Spicewood Elementary School Dear Families and Community,
With the weather consistently changing, students come bundled up to school, but shed layers as the day progresses. As a result, there are lots of jackets, hats, gloves and scarves sitting in lost and found and they desperately want to be claimed! We try to hold on to them as long as we can before donating, but the lost and found is over flowing. Please remind your student(s) to check the lost and found for forgotten items. You are welcome to look through the lost and found as well.
We all know morning dismissal takes the cooperation of all. I feel so thankful for the Watch Dog Dads who are always present each morning, no matter how rainy or cold it is, to help direct traffic and ensure students are dropped off safely- Thank you!
Parents, I would also like to remind you to be careful as you are pulling away from the curb after dropping a student off in the queue. Teachers who have morning duty at the cross walk are committed to ensuring that students are safe as they cross. Unfortunately, a teacher was almost hit twice last week, by drivers rolling forward in their vehicle. Although the teacher was holding up a stop sign while standing in the middle of the queue, the driver did not see them because they were watching their student enter into the building. This is very scary. Before pulling away from the curb, please look for the teacher on duty – He/She may be holding a stop sign and you will need to wait. Thank you for helping ensure the safety of all.
CELEBRATIONS
Spicewood Students Headed to Regional Science Fair
The last week of January, around 400 of Spicewood students participated in the annual campus science fair. Students did an outstanding job of preparing their projects and thoroughly impressed the judges. We are so proud of each student who participated. Way to go panthers! 16 projects from 4th and 5th grade were selected to represent Spicewood at the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair on February 23rd. Congratulations Emma, Audrey, Enrique, Saisha , Aubrey, Isabel G., Noah, Paige, Elly, Romita, Matthew, Noah, Lila, Isabel F., Sumner, and Caroline!!
Thank you to our amazing parent volunteers that contributed many hours towards supporting our students endeavors. A very special note of appreciation goes out to Ms. Williams and to our Science Fair coordinator, Mrs. Manisha Gupta, for their unwavering commitment to making Science Fair a success year after year! We couldn’t do it without you.
PYP 101
This portion of Ms. Page’s newsletter is contributed by our PYP Coordinator, Jessica Vance.
Calling all 5th grade parents! The exhibition is an exciting opportunity that all of our 5th grade students participate in to show their independence in research, organization and problem solving. We will be holding a parent information session next Thursday, February 21st from 5:30-6:00 in the library to share more about the process, what your role will be during this time, and answer any other questions you may have. We’ll see you next week in the library!
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Mrs. Raybourn needs your help!
The month of March is Youth Art Month and we are beginning to plan our celebrations. We are going to work together as a school to create an installation inspired by a local Austin artist Calder Kamin who will be featured in SXSW 2019.
Mrs. Raybourn is collecting COLORED plastic items to help create our installation. This includes colored plastic bags, colored plastic tablecloths, colored plastic bottles of all sizes and colored plastic bottle caps (no white please)
If you would like to learn more about Calder Kamin check out the link below!
https://www.sxswedu.com/news/2019/artist-educator-and-advocate-calder-kamin-transforms-trash-into-beautiful-creatures-interview/
PTA Meeting
Our February meeting has been rescheduled to March. We will vote on the new PTA Board.
Attention All Parents of 5th Grade Students
Now that we have entered the spring semester, the preparation for our students’ transition to middle school begins! Please see below for information and important dates regarding choice sheets, parent information night and instrument selections for students choosing band or orchestra as their elective. You are also encouraged to see Mrs. Kentopp’s Counseling website for additional information.
March 12th Parent information session for CVMS
6:00-7:00pm (CVMS gym)
March 30th Band instrument testing
8:00am-4:00pm (Band Hall)
Morning with Mom
Spicewood Elementary’s first Morning with Mom will be March 29th from 7:00-7:30am. This event is to celebrate mom’s, grandmothers and any lady that has been a special part of your child’s life. More information will be sent home as we get closer to March 29th.
One World, One Night
Would you like a chance to travel the world without buying a plane ticket? What would be better than to give our students and their families a passport to cultures around the world? Please join us for One World One Night on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at Spicewood Elementary.
At the festival you will find tables hosted by fellow Spicewood parents sharing their cultures by exhibiting artifacts and traditional clothing, teaching crafts and games and providing culinary samples. Last spring the event featured Korea, China, Israel, Ethiopia, Philippines, India, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Italy, Peru, France, Bahamas, India, China, Ethiopia, Korea and Iran. This year we will also feature Taiwan! Each year the number of countries grow and we encourage all cultures at Spicewood Elementary to consider participating in this “One World One Night” Festival. It is a great way to introduce our students to cultures from around the world and embrace the IB education.
This event can not be possible without your participation, if you would like further information or are interested in participating in this event, please do not hesitate to email us at Spicewoodoneworldonenight@gmail.com.
Spicewood’s Spring Carnival
Mark your calendars! Carnival will be held on Friday, April 12th from 4-8pm and we will have food trucks, inflatables, a rock wall, petting zoo, carnival games, cake walk, and face painting!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Thursday, February 14
Valentine’s Day Parties
Monday, February 18
President’s Day – No School
Tuesday, February 19
District Professional Development for Staff- No School
Wednesday, February 26
5:30PM – 7:30PM One World, One Night
Monday, March 4
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (K-2)
Monday, March 4 – Thursday March 7
1st Grade Music Performance During Class
Tuesday, March 5
5:00PM – 8:00PM Spirit Night at Moonies Burgers
Wednesday, March 6
8:00AM – 8:30AM Principals’ Pride (3-5)
Wednesday, March 13
9:00AM – 2:00PM Kindergarten Round Up
Monday, March 18- Friday, March 22
Spring Break – No School
Thursday, March 28
5:00PM Gallery Night
Friday, April 12
4:00PM – 8:00PM Spring Carnival
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Teyan Page
Proud Principal