Navigator Newsletter

Navigator Families,

What an AMAZING turnout for our Hispanic Heritage Celebration Night! It was wonderful seeing you all.

Congratulations to our students who placed in the district Hispanic Heritage competition: Debanhi Munoz Dominguez (2nd Place in grade 3-5 Spanish Writing) plus Cristopher Cardenas and Emanuel Islas (1st Place grade 3-5 English Writing).

We hope you have a wonderful Fall Break, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Mon. October 21st. We have a lot of fun dress-up days for Red Ribbon Week! (see down below).

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PARENT LUNCH UPDATE--BIRTHDAY LUNCH VISITS + SPECIAL EVENTS

While we unfortunately had to discontinue our regular Friday parent lunches for the logistical/instructional reasons described last week, we are evaluating different methods for inviting our wonderful parents into the building. Here are some updates:

Birthday Parent Lunch Visits

-Parents are now allowed to visit their child for lunch on the student's birthday (or birthday "week")

-We know many birthdays fall on weekends, or that parents may not be able to visit on the exact day due to work, so we just ask that you visit within one-week of the birthday (before or after).

-Check in at the front office and let them know your student

-Students with winter break or spring break birthdays may have parents visit the week before or after.

-Students with summer birthdays (after the end of school) may have parents visit anytime in May for lunch.

-Lunch visits are limited to two guests per student (which includes any other children)

Special Lunch Events

-We will have special event days where parents/families are invited for lunch. See down below in the newsletter for information about our Nov. 14th Grandparents Thanksgiving Lunch and Nov. 21st Parent Thanksgiving Lunch.

Other lunch visit systems

We are aware of other lunch systems/schedules used by different schools in Spring ISD and other districts, and are actively considering what can work best going forward for the Northgate Crossing family.

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See below for new/updated info about:

-Vision/Hearing screening update from Nurse Green

-Spelling Bee

-Red Ribbon Week Dress-Up Days + Storybook Character Parade

-Trunk-or-Treat (October 25th - Sign up below)

-Thanksgiving Food Drive (donate non-perishable food items to win a class prize!)

-PTO membership drive contest (win a class popsicle party)

-Spring ISD Mobile Food Market (Free Food Distribution)

-VATRE [Spring ISD Voter Approval Tax Rate Election] - Oct. 22nd Community Meeting

-Spring ISD Fall Performances Showcase

-Spring ISD College Career Military Readiness Night (October 23rd)

-New health guidance from Spring ISD Nursing (when to stay home)

-New Spring ISD Smart Tag system (including replacement info)

...and more!

Parents,

Following our recent district hearing/vision screenings, some students have received a note from Nurse Green for suggested follow-up, based on their results. Please check your child's backpack. If you have any questions about he notice you receive, please contact Nurse Green: cgreen5@springisd.org

What's the smartest insect? The spelling bee!

The Spelling Bee is coming soon! Today your student received a list of grade appropriate words so that they can study over the fall break.

Also going home is the permission slip to sign for the school Spelling Bee that takes place in December (week of Dec. 2nd-6th, exact date TBD).

The Spanish spelling bee will be held Monday, October 21st, when we return from the break.

For any questions please contact Mrs. Sckhade: aschkade@springisd.org

Every year during Oct. 23rd-31st schools around the country celebrate Red Ribbon Week, celebrating and educating our students about a drug-free lifestyle. We have some fun dress-up days this year to spread awareness. 4th and 5th graders will also receive a special presentation from the Spring ISD anti-drug education team on Thur. Oct. 24th.

Oct. 31st will be our annual Storybook Character Dress-up Day and Parade. Students may dress as any character in a book or graphic novel they have read (no weapons or face coverings please) and we will have our fun parade around the school!

PTO will be hosting another fabulous TRUNK OR TREAT in the school parking lot! We're looking for parents who want to join the fun, or businesses who are interested in cost-free community outreach!

Use this link to sign up to participate:

https://my.cheddarup.com/c/northgate-crossing-trunk-or-treat/items?cart

For questions contact ncespto1@gmail.com

We are inviting families into the building for special Thanksgiving lunches! You may bring your own food, or for $6 (exact change in cash only) you can purchase a special Thanksgiving plate (for adult or child) with Turkey and other traditional items.

-Thur. Nov. 14th - Grandparent Thanksgiving lunch

-Due to space limitations, grandparents only if possible; limit 2 guests per student--no additional children

-Thur. Nov. 21st - Parent/Family Thanksgiving lunch

-Due to space limitations, Limit 2 guests per student (including any children)

We will have an extended lunch schedule to make more time for your visit--this revised schedule will be sent in an upcoming newsletter.

Northgate Crossing is partnering with Spring Community Church for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The class from each grade level who donates the most items will win a prize! See the list on the flier below of non-perishable food-items to bring. Students can simply turn in food items to their teacher, and can begin bringing them starting this Monday! Items will be collected through the week of Nov. 15th. Food will be distributed Nov. 24th at 2615 Ciderwood.

We have an amazing PTO that does great things for our school. We're currently holding a PTO Membership Drive now through October 18th (you can email to sign up over the Fall Break!) Which classroom will win the popsicle party for having the most parents sign up for PTO?!

For more information, please contact: ncespto1@gmail.com

After being approved by the Spring ISD Board of Trustees in early August, the district will include a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) on the upcoming Nov. 5 ballot.

The measure proposes a tax rate of $1.1569 per $100 of property valuation for the 2024 fiscal year, a 5-cent increase from the current rate. This would cost the average homeowner an extra $7 per month, generating about $20 million for the schools on an annual basis and allowing the district to eliminate its budget deficit and provide teacher and staff raises.

Homeowners who are receiving a homestead exemption for disability or are age 65 or older would not see an increase above their tax ceiling as a result of the VATRE.

The proposed tax rate, if approved by voters, would provide critical funding for teacher and staff salaries, including a 2% across the board raise for all staff. Starting teacher pay would increase from $60,500 to $61,500 per year, and targeted adjustments would be made for teachers with 5-15 years of experience, putting it in line with other local school districts.

With no increase in the state’s per-student allotment since 2019 and an inflation rate that has hit 17%, many school districts, including Spring ISD, have had to look to tax increases to generate needed funding.

Voters will have the chance to vote on the measure on Tuesday, Nov. 5

Dear Spring ISD Families,

As we prioritize the health and safety of all our students, we want to remind you of the importance of keeping your child at home if they are feeling unwell. To help you navigate when to keep your child at home and when it's safe to return to school, we’ve attached two flyers (in English and Spanish) with specific scenarios and guidelines.

Please review these materials carefully to ensure a safe and healthy school environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe.

-Spring ISD Nursing and Health Service

You can download the PDF versions here:

https://www.springisd.org/documents/printable-calendars/662033

Visit this website, and see flyers and video below for more information:

https://www.springisd.org/o/sisd/page/smart-tag

SMART ID Tag Replacement UPDATE: :

Each student will receive a (free) smart tag at the beginning of the year. Once a student has their ID, if the student loses/misplaces their ID and needs a replacement, it will be $5 for the new card (the price covers the card, printing, sleeve, and lanyard). All payments will need to be in cash (exact change) and the student or the parent can pay the office and receive a receipt (students should not be giving any money to their teachers). For questions contact sruiz14@springisd.org

Parents,

It is important for us to communicate with you, but we unfortunately cannot always accommodate "walk-in" meeting requests. If you would like to meet with any principals, administrators, teachers, the counselor, other staff, etc., please make sure to contact us in advance to schedule a meeting so that we can best serve you. Thank you for understanding.

Immunization – Please make sure your Navigators are up to date on their immunizations. Your child will not be placed on a class roster if they lack the necessary immunizations. If you are unsure about what immunizations your child needs, Texas Department of State Health Services requirements has an updated list you can check:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/school/requirements

o To find immunization locations near you, please visit the Harris Health System site (https://www.harrishealth.org/) or call 713-873-TOTS (713-873-8687)

o If your child has all the required immunizations, please make sure our registrar, Karla Zelaya (kzelayar@springisd.org) has a copy of the documentation.

Registration – Parents of returning students may continue updating student information using the email that was sent to the primary guardian. All parent information, such as phone numbers, emergency contact information, and working emails need to be current and updated.

o If your Navigators attended Northgate Crossing Elementary school on an affidavit, you must complete a new affidavit for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have a lease agreement, you must attach a current lease to the returning student registration.

Attendance – Students need to attend school on a timely, regular basis. Students who often arrive late or leave early often have gaps in their learning. Our daily attendance goal is 98% or greater. When we meet this goal, our campus receives additional funding, and an accountability distinction. We have monthly campus-based perfect attendance incentives planned for students who have perfect attendance.

Visitors – All visitors to Northgate Crossing are required to check in at the front office and provide a valid government-issued picture ID. Once you provide an ID, a visitor's badge will be issues and you will be able to enter the building or check a student out for the day.

Volunteer form/background check – Parents and guardians may be invited to campus activities to observe, participate, and volunteer. A volunteer form and background check are required for activities throughout the year, such as classroom parties and volunteer opportunities. Please complete the form as soon as possible to allow time for processing:

https://www.springisd.org/page/volunteers-in-public-schools/

Drop-off/Pick-up procedures

o School doors open at 7:35am and the tardy bell rings at 8:05. Students dropped off after 8:05 will need to be checked in by a parent of guardian. Breakfast ends at 8:05pm.

o Students may be picked up early until 2:30pm. If you need to make a transportation change, you must come in person with a valid government issued picture ID or email sruiz14@springisd.org before 2:30pm.

Car Riders

▪ If your child is in grades Pk-1, you will drop off and pick up your child on site B (the parking lot for the gym and cafeteria.)

▪ If your child is in grades 2-5, you will drop off and pick up your child on side A (the parking lot in front of the building.)

▪ If you have children in multiple grades, they will be with the youngest child on the corresponding side for dismissal.

▪ During the car-rider dismissal, parents must remain in their vehicles.

Bus Riders

▪ Buses will pick students up in parking lot B, in front of the cafeteria and gym. Buses arrive between 3:15 and 3:25.

Walkers

▪ Students who walk home may be picked up at the designated parent pick-up in front of the PK playground. PK to 2nd grade students will not be allowed to leave campus on their own--they will only be released to a guardian or parent.

DISMISSAL NOTICE FOR PARENTS OF "WALKER" STUDENTS

We have had some dismissal issues with parents of our "walker" students parking in the side B parking lot (bus area) and walking across the busy parking lot to pick up their walker student from the PreK area. This creates a safety issue and interferes with dismissal. Any parents needing to enter the building during dismissal should use the main office entrance (side A) Otherwise you can contact the front office to change your student's transportation to "car rider" instead of "walker" and wait in the car rider line at dismissal (Side A for 3rd-5th, Side B for PreK-2nd). Thank you for understanding.

23437 Northgate Crossing Blvd.

Spring, TX 77373

Phone: 281-891-8780

Fax: 281-891-8781

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