Roaring with Pride at Link ES

Dear Readers: If you need this newsletter translated into Spanish or another preferred language, please click on the web link provided at the top of this newsletter itself and a new tab will automatically open in your browser and you will be able to access the Translation Feature at the top, right-hand side of the newsletter.

Cómo leer este boletín en su idioma preferido Estimados lectores: Si necesita este boletín traducido al español o otro idioma preferido, haga clic en el enlace web que se encuentra en la parte superior de este boletín o en cualquier parte del boletín y se abrirá automáticamente una nueva pestaña en su navegador y usted podrá acceder a la función de traducción en la parte superior derecha del boletín

Your child's education is one of the greatest gifts you can give them, and consistent attendance at school and tutorials plays a crucial role in their success. Every day at school is a chance for your child to grow, learn new skills, and build confidence for their future. Regular attendance helps them stay on track, avoid gaps in their learning, and achieve their full potential.

We understand that life can be busy, but by encouraging your child to attend school and tutorials regularly, you’re laying a strong foundation for their bright future. Your support makes all the difference!

Let's work together to ensure every student thrives!

Upcoming Dates:

October 21-25 - School Bus Safety Week

October 22 - After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

October 23 - After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

October 24 - After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

October 26 - Saturday School - Invitation Only

October 28 - Fall Fundraiser Ends

October 29 - After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

October 29 - School of Choice Showcase (5th grade students and parents)

October 30- After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

October 31 - After School Tutorials - Invitation Only

November 4 - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

November 5 - No School - Election Day

November 8 - Art trip to University of Houston

November 9 - Saturday School - Invitation Only

**Lunch Visit Sign-Up Now Open!**

Dear Parents,

We are excited to invite you to join your child for lunch at school! This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time together during the school day. To sign up for a visit, please use the SignUpGenius link below.

Due to limited seating, we kindly ask that you sign up for only one visit at a time and refrain from reserving multiple weeks in advance. This will allow more families to enjoy this special time with their children. Multiple dates are subject to deletion.

Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you at lunch!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ADAA2BA0FFC52-51497118-link

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.

Car Rider: We appreciate your cooperation with our car rider procedures. Please remember to stay in your designated lane and avoid changing lanes unless directed by a car rider duty staff member. This helps us keep the line moving smoothly.

Additionally, once your child is in the car, please remove your yellow car rider tag from the dashboard. This signals to us that your child is safely with you and that you're ready to leave. If the tag remains on your dashboard, it indicates that your child hasn't been loaded yet, and we will proceed to bring them to you.

Walker: Walkers will be the first group called on the announcements to the gym at 3:20 pm. Students will be seated in rows by grade. Each grade-level teacher will be responsible for actively monitoring the walkers and ensuring they are on a level zero during dismissal. Walkers will exit the gym using the rear door on the right side leading to the back gate located near the park. The dismissal order is as follows: PreK, Kg, 1st-grade students with verified numbers, sibling sets with verified matching numbers, and 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd-grade students respectively. Lastly, any PreK, Kindergarten, & 1st, grade students who were not called in the first round. The first group of walkers will be released at 3:30 pm. Any remaining students will be sent to the front office for pick-up. After all students are dismissed all teachers will report directly to car rider duty to assist with loading.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and efficient dismissal process each day!

The SMART tag™ system helps increase safety and security for students riding on a school bus, leveraging technology to improve student management and communications on school buses.

SMART tag™ monitors the location of each tablet-equipped school bus, including student loading and unloading, providing real-time information to the Transportation Department, and you, the parent.

How does it work?

Students are issued passive, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards which do not store student information nor emit any tracking information. RFID technology is used in many industries such as medical (patient, equipment & supplies tracking), libraries (book tracking), and even amusement park access. These IDs are read when students get on or off the bus by an RFID reader. On campus, they can be used at the cafeteria and library via their printed bar codes.

Benefits

• View your student's profile and assigned routes.

• Monitor your student's riding activity.
  Sign up to get notified when your student gets on/off the bus at your home stop and school.

• Sign up to get notified when the bus is on its way to your home stop.

• View live bus location from when you receive the arrival alert up to your home stop.

• Manage guardians authorized to receive your student at their PM drop-off stop (for primary parents only and if enabled by your district).

This school year, student IDs are mandatory for all Spring ISD students. For elementary students, IDs must be worn on a lanyard and remain visible at all times. Each student received an ID and lanyard during the first weeks of school.

If your child loses their ID, please inform their teacher.

Replacement IDs can be issued by the campus for a fee of $5.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and organized school environment!

Electronic devices (cellphones, smart watches, hand-held games, etc., shall not be used or visible and shall be silenced during regular school hours. If confiscated, they will be returned in accordance with the District’s Regulations. Students will not receive telephone calls and messages will not be delivered during class periods, except in extreme emergencies. Students may not use the school telephone except in extreme emergencies and with administrator approval.

Email: tstith@springisd.org
Website: https://www.springisd.org/link2
Location: 2815 Ridge Hollow Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 891-8390
Facebook: facebook.com/leopards2021/
Twitter: @LES_Spring