Parent Newsletter
September 2 - September 30
Let's work together parents!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are so elated to have spent these wonderful first days with your students! They’ve been working hard in their classrooms, staying engaged, and adjusting beautifully to the new school year.
As we settle into our routines, we’d like to share a few reminders to help your child have a successful and comfortable school year:
💧 Water Bottles:
Please send your student with a plastic or thermos-style water bottle each day. Every classroom is equipped with a refillable PRIMO purified water jug to keep our students hydrated and healthy.
🌞 Sunscreen:
With this hot and sunny weather, we encourage families to apply sunscreen at home before school each day.
👟 Closed-Toe Shoes:
For safety and comfort, please make sure your student wears closed-toe shoes daily. Students are active throughout the day—learning in classrooms, playing outside, and transitioning between our portables in our current swing space.
Thank you for your continued support as we kick off what’s sure to be an amazing school year. Let’s rock it together! 🎉
Warm regards,
Pecan Springs Elementary
School Schedule / Horario Escolar
- 7:15 a.m. Doors open
- 7:35 a.m. Breakfast (in the cafe) ends
- 7:40 a.m. Start of the school day
- 7:40 a.m. Tardy Bell-Your scholar is TARDY/late
- 3:10 p.m. Scholars are dismissed
MESSAGE FROM MR. HAYWOOD
It's that time of year where we begin testing students for our Gifted and Talented program here at Pecan Springs. If you believe your student excels in certain areas of school, thinks about problems in a unique way, or stands out in a certain area the GT program could be beneficial for your child. If you would be interested in getting your child tested for the GT program please see the flyer attached or reach out to Mr. Haywood.(zane.haywood@austinisd.org) for further questions. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/2d7e6d3b76b145828eb75b7a66f8e1c9
Can I have lunch with my student(s)? 🥪
🍽 Parent Lunch Visits – Tuesdays & Thursdays
Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their student on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A minimum of two visitors per student is allowed.
🚫 No fast food (e.g., McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, etc.).
✅ You may bring food from home for your student.
Please do not share food with other students, as some may have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
Brighter Bites: FREE Produce for YOU and YOUR FAMILY! 🍅🥦
🥦🍎 Brighter Bites is Here! 🍌🥕
A fresh approach to nutrition education — and it’s 100% FREE for families!
Enroll today to receive:
✅ ~20 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables every month
✅ Simple tips and tools for a healthier lifestyle
✅ Access to fun, budget-friendly recipes your kids will love
Why join Brighter Bites?
• Get free fresh produce on Brighter Bites days
• Save money on groceries
• Meet other parents and get involved in your school community
• Learn how to be healthy on a budget
• Try new, easy meals the whole family can enjoy
⭐ Participation in Brighter Bites does not affect your SNAP or WIC benefits.
Let’s build healthy habits together — one bite at a time!
FIRST DISTRIBUTION WILL BE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 (AFTER-SCHOOL)
Outside of Pecan Springs Elementary
ONLY for Pecan Springs Families
Brighter Bites: ¡Productos GRATIS para TI y TU FAMILIA! 🍅🥦
🥦🍎 ¡Brighter Bites está aquí! 🍌🥕
¡Una nueva forma de aprender sobre nutrición — y es 100% GRATIS para las familias!
Inscríbete hoy para recibir:
✅ ~20 libras de frutas y verduras frescas cada mes
✅ Consejos y herramientas simples para un estilo de vida más saludable
✅ Recetas divertidas y económicas que a tus hijos les encantarán
¿Por qué participar en Brighter Bites?
• Recibe productos frescos gratuitos en los días de Brighter Bites
• Ahorra dinero en tus compras
• Conoce a otros padres y participa en la comunidad escolar
• Aprende cómo ser saludable con un presupuesto limitado
• Prueba comidas nuevas, fáciles y deliciosas para toda la familia
⭐ La participación en Brighter Bites no afecta tus beneficios de SNAP ni WIC.
¡Construyamos hábitos saludables juntos — un bocado a la vez!
PRIMERA DISTRIBUCIÓN: MARTES 30 DE SEPTIEMBRE (DESPUÉS DE CLASES)
Afuera de la Escuela Primaria Pecan Springs
SOLO para familias de Pecan Springs
I would like to volunteer! 💙
As set forth by the State of Texas, all volunteers and mentors must complete an approved background check before being on campus to support our students.
It's easy peasey! Just follow the steps below:
Volunteer Background Check Instructions
-
Visit austinisd.voly.org to create a volunteer account and complete the required steps for a background check, including your profile, school selection, and consent forms. Austin ISDaustinisd.voly.org
-
Allow 2–5 business days for processing. Typically, background checks are completed within that window. Austin ISD+1
-
After approval, you’ll receive a notification email confirming your cleared status. Austin ISD+1
-
If you don’t receive a response within 5 business days, please contact the volunteer support team at volunteerchecks@austinisd.org for assistance. Austin ISD
-
Once you're cleared, reach out by email to campus Parent Support at blanca.salgado@austinisd.org.
-
Please allow up to two additional days after your background check is approved for campus coordination—then campus staff can begin processing your placement.
We can’t wait to welcome you to campus—thank you for supporting our students!
Class Dojo
Hello Parents,
We are so excited to welcome your students to the new school year! We know how important it is for parents to connect with teachers about missing assignments, grades, or simply to check in on how your student is doing throughout the year.
Where to download
- Android: You can download the ClassDojo app from the Google Play Store.
- iOS (iPhone/iPad): Download the ClassDojo app from the Apple App Store.
All teachers use ClassDojo, an app designed for easy communication between parents and teachers. Please download the app and connect with your student’s teacher using the links below.
How to get started:
-
Find your student’s grade level.
-
Look for your teacher’s name.
-
Click the link and start connecting!
Use this app to share how your student learns best, ask questions, and provide any information that will help teachers support your child.
Thank you for your partnership!
Sincerely,
Your Campus Parent Support,
Ms. Salgado
Class Dojo Links Parent Invite/ Enlaces de Class Dojo: Invitación para padres
ESCE:
- Ms. Morris: SCAN QR CODE ABOVE
PK3:
PK4:
- McCant: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=CYPX7MM
- Ms. Melina Perez: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a356d18ddcc7ecc6ce0f89
Kindergarten:
- Mrs. Chapman: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a382109427f8ea58ab28c1
- Mrs. Perez: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a8bc04f7cd1ae9c2dafda2
First Grade:
- Ms. Bonner:
- Ms. Liz
Second Grade:
- Ms. Reynolds: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=C8E672C
- Mrs. Raqeeb: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a4d2a67f27a56cae7d5038
- Mrs. Vela: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a75836adecd42d46fb8232
Third Grade:
- Mrs. Sandoval: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a350f9be7ccbc6c270a7ce
- Mrs. Romero: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=68a352a2ae98153e632a51e6
Fourth Grade:
- Ms. Lechuga: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=689d43f0ee31b8263e5cc324
- Mr. Baos: https://www.classdojo.com/ul/p/addKid?target=class&class=CU94EST
Fifth Grade:
Attendance / Asistencia ⭐
Dear Parents and Guardians!
This year, our goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that every scholar is present, every day.
Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success—from kindergarten through high school. When students show up consistently, they’re more likely to build strong learning habits, stay on track, and reach their full potential.
We know that families play a vital role in this. Even as children grow older, your support in making sure they get to school safely and on time each day makes a huge difference.
Of course, we understand that some absences are unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. However, missing too many days—even for excused reasons—can cause students to fall behind academically.
Here’s what the research tells us:
Scholars who are chronically absent in kindergarten or 1st grade are far less likely to read on grade level by 3rd grade.
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a clear warning sign of dropping out.
By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation than test scores!
A scholar is considered chronically absent if they miss just 2 days a month—that’s 18+ days per year. Absences add up quickly.
📚 What the Law Says (Texas Education Code 25.085):
All students ages 6–19 must attend school regularly.
This also applies to students younger than 6 who are enrolled in Pre-K or Kindergarten.
Students must attend from the start of the school day (7:40 a.m.) to the end (3:10 pm). Arriving late or leaving early may count as a partial-day absence.
Missing more than 50% of a class period means being counted absent for that class.
Students with 10 or more unexcused absences in a 6-month period may be referred for court intervention.
Let’s work together to build strong attendance habits—starting now. When students attend consistently, they’re more confident, more connected, and more successful.
One Team. One Dream. Together, We Rise—every day!
🚗 Be Kind to Our Neighbors
🚗 Be Kind to Our Neighbors
Please use the streets shown on the traffic map and avoid blocking our neighbors’ driveways.
Also, no illegal U-turns in the neighborhood, please.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and kindness!
🚗 Sea Amable con Nuestros Vecinos
🚗 Sea Amable con Nuestros Vecinos
Por favor, use las calles indicadas en el mapa de tráfico y evite bloquear las entradas de autos de nuestros vecinos.
También, no haga vueltas en U ilegales en el vecindario.
¡Gracias de antemano por su cooperación y amabilidad!
🚸 Safety First! Drop-off and Pick-up School Protocols
To ensure the safety of all students and help arrival/dismissal run smoothly, please review and follow these guidelines:
🚗 Morning Drop-Off
-
Drop-off Location: All car riders must be dropped off at the main entrance on Dubuque Lane.
-
Parents/guardians may walk their child(ren) to the designated campus entrances/security gates.
-
For safety reasons, parents/guardians are NOT allowed to walk students to their classroom.
🚶 Afternoon Pick-Up
-
Parents/guardians may pick up their child(ren) at the designated campus pick-up areas/security gates.
🚙 Arrival & Dismissal Guidelines
To enhance security and expedite the process, we ask all parents/guardians to:
-
Remain in your vehicle during arrival and dismissal.
-
Place your Safe School Tag on the right side of your dashboard so it is clearly visible.
⏰ School Hours
-
Morning Entry: Doors open at 7:00 a.m.
Scholars will be greeted, escorted inside, and guided to their classroom or cafeteria. -
Dismissal Time: 3:10 p.m.
Students will be escorted to your vehicle or to their designated check-out location.
Important Notice: House Bill 1481 – Student Cell Phone Use 📵
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As many of you know, House Bill 1481 was passed in Texas this summer and is now in effect for the current school year. We want to take a moment to clarify what this means for student use of cell phones and electronic devices on campus.
🔒 Cell phones and all electronic devices must be turned off and stored away during school hours.
We understand that many families rely on cell phones for safety and communication. While students may bring their phones, they are not allowed to use them during class or throughout the school day.
✅ Devices must be:
-
Turned OFF
-
Kept in backpacks, not in pockets
-
Out of sight during instructional time and while school is in session
🚫 If a student is found using their device during school hours:
-
A campus administrator will collect the device
-
The parent or guardian must come to the front office to retrieve it with an administrator present
Thank you for your support and cooperation as we work together to ensure a focused and respectful learning environment for all students.
Sincerely,
Pecan Springs Elementary
Aviso Importante: Proyecto de Ley 1481 – Uso de Teléfonos Celulares por Estudiantes 📵
Queridas familias,
Como muchos ya saben, el Proyecto de Ley 1481 fue aprobado en Texas este verano y entra en vigor este año escolar. Queremos aclarar lo que esto significa respecto al uso de teléfonos celulares y dispositivos electrónicos en la escuela.
🔒 Los teléfonos celulares y todos los dispositivos electrónicos deben estar apagados y guardados durante el horario escolar.
Sabemos que muchas familias dependen de los teléfonos para mantenerse en contacto y garantizar la seguridad de sus hijos. Aunque los estudiantes pueden traer sus teléfonos, no podrán usarlos durante las clases ni mientras la escuela esté en sesión.
✅ Los dispositivos deben:
-
Estar apagados
-
Guardarse dentro de la mochila, no en los bolsillos
-
Permanecer fuera de la vista durante el horario escolar
🚫 Si un estudiante es sorprendido usando su dispositivo durante el día escolar:
-
Un administrador del plantel recogerá el dispositivo
-
El padre o tutor deberá venir a la oficina principal para recogerlo en presencia de un administrador
Gracias por su apoyo y cooperación para mantener un ambiente de aprendizaje enfocado y respetuoso para todos los estudiantes.
Atentamente,
Escuela Primaria Pecan Springs
