TCE TIGER TALK Newsletter

It’s unreal! Here we are in the last month of school, and we have so many things to get accomplished yet. It is busy, busy, busy! I want to encourage you to keep track of the May events by looking at the “Website Calendar” on the Tiger Creek website or the Dates to Know in this Newsletter. That glance should keep you up to date on any happenings.

The students finished April strong, and we will be getting preliminary results from Milestones data over the next few weeks.

On both the TCE website and the CCPS website you can take a look at the 2025-26 School calendar if you need to do some pre-planning before the start of next school year.

The Pre-K drawing was also a big success, and TCE is filled up again with the slots allotted to us by the state. Make sure you are on the waiting list if your name wasn’t drawn earlier this month.

The last day of school is May 23rd for students. We hope you have a great summer!

Mr. David Beard,

TCE Principal

May always seems to be one of the busiest months—filled with graduations, celebrations, and holidays—and it’s easy to get swept up in the rush. As I take a moment to reflect on the end of this school year, I’m filled with pride. Our students have grown in so many ways. I think back to August, when some were struggling academically, and now I see confident learners ready to take on new challenges. I remember our new TCE friends who were adjusting to a brand-new environment, and now they’re walking the halls, giving high fives and sharing hugs.

Over time, we’ve become a little family, and it’s bittersweet knowing our time together this year is coming to a close. Thank you for helping make TCE such a special place. Thank you for sharing your incredible children with us and allowing us to be part of their journey.

I hope your summer is filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of rest—especially for our amazing teachers, who have more than earned it! But until then, let’s embrace this final stretch. Here’s to a strong and joyful finish to the 2024–2025 school year!

Mrs. Jayme Dills,

TCE Assistant Principal

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up! TCE PTO and a few of the business partners have a few surprises and treats planned for our wonderful staff! Please feel free to send in a sweet note or a treat to your teacher(s) to show your appreciation for all they have done this year. We have the BEST Teachers & Staff and we want them to know how much we appreciate all they do day in and day out!

TCE will send out 1 more Newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year. It will be the summer edition and will have information about summer camps, Catoosa County & Chattanooga family/kid summer events, and Back to School info. It will be sent out around the end of May.

Tiger Creek held their Kindergarten Registration on April 30th. We had families come and get registered for the upcoming school year. They got to meet several of the staff, admins, and the Kindergarten Teachers. Students got to visit the Kindergarten classrooms and they received a drawstring bag with some school supplies and a summer packet.

If you were unable to come and have a upcoming kindergartener, you will need to go to the CCPS Enrollment Center at 108 High Street, Ringgold. The Enrollment Center is open Monday-Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm.

CCPS STUDENT ENROLLMENT CENTER Electronic enrollment may be completed at home or at the Student Enrollment Center. To complete pre-registration please visit: https://registration.catoosa.k12.ga.us

Upon completion of pre-registration, you will schedule an appointment at the Student Enrollment Center to complete the process.

Please bring the following items to your appointment:

1. Two current (within the last 30 days) proofs of residency-see list below

2. Georgia driver’s license or photo ID of parent/legal guardian

3. Proof of legal custody or guardianship if applicable

4. GA 3231 immunization certificate

5. GA 3300 vision, hearing, dental, and nutritional certificate

6. Birth certificate for the student(s)

7. Social security card for the student(s) Proof of Residence

1. Acceptable documentation for proof of residency requires two of the following in the name and current address of the custodial parent/guardian.

Please provide the most recent (within the last 30 days): ● Electric Bill ● Water Bill ● Gas Bill ● Phone Bill ● Cable Bill ● Signed Lease ● Mortgage Statement (of primary legal residence) ● Bank Statement ● Georgia Voter Registration Card ● Car Tag Registration Receipt ● Driver’s License ● Government or Court Document (e.g., IRS, Social Security) ● Insurance (Medical, Life, Auto, or Home)

2. If the student and custodial parent/guardian are living with another family and do not have any of the documents listed above, then the supporting family must provide the documents and sign a Residency Affidavit.

Click the image to order the Tiger Creek 2024-2025 Yearbook!

Deadline to order is June 1, 2025.

This new bus-tracking app has gone live. Click the bus to find out about this new service and how to download the parent app.

The 2025-2026 school calendar has been approved.

Click the image to see the new calendar.

Click the image to watch a short video of TCE students showing and telling about the Helping Hands Program at Tiger Creek!

Mrs. Nancy Pacheco is our school's Communities in School Coordinator. The mission of Communities In Schools is to “surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.” Her role is to achieve our mission at Tiger Creek Elementary which is to provide support services in the following areas of need for students: social, behavioral, academic, attendance and basic needs. One of the ways she is doing that is by running the new Helping Hands Program at TCE. Helping Hands is a student based program where students collect, wash, and store appropriately uneaten fresh produce and unopened food from our cafeteria that students would normally throw away. These food items are then given out to students' families to have.

For more information contact her at npacheco.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Student Leadership has cleaned the flower beds around TCE for their spring service project. A big THANK YOU to these great 5th graders for all their help this year in Snack Sacks, Queen of Hearts, Helping Hands, and many other school projects.

Rex has loved getting to visit with the students each day! Rex had a lunch date with Rosy Posey, a full-grown bearded dragon owned by kindergartener Willow Sessions. Rex puffed up his one-ounce self to impress her. Do you think he did a good job?

Happy Spring, TCE families! Our May character word is Self-Control. Our students know that self-control means to ACT rather than RE-ACT. When big emotions fill our hearts, we must stop and think: What should I do? What is the best choice right now? To calm down, use grounding strategies: belly breathing, naming things we see/hear/touch/love, and squeezing and releasing our muscles. It may help to name our feelings and talk to an adult. Then use our wisdom to make mindful decisions about what we say and what we do.

If any of you have SHORTS you'd like to donate to the Stretchy-Pants clothes closet, we are out of boy sizes medium and large, and men's small, medium, and large.

Summer Packet Alert!

Keep an eye out—your child will be bringing home a special Summer Packet soon! It's packed with fun activities to keep those brains sharp over the summer break. Students who return their completed packet in the fall to their new teacher will be invited to a Snow Cone Celebration to kick off the new school year!

Jill Bishop

TCE Academic Coach

Candy Sale prizes & parties will be happening May 9th & May 15th.

PTO would like to thank everyone that has helped us with our events and fundraisers this year. We had a great year with some of our traditional events and some new ones. We hosted over 200 students and family members at our first Family Fun Night. The candy sale was a great success and we are excited to have funds to make next year another great year at TCE!

We were excited to be able to give each grade level $100 this Spring. The money went toward helping pay for field trips, a pizza party, Milestones snacks and classroom rewards. Some other ways that PTO is helping out includes providing gum for students taking Milestones, serving Snow Cones for PBIS Water Day, providing a meal for staff during teacher Appreciation week, purchasing pizza for the 5th Grade UTC Aquatic field trip, and purchasing items for Kindergarten Registration. Thanks again for a great year! See you in the fall!

As the PTO looks towards the new school year, we need more parents to join the PTO and to get involved. The more parents involved in the PTO, the better our organization is and the more we can do for our students and school staff!

As we wrap up another incredible school year, I want to remind everyone to finish strong and stay safe! May is a super busy month, filled with celebrations, warm weather activities, and end of the school activities.

As summer approaches us, let us all keep in mind a few safety tips:

STAY FOCUSED: It’s easy to be distracted with so much going on around us, stay alert and be mindful of your instincts.

TRAVEL SMART: Always wear your seatbelt, use crosswalks when walking, when biking or riding ATVs wear helmets. Travel in pairs.

CELEBRATE SAFELY: Whether it be Prom, graduations, holidays throughout the summer- make good choices and don’t mix celebrations with inappropriate behavior.

AS ALWAYS IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!

You’ve all worked hard this year—now let’s make sure summer starts off safe and positive. Take care of yourselves and each other. We’ll see you back next year!

Stay Safe,

Officer Holli

PLEASE REMEMBER:

You must have your ID to enter the building.

We are Ready!

We are Respectful!

We are Safe!

We help make our school TIGERRIFIC!

Yearbooks must be ordered by June 1st! They will not be available after that,

so please get your yearbook ordered today!

Mrs. Miller will have the Spring Book Fair, happening from April 28th - May 2nd.

The Fair will be open during Field Day.

If you child has a library book out, please get it turned in as soon as possible.

Field Day will be Friday, May 2nd 9am-12noon. Rotation schedule and Maps will be posted around the school to help you find your class. Students are welcome to check out following the conclusion of field day, please sign out with your classroom teacher.

Click the link for the schedule: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LTj9lXLORt2BauE_NPTOWlt2Ssp1k-iLrNllWkY8x7Y/edit?usp=sharing

Our 3rd-5th grade track & field team did a wonderful job representing TCE at the All Catoosa track meet held at Heritage High School. These athletes competed in throwing, jumping, and running events.

Tips for Managing Seasonal Allergies:

Monitor Pollen Counts: Stay informed about daily pollen counts in our area. On high pollen days, limit outdoor activities, especially during peak pollen times.

Keep Windows Closed: While it may be tempting to let in the fresh air, keeping windows closed can prevent pollen from entering your home.

Use Air Purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce airborne allergens.

Practice Good Hygiene: Make sure your students wash their hands and face after spending time outdoors to remove pollen particles. Showering before bedtime can also help prevent pollen from transferring to bedding.

Nasal Irrigation: Have your student rinse their nasal passages with a saline solution to flush out allergens and relieve congestion.

Take Allergy Medications: Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroids can provide relief from allergy symptoms. Consult with your child’s healthcare professional before having your child start any new medication.

Allergen-Proof Your Home: Use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses to reduce exposure while sleeping. Regularly clean and dust your home to minimize indoor allergens.

When to Seek Professional Help: If your child’s allergy symptoms persist or worsen despite following these tips, it’s important to consult with their healthcare professional. They can help determine the specific allergens affecting your child and recommend appropriate treatments, including allergy shots for long-term relief. While seasonal allergies can be a challenge, proactive measures can significantly improve their quality of life. By staying informed, practicing good hygiene, and taking appropriate medications, you can minimize the impact of seasonal allergies on your child.

Nurse Sherri

Student Medication news for the end of the school year (May 23rd). Nurse Sherri will be contacting parents as we get near the last day of school. Controlled medication are not allowed to remain at the school over the summer. Parents will have to come into the school and sign the log listing the student, the medication and the number count of the medication they are receiving. If parents do not come in, the medication is taken to the Catoosa County Sheriff's office to be disposed of. EpiPens & seizure medication is allowed to stay at school as long as it is locked up for the summer.

5th Grade Parents, mark your calendar for Day of the Tiger at RMS. This will be for parents of

rising 6th Graders moving to Ringgold Middle School.

TCE had the Spring Parent Advisory Team Meeting in April. All parents were invited to the meeting. We had an in-house meeting on April 8th and then the online version was posted on the website from April 8th through April 15th. It was also sent out to parents by text to parents. The parents who took time to join either meeting agree to adopt the 2025-2026 Family & Parent Engagement Policies for both TCE & the Catoosa County District. You may click on the links below to see the adopted & approved policies.

The Title I Family Resource Center is a dedicated space in our school for families. Located in room 100, is a place for parents to check out items to use with their children, to work on school volunteer projects and also to obtain helpful info. Title I documents, community events and the Parent Resource Library are all located here. The Resource Library can be used by parents to help their student(s) reach their full potential. We have books and academic materials that can be checked out by parents to use at home to help improve their student(s) reading and math skills. These items can help make learning more fun and exciting. Contact Mrs. Bridges to check something out.

Also, please check out the Family Engagement eLibrary offered by The Parent Institute. It has a wide range of online brochures, booklets and books on academic skills as well as parent topics such as positive behavior, motivation, and more. Most of the items are offered in Spanish as well as English. Click the link below:

Mrs. Bridges has set up a nice coffee & cocoa bar for staff & volunteers as well as a large area to work in. If you are interested in volunteering in any type of way, please stop in and see her in Room 100, or email her at sbridges.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us Her office hours are: 7:30-11:30, Monday-Friday.

Parent/Guardians: You have the right to have a teacher-parent conference at any time during the school year. If you have concerns, need to let the teacher/school know about updated medical info, or want more information on the way your child learns or about learning standards please contact your child’s teacher by emailing the teacher, calling the school at 706-935-9890 and leaving the teacher a voice message or by sending in a written request to the teacher. Your child's teacher will get back to you as quickly as possible.

TCE Parent/Guardians: We value your input on TCE Policy, Budget, School Improvement Plan, etc... Parents are welcome to contribute comments at any time. If you have any questions/concerns, please see Mrs. Sara Bridges, Parent Involvement Coordinator, or our Administrators: Mr. Beard, or Mrs. Dills.

Mrs. Sara L. Bridges

TCE's Parent Involvement Coordinator

TCE Phone: 706-935-9890

Email: sbridges.tce@catoosa.k12.ga.us

Click above to explore the Mother's Day Virtual Room!

Click above to explore the Memorial Day Virtual Room!

Tiger Creek is in need of substitute teachers. If you are interested in becoming a substitute please contact the school for more information. TCE Phone: 706-935-9890

Click on the School Bus picture to learn more about the School Bus Driver Recruitment Campaign at Tiger Creek Elementary

Below you will find a short CCPS parent video and a short CCPS student video discussing the importance of SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING. Please review the video for parents and watch the video for students with your student and have an active discussion on safety.

The Library at Catoosa offers a variety of services, such as monthly activities for all ages, an outstanding Genealogy collection, and over 100,000 items in print and audiovisual formats to check out. At the library, they provide free Internet, access to Microsoft Office programs, GALILEO, GADD, and so much more! Our Catoosa County Library is a member of PINES, a public library lending network of more than 300 libraries throughout Georgia. Click the link to see more of what is happening at your local Library!

https://www.catoosacountylibrary.org/