May 10, 2023

Dear Bush Elementary,

This afternoon I told my faculty and staff that I have made the decision to retire. I had planned to retire a few years ago and then COVID hit. I did not want to leave during uncertain times and made new plans to retire when I knew Bush Elementary would be back to a new “normal”. It was while hearing the beautiful voices of the children and seeing the parents and students dancing together at the incredible Go Texan Day event, that I realized it was time to retire. Bush Elementary was back to regular business and I felt at peace with my decision.

I have dedicated 34 years of my life to the students, teachers, and parents of HISD. I started as a fifth grade teacher in 1989, next I taught K-5 Science Lab and I have been at Bush Elementary since 1994 as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. I am forever grateful for all the wonderful experiences through these years in HISD. Now, I look forward to spending time with my family, reading, and traveling.

Thank you for being a special part of my memories. I know Bush Elementary will continue to be a fabulous school because of the systems in place and the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff, along with a supportive group of parents.

I will not be around much after June 2. HISD has a set process for hiring a principal which includes doing a candidate profile to hear the characteristics/skills the parents are seeking in the next principal, interviews, and then a meet the new principal event. My boss, Lysette Cooper, will be organizing these events and will share information when it’s available.

Sincerely,

Theresa Rose

We will have Field Day on Friday, May 12, regardless of the weather as Coach Pham has a rainy/wet day plan of exciting events inside the building, if needed. Students should wear their tie dye shirts they made in art on Friday. Starting Friday, May 12 - May 31, the tie dye shirt made in art becomes part of the dress code.

Parent volunteers are still needed to help run the events. Parents must be VIPS approved to volunteer at the event. Please sign up with PTO using this link. SignUp Genius

Please note: Parents will not be able to follow their child around to the activities. Parents who volunteer through the link provided will be assigned to a specific event upon arrival.

Our next SDMC/BEC Meeting will take place on May 15 at 3:25 p.m. in the library.

SDMC BEC Meeting - What do all these letters mean? Every school has a Site-based Decision Making Committee. At Bush Elementary, we also call this committee BEC which stands for the Bush Excellence Committee. This committee is made up of members of the Bush Elementary learning community and includes: parents, community members, faculty, and staff. This committee meets quarterly and serves as an advisory council to the principal. Some of the functions of this committee include reviewing the annual school improvement plan and reviewing/updating dress code guidelines and other school policies.

The meetings are open to parents and the agenda and minutes are shared on the Bush website after the meeting. If parents would like to speak at the meeting on a certain topic, then the parent must contact the school secretary, Zonia Flores, at zonia.flores@houstonisd.org at least one day in advance and share the topic that will be presented. All registered parent speakers are given a 5 minute time frame to present.

Bush Elementary has had the pleasure of having our beloved Nurse Guider since January 1992! As we celebrate Nurse's week, we also thank her for her dedication to our students as she retires this year to spend more time with her family. Thank you, Nurse Guider for all your work with the students, parents, faculty, and staff at Bush Elementary!

Registration will take place in-person at Bush Elementary. All adults entering the building must have a driver's license or government issued photo ID such as a passport. Please make sure you bring all required registration documents listed on the Registration Check List.

*All dates and times are subject to change.*

Kindergarten Only

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day listed below.

May 11

May 16

May 17

Grades 1 – 5 Only

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day listed below.

June 2

June 6

June 7

Grades K – 5

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day listed below.

June 26

June 27

Grades K – 5

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day listed below.

August 15

August 16

August 17

August 22

August 24

Please see the Registration Check List below for the original items to bring to registration. We must have hard copies of the items and not images on a phone.

Anxiety is a term used to describe a feeling of extreme worry or unease. Feeling anxious is natural after something upsetting happens. But when a child feels anxiety that lasts a long time and prevents them from doing things like going to school, seeing friends, or concentrating on important tasks, then it can become of concern. When kids are anxious, it’s natural to want to help them feel better. The best way to help kids overcome anxiety is to teach them to deal with anxiety as it comes up. With practice, they will be less anxious.

It’s helpful for parents to let kids know that they’re going to be okay, even if they’re scared. You can’t promise your child that nothing bad will happen. But you can express confidence that they can face their fears and feel less afraid over time.

See this week's resources for links and helpful information on how to help your children cope with anxiety.

We're seeing some very unsafe and dangerous behaviors by parents during morning arrival.

• Parents walking through the small parking lot and then between the cars in the active carpool lane.
• Parents stopping their car on Westerloch Drive to let out their child in an active lane of traffic.
• Parents not using the sidewalks and crosswalks to get to school.

The carpool lane and Westerloch Drive are very busy in the morning. Please be a good role model for your child and all others watching you by taking a few extra minutes to be safe.

Please make sure your child is following Bush Elementary's dress code guidelines. Bush Elementary's colors are red, navy, and white. Khaki pants, shorts, and skirts may also be worn. If a jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt are worn in the building throughout the day, then those items must follow dress code. Please also remember that only the Bush plaid may be worn, other plaids are not part of our dress code.

We're seeing many students wearing jeans with purposeful holes and/or tears and these type of jeans are not part of dress code. Only jeans that are a plain blue may be worn. Also, sweatpants or athletic pants are not part of the Bush dress code.

Finally, students must wear shoes that are safe for school with closed toes and closed heals. Crocs and sandals are not appropriate shoes for school and are not part of our dress code.

Please contact our Wrap Around Specialist, Maria Quevedo, if you're in need of dress code items. maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

The Teacher Assistants are responsible for supervising the students in the cafeteria during lunch time. The Teacher Assistants are asking for parents' help in keeping the cafeteria calm and safe. Parents must follow these guidelines when visiting at lunch to pass out a birthday treat to their child's homeroom class and have lunch with their child.

• Only hand out the birthday treat to the students in your child’s homeroom class at the last 5 minutes of your child’s lunch.
• Birthday goodie bags are not handed out at lunch.
• Do not hand out any extra treats to any students in other classes.
• Only take your child (no other students may go) to eat at the hallway birthday table or at the courtyard table and understand that you will not be able to eat lunch in the cafeteria.
• Do not take pictures or videos in the cafeteria during lunch.

Parents not following these guidelines directly affects student behaviors in the cafeteria.

The Spectacular Science Word for the week of May 8 is seasons.

Ms. Rose would like to wish a very special birthday to:

Tiller B. who turned 6 years old on May 9 and is a kindergartner in Ms. Nguyen's class.

Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!

Parents, please review the following programs for the summertime. Wraparound has been doing research to find the best prices and even free programs for our students. Hope these resources help!

SwimWise is a series of FREE learn to swim classes offered for all ages and skill levels.

Register here https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/houstonparks/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Houston Public Library’s Camp STREAM At Camp STREAM, youth engage with their peers and learn from experts in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math while strengthening social skills and energizing imaginations. Camp STREAM will be offered in both in-person and virtual formats this year. This program is generously sponsored by the Houston Public Library Foundation and the Powell Foundation.

Apply on May 1 at 11AM EST at https://campstream.houstonlibrary.org/

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department provides programming and recreational opportunities for youth ages 4-18. The youth program is available year-round through the Department’s Community Centers.

Information here https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/youthsports-recreation.html

YMCA Summer Day Camp Ages 5-15 | Multiple Houston locations. Offered at locations around the Houston area, YMCA Summer Day Camp allows your child to get out and get active. Activities may include sports and outdoor games, creative and performing arts, archery, engineering, and nature exploration.

Registration here https://ymcahouston.org/programs/childcare-and-camps/registration

Little Beakers Camps Ages 3-13 | Multiple Houston locations. With up to 12 different science themes to select from, kids touch on an array of topics through hands-on science activities including rockets, glowing volcanoes, reactions, fossils & minerals, polymers, ice-cream science, forensic science, edible molecules, physics, planets, microbiology and much more.

Registration here https://katymemorial.littlebeakers.com/camps

The STEM Department is hosting a Summer STEM Camp this June for students in grades 2nd-7th. The camp will offer fun and engaging hands-on learning activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) using LEGO Spike Prime robotics. Students will have the opportunity to explore deep space exploration through a unique approach to LEGO's curriculum merged with design thinking and literacy.

The camp will last for nine days over three weeks, including a unique field experience day. The camp will be offered at no cost to current HISD students at eight middle school locations, and district instructional staff will lead the camp. To be eligible, students must be in good academic standing and complete the application process on a first-come, first-served basis. By the end of camp, students will have collaborated to program robots, completed design challenges, and gained a better understanding of how STEM concepts apply to the real world. Please spread the word about this exciting opportunity for students to learn and have fun this summer.

When: June 12-27 (3-week camp session); June 19 will be a holiday for staff and students

Where: Clifton Middle School, Edison Middle School, Hamilton Middle School, Henry Middle School, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, Ortiz Middle School, Reagan K-8 Educational Center, and Revere Middle School.

How:

1. To apply for STEM Camp please visit: Academics/Summer School

2. Parent/Guardian complete the online application form before the

Deadline of May 19

Our annual Field Day will take place this Friday, May 12th! We need wonderful volunteers to help make it a fun and special day for the students! Please see the SignUp Genius for more information and to sign up to help. We look forward to having you join us!

If you are attending BBE next year, get a head start!

- Pre-register for dismissal tags

- Purchase school supplies

- Go to www.BBEpto.com

Dismissal tags are required for ALL students, and if you pre register, you will be able to pick them up at the Meet the Teacher in August. School supplies will be delivered to your student's new classroom in the fall. If you have a new K or PK student attending in the fall, you must register them as a student on your account page before purchasing supplies for them.

Register a new student HERE.

There are only two positions open on our Board for the next school year, and we need YOU!

Fundraising Events Chairperson(s) - Organizes at least two fundraising events (ideally, one in the Fall, one in the Spring) that bring the BBE community together and promote school spirit.

Staff Hospitality Chairperson(s) - Plans and hosts events throughout the year to honor BBE teachers and staff in a creative and hospitable way.

Both of these roles are supported by and report to a Director who will supervise and assist as needed. If you are interested in either of the above positions, or would like more information, please contact presidentbbepto@gmail.com

Join the Birthday Book Club and make your student’s day extra special! Your student will receive a personal birthday greeting from Ms. Rose during the morning announcements, and have their name printed in the weekly Paw Prints newsletter, in a book for the library, AND on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday.

If your student will next celebrate their birthday in the 2023-2024 school year, please wait until then to purchase your BBC membership.

Subscribe to the PTO Events Calendar through iCal or Google

For any questions related to PTO please contact Amy Gnau, presidentbbepto@gmail.com

We celebrated our annual Teacher Appreciation Week all last week, Monday, May 1st through Friday, May 5th. Our wonderful teachers felt the gratitude and appreciation from the BBE community– thank you, Bobcat Families!

Snack and School Supply carts were filled with donations from BBE families!

The Teachers’ Lounge was stocked to show our teachers how much we appreciate them!

Bobcat families are invited to the Bush Buddies Walk on Friday, May 19th at 6:45 am for a walk around the BBE track! Come join together with our BBE community, boost your immune system, improve your mental health, and reduce stress with a morning walk before school.

All students must attend with an adult. Light refreshments will be provided.

School Store will be open each Wednesday morning from 7:30-8:30 for parents, guardians and students to buy apparel or school supplies such as notebooks, agendas, crayons, etc. You must be VIPS approved to enter the school. You can also shop online at www.BBEpto.com. You must have (or make) an account to shop.

Be sure to follow @bbepto on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates when we get new stock!

The School Store is open for students to shop on Fridays. There will be no School Store On-the-Go this week due to Field Day.

We offer pens, pencils, erasers, fidgets and more. Prices range from $0.10- $4. Please send money with your student on the correct week if they would like to shop. See below for the schedule.

5/19 - 2nd and 3rd Grades

5/26 - 1st Grade, Kinder and Pre-K

Please contact mybushstore@gmail.com with any questions about the School Store.

Please help us to continue improving the volunteer support that we give our students, school and teachers, by completing this quick survey. If you complete the survey you can choose to be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card! This survey will close on May 26th

Join the Birthday Book Club and make your student’s day extra special! Your student will receive a personal birthday greeting from Ms. Rose during the morning announcements, and have their name printed in the weekly Paw Prints newsletter, in a book for the library, AND on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday.

22-23 Faculty and Staff

COUNSELOR

Jewell Quinonez

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext: 275105)

Jewell.Quinonez@houstonisd.org

Click here to visit the BBE Counselor Corner

FOR RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH -

Wraparound - Maria Quevedo

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275250)

maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

FOR ATTENDANCE -

Registrar - Adriana Rosales

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275104)

arosale3@houstonisd.org