| Spring Break is almost here! 💡 Did you know energy is the #2 cost in Austin ISD, just behind salaries? Do your part in saving energy by turning off and unplugging items in your classroom during Spring Break. 🎵A song to send you into spring break: After today, just one day more.Let’s get into it… |
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| Staff Weekly |
| By Cristina Nguyen ● Mar 10, 2022
Smart Brevity™ count: 5 mins... 1261 words
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Spring Break is almost here!
💡 Did you know energy is the #2 cost in Austin ISD, just behind salaries? Do your part in saving energy by turning off and unplugging items in your classroom during Spring Break.
🎵A song to send you into spring break: After today, just one day more.
Let’s get into it…
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1 big thing: An update on elementary teacher planning time
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Last week elementary principals met to find ways to give teachers planning time during the day while also giving students ample time in art, music, and P.E.
Why it matters: Only 44 % of our third-grade students are reading at grade level, and that’s an example of a widespread challenge with academic outcomes districtwide. To improve these outcomes, we have to give our teachers planning time during the day to review data, collaborate with their peers and plan lessons.
The details: The Academics and Office of School Leadership developed parameters that each schedule must meet. For example, all schedules must eliminate Workout for Wellness (WOW) time and give teachers dedicated planning time, and give kids more enrichment opportunities on top of a minimum of 180 minutes of art and music within a three-week period.
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From there, principals had free reign to collaborate, brainstorm, and develop master schedules that work for their campus communities.
The Langford-Overton Model, created by Principals Martha Castillo and Courtney Colvin, has a 45-minute rotation each day, which gives classroom teachers time for two PLCs a week.
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Art and music will be held for one hour each week, then a third enrichment activity will be incorporated on Fridays.
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Adding in new activities, such as bicycle club, pottery, or drama club, for example, will allow students to participate in what would be extracurricular activities during the school day.
The Highland Park Model, created by Principal Peña, features two 45-minute blocks a day (one for PE, and one essential area class).
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The essential area classes will be music, art, and one other program on a three-day rotation. This plan will get students up to 225 minutes in each class, which is the same as they get now.
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Another benefit to this plan is the possibility of stacking the two 45-minute essentials classes so teachers could get up to an hour and a half of planning time once or twice a week. This could be extra beneficial for grades that have to do lots of STAAR data analysis.
What’s next: Campus principals will be engaging with their staff to develop a campus action plan and identify additional considerations and then share their plans with school communities for feedback.
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2. Protecting our transgender students
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We’ve gotten some questions recently about why we’re taking a stand to support our transgender students and a specific request that our district stay out of politics.
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What we tweeted: “We protect all our kids at Austin ISD, no matter what, and that goes for our trans kids, too.” @AustinISDsupt
Driving the news: Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott issued opinions saying gender-affirming care for transgender kids is considered abuse — and teachers should have to report it.
Our response: For us, this wasn’t a political statement. Instead, it’s about reassuring parents of transgender children that we won’t be reporting anyone to the state for treating their kids how they want to be treated.
The bottom line: Every one of our students contributes to our Austin ISD community, and we won’t waver in supporting their rights.
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3. 1 fun thing: Pride at Navarro ECHS
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This week’s Austin Ed Fund grant highlight is the Pride Week Celebration and Navarro Cultural Carnival over at Navarro Early College High School.
The project: The Navarro Pride and Cultural Carnival Celebration aims to make up for lost time in the last two years as celebrations have been canceled or virtual due to the pandemic.
The details: Navarro Business and Entrepreneurship Teacher Medina Willis is leading the planning for the event, which will highlight the cultural heritage of students and families across the district.
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Events include an Austin ISD Pride fashion show, a Zumba class, and opportunities to make a costume to participate in a parade around Navarro.
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Some events are open to the public, so register now if you’re interested.
What they’re saying: “Our Pride Week and Cultural Carnival is a community healing opportunity to feel alive and celebrate who you are,” Willis said. “We strive to care for the whole child, and this year’s theme is to “Celebrate You!” in whatever capacity comfortable.”
One more thing: Join us for the districtwide “PRIDE OUT! Party in the Park” event on March 26 at Eastside Early College High School.
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📔 Preliminary data shows 66.41% of fifth-grade families from the Martin and Mendez middle school vertical team are staying at their elementary school for sixth grade next year. (Austin ISD)
🏫 The new Rosedale School campus opened last month with a special thanks to a Rosedale parent who helped design the new school. (Austin ISD)
✂️ Kanes Barber Shop treated students at Oak Springs Elementary School to sleek new haircuts right on campus. (Twitter)
🎥 McCallum High School Sophomore Alice Scott showcased her story on transgender peers at the SXSWEdu conference this week with PBS News Hour Student Reporting Lab. (Twitter)
😄 The CDC confirmed mask requirements in schools reduced COVID-19 cases and helped get us where we are now. (The Washington Post)
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In February, we asked you to complete a survey about budget priorities and proposed changes.
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We heard from nearly 1,000 of you that pay increases and planning time should be our highest priority.
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See the full results of the survey.
What's next: Join us at one of two upcoming opportunities to learn more about the budget.
Also this week…
💡 Tune in tonight for the Board of Trustees’ Information Session. We’ll air the meeting live on AISD.TV or the Austin ISD Facebook page.
📆 We added some additional background questions to the climate survey so the new opening date will be March 21 and it stay open until April 8.
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5. Staff COVID cases now in the single digits
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Just in time for Spring Break, our cases are down again.
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Staff cases are down to single digits after falling 25% from 12 cases last week to nine.
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Student cases dropped by 66%, going from 47 cases to 16,
The bottom line: Enjoy your time away next week!
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If you haven’t already, get boosted.
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And if you’re feeling under the weather, be sure to get a COVID-19 test.
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