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📞Front Office: (210)898-4210, please press 0 for receptionist.

Dear Las Palmas Families,

This week, our students in 3rd-8th grade participated in a Practice STAAR Reading Assessment. We want families to know that this assessment is not just about preparing for a test. It is an opportunity for students to showcase the reading skills they have been building every day in the classroom.

Students will have the chance to practice important strategies such as reading closely, finding and using text evidence, managing their time, and navigating an online assessment. These are all skills that help students become stronger, more confident readers.

The practice assessment also gives our teachers valuable information about what students know and understand. By reviewing student work, teachers can celebrate areas of strength and identify opportunities for additional support on skills that have already been taught. This allows us to adjust instruction and ensure every student continues progressing toward grade-level expectations.

Our students will participate in another practice assessment in the second semester before taking the official STAAR Reading Assessment on April 6th. Each assessment provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and build confidence.

How Families Can Help

⭐ Ask them to share what they are reading and what evidence helped them find their answer.
⭐ Make reading part of your daily routine, even if it's just a few minutes each day.

Together, we are building a community of readers. Our goal is for every student to leave Las Palmas reading confidently, thinking critically, and successfully accessing grade-level content.

Every book, every lesson, and every reading challenge is another opportunity for our leaders to grow. We believe in our students, and we are excited to see all they can achieve. 💛👑

Dr. Monica M. Muñoz

Principal, Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls

Esta semana, nuestras estudiantes de 3.º a 8.º grado participaron en una Evaluación de Práctica de STAAR de Lectura. Queremos que las familias sepan que esta evaluación no se trata únicamente de prepararse para un examen. Es una oportunidad para que las estudiantes demuestren las habilidades de lectura que han estado desarrollando todos los días en el salón de clases.

Las estudiantes tuvieron la oportunidad de practicar estrategias importantes como leer detenidamente, encontrar y utilizar evidencia del texto, administrar su tiempo y navegar una evaluación en línea. Todas estas son habilidades que les ayudan a convertirse en lectoras más fuertes y seguras de sí mismas.

La evaluación de práctica también brinda información valiosa a nuestras maestras sobre lo que las estudiantes saben y comprenden. Al revisar el trabajo de las estudiantes, las maestras pueden celebrar las áreas de fortaleza e identificar oportunidades para brindar apoyo adicional en habilidades que ya han sido enseñadas. Esto nos permite ajustar la instrucción y asegurar que cada estudiante continúe progresando hacia las expectativas de su nivel de grado.

Nuestras estudiantes participarán en otra evaluación de práctica durante el segundo semestre antes de presentar la Evaluación Oficial STAAR de Lectura el 6 de abril. Cada evaluación brinda una oportunidad para aprender, crecer y desarrollar confianza.

¿Cómo pueden ayudar las familias?

⭐ Pídale a su hija que comparta lo que está leyendo y qué evidencia utilizó para encontrar su respuesta.
⭐ Haga de la lectura parte de la rutina diaria familiar, aunque solo sean unos minutos cada día.

Juntos, estamos construyendo una comunidad de lectoras. Nuestra meta es que cada estudiante de Las Palmas lea con confianza, piense críticamente y pueda acceder exitosamente al contenido de su nivel de grado.

Cada libro, cada lección y cada desafío de lectura representan una nueva oportunidad para que nuestras líderes crezcan. Creemos en nuestras estudiantes y estamos emocionados de ver todo lo que pueden lograr. 💛👑

Dra. Monica M. Muñoz

Principal, Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls

As we celebrate our amazing teachers and staff, we invite families to take a moment to recognize a staff member who has made a difference in your child's school experience. Use the link below to submit a Thank You message to a Las Palmas staff member. Simply complete the form with the name of the employee and a few words of appreciation from you and your child. A special certificate will be generated and presented to the staff member in recognition of their impact. This opportunity will be available throughout the school year, so we encourage you to help us celebrate the dedicated educators and staff who support our students every day! A few words of gratitude can make a big difference. Thank you for helping us recognize our outstanding Las Palmas team!

One of the most important Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills our students develop is COMMUNICATION. Communication goes far beyond speaking and listening; it includes expressing ideas clearly, asking thoughtful questions, sharing perspectives, and collaborating with others. When students communicate effectively, they are able to make their thinking visible, learn from their peers, and deepen their understanding of new concepts and ideas.

Throughout the school day, our Bobcats strengthen their communication skills through discussions, partner work, presentations, and collaborative learning experiences. By engaging in meaningful conversations, students learn to explain their reasoning, support their ideas with evidence, and actively listen to different viewpoints. These interactions help students build confidence while developing a deeper understanding of classroom learning.

As an IB World School, we recognize that strong COMMUNICATION SKILLS (an Approaches to Learning Skill) prepare students to be successful learners and responsible global citizens. When students communicate with respect, purpose, and curiosity, they are better able to connect with others, reflect on their learning, and grow as knowledgeable and open-minded individuals. We are proud of the ways our Bobcats continue to use communication to learn, lead, and make meaningful connections every day.

The strength of the Bobcat Black volleyball team was on full display as they surrounded one of their teammates with love and support while her mother courageously battles cancer. Their kindness, unity, and compassion were a powerful reminder that being part of a team means showing up for one another both on and off the court. We are incredibly proud of these young ladies for demonstrating empathy, friendship, and the true heart of the Bobcat family during a time when it was needed most.

This week's elementary guidance lesson was centered around Unity Day. Students discussed the purpose behind Unity Day and how to unite for kindness to help everyone feel included. Unity Day is a signature annual event dedicated to promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Participants wear and share the color orange to send a visible united message against bullying and in support of safe environments for all youth. Classes listed the the book, "The Invisible Boy," to help develop empathy and understand how treating others with kindness can make a difference.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. You can find great resources for parents and caregivers at https://www.stopbullying.gov/ and https://www.pacer.org/bullying/parents/helping-your-child/ We will share resources throughout the month to work together to prevent bullying.

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/questions-answered/how-is-bullying-defined/

Next meeting is 10/26 with a 2nd & 3rd grade performance Meeting begins at 5:00.

Each student will receive a leadership uniform to checkout. If you are needing to checkout the leadership uniform, please call the front office at (210) 898-4210 press 0 to schedule an appointment. Parents that would like to purchase their own child's leadership uniform can do so at www.schoolyardstore.shop.