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Calendar Activity Descriptions
@ Spicewood
Please note that this is only a partial listing of the many events
that occur at Spicewood. Activities are listed in the order that
they typically appear on the calendar.
Meet the Teacher
Before school begins in August, students and parents are invited to
attend our annual Meet the Teacher event. At a specified time, the
school doors open and parents and students go to the cafeteria where
student�s names are posted next to their newly assigned teacher�s
names. Teachers open up their classrooms to meet their new students
and their parents. This event allows students to drop off their
supplies, introduce themselves and their parents to the teacher,
know where to go on the first day of school, and find out who is in
their class. The information about Meet the Teacher is provided to
students and parents in a letter that is enclosed in the last report
card or in registration packets that are given to newly enrolled
students.
Registration
Once students enter Spicewood, they re-register each year in the
early fall. Parents are sent a computer-generated registration form
that is developed from the previous year�s registration form.
Although information is formally updated once a year, parents are
expected to inform the school office of any changes in information
on this form.
Open House Orientation
The first PTA meeting typically includes Open House Orientation.
This is a late afternoon and early evening event where classroom
teachers discuss expectations, schedules, routines, rules,
communications, and more. This is a very informative session that
parents should definitely try to attend.
Reflections
The National PTA�s Reflections Program provides opportunities for
students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition
for their artistic efforts. The program offers students the
opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students
in preschool through grade 5 are encouraged to create and submit
works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition,
photography, and the visual arts (which include art forms such as
drawing, painting, print making, and collage). Students participate
in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to their local PTA
or PTSA. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor a
Reflections Program. Rules, deadlines, and specific guidelines are
sent out in the fall semester.
Fun Run
The Fun Run occurs in the fall and is sponsored by our PTA. This
event honors a past teacher, Mrs. Norma Waldrep Nauman who died
while a teacher at Spicewood. The event usually begins around 5:00
p.m. Parents, students, and even some teachers run around the
track. Hotdogs are served and there is usually live entertainment
as well.
Book Fair
The PTA sponsors a Book Fair each year during the October National
School Library Week. The event raises money that is donated to the
school library for programs such as SOAR, Bluebonnet Books, PYP, and
visiting author presentations.
PTA Meetings
We are fortunate to have a very active and outstanding PTA. They
sponsor various parent teacher events while also coordinating an
active volunteer program. Enrichment Day, Fun Run, Reflections, Book
Fair, S.O.A.R., Math Club, Principals� Pride, Fall Carnival, and
Spring Silent Auction are among the many special events that take
place at Spicewood. PTA Meetings are typically scheduled on the
first Tuesday of the month. School programs are often done in
conjunction with these meetings. Our music teacher has a fourth and
fifth grade music program, our fifth grade teachers do a fifth grade
play, our Art Teacher organizes an Art Gallery Night, and our first
grade teachers do a first grade musical.
SBAC
Site Based Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled once a month.
The Committee is made up of teachers, staff members, parents, and
community members who review the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP). The
purpose of the SBAC is to involve all stakeholders in the school
improvement process. Although the Principal is an official member
of �Site Based� and must oversee the operation of the committee, a
chairperson is appointed and is responsible for sending agendas out
before meetings, posting agendas, taking minutes, and posting
minutes. The Site Based Committee is another avenue for parents to
voice concerns or issues affecting their child or the school.
Early Release Days
In the RRISD Elementary Schools, there are three early release days
in the fall and three in the spring. These days allow time for
student-led parent conferences. The teachers use the first early
release day in each semester to prepare for the conferences and the
next two days to conduct these conferences. Conferences typically
last 15 minutes and are used to plan students� goals in the fall and
review the results in the spring. On early release days, students
are released two hours early, which equates to a 12:45 dismissal
time.
Principal�s Pride
Principals� Pride Ceremonies occur on designated Fridays throughout
the year. These celebrations begin at 7:45 a.m. and are over by 8:00
a.m. Parents are invited to join the ceremony which is videotaped
and then played on Woody�s Network News on the following Monday
morning broadcast. Teachers nominate a student each week for this
award based on a positive practice associated with the PYP
Attitudes. Individual certificates are made for each student and
specify why he or she has earned the award.
Grandparents Day
In mid-September, the district�s Food Service Department sponsors
Grandparents� Day. This is typically the Monday following the Sunday
designated day. Grandparents and parents can join their students for
lunch. Invitations that include the lunch menus and prices are sent
home around the beginning of September.
Red Ribbon Week
The Counselor uses this nationally designated week to heighten
awareness of the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. Daily events
may include special broadcasts, speakers, or activities focusing on
drug and alcohol prevention.
School Carnival
Very hard-working behind-the-scenes PTA members plan this fun and
exciting event on a Saturday in conjunction with the Halloween
Holiday. It lasts four or five hours and our students and parents
and come and go around other planned events. There are a host of
activities suitable for all ages of students to enjoy, as well as
wonderful food and entertainment. There are never too many
volunteers on this day!
School Pictures
In the fall, students� individual pictures are taken. Parents can
pre-pay for these packets and a make-up day is scheduled for re-
takes or absences. In the spring, classroom and individual pictures
are taken. Parents can pre-pay for these photos as well.
Outdoor School
While in the fourth grade, students and parents at Spicewood are
provided an opportunity to attend an orientation session regarding
the outdoor school. If decided, students participate in a fund
raising event that is intended to fund the Outdoor School when the
student is in the fifth grade. More information about the Outdoor
School can be found on our website.
Winter Holiday Meal
In the late fall, the district�s Food Service Department has
historically sponsored a Holiday Meal. Parents are sent invitations
which include RSVP notes. Typically, no other menu choices are
available and lunch times are altered in order to accommodate the
large crowd of students and parents who attend.
Winter Meal Turkey Bucks
Our PTA supports the district�s PTA Clothes Closet with proceeds
from the sale of turkey bucks. For 50�, anyone can purchase and wear
a turkey buck badge. The PTA Clothes Closet funds new socks and
underwear, as well as gently-used clothing to RRISD students who
qualify as economically disadvantaged.
Class Parties in Grades K � 5
Class parties correspond with the Winter Holidays, Valentines Day,
and the end of school year. These parties are usually planned for
the last hour of the day and are coordinated through the P.T.A.
homeroom parents.
Science Fair
Coordinated with the Austin Energy Regional Science Festival,
Spicewood�s Science Fair is open to K �2 students on a voluntary
basis and required for students in grades 3 � 5. Specific procedures
and dates are posted on our website each year.
School Cookout
Each year Spicewood invites all parents to school for our annual
cookout. The RRISD Food Service Department grills hamburgers and the
parents, students, and staff picnic around the school grounds.
Because of the historically large numbers of parents, we encourage
parents to bring blankets on good weather days and enjoy their
lunches in the park. Lunch times typically follow the daily lunch
schedule.
Destination Imagination
"DI" occurs each year around March and is sponsored through our PTA.
DI is a magnificent opportunity for children to learn how to solve
problems through a team approach. More information about DI can be
found at their website.
Silent Auction
PTA sponsors a silent auction in the second semester of each school
year. Historically, this is a highly successful fund raiser that our
PTA works all year long to organize. It is held off-campus in the
evening and is considered a parents� night out. Along with dinner
and dancing, there are silent and live auctions that offer a wide
range of items to purchase. Teachers and parents consistently report
wonderfully positive comments about the Silent Auction. This event
is PTA�s largest fund raiser, and over the past few years, proceeds
have funded many incredible opportunities for the children and
teachers at Spicewood!
Enrichment Day
This full day of learning is planned by a group of enthusiastic PTA
parents to �enrich� learning in a specific area or content. Past
enrichment days have included studies, activities, and events that
centered around topics such as cultures of the world, America,
Whales, Out of the Box Thinking, and more! This is a great day for
parents to volunteer!
Wellness Day
Our PE Teachers select a Friday in the late spring where
they do culminating activities that focus on physical fitness and
healthy life choices. Many parent volunteers are needed for this
fun event.
School Supply Sale
Close to the end of school, a PTA Volunteer will send a letter out
to parents offering school supplies for the following year. The
supply lists are developed by the teachers and include everything
the students need for the next grade level. The school supplies
Other Events that are listed on the School Calendar
Scouts
The Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Organizations send information home at
the beginning of the school year that describes these programs and
events. Many of the meetings are scheduled for after-school in one
of the teachers� classrooms.
Chess Club
The Chess Club is a very popular �club� that is supported by the
PTA. Children in grades K � 5 can participate. Information on the
chess club is sent out at the beginning of the year.
The Friends of the Atrium Club and Spanish Club are available for
our
fifth grade students. Information about joining these clubs is sent
out at the beginning of each year. Both of these clubs are offered
by
our teachers. Mrs. Fleming does the Friends of the Atrium and Mrs.
Teal and Mr. Ortiz sponsor our Spanish Club.
DANZA is a club for third grade students interested in learning
dance. This club is sponsored by our music teacher.
Math Club
The Math Club is sponsored by the PTA as a way to encourage math
problem solving in grades K - 5. We often hear that many of the
problems in 2nd � 5th grades create thought-provoking questions and
conversations at home. This is not a required program, but a
voluntary program that students choose to do. Information about
this program is sent home at the beginning of the school year.
Running Club
In conjunction with Run Tex, our PE Teachers, recognize students who
accomplish an established number of miles to run. Dates and lessons
are planned to accommodate the dates that are designated by Run Tex.
Westwood Community School
After-school and summer classes are provided to students and
community members in the fall, spring, and summer through the
Westwood Community School. Information is provided in catalogs that
are mailed directly to households in the learning community.
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