This past week was a great week at EPLA, with several cultural events being the highlight. Some of those events included:
1. Grade Level CRSHH Assemblies
2. Halloween “Fright Night” trick-or-treating for the community
3. Fall Dance for EPLA Scholars
4. Red Ribbon Dress-up Days (Monday–Red or Pink Day, Tuesday–Twin Day, Wednesday–Sports & College Jersey Day, Thursday–Halloween, Friday–Free Dress Day)
I would like to take a moment to thank and recognize all of the individuals who helped make these events possible. Those individuals included: Mr. Casillas, Mr. Quezada, Mr. Knick, Ms. Fierro, Ms. Vazquez, Mr. Paez, Mr. Avalos, Ms. Alonso, Ms. Mendoza, Ms. Gamboa, our PTSO parent volunteers and our Grade Level Teams. Your support made these events a success and helped to create a positive culture for our scholars. Thank you for being such a positive value add to EPLA. Pictures of some of these events are included throughout the newsletter.
The school instructional week ended with EPLA Leaders recognizing the CRSHH winners for each grade level. This week’s honorees were:
- 6th grade–Julissa Gabaldon
- 7th grade–Oliver Verduzco
- 8th grade–Kevin Olivas
Congratulations to each of the award winners and thank you for exemplifying the CRSHH values on an on-going basis.
A reminder that Monday, November 11, 2019, is a school holiday. On this day. please help us remember to say thank-you to all former and current members of the armed services for all they did/do for our country. A special shout-out to Mr. Monteros for being one of those individuals.
As we continue to move closer to our upcoming holidays, it is important we remind our scholars of the importance of being present in school each and everyday to ensure they are continuing to move forward with their academic and social/emotional growth. Before you know it, the holidays will be behind us and we will be taking state tests. Please help us get our scholars to school each morning by 8:00 a.m. Our attendance goal for 2019-2020 is at least 97%, because that is what helps the school get distinguished acknowledgements.
Thank you for all you do each and every day for EPLA and its scholars. You are what makes the school a success.
Ms. Jones
Thank you to the scholars who exemplify the CRSHH characteristics. This week’s recipients were:
7th grade–Oliver Verduzco
8th grade–Kevin Olivas
It is always exciting to see how each grade level plans their respective CRSHH assembly. As noted in the pictures below, 8th grade included a relay activity as a part of this week’s festivities.
Interim Assessments
Scholars will be taking two very important tests in the next couple of months. They will take the following:
NWEA–January 21-24, 2020
The scholar’s score on these exams will determine whether they will need additional tutoring and saturday school sessions. It is, therefore, very important your son/daughter takes the tests seriously and tries his/her best.
Counselor
EPLA is in the process of hiring a part-time Counselor. The goal is for the Counselor to assist the EPLA staff in addressing both academic and social/emotional needs of the scholars. The EPLA leadership will begin interviews on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
Campus Improvement Team
EPLA’s Campus Improvement Team is looking for one or two parent representatives who are willing to serve on the Team for the 2019-2020 school year. The Team monitors the implementation of the school’s campus improvement plan and makes recommendation for campus improvements. If you would like to become a member of the team, please call (915) 298-3900 and provide the receptionist with your name and phone number. Ms. Jones will contact you about joining the team.
Recruitment
- Our enrollment numbers for the week ending November 1, 2019 are as follows:
- 6th grade–70
- 7th grade–66
- 8th grade–81
- Overall–217
Attendance
- Attendance continues to also be at the forefront, as it can impact the awarding of distinctions on the accountability ratings. We need to be in the top range of our comparison group to get the most credit for attendance.
- Our attendance rate numbers are as follows for the week ending November 1, 2019:
- 6th grade–96.52%
- 7th grade–96.00%
- 8th grade–95.39%
- Overall–95.93%
- Our year-to-date attendance rate numbers are as follows for the week ending November 1, 2019
- 6th grade–97.17%
- 7th grade–97.30%
- 8th grade–95.89%
- Overall–96.71%
- Thank you to all of our grade level teams in promoting attendance in school and for your efforts in providing incentives for maintaining high rates. We need to continue to acknowledge scholars who are present, as our YTD rate is under our goal of 97.00%
- Our attendance rate numbers are as follows for the week ending November 1, 2019:
Parent-Teacher-Scholar-
- PTSO members assisted with the “Halloween Fright Night” on Thursday, October 31, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Fall Dance on November 1, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A special thank-you to all of the volunteers who donated their time to support these events. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Fall Spirit Week
A huge shout out to our scholars and colectivo members for their active paraticiatipn in this year’s Fall Spirit Week!! We’ll be announcing the winners of the door decorating content and Penny Wars by the end of this week.
Student Clubs
- We will be officially rolling out 3 new clubs. Updated permission slips will be available starting 11/4. The new clubs will be:
- Self-Care Club (Ms. Vance) – Focus on self-esteem, hygiene, beauty, and tips for in mind, body, spirit.
- Yearbook/Movie Making Club (Ms. Mendoza & Ms. Davila) – Focus on gathering and taking photos for the yearbook and creating videos to share memories at the end of the year.
- Art Club (Ms. Vance) – Focus on supporting scholars’ artistic ambitions outside of the classroom.
Operations
- El Paso Giving Day – EP Giving Day is Thursday, November 14. Please begin to invite your close friends and family to the Facebook event so they don’t miss the date!
- Courtyard Repavement – The courtyard next to the basketball court is scheduled to be repaved the weekend of November 8-11. We will be adjusting drop off and pickup procedures and make use of the front entrance on Friday, November 8.
