
The Branch
A Monthly Newsletter from RootEd
The End of 2020
As scary as it has been, there was so much good that came out of this year. It was a year full of goosebumps. We got goosebumps when all of our districts figured out how to feed their students at home in a week's time over spring break. We got goosebumps when principals provided graduations in May that were safe and joyful. We got goosebumps when we saw parents sewing special instrument covers to make band safe for students.
It was definitely the year of the schools. Parents were happy to have choices as to being virtual or on campus. Schools worked so hard to make everything feel like normal in the most unnormal of years. They had holiday parties for ALL kids, they provided specials and they provided curriculum that challenged their students.
Thank you all for your continuing support of RootEd. It was such a weird year for all of us as we couldn't get into the schools and do what we wanted to do like normal. Our Reps thought outside of the box and came up with fabulous ideas and creative ways to tell the stories of their schools. They are simply amazing. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to hear from some of them about how they felt about 2020. RootEd starting working with 4 new districts in 2020: Southwest ISD, Southside ISD, Floresville ISD and Alamo Heights ISD. We have really enjoyed learning about the districts and getting to know their parents.
Do we hope that the Pandemic ends soon....yes, a million times yes. But we are so blessed with the good that came out of the awful. There is much work ahead of us, but we will overcome. We will fight for the money for public education, we will support our schools and our teachers and we will shout from the rooftops that our schools have it all!
RootEd Future Spirit Day - Johnson vs. Clark
Inspirational Videos
Texas Ed Advocates
Parents are Shopping!
Shout out to Garcia MS in NISD for putting out this awesome save the date list of all the opportunities parents have to connect with their future middle school. This is exactly what parents and their kiddos are looking for during this time of transition to make the choice as to which middle school their child will attend.
Noteworthy
Library Antics
This was a great post from the Librarian at Huebner Elem in NEISD. It really shows a true-life situation of our amazing kiddos. The post was a nice subtle brag whether intentional or not about the intellect of her students and the opportunities she has provided with the author visit. An author visit isn't necessarily rare to our schools, but this shows why it made a difference in her students lives. Great job, Ms. Watts!
#RootEdHuebner
Virtual Fun!
Bellaire Elementary in Harlandale ISD had a parade of holiday surprises for their virutual students. They surprised them with presents and LOVE. What a wonderful way to make the kids and their parents feel included.
#RootEdBellaire
RootEd out in the Community
RootEd Book Club
Hobby Helpers
#RootEdHobby #RootEdNEISD
RootEd Reps On the Look Out
This is one of the many examples of what our Reps do for their schools. We know the best referrals are other parents who have been to those schools. Parents want to hear from other parents, not just the schools themselves, when it comes to what their kids need in a school setting. When you need a referral for a painter, you don't ask the painter how good they are at painting, you ask your friends for a rec. The same idea applies. The RootEd referral system using our Reps and hashtags makes shopping for schools easy!
Neighborhood School Info Night...Save The Date!
Need a RootEd Rep for your school?
Use this link to send to the parent who would be a great RootEd Rep for your school: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVFh2Fq8fSIla32CZlxre2FhVXcOuO68OMa3TsSOgs1-LGiw/viewform?usp=sf_link
RootEd Podcast Discussion Group
Ready to dive into some podcasts that either may get you fired up or ruffled about public education?
Come listen with us!!
End of the Year Thoughts from RootEd - 2020
I Love how everyone’s creativity was shown in showing the public schools spirit still through social media, even though it has been different, school happenings are still looking good . Every public school is still going strong, I love it! Rosemary
Impressed. Kristin
Adapt and Overcome! Students will only believe if you lead! Adrian
Community. This year through the RootED program I have been able to see what community really looks like. Watching our teachers, admins and essential staff step up and continue to provide a good education has been amazing! The work our district has done to provide meals and make food accessible to all of our community is also just so amazing! We are beyond grateful to be part of this school and this district full of people that love and so this work for our community. Roxie
So far I am enjoying all the information I am getting and learning a lot from others. I am still new to this but liking it so far. Mae
So thankful for everything our Reps have done for RootEd this year. Also, very grateful for all of the support we receive. Genevieve
Unfortunately, for me there were not too many RootEd moments for me this year. So I guess it would be the Churchill v Reagan spirit day. I was amazed at how many people participated. To see our kids both virtual and in person and the staff It was a fun time to see how many people want and need community in these times. My thoughts are that 2020 has shown us that RootEd is needed. Not only as advocates for our schools but in our ability to reach to our neighborhoods in a whole different way than our schools can. Building community is key to keep our neighborhood schools as a 1st choice for educating our children. We can get the message out by just being in the community and making a difference and building relationships. It has also shown me that in 2021 working with our legislators is key. We know that our government truly has no idea what they are doing to our educational community and it is time that we speak up and be heard. It’s time for open and honest discussion. A time to call it as we see it. Let them know that our children should be a first priority. They say that children are our future if that is true we need to treat them like it! Not by standardized tests that cause more mental anguish than “data” to show how our kids are doing. It’s time for the TEA and the Legislature to know who RootEd is and that when we speak we are informed (which we are), we are passionate (we are), and we love our children (who are our future) and that we are willing to do the work to get things done. Connie
Fortitude all the way. Yvette
Being RootEd in our neighborhood schools absolutely saved our sanity in this crazy year. The school community made connections and tried to provide normalcy to both my in-person and online learners. Sarah
RootEd work on trying to stop new charter school from opening in SA. Adonis
Loved the virtual WC spirit day! Still able to pull something off!! LeeArica
The teachers and schools have more stacked on their plates this year. I am glad to be a part of an organization that takes the time to recognize and spotlight their commitment and creative problem solving. Kelly
Be Fluid, Be Patient! Adrian
About RootEd
For past newsletters: https://www.smore.com/u/rooted
Email: info@proudlyrooted.com
Website: www.proudlyrooted.com
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Phone: (210) 617-0824
Facebook: facebook.com/RootEdTexas
Twitter: @RootEdSA