Cat Tracks
Spring Shadows Elementary Wildcats Staff Newsletter
January 6-12
TEAM WILDCATS UNSTOPPABLE
NBHS gives back!
Happy Wildcats!
TEAM WILDCATS & FUTURE RAIDERS
Our Vision
Our Mission
Core Beliefs
- Each student has unique intellectual, emotional, social, and physical qualities.
- We embrace a child’s individual values, interests, and personalities.
- Parents are confident in their child’s social and intellectual educational growth.
- Educators lead their craft by preparing learners in our fast changing world
Principal's Message
Dear Wildcats,
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of staff, parents and students to Spring Shadows Elementary in 2018. Walt Disney once said ‘You can dream, create, design and build the most wonderful ideas in the world, but it requires people to make the dream a reality’. This is certainly the case as a principal. The reality is that the learning experiences and projects that have taken place this year could not have happened without a great deal of commitment and support from the staff, parents and students.
This year, as a school we made some pretty big improvements to our school community. Our K-2nd grade teachers studies and implements Teacher's College Readers Workshop. They are seeing huge gains in their overall student reading abilities. So far, the staff participating in this new curriculum should be applauded for the way in which they have embraced the rewards and challenges of this curriculum and implemented it with positivity and enthusiasm. In addition, all teachers in 3-5th are self-contained this year. Due to this change, we improved overall in our Panorama Survey by 3-5 points respectively. We have seen a major decline in student referrals and student misbehaviors. Our instructional framework including good first instruction has been seen over and over again through increased instructional rounds to provide feedback for increased student achievement. The proof is in the numbers comparing Priority Standard Assessments from fall 2017 to 2018 with an average of double digit gains.
I am privileged to be a part of a school with highly capable and committed teachers and support staff. One of the critical factors of any successful school is the staff. There has never been a time when being a teacher has been more demanding or challenging. To our teachers and support staff, thank-you for your energy, passion and enthusiasm. What a privilege to be able to witness the joy that comes with the understanding or satisfaction of a problem solved, or the wonder of living new adventures through the world of literacy. Our teachers are privileged each day to participate in their student’s academic journey. They recognize and applaud just how hard their students try. They celebrate their students’ achievements whether they be great or small and they share with pride the progress their students make with their learning. Not a week goes by that we are not as a school celebrating the successes of our students, whether these successes be in the classroom, in the library, or in specials.
I look forward to strengthening our relationship with you and embarking on the journey of the 2019 spring semester together. There are many exciting things set to take place for 2019.
When I reflect on my time as principal at SSE, of what I consider to be an awesome school, I have many fond memories. The road has had bumps and many challenges along the way. The rewards have far outweighed the challenges. All of the experiences of this year have contributed is some way to ensuring we offer our students the best education. I believe we have a unique place for students to learn through loving and living. Thank-you to all of you that continue to promote SSE in a positive manner.
May you enjoy this beautiful week with love, learning, and joy for sharing the light you were gifted.
Wildcat Love and respect,
Rachel Martinez
Author's Visit- Donna Bowman
Inspirational Talk
Author's Lunch
Character Traits & Learning from an Author!
Calendar
Monday, January 7, 2019
- Campus Staff Development Day
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Kindergarten Extended Planning
Group 4
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
1st Grade Extended Planning
Group 5
Thursday, January 10, 2019
PLC Thursday
Group 1
- Teacher of the Year Nominations Open
Friday, January 11, 2019
2nd Grade Extended Planning
Group 2
- 4th Grade to Taste of Texas
- Report Card 2 Go Home
Library News
Rockets - Read Nation Starts NEXT Monday. It would be great if everyone could use their calendars. It is ONLY for reading at home - not during school. They are promoting leisure reading. There are great prizes - SSE can win this year - If EVERY class participates - we can have over 200,000 minute - I think closer to 250,000 minute in the month.
Reading Update
SSE Readers now have 327,076 minutes logged in. By the end of February we can have over 500,000 minutes and win the Nation Read contest!
Rank and Minutes by Classrooms
5th Grade Readers - Keyim (21,943), Parada (21,891), Denson (15,576) Calkins (4,955)
4th Grade Readers - Perez (14,287), Mendoza (12,773), Shankar (8,806), Hill (7,863), Dortch (4,629) Vargas (3,528)
3rd Grade Readers - Salazar (16,148) , Klauer (7,305), Lee (5840) Carrabba (2780)
2nd Grade Readers Alvarez (23,528), Zetino (22,453), ), Urrutia (22,312), Hudman (8,380), Gutierrez (6,184), Ochoa (4,130)
1st Grade Readers- Gomez (27,080), Barron (17,574), Castaneda (14,955) Espejo (6,368), Brown (1870), Garcia (905),
Kinder Readers - Moreno (18,280), Almaguer (7,340)Campos (400), , Cabrera (262), Guykens(0) .
Top Grade Levels --------------Top 5 Classes
2nd Grade - 86,987. -----------------Ms Gomez 27,080
1st Grade - 68,752 ------------------Ms Alvarez 23,528
5th Grade - 64,365. -----------------Ms. Zetino 22,453
4th Grade - 51,886-------------------Ms Urrutia - 22,312
3rd Grade - 32,073 ------------------Dr. Keyim 21,943
Kinder - 26,282
Time to write... Any kindness edited drafts are welcome. - We need to plan for your class book.
Thanks again for your support!
Ann : )
Shout Outs
Ms. Alvarez teaches brainstorming!
Houston Ballet Cinderella
New Vanguard!
STAR Readers!
Self-Trackers and Monitoring
Blue Bonnet Readers
Guided Math
Too cute....
We have 16 days until the New Year!
Winter Spirit at SSE! We are WILD about our KIDS!
Remember to Sign Up for Sunshine and PTA!
Join Sunshine & PTA for $30 (certified staff) & $25 (non-certified staff). You can pay cash or check to Mrs. Berryman or Mrs. Gentry. Checks can be made out to Spring Shadows Elementary.
We are trying to get 100% participation in Sunshine & PTA!
When you join, you get an SSE Unstoppable T-Shirt, 5 Jeans Passes, 4 Late Arrival Passes, and 4 Leave Early Passes.
Please review the PDF attachment to see our SSE Sunshine Bylaws that the team revised and agreed upon at our last meeting. This will give you more information about Sunshine and what your dues are used for.
Sunshine SEMESTER JEANS PASS for $30
The one caveat is that your jeans are to be worn with a nice shirt and shoes (not a t-shirt).
See Mrs. Berryman or Mrs. Gentry to pay for your pass!
Spring Shadows Elementary
Email: rachel.martinez@springbranchisd.com
Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sse2/
Location: 9725 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: (713) 251-7100
Twitter: @twitter_rachelmartinez4