October 8, 2020

PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” 

“The Trouble with Never” – Van Halen

 

I wanted to recognize the passing of a legend, but Van Halen's lyrics are not exactly elementary school newsletter material.  Typically, their lyrics are what they are, but the aforementioned does have an application to us. 

 

When was the last time we have done something for the first time?  Well, once again, we're in the middle of it.  Thank you to everyone for completing the re-selection process.  As of today, we are filtering through the data and determining our next steps.  I can share that we have 66% of our student body returning to the campus for instruction.  That is up a few percentage points from the 54% of a few weeks ago.  There will likely be some adjustments to class placements and section sizes, and I intend to contact those affected early next week. 

 

Thank you to the Sheffield and Fordham families for the restocking of the fridge with Waterloo and the baskets of snacks.  As always, we’re blessed with amazing community support, and your acts of kindness are highlights of the day/week!

 

Speaking of highlights…have you seen our EEF Tally Board?  It’s the giant chalk masterpiece that is making the front of our building look great!  Thank you to Gina Miller and Mary Catherine Campbell for heading up our campus efforts and to Veronica Hernandez, Mandy Moore, and Hillary Cumberworth for the artistic efforts!  Thank you to all the families who have contributed to EEF already.  I look forward to sharing more with you next week.

 

I hope everyone has a great three-day weekend!  If you're into it and can find some time, try tracking down the isolated Eddie Van Halen tracks - all the Eddie with none of the Van Halen versus Van Hagar debate.

 

 

Cody Spraberry

Proud Principal

Forest Trail Elementary

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

COUNSELING CORNER

 

Fall is my absolute favorite season and I am so glad that the weather is allowing us to get outdoors.  Each Fall National Bullying Prevention Month provides us with a great opportunity for parents and educators to foster empathy in our community.  Children who are viewed as "different" are often the targets of bullying and mean behavior so helping students understand and respect differences at an early age helps keep our community a safe place for everyone.  Eanes ISD has a great resource page for parents that can guide conversations about "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion."

 

To help develop leaders in our community Forest Trail and other Eanes ISD elementary schools will be celebrating Unity Day on October 21st to help promote the idea of acceptance, inclusion, and kindness. We hope to cover the campus in ORANGE as we pledge to stand together and treat each other the way we want to be treated.

We hope you enjoy our SEL Story this week that follows our theme this month.

Donate Today to EEF (Eanes Education Foundation) 

 

Hey, FTE Families! Let's show our teachers how much we appreciate them by giving back to EEF with 100% participation from our school! 

Did you know EEF the only organization that can pay the salaries of additional teaching and staff positions within Eanes ISD?!  Every dollar you donate stays in our district.  Generous donations last year funded these teachers and staff at FTE this year: Amy Gaither (Nurse), Denise Berry (Counselor), Hunter Hames (Kindergarten) and Brianna Bonnet (4th grade).   

 

Donate for Donuts! 
The GRADE with the highest level of giving participation will receive donuts and pajama day! In-person students will have donuts in their classrooms and remote students will have donut fairies deliver to their doorstep for their zoom classes! Don't delay; donate today for donuts! 

 

Currently, Kinder and 2nd Grade are in a very close competition for 1st place!!

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.

BOOSTER CLUB

NO-HASSLE FUNDRAISER UPDATE: We Have a Winner!

WOW!  We are humbled and grateful for the generosity of our FTE Community! In this year of perpetual adaptation, our fundraising goals were a bit different for our 2020 NHF, but y’all met and exceeded our expectations. Thank you so much to the families who donated; we had 70% overall participation and raised around $55k, which, in the middle of a global pandemic, is pretty stinkin’ impressive.  

 

And now, for the big moment… drum roll… BIG CONGRATULATIONS to SECOND GRADE for topping off the grade level competition at 74% participation! You’ve each earned a Woody’s Shave Ice!  If you are an in-person student, please check Thursday take-home folders today for your gift certificate. If you are a remote student, you will receive your gift certificate via mail or hand delivery within the next week.  Please reach out if you are missing your prize (ftenohassle1@gmail.com). 

 

And HUGE THANKS to Michelle Brandl and Katie Tucker for tackling our NHF in this very strange year - Y’all knocked it out of the park! 

 

VIRTUAL SCHOOL STORE: Grab Bags + Holiday Ornaments

Is your child missing the school store in a big way? Are you missing the constant influx of slime, stress balls, and smelly erasers? We've got the solution! Grow your kiddo's collection of tchotchkes and support FTE in one fell swoop by purchasing an official Forest Trail School Store Grab Bag on Membership Toolkit today! The bags are $10 each and the deadline to order is tomorrow: Friday, October 9. 

 

And while you’re shopping, get ahead of the holiday rush by placing your order for FTE, WRMS, and WHS ornaments. 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. 

 

SPIRIT WEAR RE-ORDER

Bummed you missed out on the Spring Spirit Wear Pre-Order? So jazzed about what you received from the first round that you’re left wanting more? Now is the time to stock up on this year’s t-shirt and sweatshirt designs for the whole family. Child and adult sizing available. This will be the LAST OPPORTUNITY to order Spirit Wear, so order yours today! Deadline to purchase is Friday, October 16. 

 

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 on the communication screens in the cafeteria and lobby. Any September birthdays wishing to participate will run with October birthdays… or you could celebrate your child’s half birthday! For further information, instructions, and to purchase, visit our website. 

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Staff Appreciation Committee

Our incredible Staff Appreciation Committee is hard at work spoiling our teachers, administration, and support staff.  If you’d like in on that goodwill action, please contact Alison Bogle at alisonbogle@hotmail.com. 

 

HELP SUPPORT EANES CREATIVES

Two of our amazing EISD teachers have teamed up to write a children’s book!  FTE’s own Mr. Aseron and Ms. Schafer from Eanes Elementary are the brainchildren behind Sir Dorian, an adventure story that promotes musical creativity. They have started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the final stages of publication. Learn more and support their efforts here. 

 

DIRECTORIES: Last Chance!

Tomorrow, October 9 is the new deadline to order directories (purchase yours today here!) and to have your child participate in the 2020/2021 Writing Contest. The overall winning writing will be featured on the cover of the FTE Directory.   Grade-Level winners will be featured in the directory with the class lists.   Please see guidelines below:

 

1. THEME:  KINDNESS

2.  WRITE a paragraph, a poem, an essay, a story about kindness, being kind, acts of kindness, etc.  (LESS THAN 50 WORDS)

3.  EMAIL your child’s writing to ftedirectory@gmail.com with the subject FTE DIRECTORY WRITING CONTEST. 

•  Please include your child’s Name/Grade/Teacher.

4. DUE Friday, October 9th.  No late entries will be accepted.  Only one submission per student, please.  MUST BE LESS THAN 50 WORDS.

5. MOST IMPORTANT –  Please let your child do their own work! 

 

SPIRIT NIGHT: Chick-fil-a

Our first Spirit Night of the year will be held at the Village at Westlake Chick-fil-a on October 14 from 4-8PM.  Hit up the drive-thru for snacks and supper, and be sure to mention Forest Trail to have a portion of your meal donated back to our school!

 

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE FORUM

If you weren’t able to attend the School Board Candidate Forum last Sunday but are interested in hearing the candidates’ views, you can watch the recording at our leisure on YouTube.  

 

Cheers, 

Kate Hall & Katie Ruback

Booster Club Co-Presidents

ftebccopres1@gmail.com

THE DISTRICT & BEYOND

EVENTS

COMMUNITY ED & BEYOND

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