The Outley Observer
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February 7, 2024
A Message from Dr. Newby
Greetings Outley Families, I extend a warm welcome for our new and returning families to the 2023 – 2024 school year. We are thrilled to welcome our students and staff back to school. We hope that you were able to relax and make special memories with your students and families.
As I enter my 17th year of leadership (8th year at Outley), I continue to be honored to serve as the principal of Outley Elementary. My administrative team and I understand the importance and embrace all opportunities to work together with the Outley staff, students, and families. Working together, we can collectively ensure that every student is successful at Outley Elementary.
Outley is such a special place to learn and grow. We are proud of our beautiful school and have high expectations for each and every student. We are certain that with your continued support, each of our students will bring their B.E.S.T. to the Nest each and every day. Our students are kind, compassionate, and eager to learn. Together with our dedicated staff, we strive to make connections with students to help them feel valued, accepted, and safe. Our core values of “quality instruction, safe and orderly environment, equity, collective responsibility, meaningful relationships” will continue to guide our mission to provide students an equitable education by providing quality instruction and challenging learning experiences in a safe and orderly environment, which will foster life-long learning, meaningful relationships, social-emotional growth, and responsible citizenship.
Now it is time to look forward to a wonderful new school year as we “Bring Our B.E.S.T. to the Nest” at Outley Elementary School!
Dr. Sharonda Newby, Principal
281-584-0655
3rd and 4th grade Supervisor
Mrs. Athena Jones
Ms. Jennifer Franklin
Parent Lunch for Next Week (2/5-2/9) are CANCELLED Due to Repairs
Outley Families,
Due to the repairs being done on campus, parent lunch next week (2/6, 2/7, 2/8) has been cancelled. Thank you for your understanding at this time.
We look forward to resuming our parent lunch in March!
Dates, Dates, Dates!
February 5th-9th - National School Counselor's Week
February 5th - 3rd Grade Social Studies IA #2
February 6th - 3rd / 4th Grade Reading IA #2
February 9th - Family Dance (5:00 - 6:30 p.m.)
February 12th-16th - Kindness Week
February 13th - 3rd / 4th Grade Math IA #2
February 22nd - All Pro Dads
Birthdays!
February 1st - Mrs. Cole
February 2nd- Ms. Garcia, Ms. Robinson
February 4th - Ms. Franklin (AP)
February 12th - Ms. Keys
February 16th - Mr. Cat
February 19th - Mrs. C. Nguyen (ICS)
February 27 - Mrs. C. Nguyen (2nd)
February 29 - Ms. Robinson
UBER EATS / Door Dash Deliveries for Students' Lunch Are No Longer Allowed
Having lunches delivered to the school by someone who does not know the student is causing a major challenge in the front office. Meals are being delivered without information and either too early or late. Effective tomorrow, January 10, we will no longer accept student lunches being delivered by a delivery company. Thank you for assistance in this matter.
Have Fun and Make Memories at Outley's Family Dance 2/9/24
Kindness Week Feb 12-16
KINDNESS CHALLENGE
Family Center Adult Weekly Workshops
EXCESSIVE TARDIES AND EARLY PICK - UPS CAN LEAD TO TRUANCY!
Attendance Procedures- PLEASE READ
Things to remember about attendance procedures at our school:
1. School starts at 7:55 a.m.—students who are not in class at this time are considered tardy. Students who are 30 or more minutes tardy, will be considered as a “POD30”, which is a part-of-day attendance violation.
2. Dismissal is at 3:20 p.m.—students may not be released after 2:35 p.m. because dismissal procedures will have already started.
3. Students who are picked up before dismissal time will be considered as an “early leave”, which is a part-of-day attendance violation.
4. Excuse notes for absences must be returned no later than 3 days after returning to school.
5. Only 10 parent excuse notes will be allowed per year, without extenuating circumstances.
6. Only 10 doctor/clinic/nurse excuse notes will be allowed per year, without a medical need documented by your doctor and verified by the school nurse.
Character Trait for February: Kindness
Review Kindness as a family! Remember that Kindness is acting with understanding, generosity, and care. Schedule a family movie night so that you can specifically watch for different ways people show Kindness. Let everybody know that you’d like them to point out examples of how the characters show Kindness as you watch the movie. Be sure to pause periodically to discuss the examples of Kindness you see. You could also talk about missed opportunities for Kindness and what you might have done differently!
14 Little Ways to Encourage Kindness By Kristine Breese
These simple ideas teach your children to be nice, generous people, one good deed at a time.
https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/14-little-ways-to-encourage-kindness/
H.E.A.R.T. - Outley's House System
Students can earn points for their house by being caught following our campus expectations. At the end of the year, the House with the most points wins the House Championship - and all of the honor and glory that comes with it!
Eat Lunch With Your Student
Beginning next month, parents will be welcomed monthly to eat lunch with the children. Just a reminder - our cafeteria has very limited space to eat when visitors are on campus. Due to limited spacing, we must limit visitors eating lunch with students to only one visitor per student. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before their student’s scheduled lunch time and must present valid identification. Below are a list of dates that parents will be welcomed on campus to eat lunch with their children:
Kindergarten - 3/5, 4/2, 5/7
2nd/3rd - 3/6, 4/3, 5/8
1st/4th - 3/7, 4/4, 5/9
Click the link for the lunch schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13QjlNAPX7NJwpWLlA1N6vT0q8Dv9p2sWmnMKxlTkDcQ/edit?usp=sharing
Principal Chats
March 20th
ALL PRO DAD
Men you can have breakfast with your student while building stronger relationships. Join us for All Pro Dad on the following dates. Doors open at 8:15am, presentation starts at 8:30am in the cafeteria
Thurs Feb 22
Tops: Any solid color polo style shirt (must have collar and sleeves)
Bottoms: Navy or khaki (shorts, slacks, skorts and jumpers are all acceptable)
Shoes: Closed toe shoes ONLY!- No Sandals, No CROCS
SPIRIT SHIRTS CAN BE WORN WITH JEANS ON TUESDAYS.
COLLEGE OR SPIRIT SHIRTS CAN BE WORN WITH JEANS ON FRIDAYS.
$15.00 PER SPIRIT SHIRT
SCHOOL BUS!
Please make sure that BUS RIDER students wear their Outley ID/SMART tag EVERYDAY. This is a mandatory district expectation for ALL bus riders. Please see the Alief Website for more information: https://www.aliefisd.net/Page/10318
We want to reiterate that students are not allowed to eat on the school bus. Thanks for your assistance.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF KINDER BUS RIDERS
Kinder students are required to wear the appropriate Red or Green TAG at all times for the safe transport to and from school. This will ensure a positive riding experience for all kindergarten students and will mitigate delays and or confusion surrounding transportation services. During afternoon transportation services, Green Tag Kinder students may unload the bus with no restrictions.
Red Tag Kinder Students will not be allowed to exit the bus without a parent and or guardian present at the bus stop. The parent and or guardian must show a current Alief ISD placard to the driver. The driver will then release the Kinder student to the parent and or guardian. If the parent and or guardian does not have the placard with them, the driver will return the student back to the elementary campus.
Click this link to get to the Alief ISD Transportation page: https://www.aliefisd.net/Page/6257
Celebrating Birthdays at Outley
Parents may bring birthday cupcakes for the class to celebrate the birthday child. Cupcakes can be brought to school by the student or left at the front office. Please adhere to the following:
-Items must come from an “approved” source (bakery or grocery store) that is inspected by the Health Department and brought in the original box in which purchased.
-To protect our students, items prepared in a private home cannot be brought to share with students.
-The classroom teacher will set aside 10-15 min at the end of the day for students to enjoy. If the teacher prefers, class may also go outside to enjoy.
Attention all 3rd and 4th Grade Parents:
All 3rd and 4th grade students will be participating in the AVID Elementary program. AVID Elementary consist of teaching and reinforcing academic behaviors and higher-level thinking at a young age. Elementary students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, and college, in an age-appropriate and challenging way. In AVID Elementary, children learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy. Participating students will need the following supplies:
AVID Supply List
1 year-long daily planner (provided by Outley)
2 ½ inch durable 3-ring binder
5 colored-tab subject dividers to separate each academic class (with pockets preferable)
Pencil bag (zippered pouch)- 3-holed punch to place in binders for storing supplies
Pencils
2 red pens
Sticky notes
Highlighters
2023–2024 Goodside Health SchoolMed Consent Form
Goodside Health (“GSH”) has partnered with Alief ISD to bring on-demand telehealth services to our school! Through our partnership, your child can be tested and treated for Strep, Flu, and COVID-19 as well as sore throat, headache, skin rash, pink eye, upset stomach, and the common cold. Goodside Health even allows children to receive sports physicals and age-appropriate mental health screenings. The medical providers can treat all students regardless of residency or insurance status with most visits delivered at little to no cost to families and translation services are available.
To participate in this program, please click the links below and fill out the consent forms. A paper copy was also sent home with your child.
Important information about cell phones - Please read
• the use of ECEDs is strictly prohibited during instructional hours, which is defined as the period of time from arrival on campus through dismissal;
• students may possess ECED(s) on AISD property and sponsored activities; however, it is the students’ responsibility to ensure that the ECED is turned off and out of sight during times of unauthorized use;
• students must not turn on or use the ECED until the end of the official instructional day; • and, that the use of ECED(s) in a manner that is obscene, illegal, profane, threatening or in a fashion which violates another person’s privacy is prohibited.
• ECEDs include, but are not limited to: cell phones, Gameboys, PSP, DS, DSi, CD players, MP3 players, IPods, IPhones, etc. Failure to comply with this policy will result in the ECED being confiscated from the student and turned in to the office.
• Confiscated items can be retrieved by parents or guardians on Tuesdays or Thursdays by presenting current photo identification and paying a $15.00 cash administrative fee each time a device is confiscated.
• While reasonable care will be given to safeguard all items confiscated, AISD will not assume responsibility or liability for loss, damage, theft or any unauthorized use of a confiscated ECED. A global warning is in effect and shall be considered sufficient as a first warning.
• Retrieved ECED property will be stored no longer than one calendar year plus one semester after the devise is confiscated.
Click the link for further information.
Bus Incentive Program - Parents, we need your help!
Bus safety and responsible behavior is a priority at Outley Elementary. This year we have decided to move forward with a bus incentive program to reinforce those behaviors.
- Each morning when the buses pull up to the school, we will be asking the driver to give a thumbs up or thumbs down rating for student behavior for the morning and the previous afternoon, which a monitor will record to collect for a weekly tallied amount.
- The winning bus will be spotlighted on the Monday morning announcements.
- All buses that were spotlighted will be entered in for a pizza party drawing at the end of the quarter!
Parents please review the bus rules with bus riders:
• Sit flat and stay in your seat.
• Talk quietly.
• Keep hands and feet to yourself.
• No eating, drinking, or gum chewing.
• The bus driver may assign seats, if needed.
The Admin. Support Team is here to Help
Outley Admin Support team includes: Eric Nelson (Family Liaison), Deborah Nichols (CIS), and Melissa Chin (Counselor)
The Family Liaison runs the Family Center, where he teaches classes to adults and 3 year olds, as well as helps keep track of parent visits at the school which impacts funding (make sure you sign in).
The CIS (Communities In Schools) Student Support Manager has a plethora of valuable information and resources. She helps find our parents and students outside help and services when needed.
The Counselor is here for parents, students, and the staff. She is here to help find resources, counsel students, listen, and help you as well.
When you need something, don’t be afraid to call, email, or schedule a conference, we are here for you.
IMPORTANT CAR RIDER INFORMATION
Students will be dismissed at 3:20 pm. All car riders will be picked up in the front drive. Parents must have the car rider dismissal tag displayed at all times. Students will not be released without the proper dismissal tag. Parents needing a new tag or an additional tag may pick it up in the front office. During dismissal time parents must park their car and proceed to the front office with proper ID to receive a new tag and then their child will be released.
Please do not block driveways, mailboxes and access to the parking lot at the community park for the neighborhood residents. We are working to make car rider pick-up as efficient as possible.
i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
Please click the link below for more information:
Breakfast
In School, ON TIME, All Day, Every Day!
Tardy/late slips are written for all students entering the building after 7:55; at this time parents must come into the school and sign in their students. The tardy/late bell schedule is outlined below.
7:40 = first bell (Students are released to class)
7:45= Announcements & Morning warm-ups
7:55 = tardy bell (Teachers are beginning instruction)
7:56-8:05 = (Tardy/late slips written)
There is NO PICKUP between 2:35 and 3:40.
Please click the link below for more information about attendance:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uz2NWHzuaYGn0XONy3z43bOynrw41cwbn34MYEGCdVk/edit?usp=sharing
Per district policy, earrings are not permitted to be worn by male students in elementary, intermediate or high school.
Free and Reduced Lunch
Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please note that if you received a notification letter that a child is directly certified for free or reduced-price meals, do not complete an application.
Water Bottles
All students should bring their own water bottle to school. We have them on sale for $6.00. If you would like it to be personalized, it is $8.00.
Click this link for Outley Swag (water bottles, shirts, lanyards, hair ties or zipper pulls):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dC7l1AAYEppeS3n4IMipfaFkbGgJIo2H/edit
Please click this link for more important information about Outley Elementary
Outley Elementary
Email: contact@aliefisd.net
Website: https://www.aliefisd.net/Outley
Location: 12355 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: (281) 584-0655
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outleyeagles
Twitter: @OutleyE