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Terrell Elementary School

Home of the Koalas

Parent Newsletter 11-8

Posted Date: 11/08/26 (09:00 AM)

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Terrell Koalas Chronicle

Your weekly parent update with all the information you need to know

November 8, 2026

Weekly Message from the Principal

What a great day of fun and activity today!  Thank you to our PTA for your time and service as you raised funds to support our school this year and navigated this celebration at our glow run today! 💛🐨
Thank you parents for your support with ensuring our reading benchmark was a big success on Thursday.  We are so proud of how hard our students worked!  Teachers will be scoring the written portions of these exams and scores will be available to students after the Thanksgiving break.  Next week fifth grade will take their science benchmark on Wednesday.  Please ensure students are prepared and arrive at school on time.
This week, our 2nd grade students will also honor our veterans with their music performance on Wednesday the 11th.  We've got many fun events and happenings over the next two weeks!  Please keep reading for more updates!


Best,
Brittany D. Carpenter
Principal, Terrell Elementary
Brittany.Carpenter@lcisd.org
Questions? Contact our office admin at Monica.Cruz@lcisd.org.
 

Upcoming Dates

📣 What's Ahead...

Monday, November 9th
  • Spirit Squad Practice PM Practice🎉
  • Pre-K ISD
  • Rep your favorite college team

Tuesday, November 10th
  • Picture Retakes 📸
  • 5th Grade Symphony Field Trip 🎶
  • Soccer Club ⚽
  • Choir Practice🎶
  • Coding/STEM Club💻
  • Cultural Tapestry Event @ Foster 6-8pm

Wednesday, November 11th
  • 5th Grade Science Benchmark
  • Wear Red White & Blue ❤️🤍💙
  • 2nd Grade Veterans Day Program 6pm 
  • Adobe Ambassadors 
  • Chess Wizards♟️

Thursday, November 12th
  • 5th Science Benchmark Makeups 
  • Art Club 🎨
  • Memory Makers
  • Student Council 

Friday, November 13th
  • Koala Flight Store
  • Swamp Cart Sales during Recess 
  • PTA Donuts with Officer Y

Upcoming Benchmark Testing
Mon, Nov 16th - 3rd-5th Math 

Student Holiday - Friday, Nov 20th
 
Picture Retake Day
 

Pre-K Students & Family Fun Night!

A fairy tale-themed event flyer on a scroll, announcing Green Track Fairy Tale Family Fun Night at Fagert Elementary on November 12, 2026.
 

Sign Up to Support with Our Snack Cart Sales

Please sign up to volunteer with supporting our snack cart parent car-rider snack sales on Friday November 13th from 2:30-3:30 PM.


 

Winter Holiday Countdown is Coming! ❄️☃️Donors Needed

In December, we always enjoy giving our staff special treats, gifts, and surprises to show our appreciation for all they do throughout the year.  If you know of a donor, organization, or business that might be willing to partner with us and sponsor one of these 12 days of Holiday Magic for our staff, please email Mrs. Carpenter at Brittany.Carpenter@lcisd.org.
 

Glow Run - PTA Fundraiser Active Now!

🌟 Let’s Glow Big for Our Koalas! 🌟
We have officially kicked off our Glow Run Fundraiser, and we need your help to make it a glowing success! This isn't just an incredibly fun, neon-filled event for our Koalas - its our biggest opportunity to support them this school year! 🏃‍♂️💨✨
Why donate? Every dollar raised goes directly back to the kids! Your support helps us fund:
  • 🚌 Unforgettable Field Trips 
  • 🎭 Exciting school programs
  • 📚 Brand new books to fill our library shelves 
  • 🏰 Inflatables and equipment for an exhilarating Field Day 
We need our amazing parent community to help us reach our goal! Please consider donating or sharing your student's fundraising link with family and friends today! 🐨🏆"
A promotional graphic detailing the Terrell Elementary PTA Glow Run Fundraiser line-up and reward milestones.
A neon-themed prize options board featuring silver koala prizes like an art board, stacking tower, Legos, Pokémon cards, and squishys.
A colorful flyer for the Terrell Elementary PTA Glow Run lists individual rewards tied to fundraising levels, featuring neon graphics and koala mascots.
 

Winter Session Registration Open Now!


A promotional flyer for Chess Wizards classes, featuring colorful graphics, children playing chess, and registration details.
 

Benchmark Dates - Campus Closed

A school announcement poster for Terrell Elementary, featuring a koala pilot mascot and a schedule of benchmark testing dates.

Resources and Campus Updates

School Store

We want to personally thank all the families who have already participated in our SchoolStore program!  We are on our way to reaching our goal, we've already raised over $2,000! We are seeking everyone's help to make sure our teachers get the essential tools they need to help our students succeed.

If your family has not participated, there's still time!

This safe and easy program is 100% online so there is no face-to-face selling, collecting money, or delivering products.  Your child will receive a prize just for participating, and more prizes will be awarded when goals are reached.

Please help now. It really will make a difference.

Go to https://www.schoolstore.net/sid.t?0000373980 to show our valued teachers your support.

Thanks
Terrell Elementary School

P.S. Family participation is the key to our success, and we are counting on you!
 

Safe Firearm Storage Reminders

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving Break, we would like to remind you of the Texas requirements for safe firearm storage.  Please review the attached document.

 

Library News

A new chapter has begun with the next LCISD All in for Literacy Challenge!  Whether you are exploring faraway lands, solving mysteries, or laughing with favorite characters, every book is a new adventure waiting to happen.  Log those reading minutes and let the journey begin.  

This challenge runs through December 31. Be sure to continue logging reading minutes in Beanstack so we can keep building our reading success together.  Be sure to check out the details for the All in for Literacy Showcase this Spring!  Check out the details in the flyer to share your favorite library book at our annual Spring Book Festival!

Keep reading, keep logging, and let's make this challenge even better! 📚🐨✨ 

At Terrell Elementary, we are ALL IN for Literacy! 📚🐨💙
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Jurkowski
 
 

All in for Literacy Nov/Dec Beanstack Challenge

Nov/Dec English Flyer for Beanstack
 
Nov/Dec Beanstack Flyer
 

📚All for Literacy Student Showcase📚

A flyer for the Lamar CISD Reads All In For Literacy Showcase student parent letter.
Showcase Menu Choice Board
 

Help Us Grow Outdoor Learning Gardens at Terrell!

This year, the Terrell Library has an exciting goal: creating beautiful gardens in our Outdoor Learning Areas! To help make this dream a reality, we have signed up to participate in the Enchanted Forest Butterfly Brigade and hope to win a pollinator garden for our campus.

You can help support our efforts by shopping at Enchanted Forest now to December 23. Simply mention Terrell Elementary at checkout, and 5% of your purchase will be donated back to our school. 

These funds will help us create engaging outdoor learning spaces for our students while supporting pollinators and local wildlife through our Garden Club that will begin in the 2027.

If you are not into plants, there is something for EVERYONE there, especially as we head into the holidays! The gift shop is currently being stocked with holiday goodies, and soon they will have trees, wreaths, and greenery! Any of those purchases can count towards our butterfly brigade rewards points!

Thank you for helping our Terrell Koalas grow, learn, and thrive! 

Thank you for your support, 
Mrs. Jurkowski 
Butterfly Brigade Flyer
 
November Newsletter

Counselor's Corner

November is the month of Responsibility. 
Fall Toy Drive

Student Council

Student Council will begin collecting toys for Fort Bend County Child Advocates through the month of November.  We are looking to support children ages 6-16.  We will also accept gift cards for families.  Please help our cause.
 

GT Referral Window Open Now

The K–12 Gifted and Talented (GT) parent referral window is now open and will remain open through Thursday, December 17!

Information about Gifted and Talented out-of-district transfers for Lamar CISD.
Poster announcing "Gifted and Talented Parent Referrals" with a list of child characteristics and referral instructions.

GT Transfers

Please note that the out-of-district transfer referral remains open throughout the school year. Parents of students who were identified for Gifted and Talented (GT) services in another district and wish to continue receiving GT services in LCISD must complete the appropriate transfer referral form (see below). Continued GT services will be determined based on whether the student's previous district identification criteria align with LCISD's eligibility requirements.


 

Community Events

 

Green Track Updates

Support the Emeralds - at Raising Cane's

Come out to support the Tomas HS Emeralds Dance Team at our upcoming Spirit Night at Raising Cane's Aliana on Wednesday, November 18th from 5pm to 9pm.  Your support will help us fund our upcoming competition season as well as our Spring Show where you can watch our competition routines in person! 
 

Tapestry District Cultural Event

You're Invited to Tapestry! Join us as we celebrate the rich cultures that make Lamar CISD unique at our annual Tapestry Event. Enjoy engaging interactive activities, cultural displays, and outstanding student performances including a dance from Terrell's Spirit Squad and Art work from Terrell's Adobe Club. Foster High School, Tuesday, November 10, 6:00–8:00 PM.
A promotional flyer for 'Tapestry of Lamar CISD 2026' on Tuesday, Nov. 10th at Foster High School, featuring photos of student performances and cultural displays.

Support the Terrell Choir

Please consider coming out to hear our Koala Choir perform at the Sugar Land Holiday Lights on December, 9th.  Anyone who purchases tickets for the Sugar Land Holiday Lights on December 9 (the night the choir sings) can use the coupon code "TERRELL".  It gives them a discount, and $2 from every ticket sold using the promo code will be donated to the music department here at Terrell!

Parent Education Opportunites

WeFeed
FeedSpn

Reminders

Volunteering

We want to invite our families to register as volunteers with LCISD, and we encourage you to sign up for any of the volunteer opportunities listed below:
  • Volunteer with our PTA to support with copies and materials prep
  • Volunteer in the library
  • Volunteer with our upcoming book fair and other upcoming events on campus.

*To serve in any of these roles you must complete the VIPS app annually

We appreciate all of our campus volunteers 💚
An informational graphic comparing volunteering and visiting at Lamar CISD, detailing Raptor system requirements, examples, and non-negotiables.
 
Alphabest Information

Student Dismissal Tags

Student Dismissal tags have been generously provided once again, courtesy of Gavri Orthodontics! They will be available for pick up in your student's classroom at Meet the Teacher on Aug. 5th.
Car Rider Information Guide
Car Rider and Walker Pick Up

E-Bike Safety

As the popularity of e-bikes and other motorized vehicles continues to grow, Lamar CISD is reminding families of the transportation expectations designed to keep students, staff, and visitors safe on our campuses. Students who transport themselves to and from school must use authorized methods of transportation. E-bikes are permitted on campus when operated in accordance with Texas law. To be considered a legal e-bike, the bicycle must have functional pedals and may not exceed the speed limits established by state regulations (20 to 28 mph, depending on the class of e-bike). Additionally, operators of Class 3 e-bikes, which can travel up to 28 mph and are equipped with a speedometer, must be at least 15 years of age. 
  
Many vehicles marketed as "e-bikes" do not meet the legal definition of an e-bike under Texas law and cannot be operated on public roadways or school property. We encourage families to verify that any motorized bicycle their student rides complies with state law before bringing it to campus. 
  
The following vehicles are prohibited because they do not meet the legal definition of an e-bike or are otherwise not authorized for student use on school property: 
  • ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) 
  • OHVs (Off-Highway Vehicles) 
  • Electric motorcycles 
  • Electric mini-bikes 
  • Pocket bikes 
  • Similar high-powered motorized devices 
  
Students must also comply with all applicable traffic laws while on school grounds, including requirements related to helmets, licensing, permits, registration, and insurance. 
  
If a prohibited motorized vehicle is brought onto campus, school police will notify campus administration and contact the student's parent or guardian to arrange for the vehicle to be picked up. 
  
Our goal is not to inconvenience families. It is to ensure that every student arrives at school safely while complying with Texas law. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe learning environment for everyone. 
  
If you have questions regarding whether a vehicle is permitted on campus, please contact the school principal, Mrs. Carpenter, before sending it with your child. 
Infographic comparing legal e-bikes and non-legal e-bikes in Texas, with details on regulations and consequences.

Dress Code

For more guidance about student dress code expectations see the LCISD student handbook (Beginning on page 41). Please remember, sneakers with laces must be worn for PE. See your specials rotations from teacher newsletters to plan appropriate footwear.
Infographic detailing Terrell Elementary Koalas dress code, including rules for shirts, bottoms, footwear, and ID visibility.

Rainy Day Dismissal

For parents of bike riders or walkers, please remember that rainy day dismissals can be announced if inclement weather is observed from 2:45- 3:00 PM. To keep our students and staff safe, we will notify you via parent square when this occurs. Parents should then come through the car-rider pick up line using their green dismissal tag to pick up your students. If you cannot drive to pick up your student, you may walk, but you must provide identification such as a state-issued ID or your green dismissal tag.
 
Terrell Facebook Page
Terrell School Website
Parent Input Form

School Meals

  • School Meals at Terrell will be free of charge for the 2026-27 school year.
  • Beginning August 24th parents may attend lunch with their students. Please bring your ID and check in with the office prior to lunch start time.
  • To preview school menus, please visit the child nutrition website.
  • If you are delivering lunch for your student, please plan to bring it at least 15 minutes before their lunchtime. We will not accept food delivery services for students.
  • If sending a lunch for your child, remember we are a nut-free school. Students who bring items with nuts will be seated at a separate table during lunch; we recommend avoiding this as much as possible.
  • For snacks, please only send one snack, as this is a working snack time within the classroom. Ensure you send a snack that is not messy and does not need utensils. (Such as- Goldfish, pretzels, or animal crackers!😊) Nut products are not permitted during snack.
  • Breakfast doors close at 7:43 AM. Please arrive no later than 7:40 AM if your child needs to eat breakfast. Instruction begins in classes at 7:45 AM.

Transportation Changes

Transportation changes will not be accepted after 2:10 pm or 10:45 on early release dates. To submit a transportation change, please call the office at (832) 223-6500 or write a note for your child to bring with them, reflecting the transportation changes. Neither email nor voicemail is an approved method of communication for transportation changes.

You may check out your child early if needed for doctor's appointments or other necessary reasons until 2:15 PM on full days or 10:05 on early release dates. Please limit this as much as possible, as we are actively instructing and learning until 3:05 PM each day. If your student repeatedly leaves early, they are potentially missing key information.
 
A graphic advertises new student ID badges for $5, payable via SchoolCash using a QR code.
A graphic advertises replacement dismissal hangtags for Terrell Elementary Koalas, priced at $10 for two tags.

ParentSquare & Studentsquare

As the 2026-2027 school year kicks off, families can stay informed by downloading the ParentSquare mobile app to receive the latest news from their students' teachers, campus, and the district. 
Students can also stay in the loop by downloading StudentSquare, the student version of ParentSquare. Both mobile apps are free to download on iOS and android devices.  
Students can download StudentSquare to: 
  • Receive messages from school by email, text, or mobile app. 
  • Send messages to their teachers and staff at school. 
  • Stay in the loop regarding late start days, extracurricular activities, and class projects. 
  • Subscribe to calendars, RSVP for events, complete forms, use sign-up sheets, and participate in groups. 
Once the app is downloaded, students can log in with their District Microsoft account using their student email account.  
 
Thank you for helping keep our #LamarCISD community informed!