OCTOBER 4, 2024 Parent Newsletter

OCTOBER 4, 2024
LITERACY NIGHT - JOIN US!
Please join us for a fun literacy night! Our students in grades 3-4 will be performing (5:00 PM) in the cafeteria. All Literacy stations will be in the gym. Our amazing teachers have created great resources to share with you and our Scorpions.
We will also be selling Spirit T-shirts (cash only). This year's t-shirts cost $15. Previous years' t-shirts cost $5.00.
CUSTODIAN DAY - OCTOBER 2
SPRING CREEK FALL FESTIVAL - PTA EVENT
OPEN COMMUNICATION FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
Dear Parents,
We want to emphasize the importance of open communication between home and school, especially when it comes to your child’s progress and well-being. We encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers first with any concerns you may have. Building strong relationships with educators is essential, as they can provide valuable insights and support tailored to your child’s needs.
If you have been working closely with the teacher and implementing strategies to address your concerns but find that the situation persists, please do not hesitate to contact our admin intern, Angela Sanchez, or our Counselors (Delma Johnson & Kimberly Hendricks). They are the second level of support and can provide assistance in all areas. They can also facilitate communication with our Assistant Principal, who is also available to address any ongoing issues. Our Assistant Principal, Austin Escobedo, can work with you to explore additional resources, provide guidance on effective strategies, and ensure that your child receives the support they need to thrive.
In the rare case that concerns continue to escalate beyond this point, the final level of support will involve the Principal. We genuinely value your partnership in this process, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring the best possible experience and outcomes for your child. Together, we can create a nurturing and effective learning environment for all our students. Thank you for your continued support!
This is the link to the Parent Handbook where you can find all about our school.
VOLUNTEERS
We warmly invite you to get involved and volunteer at Spring Creek! Your support plays a vital role in enriching our students' experiences and fostering a vibrant school community. Whether you can lend a hand in the classroom, assist with events, or share your unique skills, your contributions make a significant impact. Join us in creating memorable moments for our children and strengthening our school's bonds. We look forward to your participation!
Please read the volunteer guidelines determined by GISD:
https://garlandisd.net/connect/volunteer/volunteer-our-schools
Link to application: English
Link to application: Spanish
Once your background check is clear, please reach out to Ms. Bermea (our amazing office aide). These are some of the activities you can support our school with:
Classroom Assistance: Help teachers with lesson preparation, student supervision, and small group activities.
Library Support: Assist in organizing books, helping students find resources, and maintaining a conducive reading environment.
Tutoring and Mentoring: Provide one-on-one support to students who need extra help in specific subjects.
Gardening and Outdoor Projects: Help maintain school gardens and outdoor learning spaces.
Administrative Support: Assist with clerical tasks, such as copying, filing, or organizing materials.
Cultural Enrichment: Share your skills, hobbies, or cultural background through workshops or presentations.
Cafeteria Support: Help supervise students during lunch and assist with meal distribution.
Community Outreach: Help coordinate partnerships with local businesses and organizations to enhance school programs.
On the days that you volunteer, you can have lunch with your student (without using your 5 passes)!
BOOKS BUNDTS READING
Dear Families,
Help your child grow in their love for reading by treating them with something sweet! For every month your child reads 400 or more minutes, they can earn a free bundtlet from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Simply record the minutes your child reads on the reading tracker and turn it in each month to the Nothing Bundt Cakes store in Richardson. This reading program goes from September through April. Here is the link to the reading tracker for when you need a new one each month.
Happy Reading!
DRESS CODE @ SPRING CREEK ELEMENTARY
CYBERSAFETY
Raising kids in a digital age is very difficult, so in celebration of GISD's upcoming Cybersafety Week (September 23-27), we'd like to share some videos with tips that should make that process easier.
Kids and Tech: How Much is Too Much? (English)
Kids and Tech: How Much is Too Much (Spanish)
Kids and Tech: When to Get a Phone (English)
Kids and Tech: When to Get a Phone (Spanish)
You can use these Family Tech Planners to help you follow through on some of the tips from the videos:
Family Tech Planner - ages 2-8 (English)
Family Tech Planner - ages 2-8 (Spanish)
Family Tech Planner - ages 9-12 (English)
Family Tech Planner - ages 9-12 (Spanish)
We invite you to begin implementing these tips with your family. In addition, and as a way of support, all students in K-5 are learning about cybersafety and digital citizenship in the library for 2 weeks. Let's all join together to help our children stay safe and be respectful online!
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
As part of our school-wide positive behavior support system, we have made it a goal to recognize students who follow Spring Creek's Guidelines for Success. STING tickets are designed to acknowledge and reward students who excel in demonstrating these key behaviors. The Guidelines for Success are pictured to the right. When a student earns a STING ticket, they receive a positive phone call home from one of the administrators and are also entered into a raffle to win a trip to the STING Store! The idea behind this initiative is to implement something meaningful for both students and parents. Let's take a moment to recognize a few students who earned STING tickets this week!
G4-Noa Pack
"I got this because I helped others who struggle and explain my thought process to them."
KN-Phoenix Green
"I got this because I completed all of my expected task without reminders."
G3-Isabella Luciano
"I got this because I always show respect to my peers and teachers."
G2-Sophia Kirik
"I got this because I am good example to others."
KN-Dheena Ghandu
G3-Sohrab Nasimi
"I got this because I always show respect and kindness to my peers and teachers."
GISD Family & Community Engagement
Quick Links
Email: A889@garlandisd.net
Website: https://garlandisd.net/about/departments/family-and-community-engagement-face
Phone: (972)487-4521
Facebook: facebook.com/gisdenagement
Twitter: @gisdengagement
Quality education is the foundation for a thriving community. As educators, it's our job to empower the next generation and give them the tools they need to succeed. That's a big responsibility, but one I know we're up for.
At the end of the day, our students are counting on us to find smart solutions to the challenges we face. That's why I'm so big on collaboration - when we pool our knowledge and creativity, we can come up with some really innovative approaches.
Most importantly, I want to inspire all of you to teach in fresh, engaging ways that get our students fired up about learning. I know you're already masters at your craft, but I bet there are always new techniques and strategies we can explore together. When our kids are truly invested in what they're learning, that's when the magic happens.
So let's keep pushing ourselves to grow and evolve as educators. If we stay united, creative, and laser-focused on our students' needs, I know we can make this the best school year yet for the Scorpion family.