Principal's Newsletter

Hello Spicewood Families,

We have had a great week here at Spicewood Elementary. It was everyone's first full week of school and our students did an amazing job.

I wanted to take a moment to invite our students to join our staff in our weekly spirit days at Spicewood. On Tuesdays our teachers wear college, military, or higher education shirts and on Fridays we wear a Spicewood Panther shirt. If you do not have a Spicewood shirt, students can join us by wearing blue or red to show our Spicewood Pride. If you would like to purchase a shirt, PTA will be selling them prior to the PTA meeting on Aug. 28th at 6:00pm. Go Panthers!

Sincerely,

Melanie Solis

Principal

Spicewood Elementary

Upcoming Important Dates

Aug. 28th- PTA Meeting in the Library 6:00-7:30

Aug. 29th- Torchy's and Handels Spirit Night 4:00-8:00 pm (flyer below)

Sept. 2nd- Staff and Student Holiday

Sept. 12th- Parent Orientation Night (flyer below)

Sept. 14th- Garden Glow Up! (flyer below)

Thank you everyone for helping smooth out our arrival and dismissal process. The first few days of school are always more difficult but we seem to have got it down now!

Families arriving from areas off Anderson Mill may need to merge into existing lines coming from the Balcones area. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in accommodating families coming from various directions and working together to ensure a smooth process for all. We all have the same goal to get our Panthers home safely!

If you haven’t heard already, the IB learner profile attributes are a PBD (Pretty Big Deal) at Spicewood Elementary and all IB schools across the world. These ten attributes are referenced in the stories we read, acknowledged in the behaviors we see, and valued in the people we admire. The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. What do you think of this list of attributes? Do you think they encompass the attributes of a global-minded person? How can we help cultivate them in ourselves and in our children? Can you name all ten? Below, you can see the GIANT attribute posters K-5 students decorated that are currently hanging in our halls. ⭐

Link to all 10 photos

RSVP Here for our Garden Glow Up!

If your child receives free or reduced lunch, the application is now open! Remember that a new application has to be filled out each year. Please visit this link to apply.

Meal prices have increased slightly for the upcoming school year.

Student breakfast- $1.50

Student lunch- $3.00

Did you know that parents can limit or restrict how much and when their child is able to purchase extras from the cafeteria? Visit this link to make those adjustments.

Updated Information , Effective August 2024

Administration Over The Counter medication during the school day needs a physician's signature And a parent/guardian's signature to be administered by a nurse.

Lice Protocol

It is the parent's responsibility to check the student's head on a routine basis. If the teacher notices excessive head scratching the student can be sent to the clinic for a check. If the nurse determines or otherwise becomes aware that a student in the class has lice not only nits, a letter will be sent home to the student's parent and to the entire classroom . In accordance with the CDC, the APA, and NASN recommendations, students will not be excluded from schools for nits or live lice. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Sam.

Upcoming Screeners

Students will have Vision, Hearing, and AN ( check back of neck for proper growing) screenings in two weeks. Please check the date below and make sure to send eyeglasses if they wear them. If you need any accommodations or have concerns please let me know in advance.

See the information below. Thank you so much.

Vision, Hearing, Acantosis Nigrican: Kinder, 1st, 3rd, 5th, new to RRISD

Scoliosis: 5th grade girls only

When: September 3rd and September 4th

Where: Library

Spicewood Families, please help me welcome our new PE Assistant Kim Perry. We are so happy to have her as part of the team! Coach Perry has been a wonderful addition to the gym and definitely has the energy for it! Make sure to say hello!

One of the amazing things about Spicewood is our PTA support. We would not be able to fund so many of the clubs, programs, and curriculum support tools without the assistance of the generous support of our parents through PTA.

Please see the note below about joining our PTA:

Hello Spicewood Families!!

We are all looking forward to another wonderful 2024/2025 school year at Spicewood!! It's that time of year again to sign up for the PTA!

Spicewood is a school that is considerably reliant on its community. Every parent has a talent, skill, passion, or time. We rely on those skills to help keep our students in an unique education. Our PTA funds and runs a lot of the programs our students participate in, our teachers use, and our IB community thrives. It is with your PTA membership and support that we are able to give our Teachers and Students incredible support throughout the school year. Please consider signing you, your partner and your children up today!

Become a member TODAY!

It was such a fun week at Spicewood with all the excitement and energy in the air. Wonderful to see everyone back at school from our amazing leadership team, teachers, staff and of course our fabulous panther families. I want to give a quick shout out to everyone who helped plan and volunteer at Meet the Teacher-Back to School Bash! What a way to kick off the school year, Spicewood’s 50th Anniversary!! The school opened in 1974, hence the nod to our groovy school merchandise. Be sure to check it out! We will have lots of exciting ways to commemorate our golden year so stay tuned and get involved. Sign up the entire family to join PTA. There are many ways to volunteer and committees that need your help! The flyer below has a QR code to join PTA and a QR code for committee interest. Also note dates of spirit wear for sale and PTA’s General Membership Meeting. We look forward to a great year!!

Panther Pride
Karlotta DesJarlais
PTA President

As summer winds down and the first day of school approaches, excitement is in the air—new teachers, new classmates, and new opportunities for learning. For many kids, the first few weeks can be a whirlwind of emotions. As parents, we have a unique opportunity to set the tone for the year ahead by emphasizing the importance of inclusion and belonging. By starting conversations at home, we can help our children embrace these values from the very beginning.

Why Inclusion and Belonging Matter

Inclusion and belonging are more than just buzzwords; they are essential for creating a positive and productive learning environment. When children feel included and valued, they are more likely to be engaged, confident, and motivated. A classroom where every student feels they belong fosters a supportive atmosphere where kids can thrive academically and socially.

Peers play a crucial role in shaping this environment. Children learn from each other and often follow the lead of their classmates. By encouraging your child to be a proactive participant in creating a welcoming space, you help build a community of empathy and respect. This is the mission of our DEI committee and we want to help you grow these skill sets in our community.

Conversation Starters to Promote Inclusion

Consider having these discussions with your child to set the stage for a year of kindness and inclusivity:

1. What are some ways you can make a new friend feel welcome on the first day?

- Discuss simple gestures like introducing themselves, inviting a new classmate to join in an activity, or starting a conversation about shared interests. Emphasize that even small actions can make a big difference.

2. How would you feel if you were the new kid in class? What can you do to help others who might feel the same way?

- Help your child put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Understanding how it feels to be new or different can inspire them to reach out and be inclusive.

3. What are some things that make you feel included and respected in a group?

- Talk about personal experiences where your child felt valued or left out. Use these examples to guide them in creating a classroom environment where everyone feels seen and heard.

4. How can we show respect to everyone, even if we don’t know them well yet?

- Discuss the importance of respect in all interactions. Explain that respecting differences and being open to diverse perspectives helps everyone feel like they belong.

5. What kind of classroom do you want to be a part of this year?

- Encourage your child to envision a positive, inclusive classroom and think about their role in making that vision a reality. This can help them take ownership of their behavior and attitudes.

Emphasizing the Importance of a Fresh Start

The beginning of the year is a fresh start—a chance to set new goals and build new habits. Encourage your child to think of this day as an opportunity to make choices that contribute to a supportive and welcoming environment. By making a conscious effort to include others from day one, they can help build a culture of respect and kindness that benefits everyone.

Reiterate that each day is a chance to practice these values. Inclusion and belonging aren’t just for the first day; they’re important throughout the school year. By consistently demonstrating and advocating for these principles, your child will help foster a classroom atmosphere where all students feel secure and valued.

As we gear up for the school year, let’s work together to make inclusion and belonging a priority from the start. By engaging in thoughtful conversations with our children and setting clear expectations, we can help them create a positive, inclusive learning environment. Let’s support them in being not just good students, but also kind, empathetic peers who contribute to a vibrant, supportive community. Here’s to a school year full of growth, friendship, and belonging for all!

If this message spoke to your heart – the DEI Committee at Spicewood is looking for volunteers and sub committee chairs. We want to make a difference by promoting an inclusive school environment where all students and families feel valued, respected, and empowered. The committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging that supports the academic and social development of all students. Feel free to reach out to me, Lorraine, at dei@spicewoodpta.org.