Family Newsletter, Friday, April 5, 2024
Dear Goodwater Families
I hope this email finds you and your family well. Thank all of you for the continued support of our school.
We have a big event on Monday, April 8th, Eclipse Day. The weather looks sketchy at this point but we live in Texas and we all know what that means, “it could change very quickly”. The guides and assistants have been preparing for this event. Kristi and Alicia are working diligently to provide support material, volunteers to assist in the communities, and any additional support you need. Please make sure that if you want your child(ren) to view the eclipse, the Opt-In form must be submitted to the school by April 5th. We are taking precautions to make sure students are safe. We will be staying inside on Monday, except for the time when the students (with the Opt-In form turned in) go out to view the eclipse with protective eye covering. We have extra volunteers who will be assisting with making sure our students are observing the eclipse in a safe way. For the safety of our students, please remind them they must keep their eye covering on at all times when they are outside and must follow the directions of the Guides and Assistants.
STAAR is just around the corner. The improvement we are seeing in data from the beginning of school to now has been exciting to see. Ms. Roberta is organizing the testing rooms and the schedule. Ms.Rachel is preparing the computers to ensure they are all in good working condition. Ms. Sharmayne and Ms. Kristi have been working to get the non-test takers set up to take field trips so we have the entire school available to us for these assessments. Please be reminded that during the state assessment schedule, visitors are not permitted on the campus.
Thank you to all of our volunteers who provide additional support for Guides and staff regularly. We appreciate the PTO for their work to support the staff.
Kindest Regards
Dr. Bruce
Earth Day April 22
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainability. It’s a day dedicated to demonstrating support for environmental protection and conservation efforts worldwide. Activities and events on Earth Day vary widely, ranging from tree planting and clean-up campaigns to educational workshops and advocacy initiatives.
In 2024, Earth Day falls on April 22nd as usual. People and organizations around the globe are likely to participate in various activities to mark the occasion and contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect the planet. Given the increasing focus on climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental challenges, Earth Day serves as an important reminder of the need for collective action to safeguard our planet for future generations.
There are numerous activities you can participate in to celebrate Earth Day and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Here are some ideas:
- Clean-up Events: Organize or join a local clean-up event in your community to remove litter and debris from parks, beaches, rivers, or streets. This helps improve the environment and prevents pollution.
- Plant Trees: Participate in tree planting activities to increase green spaces and combat deforestation. You can join organized tree-planting events or plant trees in your backyard or community gardens.
- Educational Workshops: Attend workshops, webinars, or seminars focused on environmental issues such as climate change, sustainability, recycling, and renewable energy. These events can help increase awareness and knowledge about environmental conservation.
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Take Earth Day as an opportunity to reassess your daily habits and find ways to reduce waste, reuse items, and recycle materials. You can also educate others about the importance of recycling and proper waste management practices.
- Nature Walks: Explore local parks, nature reserves, or hiking trails to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the environment. Consider organizing guided nature walks or outdoor activities for friends, family, or community members.
- Environmental Advocacy: Get involved in environmental advocacy efforts by supporting organizations working to protect the environment, signing petitions, or contacting policymakers to advocate for environmental policies and regulations.
- Eco-friendly Crafts: Create eco-friendly crafts using recycled materials or natural resources. This can be a fun and creative way to promote sustainability while reducing waste.
- Switch to Renewable Energy: Consider switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power for your home or encourage your community to invest in renewable energy projects.
- Community Gardens: Volunteer at community gardens or start your own garden to promote local food production, biodiversity, and green spaces in urban areas.
- Digital Activism: Use social media platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues, share informative content, and inspire others to take action for the planet.
Remember, Earth Day is about one day of action and fostering a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship throughout the year. Every small step towards protecting the planet can make a significant difference in preserving its natural resources for future generations.
Autism Acceptance Month
In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, please read the following essay written by one of our Lower Elementary Guides, Ms. Amanda!
A is for Acceptance: An Acrostic Essay about A-U-T-I-S-M
From Our Registrar
| 2024-2025 Application and Registration Dates | |
| Week of Lottery (the week after Application Period closes) | Week of April 1 |
| Admissions and waitlist emails go out (the week after the lottery) | Week of April 8 |
| Returning Student Registration | Week of April 15 |
Eclipse Day April 8
Thank you to all the families that completed the attendance survey. We wanted to take a moment to remind you about the upcoming eclipse on April 8th the REQUIRED STUDENT OPT-IN FORM.
As part of our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and staff, we have purchased certified safety glasses specifically designed for viewing the eclipse. We have also thoroughly explained the safety requirements to all our students and staff members. During the eclipse, our administrative and support staff, and hopefully 3 volunteers per class will be supporting all classes to ensure a fun and safe experience for all! There is still some space to sign up here!
We understand that you may choose to keep your child home on Monday. However, those students who did NOT turn in an Opt-in form will be escorted to the OPT-OUT room where students can watch the eclipse live on television and engage in fun activities inside.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to make this a safe and memorable experience for everyone involved. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Email: goodwater@goodwatermontessori.org Phone: 512-931-3560
Yearbooks
📣 Attention Goodwater families! 📣
We are excited to announce that the Goodwater yearbook is now on sale for $20.
Limited on-site sales will be available for $25 May 20-24th.
🎉 Captured any cherished memories of this extraordinary year? Upload your photos here!
Kindergarten, 3rd, and 8th grade graduates may purchase half-sheet celebration pages to honor their accomplishments. Let’s celebrate our students and their achievements together through the pages of the Goodwater yearbook! 🎓🎉
April 26-28, 2024
**ALL CALL FOR THE POPPY FESTIVAL PARADE COMMITTEE & CAR SHOW!
Join our Poppy Parade float-building committee and let your creativity soar!
Interested in working the car show at the Poppy Fest on Sunday, 4/28? GMS will showcase a 1970 Chevelle SS in the Poppy Fest Car show this year!
Interested? Email Committee Chair: Danielle Stearman at Danielle.Stearman@gmail.com
Upcoming Assessment Dates
| Assessment Schedule | ||
| Grades | Date(s) | Subject |
| Pk4 | April 2-30 | CIRCLE EOY |
| 3 – 8 | April 18 | STAAR RLA |
| 3 – 8 | April 19 | STAAR RLA make-ups |
| 5 & 8 | April 23 | STAAR Science |
| 5 & 8 | April 24 | STAAR Science make-ups |
| 8 | April 25 | STAAR Social Studies |
| 5 & 8 | April 26 | Science & Soc St make-ups |
| 3 – 8 | May 2 | STAAR Math |
| 3 – 8 | May 3 | Math make-ups |
| K – 8 | May 7 – 17 | MAP EOY |
| K | May 1 – 22 | TXKEA |
| 1 & 2 | May 14 – 22 | TPRI |
Upcoming Important Dates
| Total Eclipse Day! | April 8th |
| Supplemental Board Meeting @ Georgetown Parks and Administration Building | April 9th |
| 1st/2nd Grade Field Trip | April 18th |
| Earth Day! | April 22nd |
| Board Meeting @ Georgetown Public Library | April 23rd |
Texas Rodeo Day in Primary
Have a wonderful weekend!
~GMS