Northlake Notes
December 21, 2023
This week's message is from Mrs. LaShon Easter. I have had the privilege of working with her these past weeks and learning from her wealth of knowledge and experience. Now it's your turn to get to know Mrs. Easter a little better and how she takes Northlake to Next Level Excellence. Cheers ~ Kylee Wall π
My name is LaShon Easter, and I am happy to support the Northlake School Community as Interim Principal during Principal Kellagher's absence.
Personally, I am a product of Richardson ISD, and I am a proud Lake Highlands High School Alum. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 31 years. We are the parents of four young adults. My passions are my faith and family; education; the arts; and serving my community.
Professionally, I hold degrees from Texas Woman's University, Dallas Baptist University, and The University of Texas at Dallas. This is my 31st year in education.
Northlake is one of 8 schools that has been designated by Superintendent Tabitha Branum as a Richardson ISD Pioneer school.
So, what does that mean? Northlake, along with all the magnet schools in RISD: Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet, Math Science Technology Magnet, Arapaho Classical Magnet, West JH, Westwood JH, Liberty STEM JH, and Richardson HS, were chosen to pilot student & staff electronic growth portfolios. Students at Pioneer Schools use SeeSaw in grades PreK-2nd to collect artifacts that show evidence of their learning growth over time. For 3rd-12th grade students, the platform being utilized is Schoology. For staff, Schoology is also used to collect the artifacts in a portfolio and then that portfolio is linked to Eduphoria, a platform that houses teacher growth goals and walkthrough feedback.
Why was Northlake the only non-magnet school chosen as a Pioneer School in RISD?
The Northlake Team has long held the importance of goal-setting and goal implementation with students through the AVID framework; therefore, Northlake was chosen to join the magnet schools in this enterprising endeavor based on the foundation that had previously been built.
What does this mean for our kids?
Students at Northlake have started building a portfolio of artifacts that center around the RISD Learning Framework. The idea is that this electronic portfolio will grow with them as they continue their learning journey, showing academic development. With learning at Northlake centered around essential questions that focus on forward thinking and evidence of growth collected over time, our students are quite literally mapping out their lives as active participants in their journey towards a successful future.
Here at Northlake, we love celebrating the diversity of our students, staff & community. Our Inclusion Team has worked hard to put together exciting and informative Black History Month activities with the theme of honoring Black History: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.
Here is the full BHM Calendar. Thank you to PTA for sponsoring snacks and supporting the Northlake Inclusion Team, our students, and our NLE Community. π€ππβ€οΈ
Students in Kindergarten and 1st Grade celebrated the 100th and 101st days of school on February 1st and 2nd respectively.
While our Kindergarteners may look a little wrinkled and gray, they were certainly still young at heart as the school cheered them on during their 100th Day of School Parade.
Who let the dogs out? Well that would be 1st Grade with a 101 Dalmatians themed day. These cute puppies were definitely pooped by the end of their many 101 themed activities.
Please join us in showing our appreciation to Ms. Sorensen and Ms. Gainey this week during National School Counselor Week (Feb 5-9). Our counselors many contributions include: providing resources, a listening ear, peer mediation, self-management, life skills for our students, and so much more. We appreciate you both!
The AVID Site Team works in vertical alignment to ensure that Northlake is streamlined PreK through 6th. This year, using the elements of WICOR: Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading, the AVID Site Team has planned campus-wide initiatives centered around the WICOR components. Most recently, the winter Inquiry initiative used an open-ended essential question to evoke thinking which students shared through writing, discussion, and detailed descriptions.
Ms. Beaudet and Ms. Cardwell of our 5th Grade Team facilitated the students that competed on behalf of Northlake at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition this past Saturday at Lake Highlands High School.
Students (shown left to right above):
Javier Villeda, Devon Altman, Caden Solomon, Lily Relyea, Graham Whitaker, and Calvin Harris represented for the Northlake Wildcats. Thank you to Ms. Cardwell, Ms. Beaudet, and all of our student competitors and parents for putting in the time, practice and grit to make it all happen.
Great job, Team! ποΈπΎ
4th Graders enjoyed a field trip to the Dallas Museum of Art. Although it was a rainy day, students were able to take in the art, collaborate on a group mural, and enjoy some fun outdoors.
Thank you to all our parent chaperones that completed the VOLY background check and took time off from busy schedules to come support.
Thank you to our Art Teacher, Ms. Tovar, the 4th Grade Team - Ms. Fisher, Ms. Horner, & Ms. Rey, and to Ms. Robarge and Mr. Amador who also attended the trip.
Here at Northlake, team camaraderie is extremely important. One way we show our appreciation for each other is by voting for a Team of the Nine Weeks each quarter. This vote is given purely by staff (no administrative votes here) as a way to laude one another's accomplishments and say that we see your team collaborating, sweating, working, planning, supporting, celebrating, and overall just doing what's best for kids every, single day.
Congratulations to the recent Team of the 2nd Nine Weeks - 5th Grade!
From left to right, pictured below: Grace Beaudet (Math), Cassie Cardwell (RLA), & Grace Barrett (Science).
Since we didn't feature them previously, a belated felicitations to the Team of the 1st Nine Weeks this 2023-24 school year - Kindergarten!
From left to right, pictured below: Mariah Elizondo, Grace Yau, Sally Schneider & Edith Fernandez (Dual Language).
Thank you to the PTA for funding the winning teams' treats.
5th Grade Team received a box of goodies from La Casita Bakeshop.
Kindergarten Team were treated to a box of breakfast tacos from Taco Cabana.
Morning announcements are back!
Mr. Aleman (our LITE) and Ms. Wall (that's me) have brought back the morning announcements. Students lead us in the United States and Texas pledges each morning. Following that, we put our paws up and recite the Northlake Wildcat Creed:
I am a Wildcat.
I CAN do it.
I do WHATEVER it takes, EVERY, SINGLE, DAY.
π― ROAR!
It helps us start the day feeling ready to take on anything that comes our way. So, when you feel like you are about to say that terrible word - "can't" - just take a deep breath and remind yourself... I'm a Wildcat - I CAN do it!
RISD Elementary Dress Code
Reminder that no crocs or "croc-like" shoes are allowed at school. Many croc-related incidents end up in the Nurse's clinic. Please do not make us have to be the "crocs police", as this rule is part of our district Elementary Dress Code. Please be sure your students are dressed appropriately for school each day. Thank you for your help keeping all our students safe! π
Parent Supervision at the Audelia Public Library
Please be sure that children are supervised at all times whether at the Audelia Public Library or the playground next to it. There have been injuries that have happened from students playing without guardian supervision. Please remind your children that if they are walkers, they should be walking straight home from school. The librarians do not supervise students, so please do not allow your children to go to the library without an adult.
Attendance Reminders
The school day is from 7:50-3:10.
The building opens at 7:30.
Breakfast is served in the classroom from 7:30-7:50.
Your child is tardy at 7:51 and will receive a tardy pass to get to class.
Your child is late for school after 8:05 and a parent will need to sign them in at the office.
If your child arrives to school after 9:00 AM they are counted absent for the day.
If you child is absent for any reason, please be sure to send a note to school on the day your child returns, letting us know the reason for the absence. Any excuse notes must be received within 3 days of returning to school in order to receive an excused absence.
If you have any questions regarding attendance, please email lorrie.ford@risd.org.
Birthday Reminders
Parents are welcome to bring a small birthday treat to celebrate their child's birthday. Here are a few reminders:
- Treats must be store bought or baked (cupcakes and cookies are best). We ask for store bought so teachers can see the ingredients listed in order to be mindful of any allergies students may have.
- We do not pass out drinks, party bags or balloons.
- Parents may drop treats labeled with child's name, grade and homeroom teacher, off in the main office, and we will get them to the classroom.
- We will not call students out of class to come to the office for pictures with their treats.
- Teachers will pass treats out at the end of the day.
To have your child's name added to the marquee for their birthday for just $10, please use this link to the PTA website. www.northlakepta.com/birthday-marquee
Focus Parent Portal
Please be sure to sign up for your Parent Focus Account. This will give you access to all kinds of important student information. Most importantly, you will have access to your child's grade.
Safety and Security Reminders
In the interest of safety & security, every visitor to a Richardson ISD campus must present a valid form of identification and be processed through the Raptor background check system each visit, regardless of previous checks. Please be sure that you have your valid identification with you every time you visit Northlake Elementary. Thank you for your patience and understanding as RISD works to ensure the safety of students and employees. Volunteer questions may be directed to the office of Strategy & Engagement.
Additionally, the front office staff will use the intercom system to ask visitors to identify themselves and the purpose of their visit before granting access to the office. This is part of our heightened security measures. Please be cooperative. As you enter the building, do not allow others to enter with you or to follow you through the doors as you enter or leave. Everyone who enters should ring the buzzer and speak to someone in the office before entering the school building. Thank you!
Lunch Visitors
Parents are welcome to come visit during lunch to eat with their students. We ask that you sign up for a day and time using the sign-up genius. In order to keep students safe and to accommodate everyone, please read through these reminders for visiting Northlake for lunch:
- Sign up for your visit using the Sign Up Genius.
- No Siblings, due to limited space on the stage.
- You may eat lunch with your child only.
- Please do not take pictures of your child while at lunch.
- When you are finished with lunch, please check out through the office. Parents may not go back to class with their children to visit.
Free/Reduced Breakfast and Lunch
Parents must apply for their child/children to receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch. Last year everyone received free school breakfast but this year families must apply to receive free or reduced breakfast. The application must be completed as soon as possible to ensure that there is no interruption to their meal service. This application needs to be filled out every year. Please click on the picture or link below to get to the lunch application.
School Lunch Options
Students are welcome to pack a nutritious lunch from home or a lunch may be purchased in the school cafeteria. If your child happens to forget their lunch from home, please drop it off in the front office by 10:30 AM. This will ensure that the lunch will reach your child by their lunch time. Please refer to the RISD Child Nutrition website for menus, pricing and payment options.
Volunteering at Northlake & RISD
If you would like to volunteer at Northlake Elementary, you must complete a volunteer background check EVERY new school year. Volunteering could include helping with class parties, attending field trips with your children, working in the library, helping at Field Day, or many other activities. We will not allow anyone who has not completed and passed the volunteer background check to volunteer.
Please click on this link to complete the background check. You MUST also watch the very short powerpoint at the end to complete the entire background check. Failure to watch the powerpoint will make your application incomplete and you will not be able to volunteer.
Northlake PTA
Please be sure to check out their website for different ways you can help out. You can also reach out to Amanda Hinders at President@NorthlakePTA.com for more information about PTA.
We need your help! We are working hard to grow our PTA membership. It costs $8 to join PTA and there is no time commitment needed. We always need volunteers at PTA school events such as Carnival, Multi-Cultural Night and Buddy Fun Day. But, we are flexible and you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows.
You can find more information out about our PTA on their website. Thanks in advance for supporting our school! https://www.northlakepta.com/
Dates to Remember
February - Black History Month
Feb 5-9th - National School Counseling Week
Feb 5th - 102nd Day of School!
Feb 6th - STAAR Stand Alone Field Testing (3-5 Spanish, 6 RLA)
Feb 8th - Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
Feb 9th - Community Garden Day
Feb 10th - Lunar New Year
Feb 13th - Interim Testing (5th Science)
Feb 14th - Valentine's Day Parties
Feb 15th - College Shirt Day; Early Release Day (ECSE/PreK/Buses 12:50, Walkers 1:00, Cars 1:05)
Feb 19th - No School for Students, Staff Development Day
Feb 20-21st - TELPAS Testing
Feb 22nd - 6th Grade Dallas Holocaust Museum
Feb 27th - Interim Testing (3-6 Reading)
Feb 29th - Interim Testing (3-6 Math)