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Family Newsletter
By Nayeli Santoyo & Collaborators ● Sep 21, 2023
Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins...1134 words
Hello families! 👋🏼
We are just a couple of days away from fall 🍁 and what better way to celebrate the beginning of the fall season🍂 than by attending the district's biggest event, the “Austin ISD Showcase.” 🏫
🗓 Join us this Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, to learn about diverse programs offered by all the campuses.
But… that’s not all, there will be an array of community resources, entertainment options, and free services and resources.
📣 Great news! — All our Let’s Talk text lines are up and running again.
📣 Don’t forget about the Board Voting Meeting this week. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. ☑️
Also…Monday, Sept. 25, is a student holiday, no classes!
Now, let's get started with this week’s edition…🎉
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1 big thing: Let’s work together to keep our students and schools safe
The Austin ISD Community Conversations series on mental health and school safety begins Monday, Sept. 25, on Zoom at 6 p.m.
Austin ISD is hosting a series of Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations over the next month.
Why it matters: Our students, families and staff have valuable insights into how we can prevent and respond to critical incidents and we want to hear from you.
What to expect: Come talk with district leaders about
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Mental health support and resources;
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Preventing and responding to critical incidents; and
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How we’re investing in school safety and mental health.
We’ll kick off the Conversation Monday, Sept. 25! Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Spectrum News, Dr. Nicole Cross, will help us kick off the conversation in English. Emmy award-winning TV and radio host and emotional intelligence coach Leslie Montoya will host the conversation in Spanish.
Additional events:
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Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6–7:30 p.m., Bowie HS
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Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6–7:30 p.m., Travis ECHS
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Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6–7:30 p.m., Eastside ECHS
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Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., LBJ ECHS
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Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6–7:30 p.m., Anderson HS
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Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6–7 p.m., Join via Zoom (English) and 7–8 p.m., Join via Zoom (Spanish)
All events will have ASL interpretation and in-person events will have small groups facilitated in English and Spanish.
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2. Austin ISD deadline for free or reduced-priced meals
Austin ISD provides free breakfast and lunch daily at 74 schools that are part of the Community Eligibility Provision program.
Why it matters: Students whose families haven't completed the meal application will have to pay for meals.
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Students qualify directly through state-funded benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
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Students are directly certified through foster care; through migrant, homeless or runaway programs; or Head Start or Early Head Start programs.
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Students qualify for the Austin ISD household meal benefit application.
New this school year: All students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive free breakfast through funding allocated through the Texas legislature.
Go deeper on how to receive free or reduced-price meals and the meal prices
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3. Celebrating Hispanic heroes: Spotlight on Daniel Ortega
This is the first in a monthlong profile series spotlighting Hispanic heroes and path breakers who influenced Austin ISD in some way.
By Paul Stinson
As Austin ISD begins its celebration of Hispanic History Month, we profile Pfc. Daniel Ortega: WWII hero, Mexico native and Bronze Star recipient.
Born in Mexico, Austin roots: Born in Mexico in 1915, Ortega graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He began his life of public service by joining the Army Medical Corps in May 1943.
Fallen WWII hero: Ortega began his European tour of duty in May 1944. In July, while carrying a wounded soldier from the battlefield of Normandy, France, Ortega was killed.
Local legacy, Austin ISD First: The Austin School Board in 1957 honored the Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient with the naming of a new East Austin school. When Ortega Elementary opened its doors in 1959, it marked the first time an Austin ISD school would carry a fallen WWII hero’s name.
Ortega’s Lasting legacy: “I hope that students will be inspired by Daniel Ortega's commitment to excellence and brotherhood,” said Ortega Elementary School Principal Jennifer Stephens, adding that Ortega’s medals and portrait are prominently featured in the school’s foyer.
What’s Next: Join us for the Hispanic Heritage Talent Show and Award Ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14. We’ll celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a display of talent from our Austin ISD students and families and an award presentation for the winners of the 2023 talent contest "Join the Fiesta!"
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4. Austin ISD’s database schedule maintenance
Austin ISD’s databases will undergo regularly scheduled maintenance this Saturday, Sept. 23, from 4 a.m. until about noon. The following applications will be unavailable for staff and families during the maintenance period:
Thank you for your patience with this process as we ensure our systems remain secure. To track the status of systems in Austin ISD, please go to the Technology Status page on the district website.
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The annual Austin ISD All-City Orchestra Concert will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center.
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2023 Hispanic Heritage Talent Show: submit your entry by Oct. 5 to Join the Fiesta! It is open to Austin ISD students, parents and staff.
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The 9th Annual Central Texas Dyslexia Conference is October 6-20. This conference is hosted by Austin ISD and it is free.
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Join us this weekend for the annual Austin ISD Showcase! 9 a.m.–noon, Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Palmer Events Center.
AISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Meeting — Sept. 20, 2023
Board Regular Voting Meeting — Sept. 21, 2023
Austin ISD Showcase — Sept. 23, 2023
Student Holiday–No Classes — Sept. 25, 2023
Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations — Sept. 25, 2023
Tools for Success- Austin ISD Counseling and Mental Health Services —Sept. 26, 2023
Tools for Success- Austin ISD SEL and CP&I: Caregiver Partnerships—Sept. 27, 2023
Tools for Sucess- Maestro en Casa: Class options this school year—Sept. 27, 2023
Calendar Task Force Meeting—Sept. 27, 2023
Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations—Sept. 27, 2023
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6. Austin ISD in the news
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I’m excited for fall—my favorite season! 🍂🍁
I'm looking forward to having my first pumpkin spice latte,☕ wearing cozy sweaters and boots—Well I think I'm getting ahead of myself with the sweaters and boots, but overall I’m excited. 😅
🗓 This weekend I’ll be supporting the Austin ISD Showcase and I hope you can join us, too. There will be lots of fun things to do, learn and see. 🚌 Free shuttle buses in case you need a ride, free books, backpacks, school supplies (you can even stash some away for next year!). 🎒📚
📷 If you go to Showcase, don’t forget to snap some pictures of your favorite moment and share them with us. #AISDproud 🎉
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