Welcome to our Townley Torchlighter Family Newsletter.
This is a look at this month including updates, announcements and upcoming events.
Welcome Torchlighters! We are exicted to kick off a new year with new possibilities and opportunities.
Our staff has been busy with prepping the building and digging into the curriculum to continue to make learning fun, support our learners and their diverse needs. We are continuing to focus on building positive connections with our Torchlighter community and helping our students become a positive influence and shine brightly.
I am starting my 26th year in Irving ISD and my 6th year at Townley Elementary as the principal. I am so proud of our students and the kindness they show one another. I am excited about continuing to add spirit sticks to our students' Torchlighter key chains. Don't forget to put your spirit sticks and key chain to your new backpack. Students new to Townley will receive a special keychain to hold their spirit sticks. Celebrating our students and their growth is a point of pride at Townley Elementary.
We look forward to partnering up with our families as we join in our your child's educational journey. Thank you for allowing us to be apart of it and choosing Townley Elementary and Irving ISD.
Our Mission: At Townley, we ensure that all Torchlighters will learn and grow.
Our Vision: Torchlighters will shine brighter one day at a time.
We value: Relationships, Kindness & Gratitude, Empathy, Perseverance & Growth, Respectfulness, Responsibility, and A Positive Learning Environment
Here are a few important dates and reminders:
School hours are 7:45am - 3:15pm. Cafeteria Doors open at 7:15 for all students; other doors open at 7:30 for student arrival.
Students dress in uniform. Fridays are Townley Spirit Day. Students are welcome to wear Townley t-shirts or uniform polos and blue jeans, no holes. We will notify families of additional dress days throughout the school year.
Dismissal Safety Protocols: Students will stay in the building if they are car riders or parent walk ups. You must have a tag to pick up your child during the dismissal process for car riders and parent pick-ups. Please remain in your car or at the designated Parent Walk-Up Station. Car Tags are for car riders only. Car Tags will not be used for the Parent Walk-Up Station. Thank you for your patience as we work to get everyone home safely.
If you are picking up your child from school before 2:30, you will need your ID. Students will not be released after 2:30.
Cell Phones: We’re so proud of our students for doing a great job last year following the rules.
Students should not use cell phones or any other electronic devices during the school day, in line with district and campus policies.
All personal devices, including cell phones and smartphones, must be turned off while on campus and kept in their backpack.
If a student is found using their phone during school hours, it will be collected and taken to the front office. A parent or guardian will need to come to the school to pick up the device.
For more detailed information, you can refer to our Student Code of Conduct.
Important Dates:
Thursday, August 6- Meet the Teacher Night! We welcome everyone to come in and visit with staff from 4:30-6:00pm. Drop off school supplies, meet with staff, walk the building, and share how your child is getting home.
Tuesday, August 11- First Day of School! Families of PreK, K, and 1st graders can walk their child to class on Aug. 11-12. All other grade levels will walk to class independently.
Thursday, August 13- Independence Day! All students will walk into the building on their own. Students can wear a red t-shirt and blue jeans to show they are "Red"y to for the new school year.
Monday, August 24- Beginning of year assessments open. These initial data collections will help staff with creating a plan to further address the needs of our students.
Thursday, August 27- PTA and Curriculum Night- PTA from 5:00-5:15; Classrooms will open at 5:20. First session would be 5:20- 6:00 and 6:05-6:45. This is the time to hear about the classroom expectations, curriculum and other information about the grade level.
Principal
Assistant Principal- Pre-K (Sierra, Conley Johnson), 1st, 3rd, and 5th Grades
Campus Behavior Coordinator
Assistant Principal- Pre-K (Esparza, Zarate), Kinder, 2nd and 4th Grades
Welcome to our 2026-2027 school year. I hope you had a wonderful summer. We are so glad that you have chosen to join us for a year of academic growth and positive behavior. As we start this new school year, let's start off supporting our students and staff. We have worked intentionally to create a campus full of amazing staff members that are excited about seeing and teaching your child this year. Parents please remember that every child needs to be in uniform everyday and need to be at school no later than 7:45 and picked up no later than 3:30. Please read the new guidelines for attendance, tardies, and dismissal. Parents please make sure your child is at school everyday possible. If your child has a fever or truly sick, please follow doctors' orders. Your child attendance is important to his/her learning and growth. This year the curriculum can also be accessed online to help you better help your child keep up academically. Parents please make sure you signed up for Kinvolved for communication purposes and make sure you sign up for HAC so that you can keep up with your child's grades and attendance. Again, welcome to Townley Elementary or welcome back for those of you that were with us last year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to assist you.
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — A.A. Milne
Welcome Back to School!
Dear Families,
It is with great excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as your new Assistant Principal. My name is Sandra Vela, and I am truly honored to join this wonderful school community. I look forward to partnering with our students, families, and staff to create a positive, supportive, and successful learning environment for every child.
Education has always been my passion, and I believe that strong relationships between home and school are the foundation of student success. I am committed to serving our students and supporting our families with open communication, collaboration, and care.
I bring 22 years of experience in education across three school districts, where I have had the privilege of serving students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 2nd Grade classrooms. Over the past six years, I have served in administrative leadership.
Outside of school, I have been happily married to my husband, Frank, for 31 years, and together we have a wonderful daughter, Jade. Our family also includes two lovable dogs, Athena and Ozzy, who keep life fun and full of energy. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, and expressing my creativity through landscaping design.
Thank you for welcoming me into your school family. I look forward to meeting each of you, celebrating our students' achievements, and making this school year one filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences.
Here's to a fantastic school year!
Warmly,
Sandra Vela
Please email if you have any questions, want to volunteer, sponsors, want to donate items to our Townley PTA.
ptatorchlighters@yahoo.com or jvasquez@irvingisd.net
PTA NEWS: Join the PTA! : Click Here!
This is not a commitment of time, it is simply supporting the organization that supports Townley.
ALL MONEY from memberships goes right back to Townley. (teacher appreciation and fun students events)
PTA will be selling our 2026-2027 spirit shirts during
Meet the Teacher Night: THURSDAY, August 6, 2026
Students will be able to wear their Townley t-shirt every Friday with jeans.
Sizes available:
Youth Sizes:
XS-XL
Adult Sizes:
S-XXXL
$20- All Youth sizes-Adult S-XL
$25- (Adult XXL-XXXL)
CASH or ZELLE
NEWS FROM YOUR FRONT OFFICE
Students pay a small fee of $2.00 and receive a pass to wear school appropriate clothing of their choice on Tuesday, September 1st!
Students who do not purchase the pass must wear their regular, full school uniform.
Cafeteria door opens at 7:15. Other doors open at 7:30 am.
Students are considered late if they are not in the building at 7:45. Tardy tracking will begin week 2. Late students are missing out on valuable class time and activities when they are not present and we want to be on top of our schedule from the start.
We are attendance HEROs: HERE, EVERYDAY, READY, and ON TIME!
If you need to pick up your student(s) early for an appointment, please do so before 2:30 pm. Make sure you have your ID.
If your student is absent, please call the office or email Faith. Only a doctor's notes will be accepted after the third absence in order to excuse.
IMPORTANT!! Use your HAC account to find out your assigned teachers. If you have not updated enrollment there yet, please do do ASAP
Faith Gallaga: tgallaga@irvingisd.net 972-600-6865
Home Access Center (HAC). This is the best way to keep informed with your student's attendance and grades. Progress reports and report cards are only viewable through HAC. Your password was just updated with registration, log in often to keep it active.
Also, please do not "stop" text messages from Townley Staff or your teacher. You will miss out valuable communication.
Please contact the front office for any questions regarding HAC at 972-600-6800.
News from Nurse Brown
Hello everyone & welcome back!! I'm so excited to step back into Townley!
A few things:
PLEASE send your child to school with a change of clothes. Accidents happen and we'd rather be prepared than have to keep students out of the classroom to wait for extra clothes.
Remember - if your child needs medicine, please bring the medicine to the clinic and complete a medication administration form. All medications must be given through the clinic. If you have an over the counter medicine you wish to give your child, per IISD policy I can only give it for five consecutive days after you complete the OTC medication administration form. If you need it indefinitely off and on through the year, as in cases of orthodontics, we will need a doctor's note stating to have it available for the school year.
I am currently updating shot records. If we contact you regarding delinquent immunizations, please have your child receive these as quickly as possible. Whenever you receive a new updated shot record, even if we have not contacted you about a delinquency, please bring me a copy.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns, I hope to have a very productive year & that includes keeping in touch with you guys!
samabrown@irvingisd.net (972) 600-6808
Looking to print the lunch menu? Here are step by step directions. View breakfast and lunch menus at https://www.schoolcafe.com/IRVINGISD.
Townley Counselors
Counselor for:
Pre-K ( Ms. Sierra & Mrs. Esparza ), 1st, 3rd, and 5th Grades
Hello Townley Families!
After a restful and fun summer, I am ready and excited for the new school year here at Townley, I hope you are too.
I am looking forward to work with you and your kiddos. Let's make this new school year an exciting and outstanding year!
972-600-6809
Counselor for :
Pre-K (Mrs. Conley-Johnson & Mrs. Zarate), Kinder, 2nd and 4th Grades
Hello Torchlighters,
I am excited to support our students in their academic, social, and emotional growth this school year. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a positive and successful school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or would like to discuss how I can support your child.
972-600-6810
Ms. Rebecca Rice
Ms. Melissa Hettish
Ms. Cynthia Perez Robles
Rebecca Rice, Interventionist //
Melissa Hettish, Interventionist //
Cynthia Perez Robles, Academic Specialist
Hi, Torchlighters! I am Rebecca Rice and I serve as the campus Interventionist. I work with students in both Reading and Math. I am beginning year 23 in education all in Irving ISD. This is my 10th year at Townley and I am excited for another great year! I am a product of Irving ISD - having attended W.T. Hanes Elementary, Crockett Middle School, and Irving High! Go Tigers! (Sorry, Vikings fans!) After graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, I was so happy to come back home to serve the students and families in my hometown. I graduated in May 2026 with my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UTA. I am looking forward to helping students grow a love for reading this year, as well as sharing information and tips for parents!
Hello Townley Families! I hope you all enjoyed your summer, and I cannot wait to see our amazing students back at Townley. My name is Melissa Hettish and I serve as the campus Math Interventionist. This will be my 7th year at Townley Elementary. I am starting my 13th year in education. Nine of those years have been in Irving ISD. I graduated with my bachelors degree in Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas, and later received my masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UTA. I am looking forward to celebrating our students successes and continuing to share my love for learning.
Hello, Townley families!
I am Cynthia Perez, and I am so excited to begin my 8th year at Townley and my first year as the Academic Specialist. Townley holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving this amazing community in a new role.
I earned my bachelor's degree in EC-6 Education and my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am excited for this new school year and look forward to partnering with our Townley community as we continue to grow, learn, and achieve great things together.
A Reading and Math tip to start the year:
As you work on your nightly routines, consider doing these suggestions throughout the week:
*Read 20-30 minutes each night with your child. You can read to them or they can read to you! This helps work on reading fluency, vocabulary development, and comprehension.
*Work on numeracy skills with your child. For younger grade students, practice counting objects at home. For example, get 5 toys and have them touch each one as they count "one, two, three, four, five." This is called one-to-one correspondence. You can also practice counting to ten and beyond. I am linking some free number flashcards you can print to work on counting. These sites also have a variety of other flashcards, including shapes and colors. These are printable, but can also be shown from a computer or tablet. (Below are flashcards in both English and Spanish.)
https://www.totcards.com/free-number-flashcards.html
https://kids-flashcards.com/en/free-printable/numbers-(1-20)-flashcards-in-spanish
*For our middle to upper grade students, try adding in some number fluency practice to your nightly routine. Work on knowing math facts automatically. This will help your child greatly as they focus on math problem solving. Below I am linking some digital and printable options for math flashcards.
For our students in grades 2-3, work on your addition math facts at home. Below is a link to printable addition flashcards.
https://www.rocketmath.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/rocket-math-print-yourself-addition.pdf
For our students in grades 4-5, work on your multiplication facts at home. Below is a link to printable multiplication flashcards.
https://www.rocketmath.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/rocket-math-print-yourself-multiplication.pdf
Below is a link to digital flashcards if you prefer those for all math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division).
https://www.factmonster.com/math/flashcards
(You can also find flashcards at various dollar stores, Wal-Mart, and Target.)
Thank you in advance for partnering with us to help your child learn and grow at Townley! We are ready to shine brightly this year!
Hello Townley Families!!!
Welcome Back Torchilighters!!!!
My name is Lucy Conde - Parent Liaison.
This is my 14th year at Townley Elementary! I enjoy helping our Townley families by providing resources and classes throughout the year. Please view our newsletter monthly so that you are informed.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer at Townley please feel free to contact me.
We will have our Volunteer Orientation on September 10th at 10am in the Parent Center or you are welcome to join us via zoom. Please view below all classes offered for the month of August and September.
Lucy Conde - Parent Liaison at 972-600-6800 or by email at mconde@irvingisd.net
Parent/Guardian Workshops