The Cub Hub

Happy Monday Bear Creek Cubs,

We really appreciate everyone's support and time on Friday evening. It is always good to connect and get your input. The Padlet is still up and running and I spent a good bit of time looking at it on Sunday morning.

If you have not weighed in on potential instructional models please feel free to express your thoughts.

https://padlet.com/david_crissey/hwi7yp748tkby6ic

AJ and I are really so thankful for the opportunity to work with your children and be a part of this thriving community. It is great to be a CUB.

AJ and David

Just click the icon for your child's grade level newsletter. These will be updated weekly.

This is a very informal survey to help BCE make some decisions about instructional models - clearly this is not binding as we are not asking for identifiers other than grade level and teacher. THIS IS FOR REMOTE LEARNERS ONLY.

Although it is informal and not binding we really need 100% return rate :-)

If you have multiple children please do one survey for each child. Thank you!!!

https://forms.gle/Po86xejFV5hAhhdm6

If you are interested the full program is here.

https://austinisd2017bond.org/bear-creek-elementary-grand-opening-full-event-recording/

Each week we will highlight a section of the Bear Creek Elementary Parent/Student Handbook. Today we will focus on communication with teachers and partnering with families.

Partnering With Families

We value our partnerships with families and know the most effective relationships are based on mutual trust and respect. Bear Creek faculty request that you adhere to the following guidelines for effective communication and campus involvement opportunities.

Teachers are required to respond within 24 hours however they are not expected to communicate with parents after 4:00 pm (which is the end of their contract day.) If there is an emergency, please call school administration or AISD Police Dispatch at (512) 414-1703.

This is something that we feel strongly about. The importance of our teachers maintaining a balance in their home and work life is essential and puts them in the best position to serve your children and you in the best possible manner. If a teacher is unable to maintain that balance, the potential consequences could affect our most vulnerable.

Fall and spring conferences are scheduled opportunities to meet with your child's teacher about academic and social-emotional learning. If you have questions or concerns at other times of the year, please reach out to your child's teacher to plan a phone or in-person conference. Scheduled conferences are positive and productive meetings that help to maximize each child's academic progress. It is very helpful if you provide us with your concerns or questions ahead of time so we can be prepared to make the best use of our time together.

We are so excited to be a part of your lives and we understand our impact on you and your children's day to day life. We pledge to:

• Give you 150% of our undivided attention and respect when we are working with you and your children
• Provide consistent and timely grade-level newsletters once a week
• Create an environment in our classrooms that we would be proud to have our own children in
• Make each child feel as if they can do anything they set their minds to
• Listen to you
• Provide positive communication on a regular basis

Be sure to remember the following requirements regarding facial coverings:

1 - Vented masks are not permitted

2 - Bandanas are not permitted

3 - Neck gaiters are not permitted

A few reminders about arrival - overall things are going really well. Note that we open the doors at 730am and I do not see this changing for the foreseeable future. We do not have a lot of staff so this really needs to be a coordinated effort between all of us.

Remember we only use one lane for arrival.

Today we had approximately 50 more cars to manage as it was a little wet so it is really important each exchange only takes a few seconds which is really achievable.

One our end I will try to locate an additional staff member to bring us to four “greeters” however we are a very small staff.

How you can help:

1 – The “GREEN CHECK” is absolutely essential – we will pull you forward if you do not have one so we can keep the line moving. Just show it when we approach and then we can take temperatures and get going with our days.

2 – Have your kiddo ready to go, I know some are not morning kids but it really has a pretty big ripple effect if we have to manage several exchanges. Because only one lane is used everything is delayed by the amount of time it takes to make each drop-off. We will not use two lanes in the morning because there are too many moving parts and I will not sacrifice your child’s safety at any cost. DO NOT GET OUT THE CAR.

3 – Your car heater raises your child’s temp and in some cases to a point where we have to administer an oral temperature check or ask you to do a drive around the block. This is going to be really important this week.

4 – You may only drop off using our parent lane – I will not allow any drop-offs anywhere else on property – the reason is that it will turn into a free for all which is not acceptable or safe. You all have seen a free for all drop off I am guessing.

Being mindful of these things as they will expedite the process significantly while we remain safe.

We are doing great!!! Keep it up.

Pink - Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade students and their older siblings.

Pink cars use the outside lane (closest to the school.)

We start this line at 305pm

Green - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students.

Green cars use the inside lane (closest to the interior.)

We start this line at 310pm

Children are called using the names on the car tags.

Children can only enter the vehicle on the passenger side. This is for safety. This means some may have to rearrange car seats.

We will allow children the opportunity to dress up on Friday, October 30 as long as the following conditions can be met:

1 - Facial coverings must always be worn

2 - No props or weapons

3 - Nothing that could potentially scare a 4 year old

4 - We highly encourage our virtual learners to participate as well

5 - Costumes cannot interfere with the bathroom

6 - You understand that the costume may not be perfect for the following day

7 - You have to be able to sit down in it

8 - Nothing political

If you have a question please ask before arriving on Friday morning - this is help with a potentially disappointing situation for your child - so when in doubt just ask me or AJ.

If your child is ill with symptoms consistent (cough, sore throat, stomach issues, headaches, fatigue etc ...) with Covid-19 then the following protocols must be followed:

Students May Return After

10 days have passed since symptoms started, and improvement in overall

symptoms, and 24 hours have passed without fever and use of fever-reducing

medication

OR

Provide doctor’s note to campus health room staff stating that symptoms

are not COVID-19-related and student can return to school

OR

Provide a negative COVID-19 test

As an FYI the same holds true for staff members

AISD will continue to provide free breakfast and lunch until the end of the 2020 - 2021 school year.

Your child has the opportunity to eat breakfast every morning. If you are a car rider or a walker please arrive on time so they have time to eat. We close the cafeteria when the bell rings at 750am.

Listed below are is the meals that will be a part of the meal distribution. Please email bearcreek.cafeteria@austinisd.org if you would like your child to pick up a bag. These are for in-person learners.

Saturday Breakfast: Milk, whole wheat toast, cinnamon toast crunch, fresh apple

Saturday Lunch: Milk, toasted cheese sandwich, roasted cauliflower, a fresh orange, dried fruit mix

Sunday Breakfast: Milk, whole wheat toast, rice Chex cereal, fresh orange, dried fruit mix

Sunday Lunch: Milk, sunflower butter and jelly sandwich, veggie dippers, dried fruit mix

If a parent/ guardian has students that are remote learners please follow the link below which indicates where you can find locations doing free seven-day curbside meal bags on Thursday afternoons. The student must be present in order to receive the curbside meals.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1LtYfb-nXaKQEy3m4f2hjOm9HXdpDKwjv&ll=30.303083212428305%2C-97.74698184999998&z=12

AISD will be providing local farm fresh boxes from the common market on a first come first serve basis. This week the boxes can be picked up Thursday at 10:30am-1:30pm at Galindo Elementary, Linder Elementary, Lively Middle school and Travis ECHS and from 3:30-5:30pm at Dawson Elementary. For these boxes the student must either be present of there must be documentation showing that the student they are picking up for are AISD student(s).

If you are including food in any goodie bags for room parties be sure to follow the AISD Wellness policy which is attached here and also we have to have 100% compliance with any dietary/food restrictions and/or allergies.

Also note that we do not do food or goodie bags for birthdays.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EIMgmhswNd9D9t8fZ94aSxItY_AfomR4/view?usp=sharing

Student technology issues with a Chromebook or iPad please call the Student Help Desk at 512 414-4357.

We have some volunteer opportunities as the community is really stepping up - thank you :-)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FAAAD2FAAFD0-bear

This week, Bear Creek is saying Boo To Bullying! Throughout the week we will have announcements and a lesson on types of bullying, on how to recognize bullying, why someone might be a bully, how to report bullying, and what you can do to help your fellow cubs from being bullied!

To show our support against bullying, Wednesday all Bear Creek will wear ORANGE. Anything orange you have, wear it! 🎃👻

During the week, Ms. Saenz, our Librarian, and I will be reading the book Weird by Erin Frankel. In the book, we will learn about a girl struggling with fitting in, questioning herself, and how to be proud of who she is and where she came from. We hope all our students will feel empowered to be themselves and be able to demonstrate the Bear Cub values of empathy and community as we take care of one another against bullying this week and every week!

Have questions or concerns? Maybe I can help! Don't hesitate to reach out and schedule a meeting for yourself or your student. This is why I am here. 🙂 alyssa.sheeran@austinisd.org

PTA Reflections-- Submissions due November 6th

Reflections is a program of the National PTA that provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts. Reflections is open to all students grade K-5th.

The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is "I Matter Because....". Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.

For more information and to enter, visit:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDqDscQyJ5imxVZE5HpiN5wQxd5EfDYp/view?usp=drivesdk

All entries dies by Midnight on 11/6

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Thank you to those of you that participated in Pumpkins & Pictures over the weekend! Special thanks to Anna Horn of Grabbing Life Photography for making this possible. We enjoyed getting to see so many of you! Make sure to check your email-- the image from your session will be emailed to you directly from Grabbing Life Photography within the next 2 weeks.

Don't forget to submit a photo of your entry in our 1st Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. All entries due Wednesday, October 28th. Remember this is open to all families, even if you didn't get a picture. Simply decorate your own pumpkin and enter for a chance to win a Torchy's gift card! Categories are Superhero, Princess, or School Spirit. We can't wait to see your pumpkins!

Enter here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11Say5Dg3uKSUv02rFpoxJIBkB2feMzHR2uM_xVygrXI/edit?ts=5f8ddbe4

Hunter 5K Halloween Fun Run

Registration is open for the second annual Hunter 5K Halloween Fun Run, honoring Hunter Henderson! The event this year will be virtual.

The Hunter 5K was created to honor and celebrate the fast and free spirit of Hunter Henderson, who tragically passed away in December of 2018. Hunter was a vibrant member of the Avana/Circle C community who loved Halloween and dressed up in costume throughout the year. Funds raised from this year’s virtual event will go to Dell Children's Medical Center who helped the Henderson family immensely during Hunter’s stay. Register today at https://thehunter5k.com/.