TCH is partnering with a number of organizations to give away a billion eBooks of children’s classics. Read below to see how your students might benefit.

Giving Away A Billion Books! By Lily Jones November 30, 2015 12:00 pm

As a kindergarten and first grade teacher, I loved helping kids learn how to read. The

joy in their faces as they sounded out words was priceless. I lived to see kids

exclaim, “I can read!” But it wasn’t just about learning how to read. It was even more

important to me to help my students develop a love of reading.

I read rich and captivating stories to my class every day, hoping to show students

that reading can be magical and entertaining. I encouraged parents to read with their

kids nightly, creating more opportunities for kids to see reading as fun. For families

who didn’t have books at home, I sent home picture books from our classroom

library. Above all, my goal was for kids to read many different books in many

different settings.

So needless to say, I’m incredibly excited about the Billion eBook Gift, of which

Teaching Channel is a proud partner, beginning on December 1st (#GivingTuesday).

It’ll be the largest gift of books in history, with a billion classic eBooks given to

families across the nation. This will be a great resource to pass on to families at your

school! This gift was created to ensure that all children have access to high-quality

books at home. Every family who signs up at BillionBookGift.com can get a free

library of 50 classic children’s eBooks absolutely free. You’ll be able to access

the books via desktop computer, your Apple or Android phone, and via iPads and

tablets.

Starting on Tuesday December 1st, spread the word with families and colleagues at

your school. If they participate in the giveaway, they’ll receive digitally-mastered

copies of classics like Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs.

Happy reading!

Contact Information: IDEA Public Schools 600 E. Sioux Road San Juan, Texas 78589

School Office Hours: 7:30am to 4:30pm School Phone: 956-588-4021 School Fax: 956-588-4030

Andrea Lopez Fernandez Principal

Israel Martinez Assistant Principal of Instruction Lindsey Campbell Assistant Principal of Instruction Jovanna Cantu Assistant Principal of Operations Sandy Abrego Director of College Counseling Yvette Gonzalez Academic Counselor Bianca Hernandez Bellanira Nava College Counselors Bianca Ibarra Community in Schools

Gerardo Leyva Transportation Manager

Arnoldo Torres CNP Manager

December 7, 2015

Week 17 ADA MS 6-96.79% 7-99.67% 8-97.44% MS Grand Total 97.93% HS 9-98.41% 10 -97.67% 11 -96.45% 12 -98.44% HS Grand Total -97.74% CAMPUS Weekly ADA -97.84% Jovanna Cantu Asst. Principal of Operations | IDEA College Preparatory San Juan

Saints Millionaires Saints “Millionaires” are middle school students who have reached a special benchmark and have read 2 million words or more. Remember that your goal is not only to reach 2 million words by the end of the year but also to have an average percent correct of 85% or better. Currently 18 students, have reached this amazing milestone. One of these millionaires has read over 5 million words! We have the highest amount of CP millionaires in the entire district! Our 7th grade millionaires are: Lesley Quintanilla, Ethan Celestin, Ana Moreno, Stephanie Salas, Jocelyn Tueme, Mariana Bombardier, Valentin Sanchez, Maria Fernanda Chavez, David Espinoza, Abigail Castro, Andrea Pena, Yazmin Lopez, and Liliana Fernandez. Our 8th grade millionaires are: Daniela Esquivel, Lia Velecico, Armando Ruiz, Luisa Teran, Angel Martinez, and Katarina Moseley. Millionaires encourage all students to try and reach millionaire status so come on 6th grade we need you to step up your game and try to reach 7th and 8th grade! Being a millionaire gets you the best prizes and a big end of the year party.

Students who have read 1 million words or more are considered word masters and will receive a Word master t-shirt. If you have reached 1 million words and Mrs. Morales has not asked you for your shirt size, please stop by the library as soon as you can to give her that information. We are so proud of our millionaires and our word masters but we are also proud of all the students who have already reached their quarterly goal. Every quarter you will get a new goal that you will have to meet but your words read will continue to stay with you. Remember you have 2 more weeks to try and reach your quarterly goal. Congratulations to all our students, keep up the great work!

Congratulations Lady Saints Basketball & Coach Fiscal! The Lady Saints defeated the IDEA Edinburg Eagles with a score of 21-13. They played with

tremendous heart and came out the victors, very proud of all the girls. Come out and support your Lady Saints Basketball Team! Go Saints!

Carla Fiscal

Co-Teacher P.E. | IDEA College Preparatory San Juan

(Yazmin Lopez, Angela Mondragon, Ashley Chavez, Gaillea Leal, Kayle Aguirre, Andi Pena, Nelly Silva, Elena Hernandez, Angelica Velasco, Alexza Garza and Audrey Ramirez)

Mrs. Celestin’s 6th grade Project Base Learning class working on creating murals.

Their theme for this year is Life on the Border. Students are depicting their feelings about living 2 cultures and

how it makes them feel.

Great job Saints!

Shout Out Middle School Creative Writing Club Shout out to the Middle School Creative Writing Club for working on their first full length

novels. The students first full length novels. The students taking on this 30 day novel writing

challenge are Daniela Esquivel, Stephany Valdivia, Luisa Ruiz, Karla Loan, Emilee Vela, &

Sofia Alvarez. Keep up your word count. Thank you, 7th Grade ELA Teacher Sarah Solis, for

leading our students in this endeavor.

STUDENT PLANNERS FOR SALE

Students if you need a Planner for the 2015-2016 school year, please purchase

one for $5. They will be on sale in the Front Office.

Refer-A-Friend Incentive for current students!

BLUE SANTA TOY DRIVE

We are helping the San Juan Police Department with their Blue Santa Toy

Drive. We’d love to help our community children in celebrating this Christmas

Holiday. Please bring a new unwrapped toy and drop it off in the BIG BLUE

BOX close to our school gym. Deadline is 12/18/15.

NOW TAKING STUDENT APPLICATIONS

Parents we are now Accepting applications for 2016-2017 Academic School Year. Please

apply online at www.ideapublicschools.org or call our Front Office and speak to one of our

Operations personnel.

CNP NEGATIVE BALANCE

Do you have a current Negative Balance with our Child Nutrition Department? Please

contact Arnold Torres to find out and speak about payment.

Parent Notes: If your son/daughter needs to complete the CSS profile, please do not forget to

complete it by December 11th!

Our next Parent Meeting will be on Thursday, December 17th at 5:15PM

Several important tests will be administered during the month of December.

Quarter two exams are scheduled for December 8th - 18th. EOC STAAR

retests for English I, English II, Biology, Algebra I, and US History are

scheduled for December 8th- 11th. "

Never Been Absent (NBA) and Never Found Late (NFL) Official Draft Pick

Dear Mighty Saints Parents,

The amount of time that scholars spend in class is a vital part of their success in school.

When scholars are absent or arrive late, they lose important opportunities to learn. In

addition, excessive tardiness and absences can prevent students from succeeding

academically and socially. Attendance is the #1 predictor of graduation from high school.

Scholars who are tardy do not get a chance to have breakfast and settle in before the day

begins and may miss valuable instruction. When scholars come in late, they distract the

class and interrupt the lesson. As we prepare our scholars to become “leaders,” coming to

school on time will promote responsibility and self-discipline. On-time attendance is also a

good personal habit to establish for other areas of life, such as appointments, meetings and

careers.

During the month of December, scholars with perfect attendance will have a chance to be

entered in a drawing to participate in activities and win NBA/NFL Saints Spirit Swag at our

Holiday Pep Rally on Friday, December 18, 2015. Students must be present at the Holiday

Pep-Rally to win. Please help your scholar get to school daily and remember the following

times to ensure their punctuality:

Continued…….

7:30 AM Scholars may enter the building.

7:45 AM Scholars may go to their Homeroom for breakfast and announcements.

7:50 AM Scholars are late.

If you have any questions about the NBA/NFL Program, feel free to contact us at

956.588.4021.

Thank you for your support!

Join the NBA/NFL for the Month of December!

NBA= Never Been Absent

NFL= Never Found Late

All Students who are present EVERY DAY during the month of December, will officially be

drafted into the “NBA/NFL”. All draft picks of the NBA/NFL for the month of December will

be entered in a drawing to participate in the following Pep-Rally activities on Friday,

December 18, 2015:

Free Throw Competition

3-Point Competition

Football Toss

Remember, you must be drafted into the NBA/NFL for a chance to participate and win a

prize. This means NO SUSPENSIONS, NO EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES, NO LEAVING

EARLY, AND NO TARDIES!!! You must be here for all 18 school days in the month of

December