Colt Parents,

Happy Super Bowl Weekend! Thank you for an amazing week of fun and learning.

We will be having a Valentine's Day dance on Wednesday for all eligible students. Please do not send your child with balloons, flowers, or with any stuffed animals. They are not allowed. We will also not be accepting any outside deliveries on this day.

We will be having a Saturday learning camp tomorrow from 8 to 11. Please make sure your child is in attendance. We are trying very hard to close any academic gaps your child may have.

We had a great time celebrating our counselors this week. They are amazing individuals who work closely with our students.

Ms. Judith Huizar has been in education for over 20 years and has taught grades 1-7. She is a first-year counselor and loves counseling because she enjoys planting seeds in social and emotional lessons. She also enjoys outreach with families and the community.

Mrs. Natalia Schwarz is in her 5th year in counseling. She was previously an ELAR teacher for 8 years. She loves spending time with her family and fur baby in her spare time. Natalia loves being a counselor because she gets to provide the necessary support and resources needed to foster a student's social-emotional learning.

We had a great turnout for our craft night this week. We will be having our Mardi Gras Mambo on the 16th of February. Students who participated will get to showcase their floats during our parade. I will post pictures after.

Please ask your child to share their Student Accountability Folder with you. In this folder, they keep their assessment data and can share their progress with you. I'd like for you to be informed and this is a great way to have those interactive accountable talks with your child.

We will be going up against Socorro Middle School in basketball on Thursday. Please come and support our students if you can. The games are great and intense!

We will be administering the interim assessment for all grade levels beginning on February 19th. We will also be administering a field test for 4th and 5th grade in the area of READING on February 6th. Please make sure your child is in attendance on these days.

With the cold weather still on the horizon, please ensure your child is bringing a jacket to school.

We will continue with tutorials. Please ensure your child is in attendance if they have been invited to attend.

After-School Tutoring (3:30-4:30 p.m.

February

Week 5: Feb. 5-8

Week 6: Feb. 12-15

Week 7: Feb. 19-22

Week 8: Feb. 28-29

NO TUTORING Feb 27

March

Week 9: March 19-21

Week 10: March 24-28

NO TUTORING March 26-Parent Conferences

Week 11: April 2-4

Week 12: April 9-11

Week 13: April 16-18

Saturday Camps (8:00-11:00 a.m.) will be on the following dates:

February 10

February 24

March 23

April 6 Reading Blitz

April 13 Science Blitz Grades 5 and 8

April 20 Math Blitz

We will have fun raffles and snacks for our Saturday participants. Students who attend weekly tutorials have supper provided for them.

Please remind your child to be in school each day. Attendance is a significant factor in ensuring your child is successful.

We are continuing to focus on attendance and reaching our goal of 98%. Please help us by ensuring your child is in school. If they are not here, they lose out on valuable instruction.

Punctuality is an essential life skill that can significantly impact your child's success. We kindly request parents to ensure that their children arrive at school ready to learn by 7:45 daily. Breakfast in the classroom is served from 7:30-7:45, and the tardy bell rings at 7:45. Please note that we will start asking parents to sign their children in when they are late, so it's essential to make every effort to get your child to school on time. Being late anywhere can cause stress and a sense of being rushed, so we encourage working together and preparing things ahead of time to help your child have a great start to their day.

Students who accumulate three tardies within a week will serve detention on Friday from 3:15 to 5:00 pm and transportation will NOT be provided.

Capturing Kids' Hearts-

Please read the attachments below on RESPONSIBILITY. It is a great read. Share the information with your child.

Attendance.

If your child is absent, we must have a doctor's note or a personal note explaining why they were absent upon their arrival. For doctor's appointments, take your child to an appointment, but bring them back with a doctor's note the same day and it will be counted as a present.

NEW: This year, district policy indicates parents/guardians have 72 hours to submit excuse notes justifying the child's absence.

If we work together we can accomplish many things:

• read 20 minutes daily
• practice addition and subtraction facts
• practice multiplication facts 0-12 (commit to memory)
• check your child's grades
• communicate with your child's teacher frequently
• being in school every day and on time
• completes daily homework
• attends tutorials when invited

I am wishing you a great week!

Educationally Yours,

Leticia Terrazas

Proud Principal of Desert Wind PK8 School

School Number: 915-937-7800

Email: lterra01@sisd.net

Twitter: @DW_K8S

#Accountablility=Love

Through experiential training, expert coaching, a character-based curriculum for students, and personalized support, Capturing Kids' Hearts® equips professionals in K-12 education to implement transformational processes focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness

We are very excited to announce that Desert Wind is now a Texas Purple Star Distinction School.

The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes Texas district and charter schools that show their support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.

This special honor was created by the 86th Texas Legislature through SB 1557 and further described in agency rule (19 TAC, § 61.1063), effective April 9, 2020.

In August 2022, TEA will be awarding the Purple Star Campus designation for campuses that apply and meet the established criteria (see below). Campuses that are selected will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on campus or on the school website. Campuses selected will also have their designation featured on the TxSchools.gov web page.

Desert Wind School's number one priority is student safety. With that in mind, we follow the Standard Response Protocols, which is a team approach to emergency preparedness. We continuously practice school emergency drills to ensure that students, faculty and staff are well trained in the event of any emergency.

Please talk to your child about taking these drills seriously. Conversations can be about walking quietly, paying attention to details, listening to instructions, and directing any visitors to the main office. You may also talk to them about not opening any exterior doors to any adult.

Second Nine Weeks Drills include. Fire Drill, Lockdown Drill and Pedestrian SAfety Training. .

Sincerly,

R. Guerrero

Assistant Principal

Campus Behavior Coordinator

Campus Safety

#Accountability=Love

Dear parents,

DWS has experience a high volume of Cyberbullying reporting in the past few weeks. Please talk to your child about posting other students, faculty and/or staff on social media without their consent or permission.

Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

We at DWS take every bullying case, including cyberbullying, very serious and involve our local authorities when necessary.

Sincerely,

DWS Administration

#Accountability=Love

Staying ahead of your Average Daily Attendance (ADA)

Our goal each week is to maintain a 98% attendance rate. It is extremely important to remember after 17 absences for yearlong courses, 8 absences for fall semester courses and 9 absences for spring semester courses, a student will lose credit for the class and must make up the time or master a module within the content.

Reporting absences to DWS

Please report your child’s absence to attendancedesertwind@sisd.net.

Include the following information when reporting the absence:

· Child’s name

· ID number

· Grade

· Teacher

· Reason for absence

All notes are collected via email, please include details of when your child will return to school.

This year, the district will not quarantine scholars for COVID, it will be treated like the flu. It is vital to submit any COVID-19 absence and E-SWIPE to help alleviate any chance of losing credit. Remember, a doctor’s note must always be submitted to attendance; however, does not necessarily excuse the absence.

It is extremely important to arrive at school on time. Class begins promptly at 7:45 am. Breakfast in the classroom is from 7:30 am to 7:45 am. Students who arrive late to school will require an adult to sign them in the front office.

There is a definite need to address students who consistently arrive late to school. Please help us make the learning process a top priority by recognizing and adhering to a start time of 7:45 am. Tardies are being documented and will be carried over to a progressive discipline plan our instructional leaders follow within their classrooms.

DWS Administration

#Accountability=Love

• PK/K-Red Polo with uniform bottoms
• 1st-8th Blue/White Polo with uniform bottom
• ONLY Desert Wind Hoodies Allowed
• Zip-up sweaters allowed
• Spirit Shirts may be worn on Friday ONLY! (NO JEANS!!)

Socorro ISD teams up with Care Solace for mental health care coordination services

The Socorro Independent School District has partnered with Care Solace, an organization determined to calm the chaos of mental health care coordination, to expand access to community mental health and substance use treatment providers for students, staff, and their families.

Care Solace provides a Care Companion™ team who can quickly and confidentially find available providers in the community. Care Solace also equips SISD with a customized online tool that gives community members a way to anonymously search for community-based providers matched to their needs.

“Socorro ISD provides endless opportunities for students and staff to succeed. We are proud to partner with Care Solace to give our students, staff, and their families even more support, especially in times of need,” said SISD Superintendent Nate Carman, Ed.D. “This is a great resource that will enable us to enhance the care and support that our dedicated SISD leadership team strives to deliver daily for all students and staff.”

SISD will use Care Solace to support its mission of optimizing each student’s academic, artistic, athletic, career and interpersonal opportunities and to provide another layer of assistance for each student’s social and emotional well-being.

With Care Solace, families and staff gain access to a dedicated Care Companion™ to navigate the mental health care system on their behalf, calling providers to find the right fit and availability. They help families with private insurance, Medicaid, and no insurance, and are available 24/7/365 in any language.

Care Solace’s care navigation system uses proprietary technology and a vast database of behavioral and mental health care resources to find carefully verified therapists and programs in minutes.

"The effects of loss, isolation, uncertainty, and fatigue brought on by the pandemic continue to pose new challenges for students, staff, and their families," said Chad Castruita, Founder and CEO of Care Solace. "We are proud to support Socorro Independent School District in prioritizing the well-being of its school community by providing timely access into mental health care and substance use treatment services.”

The Care Solace service is now available at no cost to Socorro Independent School District students, staff, and their families. For more information about Care Solace, please visit https://www.caresolace.org

Dear parents,

Pre-registration for upcoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will begin in the coming days. Eastlake registration for our 8th graders will be on February 26, 2024.

ART

Students will explore different art materials to create 2D and 3D works of art. Students will learn and apply the Elements of Art and different techniques to their artwork. Students will compete in local and district art contests. Materials are provided but may require purchasing specific art materials if necessary.

CHOIR

Students will have the opportunity to sing, read music, and perform as a group and soloists. Students will learn to sing different types of music from classical to movie tunes to radio favorites. The choir also offers numerous performances throughout the year.

GUITAR

Create an enhanced appreciation for music by playing the guitar. Students will learn how to read music notation, chord symbols, and tablature. Students will also gain a better understanding of many different musical genres including classical, flamenco, blues, jazz, rock, and pop music.

PIANO

This course is designed for students who wish to develop basic playing skills or expand on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent both on and off the keyboards. While playing, students will be working individually and in small groups to master the playing techniques and learn pieces. There will also be time spent in group instruction on musical notation and theory.

ORCHESTRA

Students will perform both Classical and Popular music in small and large group ensembles. Orchestra performs in concerts, regionals, and solo and ensemble competitions. Students will perform exciting music from many different time frames. Instrument choices for this class include: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass

BAND

Students will learn to play a band instrument and read music. Students will perform in both small group ensemble projects and as a large group. They will also perform in concerts, regionals, and solo and ensemble competitions. Instrument choices for this class include flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, baritone, tuba, alto, tenor, saxophone, and percussion.

** Drum line opportunities for 2nd and 3rd year players

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

A program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in college. The program places special emphasis on growing writing, critical thinking, teamwork, organization, time management, study, and reading skills.

SPANISH I (High School credit upon successful completion)

Students will develop communication skills, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing by using knowledge of the language including grammar and learning strategies.

SPANISH II - (Pre-Requisite: Spanish I) (High School credit upon successful completion)

Students will learn about historical events in Latin America and be exposed to aspects of its culture and traditions. In addition, students will be reading different genres of Hispanic literature that will reinforce their learning of literary elements.

Parents of 8th graders

What is TSIA?

The Texas State Legislature mandates the Texas Success Initiative Assessment. The assessment is designed to guide Texas public institutions of higher education in helping them determine whether students are ready for entry-level college coursework.

Why is the TSIA important?

Passing the TSIA is important because it will allow your child to take college-level courses in high school that will earn them college credit. Being eligible to take college-level courses in high school will save them thousands of dollars.

How can my child prepare for the TSIA?

The district has purchased a program called SHOOMP. Students are using SHOOMP every Friday during their Super School period. Students are also encouraged to log in in their free time and even at home to get extra TSIA practice.

When will my child take the TSIA?

Desert Wind counselors will administer the TSIA to all 8th-grade students on February 15th and 16th, 2024. Your child must be present for the exam. TSIA must be taken before entering the high school.

What if my child receives a "Retest" score?

As a reminder, students must pass TSIA to be eligible for college coursework. Therefore, If your child is accepted to an Advanced Academy, each campus will invite your child to a Bridge camp during intersession for additional TSI support.

Sincerely,

Judith Huizar, Elementary Counselor

Natalia Schwarz, Middle School Counselor

Check out our Technology News this week,

Reminders:

1. Update student devices at LEAST once a week.
2. Skyward is replacing TylerSIS (Access to students' grades, schedules, etc.).
3. Parents, sign up with MySchoolBucks for easy access to school fees and payments.
4. Review Laptop expectations to avoid additional school repair fees.

Parents,

Add the MackinVia App to your phones to access thousands of ebooks.

Ms. L. Terrazas: Principal

Email: lterra01@sisd.net

Assistant Principals

Mr. Guerrero: rguerr09@isd.net

Mrs. Valverde: hvalve@sisd.net

Principal Intern

Andrea Carrasco acarra02@sisd.net

Counselors

Natalia Schwarz: nschwa@sisd.net

Ms. Judith Huizar: jhuiza@sisd.net

Campus Librarian and Media Specialist

Desiree Avila: davila414@sisd.net

Parent Liaison

Ms. Morales: bmoral15@sisd.net

Community in Schools

Janeth Guzman: janeth.guzman@sisd.net