CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All dates are subject to change. Changes will be noted in the newsletter or online.

BEGINNING BONANZA – Monday, August 22nd – School year kickoff with volunteer sign-up and information in the cafeteria beginning at 8 AM. Come volunteer!

OPEN HOUSE & PASTA DINNER – September 22nd - A great opportunity to see old friends and meet new ones. Visit your child’s classroom and see a sample of their schoolwork.

AUCTION – Friday, October 14th - This years annual auction “Lasso the Night” will be held at the Norris Conference Centre @ City Centre and is the school’s primary fundraiser. It will include a fabulous live auction featuring an awesome silent auction, incredible class projects, a delicious dinner, and dancing!

BOOK FAIR & DINNER – February 28th & 29th - The Book Fair is a great way to contribute to our library, to add to your personal library shelves, and is also a wonderful place to find gifts. Come have dinner and shop on the 8th.

FAMILY FAIR – Friday, April 13th - A fun-filled afternoon for the whole family with fun games, food, prize tree, treat walk, wet zone, crafts, silly string, confetti eggs, and much more.

WINDS OF TIME – May 7th–25th - A beloved HCE tradition, Winds of Time, focuses on the study of ancient history and is incorporated into the curriculum at all grade levels for three weeks. This culminates in a highly colorful school-wide parade on May 27th.

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS - Students may come announce their birthday on the morning announcements. During the week of their birthday, they should report to the Broadcast Studio in the library at 7:35 a.m. Summer birthdays are welcome to come any day in May.

TRIBES - Foundation of the discipline management process system at Hunters Creek implemented with guidance from our school counselor, Lynne Luberger. This process helps us create a school wide culture of caring and acceptance by honoring four TRIBES Agreements: Attentive Listening, Appreciations/No Put Downs, Mutual Respect and the Right to Pass.c

NEWSLETTER - You will receive your newsletter, "The Cougar Call Out", via email. If you do not have access to email please notify your youngest child’s teacher. Information about HCE can also be found on our website at: www.springbranchisd.com/schools/elem/hce/index.htm  or www.hcepta.com.

REBATE PROGRAMS - An easy way to earn money for Hunters Creek.

Randall’s Share Card: 1% to HCE code # 1701

Kroger Share Card: 1% to HCE code # 2948

Central Market Card: 5 % to HCE

Target Card: Enroll Target charge card or your Target Visa card, call

800-316-6142.

Box Tops for Education: Clip Box Tops from hundreds of participating brands. Earn up to 8% back when you shop online and 1% every time you use your credit card.

Schoolpop: Visit www.schoolpop.com to register and start shopping.

BUDDY FAMILY PROGRAM - Hunters Creek has a buddy system through which new families are matched with returning families, ideally with children in the same grade(s). The role of the buddy family is to welcome the new family to the school and answer any questions they may have. The buddy system also strives to provide the new students and parents with an opportunity to meet other Hunters Creek families before school starts.

CULTURAL ARTS - Throughout the year, students will receive enrichment through presentations given by various groups from our culturally rich city.

D.A.R.E. - A police officer from the City of Hunters Creek teaches this drug prevention program to Fifth graders. At the end of the course, students have D.A.R.E. graduation and receive certificates of completion.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Watch throughout the year for information regarding Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Indian Guides/Princesses, art after school, Spanish or French classes, and more. Also, the Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association and other area organizations offer baseball, football, basketball and soccer. These activities present many wonderful opportunities for our children to learn and give parents the opportunity to volunteer and participate as well.

HANDS ON SCIENCE (4th and 5th) - Students receive enrichment in their science classes through hands on experiences in physical science, anatomy, physiology and dissection. Parent volunteers assist students in learning science.

RED RIBBON WEEK – Each fall during Red Ribbon Week, communities unite to educate children about harmful effects of drugs and alcohol and show them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

REFLECTIONS - Students may enter a cultural arts competition with original prose, photography, art or music compositions. A theme is given for the students to follow.

ROOM PARENTS - Each class has at least one parent volunteer who is the liaison between the teacher and parents and assists the teacher with class room activities as needed. Responsibilities include creating the initial classroom roster and parent email list, obtaining parent volunteers for class parties and events, coordinating recognition of teacher birthdays, and communicating volunteer opportunities for PTA sponsored events such as Family Fair and Winds of Time. Room parents are selected the first week of school from those parents who express interest by returning the Room Parent form.

SCIENCE FAIR – An exciting event that encourages the students to think like young scientists. Third graders participate in classroom group projects. Fourth and Fifth graders submit individual or partner projects. This culminates with a viewing by classes and a night viewing for family and friends.

SPELLING BEE - Third through Fifth graders first compete in classroom bees in December. The top two spellers from each classroom bee then advance to the school-wide bee which takes place in January. Winners of the school-wide bee advance to the district-level bee.

SUMMER READING - Students are encouraged to read, read, read over the summer. They are given a calendar and summer reading information. In the fall, those students who have completed the reading requirements will receive a recognition certificate during their library time.