Cat Tracks
Spring Shadows Elementary Wildcats Staff Newsletter
July 2017 Edition
Opportunity Culture at SSE
#TheLearnersJourney
Our Vision
At Spring Shadows Elementary we educate learners to build confidence, have social responsibility, and strive for academic excellence.
Our Mission
Our Core Beliefs
- Each student has unique intellectual, emotional, social, and physical qualities.
- We embrace a child’s individual values, interests, and personalities.
- Parents are confident in their child’s social and intellectual educational growth.
- Educators lead their craft by preparing learners in our fast changing world.
ISTE 2017
Principal's Message
I hope you are finding valuable time to be with your families, enjoying down time, and just rejuvenating this summer! I was able to go on a mini-vacation with Awais to Orlando Florida that took me on an unexpected sight-seeing journey. The funny thing is that we missed our very early morning flight by 20 minutes because security was too long. It was not too funny, but we were determined to get out of town! So, Southwest Airlines situated us on a standby to Ft. Lauderdale within the next hour and half. We decided to make it an adventure. We took that flight, then rented a car there to drive up to Orlando. By the time we made it to Ft. Lauderdale, we were starving, but knowing Awais only eats halal (that's another story for another time) we decided to check out our handy technology to see where to eat. Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves eating a gyro in North Miami from a Mediterranean Deli and people watching. I have to say, it was the best! No plan, just our phones and driving around navigating gorgeous Florida. We did have a framework- we needed to get to Orlando by the end of the day to check in. The remainder of the day we spend it driving along the shores up to Orlando and making short stops for a quick cooling beverage and to check out the sites.
All this to say, our lives are driven by calendars, computers, plans, etc. Sometimes, it's okay to welcome detours to check out the sites, and enjoy the sun and good food with people you love the most.
With this note, I sincerely hope to see you all enjoying the summer! Take time to just be with your family, enjoy sleeping late, and staying up late!
Much Wildcat Love,
Rachel Martinez
Sometimes you just need to enjoy the detour and drink out of a big pineapple! (Don't forget the shopping!)
Summer News
I'm way too proud:
- District Summer School is in full swing led by our summer ninja- Ms. Gardner and her sidekick Bea Castillo.
We are Lead Learners:
- Many thanks to the PBIS Cadre for attending the Region 4 training! We can't wait to see what you will present!
- Kuddos to the folks attending the literacy and math academies at Region 4.
- Great job to the ISTE folks that traveled to San Antonio to bring back goodies and tech info for us!
- Many many thanks to the commitment of our fearless trailblazers at Opportunity Culture training.
- More learning opportunities ahead in the section entitled Summer Learning Opportunities.
Planning Ahead:
- All staff may begin working in their rooms Tuesday, August 1st. The cleaning crew should be done by then, unless otherwise notified. You may get your keys from Rachel Berryman. The school is open from 7:00-5:00 daily except on Fridays.
- If you are new to SSE, plan on being back August 7th for district training & initial welcome back meetings.
- All other staff will return August 9th. We will have a nice welcome back breakfast in the lounge at 7:30-8:15. We will then have a short gathering from 8:15-9:15. The remainder of the day is a teacher workday.
- Our school voted for our theme to be Space this coming year. We are life long learners and explorers. You may decorate your room and bulletins with anything space inspired- no limits to your imagination! We love pinterest!
And if you want to continue the learner's journey this summer.....
Week of July 17-22 Planning: https://springbranch.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=19852
Week of July 24-28 Planning: https://springbranch.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=19855
Week of July 31-August 3 Planning: https://springbranch.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=19856
Make sure to look out for emails with important staff development. Also check on Workshop in Eduphoria to see the complete catalog of staff development. Stock up on your staff development now that you have more free time.
Remember- there is one for AIR and there should be at least one person from each grade level attending.
Spring Shadows Elementary
Email: rachel.martinez@springbranchisd.com
Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sse2/
Location: 9725 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: (713) 251-7100
Twitter: @twitter_rachelmartinez4