NOVEMBER CAMPUS UPDATES

Brentwood Families-

It is amazing that it is already November! That means many holiday are right around the corner and seasons are changing. For those of you who don't know this, Fall and Winter are my absolute favorite times of year because it often sends us into a space of remembering what things are important and most cherished in our lives.

The students and staff have been working incredibly hard on different skills across grade levels. Our 5th graders have been starting middle school virtual visits and there have been many field trips taken including 3rd grade to Sweet Berry Farms where they left some amazing scarecrows in my office for me to find one early morning! Our students are working hard on their goal setting practices and I hope they are coming home sharing those successes with you! I will always say this but our staff are the most dedicated and hardworking staff I have come to know in my 20 years in education.

I would also like to sincerely thank all of our Veterans and their families as we recognize their service on Nov. 11, Veterans Day, but also that your service is in service of this country and the rights you have fought so hard to defend. My father served in the Army and my Grandfather served in the Air Force. I know first hand the sacrifices that are made.

We have a few important dates coming up on campus so please make sure to take a look at those below. Have a wonderful next few weeks and enjoy this cool(er) weather!

Sincerely,

Jessica Saenz-Hosack

Principal

Please always make sure to check the PTA website for additional events and details!

• Nov. 11: Veterans Day
• Nov. 15: HSR Communication will be coming home to parents via grade level newsletters
• Nov 18: HSR (Human Sexuality & Responsibility) Google Meets Virtual Parent Session
• This is for parents K-5 who would like to know more about this curriculum. The link can be found below & we will send it out again via Konstella
• To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/mvt-wjng-cbp
• Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 562-232-9300 and enter this PIN: 352 381 447#
• Nov.20: PK-2 Thanksgiving Lunch
• Nov. 21: 3-5 Thanksgiving Lunch
• (schedules coming this week but it will be very close to the time your students eat lunch regularly)
• Nov. 25-29: Fall Break NO SCHOOL
• Dec 9-13: HSR Curriculum for those who opt in

5th grade families! Middle School Magnet and Academy application window opens November 6th. All applications are due February 4th, 2025. Please note each school has different items that are required when applying (interviews, essays, etc.). Register via Enroll Austin.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oSFUcne399FWpbpK4QX3zcw05qvlkctW/view?usp=sharing

We are happy to welcome Denise Berry to our campus as a part-time counselor. She will be at Brentwood on Mondays and Thursdays until the winter holiday. Please check out her bio to learn more about her!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cjClB63XiMSl3tQ1StBknvkYFfqi2CPx/view?usp=drive_link

So much learning and creativity is happening in the art studio. We just celebrated with an artist reception at Brentwood Social House. You can see the Talavera tile artwork of some of Brentwood’s second and third grade artists hanging on the walls until the end of December. We are so lucky to have such a special place in our neighborhood that is willing to let us showcase some of our artist’s beautiful work. Be sure you treat yourself to a warm drink (it’s finally cooling down!) and check out the art.

Mrs. Considine’s kindergarten and first grade artists just finished an artwork stuffed full of the elements of art. They learned about shape with Yayoi Kusama and drew dot pumpkins. They studied the shape of real pumpkins, drew them, and then turned the shape into a form. They learned about the color wheel and how to divide it into warm and cool colors. They were introduced to Vincent van Gogh and drew cool color swirling and spiral lines like the sky of The Starry Night and warm color fields to “plant” their pumpkins. I was able to squeeze in some scissor safety and cutting tips too. Ask them what that lazy hand does! My second and third graders had some fun with monsters. They learned about New York City street artist Phetus and we dug into the difference between street art and vandalism. They seemed to really enjoy seeing the work Phetus creates, especially one done for an orthodontic office in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Monsters with braces, yes! They created their own monster using bright color paper, oil pastel with lots of originality and creativity. They stuck with the same color family to draw lines on the monster's body to create texture and then went wild with cut shapes and more lines in all the colors. We have monsters with glasses, hats, bow ties and even pierced ears with penguin earrings! You can see them hanging on the wall near my art studio if you are here for Thanksgiving lunch. It looks like Phetus was here but better!

Fourth and Fifth grade finished up their Molas and did a 180 into perspective drawing. We love introducing one point perspective using white boards. It is so easy to erase on them when you are learning. (btw thanks to the family who hooked us up with all the dry erase markers from my Amazon wish list!) From dry erase boards they moved onto paper. We are not using rulers. I have found most students get hung up on drawing perfectly straight lines. So we eyeball it. Having everything just a little off lets us focus on the overall concept of one point perspective. They are drawing a city street with lots of buildings lining the sidewalk. They are all getting it and most are impressing themselves. It is so satisfying seeing their faces when they do. I have a fun addition for the final celebration when they finish with Prismacolor pencil and watercolor paint. I have put a collection box in the community room for art donations. I keep a sign with what recyclable I am currently collecting on the box. Night now I am collecting toilet paper tubes, so drop them in there if you have any. I would also love a connection for donations of wallpaper sample books. Please reach out if you have one! I also would love for you to follow me on Instagram @bwartwithmrsc if you want to see what we are up to.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IrrFFRt-6LFqEzm7NrX2rHHaleKKXouG/view?usp=drive_link

Copngratulations to our Honors Choir, led by Miss Kerr, our fantastic music teacher as they performed with other elementary school this Saturday at the PAC! What an amazing opportunity for our Bulldogs and they were incredible!

Dear Brentwood Parents,

The aim of the physical education program at Brentwood elementary is to develop and improve students’ personal fitness and motor skills by providing developmentally appropriate activities through purposeful, creative, and enjoyable activities. The PE coaches are looking forward to providing your child with an exciting and rewarding year full of joy and movement.

So far in PE, the focus has been establishing efficient routines and procedures, getting to know one another and learning how to collaborate, starting our first fitnessgram test with 3rd-5th grade, and having fun. There are a few areas of support we need from you to help us maintain a fun and safe P.E. environment. If your child is unable to participate in P.E. for any reason please send a signed note explaining the limitations and expected duration of the problem. Any illness or injury lasting more than 3 school days will require a note from a medical professional.

Closed toe athletic shoes should be worn on the 3 days your child has PE, please no boots, sandals, or Crocs.If you are not sure what day your child has P.E. feel free to review the schedule below. Thank you so much for your support in making this a great year!

Monday Tuesday/Thursday

All classes

Tuesday/Thursday

Kinder-Ash/Jones/Carter 5th Beck/Mistrot 2nd-All classes 4th-Nazarro/Jolliffe 3rd-Crossley/Scott/Shirk

Wednesday/Friday

Kinder-Ralson/Thompson

5th-Stockton/Vandermost

1st-All classes

4th-Zoldey/Coronado

3rd-Brandenburger/Vincent

TWO Author Visits with Christina Soontornvat!

Our virtual author visit with three-time Newbery Honor Award-winning and former Brentwood parent Christina Soontornvat (K-2nd) last month was a huge success and enjoyed by all! Students were able to learn more about Christina and why she chose to write Leo’s First Vote, listen to a live reading by the author herself, and brainstorm and ask some great questions. Thank you to those of you who purchased a copy of Christina’s book!

Christina will also be visiting with Brentwood 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders IN PERSON on Friday, 11/15! This visit she will share her new graphic novel The Squad, sequel to her bestselling and multi-award winning title The Tryout. Students have been getting ready for her visit by learning about The Squad and many of her other books and listening to a special message for them from Christina herself. We are so excited to welcome her back to Brentwood!