Sommer Elementary School

Campus News 10.10.2018

by | October 10, 2018 | Campus | 0 comments

Campus News 10.10.2018

Hi All,

We had an amazing day of learning on Monday as our staff chose from teacher-led sessions such as #ChooseKind: Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom presented by Heather Solis; Depth & Complexity icons (Intermediate and Advanced Levels) presented by Angel Ruppert-Stratton; Google Certification presented by Danielle Jackson; Jennifer Serravallo Literacy Resources presented by Vanessa Hampf and Robin Kuhn; Positive Intervention Strategies (CPI) presented to our Campus Behavior Support Team; Reading Assessment Training (BAS) provided by the district for our new teachers; Peer Coaching presented by Kaylyn Gustafson and Amanda Turner; Educational Assistant Training provided by Carlos Molina and Therese Wafford; and Differentiation for Advanced and Basic TAG credit presented by Nancy Varljen.  Teachers also had the opportunity to pursue proposals for self and team professional learning that supported their personal professional goals.  We are so proud that we offer such a variety of options designed to meet the needs of our amazing teachers and staff!

Tuesday was spent meeting with parents and sharing information about our students.  We are truly honored and blessed to share such an amazing partnership with you in providing a World Class education for our Sommer Stallions!

LOTS OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW!!!!

Bright Bytes Survey:

We are partnering with BrightBytes, an educational data analytics company, in order to learn more about our students’ school and home technology use for learning. We are reaching out to ask you to take part in our questionnaire.

Your participation is essential in helping us form a more complete picture of  technology use for learning in our students’ lives. Please know that all of your responses will remain anonymous to protect your privacy and they will help your child’s school choose the right technology for their classrooms. It will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

The window to take the survey is Monday, October 8th thru Monday, October 22, 2018.

Please go to here.  https://bbyt.es/start/7Z6MC

Thank you for taking part in this important initiative!

Box Tops:

Box Top Contest has begun!  Each valid Box Top we receive is worth 10¢ for our school.  With your help, this can add up to BIG money!  In the past, Coach O. has used earnings from this program to purchase Four Square Balls, Basketballs, Cones, etc. Big potential from items you already have around the house or may purchase on your next visit to the grocery store! The contest started a few weeks ago and ends October 15th.  Check this flyer for grade contest details and begin collecting those Box Tops!  See flyer:  Box Tops Flyer

Count as of October 3:  K-100, 1st-250, 2nd-200, 3rd-350, 4th-150, 5th-400

Grade level prize after Nov. 1, 2018…EXTRA RECESS!!

New Lunch Menu:

We have a new lunch menu for Oct. 10 & 11/  Changes:

Oct. 10 Fruit, Cheese & Yogurt Plate will be replaced with Sunbutter and Jelly Sandwiches

Oct. 11   Sunbutter & Jelly Sandwiches will be replaced with Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Vegetarian options are available on both days.

RRISD School Bond:

Responding to the input and work of several hundred community members, the RRISD school board has approved a Bond Election for November.  For information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to the RRISD Bond Page:  Link.  I also encourage you to attend one (or more) of several informational meetings offered throughout the district.

Meetings in our Area:

  • Round Rock Learning Community Bond Open House:  6:00 PM Wednesday, October 10 at Chisholm Trail Middle School
  • Ranch of Brushy Creek Community Meeting:  6:00 PM Thursday, October 12, Patsy Sommer Cafeteria
  • Sommer Elementary PTA Program:  11:15 AM Friday, October 12 Patsy Sommer Science Lab/Multi-Purpose Room
  • McNeil Learning Community Bond Open House:  6:00 PM Wednesday, October 24 at Joe Lee Johnson Elementary

The Bond Overview Sheet and Presentations are also posted at the RRISD Bond Page Link listed above.

Service Projects at Patsy Sommer:

  • The Student Ambassador Club is in cahoots with the Texas Association of Future Educators at Round Rock High School-We are collecting old and new crayons to donate to children’s hospitals. The drive is October 1st-16th The collection box will be by the office.

  • Don’t forget to continue your ongoing support of Gracie’s canned drive! Boxes are also in the front hall.

  • Coins for Coats:  
    • We have an opportunity to help other RRISD students stay warm this winter!  Our Coins for Coats Drive will be held for TWO DAYS only, Wednesday, October 17th through Friday, October 19th. We are asking for your spare change, but checks made out to “RRASC: Keep Round Rock Warm” will also be accepted.  
      • The Round Rock Area Serving Center’s “Keep Round Rock Warm” program distributes coats to RRISD students who are on the free and reduced lunch program.
      • The K-2 class and 3-5 class collecting the most funds will win a collection of mini squishies!  
  • Mrs. Satterwhite’s Student Initiative:
    • Hello Sommer Community,
      • My class is participating in Class Community projects each month. September the class chose to make Birthday Boxes for children who are homeless or in foster care though a company called Happy Birthday located in Round Rock. You can check out the company here http://sharinghappybirthdays.org/
      • They been working all month to gather ideas, meet with people from the company, pick a theme and have made a list of items needed. If you would like to donate please sign up and you can drop off in the office or the boxes located our classroom A115.
      • We will accept donations until Monday October 15th. Here is the sign up genius
      • https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4ba5a628a02-birthday
      • Thank you!
      • Mrs. Satterwhite’s Class​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Important Traffic Information:

  • If you arrive after 7:40 in the car line and there are no other cars, please pull around to the front of the building and walk your child in, and sign him/her in for the day.  The doors on the side of the building lock at 7:40 and teachers go into begin the day.  Thanks for helping us to keep your students safe!

Clubs/After School Enrichment:

Thank you to all of our students who registered for school-sponsored clubs.  Although we truly tried to find a place for everyone, it simply was not possible.  Please remember that these clubs are sponsored by teachers after hours.  Numbers must be limited in order to provide a quality experience for everyone.  If your child was not notified last week, then unfortunately, they did not receive a spot.  I am currently in the process of approving Community Education Courses for the spring semester.  Courses currently being considered for approval are Young Rembrandt’s:  Elementary Drawing Grades 1-5; Golf in Schools:  Grades K-5; Creative Brick Builders:  Grades K-5; Sarah’s Spanish School:  Grades K-2; Drone Genius:  Tech, Fun, Fly!:  Grades 2-5; Nexplore USA:  Games:  Grades K-5; and Mad Science Session i:  Secret Agent Lab and Session ii:  Spy Academy:  Both Grades K-5.

If you have other courses you would like to see offered, please do not hesitate to contact me soon!

Lunch Room Monitor:

We are still searching for the right person to provide leadership, organization and absolutely the best support possible for our students in the cafeteria!  After many interviews, we simply have not found the right person!  (Yes, we truly do take this position very seriously!)  If you are interested in helping our students to enjoy lunch in a friendly and orderly manner, please consider applying!  The hours are from 10:30-2:30…Perfect!!

Apply online at https://goo.gl/Wp8vvz.  Yikes!  Position closes today at 5 PM!

PTA Fall Fundraiser:

Thanks to everyone who supported our PTA’s Fall Fundraiser.  You are AMAZING & have provided so many great opportunities for our students!  Although the contest is over, donations are still being accepted.  Remember, to ask your company about matching donations.  See the Sommer PTA page for information.  Link

Important Dates:

  • Oct. 8-Oct. 15 Bright Bytes Survey Open!  Please Participate..It will only take a few minutes!  Link
  • Oct. 10-Welcome Back!
  • Oct. 10 6 PM RRLC Bond Open House at Chisholm Trail MS
  • Oct. 11 6 PM RBC Community Bond Meeting at Patsy Sommer
  • Oct. 12 Spelling Bee 1st Round Written Test in Classrooms Grades 2-5
  • Oct. 12 10:30 AM PTA Executive Board Meeting
  • Oct. 12 11:15 AM PTA General Meeting…All Invited!  RRISD Bond Information Shared
  • Oct. 13 8:00-12:00 Cedar Valley MS 25th Anniversary Celebration!
  • Oct. 15 Spelling Bee 2nd Round 4th & 5th Grade
  • Oct. 18 A+ Banking Deposit Day
  • Oct. 19 Friday Assembly:  K-2
  • Oct. 19 PTA Sponsored Kona Ice!  Yumm!
  • Oct. 19 1st 9 Weeks Ends
  • Oct. 22 5:30 Spelling Bee Parent Information Meeting for Qualifying Students (4th/5th Grades)
  • Oct. 23-24 COGAT Testing Grade 2
  • Oct. 25 Vision & Hearing Screening
  • Oct. 26 PTA Staff Appreciation Luncheon…Thank you 4th & 5th Grade Parents!
  • Oct. 30 Fall Book Fair Student Preview
  • Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Fall Book Fair
  • Nov. 1  Report Cards Go Home
  • Nov. 1 Picture Retakes
  • Nov. 2 PTA Movie Night
  • Nov. 8 Specials Showcase
  • Nov. 9 Veterans Day Celebration Assembly–Family members who are Veterans of the Armed Services for all of our families are invited to attend!  Watch for details!

There are always amazing things going on at Patsy Sommer Elementary as we 

Inspire & Empower World Class Leaders and Life-Long Learners!

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