The "Building Bridges: Brick by Brick" project, led by Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton and Mike Manor, began as a collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community groups with a focus on improving communication, and developing and expanding relationships with the diverse communities of Austin. It has now grown into a community-wide initiative that involves representatives from school districts, health and human services, faith communities and others.

In April 2008, the Austin Public Schools Superintendent was asked to assist in distributing the Building Bridges 17 Questions to students, parents, and principals at all District schools. These 17 questions are intended to encourage students to take a more active role in their own education, increase parental involvement, and assist teachers and principals in achieving Blue Ribbon status. Each set of questions requires the reader to be introspective and focus on what he or she is going to do to be successful as a student, parent, teacher or administrator.

Please use the following link (http://www.tcsheriff.org/news/buildingbridges.html) to review the Building Bridges 17 Questions, in both English and Spanish, and use them to become more actively involved in your student's educational success.