Stafford Elementary School

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Please email your Veterans Picture, Branch, Years of Service, and Connection to Stafford student and/or staff to Mrs. Minton lminton@italyisd.org for our Honor Wall! Friday, 3rd *Staff Development Day – No School for Students Sunday, 5th *Daylight Savings Time – Fall Back an Hour Monday, 6th *Beginning of 3rd Six Weeks *2nd grade field trip permission slip, waiver and $8 per student are due today. Parents pay at the gate. *National School Psychology Week! They promote positive and inclusive school climates, serve on crisis teams, and collaborate with families, teachers, and administrators to improve students’ outcomes. A huge thank you to Ms. Barnes and Ms. Minchew for all you do for Stafford students and staff! Wednesday, 8th *Report Cards Posted in Parent Portal Friday, 10th *No School for Students or Staff Saturday, 11th *Veterans Day Monday, 13th *Veterans Honor Walk at Stafford Go Stafford!

Italy ISD Board of Trustees Vacancy The Italy ISD Board of Trustees currently has a vacant seat on the board with the recent resignation of Shawn Holden. The School Board will be accepting applications from now through 4:00 PM on November 16, 2023. Guidelines for applying as well as the application can be found on the district website at the following link: Application for Italy ISD School Board Vacancy https://5il.co/276y2 Guidelines for Filling a Vacancy on the Italy ISD School Board https://5il.co/276y3 See Above

Please click on this link for November Menus https://www.italyisd.org/page/food-services Thank you!

Stafford Families: On Monday, November 13th we would like to honor our Veterans with a walk-through Stafford halls and breakfast in our library. Even if you cannot make it on the 13th, we would love to have pictures of our Veterans for our honor wall. We will create a picture like the examples attached. If you have the following information, please include it with your email to Mrs. Minton at lminton@italyisd.org *Military Picture and/or current picture with Stafford student or staff *Veterans Name *Branch of Service *Years of Service *Connection with what student or staff for example father of Lisa Minton Thank you!

2024 Italy Youth Basketball Registration Online registration is now open. You can register online at https://www.jotform.com/form/232854809592165 Registration fee is $65, payment is due at fittings, cash, check or Venmo will be accepted. All players Kinder through 6th grade must live in Italy or go to Italy ISD. The cutoff date is this weekend on November 5th. Follow us on Facebook IYAA Sports. Thank you!

Stafford Parents, I am sorry for the inconvenience of postponing the PreK (Fields), Kinder, 1st Grades Field Trip that was to happen on October 31st after looking at the cold/windy weather conditions. With it being an outside field trip walking around the zoo, the weather would not cooperate. We will reschedule but will not pick a date before November 13th so it gives any parents who need to work with their employers time to take off at least two weeks in advance notice. Mrs. Nelson will be calling the zoo today to look at a good time and will send a message of the new field trip date. Thank you for your understanding.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Thursday, 26th *Big Kahuna Fundraiser product delivery in the gym. They are set up and ready for parents. Please enter the gate that faces Harris Street. Pull up to the gym door and a representative will bring out your boxes. Smaller items are sent home with students. Thank you for supporting our fundraiser!! *Stafford Fall Festival 5:30-645pm, wear your costumes tonight not at school on 31st *PreK Ms. Fields, Kinder and 1st Grades field trip permission slips and $10 per student due today. *Permission slips for Big Kahuna limo bus ride due today. Friday, 27th *No School for Students or Staff Monday, 30th *Big Kahuna Fundraiser Limo Bus Day Tuesday, 31st *Halloween no costumes at school *Field Trip for PreK (Fields), Kinder, and 1st grades. Parents are welcome to follow the bus or meet us there. Parents pay for their tickets at the gate. If you plan on taking your child from the field trip you must sign them out with their teacher. *Trunk or Treat on Main Street from 5-6pm. Downtown Italy – wear your favorite costume to this evening event! Thursday, 2nd *End of the 2nd Six Weeks Friday, 3rd *Staff Development Day - No School for Students Sunday, 5th *Daylight Savings Time - Fall Back an Hour Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b6EWJOqhZZIhDyfwP3bfJ06-E7ciwdc6/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=653a7629 Go Stafford!

Stafford Fall 2023 Festival Activities Thursday, October 26th 5:30-6:00 Classroom Open House 6:00-6:45 Fall Festival Activities (students can wear their costumes)

Please join us tonight, October 25th at 6pm in the Italy High School Cafeteria for our monthly FFA meeting!

Stafford Nursing Department

The Lemonade War by: Jaqueline Davies *One School, One Book" Stafford's Vocabulary Parade on Thursday, October 26th - All grade levels can participate. Last year’s parade was amazing with so much creativity. Students pick a vocabulary word from the book and decorate themselves in a way to explain the definition of the word. We will walk the halls of Stafford and show off our new words and creativity. Please make sure your word is displayed for everyone to see. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume.

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Monday, 23rd *Red Ribbon Week – Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free! Mindful Monday - mental health and manners. You’re mentally strong and will use good manners! Wear your favorite superhero shirt. Tuesday, 24th *Red Ribbon Week – Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free! Hats off to healthy nutrition Tuesday! Wear your favorite hat and enjoy extra fruits, veggies, milk, and water every day! Wednesday, 25th *Red Ribbon Week – Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free! Work Out Wednesday! Exercise and wear your favorite (school appropriate) fitness clothes or sports team attire! Thursday, 26th *Red Ribbon Week – Be Kind to Your Mind – Live Drug Free! The Lemonade War – Vocabulary Parade - All grade levels can participate. Last year’s parade was amazing with so much creativity. Students pick a vocabulary word from the book and decorate themselves in a way to explain the definition of the word. We will walk the halls of Stafford and show off our new words and creativity. Please make sure your word is displayed for everyone to see. Prizes will be awarded for the best costume. *Big Kahuna Product Delivery in the gym 11-4pm, smaller items are sent home with students. *Stafford Fall Festival 5:30-7pm, wear your costumes tonight not at school on 31st *Field trip money is due for PreK Fields, Kinder and 1st grades $10 per student, parents pay at the gate Friday, 27th *No School for Students and Staff Video Link from Mr. Bray: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aFLdrHyb3WYyg165aM8OcSAgfYx_paP2/view?usp=sharing_eil_se_dm&ts=65313d28 Go Stafford!

Red Ribbon Week Theme at Stafford Elementary: “Be kind to your mind. Live drug free.” Healthy Habits Celebrated - October 23rd-26th

Italy ISD Board of Trustees Vacancy The Italy ISD Board of Trustees currently has a vacant seat on the board with the recent resignation of Shawn Holden. The School Board will be accepting applications from now through 4:00 PM on November 16, 2023. Guidelines for applying as well as the application can be found on the district website at the following link: Application for Italy ISD School Board Vacancy https://5il.co/276y2 Guidelines for Filling a Vacancy on the Italy ISD School Board https://5il.co/276y3 See Above

The Lemonade War by: Jaqueline Davies *One School, One Book - Chapter 10 Tonight! Please look at the attached picture!!! What color will you choose to wear tomorrow Tuesday 17th....Yellow or Pink???

***UPDATED Stafford Big Kahuna Fundraiser Announcement: Thursday, October 26th – Product delivery day. Big Kahuna will notify parents that have larger orders using the phone number that was written on the order form. Items will be in the Stafford Gym from 11-4pm. Smaller items will be sent home with students. Bonus prizes are also delivered today. Any questions regarding your orders please contact Doug Procter at doug@bigkahunafun.com ***NEW Date Monday, October 30th – Monster Party Limo Bus Experience (groups and times tba) To qualify - a student sold 15 items. To qualify for the family plan - sold 20 items, are siblings that attend Stafford and orders are placed on 1 order form with siblings listed on top of the form. A huge thank you to everyone for supporting this fundraiser for the students at Stafford Elementary!

Stafford Weekly Announcements: Thursday, 12th *The Lemonade War – Chapter 9 Friday, 13th *No School for Students or Staff - Intervention Support Days Monday, 16th *National Boss’ Day *National School Bus Safety Week! The week-long observance offers a reminder to all about the importance of following the law and implementing school bus safety tips. More than 25 million children are transported to and from school on big yellow buses! The law in Texas requires all motor vehicle drivers approaching from either direction to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal. Students always remember to remain seated, hands to yourself and a level 1 while riding the bus. A huge thank you to our amazing bus drivers who always make sure all students arrive safely: JD Cate, Brad Chambers, John Escamilla, Lynn Lambert, Bobby McBride, Shaun Roberts and to everyone who drives when they are unable or to extracurricular events. *Fall & School Yearbook Retake if you were absent on August 30th, started after this date or want to retake your pictures please send in completed order form with exact cash or checks payable to Lifetouch or you can order online at www.mylifetouch.com using picture day ID EVT2S77HR. Extra order forms are available at Stafford. *School Board Meeting 5:30pm at the High School *The Lemonade War – Chapter 10 Tuesday, 17th *Big Kahuna Fundraiser Limo Bus Day (groups and times tba) *The Lemonade War – Chapter 11 Wednesday, 18th *The Lemonade War – Chapter 12 Thursday, 19th *The Lemonade War – Chapters 13 & 14 Friday, 20th *Staff Development No School for Students October Dyslexia Awareness Month – A teacher educated about dyslexia can be the one person who saves a child and their family from years of frustration and anxiety. That teacher can play a pivotal role in changing the whole culture of a school. Thank you, Mrs. Janek, for your dedication to the students at Stafford! October National Principal Month - These leaders, with their resolute vision and unwavering dedication, aren't merely running schools—they're molding futures, shaping communities, and paving pathways to success for every student. Thank you, Mr. Bray, for all you do! Go Stafford!

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and this year my students and I decided that they should be a part of explaining dyslexia to Stafford. For some of my students, being labeled dyslexic can be a relief. It answers why they struggle in spite of adequate instruction and effort. For others, this label can be a source of anxiety. Although the label helps explain many of their challenges, it does not describe the whole person. My students are short, tall, good at math, storytelling, art, and sports. They are so much more than their label! You can ask any one of my students what it means to have dyslexia, and most of them will tell you that it simply means they learn differently. But if you really want to know who we are, ask us what we CAN do! Dyslexics are some of the most creative people you will ever meet, and some of the world’s greatest thinkers, inventors, entrepreneurs and even billionaires. One of the leading researchers in dyslexia, Dr. Sally Shaywitz, said it best when she said, “Dyslexia is an island of weakness surrounded by a sea of strengths!” Please stop by the trophy case and view the “I AM” artwork some of my students created for Dyslexia Awareness. Each piece represents how they see themselves, and what they want others to know about their “sea of strengths.” Angie Janek, CALT Dyslexia Specialist

Stafford Fall Festival Flyer Here is the link for the QR code: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tD4V2mQS1FYsR2nOpkMGVcW0evFPD9kmEKZFHdTCw-Q/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0ErxWa-mWU7Q9PXV4qsjLAiAeu-Q3Y7tyfoR9y7zwrC_-fgWN3vAiuOns_aem_Ab-gXZpl1mcGc7ZvxcAZvfPggOVsHIufOeRJ2OU7X7EsDzDUm6wpif7QXEUySY2l-es&edit_requested=true&mibextid=2JQ9oc

The Lemonade War by: Jaqueline Davies *One School, One Book - Chapters 4 & 5 Tonight! *The attached letter is also being sent home with students for the The Lemonade War – Vocabulary Parade on October 26th!