Lion's Exchange

We love celebrating our amazing teachers and staff. The District is accepting nominations for teachers and staff to receive a LifeLeader Award at our annual end of year awards ceremony. Help us celebrate our amazing teachers and staff by submitting a nomination by March 31st: LifeLeader Nominations

As we embark on February, we celebrate Black History Month – a time dedicated to honoring the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals. It's a time for reflection, learning, and celebrating the resilience, strength, and cultural richness of the Black community.

At LSOCE we believe that learning about Black history is an essential part of understanding our shared human experience. Throughout this month, we will be engaging our students in various activities and lessons that highlight the significant impact Black people have had on our world – from science and technology to arts, literature, and social justice.

We encourage you to join us in this celebration. Here are some ways you can engage with your children at home during Black History Month:

• Explore books and stories: Visit your local library or bookstore and discover books featuring Black authors and stories about Black history and culture. Discuss these stories with your children and encourage them to ask questions.
• Watch documentaries and films: There are many excellent documentaries and films available that explore different aspects of Black history. Watching these together can be a great way to learn and spark conversations.
• Discuss important figures: Research and talk about influential Black figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Maya Angelou, and countless others. Discuss their accomplishments and the impact they had on society.
• Celebrate Black culture: Explore Black art, music, and cuisine. Attend local events or visit museums that showcase Black culture.
• Encourage open conversations: Create a safe space for your children to ask questions and share their thoughts about race, history, and social justice.

Black History Month is not just about looking back; it's also about looking forward and recognizing the ongoing contributions of Black individuals in our communities and around the world. It's a time to reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all.

We believe that by working together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding world for our children. We look forward to celebrating Black History Month with you and your family.

Warm regards,

Principal Stovall

The campus and district Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR) are available on the TEA public website https://tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/index.html , and does not include A–F ratings or Distinction Designations at this time. The TAPR pull together a wide range of information on the performance of students in each school and district in Texas every year. Performance is shown disaggregated by student groups, including ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The reports also provide extensive information on school and district staff, programs, and student demographics.

District and Campus Federal Report Cards

District and Campus Federal Report Cards are now available on our website. Please click one of the links below to view the parent notification letter which gives an explanation of the information provided in the report card.

Parent Letter (English)
Parent Letter (Spanish)

As we prepare for our upcoming Spring Benchmark assessments, we want to share key dates and guidelines to ensure a successful testing experience for everyone.

Campus Closures to Visitors:

Due to Spring Benchmark testing for 3rd-6th grades, our campus will be CLOSED to parents and visitors on the testing days that are listed below. Parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with students, do parent observations, or volunteer on major testing days. On designated Makeup Testing days the campus will be open to parents or visitors. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to create a focused and conducive testing environment for our students.

Test Preparation:

To ensure your child performs at their best, please assist us by ensuring they get enough sleep and have a nutritious breakfast. Please have your students leave their cell phone and smart watches at home on testing days. We encourage students to bring snacks and a bottle of water on testing days. Some good examples are peanut butter/cheese crackers, goldfish crackers, pretzels, nuts, granola bars, trail mix, & a few peppermints.

Upcoming Benchmark Dates:

• February 25: Math Benchmark (Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors

• February 26: Science Benchmark (Grade 5) No Campus Visitors

• February 27: Makeup Testing for Math Benchmark (Grades 3-6)

• March 3: Makeup Testing for Science Benchmark (Grade 5)

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this testing period. Your partnership is invaluable in fostering a positive learning environment for our students.

Re-enrollment Began January 1st

Life School re-enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will began January 1, 2025. With the 4-day school week calendar, we are experiencing increased interest in enrollment. If your child attends Life School, please watch your email for re-enrollment instructions so you can act quickly in January to reserve your child's seat for next year.

Refer a Friend to Apply to Life School Today

Enrollment for new students will begin February 1, 2025. If you have family or friends interested in attending Life School next year, please share their contact information by completing this referral form or have them Life School Enrollment and request information.

Space is also still available this school year on some Life School campuses. If you have family or friends interested in attending Life School, please encourage them to apply today or pass along their contact information by completing this referral form.

FEBRUARY is BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Feb 13 - Progress Reports available to families in Parent Portal

Feb 14 - No School/Staff Development

Feb 25 - 100th Day of School

Feb 25 - Math Benchmark (Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors
Feb 26 - Math Benchmark (Grades 4 & 6) & 5th Science No Campus Visitors
Feb 27 - Makeup Testing for Math Benchmark (Grades 3, 4, & 6) No Campus Visitors

Feb 27 - Black History Month Program (6PM)

Feb 27 - Birthday Thursday/$3 Free dress Day

Feb 28 - No School for Students or Staff

Get ready for some fun! We're thrilled to announce that we're quickly approaching the 100th day of school! This special milestone marks a significant accomplishment for our students, representing incredible learning and growth throughout the year.

We'll be celebrating this exciting occasion with engaging and memorable activities during the week of the 24th. We'll be exploring all things 100 through creative projects, fun games, and maybe even some special 100-themed attire! Your child's teacher will be sharing more details about specific classroom celebrations soon.

The 100th day is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on all the progress our students have made. From reading and writing to math and science, their hard work and dedication have truly shone. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them!

Here are some fun ways you can join in the 100th Day celebration at home:

• Counting Fun: Practice counting to 100 with your child. Try counting objects around the house, counting by 5s or 10s, or even counting backward from 100 for a challenge!
• 100th Day Creations: Unleash your creativity and work on a 100th Day project together. You could create a collage with 100 items, build a tower with 100 blocks, draw a picture using 100 dots, or come up with your own unique idea!
• Exploring the Number 100: Talk about the number 100 with your child. Discuss things that come in hundreds, how big 100 is, and any other interesting facts about this special number.
• 100th Day Reading: Visit your local library or explore online resources for books that celebrate the 100th day of school. Reading these together can be a fun way to learn and celebrate.

We're so excited to celebrate this wonderful milestone with all of you! It's going to be a fun, memorable, and educational week.

As the weather begins to change, please remember to send your child to school with a warm jacket each day. Cooler temperatures mean our students will need extra layers to stay comfortable, especially during recess and outdoor activities.

As a reminder, students are only permitted to wear solid red or navy blue jackets/sweaters inside the building during school hours. Other color jackets can be worn into the building but will need to be removed once students enter and may be put back on for recess and dismissal. This helps us maintain our dress code while keeping students comfortable throughout the day.

Please make sure to label your child’s jackets and sweaters with their first and last name. This helps your student quickly retrieve items from our lost and found if they get left behind in classrooms or on the playground.

Additionally, this is a great time to remind children about handwashing and other healthy habits to help prevent seasonal illnesses.

Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

As we enter cold and flu season, here are a few tips to help keep everyone healthy:

1. Handwashing: Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after using the restroom.
2. Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Stay Home When Sick: If your child is feeling unwell, please keep them at home to recover and help prevent spreading illness.
4. Healthy Habits: Ensure your child is getting plenty of rest, staying active, and eating a balanced diet to support their immune system.

Thank you for helping us keep our school community healthy and safe this season!

Life School is gearing up for our newest high school in Duncanville, TX with plans to open its doors in time for the 2027-28 school year! If you believe Life School will make an even greater impact in our community by building this new high school in Duncanville, show your support by attending these City of Duncanville public meetings wearing your Life School gear!

UIL Academics

We are excited to invite your child to participate in UIL Academics! This opportunity is available for students in grades 2-6 who are interested in competing in various academic events. Click here to review the events and complete the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Arroyave at christen.arroyave@lifeschools.net.

Don't forget to sign up for our Partners for Life parent organization by clicking here to receive the most up to date opportunities to engage on campus. After you sign up, be sure to become a fan of our campus.

When you respond for an event, you will receive hours for your participation. As parents receive hours, we will recognize parents throughout the year with shout outs, special prizes, and recognition.

Did you know... When you dedicate time to reading every day, you can reduce stress, boost your mental health, fall asleep faster, and enrich your vocabulary?

Did you know ... Children who read 20 minutes every day are exposed to a large number of books and stories throughout the year, which improves their understanding and analytical skills, increases their vocabulary, shapes their personality, and increases overall academic performance.

Click here to read 7 Benefits of Reading 20 Minutes a Day as well as some tips on how to get started. #LifeLeadersRead

Every day we have Life Habits time that is focused on building social, emotional and behavioral skills. Each week we will post Life Habits conversation starters in our newsletter that are aligned with the Life Habits lessons from the week. We will also have signs in the pick up line for you to access the questions of the week. We hope you enjoy hearing about what your child is learning at school.

Email: quanesha.stovall@lifeschools.net
Website: https://lifeschool.net/schools-campuses/oak-cliff-elementary-school
Location: 4400 South R L Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 214-376-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeoakcliffelem
Twitter: @PrincipalStovall