OTES English E-News

Our Snow Day has come and gone! It is always exciting for our students to see snow. For many students, this was the first time for them to see snow. This was true for both of my nieces as well!I hope you were able to stay warm and spend time with family on our unexpected day. We ended last week with a wonderful event on campus. This year we welcomed back the Old Town Elementary Science Fair. Students in grades 3-5 worked hard to submit projects, and 14 will move on to the Greater Austin Regional Science & Engineering Fair on February 22, 2025. Our students presented their board and held discussions about their project with different judges. I am constantly overwhelmed by the talents of our students. This event showcased our students’ dedication, creativity, and inquisitive nature. I would like to extend a special thank you not only to our judges who volunteered their time on Friday morning, but to Ali Emanuel and Dipa Patel. Ms. Emanuel and Ms. Patel, led the charge and worked hard for our event to come to life.

i-Ready at Home Use

One platform the students at Old Town are using to support their instruction is i-Ready. i-Ready is available for all students in grades 3rd-5th on their Chromebook. Students are able to access this platform at home! After taking a diagnostic assessment (all students have) the platform generates a unique learning path for all students designed to support the needs identified in the diagnostic. This is an amazing resource for families to utilize at home since it is designed specifically for your student. Students can access the platform in both reading and math. Check it out with your Texan!

Reminder-Campus Visitors

As a standard practice anytime you wish to enter the campus you must be signed in using our Raptor system located in the front office. This requires that you provide the front office with your identification. Visitors will not be permitted to enter our campus without identification. This can sometimes lead to disappointments, but I truly appreciate your understanding and our commitment to putting student safety first.

Safety Reminders at Arrival and Dismissal

Please remember to utilize the crosswalks during arrival and dismissal. We have two crosswalks near the front of the school that staff members support to help students and families navigate traffic safely during arrival and dismissal. We have had families crossing through traffic as the car line is moving. We really appreciate your understanding and support in keeping everyone safe.

EARLY PICKUP PROCEDURES:

If a student needs to be released early from school for an appointment, we kindly ask that parents/guardians come to the front office intercom with a Photo ID to check the student out.

If someone other than the parent/guardian will be picking up the student, let us help you with this request. The person picking up must be listed as one of the student’s emergency contacts. Parents/Guardians should email the school registrar (angie_castro@roundrockisd.org) at least 24 hours in advance to add any additional people to the emergency contacts. The email should specify the name and phone number of the person picking up.

If you need to pick up your student near the end of the day, students will be released no later than 2:30 p.m.

• To preserve instructional time, students are called to the office once the parent arrives.

• Parents/Guardians/Emergency Contact will need to bring a valid photo ID

• Old Town begins dismissal for our pre-kinder students and students in special programming at 2:40 each day.
  Our K-5 dismissal begins with our youngest Texans at 2:50.

We greatly appreciate your understanding in allowing a smooth dismissal for all students and families, these guidelines help all students remain safe during dismissal at Old Town.

Pre-K Open Spots

Old Town Elementary is excited to offer both non-tuition and tuition-based Pre-K4. Please visit the Round Rock ISD Pre Kindergarten webpage for the online registration link and additional information. Link: https://prek.roundrockisd.org/

Pre-K Extended Day

Do you need after school care for your child? Old Town Pre-K Extended Day is here to provide your kids supervised fun as soon as the school bell rings until 6:00pm. Care is provided at Old Town Elementary in a State-licensed classroom with childcare staff meeting all State licensing requirements. Kids will enjoy enrichment activities, crafts, snacks, story time and more! Learn More

Effective August 2024 - State mandated change regarding Over-The-Counter medications during the school day. Administration of 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.*

More information form RRISD Health Services

Please have this form completed when dropping off any medication to be administered.

Pk-2nd grade will be meeting author Greg Pizzoli on February 5th. If you'd like to purchase one of his titles from another source and want it signed, send it with your child to school by February 5th. There are some vendors that carry some of his books translated into other languages if you'd prefer.

Author Flier

Happy Birthday Book Club opportunity! Would you like to honor your child on his/her birthday and help the library program as well? You may dedicate a book to the library in your child’s name. The cost is $20.00. Please make your checks payable to Old Town Elementary or click HERE to pay online with a credit/debit card. Please complete the following form and return it to the library no matter the payment method.

https://sites.google.com/roundrockisd.org/oteslibrary/home

Flyer for Walsh Middle School Parent Mtg for Rising 6th graders

Kindness Week is Jan 27-31. Use the following calendar to spread Kindness all month long!

• Wednesday, January 22 - Popcorn Day

• Thursday, January 23 - 5th grade visits Walsh

• January 24-31 - Kindness Week

• Monday, January 27 - Walsh rising 6th grade parent meeting in OTE cafeteria @ 8:00 am

• Wednesday, January 29 - Student holiday/staff development

• Thursday, January 30 - 5th grade parent night at Walsh Middle School @ 5:30 pm

• Saturday, February 1 - Round Rock Learning Community UIL event at Great Oaks Elementary School

• Wednesday, February 5 - Author visit for Prek-2

• Wednesday, February 5 - Popcorn Day

• Thursday, February 13 - Spring individual & group pictures

• Friday, February 14 - Valentine’s Day Parties

• Monday, February 17 - Student Holiday/YOU Day for Staff

• Wednesday, February 19 - Popcorn Day