Message from the Principal
Dear Dragon Families,
Hope you had a restful weekend!
February is KINDNESS MONTH. Please view the flyer for details.
Campus Math Bee Winners
Kinder - Evie Veik
1st Grade - Ethan Rodriguez
2nd Grade - Augustus Villalobos
3rd Grade - Jose Luis Valles
4th Grade - Austin Lin
5th Grade - Julio Estrada
Our Dragons will represent us at District on March 23rd at Eastlake HS.
Mandatory HB5 Parent Information Night - Tuesday, February 20th, at 5:30pm for all 8th grade parents and students. Important topics we will go over include: House Bill 5 graduation requirements, graduation plans, Endorsements, Advanced Academies, Important Dates and more. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of our school counselors.
Spring Interim Assessments schedule
Wed, 2/21 - 3rd - 8th grade MATH
Thurs, 2/22 - 8th grade SOCIAL STUDIES
Tue, February 27 - 5th and 8th grade
SCIENCE; and Thurs, 2/29 - 3rd - 8th grade READING
Students need their fully charged laptop and charger as they are necessary for testing.
Testing Strategies from the Collaborative Corner -
On Test Day Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. It is recommended that children in elementary and middle school should get between 9-12 hours of sleep. Offer your child a source of protein and whole grains for a test day breakfast such as yogurt, toast, oatmeal, a cheese stick, or eggs are great options. If your child has a “nervous” stomach, you could offer a smoothie with fruit or child friendly protein powder or a granola bar. Pick food items that are not too high in sugar to limit a possible energy crash during the test. Make sure your child is prepared. Remain positive! Staying calm will help your child to stay calm. Practice a short 5-minute breathing exercise, like this square breathing video demonstrates. Utilize positive affirmations! (I feel relaxed and confident during tests. I am looking forward to a great score on this test. I am a good student. I am smart and have a good memory. I am always focused during exams.) Review strategies your child can implement when he/she is testing. (Read the passage carefully and re-read the directions and information. Examine each answer before making a choice. Check your work. Cross out answers that you know are wrong.)
After Testing Remind your child that testing does not define their skills as an individual. Discuss with them that information is being obtained from testing to develop their strengths and support their weaknesses. Celebrate the effort your child put forth and congratulate them on doing their best.
2023-2024 District Academic Calendar - UPDATE
An adjustment has been made to the 2023-2024 District Academic Calendar for the Socorro Independent School District. Friday, May 31, 2024, has been designated as a non-instructional day and a teacher workday. With several high school graduations set for May 31, the new designation of the day will provide flexibility to families who will be attending graduation ceremonies. The last day of school for students will be Thursday, May 30, 2024 (Early release).
TOP TEN per grade level is listed below. Please congratulate them as they have work hard in keeping their grades high. We are preparing a breakfast for them at a later time.
Friendly Reminder
FREE DRESS Mondays
We are starting FREE DRESS Mondays effective October 23rd. In order to earn FREE DRESS on Monday, student needs to comply with the following during the previous week:
1. NO Absences
2. NO Tardies
3. NO Discipline Referrals
Students need to continue to follow DRESS CODE policy. First period teacher will check students for eligibility. If student is in free dress and had absences, tardies, or discipline the previous week, administrators will do the following -
1st Offense - 2 days lunch detention
2nd Offense - 5 days lunch detention
3rd Offense - 1 day In School Suspension (SAC)
Technology Monday/Friday CHECKS
Fridays: Grades 3,4,and 5 teachers will complete technology checks at 8:30-9:30 for their class.
Fridays: Electives and P.E. During 3rd period
Fridays: 8th grade 10:30-11:30
Mondays: Grades 6 and 7 those who are in the portables will use 3rd period
Teachers will -
1. Have students Shut down laptop from the power window
2. Once Laptop has completely shut down, have student log in and wait for the 'Logon Scripts' black box to pop-up on the screen (this indicates that the laptop is being updated by the district).
3. Verify that the student can log in to Eduphoria, Clever and has Wi-Fi connectivity.
4. Verify that all keys are working correctly
5. Verify that each student's audio is working correctly (and audio works through headphones)
6. Verify that each student has a working charger
Our teachers will continue to communicate individually by class but will mute conversations. If you need any information, please message teacher individually.
We continue FREE DRESS Mondays. In order to earn FREE DRESS on Monday, student needs to comply with the following during the previous week:
1. NO Absences
2. NO Tardies
3. NO Discipline Referrals
Students need to continue to follow DRESS CODE policy (below with more details). First period teacher will check students for eligibility.
This month, we ask for your support to help our scholars with the following:
- read daily for 20 minutes (anything of interest to child);
- practice addition & subtraction facts (these bring confidence);
- practice multiplication & division facts (upper grades need for problem solving);
- go to bed early enough to be ready to learn the next day; &
- continue to communicate with classroom teachers
Arrival & Dismissal
Arrival and Dismissal will be our greatest challenges. Please be patient and kind. We will have all staff on duty to assist and create a system that is safe and efficient.
NEW - If you your child will have to cross to the passenger seat, an adult will escort him/her to the other side of the vehicle. You will receive a neon sign with this instructions as it is a new procedure to keep all our Dragons safe at all time.
For Dismissal, we do ask families to ensure their SIGN with child's name in posted in the front windshield so that we can read & call out the name.
Attendance
If your child is absent, we must have a doctor's note or a personal note explaining why they were absent upon their arrival. NEW: This year, district policy indicates parents/guardians have 72 hours to submit excuse notes justifying child's absence.
Attendance is vital to our scholars success. Every absence, scholars lose 7 hours of skills, strategies and support for learning.
We track attendance daily and will communicate with families when children have 5 absences & tardies to establish a Loss of Credit Contract. Our goal is for your child to be healthy and at school without losing credit.
COVID & Absences
If a student tests positive with COVID, child must see a doctor to get a test and be diagnosed with COVID. If parents submit a home COVID test, it will NOT qualify for the Q code of Quarantined. Therefore, these absences will count towards Loss of Credit. Ensure your child is seen by a doctor and diagnosis is sent as an excuse for absences to qualify for Q code.
Reporting Absences
If you need to report an absence, our PEIMS Clerk will be able to assist you. Our team will be receiving the email to help assist you. I will forward all of your messages to the classroom teachers so they are aware of the absence.
Email: attendancejohndrugan@sisd.net
Please include as much detail as possible:
- Child's name
- Grade
- Teacher
- Student ID
- Reason for the absence
All notes will be collected via the attendance email as well. Be sure to include details in the note as the child returns to class.
Breakfast in the Classroom
Our district will continue to provide breakfast in the classroom for ALL scholars. Breakfast in the Classroom, BIC, will be served daily from 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM. Please be on time to take advantage of the most important meal of the day.
Water Bottles
Please continue to send your children with water bottles. This will help them stay safe & hydrated. They can refill them in from the water fountains.
Safety
The building will be cleaned throughout the day in high traffic areas to ensure safety. We will have hand sanitizing stations at all classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria and playground. If you wish for your child to wear a mask, please send them with a mask that fits them comfortably.
Thank you for your continued support! We are blessed with an amazing learning community!
Together, we are better!
Respectfully,
Frenda Serda-Gerardo
Proud Principal of John Drugan School
Office Number: 915-937-6802
School Nurse
Our school Nurse, Susana Dorado, will continue to serve our learning community. She loves our scholars and working with our parents.
Time: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: 915-937-6896
Email: sdorado@sisd.net
Frenda Serda-Gerardo
Email: fserda@sisd.net
Website: https://www.sisd.net/o/johndrugan
Location: 12451 Pellicano Dr, El Paso, TX 79928, USA
Phone: (915) 937-6802
Twitter: @JDrugan_K8