🦅The Candlewood Connection🦅

Dear Candlewood Families and Community,

We hope you had a fantastic first week back to school! It has been a wonderful start to the year, and we are so excited to see the growth our students will make over the coming months. There's a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the air, and we’re looking forward to all the achievements ahead.

As we work together to keep our school community safe and focused on learning, please be aware that starting next week, parents and visitors will be required to check in with a valid ID before entering the school during instructional times. This is a simple but important step in ensuring a secure and productive learning environment for our students.

We want to extend a huge thank you to all our families for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are building a strong home-school network that will help our students thrive. We are excited about the year ahead and are grateful to have you as part of the Candlewood STEM Academy community.

Let’s make this a great year!

Warm regards,

Principal Diaz

rdiaz@judsonisd.org

Welcome Eagle families. The admin team at Candlewood STEm Academy and Candlewood Elementary is here to assist in whatever you need. One of our goals is to create a positive and effective learning environent where our families feel welcomed.

This week, we proudly recognize our incredible custodian, Ms. Fressy Molina, as the Eagle of the Week! Ms. Fressy's hard work and dedication ensure that our school is always clean, welcoming, and ready for learning. From keeping the floors freshly waxed to making sure every classroom is spotless and prepared for our students and staff, her behind-the-scenes efforts make a huge difference every single day. We are so grateful for the pride and care she puts into making our school a safe, clean, and comfortable place for all. Thank you for all you do Ms. Fressy! Congratulations

School Model: STEM Academy will allow our students with diverse backgrounds to gain skills needed to acquire STEM jobs and develop problem solving skills.

Our first week in STEM class!

Our first week in STEM was all about Mystery Maker Challenges! These challenges are designed to make students think creatively about how to utilize a limited number of supplies to accomplish a goal. As a class, we collaborated and planned a solution that varied by grade level, such as constructing a shelter for a small toy bear and designing a tunnel for a toy car. Students communicated to draft designs, then used critical thinking to problem solve solutions. They finished by using creativity to change plans after testing their products. We look forward to continuing preparing students to SOAR!

🚫No School in observance of Labor Day September 1st

🔐Lockdown Drill on September 4th

🧓👵Grandparents Day and Read a Book Day September 8th (more information to come)

🗽Patriot Day on September 11th

🌏National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15th-October 15th

🌳Gardopia Volunteer Day in our campus garden on September 20th

📷Fall Picture Day on September 22nd

😀No School, student holiday on September 29th

Our Eagle Agents are off to a fantastic start!
Students are diving into real-world, hands-on experiences that allow them to step into leadership roles and practice important life skills. Each student has been given a special job title within their team to build responsibility, teamwork, and confidence.

Some of the exciting roles include:

• Head Architect – guiding design, planning, and problem-solving.

• Testing Coordinator – ensuring projects are accurate, reliable, and meet expectations.

• Materials Manager – organizing and distributing supplies while keeping the team on track.

• Team Captain – leading collaboration, encouraging teammates, and helping the group stay focused.

Through these roles, our Eagle Agents are learning how to communicate effectively, manage resources, think critically, and work together toward a common goal. We are so proud of the energy and creativity they are bringing to every mission!

The first week of school is a crucial time for our students. Last week we focused on ‘The Candlewood Way’ to ensure every child starts the year strong:

• Building Friendships: Students spent time getting to know one another and their teacher, so they feel connected and welcomed.
• Learning Routines: Clear routines and expectations helped children feel safe and confident in the classroom and around the campus.
• Engaging in Learning: Fun lessons, read-alouds, and projects sparked curiosity from day one.
• Partnering with Families: We value your insight and encourage open communication to support your child’s success.

With your support at home and our care at school, we’re setting the stage for a joyful and successful year ahead!

We are thrilled to share some exciting news about our learning journey at Candlewood STEM Academy! This week, while continuing to set the stage for successful learning by practicing our expectations and routines, students will be engaging in our NEW math curriculum, Bluebonnet Learning. Designed specifically for Texas schools and aligned with state standards (TEKS) for k - 5th grades, Bluebonnet helps students build strong problem-solving skills through hands-on learning and real-world applications. We’re excited to watch our students grow as confident mathematicians!

Also, we’re excited to bring 2nd–5th grades on board with the Amplify reading curriculum! Last year, our Kinder and 1st grade students showed amazing growth in reading, and we want the upper grades to have the same experience. Amplify helps students become confident, independent readers by building skills in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Teachers also get real-time data to support each child’s learning.

We are expecting a FANTASTIC YEAR🦅

At Candlewood, the MISSION IS POSSIBLE!! We are cracking the code to student success!!!!

Students are encouraged to work on learning at home too. Students can log into our learning platforms by following the steps below:

1. Go to judsonisd.org

2. Click Students

3. Click ClassLink

4. Enter Login

5. This will open their portal for Zearn (math only) or Progress Learning

Hello Families,

Welcome back! It was so great to see such smiling faces in the halls again. Just a few things of note.

If your student has Asthma, please get an Asthma Action Plan signed by your doctor and bring in an inhaler (in box with prescription label). I'll go over the plan with you and notify the teacher and coach so we can keep your student safe.

As a reminder, students are not allowed to carry medication. It must be brought to the clinic and picked up by an adult.

If your student is behind on vaccines, they are enrolled provisionally. This means that they only have 30 days from the first day of school to get started on the remaining vaccines or show proof they have already received them. This is a state law, and they risk disenrollment. If you need help finding resources, please contact me.

You might have noticed emergency contact cards go home with your child this week. Please fill them out and return them as soon as possible so that we can have this information readily available in the unlikely event of an evacuation.

Please contact me anytime with questions. Thank you for all you do. Let's make this a great year!

Thank you,

Jennifer Guzman RN, BSN

210-662-1060

Jguzman347@judsonisd.org

Hey Eagles!

My name is Mr. Posada, and I’m so excited to be your student’s music teacher here at Candlewood Elementary! This year, we’ll be exploring rhythm, melody, instruments, singing, and creative expression as we make some beautiful music together.

Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to showcase their talents through grade-level performances, special programs, and after-school music clubs. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements with more details about performance dates, rehearsals, and sign-ups for music activities.

Music is such an important part of learning and growing, and I can’t wait to watch our Eagles shine both in and out of the classroom. If you ever have any questions, comments, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact me—I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s make this a year full of music, creativity, and joy!

Musically,
Josh Posada
Music Teacher
Candlewood Elementary School
jposada@judsonisd.org

Hello Eagles and Eagle Families,

My name is Ms. Morales, and I am thrilled to serve as this year’s Art/Tech teacher at Candlewood Elementary! I’m excited for all the creative, fun, and sometimes messy projects we’ll be working on together.

Please keep an eye out for reminder letters a few days before we paint—this way, students can avoid wearing their best clothes and keep them from getting stained.

If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is listed below, and I’m happy to connect with you anytime.

I’m looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, creating, and growing together!

Warmly,
Ms. Morales
Art/Tech Teacher
Candlewood Elementary School
Emorales203@judsonisd.org

Library will be closed until the first week of September to ensure timely delivery of curriculum materials to all students. Your student’s homeroom teacher will be able to tell you when their class will visit the library and at what frequency. Please continue to check your student’s blue take-home folder for the Library Policies one-pager where you can select your choice for your student’s book choice if you have not already sent it back. If you have, thank you!

If you are interested in volunteering at the library either to help with story-time, decorating or shelving, please reach out to the librarian, Mrs. Orzechowski via email at LOrzechowsk@judsonisd.org. We are excited to have family on campus to help grow our Eagles’ love of reading!

PE Class:

Students will participate in physical education (PE) class 2-3 times per week. To actively participate in PE class, students must have the proper shoes. This is for their own personal safety, and to protect the gym floor. If students are wearing dress shoes, boots or sandals, please send a pair of gym shoes in their backpacks. Teacher can easily provide a quick minute for students to change footwear prior to the beginning of PE class. Students without the proper footwear will have to sit out from class.

Also, if students have a doctor's note stating any restrictions to their activity or movement, please send this note to the teacher. The school will ensure that the PE coach has the proper documentation to assist your child in the process of recovery. Medical notes that limit a student's participation in PE do not have any impact on a student's final grade. Additionally, the school will ensure that classroom teachers have these notes and that the limitations are applied to recess as well.

Child Nutrition and Cafeteria Services:

Candlewood Elementary is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) campus. 100% of our students will receive free breakfast and lunch. The school menu for breakfast and lunch is posted on the JISD website. While the cafeteria staff carefully plans every menu, sometimes delivery issues may cause a slight change in menu items.

Parents are permitted to eat lunch with their students. After signing in at the front office with their photo ID, parents may proceed to the cafeteria where a designated table has been set up for families to eat together. Adult guests must be listed in Skyward in order to gain access to eating lunch at school. You can check and update this list by accessing Skyward. Please make sure to bring a physical valid photo ID so you can be checked in at the front office.

After School Care:

The JISD Adventure Club is a program that includes homework time, mind-stimulating games, reading/quiet time, character and leadership-building activities, behavioral and etiquette skills, science centers, storytelling, music, art and crafts, board games, physical activities (games) and much, much, more. The Program Guidelines for Parents and Guardians explain the full policies, procedures, and program. The Adventure Club Program is available at 20 elementary locations throughout the district, proudly serving our K through 5th grade students.

2025-2026 REGISTRATION

Registration for new and returning students to participate in the campus-based Adventure Club After School Program is open. As per Program Guidelines, if a student's My School Bucks account has any unpaid tuition or applicable fees, the account balance must be paid in full prior to registering for the new school year. If a student was dismissed for behavioral reasons during the 2024-25 school year, the student is not eligible to participate during the 2025-26 school year.

The JISD Adventure Club program is open Monday - Friday with the exception of observed JISD school holidays.The JISD Adventure Club operates from the time of dismissal until 6pm. Be advised a $1 per minute, per child, LATE PICK UP FEE is charged after 6PM. Invoices are added to My School Bucks account accordingly and are due in full upon receipt. Mrs. Regina Lopez is our AC Supervisor.

⏰SCHOOL HOURS – 7:30 AM – 2:50 PM

• Doors Open at 6:45 AM
• Breakfast Starts at 7:00 AM
• School Tardy Warning Bell Rings at 7:25 AM
• Instruction Begins! Students must be in their classroom seats by 7:30 AM
• Tardy begins at 7:31 AM
• 🚨 Dismissal is at 2:50 PM (Please note this is a change from previous years at 3:00 PM) 🚨

To help ensure the highest quality learning environment of all students, we strive to have minimal interruptions to the classroom schedule. One simple, yet powerful way to help boost this high quality learning environment is to have your child dropped off at school before 7:30 am. In this way, they are able to eat breakfast, unpack their things, and start the day smoothly. Any students who arrive in their classroom after 7:30 am will be marked tardy. In the event that you are running late and arrive after 7:30 am, you will need to accompany your child to the Front Office and sign them in. If you need any assistance with this process, please give us a call. If they arrive after 9:30 AM, they will be considered absent. If you are running late for pick-up, please park and come into the front office to sign them out. We appreciate if all students are picked up by 3:20 PM at the latest.

• The Texas attendance rules say that a student has to be in a class at least 90% of the time if they want to be sure to get credit for that class. This rule applies even if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan.
• Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Students enrolled in prekindergarten or kindergarten are required to attend school and are subject to the compulsory attendance requirements as long as they remain enrolled. Ages 6-19 State law requires that a student who is at least six years of age, or who is younger than six years of age and has previously been enrolled in first grade, and who has not yet reached their 19th birthday, shall attend school, as well as any applicable accelerated instruction program, extended year program, or tutorial session, unless the student is otherwise excused from attendance or legally exempt.
• [If a student pre-k through 12th grade is absent from school for 10 or more days or part of days without an excuse within a 6-month period, the parent and/or student are subject to legal prosecution.]

1.) Beat the Bell is our new school-wide attendance initiative to encourage awesome attendance habits and punctuality.Student numbers will randomly be used to celebrate students who are in their seats before morning announcements begin at 7:30 AM.

2.)Who's in the house? is our classroom attendance initiative. Each day that 100% of the class is present and on-time (including the teacher) a letter on our school-wide classroom posters are colored in and the date is written above the colored letter Once all the letters are colored (14 total)-send a photo of the banner to the office for various prizes.

In partnership with San Antonio Food Bank, Metzger Middle School has a monthly food drive and produce stand that is open to our community. Please see the flyer for dates.

Do you need clothing or school supplies? With generous donations from our community we have a boutique for our students and members of the community. Ask for a member of our counseling department for access!

Morning Arrival is anytime between 6:45 am-7:25 am.

Front of school- Walkers, car riders, and bus riders arrive and enter in the front of the school and walk down the main hallway to the cafeteria. School personnel are always present in the car drop off area for reasons of security and to help students with any bags or heavy loads. Classroom teachers will pick up the students at 7:00 AM from the cafeteria.

If any parents are walking in with their students they will be permitted to accompany their students to the classroom for the first week of school only. Beginning Monday, August 18, 2025, parents will have to remain in the front foyer area of the school.

Back of School-Walkers or car rider students are dropped off in the back of the school and proceed directly to the cafeteria. A member of the school staff is always present at the car rider lane to welcome students. Gates will be shut at 7:25 AM, and all drop offs will be in the front of the school. Classroom teachers will pick up the students at 7:00 AM.

• ALL students should be in their classroom by 7:30 AM. If arriving after 7:30 AM, student MUST be brought in by a guardian and signed in at the front office. He/She will be considered tardy.

Please note: Dismissal is now at 2:50 PM, not 3:00 PM.

We will dismiss our car riders from the cafeteria. All car riders must have the 2025-26 car rider tag available. If not, you will be asked to present your ID.

Walkers will be dismissed on the east side of the campus. Pre-K and older siblings will dismiss from Door 17. Kinder-5th grade will dismiss from door 16. We are asking parents/guardians to please line up behind the orange cone. There will be two lines. Staff will call students' names. Please have your walker dismissal cards ready to ensure a smoother dismissal.

Parent Involvement :Thank you for being our partner in your child's education! When we communicate and work together, your child succeeds! At Candlewood we pride ourselves on being transparent and doing what is best for kids. If you ever have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please reach out to your child's teacher or anyone on the admin team. We are here to serve the children of our community. Thank you for trusting us with your children.

Volunteering: The volunteer application is for individuals who are attending OFF CAMPUS Field Trips ONLY. If you are volunteering to help in the classroom or at an on-campus event, you are ONLY required to check in using the Verkada Verification System at the campus front office.

https://www.judsonisd.org/departments/human-resources/volunteering

Shining a Positive Light: Our teachers, students, parents, and community are a direct reflection of Candlewood. What we say and represent about our school through our words, social media posts...etc. is critical to our school culture. Please join us in shining a positive light on all of the amazing things your students are doing at Candlewood. When we speak life, success and positivity into our school, we are speaking the same into our students...our future! What a bright future our Eagles have!

Spirit Shirt sales are open while supplies last. We encourage you to purchase a school t-shirt for $15 (cash only). Our 25-26 school t-shirts will be available in youth sizes XS-Large and adult sizes S-XL. They are navy blue with red and white lettering on the front and our new STEM logo on the sleeve.

We will be selling retired Candlewood t-shirts too!

1 shirt- $3.00

2 shirts- $5.00

3 shirts-$7.00

4 shirts- $10.00

Each day our students recite the following campus-wide expectations and creed, repeating the mindsets that CSA is working to instill.

As a Soaring Eagle, I will:

Show self-control and Be Safe

Offer Kindness

Act Responsibly

Respect Myself and Others

I will S.O.A.R. with creativity!

Eagle Creed

• I am a Candlewood Eagle. I belong here.

• I have great expectations for myself. I know that I can succeed.

• I accept the challenge to become the best that I can be. I know that I learn more when I try hard.

• I will make today the very best day of all. I will share my important ideas and create new ones too.

• I promise to SOAR like an Eagle and shine like a star because this is important to me.

Parents are allowed to bring treats to the class for a student's birthday. You can drop these items off at the front office anytime of day. The office will deliver items to the classroom during break times so that learning schedules are uninterrupted. Teachers will ensure that treats and drinks are distributed to all students at the end of the day typically around 2:30.

Communication is key! To help keep our families and community updated, we will send out a weekly newsletter with information from our school and district websites, along with other important updates. In addition, please check:

• Class Dojo for announcements and messages

• Teacher updates and club sponsor information via email

• Our school website for key info, forms, and links to the student handbook

If you have any questions or need clarification, please call the office or email one of our admin team: Mrs. Diaz rdiaz@judsonisd.org, Ms. Latino clatino@judsonisd.org, or Mrs. Miles rdavismiles@judsonisd.org

When sharing information with our community, we use the following methods:

• paper flyers
• all calls-text, automated phone calls, and emails
• Class Dojo
• Candlewood Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/candlewoodelementary/
• JISD school website at https://candlewood.judsonisd.org/
• Campus Website at https://candlewood.judsonisd.org/

School Marquee