THUNDERBIRD SHOWCASE
Our Thunderbird Showcase highlights the amazing Project Based Learning (PBL) that takes place in our Pre K4-5th grade classrooms. Please join us on Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 pm to share our students’ learning and demonstrate the processes and products that has taken place.
See some of the fun projects our students have been working on this year! PBL is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge. Learn more about PBL and how we modeled the THES curriculum!
This event is open to the entire community and we encourage parents to bring their children so they can share their first hand experiences with an authentic audience. Please join us to learn and celebrate the work our Thunderbirds have done this year.
MONTHLY COFFEE CHAT
The area of discussion for the January 31st coffee chat will focus on “Helpful Hints for Empowering vs. Enabling.” Most of us are skilled at using enabling responses with our children but unskilled in using empowering responses to ensure that our children are navigating through difficult and sometimes life changing decisions. Please join our counselors for an in depth look at ways to empower our children and minimize enabling those habits which may be affecting how your family deals with household situations or time management.
DAYS OF INNOVATION
AISD is a District of Innovation (DOI) which gives all AISD schools some of the benefits that charter schools enjoy, such as setting aside days for additional teacher training, what we call DOI PD Days (you can read more about it here: www.austinisd.org/districtofinnovation).
THES teachers will spend the day adding to their skills with professional development, a discussion about best practices, analyzing student data, Project Base Learning and planning. We look forward to using this learning in the classroom!
NEXT DOI DAY: Friday, February 14, 2020
MOVING ON UP!
Starting in January, 2nd grade moves up the Upper Grade Assembly (first Friday of the month) and PK joins in the fun at the Lower Grade Assembly (second Friday of the month)! Parents are welcome to join in on the fun too! Assemblies are the once a month from 7:30-7:55.
SAFETY TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Once the teacher “high fives” a student, we expect the student to go straight home. Most of our students who walk home can arrive home within 15 to 20 minutes. It is important they walk straight home as we have crossing guards on duty at this time for our major roads. Please remember to watch that time and contact the school if your child does not notify you within 20 minutes of their arrival.
BENCHMARK TESTING
Benchmark assessments are administered at key points in the year and are designed to assess student mastery of curriculum over the given time period through 3rd through 5th grade. The data collected helps teachers drive instruction and scaffold students learning.
Various forms of district-level assessments are conducted throughout the school year, each serving a different purpose and providing different kinds of information about student performance.
Please help our students by getting a good night’s rest and being on time to school everyday. Please avoid scheduling any appointments on those days.
Benchmark Test Schedule:
01/15
4th Grade Writing
01/21
3rd & 5th Grade Math
01/22
4th Grade Math
3rd & 5th Grade Reading
01/23
4th Grade Reading
5th Grade Science
Upcoming Events
01/08
Students return back to school
01/10 and 01/14
Parent Tour @8 am
01/16
K-2nd Awards Assembly @8:00-10:30 am
THES Showcase @ 6:00 pm
01/17
3rd-5th Awards Assembly @8:00-10:30 am
01/20
Thunderboard @3:30 pm