The Cowboy Courier
Week of March 18-22, 2024
Message from De la Garza
Welcome back!
I hope everyone had a refreshing and restful Spring Break. As we return to our classrooms, it's time to hone in and focus on refining our teaching skills to ensure that we provide the best possible learning experience for our students in the final quarter of the year.
The last stretch of the school year is crucial for our students' growth and development, and your dedication and commitment to their success is truly amazing. Let's harness our passion for education and channel your teaching methods by incorporating engaging lessons and meaningful interactions with our students. Let's empower our students to reach their fullest potential and inspire them to become lifelong learners.
I'm excited to collaborate with each and every one of you as we embark on this last part of the school year together. Your hard work and dedication makes a difference in the lives of our students every day. Let’s finish off strong together as we continue to Re-Ignite your passion for teaching and provide great opportunities for all of our students.
Here's to a productive and fulfilling remainder of the school year!
OUR KINDER RANCH MISSION STATEMENT
Brand of Greatness Pledge
I believe in myself, and I am here to succeed.
I am RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL, demonstrate INTEGRITY and will PERSEVERE.
I will do my best because everything I do today will affect my tomorrow.
I AM LIVING THE BRAND OF GREATNESS.
Housekeeping...
Checkpoint Upates:
Thank you for being awesome during walkthroughs....
We got lots of great feedback and suggestions for the last leg of the year.
Celebrations:
- Critical writing across content areas
- Learning Intentions/Success posted and aligned
- Turn and talk in some classrooms
- (4th) grade data charts for Science posted in hallways (aligned to unit map)
Last Update( Were back from Break!)
Staff, please make sure you are arriving on time and making sure your either at your designated duty at 7:00 or 7:10. We need to make sure we are targeting morning time from 7:10-7:35 with any supports our students need. Please do not leave students unattended in the classroom.
Teacher Assignment Survey:
Staff,
Please make sure and fill this out so we can start making staffing decisions and master schedule by beginning of May. This will support your planning process for next year and will allow you to collaborate with Special Education and Dyslexia. For our other staff members you will only be filling out the first question. Let me know if you have any questions.
https://forms.gle/BE7mrYCmyd1eFY3r7
CTCs (Tuesday March 19th)
(K-2) will meet in room #115 for CTCs.
(3rd-5th) We will be creating a plan for the Countdown to STAAR. We will identify certain areas of need and follow up with our I/D time. This plan will include all students including (Special Pop.)
Important reminders upon returning from Spring Break:
Monday, March 18, 2024: Gradebook for teachers will be locked at 11:59 PM (by midnight)
Tuesday, March 19, 2024: Teachers turn in signed grade verification sheets
Thursday, March 21, 2024: SIS department will generate report cards beginning first thing in the morning and post on Skyward Family Access as well as Student Profiles.
Internal Transfer Window(Information from the district):
The Internal Transfer window for teachers, paras, and professional staff opens March 18th and closes May 3rd. Please let me know if you are considering or entered a transfer so I am aware of what positions need to be filled and find the best candidates for the teams.
Here are steps an employee can take to get to the transfer application:
Go to the Comal ISD Website
Under Employment select Current Job Postings
Choose the Click Here to View All Job Postings
Search: Transfer
Select Internal Transfer Requests
Here is the direct link:
Internal Campus Paraprofessionals: https://comal.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=6962
Internal Comal ISD Teachers, Counselors, Nurses, Librarians: https://comal.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=6961
Comal U
Comal U is the largest professional learning opportunity within Comal ISD and is scheduled to take place at Davenport High School on June 3-6, 2024, and July 29-August 1, 2024. Please save the dates. Teachers will be able to build their own schedule to attend one or both Comal U weeks this summer.
Sub List
Coaches Corner
DCA - We will have second grade math/reading DCAs and third grade science DCA when we return.
March 21 - 2nd math/ 3rd Science
March 22 - 2nd reading
CTC Tuesday - Maria Symon, our district RLA coordinator, will be on Campus Tuesday for
grades( K-2.)
On Thursday, March 21, Maria will meet with grades 3-5 during your planning time.
Unit MAP Tip - CISD Curriculum documents contain support for addressing Tier 2 and Tier 3 instruction which plays a critical role in addressing the diverse needs of students. Tier 2 interventions provide targeted support to students who require additional assistance but do not need intensive, individualized intervention. Tier 3 interventions offer individualized and intensive support for students who struggle significantly and require specialized instruction to succeed academically.
Don't forget to Sign-UP
Differentiating Lessons with Google Forms Training - Jennine Zeleznik will be offering an opportunity to learn about google forms after school on Thursday, March 21st. This is a great opportunity to earn more GT hours as well! Register in Kickup here!
GT CREDIT HOURS
Villarreal Vibes
TELPAS is DOOOOONNNNEEE!!! Thank you to all the staff members and students for working together to get this done. I appreciate all of your help monitoring, relieving, and even just staying quiet in the hallway. To our bilingual teachers, Megan, Lisa, and Connie, thank you for helping with the DAYS of testing! Testing takes a village!
4th grade teachers, I will be coming in on Monday when we return (March 18th at 2:15) to talk about Ranch Hands for next year! We will meet in a common area (I'll find out which one has a working projector).
Soles4Souls shoe drive is all done! We donated 153 pairs of shoes to be sent to help small business owners in developing countries. Thank you for your donations!
PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR NEWSLETTER:
Dear KRES Families,
Our KRES Career Day will be May 7th! We are excited to welcome our parents and community members to share about their careers! More information will come, but if you or someone you know would like to present to our students, please mark your calendar and fill out the form below. You can also email our school counselor at nichole.villarreal@comalisd.org with any questions. Thank you for helping to make our career day a success!
Literature from the Library
Congrats to our Third Grade Dictionary Race 2024 competition.
Kaleb Kruger Champion
Faith Mitchell runner up
These two students will be competing agains ISES, SES, and TPES in early May for the Pieper Warrior DictionaryRace Champion.
Thank you for your participation in Read Across America 2024. I loved seeing the classes get involved and offer suggestions and feedback throughout the week. We collected 65 combs and brushes, plus over 300 pairs of socks. The donations will go to SJRC here in the Bulverde area and across their organization.
Thank you for a very successful Literati Book Fair 2024. Mrs. Williams would love your feedback about Literati and Scholastic book fairs. Please send feedback to karen.williams@comalisd.org by March 22, 2024.
Fifth Grade Literary Fiesta Parade Project 2024 (information link)
5th grade students Literary Fiesta Parade Project to carry at the KRES Fiesta Parade. Each 5th grade student will create a literary project based on a book. Due April 12, 2024.
For those participating in Accelerated Reader and book challenges. All words read are due April 30, 2024.
Kinder Ranch Elementary Grade Level Goals for Word Read are:
Kindergarten: 100 books - parents keep track at home plus teachers in classroom
First Grade: 150 books - parents keep a list at home and give to teachers in classroom at end of year
Second Grade: 250,000 words read per student
Third Grade: 500,000 words read per student
Fourth Grade: 750,000 words read per student
Fifth Grade: 1 Million words read per student
Feedback Form
ONE STOP SHOP
March:
11-15- SPRING BREAK
25- PTA Reflections Ceremony (SVHS)
29- No SCHOOL