JANUARY 10, 2025 Parent Newsletter

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Math fact fluency, the ability for students to quickly, accurately, and effortlessly recall basic math facts, is a crucial part of their mathematical knowledge. Recent research underscores the importance of fact fluency as a foundation for more advanced math and even as a predictor of future math success. Therefore, fact fluency is a key component of our math curriculum this year.

It is important to understand that fact fluency is not just about memorizing basic math facts. In class, we will emphasize developing students’ conceptual understanding of these facts rather than focusing solely on rote memorization. We will encourage students to look for patterns and relationships between facts, building on and connecting to what they already know (for instance, if students know 5x5=25, 5x6 is one more group of 5, or 30). This conceptual framework helps anchor students’ recall, making it easier for them to remember the facts through meaningful connections.

What can you do to help at home? Students should be encouraged to practice math facts at home. This additional practice aids in transferring facts from short-term to long-term memory.

GISD has created a website where you can find lots of resources to support your student at home. Check it out (Link below).

We are excited to have Ms. Damaris Florez as our new Speech Pathologist at Spring Creek.

My name is Damaris Florez, and I graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in speech-language pathology. I am thrilled to be joining the team at Spring Creek Elementary School as a Speech-Language Pathologist, where I look forward to working with students, their families, and the staff. I am fluent in both English and Spanish and am passionate about working closely with people, which I will get to do at Spring Creek! I grew up in Garland ISD and graduated from Garland High School. I have a husband and daughter. Spending time with my family is my favorite thing to do! We love watching movies, cooking together, enjoying sports—especially soccer—and doing anything that brings us together. I’m excited to make a positive impact on the students and families at Spring Creek.

Please help our kids work on math fluency. We have included the goal for each grade level and links to games they can play at home to practice the skills. You can find the links at the beginning of this newsletter.

These are some family tips you can use to support your student at home for the topics they are currently working on:

Grade 3 Module 4 Multiplication and Area

Grade 4 Module 5 Fraction Equivalence, Ordering, Operations

Grade 5 Module 4 Multiplication & Division of Fractions

Since the 2022–2023 school year, Reading/Language Arts assessments include an extended-constructed response, or essay, at every grade level. They will also include short-constructed response questions. Students will be asked to write the essay in response to a reading selection and will write in one of two modes: informational or argumentative.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) constructed response scoring guide (linked below) provides student exemplars at all score points for one extended-constructed response prompt and two short-constructed response prompts from the STAAR reading/language arts grade 3 and grade 5 stand-alone field tests. The prompts are presented as they appeared on the field test, and responses were scored based on the rubrics included in this guide, which were developed with the input of Texas educators.

Click HERE to see some examples that have been released by the State of Texas.

Click HERE to see the different types of questions students will be exposed to on the STAAR test.

Garland ISD is the only option for true choice when it comes to schools. Our "Choice of School" program allows parents to select the campus they want their children to attend for the next school year.

For students entering grades 1-12 in the fall, the choice period is during January and February.

For students entering prekindergarten or kindergarten in the fall, the choice period is during April.

Choice period dates for the upcoming 2025-26 school year are:

• Grades 1-12: Jan. 7-Feb. 10
• Prekindergarten and Kindergarten: April 1-April 30

Only students who wish to change their campus, are new to GISD or are entering kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades must make selections. Current students have the right to remain at their campuses.

What if I like my current campus?

That's great! You do not need to submit a Choice of School form. Anchor for section Choice Process

Manners Matter Monday is a fun initiative at Spring Creek that encourages kindness, respect, and good manners among all students. Every Monday, we come together as a school to highlight how important it is to interact positively and treat each other with courtesy.

On Manners Matter Monday, students get the chance to practice specific good manners throughout the day. This could mean saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting classmates and teachers, or really listening when someone is talking. Each week has a different theme, so students can explore different ways to show respect and kindness in their everyday interactions.

The main goal of Manners Matter Monday is to create a friendly and respectful environment at Spring Creek. Please help us reinforce these lessons at home, creating a culture of respect and consideration for everyone. Let's work together to teach our kids the importance of good manners!

Week of January 13: Respecting Personal Space

Dear Parents,

We want to emphasize the importance of open communication between home and our campus, Spring Creek, 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 our teachers 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, Angie Ariza. 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.

We welcome any questions, concerns, or comments you may have, as we believe in working together to find solutions. Open communication is essential, and we encourage you to address any issues directly with us—both parents and staff/campus. This approach allows us to resolve your concerns promptly, before you escalate them to the District which will ultimately refer your feedback back to us. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you!

This is the link to the Parent Handbook where you can find all about our school.

Students in KN-5 will be taking the iReady Diagnostic Assessment (Reading and Math) during the month of January. Please read the following information to understand why GISD uses iReady Diagnostic.

What is i-Ready?

i-Ready is an online program for reading and mathematics that helps determine the needs of students, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows teachers to meet students exactly where they are and provides data to inform instruction and increase students’ learning gains. i-Ready consists of two parts: Diagnostic and Personalized Instruction. Visit the iReady Family Center to learn more about this assessment and learning tool, as well as how you can support and encourage student success with iReady. If needed, resources are available in a variety of languages at this link: Family Resources in Multiple Languages

iReady Diagnostic: The iReady Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on the responses of students. Each item a student sees is individualized based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions.

The purpose of the iReady Diagnostic is to determine how to best support student learning. The goal is for students to make ongoing progress towards performing at or above grade level, which means they have mastered the skills students at that grade level are expected to master and are prepared to learn more advanced skills. To be sure, students have different areas of strengths and opportunities for growth. It is important to understand how students did in more specific learning areas on the assessment, which are called domains. iReady assesses students in the following reading and math domains: iReady Diagnostic Domains

After a student has taken more than one Diagnostic in the school year, results are tracked to capture the progress they are making both overall and in each domain. In the Merrimack School District, students’ iReady results will be shared with parents and families at the Fall Parent/Teacher conference and then sent home after subsequent administrations of the iReady Diagnostic in the Winter and Spring. The document Understanding Your Student’s Diagnostic Results may be helpful as you review the results.

iReady Personalized Instruction: Once a student completes the iReady Diagnostic, they will be assigned online instruction to support their progress in mastering each skill. iReady Personalized Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so they can learn at their own pace. These lessons are fun and interactive to keep students engaged as they learn.

https://i-readycentral.com/videos/video-understanding-i-ready-diagnostic-data-for-families/

GISD offers workshops throughout the year with effective parenting strategies, ideas on how to get more involved and information to help your child be successful in school and in life.

Autism Project: Self-Help Skills 01/14/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

SPED Seminar: Sensory Strategies 01/15/2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am

SPED Seminar: Project Search Info Night 01/23/2025 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm

Autism Project: Toileting 01/28/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Autism 101 02/04/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Examining Behavior 1 & 2 02/11/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Examining Behavior 3 & 4 02/18/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Communication 02/25/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Socialization 03/04/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Self-Help Skills 03/11/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

SPED Seminar: Trauma-informed Approaches 03/12/2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Autism Project: Toileting 03/25/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Autism 101 04/01/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Examining Behavior 1 & 2 04/08/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

SPED Seminar: Resources for Summer 04/09/2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am

Autism Project: Examining Behavior 3 & 4 04/15/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Communication 04/22/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Socialization 04/29/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Self-Help Skills 05/06/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Autism Project: Toileting 05/13/2025 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Request interpretation services

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you. Please print or show the I Need An Interpreter card at your campus to request free over-the-phone interpretation services.

Community Swim

While the GISD natatorium is prioritized for competitions and high school events, it is also available for community use. Visit the Community Swim & Programs page to learn more.

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:

1. Classroom Assistance: Help teachers with lesson preparation, student supervision, and small group activities.

2. Library Support: Assist in organizing books, helping students find resources, and maintaining a conducive reading environment.

3. Tutoring and Mentoring: Provide one-on-one support to students who need extra help in specific subjects.

4. Gardening and Outdoor Projects: Help maintain school gardens and outdoor learning spaces.

5. Administrative Support: Assist with clerical tasks, such as copying, filing, or organizing materials.

6. Cultural Enrichment: Share your skills, hobbies, or cultural background through workshops or presentations.

7. Cafeteria Support: Help supervise students during lunch and assist with meal distribution.

8. 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)!

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.

.....students are diving into exciting lessons, with a focus on building essential skills and setting goals for a successful year ahead!

We are in need of a parent volunteer to join our Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC). The LPAC is responsible for identifying and assessing students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) and ensuring they receive the appropriate language support programs, such as bilingual education or ESL classes. This committee plays an important role in supporting our emergent bilingual students and ensuring their success.

If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact, Nancy Tijerina. Your involvement would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,

Nancy Tijerina, LPAC Chair

nntijerina@garlandisd.net

972-675-3060

Parents, you can place your order online for the Spring Creek yearbook for the 24-25 school year. All orders this year must be placed online before April 8th 2025. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the yearbook, please contact Ms. Grimes (sgrimes@garlandisd.net)

Link to order the yearbook:

https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=False

Our school code is 14894825

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!

GISD hours for elementary campuses are from 8:10 AM 3:30 PM. We will open our doors each day at 7:30 AM. We ask that parents stay with their children until 7:30 AM since we have no staff on duty to supervise until that time.