Stafford Elementary School

Stafford Reminder: Wednesday, April 5th: **Stafford Open House from 4:30-5:30pm Check in with Teachers! STAAR Prep for 3rd-6th Grades! Preview of next year! **Book Fair Family Night from 4-6pm Stafford Book Fair is also open for parents to shop with their student during students lunch time this week and Tuesday the 11th. Go Stafford!

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Saturday, 1st – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm Theme – Easter Egg Hunt! https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Monday, 3rd - National Autism Awareness Month - Wear blue to shine a light on autism in April! Book Fair (Parents can shop with their student during students lunch time) https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/staffordelementaryschool2 Tuesday, 4th - School Librarian Appreciation Day! What a great day to celebrate during book fair week! Librarians connect people with books, communities, and countless resources every day. They deserve great appreciation. We literature-ly can't thank our amazing librarian Mrs. Jones enough! Book Fair (Parents can shop with their student during students lunch time) Wednesday, 5th - Book Fair (Parents can shop with their student during students lunch time) Book Fair Family Night 4-6pm Stafford Open House, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Check in with Teachers, STAAR Prep for 3rd-6th graders, Preview of next year. Thursday, 6th - End of the 5th Six Weeks Book Fair (Parents can shop with their student during students lunch time) Friday, 7th – Holiday Good Friday - No School for Students and Staff Monday, 10th - Teacher Exchange Day - No School for Students and Staff Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZOQ8thbv0mCVXLdZfcBk6Zx9e975UrC8/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6425dc3b Go Stafford!

Please Help Italy ISD Welcome our new AD Mike Loveless

Are you ready for High School? The counselor will be discussing student academic standards and assist parents/students understand a Personal Graduation Plan (PGP). The personal graduation plan is a working document used by counselors to track student completion of graduation requirements. It is a tool used to document grades, endorsement selections, and coursework. The personal graduation plan is an opportunity for students, parents/guardians, and counselors/administrators to meet each student's individual needs and is necessary to ensure college and career readiness for all of our students. Please join us Thursday, April 6th at 6:00pm in the Cafetorium to ensure your student is college and career ready.

Stafford Elementary Spring Book Fair Please click on this link for more information - https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/staffordelementaryschool2 Monday, 3rd through Thursday, 6th - Parents can shop with their student during their students lunch time. Wednesday, 5th is Family Night at the book fair from 4-6pm Family Night at Stafford - Open House 4:30-5:30pm Tuesday, 11th – Last Day for the Book Fair. Parents can shop with their student during their students lunch time. Go Stafford!

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 24th – STAAR 5th Grade Science Interim Saturday, 25th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm Theme – Day at the Beach! https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Monday, 27th – School Board Meeting 5:30pm High School Wednesday, 29th – Carter Blood Care Drive 9-3pm at the High School Meet & Greet for Mike Loveless our new athletic director and head football coach, High School Field house 5-6:30pm Thursday, 30th – Character of the month SELebration! Citizenship - Being a good member of your community. A “good citizen” actively wants to meet the needs of others. April Saturday, 1st – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm Theme – Easter Egg Hunt! https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11sNGBI4oYc5REyHjHWOfky6_mzTQa036/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=641c9ff4 Go Stafford!

Please Help Italy ISD Welcome our new AD Mike Loveless

The hearts of the Stafford family mourn alongside the families and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone. Stafford Elementary has had a heavy and emotional week. Although it cannot make up for the loss we feel, we are BEYOND GRATEFUL for the following schools, organizations, companies, and churches who have shown us love and support this week. While we are still compiling our thank you notes for these blessings, we wanted to send something out as we start our spring break. We are forever thankful to: Olive Garden Waxahachie, HEB Waxahachie, Starbucks Waxahachie, Chick Fil A Red Oak, Evelin's (De Los Santos) Da-Lish Catering, Farm Luck Waxahachie, Subway Italy, Spring Market Italy, Brookshire Brothers Italy, Lowe's Waxahachie, Avalon ISD, Waxahachie ISD, Corsicana ISD, Itasca ISD, Burleson ISD, Midlothian ISD, Red Oak ISD, Ennis ISD, Palmer ISD, Region 10 Service Center, Counselors, Headstart Child Program, Marvin Elementary School (Waxahachie), Northside Elementary (Waxahachie), Sam Houston Elementary (Corsicana), Stafford Elementary PTO, Central Baptist Church Italy, Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Italy, Oaks Church Red Oak, Family Fellowship Church Italy, Momma’s Place Italy, IYAA, ECSSA, Italy Nursing Home, Twisty Donuts Italy, Italy PD, Texas State Troopers. We also had specific community volunteers like: Officers Welling (2), Albert Garcia, Enriquez family, Garcia family, Mona Flores, Anna Garza, Karen Trees, Amber Bennett, Jennifer Reeves, Stephanie Smith, Joseph Barrett, Chaplain Sanderson, Jeremy and Erica Brown, Patches (the therapy dog), Burleson ISD Midas and Gus (therapy dogs), Ashton Russ, Rachel Kistner, Italy ISD School Board, Italy ISD Central Office Administration, the Stafford Family, Ms. Graves - Italy High School principal, who also allowed high school students to come love on the Stafford students, etc. We really have so much to thank, and we are continuing to research to make sure we do not miss anyone. Thank you all for your love and support.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 10th – Holiday No School for Students and Staff Sunday, 12th - Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward an Hour Monday, 13th – Friday, 17th - Spring Break No School for Students and Staff Monday, 20th – School Board Meeting 5:30pm at the High School Tuesday, 21st – World Down Syndrome Day! Celebrate and spread awareness by wearing bright and mismatched socks and/or wear blue and yellow! STAAR Math Interim 3rd-6th Grades Saturday, 25th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30am-12:30pm Theme – Day at the Beach! https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FGAfMaI2T_v4lYUXvvdP6CcZqPSctMq_/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6409f68b Go Stafford!

Italy ISD will be closed from March 10th-19th for Spring Break. We will see you back on Monday, March 20th. Enjoy every moment!

ATTENTION NOTIFICATION FROM ITALY ISD Italy ISD schools will be closed on Friday, March 10th instead of the originally scheduled Early Release Day. Schools will remain closed the week of March 13-17 for Spring Break. Extra-curricular activities will continue as scheduled unless you hear differently from coaches/directors. Please take this extra time to enjoy being with family and friends while also getting the much needed rest you all deserve. Thank you for all the prayers, love and support you have given us during this difficult time. Italy ISD and the Italy community are thankful. We are Stronger Together because of it. Rachel L. Kistner Italy ISD Superintendent

Italy ISD is processing through the tragedy that occurred on Friday and are preparing to support our students and staff as they return to school on Monday. We are working closely with the crisis team from the Region 10 Education Service Center during this difficult time. Additional counseling staff will be available at school for the students and at Central Baptist Church main campus on Monday morning at 10:30 AM for families and community members. We are asking that visitors refrain from coming to the campuses during this week before Spring Break so that we can maintain routine and structure for our students and staff which can provide a sense of safety and security. Please reach out to your child's campus if we can support your family in any way and thank you for your help during this difficult time. Rachel L. Kistner Italy ISD Superintendent

March 3, 2023 Italy ISD is deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred off-campus this evening. Words cannot express the overwhelming grief felt by the district and the community hearing of such a tragedy. We are a tight-knit, small community and as such many students will be impacted by this incident. Italy ISD will have counselors available on Saturday morning at 8:30 am at Stafford Elementary for anyone needing support and all next week at the school should your child need to speak to someone. Next week if any family or community members need support there will be counseling available at Central Baptist Church main campus on Monday beginning at 10:00 am. The District will be cooperating with local law enforcement regarding the investigation, however, all media inquiries should be directed to the Ellis County Sheriff's Office. Respectfully, Rachel L. Kistner Superintendent

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 3rd - Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day! Thank you to our wonderful maintenance staff Brad, Bobby, JD, Lynn and Michael. Thanks for being flexible with your schedule, your willingness to do so does not go unnoticed. Your work and dedication are genuinely appreciated! Saturday, 4th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30am-12:30pm Theme - DONUT let the test sneak up on you! The grade with largest percentage of students wins a party. https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Tuesday, 7th – STAAR ELAR Interim 3rd-6th Grades Friday, 10th - Early release 12pm for Students and Staff Sunday, 12th - Daylight Savings Time Spring Forward an Hour Monday, 13th - Friday, 17th - Spring Break No School for Students and Staff Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OKBJ-Dt-Y6cmZtTaXNme0sG97NL2KXKa/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=6400c766 Go Stafford!

Italy ISD welcomes the new Athletic Director & Head Footbal Coach Mike Loveless to ITALY!

The PreACT for all 10th graders has been changed to Thursday, March 23rd.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 24th **6th Grade Students: IHS Cheer will be at Stafford to recruit for the 2023-2024 Squad. A form has been placed into your google classroom. If you are interested in becoming a JHS Cheerleader, please fill out that form. Any questions please contact Coach Lacy Brown at lbrown@italyisd.org **Career Dress Up Day - Dress for success! Dress how you would for your future dream career! **Career Day, 2nd-6th grade students will meet with professionals and hear why they chose their career and ask questions. Saturday, 25th **Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm (Mardi Gras Theme) the grade with the largest percentage of students wins a party. https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA Monday, 27th **School Board Meeting 5:30pm at the High School Thursday, 2nd **Dr. Seuss's Birthday a Nationwide Reading Celebration Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmoWk74mVxAJP3fNwh_ggeLkxUXr0q3b/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63f7a07d Go Stafford!

The Italy ISD District Site-Based Committee will be holding a Public Meeting on February 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM in the Italy High School Conference Room (old cafeteria) to consider an amendment to the 2022-2027 District of Innovation plan.

Stafford Weekly Announcement: Thursday, 16th – 5th & 6th Grade Valentines Dance in the Stafford Gym 6:30pm-8pm. Candy, chips, and drinks $.50-$1.00 for sale by PTO. You can dress up or casual as long as it is school appropriate attire. Please use the gym door for drop off and pick up. Friday, 17th - Staff Development No School for Students Monday, 20th – Holiday Presidents Day No School for Students and Staff Tuesday, 21st - Career Dress Up Day – Our futures start now! Wear professional school attire! Wednesday, 22nd - Career Dress Up Day – What a bright future! Wear sunglasses or bright colors! Thursday, 23rd - Career Dress Up Day - Dreaming about the future! Wear school appropriate pajamas! Friday, 24th – Career Dress Up Day - Dress for success! Dress how you would for your future dream career! Career Day - Students will be able to visit with professionals and hear why they chose their career and ask them questions! Saturday, 25th – Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30am-12:30pm at Stafford (Theme Mardi Gras) Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y8RAl4RKcsrRvAa1EfK5L5gRWSUvIayo/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63ee5d8a Go Stafford!

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Friday, 10th **End of 4th Six weeks **Last Day - PTO selling Val-O-Grams during students lunch/PE they are $1 each (a blow pop, fun dip, or airhead will be attached). Delivered to the students on the 14th. Saturday, 11th **Learning Camp 3rd-6th Grades 8:30-12:30pm at Stafford (Valentines Theme) https://forms.gle/UrGeLLX72tdrMSdKA **Last day to register for IYAA Baseball/Softball at https://form.jotform.com/230046109444145?fbclid=IwAR3qlUeZVXsViLrig4wnkov27PEe_9bvLxPmF3etb_pStKzDYIbXzCMbg1E&mibextid=Zxz2cZ Wednesday, 15th **School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! Our SRO is a daily presence in the lives of Italy ISD. He routinely goes above and beyond throughout not just the school year, but the entire calendar year, to support our students and staff. Thank you, Officer Rumsey, for all you do! **Report Cards Thursday, 16th **Kinder-4th grades Valentines Dance during PE (students only), concessions for sale by PTO **5th & 6th Grades Valentines Dance, Stafford Gym 6:30-8pm, concessions for sale by PTO Friday, 17th **Staff Development - No School for Students Monday, 20th **Holiday Presidents Day - No School for Students and Staff **Spring and Class Pictures that were cancelled on 2/3 due to the weather, have been rescheduled to Thursday, April 20th. Video link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11XRrgPY5udMBmCEF7IxEXFXmdxDO_rCf/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=63e52bf0 Go Stafford!