October 26: Blue Jay Bulletin

Blue Jay Bulletin

October 26, 2017 Barton Creek Elementary

5th Graders Create Stop Motion Narratives using Koma Koma in Art

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL TIFFANY PHELPS

BCE Families,

Thank you for participating in the Booster Club No Hassle Fundraiser! Did you know that 75% of BCE families donated?! That is an impressive number! Your generosity and support is beyond appreciated.

I know that many of you have lived in the Eanes ISD community for quite sometime and are very familiar with the programs, systems, and fundraising efforts. As a new member of Eanes ISD myself, I am sensitive to the fact that there are families that are navigating and learning these things for the first time. One of the things I was struggling to understand was the difference between the Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) and the BCE Booster Club. I wanted to take a moment to explain the difference between the two fundraisers and how critical they both are to the success of BCE.

BCE Booster Club No Hassle Fundraiser (NHF) - aka the "Activity Fund". The donations to this fundraiser go towards supporting a variety of activities at BCE including STEAM day, the carnival, circle of games, teacher appreciation week events, purchase of instructional materials and staff professional development.

Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) - aka the "Teacher/Staff Fund". The State of Texas considers several teachers and staff positions as luxuries and NONE of them are required by the state! Thankfully, EEF steps in to fund these positions and bridge the gap between adequate and excellent! For example, this year at Barton Creek Elementary, these four positions were funded by EEF:

Cindy McNicholas- Music Teacher

Mo Greulich- GT Teacher

Amy Ashorn- Counselor

Dawn Shakespeare- Campus Support Specialist (RTI)

It is unimaginable to lose any of these positions, yet we most certainly would or could if it were not for your contributions to EEF. Please take a moment to review the EEF flyers posted in the bulletin below. I find them to be eye opening. Our students deserve nothing but the best! At BCE, our goal is 100% participation. You can learn more about EEF at https://eaneseducationfoundation.org

BCE students benefit greatly from your contributions to both funds. NHF and EEF are very worthy endeavors and are crucially important. I thank you for your support of the No-Hassle Fundraiser and ask that you please partner with us in keeping Eanes ISD as the #1 Best Public School District in Texas by donating at any level that is appropriate for your family.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Phelps

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CAMPUS?

Mrs. Pieper (Browder), BCE second grade teacher, had all of her students write a letter to a famous person of their choice as part of their writing unit last school year. Several students received letters back, including one from John Williams, R.L. Stine, and Ellen Miles (author of Puppy Place). What a special keepsake! However, this month, the unexpected happened. Now third grader, Trent, received a letter from Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants in response to his letter written last year. He was able to open the letter in front of Mrs. Pieper's current second grade class. Inside was an autographed picture, a schedule, a ticket exchange, a cool sticker and personalized letter back. He was in shock and her students were amazed. Needless to say, Mrs. Pieper's students were highly motivated to finish their letters and send them out as soon as possible.

Mrs. Pieper said, "It was a really cool experience and it is moments like this that remind me why I put so much time and effort into this passion/job."