Full 2019-20 Bobcat Family Welcome

Greetings, Bobcat Families.

Welcome Back!   

On behalf of our entire staff, we would like to welcome our new kindergarten students and our returning first, second, third, fourth, and fifth grade students! Much planning and hard work has gone into preparing for a successful school year.

All teachers and support staff have spent hours preparing materials, creating child-centered classrooms, and reviewing data. The rooms are beginning to look amazing! Secretaries and office staff have registered new students, put together information packets to be sent home with all students, and organized new materials.

Our staff continues to grow in their academic work to ensure a prosperous school year. Throughout the summer, staff participated in various conferences (Basic Language Skills/Dyslexia, Texas Elementary Principal and Leadership Association, Conference for Advancement in Mathematics), webinars, district curriculum writing, as well as serving the community through tutoring, fine arts camp, and Campus Academic and Advisory planning.

Additionally, I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to our custodial staff. They worked diligently throughout the summer to clean and ready the school. Many technology and facility updates took place and are continuing to happen as we speak!

We begin the year with the theme “Experience the Magic in Learning!”

For a the full newsletter and to get even more details and information about the start of the school year click HERE.

Principal Harris

Bobcat Parents!
Today's the last day to pre-order a yearbook for your child at a disconted rate of $15. The price will go up to $20 on April 17. Today also is the deadline to submit photos to be included in the yearbook. Download the form below to order a yearbook and learn more about submitting photos.

Yearbook Order Form

 

5th Grade Parents:
Today is the deadline to submit a special message to be included in the yearbook to congratulate your child on 5th grade graduation. This is a free service. Download the form, add your messgage and email it to ptobrookhollow@gmail.com. 

5th Grade Graduation Message Form

 

Yearbook Ads
If you or someone you know would like to advertise their business in the yearbook, today is the last day to submit your ad for $25. For more information contact ptobrookhollow@gmail.com. 

Business Yearbook Ad Form

 

Upcoming Events
We also have some great events coming up the last two months of the school year. Check out the April and May calendar below.

Brookhollow April-May Calendar

 

Greetings Parents,

Below is a link where you can view the 2017-18 Federal Report Card for Brookhollow. The document is also located in the main office upon reqeust to view in person. 

2017-18 Federal Report Card 

Also a copy of the TEA School 2017-18 Report Card will be sent home on March 6.

The 2017-18 Texas Academic Performing Report Public Meeting will be held March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Brookhollow PTO.

 

Lisa Harris, M.Ed.
Principal, Brookhollow Elementary
(512) 594-5200
lisa.harris@pfisd.net

Click to download January Brookhollow Reminder

Click to download Family Glo-Dance Flyer

Click to download 70s Dance Off Talent Show Flyer

Click to download Brookhollow Pflex Newsletter

Click to download PTO Calendar 

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Greetings Bobcat Families,

Happy New Year! We have had a great start to the first week back after a long winter's nap. Some families and teachers traveled south and have returned with sun-kissed tans, some families and teachers went north and skied, some families and teachers stayed put here in Pflugerville to enjoy the quiet and recharge with two weeks off. Whatever it is that your family chose to do for the winter break, we are all happy to be back together again to move strong in the direction of great learning here at Brookhollow Elementary School.  

Taking A Look Back In 2018! - Our students and school community participated in a number of successful events from academic to community service this past Fall.

• Health/Wellness: Our school nurse Christina Henderson with the support of the office staff and teachers ensuring our students were healthy and fit to be ready to learn in class by providing and working with outside entities to screen for Vision, Hearing, Dental and Flu clinic – bravo! Student also had opportunity to engage in American Heart Association led by Coach Fish.
• Fine Arts: Students began the year with a new art teacher – learning about relationships with depth perception and art history, Ms. Vaillancourt  was our winner of the Texas Art Education Association - Student of Art Education Educator of the Year Award on the state, local and/or national level. Our 1^st and 2^nd grade students performed holiday inspired pieces at Family Fun Night – amazing! Third grade students visited the Nutcracker Ballet. Some of our talented  4^th and 5^th grade students participated in the musical Hairspray Jr. under leadership of Mrs. Garza – standing ovation performance!
• Community Service: BES is celebrating 10 years of No Place for Hate! Our student coalition has led a very inspiring “Mix It Up Lunch” activity, “Don’t be a Bystander” booth at the school Fall Carnival as well as the only elementary PfISD school participating in the Pflugerville Festival of Lights Parade this past December – bravo students! Veterans Day – our 3^rd grade students and NPfH students sung and performed acts symbolizing loyalty, sacrifice, and honor. BES student leadership organization led our school community in various drives – food, coat, Pflugerville Pets Alive – helping out nearby families and business in need. Our students daily assist in school community service projects from Safety Patrol, Student Council, Garden Club,  and our school wide behavior ROAR picking up trash and keeping the school respectful and safe all under the direction of our 5^th grade teachers and staff. We love our future leaders of tomorrow!
• Academics: Family Literacy and Science Night were both huge successes – an opportunity for high-impact learning, where students explore ...  learning reinforced by content knowledge through real-world – fun! Primary kept us aware with their Book, Sound, and Thanksgiving parades acknowledging milestones throughout their learning progress – memorable! Some of our students participated in the Duke TIP: helps students discover, explore and celebrate their interests through enrichment activities, resources and optional testing. POPS Rally lots of hard work during the first nine weeks many stood for Honor Roll and Homework Awards – BES RISE martial arts students performed – keep up the great work! All of our students engage in “Enrichment Friday” where they are able to build and create from robotics, engineering, to cooking, sewing and physical conditioning skills all led by our fabulous BES staff! Accelerated Reader celebration for all students reaching his/her reading goal.   Author visit from Phil Bildner; “I wanted to send you a picture of Michael... He is starting to write his own book and was inspired by Phil Bildner's visit. Thanks for encouraging him and helping develop his love of reading and creative writing!” Hour of Code completed our academic semester as our students jetted off to Winter Break with technology skills in hand!

We also began the process of launching our WATCH D.O.G.S program at BES. Look for more information about how to get involved soon. 

Finally, as we look forward to our 100th day of school; moreover, Spring is just around the corner!! With the winter doldrums upon us... remember this...as educators we at Brookhollow Elementary School are thankful for all opportunities to impact young lives. Our students are the reason we’re here. As the second semester approaches, the teachers, other administrators, and I have one vision for our students and we hope it closely matches yours. We want ALL of them to become all that they can be. We want them to be successful through good, consistent attendance, perseverance, utilizing help from our faculty, and working diligently. We want this because these traits will build good habits that will carry them profitably throughout their life. We expect a great deal from them because they are so very capable of producing great results!

Passionately Serving,

Mrs. Harris

Upcoming Events:
Jan. 11: POPS Rally, 1:45 p.m.
Jan. 15: 90th Day of School - Dress like the 1990s
Jan. 18: Science Fair projects are due
             PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
             PTO Winter Dance, 7 p.m. (FREE dance lesson for kids during PTO Meeting)
Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
Jan. 23: Viewing of Science Fair projects, 3-5 p.m.
Jan. 24: Science Fair judging
Jan. 29: 100th Day of School - Dress like you're 100 years old or like they did 100 years ago
              Fine Arts Showcase @ Hendrickson HS, 5:30-8 p.m.
Feb. 1: PTO Family Movie Night 6-7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2: UIL Academic Meet @ Hendrickson HS, 8:30 a.m.
Feb. 6: Individual & Class Group Pictures
Feb. 8: Diversity Fair

Let's Dance x2!
Brookhollow will have a group participating in That Pfunky Preliminary Talent Show on Jan. 10 at Weiss High School at 7 p.m. There will be 12 groups from across the district competing to advance to the final to be held during the Pflugerville Education Foundation Gala on Feb. 2 where thousands of dollars in grant money will be awarded to the top performances. Come support our Brookhollow Bobcats at the talent show preliminaries. Your support could help us advance to the final!

We also will have the Family GLO Dance hosted by the PTO on Jan. 18. The event runs from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Brookhollow Gym. Wristbands are $5 and we will have FREE glo-bracelets and snacks for sale. Your students can take a FREE dance lesson at 6:30 during the PTO meeting beforehand. 

  

Attachments

Desserts for Teachers

Hairspray Poster

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Thank you PTO for the staff luncheon on Wednesday – always comforting to know that you all appreciate the hard work that goes into being an educator. Our staff had  to worry about one less thing that evening, how thoughtful of you all! Special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson for setting up and hosting, you’re amazing!

 

• Hairspray Jr. Opening Night performance today @ 6:30pm Brookhollow Elementary
• Scholastic Book Fair ends today @ 3:30pm Brookhollow Library
• Desserts for BES Staff tomorrow…see attachment
• Kinder Thanksgiving Feast and Parade tomorrow @ 1:30pm- Parade @ 2:15pm 
• Thanksgiving Break Nov. 19th thru 23rd – No School
• UIL Chess Coach needed contact Mrs. Garza or front office by Nov. 29th if interested

 

The first part of the 2018-2019 year has gone by quickly, and it has been both an exciting and a busy time for all..  Parents have met with their children’s teachers during parent conferences.  Our school has completed our first quarter and are well into our second.  The elections are over, and we welcome a new legislative session with much more lobbying work ahead of us.

 

As we reflect on the many things for which we are  thankful, I want to take this opportunity to share just a few of them with you:  We are  thankful for our students who come to school every day ready to learn – they give us all a daily reminder of what is important and why we are here.  We are thankful for the support of the parents in creating an outstanding partnership for our students.  We are thankful for the teachers, assistants, bus drivers, secretaries, nurses, lunchroom aides, support staff, therapists and a leadership team who really care about student achievement and have the best interests of our students at heart.  We are also thankful for our volunteers who enthusiastically contribute so much to our school.

 

In these most difficult and challenging times, we see dedicated and tireless individuals going above and beyond to make sure that great things happen in our school. They do make a difference, and the children, in their own individual ways, benefit from those efforts.

 

Most importantly, we are thankful for the parents that have kept the faith in us.  You continue to share your most valuable possession with us and—in most cases— work hard and advocate to be a partner in your children’s education, safety and well-being. For this, I am  thankful!

 

Be safe during your travels and enjoy your time with family- Lisa Harris.

 

BES Facebook and Principal Blog:

·       Science Night – your attendance made it even more memorable! – Thank you Mr. Decovic for your contribution at the book fair -we can always count on you to keep our students engaged!

·       Hairspray Jr. school performance

·       November Brookhollow Reminder

·       Student Leadership Drives throughout the holiday season

 

 

 

 

Lisa Harris, M.Ed.

Principal, Brookhollow Elementary

(512) 594-5200

lisa.harris@pfisd.net

 

#IBelieveInYou! Bobcats!

Click to download October Brookhollow Reminder

Click to download UIL Parent Note 

Click to download West Pecan Coffee Parent Night flyer

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Greetings Bobcat Families,

 

First and foremost, shout out to our fabulous BESPTO and hospitality for a wonderful evening of friends, family, and school community celebrating another great start of the school year at our B2S event picnic last Friday!  Lots of games, talk about the bond, and most importantly laughter amongst the crowds recalling back to school memorable moments! See pictures on our BESPTO Facebook. 

 

“ Say Cheese” - today was picture day for all our kiddos!  A seamless day with very little instructional time lost thanks to our office, staff, and  parent volunteers for giving us a hand, Mrs. Prystup, Mrs. King, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Ashcroft, Mrs. Sattler, Mrs. Lemmons, and Mrs. Rosel -– much appreciative!   Picture Retake is Nov. 2nd  .

 

Our nurse Mrs. Christina Henderson has been diligently supporting our parents to ensure our students are healthy and well ready to be successful in the classroom.  We have already completed our hearing and vision this year.   Here are few events to align with our Health and Wellness goals:

 

Flu Clinic Oct. 2nd

Lions Club “SPOT” Vision Screening ( special programs) Oct. 16th

St. David’s Dental Screen Nov. 1st & 2nd

 

 

The latest in  Bobcat News…

I have been working closely with my new area executive director of the “Hawk” team, Dr. Ohare,  to ensure our teachers as well as our students have the best plan in place for mastery of learning aligned to post-secondary readiness throughout the 2018-2019 school year! This new planning has been a big part of my beginning of year meetings thus far.   Part of my new studies allows me to reflect on my own personal growth as an instructional leader which in the end will allow for growth within the school community.  Moreover, our PTO reached out at the beginning of the year and asked me to complete the statement…I’m a Principal because…

 

 … help to strengthen students’ learning outcomes – including and especially for the most vulnerable students in our communities. We will impact ALL students in ways that equip the next generation to master the incredible challenges and seize the incredible opportunities of our time. It’s said Albert Einstein, the great scientist and philosopher, believed that one of the most powerful forces in the universe is the effect of compound interest in finance. I’m not sure if this attribution is true, but I do know that – like the power of earning “interest on interest,” – a great principal is a force that elevates, amplifies, and supports the great work of teachers and other school staff. And, that’s a mighty force! In my experience, it’s certainly one that moves mountains, uplifts communities, and accelerates student achievement. I am humbled and inspired daily by the work that I do and the impact that we have on your child. I will always be here for my 472 students (and growing), staff, and parents.  We are in a paradigm shift of change for the better – I asked that you trust and believe in all I do for the greater good of Brookhollhow Elementary –#WhyITeach! #IBelieveInYou! 

 

Back to School Parent Night at West Pecan – Wednesday, Sept. 26th – see attached flyer.  The childcare at Rise Wednesday evening is for children who are potty-trained.  There will be two rooms for care, the 5+ children will play marital arts games and get a look at what Rise has to offer while the younger children will be in a separate room with age appropriate activities.  To take advantage of this great service, simply drop your children at Rise around 6:30 p.m., complete the sign-in form and head over to West Pecan!  If you have any questions, please contact Amie King at king_m_e@yahoo.com.

 

 

The Pflugerville ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously called for two elections in November 2018: A Tax Ratification Election (TRE) and a $332 million bond election. The TRE proposes the PfISD tax rate be lowered by two cents and could result in an additional $4.1 million in state funding. To stay informed on these elections, visit www.pfisdbond.net.

 

Please note: The Bond/TRE website may be displayed in Spanish, by clicking on the Google Translate button at the bottom of the website homepage.

 

Oct. 9: Voter registration deadline

Oct. 22 – Nov. 2: Early Voting

Nov. 6: Election day

PfISD has updated the Bond Website with a video (with more to come) and dates of the Community Meetings. If have questions about the upcoming Bond or TRE, please visit www.pfisdbond.net

 

 

Bobcat Fine Arts Needs You!

BES is performing “Hair Spray Jr.” Mrs. Nancy Garza has set up a Donor's Choose project designed to add a few more microphones to the sound system.  Please take the opportunity to check out details in the following link: Hairspray

 

 

Campus Academic Advisory Committee

If you would be interested in serving as a community or business representative on our Campus Academic Advisory Council this year, we meet quarterly to review and discuss our Campus Improvement Plan . Reach out to Lisa.harris@pfisd.net

 

School Breakfast and Lunch

ALL PfISD families are encouraged to complete an application for Free or Reduced price meals using this link: http://www.pfisd.net/Domain/92 If you qualified for either free or reduced-price meals last year, you must submit another application to remain eligible this year.

 

 

UIL

Attached is a note with  information regarding the University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.). UIL is a state organization that is responsible for most of the athletic, music, drama and academic competitions that go on in the state of Texas.  UIL has an academic division which is open for students to compete at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Open Enrollment for Academic UIL will be next week and will end on October 12. After November 3.

 

…quite simply, I quickly recognized that I’m not doing this  job alone. I have a team of talent around me and the job I have to do is to bring out the best in every single person in the school community. Every teacher, child, parent, support staff and so on has so much to share and letting you know it is safe to be transparent with me helps to move the school forward – much love,  Mrs. Harris, M.Ed.

 

 

Click here to view the latest Bobcat News. 

• Marco Spirit Day – thank you!
• September Brookhollow Reminder (went home last week –correction attached)
• Fundraiser
• Grandparents Day
• Grades
• Volunteers
• Communication

Greetings Bobcat Families,

 

Click here to view the Bobcat News

•  First week of school update
•  Fundraiser
•  Orientation
•  Grades
•  Volunteers
•  Communication

  

Lisa Harris, M.Ed.

Principal, Brookhollow Elementary 

(512) 594-5200

lisa.harris@pfisd.net