Greetings all and welcome to the first Wednesday eFolder of the new year.
We have had a rather difficult start to our new year and I would like to take a moment to thank all of you. Our community has reacted to this trauma by coming together and supporting each other in such a positive way that I am humbled and awed. Mr. Brandon was an excellent teacher and wonderful person and even though he officially taught kindergarten, he was truly a teacher and role model for us all. Even now we are learning from him about ourselves and our community. We lost an important and cherished member of our community and his absence will be felt forever.
In memory of our beloved teacher, Mr. Gene Brandon, there will be a memorial service in the gym this Friday, January 17th at 8:15 a.m. This will be in place of normal Friday assembly and classes will begin at 7:45 a.m.
In addition, there is a memorial in the school lobby to celebrate Mr. Brandon’s life and honor his legacy to Travis Heights Elementary. Please feel free to bring in photos, letters, and drawings to add to the memorial. Families and staff are invited to write down their favorite memory using the paper & pens provided on the table. Students will be creating album pages with their class. The memories of Mr. Brandon will later be collected and given to his family.
For those unable to make it to the school there is a digital memorial on Travis Heights Facebook page as well. We have temporarily lifted posting restrictions on our Facebook page so that everyone can honor Mr. Brandon by sharing your thoughts, memories and photos. You can also submit your photos and thoughts through email.
Resources for Parents/Teachers to Help Children Cope with Loss, Death, and Grief
http://www.fredrogers.org/parents/special-challenges/death.php
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/griefwar.pdf
Do you have information or an event to submit to THES’s Wednesday Folder? Please visit our Folder FAQ page and archive page for submission requirements and guidelines.
To subscribe to Wednesday eFolders and have the eFolder delivered to your inbox, please use the subscribe form in the footer of the website.
While our goal is to move most communications to digital methods some documents need to be delivered in hard copies so please continue to check your paper Wednesday Folder every week, sign and return it on Thursday.
Thank you!
This week’s folder items:
Happening today:
Thunderboard Meeting in the library 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Open to all who want to come.
Happening this Thursday (tomorrow):
PTA Meeting in the gymnasium 6-7 p.m.
Childcare and healthy snacks will be provided
We have a packed agenda including: Budget reviews, upcoming events (teacher appreciation), officer nominations, affordable housing concerns, and plans for the gravel/wooded area which include some exciting ideas and possible dedication to the man who taught us how to “Keep the Beat”. Please join us for this important meeting.
Happening Friday:
Memorial in Gymnasium for Mr. Brandon at 8:15 a.m.
Happening in the future:
January 20, 2014: No School
January 23, 2014 is Science Fair Day: Here is the full Science Fair Packet 2013-14 with all the information you need for a successful Science Fair Day.
January 28th, 2014: Dual Language Parent Meeting
Tecnología! BYOD (bring your own device) to learn how to support your child as they learn a second language
Where: Prez Elementary
7500 S. Pleasant Valley Rd., Austin, TX 78744
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Information: