Dyslexia Parent Night From RRISD's State and Federal Programs

If you have a child with Dyslexia, here is an opportunity to gain more insight and ways to support at home.

You Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

BPE Fall Book Fair

Volunteers still needed!!!  click on link below to help.

Blackland Prairie's FALL BOOK FAIR

NOVEMBER 2 - 6, 2015 AT THE BPE LIBRARY

BOOK FAIR THEME: MONSTERS

Join us for the Fall Book Fair!!  Come and browse and choose from a great selection of books, science kits, arts and crafts and other items.  A great time to get some gift items for the holidays! 

The schedule is as follows:

 

Monday, 11/2 - Student & Teacher Preview Day (No Sales)

Tuesday, 11/3 - 8 am to 8 pm (Late Night)

Wednesday, 11/4 - 8 am to 4 pm

Thursday, 11/5 - 8 am to 4 pm

Friday, 11/6 - 8 am to 12 pm. Break down/Clean from 1 -3pm

 

As always, volunteers are needed to help with setup/decorating, staffing cashier stations and break-down/clean-up.  If you can help with staffing and take down, please click on this link for the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday dates as well as specific time slots! 
Thank you for helping making this event a great one for students! If you have any questions, please contact the Library Volunteer Coordinator,Debbie Fisher.

Technology Resources Class for Parents

We are excited to share with our families technology resources that are available at home to help support learning for all who are apart of the Blackland Prairie and RRISD family.  Here is the sign up link if you are still interested in attending the meeting.  There will be two sessions that cover the same material.  The first one will be at 1:00 pm in D 109 and the second one will be at 6:00 pm in the library.
This is our agenda for the meeting tomorrow.  We have an additional handout that can only be given as a physically copy due to privacy restrictions and intellectual property.  If you are wanting to receive that handout, please contact Ms. Beasley (512-424-8646) in the library so she can get you a copy to use at home.
Also, this will be the survey used after the sessions so that we can continually work towards "GREATNESS" at BPE.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming


PS
Here is our 1st class today.  Thanks for coming to our training and help fulfill our mission of "Empowering and Inspiring Learners of ALL Ages."  Great job Ms. Beasley and Mrs. Rollans.

2nd class this evening.  Thanks to everyone who came today to help make "GREATNESS" happen at BPE!!!

Upcoming Dyslexia Parent Information Night

I want to make sure parents from our school know about the upcoming Dyslexia Parent Info Night in Round Rock ISD.  Several parents from our campus attended last year and came back with a better understanding of this disorder and ways to support their child at school and home.
Below is the flyer of the date and times for this learning event.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

First Day Procedures at BPE and at Home

As I shared in my last post, Welcome Back BPE Families, there is a buzz in the air as we start off the new school year.  Here are a few things that I would like to share so that we have a smooth start to the school year here on the "Prairie".  I hope that these suggestions will help our school make "GREATNESS" happen each and everyday.

Good Night Sleep
I know that it sounds simple and it really is for many positive reasons.  The recommended amount of sleep for an elementary student is 9-10 hours a night.  This is really important for our littlest students because a full day of school will be a shock to their daily routine.

Nutritious Meals
Being a former athlete and a person continually striving to stay healthy, nutritious meals and snacks will help fuel the body during the school day.  Look for ways to encourage healthy eating habits so that our students will be able to focus on their learning and not be a recipient of the dreaded "Sugar Highs/Lows" during the school day.

Set Clothes Out The Night Before
I am seeing this in my own household and it is working wonders.  This allows for our morning routine to be smooth and calm without the furry of looking for that shirt or sock in the morning.

Morning Routine
Make this a doable schedule for you and your family.  I know that for our family, we have this routine that works for us so take it as a suggestion and tweak it for what is best in your home.  This takes about 30-45 minutes in the morning.

• Wake kids up with calm and encouraging greeting- I have to remind myself to do this each time I go and get my children up
• Before leaving child's room, make sure they are up and set the expectation that they need to get dressed with clothes already laid out and teeth brushed
• Breakfast will be waiting for them that at the breakfast table (fruit and cottage cheese, healthy dry cereals, oatmeal... some examples from our weekly menu)
• Kids pick our their socks from the sock basket (amazing idea my wife had) and put shoes on
• Family is ready for an amazing day at school... Most day
• Side note: while kids are eating breakfast I am organizing the family lunches for the day and putting it in the car for the morning drive

Morning Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures
Make sure you already have the plan in place so that your child will be comforted and know exactly what to expect each day for drop off and pick up from school.  There is a sense of security when you know this procedure ahead of time so everyone's minds are not thinking of this task.
Here are two videos our campus produced so that you are aware of BPE protocols:

Drop Off and Pick Up Video

Afternoon Dismissal Protocol Change From Fall of 2014

Be Proactive to Stay CALM
As with any new adventure, the plan always seems clear in our minds and when changes occur we can let our emotions rise.  We need to keep in mind that our students and children feed off from those who they look up to in life... us.  So when the first few days hit those bumps in the road, be there to listen and problem solve out loud with your child so that they can see/hear how to properly address issues as they "Unexpectedly" arise.

Listen to Your Child's Day
Make sure to take time to hear what amazing things they did or did not do in school.  When a child knows that they are being heard and understood, they will continue to confide in us as a caring adult.  This is planting a good communication seed so that when middle and high school starts and the typical teenager pulls away from their parents, they know that we are there to just listen.
I give one bit of advice and that is to just listen first without judgement or wanting to fix an issue that comes up.  Allow for the child to share what is going on, validate what they said by repeating or paraphrasing their story and then ask if they would like your help.  Sometimes they will want you help (which could be advice or just listening) and sometimes not.  This allows for them to take ownership of their life and know that they are capable of doing amazing things in their life without "mom or dad saving them".

Thanks for taking the time to read my suggestions and I hope that it will help you and your family off to a great start to the school year.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan."

Eleanor Roosevelt

Back to School Night 2015-16

Blackland Prairie had an amazing back to school night.  Teachers were ready, students were smiling and I think parents even had a bigger smile.

Here is the link to our selfie photos from tonight.  All of them are uploaded.  If I missed a photo or if one is too blurry, come see me the 1st week and we can take a new one to upload of our 1st days back at school.
Thanks for a great start to the school year.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

Welcome Back BPE Families for the 2015-16 School Year

This is such a magical and energetic time in the school year.  I hope that everyone is coming off from a summer in which all had a time to rest, relax and rejuvenate for the upcoming school year.  By "Sharpening the Saw" we will be ready to continue our campus journey towards "GREATNESS".

Our staff continued their learning this summer with year two implementation training in June for the "Leader In ME".  If you are new to our campus, this is a process we started a few years back that looks for ways to build leadership opportunities for everyone and utilizing the "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to find these roles and help our students shine.  Be on the look out for information to help strengthen the school-to-home connection.  You will want to visit our campus Leader In Me website that showcases our successes and ways to get involved to cultivate and grow our leaders of tomorrow.

I am excited to see everyone tomorrow night for Supply Drop-Off/Meet the Teacher at BPE.  Times are:
5:30-6:30 (K-2 and TAG)
6:00-7:00 (3-5)

Here is a sneak peak of some of our cool teacher bulletin boards in the hallways were our "Leaders Walk".

You Biggest Fan,
Mr. Fleming

Kinder Kamp Success

Kinder Kamp 2015

Thank you to all that attended our Kinder Kamp today at Blackland Prairie Elementary.  When you bring families together to start a school year on such a positive note it is something that is truly contagious.

Here is a way to create a 1/2 day event that allows for students, families and school to come together in a way that sets minds at ease and allows for all to have the crucial and most important "First Impression" on a positive note.  Our agenda is basic which allows for teacher time with new students and the opportunity to share expectations for the first year in school and how to continually grow in life.

I am looking forward to a year that grows each and everyone towards "GREATNESS".  Enjoy the pictures below that share today's Kinder Kamp.

How cool is this shirt?

Proud of how our community embraces BPE so that we can "Inspire and Empower Learners of all Ages."

Our PTA knows how to serve!!!

Are You Ready For Summer?

With the school year coming to a close, parents are always looking for ways to have fun while still allowing for structure to be obtained so that sanity can prevail in the household.  This is an added benefit for children because it gives them a routine to stay consist over the summer and allows for a smooth transition back into the next school year.

I was able to have a great conversation today with one of my parents who shared her summer "Schedule" which I thought was brilliant and I wanted to share her thoughts.  She said that she was inspired from this website because it is one of their weekly schedule activities... acts of service for others.  (It was also shared that she knew the founder of the non-profit organization.  Pretty cool.)
Basically, she said that the family schedule for the week was planned by kids drawing out of the jar the day that they would do one of the following topics for the upcoming week (service act for others, swimming at the pool, family planned event, Mom's School, and 1 day of down time.)  This idea was genius because it allowed for fun to happen and be planned so that all of the family members knew what to expect for the upcoming week.

When I heard this from her, I thought that this was a great way to showcase the 7 Habits by Beginning with the End in Mind, Putting First Things First, and Sharpening the Saw.  She and I agreed that the summer time can be fun and that we know to continually strive to have balance in our life.
Enjoy your summer planning.


Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

Update from above...
My wife has always been great at creating schedules for our two little ones at home and she just shared the updated version for this year's summer fun at the Fleming household.  Enjoy.

Fleming Summer Fun Schedule 2015

Bonus: Fleming Pool Rules- They model our two family rules... Safety and Respect

Partner On The Prairie Day

Do You Want To Be a "Partner On the Prairie"?

On May 6th, our school, Blackland Prairie Elementary, held the first "Partners On the Prairie" event with local businesses.  We were glad to have these future partners learn about how we want "GREATNESS" on our campus and to find ways to help support our vision and mission.
The event started with student lead tours of our campus.  These student "Leaders" showcased the many things that make our school amazing.  After the tour, each business member was able to enjoy a lunch and sit with students to discuss how our school has helped them become a "Leader" in their life.  (See picture below).  Once the luncheon was over and a 5th grade leader welcomed our guests, we started the presentation of why they were asked to be hear today.

During our presentation, we were able to speak about our journey which included the following points:

• Implementing the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Through the "Leader In Me" (Students, Staff, Families, and Community)
• Blackland's Journey and Why We See this Need For Our Future Leaders
• Our Investment in the Process
• First Year Successes
• Where We Want To Go
• Ways to Partner With Our School
• How We Can Reciprocate- Wanting a True Partnership Where There is Value Given Between School and Business

Please take the time to look at our presentation and Blackland Prairie Leader In Me website, and let us know if you are interested becoming a PARTNER with Blackland Prairie.  There is a tentatively scheduled Fall "Partners On the Prairie" on Oct. 28, 2015, so look on our Leader In Me school website for the upcoming event and place to register once we return in the Fall of 2015.
Thanks for wanting to work on this journey as we strive for Greatness for ALL who enter our school!

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

Dyslexia Information and Parent Night

If you are wondering about district transitions from grade level to grade level or campus to campus, here is an opportunity to learn about possibilities for students who are identified with dyslexia.
Click here at:

Information Night

The session will be held on April 28, 2015 from 6-8 pm.

Best Wishes From Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

Keep Reading To Your Kids at Home

I read a recent article from a professional publication, TEPSA, and it shared the importance of reading in multiple ways with children in life.  When looking into the data that came from Scholastic, I was amazed at the importance of continuing read aloud time with children all through their life at home.
It made me think of this being a time that the family can bond together around a good book.  We all know that being present with your family helps grow the family together in a healthy way.
Continue to find books that will grow your family in mind and in relationships.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64834051@N00/5766235313">P5261771</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>

Bad Weather Procedures

Just wanted to give a quick post about bad weather day procedures in Round Rock ISD.  This link takes you to our district's protocol during inclement weather.  Our goal is to keep our community safe and provide a "World Class" education.
Stay Warm!!!

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming

Dyslexia Parent Information Night-February 26

Hello All,

Here is an opportunity for families to attend a movie and Q & A session about Dyslexia.  (Click to see flyer.)  Please look at the date, time and ways to seek information before the movie to attend.

Your Biggest Fan,

Mr. Fleming