|
|
 |
|
|
Staff Weekly
By Christina Burbank & Collaborators ● Dec 20, 2023
Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins...1247 words
Hello Austin ISD Staff,
We made it! As you prepare your classrooms and office space for the winter break, check out the story below for a handy pre-break 📜 checklist, like updating your phone and email away messages and cleaning out your fridge.
Let’s go! The Board of Trustees proudly announced 📣 Matias Segura as the lone finalist for Austin ISD Superintendent. Take a moment to read the board’s full announcement. Congratulations to Matias Segura!
Shoutout! 🧡 Big thanks to the Junior League of Austin, the Austin ISD Family Engagement Team and the Warehouse Team for their work on this year’s Coats for Kids initiative. More than 8,000 winter coats were distributed to Austin ISD students across the district. Take time to say THANK YOU to your Parent Support campus leader!
Happy Holidays! FYI - Staff come back Monday, Jan. 8 and students return Tuesday, Jan. 9… enjoy the long break! Be safe and see you in 2024! 🎉
🎭 Break a leg,
Burbank
|
|
1 big thing: Austin ISD one step closer to permanent superintendent
Interim Superintendent Matias Segura will step into the new year as the lone finalist for Austin ISD’s long-term superintendent position.
What they’re saying: “To be given an opportunity to lead this organization for the next several years is incredible,” said Matias Segura. “I love this organization. I love our students. I love our staff and I’m excited to take this work on.”
How it works: Segura will have to wait at least 21 days before entering into an employment contract with the district per Texas law.
The details: The board unanimously approved Segura as Interim Superintendent in December 2022.
Background: Segura has worked for the district since 2018, serving as chief of operations and leading the implementation of the $1.05 billion 2017 bond.
What’s next: The district will vote on a contract at the regularly scheduled voting meeting on January 25.
Mark your calendars: The board will offer two opportunities for people to ask Segura questions and for him to share his vision for the district:
Additional details to follow.
|
|
Board of Trustees approve 2024-25 School Calendar
Austin ISD trustees approved the 2024-25 calendar during their Dec.14 regular voting meeting.
The final calendar incorporates community feedback requesting additional faith based and cultural observances and staff development days:
It also pushes back spring break a week later, March 17-21, 2025, to ensure we’re aligned with Austin Community College for students who are dual-enrolled.
The first day of class for students will be Aug. 20, 2024 and the last day of class will be May 29, 2025. The total number of student instructional days is 169.
|
|
Staff invited to join equity assessment focus groups
We’re looking for staff members to join our equity assessment focus groups and share how Austin ISD policies and practices affect you and our students.
Why it matters: Your experiences are essential to understanding how our district functions and how we can improve to benefit students.
The details: Focus groups will begin mid-January and space may be limited as we try to get broad representation across the district.
Interested? Complete the form for an opportunity to join.
What’s next: We’re starting the equity assessment focus groups with staff and will move to students and families in February.
|
|
District translator leads the way in professional ethics
Translators and interpreters in education will now have another tool to support families thanks to Austin ISD’s own Spanish Translator and Interpreter Melissa González.
Why it matters: Education is the only setting where legal, medical, community and conference interpreting and translation overlap, so it is important to have specific guidance on best practices when working for schools.
The details: These contributions, along with the others, will allow those in the translation and interpretation field to improve the way these services are delivered in a school setting.
Go deeper: Austin ISD’s Language Access Team is here for our students, staff, and families. They offer various services to help to dismantle any language barriers; so our families may have more of an active role in their student’s education.
|
|
We’ve made it through the fall semester and it’s time to relax. Make sure you check out the to-do list below to ensure your workspace is safe and ready for your return next month! As a reminder, Austin ISD is closed from Dec. 25–Jan. 5.
We'll be back to our regular hours Monday, Jan. 8, 2024!
The details:
-
Extended Break Shutdown Checklist Faculty & Staff - Your commitment to safety and cooperation in these small measures contributes to a positive and secure work environment.
-
Winter Break Out-of-Office Instructions & Script - Follow the steps to set an autoreply via Outlook settings and to set up your voicemail greeting.
-
Employee Assistance Program - We understand that caring for yourself is important, so we offer services and resources to support a balanced and healthy life. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services are here for you 24/7, and they're entirely free and confidential for all Austin ISD employees. Feel free to reach out at 1-833-515-0762 to access any of our EAP services. Your well-being matters to us!
Have a rejuvenating winter break!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Support FFA! 💐Thank you to everyone who supported the Clifton poinsettia sale! Did you know that Akins and Navarro Future Farmers of America programs both grow and sell their own poinsettias, too? If you missed out on the holiday sales, check back with these schools in 2024, as they have seasonal plant and floral sales throughout the year!
Call to Action! If your school has something cool going on and you want others to know, please share your story with our team. The Communications and Community Engagement team produces a staff and family newsletter every week. We would love to let people know what’s going on at your campus! 📣
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Like this email style and format?
It's called Smart Brevity®. Hundreds of orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ— to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications. |
|
|
