
Parent Monthly Newsletter
April
MacArthur Elementary Mission
The mission at MacArthur Elementary is to provide students with opportunities to perform and excel at their maximum potential by implementing an effective curriculum in a safe environment where each child is treated with love and respect.
MacArthur Elementary Vision
Create a school highly regarded for its academic excellence and for contributions to actively serving and improving our community.
From Dr. Hernandez
Happy April MAC Families!
We are down to the last 2 months of this school year. It has been so great seeing you all during our campus events that have been taking place. We will be hosting our monthly Principal and parents event this Friday, April 5th from 8:30-9:30am. It is not too late to rsvp, please use the link below. This month our speakers will be presenting on College and Career Readiness.
We also wanted to include a few standing reminders:
-Morning drop off doors close at 7:35am. After 7:35am students are considered tardy and must be dropped off at the front office by a parent/guardian.
-We have a district clear bag policy that is enforced daily and at all campus activities.
-If you would like us to add anything to our monthly newsletters please let us know using the button below.
- Please be sure your child is following school dress code, unless participating in campus dress up days.
Also, please be on the look out for progress reports to be posted on April 25th. Please take some time to review your child's grades online and set up parent conferences as needed. If you need assistance logging in to view your child's grade please call us. Our goal is to ensure all of our students are successful. Our STAAR state assessments are around the corner beginning April 16th (Reading), April 18th (Science), and April 24th (Math). Please be sure your child is here daily to properly prepare for all upcoming state assessments. Thank you again for all you do and we look forward to completing this school year strong together.
Celebrating our Amazing Staff!
Mrs. Garcia, Rookie Teacher of the Year
Ms. Gonzales, Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Gutierrez, Paraprofessional of the Year
Student Lunches
This semester parents/guardians will be allowed to attend your child's lunch. Please be on the lookout for specific dates and information as to what this will look like. A letter will be send home along with lunch times as well as dates.
April 29th- Parents invited PreK & 3rd grade lunches
April 30th- Parents invited to 2nd & 5th grade lunches
May 1st- Parents invited to 1st & 4th grade lunches
May 2nd- Parents invited to Kinder lunches
Attendance Matters
Parents,
Please read a few reminders in regards to attendance below:
-If students arrive past 7:35 am you must walk them into the building. Please do not drop them off and leave, they must be checked in by an adult.
-If your child was absent please be sure to turn in your excuse within 3 days of the child's absence.
Attendance is important and it takes us all working together. Remember, a missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn.
**Get ready to begin renewing your transfer paperwork. Letters coming soon.
We have started a weekly grade level competition for the grade level with the highest attendance percentages. The grade level with the most weekly wins will earn a prize at the end of the 4th week. Below are our current grade level winners:
Week 1: 5th grade
Week 2: 5th grade
Week 3: 3rd grade
Week 4: 5th grade
Winner of 1st celebration- 5th grade
Round 2
Week 1: 2nd grade
Week 2: 1st grade
April Events
April 1st- District Holiday
April 2nd- Professional Development Day/Student Holiday
April 5th- Making Connections Field Trip 2nd/3rd grade
April 9th- School Board Meeting @admin building
April 15th- PK Field Trip
April 16th- RELA 3rd-5th STAAR
April 18th- 5th Science STAAR
April 24th- Math 3rd-5th STAAR
April 26th- PD Day/Student Holiday
April 29th- Parents invited PreK & 3rd grade lunches
- 5th grade Field Trip
April 30th- Parents invited to 2nd & 5th grade lunches
May 1st- Parents invited to 1st & 4th grade lunches
May 2nd- Parents invited to Kinder lunches
Message from Mrs. Kelley, Counselor
Hello! I'm Mrs. Kelley, your child's school counselor. I received my bachelor's degree at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and was a 2nd-5th grade Teacher for 11 years. In 2023, I began my counseling here at MacArthur Elementary after graduating from the University of St. Thomas in 2019. My goal is to nurture, educate, encourage, and provide resources that students need to be productive citizens of the Galena Park community.
Throughout the school year, students will discuss and learn about these character traits: Citizenship & School Pride, Tolerance & Compassion, Fairness, Honesty & Integrity, Perseverance & Courage, Responsibility, Respect, Courtesy, & Gratitude, Self-Discipline, and Trustworthiness. At MacArthur Elementary we strive to help the students become individuals with great character.. Character is something that is inward and a part of who they will grow up to be!
The character trait for April is Self-Discipline. Self-discipline is the power to manage a person's thoughts, emotions, or behavior in the face of temptation to achieve a specific goal.
Message from Ms. Peil, Librarian
Accelerated Reader, AR is a huge part of the library program at MacArthur Elementary! The librarian, Ms. Peil and librarian assistant, Ms. Gutierrez have been very busy creating reading folders for all students. This folder includes a title page and the student's reading logs. Students will read and receive points towards a prize and school celebrations for reaching their grade level's goal.
Recommended Books for March:
Book of the Month Recommendation: Based on TRUE events-"The Little Green Jacket" by Jodi Dee
Accelerated Reader/AR dates for the 4th 9 weeks= March 25th through May 10th!
Message from Ms. Elizondo, Digital Learning and Assessment Coordinator
This year's Multimedia Contest will consist of two rounds in the competition. Teams will be given a campaign theme on January 9, 2024 and will work on their own to complete the campaign. The round 1 product will be submitted no later than 12pm noon on February 12, 2024. The round 1 final product will showcase all 4 individual pieces of work and coding in a single video, website, interactive graphic, or presentation.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Elizondo @ nelizondo@galenaparkisd.com
Message from our Campus Instructional Coaches
Reading:
Families - we have worked hard all year to support your children in reading. Reading, writing and phonics are essential to a students academic growth. Help us to continue to push your child to greatness. Many end of year testing will be here before we know it! End of year reading goals are as follows: Kinder - E 1st - J 2nd - M 3rd - P 4th - S 5th - V
Math:
K-8 Mathematics ranges from counting cardinal numbers to linear equations and functions. Students can review the calculation of area using a Cyberchase video, continue on to find the area of combined shapes using a Math Active interactive lesson, and can be assessed on their understanding using Khan Academy. Similar units can be created on topics such as lines and angles, probability models, and the multiplication and division of fractions.
Message from our PTA
PTA has some incentives going on for the month of October/November. All classrooms with 100% PTA participation can earn a popcorn party. The deadline for this incentive is November 17th, it is not to late to sign up. Thank you to those who have already become a member. Be sure to check out the link below to see all of PTA's membership perks.
PTA Meeting Date 23-24
September 19, 2023 - 3rd Grade Performs
October 17, 2023 - 2nd Grade Performs
November 14, 2023 - 4th Grade Performs
December 19, 2023 - 5th Grade Performs
January 23, 2024 - 1st Grade Performs
February 20, 2024 - Kinder Grade Performs
March 20, 2024 - Pre-K Grade Performs