Ferguson PTO Weekly Newsletter

Friday, August 30, 2024

Firefly Families,

This week, we had the opportunity to show off our beautiful campus and express our support for our Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith, by proudly wearing his signature, bow ties. Ms. Nelson, our super talented art teacher, showcased a stunning display of artwork crafted by our amazing students. You can see some highlights here and here.

Today we inducted 49 new members to the National Elementary Honor Society. While we had a group of NEHS members last year, this was the first NEHS induction ceremony held at Alyssa Ferguson Elementary. The cafeteria was filled with proud parents, teachers and students who gathered to witness this special occasion. The four pillars of the Honor Society were explained, reminding everyone of the significance of the achievements being recognized. Today marked a milestone in the lives of our students. We are confident that they will continue to shine brightly as they take on new challenges and responsibilities.

Every day is a new day to write our story at Alyssa Ferguson Elementary. The highlights above capture just a small glimpse of the extraordinary activities that take place in our building on a daily basis. Together, we are the authors of our story and we have the privilege of showing the District, our community and beyond how BRIGHTLY we SHINE.

To make our story a success, we need each other. Our school’s strength comes from Alyssa legacy and the positive energy, support and encouragement we give one another. It’s through our collective efforts—whether in the classroom, at home or in the broader community—that we can truly make a difference. Join us in highlighting greatness that happens every day in our school. By sharing the positive things we do, celebrating our successes and spreading kindness, we can create a narrative that reflects the true spirit of our Namesake and of our school.

When share the bright moments, we exemplify the power of positivity and collaboration. It is these moments that define who we are and how we SHINE as a school community.

Continue to shine bright, Fireflies!

Filled with Firefly Pride,

Carla

• Arrival/Dismissal - additional notes
• Standard Response Protocol
• Blackboard Connect
• MAP Growth test from NWEA
• Scholastic School Fair Info
• Family Literacy Program
• Fall Pictures
• Lunch Visitors Now Welcome
• Auction Parties
• Alyssa Ferguson Display
• Fall Open House - Updated Session times
• Perfect Attendance Pizza Party
• Stay Connected with PTO

Arrival Procedures

During arrival, cars will be able to temporarily stop around the front drive (yellow tags) and bus ramp drive (blue tags). We will place colored cones to indicate where the front of your car should stop. If you are the first car, we ask that you pull ALL the way up.

• Students can begin arriving at school no earlier than 7:30 a.m. Please do not drop them off before 7:30 a.m. as there is no adult supervision on duty.
• In order to maximize instructional time, students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:30 a.m. and go straight to their designated grade-level hallway. Students will engage in SSR (sustained silent reading) in the mornings before entering the classroom. Please make sure your students come prepared with a book to read. Students will enter their classrooms at 7:55 a.m. To facilitate a smooth start to their day, we would like all students to be in the classroom by 8:00 am.
• If your Firefly will be eating breakfast in the cafeteria, please have them arrive before 7:50 a.m. Students will not be allowed to enter the breakfast line after 7:50 a.m.

Dismissal Procedures

EVERY student at Alyssa Ferguson Elementary will be provided with a yellow or blue paper dismissal tag and a dismissal number (2 per student). Dismissal tags will be available when you enter the homeroom classroom for your Firefly during Meet the Teacher. The purpose of this tag is to expedite dismissal procedures.

***Please Note - Parents should not be dropping students via car at the side door on the Sienna Oaks side. All students coming in the morning via car need to enter through the front doors.

Dismissal changes- please make sure that you are communicating with Ms. Whitley, amber.whitley@fortbendisd.gov. ALL dismissal changes should go through her.

In my beginning of the year communication with our Firefly families, I shared the document below. It is a good time for us to follow up and remind our families of the drills we practice and the language that is used. FBISD uses the Standard Response Protocol for all our drills. These are also the steps that are carried out during emergencies. We trained, practiced and drilled each protocol within the first 10 days of the school year. We also practice them at various times throughout the year. All our drills are announced ahead of time on the intercom system so that students know it is a drill and not a real emergency.

Know that all of our external campus doors are locked at all times and should never be propped.

Our primary responsibility each day is the safety of our students. As a reminder, we have a security guard on our campus during the times students are present. We also have the support of our FBISD police and local law enforcement.

I communicated to families this week, that our campus had to go into a secure due to suspicious activity that occurred in our parking lot. Once the incident was reported everyone took quick action and followed what we practiced. In these moments, the safety of students is our priority. Once we gather enough information to share, we will disseminate it as quick as possible.

It is a collected effort from our staff, students, families and community to work together to support the safety of the campus.

We use the District’s Blackboard system to send emergency information, attendance and general information. Parents have an opportunity to opt to receive these emails, phone calls and text messages through the system.

Parents listed as Guardian 1 in Family Access will be the primary contact in the system. Only the primary contact will be allowed to add contacts in the system. Primary guardians in separate households will both have the ability to add contacts.

Please review the attached document and information about Blackboard from the District’s website. https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/107105

In the upcoming weeks, your child will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on campus. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.

MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey— regardless of whether they are on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy forteachers to identify students with similar scores in similar skills and topics and then plan instruction accordingly.

MAP Growth reports also provide typical growth data for students in the same grade and subject with the same starting performance level. Each year, students in grades Kindergarten-5th grade will take the tests in math and reading. Third-fifth grade students will take the science assessment, as well.

We are truly excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/familytoolkit.

Check out the this month's Library Newsletter! Inside you'll meet our new librarian, Erin Milton, and find more library news and events! Be sure to click on the flyer to open the different links!

We are excited about reading at Alyssa Ferguson Elementary! During reading instruction, teachers and students are working to create communities of learners where reading and thinking about reading is happening each day. Classrooms in our school are filled with books, and your child has opportunities to explore these books to deepen their knowledge of the world around them.

To support your child's reading at home, students will participate in "Together We Read". Your student will bring home books from school to read and discuss with you at home. Typically, these are books that they have read and discussed with their teacher in small group., and not books that have been checked out from the Alyssa Ferguson campus library.

We encourage you to engage in conversation with your child about the book(s) they are reading and read these books nightly.

Please take a moment to read the statements below. If you have more than one student in Kindergarten-5th grade, please fill out one form per child by Friday, August 30th.

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

https://forms.office.com/r/Qf9qiHZKpE

Look out for Fall Pictures Form coming home soon!

Picture Day is Monday, September 16th.

To pay online, go to www.strawbridge.net

School Code: FM439510

The online referral window will be available beginning August 8, 2024, on the GT Home Page.

To submit a referral, the parent/guardian must use the online referral app. Use this link to access the GT Online Referral App. https://gt.fortbendisd.com/

Referrals must be submitted online by the September 30, 2024 deadline. Exceptions will not be made.

Parent/guardian must consent to have the student tested if a staff member referred the student (parent/guardian will be contacted by the campus GT Counselor).

Help keep our Fireflies safe!

We are in need of a dedicated crossing guard for Alyssa Ferguson Elementary to assist our students during arrival and dismissal. If you're available and would like to support our school community, please consider applying for this important role.

Check out the flyer for more details on how you can get involved!

We welcome our families to come enjoy lunch with his/her Firefly!

• Guests will sit at the designated guest tables with the student they are visiting.

• Guests will only be allowed to eat with their Firefly when visiting for lunch.

• Guests will only be able to eat with their Firefly on designated days beginning September 3rd, 2024.

• Guests will be invited to exit the cafeteria during the start of the 5-minute quiet SEL moment.

Our Auction Parties have begun! This week our 2nd grade students and SpEd students got to stay after school for an extra special treat with their teachers!

Visit our school to see the lovely exhibit honoring our school's namesake, Alyssa Janae Ferguson. Thank you to our Cultural Displays Committee for creating this beautiful tribute to her.

Mark your calendars for all of our PTO events and activities!

Please note: dates are subject to change and we will notify you as soon as possible.

Volunteer sign ups can be found on Konstella. We will be adding more as events approach.

https://www.konstella.com/cd/WA8X61

Fall Open House is on Thursday, September 12, 2024! Be on the lookout for more information coming soon!

Each month we are rewarding the classroom that has the highest overall attendance percentage for the month with a PIZZA PARTY!

A HUGE shout out the Center Court Pizza for sponsoring a delicious reward to our Fireflies!

There are many ways to get involved with Alyssa Ferguson Elementary PTO, from volunteering and donating to attending our events and spreading the word. Visit fepto.org/volunteer to learn more.

Firefly Wishes are birthday messages displayed on the school marquee and mentioned in the weekly Fireflyer newsletter. Click on the graphic below for more information.

**Please submit your request at least 10 days week prior to your desired publishing date. We will not be able to enter late submissions into the system. Firefly wishes are $12 plus a $.59 processing fee. Availability is based on a first come, first serve basis. Firefly wishes can be purchased through Konstella under the "sales" link. When you are on the home feed, click "more", and "sales".

Click on the logos below to check us out on our websites and social media.

President: Stephanie Titas

Vice President: April Royston

Secretary: Whitney Johnson

Treasurer: Kiran Agarwal

Parliamentarian: Megan Allshouse

2024 -2025 Meeting Dates

The PTO Board meets monthly at the dates and times listed below. Meetings at 12 pm will be held in person in the Extended Day Room. Meetings held at 7 pm will be on Google Meet.

Everyone is welcome and invited to join us. It is a great opportunity to hear what the PTO is doing and share ideas with us. The PTO Board will convene on the following dates: