Deretchin Weekly
11000 Merit Oaks Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77382
832-592-8700
Alicia Reeves, Principal
Sarah Howard, AP K-3rd
Melissa Johnson, AP 4th- 6th
Tisha Smith, Counselor K-3rd
Angie McGhee, Counselor 4th – 6th
May 4, 2015
A Note from the Principals:
The below listed Cross Walk locations WILL
NOT be covered in August 2015, unless
applicants are found. We need your
assistance implementing our recruitment
efforts. The beginning rate of pay, $10.50
per hour, was recently approved for 20152016. Attached is a copy of our recruiting
flyer, please share the flyer. If you’re
interested please contact the CISD Police
Department.
Deretchin Elementary
School Crossing: Terramont at Black Knight
Alicia, Melissa, and Sarah
DERETCHIN DRAGONS-EVERY CHILD. EVERYDAY
May
4 – 4th grade Water conservation program in the
morning
4-8 – Teacher Appreciation Week
4-8 – Deretchin Book Drive for Hailey Elementary
5 – Crust Pizza night for Deretchin (% donated back to
the school)
5- 6th grade field trip
6 – Student Council Meeting – 3:30
7 – Choir Concert 8:15/6:30
7 – Band/orchestra concert 9:15/5:30
7 – Anna King here to talk to first grade in PM in library
7 – Mentor meeting 3:30
8 – Deretchin Gives Back 4:30-7:00
11- 15 – CLOSED Campus – Gr 5 STAAR Retest
13 – Fr 1 and 2 EOY math benchmark
14 – Science Gr 1-4, 6 EOY benchmark
16 – Houston Astros Game 6:15 – Boys choir sings
19 – Math Advanced Placement test for gr 4 and 5
20 – Fine Arts Day at the pavilion Gr4
21 – SS EOY BM for Gr 2-6
22 – School Store
22 – Envision Projects 1:00-2:30 in the library
26 – PTO meeting 9:30 in the library
27 – Incentive Day from School Store
27 – 5th/6th grade girl/boy talk
28 – Field Day K-3
29 – Field Day 4-6
June –
3 – 6th grade celebration
3 – 6th grade talent show 1:45 in the cafeteria
4 – Last Day of School
4 – 8:30 – Kindergarten program and graduation
4 – 2:15 – 6th grade CLAPOUT!
Counselors’ Corner:
The Character Trait for the month of May is “Citizenship”. Citizenship is defined as: A person of character that
does his / her share, helps the community, plays by the rules, and respects authority and the law.
At Deretchin, we are teaching our students that they can be good citizens year round. Some examples we have
given them is volunteering, protecting their community and environment, and to apply all the social skills that
we have discussed this school year.
Quote of the week: “ We started a movement...to build character, citizenship, and confidence in young people”
- Andrew Shue
Our next scheduled meeting for our “Distinguished Dragons” mentor program will be on Thursday, May 7, 2015
from 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. This will be our last meeting for the 2014-2015 school year. We look forward to seeing all
students. All students must be car-riders when we dismiss them. If you have any questions, please let us know.
We are always accepting applications / permission slips for “Deretchin Has Heart”. Deretchin Has Heart is a
support group for our students whose parents are either divorced or going through a separation. The group is
designed to help students express their feelings, resolve conflicts, get some coping tips, and provide a chance
for students to talk, listen, and support each other. This is a teacher-led group with the counselors available if
needed. The group meets once a week. If you are interested in your child participating, please contact one of
the counselors. Our last scheduled meeting for the 2014-2015 school year will be on Wednesday, May 6, 2015..
If you missed our Parent Information Night and would like some of the presentation materials, please let Ms. T.
Smith (Counselor) know.
“Lunch Bunch” groups for the year will be ending soon for this school year. Some of these groups are: making
new friends, strategies to be more successful in school, social – skills. If you would like more information about
these groups for next year, please contact one of the counselors.
At Deretchin Elementary, we are a bully-free campus. We take bullying very seriously and have a zero –
tolerance for it. Each day during announcements, our students recite a “Bully-Blocker” pledge. We teach our
students about empathy and helping one another.
In Conroe ISD, bullying is defined as:
engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through
electronic means, or physical conduct that occurs on school property, at a school-sponsored or
school-related activity, or in a vehicle operated by the district and that:
(1) Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student's
property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or of damage
to the student's property; or
(2) Is sufficiently severe, persistent and pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an
intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment for a student.
[Act of June 17, 2011, 82th Leg., R.S., H.B. 1942, § 7 (to be codified at Texas Education Code § 37.0832)]
Conduct is considered bullying if it…
(1) exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator and the student victim
through written or verbal expression or physical conduct; and
Counselors’ Corner (continued):
(2) interferes with a student's education or substantially disrupts the operation of a school.
[Act of June 17, 2011, 82th Leg., R.S., H.B. 1942, § 7 (to be codified at Texas Education Code § 37.0832)]
The Conroe Independent School District prohibits bullying as defined by state law. The District
also prohibits retaliation against anyone who makes a bullying complaint.
For more information:
about retaliation, you may look under "Issues Related to Bullying “on the CISD web page.
Angie and Tisha
A note from the Counselors:
Congratulations to former Deretchin students, Rebecca Fleming, Gavin
Johnson, Rhorer Legendre and Cade Smith for being selected by the Deretchin
Scholarship Committee as recipients of our 2015 scholarship award. We wish
you all the best and thank you for the contributions you have made to our
school, district and community.
Curriculum – Kindergarten:
Kindergartners will be manipulating letters and sounds to make words in the -ut and -ight word families.
In Writers' Workshop, we will be learning how to research an interesting topic and record the facts we
find. Our little scientists will be learning about farm animals and wild animals, and in social studies we
will explore customs associated with Cinco de Mayo and how technology meets our needs. Counting to
100 and identifying patterns on the 100s chart will be our focus for math. Please plan to join us for
Kindergarten Graduation on Thursday, June 4 at 8:30a.m. We are so proud of our graduates!
Curriculum – First Grade:
Can you believe it is already May? We are so proud of our wonderful readers and problem-solvers.
Students have enjoyed watching the steps of the chicken life cycle take place in class. Students will
continue to read about animals and the various life cycles of frogs, chickens, and butterflies. Writers are
strengthening their skills each day by writing personal narratives and informational procedural writing.
Mathematicians will use non-standard units to measure various objects around the room. Learning to tell
time on an analog clock will be an important math skill to master. You may support our school learning
by working with your child and practicing learning how to tell time. Keep up the great work at home. First
grade teachers thank you for all you do to support the home-school connection.
Curriculum – Second Grade:
Did you know a mealworm turns into a darkling beetle? Our scientist are exploring and observing insects
life cycles including moths, ladybugs, and mealworms. During reading and writing, our second grade
students will begin our research unit where the students will learn the process to plan, organize, and
present their ideas and information. In math we will be reviewing graphing including organizing a
collection of data with up to four categories, writing and solving word problems involving addition and
subtraction, and drawing conclusions from the data presented in a graph.
Curriculum – Third Grade:
In third grade, we are eager to get our hands on our finances with the Personal Financial Literacy unit.
We are learning about both income and spending and how to budget our money to meet our needs and
wants. We are loving the novel Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan. It is a historical fiction novel based
on the real life of Charlotte Parkhurst who was a stagecoach driver in the California Gold Rush.
Curriculum – Fourth Grade:
In math over the next couple of weeks we will be completing a few projects in class, as well as some
math lessons that will help prepare the kiddos for fifth grade! In science the students will learn about
various ecosystems and the many animals that live in them. We will focus on the food chains and
adaptations of these animals.
In Reading and Writing, the students are learning what it means to develop characters that have a lot of
depth and personality. They are also working on the plot of the novel they are writing.
The post Civil War era is the focus of Social Studies.
Curriculum – Fifth Grade:
All classes in 5th Grade are compiling presentations for Deretchin Goes Global. 5th Grade has selected
the country of Haiti. Students will compile research on various aspects of Haiti and present the
information through art, graphs, websites, and Animotos. Language Arts classes are continuing to work
in Literature Circles and Science classes will begin a Health Unit. American history classes are focused on
Westward Expansion as well as the causes leading up to the American Civil War.
Curriculum – Sixth Grade:
In science we will be studying how living things are classified as well as learning about
different ecosystems. In social studies we are learning about Latin America. In language
arts we are working on grammar. In math we are working on our amature architect
project.
PPCD:
PPCD is on a roll reviewing all of our letters colors and shapes! Our shape monsters are looking really
cute! We are working on a special Mother's Day project for our wonderful mother's! One more thing,
Field Day will be on Thursday, May 28!
Curriculum – Fine Arts and PE:
Art:
The Art show was a great success. Thank you to all who attended. It was great to visit with the students
and their families!
Band and Orchestra:
The Band and Orchestra Concert will take place on Thursday, April 7th, 2015. The performance times are
9:15am, primarily for the student body, and at 5:30 for the parents, friends and family members. Doors
will open at 5:00. We hope to see you there!
Choir:
Choir performance is on Thursday, May 7th at 8:15am and 6:30pm. Family and friends are invited.
Choir boys are going to sing Nation Anthem at the Astros Game on May 16th. Go Deretchin Dragons!!!
6th Grade Talent show is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3rd. The talent show is a perfect opportunity to
share talents and to show friends and teachers what 6th Graders can do. Look out for information in
Tuesday folder.
PE:
Students in K-3 will continue to participate in various basketball activities. Field Day will be held on May
28th for students in grades K-3.
The basketball tournament will continue for students in 4th-6th grade. Students in grades 4-6 will attend
Field Day on May 29th.
Envision Expo:
The Envision Expo will be held on May 22nd at Deretchin Elementary from 1:00-2:30pm.
The Expo will showcase the work of our Gifted & Talented students. Please come by and
see all the great projects that our students have created this year. We look forward to
seeing you!
A note from the Nurse:
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has required an introduction to growth and
development for 5th grade and 6th grade students. This video will be introduced on May
27th and will include information regarding the changes taking place in the growth and
development of this age group. Instruction is done separately for boys and girls.
If you do not wish for your child to attend this presentation, you must submit that
request in writing to the teacher. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
Colleen Magee at (832)592-8770
Second grade is representing Africa/Tanzania and Toms Shoes for Deretchin Gives Back
on Friday, May 8th from 4:30-7:00.
We will be collecting new and gently used shoes ( preferably 2-3 pairs per family) which
will be donated to a charity in Africa.
All pairs of shoes that are donated should be brought in a bag or box. Your donations
should be brought to Deretchin on the evening of the event. Second grade will have a
donation box next to their Toms Shoes display.
We appreciate your support in helping to make our project a success.
~Second Grade Teachers/Students
Deretchin PTO:
Deretchin Gives Back:
Save the date for the Deretchin Gives Back- Be a Global Citizen. Friday May 8th 5-7pm.
Need more info or would like to volunteer contact Irum Khan at:
[email protected].
Second grade is collecting gently used shoes and first grade is collecting canned goods.
The donations will be accepted at the event.
Crust Spirit Night:
May 5th from 3-close Crust Pizza will be giving us 15% of total purchases from our
Deretchin Family!!! Please join us for another fun Spirit Night. It can be take out or dine
in!
Crust Pizza, 8000 Research Dr. Set #340, The Woodlands, TX 77382
Book Drive:
Book Drive - May 4th - May 8th
Dragon Store:
The Last Dragon Store is May 22nd during all lunches. The students will be spending the
rest of their Dragon Dollars, so this is going to be a big one and we could really use your
help.
Please sign up at the link : VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/uQ7NnH
If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Bonds [email protected]
Class of 2021 Update:
The 6th Grade End Of Year Celebration will be on June 3rd. Parents, please be on the
look out for a sign up sheet (in your email, Sign up Genius) to volunteer in the next
couple of weeks. We are so excited for the celebration and appreciate your help.
Please contact Linda - 281-210-6324 or Sondra 936-520-8649 if you have any questions.
Thanks!