JANUARY 5, 2015
CONTACT US
IDEA Walzem
8750 Fourwinds Drive
Windcrest, TX 78239
210-239-4600
www.ideapublicschools.org
_____________________
Evan Yates
Principal, Academy
Khalil Graham
Principal, College Prep
Purvi Gordon
Assistant Principal of
Operations
Christina Flores
Assistant Principal of
Instruction, Academy
Sadie Ellner
Assistant Principal of
Instruction, Academy
Rachel Fiddelman
Academic Counselor
IDEA AUTHORS
COMPETITION
Each month, IDEA Public
Schools will be holding an essay
writing contest! The author of
the winning essay from each
grade level will receive a $200
Savings Bond! This month’s
essay prompt is: IDEA #55 is
Be the best person you can
be. Write about how you can
be the best person you can be.
Please encourage your student to
spend time at home responding
to this essay prompt! We have
extended the essay deadline to
Thursday January 8th! Best of
luck to all of our amazing IDEA
Walzem authors!
IMPORTANT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- REPORT CARD NIGHT will
be this Thursday, January 7th
from 3:45 PM to 6:00 PM. All
parents are required to pick up
their child’s report card at this
time!
- There will be no school on
Monday, January 19th for MLK Jr.
Day. There will be an early
release day on Friday, January
30th. School will end at 12:00 PM.
Wolf Care will be in session for all
students currently enrolled in the
program; our standard late pick
up fees apply.
- Wolf Care payments will only be
collected on Fridays. The first day
for payment will be Friday,
January 9th. Please contact Ariana
at the front desk with any
concerns.
- Congratulations to Mr. Soto’s
class for having 100% parent
survey participation! Thank you to
all parents who took time to fill
out the surveys!
SPIRIT WEEK
We are excited to be back at school
for the start of the second semester!
Please encourage your student join
us:
TUESDAY: Ringin’ in the New
Year (Wear 2015 New Year’s Eve
hats, glasses, etc.)
WEDNESDAY: Rockin’ in the
New Year (Dress up as your
favorite rock star!)
THURSDAY: Kickin’ in the New
Year (Wear your favorite shoes!)
FRIDAY Spirit Day (Wear yellow
and blue!)
Uniform Reminder
Monday – Thursday:
Shirt: Tucked in IDEA
embroidered polo
*Long-sleeved shirts must be all
white
Pants: Dickie’s flat front khakis
*Leggings must be all black
Shoes: All black shoes; black
laces; white socks
Belt: Plain black belt
Friday:
Shirt: Tucked in IDEA spirit
shirt or college shirt
Pants: Jeans (no holes,
studs/designs, jeggings/skinny
jeans)
Shoes: All black shoes; black
laces; white socks
Belt: Plain black belt
*Students who are not in proper
uniform will receive a call home.
ACADEMY
ANNOUCEMENT
We are excited to announce that
IDEA Walzem Academy is now
using an all-new online behavior
management system called Class
Dojo! Each student has their very
own avatar, and will earn
‘positive’ and ‘needs work’ points.
This system will replace the 100point chart in the Wolf Packer
Tracker. However, students will
still need their WPTs for their
lifework, reading logs, etc. Parents
will be able to check their
student’s progress via cell phone
and computer! Please use the
handout in your student’s
homework folder to log on using
your personalized code.
JANUARY 5, 2015
Grade Team Updates
KINDER CORNER
Kinder Parents,
Welcome Back! Please do not forget to send in replenished supplies for the spring semester. The
Kindergarten Team is asking that each child bring in: two 24-count boxes of crayons, 1 roll of paper
towels, 1 box of Kleenex, and 1 container of Clorox wipes. Please follow up with your child’s
homeroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
The Kinder Team
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FIRST GRADE CORNER
Team and Family,
Welcome back! We are so excited to see everyone come back and refreshed. Congratulations to Amy
Hernandez and Anissa Aldana our Star Student and Core Value winners before our break! Just a
reminder if you have not done so, please send your scholar with 2 boxes of crayons, Kleenex, and paper
towels to replenish the supplies we have at school. Don’t forget report card pick up night is December
8th! Hope you all have a fabulous week!
Congratulations to Ms. Leyva on the birth of her son! We are excited to welcome the new baby
boy to our Walzem family. While Ms. Leyva is out on maternity leave, Mrs. Beverly Burton will be
substitute teaching in the classroom. If your child receives instruction in this classroom and you have
any questions or concerns, please contact Sadie Ellner at sadie.ellner@ideapublicschools.org or (210)
560-8581.
First Grade Team
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SECOND GRADE CORNER
Second Grade Parents,
In 2nd grade, the STAR student of the week was Ginger Embry and the CORE Value winner was Curtis
Windom. In Science last week we learned about temperature and weather. Thanks to those parents who
have brought in supplies, but we still are in need of more Kleenex and paper towels. We are very
excited to start the 2ndSemester and are glad to have everyone back from break. We are excited to being
using Class Dojo, which will give you real time updates on your phone about your student’s behavior.
Second Grade Team
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SIXTH GRADE CORNER
Hello 6th Grade Families!
Welcome back to school! This semester kicks off with some exciting changes! Our science curriculum
has ended and World Cultures has begun with Mr. Ervin. We begin reading a novel soon in ELA, and
our Common Assessment takes place tomorrow, January 7th. Remind your student to start cashing in
merits for rewards from the Incentives List!
6th Grade Team https://sites.google.com/site/walzemcp/
____________________________________________________________________________________
JANUARY 5, 2015
ELECTIVES CORNER
Dear Parents,
Special shout out to our word masters in AR! 6th Grade: Ally Fleuret and Lita Funk; 2nd Grade: Ginger
Embry and Giselle Mercado. The deadline for the word masters for semester 2 is April 30th! Please
encourage your students to keep reading and take AR tests!
Thank you, Ms. De Luna, AR Zone Facilitator
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Child Nutrition Update
Academy Parent Lunch: IDEA Walzem Academy parents may visit campus to eat with their students
during their designated Parent Lunch Day. Parent Lunch Days will be on Fridays on a rotating schedule
based on grade level (kinder, 1st, 2nd ….). Parents should arrive at the times noted below. Please park in
the front lot and check in with the receptionist.
Upcoming Parent Lunch Days:
Kinder 1/9 12:15 AM
First 1/16 11:15 AM
Second 1/23 11:45 AM
Parents may not bring commercial food (i.e. McDonalds, Subway) to campus for Parent Lunch. Feel
free to bring lunch from home or eat the food provided by our Child Nutrition Program.
Birthdays: Students may bring store-bought cupcakes to school on the Friday of their birthday. Parent
must first e-mail purvi.gordon@ideapublicschools.org to confirm. All cupcakes must be brought to the
main office by the parent by 2:00 PM.
Payment Update: The Child Nutrition Department works hard on a daily basis to provide your child
with a healthy and nutritious lunch for a nominal fee. Beginning this week, students with a negative
balance will receive a courtesy meal of a cold cheese sandwich and milk. Once your child’s account is
paid in full, the courtesy meal will be withdrawn and he/she will be able to choose their meals from the
regular menu. All balances can be paid by cash or check at the child nutrition department between the
hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. Or you can also create an account and pay for meals on our online
system at www.myschoolbucks.com. We have sent several letters with your child so please pay as
soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Any questions please contact
Mr. Galicia CNP Manager at (210)284-7957.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Parent Volunteers: If you would like to become a parent volunteer, please stop by our receptionist’s
desk to fill out the necessary paperwork. Parent volunteers must be on campus before 11:00 AM, as
IDEA Walzem’s campus will be closed between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Academy Parent Walkthroughs: We are excited to announce Academy Parent Walkthroughs! Please
call the front office to sign up; there will be a limit of 12 parents per session. Sessions will occur every
other Thursday from 9 AM to 10 AM.
Upcoming Parent Walkthroughs: 1/15 9:00 AM 1/29 9:00 AM
2/12 9:00 AM
Parent Ambassador Opportunity: We are looking for current parents to help us recruit students for
the 2015-2016 school year! You will be assisting Mrs. Purvi Gordon in recruiting our new students. A
minimum of 4 hours a week will be needed, and days and times are flexible. If you are interested, please
send an email to Mrs. Purvi Gordon at purvi.gordon@ideapublicschools.org.