Volume 7, Issue 6 http://es.houstonisd.org/valleywestes/ February 2013 Valley West Elemenary 10707 S. Gessner Houston, TX 77071 713-773-6151 Feb. 4 th -15 th High Frequency Word Test Feb. 5 th -4 th grade Field Trip to Buffalo Soldiers Museum Feb. 5 th Los Tios Fundraiser 4:00-10:00pm Feb. 5 th - 100 th Day of School!! Feb. 6 th - Ms. Alvarado & Ms. Ballestas 3 rd Grade Field Trip to the Downtown Library 9:15-1:15 Feb. 7 th Ms. Chen & Ms. Patel 3 rd Grade Field Trip to the Downtown Library 9:15-1:15 Feb. 8 th Progress Reports go Home Feb. 8 th - Math Problem Solving Contest- 3 rd -5 th Grade Feb. 8 th Class Pictures-Students must wear Uniforms Feb. 11 th Chinese New Year Activities Feb. 14 th Happy Valentine s Day! Valentine s Day Dance-3-5pm Students in Grades 3-5 only Feb. 19 th Black History Program in the Activity Room 8:30am PK-2 nd 1:30 pm 3 rd -5 th Grade Feb. 20 th EARLY DISMISSAL AT 12:00 NOON! Feb. 21 st PTO Meeting at 6:00pm 1 st, 2 nd and Performances from the Black History Program Feb. 22 nd - Math Problem Solving Contest- 3 rd -5 th Grade Upcoming Events Spring Break March 11 th -15 th SOCCER ANYONE? Come play soccer with the Meyerland Soccer Club, and teams are forming now for the spring season. Practices will start after February 11, 2013, and games start in late February and end before Memorial Day. The whole goal is to have kids have a good time playing soccer. The league stresses sportsmanship, and stresses positive competitive games and the kids really seem to enjoy it. We bend over backwards to accommodate friend requests, practice day requests, sibling scheduling issues and we want friends to be able to play with friends. The earlier you register, you are more likely to have your playing requests granted. The club offers soccer for Pre- K through Fifth Graders - i.e. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 year olds. Please contact Pat Huttenbach at 713-220-9184 or Eric Bishop at 713-729-3200 ex 3230 for more information. Registration forms and more information are available on the Meyerland Soccer Club website: http://www.erjcchouston.org/soccer The Black History Program is scheduled for February 19, 2013. The theme for the program is The Heart of Black History. Pre-K -2 nd grade will be performing at 8:30 on that morning and 3 rd 5 th will be performing at 1:30 that afternoon. On Thursday February 14 th the fifth grade team will be hosting the annual 5 th Grade Valentine s Day Dance from 3:00 5:00 pm. The dance will be open to all students in grades 3-5 who have earned an E or S in conduct.
In February we will be participating in the Black History Performance as Black Cowboys. Please begin to rustle up some cowboy attire and accessories for the day. Please watch for details of the performance to be sent home later. On Thursday, February 14 th we will be celebrating Valentine s Day. Please send in cards and goodies for every child in the class. Class list and numbers are in your child s folder. We have completed the Middle of the Year assessments. Please continue to work on recognizing letters and numbers to 30. If you would like to discuss your child s progress please contact your child s teacher. We want to congratulate all of our kindergarteners for a wonderful job on the TPRI/Tejas LEE testing that finished Friday. We are so proud of your progress in literacy and can t wait to see how everyone is reading at the end of the year! We are just starting our dinosaur unit, so get ready to start digging. Dear Parents, All of the first grade students have been practicing their High Frequency Words everyday in class. Please continue to work with them at home and prepare them for the next test in the beginning of February. School begins daily at 7:30am and breakfast will no longer be served after 8:00am. It is very important for your child to come to school on time and to do homework every night. Practice reading for 20 minutes daily and ask your child questions about the story to work on comprehension skills. Please help us restock some classroom supplies: pencils, Kleenex tissue boxes, and hand sanitizers. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! Just a reminder, we will have early dismissal at noon on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. Thank you, First Grade Team
This month in math we will be covering a very important and somewhat difficult skill: 2-digit addition and subtraction with regrouping. Please work with your child to practice this concept and complete their homework every night. In science this month we will be learning about weather and the seasons. Please help your child by watching or listening to the weather portion of the news and then discussing the forecast several times a week. You can also ask them what type of clothing they should wear and what activities they might do during the different types of weather that occur. The middle of the year administration of the TPRI reading assessment has just been completed. We are seeing a lot of growth across the grade level! If you would like to discuss your child s individual results, please contact his or her teacher to set up a time. The 2 nd administration of the High Frequency Word assessment will be given between February 4 and February 15. If your child did not pass the test when it was given in the fall, be sure to practice the words daily to get ready for the test. Remember, passing the High Frequency Word test is a second grade promotion standard. Field Trip Thursday, February 7 th to the Central Houston Public Library and Tunnel Downtown. The bus will be leaving school at 9:15am and returning at 1:15pm. The cost of the trip is $5. Please be sure to submit your child s permission slip and money as soon as possible. For lunch your child will need a sack lunch or meal option from McDonald s. A few reminders: Please have your child to school by 7:15a.m. Please make sure your child complies with the school dress code. Please send two #2 pencils with erasers daily. Please read to your child for at least 15 minutes every day. Please continue to practice basic math facts with your child. Please continue to check the Tuesday folders each week. The third grade team is thankful for all of your support during the first semester of this year. We look forward to sharing more successes with you. Sincerely, Your Third Grade Team Mrs. Alvarado, Ms. Ballestas, Ms. Chen, and Mrs. Patel
Fifth grade news The fifth grade students have been enjoying their field trips to Star Base. They have been participating in several hands-on activities and were also given the opportunity to simulate flying a helicopter. February 7, 2013 will be the last day for students to attend Star base. On Thursday February 14 th the fifth grade team will be hosting the annual 5 th Grade Valentine s Day Dance from 3:00 5:00 pm. The dance will be open to all students in grades 3-5 who have earned an E or S in conduct. Please remember that attendance and getting to school on time is very important. School begins daily at 7:30 in the morning and students need to be able to eat breakfast and transition to their morning class on time. Please continue to check, sign and return your child s homework/conduct log. Also check with your child or child s teacher to make sure they have adequate supplies for class. If they do not please replenish. Thanks, in advance for your support and cooperation. The Fifth Grade Team
Nurse Notes: Remember to take care of your heart in February! Jump rope, play basketball or run around. All exercise is good for your heart! Parents of PK-1 st grade: Please send an extra set of clothes to school with your child. This will give your child something to wear in case their clothes get wet. K-5 Students will be finishing Keyboarding lessons in the Computer Lab. 1 st & 2 nd grade will begin using Microsoft Word and 3 rd -5 th grade students will begin PowerPoint and other presentation programs. Visit these websites for more information: http://es.houstonisd.org/valleywestes/mrs.%20arnold's%20weblinks.htm Happy Computing! Mrs. Arnold earnold1@houstonisd.org Valley West Spelling Bee The 2013 Valley West Spelling Bee was held January 11, 2013, at 8:30 in the school s Activity Room. The winners for the Spelling Bee were Fernando Andrade Spelling Bee Champion 5 th Grade Mrs. Goodman s Homeroom Kareem Fundikira Runner-Up 4 th Grade Mrs. Holloway s Homeroom Fernando Andrade, Valley West Spelling Bee Champion, will represent Valley West Elementary in the District Spelling Bee on February 13, 2013, at the Young Men s College Preparatory. CONGRATULATION AND GOOD LUCK FERNANDO!
************************************************************************ Los Tios Fiesta Night Fundraiser Present this flyer on Tuesday February 5th between 4:00pm and 10:00pm at Los Tios Mexican Restaurant Meyerland (4840 Beechnut). Dine In or Take Out Welcomed call ahead 713-660-6244 Pick up additional flyers and give them out to your family and friends Come support our school, visit with old and new friends, and enjoy a GREAT Mexican Dinner! 20% of all sales (excluding alcohol) will be donated back to our school. Thank You for Supporting, PTO Valley West ES!!!