Starting early in school helps children get a head start in their education—and in life.

From the littlest learners to college-bound graduates, Austin ISD offers a world of opportunities—including arts, athletics, health sciences and robotics—to help all students achieve their greatest potential.

AISD offers a challenging and nurturing environment to help children discover and develop the full range of their talents and skills, while ensuring students are prepared for college, career and life.

The district offers Pre-K programs at 67 schools. In addition to full-day Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds, AISD offers half-day programs for 3-year olds at 14 schools.

This year, based on the generous support from the United Way for Greater Austin, AISD is able to expand its half-day, Pre-K program for 3-year-olds from two pilot schools at Oak Springs and Zavala elementary schools in East Austin to 14 schools throughout the city.

Pre-K Registration Day

Families are invited to enroll their children in school during the district’s Pre-K Registration Day at campuses Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz invites families to join #AISDProud family of schools.

AISD Schools with Pre-K Programs

The future begins today—in Pre-K! Join our #AISDProud family of schools.

• For a list of AISD schools offering full-day Pre-K programs for 4-year-olds, please click here.
• For a list of schools offering half-day, Pre-K programs for 3-year-olds, please click here.

For more information, please call 512-414-PreK.

Weekly Promotional Tips for Schools

Working with the Department of Early Childhood Education, the Department of Communications and Community Engagement is sharing weekly tips to help schools promote the prekindergarten program to campus communities.

Week of Aug. 10

Messages: Marquee and social media

• The future begins today—in Pre-K. Enroll now. Join our #AISDProud family of schools. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.
• Calling the Class of 2029! Your path to graduation begins here in Pre-K.
• Creating #AISDProud graduates since {school’s establishment year}. Join our family of schools.
• From crayons to caps, AISD scholars {or Mascots} are college-bound.
• {Mascots’} paths to college begin today—in Pre-K.
• We are #AISDProud to be an early college prep school. Aim high! (Schools that are part of the LBJ, Reagan and Travis vertical teams with early college high schools.)

Videos: Public service announcements

The City of Austin and AISD have recorded public service announcements from Mayor Steve Adler, Police Chief Art Acevedo (forthcoming) and Superintendent Paul Cruz. Please show the PSAs during registration and at school events such as Back-to-school nights. Also, please promote the videos on the school’s websites and social media channels.

• Dr. Cruz's PSAs in English and Spanish
• Mayor Adler’s PSA in English and
• Chief Acevedo's PSAs in English and Spanish.

ACTION: Collect information about how families learn about AISD’s Pre-K programs

• When answering phone calls or speaking with families who have expressed interest in prekindergarten, please ask, “How did you hear about our programs?”
• Weekly Reports: Please send information by 3 p.m. every Friday to Jacquie Porter at jacquie.porter@austinisd.org.

Week of Aug. 3

ACTION: Collect information about how families learn about AISD’s Pre-K programs

Help ensure we use the most effective ways to share information with families. When answering phone calls or speaking with families who have expressed interest in prekindergarten, please ask, “How did you hear about our programs?”

• Billboard
• Postcard in the mail
• Over-the-street banner
• Someone came to my door
• Postcard at a library, business or community event or organization (name _____________)
• Other (include description ________________________________)

Weekly Reports: Please send information by 3 p.m. every Friday to Jacquie Porter at jacquie.porter@austinisd.org.

Customer Service for Non-English Speakers

• Please identify Spanish-speaking team members who can answer families’ questions and guide them through the registration process. Refer callers to 414-PreK as needed for back-up support.
• Consider partnering with parents and community members who can speak other languages that may be prevalent in your school community.

Promotional handouts for schools

All schools are welcome to use the district’s postcards/fliers to promote Pre-K Registration Day. Please contact me to request copies.

Social media messages in Spanish

• Si su niño o su niña tiene cuatro años de edad al 1 de septiembre, inscríbalo en el prekínder. Para cualquier duda, llame al (512) 414-PREK (ó 414-7735).
• Los niños que cursan el prekínder tienen más altas tasas de graduación en Preparatoria.
• Si su niño o su niña cumple cuatro años antes de o el 1 de septiembre, su futuro empieza hoy con el prekínder en AISD.
• Los niños que hablan español pueden ser elegibles para el prekínder gratis. Consulte los requisitos en austinisd.org.
• ¿Sabía usted que los niños de 3 años pueden empezar el prekínder? Incríbalos ahora: 14 escuelas de AISD lo esperan. Revise la lista en austinisd.org.
• ¿Sabía usted que 67 escuelas de AISD ofrecen prekínder con horario amplio de todo el día? Consulte los requisitos en austinisd.org.

 Talking points for canvassing neighborhoods with postcards

• Buenos días/Buenas tardes. Me llamo ______________________. Soy un voluntario de United Way y estoy aquí en representación del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin. –O–
• Buenos días/Buenas tardes. Me llamo____________________. Soy un padre de familia (o voluntario) de la escuela ___________________ y estoy aquí en representación del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Austin.
• Quiero informarle que el Austin ISD realizará un evento especial para la inscripción a prekínder el 12 de agosto.
• Estamos admitiendo a niños de tres y cuatro años de edad en prekínder. Su escuela primaria es ______________________.
• Los niños que asisten a prekínder tienen más éxito en kínder y más probabilidades de graduarse de preparatoria y de ganar más dinero cuando sean adultos.
• En el Austin ISD el prekínder es gratuito para muchos niños, y la comida es gratis para todos los estudiantes.
• Aquí tiene una tarjeta postal con más información, incluyendo lo que debe llevar para la inscripción.
• Si tiene alguna pregunta, favor llamar al (512) 414-PreK.
• ¡Qué tenga un muy buen día!

• Letrero publicitario
• Tarjeta postal que llegó por correo
• Anuncio en la calle
• Alguien vino a mi puerta
• Tarjeta postal en una biblioteca or un negocio, organización o evento comunitario (indique cuál ________________________)
• Otro medio (indique cuál ________________________)

 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.

Week of July 27

New for 2014-15: Expansion of Pre-K Program for 3-year-olds from Two to 14 Schools

With the generous support of United Way, AISD is expanding its half-day, Pre-K program for 3-year-olds from two pilot schools at Oak Springs and Zavala elementary schools in East Austin to 14 schools throughout the city. Info: http://www.austinisd.org/academics/early-childhood-education/prek-3.

Marquee messages

• Before Aug. 12: Pre-K Registration Day is Aug. 12. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.
• After Aug. 12: The future begins today—in Pre-K. Enroll now. Call {school phone number or 414-PreK}.

Messages: Why Pre-K? Why AISD?

• Starting early helps children get a head start to succeed in school—and in life.
• AISD offers a world of opportunities—including arts, athletics, health sciences and robotics—to help students of all ages achieve their greatest potential.
• AISD schools offer a challenging and nurturing environment to help children discover and develop the full range of their talents and skills, while ensuring students are prepared for college, career and life.

Promotional handouts for schools

All schools are welcome to use the district’s postcards/fliers to promote Pre-K Registration Day. Please contact Christian Clarke Casarez to request copies at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org or 414-2715.

Talking points for canvassing neighborhoods with postcards

• Good morning/afternoon. My name is __________________. I’m volunteering with United Way and here on behalf of Austin Independent School District.  –OR–
• Good morning/afternoon. My name is __________________. I’m a parent at/volunteer with ________________ school and here on behalf of Austin Independent School District.
• I wanted to let you know that a special AISD Pre-K registration event is going on Aug. 12.
• We’re registering 3- and 4-year olds for Pre-K. Your campus is ______________________ Elementary School.
• Kids who attend Pre-K are more successful in kindergarten, more likely to graduate high school and make more money as an adult.
• Pre-K at Austin ISD is free for lots of kids, and meals are free for all students.
• Here is a postcard with details, including what to bring with you to register.
• If you have any questions, please call 512-414-PreK.
• Have a great day!

ACTION: Collect information about how families learn about AISD’s Pre-K programs

When answering phone calls or speaking with families who have expressed interest in prekindergarten, please ask, “How did you hear about our programs?”

• Billboard
• Postcard in the mail
• Over-the-street banner
• Someone came to my door
• Postcard at a library, business or community event or organization, name _____________
• Other, include description _____________

Weekly Reports: Please send information by 3 p.m. every Friday to Jacquie Porter at jacquie.porter@austinisd.org.

Overview of complementary promotional work

• District Communications: In addition to featuring information prominently on the website and social media channels, AISD will promote registration on AISD.TV, Breaking Down the Barriers and through bilingual PSAs on EducaAustin and Zona Escolar. A PSA campaign on Univision is in development. The Pre-K team will promote enrollment at Back-to-School Bash. Other promotions include City of Austin’s over-the-street banners, postcard mailers, billboards, door-to-door outreach at affordable housing sites, and outreach at local businesses, libraries and city recreation centers.
• Community Partners: AISD is collaborating with partners to promote Pre-K registration, including the City of Austin with PSAs from Mayor Steve Adler, Police Chief Art Acevedo and Superintendent Paul Cruz; Manos de Cristo and the United Way through media outreach, community events and block-walking in targeted school communities; and E3 Alliance to promote the importance of Pre-K and early childhood education throughout the region.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christian Clarke Casarez, assistant director of communications, at christiancasarez.clarke@austinisd.org.