Reagan Insider
January 26, 2024
Principal Message
Ray Community,
What a wonderful week we have had at Reagan. Our PTA put on a cultural fair for our students on Thursday and Friday and we look forward to welcoming our families to campus tonight to participate as well.
Learning is in full swing at Reagan this semester. On Wednesday I got the opportunity to teach a first grade class for an hour. During this time, students were engaged in their learning discussing character traits of the main characters in a book we read. In second and fifth grade, I was lucky to observe students conversing about their learning. I heard great conversations around why students had different answers to the same question, saw students helping each other better understand an area of misconception and got to experience the joy of new learning.
We unveiled our new book vending machine to students this week. Students who are nominated for a Golden Ray will be entered into a drawing to receive a token. We will pick five students a week to get a token and they will use that token to get a book from the vending machine. The vending machine does not take actual money and this will be used as a positive reward for students. All students are able to be nominated for Golden Ray Awards by Reagan teachers and staff.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Alison Pennington
Principal
Twitter: @ReaganELemCP Instagram: @reaganelem_rays
Important Dates to Remember
January 30: 3rd grade Peter and the Wolf
February: Black History Month
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 9: Friendship Social
February 10: Lunar New Year
Leander ISD Instructional Materials Selection
All LISD parents and students have the opportunity to provide input on the adoption of primary instructional resources. A list of the courses adopting new resources this year, opportunities to view the resources, and opportunities to ask questions are provided on the Leander ISD Instructional Materials Selection website.
YMCA After-School Enrichment Classes are posted for Session 3
YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE NOW!! $20 until March 17, then they go up to $25.
https://bit.ly/reaganyearbook2223
5th Grade Parents: Don't forget to purchase your Prideline to honor your graduating 5th grader. Just costs an additional $10.
**5th GRADE PRIDELINES must be purchased no later than February 20 and designed NO LATER THAN February 28.
3rd Annual Global Languages and Cultures Film Festival call for submissions
We invite all multilingual students to submit videos for the 3rd Annual LISD Global Languages and Cultures Film Festival on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Danielson Middle School from 10 am to noon. We are interested in student created videos by all age ranges (EC-12), a variety of genres and topics.
Here is a link to all of the information you need to submit videos.
QUEST Parent Screening Request for 1st thru 5th graders - Spring 2024
QUEST Parent Screening Request for 1st thru 5th graders - Spring 2024
Request Deadline March 1, 2024
Does your child possess some of these Common Characteristics of Gifted Children (source: What is Giftedness?):
- Ability to comprehend material several grade levels above their age peers
- Surprising emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age
- Strong sense of curiosity
- Enthusiastic about unique interests and topics
- Quirky or mature sense of humor
- Creative problem-solving and imaginative expression
- Absorbs information quickly with few repetitions needed
-Self-aware, socially aware, and aware of global issues
These MAY be indicators that the QUEST program could be beneficial to your child. Screening for the QUEST GT program is based on referral by any adult who knows the student. If you feel your child may have an educational need for gifted services, complete the Referral Forms in the links below in order for them to be screened for the GT QUEST program for the 2024-2025 school year. Referrals for Spring 2024 will open on October 2, 2023, and are due by March 1, 2024. Parents will be contacted by April 1, 2024, if more information is needed. Notification of testing results will be sent out by the last day of school for the 2023-2024 school year. Students who qualify for the program after testing will begin QUEST classes beginning in the fall of 2024.
Students may be referred for QUEST screening in Spring 2024 by filling out both of the parent input forms using the following links: (Forms Due March 1, 2024)
***Kindergarten is LISD’s universal screening year. All Kindergarten students will be screened for QUEST***
Kelly Yang Author Visit
Vista Ridge High School’s first Culture Day
Please come check out Vista Ridge High School’s first Culture Day on Monday, January 29 5-7pm in the cafeteria. You’ll be able to watch dance performances, eat food, and play games while learning about the different countries all of our students come from.
PTA
APEX
Hi Rays,
Our PTA has voted to bring APEX back next year. We are excited to welcome them back to campus. We are partnering with APEX to bring you as much information as possible to make our entire community feel more comfortable with this fundraiser. Please watch the video below for a quick preview.
Reagan PTA General Membership Meeting
Our next Reagan PTA General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 21st, at 6:30 PM in the Reagan Library.
PTA members are highly encouraged to attend. The Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee will be presenting their amendment recommendations to general membership for approval. Additionally, elections will be held to select our 2024 Nominating Committee in preparation for our May election meeting.
If you are a current PTA Member and would like to be considered for the Nominating Committee, please click here to complete our interest form.
For more information about the Reagan PTA, contact Brittany Upton at reaganptapresident@gmail.com
Black History Month and Lunar New Year
February is around the corner and packed with fun celebrations:
Black History Month is celebrated the entire month of February.
Lunar New Year is Saturday, February 10, but will also be celebrate the entire month of February. Carnaval Is Tuesday, February 13 This year, the Korean community is hosting a celebration of the Lunar New Year at Reagan. The library will be decorated on January 30 and a Korean food potluck will be served on February 9. For more information and/or if you would like to get involved, please reach out to Katrina at reaganptadei@gmail.com
3rd Grade Families!
Let's show the teachers and staff at Reagan Elementary some LOVE! Click HERE to see how you can help!
BIRTHDAY GRAM DELIVERIES FOR THEIR SPECIAL DAY!
Birthday Grams have been a hit with our Rays and are currently available in our ONLINE STORE. Missed out sending one on their actual B-Day? That's ok! Let us know and we will celebrate anyway! Get your grams on the calendar - The Reagan Ray can't wait!
SPIRIT STICKS EVERY FRIDAY MORNING 7a-7:30a in front of the cafeteria!
Holiday Sticks are HERE, SHOW YOUR CHEER!
Kwanza, Hanukkah, Navidad, Mele Kalikimaka and a collection of wintery bears in scarves are ready to dangle on a backpack for the Holidays!!
Sticks $1
Reagan Key Chains $2
Valentine Grams
Valentine's Day - FRIENDSHIP GRAMS!
The day to celebrate love and friendship is almost here & you know what that means... VALENTINE GRAMS ARE READY TO GO! There are 6 designs to choose from this year and supplies are limited, so make sure you go to the ONLINE STORE while they last. All grams will be delivered to your child's friends & teacher on Valentine's Day! $1 each or $3 if you'd like to include a Reagan Ray keychain.