Happy October, Cougar Families! 🍂
As we begin a brand-new nine weeks, our students are growing in confidence and capability every day. With this new grading period comes increasing rigor in classroom instruction. Teachers are helping students think more deeply, explain their ideas, and take ownership of their learning.
You can support this growth at home in simple and meaningful ways by asking questions like:
“What was something new you learned today?”
“Can you show me how you solved that problem?”
“What was the most interesting thing your teacher talked about?”
“Did anything challenge you today? How did you handle it?”
These small conversations help children reflect on their learning, build communication skills, and strengthen the school-home connection that helps every student succeed.
We’re proud of the hard work our students are putting in and can’t wait to see all they accomplish this nine weeks!
With Cougar Pride,
Ms. Duncan
Principal, China Spring Primary
This Week
Monday:
Tuesday: National Dessert Day!
Wednesday:
Thursday: Thumbs Up Thursday; Math Night; Pink Out
Friday: Campus Closed
Save the Date
October 20: GT Nominations Window Opens
October 23: Kinder Field Trip to Western Bell
October 24: No School/Parent/Teacher Conferences
October 27-30: Red Ribbon Week
October 29: Kona Ice
October 30: Trunk or Treat; Storybook Character dress up day
October 31: Campus Closed
November 5: First grade Field Trip to Western Bell
November 7: No School
November 11: Veteran's Day
November 13: Pre-K Field Trip to Mayborn; World Kindness Day
Click here to go directly to the full CSP calendar on our website.
Shout Outs
Big Shout Out to Our AMAZING Functional Academics Team!
You all are absolute rockstars! 💙 Every day, you pour your hearts into supporting our students with the highest needs — showing patience, love, and incredible dedication. You handle tough behaviors, big emotions, and unique challenges with grace, humor, and compassion.
The progress your students make (big and small!) is a direct result of your hard work and never-give-up attitude. You bring light, laughter, and learning to every moment, and we’re so thankful for the heart you bring to our school family!
Keep shining — you make a HUGE difference every single day!
Would you like to recognize a staff member that has made a lasting impression or has gone above and beyond? We would love your help in recognizing them! Please take a moment to fill out our Staff Shout-Out Form (linked below) and let us know about a staff member who deserves a little extra celebration. Your kind words go a long way in brightening their day and reminding them just how valued they are. 💙
Thank you for partnering with us in building a culture of appreciation and support for our staff!
News to know:
NATIONAL DESSERT DAY: Life is short, so let's make it sweet! Mark your calendars for October 14th, because it’s National Dessert Day. Feel free to send in a small sweet treat for your teacher or something sharable that can be placed in the teachers' lounge for all to enjoy!
MATH NIGHT: Get ready to groove with Pete the Cat and have a “purr-fectly” fun time with math! Join us for an evening filled with hands-on math games and family fun that make learning numbers all good. Come explore math in a fun, creative way—Pete-style! From counting and shapes to problem-solving adventures, there’s something for every little learner. Thursday, October 16th 5:30-6:30 PM.
PINK OUT: In spirit of the PINK OUT football game on Friday, October 17th we will be having PINK OUT day on Thursday, October 16th at CSP. We encourage students and staff to wear all the pink in support of our Cougars and the fight against breast cancer.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES: October 24th is one of our designated parent/teacher conference days. We would love to meet with every student's family. Teachers will be reaching out on Seesaw with their parent/teacher conference sign up sheets.
RED RIBBON WEEK: Red Ribbon Week is a national week-long campaign that raises awareness about drug, tobacco, alcohol, and smoking prevention. As part of our week-long program, we have the following dress up days planned:
Monday, October 27th ~ Neon Day ~ “I’m too bright to do drugs!”
Tuesday, October 28th ~ Crazy Sock Day ~ “Walk away from drugs!”
Wednesday, October 29th ~ Hat Day ~ “Put a cap on drugs!”
Thursday, October 30th ~ White Out & Crazy Hair Day ~ “Say boo to drugs!” OR Storybook Character Dress up
VATRE Information
The China Spring ISD Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a 3.7-cent decrease to the district's total school tax rate and voted to call a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) for November 4, 2025. The new proposed tax rate is $0.98192 per $100 of valuation, down from last year's rate of $1.0185. If voters approve the VATRE this fall, the district estimates it will generate approximately $2.16 million in additional annual funding for public schools while still reducing the total tax rate. Visit the link below to review how school funding works, the impact of the VATRE on the school tax rate, and the ballot language voters will see in November.
More information is available at www.chinaspringisd.net/page/vatre.
Reminders
MORNING DROP OFF: A friendly reminder to please remain in your car at all times while in the drop off line. If your child is unable to open the door and exit the car independently, someone will come assist. If you would like to personally assist your student in exiting the car and steal a final hug and kiss, please park at the track and walk your student to the sidewalk. We are working diligently to keep vehicles off of the road and avoid traffic backing up to the light. Staying in your car helps the line move quickly and safely.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS!
90% Law: The state of Texas requires students to be present 90% of the school year in order to receive credit for their current grade level.
Attendance is taken every day at 9:30am. Your student must be on campus at this time to be counted present for the day.
When absent: Only 4 days total per semester can be excused by a PARENT NOTE (parent signed excuse). For all absences exceeding 4, a doctor’s note or other formal documentation is required. All excuse notes must be turned in to the Front Office within 3 school days of the student’s absence.
Additional attendance information can be found in our student handbook on the CSISD website.
25-26 BELL SCHEDULE: Our instructional school day is 7:50am-3:50pm. Campus opens at 7:00am to begin car rider drop off. Breakfast will be available for students from 7:00am-7:50am. The first instructional bell rings at 7:50am. Students arriving after this bell are tardy and must be signed in to the office by a parent. Every 3 tardies count as a student absence.
LUNCH VISITORS: Parents are now able to join their student for lunch. All visitors must present their government issued ID and check in at the office. Visitors will only be permitted if they are listed in the students' records. While visiting CSP during lunch, please remember:
Visitors are only permitted in the cafeteria and may not join students when returning to class.
Younger siblings are welcome to join in the fun, but they are expected to follow CSP lunch expectations to ensure safety for all students and staff. We appreciate your help in enforcing this.