HAPPY WEDNESDAY, THUNDERBIRDS!
We want to say how proud we are of all of our students who are showing up every day and making the most of our distance learning! We have had a few bumps in the road, but our Thunderbirds have proven to be strong and adaptable. Thank you to all of our THES parents and caregivers who are helping guide our students to success!
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
From September 15 to October 15, Austin ISD joins the rest of the nation to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month—a celebration of the diverse cultures and riveting histories of the people in this country with ancestral roots in Spain, Mexico, and Central and South America. This year, we are celebrating through a virtual “Proud to be Hispanic” talent show. AISD students are invited to showcase their talents by submitting photos or videos of how they celebrate their Hispanic culture at home. Families are welcome to participate in the submissions. Please click on the following flyers to learn more about submitting your talents!
HerenciaHispana-ESP
HispanicHeritage-ENG
GIFTED & TALENTED TESTING WINDOW IS OPEN
The window for Kinder-5th grade Gifted & Talented (GT) testing is open until October 2nd, 2020. Please note: There will only be 1 “testing” time this fall. Data collected last year and AT HOME projects will be completed to qualify for Gifted & Talented Services! If you have a student that you believe possesses GT traits, please contact Mrs. Underwood to fill out a nomination form ASAP! julie.underwood@austinisd.org
Find out more about the GT program here: https://www.austinisd.org/advanced-academics/gifted
PRIME TIME & ART
Virtual PrimeTime is back for the Fall. Classes take place after school from 3:15 – 4:15pm. Students will be assigned to one class based on availability, and good behavior is expected as Prime Time classes are a true privilege. Classes include: Coding, Music, Dance, Yoga, Storytime and so much more! Registration will be available through parent portal and will be live on 9/17.
Log on: https://my.austinisd.org/
Then, search for Prime Time
ADMIN + PARENT ZOOM & COFFEE CHAT: CAMPUS UPDATES
Friday, September 25, 10am
Join Principal Navarro for coffee and campus updates. This brief meeting will go over the current status and any important information going forward. There will also be an opportunity for Q & A.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82565867381?pwd=VHB4eGh5bUROczBUTGk1NGZKdXFuZz09
Meeting ID: 825 6586 7381
Passcode: 7Kbwpn
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Monday, September 28, 5 – 6pm (3rd – 5th)
Visit your child’s classroom and hear about classroom routines/expectations, what your child will be learning this year, and how you can help from your child’s teacher. Q&A.
Tuesday, September 29
4 – 5pm – (PK 3 & 4 ONLY) Visit your child’s class and hear about classroom routines and expectations, what your child will be learning this year, and how you can help.
5 – 6pm – (K-2nd) Visit your child’s classroom and hear about classroom routines/expectations, what your child will be learning this year, and how you can help from your child’s teacher. Q&A.
CALLING ALL LIBRARY BOOKS!
If you still have library books from last year, you can drop them off any day on the front of the school in the box labeled library books. We’d really love to get all our books back so we can check them in and have them cleaned and ready for student use later this year. Look in your backpacks, under your beds, on bookshelves or anywhere they may be hiding. Thanks!
TECHNOLOGY DISTRIBUTION UPDATES
Chromebooks and iPads are available at the Travis Heights Elementary Campus and no longer at Crockett or the AISD Performing Arts Center. You or your teacher MUST have requested technology through the AISD portal/ Technology Distribution Tile in order to receive. Hotspots are assigned through the district and you will be contacted when they are ready.
The next window for device pickup will be Monday, September 21tst – Friday, September 25th from 3 – 4pm
Please bring your Student ID for a Chromebook or your student’s QR code for an iPad. If you are having trouble, please contact your child’s teacher for additional support.
If your device is damaged, or has hardware issues you can bring it to the school Monday – Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm. You must bring your child’s S#, name and description of the issue. If you are having a software/login issue please call the parent support desk at 512-414-9187.
How to Register for Technology
Families can still request technology in the Parent Cloud. After logging in to my.austinisd.org — search for Technology Distribution and the link for the form will appear. Once complete you may pick up your device(s) from the school. You first must be registered with a Parent Cloud account, my.austinisd.org also has a link and instructions in both English and Spanish for doing that. If you are having trouble, families can also request technology by calling Travis Heights at 512-414-4495 or by contacting your child’s teacher.
AISD TO CONTINUE FREE MEALS THROUGH DECEMBER
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently announced an extension of current school meal programs through December 31. This extension allows Austin ISD to continue to provide free meals for any child under 19, or those over the age of 19 who are utilizing special education resources or currently enrolled in school to complete the requirements for a high school diploma from curbside meal sites.
For students participating in remote, off-campus learning, both breakfast and lunch will be offered Monday through Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm at more than 40 curbside locations throughout Austin. Austin ISD will serve free breakfast and lunch in the classroom for on-campus learners. Curbside meal sites and more information can be found here: https://www.austinisd.org/openforlearning/meals
FARM FRESH FOOD BOXES
AISD will continue to provide free, local Farm Fresh Boxes from The Common Market Texas through October 7 at specific AISD curbside meal sites. The boxes feature locally grown produce, such as peppers, melons, squash, carrots, and other seasonal staples. The Common Market Texas, a mission-driven distributor of sustainable, local farm foods prepare and deliver the produce boxes to AISD. The produce boxes will be available at each curbside meal site one time through October 7th until they run out each day. Distribution will take place from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m as follows. More info HERE!
- Wednesday, September 23: Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Crockett Early College High School, Oak Hill Elementary, Odom Elementary, Patton Elementary, Sunset Valley Elementary
- Wednesday, September 30: Akins Early College High School, Casey Elementary, Covington Middle School, Kiker Elementary, Kocurek Elementary, Paredes Middle School
- Wednesday, October 7: Blazier Elementary, Langford Elementary, Perez Elementary, Pleasant Hill Elementary, Rodriguez Elementary, Uphaus Early Childhood Center, Widen Elementary
DOI DAYS (NO SCHOOL) MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
As part of AISD’s District of Innovation status, the Travis Vertical Team (which includes Travis Heights) has added three in-service days. These are student holidays in addition to those on the AISD calendar: January 5, February 12, and March 12. Please note, other schools may have different dates than Travis Heights. Teachers Professional Development Days are as follows: October 12, February 15, and April 2.
AISD MOBILE APP – DOWNLOAD NOW
Austin ISD is happy to announce the launch of its mobile app—a new way to stay connected. The app will allow all AISD students, staff, and families to receive notifications from the district and campuses for which they wish to subscribe. Other helpful tools include a COVID-19 self-screening for users to complete before coming into contact with others or before leaving home for work or school.
The app allows for quick access to:
- see the calendar for the current school year,
- links to
- Parent Cloud
- Parent Self Serve
- WheresTheBus
- School Café,
- the School Directory, and
- the latest news.
Locate the free Austin ISD Mobile App in the digital store for your mobile device by searching for Austin ISD. For questions concerning the new app, call 512–414–9187.