August 30, 2018
PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
We did it!
We are one whole week into the school year. We have loved seeing so many smiling faces, and our teachers have been working their magic building relationships and laying the groundwork for an amazing year. Hopefully, the new "normal" is finding its way to you all. The Spraberry Clan is still getting accustomed to the old routines returning and bringing with them a consistent dinner schedule and normal bedtime. Truth be told, stomach bug and bad clown dreams aside, I am happy to report we're headed in the right direction and getting close.
Along with routines, there are often processes which undergo some sort of tinkering. Such is the case with our buses. The first week is incredibly valuable to our transportation department as they assess overcrowded buses and the addition/subtraction of stops to ensure the needs and safety of our students are met. Thank you for patience and understanding while "Sweeper Buses" and changes in routes have made their way to us. Dismissal this week has been much smoother and very close to our expected time frames. Progress is being made, and I thank you again for your understanding.
Thank you for registering your child(ren) with the SMART Tag Campus Dismissal Manager. By doing so you are increasing our efficiency and accuracy with the dismissal process while cutting down on interruptions in the classroom. In past years, the amount of lost instructional time at the end of the day had been considerable. Teachers were receiving calls from the office during class and in some cases, feeling tethered to phones and emails to make sure students were dismissed properly. By creating your default and making any changes to said default, you're assisting our teachers by directing their attention and focus to where it should be: the students and instruction. I'm so excited to have our teachers free from their phones and laptops after 2:00 and able to dismiss from the daily report generated after that time. All changes to your child's dismissal must be made through the system before 2:00pm, as changes made after that time will no longer be accepted.
Beginning Tuesday, September 4, teachers will be dismissing students solely as indicated through the system. Thank you for updating your defaults within Campus Dismissal Manager and using the tool to inform us of any changes (including any absences).
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Is there a FTE Staff Member You Would Like to Recognize...
Falcon Finest Acknowledgements
Please join me in spreading those feel good vibes around our campus. Everyday our bus drivers, custodians, office staff, and teachers are doing incredible things. If there is a FTE staff member you would like to recognize for their contributions, please let me know by clicking the link below.
SCHOOL NEWS
Library News
AUTHOR VISIT with Sheila Turnage
On September 11, the FTE 4th and 5th graders have been invited to attend an author visit at Valley View Elementary. Sheila Turnage's books have won many honors, including a Newbery Honor, Texas Bluebonnet list, and Edgar Award Finalist. Her fourth book has just been released in her popular Mo & Dale mystery series. If you would like to get a signed copy of her book, please return the book order form to the FTE library by September 10th. Please see order form for more details.
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Popcorn Volunteers Are Needed!
We are in need of Popcorn volunteers for our 2018/2019 school year. Weekly popcorn snack has been an awesome tradition at Forest Trail for many years and is much appreciated by our amazing students and faculty, in addition to being a huge fundraiser for our school. Please volunteer one morning a month to keep the Popcorn Popping!
To sign up please contact Mia Townsend at:
Miattownsend@gmail.com
512-608-7777
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Join the FTE Staff Appreciation Committee ...
Day too empty? Looking for one more thing for your to-do list? We have the committee for you! The Staff Appreciation Committee serves our wonderful and deserving FTE staff throughout the year. We provide meals, treats, recognition and surprises to give a fraction back to the people who give so much to our children.
Who are we kidding? NO ONE has a bunch of time on their hands, which is why this is still the committee for you. It is a no pressure committee where you can do as little or as much as you are able. Be the person that purchases a package of napkins once all year and you've nailed it! Be the person that bakes a homemade lasagna and personally serves at 3 events during the year and you've nailed it too!
What are you waiting for? Email Katie Tucker at katie.t.tucker@gmail.com to join in the fun! We'll be holding an information meeting soon, so don't delay.
Thanks! Alison Bogle, Colleen Dartez & Katie Bogle - Staff Appreciation Committee Co-Chairs
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
BOOSTER CLUB CORNER
Welcome Back to School Forest Trail Falcons!!
If you have not done so please go to https://foresttrailbc.membershiptoolkit.com/home to register your child in our system. This is the system we use for STEAM Fest, popcorn, Birthday Cards and much more!! Every cent raised by the booster club impacts Forest Trail staff and students.
We have so many people to thank for making the first few weeks a total success. Thank you to Alison Bogle, Katie Tucker and Colleen Dartez of our Staff Appreciation Team for making our faculty feel loved. We were able to gift each staff member a back to school gift card and some much needed cleaning supplies. Thank you to Laura Boone and James Rossie for the hundreds of hours they spent building the brand new website. We love it!! Thank you Shannon DeLeon for the new spirit wear. Our kids are looking super styling in all of their new threads. Thank you Mary Catherine Campbell for matching bus buddies and last but not least, thank you to Heather McMinn and Meredith Jones for handling school supplies. It takes a village to make Booster Club run smoothly so a big thank you to everyone who pitched in over the past few weeks.
Love,
Leslie Odom & Kelley Inmon
EISD NEWS
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The Fall Eanes ISD Community Education Enrichment Catalog is out! Take a look at the variety of options we have - sports, languages, performing arts, robotics and more. View Fall Enrichment Catalog.
September 12, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Find out more about the benefits of DI and his year’s challenges! Learn about how teams are formed on your campus, student workshops, and team manager training. Click title for more details.
UPCOMING EVENTS
COMMUNITY ED & BEYOND
FOREST TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
4101 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746
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