Dear Austin ISD Community,
As we prepare to provide parents the option of face-to-face instruction on Monday, October 5, I first want to thank everyone for a successful virtual launch of the 2020-21 school year. Even though virtual instruction has challenges, our community has gone above and beyond in providing instruction and support for our students.
First of all, it is important to note that Austin ISD will continue to offer a 100% virtual learning option for as long as the Texas Education Agency (TEA) allows us to do so. As a public education entity, we must provide on-campus learning to anyone who desires to return in-person. At Austin ISD, we are committed to doing this in the safest way possible for our students, staff and families following the guidance of Austin Public Health.
The Central Texas Dyslexia Conference, hosted by Austin ISD, will be held virtually as a two-week event beginning Sept. 18 to support families, educators and individuals with dyslexia.
Austin ISD has partnered with the Texas Association of School Boards to better support its transportation employees with compensation that is competitive with surrounding districts.
Austin ISD completed a pay analysis of district transportation positions to ensure that pay is both internally fair between positions and competitive within the job market. Based on this analysis, some transportation employees will see an increase to their hourly rate in addition to the board approved two percent cost-of-living increase passed in June this year.
Thank you to all of our students, families, teachers, support staff and community members who worked so hard to help Austin ISD prepare for the first day of remote learning. This is a year unlike any other, but your adaptability and innovation ensured that learning could continue for our students.
Your voice is always valuable to us, and especially now as the district continues working through reopening campuses for the 2020–21 school year. Below is a link to the final, short survey that asks your instructional model preference for your student(s) starting on October 5. Answering this survey is critical for our campus reopening efforts by helping us understand what you think is best for your student(s).
To celebrate the first day of school, AISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde went on a tour of campuses both virtually and in person, introducing herself to students and their teachers as they begin their new school year.
The visit allows students and their teachers to meet their superintendent, ask questions, explore classrooms and see outdoor learning spaces.
Austin ISD will continue to use Wi-Fi-enabled buses to provide free internet access to students as the school year begins.
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 until Oct. 5, Austin ISD will expand the times its Wi-Fi buses are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Texas Department of Agriculture 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.
We are #AISDProud this week as LBJ Early College High School Principal Jon Bailey and Social Emotional Learning Mindfulness Specialist James Butler were nominated for an Austin Under 40 finalist award.
The Award is given out annually and is usually a black-tie event honoring Austin's outstanding professionals and their impact on our community. This year, the awards will be given out virtually.
