Boone Bear Facts

Science Fair

I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to all of our Science Fair contestants. Even if you were not selected to move on to the Regional Science Fair, you all did a wonderful job. The projects look fantastic and I am so impressed with the effort and hard work that is clearly reflected in each project. We definitely have some budding, superstar scientists!!! Thanks also to all the families who came out last night to enjoy our Annual Science Fair Night. It was so great to celebrate the awesome work of our children as a community.

Career Days

Today and tomorrow we are also having our career days for our students. Ms. Lozo has done a wonderful job setting up presenters from a wide range of career fields. The students were having a great time at the activities today, and I look forward to another day of fun tomorrow highlighted by a visit from an Austin Police Department Air Unit!!!

Cafeteria Feedback

Please use the links included in the email to provide feedback to our cafeteria on the menus and food service. As they develop school menus for the 2018-19 school year, feedback from our school communities is crucial. They are launching the survey, which will be open Jan. 22 - Feb. 16, to collect information that will help us create menus that best meet the needs and tastes of our communities.

Bad Weather Make-Up Days

You will be happy to learn that we will not have to make up the bad weather days we missed in December and January. Last year the state moved to keeping track of the instructional minutes a student must be at school each year, rather than a certain number of instructional days. What this has allowed is to build enough minutes throughout the school year that exceeds the state expectation, so that we are still within these guidelines even with the missed days. However, any additional days may cause us to have to make those days up. On the AISD calendar there are two bad weather make up days identified. These two days are February 19th, our elementary school Spring Conference Day, and March 30th, which is a staff development day. The District would decide which of the two days would be used first.

Afternoon Dismissal - Side Parking Lot Pick-up

Please remember to not to pick up your children until you are in the front area of the pick-up zone. We have parents getting out of their car while in line and going to get their child from the teacher then getting back in their car. This is creating a very unsafe situation for our children. This is a very hectic time at Boone with many students and adults moving around the cars, etc. We need you comply with this request to help us keep all of our children safe.

Our school is pleased to announce that nominations for gifted and talented students are being accepted until February 2 for grades K-2. Interested parents and guardians should contact their school’s GT Advocate, Ms. Lozo, with completing the nomination process. GT screening and testing requires parent/guardian permission by the campus deadline, February 2. A variety of measures are used for screening and testing including assessments for bilingual students. For more information about the Austin ISD gifted program, please visit the Austin ISD web site tinyurl.com/AustinISDGATE or visit http://boonebearscounseling.weebly.com/giftedtalented-program.html.

Please complete the permission form and survey that are attached in the body of this email. Return them to the main office for Ms. Lozo by February 2.

TODAY, any contribution you make to our projects will be doubled by The First Million Fund. Your donation will brighten our students' school year, and you'll get heartfelt thank-yous from our classes and photos of your gift in action.

Here are our classroom requests:

Ms. Zecca's Project

Ms. Sladek's Project

Mr. Johnson's Project

To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, just make a contribution on that project page -- donations will be doubled automatically.

If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along. Our students and we greatly appreciate your support.

Thank you,

Fifth Grade Teachers

PTA Nominating Committee

Boone PTA is looking for volunteers to be on the PTA Elections Nominating Committee. This is a great opportunity for folks who want to help out, but don't have a lot of time. The nominating committee members will be voted in at the Jan. 31st general membership meeting. Their duties include meeting about 3 times as a committee between Jan. 31 and March 29th to organize the PTA Board elections at the March 29th general meeting. After March 29, your job is done!!

People who have previously served on the PTA will be especially useful as they will have an understanding of time commitments of the different board positions. However, all are welcome and it would be great opportunity to learn more about how Boone PTA serves our school and give your thoughts on what more can be done. Please email Katie at booneptaparliamentarian@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more.

Box Tops for Education

Just a reminder to be saving those Boxtops for Education! We will be having another collection drive in May and for every ten you turn in it is $1 for our school.

A list of products that have Boxtops can be found at

www.boxtops4education.com/earn/participating-products

Thank You

Thank you Brident Dental and Orthodontics for becoming the newest Boone Partners! They are located on Slaughter and Manchaca and they are offering free exams for new patients including X-rays. Call 866-369-5502.

If you have a business and would like to partner with Boone, email Kim Glessner at booneptabusinesspartners@gmail.com.

Jan 26 - Career Days 2nd - 5th grades

Jan 29 - College T-Shirt Day

Jan 31 - PTA Meeting - Family Bingo Night 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Feb 5 - 9 Counselor Appreciation Week

Feb 15 - Bolen & Patel to Discovery Hill 9:00 - 12:30

Feb 16 - Caterisano & Marin to Discovery Hill 9:00 - 12:30

Feb 16 - PTA Spelling Bee 9:00 a.m.

Feb 19 - Student Holiday/Parent Conference Day

Feb 20 - 23 - Supporting Staff Appreciation Week

Feb 21 - Cole & Williamson to Jones Center 9:30 - 12:00

Feb 22 - Barret & Texeira to Jones Center 9:30 - 12:00

Feb 22 - 4th Grade Musical 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Feb 23 - 4th Grade Musical 7:45 - 8:15 a.m.

Feb 23 - PreK 4 to Austin Nature Center 10:15 - 1:00

Sticky Fingers Cooking Class - Starts on Monday, January 29th through Monday, March 19th - Flyer in today's Thursday folder or register online: https://stickyfingerscooking.com/school-programs/texas/boone-elementary-spring-2018

iPiano Keyboard Club - Starts on Thursday, February 8th - register online at www.ipianolab.com/signup Click Boone on the pull down menu and follow the prompts.