Mrs. Garcia's Principal Notes

Wilshire Families,

On Monday, December 9, our NEISD Superintendent, Dr. Sean Maika, sent an email about a presentation given during the NEISD school board meeting which included recommendations from the Long-Range Efficiency Committee. For the 2025-2026 school year, Wilshire and two other NEISD schools have been identified to be consolidated into other campuses. You can watch the entire presentation by clicking here.

Our Wilshire community is invited to a meeting with Dr. Maika and other executive staff on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

Everyone is encouraged to submit your questions at neisd.net/campus-consolidation.

Sincerely,

Stacy Deming-Garcia

Wilshire Elementary

Principal

Our students are collecting coins as a service project in honor of our hard working custodial and cafeteria staff.

Please send in donations by Wednesday, December 18th.

Thank you!

• All classrooms will have a holiday party on Friday, December 20 at 1:30 PM.
• All students and staff are invited to wear pajamas on that day. Please no slippers.
• Please send in party donations as soon as possible so the main office team ensures delivery to classrooms in a timely manner.
• On the party day, all volunteers and visitors will need to sign in at the main office with valid ID. Please plan accordingly for arrival and signing in.

Thank you to our families for supporting your students with regular, daily attendance at school!

EVERY DAY COUNTS for our Wildcats!

During this holiday season, we would like to invite Wilshire students to participate in a special service project of collecting coins to benefit our custodians and cafeteria staff. Our support staff make certain that we are all taken care of throughout the school year. This coin collection is one way that we can show how much we appreciate their hard work every day.

Collection boxes will be available in each classroom.

Please turn in all donations by Wednesday, December 18th.

Our custodians and cafeteria staff will be presented with a special gift during the Wilshire Holiday Sing-along on Friday, December 20th.

Thank you for your participation,

Wilshire Elementary Leadership

• All classrooms will have a holiday party on Friday, December 20 at 1:30 PM.
• All students and staff are invited to wear pajamas on that day. Please no slippers.
• Teachers will be sending letters home with requests for party items. Please send in party donations as soon as possible so the main office team ensures delivery to classrooms in a timely manner.
• On the party day, all volunteers and visitors will need to sign in at the main office with valid ID. Please plan accordingly for arrival and signing in.

Please take a moment to submit a holiday message for your child's teacher or any other staff at Wilshire. Multiple forms may be submitted if you wish to write to different staff. Messages/responses will be distributed to teachers/staff before they leave for the Winter Break. Submissions due Wednesday Dec.18th at 2:45 PM.

Link: https://forms.gle/V4LGLUAzuNg38Tb29

Wilshire families are invited to a holiday potluck on Tuesday, December 3. Bring your favorite holiday dish to share.

Join us at 5 PM to 6 PM in the cafeteria share food and fellowship. Our cafeteria will be providing FREE beef and cheese nachos for all children between the ages of 2 and 18. Adults may purchase nachos for a small charge (cash only, please).

After a brief PTA presentation at 6 PM, enjoy a kinder, first grade, and choir holiday performance.

Create ornaments, write letters to Santa, and make special memories.

Wear pajamas or dress up for the evening!

Wilshire Wildcats strive for 5!

Attend school 5 days a week!

Don't miss more than 5 days all school year!

Wildcats know EVERY DAY COUNTS!

One security measure that is arguably the most important of them all is our doors. Locked doors and gates are the first line of defense at our school.

Wildcats are making sure to CLICK it CLOSED!

Please report safety concerns using our NEISD tipline.

Wilshire Families,

We would love to have you join us on Friday, November 22 as guest speaker! Come talk with our students about your job.

Click the picture to sign up as a guest speaker.

Families are invited to join us on Thursday, November 21 for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

Tickets are just $5.10 for each guest.

Click on the picture to see the flyer.

Please note lunchtimes for each class.

Deadline to purchase meal tickets is Thursday, November 14. Please send exact cash.

Many of our youngest students miss 10 percent of the school year - about 18 days a year or just two days every month.

Chronic absenteeism in kindergarten, and even Pre-K, can predict lower test scores, poor attendance, and retention in later grades, especially if the problem persists for more than a year.

Every Day Counts for Every Student in Every Grade!

Thank you for having your child at school ontime, everyday!

Families are invited to join us on Thursday, November 21 for our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.

Tickets are just $5.10 for each guest.

Click on the picture to see the flyer.

Please note lunchtimes for each class.

Order Online: https://inter-state.com/order

Use Order Code: 86816QD

All students received a printed report card on Friday, October 18.

Parents/Guardians are asked to review the report card with your child.

Please sign the report card envelope and return it to school on Monday, October 21. The printed report card is for your records.

Award ceremonies are scheduled for Wednesday, October 23.

Students with Perfect Attendance, Excellent Conduct, and all A's or all A's and B's will be recognized.

Please join us for your child's ceremony:

8:15 AM - Kinder and 1st Grade

9:00 AM - 2nd and 3rd Grades

9:45 AM - 4th and 5th Grades

How School Attendance Influences Student Success:

• Student attendance matters for academic performance.
• Poor attendance contributes to the achievement gap.
• Improving attendance is an essential strategy for reducing achievement gaps.
• When students reduce absences, they can make academic gains.
• Absenteeism in kindergarten can affect whether a child develops the grit and perseverance needed to succeed in school.
• Absenteeism in preschool and kindergarten can influence whether a child will be held back in third grade
• Absenteeism influences not just chances for graduating but also for completing college.

NEISD Community Education is offering Kids' Camps for Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Click on the picture to learn more.

Check out this Special Message on Attendance!

🎓 How attendance builds life skills

🎒 The impact of attendance on students

🤝 Supporting your child's success through attendance

If you have a child between 3-5 years old, who is not enrolled in school, please join us on Thursday, October 17 from 1:30 -2:30 p.m. for the H-E-B Read 3 Early Literacy Program. UTSA student teachers will read aloud engaging stories to your young child and provide a fun learning activity. The best part is that participants receive 2 free books to take home.

If you, your child, or your family is in need of support, please call or email our Family Specialist, Lisa De La Rosa.

Phone: 210-407-9438

Email: edelar4@neisd.net

Excellent attendance at school allows a child to have the best possible start in life.

There are lots of reasons why a child should attend school:

• To learn
• To build confidence and self-esteem
• To understand responsibility
• To develop new skills
• To grow as individuals
• To gain qualifications
• To make new friends, have fun and develop life skills
• To develop awareness of other cultures

Family Engagement creates and sustains partnerships with students, families, and the community to ensure high levels of learning for all.

NEISD Family Engagement Welcomes You!

ATTEND FREE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS/TRAININGS AT EVERY CAMPUS!

¡El Compromiso Familiar de NEISD le da la bienvenida! ¡Asista a talleres/capacitaciones educativos y gratuitas en cada escuela!

Family Engagement Catalog

Explore, Experiment, and Discover with the Roosevelt High School Science National Honor Society!

Families and children of all ages are invited to the Molly Pruitt Library at 5110 Walzem Road.

Upcoming dates:

Friday, October 18

Friday, November 1

Friday, November 18

Friday, December 13

6-7 PM

As we progress through the school year, it is important to emphasize the significance of regular attendance and punctuality for our students.

While we understand that health issues and unforeseen circumstances can arise, consistent attendance is crucial for student success. Research shows that students who attend school regularly tend to perform better academically, develop strong social skills, and maintain positive relationships with peers and teachers.

Specifically, data indicates that:

• Academic Performance: Students who miss just 10% of the school year—approximately 18 days—are 3 times more likely to fail in reading and math assessments than their peers who attend regularly.
• Long-term Impact: Chronic absenteeism in elementary school (missing 15 or more days per year) is linked to a 50% higher likelihood of dropping out of high school.
• Social Skills: Children who are frequently absent struggle more with peer relationships, resulting in a 30% higher chance of experiencing social difficulties.

When students miss school, they miss valuable instruction and experiences that contribute to their overall learning. Additionally, frequent absences can lead to academic challenges that may be difficult to overcome later on.

We encourage you to prioritize your child's attendance and to communicate with us regarding any challenges that may affect their ability to be present. If you need support, please reach out to our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Gallion, or our Family Specialist, Mrs. De La Rosa, at 210-407-9400. We are here to help!

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Let’s continue to foster an environment where our students can thrive!

More information such as below can be found at: https://www.attendanceworks.org/

As we enter October, we want to highlight that this month is Dyslexia Awareness Month. As parents and educators, it is crucial that we recognize the challenges faced by students with dyslexia and work to create a supportive and understanding learning environment. This month provides us with a valuable opportunity to raise awareness within our school communities and promote strategies that can help our students thrive.

Families are invited to a Dyslexia Awareness Event on Tuesday, October 29 from 5-6 PM in the Camelot Elementary Cafeteria.

Access the following resources to learn more about the characteristics of dyslexia:

• What is dyslexia? Ted-Ed Video
• ESC 20 Dyslexia Page
• Dyslexia Handbook 2024

Join us on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 8:30 AM for a visit with the Principal!

• Hear what is new at Wilshire!
• Learn about upcoming events!
• Find out how you can support your student and our school!

Roosevelt High School is excited to offer a special deal for the upcoming football game! Any student who comes to the game wearing their "school shirt" will get in FREE!

Please note that parents will still need to purchase their tickets.

Parents who are interested in checking out books from the Wilshire library are invited to stop by the library after school until 3:30 PM on any day except Wednesdays to set up access. Please bring your photo ID to register.

Please click the links for addition information.

• Student Program Rules Packet English | Spanish
• Student Entry Form English | Spanish

Join our Wilshire PTA so your family can participate!

Use this link to become a Wilshire PTA member or contact our board members at wilshirepta6523@gmail.com.

All submissions are due by Friday, November 1, 2024.

We are thrilled to announce that early giving for the Big Give has begun! Can't wait to make a difference for our Wilshire safety patrols? Donate today for the Big Give! If you want to wait until the big day, no problem! The Big Give runs for 24 hours, starting at 6 PM on September 18th and ending at 6 PM on September 19th.

Tutoring for students in grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 will begin on Tuesday, September 17. Tutoring for second graders will be begin on Tuesday, September 24. After school tutoring times are 2:45 PM to 3:45 PM. Students who participate in tutoring will receive a free snack from 2:45 PM to 3:00 PM.

See below for some great learning opportunities available at our local public library!

Tobin Branch Library

4134 Harry Wurzbach

San Antonio, TX 78209

210-207-9040

Please join us in the Wilshire front parking lot on Friday, September 27 at 9:00 AM for our annual bike rodeo. We are excited to have SAPD and our Wilshire PTA supporting this fun event for our students!

This is a reminder that students will be dismissed at 12:30 PM this week on both Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12 to provide time for parent teacher conferences.

Our goal is for all parents/guardians to participate in a face-to-face conference with your child's teacher.

Parent Teacher Conferences are IMPORTANT for the following reasons:

1. Understanding the child’s strengths and areas for growth.

2. Building a positive relationship between families and teachers.

3. Encouraging parent involvement in your child's education.

4. Addressing concerns and issues about your child's academic and social performance.

5. Developing a plan for academic success.

If you have any questions about scheduling, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Join our Family Specialist, Mrs. De La Rosa and other parents to get healthy and walk away stress!

You are invited to the upcoming Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented parent webinar, Balancing Brilliance: Nurturing Executive Function and Mental Health in Gifted Kids, on September 10, 2024, at 6:30 PM CST! This webinar will be presented in both English and Spanish.

Being the parent of a gifted child comes with its own set of unique challenges. Gifted children often possess incredible intellect and potential but sometimes struggle with their executive function skills - the ability to plan, organize, manage time, and complete tasks effectively. Understanding and nurturing these essential skills is crucial not only for unlocking their full potential and setting them up for success but also for ensuring mental health and well-being.

Learn more and RSVP here: https://buff.ly/3ZFwXUh

We are so happy you have chosen Wilshire Elementary to educate your child. Consistent daily attendance at school will help your child grow and be successful because at Wilshire! EVERY DAY counts!

Individual Pictures will be taken of all students on Monday, September 23.

Grandparents and families are invited to an evening of fun games and important information! Learn about our Wilshire Attendance Program, our Gifted and Talented Program, and how our Wilshire PTA supports our school! Play engaging games which can support your child's learning!

Join PTA during the event for just $7.00 and receive a slice of pizza with a drink combo! All PTA members can enjoy additional pizza and drink combos for just $3.00 (while supplies last)!

Join our GT Teacher, Ms. McMillen, on Tuesday, September 3 at 6:00 PM for a brief presentation about our GT program!

Big Kahuna Paper Orders are Due on Friday, September 6.

Big Kahuna Online Orders are Due on Friday, September 13.

Thank you for supporting our school fundraiser!

Scan the QR code for more information.

When children are not ill, it is extremely important to be on time and present each school day. Here's why:

• Starting in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10% (about 2 days a month over the course of the school year) can make it hard for your child to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if the miss just 1 or 2 days every few weeks.
• Being late to school can lead to poor attendance.
• Absences and tardiness can impact the whole class when the teacher has to slow down learning to help students catch up.

Our campus attendance goal is 95%!

This week our attendance rate was 94.9%.

Join us in celebrating the importance of consistent attendance at school during our Attendance Awareness Week from Monday, September 16 through Friday, September 20!

EVERY DAY COUNTS!

We are seeking your assistance to meet our attendance goal this year! Always remember ATTENDANCE matters here at Wilshire Elementary. We finished out Week 2 with 95% attendance!

This year our students will be participating in "Strive for 5!" We are encouraging students to miss no more than 5 days this school year!

Here are some reminders about our procedures for attendance and tardies:

• Breakfast Service: Breakfast is available to all students at no cost from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.
• Classroom Access: Students are walked to the classrooms starting at 7:25 a.m. each day.
• Tardy Policy: Students are marked tardy if they arrive after 7:30 a.m. If students arrive late, parents are required to escort their child to the main office to sign them in, with identification required.
• Morning Announcements: The instructional day begins at 7:30 a.m. with our morning announcements.
• Student Drop Off Locations: PK students should be dropped off at the Timberlane entrance prior to 7:30 a.m. Students in grades K-5 are dropped off at the main entrance on Cascade Place. All students arriving after 7:30 a.m. should be escorted into the building through the main entrance on Cascade Place. Please use the crosswalk in the morning at drop-off.
• Absences: If your child is absent, the office requires a doctor’s note or written note when your child returns to school in order to excuse the absence. Notes are needed in all instances, even if you have called the office to report the absence.
  

Thank you for supporting your child's attendance! We are Wilshire Wildcats and we can do it! Remember that EVERYDAY COUNTS!

The path to success begins in elementary school. We want to encourage our Wildcats to set goals and having a vision for the future. Our monthly College and Career Awareness Day is one way we support conversations about career and college dreams.

All students and staff are invited to wear a college shirt or dress for the career they want in the future.

Grandparents and families are invited to join us on Tuesday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. for a fun evening of games and important information about our school. We hope you will join us!

Click the newsletter to see important information from Ms. Rodriguez.

Wednesday, September 4 we are inviting all parents to come to our Family Engagement Leadership Academy Orientation from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Room 1.

We have a super exciting year planned with lots of fun trainings. See some of the family learning opportunities pictured below.

DEIC District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC)

What is the District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC)?

NEISD believes in a collaborative approach in making districtwide decisions. Through our partnership with our District Educational Improvement Council (DEIC), we review the district’s educational goals annually and develop intentional plans to support districtwide classroom instructional programs.

DEIC members include campus based professional staff, District-level professional staff, parents, business leaders and community members. The DEIC meets a minimum of four times per year.

If you are interested in applying or would like to nominate a parent in your cluster to DEIC, please complete the DEIC Parent Nomination form and return it to your campus principal by Friday, September 6, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Consejo Distrital de Mejoramiento Educativo (DEIC)

¿Qué es el Consejo Distrital de Mejoramiento Educativo (DEIC)?

NEISD cree en un enfoque de colaboración para tomar decisiones en todo el distrito. A través de nuestra asociación con nuestro Consejo de Mejoramiento Educativo del Distrito (DEIC), revisamos las metas educativas del distrito anualmente y desarrollamos planes intencionales para apoyar los programas de instrucción en las aulas de todo el distrito.

Los miembros de DEIC incluyen personal profesional del campus, personal profesional a nivel del Distrito, padres, líderes empresariales y miembros de la comunidad. El DEIC se reúne un mínimo de cuatro veces al año.

Si está interesado en presentar una solicitud o le gustaría nominar a un padre en su grupo para DEIC, complete el formulario de Nominación de padres de DEIC y devuélvalo al director de su escuela antes del viernes 6 de septiembre de 2024 a las 4 p.m.

Campus Improvement Committee:

We Want You!

Join the Campus Improvement Committee (CIC)

What is a Campus Improvement Committee (CIC)?

The Campus Improvement Committee (CIC) is established to assist the principal and instructional leadership teams by implementing planning processes and site-based decision-making following Board policy and administrative procedures.

CIC meets a minimum of three times per calendar year. Additional meetings may be scheduled at the discretion of the campus principal.

Please complete the CIC Parent Nomination form by Friday, September 6, 2024.

¡Te queremos con nosotros!

Únete al Comité de Mejora del Campus (CIC)

¿Qué es un Comité de Mejoramiento del Campus (CIC)?

El Comité de Mejoramiento del Campus (CIC) se establece para ayudar al director y a los equipos de liderazgo instructivo mediante la implementación de procesos de planificación y la toma de decisiones en el sitio siguiendo la política y los procedimientos administrativos de la Junta.

CIC se reúne un mínimo de tres veces por año calendario. Se pueden programar reuniones adicionales a discreción del director del campus.

Complete el formulario de nominación de padres de CIC antes del viernes 6 de septiembre de 2024.

If you have not already done so, please return the following items which were included in the Back to School Folders distributed during Meet the Teacher:

• School-Family Compact
• Attendance Policy
• Back to School Checklist

Wildcats wear red on Friday!

Don't miss out on ordering our spirit shirt for this year!

The deadline for orders has been extended to this Friday, August 23.

Use this link to download a copy of the order form.

Please make payment for shirts with cash delivered to the main office or with a credit card through SchoolCash Online.

Sign up for SchoolCash Online Information

Sign up for SchoolCash Online Information (Spanish)

1. Read the PTA Welcome Back Letter

2. Attend the Back to School Dance of Friday, August 23.

3. Join our PTA at https://www.joinpta.org/ Remember students, family members, and friends are eligible to join as well.

4. Attend the first PTA meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 3 at 6:00 PM in the Wilshire cafeteria.

Check out our events for the month of August.

Our school fundraiser started on Wednesday, August 14 and we would greatly appreciate your support!

Complete the student registration to participate. Go to BigKahunaPrime.net and enter our Wilshire Campaign ID number 17983.

Brochure Order Forms are due back to school on Friday, September 6.

Online Sales Website closes at midnight on Friday, September 13.

Products and prizes will be delivered 3-5 weeks after the sale ends.

If you have questions, please contact the Wilshire office or email our local representative at biz@bigkahunafun.com.

Thank you again for your participation and support!

While many are familiar with state standardized academic based assessments (like the STAAR test), we use other assessments to guide our planning of student instruction. NEISD administers the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Growth assessment to all elementary students 3 times a year. This is a progress assessment that allows us to monitor individual student growth in reading and math. There are no right or wrong answers for these assessments. Instead, MAP Growth is designed to determine individual learning readiness for specific standards. All Wilshire students K-5 will be assessed over the next few weeks beginning Monday, August 26. Results will be reviewed at parent conferences in September. Click on the link for additional information about MAP Growth.

Please mark your calendar for these important upcoming events in September

• Labor Day Student and Staff Holiday - Monday, September 2
• PTA Meeting and Family Engagement Night - Tuesday, September 3
• Fall Parent Teacher Conferences and Early Dismissal - Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12
• Fall Picture Day - Monday, September 23

WE ensure high levels of social, emotional, and academic growth and learning for everyone.