November Newsletter
From the Eagle's Nest π» November 2022
What's Happening This Month:
November β National Family Literacy Month
8th β STEM/STEAM Day
11th β Veteranβs Day; National Education Day
13th β World Kindness Day
15th β National Recycling Day
16th β Educational Support Professionals Day
20th β Future Teachers of America Day
24th β Thanksgiving Day
29th β National Day of Giving
π November Activity Calendar
Superintendent District Updates
Construction Updates
- Campus Monument - In Progress. Once finalized it will have 9 LED panels to display school annoucements
- Crosswalk - In Progress. The permits have been submitted to the City of Buda. Once approved, the GC's will move forward with the project. Targeted completion date is late November/early December. Thank you for your patience.
- Library - Architect renderings have been submitted for our review and we are seeking quotes for media center furnishings. Library books have been ordered and we will be launching Accelerated Reader this year! More details forthcoming.
Safety Updates
- Actively seeking quotes to motorize our gates. Gates are manual and will remain locked outside of arrival/dismissal times.
- One Fire Drill and one Code Yellow (soft lockdown) are scheduled for the month of November. A mass communication email will be shared once the drills are complete.
- The school continues to conduct weekly exterior door checks as requred by TEA and classrooms doors remain locked during instructional times.
Attendance Updates
- Please be sure to arrive to school on time! Instruction begins at 8:00 AM. Students in K-3 learn daily phonics instruction from 8:10 - 8:40 using a research-based program.
- Try to schedule doctor's appointments outside of our official school attendance time, which is 10 AM daily.
- Grade levels with the highest attendance percentages are recognized with a pizza party from admin!
- Report an absence now online! Simply visit https://www.doralacademytx.com/REPORT-AN-ABSENCE
- Our new attendance officer is Ms. Uneisela Espinoza. You may reach her at uespinoza@doralacademytx.com
Staffing Updates
- Help needed! We are looking for new certified teachers, as well as, guest teachers. Classroom teachers must hold valid Texas certification. Guest teacher pay is $125 daily rate. if you, or someone you know, is looking for a position, please send resume to jdesousa@doralacademytx.com.
- All registration or withdraw questions must be sent to rsalazar@doralacademytx.com
Volunteer Opportunities
- We are encouraging all parents who want to volunteer at the school to submit for their background checks. Please contact uespinoza@doralacademytx.com to process your application and $1.00 fee.
- Cross Guards - if you are interested in helping us with traffic safety, please contact Mr. Salazar. The City of Buda notified us that parents may volunteer to help students cross Firecracker Drive for arrival/dismissal. The school will provide reflective vests and hand held stop signs.
From our Testing Department:
- GT Testing has been completed for grades 1-6. Gifted and talented services will begin on November 7th, 2022 and will be delivered through specialized curriculum led by the general education teacher. Questions about the Gifted and Talented program can be directed to Mr Salazar β rsalazar@doralacademytx.com.
- All BOY assessments have been completed for PK-6.
- I-Ready - Our November Growth Montoring is scheduled to take place beginning Nov. 11th. Students in grades K-6 will assess in Reading first and then math. Students are to complete 45 minutes for Reading and Math per week with a pass goal is 70% or higher on each lesson.
- TEA Interims - Students in grades 3-8 will take computer based interims beginning this month.
- TTYP - Doral is participating in the Texas Through Year Pilot for Grade 5 Science this year. More details to follow.
From the Counselor's Office:
The school counselor provides short-term counseling and a multi-tiered support system for our students. Tier one reaches all students through assemblies and classroom guidance curriculum. In class presentations are held for bullying and 4th-6th grade on communication and conflict resolution. The counselor also helps recognize exceptional students who display our character trait of the month (October was forgiveness and November will be gratitude). Tier two is for students who need additional support. Short-term social and emotional counseling through group and individual sessions. Students can be referred by their teacher, family, and can even refer themselves. Lunch bunches are held in grades 1st-6th. Topics vary from grade level and week to week but include anger management, healthy coping skills, and regulating emotions. If you feel your student would benefit from additional counseling or therapy, please visit findhelp.org which has all the community resources available in your area that goes beyond counseling. In addition, below is a list of counseling resources that may be hepful. Please note it may take months to find an available appointment. First try talking to your primary care physician; however, below are low to no-cost counseling resources:
- No insurance or Medicaid option: The Scheib Center-https://www.scheibcenter.org/ provides mental health and mental disability services to residents in San Marcos and Hays County.
- Lower cost if you see an associate or student counselor, located in Buda: Visionary Counseling Center https://visionaryfamilycounseling.com/rates-insurance/
- Life coaching: https://www.ginakingcoaching.com/ is a great alternative to traditional therapy. She provides 45 minute weekly life coaching sessions with the child and 15 minutes with the parent along with daily check-ins. She has 15 years of teaching experience.
- Certain Insurances accepted, located in Buda (ages 12 and up): Curae Counseling-https://curaecounseling.com/rates-and-insurance/
From the Nurse's Station:
Eagles, below are some tips as to how to prepare for Flu Season in schools. Please feel free to reach out to Ms. Schubee, LVN via email at aschubee@doralacademytx.com if you have any questions. Thank you.
People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
Β· fever or feeling feverish/chills
Β· cough
Β· sore throat
Β· runny or stuffy nose
Β· muscle or body aches
Β· headaches
Β· fatigue (tiredness)
Β· some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
If you notice that youβre experiencing signs of the flu, follow these tips:
Β· Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus. ...
Β· Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm instead of your hands, or direct them into a disposable tissue. ...
Β· Eat healthy to boost your immune system. ...
Β· Drink lots of fluids, especially water, tea, and low-sugar electrolyte drinks.
Β· Call your doctor and be seen immediately
Friendly school reminder: If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please keep them home under observation. Also, if your child is running fever of 100 or higher, they must stay home until they are fever free, WITHOUT meds, for 24 hours.
π November Lunch Menu
PTSA News
- The Texas PTA officialy has officially named our local chapter. Please contact Ms. Fabiola Sanchez, our PTSA president for more information at fabidots@gmail.com.
π‘ Reminders
Open Enrollment for the 23-24 School Year
Apply at https://doral.schoolmint.net./signin
Child Find Notification
Important Contact Information for our Campus
Director of Special Education/Student Services: cguido@doralacademytx.com
Child Find: jdesousa@doralacademytx.com
SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Coordinator: twilliams@doralacademytx.com
ESL Coordinator: rsalazar@doralacademytx.com
GT Coordinator: rsalazar@doralacademytx.com
Office Assistant & Attendance Officer: uespinoza@doralacademytx.com
Child Nutrition Coordinator: Mike.Jones@brooksacademy.org
Lunch Program Administrative Assistant & Titan Payment Support: respinoza@doralacademytx.com
IT Services: respinoza@doralacademytx.com
District Athletic Coordinator: tmorris@doralacademytx.com
Activities Coordinators: malgeo@doralacademytx.com & tmeyer@doralacademytx.com
October Staff Member of the Month!
Congratulations, Ms. Harper!