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Staff Weekly
By Christina Burbank & Collaborators ● Oct 18, 2023
Smart Brevity® count: 3.5 mins...991 words
Hello Austin ISD Staff!
🚍 Happy Transportation Employee Appreciation Week! When you’re driving, how do you deal with traffic, construction, pedestrians and speeding cars? 🚦 Our drivers do all that in a giant yellow school bus… every day… while keeping our kids safe. We owe them the biggest THANK YOU and so much more! Talk to your students about how important their bus driver is. Remind them to greet them every time they get on the bus, and always say “thank you” as they exit. 🥇
Speaking of giant and yellow… did you catch the eclipse this weekend? 🌞So cool! Did you notice how the temperature dropped and how the eclipse created tiny crescent-shaped shadows all over the ground? If you missed it, save the date for April 8, 2024 for the next solar eclipse. 🌘
🎭 Break a leg,
Burbank
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1 big thing: Increased school funding could come at the cost of vouchers
As the second week of the special legislative session started, Austin ISD has its eye on two important bills passed by the Senate: SB 1 and SB 2.
SB 1 would give some Texas families tax dollars to pay for private school, commonly referred to as school vouchers.
Shortly after the Senate’s approval of SB 1, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he would add school funding to the topics legislators may cover in the special session, but only if the voucher bill becomes law.
The Senate then passed SB 2, which would inject $5.2 billion into school districts— if the House accepts the voucher bill.
Level set: That number is far shy of the $14 billion that would be needed just to return to pre-pandemic funding levels, adjusted for inflation.
What they’re saying: The big question is whether the House will stand firmly against vouchers or take the deal.
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“For years, Democrats and a few Republicans, mainly from rural areas, have opposed vouchers,” said Austin ISD’s Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Policy Oversight, Edna Butts. “But in the past year, there has been a big push from billionaires who support vouchers pouring millions into Texas political action committees (PACs) and advertising [in support of vouchers].”
What’s next: It now falls to members of the Texas House to take up each of the bills.
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“It is expected that the House will file its own versions of these bills, but as of noon October 17, no House bills on these topics have been filed,” said Butts.
Go deeper…
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Enroll Today for Your 2024 Benefits!
Don't miss out on enrolling in your 2024 Benefits. Explore our new programs and resources today!
The open enrollment period for 2024 benefits ends October 31. Check out our 2024 Benefits Guide to see the Benefits Plan options and wellness programs and resources available to you!
As always, Open Enrollment is REQUIRED for ALL employees. Even if you love what you have now, you must reenroll if you want to be covered for any benefit in 2024.
Enroll online today at www.austinisdbenefits.com.
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“We are the wheels of the district”
October 16-20 is Austin ISD Transportation Employees Appreciation Week and we would like to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals who make up the Austin ISD transportation team— meet Rae Hudson.
After a 20-years administrative career, in 2015 Rae Hudson bravely embraced a new chapter of her life and started a new career.
“I wanted to work in the district because I had kiddos in the district,” said Hudson.
Eight years on, she continues to passionately serve as an Austin ISD bus driver.
“I loved it, I absolutely loved It, and I never looked back on switching to anything else.”
As a mother of four children, Hudson already has one of the most vital attributes required for engaging with students—patience. But even though it might seem like her job is easy, it is far from it.
“We just want people to respect us because we are humans and we are transporting the future.”
Go deeper…with Rae’s full story.
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Last chance to participate in Mental Health and School Safety conversation series
We’ve been learning a lot from our students, families and staff at our Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations.
The final conversations in this series take place tonight!
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.
Go deeper...with our Mental Health and School Safety FAQs.
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Mental Health and School Safety Community Conversations—Oct. 18, 2023
AISD School Health Advisory Council Meeting—Oct.18, 2023
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Meeting—Oct. 18, 2023
Board Regular Voting Meeting—Oct. 19, 2023
Superintendent hiring process conversations—Oct. 23, 2023
Dashain - 15 day long Hindu holiday— Oct. 24, 2023
Austin ISD TACRAO College Fair- Oct. 24, 2023
Staff Conversation - Equity Assessment—Oct. 24, 2023
School Safety & Security Committee meeting (SSSC)- Oct. 24, 2023
Superintendent hiring process conversations—Oct. 25, 2023
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🎀 Coming up next is Red Ribbon Week, October 23–31, 2023. This year’s theme is Be Kind to Your Mind, Live Drug Free! Founded by the National Family Partnership (NFP), this organization focuses on awareness, advocacy and resources for drug-use prevention.
📣 Want to know why we wear the red ribbon and why the NFP strongly believes that one person can make a difference? Read about Enrique Kiki Camarena and his impact on the Red Ribbon Campaign.
For now, high five a bus driver and get your red ribbons ready! Have a great week!
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