Volume III

September 10, 2015

SOMETHING NEW……..

COMING SOON BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2016,

PAWPRINTS WILL NO LONGER BE SENT HOME WITH STUDENTS INSTEAD, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS PAWPRINTS ON THE LYONS WEBSITE

EVERY THURSDAY For those households which do not have access to a computer or the internet, there will be

paper copies available at the Parent Corner in front of the office.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY AT LYONS:

Tomorrow, Friday, September 11, 2015, is Grandparents’ Day at Lyons Elementary. Grandparents of our students are invited to visit their grandchildren’s classroom from 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. for a reading activity. Please remember this invitation is for grandparents only.

HISD GRADS WITHIN REACH WALK:

Each year Houston ISD reaches out to high school students who are dropping out of school to encourage them to return to school. This year’s annual Grad Within Reach Walk will take place THIS Saturday, September 12, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You may participate at the comprehensive high school

Of your choice, but you may enjoy selecting the high school nearest your elementary or middle school. For more information on signing up, you may call the Drop Out Prevention Office at 713-556-7017/713-556-6814 or visit dropoutprevention@houstonisd.org.

SAFETY CONCERNS REMINDER:

Please remember to leave home or work a little early so as to lessen speeding and safety concerns associated with speeding during pick-up and drop-off times. Keep in mind not to illegal park, which may cause pedestrians to veer toward the street, which is very dangerous to everyone. Please drop off your students in the proper areas where there are assigned staff to assist your child – DO NOT USE THE STAFF PARKING LOT AS A DROP-OFF. Please leave the sidewalks and walkways clear for those who walk to and from school.

GT Window #1 CogAT TESTING FOR GIFTED & TALENTED STUDENTS:

Applications for the Vanguard Neighborhood Gifted & Talented Program for students in 1st-4th grades were due Monday, August 31, 2015. NO MORE APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME. Applicants will be tested during the weekdays of September 1-11, 2015.

CONGRATULATIONS!:

Congratulations to the following students for coming to school every day from August 31-September 4, 2015 – they won a small stuffed animal:

Sebastian Villa – Mr. Diaz Jr. – PK Cayla Price – Ms. Rangel – 3rd

Annemarie Smith – Mrs. Valdez – K Christopher Calis – Mrs. Chavarria – 4th

Carlos Duran – Mr. Loa – 1st Jacob Flores – Ms. Lindbberg – 5

th

Pedro Alvarez Florez – Mr. Diaz Sr. –

2nd

SCHOOL-WIDE FUNDRAISER:

Get ready! Get ready. . .it is that time again – School-Wide Fundraiser is coming. The fundraiser will begin Monday, September 14, 2015. All money and orders are due back to the school by Monday, September 28, 2015. Please look for information that will be sent home. Again, we will be selling candy, cookies, kitchenwares, and other items. Don’t forget, the holidays are right around the corner…some of these items would make great gifts. Let’s make this the best year ever! ALL of the money earned will be used to benefit our students and their needs.

CASH ONLY, PLEASE – CHECKS NOT ACCEPTED!

LEMONADE CLUB:

Lemonade club is an entrepreneurial club dedicated to teaching young people about how to run a business.

Last year, the Lemonade Club raised money to fund the lemonade stands for 11 students, but in the

philosophy of giving back, we also donated money to BARC Animal Shelter, St. Jude’s Hospital for children

and the Lyons Spark Park Project. This year promised to do thing a little different, including volunteering at

the Houston Food Bank and invite businesses from our local community to share their experiences of what it is really like to run their business. Students/parents, if you are in the 4th or 5th grade and have an average grade of 80 or above and this sounds like a project you would like to be a part of, please submit your applications to Mrs. Warren by Friday, September 18, 2015. Please come by and see me (Room 217) if you have any questions or need an application.

THE NED SHOW:

What a great presentation we had last Wednesday with the NED Show. The NED Show is a character education program that centers around three

important messages that have life-long relevance….Never give up – Encourage

others – Do your best. NED yo-yos and accessories are being sold from

September 10 - 17, 2015. If you wish to purchase a yo-yo or accessory, please return the order form along with payment. Price range for the yo-yos is $8-$15, accessories are $4 and $5.

COMPUTER CLASSES FOR PARENTS:

Supérate y Triunfa is offering a computer class for parents called Digital Learning. Classes will be taught in Spanish at Lyons Elementary every Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. You can sign up with Mr. Londoño. Classes will start on September 18, 2015.

DID YOU REMEMBER?:

If you have not completed and returned the following papers to your child’s teacher, please do so as soon as possible:

Required forms to be completed and returned. . .

1) Acknowledgement of Receipt of the District’s Code of Student Conduct 2) Enrollment Card – must be completely filled out – At least 3 different working phone numbers

must be included. Please sign on the signature line and include your driver’s license number. 3) Lunch application (May apply on line) 4) Student Media Consent & Release Form (Failure to return this form within 10 school

days will constitute approval)

5) Student Assistance Questionnaire (SAQ) 6) Acceptable Computer Use Policy/Agreement 7) Family Survey 8) Military Connected Families Survey

FROM MRS. MENDOZA – READING LAB:

We are in the process of getting new books for 1st and 2nd grade teachers’ classroom libraries. We need volunteers to help our teachers level their new books. Please contact your child teacher if you are interested in helping her organize her classroom library. Please remember that you MUST be a registered VIPS to assist with this project.

BASKETBALL TRYOUTS:

Basketball Tryouts will begin TOMORROW - TUESDAY, September 8, 2015 and will end on Friday, September 11, 2015. Remember that tryouts last all week. All interested student-athletes should be able to stay after school every day of the week. Tryouts last for one hour, usually until 4:30 – you must be picked up on time after tryouts. On Wednesday, September 9, 2015 school is dismissed at 1:00 - tryouts will be held from 1:15-2:15. This is open only for students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Thank you all and I’m excited for the new season! - Mr. Sanchez, Sponsor

Basketball Tryouts Schedule:

Sep 10 – Thursday: 3:30 – 4:30 Sep 11 – Friday: 3:30 – 4:30

CHESS CLUB:

The first Chess Club meeting will be held Monday, September 21, 2015. Chess Club will 90 minutes and will meet every Monday in the Science Lab (Room 125) from 3:30 to 5:00. We had a great year and tournament last year, and I look forward to another excellent year! – Mr. Sanchez, Sponsor

SOCCER TRYOUTS:

Soccer tryouts will start Monday, September 14, 2015 and will last all week. Student-athletes trying out should stay every day of the week. Tryouts last for 1 hour, usually at 4:30 – you must be picked up on time after tryouts. On Wednesday, September 16, 2015 school is dismissed at 1:00 – tryouts will be held from 1:15 to 2:15. Thank you all and I’m excited for the new season! - Mr. Sanchez, Sponsor

NAME THAT BOOK CLUB:

Do you like to read for fun, read competitively….then NAME THAT BOOK CLUB is for you! You are invited to join other students who love to read and be a part of something fun. Please see one of the sponsors for an application.

BALLET FOLKLORICO:

The Lyons’ Ballet Folklorico Club will begin next week September 15, 2015 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the hallway in front of room 116. Ballet Folklorico is not accepting anymore students at this time.

WARMING STUDENTS’ LUNCHES:

Please note that cafeteria monitors cannot warm students’ lunches – they are in the cafeteria to supervise the students. Neither will students be allowed to warm their lunches in the microwave located in the teachers’ dining area. If you wish for your child to have a hot lunch, the cafeteria serves hot nutritious lunches daily.

Sep 14 Monday 3:30 – 4:30

Sep 17 Thursday 3:30 – 4:30

Sep 15 Tuesday 3:30 – 4:30

Sep 18 Friday 3:30 – 4:30

Sep 16 Wednesday 1:15 – 2:15

GRADES: Kinder - 2ND 3RD – 5TH

DAYS: Mondays Tuesdays

TIME: 3:30-4:30 3:30 – 4:30

SPONSORS: Mrs. Lermas Mrs. Benson

Mrs. Jackson Ms. M. Rangel

WHERE: Room 124 Room 218

BEGINS: September 21 September 29

GRADES: Kinder - 2ND 3RD – 5TH

DAYS: Tuesdays Fridays

TIME: 3:30-5:30 3:30 – 5:30

BEGINS: September 16 September 28

PLEASE NOTE: This school year we have a very large student enrollment and

unfortunately, we are not able to have parents eat lunch with their children. There simply is no room. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

CONNECT ED:

One of the ways the principal communicates with parents is via a telephone call through Connect ED. If you have not received a Connect ED call as of yet, this means we DO NOT have a correct phone number on file for your child. Please call the school with your correct phone number. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

STUDENTS LEAVING EARLY:

Parents are encouraged to make appointments for their children on non-school days or after school when possible. Please note that in order to take students from school early, that person MUST be on the student enrollment card and MUST present a valid picture ID. Students will not be released after 2:30 (12:30 on Wednesdays).

BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION:

Did you remember to save your Box Tops over the summer? Now is the time to bring them to school and

turn them into Mrs. Acosta. You may tape them to the summer collection paper that was sent home in May. Lyons will once again be collecting BoxTops for Education and Campbell Soup Labels - please help Lyons by saving your Box Tops. You may turn in your BoxTops and Campbell Soup Labels to Mrs. Acosta. For a

complete list of General Mills Box Tops for Education participating products visit www.boxtops4education.com.

LYONS BAND:

We are excited to begin another exciting year of our own E. A. “Squatty” Lyons Elementary Band. We’d like to extend to our 3rd 4th and 5th grade students the opportunity to participate in our very own American style Band with Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones and more! If your child is interested in participating in Band, he/she will receive a permission form for you to sign and return to Mr. Page. If selected;

Band practice will take place one day a week during school and two days a week after school from 3:30 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. A specific schedule of which days will be provided once students are selected. We have several school owned instruments for students to use and many exciting performances both on and on campus already in the works. Participation in Band will be a fantastic opportunity for your son/daughter and we can’t wait to get started!

LYONS ELEMENTARY VOCAL PRIDE:

No more applications to the choir are being accepted at this time. Practice began this morning, Thursday, September 10. Practice will be held every Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:00-7:30 a.m. For questions, you may email Mr. Shannon at sshannon@houstonisd.org

MEETING & ICE CREAM SOCIAL FOR PARENTS OF G/T STUDENTS:

There will be a meeting Thursday, October 8, 2015 for parents of G/T students in grades 1-5 from 4:00- 5:00 P.M. – in the multipurpose room. This is ONLY for parents and students in the G/T program – no other family members will be allowed.

PRIVATE BUS SERVICES:

Please remember: Houston ISD is not affiliated with any private bus services, nor does the district regulate or recommend any private bus service to transport students to and from school. Lyons may not recommend specific private bus companies or provide lists of area bus services that HISD is not actively regulating.

It is the parents’ responsibility to search for bus services. Parents may visit http://www.fmesa.dot.gov to review company information, safety records, inspection summary and crash records. Some of the potential problems to look for are as follows:

Does it look well maintained? Are all the safety mirrors, lights & stop sign arm functional? Are the tires properly inflated & have visible tread? Are the seats frayed, torn or coming loose from their bolts on the floor? Are the emergency exits functional? Is there a fire extinguisher located near the front of the vehicle

DATES TO REMEMBER:

REMINDER: EARLY DISMISSAL EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 1:00 P.M.

Sept. 1-11 CogAT Test for Gifted & Talented

Sept. 7-11 Basketball Tryouts

Sept. 10-17 YoYo Sales

Sept. 11 Lyons Grandparents Day Celebration 7:45 -10:00 A.M.

Sept. 12 Grads Within Reach Walk 8:00- 12:00 noon

Sept. 13 National Grandparents Day

Sept. 14-18 Soccer Tryouts

EARLY DISMISSAL 1:00

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

NO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Due to Fall Holiday

SCHOOL RESUMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Sept. 14-28 School-Wide Fundraiser

Sept. 15 Ballet Folklorico Practice Begins K-2nd Grades 3:30-5:30

Sept. 15 Cheerleader Practice Begins 3:30-5:30 P.M.

Sept. 17 PAC/VIPS Meeting 8:30 A.M.

Sept. 18 Lemonade Club Applications Due Ballet Folklorico Practice Begins 3rd-5th Grades 3:30-5:30

Sept. 21 Chess Club Begins 3:30-5:00 Room 127 Name That Book Club Begins Kinder-2nd 3:30-4:30

Sept. 22 EARLY DISMISSAL 1:00 P.M.

Sept. 23 Fall Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Sept. 29 Name That Book Club Grades 3-5 Begins 3:30-4:30

Oct. 6 Last Day to Eat on 2014-2015 Lunch Status

Oct. 8 G/T Parent Meeting & Ice Cream Social 4:00-5:00 P.M. MP Room

Oct. 22 G.R.E.A.T. Reading Program PK-2nd Grade 8-9:30 a.m.

Nov. 13 Honor Roll 1st 9 Weeks 1:30-2:10 / 2:15-3:00

Nov. 25-27 Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL

Dec. 21-Jan. 1 Winter Break NO SCHOOL Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Day NO SCHOOL

March 14-18 Spring Break NO SCHOOL

March 25 Spring Holiday NO SCHOOL

September – National Literacy Month

Approved: Cecilia A. Gonzales, Principal CAG/vc

It is the policy of the Houston Independent School District and E. A. “Squatty” Lyons Elementary School not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, handicap, or disability, ancestry, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, veteran status or political affiliation in its education or employment programs and activities, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.