November 29, 2023

Retake Picture Day is 12/05/2023! If you're satisfied with your child's picture, no further action is required.

***Free dress only applies to students retaking their picture.*** Students are required to be in dress code.

If you purchased and were unhappy with your Picture Package, please send your Picture Package to school with your student on Retake Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook.

Students who were absent for Picture Day should come to school prepared to have their picture taken. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 78754FF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.

Find answers to Retake Day questions here.

The district has just made a change to the way that parents request GT testing for students. Going forward, parents will need to click this link and input all fields to ensure that their child is tested for the Gifted and Talented program.

HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/MT6VDW8B

If you have already completed the parent request process, you will need to click the link and resubmit your request. I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause. The GT department was just notified about this change. The rationale for the change is that the new link will centralize the information and enable better overall data for the district.

Please click the link and request testing as soon as possible! The testing is lengthy – several hours overall - and students have better chances of success if they test over multiple days. Delaying your request for testing will have a domino effect. It will cause late ordering and thus late administration of the tests and greatly reduce the time we are able to administer it and remain in compliance with testing windows.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this new system and information.

The building opens at 7:00 a.m. Any student who arrives after 7:35 a.m. are considered tardy. Attendance is taken every day at 9:00 a.m. If a student is not in class at that time, then the student is marked absent. A student arriving at 9:01 a.m. or later is considered absent for the day. If a student is at school and then the parent picks up their child(ren) after 9:01 a.m., then the child is counted as present for the day. If you're leaving to catch a flight or get on the road later in the morning or in the early afternoon, still have your child come to school for at least part of the day. Your child will have at least some instructional time that time.

Healthy students must come to school and arrive before 7:35 a.m. Students who are sick must stay at home and get well.

The estimated funding lost due to student absences is $38,401.45 so far.

If your child is healthy, then your child must be at school. If your child is sick, has a fever at or above 100, or is vomiting or other intestinal issues, then your child must be at home. Please send your child to school with a note to excuse the absence for illness.

There are days built into the calendar along with a long summer break for family time and trips. We encourage you to plan your family time around designated district holidays and breaks. Click on the following link to review the district calendar: https://tinyurl.com/34vb2npe

Remember to complete the yellow sheet called Report an Absence that we sent out last week to notify the school in advance of your child's absence.

Carpool

The carpool lane is the safe location for morning arrival drop offs. The bus lane is not to be used for morning or afternoon drop offs, unless you have a special bus lane car tag. Certain families have a pass to drop off in the bus lane due to being a member of the Safety Patrol or a student in a special self-contained class. If you do not have this special pass, then you must use the carpool lane for arrival and dismissal.

The carpool lane is monitored each morning and if it is moving slowly or weather is causing a slowdown, then the carpool lane entrance doors are kept open and students in the carpool lane drop off are not considered tardy. The carpool lane entrance doors are closed when the line is empty, and carpool students will be considered tardy after that time and need to enter the building via the front door. Students dropped off in the bus lane and walkers entering through the front door at 7:40 a.m. or later are considered tardy.

Parking

Please note that the staff parking lot and bus lane is not a parking space to drop off or pick up your children during arrival and dismissal. You may use the carpool lane or safely park in the surrounding streets if you wish to park your car. When picking up your child(ren) please use the crosswalks and refrain from cutting through the bus driveway.

During arrival and dismissal time, we have noticed multiple families crossing the street illegally without using the crosswalk. You can get a fine up to $1000 for Jaywalking. CLICK HERE to learn more about Jaywalking.

We need volunteers to help supervise and assist students at lunch in the cafeteria on Fridays.

We also need volunteers to help supervise students safety during recess time at the big playground area only everyday during the following slots:

• Slot 1: 10:10 am – 10:55 am (2 volunteers needed)

• Slot 2: 11:10 am – 12:00 pm (2 volunteers needed)

• Slot 3: 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm (2 volunteers needed)
• Slot 4: 12:50 pm – 1:25 pm (2 volunteers needed)

Only the parent (no siblings) may take part in the supervision. Please be mindful that this is an active volunteer opportunity to spread love to all children and not a time to enjoy lunch or recess with your own kiddo.

Parents must complete the following three steps before volunteering:

Step 1: Click Here to register online to get VIPS approved each year.

Step 2: Click Here to sign up to volunteer for the Cafeteria.

Click here to sign up to volunteer for Recess.

Once you're VIPS approved. Please note that this is not just a one-time commitment, but rather we need consistent volunteers showing up on a regular basis at lunch time and recess.

Step 3: Click Here to watch the quick training video before volunteering in the cafeteria.

Click Here to watch the quick training video before volunteering at recess.

Step 4: Bring your driver's license to sign in when you enter the building. Also, be prepared to show a copy of the certificate/email that shows that you're VIPS-approved at your first time volunteering.

We look forward to having cafeteria volunteers at lunch time and during recess!

Now that cooler weather is finally in Houston, students need to continue to follow our dress code guidelines. Please review the highlights shown below from our Dress Code in the Bush Uniform Policy.

All items worn in the building must follow our dress code colors stated in our dress code policy.

Sweaters

Solid colored sweaters

Solid Khaki, navy, red, white

Solid colors with no embroidery.

Jackets worn in the classroom

Jacket, sweater, or sweatshirts

Solid red, white, or navy

Official Bush logo fleece jackets are permitted.

Tights, leggings, and Pants

Tights, leggings, pants worn under skirts, shorts, or jumpers

Solid red, white, navy, blue denim or khaki

Leggings are permitted only under skirts, shorts, or jumpers, and cannot be worn by themselves as pants.

Here are a few more reminders:

● Only solid red, white, or navy long sleeved shirts will be permitted under uniform tops on cold days.

● Sweatpants, athletic pants, athleisure pants are not part of dress code even if they are following our dress code colors.

● Only plain headbands or headbands with bows are allowed.

The school will communicate with you via TalkingPoints. TalkingPoints is an education technology nonprofit with a mission to drive student success by using accessible technology to unlock the potential of family engagement in children’s education. The multilingual technology platform connects and empowers families and teachers by using human and AI-powered, two-way translated communication and personalized content. This unique approach eliminates barriers including language, time, mindsets, and capacity to foster strong family engagement in development of students’ academic success. Click Here to learn more about the TalkingPoints platform.

Quinn's Social Emotional Learning Corner - November 29, 2023

Welcome back to our SEL Corner discussions! Before the break, we discussed how to spot overthinking. Today, we’ll discuss how to support a child struggling with it. Once you are aware, you should ask your child if they are stressed. Then, you can teach them ways to stay in the moment, like asking them about their current senses. (e.g.: 5 things they see, 4 things they feel, 3 things they hear, 2 things they smell, and 1 thing they taste.)

You can also show them how to develop a growth mindset. For instance, you can practice self-affirmations or teach them the power of the word ‘yet’. Adding the word ‘yet’ can change the spirit of a sentence. If your child says, “I can’t do the splits.” Then, you can say, ‘You can’t do the splits YET’, which changes the perspective from a negative fixed mindset to a positive growth mindset. Remember, this will take time, effort, and commitment from both sides (parent/child). If your child is resistant to the mindset change, slow down and make sure you are calm before you help them. I will see you next week.

SEL Activity Recommendation: Stay in the moment by using the Senses Technique. Take a deep breath and name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.

Cooler temperatures are slowly making their way to Houston! We have many jackets in our lost and found waiting to be picked up by their rightful owners. Parents, please label your child/children's jackets/winter clothing so that we can return their lost jackets to their classrooms. Also, please remember that in school, students need to have dress code jackets in solid red, white or navy. Their outside jackets worn for recess do not need to be in dress code colors, they can be any color.

Parents are welcomed to go through the items in our Lost and Found every Wednesday from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Please have a valid form of identification to enter the building.

All adults entering the buildings MUST show a government issued photo identification at the front office every time you enter the building.

If you are coming into the school to volunteer and/or attend field trips. then you must be VIPS approved.

Ms. Hoang would like to wish a very special birthday to:

Andrew P. who turned 11 years old on November 29 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Larson's class.

Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!

Starting Wednesday, we will announce all student's names on the morning announcements for their birthday. However, if you Join the Birthday Book Club, it will make your child’s day extra special! Your child will have their name printed in the Paw Prints newsletter, choose a book to donate in their name for the school library with a framed group photo posted outside the library AND have their name on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday (if option selected). See www.BBEpto.com for details.

Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates @bbep

FRIDAY- 6:45 am

Rain date: Friday, December 8

Bobcat families are invited to meet at 6:45am on Friday, December 1st for a walk around the BBE track. This is a wonderful opportunity to get our bodies moving and engage as a school community before the school day begins! Bundle up and we hope to see you there!

In the case of rain, we will notify you via email and the event will be postponed to December 8 at 6:45 am.

Students must attend with an adult.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Friday, December 1, 4:30 pm

In the case of rain, this event will be canceled

RAY MILLER PARK

1800 Eldridge Pkwy

Join us every first Friday of the month for some casual fun and activities at Ray Miller Park! Bring your own snacks and drinks or just come to play and socialize. This event is 100% free, and it is meant to help us build community! Wear a BBE Spirit Shirt so we can recognize each other!

December 1st - Make Fake Snow

Due to Winter Break, there will be no event in January. See you again on February 2, hopefully at Briar Hills Playground!

Friday, students will be able to shop with cash at the Bobcat Bazaar (formerly School Store On-the-Go) on Fridays. This week will be grades PK- 2nd. Please check the BBE PTO calendar for specific dates and times for each grade level and important information and reminders.

Email Amy Gnau at mybushstore@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you to the supporters of the 2023-2024 Bobcat Boosters Campaign!

There is no “I” in Team but there is a “u” in volunteer!

Managing the finances of the PTO board is a big job, but having a supportive team makes it so much easier. In addition, our PTO board is a wonderful group of individuals who work together in a collaborative environment to accomplish exceptional goals for our school community. We have 2 amazing treasurers on our PTO board currently. We are in need of 1 more volunteer to round out our treasury team. You don’t have to have experience in finance or banking, but you must like working with numbers. The treasurer is a voting member of the PTO board. If you are interested in learning about this opportunity, please reach out to Michelle Jackson (presidentbbepto@gmail.com).

You can access it by clicking on the button below.

Wrap Around Specialist

Maria Quevedo

maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

Registrar

Adriana Rosales

arosale3@houstonisd.org

Administrative Assistant

Zonia Flores

zonia.flores@houstonisd.org