A Spirit of

Thankfulness

This year we are thankful for you! Take a few minutes and check out our video below:

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, November 28th.

Save the Date

11/30 | K-2nd Grade Concert

*Concerts will be held on-campus, in the morning after drop-off. Students will not wear “concert attire,” but instead will perform in their school uniforms. Information below.

12/1 | 3rd-5th & 7th Grade Concert

*Concerts will be held on-campus, in the morning after drop-off. Students will not wear “concert attire,” but instead will perform in their school uniforms. Information below.

12/2 - Invictus Choir Performance

The Highlander Chamber Choir will be performing at the Helotes Lighting of the Lights. Information below.

12/16 | Last day of Quarter 2

1/2-1/6 | Project Week

Project Week typically takes place in the week just before the start of the second semester. Students will be given directions for a research or other project before they leave for winter break… Students can expect to invest up to 15 hours on their projects, which are due on the first day they return for the second semester… Project week teaches students how to study a topic in-depth on their own and how to manage their time, to cultivate love for something of interest to them, and to participate in true intellectual “leisure”—i.e. pursuing something for its own sake and value. (Handbook, 45)

1/3-1/6 | Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences will be scheduled to discuss the ongoing progress of our scholars. Teachers will send out links as we get closer to the conference dates.

Winter Performances

We are excited for all the musical performances that scholars at Great Hearts Invictus will be presenting to you in the near future. Because we have many of them, here is an overview of each of them:

K-2 Winter Concert:

When: Wednesday, November 30th, at 8:15am (following morning drop-off)
Where: GH Invictus Gym
Who Will Perform: All GH Invictus scholars who are in grades K-2
Dress code: Regular School Uniform

3-5, 7 Winter Concert:

When: Thursday, December 1st, at 8:15am (following morning drop-off)
Where: GH Invictus Gym
Who Will Perform: All GH Invictus scholars who are in grades 3-5,7, and also the Highlander Chamber Choir.
Dress code: Regular School Uniform

Lighting of the Lights Ceremony:

When: Friday, December 2nd, call time 5:15 PM
Where: Helotes City Hall
Who will perform: The Highlander Chamber Choir
Dress code: All nice black clothes (black shoes, black dress, or black top with pants or skirt)….. and we’ll allow some red or green accessories if you want to (scarf, cardigan, jewelry, such as that)

Nurse's Corner

Administering Medication at School: Tips for Parents

If your child needs medications during school hours, it is important to keep in mind the following information. See attach: Great Hearts Medication Policy.

Actions Before School

Ask your pharmacist to divide your child's medication into 2 bottles, each with its own label so that one can be kept at home and one can be kept (if allowed) at the school.

Getting Medicine to School

All medication should be transported to the school by an adult and handed to another adult. Do not allow your child to carry his or her medication unless he or she is old enough and mature enough to handle the responsibility. Also, make sure it is allowed by the school. This is usually accompanied by a physicians order and the Great Hearts self-carry form; signed by the student, parent and physician.
Your child should not carry his or her medication during school hours unless you, the doctor, and the school nurse believes it is necessary for immediate access to emergency medication. Younger children are generally not mature enough to self-carry their own medications, but the school should make sure there is immediate access to emergency medications.
All prescription and nonprescription medication (including vitamins) given in school settings require written authorization from your child's doctor, as well as parent written consent. This is a requirement of the rules that school nurses must follow in most states. Ask your school for the medication administration forms they use.
All medication must be brought to school in the original labeled container prepared by the pharmacy, doctor, or pharmaceutical company (i.e., no envelopes, foil, or baggies). The label should include the following:
Child's name
Name of medication
Dosage of medication to be given
Frequency of administration
Route of administration
Name of physician ordering medication
Date of prescription
Expiration date

Reference:

Administering Medication at School: Tips for Parents - HealthyChildren.org

Charter School Advocacy

Congratulations to our Great Hearts Texas parent advocates – Laura Martinez (GH Western Hills parent) and America Gies (GH Northern Oaks and GH Online parent)!

Along with GH Family Advocacy Manager Bridie Chaudoir, these parent advocates were recognized for their participation in the national charter school “Back Off Rally” held in Washington, D.C. in May. The Policy Innovators in Educators Network (or PIE Network) named the Texas’ team’s effort as “one of the best defensive advocacy strategies in the country” for raising awareness about the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rules that would choke off charter school funding.

Thank you, Laura and America, for your willingness to travel to our nation’s capital and share your voices in support of charter schools!

Our GH scholars are making tremendous achievements. Every child deserves to thrive — and with strong parent support, we’re making sure they can.

The Texas Legislature is preparing to convene at the start of 2023. Our elected leaders make big decisions about public education, so they need to hear directly from parents about the positive difference that charter schools like ours are making.

Please join in participating in Capitol Connections Week. In early December, you’ll have the opportunity to meet virtually with a state lawmaker who represents you — alongside a small group of fellow charter school parents, educators, and other supporters.

The Texas Public Charter Schools Association is hosting this event and will handle all the logistics, including sending you all the information you need. In just one 30-minute meeting, you can make a huge difference for students by simply telling your story.

We encourage you to sign up here. You deserve to be heard!

PSO Corner

To learn more about the Snowflake fund, see the video at the top. The Snowflake fund is parent initiated and led. To give to the Snowflake fund, click the following links:

Lunchroom Volunteer - November

Background check required for all volunteers.

All volunteers must sign and return a FERPA Form. You can sign electronically and email to info@greatheartsinvictus.org, or you can print, sign, and turn into the front office.