Askew Almanac

Greetings Askew Community,

Askew celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, to recognize the contributions and achievements of those of Hispanic decent to our history and culture.

This year’s theme is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One.” According to The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers, the theme reinforces the diversity inherent within the Hispanic community, as well as the power that comes from being a united community.

I want to take a moment to emphasize the rich diversity within our school community. This month provides us with a special opportunity to honor and appreciate the contributions, cultures, and histories of our Hispanic families.

It is important to recognize that Hispanic and Latino are terms that describe ethnicity, encompassing individuals from countries with a historical connection to Spain and Latin America. Our Latinx community is incredibly diverse, representing various countries, backgrounds, and experiences. This diversity is what makes our school community vibrant and unique.

I encourage you to engage in conversations with your children about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and the importance of embracing diversity. Let us foster an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and proud of their cultural heritage.

Thank you for your support in celebrating the diversity of Hispanic Heritage Month. Together, we can create a nurturing and inclusive educational environment for all.

Corey Prados, Principal

• Monday, Sept 18 - Sept 22: NWEA Testing, Grades K-5
• Wednesday, Sept 20: PTO General Body Meeting
• Friday, Sept 22: Cycle 1 Progress Reports sent home.
• Friday, Sept 22: Back to School Skate Night. Location: Dairy Ashford Roller Rink. Time: 3 - 7 PM
• Saturday, Sept 23: Askew Fall Garden Prep Day. Time 9 AM - 12 PM
• Monday, Sept 25: Fall Holiday. No School

• Tuesday, Sept 26 - Sept 30: NWEA Testing, Grades K-5
• Tuesday, September 26: All- Star Choir Kick-off Meeting. Time: 2:45 PM – 4:30 PM
  
• Thursday, Sept 28: Askew Open House. Time 5 PM - 7 PM

Dear Askew All Star Community

Students in grades K-5 will take a MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA® on a computer or tablet. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.

MAP Growth tests are unique, and it adapts to your child’s responses to measure your child’s skill level. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it’s easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.

Before testing begins, we want to share some information about the test:

• MAP Growth is computer adaptive and adjusts the difficulty of each question based on the student’s previous answer. If they answer a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what students know and are ready to learn—whether it’s on, above, or below their grade level. It’s possible they may get questions on content they haven’t learned before.

• MAP Growth will pause a student’s test if they’re rushing through and clicking any response. This allows a teacher or proctor to check in and remind students to try their best. If they continue to rush, we <<may/will>> need to retest them to get a more accurate picture of what they know and are ready to learn.

Helpful reminders to share with your child

Students can get anxious about taking a test. Consider sharing the following reminders with them:

• It’s okay to ask for help. Your teacher is there to guide you.
• You might get questions on something you haven’t learned. It’s okay if you don’t know the answer. Pick the one you think is right.
• Don’t rush. It’s more important to do the best you can than to be the first to finish.

We’re truly excited to provide you with useful information about your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information about MAP Growth, visit NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit/.

We are excited to start a new year with the Askew Elementary All-Star Choir. Choir is open to students in 3rd – 5th grade. We have a total of 50 spots that we fill each year. Choir is not an audition group. Instead, selection is done in the following manner:

1.) All returning choir members are guaranteed a spot in the choir.

2.) All 5th graders who are interested in joining choir are given priority.

3.) After returning members and 5th graders are admitted, then 3rd and 4th graders are admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis. Once we reach 50 members, admission is cut off.

Choir meets weekly on Tuesdays after school from 2:45-4:30 p.m. in the music room. Students who wish to join choir must have a way to get home at 4:30.

Mrs. Carpenter will send home information soon!

SCHOOL INFORMATION & HOURS

Jewel Askew Elementary School (#274)

11200 Wood Lodge Dr. Houston, Texas 77077

Phone: 281-368-2100

Fax: 281-368-2103

School Hours:

School hours for students are 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day, Monday-Friday.

Bell Schedule:

First Bell: 7:30 am Tardy Bell: 7:35 am

Attendance Bell: 9:00 am Dismissal Bell: 3:00 pm

The school opens to students each morning at 7:15 am. Students should not arrive on campus before 7:15 am. No adult supervision will be available before 7:15 am. All students report to the Multi-Purpose Room each morning upon arrival, and the teachers pick up students at 7:30. Students that arrive after 7:35 am are tardy.

The policy of the Houston ISD does not provide for supervision of students before or after school hours. The principal, teachers, and staff are not responsible for students who arrive at school before 7:15 am or after 3:15 pm.

Our Mission
At Askew Elementary we build scholarly minds and strong positive character, putting our students on a path to college and career readiness.

Our Vision
The Askew Staff firmly believes that all children are capable of learning through a variety of teaching styles. We believe it is our responsibility to ensure that our staff is capable of addressing multiple learning modalities. It is our goal to create a strong academic foundation in every student. In doing so, we will enable our students to become life-long learners. We must promote the value of higher education, as well as encourage students to become well-rounded citizens.

Our Core Values

Show Respect

Take Responsibility

Achieve at High Levels

Be Ready

Our top priority is the safety of our students! Please adhere to all drop-off guidelines.

The school opens at 7:15 am. NO students should arrive on campus before 7:15 am, as there is no adult supervision. All students arriving at or before 7:30 am should report to the multi-purpose room/gym each morning upon arrival. All students must be on campus by 7:30 am. Students are late/tardy at 7:35 am.

CARPOOL DROP-OFF:

Parents that are bringing students (all students Kindergarten to 5th grade) to school in a car MUST drop students off using the carpool lane (the lane along the gate near the playground).

The carpool entrance is near the intersection of Cherry Ridge and Wood Lodge. Students and parents should NEVER walk along the carpool lane. Parents must remain in the car the entire time. DO NOT leave cars unattended in the carpool lane; it is a Fire Lane, and your car may be ticketed or towed.

All cars will ride through the carpool lane (one lane traffic only) to the Student Drop-Off Area. Do not drop students off at any other point along the carpool lane. Students will enter the building and report to the Multi-Purpose Room. Teachers pick students up at 7:30. Students that come after 7:30 report directly to class.

WALKING STUDENTS: Students that walk to school, or whose parents plan to park their car on the street and walk up to the school, should walk along Hayes Road to enter through the gates that lead up to the school. At no point should students or parents walk along the carpool lane or in the parking lot.

BUSES/DAYCARE: Students that ride on a HISD bus or daycare bus/van will be dropped off in the bus lane along Hayes Road or in the front circle drive.

Our top priority is the safety of our students! Please adhere to all pick-up guidelines. Students are dismissed at 3:00 pm each day. Students must be picked up no later than 3:10 pm.

CARPOOL PICK-UP (GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 5TH):

Parents that are picking up students from school in a car will only be allowed to pick-up students using the main carpool lane entry point (driveaway along gate near the playground). Parents must remain in the car the entire time. DO NOT leave cars unattended in the carpool lane, it is a Fire Lane, and risk your car being ticketed or towed.

All cars must enter the carpool lane from the Cherry Ridge to Wood Lodge entrance. **Cars will only be permitted to enter the carpool lane from Cherry Ridge. There is no carpool entrance on Hayes Rd. during dismissal, nor will cars be permitted to enter from Wood Lodge. (PLEASE REFER TO THE MAP BELOW AS A REFERENCE)

All cars will ride through the carpool lane (one lane traffic only) and all cars should have the “student tag” displayed in the window with the name(s) of the student(s) being picked up.

A staff member will come to your car to confirm the student(s) you are picking up, students will be called from their assigned area, and the student will exit the building to report to their vehicle.

All cars will exit the carpool lane and will only be allowed to turn left onto Hayes Rd.

Pre-K students (& siblings): Parents of Pre-K students must park and/or walk up to the Pre-K entrance (opposite of main entrance near the playground) to pick up your Pre-K student (& siblings). We will only release Pre-K students in this area to maintain the safety of our youngest All-Stars.

Parents that choose to walk up to the school, or to park their car on the street and walk up to the school, to pick-up their child(ren) will be considered “parent walk-ups”. Parent walk-ups will line up outside of the main entrance of the school (this is the only entrance parents will be allowed to retrieve students) Staff members will be present at the main entrance to ask for your child(ren)’s name(s), the student will be called from their assigned area, and the student will exit the building to meet their parent.

**All parents should have the “student tag” with the name of the student(s) being picking up.

**Parents of Pre-K students must use the appropriate pick-up area (entrance near playground)

INDEPENDENT WALKERS: Students who will walk home alone are considered “independent walkers”. Independent walkers will be dismissed through the side door near the Hayes Rd. gate and allowed to walk along the sidewalk adjacent to the building. Crossing guards will be in place at specific intersections, students should only cross the street where a crossing guard is present.

**Students in grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade WILL NOT be allowed to walk independently at any time, unless they are walking with an older sibling in 2nd-5th grade. **WE DO NOT ENCOURAGE YOU TO CLASSIFY YOUR CHILD AS AN “INDEPENDENT WALKER” IF THEY DO NOT TRULY WALK HOME. PLEASE USE THE APPROPRIATE DISMISSAL AREA FOR NON-WALKERS.

BUSES/DAYCARES: Buses/daycares will pick up from The bus lane along Hayes Rd. or in the front circle drive. Once a bus or daycare van arrives on campus, we will call for the students, and students will report to their bus/van. NO PARKING IN THE BUS LANE.

LATE PICK-UP: Please call the school AS SOON AS YOU AWARE YOU WILL BE LATE. The parent will be required to come into the school to sign the student(s) out. Frequent late pick-ups can be referred for child neglect.

Students can have a cell phone in their backpack to use only to communicate with parents after school starting at 3:00 p.m. Cell phones are not allowed to be on or used during the school day. The first time a cell phone is visible (seen or heard) during the school day, it will be confiscated and turned in to the office. The teacher will notify the parent to pick up the phone from the office. At the time of pick up, the parent will sign an acknowledgement that he/she is aware of a $15.00 administrative fee for any subsequent times the phone is confiscated thereafter. If the phone is not picked up within 30 days, the office will no longer be responsible for the phone. Multiple confiscations will result in a discipline referral. The school will not be held responsible for valuable items if they are lost or stolen on school property (i.e. cell phones.) Askew will not investigate any instances of a lost or stolen cell phone.

SHIRTS: Shirts must be solid RED ONLY polo style (shirt must have a collar, NO plain red t-shirts) with no logos larger than 1". Shirts can be short or long sleeve. *The official Askew spirit shirt/sweatshirt is also allowed (only available from the Askew PTO). A student’s uniform must always be visible; no hoodies can be worn over/on top of uniform shirt OR in lieu of a uniform shirt.

BOTTOMS: All bottoms must be NAVY BLUE ONLY. All students may wear pants or shorts, and girls may wear skirts, skorts, or dresses (a red collared shirt must be worn under dresses). (Shorts, skirts, and dresses should not be shorter than 2 inches above the knee.)

FRIDAYS: Each Friday will be a free dress day. Student attire must adhere to the dress code, but no uniforms are required. ✓ SHOES: Students should wear socks and closed-toed shoes each day. Dress shoes and boots are also acceptable. Open-toed shoes and Crocs are not acceptable.

OUTERWEAR: Solid red or navy sweater/cardigan or jacket can be worn with the uniform throughout the building. No hoodies can be worn over/on top of the uniform shirt while in the building. Non uniform color jackets/sweaters can be worn to school but will be removed and stored in the classroom or in backpacks.

What is NOT permitted as part of the school uniform:

▪ Striped or multi-colored shirts, plain t-shirts, shirts not an Askew uniform color, shirts with designs and/or other logos, halter/crop tops, tank-tops/muscle shirts, T-shirts with inappropriate slogans/graphics, clothing made from sheer materials, shirts that are sleeveless or have spaghetti straps, and any ripped/torn shirts

▪ Sweatpants, tights/leggings worn alone (tights/leggings under shorts or skirts are permitted), basketball shorts, ripped or torn blue jeans/denim of any kind

▪ Flip flips/slides, shoes with no back straps, house shoes, Crocs, shoes with wheels on the bottom

Backpacks:

Students may bring traditional book satchels or backpacks to school to carry books, lunches, and other necessary school related items. Rolling backpacks, rolling suitcases and/or rolling carts are a safety hazard and are not permitted.

Spirit Shirts will be on-sale for in-person events. Online sales will begin once school starts. We accept cash and credit cards.

Short Sleeve T-shirts: $10+tax

- Blue, Red, and Gray

- Youth and Adult sizes

Long Sleeve t-shirts: $15+tax

- Blue, Red, and Gray

- Youth sizes

Zip-Up Hoodies: $25+tax

- Limited colors and sizes