

December/January Newsletter
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Escuela Families,
It is hard to believe that 2024 is already nearing the end. We had a wonderful start to the year with the Kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month- Fiesta con Escuela, followed by Trunk or Treat, and our Family Potluck. We are excited and look forward to what’s to come the rest of the year. Our staff has worked so hard with your children and have given of themselves in so many ways. We are thankful for everything the teachers and staff have done so far to help our children become as successful as they can at school. It is the holiday season and this is a great time for all of us to teach our children to be thankful and show them the value of generosity and kindness. You may encourage your children to practice writing “Thank you” notes to their family members and friends.
It is also important to remind you that we do have an inclement weather plan for the district and have several ways to communicate school delays and closures with our families; the district will do an electronic call to all primary phone numbers in our data system. They also will notify the local news stations and radio stations. In addition, they will post on the TPS Facebook page while we will share on our Escuela School Dojo.
We hope you enjoy the time together with family and friends during the holiday season. We appreciate and thank you for all of your continued support for your child, their teacher, and our school.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year
Ms. Allen and Ms. Velazquez
Office News
- Office opens at 7:30 and closes at 3:00 pm.
- If you have any changes to transportation, please call no later than noon to let us know.
- Do not pick up students between 1:30 and 2:00 as teachers are already getting ready for dismissal at this time. It causes confusion for them as the dismissal list is updated by 12pm.
- Students cannot be dropped off before 7:40 am.
- Please do not block the entrance to the parking lot during arrival time. Teachers need to enter first thing in the morning. If you are not a preschool parent, you cannot drop your students off in the parking lot. Please drop off your students in the drop-off line.
- Please DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS in the afternoon when picking up students. Neighbors need to be able to get out and come into their driveways. We appreciate your cooperation.
- Pick up students as indicated - First door on Field Ave. for students that get picked up by car. The door on Western Ave. is ONLY for students that are walkers. Main entrance doors are for students that ride the bus. We appreciate your cooperation.
- Please do not make any calls that incur interrupting the class during the day as we are not allowed to interrupt teachers while teaching. Thank you for your understanding.
The Steth-O-Scoop with Nurse Ohashi
Dear Escuela Families,
I cannot believe we are in December already! We have seen our first snow! Be careful with dropping temperatures and make sure you and your students dress properly for the cold! Also, please send children with coats, hats and gloves in case they go outside for recess!
We are so thankful to have received some donations of hats, coats and gloves from the Newsboys and Suzie’s coats! We have given a lot away but still have a few left. If your child is in need of one, please let us know, call the school (419-671-5550) and ask for Nurse Martha!
Vision
Your child’s vision is very important in helping them discover the world around them. If your child has an uncorrected vision problem, it may affect their ability to learn and reach their highest potential. Having a routine eye exam is important to keep their eyes healthy. We have the Vision Mobile coming in January. Please make sure that you sign the consent form so that your child’s may be checked.
Dental
According to the CDC, cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t. We will have a Mobile Dental Clinic coming soon. Please make sure to take advantage of this opportunity to have your child seen.
TPS Dental and vision at Waite Health Center
301 Morrison Drive Toledo OH 43605
567-218-0770
Immunizations
Some of the students at school are still “In Process.” This means they do not have all the required immunizations by the state of Ohio. They received some doses in the beginning of the year but still need a second dose. Please make sure that you follow up with your doctor. Toledo Public schools have several School Based Health Centers in most of their High Schools. Please let me know if you need any information.
Thank you,
Nurse Martha
I-Ready
Dear Families,
I am writing to share with you that our students, here at Escuela Smart Academy, will be starting the IReady Winter Diagnostic for Reading and Mathematics on January 7th, 2024.
IReady is our online diagnostic / instructional program that helps us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, adjust instructional methods in the classroom and monitor their progress throughout the school year. We will be administering the Winter IReady Diagnostic from January 7th - January 21st, 2024. It’s critical that students try their best so we can get accurate data that will help inform our instruction and drive the online lessons students receive.
To help prepare your child for the IReady Diagnostic, encourage them to try their best on each question, try not to rush, and understand that they will not know the answer to every question.
In addition, a good night's rest, a good breakfast and positivity in the morning will help set the day for child / children to be successful.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning! To learn more about i-Ready, visit i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.
Sincerely,
Mr. Jake and Your Escuela Smart Academy Family
Reading Challenge
Dear Parent/Guardian,
This year, Escuela SMART Academy is continuing a Reading Challenge to encourage your child to find the joy in reading. The mission of the program is to turn “have to read” into “want to read” and the only way to get better at reading is to take the time to do it! The Reading Challenge is voluntary but we will give awards and prizes to winners of the Challenge. Below is how the program works:
· From December through March, we will provide “Reading Logs” and “Book Review” forms for any student interested in joining the Reading Challenge.
· On the “Reading Log” calendar, have your K-6th grade student color in the animal on the date if they have read for 10 minutes that day. If they read longer than 10 minutes on any given day, have them write in the number of minutes they read in the box for that date. At the end of the month, please make sure both your student and you sign the bottom of the form.
· For 3rd-6th graders, each time they finish a book, they can also fill out a “Book Review” form.
· Reading Log forms and Book Review forms should be turned into the front office when they are completed.
· Monthly prize drawings will be done for those who turn in Reading Log forms and Book Review forms.
· Awards will be distributed at Día del Niño for the following categories:
o The reader who has logged the most minutes reading in each grade.
o The reader who has logged the most minutes reading in the school.
o The reader who has read the most books and turned in the most “Book Review” forms in each grade.
o The reader who has read the most books and turned in the most “Book Review” forms in the school.
o The class that has logged the most minutes reading in the school.
o The class that has read the most books and turned in the most “Book Review” forms in the school.
If you have any questions, please see Ms. Stephanie Serda.
Happy Reading!
Book Review - English
Book Review - Spanish
December Reading Calendar
January Reading Calendar
November Student of the Month: Gratitude
Spirit Week!!!!
On December 16th- 19th your child will be able to participate in our fun holiday SPIRIT days. Students do not have to participate. This is just for fun.