From the Eagle's Nest
Thanksgiving Newsletter, November 2023
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Communicating gratitude is always important, but especially at Thanksgiving. I just wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for your support during our second year of operation. It takes a village and together, we are making a positive, lasting impact on our students. It is my hope that on this Thanksgiving season, we each keep a gratitude journal to note each and every blessing that comes our way. There is so much to be appreciative of, especially for our health and for our families. This year, I feel especially blessed to be leading our Doral Academy in achieving academic excellence by ensuring every teacher and student reach their maximum potential.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
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Gobble Grams for sale!
School Fundraiser
- Grams will go on sale starting tomorrow, 11/7/23 - 11/14/23
- $1 for a single gram
- $5 for six grams
- Grams will be delivered on Thursday, 11/16
- Students may purchase grams from teacher (cash only)
- Parents may also purchase online via school store (complete form with message) and by visiting main office during drop off between 7:30 - 8:00 AM (credit card reader onsite).
Individual Gobble Grams
If you would like to send individual gobble grams they are $1 each. Just make the purchase for the amount you would like to send and then fill out this form. https://forms.office.com/r/P1ELQQjaaR
Gobble Gram Sheet - 6 pack
On the store you will also have the option to buy a sheet of 6 gobble grams for $5 which saves you $1 if you were to buy individuals. https://forms.office.com/r/9CNhyUpsny
Gobble Gram Class Pack
Buy gobble grams for your whole class for $12. Please just select the class pack on the school store and select your homeroom teacher.
School Store: https://agavex.education/account/futurestudentlogin?tenant=TX_83_5804
Open Enrollment for New Families!
Please help us spread the word about why you love Doral!
If you and/or child are not camera shy, please record a brief testimonial sharing why you love and chose Doral Academy of Texas as your school of choice! These will be short reels shared on social platforms. Submit the video clips to lcolina@doralacademytx.com or text it to 512-867-5054.
We greatly appreciate all of you and your support!
Enrollment link below:
Re-enrollments for current Doral families will be announced at a later time.
I-Ready Update
From Ms. Meyer, Instructional Coach
i-Ready is an online program for reading and/or mathematics that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s opportunities for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. Click below to learn more.
Students in grades kinder-7th will be taking their November Growth Monitoring this week and their second Diagnostic (AP2) is scheduled for the week of December 4th. Family Reports and resource guides will be printed and sent home prior to Winter Break.
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Gifted and Talented update
From Ms. Romero-Piche, GT Coordinator
So it begins!
GT pull-out services begin today, November 6th.
GT kiddos can expect to be picked up starting at 2:50 from their classes and walked over to room 222.
GT Schedule:
Kinder and 1st grade Mondays,
2nd and 3rd on Tuesdays,
4th and 5th on Wednesdays, and
6th and 7th on Thursdays.
PLEASE SEND YOUR STUDENT WITH A BINDER OR FOLDER TO STORE THEIR GT WORK. I will be having to send unfinished work home for completion for the following week. Green is the preferred color, if possible, but it doesn't matter.
Supply Donations
I have made requests from the office for a class set of basic supplies, but if any of you are willing to help, this is what I've requested:
Scissors - 15
Markers - 15
Crayons - 15
Glue Sticks - 30
Pencils - 30
Manila Folders - 70
Tri-Fold Boards - 35 (they will be cut in half)
All students will begin assembling a manila folder that teaches/reviews features of nonfiction texts while giving me a chance to get to know them, and give them a chance to express themselves. Our little ones will then get a chance to pull nonfiction texts of their choosing to teach you about for the Winter Showcase (December 13th, time to be announced). As they get bigger, and they are more capable, they will begin to explore the topics of their choosing for their focus of their tri-fold posters.
Second semester, they will get more opportunities to explore those topics using more and more technology, and be given the opportunity to create a website, PowerPoint, or something of that nature.
I am fluent in webpage creation and design, and older students that are able to be self-motivated and driven may be given the opportunity to begin to draft that out first semester based on the subject(s) of their focus.
There's only 4 weeks to showcase, and I look forward to great things!
SPED Department Updates
from Ms. Lawson, Case Manager
The monthly Smore is a great time to delve into the supports provided through our school in the special education department. Students here are serviced through either 504 plans or Individualized Education Plans. But what is the difference?
An IEP falls under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This federal act ensures access to special education and related services for eligible children with disabilities. An IEP is a working document that allows for necessary accommodations, and a student is also able to receive specially designed instruction with an IEP, meaning they get tailored instruction unique to them based on their disability, goals, and objectives. These goals are addressed by a special education teacher in the student’s least restrictive environment (LRE) to help the student make progress in areas affected by their disability.
A 504 plan is covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which is a federal civil rights law that ensures an individual cannot be discriminated against due to their disability. These plans provide support and accommodations but do not include goals and objectives. 504 plans are reviewed periodically based on need. The rule of thumb for most states is every three years (the only caveat is if the medical condition is no longer “substantially limiting one or more basic life functions or activities”), but parents have the right to request a meeting to discuss the plan more often if they feel the need.
PBIS/Fall Fest Information
from Ms. Moreno, PBIS Coordinator
Here is the PBIS Newsletter with Fall Harvest Festival Info!
This is a great opportunity to showcase our school, so we are encouraging each family to invite three new families and/or friends. Tours will also be taking place.
Please contact Ms. Moreno for inquiries at jmoreno@doralacademytx.com
Goodside Health Services now available!
From Nurse Nancy
We are excited to partner with Doral Academy to bring on-demand telehealth services to you or your child! Through our partnership, your child can be tested and treated for Strep, Flu, and COVID-19 as well as sore throat, headache, skin rash, pink eye, upset stomach and the common cold. We take your privacy seriously. All of your information is protected and secure.
Counselor's Corner
from Ms. Eyhorn, Counselor
What a great turnout for our Anti-Bullying Poster contest! Thanks for being a part of making our school safe. Thanks PTSA for supporting the contest. We have our Anti-Bullying Committee (ABC) meeting every 1st Wednesday of the month from noon to 12:30. Parents, we’d love for you to join us.
Special thanks to Ancora ministry for providing snacks and food packages for our food-insecure students. They work hard with our community members to advocate for those who are in need. Please visit their website, https://ancoraministries.org/about-us, if you are interested in learning more about them or supporting their work.
Join our STEM Night this Wednesday!
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PK-2 Bluebonnet Stomp
This event is for students in PREK - Second grade only
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRtViJ_sPWI-E2UJT1zH59b__VmsC9X0bN9LA9q6zZ2lYppQ/viewform
PTSA Corner
Future School of Excellence!
Hello parents! Please fill out this survey and help us know how we are doing and can continue to improve as a school.
¡Hola padres! Complete esta encuesta y ayúdenos a saber cómo nos está yendo y cómo podemos seguir mejorando como escuela.
Friendly Reminders:
- Students must wear Doral approved uniforms and jackets only. No hoodies are allowed.
- Instruction begins promptly at 8:00 AM.
- School Spirit shirts have arrived and will be sent home today.
- Parents, please bring in physical ID cards when visiting the campus. Thank you for helping us keep your student safe.
- Attendance counts! Our attendance committee has been reviewing students with excessive absences. Parent letters will be sent home this week if your child has accrued three or more unexcused absences to date.
Happy Thanksgiving from your Eagle family!
Smore 🧡 Thanksgiving 🦃
Superintendent/Principal
Email: jdesousa@doralacademytx.com
Website: doralacademytx.com
Location: 1333 Fire Cracker Drive, Buda, TX, USA
Phone: 5124363881
Twitter: @smorenewsletter