Swenke Elementary Paw Print
September
Nespeca's Notes
What an incredible start to the school year it has been! Even with unexpected challenges like power outages and a few rainy day arrivals and dismissals, our staff, students, and families showed flexibility, patience, and teamwork. These first weeks have reminded us that Swenke truly is a Home for All, a place where we support one another and keep learning moving forward no matter what comes our way. Thank you for helping us kick off the year with such positivity and resilience!
The Paw Print is our monthly newsletter that is sent on the first Friday of every month. Please take time to read it carefully as it is filled with important dates and information you will not want to miss.
Did you know that September is Attendance Awareness Month? Last night at the Board Work Session, Swenke was recognized for our outstanding attendance achievements from last year. We maintained 95% or better attendance in all four reporting periods! š
Snow Leopards know how to show up. Way to go, Swenke family! šš¾
Attendance Matters
Attendance is taken at 10:10 a.m. every day. If your child is here at that time, they are counted present. If your child leaves and returns for a doctor appointment, and they miss the 10:10 am attendance time, the absence will be reversed, as long as a doctor's note is presented.
Picture Day-September 16
GO GOLD
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness for a condition that affects families across the globe. Show your support by wearing gold every Wednesday throughout the month. During the week of September 22-26, students can bring a $1 donation to support a local charity, and in return, they will have the opportunity to write their name on the library windows.
Car Rider Parents
Welcome Lunch Visitors - September 15
Lunch visitors are welcome at Swenke on Monday through Fridays; however, any relative visiting for lunch (without a childās parent being present) must have prior written permission from the parent/guardian.
Due to space constraints, there are only so many seats available at the visitorsā table. For this reason, each child may have a lunch visitor 4 times a month.
You are welcome to bring lunch for your child if you are eating with him/her that day.
Due to food allergies and safety concerns, students will only be allowed to have lunch with their own parent/guardian. Students may not have lunch with a friendās parents. Parents may only provide lunch for their child and may not bring lunch for another child.
Curriculum Q&A-September 16
This year, teachers will be sharing their Curriculum Night presentations on Friday, September 12th via email.
If you have questions after reviewing the presentation, teachers will be available for a Curriculum Q&A Session on Tuesday, September 16th, from 4:15ā5:15 p.m. in their classrooms. This time is designated specifically for questions related to the curriculum and is not intended for individual student conferences.
If you would like to discuss your childās progress in detail, please contact your childās teacher directly to schedule a separate meeting. Additionally, our designated Parent/Teacher Conference Day is scheduled for November 4th.
Swenke Fun Run-October 9
This fall, Swenke Elementary is excited to launch our Fun Run Home Run fundraiser, which will replace the Kids Heart Challenge as our main fundraiser for the year. While we will still make a donation to the Kids Heart Challenge on behalf of our students, the Fun Run Home Run ensures that 100% of the proceeds stay right here at Swenke.
Funds raised will support field trips, classroom supplies, and the many resources our teachers, students, and staff need to make learning experiences the very best they can be.
More details and fundraising opportunities will be shared in mid September, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you have any questions, please reach out to our Swenke PTO and we will be happy to help.
Letās knock this fundraiser out of the park, Swenke!
Watch D.O.G.S.
All new Swenke dads are invited to join us for an informational meeting about becoming a Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) volunteer on Tuesday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m.
The Watch D.O.G.S. sign-up will open on September 9 at 7:00 p.m.
PBIS-PAWS POWER
September Character Trait
2022-2023 Swenke Report Card
The State of Texas 2022-23 School Report Card for Swenke Elementary has been publicly released.
This is a report required by the Texas Legislature and prepared by the Texas Education Agency. It is to be sent to the parent or guardian of every child enrolled in a Texas public school. The report provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures.
The School Report Cards can be found online by clicking the link below:
https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/src/src_srch.html
If you do not have access to the internet to view the School Report Card online, please call 281-213- 1200 to request the School Report Card be sent home with your child. You may also visit the main office and request to view or have a copy of the School Report Card provided to you.
Please feel free to contact Courtney Nespeca at 281-213-1200 if you have any questions regarding the School Report Card.
Birthdays
Student birthdays are recognized on our daily announcement slides.
If you'd like to have your child's birthday celebrated at school, we offer parents the opportunity to purchase ice cream or cookies from the cafeteria to be distributed to their child's class during lunch. In order for our cafeteria to prepare for this, you must give at least one week's notice. You may email sonia.calvo@cfisd.net if you are interested.
Parents and guardians can purchase a Birthday Marquee Message for $20, which includes a two-day display. You can make the purchase through your School Cash account. For any questions, please email Shelly.DeLoach@cfisd.net
Career Day-October 17
Counselor's Corner
News from the Library
News from the Nurse
Health screenings for PK, K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade students will take place September 23rd and 24th this year. If your student is in these grade levels their vision and hearing will be checked. If your child is in 1st, 3rd, or 5th grade they will also be screened for acanthosis nigricans (AN), a skin marker for prediabetes. In addition, 5th grade girls will be screened for scoliosis. If your student wears glasses or contacts, please make sure that they are wearing them or bring them to school on these days. If your child does not pass the screenings a doctor referral will be sent home at a later time with your child. If your child receives a referral, please have the doctor complete and sign the form and return to Nurse Jones. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Jones at 281-213-1211 or email at shannon.jones@cfisd.net
Our goal is to keep every student safe and healthy during school activities. If your child has a restriction that limits their ability to participate in PE, we follow an āall or nothingā approachāmeaning that if they sit out of PE, they will also sit out of recess, and vice versa.
If your child is not fully cleared for activity, we will give them a āNo PE/Recessā sticker each day until they are able to return. A note from a parent can excuse a student from PE/recess for up to 3 days. After that, we request a doctorās note if your child needs to continue sitting out.
If a doctor restricts your childās activity, we will also need a clearance note from the doctor before they can return to PE and recess.
We want to make you aware of Senate Bill 12 (SB12). This week, you should have received an email from the district with more information about this bil.
Under SB12, all students must have parent/guardian consent to receive health services at school (such as a bandage, temperature check, saltwater gargle, etc.). A separate form must be completed for each child.
Please use this link to fill out the required form: Elementary School Health Services Annual Consent Form (for students in Grades EE-5)
Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and well!
Our district offers a valuable resource page dedicated to health issues and policies. Please click the link below to access the page for your reference.
https://www.cfisd.net/parents-students01/health-services/health-resources
PTO News
Budget Information
As a PTO that desires to serve the Swenke community well, partner with administration in educational and experiential initiatives, and uphold integrity through transparency with the parents and teachers, we will be communicating here monthly on how the hard raised money of this amazing community is being spent to support your children! Please reach out to Katy Anne Brack, PTO treasurer, with any questions. Treasurer@swenkepto.org
5th Grade
District Happenings
Important Dates
Monday, September 8
- Swenke Sprit Day
- CFISD Board Meeting @MHAB (6PM)
Tuesday, September 9
- PTO Board Meeting (9AM)
- Watch D.O.G.S. Meeting @Swenke (5:30PM)
- Watch D.O.G.S. Sign-Up Goes Live (see above)
Wednesday, September 10
- Wear Gold #GOGOLD
Thursday, September 11
- Garden Day (2nd Grade)
Friday, September 12
- Fan Shirt Friday
- Curriculum Informative Slides Emailed to Parents
Saturday, September 13
- 5th Grade Car Wash @Swenke (9AM-2PM)
Monday, September 15
- Swenke Spirit Shirt
- Lunch Visitors Begin
Tuesday, September 16
- Fall Picture Day
- Curriculum Night Q&A (4:15PM-5:15PM)
Wednesday, September 17
- Wear Gold #GOGOLD
Friday, September 19
- Fan Shirt Friday
Monday, September 22
- Swenke Spirit Day
- Bring $1 to Sign Your Name on Library Windows and Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
- Digital Citizenship Week
- Garden Day (3rd Grade)
Tuesday, September 23
- Health Screenings
- Bring $1 to Sign Your Name on Library Windows and Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
Wednesday, September 24
- Wear Gold #GOGOLD
- Bring $1 to Sign Your Name on Library Windows and Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
- Health Screenings
Thursday, September 25
- Bring $1 to Sign Your Name on Library Windows and Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
Friday, September 26
- Fan Shirt Friday
- Bring $1 to Sign Your Name on Library Windows and Raise Awareness for Childhood Cancer
Monday, September 29
- Swenke Spirit Day
- Fun Run Fundraising Begins!
Swenke Elementary
Website: https://swenke.cfisd.net/
Location: 22400 Fairfield Place Cypress, TX 77433
Phone: 281-213-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwenkeElementary
X: @SwenkeCFISD