Spicewood Elementary School Dear families and community,
I am thankful for the learning experiences our students have each day at Spicewood. This past week I had the opportunity to visit several third grade classrooms and enjoyed seeing students engaged in the inquiry cycle as they moved deeper into their current unit of inquiry, How the World Works. Their central idea, Inquiry changes our understanding of the world, has allowed students to begin thinking about the world around them and how their understanding of it can impact our society. I can’t wait to see the action students take in response to their learning!
CELEBRATIONS
Technology and the IB Program
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our PYP Coordinator and Instructional Technology Specialist, Spicewood teachers were given the opportunity to attend an on campus workshop on Technology and Questioning. Teachers were given the opportunity to connect with one another as professionals, dive deeper into inquiry & questions, and learn more about how to integrate and enhance student learning and teacher instruction in the classroom with different technology tools available to both students and teachers. The highlight of the afternoon was a trip to the Apple store to explore how the classroom learning environment can be used to promote collaboration, creativity and communication.
First Grade Teachers and Students Embrace Creativity and Community!
We thank each and every parent who bid on a teacher experience at this years Silent Auction and Gala. These experiences not only provide fun and exciting opportunities for students, but they also encourage creativity and community! It certainly looks like our first grade teachers and their guest had a fantastic time at their paint party! 
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Join PTA (Parent Teacher Association)
Thank you for your tremendous support! Spicewood Elementary PTA currently has 731
Members. Help us reach our goal of 100%representation and join today. Together we CAN back the future!! Thank you for supporting Spicewood PTA.
Science Fair
The Science Fair informational meeting will be held in the library on Tuesday, Dec. 11th at 6:00 pm. This information session is geared towards K-3 parents and students. All 4th and 5th graders will receive detailed information about science fair from their respective teachers in class.
Science Fair Display Board are now available to order! The Spiecwood PTA is able to offer display boards at a discounted price of $3.00 per board. If you are interested in ordering a board through school, please visit the science fair page on the PTA website. (Please note that all board orders must be submitted online only. We will not be accepting any paper order forms.)
If you have any questions or would like to help with the science fair, contact Manisha Gupta at manigupta11@gmail.com
Sister School – The Anderson Mill Elementary Giving Tree
Many of you who were unable to attend the auction (or missed the Giving Tree) have asked if you can still contribute an item to the AMES teachers. The answer is YES! We still have many tags that were not taken. Below are directions how you can contribute to filling the needs of classrooms at Anderson Mill Elementary:
1. Click on the link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1npGEQ-mdhsxzKafNpwiroNp41yXyoRr-qPz00Gkp_UE/edit?usp=sharing
2. Select an item you would like to purchase and fill-in your name and email address.
3. Click the link in the row you selected to take you to the item to purchase.
4. Have item shipped to:
Laura Denbar
9631 Vista View Drive
Austin,TX, 78750
These items are direct requests of teachers at AME. Through the Amazon Smile account, Spicewood also receives a kickback as items are purchased. Thank you for your consideration!
Spicewood Girl Scouts Bazaar
Please join the Girl Scout troops of Spicewood Elementary this Friday, December 14th for our 2nd annual Holiday Bazaar! The Scouts will have lots of inexpensive and fun handmade crafts for sale, so be sure to bring small bills and change to make shopping easier. There will also be photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, aka Mr. and Mrs. Ready! All money raised at this event will be donated to Mobile Loaves and Fishes. The bazaar will begin immediately after school by the bike racks. See you there!
Messages from the Nurse Sam:
Please check your children’s hair regularly at home for head lice or nits.
Instructions for the Treatment of Head Lice:
Don’t panic. Lice are not a health issue, they are a public nuisance.
Check every member of the family. Any family member with lice or nits must be treated.
Use an effective head lice treatment.
Remove all nits. Removing nits is key to successful treatment.
Wash clothes, bed linens and towels.
Soak combs, brushes, etc in hot soapy water.
If you have any questions, please contact the nurse
DATES TO REMEMBER
Monday, December 17
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (K-2)
Tuesday, December 18
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (3-5)
8:00AM – 12:00PM No Parking at Hope Church
Wednesday, December 19
Classroom Winter Parties – Last day for students
8:00AM – 12:00PM No Parking at Hope Church
Thursday, December 20 – Monday, January 7
No School – Winter Break
Tuesday, January 8
First Day Back for Students
Wednesday, January 16
Mustang Express Day – 5th Grade Students Visit Canyon Vista Middle School
6:00PM – 8:30M – SWES Spelling Bee
Monday, January 21
Martin Luther King Jr Day – No School
Thursday, January 24
6:00PM – General PTA Meeting #3
Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Teyan Page
Proud Principal