| Hello Families! 🍁🎃 October is here as well as the “Field of Lights” exhibition. A display of thousands of stemmed spheres lit by fiber-optics. The exciting part is that students and teachers with a valid school ID will be able to purchase a $30 ticket for the exhibition for certain days. Enjoy!🎉 We continue to thank and celebrate our principals in this “National Principals Month” …but this week was extra special because we also celebrated “National Custodian and Groundskeeper Week.” AISD custodians and groundskeepers do an amazing job maintaining our schools clean and safe and we appreciate them. ❤️ |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Nayeli Santoyo ● Oct 07, 2022
Smart Brevity® count: 5 mins... 1301 words
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Hello Families! 🍁
🎃 October is here as well as the “Field of Lights” exhibition. A display of thousands of stemmed spheres lit by fiber-optics. The exciting part is that students and teachers with a valid school ID will be able to purchase a $30 ticket for the exhibition for certain days. Enjoy!
🎉 We continue to thank and celebrate our principals in this “National Principals Month” …but this week was extra special because we also celebrated “National Custodian and Groundskeeper Week.” AISD custodians and groundskeepers do an amazing job maintaining our schools clean and safe and we appreciate them. ❤️
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1. Big thing: Changes on Election Day
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☑️ This upcoming Election Day, Nov. 8, will be a student holiday for the current academic calendar year and the next, following a Sept.29 vote by the Austin ISD Board of Trustees approving the measure.
What it means: In addition to being a student holiday, Election Day will be a professional development day for all staff for this school year and next.
What they’re saying: “The main reason was to address safety concerns with campuses being used as voting locations during school days, which we are required to allow,” said Jacob Reach, Chief of Governmental Relations & Board Services. “This will ensure security at campuses, and allow more campuses to serve as community-focused voting locations in future years.”
Why it matters: The change to the academic calendar 📅 also ensures that more staff and students of voting age are available to get to the polls and make their voices heard.
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In addition to statewide elections, voters will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. Voters will also have the chance to weigh in on a 2022 Bond proposal that would result in $2.44 billion in funding dedicated to upgrading security, technology, athletic facilities and more.
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2. Austin ISD approves lowest tax rate in 29 years
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📉 The Board of Trustees approved a tax rate of $0.9966 per $100 of property value for the 2022-23 school year.
Why it matters: Property values are continuing to increase in Austin, so lowering our tax rate is one of the most impactful ways the district can offset the rising cost of living for our community.
What's next: Next year, the Board is expected to lower the tax rate for 2023-24 by an additional three cents.
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3. Bullying prevention Month
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💛 October is “National Bullying Prevention Month” and it is important to take a moment to bring awareness about bullying with your kids at home.
We know that bullying comes in many different forms, some of these are:
And…It is important to know that all forms are unacceptable.
Why it matters: Because a safe environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve their academic goals. Bullying in any form can interfere with the ability to learn and feel safe at school.
The bottom line: AISD is a No Place for Hate district, and our goal is to focus on creating a sense of belonging and community.
Go Deeper: Supporting special needs students can also help prevent bullying at school.
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4. High school students can take part in the electoral process
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☑️ Even if they can’t vote yet, some Austin ISD students can serve as election clerks.
What is the job of an election clerk?
Who can participate:
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Students who are at least 16 years-old.
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Enrolled in a public school.
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Consent of the principal and written authorization from the parent or guardian.
Why it matters: Students need to learn their responsibilities as voters, but also their rights and the electoral process, and this is good opportunity to achieve that.
Bottom line: This opportunity not only pays the students hourly, but it also adds to their resume or college application, and is a great way to serve their community.
Go deeper: Here’s the application.
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5. High school students will be part of the Student Advisory Board
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🎒Students can put their leadership skills to use before graduating high school by being part of the Student Advisory Board.
Why it matters: This is a great way to make sure the administration hears directly from students about their needs and experiences.
Who is eligible: 11th -12th grade students who are committed to attend all the meetings and participate in a group.
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The meetings are held at least four times per school year at the central office. Transportation and lunch will be provided for each meeting.
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Each high school will have two representatives and 1 alternate, and they have to fill out the Superintendent Advisory Board Application.
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6. Got a question for Dr. Mays?
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Episode 6 of Ask Mays Anything! 90 seconds and answers to 3 questions with a special guest, Clifford the Big Red Dog!
In this Episode, Clifford asked Dr. Mays questions about literacy.
You will learn about:
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Dr. Mays favorite book when he was in elementary school, and it fits perfectly during Halloween month.
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The district’s literacy goals for this school year, and how can parents help with this goal.
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And…if you always wanted to be a volunteer for the district, Dr. Mays tells us where to start to make it happen.
Thank you all for your questions and keep them coming.
What's next: Episode 7 is coming out soon! Remember you can always ask Dr. Mays anything through:
Watch the latest episode!
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7. All your options, under one roof
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🏫 On Oct. 22, you can learn about all the outstanding programs and opportunities we offer for students from Pre-K to 12th grade.
Why it matters: The inaugural Austin ISD Showcase offers a chance to meet teachers, faculty and staff from all Austin ISD campuses and learn how we’re helping students realize their potential.
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Each school will be on hand to spotlight 🔦 what makes their campus a special place to learn and thrive.
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You can enroll your student in one of the district’s intellectually challenging, skill-sharpening or world-exploring 🌍 programs.
Where and when: Palmer Events Center, 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 22.
🏫 🚌 Free shuttle buses: Transportation to the event will be available from four locations: Akins ECHS, Burger Stadium, Eastside ECHS, and Nelson Field.
Interested? Please register here to let us know you’re joining us!
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Indigenous People’s Week. Monday, Oct. 10 – Friday, Oct. 14.
2022 Bond: Community Conversations- Austin High School. –6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10.
Special Education Workshop Series: Gain support, strategies and resources. – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Community Retreat: Eliminating Racial Disparities in Discipline and Punishment. – 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
2022 Bond: Community Conversations- Bowie High School. –6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Community Bond Oversight Committee Meeting at LBJ.—6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee Meeting: – 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Board Information Session—6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic- Northeast Early College High School.—4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.
Staff Development/Student Holiday—Friday, Oct. 14.
Go deeper: For more events, visit our calendar of events.
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🚌 “Austin ISD to replace 173 air-conditioned school buses if bond approved in Nov. election.” (CBS Austin)
🚧 “Austin ISD school board approves protections for construction workers ahead of bond election.” (KUT) —Spanish version (KUT)
🚺 “AISD provides free period products in all schools.” (theShield)
🏫 “Travis ECHS upgrades part of Austin ISD $2.44B bond package.”
(FOX 7)
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🎃 Nayeli and her son will spend the weekend decorating for Halloween! 🕸️🕷️ 👻
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