Silver Lake Elementary
Family Newsletter
2023-24
Silver Lake Elementary
Family Newsletter
2023-24
March 4th - March 8th
Upcoming Events
March 4 - Coffee with the Principals (See flyer for more info)
March 5 - Open House @ 6:00 pm
March 6 - 4th grade field trip
March 11-15 - Spring Break ( NO SCHOOL)
March 19 - Math Telescoping Night @ 5:30 pm (See flyer for more info)
March 21 - PTA Spring Fling @ 5:00 pm
March 27 - 1st grade field trip
March 29 - No school
April 8 - Solar Eclipse - more information below
April 9 - STAAR testing (NO VISITORS)
April 11 - 1st grade program @ 6:00 pm
April 15 - Winter Make Up Day (NO SCHOOL)
April 17-18 - STAAR testing (NO VISITORS)
April 23 - STAAR testing (NO VISITORS)
April 25 - 2nd-grade walking field trip
April 26 - Field Day (Fast pass link coming soon)
April 29 - Spirit Day, National Superhero Day
May 1 - 3rd grade field trip
May 2- Kinder program @ 6:00 pm
Thank you to all of our families in supporting our Space Experience Design week! The students and staff had such a fabulous week. The students were excited, the lessons were so engaging, and the school looks amazing. We are excited to how off our space theme and products next week at Open House!
New student enrollment starts on March 4! PK, Kinder, and any new student!
Nicole Whiteside
Principal
Cafeteria update: Please continue to check your student's lunch accounts. After the 6th meal being charged in the negative, your student will receive an alternative meal will be given and charged. It is district policy to have a positive balance in your student's lunch account at all times.
On April 8, 2024, there will be a rare and captivating astronomical phenomenon—a total solar eclipse of the sun in the North Texas area! GCISD, in partnership with the Perot Museum, is equipping all students and staff with a pair of ISO certified safety glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse. Each campus in GCISD will offer engaging solar eclipse activities and experiences for students to enjoy. More details will be shared as we approach this remarkable event.
GCISD invites families, community members, and staff to express their interest to serve on the Education Advisory Committee that is being formed to discuss several topics, including but not limited to, high school bell schedules for 2025-2026, GPA policies, local graduation requirements, and more. The spring committee is currently forming and dates are set for February 21, March 7, March 20, and April 10. Locations and times will be communicated with those selected to serve on the committee.
To express your interest, sign up via the GCISD Committee Application. Those interested will be added to a pool of applicants to reference when filing committee seats. This form will remain open throughout the year to capture interest from staff, parents, and community and business members. Click here to see an overview of this and other committees.
Dear 4th and 5th Grade Parents,
On the Thursday and Friday prior to Spring Break during Specials, all Elementary Campuses will be viewing growth and development videos.
On Thursday March 7, 2024 the 4th grade girls will watch “Just Around the Corner”. The content of the film introduces puberty and the physical changes that occur. This film is presented to all 4th grade girls on each campus as part of the district approved health curriculum. We have many more girls with early onset of menses making the need for an earlier introduction necessary. The girls will view the film as a group and the campus nurse will lead a discussion afterwards.
On Thursday March 7, 2024, the 5th grade girls will see their video entitled “Growing Up for Girls”
On Friday March 8, 2024, the boys will see their video entitled “Growing Up for Boys”
These straight-forward videos present basic information about male and female reproductive anatomy and functioning - and the physical and psychological changes that are a normal part of growing up. Growing Up! For Girls takes a realistic look at the responsibilities of adulthood and promotes dialogue with trusted adults, promoting self-confidence as girls face the challenges of change and growth. Growing Up! For Boys provides advice on health, hygiene and good grooming. It points to sources of reliable information and fosters the self-esteem that comes with accepting new responsibilities. This program is presented to all 5th graders on each campus as part of the district approved health curriculum.
Nurse info (about illness)
As we are entering cold, flu, and just illness in general season, I just wanted to remind everyone that if your student has a temperature of 100.0 degrees or more, has vomited or had diarrhea the night before or morning of, or has red eyes with matting (crusting) or drainage that they need to stay home from school. Students can return once they are fever free for 24 hours with no use of fever reducing medication (Tylenol/Acetaminophen or Motrin/Ibuprofen) or not had an episode of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours with no use of medication or after 24 hours on antibiotic eye drops for pink eye.
Attendance info (reminder to notify if sick and let us know if flu-like illness)
Thank you to everyone who has been good about calling or emailing us that your student is going to be absent. Since we are entering into the cold/flu season, we ask if your student is out due to having a fever with a sore throat or a fever with a cough to please let us know that they are out with a flu-like illness. If you report that your student is out sick, we may ask you if they are out with a flu-like illness for documentation purposes.
If you would like to announce your student's birthday on our marquee in the front of the school, please use this link above. Click link for additional information.
(Please complete if you would like to attend any campus event, lunch or field trip.)
Please email Tyla Aguilar, our Attendance Clerk when reporting student absences or any other attendance related emails. Her email is tyla.aguilar@gcisd.net
STUDENT DROP OFF & Pick UP
Please note that the school does not open until 7:25. If you drop your child off before this, please know that they will not be under adult supervision.
We are continually streamlining our arrival and dismissal procedures and are grateful for your help and assistance in getting our learners to and from school safely!
With that, we wanted to send some updates and reminders regarding our arrival and dismissal procedures:
Parents, please stay in your car during carline drop-off and pick-up. This keeps the line moving efficiently for all, and is safer for students and families.
Children will be responsible for buckling and unbuckling themselves.
Students need to be in class by 7:40. With that in mind if you are not in the car line inside the gate at 7:40 you will be asked to turn around and walk your student in. Please bring your ID to Raptor into the office.
After the initial traffic in the first week, the back gate will be closing at 3:20. If you arrive after this time, students will be picked up in the front of the school through the office.
Thank you for all you do to help us keep our students and staff safe during these times.
FRIDAYS ARE SPIRIT WEAR DAYS!
Every friday we encourage all students and staff to wear Silver Lake gear, or green and blue! We have a competition going to see how many class members can wear the most spirit wear!
We will have a spirit shop open to purchase shirts and gear soon.
Student lunch accounts
Parents, as a reminder, please check your student's lunch account. It is important to check often so your student's lunch account does not go into a negative balance. Our cafeteria manager has sent home letters and an email if your account is currently negative.
BIRTHDAYS- NO FOOD, NO DRINKS, NO BALLOONS
You may bring small toys, stickers, pencils (if you want to bring something to share with others).
Lunch Drop off:
Parents, please leave lunches in the vestibule, if you come before 9:45 to drop off a lunch. After that, you will need to get a raptor badge and place your student's lunch on or in the shelves right next to the cafeteria doors.
If you come during your child's lunch, you will need to raptor badge in, and go into the cafeteria as a visitor to hand it to your child.
We wish we had enough staff to manage this, but we could really use your extra hands! Thanks for understanding.
If you want to come into the school, and you will be around other children you MUST complete a Volunteer Background Check. This could take up to a few days to complete. Click Here. If you are unsure if your volunteer background check has been approved or not, please contact Itzy in the Front Office at 817-251-5750.
Upon arrival, you will need to use our intercom system and let the front office know you wish to have lunch with your student. Please state if it's inside or outside. You will need to bring a valid state-issued ID and use our visitor kiosks in the vestibule to obtain a visitor's badge, then proceed to the front office. Please allow extra time before your scheduled time to get checked in. You will need to bring your own lunch as we will not be able to accommodate visitor lunches through our lunch lines at this time. You may bring lunch for your student or they may go through the line while you wait.
You will be meeting your child in our visitor area in front of the office. Since we have very limited seating we will be following the schedule below:
Mondays - Pre K, 1st, and 4th
Tuesdays - Kinder and 3rd
Wednesdays - 2nd and 5th
Thursdays - All grades while spots last
Fridays - All grades while spots last
Returning Parent Volunteers- You must complete the volunteer background check EVERY SCHOOL YEAR. Please be sure you click the link to re-enroll for the 23-24 school year.
Times to remember:
7:20-Students will be able to enter the campus beginning at 7:20am in the morning. They may get breakfast until 7:35. After this, the breakfast line will be closed.
7:40-Classes begin promptly at 7:40am. Please ensure that your child has time to get to their classroom and be in their spots ready to learn at 7:40!
Our outdoor staff come into the building at this time-as we begin serving our students in classrooms then!
Tardies-Students are late if they are not in class by 7:40. If your student is late, please park your car and Raptor into the office. Please bring your ID. This will ensure students enter safely
3:00- Dismissal is at 3:00 pm
Nothing this week!