The Pony Express West University Elementary School Scott C. Disch Principal Houston Independent School District Amber Pinchback Assistant Principal Fall Addition, Volume I II, September 16, 2019 Daphne Rawlinson Assistant Principal John W. LaGrone Jr. Dean of Instruction Stephanie Lugo Teacher Specialist In This Issue Principal’s Place Principal’s Place 1 Library News 1 The school newspaper, the Monthly Mustang, is beginning its 21st year, and we are looking for a few Pony Express Sign- up 1 enthusiastic reporters and comic artists. Your child may apply by downloading an application from our Open House 2 school website at https://www.houstonisd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=52136. Only thirty 3rd, 4th, Student Directory 2 and 5th grade students will be selected, so ask your child to do their best on the application. Writing rd Nurse’s News 2 samples do not need to be more than a few paragraphs. Deadline is this Monday, September 23 . Astros Spirit Day 3

Rice vs. Baylor 3 Reporters meet twice a month during lunch. Ms. Langston is our 3rd grade sponsor, Ms. Moen is our 4th grade sponsor, and Ms. Musgrove works with the 5th grade students. This year we will select Upcom ing Events students in the fall to serve from September to December and winter to serve from January to May. This way your child doesn’t have to commit to the full year. Students produce an issue once a month starting • OPEN HOUSE in October and ending May. Students will get assignments at the first meeting, work on them for two Thursday, September 19th weeks and turn in their assignments at the second meeting. If they have questions or need help, they Details on page 2 may contact their sponsor.

• SCHOOL PICTURES Have a splendid week! *Thursday, September 25th* *New date Scott C. Disch, Principal

• EARLY DISMISSAL DAY th Library News - Lauren Simmons, Librarian Friday, September 27 11:30 a.m. dismissal rd th Bluebonnet Book reading season is in full swing for 3 -5 graders! Each participating grade level

requires their students to read a certain number of books from this list.

Every year a committee comprised of Texas librarian from about the state nominate 20 books to be on the “Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List”. When selecting titles, the committee considers student interests, relevant content, reputable reviews, and literary quality. Both fiction and nonfiction are represented. The goal of the yearly list is to introduce children in grades 3-6 to a variety of quality books, develop critical thinking skills, and honor imaginative authors.

As your children work through the books, please keep in mind that the list was set for children in 3rd- 6th grades. Some of the subject matter presented in the books may be intense of difficult for younger readers to understand. With this in mind, we are including two books that can be used as substitutes

for any of the master list books for students who are challenging themselves to read all 20 titles. These students may opt to read The Friendship War by Andrew Clements or A Boy Called Bat by Elana Arnold Sign up to receive the Pony in lieu of any master list title. These books can be found in the QUES library or at public libraries in the Express via email! Visit our area. school website at: http://www.houstonisd.org//cms/ A great resource to check reviews for books is https://www.commonsensemedia.org/. This site offers module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey. feedback and recommendations for age appropriate books. aspx?SurveyID=471

Please let the librarian know if you have any questions or concerns.

Happy Reading!

West University Elementary School, Houston Independent School District

Open House Thursday, September 19th

Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. (Teacher’s Classroom)

Clear Building for Upper Grades 6:15 – 6:30 p.m.

Ancillary (Cafeteria) 5:45 – 6:15 p.m. 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. (Teacher’s Classroom)

Final Deadline, September 16th - Student Directory

Stay connected by participating in the student directory for party planning, car pools, communicating with school staff, and more! TODAY is the data entry / confirmation deadline for our school's printed directory.

Returning Families: please update your data through a secure link that was sent to your email. New Families: go to join.myschoolanywhere.com, enter the code from the flyer or email [email protected].

Nurse’s News – Paula Botteceli, R.N., School Nurse

I hope that everyone has had a good start to the year. I have been busy getting things organized for the year and have many medications that have been left in the clinic over the summer. I need new forms and a recheck on the medication. Please come and pick up your medications from last year and get a new form. I will NOT be using the old medication without a new form. If you have any questions, please call or come by.

I will soon be checking all your immunizations and then begin vision and hearing screenings. I am here for your children and if you have any questions, let me know.

Thanks, and I am looking forward to a great year.

Astros Spirit Day – Tuesday, September 17th

The will kick off the Lone Star Series against the on Tuesday evening at . I am so excited to be throwing out the first pitch for this highly anticipated annual game against our rivals to the north!

All staff and students are encouraged to show their support for our home team by wearing orange and blue and various Astros attire and accessories on Tuesday. You also can wear jeans with your Astros gear.

We are proud to have the Houston Astros organization as a partner in public education and in our HISD schools. Let’s show our Astros team spirit! Post your photos on social media using #HISDAstros and #TakeItBack.

Sincerely,

Grenita F. Lathan, Ph.D. Interim Superintendent

Rice vs. Baylor Football – 9/21

Rice Athletic Department has created a discounted opportunity for WUES families to watch the Owls take on the Baylor Bears this Saturday at 6:00. All tickets will be in the same section: https://offer.fevo.com/rice-vs-baylor-iu5ghwq-77cd092