Friday Focus
September 22, 2017
Counselors Corner
Over the past weeks, we have witnessed devastation, tragedy, and loss, as well as the spirit of Houston and many who have traveled here simply to help. At the same time, we have gained a new appreciation for this incredible community that we serve. We have seen our Meadow Wood school community come together and turn a negative experience into a positive journey that fills our hearts with pride. Collective Greatness abounds at Meadow Wood!
As a school staff we immediately recognized that the physical and emotional safety of our children and families were paramount in our minds. Prior to the students return, our counselor, Ms. Luberger and Ms. Oxener, our Community in Schools specialist, conducted a training for our staff related to trauma and loss and the impact on children. Staff members were equipped with knowledge and tools to welcome our students on September 11th. Teachers were provided with an outline for students to share their stories. We provided short sensory activities to use in the classroom to relieve stress. The students were welcomed back with fun filled assemblies to lift their spirits as they returned to school.
Ms. Luberger and Ms. Oxener have been working with various groups of donors, assessing our community needs, and developing plans to distribute the donations. Some of our donors include the Wilchester Women’s Club, Chapelwood, local restaurants and schools from San Antonio, Pennsylvania and Georgia. We have been extremely fortunate to receive school supplies, books and gift cards to assist our families. We have set up the Meadow Market in the Multi-Purpose room with donations from the Nottingham Forest “shops” and many other generous parents. It is filled with a variety of donations from clothing, toys, and shoes to kitchen items. We encourage every one impacted by the flood to come by and “shop”. If you don’t see what you need, just let us know. We have many resources to assist our families.
We are currently working with Chapelwood to help provide hot meals and laundry service to our families. The best part is that the Chapelwood volunteers will come to you! Ms. Oxener is working on a sign up system so that we can best match you with a Chapelwood volunteer. Please do not be shy. As Heather Lambert, trauma expert, says: “It’s Okay to not be Okay!” We have volunteers anxiously waiting to be of service to our community.
Our counselor and social worker have plans in place to support children and families. They will begin parent and children’s support groups in the near future. To discuss your particular needs, please email or call
Lynne Luberger, Counselor, 713-251-6271 lynne.luberger@springbranchisd.com or
Amy Oxener, CIS, 713-251-6270 amy.oxener@springbranchisd.com
We have planned several events in the near future to support and lift up our children and families. Please mark your calendars for these very special days!
Thursday, September 28th – 8:15 a.m. “We’ve Got Your Back Breakfast”
All parents who have been flooded or who are helping those who have been flooded are invited to a come and go breakfast sponsored by the MWE staff and underwritten by Capital Grille.
October 16th – “Road 2 Renewal: A Day Trip”
This event is being coordinated by a former PTA President, Jodi Vogan, the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club, and the Spring Branch Education Foundation. It is designed for the ladies of MWE students who homes flooded and who are helping/housing those who have been flooded.
9:00-4:00 am A Day of Beauty
· A come and go salon will be set up at the Refuge (Memorial Drive Methodist Church facility) at 13186 Memorial Drive. Haircuts, styling, manicures and massages will be available. More details forthcoming on how to schedule an appointments.
5:30-8:00 pm Girls Night Out
· Dinner will be provided by Brio
· Speakers include:
o Carol Peyton Young: A Time to Reflect
o Kara Potts, Professional Organizer: Organizing Your Transitional Space
o Erica Yeary, Painter/Designer from “Fixer Upper” Making Your Transitional Space Like Home
October 28, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Memorial Strong: Trunk or Treating
Many families from Meadow Wood, Thornwood, Nottingham, Rummel Creek and Frostwood are unable to Trick or Treat in their neighborhoods due to flooding. This event is designed to provide families a safe and fun atmosphere for Trick or Treating at Don Coleman Coliseum parking lot. Exxon will be partnering with us to make this a great Halloween for our students. Be on the lookout for more details in the near future!
Arrival and Dismissal Procedure Updates:
Tardies: We will not begin counting students as tardy just yet. We are still working on a faster process for carpool. We will started documenting tardies on Monday, October 2.
Buses: The buses will continue to make adjustments as needed in the neighborhood. They will travel as far into the neighborhood as they can. Debris and vehicles in the street caused some obstacles this week. Students are dropped off at the closet stop possible.
Walkers: Please continuously talk to your child(ren) about the procedures and safety guidelines of using the Memorial crosswalk.
Carpool: For morning and afternoon dismissal, please pull all the way up to the last cone. Please allow for patrols and/or other adults on duty to assist with getting your child(ren) in and out of the vehicles. If you would like to assist your child(ren), please park in the parking lot and walk them across. We are trying our best to guide everyone and keep cars moving. Carpool wait times and procedural mistakes cause for morning and afternoon frustration for drivers. Let's work together to do our best at following the guidelines we have set forth.
Curriculum Night
*5:30-6:15 Session 1 (Teachers in classrooms/Administration in cafeteria)
*6:15-7:00 Session 2 (Teachers in classrooms/Administration in cafeteria)
*7:00-7:30 PTA Meeting immediately following in the cafeteria.
Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017, 05:30 PM
Meadow Wood Elementary, Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Important Dates:
September 27: CIT Meeting (3:30 in library)
September 28: Picture Day
October 3: Open House/Curriculum Night (5:30-7 p.m.)
October 4: National Walk to School Day
October 9: STUDENT HOLIDAY
October 10: Watch DOGS kick off pizza party
October 13: End of first nine weeks
CARNIVAL (4-7 p.m.)
October 17: Chik-Fil-A Spirit Night
October 19 & 20: Noon Dismissal - Parent Conferences
October 23-27: Red Ribbon Week
October 26 & 27: Rock Wall
October 30: Hoops for Heart Kick off