Staff Update:

Mrs. Castillo, our Director of Campus Operations, is officially on maternity leave! During her absence, Ms. Zumaya, Elementary Resident Director of Campus Operations will be serving the North Forest Elementary community. Ms. Zumaya has spent the last 2 weeks at NFE preparing with Mrs. Castillo to ensure she is familiar with the systems and processes for our staff and families. Please read below to learn more about who she is!

Uniform Policy for the 2024-2025 school year

At YES Prep, we continue to see the benefits of students wearing YES Prep uniforms and apparel, including a sense of school pride, improved safety and more convenience for families. For this reason, we will continue the standard uniform policy for the 2024-2025 school year. Students must wear a YES Prep-branded polo or spirit shirt five days a week, with the option to wear a school-chosen variation like a college shirt on Fridays. 

Students may choose between pants, skirts, or shorts of the following:   

• Khakis (any color)  
• Navy 
• Jeans (any color)  

Students should wear bottoms that allow them to comfortably participate in recess and PE. Students may not wear pajama pants or bottoms with holes. 

Shorts and skirts should be no shorter than mid-thigh.  

Bottoms may not have holes/tears below the knee/with leggings underneath.  

Students are not required to wear belts.  

Tennis shoes are recommended so students can safely participate in activities at recess and in PE.  

For safety purposes, all shoes must meet the following criteria:  

• Closed-toed  
• Must have backs (i.e. no slides)  
• Must have hard soles (i.e. no slippers)  
• Any color is permitted  
• No shoes with heels over .5 inches 
• Crocs are not allowed. 

Students may wear only YES Prep branded outerwear. Students may also have the option of purchasing the following from YES Prep or Athletic Departments to build school-pride and community: Students may choose from the following:  

• YES Prep crewneck (purchased through YES Prep) 
• YES Prep Hoodie (purchased through YES Prep) 
• YES Prep Quarter Zip Jacket (purchased through YES Prep) 
• Campus-issued grade level or spirit sweatshirts etc. (purchased through campus as applicable)  

As we receive more inventory, we will update families so that they can purchase. The expectation is that once inventory arrives, the goal is by the start of Quarter 2 - October 15th, all students must only wear YES Prep branded uniforms and outerwear. For uniform assistance, please reach out to our Student Support Counselor at janese.olonade@yesprep.org.

Arrival and Dismissal Reminders:

During the first few weeks of the school year, we will continue to share some reminders on how families can support us with our goal of decreasing our arrival and dismissal times.

A contributing factor in our arrival continues to be student's readiness. Below are some actions you should please take to support with maximizing our efficiency during arrival:

Arrival:

• Please ensure your student is  fully ready to unload by the time you get to your drop off cone. This means, backpacks are on, lunch is in hand, and you’ve said your goodbyes.
• If your student is sleeping during drop off, please wake them up with enough time to unload promptly.
• Students should sit in a way that allows them to unload from the driver, rear door.
• Once your student has safely unloaded your vehicle, please move swiftly through the line so we can unload the next set of vehicles.
• Avoid cell phone usage.

Dismissal:

• Please ensure you are continuously moving your vehicle through the pick-up line until you reach your student's loading cone.
• Please ensure your number remains visible on your rearview mirror until after you have picked up your students. If you have multiple car tags (picking up more than one student), please display additional tags on your dashboard.
• We encourage you to review your student's car tag number with them consistently, as this will allow them to recognize when they are being called to go outside.
• Avoid cell phone usage.

Traffic Courtesy

• As you form a line for dismissal, we ask that you are courteous to one another as all families in line are awaiting pick up.
• Please note, we can advise, however, we cannot manage traffic beyond our campus. 

Breakfast and Lunch Menu:

To stay updated with what your student is being offered for breakfast and lunch, please visit: Weekly Menu - YES Prep Public Schools

Attendance:

Our ADA goal for the school year is 95% daily attendance. Currently our average is 94.17%! Please help us reach our goal this year by sending your student to school everyday! If your student is not feeling well and you have to keep them home, please make sure you are sending an excuse note to nfeops@yesprep.org or bringing a copy to the front office within 48 hours after the student’s return to campus. If your student will be absent, please notify the attendance office (713-924-5600) before 9:30am. 

Attendance Incentives:

We are kicking off our attendance incentives for the year and we are excited to share those updates with you! 

• 100% Attendance for the week: Students earn a prize in class in addition to being entered into a weekly raffle, there will be 3 winners per grade level. These raffles include fun prizes, depending on items raffled off that week, we may ask parents to pick up at the front office to avoid classroom instruction time.
• Meeting Attendance Goal for the month: Each month the grade levels that meet or exceed the attendance goal for the year will earn a grade level party during recess.
• 100% Attendance for the Quarter: Students will earn a certificate for 100% attendance during the quarter and be celebrated during their Grade Level Family Meetings. All of these students will also be entered into a raffle for the quarter!
• Highest Attendance for the quarter: Each quarter, the grade level with the highest average daily attendance will be celebrated. 

Volunteer Background Check Process:

1. Complete Raptor Application & Read the Volunteer Policy: Guidelines - YES Prep Public Schools 
   • English: https://bit.ly/3pz3pfb
2. Application takes 2-10 days for processing and DCOs (Ops Team) have access to the Raptor report identifying who is approved to volunteer on campus.
3. This application is done every year and volunteers are alerted of application status through email.

1. Completar Solicitud en Raptor y leer poliza de voluntario Guidelines - YES Prep Public Schools 
   • Español: https://bit.ly/3D6fwDv
2. La solicitud tarda 2-10 días para procesar y para que la directora de operaciones y el equipo de operaciones tenga acceso al reporte de Raptor para identificar quienes han sido aprobados para ser voluntarios en la escuela.
3. La solicitud se hace cada año y se les notifica el estado de solicitud a través de correo electrónico a los voluntarios 

Join the Family Association!

Interested in learning more about your campus Family Association?! Learn more about family associations.

       YES Prep: Family Associations

 To stay informed about the Family Association join us on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/484KBEV

  Para mantenerse informado sobre la Asociación de Familias únete a nosotros en     WhatsApp:  https://bit.ly/484KBEV

Hello Parents,

If you have already filled out the Microsoft form or returned the flyer for the Hispanic Heritage Month shirts, you can check your Skyward account to make a payment. We are still in the process of updating the system, so if you don’t see anything listed in your account yet, please send me a message on Class Dojo.

Once the shirts arrive on campus, they will be sent home with your students. Below are the instructions on how to make the payment:

Thank you for your support!

September Calendar

 

 

September 2024 

This month marks National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a national health problem and currently ranks as the second leading cause of death for ages 10-44. Never be reluctant to get involved and always take any child/adolescent’s desire or intent to harm themselves seriously. If you suspect a young person of suicidal ideation, get them to professional help immediately. Suicide is Preventable. 

Este Mes 

Este mes se celebra el Mes Nacional de la Prevención del Suicidio. El suicidio es un problema de salud nacional y actualmente se ubica como la segunda causa principal de muerte entre las edades de 10 a 44 años. Nunca sea reacio a involucrarse y siempre tome en serio el deseo o la intención de cualquier niño/adolescente de hacerse daño. Si sospechas que un joven o cualquier persona tiene ideas suicidas, llévalo a ayuda profesional de inmediato. El suicidio se puede prevenir. 

On Thursdays Starting September 19th 

• September 19th-Sports Jersey Day Futbol/Soccor is the #1 sport in many Hispanic countries. Wear your favorite sports jersey.  

• September 26-Flag of Heritage Day Represent your country flag by wearing it’s colors or wear a traditional dress 

• October 3rd- Hispanic Inspiration Day Celebrate a hispanic hero, role model, or childhood character by dressing like them.  

• October 10th- Go Tejano ! Dress as a Vaquero or Vaquera 

 

Mes de la Herencia Hispana 

15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre 

• 19 de Septiembre-Día de la Camiseta Deportiva Futbol/Soccor es el deporte #1 en muchos países hispanos. Usa tu camiseta deportiva favorita.  

• 26 de Septiembre-Día de la Bandera del Patrimonio Representa la bandera de tu país vistiendo sus colores o vistiendo un vestido tradicional  

 

September 26th 

This year on September 26th, 2024 @ we are planning our Hispanic Heritage Showcase, and we would love to see your talent. If you would like to volunteer, help setup, clean up, prepare your favorite Hispanic dish, or perform, please fill out the form using the link to let us know how you can help. For additional information, please contact Mrs. O at 713-967-8780 or janese.olonade@yesprep.org 

Septiembre 26th 

Este año, el 26 de septiembre de 2024 @ estamos planeando nuestra Muestra de la Herencia Hispana, y nos encantaría ver tu talento. Si desea ser voluntario, ayudar a instalar, limpiar, preparar su plato hispano favorito o actuar, complete el formulario usando el enlace para informarnos cómo puede ayudar. Para obtener información adicional, comuníquese con la Sra. O al 713-967-8780 o janese.olonade@yesprep.org 

 

Therapist: Gloria Spampinato

Behavioral Health Representative: Magdalena “Maggie” Castillo

To schedule an appointment with the Behavioral Health team, you may contact 713-814-3557.

We look forward to working with you and your kid(s).

Clinica de Legacy

Terapeuta: Gloria Spampinato

Representante de Salud del Comportamiento: Magdalena "Maggie" Castillo

Para programar una cita con el equipo de Salud del Comportamiento, puede comunicarse al 713-814-3557.

Esperamos trabajar con usted y su(s) hijo(s).

Legacy School-Based Health Care Direct Number 281-628-2083

• YES Prep Family Dashboard: https://www.yesprep.org/families/dashboards  

• Link to PDF: https://bit.ly/3sv4ipS