Community Compass Vol. 4
Q1 Week 4 Sept 1-5

Principal's Message
This week, I want to personally recognize a few parents who are making a big difference:
- Mary Alice Gunther, whose dedication to the Peace Pantry ensures families feel supported and cared for;
- Colleen Mayerhoff, who keeps the Lion Locker running strong so students have what they need to succeed;
- Hillary Vitale, who has stepped in to lead our campus social media and share the amazing stories of our Pride;
- Mike Vitale, for his preparation in revamping our Watch D.O.G.S. program and creating opportunities for more dads to get involved;
- and Megan Howard, who is spearheading our efforts to maximize on grants and bring new opportunities to our campus.
- Principal Carter
New Information
FCE Fall Parent Survey
- The district's Family and Community Engagement Department Survey opens on Tuesday, September 2nd. We are aiming for at least 150 responses
- This survey will be sent out on Tuesday, so check your emails!
Peace Pantry 1st Distribution this Friday!
The Lipscomb Peace Pantry is Back for the 2025-2026 School Year. Lipscomb is partnering with the Woodrow Wilson High School Peace Pantry to supplement meals and provide healthy snacks and uniforms for students in need.
Gifted & Talented Nominations (1st-5th Graders)
G/T Nominations for 1st-5th grade students are now open!
To nominate a student, use the QR code on this flyer by September 12. Nominating a student means you are requesting that they take an assessment to see if they qualify for Gifted and Talented services. Testing will take place the week of September 22nd.
Coffee with The Principal this Wednesday!
Join Principal Carter for coffee and conversation this Wednesday morning! This is a great chance to connect, hear campus updates, and share your thoughts and questions in a relaxed setting. We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to grow together as a Pride family. 💜🦁💛
Event Information
September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Grandparent's Day this Friday!
- We are excited to welcome our Lipscomb Grantparents to Lipscomb this Firday!
Event Information
Special Notes:
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Guests will arrive between 8:30am-10:00am to the campus auditorium.
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Please refrain from bringing purses or bags.
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Fun-filled morning of literacy with students and grandparents
September 9: Student Picture Day
- Free Dress!
2025-2026 Assessment Calendar
- Here are your important Assessment Dates for this school year!
Sep. 22 - Watch D.O.G.S. Information Meeting
We are excited to re-launch Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), a nationwide program that invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and father figures to volunteer at school and make a difference. Watch D.O.G.S. spend time on campus helping in classrooms, greeting students, supporting recess, and being a positive role model throughout the day. Your presence shows our students that education is important and that our community is strong when we work together.
Email Mike Vitale vitale.family13@gmail.com for details!
👋 Meet Ms. Timms – IB Coordinator 🌍
This is Ms. Timms’ 5th year at Lipscomb Elementary, where she proudly serves on the administrative team. As the school’s IB Coordinator, she leads the work of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program, ensuring that students grow as curious, knowledgeable, and globally minded learners.
A key part of her work is supporting our Program of Inquiry. Units of Inquiry, which are the foundation of the IB Primary Years Program, invite students to explore big ideas across subjects, make real-world connections, and take action in their learning. There are six transdisciplinary units that all students explore (four for Pre-K and Kinder). They are:
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Who We Are – exploring identity, relationships, and well-being
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Where We Are in Place and Time – examining history, geography, and human journeys
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How We Express Ourselves – understanding creativity, culture, and communication
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How the World Works – investigating science, technology, and natural phenomena
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How We Organize Ourselves – looking at systems, communities, and decision-making
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Sharing the Planet – exploring rights, responsibilities, and sustainability
Together, these units give students a rich, connected learning experience that goes beyond traditional subject boundaries and empowers them to become lifelong learners.
Parents and community members can preview our current Units of Inquiry below.
Pre-K - Coming Soon!
Kinder- How We Organize Ourselves
- "Once Upon A Community" - Stories, communities, and the physical world are connected through the ways we share, live, and create.
1st Grade - How We Organize Ourselves
- Communities are shaped by systems of governance, shared values, and the natural world.
2nd Grade - How We Express Ourselves
- People have an impact on the beliefs and values in our lives and the world around us.
3rd Grade - Who We Are
- Families provide varied experiences that contribute to personal well-being and a sense of belongingness.
4th Grade - Who We Are
- Exploring personal stories and geographic connections helps us understand identity, experiences, and how people adapt and thrive in different environments.
5th Grade - Who We Are
- A person's environment, experiences, relationships, and culture influences their identity.
La identidad de una persona es influida por su ambiente, experiencias, relaciones y cultura.
In addition to her IB leadership, Ms. Timms also oversees math & science instruction, student activities, and the MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) framework on campus, providing guidance and support for both students and teachers.
If you need anything or have questions Ms. Timms can be reached at by email at totimms@dallasisd.org or phone at (972) 794-7328!
🤩Pridemember of the Week🤩
Congratulations to Ms. Jackson, our outstanding 1st grade teacher! Her classroom already reflects instructional excellence and care for her students, and the preparation she put into beginning her first year of teaching has been remarkable. On top of that, she’s teamed up with Ms. Johnson to launch our Cheer Team for the 2025–2026 school year. Her dedication and spirit shine across campus, and she’ll enjoy her marked parking spot near the school entrance this week as a well-earned recognition! 🦁💜💛🦁💜💛 Please enjoy your own marked parking spot at the front of our parking lot for next week!
Coffee with Principal Carter
Looking Ahead
September 2025
- Sep 8: 6:30pm-7:30pm | SBDM Meeting
- Sep 8: 5:30pm-6:30pm | PTA Exec Meeting |
- Sep 8: International Literacy Day
- Sep 9: 3:30-5:00p| Coding Club
- Sep 9: Student Picture Day
- Sep 10: Happy Birthday Ms. Acevedo!
- Sep 10: Happy Birthday Ms. Burns!
- Sep 11: Patriot Day (Wear Red, White, and Blue)
- Sep 15: Education Go Get It Week (All Week)
- Sep 15: Hispanic Heritage Month (through Oct. 15)
- Sep 16: IT Professional Day
- Sep 18: Woodrow Wilson Football Feeder Night 🏈
- Sep 23: 3:30-5:00p| Coding Club
- Sep 24: Book Bash with United to Learn
- Sep 26: Teacher's Assistant Day