Greetings Thunderbirds! E-folder 05/19/21

Happy Wednesday Thunderbirds!

Covid-19 Policies–Impacts for THES

You have probably seen the latest update from Austin ISD about changes in the COVID-19 policies. What does this mean for THES? We will continue to keep the health and safety of our students and staff as our top priority. Please see below for more information.

Masks

• Wearing a mask will no longer be required for outdoor activities when physical distancing can be maintained, such as recess.
• It is important to note that six feet physical distance must be maintained while masks are off outdoors. If physical distancing can not be maintained, then masks will still be required.
• This form is REQUIRED if a parent wants their student to not wear a mask when outside. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqkw_Os_YcVYJhgBuLWinjEi0NqApwwqxqM03D6OXbGCK1hA/viewform
• THES Office Staff will review Parent/Guardian Mask Opt Out Form daily between 7:30-8:00AM. Teachers will be provided a list of students names whose parents/guardians have completed the mask opt out form. Any forms submitted after 8AM will be reviewed the next business day.

End of Year Activities

• End-of-year activities such as promotion ceremonies are allowed outdoors.
• THES is still planning on student-only events to maintain a building capacity of 50%.

Quarantining

• Quarantining is now required for 10 days, except in cases when masks were not worn consistently or high-risk people who have not been vaccinated are involved, which would require a 14-day quarantine.
• THES will follow all new procedures should we have any new cases on campus.

Campus Tours and Visitors

• Tours and campus visitors for educational activities and instructional purposes with prior approval are allowed if COVID-19 screening procedures (including screening and temperature checks) are involved.
• We are not currently planning any in person campus tours.

We’re looking forward to a safe, healthy, and happy end to the school year! Thank you, as always, for your cooperation and support!

Hotspots–Please Return!
Hotspots need to be turned in by the end of the school year. If you have one and have switched to in-person learning, please return the hotspot as soon as possible. Your child can give it to their teacher, return it to Mr. Hawes, or drop it off in the main office. If you are a remote learner, please return the hotspot to the main office by June 2nd. All hotspots need to be returned no matter the condition. Thank you so much for your help in returning these items.

Time for a little fun Thunderbirds!
Let’s celebrate with some fun School Spirit Days
May 17-May 28.

Principal Update & Coffee Chat May 28
Our next schedule Principal Update & Coffee Chat is Friday, May 28, 10-11am.  The Coffee Chat theme is:

Summer is soon approaching, which means there will be many changes to your child’s schedule and most likely some more free time. Join us for our next parent coffee where our counselors, Mrs. Piedra and Ms. Cano will be discussing summer safety tips for parents and children. Let’s get the summer off to a great start by being prepared and making a summer safety plan with our children. 

• May 28 at 10:00am
• https://zoom.us/j/96476232276?pwd=d2xsYlhGb3U0NVVXR2hsdXVlWllMQT09
• Meeting ID: 964 7623 2276
• Passcode: joinus

The last date that COVID-19 rapid testing will be available in campus health rooms for this school year 2020-2021 will be Thursday, May 27th.

This deadline will allow time for Health Services to coordinate with health room staff to collect testing materials. If individuals need testing after this date, they can find resources through Austin Public Health.  We plan to have COVID-19 rapid testing available on campuses with summer programs that have assigned health room staff. An additional Principal Weekly with more information will be shared the last week of May.  If you have any questions, please contact our team at health@austinisd.org.

Student Chromebook Device Swaps

• Do you have a DELL P22T or a Silver Toshiba Chromebook?
• Please swap those devices out for a new one through the office.
• These devices are end of life and no longer receive updates.  They will not work properly going forward.
• This only applies to these two brands/ models.

Looking for a summer camp for your child?  Use the list of camps available in AISD and the community. https://www.smore.com/sbmcy

Prime Time Summer Program
The summer program is free for AISD students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Program features include:

• Virtual field trips
• Engaging activities: arts, technology, sports, science and more
• Live, Interactive sessions and fun video sessions

Contact Info:
primetime@austinisd.org
https://www.austinisd.org/prime-time
512-414-0154
https://www.austinisd.org/prime-time/virtual-classes

AISD Library Media Services is pleased to share the 5 Book Dive
Summer Reading Program for 2021
This program encourages all AISD students to read at least five self- selected books over the summer. Research has shown that reading just five books can protect students from the drop in reading levels known as the “summer slide” which disproportionately affects low- income students (Alexander, Entwisle, & Olson, 2007; Kim, 2004). Information and resources are available on the website 5bookdive.org, including:

• Lists of recommended summer reads by level (K-2 English, K-2 Spanish, 3-5 English, 3-5 Spanish, Middle School, and High School). The 5 Book Dive program encourages students to read any five books they choose, but provides these librarian-curated lists for inspiration.
• Printable bookmarks which can serve as reading logs. Many campuses choose to recognize students who bring their summer reading logs to school in the fall; some suggestions for doing this are available on the website. Students can also receive a $5 gift certificate from BookPeople by taking their completed reading logs to the store or submitting them online.
• Additional materials including printable 5BD posters, plus information and resources for students, parents, and educators.

This summer, AISD will continue to provide free meals for children and caregivers.
How families may locate AISD summer meal sites in their area:

• Text FOOD or COMIDA to 512-229-9110.
• View all sites and service times on the AISD website.

Meals are free for any child younger than 19 and those older than 19 who utilize special education resources or who are enrolled in school to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.

Families will have the option of picking up daily to-go meals at more than 40 designated summer program sites or weekly meal packs at 30 curbside locations. Parents or caregivers may receive meals without children present by providing documentation (such as a birth certificate, student ID card, report card, or attendance record) at the meal service site.

Children do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive meals.  AISD will also provide free caregiver meals prepared by local restaurants, adults with accompanying children, or the documentation listed above at weekly curbside meal sites.  Caregiver meals are not available during daily to-go meal distribution.  All AISD meal sites will be closed July 5-9. Food is available until all meals are distributed.  Meal sites and times are subject to change.

News for 2021-2022

New and Returning Student Registration for 2021-2022 School Year
Online Registration for the 2021-2022 school year is open! Parents will need to access the online registration through the Parent Portal. You can find specific registration directions HERE. If you need assistance please call the AISD Parent Support Line at 512-414-9187.

School Supplies for 2021-2022
We are happy to announce that we have chosen to sell prepackaged school supplies for the next school year through, School Tool Box. Place your order online and it will be delivered directly to your home address.

You will have the option to customize your order by adding or removing items from the teacher-approved list. Already have a ruler or scissors? Remove them. Need an additional box of crayons for home or supplies for a sibling? Add them. It’s that simple!

In order to make sure you have your supplies before school starts, place your order by July 20, 2021. To order online, set up an account at:  https://www.schooltoolbox.com/

2021-2022 Full Day PK
During the 86th Legislative session, House Bill 3 (HB 3) was passed, requiring school districts to provide full-day prekindergarten for eligible four-year-olds. For the 2021-2022 school year, the PreK4 program will be adjusted to meet the requirement of 75,600 service minutes per school year:

• Forty-five minutes will be added to the PreK4 schedule for it to mirror the Kinder-5th grade schedules.
• Teaching assistants will be provided to meet the ratio standards for high-quality PreK4 and support the 45-minute daily planning time.
• There will no longer be a staggered start for PreK4.

Resources

The most recent update from Family Engagement & Student Support: https://www.smore.com/1wtv7-special-bulletin

AISD health guidelines: https://www.travisheightselementary.com/blog/2021/04/07/health-guidelines/

THES Parent Resource Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TravisHeightsES/