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Explorer Families!
STAAR and end-of-year testing has arrived. Students and staff have been working hard to prepare and practice for these big days ahead. These tests mean alot for our students. The STAAR measures what students have learned throughout the year and allows us to see how we perform compared to our peers at other YES Prep schools as well as our peers at schools throughout the state of Texas. For our students who are taking Advanced Placement exams, they could earn college credit in high school. The ability to score well on the AP exam could save students and families thousands of dollars!
In order to maximize these days, we've included a calendar so you know when your student is testing. It is very important for students to get a good night's rest (8 hours of sleep is recommended), and eat a balanced breakfast. We also ask that all students are in attendance for all testing days. Lastly, I want to limit any distractions on testing days. So please limit any needs to pick students up early or delivering any food items to students.
We are excited for the upcoming testing season and can't wait to see all of the growth our kids have made.
Thank you!—Mr. Simmons.
Go Explorers!
Message form our Director of Student Support Mrs. Z
Explorers,
We are in the homestretch! It's a busy time of year with STAAR testing, AP Exam, End of the Year ceremonies, and several fun events. School expectations have not changed, and learning will continue to take place. I encourage you to speak to your student about arriving to school daily on time, with a positive attitude, ready to work and willing to be challenged as we close out the 22-23 school year. The better we take care of business, the more fun we can have at the end.
Here are a few tips for a successful end to the school year:
- Attend school everyday
- Be on time
- Follow dress code
- ID on and visible at all times
- Move to class quickly
- Cell Phone/Earbud use is not allowed and phones - keep them in your backpack at ALL times
- Respond to directions given by teacher or any staff the first time
I am confident your student will enjoy the remainder of the year much more if we all can adhere to these expectations.
Thank you for your support!—Mrs.Z.
Food or Item Drop-Off
Due to the high level of front office traffic during lunch hours and safety of our students we encourage parents to help us re-enforce our school policy on food deliveries to campus and item drop-offs.
- If a student forgets their lunch, they are encouraged to eat the school lunch provided daily.
- Front office will accept lunch if it does not become a habit or if it is due to a medical emergency.
- Guardian/Emergency contact is the ONLY individual who may provide food for the student.
- NO FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES ALLOWED, such as Doordash, Uber Eats etc.
- Front office staff will NOT INTERRUPT classroom instruction to notify you student or call them to the front office.
- Guardian must pre-coordinate with student that they will drop off lunch/item to ensure the student know to pick it up.
- Students may NOT share food with others at any time unless given permission by campus leaders.
Suggestion Box Parent Survey
This Suggestion Box Survey has been created with the purpose of providing a space for us to continue to GROW as a campus. Your feedback and suggestions are important to us as we work to become the best school for our community. Please click the Suggestion Box above to fill out survey.
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Events
Try-Outs
Athletics News!
Our annual Athletic Awards Banquet will be held May 19th starting at 5pm at Andy’s Golden Reception Hall!
Student Athletes (SA) need to pick up their RSVP form from their coach or in Mikkelson’s office. Each SA is allowed two immediate family members, and they must be listed on their form. If you choose to eat our Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo meal, then please list that on your RSVP form along with turning in the $13/per plate (cash only) to Mikkelson prior to May 1st (Deadline to pay for meal and RSVP). You will not be able to pay for a meal the day of the banquet as we pay for the meals in advance hence the May 1st deadline.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to me at dustin.mikkelson@yesprep.org or call me at my office at 713-967-7933
We can’t wait to celebrate our teams, athletes and coaches! See you soon!
Follow the East End Athletics Team on Instagram
Parents of seniors! We are nearing the end of the school year, which means Senior Decision Meetings, Senior Signing Day, and Graduation!
- Please make sure to talk to your senior about booking a time to meet with their college counselor about their plan for after graduation. Seniors can book using the link that is in Schoology
- Save the date: Senior Signing Day will take place on May 18th at NRG, and Graduation will be June 4th at Buffalo Bayou Event Center. More details will be shared in the senior decision meeting!
ACE
The LAST DAY of programming will be next Friday, May 5th. After that, there will be NO MORE ACE for the rest of May. Summer ACE will begin on June 5th!
We are excited to announce our ACE program for your student to participate, they need to be fully registered in our ACE program. The ACE registration forms are available at the Front Office for you to fill out. If you have any questions about our ACE program, please contact Mr. Edgar Medrano at Edgar.Medrano@yesprep.org or (713) 842-5456.
Early Pick-Up
- To ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and families, early pick up ends at 3:00PM. Parents/Guardians must show a valid ID and sign the student out at the front office.
- We will NOT release students to anyone not listed on the student's profile or who does not have a valid ID.
- If you need to sign your student out early, be advised they will be marked absent for any classes they miss, and an excuse note is required upon their return.
Attendance Protocol
Every Minute Counts
Every minute counts when it comes to growing our Explorers and ensuring they achieve their fullest potential. To maximize student attendance, we need your help. It is imperative for students to attend school every day. We understand that illness is beyond your control; however, we want to make sure our Explorers are present all other days. The same applies to students who consistently arrive late or leave early. They are missing important foundational knowledge.
Excused Absences & Submission of Notes
Families are now able to upload student absences and excuse notes into Skyward for approval. Please review this video that details the process.
YES Prep Public Schools defines excused absences as absences due to one or more of the following:
- Illness
- Medical/dental-related, including appointments
- Bereavement/Funeral for immediate family members
- Absences related to the legal system
- Religious Observances
- Any other absence that is protected under State or Federal law.
What to do if your child is absent.
- If your student is absent, notify Ms. Salazar @ Oneida.Salazar@yesprep.org or 713-967-7870 to confirm the absence.
- Excuse notes need to be received within 48 hours of the absence.
- Only three (3) handwritten excuse notes will be accepted per six-week grading period.
- No student may leave campus during school hours for any reason without prior approval in writing from the student’s parent or guardian. Verbal approval will not be accepted.
- Students are NOT permitted to call home to be picked up, student MUST first go see the school Nurse. Our Nurse will then call home if student needs to be picked up. The remainder of the day will count as an excused absence.
Late to School
- Students are considered late if they arrive after 8:30 A.M.
- Students will earn a "Late to School" demerit each time they are late.
- After a student has been late to school 3 times, they will earn an additional consequence.
Food or Item Drop-Off
- Front office staff will NOT interrupt classroom instruction to notify your student or call them to the front office.
- Students are responsible for picking up food/items left at the front office.
- Students may not share food with others at any time unless given permission by campus leaders.
- Only parents/guardians/emergency contact are allowed to drop off food. No food delivery services are allowed.
Student ID
To ensure the safety and security of our school, it is required that all students wear their Student IDs visibly throughout the school day. All students were given a student ID at the beginning of the school year and have been issued replacements when reported lost.
Please make sure your student comes to school wearing their ID every day. Teachers are checking that students are wearing them during 1st period. If students are not wearing them, they will receive a temporary ID sticker and issued a "No ID" Demerit. After 1st period, if a student is seen without an ID, they will be issued an Auto-Detention for removing their ID.
It is a student's responsibility to keep track of their ID. If a student needs a new ID or part of an ID, their account will be charged the following amounts.
- New ID card: $1
- New ID pouch: $1
- New ID lanyard: $1
- ID bundle (all 3): $3
If a student does not have the cash at the time of requesting the ID, the fees will be charged to the student's Skyward Account and will be due by the end of the school year.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community safe by helping your student wear their IDs every day!
Student Drop-Off
To ensure the safety of our Explorers we ask that students get dropped off at either our front or back entrance, these are marked on the map above with a red drop point. Please DO NOT drop off student across the street due to the high traffic at this time and for the safety of your child.
Thank you!
Student Assistance Forms
We know that you may have some needs that arise as a parent, guardian, or student. You can receive direct help by submitting a “Student Assistance Form” or, a SAF. To communicate any support needs you may have, please click on the SAF link on the district website or use the QR code below. A campus Student Support Counselor will follow-up with you to determine the best way to get your need met. SAFs can be submitted for:
- Urgent family concerns
- Family or student supplies or resources needed for school (i.e. uniforms, calculator, books, food)
- Student social and emotional concerns
- Student home or family concerns
- Student relationship concerns
- Concerns about harassment, race, or equity
- Family Notes