PATRIOT PRESS

Draper Families,

Happy February! As we step into a new month, we continue to focus on growth, learning, and community. This month brings exciting events, including Intermediate UIL Competition, Checkpoint Assessments and a Wylie Way Day! We encourage students to stay engaged, work hard, and support one another as we move forward. Thank you for your continued partnership in making our school a great place to learn and grow. Let’s make it a fantastic February!

Warm regards,

Beth Craighead

February 3-7, 2025

MONDAY

• UIL Team Practices for Science, Calculator Skills, Picture Memory and Maps/Graphs/Charts @ 3:30-4:30 in Coaches' rooms
• Yearbook Meeting @ 3:30-4:30 in room 369

TUESDAY

• Community Problem Solvers Team (FPS group) @ 3:30-5:00 in room 241 with Coaches Taber and Sadowski

WEDNESDAY

• WYLIE WAY DAY--Dress as a fairy tale character or wear purple
• 5th STUCO @ 3:30-4:30 in cafe
• UIL Team Practices for Music Memory, Ready Writing, Dictionary Skills, Number Sense, Art Memory, Oral Reading, Social Studies, Spelling and Chess @ 3:30-4:30 in Coaches' rooms

THURSDAY

• READING CHECKPOINT FOR 5TH AND 6TH GRADE (closed lunch schedule)
• STUDY SQUAD @ 3:30-5:00 in cafe
• UIL Team Practices for Listening Skills and Mathematics @ 3:30-4:30 in Coaches' rooms

FRIDAY

COMING SOON IN FEBRUARY

• 10th-11th: Cheer & Mascot Mandatory Informational Meeting for Tryouts (Incoming 7th grade students)
• 10th-14th: School Supply Drive
• 11th: Science Checkpoint Testing for grade 5
• 12th: Math Checkpoint Testing for grades 5 and 6
• 13th: Spring School Pictures
• 17th: School Holiday for STUDENTS and Professional Development Day for Teachers
• 20th: Band Buddy Rehearsal and Concert for 6th moving to 7th students
• 26th: UIL Ready Writing Competition
• 27th: UIL Competition @ Davis with Awards Ceremony at Wylie East High School

We are so proud to recognize Ms. Debbie Mongognia as Draper Intermediate School's Paraprofessional of the Year. Ms. Mongognia supports our students in many different roles throughout the building. She is and essential part of our students' learning journey. Join us in congratulating her on this wonderful honor!

Join us in celebrating Mr. Aaron Allen as this year's Teacher of the Year for Draper Intermediate School. Currently, Mr. Allen is a sixth grade math teacher who also oversees both the Study Squad program and Draper General Store with a group of his colleagues. Join us in congratulating him on this well-deserved recognition!

On Wednesday, February 5th, the district will continue its Legacy of the Wylie Way Day.

This link will take you to the Parent Guide with detailed information about each class period's lessons.

As students experience different ways to Map their Futures, they will experience lessons in the following areas.

The theme for this day is Legacy: Live Your Story! This is a fairy tale and storybook theme, and students and staff are encouraged to come dressed as a fairy tale/storybook characters or to wear purple.

Our FPS Teams did a great job on Tuesday as they competed in the Qualifying Round of the problem-solving competition! For the month of February, our full team FPS practices are on hold. We will resume practices with any of our teams that are selected to compete at the FPS State Bowl Competition beginning on March 4 from 3:30-5:00. Students will be notified the week before if they are advancing to this level of competition.

Our other competition areas are still holding practices.

• If your child is competing in Artistic Expression, then Coach Gambill is arranging deadlines and meeting times.
• If your child is a part of Community Problem Sovling, then Coach Taber and Coach Sadowski are your contacts.
• If you child is a part of Scenario Performance, then reach out to Coach Patterson and Coach Gilliam.

We want to thank our students for all of their hard work and effort this year! If you have any additional questions, please contact Coach Spilllyards.

As many of you recall, last year, we announced that students are not able to receive deliveries from restaurants, apps, etc. during the school day. This decision was made with the safety and security of students and staff in mind.

For clarification:

• Students cannot have lunches sent to them from a delivery service by a parent or guardian or on their own accord.
• Parents and guardians are always welcome to check-in and drop-off lunches or join them for lunch.
• Lunches can only be provided for your child. Due to allergies and other health concerns, food cannot be shared or brought to other students.

Please reach out to the front office for questions or clarifications.

As a campus, we will give three checkpoints in February. On those days, students are in different classrooms and eat an alternative lunch schedule in the classroom with the teacher. Lunch visitations with deliveries of lunches will not be available on these dates.

The respiratory illness (Cold, Flu, and COVID) season is here. Wylie ISD Health Services is tracking absences related to illness and working with our custodial department to ensure that infection control measures are in place.

Here are some simple ways to fight the respiratory illnesses:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.

4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

5. If you are sick with a flu-like illness, the Texas Department of State Health Services recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. (Students must have a temperature below 100 for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school)

6. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

7. Visit the CDC’S PAGE ON RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES for more information.

In compliance with Texas Education Code Section 33.0531, Wylie ISD offers parents and legal guardians inkless fingerprint and DNA kits for their children upon request. Per the Texas Education Code, this kit is designed to be submitted to “federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement to help locate and return a missing or trafficked child.”

Parents and legal guardians may request these kits by contacting their campus nurse. As outlined in the kit, parents or guardians should keep the kit in their possession and only provide it to law enforcement in the event it is needed to reunite with a missing child. Please do not return this kit to the school — we cannot accept these kits. If you have questions, please contact communications@wylieisd.net.

The Middle of the Year Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) screenings are completed. Parents can access their student's score through Skyward.

At Draper, we are always looking for growth in our students and will be working in various ways to ensure that all of our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally during their time with us. Moving forward, students will have many different opportunities in their classes to extend their learning and understanding of our intermediate school concepts in each academic course.

If you have any questions regarding the MOY MAP scores, please reach out to your child's teacher.

There is a parent information meeting regarding scheduling and transition to junior high school being held on Monday, March 3, at Cooper Junior High School. See the flyer below.

6th Grade students will receive a scheduling preview from the junior high counselors during their science class on February 27th. The counselors will return on March 10 for student scheduling during their science class.

If your student is a 6th grader, then the flyers below provide information about cheer, mascots, and drill team.

As a reminder, here are the lunch times at Draper.

We want to make sure that you are aware of Study Squad, a fantastic opportunity for students to work on missing assignments, correct their work, or engage with online platforms like Khan Academy, Progress Learning and others. A Draper teacher from each of the main content areas is available to support students as they work through their tasks.

Study Squad runs every Thursday from 3:30-5:00 in the cafeteria. There is no need to sign up or pay any fees--it's completely free! No transportation is provided so parents will need to pick up their child at 5:00 in the front of the school.

We look forward to seeing your child on Thursdays at STUDY SQUAD!

In an effort to have tutorial support for students each morning and afternoon, each team has a representative available from 7:45-8:15 and 3:30-4:15. The chart below shares who is available and when. Students can go to ANY session for support; they do not have to attend with their teacher.

When schools give students access to devices and online accounts, an incredible world of learning opportunities opens up — as well as potential dangers. Digital safety is critically important to Draper Intermediate, which is why we are now using Bark for Schools to help us protect our students both online and in real life.

Bark monitors for signs of potential issues like:

● Cyberbullying

● Suicidal ideation

● Sexual predators

● Threats of violence

● And more

Wylie ISD Bark Parent Resources

Alerts at the first signs of danger When possible dangers arise on school-issued accounts, Bark for Schools sends us alerts so we can address the situation in a timely manner. These alerts also give us insights that help us promote the wellness of the entire student body. Sign up to get alerts with Parent Portal Kids use their school-issued accounts both at school and at home, and families are often in a better position to respond to urgent alerts after hours, on weekends, and during breaks. Earlier this year, you received an invitation to create your free account for the Bark for Schools Parent Portal. As soon as you opt-in, you receive after-hours alerts if Bark detects potentially time-sensitive issues.

Check out these parenting resources

● Visit The Bark Blog to stay informed on all things kids and tech.

● Join the Facebook group, Parenting in a Tech World, and connect with other parents raising kids in the digital age.

Learn more about Bark for Schools — including their commitment to student privacy.

Did you know that Draper has a Facebook page that is constantly updated with news, announcements, pictures, and more? If you have not yet "Liked" our Draper Facebook page, we encourage you to do so. We know you'll love it!

At Draper Intermediate School, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, dynamic environment that celebrates diversity and promotes a love for learning. We empower every student to reach their full potential through innovative teaching and supportive collaboration preparing them to be compassionate and responsible members of society.

We are here for you! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with questions, concerns and feedback anytime. We are here to work in partnership with you to provide a quality education for all students. #DRAPERDRIVEN

beth.craighead@wylieisd.net - 972.429.3355

austin.keisler@wylieisd.net - 972.429.3368

holly.natonick@wylieisd.net - 972.429.3356

rhonda.pearce-marven@wylieisd.net - 972.429.3362

rhett.lange@wylieisd.net - 972.429.3359

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Location: 103 Hensley Lane, Wylie, Texas 75098
Phone: 972-429-3350
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