THURSDAY EXCHANGE NEWSLETTER

Website: lifeschool.net
Location: 777 South Interstate 35 East Service Road, Red Oak, TX, USA
Phone: 469-552-9200
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LifeRedOak

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsromustangs/

Hello Families,

I apologize for the late newsletter, I was home ill yesterday.

STAAR Testing Next Week

Next week, our 3rd–6th grade students will be taking their RLA STAAR test. Please review the important dates and reminders below to help your child be prepared.

The best support you can provide is to encourage your child to do their best, work hard, and believe in themselves—we are so proud of their efforts!

Please note that our campus will be closed to visitors on testing days to ensure a quiet and secure testing environment.

Thank you for your continued support!

Tardy Reminder

This is a reminder of our arrival and dismissal expectations:

Campus opens: 7:15 a.m.

Instruction begins: 7:40 a.m. (students should be in class and ready to learn)

Tardies recorded: 7:45 a.m.

School ends: 4:05 p.m.

We’ve recently seen an increase in unexcused tardies and early releases. Being on time and remaining at school for the full day ensures students receive the maximum benefit of instruction and supports a productive learning environment. Frequent tardies and early releases result in lost instructional time, which can impact academic achievement and overall progress.

Thank you for your support in maintaining a focused and consistent learning environment for all.

March LifeLeader Newsletter

Click here to view the March LifeLeader Newsletter. In this edition, you'll find information about the Life School Education Foundation Golf Tournament, Life’s Finest photos, how to build confidence during testing season, career certifications offered in high school, and more. If you have not already, please follow our new @LSPartnersforLife Instagram account.

As we approach the STAAR testing for 3rd-6th grades, we want to share key dates and information to ensure a successful testing experience for everyone.

Campus Closures to Visitors:

Due to STAAR testing for 3rd-6th grades, our campus will be CLOSED to all campus visitors on major testing days that are listed below. Parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with students, do parent observations, or volunteer on major testing days. On designated Makeup Testing days the campus will be open to parents or visitors. We appreciate your understanding as we work to create a focused testing environment for our students.

Test Preparation:

To ensure your child performs at their best, please assist us by making sure they get enough sleep and have a nutritious breakfast. Please have your students leave their cell phone and smart watches at home on testing days.

We encourage students to bring multiple snacks and a bottle of water on testing days. Some good snack choices are peanut butter/cheese crackers, goldfish crackers, pretzels, nuts, beef sticks, granola bars or trail mix. Peppermints and mints are also allowed on testing days.

Upcoming STAAR Schedule:

• April 14: Reading Language Arts STAAR (Grades 4 & 6) No Campus Visitors

• April 15: Reading Language Arts STAAR (Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors

• April 16: Makeup Testing for Reading Language Arts STAAR (Grades 3-6)

• April 21: Science STAAR(Grade 5) No Campus Visitors

• April 22: Makeup Testing for Science STAAR (Grade 5)

• April 28: Math STAAR(Grades 4 & 6) No Campus Visitors

• April 29: Math STAAR(Grades 3 & 5) No Campus Visitors

• April 30: Makeup Testing for Math STAAR(Grades 3-6)

There will also be a slight adjustment to lunch schedules to accommodate students who are testing.

• April 14th: 5th Grade Lunch 1:30-2:00 and 6th Grade Lunch 12:55-1:25

• April 15th: 3rd Grade Lunch 12:20-12:30 and 4th Grade 11:45-12:15

• April 28th: 5th Grade Lunch 1:30-2:00 and 6th Grade Lunch 12:55-1:25

• April 29th: 3rd Grade Lunch 12:20-12:30 and 4th Grade 11:45-12:15

Thank you for your support and understanding during this testing period. Your partnership is invaluable in fostering a positive learning environment for our students.

April

10: School for Students & Staff

10: 1st Grade Field Trip

14: STAAR RLA (4 & 6), Closed campus for visitors

15: STAAR RLA (3 & 5), Closed campus for visitors

16: STAAR RLA Makeup Testing

17: No School Friday

21-STAAR Science (Grade 5), Closed campus for visitors

22: Administrative Assistant Day-Celebrate our amazing office staff!

23: Progress Report sent to parents

23: Cici's Waxahachie Fundraiser Night 4-9

24: School for Students & Staff

27: Lost & Found on Tables

28: STAAR Math (4 & 6), Closed campus for visitors

29: STAAR Math (3 & 5), Closed campus for visitors

30: Birthday Thursday/$3 Free dress Day/LifeLeaders of the Month Announced

30: Lost & Found Donated

30: Gifted & Talented Expo

30: Chick fil A Fundraiser Night

Even our little learners can experience BIG feelings. Tests, making new friends, and navigating daily challenges at school can sometimes cause stress.

Stress is a normal response to challenges. However, when children feel stressed for extended periods, it can show up physically — such as a faster heartbeat, headaches, or stomachaches.

You can help your child “buzz” away stress by encouraging:
🌼 Deep breathing
🌼 Drawing or journaling feelings
🌼 Quiet time to relax and reset
🌼 Getting enough sleep
🌼 Eating a balanced diet
🌼 Spending time outside

April is also Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a developmental difference that affects how individuals communicate, interact, and experience the world. Many individuals with autism thrive in incredible ways, while some may need additional support in daily activities.

Just like bees in a hive, every child plays a unique and important role. 💛
Let’s continue to teach kindness, patience, and understanding — and help every child feel like they truly bee-long! 🐝✨

Below are some potential Autism Strengths:

Integrity- People with Autism are more likely to make consistent choices that align with their values.

Expertise and Mastery- Those with Autism are often experts at their special interests which can increase "a sense of wellbeing, facilitate social connection... and strengthen academic skills."

Sensory- People with Autism are more likely to have a perfect pitch, recognize sounds that are mixed together, and excel at visual search tasks.

To read more about Autism Strengths click here.

STAAR is coming up soon and getting enough sleep is important for your student’s success. There are more consequences of not getting enough sleep besides decreased attention, impaired memory and slowed process. Lack of adequate sleep can lead to behavioral differences such as aggression, poor decision making, depression and anxiety as well as hyperactivity. Here are some tips to get started:

1. Set a specific bedtime (check the information on sleep by age)

2. Stop using electronic devices for at least an hour before this time

3. Create a relaxing bedtime routine (start 15-10 min before bed time)

4. Create a dark, quiet, comfortable and calming sleep environment

5. Create a celebration activity that you will do together when they have completed the challenge (set a goal that may allow for a day or two to miss so they stay encouraged)

6. You may want to print a calendar page and have them check the boxes as they reach their daily goal

This message is a reminder of our arrival and dismissal expectations. Campus doors open at 7:15 a.m., and instruction begins promptly at 7:40 a.m. Students should be in class and ready to learn by that time. As a campus serving over 1,000 students, morning traffic can be busy, and we ask families to plan accordingly.

A five-minute grace period is provided, with tardies recorded beginning at 7:45 a.m. Traffic delays due to accidents or inclement weather are taken into consideration.

The school day ends at 4:05 p.m. Early releases should be limited to necessary situations whenever possible.

Recently, we have seen an increase in unexcused tardies and early releases, which disrupt instructional time and impact learning. One of our goals is to help students grow as LifeLeaders by building positive habits that will support them as they get older, including the importance of being on time and valuing learning.

Below are the attendance brochure and flyer with additional attendance information.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a safe, orderly, and learning-focused school day.

This is our limited time BJ’s Wholesale Club founding member offer! We will also have additional gas savings for the first 6 months.

New Club Card memberships are only $15 for 12 months. (Reg. $60) Or you can save BIG on our Club Plus membership for only $50 for 12 months. (reg. $120.) This membership gives you 2% off on most purchases and 5 cents off on gas.

Early Enrollment Bonus:

– Even though the Waxahachie club opens soon, early enrollments receive bonus time — shop online or at the nearest BJ’s right away, and your 12-month membership doesn’t start until Waxahachie officially opens! (side note: this club has a gas station!)

3 Easy Ways to Sign Up

• Scan the QR Code on the Flyer
• Go to link on the flyer - www.bjs.com/partner/lifeschoolredoakelem
• Or Call BJ's at 800-313-8887 and use group code 830033

• Mrs Curtis has been such a good teacher! My daughter loves going to school and loves her teacher. She’s always so responsive and sweet. I was so nervous for my first child to go into kindergarten but Mrs Curtis has eased my mind and I appreciate it so so much!

We would like to recognize LSRO staff for all the amazing things that they do each day for our students. If you have someone that you would like to brag about, please fill out this form and we will share the Shout Outs through the weekly Thursday Exchange.

Want to submit a staff shout out? Click here: Staff Shout-Outs!!!! (Google Form)

April 30 & May 14

Since we are a cashless campus, all payments must be paid online using our payment link. If you want to pay for the entire year, you get 11 Free Dress Days for the price of 10.

CLICK HERE TO PAY!

During morning announcements, we will focus on one LifeLeader Attribute each week and learn what we need to do to develop each attribute so that we can become effective leaders in our school and in our community. We encourage students and families to memorize these statements together and talk about how the attribute is exhibited at home, school and work. We will share the I Will statement in the weekly newsletter and on our campus Facebook page. We look forward to hearing how students are exhibiting the attributes at school and home. Click here to view all 15 LifeLeader attributes.

LifeLeader School Rules - Growing Leaders of Character

During the first six weeks of school, we’re introducing our LifeLeader School Rules to help students grow as leaders of strong character. Every two weeks, we’ll focus on one of the three school rules, reinforcing positive behaviors that support our mission.

We invite you to partner with us by asking your child how they are demonstrating these school rules both at school and at home.

Click here to view the teacher guide with examples of behaviors that align with each rule

Please see below reminders regarding school uniform and dress code:

• Elementary students must wear navy pants, skirts, or plaid jumpers or skirts. Elementary students should not be wearing khaki pants or skirts.
• Elementary students must wear navy or red polo shirts or a white oxford (button-down) shirt with the Life School crest.
• Spirit T-shirts can only be worn on Thursdays. Polo shirts must be worn Monday-Wednesday.
• For more information, please see our Student/Parent Handbook.

All households need to complete the Free and Reduced Price School Meal Application each school year, even if your child does not purchase school meals. The application is available throughout the school year and available to complete again should your family have a change in income or additional family members in the household.

Click here to view the breakfast and lunch menus.

Students and parents are not allowed to use food delivery services to have food brought to school during school hours.

• Breakfast is from 7:15-7:40.

• Any students arriving to the cafeteria after 7:35 will not be able to eat breakfast.

School Hours: 7:40 am – 4:05 pm.

Morning Drop-off/Arrival: 7:15 – 7:40 am.

No student will be allowed to enter the building before 7:15 am.

Students must be inside their classrooms and ready for learning by 7:40 am. Students will be marked tardy beginning at 7:45am.

Click here to report an absence.

Any questions regarding absences, tardies/early pickups please email the Attendance Clerk at attendance.lsro@lifeschools.net.

Attendance is available for you to review at any time in the Parent Portal.

Excessive absences can result in filing with the truancy court and possible expulsion from Life School.

For more information, please see our Student/Parent Handbook.

Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade are prohibited from using the following personal electronic devices during school hours and while on school property:

• Cell phones

• Smart watches (including fitness trackers with texting/calling features)

• Earbuds/headphones (including AirPods)

• Tablets and personal laptops (including iPads and gaming devices)

These personal electronic devices must be turned off and stored out of sight in a backpack or purse during the school day. The use of any of these devices during the school day may result in confiscation and disciplinary consequences. This includes all areas of the school building and property, such as but not limited to classrooms, cafeterias, common areas/hallways, and locker rooms.

Please note: This policy does not apply to Life School-issued devices, which will continue to be used for educational purposes. Students may use a personal device only if:

• It is required by their IEP or 504 Plan; or

• A physician’s order is on file for a medical need.

We appreciate your support in helping us create an environment that allows students to fully engage in learning without unnecessary distractions. If you have any questions or believe your child may qualify for an exception, please contact your campus administrator.

Thank you for partnering with us to support student success!

It's easy! Here's how it works:

• Download the Box Tops app and create a login. Choose to give to Life School Red Oak, our zip code is 75154!
• Buy Box Tops products. With thousands of participating products, there are lots of chances to earn!
• Scan your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and automatically earn for Life School Red Oak with every Box Tops product you buy.
• You can even link your Walmart account to skip scanning receipts! See the app for more details.
• Spread the word to grandparents, friends, and family! This allows others to earn for our school!

Every Box Tops product counts towards our goal. Let's make a difference for our teachers & students!

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