Magnet Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment - Middle School Magnet Applications are now being accepted

November 16, 2009 – January 8, 2010


Middle School Magnet applications are online www.houstonisd.org/magnet.

Don't miss your opportunity to be considered first for the school of your choice:

* Johnston, Lanier,

* TH Rogers,

* Fondren,

* Rice School,

* Welch,

* Pershing,

* Pin Oak,

* Sharpstown,

* Revere, and

* Long.

Reminder – Parent Student Connect is live and available!

Parent Student Connect (PSC) is a new service that allows registered parents and students the ability to log in to view grades, assignments, progress reports, attendance records, achievement test scores, report cards, and more. Please note, printed report cards will still be mailed to students' homes.



Users can also set up "triggers" that send an e-mail or text message if a child's grades drop below a selected average or a student is absent or tardy to class.



Stay informed and register for Parent Student Connect today!

Third Grade Magnet News

Ms. Rudolph’s Corner

I will be attending a leadership conference in Las Vegas on September 30, 2009- October 2, 2009. Please remind students to be on their BEST behavior.

MATH
We are currently working on addition and subtraction with 2 and 3 digit numbers. It would be helpful to have your student constantly reading numbers. ( Watch for the word “and” when reading numbers) EX. Wrong way…. 179… One hundred and seventy- nine. Correct way.. 179… One hundred seventy- nine. Also, students should be reviewing addition and subtraction facts.


SCIENCE
We will be working on matter and its three states for the next four weeks. Students should be able to explain and discuss the properties of the three states.


Mrs. Anciano’s Corner

SOCIAL STUDIES
In Social Studies we are and will continue to explore communities and how they are impacted by people who live in them. We will also look at some famous Americans and how they have made contributions to our national community.

READING
During the next few weeks, we will continue to read our Open Court textbook as well as various novels focusing on drawing conclusions, making an inference, summarizing, finding main idea and details, as well as sequencing and cause and effect.

LANGUAGE ARTS
We will be learning more about the writing process and creating original pieces.

School News

* Progress reports are will be send home on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

* Parent/ Teacher conference week is in full swing.. please make arrangements to see us to discuss your student’s progress.

* Upcoming early dismissal days are September 23 and October 14, all magnet students must be picked up at 12 noon!

* No school on Monday, September 28, 2009.

Student Affairs

Thanks to all the students that participated in the Million dollar reading summer program… They received a t-shirt for their efforts! Way to READ!

Congratulations to:
* Isaac Rueda won the grand prize drawing from the Million dollar reading summer program!

* Jonathan Abrahams won the math problem solving contest for the month of September!

Projects

* Our book club selection is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. We would like for each student to buy a copy of the book to follow along and to do selected read at home.

* Our featured author is Patrice Polacco. Ms. Anciano will read selected books from this author. The featured book at present is Pink and Say.

Why is there so much homework!

Smart Academy is an accelerated program, so homework and practice time is an important element of the program’s success. Although homework assignments are not graded and will not negatively affect your child’s grade, it can improve the grade and overall understanding of the subject matter. By completing homework assignments, students earn five points of extra credit.

Every day after Smart Academy classes, students are given time to complete homework assignments. When used wisely, the hour (5:00 to 6:00) is a sufficient amount of time to complete the entire homework assignment.

If you are concerned about homework, don’t be. Your child’s grade will not be negatively affected by homework. If you are concerned about your child’s grade and feel that they can use the practice, encourage them to complete their homework during the after school program. In some cases, you may have to allow time at home to complete the homework.

Teachers are available to assist with questions or difficult problems the following day. Encourage your child to work through the problems that he or she understands and save questions for their teacher.

Helpful homework tips (from GreatSchools.net):

1. No TV. As a general rule, kids should not watch TV while doing their homework. It might be a good policy to have the television turned off any time it's time to do homework.

2. The radio is OK. Contrary to what many so-called experts recommend, actual studies have shown that having the radio on a child's or teenager's favorite music station can actually help him learn better.

3. Set fixed hours. There should be a set schedule for homework. This way, the youngsters can arrange their schedules and make sure they get their homework done every day.

4. Set telephone rules. As a general rule, kids should not be allowed to use the telephone during those hours when they are supposed to be doing their homework. However, sometimes it becomes necessary to use the phone, say, for confirming homework and the like. In these cases, the parents should set a fixed number of minutes for discussing school-related matters so the kids can get back to their homework right away.

5. Create a good study area. First, designate an area where it would be ideal for your children to do their homework, usually in their rooms. Set up this area to make it conducive for studying by putting proper lighting, an area for studying supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, books, and other essentials and make the area free from distractions.

First Off Campus Class - Texas State University

Our first off campus class is scheduled for September 18. Fourth and fith grade students will study aquatic biology at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Students will:

Departure Time: 5:00AM
Arrival Time: 9:30 AM - Freeman Aquatic Biology Building
Return Time: 9:00 PM

PROCEDURES: (Students)

* Extra pair of shoes to be worn in the water (Old Tennis Shoes)
* Wear clothes on bus that you plan to get wet in
* A large towel for drying off
* Change of clothing including socks and shoes
* Plastic bag for wet clothing/dirty shoes
* Hand sanitizer
* Sack Lunch

COST: Transportation Cost = $10.00
Plus activities

Breakfast: McDonald’s Columbus, Texas (Optional) -$4.00

DINNER: Furr’s Cafeteria, San Marcos
Cost: $7.99 includes Drink and Dessert


Contact: Nae Washington, Magnet Coordinator (832-771-0583)
School: (713) 773-6151
Magnet Teacher: Mrs. A. Kenley

Smart Academy Robotics Program

The American Robotics Academy program at the Smart Academy emphasizes understanding simple machines then working up to making complex robots.

Joe Dilworth graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston Downtownwhere he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

He worked at Compaq Computer Corporation for over ten years as the Senior Systems Engineer in the Desktop Manufacturing Diagnostics Group.

He currently is the Senior Robotics Instructor at the American Robotics Academy.

He is active in robotics' competitions and is a Head Judge for the South East Texas First LEGO League tournaments.

SMaRT Academy Parent Pick –Up Procedures:

1. All SMaRT Academy Magnet students will be dismissed from class at 5:00PM.

2. The SMaRT Academy Student will then report to the school cafeteria to await parent pick-up.

3. Parents must come inside the building and sign their child out of SMaRT Academy. Students will not be allowed to enter an adult vehicle before they are properly signed out.

4. All SMaRT Academy students will remain in the school cafeteria until they are picked up by a parent, guardian or approved designee.

5. Students must complete their homework at this time. Homework will be checked for accuracy and completion.

6. Students who have completed their homework may sometimes be allowed outside for creative play with staff supervision.

7. The student will then be called from the playground for pick up by a member of the SMaRT Academy staff.

8. The SMaRT Academy Log book is located in the school cafeteria.

9. SMaRT Academy staff are on duty until 6:00PM

Welcome Back to School

Today is the first day of school, which for many, means the first day of a new routine. At Valley West, classes start at 7:30 a.m. Students can arrive for breakfast as early as 6:45 a.m.

The first day of school is also the day that your child will come home with lots of important paperwork and forms for you to complete. Please lookout for:

Enrollment Card – Remember to update your email address.

Lunch Application – All students should have one on file, regardless of lunch status.

Student Information Card – It’s important to include all special needs and requirements on this card.

General Information Sheet - This is the document that includes all the information you’ll ever need about your child’s school. Keep this sheet handy in case you need to call or fax something to the school.

As for settling into your new routine – start with a night-time routine you can stick to. Gather homework, lay out clothes and prepare lunches before bedtime. Experts say children 5 to 12 years of age need 10 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Consider how active their school days are and insist on an appropriate bedtime. It’s important to also have a morning routine that works.

Lab Coats – Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:
Do wear lab coats during the first week of school
Do wear lab coats with school uniforms – including Smart Academy t-shirts
Do expect to pay a $5.00 storage fee for lab coats found
Do take lab coats to Bellfort Cleaners (8761 W Bellfort) to have them cleaned for $3.00
Do take lab coats to Bellfort Cleaners for professionally stitched patches at $2.50
Do replace lost lab coats ASAP – lab coats are part of the mandatory dress code
Do use color safe bleach when washing lab coats


Don’ts:
Don’t use chlorine bleach on lab coats
Don’t wear lab coats around the waist during recess – leave in classroom
Don’t put lab coats in backpacks
Don’t allow food stains, ink and grime to remain on lab coats
Don’t wear lab coats wrinkled

Tuition, tuition, calling for all unpaid tuition!

Tuition is due, in full, by Friday, August 21st. Final tuition payments will be accepted on campus during lab jacket pickup on Friday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For parents with second grade students, or those not picking up lab jackets, tuition will be accepted at the front desk during school business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday of next week.

If tuition is not paid in full for any student registered for the upcoming school year’s Smart Academy Magnet Program, there spot may be offered to a child on the waiting list. Remember, tuition for this upcoming school year is $600 for the first or only child, and $150 for each additional child.

If you are not able to make your final tuition payment by Friday, August 21st, please contact Mrs. Washington on campus during school business hours next week – August 17th through August 21st.

Stay connected with your new PAC blog!

Welcome to the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) blog. Here you’ll find timely posts over the latest news and updates for the Smart Academy Magnet Program. The goal of the PAC blog is to help parents stay connected and plugged into the program initiatives and to provide a platform for discussing issues and ideas.

The PAC was established last year (2008/2009 school year). It’s comprised of five elected members who meet on a regular basis to provide support and input on the programs and services offered to magnet students. The PAC acts as a unified voice for parents and guardians. It’s important for all parents to stay linked and provide insight and direction. We strongly encourage all parents to participate by visiting the blog, contributing posts and leaving comments.

Staying connected is easy! Simply RSS by clicking: Subscribe to Posts.

On September 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., we’ll be hosting a parent meet and greet immediately after the Valley West Open House scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more details.

We have several exciting things planned for this upcoming school year. Don’t miss your opportunity to get involved and be part of the excitement!

Meet your PAC:

• Aisha Hughes – Alkirksey@yahoo.com
• Jerry Walters – Jerry-Walters2@yahoo.com
• Tanisha Warner – Tanisha.Warner@gmail.com
• Laura Torres – Laura.Torres6156@sbcglobal.net
• Edwin Munoz – Edwin.Munoz@gmail.com