Blog Archives

Club Schedule Tomorrow

10/28/2014

Parents and Students,

Tomorrow will be our first round of Tuscany Clubs this school year! We are doing something different this year and hosting clubs duirng the school day to provide a chance for all students to "Sharpen their Saw" while here. We will participate in student clubs (their choice) once per nine weeks grading period. Wednesday, Oct. 29th will be our first club meeting. Therefore, we will operate on an early academic schedule like we do on early dismissal days but students will dismiss to their clubs, return to homeroom class, and prepare for dismissal at 2:40pm. It will be a full day of school, yet it will impact their schedules for lunch, recess, and specials.

If you plan to eat lunch with your child tomorrow, please reach out to the teachers to determine their lunch time. It should be the same as it is on early release days.

Thank you and don't forget to ask your students about their club!

Tara Bailey

T.H.E.'s Weekly eBlast

10/26/2014

Parents and Students,

Welcome to the end of October and the first nine weeks of school! It has been a busy start to the school, but our students and staff members are working hard. Thank you for your never ending support.

Thank you,

Tara Bailey

Upcoming Events

Oct. 20th-29th: THE’s Pumpkin Character Contest (Details Coming Soon from the Library)

Oct. 27th: PTA Presents- The Adventures of Wonder and Stinger

Oct. 29th: First "During the School Day" Club Meeting- All students will participate in a club this year during our new club opportunities. Wednesday, the students will spend the last portion of their day in clubs prior to dismissal at 2:40pm.

Oct. 30th: Fall Picture Retakes; Coffee with Covey Parent Meeting 9-9:30, Room 204

Oct. 31st- Nov. 7th: Fall Book Fair

Oct 31st: “Orange” you glad you are a tiger? We are! Wear Orange; Report Cards Go Home; 1st Nine Weeks Awards Assembly for our Students

Nov. 2nd: Daylight Savings Time

Nov. 4th and 5th: Early Dismissal Day, 12:40pm, Parent-Teacher Conferences

Nov. 4th: Election Day (THE will be an election site.)

Nov. 7th: Read across School (Wear your character costumes and bring your favorite book), Field Day, NO CHARACTER PARADE THIS YEAR

Field Day Schedule:

9:00-9:50: Kinder

9:50-10:40: First

10:40-11:30: Third

11:30-12:00: Lunch

12:00-12:50: Second

12:50-1:40: Fourth

1:40-2:30: Fifth

Nov. 11th: Veteran’s Day Celebration (More Information Coming); National Young Reader’s Day

Nov. 13th: LiM Night Grades 3-5 (More Information Coming)

Nov. 14th: National “I Love to Write” Day (Actually, Nov. 15th) and National Bundt Cake Day

Nov. 21st: Administratos sing "Happy" to the students as the reward for raising over $10, 000 in Greenbacks

Nov. 24th- 28th: Thankful Break for all!

COUNSELORS’ CORNER

October 30th, 9-9:30a.m., Room 204- Coffee with Covey Parent Meeting- Invite on our website http://www.neisd.net/tuscany/, Come find out more about the 7 Covey Habits that our students are embracing!

Check out our website for an Anti-Bully Presentation from our counselors http://www.neisd.net/tuscany/

Library Corner

Follow NEISD Libraries on Facebook! “Like” us on Facebook, and you’ll see what we’re up to in the Tuscany Library and libraries around the district.

https://www.facebook.com/NEISDLibraryServices

Teddy Bear Sleepover: Our THE Kindergarteners dropped off their stuffed animal friends on Friday as part of our lesson on making predictions. On Monday, they will see pictures of the weekend slumber party and see if their predictions were correct.

Literary Pumpkin Patch Contest: Don’t forget that character pumpkins are due THIS Wednesday, October 29th!

Book Fair: Our book fair is scheduled to open on Friday, October 31st. Students and THE families may also shop November 3rd-November 8th. Feel free to visit the library before or after your child’s parent teacher conference. Thank you for supporting the library!

Read Around the School: Read around the School is November 7th. Students are encouraged to dress as their favorite book character!

Please visit Mrs. Johnson’s webpage for event details: http://neisd.libguides.com/welcome_tuscany_heights_library

PTA News

Honorary Texas PTA Life Membership Award

–Deadline – Monday, October 27!

An Honorary Texas Life Membership is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the Texas PTA for outstanding contributions to the well being of children and youth. If you know someone who has gone the “extra mile” for our children, is a valuable volunteer, is an exceptional teacher, dedicated to education, is an outstanding staff member, or is a Community Member who shares his/her resources and expertise for the benefit of all children, then please consider nominating this individual for this very special award. It is not necessary that this person be a member of the Tuscany Heights PTA. Please complete a nomination form found here and return it to the Tuscany Heights School PTA in a sealed envelope labeled “Life Membership.” Be sure to include a summary on why you believe this person should receive this award. You may use the back of the form, or include a separate letter. Awards will be announced and presented at T.H.E. PTA General Meeting, December 2.

FIELD DAY!

Our Annual Field Day event is scheduled for Friday, November 7th.

Here is the schedule:

9:00-9:50: Kinder

9:50-10:40: First

10:40-11:30: Third

11:30-12:00: Lunch

12:00-12:50: Second

12:50-1:40: Fourth

1:40-2:30: Fifth

Field Day is a favorite among our students. Our PE teachers plan a number of fun activities for the students to enjoy, including inflatables. We do need a lot volunteer support to keep the stations running smoothly. The first shift is from 8:30 AM-11:30 AM and the second shift is 11:45 AM -2:45 PM. Lunch will be provided by THE PTA for our all-day volunteers. Come out and enjoy the beautiful weather with your child and support this fun event!

Faculty Favorites are LIVE online! Check out the favorites of our teachers and staff by visiting the PTA website. You can access it by “Helpful links” and then “Favorite Things” or by clicking here.

PTA Membership Cards - If you paid your PTA membership dues at the beginning of the school year, please check your child's backpack for your official PTA membership card. Members who paid more recently will receive their cards soon. Any questions - contact Caroline Cain at membership@tuscanyheightspta.org or 210-241-2947.

It's never to late to join the PTA! Visit our web page to get started - TuscanyHeightsPTA.org.

5th Grade T-shirt Design Contest – Enter the contest to design the front of the 5th grade t-shirt! The winner of the 5th grade t-shirt design contest will have their original design printed on the Tuscany Heights 5th Grade T-shirt. Top 3 designs will receive a free t-shirt. This year’s theme is “T.H.E. Elite Class of 2015: Leaving our Mark”.

Rules:

*All entries must be submitted on an 8.5 x 11” sheet of white copy paper.

*Use only two colors on the design.

*Student name and classroom must be written in pencil on the back.

*Due back to Ms. Wynder by Friday, October 31.

Plug in with PTA and Back the Future!

THE PTA Website www.tuscanyheightspta.org

Tuscany Heights Volunteers Link http://www.volunteerspot.com/group/35885320036

PTA Newsletter: Tuscany Heights Elementary

10/23/2014

Parents,

Please take a look at our 2014-15 PTA Newsletter! It captures so many things from this school year, and it's only October! Wow, we have been busy! Thank you to the PTA for highlighting our school in such a positive means. We are so proud of our students, parents, and staff.

Thank you,
Tara Bailey

November 2014 Newsletter

Library Corner- Pumpkin Character Date Change

10/20/2014

Library Corner

READ FOR THE RECORD

Tuesday, October 21st is Read for the Record! People across the nation will be reading the same book, Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells. This year Jumpstart is putting digital versions of the book on their website for 24 hours. You can read Bunny Cakes at home by clicking the following link:

http://www.jstart.org/campaigns/read-bunny-cakes-online

Upcoming Events

October 24th: Kindergarten Teddy Bear Sleepover

October 20th-29th: Literary Pumpkin Patch Contest. All entries must be received by Wednesday, October 29th (a change in due date). Bright yellow entry forms will be sent home Monday, October 20th.

November 3rd-7th: Scholastic Book Fair (open until 6pm on November 4th)

November 7th: Read around the School

Please visit Mrs. Johnson’s webpage for event details: http://neisd.libguides.com/welcome_tuscany_heights_library

THE Weekly eBlast

10/19/2014

Parents and Students,

We look forward to having a great time with the students this week as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week. It is our goal to continue teaching our students about the awareness of bullies, how to react when faced with such a situation, and how to advocate for themselves with many peer pressures. The NEW Covey Habit, Habit 8, is Find Your Voice. Let’s dress up, use our voice, and have some fun this week while we learn!!!

Thank you,

Tara Bailey

Upcoming Events

Oct. 20th- Oct. 24th: Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 20th-27th: THE’s Pumpkin Character Contest (Details Coming Soon from the Library)

Oct. 20th: Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 24th: Wear It Pink Day! Let’s wear pink to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Oct. 24th: Bike Rodeo – 5th Grade will start and then Kinder, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th

Oct. 24th: Kindergarten Teddy Bear Sleepover (Details Coming Soon from the Library)

Oct. 24th: End of 1st Nine Weeks

Oct. 27th: PTA Presents- The Adventures of Wonder and Stinger

Oct. 30th- Nov. 7th: Fall Book Fair

Oct. 30th: Fall Picture Retakes

Oct 31st: “Orange” you glad you are a tiger? We are! Wear Orange; Report Cards Go Home

Nov. 2nd: Daylight Savings Time

Nov. 4th and 5th: Early Dismissal Day, 12:40pm, Parent-Teacher Conferences

Nov. 4th: Election Day (THE will be an election site.)

Nov. 7th: Read across School (Wear your character costumes and bring your favorite book), Field Day, NO CHARACTER PARADE THIS YEAR

Nov. 11th: Veteran’s Day Celebration (More Information Coming); National Young Reader’s Day

Nov. 14th: National “I Love to Write” Day (Actually, Nov. 15th) and National Bundt Cake Day

Nov. 24th- 28th: Thankful Break for all!

COUNSELORS’ CORNER

Coffee with Covey Parent Meeting- Invite Attached and on our website http://www.neisd.net/tuscany/, Come find out more about the 7 Covey Habits that are students are embracing!

Check out our website for the Anti-Bully Presentation from our counselors http://www.neisd.net/tuscany/, Also attached to this eBlast.

PTA News

Helping our Partner School- We are in need of 60 CAKES/COOKIES donations for the Annual Cake Walk at East Terrell Hills Fall Festival on Friday, October 24.

Please leave all donations in the front office on a cart that will be labelled Partner in Education (Sister School) on FRIDAY by 2pm. No refrigerated items.

Also we are looking for 7 Volunteers to help with hosting the Cake Walk Booth @ E.T.H on 10/24/14 from 6:45pm-8:30pm. It is a lot of fun and your kids can earn service hours.

REFLECTIONS – The World Would be a Better Place if … is the 2014-15 Reflections theme. Reflect on the theme. Create an original work. Be recognized! Categories include music composition, dance choreography, photography, film production, visual arts, and literature. Deadline for entries is MONDAY, OCTOBER 20. For more information, rules, and student entry forms go to http://www.txpta.org/programs/reflections/ or visit THE library for a printed version.

Faculty Favorites are LIVE online! Check out the favorites of our teachers and staff by visiting the PTA website. You can access it by “Helpful links” and then “Favorite Things” or by clicking here.

PTA Membership Cards - If you paid your PTA membership dues at the beginning of the school year, please check your child's backpack for your official PTA membership card. Members who paid more recently will receive their cards soon. Any questions - contact Caroline Cain at membership@tuscanyheightspta.org or 210-241-2947.

It's never to late to join the PTA! Visit our web page to get started - TuscanyHeightsPTA.org.

RED RIBBON WEEK – Be a Buddy, Not a Bully!

Monday – Dance away from bullies! Special dance time today!

Tuesday – “Lei” off bullies! Wear your Hawaiian/beach themed clothing

Wednesday – Give bullies the boot! Wear your favorite Western wear.

Thursday – Team up against bullies! Wear any team shirt.

Friday – Put a cap on bullies! Wear your favorite hat or cap.

T.H.E. PTA Presents…Bike Rodeo will be Friday, Oct. 24th, starting at 7:45 am. We will start with 5th grade, then kindergarten through 4th grade. We hope to end around 11:30 AM.

Here are a few reminders:

Bike drop-off will be Thursday, 10/23, 4-6 PM and Friday, 10/24, 7-7:45 AM. Drop off is at Gym #1 in the back of the school.
All bikes MUST be picked up by Friday afternoon.
Label bikes and helmets with your child's name/grade/teacher.
Bike Rodeo spectators need to park in visitor parking and check in through the front office.

Please sign up to volunteer at Volunteer Spot. For more information about Bike Rodeo CLICK HERE or email David Diharce at bikerodeo@tuscanyheightspta.org.

5th Grade T-shirt Design Contest – Enter the contest to design the front of the 5th grade t-shirt! The winner of the 5th grade t-shirt design contest will have their original design printed on the Tuscany Heights 5th Grade T-shirt. Top 3 designs will receive a free t-shirt. This year’s theme is “T.H.E. Elite Class of 2015: Leaving our Mark”.

Rules:

*All entries must be submitted on an 8.5 x 11” sheet of white copy paper.

*Use only two colors on the design.

*Student name and classroom must be written in pencil on the back.

*Due back to Ms. Wynder by Friday, October 31.

Honorary Texas PTA Life Membership Award - An Honorary Texas Life Membership is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the Texas PTA for outstanding contributions to the well being of children and youth. If you know someone who has gone the “extra mile” for our children, is a valuable volunteer, is an exceptional teacher, dedicated to education, is an outstanding staff member, or is a Community Member who shares his/her resources and expertise for the benefit of all children, then please consider nominating this individual for this very special award. It is not necessary that this person be a member of the Tuscany Heights PTA. Please complete a nomination form found here and return it to the Tuscany Heights School PTA in a sealed envelope labeled “Life Membership.” Be sure to include a summary on why you believe this person should receive this award. You may use the back of the form, or include a separate letter. Awards will be announced and presented at T.H.E. PTA General Meeting, December 2. Please return all nominations by Monday, October 27.

Reminder: Spirit Shirts Tomorrow

10/14/2014

Parents,

We have our Covey Leadership Visitors tomorrow, so let's showcase Tuscany Heights by wearing our spirit wear tomorrow!!!

Thank you,
Tara Bailey

T.H.E. Update & Community Info

10/14/2014

Parents,

Please let me clarify the "Closed Campus" since I've had one or two questions. During our testing times, we do our best to keep the campus quiet out of respect for our testers. In the past, I have "closed" the campus to all outside visitors and we continue with our school routines, no schedule changes to any grade levels. However, the benchamrk windows are about two hours, so I didn't want to "close" the campus all day. Therefore, I said we would be "closed" until 10:45 a.m. today, Thursday, and Friday to ensure all testing would have been completed. This will not impact your child's start time or classroom routines. It only impacts visitors/parent helpers they may wish to be on campus duirn ghte morning testing time. If you are here for an ARD, Parent- Teacher Conference, or other office meeting, we will do our best to accommodate those meetings and not disrupt those on the calendar. During STAAR State Testing dates, it will be a full day "closed" campus for the days we are testing. Thank you for your understanding!

Please see the attachments regarding Magnet School Information. We hope you will attend to see the benefits and opportunities.

Thank you,
Tara Bailey

DATA middle school flyer
Reagan Cluster ES recruiting

T.H.E.'s Weekly eBlast

10/13/2014

Parents and Students,

We hope that you enjoyed a three day weekend with your family!

CLOSED CAMPUS- Until 10:45 a.m.

Parents, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be testing this week; therefore, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday will be closed campus for assessment IN THE MORNING (until 10:45a.m.). Please plan lunch if you wish on Wednesday of this week or next week if after 10:45 doesn't work for you. Thank you for understanding!

DINNER TONIGHT at BJ’s!

Join us at BJ’s tonight for Eat for a Cause, 5-9pm. They will give 15% back to our school using the flyer. Some of our staff went for lunch today and already noticed some Tuscany Families there! Great! We can’t wait to see how well we do for T.H.E. Thank you in advance for supporting our school.

WEAR YOUR PTA Spirit Shirt Wednesday! Let’s show off our school mission statement.

October 15th, we are expecting a pre-visit from a Covey Leader to take a look at our school environment, talking to staff and students, and visiting classrooms. He will be giving us feedback as we move forward to become a lighthouse school. For us, we care more about the leadership we are building than the status and will continue to take as long as we need to, to ensure student leaders remains our focus. Thank you for all of your help supporting leadership and helping make our school look/feel great!

Safety Reminder: Cell phones are PROHIBITED in school zones! Also, all schools are TOBACCO FREE, so please no smoking.

Please be mindful of our school zone and the safety of all students, staff, and parents.

Thank you,

Tara Bailey

Upcoming Events

Oct. 13th: Professional Development Day/ Student Holiday

NEW Oct. 13th: Eat for a Cause: BJs

Oct. 14th: 3rd, 4th, 5th Math Benchmark

Oct. 15: Covey Specialist to Visit our Campus

Oct. 16th: 3rd, 4th, 5th Reading Benchmark; PTA Presents: EB Lewis Author Visit

Oct. 17th: Writing benchmark

Oct. 17th: World Student Day

Oct. 20th- Oct. 24th: Red Ribbon Week

NEW Oct. 20th-27th: THE’s Pumpkin Character Contest (Details Coming Soon from the Library)

Oct. 20th: Red Ribbon Week

Oct. 24th: Wear It Pink Day!

Oct. 24th: Bike Rodeo

NEW Oct. 24th: Kindergarten Teddy Bear Sleepover (Details Coming Soon from the Library)

Oct. 24th: End of 1st Nine Weeks

Library Corner

PTA Presents artist/illustrator E. B. Lewis

E. B. Lewis will be presenting to all Tuscany students on Thursday, October 16th. Mr. Lewis has illustrated over 50 children’s books. His paintings are amazing! If you would like Mr. Lewis to autograph a book for your child, please fill out the green order form that students brought home last week and return it to the library by the morning of October 16th. If you need an order form, visit Mrs. Johnson’s Library Webpage:

http://neisd.libguides.com/welcome_tuscany_heights_library

Click on the order form link in the E. B. Lewis box. Thank you for supporting your Tuscany Library!

PTA News

Eat for a Cause – Breaking news! Tuscany Heights families, our first Eat for a Cause event is scheduled for Monday, October 13 at BJ’s! It’s a school holiday, so treat everyone to a day off and close the kitchen! Flyers are attached and will be going home in backpacks early this week. The flyer MUST be presented at BJ’s for Tuscany Heights to get credit.

THE’s First Wellness Night was a success!

Thanks to our Tiger families for attending and working out together with The Jumping Dragons, Victory Martial Arts, Papillon Pilates, & Pillar Crossfit. Baptist Hospital & HEB provided us with healthy recipes, snacks, and samples. Ms. Staples and Ms. Sensat gave an informative presentation about Bullying.

Congrats to the FIFTH graders for the largest attendance by students and families! They earned the Tuscany Heights School Spirit Stick! One class on each grade level earned extra recess time for their attendance, and everyone that completed the exercise rotation earned a homework pass. We’re working together to have happy and healthy Tigers!

PTA Greenbacks – GOAL!!!!! We asked for your help to Light the Way to Leadership and you really came through! Our most recent count has us at $10,517.75 in Greenbacks! We can’t wait to hear what song our Shining Star Principals will sing! The students voted on Friday and results will be reported soon. Will it be “Happy”, “Let it Go” or “The Best Day of My Life”? Thanks for helping PTA Light the Way to Leadership! It’s going to be a bright year!

PTA Membership Cards - If you paid your PTA membership dues at the beginning of the school year, please check your child's backpack for your official PTA membership card. Members who paid more recently will receive their cards soon. Any questions - contact Caroline Cain at membership@tuscanyheightspta.org or 210-241-2947.

It's never to late to join the PTA! Visit our web page to get started - TuscanyHeightsPTA.org.

REFLECTIONS – The World Would be a Better Place if … is the 2014-15 Reflections theme. Reflect on the theme. Create an original work. Be recognized! Categories include music composition, dance choreography, photography, film production, visual arts, and literature. Deadline for entries is October 20. For more information, rules, and student entry forms go to http://www.txpta.org/programs/reflections/ or visit THE library for a printed version.

October 13th- No School for Students

10/12/2014

Parents and Students,

Reminder that tomorrow is a holiday for students. Staff members will be participating in professional development. We look forward to seeing all students return Tuesday, October 14th. The Weekly eBlast will go out Monday, my apologies for the delay in our calendar.

Enjoy the extra day with family!
Tara Bailey

Greenbacks: Thank you & PJ Bottom Day Tomorrow

10/9/2014

Parents and Students,

Thank you for an amazing contribution to our "Greenbacks" Fundraiser! We collected $10,517.75 as our final count for Tuscany Heights Elementary. We are thrilled to have this money to give back to your students and teachers for educational purposes. Thank you!

In raising this amount of money, I am appreciative and "nervous" to say...Mrs. Hayden and I will be singing since we reached our $10, 000 goal. We gave the students a chance to vote today from one of three songs: Let It Go, Happy, or Best Day of My Life. We can't wait to see what we will be singing! Yikes, it will be great entertain!

Before we start singing, the students will wear their PJ Bottoms and Spirit Shirts tomorrow!!! School appropriate PJ Bottoms are required and don't forget their flashlights! They will use their flashlights and comfy attire to read during a designated classroom time. They earned this special privilege from raising $7,500 earlier this month!

Thank you for always supporting our school!

Check out the NEISD Webpage at http://www.neisd.net/ComRel/tuscanyheights_blueday_14.htm to see our recognition for National Blue Shirt Day! We are proud to have our school represented while Standing Up and Speaking Out!

Proud Principal Mrs. Bailey