BHE LogoPrintable Newcomer Packet

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Welcome to Bunker Hill Elementary! The Bunker Hill PTA Newcomers Committee is here to make your transition to BHE as smooth as possible. We hope to do this by keeping you informed and by making ourselves available to answer your questions about the school and community during the year.

Because we know how overwhelming the first year can be—many of us from first- hand experience—the Newcomers Committee has put together this resource guide to help you learn all there is to know about BHE. Please feel free to contact any member of the Newcomers Committee. We are here to help!

You can reach us at bhenewcomers@gmail.com or text/call us with any questions and let us know how we can help you! Again, welcome to the BHE family. We wish you and your family all the best on your new and exciting journey

 

Sincerely,

 

The BHE Newcomers Committee

Ashley Marshall (281-467-7155) and Julia Stellar (817-876-1130)

 

 

 


Newcomers' Checklist 

  • Sign up for the BHE PTA eblast
  • Obtain your child’s student ID # from the front office or from SBISD Family Access
    • Teacher assignments will be posted on Skyward, August 11th or at Meet theTeacher on August 14, 2023 

  • Follow the PTA on Social media for updates on school events and fun facts!
  • Download the Membership Tool Kit APP on your phone
    • This is the fastest and easiest way to find other parents phone numbers, addresses or calendar questions  

  • Sign up for your cafeteria account online
  • Complete SBISD online volunteer registration form
    • https://www.springbranchisd.com/engage/register-to-volunteer

    • To volunteer for a PTA committee, chaperone a field trip, or help in the school library/cafeteria/classroom, it is REQUIRED that you complete this online form EACH year

    • Ideally, do this prior to the first day of school, Wednesday, August 16th. 
  • Obtain school supplies
  • Fill out the BIG FORM on the PTA website
    • The BIG FORM will go live August 14, 2023

      • Go the the PTA website, https://bunkerhillpta.membershiptoolkit.com/ , click on “Big Form” and it will guide you through
      • The BIG FORM allows you and your spouse to join the PTA, buy BHE bricks, birthday messages on electronic marquee, order yearbooks, buy additional directories, and donate to underwriting campaign 
  • Attend PTA Meetings
    • There will be seven general PTA meetings during the 2023-2024 school year

    • Please check the PTA website and weekly e-blasts throughout the school year for additional details and special topics

    • Meetings are held on Fridays at 9:30 am* (except in October which will be on a Thursday), in the BHE Multi-Purpose Room (MPR)

      • September 8, 2023
      • October 5, 2023* (Please note this is a Thursday)
      • November 3. 2023
      • January 12, 2024
      • February 16, 2024
      • April 12, 2024
      • May 10, 2024
  • Subscribe to the BHE Calendar via Membership Toolkit on the PTA website
  • Obtain the appropriate sign for dismissal for your child(ren).
    • Any parents of Kindergartners riding the bus will also need a blue sign to retrieve their child from the bus in the afternoon. NO EXCEPTIONS.

    • Transportation signs are typically handed out at “Meet the Teacher”

  • Buy BHE Spirit gear online
    • The online spirit store will open August 7th - August 25th

    • Wear your BHE spirit gear on Fridays to show your BHE SPIRIT! Go Lions!

    • Email the spirit committee with any questions, bhespiritgear@gmail.com

  • Back to School Dates
    •  August 14th, Meet the Teacher- 

          8:30-9:30 am- Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grade

          9:30-10:00 am- Self-Guided New Student Tours      

          10:00- 11:00 am- 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade

    •  August 15th, 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm - New Parent Orientation *Parents Only*

    •  August 16th, 8:15 am - 1st Day of School Parent Coffee

    •  August 21st, 11:00 am - Kindergarten Back to School Luncheon

    •  August 22nd, 11:00 am - 1st Grade Back to School Luncheon

    •  August 23rd, 11:00 am - 2nd Grade Back to School Luncheon

    •  August 25th, 11:00 am - 3rd Grade Back to School Luncheon

    •  August 28th, 11:00 am - 4th Grade Back to School Luncheon

    •  August 29th, 11:00 am - 5th Grade Back to School Luncheon

    •  September 12th, 5:30 pm -  Open House, Grades K, 2nd and 4th

    •  September 14th, 5:30 pm - Open House, Grades 1st, 3rd and 5th


HELPFUL INFORMATION

Useful Websites

The BHE PTA website, https://bunkerhillpta.membershiptoolkit.com is updated regularly by the PTA. This is your best access to all things BHE, including volunteer opportunities, calendar of events, online absence excuse forms, online BHE Spirit store, opportunities to donate and the latest news surrounding BHE. You can sign up to receive weekly email blasts; but don’t assume that all new information is emailed. There are times when new information is posted and not included in the weekly emails.

You may also report an absence via this website. The BHE SBISD website www.bhe.springbranch.com is the official district website with general school information, district policies, dress codes, etc.

 

School Supplies

Each year, the PTA offers parents the option to purchase prepackaged school supplies for each grade level. This is not required, but it is a convenient and cost- effective way to buy supplies. All supplies purchased through the PTA will be delivered to your child’s classroom at the beginning of the school year. You may buy these online in the spring for the following school year via www.schooltoolbox.com

 

If you arrive at BHE at the beginning of the school year or in the middle of the year school supplies can be purchased at Meet the Teacher or in the office (while supplies last). If you would like to buy your own supplies, a grade-specific list of school supplies can be found at this link. You can also get a list from the front office.

 

Spirit Gear

The PTA has a variety of BHE-themed articles to help show your pride in the BHE Lions. Spirit shirts can be ordered online at https://bunkerhillpta.membershiptoolkit.comOther items such as hair bows, car decals, etc. will be available for purchase in the Fall at back-to-school events and on-line. If you have any questions you can reach out at bhespiritgear@gmail.com.

Field trip shirts are sold during the Spirit Sale (August 7th- August 25th). They must be worn on field trip days.

 

School Directories

School directories are published each year and distributed free of charge ONLY to those families who agree to have their information published. You will receive an email from My School Anywhere – Bunker Hill Elementary near the start of the school year. You must fill out your information and agree to have it published to be included in the directory. The directory is the best way to make and be included on playdates, birthday invitations, group teacher gifts, etc…don’t miss out!

 

School Lunch

If you plan for your child to purchase lunch from the cafeteria, either exclusively or from time to time, you can either send in cash or set up an online meal account.  To pay in cash, simply send the money with your child each time he/she buys. Send the envelope with money labeled with your child’s name, ID # (you obtain from the office) and teacher.

 

To pay online, set up a meal account by going to https://bunkerhillpta.membershiptoolkit.com  and clicking “Useful Links''. You may also go to www.springbranchisd.com, click “For Parents” and select “Online Meal Payments.”

 

Parents are welcome to come join their child(ren) for lunch, including birthday lunches. Please know you will need your ID to sign in/out at the front desk. You must coordinate this with your child’s teacher in advance. Your child cannot ask a friend to join you. 

 

Kinder parents need to wait until October to come for lunch to allow time for their child to get acclimated to their new school, schedule, and classmates.

 

Skyward Family Access

Skyward Family Access is a password-protected site that provides both parents and students access to course grades, homework, attendance, and other data. To set up your account, you will need to first obtain your password from the BHE office. Then go to https://bunkerhillpta.membershiptoolkit.com, click on “Useful Links”, then on “Skyward Family Access”, to set up your account. 

    

Your password works for all students in your family attending an SBISD school.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

Anyone who wants to volunteer at BHE in any capacity, including chaperoning a field trip, must be registered through the Spring Branch Independent School District and undergo a background check. All volunteers must re-register from year to year. 

 

You can register at https://volunteer.springbranchisd.com/. You will need to fill out a quick form that requires your driver’s license number. Once you have registered with SBISD and receive clearance, you can participate in school volunteer activities. Typically it takes two to three weeks to be approved so do this as soon as possible.

 

Most PTA Volunteer opportunities will have sign-ups organized through Sign Up Genius. This website will email you reminders for volunteer activities, date and time you have chosen.

 

Visit the Volunteer Tab on the BHE PTA website to see current BHE volunteer opportunities. 

 

After School Programs and Activities

 

In the community, Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association (SBMSA) is popular for sports for girls and boys (www.sbmsa.com). It is more intense time-wise and more competitive than the local church leagues, which also offer sports for girls and boys throughout the year. Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts of America both have troops /dens organized by grade here at BHE as well as through area churches.  

 

We can help you find local dance studios, karate,music lessons, etc. Several facilities in the area provide after-school care for those parents needing more options. 

 

“iKids” is on-site at BHE and others like Memorial Drive Methodist Church have transportation from BHE to their facilities.

 

BHE PTA, Events & Fundraising

The PTA at BHE is an excellent resource for newcomers. We are fortunate to have a solid base of parent volunteers and we are always looking for help! PTA committee information can be found on the website under the “PTA Info” tab.

 

You may keep up with the PTA through social media too. 

 

The PTA holds two fundraisers for BHE throughout the year.

  • Fall - parents may donate money to the “Underwriting Campaign,” which funds the BHE PTA budget.
  • Spring - BHE Auction. This is the school’s largest fundraiser. It will be held on Feb. 24, 2024 This adult only night includes a live and silent auction and a night full of fun! You will receive an invitation to the auction in January/February.

Book Fairs

  • BHE has two book fairs, one in the Fall and one in the Spring to benefit the BHE library.

 

Spring Fling 

  • This event takes place in April and is a carnival-type event with games and food. There are many opportunities for volunteering at this event. 

 

Throughout the year the PTA may hold book drives, food drives and coat drives for another SBISD elementary school in need of these items. Virtual BoxTops for Education are also collected and money earned go to our Sister School in SBISD, Thornwood Elementary.

 

Teacher Assignments

You and your child can find out your teacher assignment on August 11th in Skyward or when you come to school for “Meet the Teacher” on Monday, August 14th. If you have any questions, please contact the front office.