Goshen Creek Elementary

Dear Goshen Creek Elementary Families,

Welcome back to a brand-new year! We have missed you and our precious students dearly over the last few weeks, and we hope your holiday break was restful, blessed, and filled with joy. As we prepare to open our doors for the 2026 school year, we are buzzing with excitement to see all those smiling faces once again.

To ensure our return goes smoothly, I would like to share a few reminders regarding arrival and dismissal. We hope that everyone gets a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast tomorrow morning, as we are all ready to start off on the right foot to make 2026 even more successful than 2025!

Important Documents & Dates of the Week:

• Report Cards: Third Six Weeks Report Cards will be sent home this Thursday. The envelopes will include the report card and any earned certificates, Middle of the Year Assessment "Home Connection" reports, and the GCES Cinderella Field Trip permission and payment information.

• Celebration Assembly: Friday, January 9, 2026, will be our official 3rd Six Weeks Celebration Assembly, where we will recognize our students for their hard work and achievements.

• Lunch with Loved Ones: We will also be hosting "Lunch with Loved Ones" for students who earned the prestigious Sharp Pine or Choose Love Ambassador Award. If your child received one of these awards, you should have already received an email from the front office and a reminder from their teacher.

Helpful Reminders:

Morning Routine & Arrival

To ensure a smooth and successful start for every child, please keep the following schedule in mind:

• 7:10 AM: Doors open and student drop-off begins.

• 7:30 AM: Our Goshen Creek Elementary Assembly starts. This is a vital time for our school community to connect and set a positive tone for the day.

• 7:35 AM: Students not present by this time are considered tardy and must enter through the front of the building.

Dismissal & Preparation

• All dismissal changes must be made through the office by 2:45 PM.
• Dismissal begins promptly at 3:20 PM.
• Car Tags: Don't forget to make sure your student's car tags are visible & ready during parent pick-up.

January Calendar of Events

We have a busy and exciting month ahead! Here are the dates you’ll want to save:

Week 19 (Jan 5–9)

• Jan 5–6: Professional Development/Staff Work Days (No School for Students)

• Jan 7: Students Return | 4th Six Weeks Begins

• Jan 8: Hold/Fire Drill at 9:00 AM | Report Cards sent home with students (Please snap a picture & return on Friday, January 9, 2025.)

• Jan 9: 7:30 AM Celebration Assembly | Attendance Celebration in the gym

Week 20 (Jan 12–16)

• Jan 13: Picture Retakes & Class Pictures (No Assembly- Students go straight to class.)

• Jan. 13: 4th Grade All-City Choir Practice at SIS (4:00–5:30 PM)

• Jan 14: Cinderella Performance @ SHS

• Jan 15: 4th Grade Girls Empowerment Challenge (PH)

Week 21 (Jan 19–23)

• Jan 19: School Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

• Jan 20: All-City Choir Practice at SIS (4:00–5:30 PM)

• Jan 22: All-City Choir (Practice 8:00 AM–2:45 PM) & Concert at 6:30 PM

Week 22 (Jan 26–30)

• Jan 26: Reed’s Book Club @ 3:30 PM

• Jan 27: Garden Club at 3:45 PM

• Jan 29: School Board Meeting & Appreciation Night | Choir Performance

Thank you for being such a blessing to our school and for celebrating the accomplishments of our students alongside us. Please take a few moments to read the January Principal Update below for the latest information and events you won’t want to miss!

Warmly,

Wendy Ashley

Principal

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

Please refer to the attached GT newsletter for information regarding the Gifted and Talented Program
Spring 2026 Window
Referrals open 1/7/2026 - 2/2/2026
Testing begins 2/9
Results will be sent home tentatively by 3/27/2026

Springtown ISD is seeking your feedback on the proposed 2026–2027 Instructional Calendar

The instructional calendar development process is outlined below:

• Every three-five years, a general instructional calendar survey is sent to stakeholders. This survey gathers input on preferred start and end dates, holidays, and other calendar-related considerations.

• Using results from the most recent preference survey, along with state requirements and other district considerations, the district team creates multiple calendar options.

• A calendar survey is then sent to staff, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders, asking them to vote on one of the proposed calendar options (CURRENT STEP).

• The Springtown ISD DIAC (District Instructional Advisory Committee) reviews data from the calendar survey, along with other considerations, and revises and votes on a final instructional calendar recommendation.

• The Springtown ISD Board of Trustees reviews the recommendation and approves the final instructional calendar.

Please use this survey to provide your feedback through 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. As the district is currently in the feedback-gathering phase, all survey responses will be shared with DIAC for review.

Option A: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15c4M4E10lgvXDcgb6rDH_WgBKO1DJEmK/view?usp=sharing

Option B: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1McgQi4Dglyk5aAuZv3LQBSXFO6yGY3sK/view?usp=sharing

Your Back-to-School Guide is here and ready for you! It's packed with everything you need to get your child’s school year off to a smooth start—school supplies, start times, and more!

Find your child’s campus page, check out the details, and make sure you're ready for the first day.

Click here to view: bit.ly/sisdbacktoschool

We can't wait to welcome everyone back on August 13th—it’s going to be a great year! #PorcupineFamily #BackToSchool

Health Services
Nurses now need parent permission to provide care such as first aid, health checks, or screenings (unless it's an emergency).
Without opting in on this form, your student will not be able to visit the nurse—even for something like a Band-Aid

These forms are required for the 2025–2026 school year, and it’s very important that they are filled out as soon as possible.

"Opting in" will help us ensure we can continue supporting your student in every way possible

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

It’s time to submit your application for free or reduced-price school meals. A new application is required every school year—even if your student received benefits last year.

Apply online at www.schoolcafe.com or download the SchoolCafe app to get started.
Quick
Confidential
Could help even if you don’t think you qualify

Every application submitted helps support our schools. Don’t wait—apply today! #PorcupineFamily

The first day of school is two days away!

If your child will be riding the bus this year, don’t forget to complete the Bus Rider Registration Form so we can get them safely to and from school. Please call the bus barn at 817-220-1700 to verify registration and Goshen at 817-220-0272 to confirm first day, first week, & normal mod of dismissal procedures.

Fill out the transportation form here: bit.ly/busridershipform

Let’s get ready for a great school year! #PorcupineFamily #BackToSchool2025

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

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.

We encourage all parents to sign up for Skyward Access, as it is essential for monitoring your child's grades and progress throughout the school year. More information will be coming soon about our student handbook & grading information.

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.

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.

After a few weeks, the pick-up line will clear in just 15-20 minutes. We appreciate you sharing your precious child or children with us and working together to ensure everyone is safe, secure, and successful.

Warm regards,

Wendy Ashley
Principal
Goshen Creek Elementary School