Squire Flyer!!!
0/05/2024
Principal Update
Dear LTE Families,
The weather was fantastic this weekend, I hope that you and your kiddos were able to enjoy it!
We are nearing the end of the third quarter, and we can be a little excited about it! We still have plenty to do throughout this week, please help me remind your student(s) to finish out strong!
This past Friday night I had the privilege to attend LTE's daddy daughter dance. It was a treat to see so many of our community members participate in this great event dedicated to building positive relationships with our young students.
I wish you all a great week, and a wonderful Spring Break. Due to the break, the next regularly scheduled Squire Flyer, will go out on March 26th
Until next time,
Sebastian Espinoza
Upcoming Events & Dates
- Mar 5th & 6th (All EB students) TELPAS
- Mar 7th: Bubblepaloza
- Mar 21st: Career Day
- Mar 23rd: LTISD Career Fair @ LTHS
- Mar 26th: (5th Grade) TTAP #3 Science
- March 26th Field Day - Kinder (8:20-10:30), PreK (10:30-11:30 & 12:05-12:30), 1st Gd. (12:45-2:45) 🌳🌞
- March 27th: Field Day - 2nd gd. (12:30-2:40), 3rd gd. ( 8:30-10:40) 🌳🌞
March 28th : Field Day - 4th gd. (12:30-2:40), 5th gd. ( 8:30-10:40) 🌳🌞
- Apr 10th: (3-5) STAAR Reading
- Apr 17th: (5th Grade) STAAR Science
- Apr 24th: (3-5) STAAR Math
- Apr 26th: Talent Show
- May 6th -17th: APEX
- May 15th-: Culture Night - Passports of the World
If Kids Can Hear Promises, They Can Hear Requests
By Jim Fay
You can train your child to hear you the first time you say something.
Or, you can train them to ignore you. Raising a child who listens to adults is a source of joy. Raising one who doesn't is a constant source of frustration and torment.
Our actions either train kids to listen or not to listen. Consider this situation I witnessed in an airport recently. Joshua, a five-year-old, was running out into the concourse
- "Joshua. You stop that running!" called his mother. She did not follow through, so Joshua continued dashing in and out of a crowed of irritated travelers.
- "Joshua. You get over here!" Once more, she barked an order, but did nothing to enforce it.
- "Joshua! Get off of that!" Another order was shouted by mom and ignored by Joshua.
Suddenly, Joshua was right at my feet staring up at me.
Mother ordered again, "Joshua. You get away from that man. You come over here. Quit bothering people." I looked down at Joshua and asked, "Joshua, what's your mom going to do if you don't do what she says?" He knew the answer immediately, "Nothing."
Of course he was right. His mother had trained him to know that she would bark orders, but never enforce them. Why should he listen if he could do as he pleased - without adult interference - by not listening?
In fact, Joshua never had to walk back to his mother in the airport. She came over to him, held his hand, and apologized to me with, "I'm so sorry. You know how five-year-olds are. They won't listen to a thing you say."
It took a lot to keep me from saying, "I've known a lot of five-year-olds who listen to their parents. But their parents mean what they say."
Training kids to listen is not brain surgery. It's not complicated. Joshua's mom could retrain him to listen by first retraining herself to do the following:
Make a commitment she will never repeat herself.
Kids unconsciously learn how many times each parent will repeat a request before taking action. She can give Joshua the gift of knowing she will only say something once.
Be prepared to act.
She needs to be dedicated to making her child's life somewhat uncomfortable each time he fails to listen the first time she says something. This means as soon as he disobeys she goes to him, takes him back to his seat, and makes him stay with her saying, "How sad not to listen. Now you can stay with me."
She should never accept, "But I didn't hear you," as an excuse.
When confronted with this excuse, she should respond with, "How sad not to be listening. Maybe your ears will get better." It is important she says this without sarcasm and follows through with the consequences of not listening.
Be prepared for Joshua to have a fit about not getting his way.
Even though this will be uncomfortable, other adults around her will secretly applaud her courage and willingness to put forth the efforts to raise a well-behaved child.
Get ready to enjoy a more responsible and happier child.
I have worked with kids and families for 47 years. During that time I have never met a child who failed to hear a parent's promise. They always hear promises the first time. I've also learned their ears work the same way for requests when parents learn and follow the four steps I've outlined.
Training and expecting kids to listen is one of a parent's greatest gifts. It's the Love and Logic way.
Closed Campus Days - Testing
During testing days, we are a closed campus. This means visitors, including lunch guests, are not permitted on campus for the following dates:
March 5th-6th
April 10th, 17th, and 24th
How to Motivate Your Child- Mental Health Series
Last Parent Series for the Year
How to Motivate Your Child - March 6, 2024 - 6:30pm
Registration link: http://cookcenter.info/Mar6LT
Attendance and tardy-free challenge update!!!
- February 23rd: 5th grade won with 95.43% attendance. Ms. Jones’ class had the schools' highest overall attendance rate of 99.28% and received recognition.
- March 1st: 5th grade won again with 93.24% attendance. Ms. Giraudo’s ’ class had the schools' highest overall attendance rate of 97.2% and received recognition.
Both classes received decorated tables during lunchtime! 🌟
There will be a new winner announced every Friday. Congratulations and great job!
Bubble Palooza!!!
Students!
Wear you Bubble Palooza shirt if you have one.
Remember to send a change of clothes and shoes for your student. They will get wet during this event!
From our Amazing PTA:
As of today, we are looking for volunteers for Bubblepalooza on March 7. Be on the lookout for more needs this month like our Musical and March staff appreciation luncheon. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!
Schedule:
In time order-
3rd: 8:00 - 8:50
Kinder: 8:55 - 9:45
1st: 9:50 - 10:40
PK: 10:45 - 11:15
5th - 11:50 - 12:25
ECSC: 12:45 - 1:10
2nd: 1:10 - 2:00
4th: 2:05 - 2:55
Other PTA volunteer opportunities!
5th Grade Musical - March 1-March 25 Volunteer Sign Up
Thank you again for your support. Let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like to get more involved in our PTA. We'd love to have you!
Samantha Martinez
LTE PTA Volunteer Coordinator
From Our Librarian!
This week is Read Across America Week! Read Across America began as a way to recognize the contributions of Dr. Seuss, and has since evolved into a bigger celebration to focus on motivating children to read.
If you are interested, there are many ways you can celebrate Read Across America in the classroom or at home:
Important: Some of the links are only available with a staff or student LTISD account (Bookflix and the Read Across America slides).
*Here is a slide deck that takes you on a cross-country journey with different children's books: Read Across America Week
*We have many books by Dr. Seuss in English and Spanish available for checkout
*BookFlix is a great resource with a variety of books in English and Spanish
*Storyline Online offers videos of actors reading aloud popular books for children
Here is a link to our library catalog if you are looking for something specific: LTE Library
If we don't have what you're looking for, let me know and I will do my best to find it for you!
School is dismissed at 11:40AM, Friday March 8.
Early dismissal May require a dismissal change for March 8.
If so, please update SMARTTAG before MArch 8.
No School March 11-15! Have fun, Squires!
All Squires must return to school by 7:40AM Monday, March 18.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time Resumes Sunday, March 10
Be sure to "spring" your clocks forward 1 hour!
Spring break is March 11 - 15. Enjoy your spring break, Squires!
We'll look forward to seeing you again @ 7:40 am on Monday, March 18.
Counselor's News
Career Day!
Parents, use this link if you would like to sign up for Career Day. Deadline for signup is March 15th.
LTISD Career Fair
Talent Show!
Passports of the World
March Staff Birthdays!
March 6: Stacey Dubrock- 3rd grade teacher
March 7: Jessica Leung - Occupational Therapist
March 9: Ana Duque - SLP, BIL
March16: Felicia Rodriguez-Creech -5th grade teacher
March 20: AshleyHolder - School Registrar
March 20: Adriana Ancona - ARD Facilitator
March27: Amy Underwood - 2nd grade teacher
March27: Taylor Foren - 1st grade teacher
From the desk of Mr. Norton
The sections below are from previous updates, and continue to be relevant:
Path of Resolution
The Path of Resolution is a problem-solving avenue we will use at Lake Travis Elementary. The purpose of the Path of Resolution is to address questions and concerns in an effective and efficient manner. If you have a question or concern, first contact the person who is directly involved in the situation. For example, if you have a question or concern about something in the classroom, first contact the teacher to seek clarification. Follow the path if the concern persists.
Teacher → TOSA/Assistant Principal → Principal
Birthday Celebrations Reminder
Birthdays may no longer celebrated in the classroom with food. On a student’s birthday, the student will receive a birthday coupon for a treat intended to be redeemed in the cafeteria. Additionally, parents should not provide or send to school any type of party favor to be delivered or distributed to other students.
Family members are welcome to join their child for lunch, space permitting, after the first two weeks of school in accordance with the procedures found in the Lunch section in this handbook. Parents may bring meals to their own child but may not provide food items to other children at the school under any circumstances, in accordance with our wellness guidelines and Food Allergy Management Plan.
For students whose birthdays occur on a non-instructional day, they will receive their coupon on another instructional day.
HBMS PTO
Your child’s academic success depends on attendance and punctuality
Did you know that missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absenteeism for any reason, excused or unexcused, can translate into a student's having difficulty learning to read by the third grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school?
LTE Testing Calendar
Please refer to the following table for specific grade level assessments and dates
From the Counselor's desk
SMART TAG - More than just a Bus pass
The SMART tag system is the most efficient way to report your student's absent and serves as a parent portal for communicating with your student's teacher, the nurse, and office staff.
- Can be used for reporting absences, tardies, early dismissal for appointments, and transportation changes. If a student leaves for an appointment, please include the pickup time and whether the student will return or not.
- If you need to notify the school how your student will get home in the afternoon, changes can be made in SMART tag by 2 PM.
- Lost or damaged SMART tags can be replaced in the LTE office for $5 each; lanyards are an additional $5.
From the Nurse's desk
Please, remember that it is LTISD Policy that if your child is sent home ill, especially with fever, vomiting or diarrhea, or you keep your child at home for those symptoms, they need to remain at home for 24 hours until they are fever, vomit or diarrhea free without the use of medication. Thank you for respecting this policy and ensuring the wellbeing of other students and LTE faculty!
LTE Volunteer opportunities
Library Volunteers Needed
If you are interested in helping out in the library- please reach out to Ms. Shannon at
WATCH D.O.G.S.
Sign up:
https://www.ltisdschools.org/Page/4985
Learn more about the WATCH DOGS program:
https://dadsofgreatstudents.com/
*No volunteers will be allowed in the classrooms. You will be able to join your student/s during recess, P.E., and lunchtime.
Alys Moore
512-533-6355
moorea@ltisdschools.org
Lost and Found
Every year a vast amount of clothing is lost, found and unclaimed. Please remember to put names on your child's clothing so we can quickly return lost items. There is a hanger for lost and found items on the way to the playground.
Lost property hanger: coats, sweaters, hats, water bottles, book
Lost and found in the office: glasses, jewelry, wallets, purses, small personal items
PTA Spirit Wear
Check out the amazing website for LTE Spirit Wear here!