The Paw Print
Official Newsletter of Houston Elementary November 2020
Students Return Face to Face
Approximately 250 students have returned to face to face learning at Houston Elementary. Students returned to a new normal on October 26. Teachers welcomed students into classrooms with socially distanced furniture, masks and face shields. Overall, students and parents have been pleased with students returning to campus. "I am excited to be back, " said Ellis Mays, 5th grader in Ms. Griffen's homeroom class. The cafeteria and specials classes look a lot different too but students and staff are adjusting well. Student safety, high quality instruction and student achievement are our top priorities here at HES. We are asking that you help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring that your student:
- Wear a mask and face shield.
- Wash their hands and use hand sanitizer.
- Stay at home when sick.
Working together, we can make sure we have a successful 2020-2021 school year. Let's finish better than we started. We have Accepted the Challenge! Outsmart. Outgrow. Outperform.
Welcome Back!
Students were welcomed back face to face on Oct. 26.
New Arrival Procedures
Students are met at the car for temperature checks and students enter specific doors for social distancing.
Social Distancing
Students practice social distancing during a bathroom break.
Please, mute!
Mrs.Reed has the perfect shirt for hybrid learning.
Wash those hands
Handwashing is an important part of the day at HES.
6-feet apart
Teachers have designed classrooms so that students are seated 6-feet apart.
Purchase your HES Hoodie Today. Deadline is November 13.
Students at HES Celebrated Red Ribbon Week.
Red Ribbon Week
The theme this year was: Accepting the Challenge to be drug free.
Red Out
Students and staff wore red on Monday to show they were accepting the challenge to be drug free.
Team Up Against Drugs
On Tuesday, students and staff wore their favorite team jersey/shirt to show that they were drug free.
Too Smart For Drugs
Students and staff wore their nerd gear and college shirts to show they are too smart for drugs on Wednesday.
Give Drugs The Boot!
Students and Staff wore boots on Thursday to give drugs "the boot".
My Character Counts!
On Friday, students and staff wore storybook character costumes to show that our character counts, and we're drug free.
DayLight Savings Time is Nov. 1. Set your clocks BACK one hour.
No School on November 3- Election Day
Congratulations to our Teacher, Staff Member & Students of the Month for October
Students of the Month- October
PK- Mateo Popoca
Kinder- Keerstin Coffer
1st- Jocelyn Castillo
2nd- Jorge Mendoza
3rd- Madison Ramey
4th -Jayden Wadlington
5th-Cristian Moreno
Staff Member of the Month- Griselda Gamino
Mrs. Gamino serves as the Principal's secretary at HES. This is her 3rd year at Houston.
Teacher of the Month- Ofelia Vazquez
Mrs. Vazquez teaches Kindergarten Bilingual at HES. Mrs. Vazquez is also studying to be a counselor.
HES Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest
Students participated in a pumpkin decorating/carving contest. Cash prizes were awarded to 1st and 2nd place winners for carving and decorating. Some of our students are very creative and talented. Congratulations to all of our participants.
Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest
Students participated in a pumpkin decorating/contest on October 28.
Glowing House
Nathan Esqueda won 2nd place for his pumpkin.
Winner
Pre-K student Joshua Padilla won 1st place with 91 likes for his carved pumpkin.
Close Race
Jocelyn Castillo won a close 2nd place for her pumpkin creation.
Winner!
Cristopher Guevara won the pumpkin decorating contest with 233 likes.
Honorable Mention
Congratulations to all of our participants.
Thankful Reading
The Very Stuffed Turkey, by Katharine Kenah, illustrated by Binny Talib
What do you do when you’ve been invited to 5 houses for Thanksgiving? After one too many courses, this very stuffed turkey finds out the deeper meaning behind the holiday. His is a humorous tale of gratitude and friendship that your littlest readers will most certainly devour
Turkey Trouble, by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper
Turkey was “in the kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving…and you’re the main course.” Fortunately, his moment of self-realization came before the big day; however, he still has to hatch a plan to evade Farmer Jake. Brimming with hilarious disguises, puns, and a cast of plucky farm animals, this is a tasty treat you’ll definitely want to read aloud!
The Little Kids’ Table, by Mary Ann McCabe Riehl, illustrated by Mary Reaves Uhles
Cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends can all agree: “We all know when the meal is done/which of the tables has had the most fun!” Banished they are not – questionable manners, exaggerated conversation, and dessert rule in this vivid world of rambunctious kids, and you’ll love taking a trip back in time with every read-aloud
Five Little Thank Yous
Every Wednesday is College Shirt Day at HES
HES Students and staff may wear jeans and a Dallas Cowboys shirt/jersey on Mondays if the Dallas Cowboys win on Sunday.
Benchmark Tests
Benchmark Tests for 3rd - 5th Grade students will be November 9-11.Benchmark Tests for K-2 will take place Nov. 16-19. These tests are very important for us to monitor student progress and academic achievement. Please, make sure your students get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast.
HES Celebrated 1st Annual Virtual Fall Festival
Fall Festival
Students were invited to join us virtually on October 29 for games & fun.
Story Telling
Students enjoyed scary stories in both languages in the main room.
Jeopardy
The second grade team hosted a fun, interactive game show.
Dance Party
3rd Grade hosted a Halloween themed dance party.
Who's that?
Mr. Garrett, PreK, wore a cool costume in the Name that Tune room.
Sing-A-Long
Creepy Karaoke was a hit with the students.
Congratulations to Our Fall Festival Costume Contest Winners
Yaritzy Vasquez- 3rd Place
1st Grader in Mrs. Padron's class.
Kaylin Kelley- 2nd Place
1st Grader in Ms. Kimbrough's class.
Evan Hines- 1st Place
1st Grader in Ms. Kimbrough's class.
HES Staff Birthdays for November
Ms. F. Jackson – November 3rd
Ms. Raymond – November 4th
Mrs. Nealey – November 9th
Mrs. Kirkland – November 14th
Mrs. Gamino – November 22nd
In case you missed it...Click below and Enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Program.
Houston Elementary Hispanic Heritage Month Program Oct 8, 2020
Houston Health Science Technology Academy
Email: tatanishastevenson@lancasterisd.org
Website: www.lancasterisd.org
Location: 2929 Marquis Lane, Lancaster, TX, USA
Phone: 972-218-1512
Twitter: @HESLancaster