Monday Matters
Thelma Jones Elementary Week of October 5- October 11
Greetings Shark Family!
It is so nice to say that we are settling in and getting back to our instructional routines. Teachers have started intervention groups, and they are in the process of testing students to determine their DRA levels for reading.
Teachers will be sharing data at parent-teacher conferences, so be sure to sign up for a conference. The home-school connection is very important to student success.
Let's make it a great week!
In partnership,
Mrs. Rhines
Important Dates
- October 5 - Colors for Caring-Cancer Awareness day
October 8- Parent/Teacher conferences available 4:00-7:30 p.m.
October 9- District-wide Holiday
October 12- Parent/Teacher conferences available 7:30-11:30 a.m.
October 12-23 - Scholastic Virtual Book Fair-more information to come home this week
October 16- Drive-Thru Book Fair- more information to come
October 16- Fall Picture Day for In-Person and Virtual
Picture Day
In-person students will be called, by class, to the gym for pictures during the school day.
Virtual students will come to the back of the school and into the parking lot. Students will enter the library to take their picture. Due to protocol and procedures, parents are not allowed to come inside with students. We will have staff members ready to assist students. Pictures can be taken anytime from 8:00a-12:30p on Oct. 16th.
Let's Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, our students, both in-person and virtual, have had the opportunity to explore the Hispanic Heritage page in the Virtual Music Room! There, they've discovered read-aloud stories about famous musicians such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, and Carlos Santana, in the Library. Students can visit the Musician Hall of Fame, where they can experience the music of Hispanic musicians and composers of many different genres. Instruments used in Hispanic music are available to view, and some are even in our classroom! Lastly, students can click on a song that takes them to Musicplay to listen to or learn the song in Spanish! We have had a great time so far! Please visit the Virtual Music Room and choose your grade level to explore! https://sites.google.com/misdmail.net/enrichmentlessons/music
Transfer Window for the 3rd Six weeks is Oct. 5-21!
Parents/guardians wanting to switch modes of instruction for their child (Virtual Learning Academy to in-person or in-person to the Virtual Learning Academy) have the option to do so during the Texas Education Agency’s designated learning transfer windows.
The next opportunity to submit a transfer request from one mode to the other is Oct. 5 through Oct. 21.
Those interested in transferring must log in to their Skyward Family Access account to submit the form within that time frame. Specific instructions are available here. The form will close at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. You do not need to fill out the form if you want to stay in your current learning mode.
Transfers submitted during the noted window will take effect on Monday, Nov. 4, which is the first day of the Third Six Weeks grading period. View this calendar to see all the transfer windows and grading periods for the 2020-21 school year.
PLEASE NOTE: Beginning Nov. 4, all students who have selected in-person instruction will only be counted present when they are physically in class unless they have been quarantined due to COVID-19. Quarantined students will be able to follow current practices to gain attendance for days they are quarantined.
After submitting a transfer request, campus personnel will be reaching out to parents to inform them of their child’s schedule changes once those changes are completed.
It is highly encouraged that students commit to a learning option for one semester to ensure continuity of teacher and schedule. View more information about Fall Reopening 2020 here.
Free Meals for Kids - Oct. 1 - Dec. 17
It’s BACK! Free Meals for ALL Kids!
Starting October 1 through December 17, MISD Student Nutrition will offer a holiday special – children may receive one free breakfast and one free lunch every school day!
This promotion applies to in-person learners at all MISD campuses, Virtual Academy students, younger siblings, and non-MISD-students.
Second meals, additional entrees/sides, and snacks will be available to in-person learners to purchase for an additional cost.
In-person learners will access meals as usual at their designated meal periods.
Click the link for details! Free Meals for Kids Information Link
Counselor's Corner
What I want to be when I grow up
Astronaut
Teacher
Doctor
Spirit Week- Education Go Get it Week
Hats Off to Higher Education
Get Crazy About Education- Crazy Sock Day
Career Dress Up Day
Grades and Expectations!
Please be reminded that virtual students and in-person students follow the same curriculum and grading expectations.
It is IMPERATIVE that your child keep up with his/her assignments and participate in ALL classes every day.
We encourage you to communicate with your child's teachers if your child will be absent, is having technology issues, and/or needs assistance in the class. The teachers are here to help.
Technology Needs?
If your student is in need of a device, you may use the link below to request one. All remaining requests for devices will be delivered to campuses and parents will be notified. Please note that any device with internet connection can be used to access all apps and programs needed for virtual learning.
NO VISITORS ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING
In order to keep our students and staff safe, no visitors will be allowed in the building. This includes walking your child to class and eating lunch with your child.
If your child forgets his/her lunch and/or any materials needed for their learning, please follow the following procedures:
· Ring the Bell to speak to someone in the front office
· Let them know you are there to drop off your child's lunch and/or materials needed for learning
· Leave your item(s) on a table in the foyer with your child's name on it. It MUST have your child's name on it. Someone will get it off the table and deliver it to your child.
· Exit the building after that. You will not be allowed to come into the front office and/or give your child their item(s).
*This is different than having an appointment and/or being called to come pick up your child due to illness or other circumstances.
Bus Information
Bus Information
Mansfield ISD will provide bus transportation for all students meeting the eligibility requirements for transportation.
Find My Bus
http://edulog1.mansfieldisd.org/liveweb/webquery/
School Bus Rider’s Safety Handbook
https://www.mansfieldisd.org/departments/transportation/riders-handbook
For Bus Delays & Substitutions https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j_9bi_plWMqtBDp8AG8B31rb3KzTAOIhRWe8B0CwTnY/edit
Transportation Department
QUEST (After School Childcare)
QUEST is Mansfield ISD's before and after-school care program. Students attending the QUEST program are involved in a variety of activities, allowing for creative expression, socialization, and community awareness. Most importantly, students are safe, comfortable, and have fun through a variety of interactive activities. Morning, before school
care, is from 7:00 am – 7:30 am. After school care is from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm, during school days. For more information please call our Quest office at 817-299-7596 or email us at Quest@misdmail.org.
Safety Protocols
- Health screenings –Align with the district and have students and staff pre-screen prior to arrival. All QUEST team members will have district badges and key cards so we can utilize it as a tracing function.
- PPE supplies – Student Services has provided the proper PPE supplies to utilize and ordered additional items to safeguard students and staff.
- Cleaning & sanitizing – At the end of each day, the custodial staff will clean every room/area utilized by the QUEST program.
- Instructor: student ratio – 1:12. Every attempt has been made to place students in cohorts, however, this may vary based on enrollment.
- Hand washing – Hand washing will be built into the before and after school program schedules.
- Contactless check-in/out – Quest will be implementing a drive-thru check-in/out procedure. Parents will utilize a PIN to check their child(ren) in/out. A driver’s license will be an added layer of verification at pick up. To assist with a rapid checkout we are strongly encouraging parents to utilize Remind 101 or Class Dojo. A QUEST staff member will meet them at the designated location with the child(ren). Security radios will be used for communication purposes.
- Sick/ill child – Parents of the sick student will be contacted immediately for pick up and custodial services will be informed of area(s) needing to be cleaned/sanitized.
Questions:
Contact: Tina Cantu
Director of QUEST After School Program
Email: quest@misdmail.org
Phone: 817.299.7596
Free and Reduced Lunch Application for the 20-21 School Year *click SchoolCafe' link below*
Do you need to update your email address or phone numbers in Skyward? You can make those changes in Family Access.
Here's how:
- Log into Family Access
- Click on My Account (top right corner)
- When the Account Settings screen opens, there is place for your email address and up to three phone numbers.
- Please note – Each parent/guardian can enter one email address to receive communication via Skyward Message Center.
- Once changes are made, click Save.
If you, parent/guardian, is unable to log into Family Access, there are a couple options:
1 – Use the Forgot Your Password link from the Family Access login page
2 – Email misdregistration@misdmail.org