Northlake Notes

Happy Spring Break, Northlake Fam 😌

I can't believe how quickly this 3rd nine weeks has come and gone. I hope you all have some fun and/or relaxing plans for the break to get some rest and get rejuvenated because the 4th nine weeks is going to be even fuller and faster!

The weather has been so beautiful and with clocks changing to spring forward, it's the perfect time to get outside and active. While it's important for our kids to have some down time to veg out with video games/screens, it's also important for our kids to have some time to socialize and be active in a technology free environment.

The Yale School of Medicine has conducted a study connecting screen time in adolescents and mental health: "The study, led by faculty at the Yale Department of Psychiatry and Columbia School of Nursing, analyzed screen media activity in over 5,100 9- and 10-year-olds who participated in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term analysis of brain development and child health in the United States. It found that youth who spent the most time on their digital technology were statistically more likely to exhibit higher levels of internalizing problems two years later. Internalizing problems include depression, anxiety, social anxiety, somatic complaints, and other concerns. This association between frequent screen time and mental health problems was mediated by specific changes in brain development."

Knowing the current data on screen time in conjunction with the gorgeous weather, let's use this opportunity during these days off from school to rejuvenate our mental and physical health in order to continue to our next level of excellence.

Here are some FREE places to take your kids.

Here are 181 more places in DFW to check out with your kids.

For all the important announcements and celebrations from this past week, read on below! 🎉

Be sure to check out the important upcoming dates at the end of the newsletter!

For my son's 9th birthday, we went as a family to Medieval Times with my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephew. It was a great way to start off Spring Break, connecting, having fun, and being silly together as a family (because as you can see, we are "that family," that isn't afraid to dress up and be a little out there).

Please enjoy the next 7 days of break, and we look forward to seeing you all back on Monday, March 18th.

All the best, 🐾❤️

Kylee Wall

What better time than Spring Break to start a new stack of books? Mr. Aleman, our LITE, has gotten our reading juices pumping with the 2024 Northlake Book Battle.

Students have been voting for their favorite books as read by various Northlake Team members. Feel free to check out the titles that are being read at your local library or book store!

Click this link to watch the 2024 Northlake Book Battle trailer.

Talent Show Tryouts are here!

Use Spring Break to practice for tryouts and show off your hidden talent(s).

Try Out Forms MUST be turned in by March 20th (no exceptions).

We can't wait to see our Northlake Wildcats show off all their talent!

Students that participate in the advanced learning program were able to share their latest project with their parents and other students.

The premise for the projects was that students were hired as imagineers to create new original theme parks based on a familiar book, movie or story. Students then crafted mood boards to present their theme park ideas.

They shared their informative presentations in a convention style forum in our Northlake Cafeteria. Classes and parents were able to come and visit freely among the presentations.

Shout out to our amazing ALT - Ms. Lucy Castellaño for all she did to facilitate these projects and presentations.

Here at Northlake, we are always looking ahead and trying out different skill sets in order to plan the best college or career for our students' futures. Mrs. Turner turned it up to another level of excellence by partnering with the Audelia Library. The Audelia Library displayed her 2nd grade students' President's Day projects.

Her class also posed with our AVID display in their Texas Tech shirts. If Mrs. Turner has any say in the matter - there will be many a Red Raider grad in the future that were her former 2nd graders!

2nd Grade took advantage of some beautiful weather and got their taste of Gaga ball this week.

Kinder Parents are still setting the tone and building the love of reading in our kiddos by appearing weekly as mystery readers.

Between Book Battles and Mystery Readers, it's easy to see why our Northlake Wildcats have a love of learning and books! All I know is that if I can read as many books as Ms. Schneider, I know I'll be on the right track.

Thank you to all our parent Mystery Readers!

1st Graders enjoyed some collaborative learning through STEM bins. Activities like these encourage our students to learn necessary social skills and gives the opportunity for creativity as well as coming up with imaginative solutions in a group setting.

Our Northlake Team are always coming up with ways to encourage and motivate our students. Just this week, at a student's party, Mr. Amador dressed up in his taco costume to take the party to the next level. It's always the "quiet ones." 😂

Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opens online Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 8:00 a.m.

Whether you’re new to RISD or returning for another year of school, parents can take advantage of convenient online enrollment using a PowerSchool registration account. Enrollment for returning students will require a “snapcode” that will be emailed to current parents on February 26.

Starting Feb. 27, enrollment for next school year will open for all current or future students in Pre-K through grade 12. Please click here for more information about the enrollment process and what documents are necessary to complete enrollment.

Contact your current (2023-24) RISD school for questions or assistance with enrollment, including help submitting necessary documents.

Good Afternoon, Northlake Community,

Across the state of Texas, school districts are facing major financial challenges as the state legislature

has not voted to increase the per student allotment since 2019. Essentially, within that 5 year period, the bills have gone way up, but the paycheck hasn't. As you have likely heard by now, the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees is reviewing potential measures that would help to cover the financial gap for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

On February 22nd, RISD Superintendent, Tabitha Branum, proposed Project Rightsize to the RISD Board of Trustees based on recommendations of the RISD Community Budget Steering Committee. The proposal was prepared by RISD Administration to address the District's projected budget deficit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and will go to the Board for a vote on March 21st.

You can see the taped presentation here:

https://web.risd.org/home/keeping-tabs-on-project-rightsize/

Under the proposal, the Azul apartments, located at 10928 Audelia Rd, would be rezoned to Northlake as part of the Elementary consolidation. Additionally, the bilingual program would be moved from Northlake to Wallace. If both parts of the proposal pass, Northlake's capacity utilization would go from 94% (current) to 74% (projected.) All families who will be affected by the Project RightSize plan will be made aware of any new program placements by May 15. 2024.

To learn more about Project Rightsize, please visit the following link:

https://web.risd.org/home/project-rightsize/

The district FAQs specific to the proposed plan can be found here:

https://web.risd.org/budgetfinance/budget-planning-faqs/

The proposed Project RightSize Plan is still a proposal and no action will be taken by the board

until March 21st. If you have questions or feedback for the district regarding the proposal, please

visit the following link:https://www.k12insight.com/Lets-Talk/embed.aspx?L=PZ4R47G2N3LT

If there is anything I can do to provide clarification or resources, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Amanda Hinders

Northlake Elementary PTA President

president@northlakepta.com

With the advent of spring, comes a little spring fever. Dads Club & PTA are asking volunteers to join in to provide support in the lunchroom and at recess.

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom or at recess, please use this link to sign up. Be sure you have completed the background check via risd.voly.org.

Thanks, Dads (and Moms) ! We appreciate you. ❤️👨👩

If you would like to hear more about Dads Club, please reach out to Brad McCutcheon at DadsClub@NorthlakePTA.com.

We have a new opportunity to volunteer in the garden. In the weeks leading up to our drip-line install, we are needing some watering help.

This opportunity will be for one week at a time, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You would be watering the seedlings for a total of around 20 minutes. It can be done at your convenience, but you won't need to check in if you go after 3pm.

To sign up, click the link: Garden Volunteer Link

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Garden Chair, Rachel Bennion at rachelebennion@gmail.com

If you would like to volunteer at Northlake Elementary, you must complete a volunteer background check EVERY new school year. Volunteering could include helping with class parties, attending field trips with your children, working in the library, helping at Field Day, or many other activities. We will not allow anyone who has not completed and passed the volunteer background check to volunteer.

Please click on this link to complete the background check. You MUST also watch the very short powerpoint at the end to complete the entire background check. Failure to watch the powerpoint will make your application incomplete and you will not be able to volunteer.

Reminder that no crocs or "croc-like" shoes are allowed at school. Many croc-related incidents end up in the Nurse's clinic. Please do not make us have to be the "crocs police", as this rule is part of our district Elementary Dress Code. Please be sure your students are dressed appropriately for school each day. Thank you for your help keeping all our students safe! 👟

Please be sure that children are supervised at all times whether at the Audelia Public Library or the playground next to it. There have been injuries that have happened from students playing without guardian supervision. Please remind your children that if they are walkers, they should be walking straight home from school. The librarians do not supervise students, so please do not allow your children to go to the library without an adult.

The school day is from 7:50-3:10.

• The building opens at 7:30.

• Breakfast is served in the classroom from 7:30-7:50.

• Your child is tardy at 7:51 and will receive a tardy pass to get to class.

• Your child is late for school after 8:05 and a parent will need to sign them in at the office.

• If your child arrives to school after 9:00 AM they are counted absent for the day.

• If you child is absent for any reason, please be sure to send a note to school on the day your child returns, letting us know the reason for the absence. Any excuse notes must be received within 3 days of returning to school in order to receive an excused absence.

If you have any questions regarding attendance, please email lorrie.ford@risd.org.

Parents are welcome to bring a small birthday treat to celebrate their child's birthday. Here are a few reminders:

• Treats must be store bought or baked (cupcakes and cookies are best). We ask for store bought so teachers can see the ingredients listed in order to be mindful of any allergies students may have.
• We do not pass out drinks, party bags or balloons.
• Parents may drop treats labeled with child's name, grade and homeroom teacher, off in the main office, and we will get them to the classroom.
• We will not call students out of class to come to the office for pictures with their treats.
• Teachers will pass treats out at the end of the day.

To have your child's name added to the marquee for their birthday for just $10, please use this link to the PTA website. www.northlakepta.com/birthday-marquee

The district policy is that grades are not printed and sent home; however, you may view your child's grades on the Parent Portal in Focus. If you have not signed up for a Parent Portal Account, please see the information below.

Please be sure to sign up for your Parent Focus Account. This will give you access to all kinds of important student information. Most importantly, you will have access to your child's grade.

web.risd.org/focus/

In the interest of safety & security, every visitor to a Richardson ISD campus must present a valid form of identification and be processed through the Raptor background check system each visit, regardless of previous checks. Please be sure that you have your valid identification with you every time you visit Northlake Elementary. Thank you for your patience and understanding as RISD works to ensure the safety of students and employees. Volunteer questions may be directed to the office of Strategy & Engagement.

Additionally, the front office staff will use the intercom system to ask visitors to identify themselves and the purpose of their visit before granting access to the office. This is part of our heightened security measures. Please be cooperative. As you enter the building, do not allow others to enter with you or to follow you through the doors as you enter or leave. Everyone who enters should ring the buzzer and speak to someone in the office before entering the school building. Thank you!

Parents are welcome to come visit during lunch to eat with their students. We ask that you sign up for a day and time using the sign-up genius. In order to keep students safe and to accommodate everyone, please read through these reminders for visiting Northlake for lunch:

• Sign up for your visit using the Sign Up Genius.
• No Siblings, due to limited space on the stage.
• You may eat lunch with your child only.
• Please do not take pictures of your child while at lunch.
• When you are finished with lunch, please check out through the office. Parents may not go back to class with their children to visit.

bit.ly/NLESpring24LunchSignUp

Parents must apply for their child/children to receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Last year everyone received free school breakfast but this year families must apply to receive free or reduced breakfast. The application must be completed as soon as possible to ensure that there is no interruption to their meal service. This application needs to be filled out every year. Please click on the picture or link below to get to the lunch application.

Students are welcome to pack a nutritious lunch from home or a lunch may be purchased in the school cafeteria. If your child happens to forget their lunch from home, please drop it off in the front office by 10:30 AM. This will ensure that the lunch will reach your child by their lunch time. Please refer to the RISD Child Nutrition website for menus, pricing and payment options.

We are so fortunate to have a wonderful PTA. They have been working so hard all year.

If you are interested in volunteering in the lunchroom or at recess, please use this link to sign up. Be sure you have completed the background check via risd.voly.org.

Please be sure to check out their website for different ways you can help out. You can also reach out to Amanda Hinders at President@NorthlakePTA.com for more information about PTA, or if you would like to hear more about Dads Club, please reach out to Brad McCutcheon at DadsClub@NorthlakePTA.com.

We need your help! We are working hard to grow our PTA membership. It costs $8 to join PTA and there is no time commitment needed. We always need volunteers at PTA school events such as Carnival, Multi-Cultural Night and Buddy Fun Day. But, we are flexible and you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows.

You can find more information out about our PTA on their website. Thanks in advance for supporting our school! https://www.northlakepta.com/

March - Texas History Month & National Disability Awareness Month

Mar 10th - Daylight Savings Ends

Mar 11-15th - Spring Break

Mar 18th - Beginning of 4th Nine Weeks

Mar 20th - LAST DAY for Talent Show Tryout Forms

Mar 21st - College/Spirit Shirt Day & 2nd Grade Field Trip

Mar 22-23rd - Hoops in the Highlands 3v3 Basketball Tournament

Mar 25-29th - Book Fair in Library

Mar 25 - Talent Show Tryouts & Garden Day

Mar 27th - Garden Day/I Know What to Do Day & PTA Meeting/Open House 5:30-7pm

Mar 28th - College/Spirit Shirt Day & 3rd Grade Field Trip

Mar 29th - No School

April - National Library Month, National Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month, National Arab American Heritage Month, World Autism Month

April 1-5 GT Awareness Week
April 3 - Paraprofessional (Classroom Aides) Appreciation Day
April 4 - National Librarian’s Day
April 8 - Total Solar Eclipse & PBIS Team Meeting
April 10 - Talent Show Rehearsal, Produce Day, & Mentor/Mentee Meeting
April 11 - Early Release Day & Talent Show 5:30pm
April 12 - No School
April 15 - STAAR Pep Rally
April 16 - STAAR Test Reading 3-6 & PreK/Kinder Field Trips
April 17 - Haiku Day
April 18 - STAAR Test Science 5
April 23 - 1st Grade Field Trip & School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 24 - Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day (Front Office)
April 25 - STAAR Test Math 3-6 & 2nd Grade Field Trip
April 29 - AVID Site Team Meeting & Paw Prints Picnic
April 30 - Kindergarten Field Trip