December 6, 2023
December Attendance is Important
There are so many exciting activities happening at Bush Elementary in December.
Make sure your child(ren) is/are at school every day so they won't miss out on these and other learning experiences. If your child is sick, please have them stay at home.
Attendance Matters
The estimated funding lost due to student absences is $43,281.26 so far.
If your child is healthy, then your child must be at school. If your child is sick, has a fever at or above 100, or is vomiting or other intestinal issues, then your child must be at home. Please send your child to school with a note to excuse the absence for illness.
There are days built into the calendar along with a long summer break for family time and trips. We encourage you to plan your family time around designated district holidays and breaks. Click on the following link to review the district calendar: https://tinyurl.com/34vb2npe
Remember to complete the yellow sheet called Report an Absence that we sent out last week to notify the school in advance of your child's absence.
Enrichment Switching Back Daily Rotation Beginning January - Update!
Beginning January, we will return to daily enrichment rotation for all grade levels. This decision has been made based on parent requests, student surveys, and feedback from the enrichment teachers.
Carpool and Parking Safety Reminder
Carpool
The carpool lane is the safe location for morning arrival drop offs. The bus lane is not to be used for morning or afternoon drop offs, unless you have a special bus lane car tag. Certain families have a pass to drop off in the bus lane due to being a member of the Safety Patrol or a student in a special self-contained class. If you do not have this special pass, then you must use the carpool lane for arrival and dismissal.
The carpool lane is monitored each morning and if it is moving slowly or weather is causing a slowdown, then the carpool lane entrance doors are kept open and students in the carpool lane drop off are not considered tardy. The carpool lane entrance doors are closed when the line is empty, and carpool students will be considered tardy after that time and need to enter the building via the front door. Students dropped off in the bus lane and walkers entering through the front door at 7:40 a.m. or later are considered tardy.
Parking
Please note that the staff parking lot and bus lane is not a parking space to drop off or pick up your children during arrival and dismissal. You may use the carpool lane or safely park in the surrounding streets if you wish to park your car. When picking up your child(ren) please use the crosswalks and refrain from cutting through the bus driveway.
Quinn's Social Emotional Learning Corner
Hello readers! Last week, we talked about ways to support a child who may overthink. This week, we will discuss ways to minimize overthinking. Again, all emotions are valid, and none are bad; however, too much or too little of an emotion can be bad. Encourage your child to tell you when they start to ruminate. Then, you can show them that their thoughts may not be real.
The unhelpful thoughts are the amygdala, or lizard brain, trying to protect them, but in an unnecessarily stressful way. By analyzing the probability of the situation, you can help calm down your child and show them that their thoughts aren’t likely to happen. This will teach them to calm themselves down and make their perspective and reality meet. One other recommendation is to teach coping strategies. These can range from deep breathing to reframing to shifting your child's focus away from the situation.
This can calm them down. This concludes our topic of overthinking. Thank you for reading this article. I look forward to seeing you next week!
SEL Activity Recommendation: Set a weekly SEL goal (e.g., meditate every morning.)
LUNCH or RECESS Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to help supervise and assist students at lunch in the cafeteria on Fridays.
We also need volunteers to help supervise students safety during recess time at the big playground area only everyday during the following slots:
-
Slot 1: 10:10 am – 10:55 am (2 volunteers needed)
Slot 2: 11:10 am – 12:00 pm (2 volunteers needed)
- Slot 3: 12:00 pm – 12:50 pm (2 volunteers needed)
- Slot 4: 12:50 pm – 1:25 pm (2 volunteers needed)
Only the parent (no siblings) may take part in the supervision. Please be mindful that this is an active volunteer opportunity to spread love to all children and not a time to enjoy lunch or recess with your own kiddo.
Parents must complete the following three steps before volunteering:
Step 1: Click Here to register online to get VIPS approved each year.
Step 2: Click Here to sign up to volunteer for the Cafeteria.
Click here to sign up to volunteer for Recess.
Once you're VIPS approved. Please note that this is not just a one-time commitment, but rather we need consistent volunteers showing up on a regular basis at lunch time and recess.
Step 3: Click Here to watch the quick training video before volunteering in the cafeteria.
Click Here to watch the quick training video before volunteering at recess.
Step 4: Bring your driver's license to sign in when you enter the building. Also, be prepared to show a copy of the certificate/email that shows that you're VIPS-approved at your first time volunteering.
We look forward to having cafeteria volunteers at lunch time and during recess!
Cool Temperature Dress Code Reminders
Now that cooler weather is finally in Houston, students need to continue to follow our dress code guidelines. Please review the highlights shown below from our Dress Code in the Bush Uniform Policy.
All items worn in the building must follow our dress code colors stated in our dress code policy.
Sweaters
Solid colored sweaters
Solid Khaki, navy, red, white
Solid colors with no embroidery.
Jackets worn in the classroom
Jacket, sweater, or sweatshirts
Solid red, white, or navy
Official Bush logo fleece jackets are permitted.
Tights, leggings, and Pants
Tights, leggings, pants worn under skirts, shorts, or jumpers
Solid red, white, navy, blue denim or khaki
Leggings are permitted only under skirts, shorts, or jumpers, and cannot be worn by themselves as pants.
Here are a few more reminders:
● Only solid red, white, or navy long sleeved shirts will be permitted under uniform tops on cold days.
● Sweatpants, athletic pants, athleisure pants are not part of dress code even if they are following our dress code colors.
● Only plain headbands or headbands with bows are allowed.
TalkingPoints Communication
Is That My Jacket?
Cooler temperatures are slowly making their way to Houston! We have many jackets in our lost and found waiting to be picked up by their rightful owners. Parents, please label your child/children's jackets/winter clothing so that we can return their lost jackets to their classrooms. Also, please remember that in school, students need to have dress code jackets in solid red, white or navy. Their outside jackets worn for recess do not need to be in dress code colors, they can be any color.
Lost and Found
VIPS Approved
All adults entering the buildings MUST show a government issued photo identification at the front office every time you enter the building.
If you are coming into the school to volunteer and/or attend field trips. then you must be VIPS approved.
🐾 Bobcat Birthdays 🐾
Ms. Hoang would like to wish a very special birthday to:
Layla N. who turned 7 years old on December 6 and is a first grader in Ms. Baldwin's class.
Adrian O. who turned 7 years old on December 6 and is a first grader in Ms. Murray's class.
Ana Sofia R. who turns 7 years old on December 7 and is a first grader in Ms. Mi's class.
Bruno R. who turns 9 years old on December 7 and is a third grader in Ms. Goodwin's class.
Happy Birthday and Welcome to the Bush Birthday Book Club!
Birthday Book Club
Starting Wednesday, we will announce all student's names on the morning announcements for their birthday. However, if you Join the Birthday Book Club, it will make your child’s day extra special! Your child will have their name printed in the Paw Prints newsletter, choose a book to donate in their name for the school library with a framed group photo posted outside the library AND have their name on the electronic marquee during the week of their birthday (if option selected). See www.BBEpto.com for details.
Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest updates @bbep
Wrap Around QR Code
Paul Revere Food Distribution
Dance With Inertians Workshop and Random Acts of Dance Evening Performance
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, December 9th, 2023
Time: Workshop - 11:00AM - 3:00PM, Evening Performance - 6:30PM
Location: Westside High School
The Inertia Dance Company, known for their exceptional talent and creativity, will be leading an engaging and interactive dance workshop for our elementary students. This is a fantastic opportunity for your child to explore the world of dance, learn new moves, and have a great time in a supportive and fun environment.
Workshop Highlights:
Expert instruction by members of Westside High School's Inertia Dance Company
Age-appropriate and beginner-friendly dance routines
Emphasis on creativity, self-expression, and teamwork
A chance to showcase what they've learned in the evening performance
Evening Performance:
All workshop participants are invited to take the stage and open the evening performance with their newly acquired dance skills. This will be a memorable experience for both the participants and their families, as they proudly showcase their talents in front of a supportive audience.
Morning Workshop: Westside High School from 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Evening Performance: Westside High School Auditorium at 6:30PM
What to Wear/Bring: Please have your child wear comfortable clothing suitable for dancing , and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the workshop.
Here are a couple of reminders:
- Participants will check in at the Wolf in the front of the school. Inertians will be ready to send students to their groups for the day.
- Participants will receive snacks, lunch, and a T-shirt which they will wear during the opening performance number for the evening show.
- Participants can be picked up by parents OR stay with Inertians on campus until the evening show to allow parents to continue their Holiday shopping.
- Random Acts of Dance - Evening Performance Tickets: Please purchase $10.00 tickets online before the presale date ends on Friday, Dec. 8th at 3:30PM. Tickets will be $15.00 after the deadline and CASH ONLY at the door. SEND THIS TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ASAP. ❤️ SCHOOL PAY LINK - https://schoolpay.com/pay/for/Ticket-for-Random-Acts-of-Dance202324/Se4SbT7
- Parking: There will be plenty of parking space available in the front of the school by the glass doors that lead to the auditorium.
- Dance With Inertians Workshop: We are still accepting participants for the Dance With Inertians Holiday Workshop if you have any students, family or friends that wish to attend! Sign up here and bring the CASH payment when you arrive for the workshop the morning of. https://forms.gle/rsYWc1zdKaszUAFG9
We look forward to seeing your child at the "Dance With Inertians" workshop and witnessing their amazing performance during the evening show. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to respond to this email. Thank you for your continued support in providing enriching experiences for our students.
Math Morning
Saturday, December 16
10 am- 12 pm
Multipurpose Room at BBE
Please come and join us for a fun-filled morning with Mathnasium! We will have math stations set up for students. Entry will be $1 - you WILL NOT be able to buy entry the day of. Sign up at www.BBEpto.com.
The event is for grades Kinder thru 5th. Children under 5 may come, but they will not be able to participate and WILL NEED PARENT SUPERVISION.
ALL STUDENTS ATTENDING MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT*
Volunteers for Math Morning
Looking for 16 volunteers to support during our Math Morning with Mathnasium.
Saturday December 16th
Please sign up as a Station Volunteer, click here for opportunities. If you, the parent/guardian, volunteer for the whole event, you will get free entry.
Dads and father-like figures are highly encouraged to volunteer, you promote inner growth and strength by being involved at school.
Yearbook Photos Needed!!
We are in need of pictures for the yearbook. If you have photos from the following events, please share them with us!
Meet the Teacher
Red Ribbon Week
Bobcat Bonanza
Book Fair & Dinner
Bike & Play Saturday
Fun Fridays at the Park
Bush Buddies Walk
Any other BBE event!
Send photos to bushptoyearbook@gmail.com. Please label photos with your child's name and the name of the event. Both group and individual photos are appreciated.
Treasurer Needed
There is no “I” in Team but there is a “u” in volunteer!
Managing the finances of the PTO board is a big job, but having a supportive team makes it so much easier. In addition, our PTO board is a wonderful group of individuals who work together in a collaborative environment to accomplish exceptional goals for our school community. We have 2 amazing treasurers on our PTO board currently. We are in need of 1 more volunteer to round out our treasury team. You don’t have to have experience in finance or banking, but you must like working with numbers. The treasurer is a voting member of the PTO board. If you are interested in learning about this opportunity, please reach out to Michelle Jackson (presidentbbepto@gmail.com).
School Store
Friday, students will be able to shop with cash at the Bobcat Bazaar (formerly School Store On-the-Go) on Fridays. This week will be grades 3rd - 5th. Please check the BBE PTO calendar for specific dates and times for each grade level and important information and reminders.
Email Amy Gnau at mybushstore@gmail.com with any questions.
Who do I contact?
2023-2024 Parent Handbook
Wrap Around Specialist
Maria Quevedo
Registrar
Adriana Rosales
Administrative Assistant
Zonia Flores