Huskies in the Know

We are so excited to have you here for the 24-25 school year. It is an especially exciting year, since we are celebrating 20 years of DIIS! Our motto for this year is "Paw Pride". We must have pride in everything we do and tell everyone how amazing our campus is. We will "Walk in Willing and Walk out Ready!"

Love, Mrs. Thomas

• 1/28-Health Presentation for 6th grade parents via TEAMS @7:30pm

• 1/29-"We are One" Day

• 2/1-Band Instrument Tryout @ 8:30am-2:00pm

• 2/3-Coble Incoming Student Parent Night Meeting 5:30-6:30 (via TEAMS)

• 2/6-5th Grade Field Trip-"The Wiz" (any referrals resulting in ISS/OSS will forfeit a student's opportunity to attend)
• 2/7-6th Grade Health Presentation @ 9:00am; Dog Dollar Store

*The cutoff to check out students or change mode of transportation for the day is 3:00pm*

*Parents-students should not be on cell phones in the pick up line. This delays movement*

*Please do not speed through the pick up lines. This is a big safety concern. Also, please be courteous to our crossing guard and teachers on duty. Do not park in any parking lot during drop off and pick up. No drop off/pick up in the back or side of the building.

*Biker shorts/leggings can be worn with a top that completely covers the rear end and front of the body. Tying a jacket around the waist will not suffice.

*Reminder-School starts at 8:30am. Students are tardy after that time*

The Icenhower 5th graders have been invited to watch the play “The Wiz” on Thursday, Feb. 6th at the Center for Performing Arts. Your child will receive a permission slip next week.

The cost of the field trip is $5 (to cover the cost for the busses). Forms and payment deadline is Friday, Jan. 31st (NO EXCEPTIONS-NONREFUNDABLE). If you are paying cash, your child will turn that in to Mrs. Douglas or Mrs. Young during lunches.

Students receiving ISS or OSS from now until the field trip will NOT be able to attend.

Transparency implies openness, communication, and accountability. In communication, it means to openly and honestly share all relevant information, both positive and negative with others and allowing for clear understanding and informed decision-making. It’s about being open and direct in communication without withholding details or trying to mislead while maintaining respect for others. In other words, transparency builds trust.

Mr. Starling always stands up for his beliefs while doing what's best for kids and education. He challenges the status quo and encourages his colleagues and administrators to think outside of the box. He is consistent, clear about his values and beliefs, and is a wonderful addition to Icenhower.

We love you, Mr. Starling!

According to our state Health TEKS we are to cover some Health topics at the middle grades related to sexual health. This is a completely optional unit that requires parent permissions. You can find a link to our state Health TEKS here.

Our school has partnered with Youth Equipped to Succeed (YES) to provide information on relationships and sexual health. Through these programs, students are provided research-based information on how to achieve optimal health and are encouraged to focus on their dreams and goals. You are invited to join us for the Parent Presentation to preview what the students will see and receive tools and strategies for communication with your child.

Parent Program:

Location: Microsoft TEAMS (online) LINK BELOW

Date: January 28, 2025

Time: 7:30 pm

The student program will be presented via TEAMS to students on Feb 7 (6th grade) and Feb 13 (7th grade).

Youth Equipped to Succeed believes strongly in connecting students to positive messages and healthy relationships that will help them navigate cultural pressures. Through their programming, students of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances are equipped with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need in order to achieve more healthy and successful futures.

To view an outline of the program content, please visit the Youth Equipped to Succeed website at: https://justsayyes.org/program-outlines/

After the parent meeting if you need to change your permission, please follow the procedure and contact rondydunn@misdmail.org

TEA released the 2023-24 Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) data reports on December 12, 2024. These data reports pull together a wide range of information on students' performance in each school and district in Texas every year. These reports show student performance disaggregated by student groups, including ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The reports also provide extensive information on school and district staff, programs, and student demographics.

Mrs. Douglas, 5th Grade (pictured L)

Mrs. Cottle, 6th Grade (pictured R)

If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, I would like to provide additional support at school…If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning or weekend please email me the phrase ‘Handle with Care.’ Nothing else will be said or asked. This will let me know that your child may need extra time, patience or help during the day. We will pass this on to teachers.

LindsayCottle@misdmail.org

JenniferDouglas@misdmail.org

PTA is focused on making every child's potential a reality by strengthening education and taking a comprehensive approach to community success. And we know there is no commYOUnity without YOU – our members, our business leaders, our decision-makers. Join us..

If your child is interested in a specific club, please contact the sponsor (s).

Kenai

Kodiak

Klondike

Iditarod

Electives/PE

We are still working out some kinks with Class Dojo. Meanwhile, please join our Icenhower Remind by following these instructions:

Last Names A-I: Text code @4ac4hb4 to 81010

Last Names J-P: Text code @66hk29 to 81010

Last Names Q-Z: Text code @936bc9 to 81010

Beginning Monday, August 19, students will begin to receive consequences for being out of dress code. Please review the MISD Student Dress Code below.

When school starts Aug. 14, all students who receive bus transportation to and from school will have a SMART tag badge they will scan when getting on and off an MISD school bus. Our students will simply attach the badge to their backpacks. Please keep in mind that punching a hole in the actual tag will damage its ability to transmit a signal, so use the plastic sleeve to attach the tag to a backpack. Please do not remove the tag from their backpack. Your first bus tag is free, but if it is lost or damaged, then it will be $5.00 to replace it.

The SMART Tag technology keeps track of which students are on a particular bus, when they board, when they exit and where. The system will also alert the driver if a student gets off at the wrong stop. Families are kept in the loop through an app that shows the bus location and sends alerts indicating when and where a student boarded and exited the bus. In the event of a delay or accident, families will be notified through the app.

It is important to know that the only information stored in the badge is the student’s ID number and correct bus stop. MISD plans to issue SMART tags to middle and high school students later this school year. Until that time, secondary school families can follow their student’s bus by downloading the SMART tag app from their phone’s app store.

The photo below is what the app looks like.

Read more about SMART tag on the district website. If you have additional questions, contact MISD Transportation at 817-299-6060.

Please remember that cell phones are to be off, in backpacks, and stored in the locker at all times. There is a $15 fee if a phone is collected. Please review our MISD Cell Phone Policy here: https://www.mansfieldisd.org/uploaded/main/departments/communications/letters/Mansfield_ISD_Implements_New_Cell_Phone_Guidelines_for_2023-24_School_Year.pdf

Our library is excited to welcome you back to the 24-25 school year. We encourage you to partner with us to continue to create a community of readers. If at any time you would like to set parameters on books your child can check out or if you have any questions about our library please call our librarian Jeanne Clayton at 817-299-2700 or email at jeanneclayton@misdmail.org. We look forward to reading our way through 24-25!

Parents, please remember the following safety protocols:

• When visiting, you must present a government issued ID to be run through Raptor.
• If you are here for a conference, eat lunch with your child, volunteering, shadowing, etc, your visitor badge must be visible at all times
• If one parent is admitted into the building, please do not follow behind them ("tailgate) without being verified. Parents, please do not hold the doors for anyone.
• You must go through the pickup/drop off line in the mornings. Please do not drop your students off in the street or in the back parking lot.
• Remember that there is no supervision prior to 8:00am. If your student is arriving prior to that, please remind them of behavior and safety expectations.
• Please exhibit proper decorum at all times.
• Remind your child to NEVER open the door for anyone.

Parents and Guardians,

Please remember that you must go through the drop off and pick up line in the mornings and afternoons. Do not go down the bus lane, do not park in/next to the teacher parking lot in the back, do not park at Jandrucko, and do not park on Collins. This is for the safety of our students. If you are parked here and asked to move, please be polite and adhere to the procedures. Thank you!

• Please remember to use the appropriate grade level lane for drop off and pick up
• There is no supervision prior to 8:00am. Doors open at 8:00am. The tardy bell rings at 8:30am. Dismissal is at 4:00pm
• In the morning, students may either eat breakfast in the cafeteria or report to their advisory class. Students need to be in the cafeteria for breakfast or the library by 8:10am. Late buses are an exception.
• All students will need to have a book with them to read.

• Students are not dressing out for P.E., so they will not need to purchase P.E. Uniforms. Students will need sneakers.
• Please be sure to read the District's Dress Code, located in the Student Code of Conduct. Crocs must be placed in "sports mode".
• Football is not permitted outside of a structured P.E. lesson. Students should not bring balls from home or use objects as footballs, basketballs, etc. These items will be confiscated.

What is Respect?

Respect is the willingness and ability to act professionally and thoughtfully with ourselves and others. Leaders can deal respectfully with opposition and provide space for both dignity and differences to coexist.

Why focus on Respect?

• Respect contributes to a positive culture. People feel safe, supported, and engaged in the context of thoughtful social, emotional, civic, and intellectual interactions.
• Respect decreases conflict. Respect helps us, and others, to be able to express ourselves without fear of being judged, humiliated, or discriminated against.
• Respect encourages empathy. Respect helps us to understand each other and put ourselves in someone else shoes.

Respect in Action:

• Teach students words have power. How we talk to others and ourselves can motivate or discourage, connect or destroy, hurt or heal. We should choose our words with care.
• Create opportunities for group decision-making. Open dialogue engages students in a process where compromise is crucial to making decisions.
• Vary protocols for classroom sharing. Frequently use open-ended questions, partner sharing, and small group activities to connect and promote understanding between students.

Please be aware that meals in your school cafeteria are not automatically free this year. You must pay for the meals or qualify for free/reduced meal benefits. Student meal pricing, free/reduced meal application, & online payment system are available here: bit.ly/MISDStudentNutrition. Students may also bring cash/check to school to pay for meals.

Please submit all questions regarding student nutrition to studentnutrition@misdmail.org.

You may now deliver food to your child; however, we are not allowing Door Dash, Uber Eats etc. Parent may eat lunch with their child.

To report an absence, please email or PEIMS clerk at melissaguerra@misdmail.org.

Last Names A-I: Text code @4ac4hb4 to 81010

Last Names J-P: Text code @66hk29 to 81010

Last Names Q-Z: Text code @936bc9 to 81010

Email: amandathomas@misdmail.org
Website: https://icenhower.mansfieldisd.org/
Location: 8100 Webb Ferrell Road, Arlington, TX, USA
Phone: 817-299-2700
Facebook: facebook.com/IcenhowerIntermediateSchool
Twitter: @huskyproud