Updates from the Principal

Dear families and community,

Our 5th grade students and teachers will be headed to Outdoor school on Wednesday, November 14th. Please be sure to read Nurse Sam’s memo below regarding the Medication Administration Policy. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving break, I would like to say that I am truly thankful for our students, parents, teachers and partners in education! I cannot think of a more amazing community to be a part of.

CELEBRATIONS

Spicewood Auction
Thank you to everyone who donated, sponsored, attended and/or purchased items at the Spicewood Gala & Auction on Friday! It was a big success and we were able to raise over $45,000 for our school! The proceeds will go towards supporting our many PTA programs and some special projects that were voted on during auction, including new headphones for the laptop carts, safety radios for administrators, and new books in the Literacy Library (with an emphasis on Spanish books and books for the higher levels/older grades).

First in Line – Auction Winner
One of the live auction items at our Spicewood Gala and Auction was the right to have a reserved spot right in front of the school during drop-off and pick up. There is a new sign in the Spicewood driveway that designates this “First in Line” spot. The auction winner will be allowed to park in front of the sign, while the rest of the line of parents dropping off and picking up students will begin after the sign. Thank you!

Spicewood Elementary Celebrates Veteran’s Day
Last Monday Spicewood Elementary celebrated the brave women and men who courageously served our country. We were honored to have Mr. Nick Radoe as our guest speaker, performances by our Panther and Cub choir, and presentation of colors by the Westwood High School Color Guard. A huge thank you to Mrs. Hammonds, Mrs. Shriner, Ms. Mckenna and Mr. Sharpe for their collaborative efforts which made a salute to our veterans a success!

Spicewood Students Excel

PYP 101

This portion of Ms. Page’s news letter is contributed by Ms. Vance, our PYP Coordinator

ICT (Information & Communication Technologies) in the PYP encompasses the use of a wide range of digital tools, media, and learning environments for teaching, learning and assessing. The following six ICT skills are relevant to all learners and is what we focus on as we integrate technology into our learning environment: investigating, creating, communicating, collaborating, organizing, and becoming responsible digital citizens. Becoming a responsible digital citizen involves using technology to make informed and ethical choices while acting with integrity and honesty. In a globally connected digital world, learners are empowered to be responsible for their actions, to value others’ rights, and to practice safe and legal behaviors.

This week during Digital Citizenship Week, we focus on critical thinking, creative credit & copyright, and recognizing the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world. Throughout their units of inquiry, students will also make connections to what it means to be a good digital citizen as they explore various concepts, tools, and research strategies. For example, students in first grade are exploring the concept of responsibility as it relates to the interconnectedness of systems and communities. Here they will investigate how the Internet is a community and what our responsibilities are to each other as members of that community. Students in third grade, exploring that same concept of responsibility, will go deeper by exploring what kinds of responsibilities a good digital citizen has and what it means to take on responsibilities in both their offline and online communities.

In addition to the work we do at Spicewood related to digital citizenship, Round Rock ISD is also committed to supporting all students, staff, and families in becoming responsible digital citizens. You can learn more by visiting our district digital citizenship website and add CommonSense Media to your reading list.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

Thanksgiving Pies for Teachers
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are seeking volunteers to provide whole pies or other desserts for our teachers and staff at Spicewood. This is an easy way to let them know how thankful we are for all they do to teach and care for our children. Please deliver your desserts to the library on Thursday, November 15th between 7:30a- 2:45p. Click on the link for information and to sign up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rhywQqHEfDdoQ0P_-tvVCKs7nwDHEQm_0pCNzwPxFPQ/edit

Nurse’s Note For Outdoor School
The due date for the medication is November 13th, Tuesday by 3pm. The medication that doesn’t comply with the policy will be returned. Please submit it as soon as possible.
There are some common mistakes which are easy to make:
* The “Outdoor School Medical Information and Release Forms” in the outdoor school packet is for teachers. It is not the Medication Administration Form the nurse is talking about.You can find all the forms for your child’s medication at the Nurse’s website at Spicewood Elementary School and at the nurse’s clinic.
* When you bring the individually packaged pills such as Claritin, please bring the original box too. The box or bottle should have dosing information.
*The label should be intact.
*Do not bring adult medication such as adult Tylenol, adult Allegra, etc. Dispensing directions regarding age, dose and frequency will be strictly adhered to. Request to alter the standard dosage or frequency on over-the-counter medication must be accompanied by a physician’s written note and signature.
*Please bring medication and forms together.
*Medication must be provided by the parents or guardian, not children.
*All the medication will be returned after Outdoor School, so please stop by the clinic to pick up your child’s medication. Medication will not be returned by your child.
If you are not sure about the policy, please contact the the nurse. Thank you.

PTA General Meeting – Thursday, Nov. 15th
Our third general meeting of the year will take place on this Thursday, Nov. 15th, at 6pm in the Spicewood library and we would love to have you join us. We will be looking at our executive board’s proposed updates to our bylaws and standing rules and voting on whether to adopt the changes. More information on the proposed changes can be found on our PTA website, www.spicewoodpta.com.

3rd Grade Spirit Night at Chipotle – December 4th
We’d like to invite all Spicewood families to come together and enjoy some great food! Mention Spicewood Elementary at checkout and 33% of the sales proceeds will be donated back to our school. Good for in store and to go orders (to go orders must be ordered in store to count, online order will not count) from 5 – 9pm at Chipotle (6301 W Parmer Lane, #201). Take a break from cooking and help PTA raise money for Spicewood!Join PTA (Parent Teacher Association)!
Thank you for your tremendous support! Spicewood Elementary PTA currently has 707 Members (84% representation of our student body). Help us reach our goal of 100% representation and join today. Together we CAN back the future!! Thank you for supporting Spicewood PTA.

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, November 14 – Friday, November 16
5th Grade Students at Outdoor School

Monday, November 19 – Friday, November 23
No School – Fall Break

Thursday, November 29
6:00PM-7:00PM  3rd grade Music Program

Tuesday, December 4
5:00PM – 8:00PM Spirit Night at Chipotle ( 6301 W Parmer Lane, #201).)
6:30pM-7:30PM   School Spelling Bee (Spicewood Cafeteria)

Wednesday, December 5
Picture Retakes

Monday, December 17
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (K-2)

Tuesday, December 18
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (3-5)

Wednesday, December 19
Classroom Winter Parties – Last day for students

Thursday, December 20 – Monday, January 7
No School – Winter Break

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Teyan Page

Dedicated Principal