Words from Joy Schwinger

STALLION
Stampede
Words from Joy Schwinger
Wow! It’s hard to believe
the first nine weeks of
school is behind us.
The saying, “time flies” is
very true. It’s been exciting
watching our students get
back into the swing of things
as they’ve learned the routines
for this school year. As you
know, this is my first year
at Walker Station and our
Stallion Community has really
amazed me.
What really stands out to
me though, is the skipping.
I’ve observed, if a student is
skipping, you know they’re
happy. Just try it. You can’t
help but be happy when you
skip. At WSE, I see students
skipping every day, all the
time. It just makes me smile
and confirms, we truly have
an amazing school where it’s
great to be a kid. Now that’s
the best thing ever!
I would like to take a second
to express my thanks for the
phenomenal attendance at
Meet the Teacher, Curriculum
Night and the Skeeter’s Spirit
Night! The ongoing parent
conferences have been
inspiring and the support of
our school’s procedures have
been wonderful! Our PTO is
unbelievable! The amount of
time and support they provide
OCTOBER 2015
helps our school in so many
ways. I cannot thank them
enough. Parents, you have
also been amazing. Your
support, trust and help have
helped make my transition
here at WSE go smoothly. I
appreciate it.
W hat’s
Inside! Stallion Strong . . . . . . . 2
PTO President . . . . . . .
4
Library News . . . . . . . .
6
The Music Room . . . . .
6
Joy Schwinger,
The Arts . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Principal
Walker Station Elementary
WSE Spirit Night . . . . . .
8
Thank you for nine fabulous
weeks and here’s to an even
better second nine weeks.
Go Stallions!
We love the Skeeters!
The WSE PTO
treated the
Kindergarten class
to “Popsicles on the
Playground” the
Friday before the
1st Day of School.
It was a fun
morning and
the red, blue
and green teeth
stained smiles
confirmed the
event’s success.
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Stallion
Strong
Students and Teachers Building
on Our Strength Together
Kindergarten
We are off to an exciting start in kindergarten. Our awesome
kindergarteners are doing a wonderful job adjusting to our new
routines as well as learning the rules. They are making new
friends and learning so many wonderful things. Some of the
things they have been doing is: learning to work with partners in
Math and literacy stations, studying living vs. non-living things,
working with numbers from 0 to 5, more and less and 2D shapes,
and learning to respond to reading with retelling, talking about
a favorite part and many other ways. They have also discussed
what a leader is in our school community as well as home
community. We are just beginning our Guided Reading groups
also. The teachers would like to thank all our parent volunteers
who have helped get this year off to a great start. We could not
do it without you!
—The Kindergarten Team
First Grade
First Grade had a wonderful back to school beginning. We
began our journey at Camp First Grade by hearing some wonderful
“campfire” stories. We enjoyed one of our favorite characters…
Pete the Cat and made great connections with Pete and ourselves,
and as Pete says… “it’s all good!” We learned how predicting
helps us understand stories and had fun predicting what was in
the Mystery Box using clues. In addition to this we have worked
on learning about the characters and setting of a story. By making
these connections to our own experiences we are able to better
understand the books and stories that we read. We have learned
the important rules of being good citizens and the purpose of rules
and laws. We know all about map skills. In Social Studies we have
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been learning about and making different kinds of maps. Also,
we can describe the significance of holidays and celebrations like
Labor Day, Fort Bend County Fair Day and Columbus Day. In math
we learned how to compare numbers using symbols. We created
picture and bar graphs. A large part of our math time has been
used to solve, create and write number sentences for addition and
subtraction. We have been using the Four Step problem solving
method to help solve word problems. In Science we learned about
objects in the sky and discovered that the moon has different
phases. We observed and charted the weather in Science. Then we
learned about the different types of clouds and precipitation. We
have recently been studying the seasons and look forward to when
it actually feels like Fall. It has been a smooth first nine weeks and
we just plan to keep calm and learn on!
—The 1st Grade Team
Second Grade
Second grade has been off to a great start – We came in
second place for the Stallion Fall Fundraiser – WOOHOO! The
kids have learned so much in just the first nine weeks – from
learning to write on lined paper, to decomposing numbers,
comparing and ordering numbers, proper nouns, citizenship,
force and motion, and even the three branches of government
– these kiddos have worked so hard earning their first number
grades of their elementary career. Kevin Henkes was our author
study this nine weeks. Second graders loved reading his books
and making connections to their own lives. They even made
their own five-page book about their favorite moment in time.
There are some budding authors amongst us, we can tell
already! We are enjoying this fall weather and we’re enjoying
learning and growing together as we look forward to another
wonderful nine weeks in second grade!
—The 2nd Grade Team
Third Grade
The 2015 – 2016 school year is off to a great start! We have
been busy learning to switch classes, eat lunch a little later, and
make new friends. Place value, rounding, and addition and
subtraction have filled our math days. We heard a “RUMOR”
that problem solving can be fun, especially if our answers are
“reasonable”. We enjoyed hands on experiences with Matter and
Energy in science. Our writing has been a blast from the past as
we write about our past experiences through personal narratives.
We have read many new fiction books and learned so much
about what the authors show us through the text. Social Studies
has been filled with learning about communities, how they
change, and how we use map skills to read a map! We even got
to create our own islands! We ended our First Nine Weeks with
a beautiful, fun-filled day at Brazos Bend State Park. We petted
two alligators and a snake, hiked A LOT, and enjoyed an outdoor
picnic. We are now ready to begin our Second Nine Weeks.
“Piece by Piece” our Third Graders are truly fitting together.
— The 3rd Grade Team
In Science it’s important to follow a plan
A hypothesis made and the knowledge to span
Ideas like what makes a solid, liquid, and gas
And how clusters of atoms give objects mass
In Math it is true that numbers rule
And multiplication is a needed tool
They learn about numbers, both great and small
From billions to decimals , they learn them all
It is so much fun, I think you’d agree
To start the first nine weeks here at WSE
So many new things we have left to teach
But for your kids we know that success is in reach
— The 4th Grade Team
Fifth Grade
5th Grade is off to a fantastic start! They enjoyed spending
eight weeks in a program called Kids and Cops with Deputy D.
We love reading in fifth grade! Ask your child about the plot
diagrams that we created. We have learned how to summarize
and respond to our reading using schema.
Fourth Grade
It is so much fun, I think you’d agree
To start the first nine weeks here at WSE
Fourth graders come in, nervous but ready
And it is our mission is to keep learning, steady.
In English and Reading the path is quite clear
We teach them to read with a writer’s ear
We think of the words that can make stories sing
With details which fly off the page with light wings
Social studies is all about Texas
The places, regions, and history around us
We’ve learned about native Texans who thrived
And the Spanish who, with new technology, arrived
In Social Studies, students are drawing conclusion in dealing
with the hardship of establishing colonies and developing an
understanding that geographic location has a role in the types
of products one could produce. We are also learning about the
development of government and how it began. We can’t wait for
Colonial Day on November 12th.
In Math class students worked with graphing, whole
numbers computation and decimals to the thousandths.
We have practiced place and value, comparing, ordering and
computation. Our kick off has consisted of problem solving and
the Challenge board
In Science class students learned about the scientific method
and did hands on investigations using scientific tools. Currently
we are in our physical science unit. We have done experiments
with matter, along with mixtures and solutions. We learned
about force and motion with some cool stations activities. We
are currently in our energy unit.
We eagerly anticipate another exciting nine weeks full of learning
and fun. Together we can make a difference! Thanks for you
continued support.
— The 5th Grade Team
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PTO Update
Marsalla Bejar/Ellen Mitchell
WSE’s PTO President/Vice President
The school year is off to a great start! As always, the
WSE PTO has been very busy! Before school even
started, the PTO hosted a popsicle party for
the incoming kindergarteners, held a back
to school teacher luncheon, decorated
hallways and distributed school supply
orders. Since school has started nine
short weeks ago, PTO has coordinated
room parents for every classroom, sold
and distributed spirit t-shirts, gotten
the PTO website up and running (www.
wse-pto.org), created and passed out
a calendar of events for the school year,
had a second teacher luncheon, held two
board meetings, hosted a VIPS meet and greet
breakfast, and so much more. In addition to all
GOLD $200+ donors
The Young Family
The Meinen Family
The Kulow Family
Channing Yang
Aniruddh & Srikavya
Yerramilli
The Delaune Family
Grace & Marion Abercrombie
Brianna & Danielle Bejar
Josi & Kai Whitman
The Barnwells
Mitchell Family
Grace Vu
Rowan Kaul
Katelyn Manahan
Christopher Manahan
Aarush John
Owen Linnell
SILVER $99-199 donors
Justin & Sophie Wang
Nour Elmoufti
Claire Liu
Pringle
The Dowd Family
Sanya Gupta
Ryan, Dori, & Penelope
Strohl
The Klein Kids – Jacob,
Caden, & Addison
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Jayden Hiew
Jack Mayerfield & Family
Walker Henry
Jeff & Becky Zindel
Bailey & Blake Harris
Ben Ratterree Family
Elizabeth Ratterree Family
Quinn Mannion
Madeline, Matthew &
Miriam Reed
Mohan Family
Osuna Family
Ella Gor
Vasquez Family
Jaxson & Alex Lawton
Nina & Frank Gerlovich
Arone-Bruno Family
Haiwen
Carolyn Raun
Maggie Lowry
Mingqian Zhao
Holecek Family
The Stanley Family
Henry Ma
Ayden & Kylie Beer
McGraw
Veronica & DJ Vadran
Graham & Julia Lampkin
Shirina & Sooraj
Kakulauaram
that, we also a great time at WSE night with the Sugar Land
Skeeters. By far, the biggest thing that the PTO has
done this first nine weeks is the fall fundraiser. We
not only met, but exceeded our $25,000 goal!
We would like to thank all the families that
donated money and/or purchased cookie
dough. It could not have been done
without the hard work of our incredible
volunteers, and all of our supportive
families! We are already working hard on
our activities for the second nine weeks,
including Donuts for Dads, Movie Night,
another teacher luncheon, classroom Winter
Parties, and more. Feel free to contact us at
[email protected] at any time.
Thank you again for your help and support!
BRONZE $50–99 donors
Bennett Wilson
Lundstrom Family
Carson White
Edvin CA Berglund
Ryan Ji
The Chapman Family
Caroline & Ellie Singleton
Robbie Keenan
The Watts Family
Waylon Shao
Jadyn Barron
Ordonez Family
Lucio Llambias
McKenna Green
Evan Sebastian & Katelin
Lazar
Fina Hoefel
Lena John
Jonathan Liu
The Ivesters
The Wramsby Family
Nicole Colwell
Kyle Liu
DJ Arrajj
Lauren Stout
Brady Stout
Harith Safian
Danielle Bejar
Brianna Bejar
Caleb Hsieh
Westin Hodge
Castille
Tan Nguyen
Ekanthika Manoj
Harper Shipley
Jacob & Haley Avila
Ziduo Yi
Emi Mazza
Ynhu Nguyen
Lucas Galindez Barreiro
Addyson Davis
Cian Rikin Patel
Emarie Schweikhardt
Emma Sallman
Luke & Rachel Staples
Asha Mathew
Orie Baxter
Amani Pirzada
Emad Siddiqui
Gabriel Pontes
Beckham Wood
Niveditha Rajkumar
Blaire & Campbell Stewart
Arya Mathew
Ameya Apte
Peyton Hodakievic
Bryan Wang
Anna Yi
Ammar Bumbia
Mallory Maderazo
Zoe Councill
Kyle Chapman
Dezhou & Deyang Gao
Muhsin
Jordan Turner
Mihir & Shefali Katkar
Murray Family
Erin Li
Williams
Yinkai Gao
Caleb & Chase Koscinski
Ian Zenke
Danny Faddoul
OM, Siya, & Janki Patel
Ammar Bumbia
A & B Golden Fish
Joshua Egger
Allub - Santiago
Arion Moore
Kate Johnson
Gia Francis-Oshiro
Richard Bielby
Sidd Gokhale
Nikhil Gokhale
Austin Tang
Anahita Zarrabi
Drew Peries
Maya Friedman
Ahmed & Oumnia
Elmubarak Bildaci
Hanna Mohaweche
Jake and Alex Winkler
Alex Tran
WSE’s Annual Movie Night
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Friday Night Nov. 6, 2015
Behind WSE on the soccer field!
Concessions from Papa John’s Pizza and Carmelo’s Mexican Grill
Concessions begin 6:15pm | Movie starts 7:00pm
Bring your chairs, blankets &
don’t forget your flashlights!
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Music
Notes
Library News
Welcome to the WSE
Library! We have already
been very busy this year as
we had a week of library
orientation and then began
checking out books. We are
trying out a new system this
year by having all the kids keep
their books in Ziploc bags and
I am happy to report that the
new system is very successful!
The number of damaged books
has dropped dramatically
which is a win-win for all of
us! Thank you for helping your
child to replace their worn or
lost Ziploc bags.
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
students learned all about
the 2015 – 2016 Bluebonnet
nominee books and are busily
checking them out in order
to qualify for the Bluebonnet
Award voting that will take
place in January, 2016. To be
eligible to vote, students must
read at least five of the twenty
books on the nominee list.
Free Bluebonnet resources are
available on the Texas Library
Association website at http://
www.txla.org Go to “Quick
Links” on the left > Reading
Lists > Texas Bluebonnet Award
> Forms & Resources > Free
Resources. There are three
The 2015/2016 music
classes are off to a great
start!
different tracking charts that
students can print out and use
to record the books they have
read.
The Scholastic Book Fair
will be held the week before
the Thanksgiving holidays,
November 16th through the
20th. The shopping hours are
from 7:30 each morning until
4:00 each afternoon. Profits
from the book fair are used to
purchase materials and books
for the library as well as provide
for author visits to our school.
Thank you also for encouraging
your child to read. If you have
the time, it is invaluable to
read along with your child, no
matter their age. Reading with
a parent or other significant
adult will foster a love of
reading that will last a lifetime!
We are all magnificent
musicians with our beautiful
voices singing all types of
wonderful songs and clapping,
stomping and playing
instruments to basic rhythmic
patterns. 3rd, 4th & 5th graders
are learning how to play
the hand bells and sound
absolutely amazing!
We are all working hard and
“building our brains” through
music.
The 2nd graders will perform a
very special program this fall!
AMERICA, A Special Tribute to
Veterans, is an event you will
not want to miss.
We will honor America and all
veterans of the armed forces.
EVERYONE is invited to attend
and please invite any and all
veterans to join us for this
occasion of honor.
Choir is also off to a wonderful
beginning! 4th grade Choir
meets every Tuesday morning
and 5th grade choir meets
every Thursday morning. Choir
time is 7:35-8:00 in the Music
Room.
I am delighted to be teaching
your talented children. Thank
you for sharing them with me
and let’s all have a “musical”
year together!
Tamela Allen
Music Teacher
Please join us Wednesday,
November 11, at 8:30 a.m., and
on Thursday, November 12, at
8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Mrs. Marlyss Jeffcoat
Librarian
Hey Photo/Facebook Moms!
We need you ... Take all those great pictures we see on
Facebook and get them in the WSE Yearbook!
email to: [email protected]
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Art Corner
PE Shorts
This is going to be a
another fun year in Art!
We will be painting,
drawing, and collaging
in all classes. The
Kindergarteners and
First Graders have been
learning safe classroom
practices, line types, basic
colors, and shapes. They have
been working on Fall themed
paper collages. Second and
Third Graders are reviewing
safe classroom procedures
and learning about the
Indigenous Aboriginal Art
of Australia. Students are
painting a design immolating
the similar techniques used
by the Aboriginal people.
During the first few weeks of
school, the students were
taught the stretching routine
we do at the beginning
of each class. They have
participated in several
different activities such as
Clean Your House, Ten Pin,
and Basketball Skillastics.
It is very important that all
students wear tennis shoes
to class.
After reviewing the Art
Element of color, Fourth and
Fifth Graders are combining
mathematical symmetry and
design to create positive and
negative art collages.
With Fall just around the corner,
a wonderful opportunity exists
for families to discuss the
beautiful warm colors of fall
foliage and the scientific reason
behind the color changes.
Have a wonderful and colorful
Fall!
that day. Please feel free to
walk with your child during
their assigned Outclass time
to show your support. It
will be a fun filled day with
music, stations, and of course
walking.
Thank you for your support in
finding a cure for both Type 1
and Type 2 diabetes.
Coach Peters
Walker Station is
participating in the
School Walk for Diabetes
again this year. All
donations are due
back by October 30th,
and the walk will take
place during Outclass
Mrs. Germany
Art Specialist
Congratulations
to our Top Fall
Fund Raisers!
Front Row:
Kindergarten - Matthew Abboud
First Grade - Gia Francis-Oshiro
Second Grade - Annya Malik
Second Row:
Third Grade - Ayomikun Sholeye
Fourth Grade - Runner up Zoey Zamora
Fourth Grade - Top Seller of Fourth Grade
and the entire school, Kathryn Weinsten
Fifth Grade - (tie) Rishindra Davuluri and
Aiden Nimji
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WSE Spirit Night
at the Skeeters Game!
Don’t forget
about all of
the upcoming
Spirit Nights!
(look for the signs)
A portion of
what you spend
goes to Walker
Station
Elementary!
Just remember to
mention WSE when
placing your order!
on the web:
www.wse-pto.org
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