Friday Focus
Summer Edition - 2019
From Mrs. Barry:
Fun fact!!
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT!
Each year, parents are required to do "Returning Students" paperwork online through Skyward Family Access. You will be asked to update contact information, electronically sign forms, etc. PLEASE COMPLETE THIS PRIOR TO THE START OF SCHOOL, if at all possible.
If you need assistance, please call Susan Snelling at 713-251-6204.
Please welcome our new staff members!
Tonya Milton - Speech
From Ms. Milton:
Hello! My name is Tonya Milton and I am a Speech Language Pathologist with seven years of experience as a speech therapist in both the school and clinical practice settings. This is my second academic year working in SBISD, as I previously served Thornwood Elementary School and Stratford High School. Prior to this, my school experience includes working for Clear Creek ISD. I graduated from the University of Houston with a Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2012 in order to pursue this amazing career.
Prior to beginning my career as a speech language pathologist, I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications in 1998. I then became an educator for the Houston Independent School District (HISD), and later the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP). During the course of my decade long teaching career I taught children in the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grades.
I am a native and proud Houstonian, and my family and I live in the Energy Corridor of west Houston. I have been married to my husband Steven for 8 years, and we have two amazing children: Olivia (5) and August (3) who will both be attending Nottingham Elementary School this year.
Karmina Alexander - Kindergarten
Karmina Alexander is joining the Kinder team.
Here is information about Ms. Alexander:
My name is Karmina Alexander, and I am excited to be joining the Kindergarten Team at Meadow Wood. I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin (hook 'em) with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. I have taught kindergarten for 6 years at Horn Elementary in Houston ISD. This past year, I took the year off to be a stay at home mama to my soon to be 1 year old baby boy. I'm looking forward to meeting you and your kiddos! It's going to be a great, fun year of learning!
Amber Mlcak - Kindergarten
Amber Mlcak is also joining the Kinder team, coming from another SBISD site.
Learn more about her:
My name is Amber Mlcak. I am coming from Wildcat Way. I have been a pre-k teacher in SBISD for 24 years and am boldly making the change to teach kindergarten this year! I was at Wildcat Way for the 17 years it has been open and Bendwood for 7 years before Wildcat Way was built.I am both excited and nervous.
I am creative, innovative, and a nurturer. I like new challenges and am passionate about teaching young children.
I am a married mom of three- a freshman in college, a 7th grader at Cornerstone, and a 4th grader coming to Meadow Wood.
Andrea Allen - 2nd grade
From Mrs. Allen:
My name is Andrea Allen, and I am delighted to join the MWE team as a 2nd grade teacher. I taught 3rd grade and kindergarten before having 3 precious boys. I have homeschooled them part-time for the past 9 years. My 2 youngest sons will be students at MWE this year, and my oldest will be in high school. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and I love to do anything outdoors. I'm looking forward to a wonderful year in 2nd grade!
Kiara Perkins - Resource
Kiara Perkins will be one of our three resource teachers this year. She is moving to Houston from the Dallas area.
Ms. Perkins says:
Hello!! My name is Kiara Perkins and I am so excited to join the Meadow Wood team!!! Since I’ve started my teaching journey 2 years ago, my passion has always been Special Education. I have worked with all ends of the spectrum of Special Education including life skills, resource, co-teaching, and behavior. I truly believe that I have the patience, and most importantly the heart, to get this special demographic of students the education they deserve. I take much pride in advocating for my students and not letting anybody, teacher or student, treat them any differently than everybody else. Special Education is a service, not a place, but any classroom that I am in will be a place where my students feel safe and respected.
I promise you every day your child will learn something. Some days they will bring it home in their hands. Some days they will bring it home in their heads. And some days they will bring it home in their hearts.
Kate Zuelke - Resource
Kate Zuelke is the second of our three resource teachers. She comes to us from Mrs. Barry and Ms. Vendetti's former school, Edgewood.
Ms. Zuelke says:
My name is Kate Zuelke and I am very excited to be a part of the Meadow Wood Elem. community! I graduated from the University of Houston and after I graduated, I became an Elementary Special Education Resource/Inclusion Teacher in Spring Branch ISD. For the last 3 years, I have worked in Pre-K through 5th grade classrooms and I’m loving every minute of it! I strive every day to help and provide the support my students need to be successful. #EveryChild When I am not creating future superheroes, I enjoy spending time with my family, camping, hiking, and country dancing. I believe in supporting every learner and their journey through their educational career.
Carolina Vanegas - Digital Lab Monitor
Carolina Vanegas is coming to MWE in a new paraprofessional position - digital lab monitor. She will be working primarily with fourth grade.
Ms. Vanegas writes:
I love to be in contact with people, building positive relationships, and I enjoy working with children on the computer.
At Northbrook Middle School, I was the ADA/Registrar - this gave me the opportunity to build excellent relationships with students, parents, staff and community members. I trained my peers and staff on Skyward, Google Docs, Microsoft Office, and office applications. I began as an Assistant Principal's Secretary, and within a year I was promoted to ADA/Registrar for my skills and passion for building and maintaining relationships with students, staff, and parents.
Erin Kolpek - Resource
Here's more about Ms. Kolpek:
Dr. Erin Kolpek joins the MWE team with 15 years of experience in education. After serving in the Navy, Erin began her teaching career in 2004 as a special education teacher in Northern Virginia. In 2006, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education. Since returning to Texas, in addition to her 8 years of classroom experience as an Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities Teacher, Erin has assumed roles as a Dyslexia Specialist, District Behavior Coach, and as an adjunct at the University of Houston. In May 2018, she obtained her doctorate degree in Professional Leadership - Special Populations at the University of Houston.
Kelly Miller - Diagnostician
Kelly Miller is our new diagnostician. Ms. Miller is coming from another school in the district, and we will share her with Wilchester Elementary.
Mrs. Miller shares:
I have had the honor of working in Spring Branch for 15 years. I have been working in the role as Educational Diagnostician for 13 years. I am married and have daughter who is going into second grade. I enjoy exercising, reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
Cathy Cox - 4th grade
Many of you already know Mrs. Cox, but here is a little bit about her:
I was born in SanAntonio, Texas and quickly moved to Felixstowe, England where my father was attached to the RAF Air Station as an advisor for the USAF. My family lived in England for 4 years, and I return to the U.K. as often as I can. I am married to David Cox, we have four children and three grandchildren with an adopted granddaughter literally on her way to Nashville Tennessee from Salem, India. Genevieve is a wonderful addition to the Cox family. I am a life - long learner that includes a M. Ed. From Sam Houston State University in Principal Leadership, a BBA in Computer Information Systems from the University of Houston, and countless hours of professional development. I began my teaching career in private education then moved to public education where I have taught for the past 12 years in Cy-Fair ISD, Houston, ISD, and beginning my 5th year at Meadow Wood Elementary. I am excited to be teaching 4th grade Writing this year with an impressive team of educators.
I love our MWE students, I love our MWE parents, and I love our MWE teachers and staff! I can’t wait to start the 2019-2020 school year!
And... a name change!
MWE Hours
Warning bell rings at 7:50 a.m.
Instruction begins at 7:55 a.m.
Attendance is taken at 9:30 a.m.
Dismissal is at 3:00 p.m.
Office closes at 4:00 p.m.
Who is my child's teacher?
In the meantime, here are the grade level teams:
PreK: Laura Weber (Zaida Buchanan - Paraprofessional)
Kinder: Jessica Leonard, Erin Miller, Karmina Alexander, Amber Mlcak
1st grade: Dominique Holland, Becky Maddox, Sara Moffett, Kristine Mortola
2nd grade: Amy Pierce, Andrea Allen, Cindy Stone, Skyler Tankersley
3rd grade: Megan Golafshan, Kimberly Hare, Lori Dismukes
4th grade: Tabitha Pena, Ami Rapp, Kay Taylor, Cathy Cox (Carolina Vanegas - Digital Lab)
5th grade: Nicolas Garcia, Beth Keen, Rhonda deLeon
Coming Soon....a second counselor!!
Our new counselor will work on Mondays and Tuesdays and will serve grades 1, 3 and 5. Ms. Luberger will work on Thursdays and Fridays, serving PreK/Kinder, second, and fourth. Both will be on campus on Wednesdays.
Along with Ms. Oxener, we know this is going to be the BEST counseling team ever!!
MWE needs YOU!!!!
To be an SBISD volunteer, you must register and gain approval each year before beginning your service. This include those who wish to serve as chaperones on field trips! All SBISD volunteers undergo and must pass a criminal background check prior to being approved to volunteer in our schools. Click below to complete the application process!
Opportunity Culture
SBISD is excited to offer an opportunity for educators and their teams to extend their reach to more students and for more pay, through Opportunity Culture (OC) Texas, a new and innovative staffing framework.
In Opportunity Culture (OC) Texas in SBISD, a team of teachers and administrators at a school study and choose among several models that use job-position redesign and age-appropriate technologies to reach more students while, also personalizing high-standard instruction.
The fourth grade team began researching options for redesign that will enhance student learning last year. They have determined a model that they feel will best support our Eagles. As we move toward community feedback in our "next steps" process, we are excited to let you know that phase 1 of this model has been approved. Carolina Vanegas will join the team as a Digital Lab Monitor. Please note: though there are potential changes to other classroom structures in the future, we will continue with a more traditional layout (with 4 teachers) until our feedback and development process is complete. To hear more about the proposed plan, watch this video from Ms. Rapp:
https://gopro.com/v/PoGlNnLQ1Pl4J
Please be on the lookout for meeting dates/times after the school year begins. Parent feedback and input is CRITICAL!!!
Teacher's College
The mission of the TCRWP is to help young people become avid and skilled readers, writers, and inquirers. This is done through research, curriculum development, and through working shoulder-to-shoulder with students, teachers, and school leaders. The organization has developed state-of-the-art tools and methods for teaching reading and writing, for using performance assessments and learning progressions to accelerate progress, and for literacy-rich content-area instruction.
TCRWP was founded and is directed by Lucy Calkins, The Robinson Professor of Children’s Literature at Teachers College. Lucy is the author or co-author of over two score of books, and these books, as well as those by current and former staff members and TCRWP teachers, create a portfolio of texts which is foundational to reading and writing workshop instruction across the globe.
In addition to summer training provided to our teachers, we will also have district support in implementation from specialist Cathy Roth.
MIZ grant
Mr. DaShawn Glover is our campus MIZ specialist. He works with our teachers to implement the model, analyze data, support student learning, and more! We will be hosting informational sessions about the MIZ grant and campus implications this fall.
Spiral
Please mark your calendar for these important events!
PreK/Kinder Popsicles in the Park (6-7 p.m.)
August 14
Meet the Teacher and Spirit Sales (2-4 p.m.)
August 15
First day of school!!
PTA Coffee (immediately following start of school day)
August 28
Room Parent Coffee (9 a.m.)
CIT meeting (3:30)
September 2
School HOLIDAY
Membership Toolkit
We are excited to announce that we will be using Membership Toolkit for our Directory, Online Sales, Volunteer Sign Ups and Communications starting with the 2019-2020 school year.
We invite you to visit Meadow Wood PTA Membership Toolkit to see everything your PTA has to offer this year. Once you create a Membership Toolkit Account, you will have access to upcoming calendar events, make purchases, sign up to volunteer and much, much more.
Here's what you need to do:
- Go to https://meadowwoodpta.membershiptoolkit.com.
- Click on the Register/Login button.
- Select "Create Account" and fill in the name, email, and password information.
- Click "verify my email" and then check your email for a link to complete the process. The link expires in 2 hours. If you do not receive the email, check your spam or junk folders.
- Once you have verified your email address, log back in and finish the registration process.
- Complete the Parent/Family and Student Information.
- Complete the Directory/Publish Preferences.
- Once these forms are complete, you will be presented with forms for PTA Membership, Spirit Wear, and Volunteer Opportunities. All of your Back-to-School needs in one convenient place!
Once the Primary Account is set up, the Primary User can "invite" other email addresses to access his/her account. This allows the Secondary User to have their own login information, but still have access to the family account.
Questions? - Please don't hesitate to contact Jenny Teixeira at mrstex3@yahoo.com.
SnoBunny Snowballs at Meet the Teacher
We are excited to announce that SnoBunny Snoballs will be at Meet the Teacher on August 14th. Cool off with a delicious treat! Prices are $3 for small, $4 for medium, and $5 for large. Cash and credit cards accepted.
Watch DOGS
We are so excited to about the new school year. We can’t wait to get Watch D.O.G.S. up and running. It is going to be another great year with many opportunities for you to serve our students and teachers. We will begin having Watch D.O.G.S. in classrooms during the third week of school so that students and teachers can get settled during the first two weeks. However, we have a couple of opportunities before then where we will need some extra hands and we would love your help. Those opportunities are:
The first two days of school: 7:30-8:30 and 2:30-3:30
Helping students get to the right place coming in and returning home.
The first week of school during Pre-K & Kindergarten Lunch: Time TBD
Students need help with trays, opening juice boxes, etc.
Please note you will first need to sign up and be approved as a SBISD Volunteer right here https://www.springbranchisd.com/engage/partnerships-volunteers/volunteer-in-sbisd It must be renewed each year. Thank you in advance for helping make MWE a great school. We look forward to working with you.