The Eastern Star Family Newsletter

This week, every student in our JK through 5th grade classes engaged in a wonderful lesson for Indigenous People's Day. All lessons were collaboratively created by our TCAPS Elementary Social Studies TEAM. Each lesson was anchored by an engaging text that allows for the theory of mirrors and windows in literature to take place in our classrooms. Mirrors are text that allow students to connect with a text because they have similar life experiences. Windows are texts that give students an opportunity to hear a different perspective than the one they may have. Mrs. Asiala also does a great job of providing text in our library that allow mirrors and windows to take place on a daily basis.

#ShineBrightTogether

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Last year we started our Eastern Staff shoutout form. This is a great opportunity to share the good stuff about any staff member at Eastern Elementary. I (Mr. Swegles) receive an email notification when the form has been filled out, and I have the pleasure of sharing your shoutout with them.

• October 21, 9:00-9:45: DOGS and MOMS Volunteer Information Meeting (see below)
• October 23: Spirit Day and Popcorn Friday
• October 27, 9:00-10:30: Picture Re-Takes
• October 30, 9:15-9:45: Halloween All School Parade
• November 2: No School; Staff Professional Development
• November 4, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 10, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 12, 4:30-7:30: Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 24: Early Release Day; Eastern Dismisses at 1:57
• November 25-27: No School; Thanksgiving Break
• TCAPS 26-27 Calendar

Wanted to give this item some additional attention as we continue to see a plethora of personal items at school. We've also had a few situations where students are working on their bartering skills and one side is left feeling upset due to a poor business decision. TCAPS/Eastern are not responsible for items of personal value that are not needed for education purposes. Squishies, trading cards, stuffies, or any general item worth more than $5 is encouraged to be left at home.

Handbook/Policy language is below:

Personal Property

Students should not bring personal property to school that is not needed for educational purposes.

Responsibility and Maintenance

• Student Liability: The care and maintenance of personal items is the sole responsibility of the student. TCAPS does not assume any responsibility for these items.

• Prohibited High-Value Items: Items worth more than $5.00, treasured toys, trading cards, and electronic devices should NOT be brought to school.

• Confiscation: Any item that causes a disruption to the school environment will be confiscated and held in the principal’s office until a parent or guardian picks it up.

Picture retakes are October 27 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Bring your original package if available. You can still order on the Lifetouch Website. The Eastern Picture Day ID is EVTFHQSH7.

All Eastern families must submit the Student Handbook Acknowledgement form. First you will review the TCAPS Student Handbook. Then you will access your PowerSchool parent account and fill out the Handbook Acknowledgement form. The office will send hard copies of the form to families who don't fill out the online form. Thank you in advance for filling out the form.

Each year PTO organizes meals for teachers on parent-teacher conference nights. If you would like to help, please add your name to the November 10 Meal Sign Up.

Thank you to everyone for helping, and thanks to Shanna Girrbach for organizing.

Mark your calendars! The Eastern Student Council will host the annual Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 29nd, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the school parking lot. Please note that the school will be closed.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, October 29th

• Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Trunk host arrival & setup begins at 5:00 PM)

• Location: Eastern Elementary Parking Lot

If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please sign up here: Use This Link to Host a Vehicle for Trunk or Treat

In addition to the handicap spaces, please, be cognisant of the three additional reserved spaces that are in Eastern's parking lots. We have two spaces in the north and one in the south parking lot. Two of which were part of our spring auction with funds going to support Eastern students and staff. The third is in support of someone going through a season of life and it's our small way of helping .

Please, refrain from parking in this spots or utilizing during drop off and pickup. Please, reach out to Mr. Swegles with questions.

Eastern’s fall parent-teacher conferences are November 4, 10, and 12. Sign up at the links below. Please remember the following:

• Conferences are limited to 15 minutes, so please make sure you are on time.

• Consider scheduling a break between conferences if you have multiple children; that will allow you to be on time for your conferences and stay the full amount of time.

• If you have a child in 4th or 5th grade, only sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher.

Mrs. Feaster's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Harwell's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Odette's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Edwardson's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Freeman's Conference Sign Up

Miss Luecke's Conference Sign Up

Dr. Chaprnka's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Ross's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Stout's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Fak's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Hites's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBarre's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. LaBlanc's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Norton's (Blanchard) Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Shembarger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Stoudt's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Berger's Conference Sign Up

Ms. Lutes's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Nelson's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Annelin's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Cooper's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Kearney's Conference Sign Up

Mrs. Markey's Conference Sign Up

Mr. Swegles's Conference

Join us at Thirlby Field on Friday, Oct 23 as the Trojans and Titans come together to honor Veterans, active-duty military, and first responders! Gates open at 5:30 PM, with ceremonies starting at 6:35 PM and kickoff at 7:10 PM.

Tickets are $7 in advance on GoFan.co or $7–8 at the Thirteenth Street gate. Admission is FREE for all Veterans, active military, and first responders. Be sure to pick up commemorative apparel at either high school from Oct 12–23 (red for Trojans and blue for Titans) with all proceeds benefiting Reining Liberty Ranch.

Skip the lines and get full event details at www.tcaps.net/tcpatriotgame!

Learn how you can get involved at Eastern at the D.O.G.S. (dads of great students) + M.O.M.S. (moms of marvelous students) information meeting: Wednesday, October 21, 9:00-9:45, in the Eastern cafeteria.

Please read this Crystal Mountain Ski Informational Letter if you are interested in learning about skiing and snowboarding opportunities.

Our TCAPS Mobile Health Clinic will be at Eastern on October 20. See the graphic below for more information.

Eastern's annual Halloween Parade will be Friday, October 30, from 9:15-9:45. Weather permitting the parade will be outdoors. More information will be shared closer to Halloween.

As a reminder, costumes should be non-violent. No blood, weapons, pretend weapons, or gore is allowed. Adults in costume cannot have their faces covered or have a costume that makes them unrecognizable to staff.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a fun, safe environment for our students.

Eastern is looking for volunteers to help in the cafeteria and at recess. You can sign up at the links below. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

All volunteers must submit the TCAPS Volunteer Form.

1st and 3rd Grade Recess Volunteer Sign Up (10:10-10:40)

Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Recess (2:05-2:35)

4th and 5th Recess (3:10-3:40)

JK. Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (11:05-12:25 )

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Lunchroom/Lunch Recess Volunteer Sign Up (12:00-1:30)

Please remember to report your child's absence. You can call the attendance line (933-5600) and leave a message at any time. If your child is sick, report the symptoms (GI and/or fever). Students must be fever-free without meds for 24 hours before they can return to school; they almost must not have vomited and/or had diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

Jog-A-Thon Update:

Jogathon is a wrap! Remaining students prizes will be shared at next weeks school assembly. Thank you again to staff and families for all your support!

Thank You to Our Jog-A-Thon Sponsors!

MONDAY

Glazed donuts

fruit,Milk & yogurt

(PRESCHOOL muffins, fruit & milk)

TUESDAY

Cereal,

cheese stick

fruit, juice and milk

WEDNESDAY

Mini pancakes

yogurt

fruit, juice and milk

THURSDAY

Cereal

cheese stick

fruit juice and milk

FRIDAY

Assorted sweet breads

cheese stick

fruit, juice and milk

LUNCH

MONDAY

1st choice:Cheeseburger with fries

2nd choice:sunbutter and jelly with crackers

No 3rd option

TUESDAY

1st choice: walking tacos

2nd choice: meatless tacos

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers

WEDNESDAY

1st choice grilled cheese sandwich

2nd choice: mini pepperoni calzones

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers

THURSDAY

1st choice: Chicken tender basket with emojis and dinner roll

2nd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers

no 3rd option

Friday

1st choice: cheese pizza

2nd choice: pepperoni pizza

3rd choice: sunbutter and jelly with crackers

Join us for TCAPS Board Community Connections, an informal space for families and community members to discuss district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. This month’s meeting will be on October 22, 2026 at West Middle School from 5:00-6:00 p.m.. Trustee Ballenger is scheduled to attend. Note: For specific building-level or student concerns, please contact your school principal first for the most direct assistance.

Join us for TCAPS Board Community Connections, an informal space for families and community members to discuss district-wide updates and TCAPS policy. This month’s meeting will be on October 22, 2026 at West Middle School from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Trustee Ballenger is scheduled to attend. Note: For specific building-level or student concerns, please contact your school principal first for the most direct assistance.

Elementary Handbook

LEAP Website

School Menus

TCAPS Volunteer Form

TCAPS Volunteer Standards of Conduct