Cougar PRIDE Families, 

We had an amazing first week back at Casis! It was wonderful to see all of our families at the Open House and PIM events that led up to the start of school. These events help to ensure that our school year gets off to a smooth beginning and it certainly has. Students, Staff, and Parents have all seemed so happy to be back and we look forward to continuing that same spirit and momentum. Our teachers and staff have all worked so hard to prepare for this new school year. And extra special thanks goes to our PTA Executive Board members, who have stepped up to support our school in so many needed ways, as we opened a new school year. We couldn’t, and wouldn’t want to, do it without you. You’re truly the best! Please see important information for the week below. 

Mr. Tinnon

CASIS COMMUNITY GRAND OPENING

We are so excited to announce the ‘Grand Opening’ of our school on this Thursday, August 25. There will be a day-time ceremony for the school and there will be a community event that night, beginning at 6:00pm. We invite our community and friends to this anticipated evening event. Please see the official flyer here: Community Grand Opening. Attendees will be able to tour our beautiful facility and campus grounds, engage with our learning community and school partners, partake of some light refreshments, and enjoy games and activities. We are so proud and excited to be able to officially open our school to the surrounding community in this grand event. See you there!

STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOK

Please see the most updated edition of our Student Parent Handbook for this school year. In alignment with AISD, this document is a set of guidelines for our school community practices and policies.

Casis Commuter Club (C3) 

The Casis Commuter Club (C3) is back! The Casis Commuter Club was started in 2016 and allows users to track their active commuting (walking, scootering, or biking) to school. Parents receive notifications when their child(ren) check(s) in at school, earn awards, and see the environmental impact they can make with their choices. We invite your family to join us in this healthy initiative. Please visit the Casis site to learn more and sign-up for the Casis Commuter Club or contact the C3 Coordinator, P.E. Teacher, Larry Chauvin.

SEL & EQUITY PRACTICE

In Austin ISD and at Casis Elementary, we believe that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is at the heart of equity-centered systems and structures. Our goal is to use and grow our social and emotional skills, while creating brave, respectful, collaborative spaces that support all students, staff, families and communities throughout our district and in our learning community.

Throughout the school year, we will teach specific skills-building strategies to our students, in order to develop important character traits, like respect, empathy, compassion, and friendships. Mindfulness strategies and principles will also be a common core of this instruction as well. Administration, Teachers, and Support Staff will all be working with students throughout the school year to develop a strong social/emotional foundation, that includes building a lens of fairness and equity for all, no matter the differences among us.

The SEL & Equity word for the month of August is Respectful. Being respectful means thinking about how others want to be treated and treating them that way. Being respectful helps students learn and it helps teachers teach.

IMPORTANT DATES

Thurs., Aug. 25 – Casis Community Grand Opening at 6pm – 7:30pm
September – National Hispanic Heritage Month
Mon., Sept. 5 – School Holiday (Labor Day)
Tues., Sept. 6 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
Mon., Sept. 12 – Fri., Sept. 16 – Celebrate Freedom Week
Sat., Sept. 17 – Constitution Day
Wed., Sept. 28 – Thurs., Sept. 29 – Parent Conference Evenings (More Information Coming)
Fri., Sept. 30 – American Indian Heritage Day (Texas)

TRAFFIC SAFETY PROCEDURES

Please adhere to the guidelines in your particular arrival/dismissal area (Front Circle Drive or North Parking Lot). See our Arrival & Dismissal Plan here. We continually ask for your patience and cooperation in exercising safe practices in your area.

Additionally, please see the following reminders/updates:

• Walkers should use crosswalks at all times.
• Bikers should park bikes at bike racks and walk bikes through crosswalks.
• Drivers should ALWAYS be aware of our foot and bike traffic.
• Drivers should consider TURNING OFF ENGINES when not moving forward.
• Avoid Parking in the Casis Village, if conducting school business.
  • Front Circle Drive & Hillview are available for parent parking during the day.
  • The North Parking Lot is designated for staff parking only.
• Vehicles using the North Parking Lot during arrival and dismissal (3rd – 5th) should be aware of all walkers who are using the parking lot crosswalks.

• Vehicles cued on Northwood for Circle Drive afternoon pick-up should TURN ON THEIR HAZARD LIGHTS and remain in one moving line to avoid double-parking.
  • Vehicles who need to enter the North Parking Lot for morning/afternoon drop-offs/pick-ups of 3rd – 5th graders may by-pass the ‘Circle Drive’ vehicles to enter the parking lot.

We ask that everyone exercise extra caution and patience. Adherence will help to maintain safety for all. We truly appreciate everyone’s compliance with the above requests.