Dear Parents,

On behalf of the Federal Programs departments and staff, we’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to another exciting school year! We’re excited to share our Fall Newsletter, which showcases the achievements and partnerships that highlight the success of our students and families. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you, and we look forward to continuing our work together this year.

Teresa Chavez-Gonzalez

Federal Programs Director

The Sharyland ISD Federal Programs Department is responsible for district-wide strategic and campus planning, managing all formula funding grants, evaluating the implementation of specific education programs and initiatives, and communicating results to the Texas Education Agency, Sharyland ISD board, Sharyland ISD staff, and community. Federal programs department facilitates funding as authorized by law to schools in support of programs and initiatives to improve student performance.

Effective communication is the foundation of a supportive and functioning family unit. Conversation starters are the perfect way for your kids and teenagers to start talking. Use them around the dinner table, in the car, before bedtime, or during family outings. Place your favorite questions in a jar and take turns picking them!

Conversation Starters for Family-Friendly Conversations:

• Who are two people that have encouraged you at some point in your life?

• How can you show someone that they’re special to you?

• What would you do with your life if you didn’t have to worry about money?

• In what year would you most like to have grown up?

• If your parents misbehave, what punishment should you give them?

• What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?

• What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

• What is something you like about each person here?

• What would you do with your time if all electronics were taken away?

• What was the nicest thing you did for someone this week?

• Share an experience you had with someone different than you.

• What was your favorite childhood story and why did you like it?

• If you were President, what would be three things you would change today?

• What is something you have never done that you would like to try? Why?

• If you were a teacher, what subject would you teach and why?

• What are the most important qualities you look for in a friend?

• If you could meet one leader, whom would you meet and why?

• Tell me about a time you felt guilty. How do you feel about it now?

• Do you believe it’s more important to live for yourself or others?

• If your best friend wrote a book about you, what would they title it?

• What person from history would you like to have been friends with and why?

• How do you define integrity and do you have it? Is integrity important? Explain your thinking.

• Has anything bad ever happened that turned out to be for the best?

• What school subject has been the easiest for you? Why?

• Tell us about your favorite person. (It can be a relative, friend, or teacher). Why is he/she so special to you?

• How do you feel when someone ignores you? How do you react when it happens?

• When you are sad, what do you do to feel better?

• Who would you want to see if you could have front-row seats at any concert?

• Share an experience you had with someone less fortunate than you.

• What are you afraid of? Why?

• What do you wish you were better at saying “no” to?

• Who is someone you miss?

• Which of your personality traits do you like the most? The least? Why?

Our department was honored to support some of our students by providing clothing and school supplies. It is our mission that our students are provided opportunities to reach their full academic potential with the confidence and resources they deserve. We are proud to be part of such a caring and compassionate community! #StudentSupport #BackToSchool #CommunityLiaisons

Our department had a great time at our district convocation! Excited to kick off the school year and thankful for the valuable back-to-school engagement opportunity provided for all of our district staff. Let's make this year amazing! 🎉 #BackToSchool #EducatorEngagement #DistrictPride

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! We are so excited to see our students, teachers, and parents in school once again! We continue to work together with our campuses to ensure every child has the best educational opportunities each and every day.

In our Bilingual/ESL Department, our focus is on ensuring that every student feels welcome and that every language is viewed as an asset for learning. The multicultural experiences our students and families bring to our classrooms enrich our learning environment.

Please take a moment to subscribe to the Texas Education Agency portal for Emergent Bilingual students at this website: https://www.txel.org/Parents-And-Families

You can also select the language of your choice at the top left-hand corner of the website.

We have an amazing district team of ESL Strategists and Bilingual Interventionists! They provide support to our bilingual and ESL students and teachers at the campuses they serve. Below, you will find the names of the person supporting your child’s campus:

• Shary Elementary - Ms. Alma Sanchez

• Garza Elementary - Ms. Diana Ortiz

• Jensen Elementary - Ms. Mayra Valencia

• Martinez Elementary - Ms. Karla Anzaldua

• Hinojosa Elementary - Ms. Jenny Gonzalez

• Bentsen Elementary - Ms. Jenny Gonzalez

• Shimotsu Elementary - Ms. Karla Anzaldua

• Wernecke Elementary - Ms. Melissa Galaviz

• B.L. Gray Jr. High - Ms. Melissa Ramirez

• Sharyland North Jr. High - Ms. Ruby Barcenas

• Sharyland High School - Ms. Liza Cantu

• Sharyland Pioneer High School - Ms. Aracely Garcia

• Sharyland Advanced Academics Academy - Ms. Nancy Stockton

At our central office department, Ms. Berenice Gomez serves as our District LPAC Clerk along with Ms. Elizabeth Góngora who serves as the Coordinator for Bilingual/ESL Programs. We work together with our Campus Assistant Principals who serve as the LPAC Administrators. We are confident that working together we will support your child’s needs for a successful school year!

We encourage you to be a partner in the education of your child. Keep lines of communication open between you and your child’s teacher(s) throughout the year. You can ask for their conference time so you know when you can schedule an appointment with the teacher.

Useful websites:

• Visit our Sharyland ISD Bilingual/ESL website for more information: https://www.sharylandisd.org/departments/bilingual_e_s_l

• Lakeshore Learning Store FREE activities and resources

• ¡Colorin colorado! - many ideas, tips, videos and articles on helping your child have a successful school year and learning another language.

• Texas Education Agency (TEA) Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students in Texas: Parents & Families

We look forward to another amazing school year!

The goal of Sharyland ISD is to support all students and be the link between school, home, & community.

SERVICES

• Case Management for McKinney-Vento and Foster Care students
• Collaboration with families, school staff, and community agencies/organizations.
• Provide families and student information and referrals for local community agencies/organizations.
• Advocacy for students and parents.

Website Link

District Social Workers

Karla Cisneros-Lopez - (956)580-5200 Ext. 1062

Cynthia H. Guajardo - (956)580-5200 Ext. 1194

Click on image to access a running list of local resources.

• “Homeless children and youth” means children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including those who are sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings. 42 U.S.C. §11434a(2).
• “Unaccompanied youth” includes homeless children and youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. 42 U.S.C. 11434a(6).

To speak with a caring person at any time, call 1-800-Miss-You to reach Miracle Messages, or 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Life Line.

About the Find Shelter Tool

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Find Shelter tool provides information about housing, shelter, health care, and clothing resources in communities across the country. Click on one of the categories above, enter your location, and click Search to get started.

The most complete list of shelters in Texas. The shelters listed below are emergency shelters but many are general homeless shelters or transitional housing opportunities.

https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/state/texas

We envision a world where everyone has a safe, decent, affordable and accessible home.

Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness while ensuring the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness are met and their civil rights protected.

We believe that safe, decent, and affordable housing is a human right (as written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article Twenty-Five, Section One).

https://nationalhomeless.org/

When children can't live safely at home and no appropriate non-custodial parent, relative, for close family friend is willing and able to care for them, the court can give temporary legal possession to CPS. CPS temporarily places these children in foster care. Foster care settings include:

• Foster family homes.
• Foster family group homes.
• Residential group care facilities.
• Facilities overseen by another state agency.

Foster care is meant to be temporary until a permanent living arrangement is found. However, it can become permanent - usually when a foster parent adopts or accepts permanent managing conservatorship of a child.

When children can't live safely at home, CPS tries to find relatives and family friends who can provide stability while the children can't live with their parents (see kinship care). If no one can be found, the court can give temporary legal custody to CPS, who then places the children in foster care (learn more). DFPS offers many resources for people who want to become foster parents, or who already have, or who want to foster as a first step towards adoption. Many of these resources can be found on the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE).

https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Foster_Care/Childrens_Rights.asp

Foster Youth Transition Centers

Foster Youth Transition Centers help older foster youth, young people who are homeless, and those from ages 16 to 25 who may face challenges. These centers offer different services all in one place, such as:

• PAL (Preparation for Adult Living), which helps young people prepare for adult life
• Job assistance
• Help enrolling in higher education
• Help with food and housing needs
• Mentorship and support

BCFS Health and Human Services-McAllen

211 N 15th St, McAllen, TX 78501

956-874-9590

Website Link

Angels of Love

provide victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault, and their families with individualized services in a safe and loving environment in order to provide them with the tools necessary to restore each woman and child to a healthy self-worth and healthy family setting.

https://angelsoflove.love/

Rainbow Room 🌈

non profit operated by community volunteers in partnership with Child Protective Services to protect and assist children and their families.

https://mcallenrainbowroom.org/

Foster Parent Support Group

https://www.fcnp.org/foster-parent-resources/support-groups

TEA Foster Care Student Success Guide

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Foster Care Liaison Handbook

Texas Foster Youth Justice Project

Children’s Commission Foster Care & Education Committee Webpage

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Foster Care Webpage

DFPS Career Development and Education Program

DFPS Education Training Voucher Program

DFPS State College Tuition Waiver

DFPS Supervised Independent Living

https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/publications/center_on_children_and_the_law/empowerment/nfcc_faq_olderyouth.pdf

Hello Parents,

My name is Lori De La Garza, M.L.S., and I serve as your district Parent Engagement Specialist. My role is to coordinate parent engagement activities and support our district Parent and Family Engagement Program. Our program focuses on empowering and supporting our families in their parenting journey.

Here’s an overview of what our Parent and Family Engagement Program aims to offer:

• Parenting Classes: We provide sessions on various topics, including how to navigate raising children in today’s digital age (Webinar Wednesdays), understanding student academic expectations from the state and our schools, and addressing the needs of our parents and families.
• Parent Engagement Academy: For parents who are looking to improve their English skills and learning about our school system, we offer classes to help you communicate more effectively. Our classes may start later this Fall. If you are interested in becoming one of our students for parents, please call 956-580-5200, Extension 1215.
• Early Childhood Literacy Classes: These classes are designed to help you support your young child’s early literacy development.
• Campus Support for the Parent and Family Engagement Program: We are a team of Community Liaisons and front office staff that work together to support our parents and families. Reach out to our campuses to participate as a parent volunteer. Together, we can build a strong support system for our children’s success and well-being.

Community Lesions and/or Designated Parent Contact Person at our campuses:

• Shary Elementary - Ms. Laura Contreras

• Garza Elementary - Ms. Merary Enriquez

• Jensen Elementary - Ms. Dora Gonzalez

• Martinez Elementary - Ms. Deyanira Ramos

• Hinojosa Elementary - Ms. Nora Anda (Counselor’s Secretary)

• Bentsen Elementary - Ms. Mayra Gomez

• Shimotsu Elementary - Ms. Lily Cardenas (Principal’s Secretary)

• Wernecke Elementary - VACANT POSITION

• B.L. Gray Jr. High - Ms. Kristine Bish

• Sharyland North Jr. High - Ms. Gloria Cabrera

• Sharyland High School - Ms. Sonia Gonzalez

• Sharyland Pioneer High School - Ms. Carmen Munson

• Sharyland Advanced Academics Academy - Ms. Deyanira Ramos

Forming a habit takes time, and it's commonly estimated to take between 21 and 66 days of practice. While habits generally begin to form within this period, the exact time can vary. Keeping children and teenagers organized for school can be a balancing act, but they can develop healthy organizational habits with the right strategies. Here are some tips to help:

1. Create a Routine: Establish a consistent daily schedule for homework, studying, and chores. A routine helps kids manage their time better and reduces the likelihood of last-minute homework completion or forgotten assignments.

• Daily Chores Checklist

• Weekly Goal Chart for Pre-K-2nd Grade

2. Use a Planner: Encourage them to use a physical planner or a digital calendar. Writing down assignments, deadlines, and important dates can help them keep track of their responsibilities.

• Monthly Calendar Template
• Weekly Plan Template with Goals, To-Do List, Daily Affirmation, and Notes
• Weekly Calendar
• Weekly Planner

3. Set Up a Study Space: Designate a quiet, organized area for studying and homework. Make sure it’s well-lit and free from distractions. Keeping this space clutter-free can help improve focus.

4. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Large projects or assignments can be overwhelming. Help them break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, and set deadlines for each step. Teach them to prioritize tasks by importance and deadlines. Understanding what needs immediate attention versus what can wait is key to effective time management.

5. Regularly Review and Adjust: Regularly review and adjust their organization systems to fit their evolving needs, such as doing a Saturday morning check to ensure everything is in order. Promote good habits like returning items to their proper places, handling papers and assignments promptly, and maintaining digital organization by sorting and deleting unnecessary files.

6. Teach Stress Management: Organizational skills can be closely tied to stress management. Help them find ways to manage stress, like exercise or mindfulness, which can improve overall focus and organization. Consult your doctor for the best exercise activities for your body.

• YouTube Stress Relief for Kids Video
• YouTube 6 Daily Habits to Reduce Stress & Anxiety Video
• 8-Minute Beginners Meditation
• Calm (mobile phone App)
• InsightTimer (mobile phone App)

Would you like to explore a website designed to offer valuable resources and strategies for families with children in Texas Public Schools? Family support and encouragement play a crucial role in a student's academic success and overall development.

Discover topics including:

• Early Childhood

• STAAR Testing

• College & Career

• Mental Health

Coming later this Fall 2024: Navigating the School System

Expert Parenting Sources to Know:

Healthy Children.org

Child Mind Institute.org

Kids Health.org

The Center for Parent and Teen Communication

Zero to Three.org

Boston Children’s Digital Wellness Lab