Bryant Bulletin
Weekly Campus Updates for Parents & Guardians
September 30, 2020
A Message from Dr. Rhodes
Meet Our Staff- Ms. Lesley Vargas, Pre-K Assistant
KVA Opt-In/Out Closes THIS FRIDAY, 10/2.
If your child is in KVA and you want your child to move to Face-to-Face on campus, or if your child is on campus and you want to move him/her to KVA for the 2nd Nine Weeks, it is now time to opt-in/out. PLEASE NOTE- If your child's learning platform is not changing at all, you do nothing. :-) You are good to continue as is. Remember, all opt-in/out changes are in effect at the beginning of the second nine week grading period (10/19). You may access the Opt In/Out form by clicking here. You can also find it on our homepage. When viewing the first slide in the slide viewer, click on the linked slide.
If you are opting-in or out of Face-to-Face or KVA, please make the best decision for your child. We will be unable to make any changes after 10/2/20. The next Opt In/Out period will be in December for the 3rd Nine Weeks beginning in January. Again, we will be unable to make any changes from October 2nd - December 18th.
We appreciate your support, as we have worked extremely hard to schedule and balance in-person and virtual learning classes for the first grading period. Once we have full details from the opt in/out period for the second nine weeks, we will provide more details as to how classrooms in each grade level will shift, if at all.
From Our Counselor, Mrs. Flores
Bryant Community & Student Kindness Challenge
** Host a family movie night with your family. Plan something fun to do with your family or class. **
Legacy Parent Academy will be hosting a parent session on Anxiety and Reintegrating into School on Wednesday, October 7th from 6:00-7:00 on Zoom. "Students may have difficulty reintegrating into school and have not been in a face-to-face setting since March 6, 2020. Participants will learn how to recognize anxiety and strategies to help students experience success returning to school." See the attached flyer for more information. More information can be found here.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
See the flyer below for more information. In addition, students at Bryant will be offered a counselor guidance lesson focusing on bully prevention and kindness. During this lesson, students will be introduced to the Students with Solutions project. More information can be found here. Students participating in the lesson will receive additional information that will be sent home. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the School Counselor, Penny Flores, at penelopewflores@katyisd.org.
PurposeFull People
This month we will introduce the character trait: Cooperation. Please help us kick off this trait by encouraging your child to wear green on Wednesday, October 7th. Throughout the month, students will engage in conversations and activities to help develop and apply Cooperation in their daily lives! As we introduce Cooperation, we hope to instill new ideas and skills that students will be able to apply and utilize in school and at home. We are using this definition at school: Cooperation: Working together and helping others. If you are looking for ways to extend this trait at home, check out our K-2 resource (en Espanol) and 3-5 resource (en Espanol). For more information, contact Penny Flores, the School Counselor, at penelopewflores@katyisd.org.
General Campus Information and Reminders
Changes of Transportation
Reminder- Changes of Transportation must be either sent in with your student on the day of the change by filling and printing out this form, emailing bryantelementary@katyisd.org from a registered email on your student’s account, or by coming up to the vestibule of the school with your valid ID to verify guardianship before 2pm. If emailing, please be sure to include student’s name, grade, teacher, change of dismissal (include bus #, address, and stop location if changing to bus), and the date(s) of the change. NOTE- emails sent to teachers for Changes of Transportation are not accepted. Please use the email address above.
Need HAC??
Destination Imagination
Calling all creative problem solvers in grades 1-5!
If you like to create skits, solve problems, build things, make costumes and work with others to solve problems, we need you to join one of our BES Destination Imagination (DI) teams.
What is DI?
Destination Imagination is the world’s largest creative problem-solving program for kids. It builds participant’s creativity, problem solving ability, and teamwork in enjoyable and meaningful ways. There are teams from every state in the US and 42 countries that will have teams and compete at the Global Finals. The competitions begin on the local level and proceed to state and national level competitions.
How are teams formed?
Students are placed on a team according to their grade level and the challenge they choose to work on. Each team may consist of 5 to 7 members and at least one parent must volunteer to be the team’s manager. The team managers facilitate and plan the team meetings. Team managers receive training and the program materials through the district. Students who would like to work together should indicate that preference with the team forming and application process.
How do we find out more about it?
Come to our information meeting on Thursday, October 1st from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Please email Mrs. Foreman to request the zoom link. You will learn more about how the program works and how your child can become a team member. The Destination Imagination Global and Texas websites will also help explain the program and give you a preview of this year’s challenges.
Please contact Jodi Foreman, campus DI sponsor, at jolindagforeman@katyisd.org if you have any questions.
Dyslexia Awareness Month
THANK YOU...
Thank you to our local HEB stores for donating pre-packaged snacks which allowed us to create an appreciation cart for staff members at the end of last week!
Thank you to Chick-fil-A Katy Mills for donating individual chicken sandwich meals for all staff members last Friday during the Professional Learning Day!!
The generosity of these Partners in Education is greatly appreciated. If you work for an organization who would like to show appreciation to teachers and staff, please email our Partners in Education Liaison, Erica Foster, at EricaLFoster@katyisd.org
Upcoming Events
10/1- District Family Night
10/2- Custodian Appreciation Day
10/6- Campus Advisory Team (CAT) Meeting, 4pm via Zoom
10/7- PurposeFull People, Wear Green for Cooperation
10/12- Columbus Day, Student/Staff Holiday
10/19- 2nd Nine Weeks Begins (new placements for KVA Opt In/Out)
10/21- 1st Nine Weeks Grades posted in Home Access Center (HAC)
10/27- Virtual Coffee with the Principal, 9:00am (details TBA)
From the District
Katy ISD Family Support
The Katy ISD Family Support Center is offering parent trainings via Zoom on various topics that are relevant for our time. Please click here for topics, dates, and times. These will be offered via Zoom and space is limited.
** MODIFIED Phase One Safety Protocols **
Effective September 28th.
- Classroom protocols modified to require students and staff to wipe down their workspace at the beginning of use. Hand sanitizer and wipes will continue to be available in all classrooms for students.
- Elementary playground equipment may be utilized by students during recess ensuring hand sanitizer and hand washing time is available immediately after use and before returning to class. District custodial staff will sanitize the playground equipment each morning prior to student use.
- Library and computer lab(s) may be utilized with the requirement of cleaning workspaces before student use. Additionally, time should be incorporated following group instruction for hand washing before returning to regular class instruction.
- Returned library book are quarantined for a 6-day period before being checked out again to students.
- Elementary & Secondary grouping of students for instructional purposes will be allowed with facial covering protocol strictly adhered to, desk shields utilized where possible and continued cleaning of workspaces by students.
- Campus events, outside the instructional day, may be allowed with supervising event staff completing a required COVID-19 safety and mitigation training. Event capacity for indoor events, outside the instructional day, may be limited and must follow current state, local and TEA guidance.
Bus Safety Rules
1. Mask/Face covering should be worn on the bus and the bus stop, until further notice.
2. Observe the same conduct as in the classroom including cell phone use.
3. Enter the bus and immediately go to the assigned seat.
4. Talk in a normal tone of voice.
5. Remain seated and facing forward in the assigned seat until time to exit the bus.
6. Keep head, hands, feet, and other objects to oneself; do not tamper with bus equipment.
7. Use acceptable language; obscene, profane, unacceptable language and/or gestures are prohibited.
8. Refrain from eating and/or drinking on the bus; keep the bus clean.
9. Refrain from throwing objects within the bus or out of the windows.
10. Follow all rules outlined in the District’s Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, as well as safety rules established by the driver.
11. Arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop-time and wait a safe distance from where the bus stops. 5 giant steps away from the stop is a good rule.
12. When the bus arrives, do not approach it until the bus has come to a complete stop. Form a single line and board the bus. Go directly to a seat and sit in a safe position. If seats are
equipped with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times as required by law.
13. When it is time to get off of the bus, wait until it comes to complete stop before getting up from your seat.
Behavior Expectations for Virtual Learning - Guidance for Parents
Behavior expectations for students enrolled in Katy Virtual Academy are the same as expectations for students enrolled in face-to-face instruction. All students are still required to follow the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct as participation in virtual learning is an extension of the classroom. In addition to the District’s discipline guidelines, parents and guardians should be aware of the following:
A. Students must log in as themselves. Impersonating another user is a violation of the Responsible Use Guidelines and is prohibited.
B. Students will be expected to participate in discussions and activities. Additionally, it is critical for students to complete assignments independently to allow teachers to accurately identify progress. However, as established in KVA Guidelines, parents must be prepared to monitor their student’s learning and may need to provide assistance for younger students to support instruction in a virtual learning environment.
C. When logging into virtual learning sessions (i.e. Zoom):
- Students must have their video on. It is an expectation of learning to allow the teacher to check for engagement and understanding.
- If a student is using a virtual background it must not be offensive or inappropriate. Students must be prepared to hide the background or change it at the teacher’s request.
- Students must use the name that is on school record or birth certificate (names can be shortened such as : William to Will or Tamara to Tam) TBD
- Students must not share specific meeting links or passwords.
- Students must only enter their class virtual meetings they are scheduled for.
D. Appropriate school language must be used on all applications such as but not limited to: chat, discussions, whiteboards, and shared documents.
Parents will be contacted if a student violates classroom expectations or the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. Persistent or serious offenses will be referred to the appropriate campus administrator and additional consequences may be assigned, including but not limited to:
- Parent Conference,
- Behavior Contract,
- Recovery Time,
- Loss of Privilege,
- Overnight Suspension,
- Suspension, or
- Referral to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement.
Katy ISD COVID-19 Dashboard
The Katy ISD webpage now contains a dashboard which provides daily updates on the number of overall self-reported COVID-19 positive cases throughout the district, and by campus. The Dashboard can be viewed at any time by visiting the Katy ISD website homepage and clicking on the COVID-19 Case Dashboard icon or by clicking below.
Katy Virtual Academy (KVA)
District KVA Newsletter
KVA Grab & Go
We will be hosting a KVA Grab & Go on Monday, 10/5 and Tuesday, 10/6 from 4:00-5:00pm. The day and time will be assigned according to the color of your student’s car rider tag. Please have your car rider tag displayed in your car. If you are unsure of your 2020/2021 car rider number, please contact your child’s teacher. The students will receive a Ziploc bag that will include independent reading books, paper copies of future assignments, and other instructional materials. Please return the bag you were given at the previous Grab & Go. We will be distributing the bags from the Gym Doors. Please pull through the teacher parking lot with your car rider tag hanging from your rear-view mirror. A teacher will bring your child’s bag to your car and collect the previous bag that was given.
Monday, October 5th 4-5pm:
Lime
Green
Orange
Purple
Tuesday, October 6th 4-5pm:
Yellow
Blue
Red
News From the Bryant PTA
PTA Online Auction!!
If you have been wondering what the PTA would do for fundraising this year or how you can help the school out since we cannot be on campus yet, here is your answer and opportunity. The PTA is having an online auction to raise money for much needed additional technology this year. If you or someone you know has a business that would like to donate a gift card, good or service to our online auction please reach out to our Auction Chair Rebekah Smith at bryantptaauction@gmail.com.
The auction is scheduled for November 3, 2020 – November 9, 2020. Keep an eye out for next weeks newsletter to see some amazing school related events you will be able to bid on for you or your child.
Parents- Get YOUR Photos in the Yearbook!!
Don't miss out on an opportunity for your student to be in the yearbook!! We want to see what your kids are doing!! Share your pictures with us. Click here for more information!!
Check out Wednesday folders and PTA Social Media for different picture challenges this year!! This year we need all the parent and Bryant Staff help we can get to make our yearbook successful!!
Visit Us Online
Click here for PTA Facebook.
Click here to follow PTA on Twitter.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Important Reminders From Previous Bulletins
Procedures when Checking Students In or Out During the School Day
MyOn Reading
Students can access MyOn using their Katy Cloud Login information. Renaissance MyOn Readers is a student-centered, personalized literacy environment that gives students access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to individual student’s interests, grade and Lexile reading level. MyOn fosters student engagement and achievement. MyOn is a great resource for students to use to complete 20 minutes of daily reading outside of school. When a child logs in for the first time, the child will be prompted to complete a reading interest inventory and a quick reading assessment. This helps the system to match your child to texts that match their interests and reading level. Stay tuned for Campus MyOn Challenges that will be coming soon! Happy Reading!
A Parent's Guide to Navigating the KVA Classroom
While the KVA experience has opened up a whole new world for parents to see the educational world our kids live in, it does come with its challenges as well. What we have to remember is, though we are able to be right beside our child and hear more than we ever have before, this is still your child's educational experience.
A child learns so much more than academics at school. They learn independence, confidence and they begin to develop their thoughts, beliefs and ideas about who they are and who they want to become.
In the end... they grow.
Growth comes when we are faced with challenges we must solve, not by someone providing the solution. Growth comes from running into obstacles so we learn how to avoid them, and make our own path, not by someone removing everything in our way.
It is difficult to watch a child deal with an obstacle or a struggle. However, if we truly want full growth for our kids, we must learn how to navigate this new world where your child would normally be in the driver's seat.
Trust, communication, patience and understanding with one another will help us see it through so your child is the focus and their GROWTH is our goal.
Please see this list (click here) of a few Do's and Don'ts as you work with your child and their teacher through this KVA process.
Katy ISD Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Screening Deadline
Now through October 2nd, parents of kindergarten students in Katy Independent School District who would like their child to be part of the Challenge (Gifted and Talented, GT) program may refer them for screening. This week, kindergarten parents will receive information detailing how to refer a student. Referral information can also be found on the Katy ISD GT and Advanced Academics website and is due on October 2, 2020.
“The State of Texas defines a gifted and talented student as a child or youth who performs or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment,” said Katy ISD Director of Gifted, Talented and Advanced Academic Studies Joan Otten. “The Katy ISD Kindergarten Program emphasizes the development of critical and creative thinking skills,” added Otten.
Kindergarten services will begin by March 1, 2021 and will include students attending a Challenge classroom for 60 minutes a week. Students identified in kindergarten move into the elementary pullout program in first grade. Parents with questions can contact our Counselor or our campus Challenge teacher.
Parents of students who are referred and screened will receive placement notification during the last week of February 2021. Kindergarten GT Parent Information presentation will be available on our website by September 29, 2020.
Can My Child Go to School?
Front Vestibule Drop Boxes
Required Daily Self-Screening of Student
For the health and safety of all students and staff – parents are required to assist their children with a daily self screening for COVID-19 symptoms and fever before arriving to school, or boarding school transportation.
Per TEA “In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following questions: Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?"
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Shaking
Exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
COVID-19 Self-Reporting App, Notifications & Information
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students, and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building. If there is direct exposure due to improper use of PPE, individual families will be contacted.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.