The Booker Bulletin

March 2 - 6

• Read Across America Week
• TELPAS LISTENING AND SPEAKING TEST 2nd - 5th grade
• TELPAS HOLISTIC SCORING ACTIVITIES - Kinder and First

Share your favorite story during Breakfast and SEL TIme

Mar 3 - WEAR GREEN

TELPAS Listening and Speaking 4th and 5th

Mar 4 - Wear ORANGE

TELPAS Listening and Speaking 2nd and 3rd

Mar 5 -WEAR STRIPES OR A HAT

Make Up Day for TELPAS Testing

Mar 6 - GT Expo

Wear CRAZY SOCKS

Mar 7 - Saturday School

Mar 12 - Game Night - Understanding Standards & Striving for Success! Feb 16 5:30-7pm

Mar 13 - Black History Gallery Expo

Mar 16 - 20 - Spring Break

Mar 26 - DISTRICT GT EXPO

Mar 27 - TELPAS testing window closes

March 28 - Saturday School

March 4 - TELPAS Listeing and S[eaking 2nd and 3rd

March 6 - GT EXPO 8:30 - 10:00 AM (for Parents)

March 13 - Black History Gallery Presentation

March 16 - 20 - Spring Break

March 26 - District GT Expo

Mar 23- April 17 - STAAR ALT testing window

April 3 - Good Friday - Student Holiday

April 10 - Saturday Super Success Day

April 13 - 24 - STAAR Testing window

Dear Booker Families, Staff, and Scholars,

Bengal Pride is alive and strong at Booker Elementary! As we move further into the spring semester, our scholars continue to show determination, resilience, and growth. We are entering another critical week of learning and assessment, and I could not be more proud of the hard work our students and teachers are demonstrating every day.

Parents, we want to hear from all of you! Please make sure you complete the School Quality Survey before Friday, March 6th! If you need a paper copy, please let your child's teacher know and we will send it home. Click here to complete: www.SpringISD.org/SpringSurvey

📘 Final Week of TELPAS Testing

This week marks the final week of TELPAS testing for our Emergent Bilingual scholars in grades 2–5. Students will be completing the Listening and Speaking assessments, the final components of TELPAS.

At the same time, our Kindergarten and 1st grade students will be submitting their writing samples for holistic scoring, which allows teachers to evaluate students’ English language development through authentic classroom work.

TELPAS measures student progress in four important language domains:

✔ Listening
✔ Speaking
✔ Reading
✔ Writing

We are proud of the growth our scholars have already demonstrated. Now it’s time to finish TELPAS strong!

⏳ The Countdown Continues

The school year is moving quickly, and the academic countdown is officially underway.

📚 27 Days Until STAAR (Grades 3–5)
🎓 37 Days Until the End-of-Year (EOY) Testing Window for PreK–5
📅 56 Days Until the Last Day of School

Yes—only 56 instructional days remain in the school year.

Every lesson, every intervention block, and every day of instruction is extremely important as we prepare our scholars for STAAR and End-of-Year assessments.

🕒 Attendance Matters More Than Ever

One of the most important factors in student success right now is attendance.

Being present, on time, and staying the entire day ensures that students receive the instruction, support, and practice they need to be successful.

We kindly ask families to help us by ensuring students:

✅ Arrive on time each morning
✅ Attend school every day
✅ Avoid early check-outs whenever possible
✅ Come ready to learn and participate fully

Missing instruction—even small amounts of time—can impact a child’s readiness for upcoming assessments.

📚 What’s Happening in Classrooms

Across our campus, teachers are working with urgency and focus to ensure every scholar is prepared. Our classrooms are engaged in:

• Targeted TEKS reteach and acceleration
• Small group instruction based on student data
• Language development for EB students
• Writing across content areas
• STAAR item practice and strategy development
• Student discourse and critical thinking

We are maximizing every instructional minute because our scholars deserve every opportunity to succeed.

🤝 How Families Can Support at Home

Your partnership makes a tremendous difference during this final stretch of the year. Families can support student success by:

✔ Encouraging daily attendance
✔ Ensuring students get a good night's sleep
✔ Asking your child about what they learned each day
✔ Practicing reading and math skills at home
✔ Supporting participation in tutorials and Saturday School

Together, we are building the confidence and skills our scholars need to finish the year strong.

Booker has shown growth, resilience, and determination all year long. Now we continue pushing forward with focus and pride.

We are accelerating learning.
We are maximizing time.
And we are Getting Booker Better — Faster.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our scholars.

With Bengal Pride,
Principal Womack
Booker Elementary School 💙🖤

We cannot forget about the other teachers and staff who may have missed the pic!

If I have missed someone, please forgive me!

• : Parents, Guardians & Campus Staff — we want to hear from you!

• Our School Quality Survey is now open! Your voice helps shape the future of Spring ISD — from school safety to academics, student support, and family engagement.

When we come together, we move forward together. The survey is available in multiple languages. Select English, Spanish, or Vietnamese at the top of the survey to view it in your language.
Take the survey today: www.SpringISD.org/SpringSurvey

• ¡Padres, tutores y personal escolar — queremos conocer su opinión!

• ¡Nuestra Encuesta de Calidad Escolar ya está disponible! Su voz ayuda a dar forma al futuro de Spring ISD — desde la seguridad escolar hasta lo académico, el apoyo estudiantil y la participación familiar. Cuando nos unimos, avanzamos juntos. La encuesta está disponible en varios idiomas. Seleccione inglés, español o vietnamita en la parte superior de la encuesta para verla en su propio idioma. Participe hoy: www.SpringISD.org/SpringSurvey

Complete the survey and get a FREE DRESS CODE band for your child Submit a pic of your completed survey confirmation screen to your child's teacher and they will send you a free dress code band

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the countless contributions women make across our district every single day. From classrooms to cafeterias, from transportation to leadership, women help shape the experiences and futures of our students. Their dedication, strength, and leadership continue to move Spring ISD forward.

El Mes de la Historia de la Mujer es un momento para reflexionar sobre las innumerables contribuciones que las mujeres realizan cada día en todo nuestro distrito. Desde los salones de clase hasta las cafeterías, desde el transporte hasta el liderazgo, las mujeres contribuyen a dar forma a las experiencias y al futuro de nuestros estudiantes. Su dedicación, fortaleza y liderazgo continúan impulsando a Spring ISD hacia adelante.

Read Across America Day: March 2

• : Today, we celebrate the power of stories to connect us, inspire us, and open doors to new worlds. Reading helps students build confidence, strengthen critical thinking, and expand their understanding of people and experiences beyond their own. Across Spring ISD, classrooms are filled with imagination as students and staff share their favorite books and discover new ones together. Whether it’s a picture book that sparks curiosity or a novel that challenges perspective, every page turned is a step toward lifelong learning.

• Hoy celebramos el poder de las historias para conectarnos, inspirarnos y abrir puertas a nuevos mundos. La lectura ayuda a los estudiantes a desarrollar confianza, fortalecer el pensamiento crítico y ampliar su comprensión de personas y experiencias más allá de las suyas. En todo Spring ISD, los salones de clase se llenan de imaginación mientras estudiantes y personal comparten sus libros favoritos y descubren juntos otros nuevos. Ya sea un libro ilustrado que despierte la curiosidad o una novela que desafíe perspectivas, cada página que se lee es un paso hacia el aprendizaje para toda la vida.

• We celebrate our Maintenance Appreciation Day!

• Behind every safe classroom, every working light, and every welcoming space is a team that shows up early, stays late, and keeps our district running smoothly. Thank you to our maintenance team for your dedication, skill, and commitment to our students and staff. Spring ISD shines because of you.

Hoy, 4 de marzo, celebramos el Día de Apreciación del Personal de Mantenimiento

National School Social Work Week: March 1-7

It’s National School Social Work Week! We’re proud to celebrate the caring professionals who help our students navigate challenges and find their strength. Their dedication builds trust, connection, and a stronger school community. Thank you for the heart you bring to Spring ISD every day.

¡Es la Semana Nacional del Trabajo Social Escolar! Nos enorgullece celebrar a los profesionales comprometidos que ayudan a nuestros estudiantes a superar desafíos y descubrir su fortaleza. Su dedicación construye confianza, conexión y una comunidad escolar más fuerte. Gracias por el corazón que aportan a Spring ISD cada día.

Who Takes What (STAAR)

• Grades 3-8: All students take STAAR in Math, Reading, 5th Grade Science, and 8th Grade Social Studies, depending on the grade.
• Grades 3-8 Special Education: All students in CASE take STAAR ALT Math, Reading and 5th only take Science.
• High School (EOCs): Students take assessments for specific courses (Algebra I, English I/II, Biology, U.S. History) as they complete them.
• Special Populations: Decisions for students with 504 or Special Ed needs are made by their ARD/504 committees; Emergent Bilingual (EB) students by their LPAC.

General Testing Windows (Examples from 2025-2026 Calendar)

• December: STAAR EOC (End-of-Course).
• April: STAAR Grades 3-8 (Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies).
• June: STAAR EOC Make-up.

Key Calendar Resources

• Official Calendar: Find detailed dates, including make-up windows and reporting deadlines, on the TEA Student Assessment Testing Calendar page.
• Important Dates Page: Texas Assessment website calendar.

Important Notes

• District Scheduling: Districts set the specific days within the TEA-provided windows.
• Optional Tests: STAAR Interims (for practice) and the Through-Year Assessment Pilot (TTAP) are optional for districts. STAAR Field Tests to collect data to improve future assessments.

Booker Families, Staff, and Scholars,

As we move deeper into a critical phase of learning, I want to take a moment to celebrate our progress while clearly outlining what is ahead—and how essential your partnership is during this time. Right now, if Booker were to take STAAR, our performance places us at a “C” rating. That is growth worth celebrating, and we are incredibly proud of our scholars and staff for the strong work demonstrated last semester. But, every instructional day matters, and momentum is key as we push forward together.

Families, please take time to ask your child:

• Did you meet your MOY goal?

• What are you doing right now to meet your STAAR and EOY goals in Reading, Math, and Science?

The countdown continues:

• 51 days until STAAR

• 19 school days until TELPAS for our ESL and Bilingual scholars

We are excited to share that tutorials officially begin this week, providing targeted support and enrichment for our scholars. In addition, we encourage families of our 3rd–5th grade scholars to join us for Curriculum Night THIS WEEK. This is an important opportunity to learn more about grade-level expectations, STAAR readiness, and how you can support your child at home.

Please also mark your calendars for the following upcoming dates:

• January 23rd - Curriculum Night

• February 17–18: Campus Intervention Days

• February 19: Parent Conferences

These opportunities are designed to ensure no scholar falls through the cracks. Do not wait to see where your child is academically. Partner with us now. Please confirm your parent conference appointment as soon as possible so we can work together to support your child’s success.

While tutorials were delayed earlier this semester, our confidence and focus have not changed. Our instructional plans, targeted interventions, and daily execution remain strong. Booker is geared up, focused, and ready to deliver results.

This work is about more than testing—it is about growth, consistency, and changing outcomes for students. Through intentional instruction, strategic support, and shared accountability, we remain committed to moving Booker from a Forced F to a C or better. And while a C reflects progress, we all know the goal—a “B” is for Booker.

Thank you to our teachers for your relentless commitment, to our scholars for rising to the challenge, and to our families for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in this journey. Together, we will continue to Get Booker Better Faster.

• At Spring ISD, we know it takes a village!

• Parents, join us as partners in your child’s education and make a difference by volunteering at our schools. Together, we can help every student succeed!

• En Spring ISD, sabemos que se necesita un equipo. Padres, únanse a nosotros como aliados en la educación de sus hijos y marquen la diferencia como voluntarios en nuestras escuelas. ¡Juntos podemos ayudar a todos los estudiantes a alcanzar el éxito!

At Spring ISD, student safety is our top priority. EVERY student must have their ID badge to ride the bus. Our Badge Up for Safety policy keeps riders safe and allows parents to track rides in real time through the Smart Tag app. Learn more:https://www.springisd.org/smarttag

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

FRONT OFFICE VISITS

DOORBELL PROCEDURES & POLICY

VISITOR EXPECTATIONS & INTERACTIONS

THE IMPORTANCE OF UPDATED CONTACT INFORMATION

Booker Families,

We love celebrating our Bengals! To ensure we honor birthdays while protecting valuable instructional time, please remember the following:

✅ Birthday celebrations are limited to 15 minutes
✅ Cupcakes and boxed juice only
❌ No pizza or full meals please
✅ Cupcakes must be store-bought, sealed, and labeled
✅ Please drop items off before 12:00 PM or send with your child (car riders may bring treats in the morning)

With classes of up to 24 students, we must keep celebrations brief so our students can continue learning and thriving. Our goal is to make birthdays special without interrupting instruction — thank you for partnering with us!

We appreciate your support and understanding as we keep our Bengals focused, learning, and growing! 🐾💙

Students are not allowed to have any electronic devices or cellphones on or out during the instructional day. Any student violating this policy will be assigned a consequence.

The mySpringISD portal provides an easy platform for staff and families, where they can access all of their digital resources, including Schoology and the Home Access Center. The single sign-on option gives parents, students and staff instant access to all their online resources from any device and any location.

To get started, log on to my.springisd.org, and sign in by using your parent Spring ISD network login username and password.

If you need login access or assistance, please call our registrar, Ms. Velasquez, at 281-891-8756.

We would love to have you! Please complete both forms to volunteer at Booker Elementary! It is important to do both forms. One is tailored just for us and specifies what you'd like to do as a volunteer and the other application is a district mandate for all Volunteers in Schools.

Booker Volunteer Interest Form

Spring ISD Volunteer Website

Spring ISD VIP Volunteer application:

PRESS 1 - REGISTRAR - Ms. Velasquez - dvelas1@springisd.org

PRESS 2 - ATTENDANCE CLERK - Ms. Yulissa Camacho ycamacho@springisd.org

PRESS 0 - RECEPTIONISTS - Ms. Enciso/Ms. Martinez

PRESS 3 - Counselor - Mrs. Ashleigh Foley - afoley@springisd.org - 281-891-8755

PRESS 4 - School Nurse - Ms. Shereka Kossie - skossie@springisd.org - 281-891-8757

FAX NUMBER: DIAL 281-891-8751

Website: https://booker.springisd.org/

Location: 22352 Imperial Valley Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-891-8750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booker.bengals.3
Twitter: @BookerBengals

Ready to give some flowers to your amazing staff? Teams, parents and students,

Nominate outstanding employees for the Board of Trustees Employee Excellence Award, which recognizes those who go above and beyond for students and our Spring ISD community. To nominate, click here

• Spring ISD Special Education Services invites families to join our Parent Connection: Understanding the ARD Process workshop. This session will help parents feel prepared and confident participating in ARD meetings — from understanding who is involved to knowing your rights and how goals and services are decided. Empower yourself to ask questions, share input, and collaborate with your child’s school team. For more information, contact Dr. Christopher Gereke at 281-891-6286 or ChristopherG@springisd.org

Wednesday, March 11
6- 7 p.m

Spring ISD Community Engagement Center- 17125 Ella Blvd. Houston, TX 77090

Spanish-only presentation

• Los Servicios de Educación Especial de Spring ISD invitan a las familias a participar en nuestro taller Parent Connection: Entendiendo el Proceso ARD. Esta sesión ayudará a los padres a sentirse preparados y con confianza para participar en las reuniones de ARD — desde comprender quiénes participan hasta conocer sus derechos y cómo se determinan las metas y los servicios. Empodérese para hacer preguntas, compartir sus ideas y colaborar con el equipo escolar de su hijo(a). Para más información, comuníquese con el Dr. Christopher Gereke al 281-891-6286 o a ChristopherG@springisd.org.

Miércoles, 11 de marzo
6–7 p.m.
Spring ISD Community Engagement Center – 17125 Ella Blvd., Houston, TX 77090
Presentación solo en español

• Safe, reliable transportation matters for our students, families, and staff every single day. The Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis is launching a Mobility Plan and inviting community members to share input on how transportation can better serve our neighborhoods — including safer routes and stronger connections to schools and opportunity.

In-Person Session
Thursday, March 5
6:30–8 p.m.

Fallbrook Church. 12512 Walters Rd., Houston, TX 77014

Virtual
Tuesday, March 17
5:30–6:30 p.m.

Virtual meeting link coming soon

• El transporte seguro y confiable es fundamental para nuestros estudiantes, familias y personal todos los días.

La Oficina del Comisionado Rodney Ellis está lanzando un Plan de Movilidad e invita a los miembros de la comunidad a compartir sus ideas sobre cómo el transporte puede servir mejor a nuestros vecindarios — incluyendo rutas más seguras y mejores conexiones hacia las escuelas y las oportunidades.

Sesión Presencial
5 de marzo de 2026
6:30–8 p.m.
Fallbrook Church. 12512 Walters Rd., Houston, TX 77014

Sesión Virtual
17 de marzo de 2026
5:30–6:30 p.m.
Enlace de la reunión virtual próximamente

The Houston Hispanic Architects and Engineers (HHAE) Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for its 2026 Academic Scholarship Program! Graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue degrees in architecture, engineering, or surveying are encouraged to apply.

Applications must be submitted online by March 31, 2026, at hhae.org/scholarships/. Award notifications will be sent by May 29, 2026, with recipients recognized during an award ceremony in July 2026.

Additionally, HHAE has launched a new resume bank initiative for current scholarship recipients, designed to connect students with internship opportunities through partner firms that support the organization.

Please share this opportunity with students, families, and community members who may be interested. For questions or additional information, contact Luis Dinarte, Scholarship Committee Chair, at luis.dinarte@wsbeng.com or 281-895-2247.

SPA- Programa de Becas Académicas 2026 de Houston Hispanic Architects and Engineers (HHAE) (SOLO PARA ESTUDIANTES DE ÚLTIMO AÑO DE SECUNDARIA)

El Comité de Becas de Houston Hispanic Architects and Engineers (HHAE) ahora está aceptando solicitudes para su Programa de Becas Académicas 2026. Se anima a los estudiantes que se graduarán de preparatoria y que planean obtener un título en arquitectura, ingeniería o topografía a presentar su solicitud.

Las solicitudes deben enviarse en línea antes del 31 de marzo de 2026 en hhae.org/scholarships/. Las notificaciones de los premios se enviarán antes del 29 de mayo de 2026, y los beneficiarios serán reconocidos durante una ceremonia de premiación en julio de 2026.

Además, HHAE ha lanzado una nueva iniciativa de banco de currículos para los actuales beneficiarios de becas, diseñada para conectar a los estudiantes con oportunidades de prácticas profesionales (internships) a través de firmas asociadas que apoyan a la organización.

Por favor, comparta esta oportunidad con estudiantes, familias y miembros de la comunidad que puedan estar interesados. Para preguntas o información adicional, comuníquese con Luis Dinarte, Presidente del Comité de Becas, al correo electrónico luis.dinarte@wsbeng.com o al 281-895-2247.