February Greetings……

As the school year continues to roll along. The month of February has quite a few fun and educational activities outside the Castle as well as inside.  The 4th graders are traveling to Austin to receive some hands-on Texas history on the 15th.

College/Career Day is on February 22nd.  Make sure your students come wearing their favorite college shirtJ. Kingdom Tales Receptions start on the 26th with kindergarten.  If you were here for Science Night you know it was FANTASTIC! Every year it gets better and better. Who would have thought 6 years ago when we had our first Science Night with around 150 participants would grow to 780 participants? Science Night is one of the best nights here at Castle Hills enjoyed by students, parents, and teachers alike. In addition, we had almost fifty 5th grade students share their science projects on Force and Motion. What an exceptional job they did.

Last week, I completed my Principals’ Coffees with Kindergarten parents.  I want to again thank all of the parents who came to the coffees and shared their ideas to make Castle Hills an even better school. Be ensured that your suggestions have been shared with each grade level. Although all suggestions cannot always be implemented, many of your suggestions have been implemented or will be next year when it is a more appropriate time.

Friendly reminder as students tend to grow :)

Dress Code:  Dresses/skirts/shorts should not be shorter than approximately where the finger tips hit when they are hanging down with the hand open.  Another way to measure length is to make sure they are no shorter than 4 inches above the knee. Spaghetti straps are not allowed – shoulder straps need to be the width of a dollar bill.  This applies even to our adorable little kindergarten girls.  It always bothers kids when someone has to speak to them about their clothing choices so please ensure they are not put in that position. If your child wants to wear a top or dress that is not in dress code, make sure they have a sweater to wear over the top or dress. Thanks for your help with this.

Although it is the middle of February, it is the time of year that I start planning for the next school year. You will receive information on how to provide input for your child’s placement for next year soon. Please keep a look out for this information to ensure you follow the timeline.  I also need your help with student numbers for next year.  To prevent student placements from being changed once made, it is very important that I know how many teachers I will have at each grade level. Please let any family you know who has a Kindergartener or 1^st grader who was in private school and who will be a Castle Hills Dragon next year to go online and register now. March 27th, 28th, and 29th from 8:30-11:30am and 1:00 – 2:00pm  is Kindergarten and new student registration on campus. This is when you provide the following paperwork to school to finish the registration process.

• Original birth certificate
• Original Social Security Card
• Immunization records
• Proof of address (gas, water, or electric bill)
• Parent ID

Please remember you must have registered online initially before coming to hand in your paperwork.  Thank you.

Kindergarten and 1st grade seem to always be the grade levels whom I am most concerned about whether or not we will lose a class in. As I continue to lose classes, these losses move up to the next grade level each year. A smaller school is always nice, but we are a family here at Castle Hills and it is the loss of a teacher that really affects us. This is why registration is so important. Any help with this information is greatly appreciated. Also, Norma sent home a green form for current students to indicate if they are returning next year (K-4).  Please complete these forms quickly and return them.  All information will be used for placing children for the 2019-2020 school year.

As flu and stomach bugs are all around us, I want to share that the National PTA has sent us 10 cases of Lysol wipes to use at school. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Please, please, please, do not send your child to school if they have a fever of 100 or higher. Remember they can’t return to school until they are fever free without medication for 24 hours. Sending them to school too soon, infects others and also can cause your child to get sick again as their immune system is not at 100%.

That is all for now.

Donna J. Taylor, M.Ed
Principal

Note: There was a typo in the originally attached Time for Kindergarten flyer and email below. The correct date for the General Time for Kindergarten Meeting at Career Center East is February 28 at 5:30 (not Feb. 21). The Feb. 28 CCE Kinder meeting date is correct on the LISD Kindergarten Enrollment site. (https://www.lisd.net/Page/21761)

The PTA Volunteer Program is one of the best ways that parents can support the students and staff at our school. 

Please review the brief descriptions of each volunteer area and indicate your preliminary interests. Your contact information will then be forwarded to the CHE PTA board member or committee chair that is in charge of that activity.  Someone will be in touch with you soon.

Please be aware that Board Policy requires that each volunteer undergoes a background check before working with students.  You will need to complete the background check during your VOLY account creation process. Go to VOLY now to get started:  

Here are sign up opportunities to support our school, teachers, and students:

EVENT-SPECIFIC

YEAR-ROUND

  Thanks for volunteering! 

This past week, Mrs. Rains attended the Texas School Counselor Association conference where she accepted the CREST - Counselors Reinforcing Excellence in Texas - Award for the second year in the row for Castle Hills Elementary. Congratulations, Mrs. Rains!

Here is what your students are doing this 3rd Nine Weeks in Specials:

PTA's mission is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

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