Weekly Update to Families

Dear Goodwater Families,

With just two weeks remaining until Spring Break, we are committed to making every moment count for our students. Let’s finish the term strong by ensuring students attend school each day. Instruction will continue at full pace, and we are excited about the academic growth and progress our students are demonstrating.

This week has been especially meaningful as we concluded our celebration of Black History Month with a wonderful assembly on Friday. Our school community enjoyed recognizing the achievements and lasting contributions of many Black Americans. It was truly a great success! Please take a moment to view the photo below from this special event.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Kindly,

Beverly

Please join me in welcoming our new armed guardian Mr. Wesley Folch, to Goodwater Montessori.

He brings a rare blend of tactical field experience and technological expertise, with OCONUS contractor experience protecting executives in high-threat environments. He has served as a team leader for a personal security detachment during deployment to Bosnia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Extensively trained in executive protection, he holds TECC and AHA BLS/First Aid/AED certifications, ensuring preparedness for medical emergencies. Based in the Austin, Texas area, he delivers elite-level protective services tailored to clients requiring discreet, professional security.

We are extremely fortunate to have him on our team. Please introduce yourself to him when you see him around camps.

Grow Kindness, One Heart at a Time!

Goodwater Families,

We are growing kindness at Goodwater and we need your help!

February is Random Acts of Kindness month. Please donate to fill our tree with hearts. Each $5 donation will put a heart on our tree! Our goal is 2000 hearts! Donate Kindness Hearts Here!

Schools in Texas are struggling with deficit budgets and Charter Schools receive less funding from the state than traditional ISDs. We need your help to bridge the gap. Your general donations help Goodwater pay for expenses such as staff salaries, Teacher appreciation events, and feed for our chickens.

In addition to a monetary donation, we encourage you to create your own kindness tree at home. Grab some branches and throw them in a vase. Write an act of kindness on each heart and tape it to your tree once completed.

Ideas:

• Art for a nursing home, hospital or first responders

• Paint kindness rocks and hide them in public spaces

• Deliver baked goods for a Neighbor

• Read to a younger sibling

• Donate gently used toys

• Visit an animal shelter

• The possibilities are endless, what acts of kindness

Thank you in advance for your generosity and participation!

2026 -2027 School Year

Application Period and Lottery Drawing

Goodwater Montessori

New Students:

1. February 2, 2026 - Application for 2026-2027 school year opens on our website at https://goodwatermontessori.org/admissions/

2. Application Period runs from February 2, 2026 through April 3, 2026.

3. Prospective Parent Nights:

1. Primary - February 19; March 10; March 31 all at 5:00 pm

2. Elementary - February 26; March 24; March 31 all at 5:00 pm

4. Lottery Drawing - Week of April 6, 2026

5. New Student Registrations sent week of April 13, 2026 and emails for waitlist from the Lottery Drawing

Returning Students:

1. Intent to Return Forms emailed to all enrolled students week of February 23, 2026 and due March 13, 2026

2. Returning Student Registrations sent week of April 20, 2026

Highlights for February:

NEW! Middle School Hangout Wellness Group - Tuesday, February 10th at 5:30 pm

We're thrilled to announce this new program where middle schoolers can connect with peers, relax, and build confidence in a fun, supportive setting.

Recurring Programs:

• Baby Time - Tuesday, February 17th, 6-7 pm (for babies 0-12 months) ( once a month)
• Smart Beginnings: Screentime Sanity Workshop - Tuesday, February 3rd, 6:30-7:30 pm (online) ( once a month)
• Spanish Parent Support Group (Apoyo y Herramientas para Padres) - Thursday, February 5th, 12-1:30 pm( once a month)
• Mom's Rising Circle support groups: A safe space where mothers can share their experiences, receive guidance, and build a strong support network.
• Spanish Kids Club: Learn beginner-level Spanish through fun activities. For 1st-3rd graders.
• Weekly programs: Toddler Time, ¡Hola Amiguitos!, Stay & Play
• Community Resource: Tiny Threads Clothing Closet - A free resource for families to donate and swap gently used clothes for children from birth up to size 5T. Help your families give their children's outgrown clothes a second life while finding what they need!

Parent/Caregiver Workshops:

Spoon Therapy for Parents: Strategies on Emotional Outburst, Wednesday at 6:30 pm, 02/18- on Zoom

• Learn to apply Spoon Theory to family life with neuroscience-informed strategies.

Navegando los servicios de intervención temprana lunes, 7pm, 02/09 - Zoom

• Aprenda qué son las intervenciones en la primera infancia y cómo acceder a ellas.

Navigating Early Intervention Programs (en inglés) Monday, 7 pm, 02/23 - Zoom

• Learn what early childhood interventions are and how to access them.

Early Childhood Training Workshops:

Teach Early Literacy like a Kindergarten Teacher, Wednesday at 7 pm, 2/25 - on Zoom

• Join us on Zoom for high-quality, free childcare provider training.

Adult Education:

• ESL Classes (Levels I-III) - Spring semester in progress( Closing registration on January 30)
• GED Classes - Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 1-3 pm( still taking enrollment)
• Spanish Book Club - Join us every six weeks for a book discussion. To learn more, email bridgestogrowth@georgetownproject.org.

All events are FREE and take place at the Carver Center for Families (1200 W. 17th St., Georgetown, TX 78626). Registration is required and can be completed at bridgestogrowth.eventbrite.com.

Alondra Cabrera|Program Coordinator

TGP-Bridges To Growth|Carver Center For Families| 1200 W. 17th, Georgetown, TX 78626

512-864-3008 office, 562-708-5762 cell

www.georgetownproject.org|

Cosmic Education is a core element of Montessori elementary education that helps children understand their place in the universe and their responsibility within it. Through interconnected lessons in science, history, geography, and culture, students discover how all things are related and depend on one another.

By exploring the stories of the universe, life on Earth, and human contributions, children develop curiosity, gratitude, and respect for the world around them. Cosmic Education inspires a sense of wonder and encourages children to see how their choices can positively impact their community and the planet.

This holistic approach helps children understand not just what to learn, but why learning matters.

From time to time, our amazing community likes to do special things for our amazing Goodwater staff. To make this treat a little easier for you; I have linked a list of their favorite things here. Thank you in advance for showing our staff just how very special they are.

We would like to take a moment to remind everyone of the importance of safety during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. Please remain patient and alert as you drive through our entrance and parking areas. Drive slowly, avoid distractions, and watch for children, staff, and other vehicles at all times.

Your attentiveness helps ensure that arrival and dismissal remain calm, efficient, and—most importantly—safe for our entire school community. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in keeping Goodwater Montessori a safe and welcoming place for all.

• Stay in your vehicle during dismissal. If your child needs help buckling in, please pull into a visitor parking spot at the front of the building.

• Early student pickup ends at 2:30 PM.

• Primary parents: Please remain in your vehicle during dismissal. Our staff will escort your child to your car.

• Late arrivals: If you arrive after the bell, please park in front and walk your child into the building through the main entrance.

• Toys: Please do not use toys or candy to encourage students to go to class. This causes a distraction in the classroom because other students want to have the candy and/or toys as well.

• Water Bottles: All water bottles must have a lid. Please do not send students to school with water containers without a lid.

• Arrival: Parents must unbuckle students. Staff are not responsible for unbuckling students.

• Students going home with temperatures: Students going home from school early with a temperature must return 24 hours after being free from a temperature.

• Birthdays - No sweets or cupcakes allowed on campus for birthdays.

• Cell Phones- Please do not be on your cell phones during drop-off or pick-up. This is a safety violation. In Texas, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving in a school zone, with potential fines up to $200. This applies to anywhere on school property, including drop-off and pick-up lines, regardless of whether you are using the phone hands-free. The law aims to increase pedestrian safety and prevent driver distraction.

• Jewelry in Primary -Please do not send primary students to school wearing jewelry (such as necklaces, bracelets, or similar items). These accessories can pose safety risks during the school day and also increase the likelihood of items being lost.

• Car Tags -Car tags must be displayed daily for all students. This requirement is mandatory and part of our established safety protocols. Please contact us if you have any questions.

If you have sewing materials (old t-shirts, fabric, thread, big needles, etc) and board games that you would like to donate to the ASEP program; please email Shannon.bailey@goodwatermontessori.org. Thank you in advance. Here is the link to our wishlist.

• 2/27 - Black History Program 8:25 am
• 2/27 - International Day Celebration 6 pm
• 3/13 - Progress Reports go home
• 3/16-3/20 - Spring Break - No School
• 4/3-4/6 - Holiday
• 4/16- STAAR RLA (3-5)
• 4/23- STAAR Science (5)
• 4/30-STAAR Math (3-5)
• 5/7 - Sweets with Someone Special AM
• 5/7 - EOY Movie Night 6 pm
• 5/19- Kinder/5th Graduation

What is Compassion? Compassion is the ability to notice someone’s suffering, feel moved by it, and want to help—even if you can’t fix everything.

It’s more than empathy.

• Empathy is feeling with someone: “I feel your pain.”

• Compassion adds action or intention: “I care about your pain, and I want to ease it.”

A compassionate response might look like:

• Sitting with someone instead of rushing to give advice

• Being patient when someone’s acting difficult because they’re hurting

• Offering help, kindness, or forgiveness—without expecting anything back

It also applies inward. Self-compassion means treating yourself with the same understanding you’d give a friend, especially when you mess up or feel overwhelmed.

At its core, compassion says: “You’re not alone in this.”

Why does Compassion matter?

1. Compassion matters because it changes how people suffer—and how they heal.

   On a human level, compassion:

   • Reduces suffering. Being seen and cared for literally calms the nervous system. People cope better when they don’t feel alone.

   • Builds trust and connection. It’s the glue of relationships. Without compassion, even love turns brittle.

   • Helps people grow. When someone feels safe instead of judged, they’re more likely to learn, change, and take responsibility.

   On a practical level, compassion:

   • Improves communication and conflict resolution. It shifts conversations from “Who’s wrong?” to “What’s going on?”

   • Creates healthier communities and workplaces. Teams with compassion have less burnout and more cooperation.

   • Leads to better decisions. You see the full human context, not just rules or outcomes.

   And inwardly:

   • Self-compassion protects mental health. It lowers anxiety, shame, and burnout.

   • It makes resilience possible. People don’t break because they fail; they break because they feel unworthy while failing.

   At the deepest level, compassion reminds us that everyone is dealing with something unseen. It doesn’t excuse harmful behavior—but it changes how we respond to it.

   
   

Acknowledge and Affirm Acts of Compassion!

Goodwater Montessori Charter School

Superintendent: Dr. Bruce Tabor

Website: www.goodwatermontessori.org
Location: 710 Stadium Dr, Georgetown, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 931-3560