Weekly Update to Families
January 9, 2026
Message from the Principal
Welcome Back to School – Happy New Year!
Dear Goodwater Families,
What a wonderful week it has been at Goodwater! Progress reports will be mailed today, and we are excited for you to review the meaningful growth your student has achieved. If you have any questions about the progress report, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s guide.
Afterschool tutoring has officially begun. If your child has been identified as needing additional academic support, these sessions—held Monday through Thursday—are an important opportunity to strengthen skills and support overall academic success. We appreciate your help in ensuring your child attends consistently.
We are also 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.
Warm regards,
Beverly
School Closed in Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Goodwater will be closed on Monday, January 19th. This is a special day to reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King, one of the most influential leaders in American history.
Dr. King dedicated his life to fighting for equality, justice, and peace. His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement helped end racial segregation and discrimination, inspiring millions with his messages of love, nonviolence, and hope. His iconic "I Have a Dream" speech continues to motivate people around the world to work toward a future where everyone is treated with fairness and respect.
As we observe this important day, we encourage families to take time to discuss Dr. King’s impact on our country and think about how we can continue his mission of kindness and equality in our own communities.
We hope you enjoy the long weekend and look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday, January 20th.
International Night
On January 23rd, 2026, Goodwater Montessori is excited to host an International Night to celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our community. This special event invites parents to share their family traditions, foods, music, and stories, helping children experience the beauty of cultures worldwide.
By participating together, families strengthen our school community, support global awareness, and give children a meaningful, hands-on way to appreciate the world beyond their classroom. We warmly welcome your involvement in making this evening both educational and memorable for all.
Please complete survey linked here.
Highlights
Valentine's Day Dance - Save the Date
Perfect Attendance - First Semester
Please join us in congratulating the following students for having perfect attendance for the first sememster. We are very proud of them! Cyan Rich-Barboza, Jaxson Santiago, Ensley Shotwell, Adelyne Wright, Tinsley Hughes, Aisha Niyi-Agbaje, Theodore Want, Azaiah avarrette, Ralphael Price, Charlie State, Revival Tweneboah Kodua, Giovanni Arceneaux, Dallas Hughes, Righteous Tweneboah Kodua, Katherine Wukasch, Tariq Layi-Hassan, Clara Gholson, Chloe Waltz and Botond Molnar.
Chess Wizards at Goodwater
Montessori Moment
Montessori and Literacy – A Hands-On Journey into Reading and Writing
In the Montessori classroom, literacy unfolds through purposeful, hands-on exploration. Children begin by building phonetic awareness with tactile materials like sandpaper letters and moveable alphabets, connecting sounds to symbols in a concrete way. As they progress, writing often comes before reading—allowing students to express their thoughts long before they can decode every printed word. This natural, engaging process builds confidence, independence, and a deep love for language. Each step—touching, tracing, sounding, and composing—turns reading and writing into a joyful journey of discovery.
Staff Favorite Things 2025-26
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.
Safety at Pick Up and Drop Off
Safety at Pick Up and Drop Off
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.
Reminders:
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.
Donations Needed
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.
Montessori Environment
Breakfast Menu
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Lunch Menu
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Attendance Works!
Upcoming Activities
- 1/9 - Progress Reports go home
- 1/12 - 1/16 - End of 2nd 9 Weeks TFAR (3-5) Assessment
- 1/19 - Holiday in Remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - No School
- 1/23 - International Day Celebration 6 pm
- 2/6 - Valentine's Day Dance 6 pm
- 2/10-2/12- STAAR Benchmarks
- 2/13- Planning Development Day for Teachers - No School for Students - Student-Led Conferences
- 2/16 - President's Day - No School - Holiday
- 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
Character Word of the Month - Responsibility - January
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Contact Info
Goodwater Montessori Charter School
Principal: Mrs. Beverly Al-TabatabaieSuperintendent: Dr. Bruce Tabor
Website: www.goodwatermontessori.org
Location: 710 Stadium Dr, Georgetown, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 931-3560