HUNTERS CREEK ELEMENTARY
COUGAR EXPRESS 

News from the Principal and the PTA
 
April 21, 2017
                                  VISIT OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE                       VISIT OUR PTA WEBSITE 
CLICK HERE for our full calendar of events  

It's that time of year! Here are out dates until the end of the year - YIKES! 

April 27 6:00pm BUGZ Play by 1st Grade 
April 27
Last Planning Proposals for the year are due
April 28
SHARK DISSECTION
Progress reports go home
May 1 9:00-1:30 5th Grade to BizTown
May 4 9:00 PTA Planning Committee Meeting
May 5 3:15-5:00 HCE & MDE Fiddlers Spring Concert in the Cafe 
May 5
Faculty Appreciation Luncheon
May 8 8:15-12:30ish 3rd and 4th Grade Math STAAR
5th Grade Math STAAR Retest
May 9 8:15-12:30ish 3rd and 4th Grade Reading STAAR
5th Grade Reading STAAR Retest
May 10 8:15-12:30ish 5th Grade Science STAAR
May 12
Decorate for Winds of Time
KONA Ice Truck for 4th Grade Confetti Egg Winners
May 15
Leadership Council to Esperanze
May 16
Last SPIRAL day of the year
May 17
5th Grade Track Meet
Bear Blvd current PK visit HCE
Other PK students coming to Kinder at HCE next year will visit
May 18 8:30 am Last General PTA Meeting: New board is inducted, PTA Lifetime Memberships awarded - don't miss it! 
May 18 Save the Date GALLERY NIGHT (tentative Technology Showcase)
May 19
Bike to School Day (tentative Bike Rodeo)
4th & 5th Talent Show Dress Rehearsal 8:15
May 22 Times TBD Pulishers' Picnic - make your lunch and come eat together as a family while your student shares their portfolio for the year
May 23
Summer Book Day
5th Grade Party after school
May 24
4th Grade Choir to SBISD Choir Festival
2nd & 3rd Grade Talent Show Dress Rehearsal
May 25 8:15/30ish  Chariot Races
May 25 3:25 Last CIT meeting - For 16-17 members and 17-18 members
May 25 4:30-6:30 HCE Remembering Cougars Memorial Ceremony
May 26 8:30ish WINDS OF TIME CEREMONY
May 29

SCHOOL HOLIDAY - MEMORIAL DAY
May 30 8:15 Kinder and 1st Talent Show Dress Rehearsal
May 31 8:30
9:15
10:00
HCE Talent Show for K-1, 2-3 then 4-5
NO NIGHT PERFORMANCE
June 1 8:20ish  Clap Out followed by 5th Grade Graduation
June 1 Pizza Lunch thanks to PTA
June 1 NOON DISMISSAL FOR SUMMER!!!

HCE ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAM WINS 
STATE COMPETITION - 1ST PLACE!!
      

Pictured L to R: Nenagh McKeon, Oliva Mafrige, Morgan Matherne, Annabelle Strange, Brooke Miers, Oliver Oldham and Kyle Krouse

Our HCE team of 5th graders spent many months engineering an original robot - an "Odd-a-Bot" - which performs four different mechanical but human-like activities and engages in some humorous shenanigans.  In addition to designing and building their Odd-a-Bot, they worked together to write a script for an eight-minute plany, designed and constructed all costumes and props, performed their play in front of a panel of judges, and answered the judges' questions following their performance. 

The team also worked together to solve a spontaneous problem, where they entered a room and had to generate a creative one-of-a-kind solution to a problem they have not seen before. The unknown problem could require a response that is Verbal, Hands-On, or Verbal and Hands-On (for example, design and build a structure with a tangible solution; create a story out of 50 words including improvisation/dramatization, create tangible solutions of structure design, including verbal sotry compontents). 

HCE's 5th Grade OM Team took 4th place at Houston Regional competition, advanced to the OM State competition, and took 1st place at State to advance to the OM World Finals in Michigan. 

Besides placing first in State, with an almost perfect score (missing perfect by .27 points), the received the Ranatra Fusca Award, a very rare award given to a team who solves a problem with exceptional creativity or solves a problem like no other has in the past. THe HCE team won the Ranatra Fusca Award for their Short Term spontaneous problem (one of only a handful of teams world-wide to receive such an award for the spontaneous portion; usually Ranatra Fusca is awarded to the Long Term Problem). 

The costs associated with getting our HCE team of 7 students and their 3 coaches to Michigan and back are pretty significant, so they have started a fundraising page and are planning some other fundraising activities. 

If you would like to help support this HCE OM Team, here is the link-to their fundraising page 


HCE SUPPORTS OUR SISTER SCHOOL

April 18th our PTA volunteers provided a yummy appreciation lunch for the faculty at our sister school, Woodview Elementary.  

Additionally, HCE 5th grade is teaming with Northbrook Senior High School's shop class to provide a gift to Woodview from the 5th grade class.  Read about it here.  

Counselor's Corner
By Andrea Chvatal

Parents,
What a busy time of year!  To add to the activities, I'm here to promote two fantastic opportunities for your family to give back to those in need.  And guess what?   We are going to collect all the items the week of May 1st - 5th.
Here's the scoop:

 

1.       Our hardworking Leadership Council studentsin grades 3 - 5 are going to visit Casa de Esperanza https://www.casahope.org/ and would like to take items for the children of the home.  Items needed are:Diapers, sizes 4, 5, 6; Pull-Ups, large and XL; Diaper wipes, Ziploc bags, Similac Advance and Similac Sensitive Formula, Clorox disinfecting wipes, Liquid hand soap, Kleenex, kitchen trash bags.  

The Leadership Council students will be able to deliver the items personally and have a chance to hear about all the good Casa de Esperanza does.
 

2.       Woodview Elementary, our sweet sister school, is collecting non-perishable food items to help restock The Houston Food Bank's generous donations given last Thanksgiving. We'd like to add to their collection.  Any non-perishable food items can be brought to the cafeteria stage and will be added to Woodview's contribution.

 

3.       Uniforms are always in need at Woodview, either gently used or new.  You can click on this link to contribute new uniforms to students in the following categories:

Sizes 4-14
Polo cotton shirts are red, white, and navy blue
Pants are khaki and navy blue 
Have your shipment of uniforms sent directly to Woodview Elementary, 
c/o Martha Montoya - Sanchez, 9749 Cedardale Drive, Houston, 77055  
How easy is that??  
Uniforms can also be added to the collection on the stage.  
Ms. Montoya will pick them up and bring them to Woodview.
 

4.       And, if it's easier for you, gift cards to Target or Walmart are welcome for either collection and will be divided evenly.  Please send the gift card in an envelope addressed to Andrea Chvatal. The envelope can be left in the Front Office or given directly to me or the classroom teacher.  Gift cards will not be collected on the stage.

 
Thank you so much for your support!
With joy,
Andrea Chvatal
School Counselor
5TH GRADE ENJOYS DONATED FIELD TRIP TO NASA

Thanks to Joni Baird, grandmother of 5th grader Olivia Mafrige, our 5th graders were treated to a VIP NASA Experience on April 12.  They boarded charter buses - the bathroom was a hit - and headed down I-45 to NASA 1.  

They arrived and were able to start a tour before the park even opened.  They boarded the NASA tram headed to the building where the students saw NASA engineers working on some of their current projects.  They then toured Saturn 5 at Rocket Park.  At the Space Center students worked with robotics,experimented with building circuits, toured the plane that carried the space shuttle and the mock shuttle on top, saw a presentation on Mission Control, visited Mission Mars, did math exploration and had a tasty lunch at the Zero Gravity Cafe. 

When they arrived back at HCE, the were surprised with a gift of a zero gravity pen like the ones used to write in space!  We are so thankful for Mrs. Baird's generosity and that our students had this fabulous experience. 

For pictures of the fun CLICK HERE.  
PTA President's Perspective

Thank you to those who were able to attend the PTA General meeting this week!  Much was accomplished and the 2017-2018 Budget was approved!
 
The nominating committee recruited some amazing candidates to serve on the PTA Executive Board next year.  A big thank you to Kristi Thibaut (chair), Kim Conrad, Katie Clark, Carrye Krouse, Caroline Hawkins, Katrina Hudson and Niki D'Agostino.  Your hard work is very much appreciated!  The General PTA approved the new 2017-2018 Executive Board members!
 
Tuesday, Yvette Simpson and Meredith Turner coordinated a lovely Teacher Appreciation luncheon for the staff at our sister school, Woodview Elementary.  Thank you to Yvette, Meredith and all the volunteers who donated drinks, baked cakes and cookies, and helped serve the meal to the grateful Woodview staff.
 
Another thank you to PTA volunteer, Stephanie Nini, who works with Mrs. Gaines to make sure the front office has plenty of volunteers to help answer the door, answer phone calls and questions, hand out tardy slips, sign parents in and sign students out.  All the while, she is keeping record of those many volunteer service hours!  Kelly Siblik recruits workroom volunteers to make copies and laminate projects for teachers. Thank you, Stephanie, Kelly and Mrs. Gaines for always keeping the HCE office and workroom running smoothly!  Thank you to the many volunteers who diligently work those office shifts!  
 
Have a great weekend!
 
Katrina Stephenson
HCE PTA President


It's Talent Show Time!
Dust off those tutus, tune up those instruments, and warm up those voices.
During school performance only:  Wednesday, May 31, 2017

All Grades Invited to Perform!
To participate please pick up a participation form/permission slip from the front office.

Last Call For Talent Show Entries!
Talent show registrations forms can be picked up in the front office and are
due by
Friday, April 21st.

The talent show will be May 31st during school and students must try out to participate.
Email Jan Ingersoll at janreynolds@hotmail.com if you have any questions. 


Teacher Appreciation - Lunch Duty

Teacher Appreciation week is coming up fast! Sign up now to show your teacher how much you love them by giving them a duty free lunch.  This will be our last parent lunch duty of the year!


 
Spring Cleaning 
"We need Books"


Please bring books for rising 
4
th-6
th graders and 1
st-3
rd graders
Book Swap

All students will visit the HCE library on Friday, May 19th to pick one book to read this summer and jumpstart their summer reading .  All HCE students will be able to choose a book regardless of whether or not they have donated a book.

Please donate ( Now until May 1st ) your gently used books to the HCE Summer
Reading Book Exchange.  All levels of reader from 1st to 6th grade acceptable.  Please no picture only books or crossword or activity books. 

All extra books collected will be donated to our sister school Woodview Elementary. 

There is a blue recycling bin for collections in the HCE front lobby

Nominate Someone for the PTA Lifetime Membership Award
***  DEADLINE IS APRIL 26, 2017   ***
 
How will you say: "Thank you for your outstanding service to our children"?
 
Hunters Creek Elementary
PTA Lifetime Membership Award 2017
 
Our Hunters Creek PTA plans to confer Lifetime Membership Awards at the May General PTA Meeting.  An honorary Texas Life Membership Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Texas PTA for outstanding contributions to the well-being of children and youth.  Our school community has the opportunity each year to recognize and thank individuals or volunteers you know who go above and beyond for all children-those who act as a tireless advocates for children's education, health, and well-being.  HCE has recognized 206 wonderful people since 1984.
 
This prestigious award can only be given once per person per school.  The following is a list of CURRENT Parents, Teachers, Staff, and Volunteers who have already received honorary lifetime memberships.  Please take the time to think about other parents, teachers, staff and volunteers who deserve this award for their many years of service to Hunters Creek Elementary.  List your nominations on the next page and please do not nominate an individual whose name already appears on this list.
 
Faculty And Staff
 
Julie Reader-Boyd
Maggi Dunwoody-Cummings
Naomi Ford
Susie Gaines
Noemi Lopez
Ann Martin
Marcia Menard
O.G. Miller
Francie Moore
Mercedes Mulvey
Felipe Rojas
Mac Rozzell
Pamela Thompson
Sylvia Tramuto
Mary Sherman Willson
 
Parents and Volunteers
 
Meg Bissinger
Nan Chandler
Kim Conrad
Dawn Dixon
Karen Edmonds
Michelle Kelley
Beth McGarry
Jennifer Moss
Jill Oliver
Cynthia Pappas
Kristen Ramsey
Kelly Siblik
Roberta Smiley
Liz Swan
 
 
 
Please return this completed form by Wednesday, April 26, by mailing it to Kelly Siblik at 7811 Bryonwood Drive, Houston, Texas  77055 or by leaving your sealed envelope marked "PTA Life Membership" in the school office in the PTA lockbox marked "PTA Life Membership.    You may also email me at kelly.siblik@gmail.com with your nominations.
 
Nominating individuals in our community only needs to take a few minutes.  Mention a name and just 2-5 sentences of why your nominee should be given this prestigious award.  You don't have to know all of their roles at HCE, but just have reasons why you recommend the person.  The nominating process does not need to be stressful, but heartfelt and deserving.  Thank you so much for participating!

I recommend the following person(s) for a Texas PTA Lifetime Membership Award:
 
 
NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________
 
Reasons for Nomination:____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please list PTA or Volunteer Positions held (if known):___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________
 
Reasons for Nomination:____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please list PTA or Volunteer Positions held (if known):___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
NAME:_________________________________________________________________________________
 
Reasons for Nomination:____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please list PTA or Volunteer Positions held (if known):___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
If you have any questions,  please contact Kelly Siblik, HCE PTA Lifetime Membership Chair.  Nominations due Wednesday, April 25.  Forms can be turned in one of three ways:
                        1.  Mailed to Kelly Siblik at 7811 Bryonwood Dr., Houston, TX  77055
                        2.  Dropped off in a sealed envelope to the HCE office
                        3.  Email directly to kelly.siblik@gmail.com


Have you ordered your YEARBOOK?
 
Are you sure?
 
Online sales end Monday, May 1st!

Place your order TODAY at  www.Balfour.com 


 


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
 
We are looking for 3 volunteers to help with the HCE PTA financial reconciliation.
 

If you are good with numbers and processes we need you.  Please contact Katrina Stephenson if you are able to help!
  Katrinastephenson@gmail.com or 713-305-3277


IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DONATE TO HCE ANNUAL FUND!!
Go online to www.hcepta.com or drop off a check to front office,
send through your child's backpack or mail to:
Ketti Collins, 851 Country Ln, Houston, TX 77024
   4 Easy Ways To Help Hunters Creek Elementary!!
 
**Write the Grade, Student and Teacher names on your bag/envelope of official coupon.
 

Box Tops for Education -
  • Simply clip Box Top$ from hundreds of participating brands.
  • Please, put Box Top$ in a plastic bag (or envelope) labeled with the child's and teacher's name and current grade.
  • Send only valid coupons, the coupons EXPIRE after 3 years.
  • The top 5 classrooms from the entire school with the most Box Top$                 submitted during the entire school year will enjoy an ice cream treat in the              month of May.
 
Labels for Education -
  • Simply Clip and save UPCs and beverage/ sauce caps from                               participating products. Check out the complete list at www.labelsforeducation.com.
  • Please, put Labels for Education in a plastic bag (or envelope) labeled with           the child's and teacher's name and current grade.
Kroger's "Neighbor to Neighbor" Program -  
  • Link your Kroger Card to HCE online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com.  Organization #83363.  HCE receives 1% of    every purchase made with your Kroger Plus Card.   
  • Important: You have to RELINK your card each school year so don't forget to do this ASAP!
Amazon Smile- 
 
Direct link that will contribute to HCE school is:   http://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-6086197
 
Visit www.smile.amazon.com (same account as www.amazon.com ) and select 
HCE as charitable organization; this will donate 0.5% of your purchase!
On your first visit, you select a charitable organization to receive donation before
You begin shopping Go to: "or pick your charitable organization" and type 
Hunters Creek Elementary and select Houston, Texas. 
 
It will come as PTA  Texas congress 4932, or you can also look for the school with EIN number:  EIN-74-6086197
 
These are all easy ways to earn money for HCE! Contact Marilu Kurtz for more information or with questions at rebateshce@outlook.com  
Don't forget to complete your ANNUAL VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION. 

You need to do 2 things to complete your annual volunteer registration. 
1.  Register with SBISD at  https://volunteer.springbranchisd.com/
2.  View the HCE Volunteer Training video and sign the google form.  Or, attend a training at school the first day or first few weeks of school.  

Video of HCE Volunteer Training:   https://youtu.be/-mJQgpiulSw
iKids U After-School Program

iKids U registration is going on now for the Summer(at Bunkerhill Elem) & 2017-2018  School Year!  

Turn in registrations at the HCE front office, visit iKids online at www.ikidsinc.com, or register by phone at 713-665-5200.  iKids U offers a variety of onsite after-school opportunities at HCE including Stay & Play, Enrichment classes, and One on One services.  Customize your child's after-school schedule with part-time and full-time options available!  iKids U starts on the first day of school and classes are filling-up fast so enroll today!
Hunters Creek Elementary | School & PTA | 713-251-6000| Email | Website

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