Wow! January went by so fast!!! Now we're looking forward to February. We have completed all middle of the year assessments for literacy and mathematics. During the next few weeks, our students in third - sixth grade will be participating in state STAAR interim assessments. These assessments will be online. The data from these assessments will provide us information about the student expectations we have taught up to this point in the year. We will be able to determine how students are progressing through the curriculum. The dates for all interim assessments are included in this newsletter.

Conroe ISD is still currently at a Safety Alert Level 4. There is good news though in the numbers. It looks as though there is now a downward trend. We are so hopeful the health level will be lowered to a Level 3 by the end of the month.

At this time, we are moving forward with our plans for field trips, Mother/Son Bingo, Dudes & Dolls Dance and Watch Dogs. We don't want to cancel or reschedule since numbers are going down. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow district guidelines. Updates will continue to be sent out regularly.

Recently, our students have been communicating a need to be provided with more information about the safety drills we do on campus. Most of this is coming from our older students. I know many of you are familiar with Officer Bass. He will be spending time with students answering questions they have about the drills and the importance of following procedures to keep them safe. The conversations will be centered around a picture book for the younger grades and then questions and answers in the older grades. Please begin asking your child about what they have learned. Safety is our number one priority, and we continue to work to ensure students and staff understand the protocols to keep everyone safe.

Finally, I would like to stress the importance of children being in a classroom with their teacher to receive instruction. Our absenteesm rate is high and we know some of that is due to Covid and other various childhood illnesses. We understand this and encourage you to keep your child at home if they are sick. On the other hand, if your child is well enough to come to school, it is critical for their education that they are in class. Our curriculum is packed full of new learning and we are working hard to close the learning gaps many students have due to the pandemic. Our teachers work with students to catch them up when they are absent, but some students still fall behind and really struggle to keep up. Please ensure students, who are well, are at school each and every day. I encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher if you have questions or concerns.

Thank you for all you do to support your children while they learn during these critical years of elementary and intermediate school. We appreciate your dedication to their education and to Stewart Elementary. I hope you enjoy the month of February. Stay safe and warm and Happy Valentine's Day!

Take care.

Dr. Julie English

Our students in grades 3-6th will be taking their Interim Assessments online during the month of February. These assessments are created by TEA and align with the TEKS. Test questions for the STAAR Interim Assessments are developed with Texas teachers and include some former STAAR items. Valuable data will be derived from these tests to help our students grow and learn.

Beginning in 2022, the STAAR assessment will be online with embedded accommodations for students who need them. This interim will provide us with valuable data, but will also give our students an opportunity to practice taking an online test.

See below for the important testing dates:

Jan 31- 5th Math

Feb 7 - 5th ELA

Feb 8 - 6th Math

Feb 10 - 6th ELA

Feb 14 - 5th Science

Feb 14 - 4th Math

Feb 15 - 4th ELA

Feb 15 - 6th ELA Field Test

Feb 16 - 3rd Math

Feb 17 - 3rd ELA

We are hopeful to open this up again sometime later this month.

1. Parents may reserve 2 spots for adults per student. Younger siblings may join you.

2. You must sign up for each grade level lunch you want to attend.

3. We ask that you sign up only once per month, so that every parent has an opportunity to participate.

4. All visitors must check in at the front desk with a current picture ID.

5. Use this Sign up Genius Link to reserve your spots for the month of January.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4ea4aa2aa5f85-stewart3

We look forward to seeing you!

Conroe Independent School District has updated the COVID protocols for students and employees. You can view the protocols at:

Utilizing this website will help answer questions about positive results and exposure. This website can be used to answer many questions you might have about quarantine requirements and when to return to school.

Be sure to also put Wednesday, February 23rd on your calendar. This is Elective Night at Peet Jr. High. You don't want to miss it!

Stewart Spirit Day at Wister’s - Sunday, February 20

Join us at Wister’s in Woodforest’s Pine Market on Sunday, February 20 for a Stewart Spirit Day! More information will be sent out in the coming weeks.

PTO Spring Sponsorships

Only 3 sponsorships are left! Get your business banner on the fence and on the back of our field day shirts. For more information, please email samanthaewmartin@gmail.com.

Thank you to Krysten Polvado - Realtor, The Church at Woodforest, and Owens & Burnett Painting for your support!

Stewart Marquee Birthday Shout Outs

Looking for a fun way to celebrate a special student, teacher, or staff member? PTO offers birthday shoutouts on the Stewart sign! The birthday message will say “Happy Birthday (names)” and will be posted on one side of the marquee for your chosen school day! It will also be the perfect birthday photo op! Shout outs are $20/name. The marquee is available for up to three shoutouts per school day. If you would like to reserve a birthday shoutout, please book online at http://stewartpto.org/store/c10/Birthday_Shoutouts.html.

Yearbooks

Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook! Don’t wait! Copies are now limited! Order online at http://stewartpto.org/store/p47/2021-2022_Yearbook_Order.html.

Yearbook Ads

Celebrate your student’s achievements with a tribute in the yearbook! Yearbook ads are now on sale! The ad deadline is March 1, 2022.

If you’d like to get started now please follow the steps below.

1. Visit Balfour.com, and search for Stewart Elementary.

2. Purchase the ad size you want.

3. Create an account on Balfour.com.

4. Look for an email within 1 business day confirming your Ad Workspace is available.

5. Log into your Balfour.com account and look under My Orders to design your ad.

6. When you’re ready, choose Submit Your Ad to send it to the yearbook staff.

Staff Appreciation Donations - Thank you!

In December, Lake Conroe Ace Hardware generously provided lunch from Republic Grill for the entire staff! Thank you, Lake Conroe Ace Hardware, for always supporting our school and staff!

In January, F45 Woodforest and Camp Gladiator donated workout sessions for our staff! Thank you for helping us provide a fun and healthy surprise!

For the month of February, Rachel May - Realtor is sponsoring our “Stock the Break Room.” Thank you, Rachel, for making sure our staff has plenty of snacks and drinks for the month of February!

Thank you Woodforest Church for the Pay Day breakfasts you provide for our staff. They are so yummy, and we love it!

Thank you to our AWESOME PTO! We are so appreciative of everything you do for our staff. You help make Stewart a wonderful place to learn and grow for students and staff!!!

February

9th - Club Pictures

10th - Stellar Student and Mighty Mustang

14th-17th - Random Acts of Kindness Week

18th - No school for students and staff

21st - No school for students and staff

25th - Go Texan Day

25th - Dudes and Dolls Dance

March

2nd - Dr. Seuss Day

8th - 3rd Grade Program 6:00PM

10th - 3rd Grading period ends

10th - Field Day

14th-18th - Spring Break

25th - Stellar Student and Mighty Mustang

28th - April 1 - Book Fair

29th - Spring picture day

April

7th - Kindergarten graduation pictures

7th - 2nd grade program 6:00PM

14th - Stellar Student/Mighty Mustang

15th - Good Friday - no school for students and staff

18th - no school for students and staff

29th - Stellar Student and Mighty Mustang celebrations

May

10th-12th - STAAR Testing

13th - 5th/6th grade picnic

17th - Fine Arts Concerts - more information coming

18th - Fine Arts Concerts - more information coming

23rd - Awards Ceremonies - more information coming

25th - Kindergarten graduation - time to be determined

25th - 6th grade clap-out

26th - 6th grade Promotion Ceremony

26th - Last day of school - Half day for students

24th - Awards Ceremonies - more information coming