The following is the updated Room Parent section from the Bush Parent Handbook.

Every PK-fifth grade classroom needs a room parent. This parent plays an important role in communicating with the other parents in the classroom about classroom events and items/materials needed for any type of special event happening in the classroom.

Room parent communication is established via the information collected by the teacher at the beginning of the year. Any parent not following the purpose of the room parent communication listed above can be removed from the communication after a warning.

The room parent communication forum does not discuss students and/or disparage students, teachers, staff, parents, or community members. The sole purpose of this room parent communication is to reach out about classroom events such as the need for parent volunteers in the classroom or at other school related events; or it’s used to request materials needed for classroom or provide information regarding school related events.

Tomorrow, all students will receive an envelope from the National Child Identification Program provided by the State of Texas. Parents are encouraged to complete the information and keep this in a safe file at home. Do not return or mail the envelope and card, it's for parents' reference. Hopefully, parents will never need to use this card, but parents are encouraged to complete the card for each child.

Parents are welcome to come share a birthday treat on their child's birthday with the class and to have lunch with their child.

Here are a few reminders for parents:

• Please, do not take pictures with other students even if your child knows the other student(s).
• The birthday treats brought in are only for your child's class. Please do not share any extra treats with other students even if you know the student(s).
• Only a birthday treat may be brought for the class. Parents are not allowed to pass out goodie bags, candy or other toys/items to their child's class.

Anne N. in Ms. Baber's 3rd grade class is our campus winner for the HISD Birthday Card Competition. Her design will be featured on the Birthday Billboard display at Hattie Mae White.

Last night families had a great time at the Book Fair. The Book Fair is still going on in the Multi-Purpose room through this Friday morning. Thanks to all the parents, teachers, and Ms. Miller for all their work last night making the Book Fair a fun evening for all involved. Students may still shop for books through Friday morning of this week.

The book fair will be available online through October 26.

Visit the scholastic link to preview books and shop online: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/barbarabushelementaryschool

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has revised the accounting of elementary students' attendance and now has it in line with high schools. This means that all absences count towards earning class completion/credit. Students must be in attendance at minimum 90% of the school instructional days to earn credit for the class, in addition to passing the class with a minimum yearly average grade of 70%. Elementary report cards will start to show an asterisk once students have at least 18 total (excused and unexcused) absences which means credit will not be earned. In an elementary school setting, this means that the student has failed a State of Texas promotion standard of being in class for at least 90% of the class days.

Students who do not meet attendance promotion standards will receive an Attendance Credit Appeal Application from the School Attendance Committee at the end of the school year. Parents may complete and submit the appeal form and document the extenuating circumstances that led to their child not being in school for at least 90% of the instructional days. The School Attendance Committee will meet to determine if the student is to earn credit and be promoted if the grade averages are also met. If the appeal is denied, then the student will be retained and required to attend summer school and meet the minimum 90% attendance at summer school to be promoted to the next grade. If the parent does not submit an attendance appeal, then the student is retained in that grade and must attend summer school and meet the minimum 90% attendance at summer school to be promoted to the next grade.

All absences, excused and unexcused, count towards the 90% attendance rule.

The small parking lot alongside the carpool lane is not to be used during morning arrival and dismissal time. The cars in the carpool lane pull out to move around the other cars once their child is dropped off or picked up. These drivers are not expecting parents and children to be walking in or through the busy carpool lanes before or after school. Please stay safe and do not park in the small visitors parking lot to walk your child to class or pick up at dismissal.

Key Points:

• Diesel’s Readers began Saturday, October 1st and runs through Monday, October 31st

• The program is open to elementary and middle school students

• Each participant who reads five books in the month of October will receive a free ticket to a Houston Dynamo or Houston Dash home game via email on Wednesday, November 2nd

• The top three schools with the most books read will win exclusive prizes and will be contacted on Friday, November 4th

Description:

Diesel’s Readers is a month long program that encourages students to read five (5) age-appropriate books approved by their librarian or parent/guardian. Once all five books are read, a parent or guardian will complete the form online to document their student's participation in the program. Each participating student will receive a certificate of completion via email. This certificate contains a QR Code where the student and parents can redeem their free ticket. This program will be hosted multiple times throughout the year, so check back later for more dates!

Prizes:

All participants who read five books in the month of October will receive a free ticket to a Houston Dynamo or Houston Dash home game

The top three schools with the most books read at the end of the program may choose one of the following prizes

• A behind the scenes tour of PNC Stadium and a pizza party for up to 50 students.

• A school assembly with Diesel, the Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash mascot

• A personalized jersey with the name of the school on the back.

Links:

• Website - https://www.houstondynamofc.com/community/reading

• Registration - https://houstondynamo.formstack.com/forms/readin

Please make sure your dismissal tag is visible, preferably hanging from your rear view mirror, when you get into the carpool dismissal line. If you don't have your number, then write it on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper so it can be easily seen by Ms. Rose when she is recording the number. Then, keep that number displayed until your child enters your car. The ladies on dismissal duty want to ensure the students are going into the correct car and this will greatly help if they can see the dismissal number too.

Thank you to all the parents who have been regularly volunteering in the cafeteria to support our hard-working staff! We can always use volunteers in the cafeteria, so if you haven't already completed your VIPS approval and attended the training, there's always time to get approved.

Volunteers are needed to help supervise and assist students in the cafeteria at lunch. This is an active volunteer time and not a time to sit with or stand by your child. Parents will be supervising and helping all students in the cafeteria. Only the parent, and no younger or older siblings, may take part in the cafeteria supervision.

There are 2 requirements that must occur before parents may volunteer in the cafeteria.

1. VIPS approved - online approval process

2. Attend training that happens on Mondays at 10:30 a.m.

Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer once you're VIPS approved and have attended the training. This is not a once a month time to volunteer, but rather we need consistent volunteers showing up on a a regular basis at lunch time.

Please make sure you bring your driver's license to sign in to enter the building. Also, be prepared to show a copy of the certificate/email that shows that you're VIPS approved at your first time volunteering.

We look forward to having cafeteria volunteers at lunch time.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4CACAA2EA0FB6-bbelunchroom

The Student Annual Verification is now available on the HISD Connect Parent Portal and must be completed by Friday, October 28.

The Student Annual Verification allows parents and caregivers the opportunity to verify or update their information—such as home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts—to stay connected to their student’s school.

If a parent or caregiver indicates that their home address has changed, the campus will contact them to obtain an updated statement of residence.

Parents and caregivers who have not set up their HISD Connect Parent Portal account and do not have their access code may contact their student’s school to obtain their student’s access ID.

As a reminder, the HISD Connect Parent Portal is a tool to track information related to students’ schedules, grades, attendance, academic history, and more.

Please be advised that walker numbers are finished being inputted at 3:10 p.m. Walker parents will need to go to the front office to pick up their child starting at 3:10 p.m.

Throughout the school year, this section of the newsletter will highlight key points from the Bush Parent Handbook. School begins at 7:30 a.m. Students arriving after 7:40 a.m. are tardy. Students arriving after 9:00 a.m., without a doctor's excuse, are marked absent.

Vacations

Please remember to plan your family vacations and trips during regular school holidays like Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Break. Family vacations cannot be considered excused absences by the State of Texas. As a result, they are recorded as unexcused absences. All students must have a 98% attendance rate. Every day at school is important. All students must attend school up to and including the last day on May 31, 2023.

Early Pick Ups

Please do not plan to pick up your child after 2:30 p.m. from the office. To ensure a safe dismissal, students will not be called to the office to be picked up after 2:30 p.m. Thank you for helping to make dismissal safe for all our students.

Nurse's Rule

Please do not send your sick child to school. If your child has a fever, pink eye, or upset stomach, please keep him/her at home. We have lots of folks under our roof every day. For the health and safety of ALL students, it is very important that children stay home when they are ill. Students who have thrown up during the night or who are running a fever cannot be sent to school. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to school. When your child returns to school, please send a signed note stating the days your child was absent and the reason for the absence.

Safety is our number one core value. We must be safe before we can teach, learn, and grow. Safety

policies and procedures are constantly reviewed and revised as needed. ALL adults entering

the building MUST show a government issued photo identification at the front office every time entering the building.

The identification will be run through a background check device before an adult may receive a visitor’s

pass. If parents are coming into school to volunteer and/or to attend field trips, then they must be VIPS approved. Information about being VIPS approved is available on the HISD website and in the Parent Handbook.

View the 2022-2023 Back To School Guidelines

The Spectacular Science Word for the week of October 17th is matter.

Ms. Rose would like to wish a very special birthday to:

Manuel A. who turned 8 years old on October 18 and is a second grader in Ms. Sheth's class.

Nyelle B. who turns 7 years old on October 19 and is a first grader in Ms. Brown's class.

Lori M. who turns 7 years old on October 20 and is a first grader in Ms. Baldwin's class.

Aiya K. who turns 7 years old on October 20 and is a first grader in Ms. Fox's class.

Levana B. who turns 8 years old on October 20 and is a second grader in Ms. Pham's class.

Isabella C. who turns 8 years old on October 21 and is a second grader in Ms. Adkins' class.

Johnathan P. who turns 10 years old on October 22 and is a fourth grader in Ms. Rodriguez's class.

Sydney B. who turns 11 years old on October 23 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Larson's class.

Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!

October is Bullying Prevention Month. As you all know, bullying and social isolation is an epidemic that continues to grow in our society today, which provides us with even more reasons to bring awareness to the ongoing issue.

A school can have a certain feeling about it. It should feel like a place where everyone is respected and where everyone is safe. We can help make it that way by accepting and supporting others. Children should focus on not hurting anyone for any reason — not because of what they look like, wear, or anything. Everyone should be friendly and kind and help to create a good climate and safe environment at school.

“As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, HISD’s Social & Emotional Learning Department (SEL) is recognizing Oct. 17-21 as Bullying Prevention Week to raise awareness and bring attention to the growing epidemic of bullying and social isolation.

Campuses are encouraged to participate in daily activities and encourage students and parents to join in to help prevent bullying.

Please see our calendar below for upcoming Red Ribbon Week Events that will begin next week.​

Our namesake, Ms. Barbara Bush, was an advocate for blood donations. She personally answered the call when blood donations were requested. In an effort to honor her legacy, Bush Elementary is hosting a blood drive!

Commit for Life Donor Link

Monday, November 14th

MP Room

8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

FREE BLANKETS FOR DONORS!

Contact Zonia Flores @ zonia.flores@houstonisd.org if you have any questions.

Wrap Around is in need of donations for the following items:

Food:

Snacks for students

Hygiene:

Girls/boys deodorant

Small make pouches

Pads/wipes

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Positive Parenting Program works one-on-one with parents and caregivers to look at why children misbehave, how to get children to behave, what to do when children misbehave and how to parent positively in real-world, everyday situations.

Every parent needs a little help sometimes. Maybe your child doesn’t listen to you. Maybe he throws tantrums at the drop of a hat. Or maybe she just won’t go to bed when asked to. Well, you aren’t alone. The truth is, while there are many kinds of families, they all have one thing in common: raising children can be tough sometimes.

This training won't tell you how to be a parent. Instead, it will offer simple and proven ideas to help you deal with problem behavior, making raising your children easier and your whole family happier.

Go from timeouts to time together.

Interested? Please email maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org to sign up for this free event.

Date: November 17th

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Bush Elementary Rm. T505

Great news, BBE Families,

The PTO has extended the Bobcat Boosters campaign only through today, Wednesday, October 19th! This is the last day to make your contribution at any level - all contributions are greatly appreciated and any amount helps us in our mission of enriching our students’ lives by engaging parents and guardians, supporting staff, and enhancing the school environment.

Bobcat Boosters is PTO’s direct fundraising campaign, which means that 100% of the money raised remains here at BBE to fund projects and improvements at our school. We will not ask families to collect pledges or sell products.

Because of the past generosity of BBE families, we have been able to fund key non-budgeted projects and programs that enrich and supplement our children’s curriculum and add value to their time at BBE. The critical funds raised during Bobcat Boosters have supported technology for classrooms; art, music, library, and physical education resources; special advancement programs; safe and reliable transportation for field trips; campus improvement projects; important programs and events (such as the school’s anti-bullying campaign and special performances for our students); and professional development/advanced education opportunities for all BBE teachers.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Please contact bbebobcatboosters@gmail.com with any questions.

Make plans to join us at the BBE PTO Let's Glow Wild! Party and Silent Auction on Friday, November 11, from 5-8 pm!

Join us under the black lights and groove to awesome music from our DJ, play fun glow games, enjoy food, drinks, and treats at the concession stand, and bid on our fantastic silent auction items and experiences!

Entry wristbands are available for purchase at a discount now through November 9th - $5 presale, $7 at the door.

Entry bands are required for all adults and children age three and older. All children must be

accompanied by an adult.

Buy tickets for glow games and pizza, popcorn, candy and drinks from our concession stand.

Glow Party Bundles of four (4) entry bands, 25 tickets, and a large glow party kit or two (2) entry bands, 12 tickets and a small glow party kit are available now!

Buy your t-shirts NOW - the presale will end tomorrow on Thursday, October 20th! The t-shirt design is pictured above, and Let’s Glow Wild t-shirts are Dress Code Approved!

Please contact bbeptofundraising@gmail.com with any questions.

Book Fair is back - October 17th through 21st

Students will have the opportunity to purchase books during the school day with their class. The kids can bring cash or you can load their eWallet on their scholastic book fair account. Click this link to set it up. The eWallet provides a secure, cash-free way for the students to shop at the Book Fair. Create a free account where you can pre-authorize a spending limit and have funds immediately available for the student to spend at the Book Fair. Keep in mind there is an 8.25% sales tax when you are sending funds!

You are encouraged to join the students at the Book Fair during the day. Your teacher will let you know your child's class-scheduled Book Fair date & time. You must be VIPS approved before you enter the school during school hours. Click this link to go directly to the VIPS background check. Get it done now and you will be ready to go!

We are also looking for volunteers to help with the Book Fair. Sign up here if you are interested!

Please contact ptobbelibrary@gmail.com with any questions about the Book Fair.

We had such a great time at the Book Fair Dinner last night! It was wonderful to see so many Bobcat Families together again– thank you to all who came and dined, shopped, and/or volunteered their time to make the evening a big success, and a HUGE thank you to our generous sponsors, Rose Yannakis with Energy Realty and Kroger.

School Store On The Go will continue on October 28th for Fifth grade. See below for more dates. Prices range from $0.10- $5. Please help teach your child how to be responsible with their money and to also be kind to students who did not bring money.

10/28- 5th Grade

11/4- 4th Grade

11/18- 3rd Grade

12/2- 2nd grade

12/9- 1st, Kinder and Pre-K

Fleece jackets are back in stock!!

NEW: Add a custom name label to your child's jacket for $1. We will write the child's name on an iron-on label before we deliver to your child’s classroom. Any purchases with a label will be non-refundable and no exchanges.

Families can shop our school store online or visit us in person every Wednesday morning from 7:30 to 8:30am.

Purchase apparel and select school supplies such as agendas, zipper pouches, notebooks etc. Items purchased online by Thursday at 5:00pm will be delivered to your child’s classroom on Friday.

Be sure to follow @bbepto on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates when we get new stock!

Anyone entering the building will need to present a photo ID at the main office.

If you missed our inaugural First Fridays and Second Saturdays Social Hours, don’t worry– come chat and relax with us in November! We would love to get to know fellow BBE parents and guardians, and it’s time to rectify our lack of connection with one another after the forced isolation of the last few years. There are two opportunities each month, so please attend whichever fits your schedule– or come to both!

First Friday: November 4th, 4:30pm @ Briarhills Park - Children welcome, of course! Bring your own snacks and beverages.

Second Saturday: November 12th, 8:00am @ Terry Hershey Parkrun - Parkrun is a free 5K walk/run along the trail in Terry Hershey Park. You must pre-register at https://www.parkrun.us/terryhershey/ but there is no commitment to attend, and you only need to register one time. Children, strollers, and pets are welcome, and you can be a spectator if you aren't up for walking.

Wear your BBE spirit t-shirt and look for others to spot our group!

Please contact presidentbbepto@gmail.com with any questions about our Social Hours.

There is still time to make your 5th grade fee contribution on the BBE PTO website! This fee covers the 5th Grade t-shirt (dress code approved), holiday party contributions, the End-of-the-Year Celebration and gift bags. There is also the option to “Help a Friend’ if you would like to donate to help cover the cost for families who do not have the means.

This year, we have also added the option of donating to the holiday teacher gift in advance. Donations for this are available in $5 increments. This donation is entirely voluntary.

Please purchase your 5th grade fee and any add-ons HERE.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our pumpkin painting and scavenger hunts at the Nature Center this month!

Stay tuned for additional events coming this fall. If you’re interested in helping plan events at the Nature Center, please feel free to email bushnaturecenter@gmail.com.

Join the Birthday Book Club and make your student’s day extra special! Your student will receive a personal birthday greeting from Ms. Rose during the morning announcements, and have their name printed in the weekly Paw Prints newsletter, in a book for the library, AND on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday.

We would love for families to send in any photos that are school-related, such as pajama day, astros day, or any grade-specific event/project that we can include in the yearbook!

Please send no more than 3 photos to bushptoyearbook@gmail.com and label the pictures with your child's grade.

The BBE PTO would like to extend a special thank you to OXXO Care Cleaners at 1275 Eldridge Parkway, Suite 110, for their help with dry cleaning a very important item with great care and in an amazingly fast time frame!

Subscribe to the PTO Events Calendar through iCal or Google

For any questions related to PTO please contact Amy Gnau, presidentbbepto@gmail.com

22-23 Faculty and Staff

Counselor - Jewell Quinonez

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext: 275212)

Jewell.Quinonez@houstonisd.org

Click here to visit the BBE Counselor Corner

FOR RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH -

Wraparound - Maria Quevedo

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275105)

maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

FOR ATTENDANCE -

Registrar - Adriana Rosales

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275104)

arosale3@houstonisd.org