Converse Family Newsletter

Dear Converse ES All-Star Community,

Thank you so much for joining us at our Fall Festival! We had an incredible turnout, and it was truly a joyful evening filled with laughter, games, and community spirit. Your presence and support made the event a great success, and we are so grateful for your continued involvement.

At Converse Elementary, we believe that “All Stars Growing Together, Achieving More!” is more than just a theme—it’s a reflection of the strong partnership between our families and school. Together, we are building a vibrant and supportive learning environment for all our students.

As we move into the next few weeks, here are some important dates to keep in mind:

📌 Red Ribbon Spirit Week begins Monday

📌 Student Holiday – Friday, October 31
📌 Book Fair – November 3–7
📌 Student Holiday – Tuesday, November 4
📌 Fall Picture Retake Day – Thursday, November 6

Thank you for being an essential part of our All Star community!

Sincerely,

Miriam Huerta

Converse ES Principal

Oct 31 - Student holiday / Staff PD (campus closed to students)

Nov 3 - 7 - Book Fair (during the school day)

Nov 4 - Student Holiday / Staff PD (campus closed)

Nov 6 - Fall Picture Retakes

Nov 11 - Student & Staff Holiday

Nov 24-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Dec 19 - Staff Prep & Planning Day (campus closed)

Dec 22-Jan 2 - Winter Break

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School hours are 7:30 AM - 2:50 PM.

JISD 2025-2026 School Calendar

Book Fair is coming! A book fair preview catalogue sheet was sent home Friday. This will help you and your student look through what is available at the fair. Use the QR Code on the sheet to set up an ewallet that will help students stay on their set budget. Students will visit the library during the school day.

We would love to have parents volunteer to assist our students with the book fair. Please use this sign up sheet to schedule time to be with us.

• LifeTouch will be at the campus on Thursday, Nov 6 for fall picture retakes.
• Any students who were not enrolled with us on Sept 3, will automatically be sent to take their pictures.
• If you would like your student to retake their picture, please notify your student's teacher so they know to send your student to take a picture.
• LifeTouch picture form with prices.

CASH ONLY

Cougar Family!

We are committed to nurturing the whole child, which includes focusing on essential social-emotional skills like empathy.

What is Empathy?

Empathy is the powerful ability to understand and share the feelings of another person—to truly "put yourself in their shoes." It goes beyond simply recognizing that someone is sad; it's imagining why they feel that way and feeling a connection to their experience.

Why is it Important to Teach Empathy?

Empathy is a foundational life skill. When children are empathetic, they are better equipped to:

• Build positive relationships and friendships.

• Resolve conflicts and reduce bullying.

• Show kindness and compassion.

• Become responsible and caring citizens of their community.

By teaching empathy, we help our children develop not just strong minds, but strong, compassionate hearts.

Quick Lesson Idea: "Feeling Faces" Discussion

You can practice empathy right at home with this simple activity:

1. Read a story or watch a movie/show with your child.

2. Pause during a scene where a character is experiencing a strong emotion (happy, sad, frustrated, left out, etc.).

3. Ask your child:

• "How do you think [Character's Name] is feeling right now? What clues (body language, words) tell you that?" (This teaches recognizing the emotion.)

• "Have you ever felt that way? What made you feel that way?" (This connects the character's feeling to their own experience.)

• "What could a friend do or say to help [Character's Name] feel better?" (This moves them toward compassionate action.)

Thank you for partnering with us to raise kind and caring students.

⭐⭐Top Grade Level: 4th Grade with 96.95% average daily attendance

⭐Runner-Up: 1st Grade with 96.82% average daily attendance

The November election is just around the corner. Information can be found on the Bexar County Elections page, but here is important information for you to know:

1. Am I a registered voter in Bexar County?
2. Early Voting Poll Locations
3. Early Voting is October 20 - 31

• Oct 20-24 from 8 AM - 6 PM
• Oct 25 from 7 AM - 7 PM
• Oct 26 from 12 PM - 6 PM
• Oct 27 - 31 from 7 AM - 7 PM

4. Election Day - November 4 and polls are open 7 AM - 7 PM

5. Election Day Poll Locations

6. Registered Bexar County voters can cast their ballot at any Bexar County poll site during early voting and on election day.

Please note that JISD gear is not allowed at voting locations since the district has an item on the ballot. In addition, Spurs and SA Rodeo gear are not allowed at voting locations either.

How To Understand Student Data

Students recently took their Beginning of the Year (BOY) tests in Math and Reading. If you would like to learn more information about what MAP testing is and what it is about, please click on the link below that will take you to the NWEA Family Tool Kit. Feel free to reach out to your child's teacher(s) with any specific questions you may have in regards to the BOY testing.

If you are in need of any academic help, please contact Mrs. Bailey (bbailey@judsonisd.org) or Ms. Gregor (kgregor@judsonisd.org). Have a great weekend!

Explore the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

Please visit and check out what your child is learning this year ... https://lead4ward.com/resources/

Many families have not yet completed the required health forms in compliance with Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB12). If you haven’t done so already, please log in to Skyward and submit these forms as soon as possible to help us remain in compliance with state requirements.

Families in need of school supplies, clothing, food, or community resources are encouraged to contact Mrs. Covington, our school counselor, for support and assistance.

Take a minute to read information about special education in the district October newsletter.

Click here for information about the VATRE.

Click here to watch a video about the VATRE.

We encourage our students and staff to wear shirts that promote colleges or the military.

If you need assistance with:

• Classroom - please start with your student's teacher. You can email or send them a Rooms message.
• Academics - if you don't find resolution with the teacher, please contact one of our academic trainers: Brooke Bailey or Kimberly Gregor.
• Counseling/Social Emotional Needs/Family Resources - you can contact our counselor, Erica Covington.
• Absences / Absence Notes - if your student is absent, please email your parent or doctor's note to Monica Collins. Also, please note the school only accepts 5 parent notes a semester.
• Special Education - any questions about special education (SE) can be directed to SE campus lead, Ashton Webster.
• Behavior Concerns - please contact assistant principal, Heather Schumacher.
• Medical Needs & General School Concerns - please contact the school at (210) 945-1210 someone can assist you.