Bryant Bulletin
Weekly Campus Updates for Parents & Guardians
February 24, 2021
Bryant Bulletin Translations Available by Opening in a Chrome Browser
Highlights from Dr. Rhodes
We are excited to be back to school this week. Our staff and students jumped right back into our routines and amazing teaching and learning are happening in classrooms. Our newsletter has lots of great information so please continue reading!!
Paws for Kindness (P4K) Fundraiser
Before the wintery blast from last week, we had begun our PTA Sponsored Paws for Kindness fundraiser. Since we missed a week we have adjusted our dates, placing our last day for students to complete Acts of Kindness (AoK) and earn pledges at the end of the day on Sunday, February 7th! We know some households face financial challenges, especially after last week. If this is the case, please do not focus on the fundraising portion....focus on the Acts of Kindness. Our students earn prizes for pledges but also for simply completing Acts of Kindness in the home or community. Last year, we saw evidence of Kindness all around our community. It was amazing! If students complete 5,000 Acts of Kindness by this Sunday, I will be completing a secret/crazy challenge. If students complete 10,000 Acts of Kindness by the end of the event, I will complete a challenge the STUDENTS have come up with and will vote on...Kissing a Goat, Ice Water Challenge, or Dying my hair Bryant Blue for a day. Check out all the incentives by clicking here.
Ask your kiddo about what happened today on announcements!!! Mrs. Barron got to pie me in the face!! Kindness has been the foundation from which Bryant Elementary was built four years ago. I personally believe kindness changes communities and the world in which we live. This is why I love Paws for Kindness and am willing to complete stunts and challenges!! Please upload pictures of your student's Acts of Kindness on Twitter using #pawsforkindness. See more info in the PTA section below!!
3rd Annual Bryant Family Learning Night
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Meet Our Staff
Ms. Jenny Mauterstock
Ms. Jenny Mauterstock joined the Bryant music program at Bryant this school year! She earned her degree in Music Education, emphasis in voice, from Hardin-Simmons University. This is Ms. Mauterstock's 15th year in education and her 9th year with Katy ISD. She has worked at both the Elementary & Jr. High level as Choir Director and General Music teacher. In 2019, she had the honor to rehearse and conduct the Katy Elementary Honor Choir for the 2019 Katy ISD Convocation Ceremony! She has two daughters who are both proud Bengals this year. Outside of creating fun, engaging music lessons for our Bengals, Ms. Mauterstock loves to sing, play softball/basketball, watch football, coach her girls and spend quality time with family and friends.
From Our Counselor, Mrs. Flores...
Kindness Challenge: Complete as many acts of kindness as possible using the Random Acts of Kindness sheet and through Paws for Kindness! Let's see how far we can spread kindness!
Because of all of our effort through the Great Kindness Challenge, Bryant Elementary was designated as a Certified Kind School. Thank you for all you do to instill a culture of kindness and care!
For the month of March, we will introduce the character trait: Perseverance. Please help us kickoff the month of March and perseverance by wearing green on Wednesday, March 3rd. Throughout the month, students will engage in conversations and activities to help develop and apply perseverance in their daily lives! Perseverance, grit, and determination can help students thrive both in school and in life. It is an important trait to develop within our children. We are using this definition at school: Perseverance: the ability to work through situations even when there are obstacles or challenges in the way. If you are looking for ways to extend this trait at home, check out our K-2 resource (en Espanol) and 3-5 resource (en Espanol). For more information, contact Penny Flores, the school counselor, at penelopewflores@katyisd.org.
General Campus Information and Reminders
Fourth Nine Weeks Opt-In/Out Period **Ending March 1st**
Go Texan Day - Friday 2/26
Things look a little different this year, but we're still putting on our hats and boots for Go Texan Day on Friday, Feb. 26!
Please Pack a Water Bottle Daily
Are You a New Enrollee?
Upcoming Events
2/12-3/7 PAWS for Kindness Fundraiser (extended dates)
2/15-3/1- KVA/F2F window open for Elementary 4th Nine Weeks (click here)
2/26 - Go Texan Day
3/3 - Wear AQUA for Perseverance
3/4 - Family Learning Night (see details above)
3/9 - Virtual Coffee with the Principal (9am-10am)
3/10-3/12 - Field Day (to be held during Specials)
3/15-3/19 - Spring Break (No School)
From the District
Students Displaced by the Winter Storm
2019-20 Federal and School Report Card
Katy ISD is sharing information about the state, district, and all campuses as part of our obligations under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). Two report cards (Federal and School) are available for your review in the front office of our school or online, by clicking here.
The 2019-20 Federal Report Cards can also be accessed online by clicking here.
The 2019-20 School Report Cards can also be accessed online by clicking here.
Fourth Nine Weeks Opt-In/Out Period **Ending March 1st**
Elementary Window for the 4th Nine Weeks
Opens Feb 15 – Closes March 1
Click here to change your student's learning platform.
Katy ISD Saves Lives: Blood Drive Challenge
Current Regional Blood Supply at a CRITICAL NEED:
Less Than 1 Day!
3,000 UNITS OF BLOOD LOST
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS!
Schedule your donation today!
Use our school code B298 and you will receive a free t-shirt and help Bryant Elementary rise to 1st place out of all Elementary Campuses (for the 2nd time)!
Katy ISD Blood Drive Challenge Monday, March 1st:
Katy ISD Blood Drive Challenge Tuesday, March 2nd:
Katy ISD Legacy Stadium - Meeting Rooms
1:00 pm - 07:00 pm
5175 Franz Rd
Katy, TX 77493
Gate 1 - Enter on Katy Hockley Rd near Walgreens
* FREE T-SHIRT & FREE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING *
APPOINTMENTS PREFERRED PLEASE
Help ensure safe social distancing by prescheduling your appt.
Questions? Contact Katie at knippress@giveblood.org
The Blood Center is requiring that donors wear a mask or face covering when at a blood drive. In the case that you do not have one, staff will offer you one. The safety of donors and staff are important to us. Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Free & Reduced Lunch Application
Due to the impact of COVID-19, Katy ISD is providing a free breakfast and lunch to all students through the end of June. However, since the free meal waiver for all students expires on June 30, we want to make sure that students who were eligible for free and reduced meals last school year continue to receive free meals as we continue into the start of the new school year. Student meal eligibility also contributes to additional funding for your child’s campus and the district. The Free & Reduced Lunch application can be completed in your student’s SchoolCafe account here.
FREE Rapid COVID-19 Testing Option to Enrolled Katy ISD Students
The district is offering FREE rapid COVID-19 testing to enrolled Katy ISD students. The FREE test is in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency’s COVID-19 Testing Project. The test is a saliva based method that is considered to be just as accurate as other tests, such as nasal swabs.
Students will still have the option of being administered a nasal swab rapid test by RediMD at a cost of $125, via credit card or cash at point of service. Insurance company billing is not available through this option.
Both the rapid, free saliva tests and the rapid, RediMD nasal swab tests are available at the District’s Agricultural Sciences Center located at 5801 Katy Hockley Cut-Off Road, Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Appointments are necessary and can be made by clicking the icon below:
Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
The Katy ISD COVID-19 Mitigation Plan can be read by clicking the blue icon below.
Katy Virtual Academy (KVA) Information
District KVA Newsletter
News From the Bryant PTA
PAWS for Kindness Updates
Our students have been busy during their time away from school, having raised over $9000 and completing more than 600 Acts of Kindness so far! We still have two more weeks ahead of us for our students to get out and spread kindness and be rewarded for their efforts. It’s not too late to join in on the fun - simply visit my.raisecraze.com/AJY2PS4 to register! If you have any questions or if you would be interested in sponsoring a corporate matching day - please contact Brian Lennox at bryantpawsforkindness@gmail.com.
Paws for Kindness Support
If you have or know of a business that would like to help sponsor our efforts, please contact bryantpawsforkindness@gmail.com.
Spirit Wear
We have a limited amount of spirit shirts available. Order yours today to make sure you get one!
Order 2020-2021 Yearbooks NOW!!
Parents- Get YOUR Photos in the Yearbook!!
Don't miss out on an opportunity for your student to be in the yearbook!! We want to see what your kids are doing!! Share your pictures with us. Click here for more information!!
Check out Wednesday folders and PTA Social Media for different picture challenges this year!! This year we need all the parent and Bryant Staff help we can get to make our yearbook successful!!
Visit Us Online
Click here for PTA Facebook.
Click here to follow PTA on Twitter.
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Important Reminders From Previous Bulletins
Katy ISD COVID-19 Dashboard
Modified Phase One Safety Protocols
Effective September 28th.
- Classroom protocols modified to require students and staff to wipe down their workspace at the beginning of use. Hand sanitizer and wipes will continue to be available in all classrooms for students.
- Elementary playground equipment may be utilized by students during recess ensuring hand sanitizer and hand washing time is available immediately after use and before returning to class. District custodial staff will sanitize the playground equipment each morning prior to student use.
- Library and computer lab(s) may be utilized with the requirement of cleaning workspaces before student use. Additionally, time should be incorporated following group instruction for hand washing before returning to regular class instruction.
- Returned library book are quarantined for a 6-day period before being checked out again to students.
- Elementary & Secondary grouping of students for instructional purposes will be allowed with facial covering protocol strictly adhered to, desk shields utilized where possible and continued cleaning of workspaces by students.
- Campus events, outside the instructional day, may be allowed with supervising event staff completing a required COVID-19 safety and mitigation training. Event capacity for indoor events, outside the instructional day, may be limited and must follow current state, local and TEA guidance.
Behavior Expectations for Virtual Learning - Guidance for Parents
Behavior expectations for students enrolled in Katy Virtual Academy are the same as expectations for students enrolled in face-to-face instruction. All students are still required to follow the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct as participation in virtual learning is an extension of the classroom. In addition to the District’s discipline guidelines, parents and guardians should be aware of the following:
A. Students must log in as themselves. Impersonating another user is a violation of the Responsible Use Guidelines and is prohibited.
B. Students will be expected to participate in discussions and activities. Additionally, it is critical for students to complete assignments independently to allow teachers to accurately identify progress. However, as established in KVA Guidelines, parents must be prepared to monitor their student’s learning and may need to provide assistance for younger students to support instruction in a virtual learning environment.
C. When logging into virtual learning sessions (i.e. Zoom):
- Students must have their video on. It is an expectation of learning to allow the teacher to check for engagement and understanding.
- If a student is using a virtual background it must not be offensive or inappropriate. Students must be prepared to hide the background or change it at the teacher’s request.
- Students must use the name that is on school record or birth certificate (names can be shortened such as : William to Will or Tamara to Tam) TBD
- Students must not share specific meeting links or passwords.
- Students must only enter their class virtual meetings they are scheduled for.
D. Appropriate school language must be used on all applications such as but not limited to: chat, discussions, whiteboards, and shared documents.
Parents will be contacted if a student violates classroom expectations or the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. Persistent or serious offenses will be referred to the appropriate campus administrator and additional consequences may be assigned, including but not limited to:
- Parent Conference,
- Behavior Contract,
- Recovery Time,
- Loss of Privilege,
- Overnight Suspension,
- Suspension, or
- Referral to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement.
Bus Safety Rules
1. Mask/Face covering should be worn on the bus and the bus stop, until further notice.
2. Observe the same conduct as in the classroom including cell phone use.
3. Enter the bus and immediately go to the assigned seat.
4. Talk in a normal tone of voice.
5. Remain seated and facing forward in the assigned seat until time to exit the bus.
6. Keep head, hands, feet, and other objects to oneself; do not tamper with bus equipment.
7. Use acceptable language; obscene, profane, unacceptable language and/or gestures are prohibited.
8. Refrain from eating and/or drinking on the bus; keep the bus clean.
9. Refrain from throwing objects within the bus or out of the windows.
10. Follow all rules outlined in the District’s Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct, as well as safety rules established by the driver.
11. Arrive at your bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled stop-time and wait a safe distance from where the bus stops. 5 giant steps away from the stop is a good rule.
12. When the bus arrives, do not approach it until the bus has come to a complete stop. Form a single line and board the bus. Go directly to a seat and sit in a safe position. If seats are
equipped with seatbelts, they must be worn at all times as required by law.
13. When it is time to get off of the bus, wait until it comes to complete stop before getting up from your seat.
Procedures when Checking Students In or Out During the School Day
MyOn Reading
Students can access MyOn using their Katy Cloud Login information. Renaissance MyOn Readers is a student-centered, personalized literacy environment that gives students access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to individual student’s interests, grade and Lexile reading level. MyOn fosters student engagement and achievement. MyOn is a great resource for students to use to complete 20 minutes of daily reading outside of school. When a child logs in for the first time, the child will be prompted to complete a reading interest inventory and a quick reading assessment. This helps the system to match your child to texts that match their interests and reading level. Stay tuned for Campus MyOn Challenges that will be coming soon! Happy Reading!
A Parent's Guide to Navigating the KVA Classroom
While the KVA experience has opened up a whole new world for parents to see the educational world our kids live in, it does come with its challenges as well. What we have to remember is, though we are able to be right beside our child and hear more than we ever have before, this is still your child's educational experience.
A child learns so much more than academics at school. They learn independence, confidence and they begin to develop their thoughts, beliefs and ideas about who they are and who they want to become.
In the end... they grow.
Growth comes when we are faced with challenges we must solve, not by someone providing the solution. Growth comes from running into obstacles so we learn how to avoid them, and make our own path, not by someone removing everything in our way.
It is difficult to watch a child deal with an obstacle or a struggle. However, if we truly want full growth for our kids, we must learn how to navigate this new world where your child would normally be in the driver's seat.
Trust, communication, patience and understanding with one another will help us see it through so your child is the focus and their GROWTH is our goal.
Please see this list (click here) of a few Do's and Don'ts as you work with your child and their teacher through this KVA process.
Front Vestibule Drop Boxes
Required Daily Self-Screening of Students
For the health and safety of all students and staff – parents are required to assist their children with a daily self screening for COVID-19 symptoms and fever before arriving to school, or boarding school transportation.
Per TEA “In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following questions: Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?"
Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Loss of taste or smell
Cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Headache
Chills
Sore throat
Shaking
Exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
COVID-19 Self-Reporting App, Notifications & Information
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students, and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building. If there is direct exposure due to improper use of PPE, individual families will be contacted.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.
Amazon Smile
You can make a difference while you shop with Amazon. Simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/82-0726214 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile donates to PTA Texas Congress (Bryant PTA). Last quarter our income was $22.06!! Every little bit counts!!
To turn on Smile in your Amazon App, follow these directions:
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process