Mustang Minute
Greens Prairie Elementary Parent Monthly News & Updates
September 2024 - Back to School!
Principal's Perspective
As we wrap up the first three weeks of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to share how wonderful this start has been and to thank you for your support.
Our students have jumped into their new routines with enthusiasm, and it’s been a joy to see their excitement for learning and engagement in the classroom. Your partnership has played a significant role in making this transition smooth and successful for our students. Whether it was through helping with school supplies, supporting new routines, encouraging your child’s efforts, or attending back to school events, your involvement is deeply appreciated.
As we continue to build on this positive momentum, we want to get your feedback about the start of school and the school year ahead. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us at the following link: https://forms.gle/ZFqJ4JHQqwgKopm9A Your feedback will help us serve our students and families even better! Please note, the survey is anonymous.
We look forward to many more achievements and memorable moments this year. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community.
Sincerely,
Donna Bairrington, Principal
CSISD Helpful Information
CSISD Calendar
CSISD Instructional Technology Resources
CSISD New Online Learning Program
We will be using the online program, Edmentum, to support our students' learning in the classroom. The flyer below explains more about the program that our students will be using.
CSISD Prescription & Over the Counter Medication Policy Change
CSISD's policy for administering prescription and over-the-counter medication at all campuses is changing for the 2024-2025 school year:
If your student needs ANY medication including over-the-counter medications, nursing staff will require a physician, podiatrist, or dentist authorization in order to administer the medication in accordance with the Texas Board of Nursing licensing standards. This includes common items, such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.
For more information and updated medication authorization forms, visit https://www.csisd.org/.../prescription-and-otc-medications
Greens Prairie News & Helpful Information
Car Arrival and Dismissal
Safety is our number one priority for our students, staff, and parents. In addition, we want to be efficient in our procedures including traffic patterns. As we are in the routine of car arrival and dismissal, please help us with the flow of traffic. If your child will need more time to get out of the car when arriving or to buckle up when dismissing, please pull up to the red square near the sign. This will allow other vehicles to proceed through the line without having to go around. Please have your child use the passenger side doors when entering/exiting the car. Because the drive is in a school zone, please no cell phones. Thank you for helping us to make sure our arrival and dismissal procedures are safe for our school family.
Dinosaur George Prehistoric Traveling Museum
We are so excited that Dinosaur George is back in CSISD thanks to the CSISD Education Foundation! Dinosaur George is a traveling museum that brings the world of prehistoric animals including dinosaurs right to our school for our very own museum! Students will see massive dinosaur skulls to intricate fossil replicas along with exhibit pieces from around the world. Mark your calendar! Dinosaur George will be coming to GP on Tuesday, September 24th. We will also have a night at the museum for GP families 5:30-7:00 on the same day. GP paleontologists, get ready!
GP Parent Information Hub
Looking for information shared from the kindergarten and first grade parent orientations? Check out the GP Parent Hub link below! Parents of second through fourth graders will also find the hub useful for grade specific orientation details. The GP Parent Hub will be a valuable resource throughout the year. https://sites.google.com/csisd.org/gpparenthub/home?authuser=0
Volunteering at GP
If you are planning to volunteer in any capacity at Greens Prairie or any school in CSISD, please complete the CSISD volunteer application. All volunteers must go through the approval process, which includes a background check. We value our volunteers and welcome you to help in classrooms, on field trips, helping at PTO events, Watch D.O.G.S., and many other campus opportunities. So before the busy fall schedule begins, take a moment to complete the form.
https://www.csisd.org/departments/communications/volunteers_in_public_schools_programStudent Activity Clubs
From Mrs. Dean, GP's Enrichment Specialist:
We have a request, and I'm hoping YOU can help us out! We are looking for parents who are interested in helping host enrichment "clubs" at our campus.
If you would be interested and are available to help host a GP "club" during 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade recess times once per week, or after school for 30-45 minutes once per week, please check out the interest form here. Club options are listed, but if you have any other great club ideas you'd like to venture into, please let us know! Mrs. Dean will handle communication to students and parents, and can provide a space and materials for your club. All we need is a "coach"!
We appreciate your support, be it as a coach, or a cheerleader for all of our students as we stretch their brains and make learning fun!
Emergency Safety Drills
Safety is our number one priority for our school family. With that in mind, we practice emergency drills to ensure that all staff and students know what to do in the event of an emergency. Below are the tentative dates of our school's emergency practice drills for the year. Our staff will prepare the students so that they will know what to expect before the drill occurs. In Texas, all schools are required to conduct monthly fire drills. Each semester we conduct a lockdown and safe shelter in place drill as well. The dates below will provide you the opportunity to discuss the scheduled drill with your child before the drill occurs.
Fire Drills: Monthly fire drills are mandated by the fire marshal. Dates are tentative due to weather. Fire Drill Dates: 8/27, 9/16, 10/17, 11/15, 12/10, 1/13, 2/18, 3/17, 4/8, 5/7
Campus Lockdown Drills: This drill will consist of the teachers making sure that their classroom door is indeed locked. All students and staff move to a designated section of the room, out of the view of the door windows, and remain quiet. Administration will verify that all procedures are followed. Dates of Lockdown Drill: 9/12 & 1/21
Secure Drill: This drill allows everyone inside the building to continue on as usual. No visitor entrance is allowed during this drill because all doors are locked including the front doors. This drill prepares our school in case of an outside, community emergency. Date of Lockout Drill: 11/4
Shelter in Place Drills: This drill allows us to practice in case of bad weather such as a tornado drill or an environmental hazard. Dates of Shelter in Place: 11/21 & 3/4
Upcoming GP Events
September & October School Calendar
Greens Prairie PTO
Making GP Even Better For Our Students - Volunteer!
Did you know that all parents/guardians are members of the GP PTO? There are many ways to help out at GP.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Watch D.O.G.S.
- Serve on the PTO Board
- Donate your time at a PTO event such as the GP Rodeo, Book Fair, STEM Night, Fine Arts Night
- Chaperone a field trip
- Host a student activity club for 2nd - 4th graders
- Help in the library
- Help in your child's classroom or grade level
Want to volunteer? Contact your child's teacher, the GP office, and/or our PTO board president, Veronica DiSalvo (pto.greensprairie@gmail.com).
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GP PTO Calendar of Events
Our GP PTO is busy getting ready for a great year! Check out all of the fun events that are scheduled this year!
Community News & Family Opportunities
Family Time
Want to find activities for your family to do in College Station? Check out the link for ideas. https://visit.cstx.gov/things-to-do/
College Station Nature Center Youth Programs
Explore the great outdoors with your family! Check out the link to find out more about College Station's nature programs. https://blog.cstx.gov/2023/08/30/kids-can-learn-about-the-wonders-of-the-great-outdoors-this-fall-at-the-halter-nature-center/
GP School Calendar
Check out our school calendar for upcoming events!
Greens Prairie Elementary
https://www.facebook.com/GreensPrairie/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/greensprairiemustangs/
Website:
Email: contact@gp.csisd.org
Website: https://gp.csisd.org/
Location: 4315 Greens Prairie Trail, College Station, TX, USA
Phone: (979)694-5870
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreensPrairie/
Twitter: @greensprairie