Promotional Tips: Pre-K Registration

Starting early in school helps children get a head start in their education—and in life.

From the littlest learners to college-bound graduates, Austin ISD offers a world of opportunities—including arts, athletics, health sciences and robotics—to help all students achieve their greatest potential.

AISD offers a challenging and nurturing environment to help children discover and develop the full range of their talents and skills, while ensuring students are prepared for college, career and life.

The district offers Pre-K programs at 67 schools. In addition to full-day Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds, AISD offers half-day programs for 3-year olds at 14 schools.

This year, based on the generous support from the United Way for Greater Austin, AISD is able to expand its half-day, Pre-K program for 3-year-olds from two pilot schools at Oak Springs and Zavala elementary schools in East Austin to 14 schools throughout the city.

AISD Schools with Pre-K Programs

The future begins today—in Pre-K! Join our #AISDProud family of schools.

For a list of AISD schools offering full-day Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds, please click here.
For a list of schools offering half-day, Pre-K programs for 3-year-olds, please click here.

For more information, please call 512-414-PreK.

Pre-K Registration Day

AISD registration for Pre-K began Monday, April 6, and continues through the spring and summer semesters. In addition, families are invited to enroll their children in school during the district’s Pre-K Registration Day at campuses Wednesday, Aug. 12,

Weekly Promotional Tips for Schools

Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement will send biweekly tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

Week of June 1

AISD registration for Pre-K continues through the summer. Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement is sending tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

Today marks the start of graduation week. Promote and celebrate our graduating seniors’ successes and the district’s college-ready culture—at every school and at every grade.

Marquee and Social Media Messages

Congratulations, #AISDGrads! {Vertical team high school and mascots}, you make us #AISDProud.
The Class of 2015’s path to graduation began here in 2002. (Fall enrollment in Kindergarten.)
Creating #AISDProud graduates since {school’s establishment year}.
From crayons to caps, AISD scholars {or Mascots} are college-bound.
{Mascots’} paths to college begin today—in Pre-K.
We are #AISDProud to be an early college prep school. Aim high! (Schools that are part of vertical teams with early college high schools.)

School Activities

Promote schools in the vertical team, showcasing graduation- and college-ready messages, programs and successes. (Example: Eastside Memorial offers a world of ideas—a world of opportunities—for all students. In addition to offering STEM programs at every grade level, all Eastside Memorial schools will become part of a new creative learning initiative to offer a quality arts-rich education to every child. Paws up!)
Follow high schools’ social media accounts and promote senior successes, stories, etc.
Identify Class of 2015 graduates and students at different grade levels who have been enrolled with AISD since elementary school. Share stories, photos and quotes.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.

Week of May 11

The Department of Communications and Community Engagement is working with Sendero Health Plans on a billboard campaign to support the district's enrollment priorities. Sendero has donated eight billboards in neighborhoods with Title 1 schools, which will be posted throughout Austin by Monday, May 18.

The first phase of the district’s billboard campaign will focus on the district’s Pre-K through college pipeline to squarely position AISD as the market leader for preparing all of Austin's children for college, career and life.

The first billboard promotes Pre-K registration and features a student from Zavala Elementary School. The second billboard focuses on building brand awareness in the area of college-readiness. It features a photo from the LASA-LBJ Early College High School graduation. The billboards will be in English and Spanish and support the district’s marketing efforts. (See attachment for design and locations.)

In honor of Dr. Paul Cruz’s appointment as superintendent, Sendero donated two additional billboards for the first phase of the campaign only. The billboard will focus on career-readiness. It will feature students in health professions programs at Lanier High School. The text will read, “Career-Ready. Every Student. Every School. Every day.” The “career-ready” billboard is in development.

Billboards: Cross-Promote with School Programs

Billboards are high-profile communications elements in communities. Please use the billboards as a timely hook to cross-promote your own messages about AISD’s Pre-K through college-ready programs—for all students—on school marquees, in newsletters and on campus websites and social media channels.

Examples:

Take photographs of students of all ages in front of the billboards, especially those near your schools, to show your #AISDProud spirit and to promote your programs. (See attachment.)
Use the images from the billboards in your own communications, including banners and Tweets.
Mention Sendero in your Twitter posts to say, “Thank You.” Twitter handle: @SenderoHealth.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org or 512-414-2715.

Week of April 27

AISD registration for Pre-K continues through the summer. Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement is sending biweekly tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

GenTX Day is Friday, May 1. Austin and communities across Texas are coming together to celebrate our graduating seniors’ successes at College Signing Day festivities. In the days leading up to GenTX Day, please promote AISD’s college-ready culture—at every school and at every grade.

Marquee Messages

From crayons to caps, AISD scholars {or Mascots} are college-bound.
{Mascots’} paths to college begin today—in Pre-K.
We are #AISDProud to be an early college prep school. Aim high! (Schools that are part of vertical teams with early college high schools.)
College Signing Day is Friday. Wear your college T-shirts.

School Activities

Promote schools in the vertical team, showcasing college-ready messages, programs and successes. (Example: Eastside Memorial offers a world of ideas—a world of opportunities—for all students. In addition to offering STEM programs at every grade level, all Eastside Memorial schools will become part of a new creative learning initiative to offer a quality arts-rich education to every child. Paws up!)
Follow high schools’ social media accounts and promote senior successes, stories, etc.
Wear college T-shirts. Invite everyone—principals, counselors, teachers, staff members, students and campus community members—to wear their favorite college T-shirt or gear.
Read the Generation TX declaration at morning announcements (see GenTX memo).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.

Week of April 13

AISD registration for Pre-K continues through the summer. Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement is sending biweekly tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

Marquee Message

The future begins today—in Pre-K. Enroll now. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.

Prekindergarten and Pre-K – Style and Consistency

Spell out the word “prekindergarten” on first reference and use “Pre-K” with a capital “P” and “K” on second reference—or when referring to a specific program such as AISD’s Pre-K program. It is acceptable to use “Pre-K” on first reference on a flier or in communications to an audience familiar with the term.

Customer Service for Non-English Speakers

Please identify Spanish-speaking team members who can answer families’ questions and guide them through the registration process. Refer callers to 414-PreK as needed for back-up support.
Consider partnering with parents and community members who can speak other languages that may be prevalent in your school community.

Social Media Suggestions – Examples (Attachment with Sampling of AISD Tweets)

Promote Pre-K registration and program highlights at least three times per week.
Post photos of volunteers who are helping the school with Pre-K registration.
Encourage teachers to take photos of fun, educational activities in the classroom.
Cover after-school programs and services such as fine arts activities and dinner.

Family of Schools: Class of 2015 Grads who Joined AISD in Elementary School

Identify Class of 2015 graduates and students at different grade levels who have been enrolled with AISD since elementary school. Request photos and quotes. Ask them what makes their schools special or why they chose a particular school. Collect materials to submit by May 15.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.

Week of March 30

AISD registration for Pre-K begins Monday, April 6. Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement will send biweekly tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

New phone number for general information

512-414-PreK

Marquee messages

Before April 6 – Pre-K enrollment begins April 6. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.
After April 6 – The future begins today—in Pre-K. Enroll now. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.

Univision partnership and telephone bank

AISD is partnering with Univision to promote the district’s Pre-K programs and to coordinate a phone bank for families to learn more about AISD’s offerings from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2.

Complementary promotional messages for social media in Spanish:

Si su niño o su niña tiene cuatro años de edad al 1 de septiembre de 2015, inscríbalo en el prekínder.
Los niños que cursan el prekínder tienen más altas tasas de graduación en Preparatoria.
Si su niño o su niña cumple cuatro años antes de o el 1 de septiembre 2015, su futuro empieza hoy con el prekínder en AISD.
Las inscripciones al prekínder empiezan el 6 de abril. Llame al (512) 414-PREK (ó 414-7735).

Prekindergarten as legislative priority

Pre-K is one of the district’s legislative priorities. Please share information with your PTAs and CACs.

AISD handout: https://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/legislature/docs/Pre-K.pdf
Raise Your Hand Texas video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo3m_guGHoA

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.