HES Parent & Family Newsletter

In an effort to reduce milk waste and manage costs more effectively, we are making some changes to our milk distribution at snack time for students in grades 1-6. Moving forward, we ask that families who wish to purchase milk for their children at snack time complete the attached form. This will allow us to distribute milk more accurately and ensure that funds are collected appropriately.

Please take a moment to fill out the form and indicate which of your students you would like to receive milk during snack time It's important to note that students receive a free carton of milk each day during school breakfast and lunch. However, milk is only free at lunch if the student takes the school meal. Otherwise, students in grades K-6 will be charged $0.60 at lunchtime for their milk.

Milk distribution at snack will begin September 9th, 2024. We will add students to the list and milk will be delivered to students during their scheduled snack times.

Cost per milk $0.60:

• Quarter 1 - 9/9/24-10/31/24 (37 school days) = $22.20
• Quarter 2- 11/5/24-1/17/25 (41 school days)= $24.60
• Quarter 3- 1/21/25-3/21/25 (42 school days)= $25.20
• Quarter 4- 3/31/25-5/28/25 (40 school days) = $24.00
• Total cost for milk = $96.00

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to make this process more efficient.

Snack Break Milk Request

Kind regards,
Angela McQuinn
Assistant Principal, Houston Elementary School

• Monday, September 16th- Picture Day (Refrain from wearing green)
• Tuesday, September 17th-
• Wednesday, September 18th-
• Thursday, September 19th-
• Friday, September 20th-

Your child should have brought home a slip of paper yesterday, from Coach Brandon Olson, regarding flag football. If your child is interested in joining flag football, it starts at 8:00 AM tomorrow, Saturday, September 14th at the high school football field. Practice is for one hour. Practices will be every Saturday morning until October 16th which is the HHS final home football game. Flag Football players will play at halftime of the HHS home football games, players should meet at the softball field 2 minutes before halftime. If you have any questions please contact Brandon at cullansdad@yahoo.com

We're thrilled to introduce a new element to our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum at Houston Elementary! In partnership with CharacterStrong, we're focusing on character development, problem-solving, and goal-setting to help our students succeed both in school and life. This program will also provide tools for families to stay connected and support their children's learning at home.

Check out the video below to learn more about how we’re bringing this exciting program into our classrooms!

• Learn more about CharacterStrong's FamilyStrong program
• Checkout this newsletter from CharacterStrong about our back-to-school Kindness Kickoff

At Houston Elementary School, we believe in fostering continuous improvement not only in academics but also in building strong connections and relationships among our students. Recently, during recess, students showcased their creativity by working together on vibrant chalk art. Their curiosity led them to experiment further, even painting their faces with chalk, sparking laughter and collaboration. Moments like these highlight the importance of play in developing teamwork and creative expression, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing positive relationships and a sense of community.

In Mrs. O'Hare's 6th grade social studies class, students are diving into their study of Minnesota by starting with a hands-on project that highlights growth and learning. Their first challenge was to draw the shape of Minnesota from memory—an engaging way to assess what they know and where they can improve. This project is not only about geography but also about reflecting on how we build knowledge over time. As students revisit their maps, they will notice how their understanding deepens with each attempt, emphasizing the power of continuous improvement.

At Houston Elementary, we are always looking for innovative ways to support our youngest learners and foster a love for learning. This year, we’re thrilled to introduce Secret Stories, a dynamic and engaging program being used across our K-2 classrooms. Through storytelling and songs, Secret Stories helps students crack the code of phonics in a way that makes learning to read fun and memorable. You can check the video linked below. Just this week, Mrs. Botcher's second grade class class is pictured above watching the "Better Alphabet Song"

This new tool aligns with Houston Public Schools' commitment to continuous improvement in student achievement. By integrating Secret Stories into our curriculum, we are giving our students the tools they need to strengthen foundational literacy skills, setting them up for long-term success in reading and beyond.

Together, we are making strides toward excellence—one story at a time!

At Houston Elementary, we are committed to continuous improvement and making learning relevant through real-world connections. Recently, Mrs. Beckman’s 5th-grade class explored the quote, “All things are difficult before they are easy.” The students reflected on tasks they once found challenging, like swimming, biking, and tying their shoes, and how they eventually mastered them through perseverance.

This powerful conversation sets the tone for the exciting work ahead this year in 5th grade. As they tackle new challenges, the students are ready to apply that same determination to grow their skills and knowledge. We are excited to partner with families as we guide students to embrace learning and overcome obstacles together!

We want your feedback. Take a moment to complete the short survey linked here. You can also you the QR code in the image below.

2024 Parent & Family back-to-school feedback

• Friday, September 16: Elementary and Preschool Picture Day
• October 14 & 15: Fall Conferences (3:15 - 6:00 PM)
• October 17- 18: MEA - NO SCHOOL
• October 25: Picture Retake Day.
• October 31: End of 1st Quarter
• November 11: Veterans Day Celebration

Please check the school website calendar for more information as well as other events/opportunities.