Oh the holidays are almost here, but there is so much to do before we slip into our Christmas Vacation.

We have been working hard with the new math, reading and science curriculum.  Students have learned new information and grown in academics, but also in personal skills.  Being a good citizen, classmate, and teammate are important skills too.

In November, we celebrated kindness week.  We are all working to grow future leaders who will excel academically, but also are kind people.  Families, we need your help with continuing to model this for your children.  We appreciate you taking the time to stop and intentionally talk about how kindness can be shown to others through simple acts.

Families, we also need your help with keeping dismissal running smoothly and safe.  If you are walking to pick up your child, please use the crosswalks.  It might take a little longer to get to your car or cross the street, but it keeps everyone safe.  Again, we want everyone to be alert and focused on the cars and the directions of the adults supporting the crosswalks.

Thank you families for allowing us to be a part of your child's educational journey.  We cannot wait to see your child #ShineBrightly this school year.

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 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. 

• Fridays are Townley Spirit Day.  Students are welcomed to wear Townley t-shirts, college t-shirts or uniform polos and blue jeans.  No holes in blue jeans.

• Dismissal:  Thank you for helping your child learn their car rider number.  It is helping us speed up the car line.  Please continue to pull up when guided by the staff.  Those car riders left at 3:35 will need to be picked up in the front office.  If there is a change in how your child is getting home, please reach out the office and your child's teacher no later than noon.

• Students will not be released after 2:30. If you are picking up your child from school before 2:30, you will need your ID.  

Thank you families for allowing us to be a part of your child's educational journey.  We cannot wait to see your child #ShineBrightly this school year.

Upcoming dates and events to note:

• Wednesday, Dec. 4- Class Picture Day with uniforms (individual re-takes will be taken with uniform)

• Thursday, Dec. 12 - Pre-k music performance 5-6 pm

• Saturday, Dec. 14 - PTA event: Cookies with Santa 9 -11am

• Friday, Dec. 20- Classroom celebrations

• Monday, Dec. 23 - Jan. 6 -  Christmas Break- Enjoy time with your family and friends!

• Jan. 6- Staff work day, Student Holiday

• Jan. 7- Second semester begins!

Irving ISD is seeking feedback on our proposed school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. In previous years, there have been multiple calendar options with different Winter Break and Spring Break options. However, in efforts to start school on a Wednesday, provide at least one student holiday/teacher planning day per month, align our Spring Break with Dallas College (where students in our Early Collegiate programs attend) and the way the calendar fell around the Christmas and New Year holidays, multiple options were not possible. 

Additionally, to streamline transportation and better serve our campuses and program needs, Irving ISD is proposing two options that change school start and end times.

Irving ISD wants to hear from you about how the proposed calendar and time changes would work for you, your family and our community. Your feedback is essential in helping us identify any potential challenges or considerations we may need to address.

The public comment form is open through Monday, December 9. Comments will be reviewed and considered before final recommendations are made at the Board of Trustees meeting on December 16.

View the proposed calendar/times and provide feedback here.

Torchlighters, I know it's going to be an exciting year with all the celebrations we have planned... just to name a few:

• Perfect Attendance Parties - where we dance and eat yummy treats!,

• Golden Ticket Principal Board - where students place the tickets they earned for excellent behavior to make a Tic-Tac-Toe, then all 12 students get to go to the Prize Closet and pick ANY TOY they want! 

• Student Celebrations - where every 6 weeks, teachers recognize 5 students who have made gains and show effort in reading, writing, math, science, and "Top Torchlighter Student"(is always Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn.) These students are recognized during lunch and are given backpack Spirit Sticks.

Tips to set your child up for success: 

1. Make sure you are checking your child's HAC(Home Access Center) often to stay informed about your child's grades, attendance, and tardies. 

2. Make appointments after 9:30am so they will not be counted absent, and always bring a doctors note so absences will be excused. 

3. Communicate with your child's teacher often so your child knows you are partners in their education.

Together, we will help your child grow to their fullest potential, build their problem solving skills, and ignite a passion for learning! I look forward to another year where all our Torchlighters will Shine Brightly!

  “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – WB Yeats

The Importance of Data

Data is how the campus, district, and state evaluates how well the students are learning and growing. Parents, our students in grade 3-5 just finished taking the Fall STAAR Interim Assessment. This was an assessment that gave students a hint at what to expect on the STAAR Assessment and Data for the teachers and district to analyze to see how well the students are grasping the content so far this year. Please keep in mind that the curriculum has changed and the pace moves much quicker than in years past. It is very important that you have your child at school everyday on time and for the whole day. It is not conducive for teachers to always send home the missing work because the student would not have had the chance to get the in class instructions needed to understand the lesson. Please feel free to inquire how your child did on the Reading and Math Fall Interim.

Ways to Keep Your Child Healthy 

1. Get adequate sleep. 

2. Exercise daily. 

3. Reduce screen time. 

4. Practice healthy eating habits. 

5. Stay up-to-date on immunizations. 

6. Wash hands frequently to reduce spread of germs.

7.  Help your child deal with stress and anxiety.

"The spring would not be so pleasant as it is if it did not succeed the winter." - Matthew Henry