Goshen Creek Elementary

Wendy Ashley, GCES Principal Email: WAshley@Springtownisd.net

Amy Baker, GCES AP Email: ABaker@Springtownisd.net

Katie Orsburn, GCES AP Email: KOrsburn@Springtownisd.net

Chrystal Sisk, GCES Counselor Email: ChSisk@Springtownisd.net

Officer Dews, GCES SRO Email: NDews@Springtownisd.net

Haley Meeks, GCES Principal Secretary: HMeeks@Springtownisd.net

Nikki Wiens, GCES Receptionist Email: NWiens@Springtownisd.net

Jody Atchley, GCES PEIMS Clerk Email: JAtchley@Springtownisd.net

Ashley Hall, GCES Nurse Email: AHall@Springtownisd.net

Dear Goshen Creek Elementary Family,

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. April brought challenges that none of us could have predicted, especially with the severe weather. However, it has truly been a blessing to witness the love, strength, and support our community has shown one another during this time.

The way our town has come together, embraced these challenges, and lifted each other up has been nothing short of inspiring. We have been working diligently to check in with all of our families to offer support wherever possible. If, for any reason, we have not yet connected with you and you have a need, please reach out to our front office or our counselor, Ms. Chrystal Sisk. Our Goshen Creek Family are here to help connect you with the resources you may need. You can reach her either directly by email or by calling the front office to get connected with her by phone.

We also want to thank you for your patience and grace as we continue to make necessary adjustments to schedules and events following the storm. We are committed to keeping you informed and being transparent about any changes and the reasons behind them.

We greatly appreciate your flexibility with the adjustments to our Math STAAR Assessment dates, as well as your efforts in ensuring that students were present, prepared, and ready to demonstrate their hard work. Friday was a wonderful example of just how incredible our students, staff, and community truly are. Our office is currently working towards getting our thriving third graders field trip rescheduled. As soon as those details are finalized, our amazing third grade teachers will share that information. Thank you again for your grace and flexibility as we work through those details.

As we look ahead to a busy month of May, I would like to encourage our students, staff, and families to make it a magnificent one. Please take a few moments to review the newsletter and mark your calendars for the many exciting events ahead. We are eager to share these special moments with you. We are continuing to finalize our playground additions and will reveal those details soon. We want to thank you again for all of your amazing support, your partnership, and contributions towards these updates for our students.

Thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with your precious children each day. If you have any questions, need assistance, or have suggestions for how we can better support you, please do not hesitate to contact the front office.

With gratitude,

Wendy Ashley
Principal
Goshen Creek Elementary

May

May 1 - School Principal's Day

May 4-- NWEA Testing and mClass End of Year Testing Begins

Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6 - School Nurse Day

May 7 - Progress Reports Go Home

May 11 - Talent Show

Fire Drill/ Lockdown Practice

May 12 - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Main Event (Rescheduled)

May 12 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Main Event

May 13 - 4th Grade Track Meet and SIS Trip

May 16 - Career Day

May 15 - Field Day - Pre-registration Link

May 19 - Celebration Assembly for the Sixth Six Weeks

Attendance - Recess

Senior Walk Across Campuses

May 20 - End of Year Grade Level Awards Day & In Class Celebration

Awards Pre-registration link

Fourth Grade Clap Out Celebration

May 21 - Early Release/Last Day Luau Dismissal Starts at 12:30 P.M.

Hawaiian Shirts & Tropical Attire

Starting Our Day Together- Prompt, Prepared, & Successful!

Our assembly begins promptly at 7:30 AM. It is crucial that all students arrive on time, prepared, and ready to begin. During our assemblies, we will cover:

• Goshen's Golden Rules
• Social norms and character lessons
• Activities to build reading stamina
• Celebrating our birthdays
• Creates a strong community and schoolwide unity
• Intentionally working on building a culture of readers, reading stamina, and building grit.

Additionally, every six weeks, we will recognize our students’ hard work through our celebration assemblies, where we honor achievements in honor roll, attendance, Sharp Pines, and Choose Love Ambassadors.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we kindly ask that you take a few moments to review our morning and afternoon drop-off zones. The Parent Hub contains more detailed information regarding these procedures, which are designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of our student pick-up and drop-off.

Car Tags:
Your child will receive their car tags with student ID numbers during the Meet the Teacher event. These tags will be essential for parent pick-up starting on day one. All parents, guardians, or individuals picking up students must display their car tags visibly in the window.

Identification Check:
If you do not have your car tag, you will be required to park and present identification for student safety.

Emergency Contacts:
Please ensure that all your current information is up to date within Skyward. Make sure that anyone who may pick up your child is listed as an emergency contact.

Helpful Tips for Smooth Drop-Off/Pick-Up:

• Familiarize yourself with the designated drop-off zones and their procedures.
• Arrive a few minutes early to reduce wait times.
• Follow all staff directions to ensure the safety of all students.
• Remind your child of their pick-up location and process.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to keep our students safe. Thank you for your attention to these important details!

Six Helpful Tips to Help Prepare Your Child

1. Practice Name Responses:
   Have your child practice responding after hearing their first and last name. This will help them respond quickly during dismissal when we call names.

2. Arrival Time for Pick-Up:
   Please don’t arrive for student pick-up until 3:00 PM. Students will not be released until 3:20 PM. Arriving at three helps prevent traffic jams on Pojo and Highway 199.

3. Use Your Car Rider Tag:
   Ensure you have your car rider tag every day. This is crucial for the safety and efficiency of the pick-up process.

4. Be Kind in Line:
   Remember that the first week can be challenging. Kindness and patience in line will help us all succeed.

5. Assistance with Buckling Up:
   If your child needs help buckling up, please pull into the parking lot or out of the way of the loading zone. This allows the line to continue moving smoothly.

6. Observe Speed Limits:
   Speed bumps have been added in both the pick-up and drop-off lines to encourage slower speeds and enhance safety for everyone.

By working together, we can make sure everyone is safe, secure, and successful.

Attendance Information

Attendance Information- All absence excuse notes/letters are to be sent to Mrs. Jody Atchley in the front office. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact her at JAtchley@Springtownisd.net.

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