| Happy Fall, y’all! It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and we’re hosting a virtual talent show. Submit your talent by Oct. 15 for a chance to win!Also, don’t miss this story on how our social studies teachers are responding to state laws restricting social studies lessons. Let’s get into the news… |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Scott Thomas ● Sep 23, 2021
Smart Brevity™ count: 4.5 mins... 1143 words
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Happy Fall, y’all!
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and we’re hosting a virtual talent show. Submit your talent by Oct. 15 for a chance to win!
Also, don’t miss this story on how our social studies teachers are responding to state laws restricting social studies lessons.
Let’s get into the news…
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1 Big Thing: Superintendent: ‘The main thing has to stay the main thing.’
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Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde had a message for principals at their Sept. 14 meeting in the Performing Arts Center: This year’s primary focus is on academics.
Why it matters: Elizalde told principals to stay focused on academics after more than a year of COVID-19, which can easily distract administrators and campus staff.
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“Do they need social-emotional learning? 100% yes. Do they need true culturally responsive, culturally relevant instruction and practices, 100%,” she said. “It’s not an either-or, it’s a both-and.”
Dive deeper: Read more about her speech and how she addresses school collaboration and more on our website.
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2. Worker shortage affecting cafeteria menus
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Your child’s lunch may be different than what was on the menu because nationwide worker shortages are impacting our kitchens and suppliers.
The big picture: If your child gets a meal that’s different from what’s listed on the menu, it’s partly because we’re looking to fill nearly 100 open positions in our kitchens.
Yes, but: We’ll still prepare delicious, healthy foods for our students. It might just be different than what they were expecting.
You should know: Austin ISD students will still receive free meals all year no matter what their family income is.
Dive deeper: View daily menus, nutritional information, and allergens at www.SchoolCafe.com.
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3. Program that prepares students for jobs in technology expands
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Travis and Northeast are the most recent schools to receive the Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH, program.
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P-TECH can help your student get an associate’s degree and a job.
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Akins, Crockett, LBJ and Navarro have had the program for years.
Why it matters: P-TECH programs are open to anyone in the district. It opens up well-paying jobs to students who may not want a traditional four-year degree.
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Your student can learn about computer technology, cybersecurity, and construction technology.
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It’s not limited to technology. We also offer pathways focused on real estate, teaching, health, and hospitality as well.
You should know: The P-TECH program collaborates with industry-leading partners to make sure what they’re teaching is what employers want.
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Collaborators include Austin Board of Realtors, Apple, Dell, Huston-Tillotson, IBM, Samsung, Tesla, Baylor Scott & White, St. David’s and more.
Dive deeper: You can learn more about Austin ISD’s P-TECH program on our website.
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4. Austin ISD clarifies need for holy day form
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Austin ISD administrators are clarifying that a holy day form is only used for tracking excused absences in case of an audit.
Why it matters: If a student is out for a holy day, Austin ISD can receive funding for them that day, but the state may audit the school district to make sure it’s complying with Texas Education Code 25.087.
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Any absence for religious reasons is automatically excused, per the law.
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The information in the form is what the state says they need to document the holiday and any travel for the day.
What they're saying: Some parents found the form invasive.
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“As usual, when you start digging into things, you understand why they’re created and what they’re used for, so you gain a better perspective,” said Regional Director of the Austin Anti-Defamation League Renee Lafair. “Part of the problem, as a form, it can a little triggering for members of the Jewish community, unintentionally so.”
You should know: If a student has to travel for a religious observance those days spent traveling could be excused absences as well.
Dive deeper: If you plan to observe a religious holiday in the near future and need the form, reach out to your campus principal. Families can also provide a hand-written note to receive an excused absence as well.
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5. Let’s Talk Question of the Week: Parent volunteers are welcome on campus
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Families can ask district officials anything via Let’s Talk, our two-way question and answer platform. Each week, we’re going to highlight some of the questions we get that might help you.
Kathy asks: Why are some elementary schools allowing parent volunteers and others aren't?
Answer: We’re sorry if there’s been some inconsistency, but that should be cleared up as we sent clear guidance to our campuses yesterday. Yes, parent volunteers are allowed on campus. Though we try to limit visitors, we are happy to welcome our parents to volunteer to do things like monitor lunch.
But we can’t have parents just sitting and eating lunch with their kids.
Big picture: Having students eat and learn outdoors is one part of our COVID protocol, so having parent volunteers help monitor our students — when done properly — is immensely helpful
You can submit your own questions via Let’s Talk by going to www.austinisd.org/letstalk or texting 512-886-6434.
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6. COVID cases continue to decline
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We had a total of 146 COVID-19 cases this week, which represents about 0.17% of our students and staff.*
Why it matters: We’re working to make two years’ worth of academic progress this year. We can only do that with healthy students and staff who are ready to learn each day.
By the numbers: Student COVID cases stagnated this week, staying at 126 total cases.
The bottom line: Vaccination is still one of the best ways to prevent COVID-19.
*The data is calculated with the latest sum of students and staff (81,932) and will be updated officially in October once the district submits the official snapshot to the Texas Education Agency.
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