Principal's Newsletter

Hello Spicewood Families,

I hope everyone has had an amazing week. Things are going great here at Spicewood! Students are working hard and we earned our first two paw prints for our school wide acknowledgment board today. If you are not sure what that means, ask your child!

Thank you to everyone who joined our PTA meeting this week and those of you who supported our Torchy's Spirit Night. It was great to see so many families participating in these events. If you have not already joined PTA, please find the link below to do so. We still need about 200 members to reach our goal for the year!

We hope everyone has a wonderful 3-day weekend and see you on Tuesday!

Sincerely,

Melanie Solis

Principal

Spicewood Elementary

Upcoming Important Dates

Sept. 2nd- Staff and Student Holiday

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

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

Sept. 27th- Spicewood Carnival (flyer below)

In an IB PYP school, every working group (staff and students) starts off by creating ‘Essential Agreements’. In the classroom, this means that everyone works collaboratively to establish an agreement of how the class will function. The class brainstorms how they want their classrooms to look like, feel like, and sound like. Students choose five of the ten learner profile attributes that help guide their agreements. These agreements are referred to frequently throughout the school year. Check out the Essential Agreements from a few of of our 2nd grade classes! (Respectively: Ms. Gros’s class, Mrs. Burch’s class, Ms. Solis’s class)

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.

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 one of our new to Spicewood teachers Sarah Moey. She has joined our 2nd grade team and has been a wonderful addition to the team. Ms. Moey joins us most recently from the San Antonio area. We are so glad to have you at Spicewood Ms. Moey!

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!

Hello Spicewood Families!

We are in need of someone to fill the President Elect position on our PTA Board. Here is the link if you are interested in serving or would like more information!

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.