Updates from the Principal

Dear families and community,

Last week was incredible! We started the week off with Donuts with Dads, engaged in fun activities to recognize students’ successful Adventure Dash fundraiser, and ended the week celebrating International Day of Peace. This will be another eventful week. I hope you will take some time to stop by the Book Fair to buy books with your student and admire the creative work of our parents.This year’s Ocean Adventure theme, is amazing. Be sure to join us for our book fair, food truck, and dance event on Tuesday evening, and the 5th grade choir performance on Thursday evening.

CELEBRATIONS

Donuts with Dads 
We had a wonderful turn out this year.  For those who were unable to stay for  the WatchDog Dad’s orientation, please reach out to WatchDOGS Chair Patrick Hall at gettingslower@sbcglobal.net.  It’s not too late to join!

Students and Teachers Enjoy Celebrating a Successful Fundraiser
Last week students and teachers enjoyed fun activities to celebrate reaching their Adventure Dash fundraiser goals. As mentioned in recent Updates from the Principal, students were allowed to wear a hat on Tuesday, have crazy hair on Wednesday, and see their teacher and administrators wear silly costumes on Friday. And for the record, yes, Ms. Cruz did eat a bug!! Although I couldn’t capture every moment, here are a few pictures. Parents thank you for helping students participate!

First Grade Students Express Their Learning
Our first grade team recently concluded their first Unit of Inquiry- Who We Are. As an end of unit assessment, students were asked to identify two people that they share a relationship with and identify similarities, differences, and how they impact that relationship. They were then asked to create a visual and presentation to share about one of their relationships. I had the privilege of capturing students in Mrs. Lough’s first grade classroom  in action. I loved observing them making connections, and creatively expressing their ideas. 

IB PYP 101

(This portion of Ms. Page’s newsletter this week is contributed by Mrs. Vance, PYP Coordinator)

This week we’re celebrating all of the peaceful action our Spicewood community took last Friday, International Day of Peace. From Maker space creations to reflective journal writing, students filled their days with peaceful messages and conversations with one another reflecting on the importance of peace for a better world.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

Bond 2018
Visit the RRISD Bond 2018 website to learn more about the Bond election on November 6, 2018. Here is the list of projects specific to Spicewood Elementary. 

Site-Based Advisory Committee
The Spicewood Site Based Advisory Committee is seeking two parent representative to serve on the committee. If you are interested, please contact Principal Teyan Page at Teyan_Page@roundrockisd.org.

Spicewood’s 5th Grade Spirit Night
The fifth grade Spirit Night at Mama Fu’s was a big success! Thank you to all of the Spicewood families who participated. Ms. Pelletier’s class had the most students attending and will get to keep the coveted Spicewood Panther in their classroom until the next Spirit Night, which is on Wednesday, October 24th at Jenna’s Asian Kitchen.

The Book Fair is Here!!!
Dive into a great book at this year’s Ocean Adventures Book Fair. We are open Monday (9/24) – Friday (9/28) from 7:30am – 4:00pm. Additionally, we hope you will join us on Tuesday (9/25) for our evening event from 5:00-8:00pm. We will have food trucks and a dance party; please come eat, dance and buy books! Lastly, we will be open for extended hours 7:30am – 7:30pm on Thursday (9/27) for the 5th grade concert performance. Come visit us after school on Thursday (9/27) and if you buy a book you will be entered to win a raffle bag of books.

Scholastic Ocean Adventures Book Fair – Volunteers Needed
Dive into a great book at this year’s Ocean Adventures Scholastic Book Fair. This underwater awesomeness will begin on Monday, September 24, through Friday, September 28 from 7:30am – 4:00pm. It takes many volunteers to make the Book Fair a success and we need your help! Please visit the online Sign Up Genius   (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4aa8a72dabff2-scholastic1) to sign up for a short 2 hour shift. Thank you and we can’t wait to see you at the Book Fair.

K.I.S.S. Cookout Volunteers Needed!
The annual K.I.S.S. Cookout is coming up on Friday, September 28th during your child’s lunchtime. We need volunteers in order to make this a fun and successful event! Below is the link to sign up to volunteer, we appreciate any time you are able to give! K.I.S.S. Cookout Volunteer Sign Up Questions? Email Liz Chudej, K.I.S.S. Cookout Coordinator at lizchudej@gmail.com

Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination (DI) is an International K-12 STEM based learning and innovation program, student participant tournaments based on the challenge topic they choose. Destination Imagination Club 2018-2019 registration opens now till October 5th Friday 5 pm. Register here. Please visit club home page or reach out to DI Chair Ziyu Huang with any questions.

Join PTA (Parent Teacher Association)!
Thank you for your tremendous support!! Spicewood Elementary PTA currently has 647
Members, which means that 76.6% of our student body is represented. Help us represent 100% of our students and join today!

Spicewood PTA Membership Awards for 2018-2019:
Head Start Award – 75% of previous years total
Golden Apple Award – 100% of faculty and staff are members of PTA
Mars Award – 50+ Men
Student Award – 25+ students
Together we CAN back the future!! Thank you for supporting Spicewood PTA.

Math Information Night for Parents
Parents/guardians of elementary students from Laurel Mountain, Caraway, and Spicewood are invited to attend a Math Night on October 15th at Canyon Vista Middle to learn about the math continuum from elementary school, to middle school, to high school. There will be a presentation from Canyon Vista & Westwood math teachers and counselors to explain the variety of math pathways available to meet the needs of all students.

REFLECTIONS Creativity Contest
This PTA-sponsored program allows your child to come up with her or his own way to express this year’s theme: Heroes Around Me. Children can enter as many pieces as they’d like across six categories (literature, visual arts, photography, film production, dance choreography, and musical composition). Your child does not have to be an accomplished artist or expert writer to enter. It’s all about a child’s interpretation and expression of the theme. The deadline for submitting entries is Friday, October 26, 2018. For more information, including rules and entry forms, check out the Spicewood PTA Reflections website. Please email Sharon Gu with any questions.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday, September 24 – Friday, September 28
Book Fair

Tuesday, September 25
5:00PM – 8:00PM  Book Fair Food Truck and Dance Event

Thursday, September 27
6:00PM-7:00PM  5th grade Music Program

Friday, September 28
KISS Cookout
(Kids Invite Someone Special is an opportunity for our students to have lunch with someone dear to them. Please check with your child’s teacher for their lunch time)

Monday, October 8
No School – Student Holiday

Tuesday, October 9
No School – Student Led Conferences (Be sure to schedule a time with your child’s teacher)

Wednesday, October 10
Fall Picture Day

Saturday, October 13
8:00AM – 11:00AM  Fall Garden Work Day

Monday, October 15
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principal’s Pride (K-2)
6:00PM – 6:30PM Math Night at Canyon Vista Middle School

Tuesday, October 16
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principal’s Pride (3-5)

Thursday, October 18
5:00PM-5:30PM – 2018 Bond Informational Presentation
5:30PM-6:00PM – IB information Night (Play Based Learning)
6:00PM -7:00PM – PTA General Meeting #2

Thursday, October 25
6:00PM-7:00PM  4th grade Music Program

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Teyan Page
Dedicated Principal