The Soto Scoop

Hello Soto Team,

We are almost at the finish line, Let's keep pushing!

I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible job you all did actively monitoring students during the Reading STAAR. Your focus, commitment, and professionalism truly made a difference for our students.

Science STAAR is this Wednesday, and I want to recognize our 5th-grade team for doubling their efforts to ensure all students are prepared and set up for success. Your commitment, focus, and intentional planning are making a real impact.

I also hope the home visits you completed right after STAAR have given you renewed energy and motivation to keep going strong. Your dedication to ensuring that every student meets their academic goals does not go unnoticed.

Our 3-peat is just around the corner, and we are in a strong position thanks to your hard work. There will be time to celebrate all of our accomplishments very soon.

Let’s continue to support one another and keep that momentum going as we head into this important assessment. Our students are ready because of you.

Please note that STAAR results will be available on Friday, May 22, through the Centralized Reporting System and My Data Portal.

Let’s finish strong 💪Our students are counting on us!

Thank you for everything you do,

This year, Let's Go for a 3-peat :)

Teachers,

We are almost there at the finish line. Thanks for all you do to help support our students so they can reach their goals. i am working on Minute Meetings for the second semester. Also our Career Day with Career on Wheels for PK-2nd and speakers for 3rd-5th grade is coming up on May 8th. If you know of anyone who would like to participate please give them my information.

Your dedication, compassion, and tireless work make a lasting difference in our school every single day. You go above and beyond to support students, staff, and families, and it does not go unnoticed.

Thank you for your leadership, your heart, and the positive energy you bring to our campus. We are truly grateful for all that you do—our school is better because of you! 💙

🌟 Strong Start & STAAR Push Ahead! 🌟

Hello Teachers,

Thank you for making my AP Week so special! I truly enjoy seeing each of you and our students every day. You are all incredibly kind, and I appreciate the thoughtful messages and gifts...but most of all, I appreciate the way you consistently show up for our kids.

I have to say, the funniest message on the board was that students think I’m the “baddest baddie” 😂that definitely made my week!

We’ve had a full week with STAAR, and we still have Science and Math coming up. Let’s keep pushing forward and finishing strong. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s any way I can continue to support you.

Thank you again for all that you do!

Ms. Andrade

📌 Important Reminders

This is a reminder regarding appropriate phone usage. Please ensure that you are actively monitoring students at all times and are not using personal devices during supervision. Staff should not need to be redirected to monitor students while on their phones.

There is no phone usage during the following times:

• Testing
• Lunch duty
• Classroom Lessons
• Recess/student supervision

I have observed this becoming a distraction across campus, and it impacts student safety and engagement. Moving forward, failure to comply with these expectations will result in administrative action.

• Lower Grades (STAAR Testing Days):
  There will be NO technology use on testing days. Please begin preparing and printing all necessary activities this week.

• Let’s ensure we are mindful of bandwidth and campus-wide needs to support smooth testing operations.

• 
  

📅 Pep Rally: Tuesday, April 7 (after our 4-day weekend)

📝 STAAR Testing Dates

• RLA: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

• Science: Wednesday, April 15, 2026

• Math: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

⭐ Reminders ⭐

📢 IXL 30-Day Trial – STAAR Push Reminder

As we continue our STAAR push, let’s maximize the IXL 30-day trial to support student growth and mastery.

✅ Action Steps:

• Ensure student logins have been sent home
• Message parents about the benefits of IXL and encourage usage at home
• Assign targeted practice aligned to student needs
• Monitor progress regularly to ensure the tool is being used effectively
• Expect students to work out all problems on paper to build true understanding

📌 Kinder–2nd Grade Focus

Kinder through 2nd grade, please ensure you are actively using the IXL trial before it expires. It offers strong support in:

• Math fluency
• Reading fluency
• English language development

Let’s be intentional and take full advantage of this resource to accelerate student achievement and build strong foundations before STAAR! 💪📊✨

🪄 Operation Math Magic

Materials are available in my office.
Stop by for student rewards once challenges are completed.

👀 Monitoring & Safety

• Be on your feet and circulating

• Limit non-instructional technology

• Maintain tight routines

• Stay visible and proactive

Lack of monitoring leads to incidents. Active supervision prevents problems.

🛝 Recess & Transitions

• Follow line order daily

• Actively monitor (no congregating)

• Stay in assigned areas

• Correct unsafe play immediately

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

📊 STAAR Quotas (Grades 3–5)

Targeted interventions should focus on moving students to Meets and Masters.

📁 Location: Soto Staff Leaders Drive → Data 25–26

📚 MTSS Expectations

Tier 2 and Tier 3 plans must be current and complete, including:

• Teacher input

• Parent input

• Data documentation

Proper documentation protects student accommodations and supports our learners.

✏️ Tutoring Communication

Send paper reminders home that include:

• Tutoring day

• Subject

• Teacher

• Pick-up time

Teachers should invite Approaches and Meets students to Saturday School so we can move students into the next performance band and reach our “A” goal.

📁 Sub Folders

Emergency substitute plans must be printed and ready.
This is a handbook expectation.

🏆 Attendance Initiative

Students with perfect attendance earn letters (tardies disqualify the day).
If multiple classes qualify, one class will be selected through a raffle.

🎯 Instructional Expectations

• TEKS, Objective, and DOL posted

• Gradual Release (I Do → We Do → You Do)

• Student discourse

• Daily fluency practice

• iReady usage (80%+ completion)

• Retests within 5–10 days

Teachers with failure rates above 20% will be placed on a Teacher Intervention Plan.

📅 Key Dates

April (Autism Awareness Month)

• 4/15- 5th Grade Science STAAR Test- MODIFIED SPECIALS, K-2 NO TECHNOLOGY

• 4/15 – PTO Board Meeting

• 4/17 – STAAR ALT 2 Window Closes

• 4/22 - Math STAAR Test- NO SPECIALS, K-2 NO TECHNOLOGY

• 4/22 – Administrative Professionals Day (Mrs. Ramos, Ms. Alejandre, & Mrs. Barron)

• 4/24 – BOC Meeting

• 4/30 – Día del Niño Picnic

May

• 5/1 – Principal Day / School Lunch Day

• 5/3–5/9 – Teacher Appreciation Week

• 5/6 – School Nurse Day

• 5/8 – Student Roster & Awards Spreadsheet Due / SBDM

• 5/12 – i-Ready End-of-Year Window Opens

• 5/14 – Parent Night

• 5/15 – Leader in Me Club Hour

• 5/18–5/26 – Awards Ceremonies (by grade level)

• 5/24 – Memorial Day (No School)

• 5/27 – Early Release 12:15 PM / BOC / Last Day of School

• 5/28 – Teacher, TA, Counselor & CRC Last Workday

🌟 Staff Shout-Outs 🌟

Shout out to Ms. Houston for adjusting her instruction these past few days and ensuring all students have notes for every readiness standard, great work!

Shout out to Ms. Adamoh, we can’t thank her enough for leading testing with such calmness and reliability. Her plans are always on point, and she helps all of us stay grounded.

Shout out to Ms. Martinez, her DOL data is strong and she continues to push students to meet their projected goals!

Shout out to Ms. Cuevas for supporting math instruction, she’s doing an amazing job. She comes prepared, and students are engaged and working toward their goals. Let’s keep pushing in math!

Shout out to Ms. Tello and Ms. Sanchez for stepping in to support testing—you both did a great job!

Shout out to Mr. La Point for always being supportive and ready at dismissal, and for stepping in whenever needed to support students in math! We truly appreciate your flexibility and strong presence.

Shout out to Ms. Galvan for leading the decoration of our booth for the Choice Expo, we received so many compliments! She also led our pep rally decorations and helped create all the team shirts. Thank you for your hard work and for sharing your talent to help our school shine! ✨

And shout out to all the staff who danced at our pep rally! Even though the mic cut out, the students had a blast—and that’s what matters. In their eyes, they were at a REAL rave! Some third graders are already excited for next year! 🎉

A big thank you to Ms. Ybarra and Ms. Barron for organizing the baskets and appreciation gestures for me this week, I truly appreciate YOU! 💛

Proud of our team, let’s keep the momentum going!

Monday, April 13, 2026

Soto Shirt & Slacks

Tutoring for 3rd to 5th grade

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Tutoring for 3rd to 5th grade

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

5th Grade Science STAAR TEST

Space theme shirt

Tutoring for 3rd to 4th grade

Thursday, April 16, 2026

College Shirt w/slacks

Tutoring for 3rd to 5th grade

Friday, April 17, 2026

Daddy & Daughter Dance 5-7pm

Spirit Shirt w/Jeans

UPCOMING EVENTS: STAAR Math, PTO Night 4/23/2026, Coffee w/ Principal 4/28/2026, Dia Del Nino Picnic 4/30/2026.

Email: nbarragan@dallasisd.org
Website: dallas.org/Domain/594
Location: 4510 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-502-5100