Hi families,

Thank you so much to everyone who signed up to help make our Kindergarten Graduation a success—we couldn’t do it without you!

A few quick reminders as we get ready for Friday:

• Please send your student with the item you signed up for that morning so we can have everything set up and ready to go.

• If anyone is available to help with set-up before the celebration begins at 1:30 PM, please let me know—an extra pair of hands would be greatly appreciated!

• Lastly, we are still collecting contributions for a gift for Ms. Garza. Any amount is helpful, and you can Venmo me at @Monica-Zeno.

Looking forward to celebrating all the hard work and growth our kids have shown this year.

Thank you again for your support!

Kind regards,

Monica Zeno

Hi families,

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Kindergarten Graduation and how things are shaping up!

The celebration will take place on Thursday, May 30th at 1:30 PM in Ms. Garza’s classroom, with maybe a little time outside—similar to what we did for the Christmas party. It’ll be a sweet and simple way to celebrate all the amazing growth our kids have made this year. Friends and family are welcome to attend, but please make sure all guests are VIPS approved.

To help make the day special, we’ve put together a list of items and volunteer roles. If you’re able to contribute, please sign up here:
🔗 Sign Up Here

We’re also collecting money for a thank-you gift for Ms. Garza to show our appreciation for everything she’s done this year. Any amount is appreciated! You can Venmo me at @Monica-Zeno.

If you have any great gift ideas, feel free to share! Some ideas we’ve considered include a gift card bundle or something fun and relaxing for summer.

Thanks so much for your support—I know the kids (and Ms. Garza!) will love celebrating with you all.

Warmly,

Monica Zeno

Hi Parents,

I had the joy of reading to the class today and wanted to share that we are officially at 79 books—so close to our goal of 100 with just 5 days to go! Let’s keep the momentum going!

Also, a quick reminder that this Wednesday, May 7th, Poe will be celebrating Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) Day and Dress as Your Favorite Book Character Day.

Here’s how you can help:

• Have your child come dressed as their favorite book character

• Pack a few extra books for them to enjoy during reading time

• Keep logging those Read-A-Thon minutes—every little bit counts!

If you’re interested, feel free to check with Ms. Garza about bringing in a special snack to make the day even more fun.

Thanks for helping us finish strong!

Best,
Monica

Hi Kinder Families,

Next week (May 5th–9th) is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re so excited to celebrate our amazing Ms. Garza and all the wonderful staff at Poe!

The Poe PTO will be treating teachers to meals and snacks throughout the week, and they’ve also shared the attached flyer with fun, simple ways students can show their appreciation each day. We’ll be following the school-wide Hollywood theme—here’s how your child can participate:

🎬 Monday – Walk of Fame
Help us chalk the sidewalks with kind notes and drawings!

✍️ Tuesday – Fan Mail
Send a note, poem, or drawing to show Ms. Garza some love.

🍿 Wednesday – Concession Stand
Bring one of her favorite snacks or drinks.

🌸 Thursday – Curtain Call
A flower, plant, or handmade craft is a great way to say thank you.

❤️ Friday – Red Carpet
Have your child wear Ms. Garza’s favorite color - baby blue and sage green - to end the week with flair!

Please note: Each teacher will also be receiving a gift from the PTO, so we will not be collecting classroom contributions for Teacher Appreciation Week.

I do plan to organize a monetary collection for an end-of-year gift for Ms. Garza later this month. I know some classes are having a graduation celebration, so I will get with Ms. Garza on that and let you all know - More details to come!

If you have any other ideas for celebrating Ms. Garza, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear them!

Thank you for helping make this week special!

Warmly,

Monica Zeno 

Hi Everyone,

The Read-A-Thon kicked off yesterday, and we would love your help in making it a fun and successful event for our class!

Here are a few ways you can support:

• Set up your child’s Reading Page on Class Dojo if you haven’t already! You can use this quick link to get started: Set Up Reading Page

• Our class goal is to read 100 books! If we reach our goal, we’ll celebrate with a popsicle party for the whole class! Let’s work together to cheer the kids on — every book and every minute counts!

• Help build excitement by 

  • Volunteering to be a guest reader for a classroom read-aloud

  • Bringing a special snack for our upcoming "Drop Everything and Read" Day (date TBD).

     

If you have any questions or want an update on our class’s progress (pages set up, funds raised, or minutes read), feel free to email read-a-thon@poepto.org — they are happy to provide updates!

P.S. – A quick heads-up that Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up May 5–9! We’ll be sharing ways to celebrate our amazing teachers soon, so stay tuned!

Thank you so much for your support and for helping make the Read-A-Thon a success!

Kind regards,

Monica Zeno 

Hi Everyone -

I waneed to send a quick note to let you all know the school currently has no water. So there are no restrooms. They have maintenance on site, but they don’t have an eta on when it will be back on. Once we have additional information the school will reach out. 

Also, Ms. Garza loved all the gifts and cards! 

kind regards, 

Monica Zeno 

Hello Everyone -

I just wanted to send a quick note to remind everyone to have their student make Ms. Garza a birthday card and send it with them to school tomorrow! I know she will love getting these from her students.

Kind regards, 

Monica Zeno 

Hello Parents! 

Ms. Garza’s birthday is coming up on Saturday, March 22nd, and I thought it would be fun to do something special as a class to celebrate her!

I'd love for each student to make her a birthday card. Handmade cards are always so meaningful, and I know she would love to see their creativity and kind messages. If you’re able, please have your child bring their card to school on Friday, March 21st. 

For anyone who would like to give a small gift, I’ve included a list of a few of Ms. Garza’s favorite things below. Totally optional, of course!

Thanks so much for helping make her day a little brighter. Let me know if you have any questions!

Kind regards,

Monica Zeno

Hello Parents - 

Don't forget that Art Day is on Friday, March 7th and parents are welcome to join. The kids will have art events throughout the day, but parents are invited to visit during the Kinder Chalk time from 11:15-11:50am. 

Please help supply our class with 2 packs of hand wipes or baby wipes for students to clean their hands after chalking. Extra fabric markers or sharpies are always appreciated!

PTO is supplying chalk and fabric markers for each homeroom! The t-shirt for the day has been delivered to Ms. Garza.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X0FUzawFRuK4wSe_D1p5_6h0tm4IxVkj9Hqge-6Ul9k/edit?tab=t.0

This is a wonderful Poe tradition, so we hope to see you all turn out again!

Best,

Monica Zeno

Hello Everyone -

Long time, no hear, I know! :) I hope you all are having a great week First, I want to send a shout out to the families that attended the Father-Daughter Dance. If you have pictures, be sure to add them to the Poe Yearbook link.

Tomorrow we'll celebrate Valentine's Day in class! Students can bring Valentine's for their peers (25). We are not having a party, but if you'd like to send your student with a small snack, please feel free. Unfortunately, family members are not allowed to attend the party.

Final note, don't forget there is no school on Friday or on Monday and on February 22nd, we have the Poe Auction. I have attacehd the flyer for your reference. 

Kind Regards,

Monica 

Hello Everyone -

Only 4 more days until winter break!! I can't wait to see all of the kiddos in their PJ's for our cozy pj party on Friday, December 20th from 2:00pm - 3:00pm. The class will read the Polar Express that morning and the movie will be on during the party. We will have hot chocolate, a cookie making station, and another holiday craft. 

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help make our party a success! If you have signed up to bring an item, please drop your items off at the front office or have your student bring it to class before the party on Friday. I will get there early to set up to ensure everything is good to go at 2:00 for the party.

If you would like to get Ms. Garza a little something for the holidays to thank her for all her hard work this year, I have attached a list of her favorite things. Feel free to grab her a gift while you are out or have your student make her a card. Nothing is too big or too small!

Please let me know if you all have any questions.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Friday at 2:00 pm! 

Kind regards,

Monica Zeno 

Hi all,

So everyone is aware, on Friday afternoon around 3:30pm, a "chiller pipe" burst in the 1st grade hallway. Water from this hallway leak seeped into Ms. Garza's room onto the carpet that covers the front entry and front of the classroom. As we all know, water/carpet/humidity etc. are not good combinations. Today, Ms. Garza and the students worked in another classroom next door.

Please know that Mr. Alaniz, our Plant Operator Mr Tomas, HISD Leadership and the Poe PTO are well aware of the situation and are trying to find fast solutions to get Ms. Garza's carpet removed and the class cleaned and functioning fully as soon as possible. Ms. Garza may have already reached out with this news, but just in case I wanted you to know that Poe admin team and PTO board are working together to try to help expedite the repairs.

Please reach out if you have questions.

Meredith Kottler

832-423-1018

president@poepto.org

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are gearing up for winter break—only 13 more school days to go! Here are a few reminders as we close out this half of the school year:

1. Ms. Garza's Favorite Things: If you would like to get Ms. Garza a little something for the holidays to thank her for all her hard work this year, I have attached a list of her favorite things. Feel free to grab her a gift while you are out or have your student make her a card. Nothing is too big or too small!

2. Parent Readers: If you haven't done so already, please sign up to read to our class. You can read a book about a holiday your family celebrates or your child's favorite book. If you are not already VIPs approved and are interested in being a guest reader, please apply now! Sign Up Here

3. Holiday Party: Our class holiday party will be on the afternoon of Friday, December 20th. Be on the lookout for a Sign Up Genius to donate goodies and activities for the party. If you have any ideas for activities, please let me know!

I hope you all have a great rest of the week! 

Monica Zeno

It's the last few days before Thanksgiving week and there are loads of updates ... so get ready!

1. Friendship Salad: On Friday November 22, the class will be making a Friendship Fruit Salad to celebrate! If you signed up to bring a fruit, please remember to send it with your student on Friday. As of now, we have enough fruit for the whole class.

2. Holidays around the World: If your family is NOT originally from the US and you would like to share your cultural background with Ms. Garza, please send her an email about your country of origin and about any cultural holidays you celebrate during December.

3. Reading to the Class: Be on the lookout for a sign-up genius to come in and read a story to our class this holiday season! You can read a book about a holiday that your family celebrates together, or you can just read your child's favorite book. If you are not already VIPs approved and are interested in being a guest reader, please make sure you apply now!

4. Snacks: We need snacks for the class. Please feel free to send healthy, low-sugar snacks such as raisins, dried apricot, pretzels, mandarin oranges, popcorn (lightly salted), and banana chips. 

Upcoming Events: 

• Tuesday, November 19th - Your Future is Bright Day: Students are encouraged to wear bright or neon colors.
• Wednesday, November 20th - College Spirit Day: Students can wear a college shirt or college colors.
• Thursday, November 21st - Go Wild for Education Day: Students are encouraged to wear camouflage or animal print. 
• Thursday, November 21st - Poe's Annual Thanksgiving Feast - Come have "lunch" with your student at 10:00 am. 
• Friday, November 22nd - House Spirit Day! Students should wear their House colors and be ready to compete in another exciting round of games during lunches.
• Monday, November 25th - Friday, November 29th: NO SCHOOL 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Kind Regards,

Monica Zeno 

Hello Parents - 

Happy Fall season! By now, you have received a number of emails about all the exciting events happening in October at Poe. We need your help to make these events successful, and my goal is to streamline all the information, so you can be sure not to miss anything.  Please find below the major events and volunteer sign-up opportunities:

TODAY - Sunday, October 20th, 4-6pm: Kindergarten Family Picnic at Poe playground. Bring a picnic dinner, meet other families, and Poe PTO will bring the dessert!

Monday, October 21st - Poe Carnival t-shirt Pre-order Sales extended to October 21st! Buy one here! 

Thursday, October 24th: It's the number 50 Day! Students will learn about the number 50, and may choose to dress up like the 1950's decade. A great way to get out of their uniforms for the day and dress up! 

Friday, October 25th, 7:45am: Come and watch the Hat parade. (Please try to get their hats turned into the classroom by Monday, October 21st. Details are in the previous message below).

Saturday, October 26th: Poe Carnival (10-2pm). Please sign-up to volunteer for our class booth (dessert booth) and, don't forget to buy a t-shirt. You may sign up to volunteer here (just scroll down to our class). If you have 2 hours to give, please take some time and sign up. 

Thursday, October 31st: We will have a Halloween/Fall Class Party, 2-3pm! This will be a simple party with snacks, drinks, and a craft. The Kelly's will bring snacks and the Victorino's will bring drinks. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to Ms. Graza. You may drop your items off at the front desk that day (or a few days before Halloween). Students ARE allowed to dress up as their favorite book character on Halloween!

 

Thank you all for your support!

Ms. Graza's Room Parents

Hello, Fellow Parents,

I'm Monica Zeno, and I have the pleasure of being a room parent for Ms. Garza's Kindergarten class this year. I'm thrilled about the opportunity to collaborate with each of you to make this year an unforgettable one for our kiddos!

I'm reaching out to discuss the "October 31st Class Party" we have planned. The party promises to be a fun-filled event with numerous activities, snacks, and treats for the children. We're currently looking for volunteers to provide snacks and juice boxes for our group of 23 students to ensure there's enough for everyone. One of our classmates is vegan so please be mindful of the snack you bring, if you volunteer. 

If you're willing to contribute, please let me know what you can bring, and we can arrange for you to drop it off at the school before the party begins.

Here are the event details for your reference:

• Date: Thursday, October 31st
• Time: 2:00 pm to 2:45 pm
• Location: Ms. Garza's Classroom

Looking forward to your kind support and participation.

Kind Regards,

Monica Zeno 

Hi parents,