Chalmers Chronicle

Hello Leopard Family!

It's always a great week at Chalmers Elementary! Students need to be dropped off from 7:15-7:35. If you arrive after 7:35, you must walk your student inside and get a tardy slip. When visiting for lunchtime, please park in a parking spot. This will keep the driving lane clear. You will be required to show your ID when checking in. Students will not be allowed to be checked out after 3:20. This allows us to make sure all students are packed and ready for their buses.

Reminders:

School Times: 7:35 A.M. - 3:40 P.M. (This is 15 minutes EARLIER than last year.)

Doors Open for Drop Off: 7:15 A.M.

Tardy Time: 7:45 A.M.

Para ver en Espanol. Abra la nueva página. Desplazarse hacia abajo y presiona la palabra "translate". Escoja Espanol.

Any students interested in the livestock show program for the 25-26 school year should use this link to make contact with the FFA advisors. Questions? You can also find information on our website:

Google form: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSf5c.../viewform...

Gainesville FFA Website: http://sites.google.com/gainesvilleisd.com/gainesvilleffa

GEF's 2nd annual plant fundraiser is now live! Don't wait and get your plants ordered today & be sure to give your student credit!

https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-plant-sale

If approved by voters, the Gainesville ISD Bond will have a $0.1395 impact on your tax rate.

Did you know? If you are a voter that is 65+ years old and/or disabled- under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 or is disabled. You must apply for this exemption.

March 17-24- Spring Break

April 2-Paraprofessional Appreciation

April 3- 4th Grade to NCTC Farm City Week Field Trip

April 4-Librarian Day & Progress Parade

April 7-Student Intervention Day

April 10- Reading STAAR Test

April 14- Regular school day

April 15-4th Grade Music Performance @ GJH-6 PM

April 18-Holiday

April 22- Bus Driver Appreciation Day

April 23-Administrative Professionals Day
April 24- Math STAAR Test

April 29-2nd Grade Music Performance @ GJH-6 PM

April 30- 2nd Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

May 1-2nd Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

-1st graders visit Chalmers

May 2- School Lunch Hero Day

May 5-9-Teacher Appreciation Week

May 7- School Nurse Appreciation Day

May 8- Incoming 2nd grade parent info meeting-5:30 PM

-4th Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

May 9- 3rd Grade Field Day (1/2 classes in AM and 1/2 in PM)

-4th Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

May 12- Regular School Day

-GT Field Trip

-2nd Grade Field Day (1/2 classes in AM and 1/2 in PM)

May 13- 3rd Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

-4th Grade Field Day (1/2 classes in AM and 1/2 in PM)

May 14-4th Graders Visit Intermediate School

May 16-Bluebonnet Party (3rd graders)

May 19-Bluebonnet Party (4th graders)

May 20-3rd Grade Field Trip (1/2 the classes)

May 21- End of Year Awards Ceremonies (2nd @ 2:00, 3rd @ 8:15, and 4th @ 9:30)

May 22- Last Day of School, Talent Shows @ 8 & 10, and Early Release

*Student must remain in vehicles every morning until 7:15 AM. Students are getting hurt from running and playing without supervision.

*Do not drop students off in the morning from the main highway and walk over. This is very dangerous. You must pull through the drop off lines.

* When dropping students off each morning, students need to exit vehicles BEFORE reaching the crosswalk. Especially, the lane next to the sidewalks.

*DO NOT ENTER THE WRONG WAY FROM RADIO HILL ROAD. THIS IS CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES.

All students have a red plastic "Take Home Folder" that comes home every day. This provides a communication method between home and school. Please check your child's folder each night for important notes and homework. You can also send any important notes to teachers, office, or other school personnel in these folders. This is also where students keep their homework.

One of our goals at Chalmers Elementary is for students to read and comprehend text on their grade level. In order to meet this goal, we need some help from our families. Students at Chalmers Elementary bring home leveled reading materials everyday. The reading stays the same for 2 weeks. In addition to the reading material, there will be a page of discussion questions for families, and a reading log. We ask that you read and engage in conversations about the reading with your student for at least 20 minutes a day. Please keep the questions and reading items in students' red plastic take home folders in the section labeled "Return to School."

Students will have a few math and reading questions for homework each day/week. This will help reinforce and develop skills that have already been taught to the students in class. This is designed to take 10 minutes or less for each subject per day.

* Students are allowed to bring water bottles to school with WATER only. Please label.

* Please check students' folders for a calendar of specials and wear tennis shoes on PE days.

* No students can check out after 3:20 P.M.

* Dismissal is at 3:40- Please be on time when picking up students.

* Jeans can NOT have holes, tears, or frays.

* Shorts must be mid-thigh and can NOT have holes, tears, or frays.

* Spaghetti straps and crop tops are NOT allowed.

* Athletic shorts ARE allowed at Chalmers & Edison.

The Texas 90% rule dictates that students must attend at least 90% of their classes to be eligible to receive credit for a course. This rule is in place to ensure that students have consistent access to the educational content and classroom interactions necessary for their academic growth. Unfortunately, over the years, we have noticed a rising number of students falling short of this attendance requirement, leading to the need for summer school to catch up on missed instructional time.

Beginning the summer of 2024, we will be implementing a change in our summer school policy. Regrettably, we will no longer be offering summer school as a means to make up for excessive absences. We understand that this policy change might pose challenges for some families, and we want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly. Our primary goal is to provide students with the best possible education during the regular school year, and consistent attendance is crucial for achieving this goal.

We kindly ask for your partnership in this effort. Here's how you can help:

1. **Prioritize Attendance**: Encourage your child to attend school regularly. Explain the importance of consistent attendance and how it contributes to their academic success.

2. **Open Communication**: If your child is facing challenges that might impact their attendance, please let us know. We are here to provide support and explore solutions to help them stay engaged in their education.

3. **Establish Routines**: Establishing consistent routines and schedules at home can greatly aid in ensuring your child's regular attendance.

4. **Monitor Progress**: Stay informed about your child's attendance record and academic progress. Regularly reviewing their grades and attendance in the GISD parent portal can help you address issues promptly.

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La regla del 90% de Texas dicta que los estudiantes deben asistir al menos al 90% de sus clases para ser elegibles para recibir crédito por un curso. Esta regla existe para garantizar que los estudiantes tengan acceso constante al contenido educativo y a las interacciones en el aula necesarias para su crecimiento académico. Desafortunadamente, a lo largo de los años, hemos notado que un número cada vez mayor de estudiantes no cumplen con este requisito de asistencia, lo que lleva a la necesidad de que la escuela de verano recupere el tiempo de instrucción perdido.

A partir del verano de 2024, implementaremos un cambio en nuestra política de escuela de verano. Lamentablemente, ya no ofreceremos escuela de verano como medio para compensar las ausencias excesivas. Entendemos que este cambio de política podría plantear desafíos para algunas familias y queremos asegurarles que esta decisión no se tomó a la ligera. Nuestro objetivo principal es brindarles a los estudiantes la mejor educación posible durante el año escolar regular, y la asistencia constante es crucial para lograr este objetivo.

Le solicitamos amablemente su colaboración en este esfuerzo. Así es como puedes ayudar:

1. **Priorice la asistencia**: anime a su hijo a asistir a la escuela con regularidad. Explique la importancia de la asistencia constante y cómo contribuye a su éxito académico.

2. **Comunicación abierta**: Si su hijo enfrenta desafíos que podrían afectar su asistencia, háganoslo saber. Estamos aquí para brindar apoyo y explorar soluciones que los ayuden a mantenerse comprometidos con su educación.

3. **Establezca rutinas**: Establecer rutinas y horarios consistentes en casa puede ser de gran ayuda para garantizar la asistencia regular de su hijo.

4. **Monitorear el progreso**: Manténgase informado sobre el registro de asistencia y el progreso académico de su hijo. Revisar periódicamente sus calificaciones y asistencia en el portal para padres de GISD puede ayudarle a abordar los problemas con prontitud.