The Paw Press
September/October
2020-2021 School Theme: Velasquez Elementary...Where Learning and Growing is.. Just Another Day in Paradise!
Our School Mission
Our School Vision
Velasquez Elementary will provide rigorous, inspiring and innovative educational experiences to ensure we develop self-directed, life-long learners who will positively impact the global community.
20.21
Your Campus Principals
Greetings Wildcat Family!
We are starting the 5th week of school and we are so proud of our Wildcats!
Our Wildcats are actively engaged in virtual and on campus learning, and have acclimated into the school year well!
Looking ahead to the 2nd nine weeks, we want to remind our parents that you will be able to change your student's mode of learning soon. The district will send out communication on September 28th where parents can opt to change face to face learning to virtual learning and virtual learning to face to face in Skyward. Parents/guardians will need to have their requests in by Oct. 9th.
We are getting daily requests for changes that we cannot honor. On average 4 -7 parents are reaching out weekly to change to face to face learning. We staffed our classes based on the initial parent decisions and cannot make changes at this time. Additionally, we want to remind parents that changes now not only impact class sizes, but also our logistical plans such as classroom seating, lunch, specials, and other safety protocols such as the ability to social distance. All of these are critical to our face to face learners.
We will not be honoring any requests for changes for the 1st 9 weeks, but urge you to begin thinking of what mode of learning will work best for your family the 2nd nine weeks.
Thank you for adhering to your chosen method until the opportunity to switch is made available by our district. We will provide more information as we have it and we thank you in advance for your understanding. We will all get through this together!
Sincerely,
Brian Gibson - Principal
Amey Frazier - Assistant Principal
Friendly Reminders
Thank you for following campus procedures and helping us to have a successful start to the school year.
- Students should have their mask on, unbuckled, have their backpacks on and ready to independently and efficiently get out of the car. Of course we know our littles are still getting used to having to do this on their own. Please continue to practice the routine with them.
- Please ensure that your child has everything they need for the school day. Water bottles, lunch kits, backpacks, etc.
- If students arrive after 7:30, parents must park in the front parking lot and walk their child into the building for safety reasons.
Early Pick-Ups/Tardy
It is very important that students are at school everyday, on time and stay for the entire day. Just as tardies impact learning over time, early pick-ups also cause students to miss instruction. Please familiarize yourself with our tardy policy attached below to help us by minimizing early pick-ups. If you pick up your students early for appointments, our cur off times is 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Instruction - Reminders
- Students not completing Canvas assignments in asynchronous learning by 11:59 everyday.
- Participating in morning zoom synchronous class meets, but not the afternoon.
We understand that virtual learning is completely different from how it was in the Spring, however in order for students to get an optimal virtual learning experience, parents/students must follow all the guidelines and expectations for virtual learning.
Please be reminded that students must complete asynchronous activities assigned each day by 11:59 p.m. Specials assignments must be completed by Friday at 11:59 p.m. As a courtesy, our teachers have reopened assignments for students to complete after the deadline as we navigate virtual learning together.
Students are expected to turn in assignments for the school day as if they were attending school face to face. Not completing the assignments each day by the deadline could impact your child's grades.
More information about virtual instruction can be found by clicking the link below.
Smart Tags
Mark Your Calendars
9/25 - No School
9/27 - Custodial Appreciation Week
9/29 - Go Gold for Childhood Cancer - Wear gold and bring a dollar to donate to Mojo's Miracle Foundation
Oct.
10/1 - 1st nine weeks progress reports (All student progress reports will be accessed through family access. Parents may request paper copies if needed. Additional information to come)
10/18 - School Bus Safety Appreciation
10/23 - End of the 1st nine weeks
10/25 - Red Ribbon Week
10/28 - Fall School Pictures (More information to come)
10/29 and 10/30 - Early Release Days - Parent conferences will be virtual for both on campus students and face to face students.
Notes from Nurse Ballard
Extra Extra!!!
· Each student needs an extra set of clothing in their backpack for accidents (bathroom, spills…)!
· Each student should have an extra mask in their backpack every day!
Reminders
Parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending their student to school:
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
Exaggerated shivering
Significant muscle pain or ache
Diarrhea
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue
*If your student is exhibiting two or more of these symptoms, in a way that is not normal for them, you will be asked to contact your student’s medical provider for further guidance and NOT return to school.
Individuals Suspected with COVID-19
If an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and may not return to school or work until they have completed the three-step set of criteria listed below:
· At least one day (24 hours) has passed since the recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); AND
· The individual has improvement in symptoms (such as cough, shortness of breath); AND
· At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school or work before completing the stay at home period, the individual must:
· Obtain a medical profressional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis;
OR
· Obtain an acute infection test (at a physician’s office, approved testing location, or other site) that comes back negative for COVID-19.
Teamwork!
I am so excited to be back with everyone this year. We can work together as a team to provide the healthiest and safest environment possible. Please continue to work at home with your children on:
· Handwashing and the importance of washing their hands and using hand sanitizer
· Covering their cough or sneeze with a tissue or inside of arm
· Keeping their hands on their own person or things
· Wearing their masks properly (over mouth and nose)
· Reporting illness immediately
Please report absences due to illness to the campus.
Thank you all so much for working so hard at home to ensure we keep our campus safe!
Character Counts
Counselor's Corner
What is Paw’some student of the month? PAW’SOME student of the month is a way to recognize our awesome Wildcats who consistently exhibit the six pillars of character : trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
How will students be chosen? One student will be chosen by teachers from each grade level monthly.
The grade level student of the month will receive a certificate and also a yard sign to proudly display at their residence! The student will also have their picture displayed in the school hallway alongside words of affirmation written by their teacher(s).
This school year we will continue the tradition of recognizing our students who demonstrate exemplary behavior. There will be some changes to the prizes that were given last year (i.e. in lieu of field trips students will receive alternative prizes). Both Face to Face and Virtual students will be eligible to receive character paws.
At the end of the week we will draw a student name from each grade level to determine the winners. The winners will be announced on Monday of the following week. Parents of virtual students will be contacted to claim prizes if their student is chosen as the winner.
Technology Tip
All students in LCISD have the Canvas Toolbox course in their list of courses. Some of the topics covered in this Canvas course are: Troubleshooting Tips, content editing, assessment tips, and the student app. This is great resource to check when you have questions about navigating your courses in Canvas.
From the Library
Destiny Discover is a wonderful resource that can be found on your child’s Classlink dashboard. Through this app students can checkout books from our library and continue reading whether at school or virtual. The books will be checked out for two weeks.
Sharon Baldwin, Librarian
News from Art
Welcome Wildcats!
I have already enjoyed seeing you create artwork both in school and virtually.
Online kids, remember to check Canvas for your weekly art lessons. Follow along with one of the 3 activity videos and submit that lesson for a grade. You must have at least 7 quality artworks “submitted” to receive a passing grade.
In school kids, don’t forget to bring your art supplies to class.
The materials we are using this nine weeks for both virtual and in school include:
1. pencil (erasure and sharpener)
2. Scissors
3. Glue (Pre-K and K glue stick) (1st and 2nd either glue stick or white glue) (3rd, 4th, and 5th white glue)
4. Something to Color with (Pre K and K crayons) (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th crayons, colored pencils, and markers are recommended )
5. *White paper for drawing (art teacher provides for in school students)
6. *Colored construction paper (art teacher provides for in school students)
*Any virtual families needing assistance with art supplies need to contact Ms. Howard.
We are going to have a great year!
Ms. Howard
Music Rocks!
Hello Wildcats! This is Mrs. Fletcher your Velasquez Music Teacher. For those of you who don’t know, I have been teaching music at Velasquez since the school first opened. I love teaching music and getting to see all the students from our school. This year I even get to teach the pre-K students!
- All students both virtually and face to face get to do fun music activities and songs.
- We are all learning about the different components of music including rhythms, pitches, harmony and form.
- Our fourth and fifth graders are learning songs to honor our Veterans with and we will be creating a DVD to mail out to our local Veterans.
- Please look for a form coming home where you can submit names and addresses of Veterans that you think would like the DVD.
Keep singing!
Mrs. Fletcher
Physical Education
Hey Wildcats!!
I am Coach V and I am excited for the 2020-2021 school year. We are going to be learning and practicing ways to be healthy and to do our best to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Some things we will be learning this year are:
We will be learning/practicing how to jump rope.
How to make healthier eating choices.
We are also learning some new stretches and exercise to improve our overall health.
Virtual students please make sure that you are completing your PE lesson and quiz in Canvas each week under the Modules tab in the PE section. Hope to see everyone back at school soon.
Thanks,
Coach V
20.21 Specials Calendar and Groupings
GT
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to GT! I’m so excited for us to begin the first project of our Genius Hour unit. First and second grade students will develop their idea of the perfect celebration. Third and fourth grade learners will determine what would make the ideal pet for their family. Fifth grade scholars will plan their dream vacation. As we navigate through the 6 Ps of Genius Hour, they will serve as the road map for students to pursue their passions.
Genius Hour provides a wonderful curriculum for virtual and on campus learners. Students will choose topics that interest them the most. In addition, if students change their mode of instruction, it is an easy transition since we are teaching the same curriculum. Finally, this curriculum provides equity because students receive equitable GT services in both virtual and on campus learning environments.
On campus learners will receive GT services once a week for ninety minutes. Pullout classes begin this week, after Labor Day. Virtual learners will begin this week, but they will receive their instruction differently. First, let me encourage you to watch the video that is posted on the District Canvas Course. The video will explain everything you need to know about GT Virtual Learning. You were invited to enroll in the course last week. If you haven’t accepted the course, please do so at this time. Another option is this link https://lcisd.instructure.com/courses/72669 . Weekly instruction will require you to go to the District Canvas Course and watch a prerecorded video introducing the lesson for the week. You will do this at your convenience, however, don’t miss your teacher’s classroom instruction. The lesson will be taught by a GT Facilitator in the district, so you will see other facilitators for this portion of your lesson. Then, you will work on your assignment for the week and may explore any of the other topics found on the page. You will determine a convenient time to work on your project without missing your teacher’s scheduled Zooms. Students will complete an “Exit Ticket” at the end of the lesson. Please make sure to submit the “Exit Ticket” because the completed form is how I will take attendance for the virtual learners. On Friday, I will Zoom with you! A Zoom schedule with the day, time, and code is posted in the Velasquez GT Canvas Course, plus I will forward the Zoom link in announcements and emails each week.
Throughout the year, I will post pictures featuring our learning in the GT classroom on my teacher Facebook Page. If you DO NOT want your child photographed for the GT Facebook page, you will need to send an email to me letting me know. I will never include students’ names when posting. Also, look for an email at the end of each month recapping our lessons.
Thank you!
Staci Hartfiel
Leading Through Language
Hello and welcome to the 2020-2021 school year. I am Brenda Garcia, the ESL Coach for Velasquez Elementary. This month I will give a brief overview of the ESL program. Throughout the year, I will also offer resources and helpful tips on how you can help your child develop their language skills at home.
The ESL program prepares English Learners to be successful in all academic areas. While in the ESL program, your child will develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English through the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) in conjunction with their grade level academic instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in all content areas including English language arts and reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Here are just a few benefits of an ESL program:
· Teachers are trained in effective second language acquisition methods
· Teachers understand the specific language needs of English learners and how to address them
· Teachers recognize the benefits of an English learner’s academic, cultural, and linguistic background
· Teachers can adapt instruction, pacing, and materials to target an English learner’s language proficiency level by offering and providing linguistic accommodations in the classroom as well as on state assessments.
Parents can support their child’s acquisition of English through opportunities to practice English as well as opportunities to increase their child’s skills in their primary language. Research shows the benefits of primary language development on second language development and the positive transfer of skills from one language to another.
Some examples of parent activities to support English acquisition include:
· Reading to your child in English and/or your primary language
· For oral language development, it is important that parents engage their children in meaningful conversation. Whether at the dinner table or at the grocery store, parents can ask children questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer.
· oral storytelling is often more of a natural activity than reading a bedtime story together. By telling stories, parents are developing their children's vocabulary and oral language skills. Parents can also encourage children to add to stories or make up their own
If you ever have any questions about the ESL program at Velasquez Elementary, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email address is brgarcia@lcisd.org. You can also call the school at 832-223-2600. I look forward to an amazing year.
English Language Arts - Reading
Welcome to the 2020 school year! My name is Carly Van Praag and I am the Literacy Coach at Velasquez Elementary. This is my 8th year at Velasquez and I have loved watching our Wildcats develop and grow as readers.
Studies have shown that regular reading impacts a child’s success at school. Just reading 20 minutes a day can help develop word-solving skills, comprehension, and fluency. Choosing books that are at an appropriate reading level and that match your child’s interests can help make reading an enjoyable experience.
How can you help? Keep plenty of reading materials in your home: books, magazines, newspapers, and comic books. Children enjoy having a variety of reading materials. Make reading a part of your family time by reading recipes and cooking together. Have your child read the grocery list while shopping, or just find a cozy spot in the house and make a special time to read together.
Together we can help our Wildcats develop a love for reading. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. My email is carly.praag@lcisd.org . I am looking forward to a great school year!
Science Matters
Welcome to your Science Hub for discovery and delight. Each month, I will provide insights for “doing” science at home with your child(ren). You will be delighted with kitchen science, tinkering projects, fascinating videos, and all the science you’ve been craving. Currently, all classes are studying MATTER and ENERGY. If you ever have any questions regarding science at Velasquez, please reach out to me at twilliams@lcisd.org. Stay safe and keep exploring!!
Thyra Williams
Science Facilitator
· States of Matter video: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/25655
· Measuring Volume short read: https://www.getepic.com/app/read/54235 (from Epic in Class Link)
· Practice measuring Mass on a triple beam balance: https://www.thephysicsaviary.com/Physics/Programs/Games/ReadtheTripleBeamMS/
· Art in Science: Using tape, attach 3 different unwrapped crayons to a poster board and apply heat with a blow dryer to create a piece of surrealistic artwork. Send me your masterpiece. Heat energy causes beautiful changes.
· Kitchen Science: Make a Density Rainbow using only sugar, water, and food coloring. https://www.thoughtco.com/rainbow-in-a-glass-density-demonstration-604258
· Heat Energy song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khZrs-UBq28
· Free App: Sound Uncovered from Exploratorium. Explore the surprising side of sound with an interactive ebook featuring auditory illusions, acoustic phenomena, and other things that go bump, beep, boom, and vroom.
· Question of the Month: What are all the Tropical Depressions/Hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean for September and October 2020? Hint: Tropical Storm Omar and Hurricane Nana were named on September 1, 2020.
Math
As we begin a new school year, we are excited about the journey we will take this year in math with 2020 vision. I am Marilyn Cooper the Math Facilitator at Velasquez Elementary. This is my fourth year at Velasquez, and I excited about the growth and continuous success in math this year. Whether your student is Face to Face or Virtual we will continue to develop quality instructional practices for our students as well support for our parents.
Math is part of our daily lives. Engage your student(s) in daily conversations such as identifying the numbers in your home address and what they represent when opening the mail, discussing measurements when cooking dinner, discussing food item prices when in the grocery store, discussing fractions when reading the fuel gage at the gas station, identifying and counting lose coins found around the house.
Math takes practice. Unless there is change in the campus schedule math homework is assigned daily. When assisting students with math homework encourage students to model what they learned by letting them repeat what they learned while encouraging the use of math vocabulary and problem-solving skills.
We want to make math fun and enjoyable for our students and parents.
Marilyn Cooper
Math Facilitator
News You Can Use From Our Velasquez PTO September/October Newsletter
REPEATED INFORMATION
LCISD 20-21 Instructional Calendar
Dress Code
Campus Communication
Effective two-way communication is absolutely essential to the success of our Wildcats. This year parents/guardians will no longer receive a weekly campus-wide newsletter. These will now be sent monthly on the 3rd Sunday of each month by 5:00 p.m. beginning August 16th.
Our teachers will communicate with parents and students via Canvas weekly with classroom, campus, and grade level updates. Please be sure you are signed up with Canvas! Canvas streamlines classroom communication! It is a “one stop shop” dashboard for you to stay “in the know” with upcoming classroom happenings, due dates, assignments, and links for your students to access additional resources that your child will need to find success.
Stay connected with us on social media to see all the amazing fun and interactive learning we will have going on this year!
Lastly, our front office is open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. If you have any additional questions or concerns please call the front office at 832-223-2600.
William C. Velasquez Elementary
Brian Gibson, Principal - bgibson@lcisd.org
Amey Frazier, Assistant Principal - amey.frazier@lcisd.org
Website: https://www.lcisd.org/campuses/velasquez/home
Location: 402 Macek Road, Richmond, TX, USA
Phone: 832-223-2600
Facebook: facebook.com/VelasquezES
Twitter: @VelasquezElem