| Hello, families! ❤️🙏 October is Principal Appreciation Month, so let’s say “thank you” to our wonderful principals! |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Nayeli Santoyo ● Sep 30, 2022
Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins... 1226 words
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Hello, families! ❤️
🙏 October is Principal Appreciation Month, so let’s say “thank you” to our wonderful principals!
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1. Austin ISD Welcomes Teacher from Spain
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🇪🇸 As we celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Month, let’s welcome Silvia Calatayud Ortega from Alicante, Spain, joining us as a kindergarten teacher this year at Joslin Elementary.
Why it matters: Calatayud brings 19 years of experience as a teacher to her English-Spanish Dual Language classroom.
What they are saying: "I will be dedicated 100 percent, and I will try to make them achieve their best," said Calatayud.
She is part of a cultural exchange program offered by the Ministry of Spain to send teachers all across the United States.
"It is very satisfying for me to be here because it is a difficult process, it is not easy. It is a process that takes many months and thousands of people in Spain apply. And in the end, you are the one who fits the profile or who meets the requirements... for me it was a great satisfaction.”
She is married and has three daughters who now are Austin ISD students. They first arrived in Austin on July 21 and she said that right away, she prepared herself to give her 100 percent to her students.
"I wake up every day looking forward to going to work, I think that is something fundamental and very satisfying.”
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2. Austin seniors up for national honor
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🎉 Austin ISD is celebrating 34 high school seniors who are in the running for National Merit Scholarships, following their designation in September as semifinalists.
By the numbers: The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide, according to the NMSC.
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The Liberal Arts and Science Academy placed 28 semifinalists, Bowie has three semifinalists, while Akins, Anderson and McCallum had one each.
Why it matters: Finalists are competing for National Merit Scholarships as well as for a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship Award and college-sponsored Merit Scholarships.
What’s next: Almost 94% of the 16,000 nationwide semifinalists are expected to advance as finalists, the NMSC says.
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On Thursday, community members got to experience a day in the life of an Austin ISD principal through the Austin Ed Fund Principal for a Day program.
Why it matters: This program helps our schools build relationships with community leaders, raise awareness about their needs and bring in valuable resources to improve students’ experience.
What they’re saying: “I loved the energy of the teachers, I loved energy of the principal, I loved the energy of the staff office – I got out very hopeful that the very basic for success, we have it, which is the people and the staff,” said Dr. Margarita Arellano of Texas State University
Arellano visited Kocurek Elementary School and spent part of her day shadowing Principal Heather Parmelee, who was happy to see through someone else’s eyes the passion of her staff.
“I think by bringing our community in and having them kinda shadow it just really got a chance to showcase what is happening in the schools,” said Principal Heather Parmelee.
Dig deeper: Learn more about the Austin Ed Fund.
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4. Schools are getting trees 🌳
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🌳 Austin ISD is excited to receive more than 300 trees that will be planted on campuses this year thanks to a city grant.
Why it matters: Planting trees provides cleaner air, habitats for wildlife, and reduced storm water runoff. Trees also provide learning opportunities, physical and mental health benefits.
Some of the schools that are receiving trees this year are
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Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy: Oct. 4–11
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Perez Elementary School: Oct. 24–31
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Overton Elementary School: Nov. 7–14
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Hart Elementary School: Dec. 5–12
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St. Elmo Elementary School: Jan. 16–23, 2023
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Graham Elementary School: Feb. 27–March 6
What they are saying: “As a kid, some of my best friends at school were trees. Their shade enabled us to play outside on hot Texas days, leaning against their trunks calmed me when I felt anxious, their dappled light created a sense of wonder, the critters on their branches sparked my curiosities, and the pecan tree even provided us with snacks! Today, those schoolyard trees remain in my fondest memories. I hope that with reforestation projects like this all of our students can connect with nature personally, and our schools are a wonderful setting to provide this enrichment,” said Darien Clary, Sustainability Director.
In the past two years the City of Austin Urban Forest Grant has provided more $1 million for reforestation on AISD campuses.
Go deeper: Interact with the tree maps.
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5. Got a question for Dr. Mays?
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Episode 5 of Ask Mays Anything! 90 seconds and answers to three questions with special guest Serenity.
Thank you all for your questions, and keep them coming!
This episode: This episode focuses on his leadership style, student transfer information and recapture for Austin ISD.
What's next: Episode 6 is coming out soon! Remember, you can always ask Dr. Mays anything through:
Watch the latest episode!
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🏫 “Austin metro schools use more solar power than all other Texas school districts combined.” (KXAN)
🏠 “Austin ISD is considering turning two properties into teacher and staff housing.” (KUT)
🌧️ ‘When it rains, we have to set up trash cans’: McCallum HS students highlight daily struggles." (KXAN)
🚌 “Austin ISD buses without air conditioning will be replaced if bond on November ballot is approved.” (KVUE)
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Camila Alves McConaughey reads ‘Just Try One Bite’
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Kinder through third grade students at 10 of our elementary schools were invited to the H-E-B Big Texas Read-In event at the Long Center this morning to see local author Camila Alves McConaughey read her new children’s book, Just Try One Bite.
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Students from Boone, Pleasant Hill, Wooten, McBee, Ortega, Kiker, Menchaca, Perez, Rodriguez and Guerrero Thompson elementary schools received a free copy of the book after the reading and a short lesson from Alves McConaughey.
📺 What’s next: The Kelly Clarkson Show filmed the event, so tune in on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to learn how Just Try One Bite ends.
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🎉 Don’t forget to “Join the Fiesta” and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Austin ISD by participating in our virtual talent show. Nayeli is going to encourage her son, who is an Austin ISD student, to share his talents!
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