Calendar Activity Descriptions 
@ Spicewood
 
Please note that this is only a partial listing of the many events 
that occur at Spicewood. Activities are listed in the order that 
they typically appear on the calendar.

Meet the Teacher
Before school begins in August, students and parents are invited to 
attend our annual Meet the Teacher event. At a specified time, the 
school doors open and parents and students go to the cafeteria where 
student�s names are posted next to their newly assigned teacher�s 
names. Teachers open up their classrooms to meet their new students 
and their parents. This event allows students to drop off their 
supplies, introduce themselves and their parents to the teacher, 
know where to go on the first day of school, and find out who is in 
their class. The information about Meet the Teacher is provided to 
students and parents in a letter that is enclosed in the last report 
card or in registration packets that are given to newly enrolled 
students.

Registration
Once students enter Spicewood, they re-register each year in the 
early fall. Parents are sent a computer-generated registration form 
that is developed from the previous year�s registration form. 
Although information is formally updated once a year, parents are 
expected to inform the school office of any changes in information 
on this form.

Open House Orientation
The first PTA meeting typically includes Open House Orientation. 
This is a late afternoon and early evening event where classroom 
teachers discuss expectations, schedules, routines, rules, 
communications, and more. This is a very informative session that 
parents should definitely try to attend.

Reflections
The National PTA�s Reflections Program provides opportunities for 
students to express themselves and to receive positive recognition 
for their artistic efforts. The program offers students the 
opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students 
in preschool through grade 5 are encouraged to create and submit 
works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, 
photography, and the visual arts (which include art forms such as 
drawing, painting, print making, and collage). Students participate 
in the Reflections Program by submitting entries to their local PTA 
or PTSA. Any PTA/PTSA in good standing is eligible to sponsor a 
Reflections Program. Rules, deadlines, and specific guidelines are 
sent out in the fall semester.

Fun Run
The Fun Run occurs in the fall and is sponsored by our PTA. This 
event honors a past teacher, Mrs. Norma Waldrep Nauman who died 
while a teacher at Spicewood. The event usually begins around 5:00 
p.m. Parents, students, and even some teachers run around the 
track.  Hotdogs are served and there is usually live entertainment 
as well.

Book Fair
The PTA sponsors a Book Fair each year during the October National 
School Library Week. The event raises money that is donated to the 
school library for programs such as SOAR, Bluebonnet Books, PYP, and 
visiting author presentations.

PTA Meetings 
We are fortunate to have a very active and outstanding PTA. They 
sponsor various parent teacher events while also coordinating an 
active volunteer program. Enrichment Day, Fun Run, Reflections, Book 
Fair, S.O.A.R., Math Club, Principals� Pride, Fall Carnival, and 
Spring Silent Auction are among the many special events that take 
place at Spicewood. PTA Meetings are typically scheduled on the 
first Tuesday of the month. School programs are often done in 
conjunction with these meetings. Our music teacher has a fourth and 
fifth grade music program, our fifth grade teachers do a fifth grade 
play, our Art Teacher organizes an Art Gallery Night, and our first 
grade teachers do a first grade musical.

SBAC
Site Based Advisory Committee Meetings are scheduled once a month. 
The Committee is made up of teachers, staff members, parents, and 
community members who review the Campus Improvement Plan (CIP). The 
purpose of the SBAC is to involve all stakeholders in the school 
improvement process. Although the Principal is an official member 
of �Site Based� and must oversee the operation of the committee, a 
chairperson is appointed and is responsible for sending agendas out 
before meetings, posting agendas, taking minutes, and posting 
minutes. The Site Based Committee is another avenue for parents to 
voice concerns or issues affecting their child or the school.


Early Release Days
In the RRISD Elementary Schools, there are three early release days 
in the fall and three in the spring. These days allow time for 
student-led parent conferences. The teachers use the first early 
release day in each semester to prepare for the conferences and the 
next two days to conduct these conferences. Conferences typically 
last 15 minutes and are used to plan students� goals in the fall and 
review the results in the spring. On early release days, students 
are released two hours early, which equates to a 12:45 dismissal 
time.

Principal�s Pride
Principals� Pride Ceremonies occur on designated Fridays throughout 
the year. These celebrations begin at 7:45 a.m. and are over by 8:00 
a.m. Parents are invited to join the ceremony which is videotaped 
and then played on Woody�s Network News on the following Monday 
morning broadcast. Teachers nominate a student each week for this 
award based on a positive practice associated with the PYP 
Attitudes. Individual certificates are made for each student and 
specify why he or she has earned the award.

Grandparents Day
In mid-September, the district�s Food Service Department sponsors 
Grandparents� Day. This is typically the Monday following the Sunday 
designated day. Grandparents and parents can join their students for 
lunch. Invitations that include the lunch menus and prices are sent 
home around the beginning of September. 

Red Ribbon Week
The Counselor uses this nationally designated week to heighten 
awareness of the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. Daily events 
may include special broadcasts, speakers, or activities focusing on 
drug and alcohol prevention.

School Carnival
Very hard-working behind-the-scenes PTA members plan this fun and 
exciting event on a Saturday in conjunction with the Halloween 
Holiday. It lasts four or five hours and our students and parents 
and come and go around other planned events. There are a host of 
activities suitable for all ages of students to enjoy, as well as 
wonderful food and entertainment. There are never too many 
volunteers on this day!

School Pictures
In the fall, students� individual pictures are taken. Parents can 
pre-pay for these packets and a make-up day is scheduled for re-
takes or absences. In the spring, classroom and individual pictures 
are taken. Parents can pre-pay for these photos as well.

Outdoor School
While in the fourth grade, students and parents at Spicewood are 
provided an opportunity to attend an orientation session regarding 
the outdoor school. If decided, students participate in a fund 
raising event that is intended to fund the Outdoor School when the 
student is in the fifth grade. More information about the Outdoor 
School can be found on our website.

Winter Holiday Meal
In the late fall, the district�s Food Service Department has 
historically sponsored a Holiday Meal. Parents are sent invitations 
which include RSVP notes. Typically, no other menu choices are 
available and lunch times are altered in order to accommodate the 
large crowd of students and parents who attend.
Winter Meal Turkey Bucks
Our PTA supports the district�s PTA Clothes Closet with proceeds 
from the sale of turkey bucks. For 50�, anyone can purchase and wear 
a turkey buck badge. The PTA Clothes Closet funds new socks and 
underwear, as well as gently-used clothing to RRISD students who 
qualify as economically disadvantaged. 

Class Parties in Grades K � 5
Class parties correspond with the Winter Holidays, Valentines Day, 
and the end of school year. These parties are usually planned for 
the last hour of the day and are coordinated through the P.T.A. 
homeroom parents. 

Science Fair
Coordinated with the Austin Energy Regional Science Festival, 
Spicewood�s Science Fair is open to K �2 students on a voluntary 
basis and required for students in grades 3 � 5. Specific procedures 
and dates are posted on our website each year. 

School Cookout
Each year Spicewood invites all parents to school for our annual 
cookout. The RRISD Food Service Department grills hamburgers and the 
parents, students, and staff picnic around the school grounds. 
Because of the historically large numbers of parents, we encourage 
parents to bring blankets on good weather days and enjoy their 
lunches in the park. Lunch times typically follow the daily lunch 
schedule. 

Destination Imagination
"DI" occurs each year around March and is sponsored through our PTA. 
DI is a magnificent opportunity for children to learn how to solve 
problems through a team approach. More information about DI can be 
found at their website.

Silent Auction
PTA sponsors a silent auction in the second semester of each school 
year. Historically, this is a highly successful fund raiser that our 
PTA works all year long to organize. It is held off-campus in the 
evening and is considered a parents� night out. Along with dinner 
and dancing, there are silent and live auctions that offer a wide 
range of items to purchase. Teachers and parents consistently report 
wonderfully positive comments about the Silent Auction. This event 
is PTA�s largest fund raiser, and over the past few years, proceeds 
have funded many incredible opportunities for the children and 
teachers at Spicewood! 

Enrichment Day
This full day of learning is planned by a group of enthusiastic PTA 
parents to �enrich� learning in a specific area or content. Past 
enrichment days have included studies, activities, and events that 
centered around topics such as cultures of the world, America, 
Whales, Out of the Box Thinking, and more! This is a great day for 
parents to volunteer! 

Wellness Day
Our PE Teachers select a Friday in the late spring where 
they do culminating activities that focus on physical fitness and 
healthy life choices.  Many parent volunteers are needed for this 
fun event.

School Supply Sale
Close to the end of school, a PTA Volunteer will send a letter out 
to parents offering school supplies for the following year. The 
supply lists are developed by the teachers and include everything 
the students need for the next grade level. The school supplies 


Other Events that are listed on the School Calendar

Scouts 
The Boy Scouts and Girl Scout Organizations send information home at 
the beginning of the school year that describes these programs and 
events. Many of the meetings are scheduled for after-school in one 
of the teachers� classrooms. 

Chess Club
The Chess Club is a very popular �club� that is supported by the 
PTA. Children in grades K � 5 can participate. Information on the 
chess club is sent out at the beginning of the year.

The Friends of the Atrium Club and Spanish Club are available for 
our 
fifth grade students. Information about joining these clubs is sent 
out at the beginning of each year. Both of these clubs are offered 
by 
our teachers. Mrs. Fleming does the Friends of the Atrium and Mrs. 
Teal and Mr. Ortiz sponsor our Spanish Club.

DANZA is a club for third grade students interested in learning 
dance. This club is sponsored by our music teacher.

Math Club
The Math Club is sponsored by the PTA as a way to encourage math 
problem solving in grades K - 5. We often hear that many of the 
problems in 2nd � 5th grades create thought-provoking questions and 
conversations at home. This is not a required program, but a 
voluntary program that students choose to do.  Information about 
this program is sent home at the beginning of the school year.

Running Club
In conjunction with Run Tex, our PE Teachers, recognize students who 
accomplish an established number of miles to run. Dates and lessons 
are planned to accommodate the dates that are designated by Run Tex.

Westwood Community School
After-school and summer classes are provided to students and 
community members in the fall, spring, and summer through the 
Westwood Community School. Information is provided in catalogs that 
are mailed directly to households in the learning community.