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Dear Parents/Guardians:

We want to take the time to talk about the importance of attendance and being on time to school. Regular school attendance is essential for students to earn the full value of his or her education. Students are required by state law to be in attendance for at least 90% of the days a class is offered in order to receive credit for the classes in which they are enrolled.

Ponderosa’s attendance goal is above 98%. To meet this goal, students should not miss more than 7 days.

Spring ISD campuses will make reasonable attempts to support student attendance, including but not limited to, contacting students and parents at home or requesting medical documentation. If the student continues to accrue unexcused absences and campus interventions are not effective, then the student will be referred to the Spring Independent School District Truancy Division for investigation.

All absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. As a result of the state compulsory attendance law, a student who is absent more than 17 days per year may not be given credit for the year except as noted below:

Illness of the student, as verified by a doctor’s written statement showing the date(s) of absences submitted to the attendance office within 5 school days after a student’s return to school.

A parent’s written note explaining the reason for an absence (Administration will determine if the parent’s note is excusable).

Extenuating circumstances approved by the Campus Attendance Committee.

Being on time is as important as being present every day. Being in class on time means being seated with materials and supplies when the bell rings. A student who is late to school must go to the attendance office, sign in and get a tardy slip. Parents are required to come into the office and sign their student in late. The tardy may be excused only when a student brings a doctor’s excuse note or any other legal document. Tardies will be handled in accordance with school and district rules.

We would like your help to make sure your child is successful by making sure he/she is present and on time every day. We open our doors at 7:35 AM and school starts at 8:05 AM.

Respectfully,

Principal Reyna

Cell Phone & Smartwatches Policy

Cell phones, smartwatches, and any other communication devices may not be used while on campus. If you feel your child must have a cell phone, it must remain in their backpack, turned off while at school and during after-school activities. Texting and video recording are not permitted anytime during the school day. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in confiscation of the phone.

• 1st Offense: The cell phone/smartwatch may be retrieved by the student at the end of the school day.

• 2nd Offense: The cell phone/smartwatch may be retrieved by the parent at the end of the school day.

• 3rd Offense: The cell phone/smartwatch may be retrieved by the parent at the end of the day AFTER payment of a $15 fine per each additional occurrence.

• Doors open at 7:35 a.m. for students; school starts at 8:05 a.m. Please note, that students dropped off before 7:35 a.m. will be unsupervised.
• All BUS riders MUST ride their assigned bus in the morning and afternoon.
• Students are considered tardy after 8:05 a.m. and absent after 9:30 a.m.
• All car riders should be picked up and dropped off at the front entrance. Please do not block the flow of traffic.
• Breakfast is served from 7:35 a.m. to 8:05 a.m.
• All students MUST adhere to the dress code daily
• All students are greeted at Threshold by every teacher!
• Students may not be picked up after 2:30 p.m.
• All transportation changes must be submitted in writing no later than 2:00 p.m.
• Dismissal begins at 3:25 p.m.
• All students must be picked up no later than 3:40 p.m.
• Students must be at school everyday and ALL day

PONDEROSA ELEMENTARY

Email: ponderosafrontoffice@gmail.com
Website: https://www.springisd.org/ponderosa2
Location: 17202 Butte Creek Road, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 891-8180
Twitter: @PES_Spring