The Bear Branch Buzz

March 15, 2024

UPCOMING BBE EVENTS

March 8: End of 3rd Nine Weeks

March 11-15: Spring Break

March 18: Elementary Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development Day

March 20: Spring Photo Day

March 22: 1st Grade Field Trip to Little Beakers

March 22: 4th Grade Field Trip to Sam Houston Memorial Museum

March 22: Report Cards available in HAC

March 23: HERO Robotics Finals Competition

March 26: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Jesse Jones Park

March 26: 5th Grade Field Trip Biz Town

March 29: Staff and Student Holiday

April 1: 3rd Grade Program & PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

Thank you!

A HUGE shout out to our Bear Family for helping us reach our Boosterthon goal! We did it! Mrs. Herbst and Mrs. Simmons were silly stringed, pied in the face and turned into human sundaes! One more Mystery Challenge to come! Stay tuned!

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Absences

Please remember to send in an excuse if your child is absent from school. This excuse can be emailed, handwritten or submitted electronically using the absence form. Thank you for your help with this!

Report an Absence

Tree Lane Bridge

You may have noticed quite a bit of activity around the Tree Lane bridge. This is due to a City of Houston (COH) Public Works Department project that will begin this spring for the Tree Lane Bridge Rehabilitation Project. As we receive information, we will share with our BBE Community. This project may impact arrival and dismissal for walkers, bikers and car riders.

Project update regarding upcoming bridge construction:

Adjacent land area will be closed off with a construction fence.
One lane of traffic near the bridge may be closed intermittently, with the bridge remaining fully open during peak hours.
Detailed logistics and safety plans are being developed with the contractor.
Construction is anticipated to start in March or early April, subject to various factors such as material procurement.
The adjacent sidewalk may also be closed, pending finalization of safety measures with the contractor.

CoH Public Works Kicks Off Tree Lane Bridge Rehab Project

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Help Needed!

We have had to dispose of a number of library books due to becoming wet from water bottles in back packs. Please help us keep our library books and other materials safe from water damage by either carrying your water bottle or placing it in the side pocket of your backpack. Thank you for your help!

Yarn Club

Attention Yarn Club Families

We have enjoyed having your kiddos in Yarn club.We have plenty of hooks and yarn, but if your student would like a particular color they are welcome to bring their own yarn, (just not textured or rainbow as it can be unsuitable for crochet).

We have an important change in pick up location. We will begin dismissing YARN CLUB from the back parking lot at the regular time of 4:15p.m., so if you have an additional student dismissing at 4:30 from the front you will be able to pick up yarn club first and then drive around to the front for any additional club pick ups. This will help with safety and timeliness.

Secondly, we have two dates when there will be no yarn club, 4/8, 5/20. Thanks so much for your support and we will see y'all in the back parking lot Monday at 4:15. Thanks so much!

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Yearbook

For those who have not yet purchased a yearbook, we have limited copies available for sale. If you are interested in securing a copy for your child, please go to: https://www.balfour.com/texas/kingwood/bear-branch-elementary-school .

We encourage you to act quickly, as these copies will be allocated on a first come, first-serve basis.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. We are excited to share this wonderful memento with all of you and hope that it brings joy and fond memories of this unique school year.

Yearbook prices have increased to $25.00 as of 1/8/2024.

Order yours now at:

https://www.balfour.com/texas/kingwood/bear-branch-elementary-school

Don't miss out on getting your very own yearbook!

BBE Yearbook Order Form

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The B.R.Y.T.E Program

The B.R.Y.T.E. Program provides free counseling services for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or grief. B.R.Y.T.E. was established to address the mental health needs of trauma exposed children and adolescents. Click the link for more information.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QUNBCfV8oZFx6bZVln23lsaOJkA9qCof/view?usp=sharing

Nurse Notes

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Here are a few resources to review at home with your child over Spring Break to help make eating healthy & fun:

1. We all know Breakfast is an important meal for growing children. But did you know, studies show that breakfast eaters tend to have higher school attendance, less tardiness, and fewer hunger-induced stomach aches in the morning? This makes any school nurse happy! Also, students' overall test scores are higher, they concentrate better, solve problems more easily and have better muscle coordination. What more could a teacher ask for?! Learn more about Beyond the Table and healthy snacking tips for kids.

2. Read the Nutrition Facts label found on packaged foods and beverages to help make informed food choices. The label breaks down the amount of calories, carbs, fat, fiber, protein, and vitamins per serving of food. This makes it easier to compare the nutrition of similar products. Sometimes it is surprising to see what a serving size actually is...it's usually smaller than you think!

Explore the Nutrition Facts Label from the US Food and Drug Administration to learn more.

3. Use MyPlate.gov to learn about the 5 food groups to eat healthier. Discover activity sheets, games, and apps to help encourage your child to eat healthy foods from each group!

Download a few recipes to try!

What your favorite healthy foods?

Stay healthy, Bears!

Emily James, RN, BSN
Bear Branch Elementary Nurse
281-641-1605

281-641-1617 fax

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Copy Room Volunteers Needed

Copy Room Volunteers are needed to make copies for our teachers.

Visit www.bbepta.com and click on volunteer. You can sign up for a specific day of the week or a specific date.

If you have any questions, please contact Priscilla Reyna at copyroom@bbepta.com

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Forgotten Items

If your child forgets items at home, please deliver to the cubby shelf in the front entry labeled with your child's name, teacher and grade level before 10:00 a.m. Items will be delivered at 10:00 a.m. If you drop off items after 10:00 a.m., please notify the front office and they will call the student to pick up at teacher's discretion.

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Box Tops

Box Tops is an easy way to raise money for our school. Please click the icon above for more information on how to get the app and start earning! It is very easy! No more clipping!