From the Desk of the Headmaster

Spartans!

We are excited to announce that we will be participating in the annual Big Give fundraising event next week. All donations made through the Big Give will benefit our community investment campaign, and the raised funds will directly contribute towards our campus needs. Please note that no donation is too small and all contributions will enter you into a drawing for new Spartan swag. So, mark your calendars and make sure to donate to support our community!

Kyla Absher

Headmaster, Lower School

Operational Updates

Our 23-24 Attendance Challenge

• Any class that has perfect attendance for the day will receive a special golden sticker for their classroom to collect.
• For students in grades K-4, the grade with the highest attendance for the week will receive an extended recess time the following week and will get a point towards the yearly attendance tracker.
• For a student in 5^th grade, the house with the highest attendance for the week will accumulate points, which will be added to their house at the end of the school year, and they will get to enjoy a sweet treat at recess.
• For scholars who have perfect attendance within a quarter will have an opportunity to have lunch with the lower school leadership team and will receive a certificate of recognition.

At the end of the school year, the grade that maintains the highest attendance for the school year, will receive a surprise celebration that is organized and put on by the leadership team and PSO.

Lobbies Closed During Afternoon Pick-Up

Please note that the lobby will be closed from 3-4 pm on full days and from 1-2 pm on Early Release days until after the carline is completed. The lobby will then re-open for Athenaeum checkouts.

If parents need to check out their children early from school, it is recommended to do so before 3 pm on full days and before 1 pm on Early Release Fridays. Checking out students beyond these times could cause delays in getting them to their families on time. This is because end-of-day routines in class, such as packing up and locker visits, transitions between classes, Athenaeum pick-up routines, and club/intramural rotations occur after 3/1 pm. 

Academy Advisory Committee

Who, What, & Why?

The Academy Advisory Committee, or AAC, is composed of parents who nominated themselves for appointment, our two Headmasters, the Director of Community Engagement, and two additional faculty. The committee uses their semesterly meetings as opportunities for the school leadership and parent stakeholders to exchange valuable insight and discuss goals concerning campus safety, facility improvement, culture, and communication. This is a vital way our school leadership is able to share and hear our community's voices in these areas.

To that end, AAC meetings are open to the public. Though non-AAC attendees may not contribute during the meeting discussion, any family with relevant concerns, ideas, encouragements, or valuable insight can contact the AAC members listed on our website and request that they bring them to the committee's attention. The next AAC meeting is September 18th at 4:30 PM in the Upper School Library.

Dismissal Reminder

Lower School Carline Closing Time

Charges for late pickup began Monday, August 28^th. Carline officially closes at 4:05 PM each afternoon on full days and 2:05 PM on early-release Fridays.

All students MUST be picked up by 4:05 p.m. (2:05 p.m. on early release days) unless they are enrolled in an after-school activity. After 4:05 pm (2:05 pm on early release days), parents must park, enter the main entrance, and sign out their student(s).

Late fees will apply at a rate of $1/minute. All students should be picked up within 10 minutes of the scheduled end time for clubs, tutoring, or sports. Any student not picked up by this time will fall into the above policy. Siblings of students in clubs, tutoring, or sports may not “hang out” on campus until their sibling’s extracurricular activity is over. No student may be unsupervised on campus after school. Any student unattended will be checked into Athenaeum/HW Club. See page 68 in the family handbook.

Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch!

Great Hearts participates in the Free & Reduced Lunch (FRL) Program. Your family may qualify for breakfast and lunch meals at a minimal or no cost. You can submit an application at https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?lang=English

This state application is still required even if you applied and qualified for preliminary assistance with the campus over the summer. 

If you have any questions, please email Meals@GreatHeartsTXSchools.org



Advocacy Corner

Texas Education and Legislative Updates:

The Texas Education Agency this week announced the release of A-F accountability scores for school districts and campuses would be delayed until at least late October. The new accountability scores were set to be released on September 28 following the agency’s transition to exclusive online STAAR tests and its intensive process of refreshing the cut scores, which had remained unchanged since 2017.   

A 2017 state law requires a periodic refresh to the accountability system to adjust cut points and indicators in the state’s STAAR accountability system with the goal of ensuring that Texas is meeting goals for student progress and achievement. Cut points are the specific numerical targets that districts and campuses must reach in order to receive a particular grade. 

The state education agency cited the additional month “will allow for a further re-examination of the baseline data used in the calculation of ‘Progress’ to ensure ratings reflect the most appropriate goals for students,” according to the TEA’s Sept 12 press release.

Lawmakers convened the 88th Texas Legislature in May without passing a school finance package. It is expected that a special legislative session will be called – likely in October – to tackle increases to the state’s rate of per-pupil funding, teacher pay, and more. In the spring, the Texas House’s omnibus school finance bill would have decreased per pupil for charter schools. TPCSA is working hard behind the scenes, garnering support for increases in state funding for charters, in particular, to address their inequitable facilities funding.  

Stay up to date on critical charter school bills and action alerts from the Texas Public Charter School Association (TPCSA). TPCSA is the statewide organization representing Texas charter schools to state leaders, lawmakers, and state agencies.  

All parents can stay informed by subscribing to TPCSA’s emails and alerts. To receive TPCSA emails and alerts, please click this link.  

To learn more about charter advocacy, contact GH’s Family Advocacy Manager, Bridie Chaudoir, at bridie.chaudoir@greatheartstxschools.org