GALATAS GAZETTE

Candace Mathis, Principal

Michelle Fry, Assistant Principal

Dawn Wright, Assistant Principal

Natalie Oliver, School Counselor

Through the collaborative efforts of all who pass through our door, we provide a safe learning community that develops lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

Website: http://galatas.conroeisd.net/
Location: 9001 Cochrans Crossing Drive, The Woodlands, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalatasCISD/

This Week’s Attendance: 97.17% Galatas Attendance Goal: 98%

Every day at school matters! When our Greyhounds are here, they are learning, growing, connecting, and building on the learning from the day before.

Thank you, families, for making regular and on-time attendance a priority. Together, let’s keep pushing toward 98%—because every Greyhound and every day counts!

Calling all bookworms! This year Reading Week will be October 19-23. Here is a schedule of events to celebrate Reading Week at school.

Please check out the flyer to the left to find reading tips and great book recommendations!

Our book fair will be held in the Galatas ACTIVITY ROOM at the following times:

Monday, October 19: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00

Tuesday, October 20: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00

5:30-7:00 PM

(Bedtime Story Night Performance 6:00-6:30)

Wednesday, October 21: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00

Thursday, October 22: 7:35-3:00, 3:30-4:00

Friday, October 23: closed (Storybook Parade)

● REMINDER: All students shopping before going to their classroom in the morning must have a parent or guardian with them. ***Please note that if you are shopping with your child before school, he/she must be in homeroom class before the bell rings at 7:55 am. Please plan your purchasing time accordingly. Thanks for your cooperation on this matter.***

Otherwise, students will be able to shop when teachers allow, as well as during recess and Library Specials.

• During the fair, the teachers will have wish lists filled out. These are books they would like to have for their classroom libraries. Please feel free to purchase something from their selections. Once you purchase the item(s), please ask the person helping you at the register for a bookplate sticker. There are also online gift cards available for purchase to use in the book fair. You may also shop the online fair.

Sales tax is not included in the prices and is 8.25%.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the fair!

Mrs. Michalsky

An on-campus, after school event featuring The Woodlands High School Theater group! They will be performing a live action account of the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Bring a blanket and a stuffed animal for the 6pm show.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open for students and parents to shop from 5:30-7:00.

We are looking forward to our Storybook Parade on Friday, October 23. We will have an outside "Family Viewing Area" so that everyone can enjoy seeing the creative costumes while we celebrate our favorite books!

Students may come to school dressed as their favorite storybook character (no weapons, masks, face paint, or spray-painted hair, please), and should bring the character book to carry in the school-wide parade. Students should be able to change out of their costume independently.

Storybook Parade Details

The parade will begin at 8:20 AM. As part of our parade route, our students will exit through the gym doors at the rear of the school, around the car loop, and then back into the school through the other set of gym doors. Families will be able to view the parade around the car loop at the back of the school. Please see the map below for specific details.

Parking will be available at Cattail Park. Please do not park or drive through the Community Baptist Church OR Good Shepherd parking lot. Please be careful and courteous, as the pre-schools will be having their drop-off at the same time.

We are looking forward to our Book Fair and Reading Week! In the meantime, please visit the site below to get a head start on shopping for some great books for your family.

Get ready to read, Galatas! Our Daily Reading Minute Challenge begins Monday evening, October 19th! Each night, simply fill out the form and record the number of minutes you read. Winners will be announced each day Tuesday-Friday, October 23rd, and the top two readers from each grade level will win a book from the book fair.

It’s book fair time and this fun event does not happen without our amazing volunteers. We need volunteers to man cash registers, restock, assist students, help on preview days and bedtime story night. We will also need assistance for set up and break down of the book fair. Scholastic is offering a coupon for volunteers.

Please visit the link below for information about volunteering, and to sign up to help!

Dear Galatas Families,

I am so excited to announce that award winning author, Nell Cross Beckerman, is visiting Galatas’ 3rd and 4th grade students on Wednesday, November 11th! Our students have an opportunity to purchase her books and have them autographed the day she visits. The above picture shows a QR code to scan, which will bring you to the online order form if you would like to purchase one or more of her books to be autographed. Orders need to be placed no later than Friday, October 30th.

Visit https://www.nellcrossbeckerman.com/#/ for more information about Nell Cross Beckerman.

Galatas Librarian,

Dawn Michalsky

Order by December 30 for the early bird price of $40! Use the link below to order your yearbook today.

TOP DOG Parents:

Applaud your 4th grader’s achievements with a special “Top Dog Shoutout” for only $20.Look for the "1/8 Page - Top Dog Ad 4th Grade Only” tab when ordering.

Each year our talented students get the opportunity to design the cover artwork for the yearbook.

This year’s theme is “Disco Fever!”

Contest Rules:

1.) All submissions should be done in the portrait (vertical) layout.

2.) Maximum size should be 8.5”X11” on a white 8 ½” x 11” sheet paper. (This is the only size allowed for scanning purposes.)

3.) Include a greyhound in your picture.

4.) Do not put your name on the front of the paper.

5.) Including the school name is optional.

6.) Take a photo or scan your work and email it to yearbook@galataspto.com by October 23rd. Include your name and section number in the email.

7.) Save the hardcopy! Those will be collected if chosen.

Once all submissions have been received, each grade level will vote for their grade level favorite. The finalists from each grade level will then go through a final round of voting to choose the cover for this year’s book. Good luck and have fun!

The GT Nomination window for parent nominations for the Spring, 2026-2027 Gifted and Talented screening will be open October 5 - December 15, 2026.

Spring GT testing will take place at Galatas Elementary during the school day from January 19 -February 5, 2027.

Parents may nominate their Kindergarten and/or 1st grade student but it is highly advised that parents consult with their child’s teacher prior to nominating their child as tests can be frustrating for younger students due to the amount of time involved in testing.

Parents of 2nd grade students: Please do not nominate your 2nd grade child at this time! All second-grade students will participate in the CogAT assessment in October which will serve as a GT screener for second grade students. Testing Window: October 13- November 3. Students in 2nd grade will test with a 2nd grade teacher in a 2nd grade classroom. Students must be present to test during testing window.

Parents may nominate their 3rd and/or 4th grade student. It is strongly encouraged that parents consult with their child’s teacher(s) prior to nominating their child. If your child has already qualified for Gifted and Talented services in some content areas but not all, you must nominate them again if you would like for them to try to qualify in additional areas. Students must take the full battery of tests as specific subject areas cannot be isolated for testing purposes.

Please contact our Assistant Principal, Michelle Fry, at mfry@conroeisd.net for additional information and/or a GT Nomination packet.

All completed nomination packets must be returned to Michelle Fry on or before December 15, 2026.

Please support our school by joining our amazing PTO. The link below will take you to the Galatas PTO website, where you can join the PTO and explore ways to get involved at Galatas.

It is a great way to get connected with our Galatas community and other parents.

In order to volunteer at school, a Volunteer in CISD Application must be completed.

Parents, we would like to remind you that we have a significant number of students and their parents that bike/walk to school. Please be cautious when driving in the school zones and when passing through crosswalks. Before turning to proceed through a crosswalk, make sure that no one is in the crosswalk. We have had several instances recently where drivers have proceeded into a crosswalk while a crossing guard has been actively crossing students. Just a reminder that it is state law to stop when pedestrians are in a crosswalk.

Plan accordingly when traveling through a school zone. Give yourself a few extra minutes when driving through these congested areas. The consequences of speeding, disregarding a crossing guard, or injuring someone in a crosswalk is not worth a few minutes of your time.

All visitors must be able to provide a government issued, photo I. D. at each visit. Photos of the I.D. will not be accepted. Visitors will check in at the front office and receive a Visitor Badge which must be worn at all times in the building. When leaving the building, visitors must check out with the front office and return the badge.

Clinic Needs: The Clinic is in need of mints (regular Starlight peppermints) and saltine crackers.

Medications: All medications must be checked in to the clinic by a parent/guardian. This includes cough drops and inhalers. All medications can be checked into the clinic during school days - there is no need to make an appointment.

IMPORTANT RULE: All medications must be brought to the clinic by a parent/guardian and

signed in. Students are not allowed to bring medications in backpacks.

From the CISD Health Services Department web page: "If your student has a fever over 100 degrees, he or she must stay out of school until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications." Giving Tylenol or Motrin to lower a fever does not keep your child from being contagious to others.

Please continue to provide a change of clothes in your child's backpack in case of accidents. Students may spill, fall, or not make it to the restroom on time. The Clinic has a limited supply of extra clothing and having an extra set in their backpack will make it easier to change if needed.

Clinic visit communication: When your child visits the clinic during the day, a clinic pass will be sent home. This is how we communicate with you that your child was at the clinic. We only call parents/guardians if it is determined necessary based on the clinic assessment.

Please contact me at apool@conroeisd.net with any clinic related questions or concerns.

Ashley Pool, RN

Check here for District events for your students and family!

The Birthday Book Club is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday or half birthday and help support the Galatas Elementary Library. We have partnered with Bound to Stay Bound, one of our library book vendors, so book selections can be made directly from the website.

Please visit the letter and link below for more information and ordering instructions.

To support student safety during gym construction, Active Start will begin on Monday, August 17. Active Start is an opportunity for students to enjoy outdoor play on our playground from 7:30–7:47 a.m. before the instructional day begins.

To safely manage student arrival and playground capacity during construction, Active Start will be offered to one grade level each day according to the following schedule:

• Monday: Kindergarten
• Tuesday: First Grade
• Wednesday: Second Grade
• Thursday: Third Grade
• Friday: Fourth Grade

This adjusted schedule allows us to continue offering students a fun and active start to their day while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff during construction.

Our school start time is 7:55 AM. Students should be in their classrooms by 7:55 AM to view our Galatas morning announcements and begin their day.

The tardy bell rings at 7:55 AM. Students arriving to school after the tardy bell are considered tardy. Students arriving to school after the cones are set up at the entrance to the car rider line should be brought to the front of the school to enter through the front doors. Students must stop at the front desk. A parent should come into the school with the student to sign the student in for the day.

Construction has officially begun on our new stand-alone gym, and we couldn’t be more excited about what this addition will mean for our Greyhound family!

As with any major construction project, there will be times when we all need to demonstrate a little extra flexibility. While we anticipate occasional adjustments to routines, one thing will never change: the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We are working closely with our construction partners to ensure secure fencing, designated work zones, and safety procedures are in place every step of the way.

We are also committed to keeping our families informed. We’ll communicate any important updates or changes throughout the project so everyone knows what to expect.

We want to thank you in advance for your patience, flexibility, and continued support as we build something incredible for our Greyhounds. We can’t wait to celebrate the day our students step into their brand-new gym!

Conroe ISD Library Services has enabled checkout notifications, so you know the title of the books your student checked out. These notifications will be sent on days when your student checks out a book from the school library and will only be sent for the initial checkout. Daily notifications will no longer occur for the entire time a book is checked out to a student. State law and board policy do not allow an opt-out option for these notifications. If you have a question or concern about your student’s reading material, please contact your campus librarian.

The Destiny Library Catalog has been updated with the following message as per Local Policy EFB: If you would like to restrict access to specific library materials, please complete the Library Access Form. More information can be found at Conroe Library Services.

All electronic devices (phones, smartwatches, tablets, headphones, air pods, etc.) must remain turned off during the instructional school day and stowed off the student in a backpack, purse, locker, or other designated storage area.

We ask that all toys and personal play items stay at home, in order to help everyone stay focused on learning and enjoy a safe, happy school day. This helps our students avoid misplaced items, disagreements, or interruptions to learning time.

We love seeing how excited our students are to share their favorite things with friends at school! However, we’ve noticed that toys, trading cards, and similar items have started to cause some distractions during class, on the playground, and on the bus.

Thank you for your help in supporting a positive and focused learning environment for all of our Greyhounds! We truly appreciate your partnership.

With the exception of service animals, dogs and other pets are not allowed on school grounds, including at the top of the hill during arrival and dismissal.

This is for the health and safety of our students and staff.

In addition, cell phone use in a school zone is prohibited. As you enter areas around schools, please end your calls and put your phone away.

The CISD Police and Montgomery County Sheriff's Department patrol our school zones to ensure everyone's safety, and will issue citations if necessary.

Thank you for your help in keeping our community safe!

Dear Galatas Families,

We need your help keeping our morning arrival and afternoon dismissal safe and moving smoothly, particularly in the area near the bus exit driveway leading onto Cochran’s Crossing, adjacent to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Please do not stop, park, or unload students along the street in front of or near this bus exit driveway. When vehicles stop in this area to allow children to exit, traffic backs up and can prevent our buses from safely exiting campus. This backup can quickly extend into our staff parking lot, making it difficult for buses and staff vehicles to move safely through the area.

We also ask that everyone slow down and use extra caution when driving near our campus, particularly if you are running late. We have seen vehicles attempting to move quickly around stopped or slower traffic in this area. With buses exiting, staff arriving, and children and families walking nearby, this creates a significant safety concern.

Please remember:

• Keep the bus exit driveway onto Cochran’s Crossing completely clear.

• Do not use the bus exit driveway as a student drop-off location.

• Use our designated arrival/drop-off procedures when bringing your child to school or when picking them up.

• Drive slowly and patiently around our campus, even when you are running behind.
• Be especially alert for students, pedestrians, buses, and staff members directing traffic.

We know mornings and afternoons can be busy, and we truly appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation. An extra minute or two is always worth it when it comes to keeping our Greyhounds and our entire school community safe.

Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

--Do not "cut through" the Good Shepherd parking lot to get into or out of the Galatas parking lot.

--Only cross at crosswalks! Our crossing guards and staff are here to keep everyone safe and ensure that families cross intersections in an efficient manner. Please do not short cut through the school parking lot to get to the sidewalks.

--Please do not park behind staff cars in the school parking lot. Please park in a parking space, as blocking cars could cause a safety concern in case of an emergency.

--Please do not park up on the curbs or grass areas in the school parking lot.

--Please be considerate of our neighbors at Hayden's Run and Wyndspire South. Keep the sight lines at the entrance clear for entering and exiting vehicles.

--Please be considerate of our neighbors at South Silvershire Circle. Please do not park on the grass or lawn of the homes. Take care not to block driveways and leave enough room for residents to easily drive in their neighborhood at all times.

October

19 - 23 Book Fair

20 Bedtime Story Night-6:00 PM

23 Storybook Parade - 8:20 AM

26 - 30 Red Ribbon Week

30 Science Day

November

2 No School: Student Holiday

3 No School: Student Holiday

10 PTO Meeting - 10:00 AM

12 3rd Grade Program - 6:00 p.m.

13 Kinder Family Picnic

19 Individual Picture Make-up Day & Class Pictures

23 - 27 No School: Thanksgiving Break

December

8 PTO Meeting - 10:00 a.m.

18 Early Release Day, End of Nine Weeks

December 21 - January 5 Winter Break

January

4-5 No School: Student Holiday

6 Classes Resume