlines to learn more about creating culture. This is such an honor as six principals were invited to attend (3 elementary and 3 secondary). This is an event focused on creating culture and innovation in education - I'm excited about this opportunity and sharing my new learning with you!
Our Habit for this Month is Think Win-Win. Below is information about this habit you can share with your child(ren):
Think Win-Win isn't about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration.
Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing--that is, if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose. Life becomes a zero-sum game. There is only so much pie to go around, and if you get a big piece, there is less for me; it's not fair, and I'm going to make sure you don't get anymore. We all play the game, but how much fun is it really?
Win-win sees life as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying. We both get to eat the pie, and it tastes pretty darn good!
A person or organization that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:
- Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments
- Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others
- Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone
Remember- when we think win-win everyone ends up on top! How will you practice the habit of win-win in our educational partnership? How will you teach your child(ren) to take on this attitude?
Let's make it a great week or not. The choice is yours.
Principal Spears
What's Up at QVE in December?
- Thanks for Helping Us Win Fort Bend Education Foundation 1st Annual Sugar Shindig! As Part of our prize - lunch will be provided for staff by Dr. Dupre and the E-Team!
December 3rd, Thurs. PTO Meeting in Library at 6:30
December 4th, Fri., QVMS Fine Arts Program for 3rd- 5th grades
December 4th, Fri. Holiday Parties
December 9th, Wed.
- Chick-fil-A Night 5-8
December 14th, Mon. Spelling Bee 4:00 - 6:30
December 16th, Wed., Holiday Giving to residents of Oyster Creek Manor at 6:00 pm
December 17th, Thurs.
- Winter Program 6:00pm - 7:00 pm
- Classroom Parties
December 18th, Fri.
- Polar Express Day- Students Wear Pajama's (no gowns)
- Early Dismissal at 12:10 for students
- End of 1st Semester/Nine Weeks
You and Your Family are Invited...
Greetings Eagle Families!
One of the greatest gifts we can share with others this season is the spirit of “Giving.” This time of year, many of our students are so focused on what they will receive for the holidays, that they never experience the true meaning of the season- the kindness and gratitude we give to others.
We would like to take this opportunity to help our students experience the gift of giving by adopting a nursing home community. We have participated in this for the past two years and each year our students are overwhelmed with a spirit of giving. The nursing home we are adopting this year is Oyster Creek Manor located at 3505 FM 1092 Road in Missouri City, TX 77459.
We would like to provide the residents of these facilities with a small gift that will warm their hearts and brighten their spirits.
We are asking students to bring “one” item from the list below by Tuesday, December 15th. The Office Staff will wrap gifts so that they can be delivered.
On Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00 pm – you are invited to sing carols and help deliver these wrapped gifts to the residents of Oyster Creek Manor.
This opportunity is to totally voluntary as we know you have a lot to do this holiday season. You and your family are invited to join us as we teach our students the importance of service. We have outlined a list of items which can be donated to residents. Please only choose from the list below as occupants are on a strict diet/routine.
Word Finds/Pencils
Books
Comb/Brush
Stationary
Socks
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Unscented Lotion
Throws/Blankets
Photo Album
Puzzles
Chap Stick
Gloves
We appreciate your partnership!
All About Absences
All About Excused Absences
Source: Fort Bend ISD Parent/Student Handbook
When is an absence excused?
- FBISD extracurricular activities
- Illness and medical appointments
- Required court appearances
- Religious holy days
- Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship
- College visits for high school junior and senior (up to two days)
Submitting an Excuse Note
- Notes must be turned in no later than five days upon returning to school.
- Notes should be given to the school’s Attendance Clerk. Email messages are acceptable.
- Keep copies of all correspondence.
- Contact the Attendance Clerk or Assistant Principal if you feel any of your child’s absences are incorrect.
- A medical note can be scanned and emailed directly to the campus Attendance Clerk.
Sample Excuse Note
Current Date
To Whom it May Concern,
Please excuse (Student’s name and ID#) from school on (Date of
Absence). Give detailed reason for absence.
Sincerely,
(Parent’s name)
(Parent’s contact phone number)
Excuse notes should always include:
- Student’s full name
- Student’s ID number
- Today’s date
- Date(s) of absence
- Reason for absence
- Parent contact information
Marcia Peña
QVE/Registrar
QVE Spelling Bee 2015-2016
Spelling Bee News!
The 2015-2016 QVE Spelling Bee is scheduled for Monday, December 14 at 4:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
All participants will stay after school. We will be ordering pizza and providing juice boxes for all participants. We are asking for a $3.00 donation from each parent to help with the cost of the pizza and juice. If you choose for your child to not have pizza, please provide them with a snack or meal of your choice on that day.
We will call all Spelling Bee Students to the Library at 3:00 – provide pizza & juice, restroom breaks, pass out numbers and line up to sit on the stage at 3:40. The doors will open to parents at 3:45 and the Spelling Bee will begin promptly at 4:00 in the cafeteria.
If you are unable to attend, please make sure you are at QVE to pick up your child at 6:00 p.m. While we cannot predict how many rounds we will have, it usually runs 2 hours.
If you have questions- please contact Ms. Portugal at 281-634-5040.
We are looking forward to a great Spelling Bee!
Happy Spelling!
Ruby Portugal,
Reading Specialist
Important Information about Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Dear Parents/Guardians
Morning drop off and afternoon procedures are intended to keep our children safe and make the process of arriving and leaving school as organized and painless for our parents as possible. By following the rules, driving at the appropriate speed and being aware of the surrounding areas, we can all work together to make these portions of our day a little more manageable and keep our children safe.
Quail Valley Elementary School opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 3:10 p.m. on a regular school day.
Morning Drop-Off:
· Please do not arrive to campus prior to 7:30 a.m. unless you have a prearranged staff-supervised class or activity. There will be no adult on duty to supervise our students and keep them safe until this time.
· Please stay in your car and drive through the drop off line. Parking in the limited parking spots creates additional traffic and forces our students to cross the drive way increasing safety hazards.
· Morning traffic can become congested from 7:55-8:10. In order to make sure your child is on time please arrive between 7:30 and 7:55.
· Tardy: Students are tardy if they are not in their class ready to begin learning at 8:10 a.m.
Afternoon Pick up:
· Students cannot be picked up for early dismissal after 2:30.
· Car riders need to stay in line and proceed as far forward as the line will allow.
· If the pick-up car does not have a car rider tag the driver will be asked to move all the way forward and walk in to sign the student out.
Thank you for your cooperation in these areas.
Mr. Strutton,
Assistant Principal
From the GEMS
The QV GEMS Club is an organization designed to educate, inspire, and equip our female youth with the tools to be successful in life. By focusing on our core principles, we develop positive character, excellent service, high scholarship, and servant leadership among the selected group of female students. The Quail Valley GEMS Club is offered to female students in grades 3-5 and is aimed to nourish and motivate the whole student.
As a part of one of our first meeting, the GEMS girls will be making vision boards! We are asking for donations of kid-friendly magazines for pictures. Please drop off your donations at the front office. We will have a box prepared for magazine collections.
We appreciate your help and support.
Meet Mr. Charles Jones, Our Special Education Parent Ambassador
Hello, my name is Charles Jones. I will be serving as the Special Education Parent Ambassador for QVE this school year. My purpose is to serve in an advisory capacity to the district special education leadership team by:
- Engaging in productive dialogue
- Maintaining district level perspective (i.e. opposed to being active and participating for their child only)
- Gathering input from other parents from your campus
- Sharing information with campus administrator and/or parents when appropriate
If you have any questions, input, or concerns that you would like submitted to the district level, please email me at claj123@yahoo.com .
I look forward to partnering with you this year.