Supporting Your Child’s Learning This Thanksgiving

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, it's an excellent time to focus on ways we can continue to support our children’s learning and growth at home. Here are some engaging activities that can reinforce academic skills while making holiday memories: 

1. Reading Together: Share Thanksgiving-themed books as a family, and encourage your child to write down what they are grateful for in a journal or create their own Thanksgiving story.

2. Math in the Kitchen: Involve your children in cooking and baking to practice measuring and following recipes. Turn it into a fun math lesson by discussing fractions and serving sizes.

3. Gratitude Activities: Create a family gratitude tree, where everyone adds leaves with things they’re thankful for, fostering conversation and reflection.

4. Explore History and Culture: Delve into the history of Thanksgiving and discuss how different cultures celebrate. This promotes understanding and appreciation of diversity.

5. Arts and Crafts: Engage in Thanksgiving-themed crafts to stimulate creativity. Consider a family skit to practice public speaking and teamwork.

6. Family Game Night: Introduce educational games that incorporate logic, strategy, or Thanksgiving trivia to reinforce what your child has learned in a fun way.

7. Community Service: Volunteer as a family at local charities or food drives, which helps children develop empathy and social awareness. 

By integrating these activities into your holiday traditions, you can help your child continue to learn and grow in a joyful and meaningful way. Thank you for your commitment to enriching your child’s education.

Wishing you a wonderful and fulfilling Thanksgiving!

What is Texas TELPAS? 

The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is an annual assessment used in Texas to evaluate the English language proficiency of students who are English learners. This assessment measures students' skills in four key language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is designed for students in grades K-12 and is part of the state's commitment to ensuring that all students achieve academic success, particularly those who are still developing proficiency in English. 

Why is it Important to Do Well on the Assessment? 

1. Academic Progress: Performing well on TELPAS indicates that a student is making progress in developing their English language skills, which are essential for academic success across all subjects. 

2. Resource Allocation: Results from TELPAS help educators and administrators identify students’ needs for additional support. Higher proficiency levels can lead to better placement in advanced classes and access to diverse learning opportunities. 

3. Accountability: The results are used to measure compliance with state and federal education regulations, ensuring schools meet their obligations to support English learners effectively. 

How can Parents Help? 

1. Encourage Language Use at Home: Create an environment that encourages the use of English at home. Engage in conversations, read English books, and watch educational programs in English together. 

2. Support Homework and Learning Activities: Take an active role in your child’s education by helping with homework and encouraging participation in school activities that promote language skills. 

3. Create a Positive Attitude Toward Learning: Foster a positive mindset about learning English. Celebrate your child’s achievements, no matter how small, and encourage persistence in facing challenges. 

4. Stay Engaged With Teachers: Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers to stay informed about their progress and any additional support that may be available. Attending parent-teacher meetings can provide valuable insights. 

5. Practice Test-Taking Skills:

   - Familiarize with Test Format: Help your child understand the structure of the TELPAS assessment by reviewing sample questions or practice materials. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

   - Focus on Higher Learning Vocabulary: Encourage your child to enhance their vocabulary, especially academic language that is often used in school. You can introduce them to subject-specific words, phrases, and expressions that are common in their grade level. Engage in vocabulary-building activities, such as flashcards, word games, or visual aids that connect words to their meanings.

   - Use Headphones with Microphones: Encourage your child to practice speaking and listening exercises using headphones with a microphone. This will help them become more comfortable with the speaking component of the TELPAS assessment. You can set up online language practice sessions or utilize educational software that requires verbal responses. This will allow them to hear language models clearly and practice their pronunciation and articulation without distractions. 

By incorporating these strategies, you can help your child not only prepare for the TELPAS assessment but also develop essential language skills that will benefit their overall learning experience.

Learn more.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Oracle!

We extend our sincere gratitude to our wonderful neighbor, Oracle, for generously gifting 10 students with their very own bikes and helmets! Each student enjoyed a personalized tour and a delicious meal, creating an unforgettable experience.

A special thank you to our amazing community partners, AVEY and Odyssey Teams, for helping to make this opportunity possible for our Roadies.

Oracle Corporation, an esteemed multinational computer technology company headquartered in Austin, Texas, proudly stands as one of the world's largest software companies by revenue and market capitalization. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting our community and inspiring the next generation.

Thank you once again for making a positive impact in the lives of our students!