There are so many exciting activities happening at Bush Elementary in December. The Spelling Bee is Friday, December 16 at 8:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose room. The winning spellers from the third - fifth grade classrooms will be participating. This is always an exciting event at Bush Elementary. In addition, our choir is having their first holiday performances in three years on December 19 and 20 at 8:30 a.m. for all students. We're so excited to hear the beautiful musical program from our fourth and fifth grade choir members. Then, on Wednesday, December 21, all students have their Winter Holiday parties.

Make sure your child(ren) is/are at school every day so they won't miss out on these and other learning experiences. If your child is sick, please have them stay at home.

HISD's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) department will be at Bush Elementary to provide a training titled "HISD 101". This 30 minute training is for parents to learn about and understand how to navigate all the opportunities and resources within HISD. Parents will get an overview of HISD’s key resources and tools available to aid in student achievement.

Parents will need to bring a government issued photo identification to enter the building for this training.

We will be conducting GT testing for first through fifth graders beginning January 10th. If you would like to have your child tested, please print out and complete the application below and turn it into Jessica Ayala in the front office by Monday, January 9. You may also ask your child’s teacher for a paper copy of the application.

The GT testing window this year runs from January 10th – February 11th. Students will be taking an abilities test and academic tests over several days. All testing will be on paper this year and will be administered during the school day. Results of this testing will be sent home sometime in late spring. If your child qualifies for the GT program, they will be placed in a GT homeroom for next school year.

All kindergarteners were tested for GT in November.

On your child's birthday, parents may distribute treats listed below to their child's class. Gift bags or treat bags are not allowed to be distributed at lunch. Gift bags and treat bags need to be reserved for off-campus birthday parties.

It is recommended to hand out the birthday treats to the classmates at the the last 5 minutes of lunch. If handed out at beginning of lunch, some students are still going through the lunch line and miss out on getting the treat. By the time they're at the table, the parent is eating lunch with their child in the courtyard or hallway.

Here is a reminder from the Parent Student Handbook about the birthday treats parents may share with their child's class at lunch.

On the child’s birthday or designated alternative summer birthday date, the parent may come to their child’s lunch and distribute birthday treats to the child’s homeroom class only. Birthday treats are limited to the following items only:

· Cookies (not a cookie cake) - no icing on these items

· Donuts - Donuts may be glazed, but not covered in icing or other items

· Brownies - no icing on these items

· Fruit snack packets

· Pre-packaged snacks

HISD is doing on-campus COVID testing for faculty, staff, and students.

Our testing dates and times are:

Monday, December 12 at 9:00

Pre-registration is required.

Complete the consent process by visiting this website: www.houstonisd.org/COVIDTesting

Here’s HISD’s information.

Our goal at Houston Independent School District is to foster a caring, joyful, and challenging learning experience for every student, every day. That’s why your school is providing free COVID-19 testing to all students in partnership with the Houston Health Department Testing is completely voluntary and requires parent/guardian consent first. You can be confident our school is safe, and free COVID-19 testing adds another layer of protection to our safety strategy. Free testing puts our student’s health first, it allows us to maximize learning in school and promotes equity by ensuring every student has access to testing if they want it and if you, as their parent/guardian, provide consent.

● Who will be tested? We will offer testing to everyone who consents - all students and staff - even if they don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.

● How is the testing done? The COVID-19 testing is free, quick, and easy. Trained medical professionals will conduct testing with a short, shallow nasal swab.

● Where and when is the testing done? Our school’s testing site will be in a room or area large enough to accommodate an organized flow to testers in and out of the space. Testing will take place every two weeks. Test results will be available within 24-48 hours.

● How can I be sure that my student’s information will be protected? Sharing of information about your student will only be done for public health purposes and in accordance with applicable law and policies protecting student privacy and the security of your student’s data. We are asking you to:

● Learn more about testing at www.HoustonISD.org/COVIDTestingFAQ

● Complete the consent process by visiting this website: www.houstonisd.org/COVIDTesting

This week's focus: Stress Relief

The holidays are coming soon, and it can be a very stressful time. Here are some tips if you are feeling overwhelmed this Holiday Season!

Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression

1. Acknowledge your feelings.
2. Reach out.
3. Be realistic.
4. Set aside differences.
5. Stick to a budget.
6. Plan ahead.
7. Learn to say no.
8. Don't abandon healthy habits.

This Week's Printable:

Feeling Overwhelmed?

By Big Life Journal

• Rice
• Beans
• Crackers
• Apple Juice
• Pasta
• Pasta sauce
• Cereal
• Mac and Cheese
• Sweaters

WrapAround is extremely thankful for your generosity!

The Spectacular Science Word for the week of December is refract.

Ms. Rose would like to wish a very special birthday to:

Adrian Nsono O. who turns 6 years old on December 6 and is a kindergartner in Ms. Castaneda's class.

Rowan N. who turns 11 years old on December 7 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Mireles's class.

Rustam Y. who turns 11 years old on December 8 and is a fifth grader in Ms. Hillman's class.

Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!

School Store on the Go is happening this week FRIDAY, December 9th for first grade, kindergarten, and PK. Prices range from $0.10- $5. Please help teach your child how to be responsible with their money and to also be kind to students who did not bring money.

The School Store is also open each Wednesday morning from 7:30-8:30 for parents, guardians and students to buy apparel or school supplies such as notebooks, agendas, crayons, etc. You may also order on our website, and all orders placed before 5:00 pm on Thursdays will be delivered to your student’s classroom on Fridays.

Be sure to follow @bbepto on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates when we get new stock!

Anyone entering the building will need to present a photo ID at the main office.

Please contact mybushstore@gmail.com with any questions about the School Store.

Join the Birthday Book Club and make your student’s day extra special! Your student will receive a personal birthday greeting from Ms. Rose during the morning announcements, and have their name printed in the weekly Paw Prints newsletter, in a book for the library, AND on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday.

We would love for families to send in any photos that are school-related, such as photos you snapped at the Let’s Glow Wild Party on Friday, Pajama Day, Astros day, or any grade-specific event/project that we can include in the yearbook!

Please send no more than 3 photos to bushptoyearbook@gmail.com and label the pictures with your child's grade.

For the months of December 2022 and January 2023, First Fridays and Second Saturdays with PTO will be taking a break. Our bi-monthly social hours will resume in February after the busy time at the end of the semester and Winter Break– we hope to see you then!

Subscribe to the PTO Events Calendar through iCal or Google

For any questions related to PTO please contact Amy Gnau, presidentbbepto@gmail.com

22-23 Faculty and Staff

Counselor - Jewell Quinonez

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext: 275212)

Jewell.Quinonez@houstonisd.org

Click here to visit the BBE Counselor Corner

FOR RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH -

Wraparound - Maria Quevedo

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275105)

maria.quevedo@houstonisd.org

FOR ATTENDANCE -

Registrar - Adriana Rosales

(P) 281-368-2150 (ext. 275104)

arosale3@houstonisd.org