Havard Elementary Cowboy News

April 2025

Principal's Message

Happy April, Havard families! This year is flying by!

This month we will celebrate Ms. Bernal during National Assistant Principal’s Week, April 6-12. It is also National Library Week, and we will be recognizing Mrs. Bailey.

April is also STAAR month. Your children have done a fantastic job of preparing for this time of the year. To help them do their best, please remember to help them do the following, especially on test days:

Get a good night's sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast
Arrive on time
Read 20-30 minutes a night
Come to school prepared

If you have any questions about events or activities, contact the front office. For any questions or concerns, you can reach me at lappel@galenaparkisd.com, or you can schedule an appointment at 832-386-3710.

Thanks again for all your support. We could not be successful without you!

Dr. Lisa Hamblen

Havard Events and Dates to Remember

GPISD Calendars and Observance Dates

GPISD Official Calendar 2024-2025

GPISD Observance Days Calendar

Upcoming Observance Dates:

April 1-30: National Child Abuse Awareness Month

April 1-30: Mathematics Awareness Month

April 1-30: National Autism Awareness Month

April 7-11: National Assistant Principal Week

April 7-11: National Library Week

April 21-25: Public School Volunteer Week

April 28-May 2: Student Nutrition Employee Appreciation Week

Attendance Awareness

We want to remind you of the importance of good attendance for all students. Children need to be in school as much as possible. Every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning. Too many absences can affect the achievement of the absent student. Last year, our attendance was 95.1%. That means our students missed approximately 6 days each. Our goal for this year is 96.1%. This would mean that students miss about 5 days out of the 167 days in the school year. We will be monitoring student attendance closely. We know that you all play an integral role in ensuring your children are present and on time every day. Let's work together to improve attendance and student success!

Current Totals

1st 6 Weeks Attendance: 96.2% AWESOME!

2nd 6 Weeks Attendance: 95.68% We did better than last year. Let's keep trying to get to our goal!

3rd 6 Weeks Attendance: 94.55% Attendance is key to your child's success. Please help us try to meet this important goal.

4th 6 Weeks: 94.8% We are still on track to do better than last year. Thanks for always promoting good attendance!

Absence Reminders

If your student misses school, please send a note to their teacher or email AttendanceHAV@galenaparkisd.com when they return. If they are absent for more than 3 days, a doctor's note may be required.
Please include the following on excuse notes:
- your student's name
- teacher's name and grade
- date
- your name
- reason for absence
- a number to contact you if there are questions.

Absence Notes and Excuses

If you do not want to send the note with your child, you can send notes directly to the Attendance Clerk using this button.

Assistant Principal News and Reminders

Ms. Karen Bernal

Please click this link to email Ms. Bernal.

Safety Updates:

The spring semester is well on its way. With that being said, many of our students are participating in after-school activities. Please be sure to review after-school schedules with your child in the morning. If they are staying after school for tutorials, clubs, or other activities, remind your child to get in the dismissal line that goes to the cafeteria. There are designated tables in the cafeteria and a snack is provided for all students participating in after-school activities. Reviewing this information with your child on a regular basis ensures that students are not picked up late, parents are not mistakenly waiting in the car rider line, and that students are supervised at all times at home and at school.

TOYS and Other Nonessential Items:

Students should not have any toys or items of distraction here at school. We know they may have gotten gifts over the break and we want them to keep those items at home. This includes any toys, makeup, body sprays, or non-basic school supplies (journals, smelly markers, fancy pen sets, etc.) We are not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen items. Please be sure you check your child’s backpacks, purses, coat pockets, etc.

Cell Phones:

Please remember the following regarding cell phones at school:

Phones must remain turned off while on campus or on the bus.
Phones cannot be on the student at any time during the school day. Phones must remain in the child’s backpack or turned into the teacher according to the teacher’s procedure.
The school nor staff are not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen phones.

Points Reminders:

Students are doing a great job earning Dojo Points! Attendance matters and it will get them Class Dojo points. Students can earn one point for everyday they are here on time and 5 bonus points if they are here the entire week! Remember, students must be in their seats by 7:35 am, so they are not counted as tardy.

This month students are getting bonus points for demonstrating responsibility and trustworthiness. Our focus will be on demonstrating these traits in all areas of the school.

House Updates:

On March 28th, we had a House Rally where we announced our 3rd 9 weeks winner. Congratulations to the MONARCHS HOUSE!!! Way to go Monarchs!

English Newsletter

Spanish Newsletter

Counselor's Corner

Ms. SheKerria Steptoe

Please click this link to email Ms. Steptoe.

Greetings Parents!

This month through small groups and guidance lessons, we will be discussing child abuse awareness, testing anxiety and this month’s Character Trait, Self-Discipline. Together we can continue to ensure that Havard is a safe and supportive school environment.

Character Education Theme of The Month: Self-Discipline

Self-Discipline: being able to control own thoughts and actions

Home Activity Suggestions:

Beat the Timer Challenge: Set a timer for a specific task, like cleaning up, finishing homework, or getting ready for bed, and encourage your child to complete it before time runs out. Praise their effort and discuss how staying focused helps them achieve goals. Over time, gradually increase the challenge to build self-discipline and responsibility.

Common reasons to see the counselor

Help managing emotions like anger or sadness.
Social skills
Concerns about bullying or conflict with others
Struggles with academic motivation
Coping with changes at home (e.g, divorce, loss)

Referral system

Students - self referral through counselor mail
Teachers - Havard Hub google form
Parents - google form on counselor’s website

Dress Code Information

Requirements for our dress-up days and our school’s dress code guidelines:

Students who are not participating in the dress-up theme for the day MUST wear the standardized dress.
Students who are participating in the dress-up theme for the day, MUST wear clothing that follows the dress code guidelines.
At Havard, we allow students to wear Havard shirts any day of the week. If your student is not participating in the dress-up theme, they may wear a Havard shirt and uniform bottoms Monday – Friday.
Wednesdays are College Days. Students may wear a college shirt and standardized dress code bottoms. We take $1 donations for the James B. Havard Memorial Scholarship fund. Donations can be given to the front office staff.
Friday is Spirit Day. Students may wear a Havard Spirit shirt or standardized dress tops with either jeans or standardized dress code bottoms.

Additional rules from the handbook are:

Pants must fit at the waist or a student must wear a belt; there will be no sagging.
Pants may not have any holes exposing skin above the knee.
Shorts, skirts, dresses, and skorts must be mid-thigh or longer.
NO leggings unless under a skirt or dress.
NO backless shoes.

PTA

Our PTA thanks you for your support this year! We are having an outstanding year!

Volunteer Information

Are you interested in volunteering at Havard or attending a field trip with your child? If so, please complete the GPISD Background Check at the link below. This must be completed and approved before you are eligible to volunteer or participate in any field trips. If you would like to be contacted to volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form.

GPISD Background Check - English Form

GPISD Background Check - Spanish Form

Havard Volunteer Interest Form