Weekly Update to Families

Dear Goodwater Families,

What a fantastic week it has been at Goodwater! Our classrooms have been filled with learning, growth, and so much to celebrate. Thank you for your continued support and partnership—it truly makes a difference. I’m pleased to announce that our campus achieved a 95% attendance rate last week. As we know, consistent attendance has a direct impact on student academic performance. Let’s continue to encourage our students to be present and engaged.

As we look ahead, we are closely monitoring the possibility of severe weather over the next several days. Please stay tuned for any updates regarding school operations over the weekend and on Monday.

This week, students participated in academic check-ins with their teachers. Together, they reviewed beginning-of-year and middle-of-year MAP scores, celebrated their growth, and set personalized goals for the rest of the school year. We are incredibly proud of the progress our K–5 students have made and love seeing their confidence and excitement as learners grow. Please join us in celebrating their hard work and achievements!

Upcoming Events to Mark Your Calendars:

• 💖 Valentine’s Day Dance – 2/6

• 📚 Student-Led Conferences – 2/13

• ✨ Black History Program – 2/27 at 8:30 a.m.

• 🌍 International Day Program – 2/27 at 6:00 p.m.

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Thank you for being such an important part of the Goodwater community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions—we are always happy to help.

With gratitude,
Mrs. Beverly

We are looking ahead to our upcoming Student-Led Conferences on February 13. Your child’s guide will be reaching out soon with a sign-up link to select a conference time.

To help your child prepare for their conference, we encourage families to:

• Listen actively

• Ask curious, open-ended questions

• Celebrate progress and effort

• Offer supportive, constructive feedback

• Help set realistic and achievable goals

Research shows that Student-Led Conferences significantly increase student ownership, accountability, and communication skills. By empowering students to share their learning, goals, and progress, SLCs foster greater engagement, improved academic outcomes, stronger home-school connections, and increased confidence—building essential 21st-century skills.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus soon and appreciate your continued partnership and support.

Every child deserves a quality education.

National School Choice Week helps families learn more about the education options available for their children. We raise equal awareness of traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, home, and nontraditional learning environments.

Since 2011, National School Choice Week has shined a positive spotlight on opportunity in K–12 education through 235,000 independent events hosted by schools, nonprofits,
and parent leaders. In 2026, NSCW will take place January 26–30.

STAAR Power Hour begins on January 26. During this time, students will have the opportunity to earn tickets by demonstrating the following:

• Active engagement and completion of assigned work

• Responsibility toward their academic responsibilities

• Respectful behavior within the school community

STAAR Power Hour will take place Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will also serve as an additional intervention period to support student learning.

Students may redeem their earned tickets for activities held on Fridays. Please refer to the activity schedule below for more details.

We encourage families to support and motivate their children as they participate. This year, STAAR Power Hour is available to students in grades K–5.

You may also purchase your ticket with this link as well. We look forward to seeing you there!

In a Montessori classroom, discipline looks a little different than what many of us remember from school. Rather than relying on rewards or punishments to manage behavior, Montessori discipline focuses on helping children develop self-control, responsibility, and respect—skills that last a lifetime.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that true discipline comes from within the child, not from external control. When children are given clear expectations, meaningful work, and a well-prepared environment, they naturally develop the ability to regulate their own behavior. In this way, discipline is not something that is done to a child, but something that is developed by the child.

A key part of this process is freedom within limits. Children are free to choose their work, move about the classroom, and work at their own pace—within clearly defined boundaries that keep the environment safe, respectful, and productive. These limits are taught through Grace and Courtesy lessons, where teachers model and practice appropriate behaviors such as using kind words, taking turns, and caring for materials and one another.

From time to time, our amazing community likes to do special things for our amazing Goodwater staff. To make this treat a little easier for you; I have linked a list of their favorite things here. Thank you in advance for showing our staff just how very special they are.

We would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of safety during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Please remain patient and alert as you drive through our entrance and parking areas. Drive slowly, avoid distractions, and watch for children, staff, and other vehicles at all times.

Your attentiveness helps ensure that arrival and dismissal remain calm, efficient, and—most importantly—safe for our entire school community. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in keeping Goodwater Montessori a safe and welcoming place for all.

• Stay in your vehicle during dismissal. If your child needs help buckling in, please pull into a visitor parking spot at the front of the building.

• Early student pickup ends at 2:30 PM.

• Primary parents: Please remain in your vehicle during dismissal. Our staff will escort your child to your car.

• Late arrivals: If you arrive after the bell, please park in front and walk your child into the building through the main entrance.

• Toys: Please do not use toys or candy to encourage students to go to class. This causes a distraction in the classroom because other students want to have the candy and/or toys as well.

• Water Bottles: All water bottles must have a lid. Please do not send students to school with water containers without a lid.

• Arrival: Parents must unbuckle students. Staff are not responsible for unbuckling students.

• Students going home with temperatures: Students going home from school early with a temperature must return 24 hours after being free from a temperature.

• Birthdays - No sweets or cupcakes allowed on campus for birthdays.

• Cell Phones- Please do not be on your cell phones during drop-off or pick-up. This is a safety violation. In Texas, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving in a school zone, with potential fines up to $200. This applies to anywhere on school property, including drop-off and pick-up lines, regardless of whether you are using the phone hands-free. The law aims to increase pedestrian safety and prevent driver distraction.

• Jewelry in Primary -Please do not send primary students to school wearing jewelry (such as necklaces, bracelets, or similar items). These accessories can pose safety risks during the school day and also increase the likelihood of items being lost.

• Car Tags -Car tags must be displayed daily for all students. This requirement is mandatory and part of our established safety protocols. Please contact us if you have any questions.

If you have sewing materials (old t-shirts, fabric, thread, big needles, etc) and board games that you would like to donate to the ASEP program; please email Shannon.bailey@goodwatermontessori.org. Thank you in advance. Here is the link to our wishlist.

• 2/27 - International Day Celebration 6 pm
• 2/6 - Valentine's Day Dance 6 pm
• 2/10-2/12- STAAR Benchmarks
• 2/13- Student-Led Conferences - No School
• 2/16 - Planning Development Day for Teachers - No School for Students - President's Day - No School for students
• 2/27 - Black History Program 8:30 am
• 3/13 - Progress Reports go home
• 3/16-3/20 - Spring Break - No School
• 4/3-4/6 - Holiday
• 4/16- STAAR RLA (3-5)
• 4/23- STAAR Science (5)
• 4/30-STAAR Math (3-5)
• 5/7 - Sweets with Someone Special AM
• 5/7 - EOY Movie Night 6 pm
• 5/19- Kinder/5th Graduation

What is Responsibility? Responsibility means being accountable for your actions, tasks, or duties. It’s about owning up to your obligations and making sure you follow through with them, whether it’s taking care of your own needs, helping others, or doing what’s expected of you.

For example, if you have a homework assignment, it's your responsibility to complete it on time. If you're part of a team, it's your responsibility to contribute and do your part. Responsibility also involves making good choices and understanding that your actions can affect others.

It’s a key part of growing up and being someone others can trust! Does that make sense?

Why is Responsbility Important at School? Responsibility is really important at school because it helps you build the skills and habits that will benefit you throughout your life. Here are a few reasons why responsibility matters:

1. Academic Success: When you're responsible for your homework, assignments, and studying, you’re more likely to do well in your classes. It helps you stay organized, meet deadlines, and improve your grades.

2. Building Trust: Teachers, classmates, and even your family rely on you to follow through on your commitments. When you take responsibility for your actions, others can trust you, which is key in building positive relationships.

3. Independence: Being responsible at school helps you become more independent. You start to manage your own learning, make decisions about your time, and solve problems on your own, which is an important life skill.

4. Personal Growth: Responsibility helps you learn from your mistakes. If you forget an assignment or don’t manage your time well, being responsible means you’ll take ownership of that mistake and figure out how to improve next time.

5. Preparation for the Future: The habits you build in school—like being responsible for your work and actions—prepare you for life after school. Whether it’s in college, a job, or just managing your personal life, responsibility is a skill that helps you succeed.

Acknowledge and Affirm Acts of Responsibility!

Goodwater Montessori Charter School

Superintendent: Dr. Bruce Tabor

Website: www.goodwatermontessori.org
Location: 710 Stadium Dr, Georgetown, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 931-3560