September Newsletter

Dear Reno Elementary Families,

Thank you so much for the candy donations, your generosity ensured the Boo Bash was a memorable experience for everyone involved. Now that November is here we have SO much to be thankful for at Reno Elementary! As we head into a month filled with activities, celebrations, learning, and special memories, we are reminded that our school is such a special place because of the amazing students, supportive families, and dedicated staff who make up our POJO family.

We have lots of exciting things happening this month, and we can't wait to share these special moments with you! Thank you for trusting us with your children each day and for being such an important part of our school community. Your support, encouragement, and involvement make a difference!

Let's make November a month full of gratitude, kindness, learning, and POJO Pride!

📚 Reno Book Fair & Lunch with Loved Ones
We are excited to welcome our families to campus for Lunch with Loved Ones on November 3rd and 4th from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to share a meal and make special memories with your child. Families should preregister using this Google Form https://forms.gle/F5uetJG8KY5ULCCu5. Be sure to stop by the Reno Book Fair, too!

🎉 Big Kahuna Party Bus Celebration
Our Big Kahuna celebration is scheduled for Monday, November 9! We are excited to celebrate our students and their hard work. Permission forms will be sent home soon, so please watch your child's backpack for additional information.

🎖️Veterans Day Program

Our 4th graders will honor the brave men and women who have served our country during the Veterans Day Program at Springtown High School (SHS). We are looking forward to supporting our students as they help us recognize and thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice. ❤️🤍💙

🦃 Thanksgiving Break
As we approach Thanksgiving, we hope every family has time to slow down, spend time together, and enjoy a little rest.

At Reno Elementary, we are thankful for:

• Our students — for their smiles, curiosity, hard work, and the joy they bring to our campus each day.

• Our families — for partnering with us, encouraging learning at home, and supporting our school.

• Our teachers and staff — for the countless ways they go above and beyond to help every child grow and succeed.

• Our Reno community — for showing kindness, lending a helping hand, and making Reno Elementary a place where students belong.

This month, we encourage families to find small ways to practice gratitude at home. Share something you are thankful for around the dinner table, write a kind note to someone special, or take a moment to recognize someone who has made your day better. Small acts of kindness can make a BIG difference! I hope your family finds many reasons to smile this November and makes wonderful memories along the way. From our Reno family to yours, we wish you a month filled with gratitude, happiness, and lots of reasons to be thankful!

With gratitude and POJO Pride,

Candie Thompson, Principal
Bert Moody, Assistant Principal

Reno Elementary
📞 817-221-5001
🌐 www.springtownisd.net/RENO

November Events

Monday, November 2

• Staff Work Day / No Students

• 3rd Six Weeks Begins
• Lunch with Loved Ones - Day 1
• Book Fair Begins

• Lunch with Loved Ones - Day 2
• Book Fair

• 2nd Grade Musical 6:00pm
• Book Fair
• Report Cards Go Home

• Big Kahuna Party Bus (Permission forms to be sent home soon)
• Last Day for Book Fair
• 4th Grade Veteran's Day Program @ Springtown High School

• World Diabetes Awareness Day (Wear Blue)

• World Kindness Day (Wear Tie-Dye)

Thursday, November 19

• Fall Picture Retakes

🌱 Small Groups, BIG Growth! | Counseling Opportunities at Reno Elementary:

Beginning in January 2027, Reno Elementary will offer small-group counseling opportunities to help students build important social and emotional skills in a supportive environment!

Groups may focus on:

• Friendship & Social Skills

• Big Feelings & Self-Regulation

• Confidence & Growth Mindset

• Worry Warriors (Anxiety & Coping)

• Problem-Solving & Positive Choices

• Changes, Loss & Coping

How Are Students Recommended?

Both parents and teachers may recommend students for small-group counseling! Parents can use the link below, while teachers will complete a separate recommendation form.

All recommendations will be reviewed by the school counselor to determine appropriate groups and student placement. A recommendation does not guarantee selection, as placement depends on student needs, developmental appropriateness, and group availability.

Small Groups vs. Therapy: What's the Difference?

Small-group counseling is a short-term, school-based opportunity focused on teaching and practicing social-emotional skills. Groups typically meet once a week for 6–8 weeks.

Small groups are not therapy and are not intended to diagnose or treat mental health conditions or replace ongoing mental health treatment. If your child needs more individualized or intensive support, our school counselor can help connect your family with outside counseling and community resources.

Parents will receive additional information and any required permission forms before their child participates

https://forms.gle/XxpLnZWszbUrM8xq9

💛 4th Grade Kindness Crew – Coming Soon!

We are excited to announce that Reno Elementary will be launching our 4th Grade Kindness Crew in January 2027!

This special leadership opportunity will give fourth-grade students the chance to spread kindness, encourage others, serve our school, and make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Porcupines!

All fourth-grade students are welcome to apply; however, spaces are limited, and not every applicant will be selected.

Interested students will complete an application and participate in a selection process during November and December. Selection will be based on several factors, including student applications, teacher feedback, responsibility, and demonstrated leadership potential.

Students will be encouraged to take initiative and complete their own applications. Families are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with their fourth graders and support them throughout the process!

Additional information about applications, expectations, and deadlines will be shared soon with students at school.

We can't wait to see our Reno Porcupines lead with kindness! 🖤🤍

We would love to hear about your positive experiences with our staff. Click the link below and Shout Out your child's teacher(s). We will then share it with the staff in our weekly newsletter and on social media. Thank you for helping us shower our teachers with positivity!

Attendance Information- All absence excuse notes/letters are to be sent to Mrs. Reyna in the front office.

Attendance Laws- Regular school attendance is essential. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s education. The student and parent should avoid unnecessary absences. Two important state laws—one dealing with compulsory attendance and the other with how attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are discussed below:

1) At the elementary level, students are considered absent if they come to school 20 minutes after the start of the school day or if they are checked out from school 20 minutes before the end of the school day.

-Upon returning to school after being absent, late to school, leaving early from school, or sent home, the student must bring a note that is signed by the parent/guardian that describes the reason for the absence

-When a student incurs three or more unexcused absences within a four-week period, the law requires the school to send notice to the parent. The notice will:

• Remind the parent of his or her duty to monitor the student’s attendance and require the student to attend school;

• Inform the parent that the district will initiate truancy prevention measures.

A court of law may impose penalties against the parent if a school-aged student is deliberately not attending school. The district may file a complaint against the parent if the student incurs ten or more unexcused absences within a six-month period in the same school year.

2) Attendance for Credit or Final Grade (All Grade Levels) To receive credit or a final grade in a class, a student must attend the class at least 90 percent of the days it is offered. A student who attends fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered will be referred to the attendance review committee. The committee will determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit or a final grade.

Student Drop-off and Student Pick-up Tips

Ways You Can Help Keep Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safe

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal for all students.

• Display your DriveLine Placard in your front window every day. Placards were distributed at Meet the Teacher.
• No DriveLine Placard? Please park and bring a photo ID to the front office for student verification.
• Update Skyward to ensure all emergency contacts and approved pick-up individuals are current.
• Need to sign out early? Cut off for office early dismissal is 3:00pm, if you arrive after 3:00pm you will be asked to wait until dismissal is complete. Only exception is a true emergency.
• Wait until 3:00 p.m. to arrive for afternoon pick-up to help reduce traffic congestion.
• Practice with your child by having them recognize and respond to their first and last name during dismissal.
• Follow staff directions and use the designated drop-off and pick-up lanes.
• Pull forward before loading or unloading, and if your child needs help buckling, pull into the parking lot after loading.
• Drive slowly and observe all speed limits to keep everyone safe.
• Be patient and kind, especially during the first few weeks as everyone learns the routines.

Principal: Candie Thompson - cathompson@springtownisd.net

Assistant Principal: Bert Moody - rmoody@springtownisd.net

Counselor: Brianna Watkins - bwatkins@springtownisd.net

Website: www.springtownisd.net/reno

Location: 172 W Reno Rd, Azle, TX

Phone: 817-221-5001

Facebook: facebook.com/Reno-Elementary