Navigator Newsletter

Navigator Families,

We hope your students enjoyed their 3-day weekend! Our teachers are working today to prepare upcoming instruction.

See below for new/updated info about:

-Spring Creek BBQ Spirit Night Fundraiser (Thur. Sept. 19th)

-Picture Day Fri. Sept. 20th (order forms sent home)

-Hispanic Heritage Month Contest

-Free Volleyball Skills clinic for K-5th (final week to register)

-Big Kahuna Fundraiser Update (see FINAL PRIZE DEADLINES below)

-PTO update and membership drive contest (win a class popsicle party)

-New health guidance from Spring ISD Nursing

-Fall Break (Oct. 14th-18th)

-Updated NCES Parent/Family Engagement Policy and Parent Compact

-Friday parent lunch visits (UPDATED schedule and guidelines below)

-Free Adult classes: Spanish, English, Computers (Beginning Sept. 23rd--see fliers below)

-New Spring ISD Smart Tag system (including NEW replacement info)

-Spring ISD Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE)

...and more!

PARENT LUNCH VISITS (UPDATED SCHEDULE/GUIDELINES):

PLEASE NOTE: Last week we had many parents checking students out after lunch visits, removing them from instruction the rest of the day. It is important that students receive their instructional hours. If too many student check-outs persist, we may have to discontinue Friday lunch visits. Thank you for understanding

UPDATED SCHEDULE:

Fri. Sept. 20th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Sept. 27th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 4th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Oct. 11th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 18th: FALL BREAK

Fri. Oct. 25th: PreK-2nd + CASE

IMPORTANT TRANSPORTATION NOTICE: Northgate Parents--in order to protect our students' safety during dismissal, we ask that any needed transportation changes are made before 2:30pm. Transportation changes must be made through the front office. We also ask that you do not check out students early after 2:30pm unless absolutely necessary. Thank you!

SMART ID Tag Replacement: Full SMART TAG info is farther down in the newsletter--here is new info from the front desk about replacements:

Each student will receive a (free) smart tag at the beginning of the year. Once a student has their ID, if the student loses/misplaces their ID and needs a replacement, it will be $5 for the new card (the price covers the card, printing, sleeve, and lanyard). All payments will need to be in cash (exact change) and the student or the parent can pay the office and receive a receipt (students should not be giving any money to their teachers). For questions contact sruiz14@springisd.org

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Menchie's Spirit Night!. Now, enjoy delicious food at Spring Creek BBQ (Shenandoah location - 19099 I-45) from 5-9pm on Thursday Sept. 19th, and proceeds will be donated to our school. Some of your favorite teachers will be there serving up the food! Thank you to our PTO for organizing.

Have students dress their best on Fri. Sept. 20th for picture day! Contact your student's teacher if you do not receive ordering information.

Northgate Crossing Elementary and Spring ISD are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15th-Oct. 15th.

For any interested students, Spring ISD is holding a Hispanic Heritage Month contest. There are Art categories for PreK-2nd, and Art/Writing categories for 3rd-5th.

Please click this link for contest details

For questions email hsmith@springisd.org

From Coach Hernadnez at Springwoods Village Middle School next door:

This is our 6th Annual Volleyball Community Service Project led by our very own Lady Timberwolves Volleyball players.

Use this link to sign up your female Kindergarten-through-5th grade student--the deadline to register is Friday Sept. 20th:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_4w2YnFnDq38FMF0ep1CZ149uTRjByrt0BQbDtb6f_Ea8pw/viewform

Please arrive 5 minutes prior to your session.

Email Coach Hernandez if you have any questions: vhernandez4@springisd.org

The Gym Entrance Door #15 will be at Springwoods Village Middle School facing Northgate Elementary.

Thursday September 26th Schedule:

K–2nd: 4:45-5:40pm

3rd–5th: 5:45-6:45pm

Parents,

Thank you for helping your students raise money for our school by selling BIG KAHUNA fundraiser items! 3 important reminders:

1. Your paper order form was due last week--please turn it in ASAP if you haven't already.

2. Remember *online* orders are open through this Wednesday, 9/18. So you could still sell 15 items to quality for the MONSTER PARTY LIMO EXPERIENCE! (party bus riders will receive info later in the semester)

3. The FINAL day to exchange prize tickets is this Tuesday 9/17 in the cafeteria

In last week's Title 1 Meeting, our amazing PTO share some awesome information about what they've been accomplishing and what their goals for this year are. There's also a PTO Membership Drive now through October 18th--which classroom will win the popsicle party for having the most parents sign up for PTO?!

For more information, please contact: ncespto1@gmail.com

Dear Spring ISD Families,

As we prioritize the health and safety of all our students, we want to remind you of the importance of keeping your child at home if they are feeling unwell. To help you navigate when to keep your child at home and when it's safe to return to school, we’ve attached two flyers (in English and Spanish) with specific scenarios and guidelines.

Please review these materials carefully to ensure a safe and healthy school environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe.

-Spring ISD Nursing and Health Service

Northgate Parents,

In last week's Title I Meeting, Mr. Matthews discussed and distributed the updated Parent/Family Engagement Policy and Parent Compact documents, which were revised with the help of a Parent Advisory Board.

These documents fulfill our Title I requirements in creating partnerships with Northgate Crossing families in order to collaborate on achieving the best student outcomes.

The 2024-2025 Northgate Crossing Parent & Family Engagement Policy and Parent Compact documents are now available for you to view/download electronically on our website by clicking this link.

*

UPDATE: Last week we had many parents checking students out after lunch visits, removing them from instruction the rest of the day. It is important that students receive their instructional hours. If too many student check-outs persist, we may have to discontinue Friday lunch visits. Additionally, parents who are more than 15 minutes late may not be admitted to the cafeteria, as this can interfere with transition procedures. Finally, we also ask no more than 2 guests per student, and that guests sit only at designated parent tables with their student, and only provide food to their student. Thank you for understanding.

-------------------------------------------------------

Parents,

On most Fridays, we invite parents to join their students for lunch. Due to our large enrollment, parking limitations, and limited personnel, lunches will be every other Friday, swapping between older (3rd-5th) and younger grades (PreK-2nd).

UPDATED SCHEDULE:

Fri. Sept. 20th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Sept. 27th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 4th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Oct. 11th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 18th: FALL BREAK

Fri. Oct. 25th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Here is the lunch schedule

Pre-K 10:00 AM -10:30 AM

Kindergarten 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

1st Grade 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

2nd Grade/CASE 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM

3rd Grade 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

4th Grade 12:15 PM-12:45 PM

5th Grade 12:50 PM-1:20 PM

Lunch visits are limited to two guests per student, due to space limitations. We will not be able to have lunches every Friday due to testing. We will be sending out each month's schedule in advance, so please check your texts/email. Please check in at the front office when you arrive for a Friday lunch visit. Thank you!

************************************

ACTUALIZACIÓN: La semana pasada, muchos padres sacaron a los estudiantes después de las visitas del almuerzo y los sacaron de la instrucción el resto del día. Es importante que los estudiantes reciban sus horas de instrucción. Si persisten demasiadas salidas de estudiantes, es posible que tengamos que suspender las visitas de almuerzo de los viernes. Además, los padres que lleguen más de 15 minutos tarde no podrán ser admitidos a la cafetería, ya que esto puede interferir con los procedimientos de transición. Finalmente, también solicitamos no más de 2 invitados por estudiante, y que los invitados se sienten solo en las mesas designadas para los padres con su estudiante y solo le proporcionen comida. Gracias por entender.

Padres,

La mayoría de los viernes, invitamos a los padres a unirse a sus estudiantes para almorzar. Debido a nuestra gran inscripción, limitaciones de estacionamiento y personal limitado, los almuerzos se realizarán cada inter viernes, intercambiando entre los grados mayores (3.º a 5.º) y menores (PreK-2.º).

HORARIO ACTUALIZADO:

Fri. Sept. 20th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Sept. 27th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 4th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Fri. Oct. 11th: 3rd-5th

Fri. Oct. 18th: FALL BREAK

Fri. Oct. 25th: PreK-2nd + CASE

Aquí está el horario del almuerzo:

Pre-K 10:00 AM -10:30 AM

Kindergarten 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

1st Grade 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

2nd Grade/CASE 11:05 AM - 11:35 AM

3rd Grade 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

4th Grade 12:15 PM-12:45 PM

5th Grade 12:50 PM-1:20 PM

Las visitas para el almuerzo están limitadas a dos invitados por estudiante, debido a limitaciones de espacio. No podremos almorzar todos los viernes debido a las pruebas. Enviaremos el cronograma de cada mes con anticipación, así que revise sus mensajes de texto/correo electrónico. Por favor regístrese en la oficina principal cuando llegue para una visita de almuerzo el viernes. Gracas!

After being approved by the Spring ISD Board of Trustees in early August, the district will include a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the upcoming Nov. 5 ballot.

The measure proposes a tax rate of $1.1569 per $100 of property valuation for the 2024 fiscal year, a 5-cent increase from the current rate. This would cost the average homeowner an extra $7 per month, generating about $20 million for the schools on an annual basis and allowing the district to eliminate its budget deficit and provide teacher and staff raises.

Homeowners who are receiving a homestead exemption for disability or are age 65 or older would not see an increase above their tax ceiling as a result of the VATRE.

The proposed tax rate, if approved by voters, would provide critical funding for teacher and staff salaries, including a 2% across the board raise for all staff. Starting teacher pay would increase from $60,500 to $61,500 per year, and targeted adjustments would be made for teachers with 5-15 years of experience, putting it in line with other local school districts.

With no increase in the state’s per-student allotment since 2019 and an inflation rate that has hit 17%, many school districts, including Spring ISD, have had to look to tax increases to generate needed funding.

Voters will have the chance to vote on the measure on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Please note, this revised calendar includes 3 teacher work days with no students:

Monday, September 16th

Monday, November 4th

Monday, February 18th

You can download the PDF versions here:

https://www.springisd.org/documents/printable-calendars/662033

Visit this website, and see flyers and video below for more information:

https://www.springisd.org/o/sisd/page/smart-tag

SMART ID Tag Replacement UPDATE: :

Each student will receive a (free) smart tag at the beginning of the year. Once a student has their ID, if the student loses/misplaces their ID and needs a replacement, it will be $5 for the new card (the price covers the card, printing, sleeve, and lanyard). All payments will need to be in cash (exact change) and the student or the parent can pay the office and receive a receipt (students should not be giving any money to their teachers). For questions contact sruiz14@springisd.org

Parents,

It is important for us to communicate with you, but we unfortunately cannot always accommodate "walk-in" meeting requests. If you would like to meet with any principals, administrators, teachers, the counselor, other staff, etc., please make sure to contact us in advance to schedule a meeting so that we can best serve you. Thank you for understanding.

Immunization – Please make sure your Navigators are up to date on their immunizations. Your child will not be placed on a class roster if they lack the necessary immunizations. If you are unsure about what immunizations your child needs, Texas Department of State Health Services requirements has an updated list you can check:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/school/requirements

o To find immunization locations near you, please visit the Harris Health System site (https://www.harrishealth.org/) or call 713-873-TOTS (713-873-8687)

o If your child has all the required immunizations, please make sure our registrar, Karla Zelaya (kzelayar@springisd.org) has a copy of the documentation.

Registration – Parents of returning students may continue updating student information using the email that was sent to the primary guardian. All parent information, such as phone numbers, emergency contact information, and working emails need to be current and updated.

o If your Navigators attended Northgate Crossing Elementary school on an affidavit, you must complete a new affidavit for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have a lease agreement, you must attach a current lease to the returning student registration.

Attendance – Students need to attend school on a timely, regular basis. Students who often arrive late or leave early often have gaps in their learning. Our daily attendance goal is 98% or greater. When we meet this goal, our campus receives additional funding, and an accountability distinction. We have monthly campus-based perfect attendance incentives planned for students who have perfect attendance.

Visitors – All visitors to Northgate Crossing are required to check in at the front office and provide a valid government-issued picture ID. Once you provide an ID, a visitor's badge will be issues and you will be able to enter the building or check a student out for the day.

Volunteer form/background check – Parents and guardians may be invited to campus activities to observe, participate, and volunteer. A volunteer form and background check are required for activities throughout the year, such as classroom parties and volunteer opportunities. Please complete the form as soon as possible to allow time for processing:

https://www.springisd.org/page/volunteers-in-public-schools/

Drop-off/Pick-up procedures

o School doors open at 7:35am and the tardy bell rings at 8:05. Students dropped off after 8:05 will need to be checked in by a parent of guardian. Breakfast ends at 8:05pm.

o Students may be picked up early until 2:30pm. If you need to make a transportation change, you must come in person with a valid government issued picture ID or email sruiz14@springisd.org before 2:30pm.

Car Riders

▪ If your child is in grades Pk-1, you will drop off and pick up your child on site B (the parking lot for the gym and cafeteria.)

▪ If your child is in grades 2-5, you will drop off and pick up your child on side A (the parking lot in front of the building.)

▪ If you have children in multiple grades, they will be with the youngest child on the corresponding side for dismissal.

▪ During the car-rider dismissal, parents must remain in their vehicles.

Walkers

▪ Students who walk home may be picked up at the designated parent pick-up in front of the PK playground. PK to 2nd grade students will not be allowed to leave campus on their own--they will only be released to a guardian or parent.

Bus Riders

▪ Buses will pick students up in parking lot B, in front of the cafeteria and gym. Buses arrive between 3:15 and 3:25.

Practicing safe gun storage protects our kids, prevents accidents, and keeps our guns out of the hands of criminals. Together, we can keep ‘em safe, Texas! Learn more about the Texas Department of Public Safety’s effort to Keep ‘Em Safe at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.

Mantenerlas Seguras Texas - Recurso de almacenamiento seguro de armas de fuego

Practicar el almacenamiento seguro de armas protege a nuestros niños, previene accidentes y mantiene nuestras armas fuera del alcance de los delincuentes. Juntos, podemos mantenerlas seguras, Texas! Aprende más sobre el esfuerzo del Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas para mantenerlas seguras en SafeGunStorageTexas.com.

https://safegunstoragetexas.com/es/safe-gun-storage-spanish/

23437 Northgate Crossing Blvd.

Spring, TX 77373

Phone: 281-891-8780

Fax: 281-891-8781

Follow @NCESNavigators