Stafford Elementary School

Stafford Elementary will begin accepting 1st through 6th grade Parent Nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program beginning today. The nomination form describes some characteristics of possible gifted students as you consider your nomination. You may also reach out to the GT Coordinator for Stafford Elementary, Elizabeth Jones ( ejones@italyisd.org ). The nomination form must be turned in to Stafford Elementary no later than February 13, 2025, @ 4:00 PM. Download fillable form from link below https://5il.co/3702k

Stafford PTO would love to have more volunteers!! PTO is an organization of parent and staff volunteers who work together for the benefit of the school. PTO promotes collaboration, open communication, parental involvement and positive school culture.

Meetings are on the second Monday of the month at 5:15pm in the cafeteria.

A few great reasons to attend: Connect with other parents. Hear about important news and upcoming events. Volunteer your time, at school or at home, to make a difference in our school community. You do not need to be a member to attend. If you are unable to attend the meetings but would like more information, please contact the PTO by emailing staffordptopresident@gmail.com or reach out to one of our amazing PTO board members.

President, Kaitlin Leach
Vice President, Eva DeLaHoya
Secretary, Ashlyn Conger
Treasure, Cassandra Enriquez

Follow us on Facebook: Stafford Elementary PTO

Every day volunteers give their time, skills, energy, kindness, love, wisdom, strength, compassion and a lot more to their communities. We appreciate you all very much!!

Thank you for your support!

RESERVED SEASON PASSES FOR FOOTBALL WILL GO ON SALE NEXT WEEK $30 EACH PLEASE

Stafford Weekly Announcements:

Friday, 8th
*All students and staff attend school.

Monday, 11th
*PTO meeting at 5:15pm in the cafeteria. The class that has the most parents join will receive a popsicle party! Forms were sent home this week, online or also available in the front office. A few great reasons to attend: Connect with other parents. Hear about important news and upcoming events. Volunteer your time, at school or at home, to make a difference in our school community. You do not need to be a member to attend. If you are unable to attend the meetings but would like more information, please contact the PTO by emailing staffordptopresident@gmail.com or reach out to on of our amazing PTO board members.

Monday, 11th – Thursday, 14th
*Fall Safety Week! Throughout the week, administration will lead campuses through different safety drills. The safety of our students and staff is a top priority.

Video Link from Dr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T2adyV5nEtylvOS1kWDVufKqW1KVuF7b/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=689502ea

Please go to www.italyisd.org, select schools, select Stafford Elementary for more helpful information throughout the year. Follow us on Facebook at Italy ISD.

Go Stafford!

PreK, PreK Headstart and Kinder Families Boo-Hoo Breakfast:

· Wednesday, August 6th

· Enter through the front door and you will gather in the library. A light breakfast will be available in the library.

· Only 2 adults per student.

· PreK will be released about 7:45am.

· Then Kinder will be released about 7:50am.

· Parents will say goodbye to their student in the library. It is easier on the students to separate from the library instead of the classroom.

Ms. Barnes, school counselor, will be available in the library if needed for support and encouragement.

We will be having one final opportunity to pick up your schedule before the first day of school!!! Come now or stand in line on the first day!!! Tuesday, August 5th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM You will only verify registration is complete and pick up your schedule. Chromebooks will be given out after school starts.

Don't stand in line on the 1st day of school!!!! Be ready for Walk the Schedule/Meet the Teacher!!!
Pick up SCHEDULE TODAY!!!!!
3:30 - 7:30 PM
No schedules will be given out on Meet the Teacher/Walk the Schedule night!!

Stafford Important Information

2025-2026
Stafford Elementary Welcome Back Video from Dr. Bray!! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1exs2VwAiVAmYGtOlGgCryZXu7T12Eqz_/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6887cab3

During the July 21, 2025 Italy ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the board selected the policy to designate a method for the storage of the device while the student is on school property during the school day through adoption of the revised Board policy FNCE(LOCAL). Regulations to implement the policy, as well as disciplinary measures,were also approved. Information can be found at the link included in this email, as well as a "Frequently Asked Questions" document.

Please see the new Cell Phone Information and Policies page on the school web site at https://www.italyisd.org/page/cell-phone-policies

Italy ISD Football/Athletic Parent Meeting

August Menus
https://www.italyisd.org/page/food-services

Online Registration for the 2025-2026 School year is now open for Italy ISD!!!

Stafford Elementary 2025-2026 Meet the Teacher Night will be Monday, August 4th from 5pm-6:15pm. Please enter through cafeteria doors and exit by front office.

Students MUST COMPLETE ONLINE REGISTRATION FIRST, before they will be able to meet their teacher. Please Complete Online Registration before coming to Meet the Teacher. Online Registration Opens on Wednesday July 23rd at 8:00am.

Italy Independent School District
Office of the Superintendent
Rachel Kistner
Principal J. Lance Bray, Sharon Graves
Stafford Elementary Italy Junior High-High School
New Texas Cell Phone Law
This summer Governor Abbott, with the support of our legislators, signed into law House Bill 1481 that takes effect with the 2025-2026 school year. It brings important changes to how students can use cell phones or any communication device during the school day. As a result, it will also create significant changes for how parents will communicate with their child during the school day.
What the Law Says
House Bill (HB) 1481 requires local school boards to adopt and implement a written policy prohibiting students from using cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, or any other electronic device capable of communication while on school property during the school day, unless the device was provided to a student by the school district, and requires the policy to include disciplinary measures which will include confiscation of the device.
The law allows the required policy to either:
● prohibit a student from bringing such a device on school property or
● to designate a method for the storage of the device while the student is on school property during the school day
It allows the required policy to include provision for disposing of a confiscated device after having provided the student’s parent 90 days written notice of the school’s intent to dispose of the device
It requires the policy to allow use of a device as necessary to implement an IEP or Section 504 plan, by a student with a documented need based on a directive from a physician, or as necessary to comply with a health or safety requirement imposed by law or the district’s or school’s safety protocols.
Why?
In summary, this law was passed to help students stay focused, reduce distractions in the classroom and improve academic outcomes across Texas. Research continues to show that limiting phone use during school hours supports better attention, deeper learning and healthier social interactions
So What Does This Mean In Italy ISD?
We are currently reviewing and updating our campus policies to align to this new law. While full details will be shared closer to the start of school , we want to give families an early heads-up. This gives everyone time to prepare for a more structured and distraction-free school environment,
Stafford
As of today, Stafford Elementary will likely require any students with devices to keep them in their backpacks during the school day.
Italy Junior High-High School
For the junior high/high school, after reaching out to some students for feedback on this mandate, we will likely be requiring students to store their devices in a locked container for the school day and . Students will be able to take their phones for extra curricular activities that are off campus, and any student needing their device for medical reasons will be allowed to maintain possession of their phone with proper medical documentation and guidelines for use.
For both campuses, students that refuse to turn in their phone or are caught using their phone during the school day will face consequences that could include taking the phone for an extended period of time and ISS. We do not want to turn this compliance piece into a battle, we just want to comply with the law.
Parents/Guardians
As parents/guardians, communications to your student will go back to how we communicated before cell phones. If there is important information your child needs to have during the school day you will call the school office and the message will be delivered to them.
We do not have all the answers, and we invite you to give us feedback. We just recognize that this is now a state law that we will have to work together to comply with.
But I Don’t Agree With the Law?
There are many laws you may not agree with but that does not exempt you from following them. This law, like most others in the state of Texas, was signed into law by our elected legislators and governor. As we shared with students, the lesson for all of us is understanding and executing our right to vote. Voting is where we are able to make the biggest differences in things we support or things we do not support.
Thank you again for your support and partnership with your students’ education. We look forward to creating the best learning environment possible for our students and helping them succeed one focused day at a time. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

www.italyisd.org select schools, select Stafford, for more information throughout the year. Facebook Italy ISD. The 2025/2026 school supply list! Please bring supplies to Meet the Teacher Night on: TBA 4th Grade (Caballero, Hellner, Wright) 1 - Chisel Tip Dry Erase Marker 4ct 72 - No2 Ticonderoga Pencils 1 - Crayola Crayon 24ct 1 – Crayola Color Pencils 12 ct 1 - Crayola Markers 8ct 3 - 2 Sub Wide Ruled Spiral Asst 70ct 2 - Wide Ruled Black Marble Comp Book 100 pages 2 - Wide Rule 8x10.5 Filler Paper 120ct 1 - Asst Poly Insert Div 5 Tabs Pockets 4 - Plastic Pocket Folders Brads (Red Blue Yellow Green) 1 - Disinfecting Wipes 35ct Not for Skin 1 - Paper Towels 85 CT (Bulk) 1 - 1.5” Asst Hardback Vinyl Binder 4 - Facial Tissue 100ct 2 - Nylon Pencil Bag Clear Top Grommet 7.25x10.25 1 – Sharp Big Scissors 1 – Gallon Size Freezer Bags 1 – Quart Size Freezer Bags 5th Grade (Gray, Riddle, Strange) 3 - Spiral Notebooks 1 - 2” 3-Ring Binder 1- Pack of Dividers 3 - Pocket Folders with Prongs 1 – Composition Notebook 4 - Packs Filler Paper 2 - Pencil Bag 4 - Elmer’s Glue Sticks 1 - Pair Scissors 2 - Packs Colored Pencils 1 - Pack Crayons 1- Pack Markers 4 - Packs of #2 Pencils 24 Count 6 - Expo Markers 3 - Boxes of Kleenex 1 - Pack Disinfectant Wipes 1 - Roll Paper Towels 1 - Headphones (optional) 6th Grade (Babers, Robinson, Zurfas) 1- 1.5” Binder (any color) 1- Pocket Dividers (5ct) 60 - Mechanical Pencils (or Regular) 1 - Pencil Cap Erasers (12ct) 1 - Pencil Bag Clear with Top Grommet 7.25x10.25 1 - Wide Rule 8x10.5 Filler Paper 120ct 1 - 1 Subject Wide Ruled Spiral Asst 70ct 2 - Composition Notebook (wide ruled) 1 - Pre-Sharpened Colored Pencils (12ct) 1- Crayola Markers (10ct) 1- 9x12 Assorted Construction Paper 1- Astrobright Cardstock 1 - Sharp 5” Scissors 1 - Expo Chisel Tip Black Dry Erase Markers 4pk 1- Black Sharpie 1 - Elmer’s Liquid Glue 2 - Yellow Highlighters 1 - Wireless Mouse (optional) 1 - Headphones 4 – Boxes of Facial Tissue 100ct 1- Roll of Paper Towels 1- Large Clorox or Lysol Wipes ECSE (Escamilla) 1 – 4 Pack Dry Erase Markers 3 – Rolls of Paper Towels 3 – Kleenex Boxes 4 - Clorox or Lysol Wipes 4 - Baby Wipes 1 - Bottle of Hand Sanitizer 1 - Lysol Disinfectant Spray Can 1 - Ziploc Freezer Bags 1 - 4 Package of Playdoh 2 - 4oz Bottles of Elmer’s Liquid Glue 2 - Classroom Snack (Goldfish, chips, fruit snacks, etc.) All students must bring: A cup/sippy cup to leave in the room A complete change of clothes (shirt, pants, socks, etc.) Diapers or Pull-Ups, if your child requires them FLS (Harrison) 2 - Plastic Folder with Brads 1 - Box Crayola Crayons 3 - Rolls of Paper Towels 1 - Box Classic Crayola Markers 3 - Boxes of Kleenex 5 - Package Clorox or Lysol Wipes 3 - Packs of Baby Wipes 2 - Boxes of Ziploc Bags (1 gallon and 1 sandwich) 1 - 4ct Pack of Expo Markers 1 - 4ct Pack of Glue Sticks 1 - Extra Large Bottle of Hand Sanitizer 1 - Complete Change of Clothes 3 - Cans of Lysol Disinfectant Spray 1 - Cup or Sippy Cup (if needed) Snacks for classroom Diapers or Pull-Ups, if your child requires them FLA (Hadsell) 2 - Plastic Folder with Brads 2 – Boxes of Crayola Crayons 3 - Rolls of Paper Towels 1 – Box Classic Crayola Markers 1 - Safety Scissors 3 - Boxes of Kleenex 5 - Package Clorox or Lysol Wipes 3 - Packs of Baby Wipes 2 - Boxes of Ziploc Bags (1 Gallon and 1 Sandwich) 1 - 4ct Pack of Expo Markers 1 - 4ct Pack of Glue Sticks 1 - Extra Lg Bottle of Hand Sanitizer 1 - Pencil Bag 1 - Complete Change of Clothes 3 - Cans of Lysol Disinfectant Spray 1 - Cup or Sippy Cup (if needed) Snacks for classroom Diapers or Pull-Ups, if your child requires them

www.italyisd.org select schools, select Stafford, for more information throughout the year.  Facebook Italy ISD. The 2025/2026 school supply list! Please bring supplies to Meet the Teacher Night on: TBA Pre-Kindergarten HeadStart (Spraberry) 1 - Child Size Nap Blanket 1 – Water Bottle All other supplies are provided by the Head Start program Pre-Kindergarten (Case) 2 - Packages of Crayola Brand Crayons 2 – Spiral Notebooks (Wide Ruled) 1 - Package of Washable Markers 1 - Watercolor Paint Set 4 - Tubs of Playdoh 1 - Plastic Pencil Box 4 - Plastic Folders with Brads (Red, Yellow, Blue, Green) 2 - Rolls of Paper Towels 2 - Boxes of Kleenex 1 – Lysol Sanitizer Wipes 1 - Child size nap blanket (no sleeping bag or lg blanket) Boys: 1 Package of Quart Zip Lock Bags Boys: 1 Package of Baby Wipes Girls: 1 Package of Gallon Zip Lock Bags Girls: 1 Package of 10 Presharpened Ticonderoga Pencils Optional: 1 Pkg of Jumbo Ziplock Bags to store nap items Kinder (Nelson, Rasberry) 2 - Packages of Crayola Markers 4 - Boxes of Crayola Crayons (24 Ct) 1 - Package Watercolors 2 - Plastic Folders with Pockets/Brads 1 - Plastic School Pencil Box 1 - Wide Ruled Spiral Notebook 12 - Glue Sticks 1 - Package of Playdoh (4 Count) 1 - Boxes of Tissues 1 - Package of Baby Wipes 1 - Pair of Scissors 2 - Rolls of Paper Towels 1st Grade (Connor, Malone) 12 - Elmer’s Small .21oz Purple Washable Glue Stick 3 - Crayola Crayons 24ct 48 – No. 2 Ticonderoga Pencils 1 - Nylon Pencil Bag 7.25x10.25 1 - Fiskars 5" Blunt Scissors 3 - Crayola Ultra Clean Wash Thick Markers 8ct 1 - Chisel Tip Dry Erase Markers 4pk 3 - Plastic Pocket Brad Folders 1 - 4 Color Pack of Playdoh 4oz Cans 2 - Facial Tissue 100ct 1 - Disinfecting Wipes 35ct Not for Skin 1 - Card Size 0-10 Addition Flash Cards 1 - Card Size 0-10 Subtraction Flash Cards 1 - Package Baby Wipes 1 - 9x12 Manilla Paper 1 – Pack of White Index Cards 2nd Grade (Chagnon, Roberts) 1 - Pack Wide-ruled Notebook Paper 2 - Small Glue Sticks 1 - Fiskars 5” Scissors 1 - Pack of 48-No.2 Pre-sharpened Pencils 1 - Boxes of Crayola Crayons 24-count 1 - Pack of Washable Broad Markers 10-count 2 - Pack of Twistable Colored Pencils 1 - 4-pack Chisel-Tip Dry Erase Markers 4 - Pink Erasers 1 - Pencil/Supply Box 3 - Boxes of Tissues 1 - Container of Clorox Wipes (Girls Only) 2 - Rolls of Paper Towels (Boys Only) 1 - Hand Sanitizer 1 - Plastic Pocket- Folder (Any Color) 2 - Packs Small Index Cards (Girls Only) 2 - 3”x 3” Post-It Notes (Boys Only) 1 - Spiral Notebook (Wide-Ruled) 3rd Grade (Haake, Joslin) 1 – Over the Ear Headphones (Chromebook Compatible, Non Bluetooth, No Earbuds) 1 - Pink Bevel (latex free) or White Hi-Polymer Erasers 48 – No. 2 Dixon Pre-Sharpened Pencils 1 - Crayola Classic Thick Markers 10ct 2 - Small Glue Sticks .32 oz. 4 - Facial Tissue 100ct 2 - Crayola Crayons 24ct 2 - Package Expo Black Fine Tip Dry Erase Marker 3 - Plastic Pocket Brad Folders (Blue, Green, Yellow) 1 - Wide Rule 8x10.5 Filler Paper 120ct 2 - Wide Ruled Black Marble Comp Book 100ct 1 - 1.5” View Binder (hardback) 1 - Poly Plastic Double Pocket Dividers with tabs (5ct) 1 - Nylon Pencil Pouch (clear vinyl front for 3 ring binder) 1 - Roll of Paper Towels 1 - Large Clorox or Lysol Wipes 1 – 12 Count Colored Pencil

Please see Notification about Federal Grans Community Information and Input Opportunities https://5il.co/3hytf

Italy Independent School District 300 College Street Italy, Texas 76651 972-483-1815 Federal Grants Community Information and Input Opportunities Italy ISD will be participating in the following federal programs during the 2025-2026 school year: ● Title 1, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Education Agency ● Title II, Part A: Supporting Effective Instruction ● Title III, Part A: English Language Acquisition ● Title IV, Part A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment ● Perkins V: Strengthening Career and Technical Education ● Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B Formula and Preschool) Teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, other school personnel, parents, community members and business representatives are invited to discuss and suggest 2025-2026 activities and provide input into the preparations of the application for funding. The goal is to coordinate and integrate these funding sources and programs into the educational system of Italy ISD. Input will also be received on the draft Title 1, Part A Parent and Family Engagement Policy and the School-Parent Compact. If you would like an opportunity to participate, please email Rachel Kistner at rkistner@italyisd.org to schedule a meeting time that is most convenient for you. Meetings will be scheduled during the following dates: ● June 9, 2025 ● June 11-12, 2025 ● June 16-18, 2025 ● June 30, 2025 ● July 2, 2025 Respectfully, Rachel L. Kistner Superintendent Posted: District website and Facebook 300 S. College, Italy TX, 76651 ● 972-483-1815 (office) ● 972-483-6152 (fax)