DECEMBER 6, 2024 Parent Newsletter

Translation | Traducción

Friendly reminder - Translation is available for our newsletters in over 100+ languages. Just click on the translate option to opt for this feature.

Recordatorio amistoso - Hay traducción disponible para nuestros boletines en más de 100 idiomas. Simplemente haga clic en la opción de traducción para optar por esta función.

Lời nhắc nhở thân thiện - Bản dịch có sẵn cho các bản tin của chúng tôi bằng hơn 100 ngôn ngữ. Chỉ cần nhấp vào tùy chọn dịch ở trên cùng để chọn tính năng này.

This is a friendly reminder that the District is using Parent Square! If you are not receiving a phone call, text, email with the Parent Newsletter through Parent Square, please review the information below.

Registering for Parent Square

Our District's database (SIS) contains your contact details, you can use your email or phone number to set up your account without a Parent Square invitation.

1. Open the invitation email or text. Select "Activate your account" on a browser or the register link via mobile: https://www.parentsquare.com/signin
2. Create a password for your account and select "Register".
3. Confirm your phone number and/or email, and enter the verification code sent.
4. Confirm your child(ren) by selecting "confirm".
5. Select "Yes, This is Me" when you are done confirming your information.

***Any incorrect information can be updated in Skyward Family Access.

Using Parent Square

You can customize how you receive messages, such as language or frequency.

• Instant: Get all messages as soon as they are sent.
• Digest: Get a summary of the messages daily around 6 PM.
• Off: No notifications are sent.

Please note that you will still get emergency notifications and direct messages regardless of the communication settings. Use the training resources below to learn more about the platform:

• Parent Square's Parent FAQ page
• Parents & Guardians Training Video (English) - Parents & Guardians Training Video (Spanish)

Manners Matter Monday is a fun initiative at Spring Creek that encourages kindness, respect, and good manners among all students. Every Monday, we come together as a school to highlight how important it is to interact positively and treat each other with courtesy.

On Manners Matter Monday, students get the chance to practice specific good manners throughout the day. This could mean saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting classmates and teachers, or really listening when someone is talking. Each week has a different theme, so students can explore different ways to show respect and kindness in their everyday interactions.

The main goal of Manners Matter Monday is to create a friendly and respectful environment at Spring Creek. Please help us reinforce these lessons at home, creating a culture of respect and consideration for everyone. Let's work together to teach our kids the importance of good manners!

Week of December 2: Saying Please and Thank you

Week of December 9: Greeting others

Dear Parents,

We want to emphasize the importance of open communication between home and school, especially when it comes to your child’s progress and well-being. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers first with any concerns you may have. Building strong relationships with educators is essential, as they can provide valuable insights and support tailored to your child’s needs.

If you have been working closely with the teacher and implementing strategies to address your concerns but find that the situation persists, please do not hesitate to contact our admin intern, Angela Sanchez, or our Counselors (Delma Johnson & Kimberly Hendricks). They are the second level of support and can provide assistance in all areas. They can also facilitate communication with our Assistant Principal, who is also available to address any ongoing issues. Our Assistant Principal, Austin Escobedo, can work with you to explore additional resources, provide guidance on effective strategies, and ensure that your child receives the support they need to thrive.

In the rare case that concerns continue to escalate beyond this point, the final level of support will involve the Principal. We genuinely value your partnership in this process, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring the best possible experience and outcomes for your child. Together, we can create a nurturing and effective learning environment for all our students. Thank you for your continued support!

We are here to hear any questions, concerns, comments, or complaints you might have so we can problem solve these together. We encourage open communication and would like to address any issues directly. This allows us to resolve your concerns before they are shared on social media or submitted through the District, as they will ultimately direct your feedback back to us. We would love the opportunity to help if we can.

This is the link to the Parent Handbook where you can find all about our school.

We warmly invite you to get involved and volunteer at Spring Creek! Your support plays a vital role in enriching our students' experiences and fostering a vibrant school community. Whether you can lend a hand in the classroom, assist with events, or share your unique skills, your contributions make a significant impact. Join us in creating memorable moments for our children and strengthening our school's bonds. We look forward to your participation!

Please read the volunteer guidelines determined by GISD:

https://garlandisd.net/connect/volunteer/volunteer-our-schools

Link to application: English

Link to application: Spanish

Once your background check is clear, please reach out to Ms. Bermea (our amazing office aide). These are some of the activities you can support our school with:

1. Classroom Assistance: Help teachers with lesson preparation, student supervision, and small group activities.

2. Library Support: Assist in organizing books, helping students find resources, and maintaining a conducive reading environment.

3. Tutoring and Mentoring: Provide one-on-one support to students who need extra help in specific subjects.

4. Gardening and Outdoor Projects: Help maintain school gardens and outdoor learning spaces.

5. Administrative Support: Assist with clerical tasks, such as copying, filing, or organizing materials.

6. Cultural Enrichment: Share your skills, hobbies, or cultural background through workshops or presentations.

7. Cafeteria Support: Help supervise students during lunch and assist with meal distribution.

8. Community Outreach: Help coordinate partnerships with local businesses and organizations to enhance school programs.

On the days that you volunteer, you can have lunch with your student (without using your 5 passes)!

Dear Families,

Help your child grow in their love for reading by treating them with something sweet! For every month your child reads 400 or more minutes, they can earn a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Simply record the minutes your child reads on the reading tracker and turn it in each month to the Nothing Bundt Cakes store in Richardson. This reading program goes from September through April. Here is the link to the reading tracker for when you need a new one each month.

Happy Reading!

As part of our school-wide positive behavior support system, we have made it a goal to recognize students who follow Spring Creek's Guidelines for Success. STING tickets are designed to acknowledge and reward students who excel in demonstrating these key behaviors. The Guidelines for Success are pictured to the right. When a student earns a STING ticket, they receive a positive phone call home from one of the administrators and are also entered into a raffle to win a trip to the STING Store! The idea behind this initiative is to implement something meaningful for both students and parents. Let's take a moment to recognize a few students who earned STING tickets this week!

GISD hours for elementary campuses are from 8:10 AM 3:30 PM. We will open our doors each day at 7:30 AM. We ask that parents stay with their children until 7:30 AM since we have no staff on duty to supervise until that time.

Parents, you can place your order online for the Spring Creek yearbook for the 24-25 school year. All orders this year must be placed online before April 8th 2025. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the yearbook, please contact Ms. Grimes (sgrimes@garlandisd.net)

Link to order the yearbook:

https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=False

Our school code is 14894825