E. Ray Parent Newsletter

Dear E. Ray Families,

We were so excited to see our students back after Thanksgiving Break. It is hard to believe how quickly time is flying by—we only have two more weeks before Winter Break! Our campus is full of joy as we enjoy our fun December holiday dress-up days, and it has been wonderful to see so much participation from both students and staff.

We have several exciting events coming up very soon, so please stay tuned for more information. Next week, we will have our cafeteria Christmas luncheon, as well as the Big Kahuna game truck for eligible students. Please remember that students are only eligible to receive their prizes if they have paid the $40 per cookie box.

We are also looking forward to our next attendance incentive—an Indoor Snowball Fight! To participate, students must meet the same attendance criteria shared previously: attending school each day from December 1st–December 18th, with one excused absence allowed with a doctor’s note.

As we get closer to the last day before Winter Break, please be sure to review the flyer for our class Christmas parties, as it contains important information about times, expectations, and procedures. We hope to see everyone there!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

7:15 AM- Doors open

7:20 AM- Breakfast is served

7:45 AM- Students head to class

7:50 AM- The tardy bell rings and instruction begins for the day. Students are in their seats, ready to learn. If you bring your child after 7:50, you will need to come into the school with your ID to sign them in.

3:20 PM- Dismissal

Please remember to return the $40 for each Big Kahuna Cookie Box. All money is due at this time, as our fundraiser has officially ended. Students who do not return their money will not be eligible for any prizes. Please help us by submitting payments promptly—these funds directly support our students and the programs we provide.

Snacks are available for sale on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Monday, December 8th

Tuesday, December 9th

• Cafeteria Christmas Luncheon (families are invited to join us for lunch)
• 5th Grade Science Semester Exam
• Music Club at 3:45-4:30 (only registered students)

Wednesday, December 10th

• Big Kahuna Game Truck for eligible students
• Step and Cheer Club 3:45-4:30 (only registered students)

Thursday, December 11th

• 3rd-5th Math Semester Exam
• E. Ray Winter Show 5PM-6PM (1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and Clubs Performances)

Friday, December 12th

Attendance Matters at E. Ray!

Every day at E. Ray matters for learning. If your child is healthy, please ensure they are at school and in class by 7:50 AM each morning. Consistent attendance builds strong academic habits and keeps students on track for success.

Please remember that only three parent excuse letters are accepted each semester. If your child is absent due to illness, a doctor’s note must be submitted upon their return.

We are excited to launch a new Whole Class Attendance Puzzle Challenge!
Each day that all students are present in their homeroom class, the teacher will add a puzzle piece to the class puzzle. Once the puzzle is complete, the entire class will earn a special reward. This incentive promotes teamwork, accountability, and a shared commitment to being at school each day.

Thank you for partnering with us to make attendance a priority at E. Ray Elementary! Let’s work together to build strong habits and celebrate collective success.

Because of a new Texas law (Senate Bill 12), parents must now provide written consent before schools can offer many health and counseling services. These include:

• Providing first aid (bandages, ice packs, care for illness at school)

• Visits to the school nurse or counselor

• Routine screenings, such as vision and hearing checks

Until this consent form is completed, we are not allowed to provide these services unless it is a life-threatening emergency. Completing the form ensures your child has access to the care and support they may need during the school day.

What to Do:
The consent form is available in your Skyward Family Access account. When you log in, you will see a banner at the top of the home screen that will take you directly to the SB 12 Parental Consent Form. A separate form must be completed for each child enrolled in Everman ISD.

If you need help logging into Skyward, please contact our front office for assistance. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Important Lunch Visitor Guidelines

If you are joining your child for lunch, please bring a valid photo ID. Parents and guardians will sit with their child(ren) at the designated end of the cafeteria table. For the safety of all students, please bring food only for your own child—outside food may not be shared due to allergy risks. We also ask that all children remain seated with you during lunch to help keep the cafeteria safe and orderly. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and positive lunchtime experience for everyone!

Parents/Guardians,

We need your help in reminding students to bring their Chromebooks and chargers to school each day. These are an essential part of their school supplies, just like notebooks and pencils. Having their device ready and charged helps students stay fully engaged in learning and minimizes disruptions during the school day.

We are also working with students on building responsibility, and your support at home makes a big difference. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child is prepared each day!

To help keep our students focused on learning, we ask that all toys remain at home. Recently, we have seen an increase in toys making their way to school, especially with students bringing fake money. These items are not permitted, as they create a disruption to the learning environment. Please ensure that students leave these items at home each day.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a positive and distraction-free environment for all students.

December 6th-City of Everman Tree Lighting/1st Grade Performance

December 9th-Christmas Luncheon in the cafeteria

December 10th-Big Kahuna game truck for eligible students

December 11th-E. Ray Winter Show (5PM-6PM)

December 19th-Class Christmas Parties (9AM-10AM)

Backpacks:Only clear backpacks are allowed on campus.

Cell phone policy:In compliance with the new law, cell phones must be powered off and kept inside backpacks during the school day. Students are not permitted to use or display phones at school.

ID:Your child/children’s safety is our #1 priority. Please be sure to bring a valid photo ID every time you enter the building.

Alexis Young-Principal (ayoung@eisd.org)

Chrislon Snell-Assistant Principal (csnell@eisd.org)