October 22, 2020
PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
“Whoa, we’re halfway there…” – “Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi
NICE WORK, Falcon Families! We’re well on our way to our EEF goal of 100% participation. (Fun fact: “Whoa, we’re almost 40% of the way there” didn’t sound as good in production.) Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our EEF Donate for Donuts campaign. As you can see we are in our natural place in front leading the way for the district. If compelled, you can send in your Eanes Education Foundation contribution by October 31st for your child’s grade to be eligible to win a donut and PJs party (donut fairies will deliver to remote learning families). Second grade is currently in the lead, but it’s not too late to catch up! Link to donate: https://eaneseducationfoundation.org/donate/
Thank you to the Berend and Qualman families for providing our staff with snacks and a stocked fridge this week. I failed to mention the generosity of the Dawson and Bancroft families for taking care of last week, but we sincerely appreciate their thoughtfulness as well. On Monday, our staff was welcomed with a huge spread of tacos, muffins, fruits, and coffee. Thank you so much to the families that made it possible (the Cooper-Sawani family, Fordham family, Hall family, Hernandez family, Kant family, Pollard family, Ruback family, Shields family, Tucker family, and the Turner family).
As October comes to a close, please keep in mind a few important dates:
October 23 – Report Cards Posted 9:00 a.m.
You will be able to view your child(ren)’s report card by logging into your Skyward account.
October 28 – FTE Dress Up Day
More information to come, but as you plan your costume please remember no guts, no gore, no weapons, no masks (well, except those we wear daily).
October 29 – FTE Parent/Teacher Conferences
Students will not have school. Teachers will be conferencing with parents all day. Conferences will be held via Zoom and should be scheduled with your teacher. Please remember, even though these will be on Zoom, this is a PARENT/TEACHER conference and an opportunity to discuss the glows and the grows concerning your child. As such, this may not be the best opportunity for your child to contribute to the conversation.
October 30 – FTE Parent/Teacher Conferences
Students will not have school. Teachers will be conferencing with parents all day. Conferences will be held via Zoom and should be scheduled with your teacher. Please remember, even though these will be on Zoom, this is a PARENT/TEACHER conference and an opportunity to discuss the glows and the grows concerning your child. As such, this may not be the best opportunity for your child to contribute to the conversation.
November 3 – School Holiday (Election Day)
Enjoy the day, exercise your right, and have that conversation with your kiddo(s). They’re asking LOTS of great questions about our community…both locally and nationally.
I hope you all have a great weekend and apologies for the Bon Jovi earworm!
Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Forest Trail Elementary
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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
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
We have had some great conversations with students this week talking about acceptance, inclusion, and kindness as we celebrate Unity Day. If you as a parent would like to take this conversation further Eanes ISD has fabulous resources to help parents talk with kids about diversity, equity, and inclusion. I encourage you to explore the content.
I know we said that we would only be sharing stories twice per month but I HAD to share one of my favorites, Just Ask by Sonia Sotomayor.
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EEF COMMUNITY GIVING DAY
Join us this Saturday for Eanes Education Foundation Community Giving Day! EEF will have tables all around Westlake, making donating easy and fun. FTE will be at the Lost Creek park location from 10am-1pm with donuts and coffee. Come on by and Donate for Donuts! *All who donate at the event get entered into a drawing for a gift basket*
Without EEF we would not have these teachers and staff at FTE this year:
Amy Gaither - School Nurse
Denise Berry - Counselor
Brianna Bonnet - Fourth Grade Teacher
Hunter Hames - Kindergarten Teacher
Your donation = School Nurses, Social Emotional Counselors, Librarians, Innovative Programs, GT Classes, P.E, Music & Art Teachers
Donate for Donuts! The GRADE with the highest number of donating participants gets a FREE Donut Coupon and PAJAMA DAY! Currently 2nd grade is in first place with Kindergarten still a close 2nd! We are starting to see upward momentum with both 4th and 5th grade! There is still time to catch up and win. Don't Delay, Donate for Donuts Today!
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It’s Destination Imagination Creative Problem-Solving Time!
If you have a student who is a creative thinker and enjoys open-ended challenges, then “DI” is a great outlet!! Become a Team Manager and create a team with up to seven members, and design a solution to an open-ended challenge in one of seven challenge areas such as science, structural engineering, improv, fine arts, service learning, and technical engineering (for grades 3-12), or Rising Stars (for primary grades). Although students may solve the challenges remotely or in-person, all tournaments will be virtual this year. Please contact Carol Reese at creese@eanesisd.net for more information.
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BOOSTER CLUB
FALCON STRONG, TOGETHER
Welcome to the next chapter of our very own Choose Your Own Adventure… adventure! We hope the transitions from remote to in-building (or vice versa), to blended learning, and/or to meeting new teachers and classmates have been as smooth and uneventful for your families as humanly possible. Since your heads are likely still spinning from all that pivoting, we’re keeping our updates simple this week - all oldies, but goodies, if you will.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: Save the Date
Our general membership meeting for November will take place on Friday, November 13 at 8:30 AM via Zoom. This month, in addition to our regularly scheduled {BC update} programming, we will participate in a conversation surrounding racial justice led by Emlyn Lee, founder of the nonprofit organization BRAVE Communities. Emlyn will help us ponder the definition of racial justice, its importance in our community, and ways in which our families can practice what we preach. You won’t want to miss this important dialogue - especially if you’ve been grappling with ways to talk with your kids about race and social change. Zoom Meeting ID and more details to come.
LAST CHANCE FOR SPIRIT WEAR
And this time we mean it! Spirit Wear Reorders will close this Sunday, October 25th. Now is the time to stock up on this year’s t-shirt and hoodie sweatshirt designs for the whole family. Child and adult sizing available. This will be the LAST OPPORTUNITY to order 2020/21 Spirit Wear, so order yours today! Delivery will be made to in-person students in their classrooms prior to Thanksgiving Break. A pick-up option for remote students will be available on the same timetable.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Grab Bags
Our school store grab bags were such a success, we’re making them available weekly! The bags are $10 each and all orders will be delivered (or available for pickup) the week after you complete your order on Membership Toolkit.
VIRTUAL SCHOOL STORE: Holiday Ornaments
Show your school spirit - holiday style! - by placing your order for FTE, WRMS, and WHS ornaments today. These handmade beauties feature our community schools’ mascots, as well as an option to personalize the back with your student’s name and the year. Each ornament is $15 and the deadline to purchase is Friday, November 6.
BIRTHDAY CARDS
With more kiddos attending school in-building, we are reviving the electronic birthday cards that run the month of your child’s birthday (or half birthday) on the communication screens in the cafeteria and lobby. For further information, instructions, and to purchase, visit our website.
Cheers,
Kate Hall & Katie Ruback
Booster Club Co-Presidents
THE DISTRICT & BEYOND
 The Penny Swap, also known as Eanes ISD Proposition A, adds more funds to the district’s operating budget by swapping two cents from the district’s interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate to the district’s maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate. Click to watch a quick 4-minute explainer video.
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 October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Please join us for EISD Dyslexia Awareness Night on October 22, 2020 @ 5:30PM. Parents & Educators are welcome!! Presented by EISD Dyslexia Specialists. |
EVENTS
Oct 22 2020 C DAY All day |
Oct 22 2020 Dyslexia Awareness Night 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM |
Oct 23 2020 A DAY All day |
COMMUNITY ED & BEYOND
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