Dr. Dickey's Newsletter 3-30-2026

Posted Date: 03/30/26 (06:20 PM)

Gator Gazette

Dr. Dickey's Newsletter

March 30, 2026

What's Happening Around the SWAMP!

Good evening Gator families,

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we are seeing an increase in dress code concerns, and we want to ensure expectations remain consistent across campus.

Students are expected to follow the LCISD dress code each day. Recently, we have seen an increase in items such as short shorts, biker shorts, sagging pants, slippers/house shoes, and tank tops that do not meet dress code guidelines.

Please also remember that student IDs are part of our dress code and must be worn daily.

We will continue to enforce these expectations consistently. The district dress code policy is attached for your reference.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment as we finish the year strong.

Dr. Dickey 💚🐊

Important Updates: Semester Exam Exemptions & Early Checkout Procedures

Dear Gator Families,

We have some important updates and reminders regarding semester exam exemptions at Banks Junior High. With the recent update to LCISD Board Policy EIAA (Local), there are new expectations for student attendance on exam days even if a student is exempt from the assessment. Please review the guidelines below to ensure your child maintains their exemption and that checkout on exam days runs smoothly.

Attendance Requirements for Exempt Students

All students must report to their regularly scheduled class each exam day and be counted present by the teacher no later than 10:45 AM.
Students arriving after 10:45 AM will be marked absent for the entire day and will lose their exemption.
If a student is absent on the day of the exam, they will be required to take the assessment at a later date set by campus administration.
If the assessment is not completed, the student will receive a zero for the final/semester exam grade, per district policy (EIAA Local).

On-Campus Plan for Exempt Students

After attendance is taken, an announcement will be made releasing exempt students.
Exempt students who remain on campus will move to designated locations by grade level.

Early Checkout Procedures

If parents/guardians choose to check out an exempt student early:

All normal campus checkout procedures must be followed.
The adult checking out the student must:
Present a valid ID
Be listed on the student’s Skyward emergency contact list
Please expect possible delays during peak checkout times and plan accordingly. We appreciate your patience as we ensure a safe and orderly process.

Please refer to the attached schedule for exact exam dates and times. We have made a few small updates to reflect these procedures.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work to provide a smooth and successful exam experience for all students. We wish our Gators the best of luck on their finals!

Ella Banks Final Exams Letter

STAAR Staff Snack Bar Donations Needed

Banks families, we are gearing up for STAAR testing and would love your support in helping provide snacks for our staff on testing days.

Our STAAR testing dates are April 8, 9, 14, 16, 21, and 23. To help make those days a little easier for our team, we are collecting snack bar donations.

Donations are due by Thursday, April 2

Drop off location: Front office

If you would like to sign up to donate, please use the link below:

www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0845A5A92DA8-6317024-ebjh#/

Thank you for supporting our staff during this important testing season. We appreciate the Banks family so much.

🐊 Support Our Green Track Family – Egg My Yard is Here!

The Tomas Band Boosters are hosting their 1st Annual Egg My Yard Fundraiser, and they need our help spreading the word!

Let the Tomas Band & Color Guard “egg” your yard the night before Easter. Students will scatter treat-filled, nut-free and chocolate-free eggs in front or side yards on Saturday, April 4th (8:00 PM–Midnight). Prefer to hide them yourself? Orders can be delivered to your porch before 8:00 PM.

This is a fun way to surprise little ones while supporting our award-winning Tomas Band & Color Guard program.

Pricing:

• $15 – 1 dozen eggs

• $27 – 2 dozen eggs

• $36 – 3 dozen eggs

• $42 – 4 dozen eggs

• $45 – 5 dozen eggs

Service area includes Green Track neighborhoods (Terrell, Hubenak, McNeill, Fagert, and parts of Adolphus).

All proceeds directly support Tomas Band & Color Guard students.

Orders must be placed by April 2nd (or while supplies last).

Be sure to scan the QR code on the flyer or use the ordering link provided in this newsletter if needed.

Let’s support our Green Track family and help make Easter morning extra special for our community’s youngest Gators!

Get ’Em, Gators! 💚🐊

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/egg-my-yard-22

HEB Plastic Bag Challenge

Student Council is excited to share that we are partnering with H-E-B for a Plastic Bag Challenge!

Starting soon, I will be giving each of you a small collection box to keep in your classroom from now until April 3. Students can bring in clean plastic bags to add to your class box.

The Gator Den class that collects the most plastic bags will win a special prize during their Gator Den time!

We would love your help in encouraging students to participate and helping us collect as many plastic bags as possible. This is a great way to promote teamwork and environmental responsibility.

Thank you for your support!

Staff of the Month Spotlight

FEBRUARY

Sarah Fornea

Name & Position:

Sarah Fornea; Innovation Day Para

Years in Education:

1 year

My favorite thing about Banks:

Everyone truly wants to be here and is truly passionate about their work.

My students would be surprised to know…

I am a certified archery instructor.

Favorite snack or treat:

Goldfish and Gushers!

Best piece of advice I’ve ever received:

Be present

When I’m not at school, you’ll find me…

At the dance studio with my daughters, but I'd rather be camping!

My personal motto or “teacher truth”:

Every student truly matters and makes a difference. Find a way to bring joy to the swamp every day.

Mathew Jenkins

Name & Position:

Mathew Jenkins/ Campus Athletic Coordinator

Years in Education:

19 Years

My favorite thing about Banks:

I love that our school has a community feel.

My students would be surprised to know…

I am afraid of sharks.

Favorite snack or treat:

Energy Drinks

Best piece of advice I’ve ever received:

Hard work will beat talent when good talent does not work hard.

When I’m not at school, you’ll find me…

spending time with my family and watching football.

My personal motto or “teacher truth”:

Be better today than you were yesterday.

Accessing Library Materials

Breakfast Menu-March

Lunch Menu-March

Add Money to Lunch Account HERE

Looking Ahead:

3/30/2026:

Mock Cheer Tryouts from 5:00-7:00 @ Banks (DICKEY)

3/31/2026:

Cheer Tryouts @ Tomas for the 26-27 School Year @ 5:00 PM (DICKEY)
Boys District Track Meet @ Trailor (CRUZ)

4/1/2026:

Girls and Boys Soccer @ Tomas vs Reading JH (Reading Admin on Duty)
TSA Meeting @ 5:00 PM
BAND UIL @ Foster
Teachers begin submitting END of Year TTESS Items

4/2/2026:

Girls District Track @ Trailor (DICKEY)
Gator Grind 5:00-7:00 PM (FREEMAN and MEI)

4/3/2026:

NO SCHOOL-Good Friday
Staff DMA Day

Upload Enrollment Paperwork

Early Bird Yearbook Orders

Sponsorship Links

Hatchling Sponsor: https://lcisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/9674/315/False/True

Swamp Guardian: https://lcisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/9675/315/False/True

Building Legacy in the Swamp: https://lcisd.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/9676/315/False/True

Rules Around the SWAMP

LCISD Policy and EBJH Rules

DRESS CODE

Reminder hats are not to be worn indoors unless for religious reasons. We have been seeing a lot of baseball caps. Please leave these for the outdoors.
ID Badges are a part of the dress code, and consequences for repeated printing and not wearing badges will be given.
NO SLIDES of any type are to be worn.
Shorts: at this time, we are asking for mid-thigh; many girls differ in height.