Principal's Newsletter

Hello Spicewood Families,

Thank you for a great week at Spicewood! In this newsletter you will find important information about upcoming events as well as information about some of our wonderful clubs that are sponsored by our PTA. Please make sure to read it all the way through!

There are 3 checkpoints each year where we assess all of our students in the areas of math and reading. We call these universal screeners. We are wrapping up those assessments and having data discussions with each grade level to ensure we are giving instruction where it is needed. Teachers will be sharing your child's individual score reports with you at our fall conferences on October 14th. We are currently using this data to support students through small group instruction that is built into the daily schedule. This year 3rd-5th grade students are using a different platform for these assessments which means the data and score reports will look different than in the past.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Melanie Solis

Principal

Spicewood Elementary

Upcoming Important Dates

Sept. 27th- Spicewood Carnival (flyer below)

Oct. 3rd- Student Holiday/Staff Development

Oct. 4th- Student/Staff Holiday

Oct. 6th-11th- Book Fair

Oct. 14th- Student Holiday/Parent Conferences

Oct. 16th- Westwood Homecoming Parade

Oct. 18th- Westwood Homecoming Game

Oct. 23rd- PTA General Mtg. 6:30-7:30

This week and next, each grade level team is getting a full day of IB PYP planning time with our IB PYP Coordinator, Ms. Nicole Cimo. We are so grateful for this time to pause, reflect, and plan forward. It’s a time to examine what is working, what is not. A time to visit other classrooms within our school. A time to determine the sequence and implementation of new curriculum, how to connect the content we’re teaching to our upcoming unit’s central idea and lines of inquiry, and design engaging learning experiences to support student growth and understanding.

This time is so valuable to teachers, since focused planning time is rare to come by during work hours. Again, we are thankful for IB PYP planning days. We always leave them feeling more caught up and excited to lead new learning experiences with our students. Our teachers are creative, hard working professionals who truly want to provide the best for Spicewood.

Hello Spicewood Families!

We are looking for parents and community members to sign up to help at our school Carnival on September 27th.

There are two ways to help! We need volunteers to donate 1 hour of time on the afternoon of the carnival to ensure we are able to make the event fun and memorable for everyone. Here is the link to sign up to help at the carnival.

We also need volunteers to send in sweet treats for the cake walk. This is one of our most popular attractions so we need lots of prizes for the kids (and adults too). Here is the link to sign up to bring a sweet treat for the cake walk.

It truly takes all of us to help make these events a success and our students love attending the Spicewood Carnival! There will be a PTA table set up at Parent Orientation

The countdown is on! Our Spicewood Carnival is next Friday September 27th! Get your tickets and be ready for family fun!

We are going BIG to celebrate our BIG MILESTONE - 50 YEARS of SPICEWOOD!

For BIG TIME FUN we are bringing the classic Spinning Tea Cup Ride and a Super Slide!!

Enjoy the sounds of our grand band, carnival games, cake walk, balloon artist, and classic carnival entertainment.

Here is the link to purchase your carnival tickets!

TICKETS $25) Kids 18 and under. Adults Free.

We are offering a 50/50 raffle again this year. Always a BIG hit. The winner takes home half the money raised of the total raffle ticket sales and the other half back to PTA programs.

Tickets will be sold at dismissal on the field on the following dates: 9/25, and 9/26 from 2:30-3:00!

We’re thrilled to announce a brand new tradition at Spicewood: the Panther Picnic! On this special day, students are invited to bring someone special to join them for a delightful lunch outside. Afterward, don’t forget to swing by our book fair inside—perfect for finding your next great read!

Tables will be set up out front, so come ready to relax and enjoy some quality time together. Be sure to RSVP here.

Let’s make memories at the Panther Picnic—can’t wait to see you all there!

If your child receives free or reduced lunch, the application is now open! Remember that a new application has to be filled out each year. Please visit this link to apply.

Meal prices have increased slightly for the upcoming school year.

Student breakfast- $1.50

Student lunch- $3.00

Did you know that parents can limit or restrict how much and when their child is able to purchase extras from the cafeteria? Visit this link to make those adjustments.

We often get questions about the difference between an excused absence and an unexcused absence. Here is information on how to determine which type of absence your child will receive.

Spicewood Families, please help me welcome one of our new to Spicewood teachers Lauren Veuthey. Mrs. Veuthey joins us most recently from Manor ISD. She has joined our 5th grade team this year. We are so glad to have you at Spicewood Mrs. Veuthey!

Alright, Spicewood - let's get ready for some football!

Our 3rd annual Spicewood Night Lights event kicks off with our in-school pep rally on Wednesday, October 9th, followed by our participation in the Westwood Homecoming parade on Wednesday, 10/16, and the football game on Friday, 10/18.

The Spicewood Spirit Committee will be selling this year's shirt in the Walker area, directly after dismissal, on the following days for $15 cash or card via Square payment -

Monday, September 23rd

Wednesday, September 25th

Monday, September 30th

Sizes are limited so be the first to grab your shirt and help cheer our very own Westwood Warriors - 'SKO WOOD!