TCES/SEC Newsletter

Attendance Information from Mr. Gonzalez

Parents and Families of TCES and SEC students. Your child’s attendance is important to us. We want

to ensure that our students are here each day so that they can receive the best education that we can provide them. Below are a few strategies that you can utilize to help get your children to school each day.

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

• Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.

• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a

neighbor, or another parent.

• Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in

session.

• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.

• If you are concerned that your child may have a contagious illness, call your school or health care

provider for advice.

• If your child must stay home due to illness, ask the teacher for resources and ideas to continue learning at home.

Rey Gonzalez

TCES Principal

Dear Parents,

We’re excited to continue with the Six Pillars of Character Counts as a guiding framework for

our school (SEC) along with our Sister School (TCES). These pillars: Trustworthiness,

Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship help support a positive

environment where everyone can thrive.

At Sierra Elementary Complex (SEC) we are revisiting Trustworthiness because it is the

foundation of all relationships. Trust is essential for effective communication, collaboration, and

learning. When individuals demonstrate trustworthiness, they build strong connections with

others, which fosters a sense of safety and support.

By focusing on Trustworthiness, we aim to:

•  Model Integrity: Teaching children to be honest and reliable helps them understand the importance of keeping promises and being accountable for their actions.

•  Encourage Open Communication: When trust is established, children feel more comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their thoughts and feelings.

•  Build Strong Relationships: Trust lays the groundwork for healthy friendships and teamwork, both in and out of school.

We believe that by focusing on Trustworthiness, we set a powerful tone for the rest of the pillars,

encouraging our children to embrace these values in their daily lives. Together, we can create a

community that prioritizes character and supports our children's growth into responsible, caring

individuals.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Richard Marquez

SEC Principal

Thank you -

Mrs. Reyes

Mrs. Perez

Mrs. Silva

Ms. Gustin

Hello all! We had many students’ level up in Istations this month! Thank you for helping your child progress! Please encourage your child to work on their decodables that are sent home throughout the week; these will count toward the Book It program. They will also help with each area in Istation

such as Reading Comprehension, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary and Letter Recognition. Our focus for math in the month of November is fluency adding within 10.

We need:

•  Snacks

Reminders:

•  Spelling Words – These are sent home weekly. Be sure to study them!
•  Book Fair – The Book Fair will be open until Friday November 8th !
•  Animal Habitat Projects – This information will be sent home this month so be on the lookout.
•  School Behavior – Please remind your child about appropriate school behavior. We have had many incidents this past month of inappropriate behavior.

Happy November! The weather is finally cooling down, please remind students to dress appropriately and bring jackets. It is also helpful if student names are somewhere on their jackets so they do not get lost. We are so proud of our student progress so far on their iStation scores, we are continuing to work hard to reach their goals. Below are a few things going on this month in November.

In math we are continuing to work on addition and subtraction fluency, subtraction within 100 using various strategies, and solving addition and subtraction word problems. Please continue to help your kiddos practice their addition and subtraction facts at home for at least 5-10 minutes a night.

We are continuing to work on reading every day. Some things that we are practicing this month are complex vowel sounds, diphthongs, grammar elements (adjectives, adverbs), cursive writing, writing complete sentences, and comprehension skills after reading or hearing a read aloud. It is so important to read to and with your students, even a few minutes each night can make a difference and give students a love for reading!

Other important info:

• Any parents willing to donate the following to classrooms would be greatly appreciated: Clorox/Lysol wipes, Kleenex, and classroom snacks.
• Please remind students to wear tennis shoes and appropriate clothes on PE days: Jankowski-Monday, J. Tolley- Thursday, M. Tolley- Friday

4th Grade Newsletter: November Edition

As we dive deeper into November, our 4th graders are embracing a variety of engaging topics that enhance both their academic skills and personal growth. Here’s what we’ve been up to this month!

Math: Multi-Digit Multiplication Mastery

This month, we’ve been focusing on multi-digit multiplication. Students are learning strategies to tackle larger numbers, building on their understanding of place value and the distributive property. Through hands-on activities and collaborative problem-solving, they’re not just memorizing facts; they’re discovering the "why" behind the process. Encourage your child to practice at home with real-world applications, like calculating the cost of groceries or planning a party!

Exploring Folklore

In our language arts sessions, we’re diving into the rich world of folklore. Students are exploring stories from various cultures, discussing themes, and identifying moral lessons. Students have been busy analyzing tall tales and fables. By analyzing characters and their motivations, we’re encouraging critical thinking and creativity. This week, your child will have the opportunity to share their favorite folktale, emphasizing the unique lessons these stories teach us about life and values.

Building Empathy and Integrity

In addition to our academic pursuits, we are focusing on the social-emotional skills of empathy and integrity. Through classroom discussions and role-playing activities, students are learning to recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives. We encourage them to practice empathy in their daily interactions, fostering a supportive community. Furthermore, integrity is highlighted in our classroom culture, where we discuss the importance of honesty and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Dear 5th Grade Families,

As we move into November, we are excited to share what’s happening in our classrooms and how our students are growing and learning!

Upcoming Events

Veterans Day Visit to the Wall- On Monday, November 11th, we will be going to visit the Veterans Memorial Wall. Permission slips will be sent home soon.

Learning Highlights

Math: We are diving into multiplication and division of larger numbers. Encourage your child to practice these skills at home!

Reading: We will be jumping into our Figurative Language Unit.

Science: Our science unit on ecosystems is in full swing! Students are learning about food chains, habitats, and the importance of biodiversity. Ask your students about what is happening with Pumpkin Jack! Students observe and record what happens through the decomposition process.

This month, we are focusing on gratitude. We will discuss what it means to be thankful and how to express gratitude to others. Students will be creating gratitude journals to reflect on what they appreciate in their lives.

Reminders

• Dress for the Weather: As the temperatures drop, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor recess.

Thank you for your continued support! We look forward to an exciting month ahead and wish everyone a joyful Thanksgiving filled with family and friends.

Always grateful,
5th Grade Teachers

Dear Families,

We are excited to introduce the members of our 2024-2025 Student Council! This dedicated group of students has been elected to represent the voices of their peers, promote school spirit, and lead various initiatives that enhance our school community.

The Student Council plays a vital role in organizing events, addressing student concerns, and fostering a positive school environment. Each member brings unique talents and perspectives, and we are confident they will work diligently to ensure that every student’s voice is heard.

Student Council's first task of the year was planning the fall festival (held 10/31/24) for 3rd grade through 5th grade. It was a blast! Be on the lookout for more fun activities brought to you by the 24-25 Student Council.

Thank you for your continued support!

Warm regards,

Student Council President- Jaxynn Bartoo

Student Council Vice President- Kensie Goss

Student Council Treasurer- Elijah Varela

Student Council Secretary- Mollie Baca

Classroom Representatives:

3rd Grade

Mrs. Gonzalez- Autumn Adkins & Sylas Roland

Mrs. Rivera- Amber Theobald & Duke Montoya

Mr. Glines- Adalaide Magpatoc & Darrek McCahon

4th Grade

Mrs. Flores- Kayde Garrett & Slyvie Otte

Mr. Madrid- Greyson Akers & Mayson Rodriquez

Mrs. Fletcher- Iain Tolley & Madison Quesada

Ms. Tisdale- Karisma Rees & Madalyn Tavizon

5th Grade

Mrs. Mendenhall- Jameson Clark & Malikai Evans

Mrs. Zuni- Emma Short & Harlie Cochran

Ms. Gervasio- Aeris Rice & Xavier Gonzales

Ms. Lindsey- Luna Looney

During the winter months (November - February), all PE classes will be held inside the gymnasium. Parents, please find out what day your child has PE and ensure that they have proper footwear. Sandals and dress shoes will force your child to sit out for safety reasons. Crocs, Hey Dudes, and boots are acceptable but not encouraged.

PE is moving on to the sport of Team Handball for the month of November. Parents, if your child is not feeling well or there is a pre-existing injury, please send a note and I will excuse them from PE with no loss of points. Without a note from a Doctor, Parent, or the School Nurse, a student can only receive half credit/points for not participating. Thank you in advance, have a wonderful November!

Chase Brownfield

cbrownfield@torcschools.net

Hi Families:

TCES/ SEC will hold its fourth annual spelling bee this January. Classroom spelling bees will be held early in January, and one to two students from each class will participate in the school spelling bee. The study list is included in this newsletter. Your child’s teacher can also provide a copy. Or, I can email you a PDF if you ask!

An excellent study tool is the WORD CLUB app. It’s free to download and is super fun to use, I highly recommend it!

Our school spelling champion will represent us in the El Paso Spelling Bee. The winner of THAT bee will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will be in the late spring of 2025 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Please note that during the school competition, students will be given words randomly, without regard for age or grade. The spelling bee is single elimination; the last speller remaining in the competition is the winner. For more information about the Scripps program, for study tips, and for reading lists, please visit

www.spellingbee.com

Thea Storz

Art Teacher

tstorz@torcschools.net

Hello from music!!

All grades K-5 have been practicing for our Veteran’s Day program. You are invited to come support and say thank you to our Veterans as well! Flyers will be going home with your students

soon. The program will be on Monday, November 11th at 9:00 am in the gym. Students should have

already received a Veteran’s Day star that they are able to decorate in honor of a Veteran they know. If students choose to decorate one, they should be cut out and returned to their teacher or myself. If you could please encourage your students to dress in patriotic colors for our performance on 11/11 that would be amazing!

Thank you!

Abby Harrison

Bookshelf Bulletin with Mrs. Q

Hello TCES families! Thank you to all the parents/guardians for coming to the Book Fair with your students. It means so much to see you encouraging their love of books and ensures that they will be readers for their whole lives.

The Tiger Reading Challenge is under way! Students are working to complete punch cards for each chapter book they read. Please There will be a prize for the top readers at the end of the year.

If your student has any overdue library books at home, please get those turned in.

Don't forget to read to/with your students at home to help nurture their love of reading.

Hello families and students,

For the month of November, kinder has gained some independence and will now be moving into a typing routine as well mouse handling activities. Our first and second grade students will be learning the parts of a computer using both the computer and unplugged activities!

Third grade will be working on building and customizing their own computers. Fourth and fifth grade will be wrapping up their paper about weather, learning new things using research and we will be moving into their projects on PowerPoint or Google docs their choice on which they maneuver better personally.

Happy November!

Stay safe,

Audrielle Lacey

Its November! This year is flying by.

In the Save the Children classroom our Emergent Readers (1st grade) have been practicing their reading fluency and text fluency through our read together weekly poems. They have also been working on rhyming words, syllables, letter sound substitutions, and high frequency words through writing and games.

Our developing readers (3rd and 4th grade) have been independently reading and taking AR (accelerated reader) tests after to practice their reading comprehension skills. Later this month, we will be doing a group read-aloud to model fluent reading and think aloud strategies.

Save the Children will be putting a suggestion box at the front office of TCES. This can be used for any suggestions from families. Things they would like to see happen at our elementary school, ideas for events, and how they would be beneficial for the students and our school. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Mary Reuland

mreuland@torcschools.net