HAPPY WEDNESDAY THUNDERBIRDS!
It’s our fifth week of distance learning and you GOT THIS!!! Keep up the FABULOUS JOB! As we move forward, Travis Heights continues to work on ways to connect with our families and students to provide distance learning opportunities. Our Thunderbird family’s health and safety is always our top priority. We miss everyone so much! We are sending virtual high fives and fist/toe bumps to everyone. “Teamwork makes the Dream Work!” Take time to breathe and we will be stronger once we come together again. We are here for you and please know we are working hard every day to support our Thunderbirds. AISD school and office buildings are closed indefinitely. However, school is in session! And we encourage you to participate in the virtual learning opportunities provided by your teacher. We will continue to communicate with you and provide updates.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week as well as School Health Team Appreciation Week. Although we cannot celebrate the teachers and Nurse Louie in person, we hope they know how much we appreciate all that they do! Big thanks to Nurse Louie for taking amazing care of our kids this past year and for safely returning medications after the shutdown.
Thank you to our incredible teachers who work hard to create and teach meaningful lessons, support school activities, and care for the students in so many other ways. During this difficult time, they’ve gone the extra mile to develop new instructional materials and plans to keep our children learning. We love them and miss them dearly! Please take a minute to send a message, picture, or video to your children’s teachers to let them know you appreciate them.
#THANKYOUTEACHERS CAMPAIGN
Austin Ed Fund is adding its voice to the chorus of #ThankYouTeachers messages, to recognize and thank the teachers who are going above and beyond to reach our students at home. Please share inspiring stories about how THES teachers are connecting with students. Teachers, principals, staff, and families can submit stories through a survey and on social media using #ThankYouTeachers and by tagging @AustinEdFund. AISD will highlight selected stories on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram each day during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, and beyond. Check out our Social Media Toolkit, for more resources, and submit your stories!
CONTINUOUS LEARNING PACKETS
Beginning April 27, Austin ISD will be mailing Continuous Learning Packets directly to students. Students who qualify to receive free and reduced lunch will be sent packets automatically. If your student does not qualify for free and reduced lunch and you would like to request a packet, please fill out the information below and we will add your name to the list. You can sign up for a packet to be mailed to you HERE.
UPDATED AISD GRADING POLICY: PASS OR INCOMPLETE
Principal Navarro & AP De La Torre have a video message for you!
https://youtu.be/J3zyoyzdSJY
Under the new policy, all students will receive either a grade of Pass or Incomplete. Teachers will provide feedback on student performance and monitor progress. A record of incomplete will not affect a student’s ability to advance to the next grade or graduate, but rather will identify students who need extra support in the summer or next year. Teachers can monitor progress via phone conversation if the family doesn’t have reliable access to computers or the internet.
How will elementary students keep up with their learning?
Teachers will work closely with their students through online learning, emails with pictures of students’ completed work, or even joint phone calls with caregivers and students. Teachers will monitor student progress on the most important skills, content, and standards that will prepare our young people for success next year. Teachers will be in communication with parents and caregivers regarding their students’ progress. Students who may be in need of extra support in the summer or the following school year will be identified. Our Social-Emotional Learning Department will design community outreach through creative activities that encourage social-emotional wellness while respecting social distancing.
T-BIRD FIESTA!! END-OF-YEAR VIRTUAL PARTY MAY 15, 7-8PM
We will be holding a virtual version of our annual T-Bird Fiesta—the fundraiser and end-of-year party we usually have at Guero’s! We can enjoy queso and tacos, great music, and great community, all while staying home and social distancing. Please consider supporting a local business that has always been a big supporter of our school by ordering your dinner as take-out from Guero’s on May 15. Then our very own DJ Jason will be hosting a fun dance party online! We will set up a secure Zoom room where students can dance with each other and chat. The room will be password-protected and monitored. Students will be muted, but they can use the text chat function. The DJ dance party will be from 7-8pm! Please keep an eye on ClassDojo for login information.
We are also encouraging families who are able to donate to the school for emergency COVID19 relief. All funds received on the day of the party will be directed to the Parent Support Specialist, who will use the funds to support our THES families who are struggling to purchase food and basic necessities right now. Let’s take care of our community! Here is a link to the donations page: https://www.travisheightselementary.com/donate/
PTA MEETING AND ELECTIONS MAY 21, 6PM
The final PTA meeting of the year will be held virtually on Zoom on May 21 at 6pm. At this important meeting, we will be electing the 2020-2021 officers and we will vote on a proposed budget for the next school year. The election will be held virtually, according to temporary guidelines established by Texas PTA for meetings through June 30th.
All individuals wanting to attend this meeting must register by May 14. This is needed to give PTA time to determine who is eligible to vote before the meeting starts. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Here is the link for registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYuf-2tpjMiGdfr3xUdrPSKDijyWKPxz0CO
Please note that only current PTA members may vote. It’s not too late to join! The deadline for becoming a member in time to vote at the meeting is also May 14. You can become a member via the school’s website: https://www.travisheightselementary.com/join-the-pta/
The Slate of Officers Nominated:
President: Merrideth Jiles
1st Vice President: Jonna Ball
2nd Vice President: Talitha Green
Secretary: Delaina Bostick
Treasurer: Ed Hattrup
As always, people may run from the floor. Because the election will be held during a virtual meeting, anyone who wants to run from the floor must notify PTA no later than May 14. You can submit a nomination using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/x8hNYWREr9o3WuJg9
RENT ASSISTANCE
The City of Austin has awarded $1.2 million to go toward MAY RENT by MAY 15 to around 1000 households. Funding will be awarded by a lottery system that is used by HACA. There are only 2 days for people to call in to apply for the lottery starting Monday, May 4 at 7:30am until Wednesday, May 6 at 11:59pm. The funds will help income-eligible tenants in the City of Austin who:
- Live in the City of Austin & make 80% of the Median Family Income
- Are currently on a lease (signatory) & not recipients of other rent programs
- Have documentation showing that COVID-19 has affected them financially (e.g., pay stubs, unemployment notice, a notice of rent due, etc.)
The program is open to undocumented immigrants. They have bilingual workers in the call center and have access to Language Line services to support other languages if needed. Please see THIS FLYER.
TECH SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES & TEACHERS
English Link to the parent FAQ:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DHV8mgmG6Mjkp96E0JgWv8K5qGFAH9mgiOz4-NI0EFE/edit
Spanish Link to parent FAQ:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zq1NZQw0TgvxtO1XKr0n8kN4xoFLL04DfYRNfbb0JYI/edit
FAMILIES
- Families may call the Family Support Line at 512-414-9187; support is available weekdays from 7 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Click HERE to submit a question or request help.
- Submit a parent support form. The form is received by our help desk and will be assigned to one of our specialists, who will contact you.
STUDENTS
- By phone: 512-414-4357
- Submit a student support form.
- Click HERE to submit a question or request help.
Note: Prior to submitting a help desk ticket, it is the student’s responsibility to back up any data, information, or other files stored on the assigned device.
STAFF
- By phone: 512-414-8324 (support is available Monday-Friday from 6:30am–5pm)
- Click HERE to submit a question or request help.
Note: From within the AISD network, type ‘help/’ in the browser’s address bar to submit a help desk support ticket. Please keep in mind you will be required to log in using your AISD credentials.