Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! It was just awesome to see so many Casis families (former, current, and future) this past Friday night at the House Park Stadium for the Austin High Vertical Team ‘Community Night’ event. Casis was represented very well, both in number and in school spirit. Way to go! November will continue to be a month of fall activities that will focus on student learning growth and enrichment opportunities, as well as on safe and secure practices. Please see important information for the week below.
Mr. Tinnon
MY HEART-FELT THANKS
I want to personally thank all Casis staff, students, and families for all of the wonderful gestures that were done for administration during ‘National Principal Month’ in October. I feel so blessed to be able to lead a learning community like Casis Elementary. I don’t take my position as the Casis Principal lightly and it is an honor to work beside such dedicated and talented people like each of you everyday. The many kind messages, food, gifts, cards, posters, and other items of appreciation were simply amazing. Each act of kindness showed me just how much you care and definitely helped to affirm that my daily work with each of you, while not always easy, is absolutely worth it. Each of you makes me a better leader, person, and professional. Please know that your kindness and thoughtfulness was truly appreciated. It’s just an honor to serve. You have all made me so ‘Cougar Proud’!
SCHOOL-WIDE CRAZY HAT DAY AT CASIS
We’ll celebrate ‘Crazy Hat Day’ on Monday, October 31. In lieu of costumes, all grades (students and staff) are invited to wear a fun, unusual, or unique (purchased or home-made) hat of their choice. Please see ‘hat wearing’ guidelines: (1) Must be appropriate in nature (no violent or inappropriate depictions/words), (2) No halloween-type masks are allowed, and (3) Teacher discretion as to when worn during the class time. We look forward to seeing all of the wonderfully interesting ‘crazy hats’ in the hallways of our school. And Mr. Tinnon will be giving away a hat to staff members every hour on the hour throughout the whole day. Hope that everyone joins in on this fun annual event!
CASIS FOOD DRIVE BENEFITTING ST.JOHN’S COMMUNITY CENTER
Casis Elementary is holding its annual Food Drive benefiting the St. John’s Community Center. Our two-week food drive will take place from Tuesday, November 1 – Friday, November 18. All of our food donations help the food bank families for several months, so the more we can donate, the better! This year we will have our collection bins located in the front courtyard each morning. Students will bring their donations at morning drop off and will be tallied for their class collection total. We hope everyone can contribute a donation to help those in need during this time of the year. If you have any questions about the Food Drive, please email Larry Chauvin.
FALL PROSPECTIVE PARENT TOUR
Prospective Parent Tours are great opportunities for families to get to learn about our school culture and programming, as well as take a tour of our new facility and amazing outdoor learning spaces. School Administration and PTA Leadership will lead these adult only tours. We look forward to sharing and showing all of the things that make Casis Elementary such a stellar educational choice for their children. The first tour of this school year will take place on Wednesday, November 9 at 9am – 10am. Can’t wait to show these potential new families our amazing school community!
SCHOOL-WIDE VETERANS PROGRAM
We’re so very happy to announce the return of our annual in-person Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11 at 8:15a.m. This school-wide event will take place in our Cafeteria and Gym. We invite our school community to join us in presenting and pledging to the American & Texas flags, with the help of local Scouting troops. We’ll also sing patriotic songs and hear songs sung by our 5th Grade Concert Choir. There will be patriotic student group readings and our local veterans will also be recognized in this community ceremony. All are invited to come out and celebrate this very meaningful day with us. Staff and families are encouraged to invite veterans to attend this special (and often emotional) event. We’re so happy to return back to hosting this traditional school event in person!
HUMAN SEXUALITY & RESPONSIBILITY (HSR) CURRICULUM
In accordance with Austin ISD Board Policy EHAA, the Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) curriculum will be taught this fall semester during science class for K – 5 students. There are 3 – 5 available lessons at each grade level. This curriculum has been established to provide information and skill development for students, so that they may reach their highest potential for physical, emotional, mental and social health. All information regarding the HSR policy, grade level lesson overviews, family resources, and more can be found on the HSR website: https://www.austinisd.org/pe-
ONE MILLION MINUTES READING CHALLENGE
Dr. Anthony Mays, Interim Superintendent, is challenging PK – 12th Grade students in AISD to read one million minutes this school year. Book titles and genres of interest will be recorded as well, to see and understand what our various learning communities are most interested in reading by age level. See the following information to participate: (1) Students should Log Minutes Here [Elementary Teachers/Parents should walk students through completing this form.], (2) Follow the reading competition on the Website Here, (3) See Flyer Here with QR code to post and log minutes as well. This healthy reading competition will result in the top school receiving a prize and a traveling trophy. This challenge will run through April 30, 2023.
1st 9-WEEKS REPORT CARD
Parents can expect ‘1st 9-Weeks Report Cards’ to be available by Friday, November 4. To obtain your child(ren)’s report card(s), you may go to the AISD Portal [Create a Portal Account] (AISD Families) or through Frontline Parent Self Serve [Parent Self Serve Instructions (English)]. These platforms also give families direct access to all of the services provided online to parents/guardians, including: online registration, district-wide information, contact information updates, schedules, grades, and attendance.
MORNING ARRIVAL WINDOW REMINDER
A noticeable amount of our families are arriving to school right after the 7:40a.m. school bell rings. Please remember that students are considered ‘tardy’ if they arrive after this time. We purposely have a 30-minute window of time for all students to arrive at school everyday (7:10a.m. – 7:40a.m.). This window of time gives families ample time to plan their arrival. If you are a family that typically arrives right at 7:40a.m., please consider adjusting your morning routines by 5 – 10 minutes to ensure an ‘on-time’ arrival to school. It’s so very important that students have enough time to settle into their classroom and begin their day of learning. Consistent and timely routines help ensure that students are at their very best and able to be the most successful student that they can be for the school day. Thanks in advance for your compliance and cooperation with this request.
NEW STUDENT HOLIDAY & STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
The AISD Board of Trustees approved Tuesday, November 8, 2022 as a Student Holiday and Staff Development Day for this school year. This is also an Election Day. As a school district committed to being a ‘culture of voting’, school employees will also be allowed to take up to two hours of paid time off for voting. Please update and mark your calendars for this new addition to the AISD School Calendar.
2022 SCHOOL BOND INFORMATION
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees have called for a $2.44 billion bond package for the November 8, 2022 general election. On the ballot in November, voters will see three propositions that comprise the 2022 Bond. If approved by voters, the 2022 Bond would fund capital projects, such as upgrades to safety and security, repairing failing building systems, new facility construction and renovations, technology upgrades and other improvements. While Casis has just completed a fully modernized facility (2017 Bond), our school is also included in the 2022 Bond package and would receive additional bond items. Please see the following links for more information about the bond and it’s impact for our campus, feeder schools, and district facilities. (1) 2022 Bond Presentation(2) 2022 Bond Fact Sheet (3) 2022 Bond FAQs Sheet (4) Casis ES Facility Project Sheet. For more information about the 2022 Bond Program, visit AISDFuture.com.
SEL & EQUITY PRACTICES
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 lense of fairness and equity for all, no matter the differences among us.
The SEL word for the month of November/December is Friend. A friend is a person you like and enjoy spending time with. You can be a good friend by listening with attention, having empathy, showing compassion, and considering your friend’s perspective.
The Equity word for the month of November/December is Ally. One way to be a good friend is to be an ally. The word ally means to unite. When people unite against a wrong they see in their community, they become allies. There are lots of different ways to be an ally. When an ally sees or hears something unjust, they can: speak up in the moment, get help from a caring adult, talk to the person in private or sometimes walk away.
Following is a resources sheet for the month of November/December that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER RESOURCES SHEET
IMPORTANT DATES
October – National Principals Month
October – National Bullying Prevention Month
Mon., Oct. 31 – School-Wide Crazy Hat Day!
November – Native American Heritage Month
Tues., Nov. 1 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
Fri., Nov. 4 – PTA General Meeting at 12:00Noon (Community Room)
Tues., Nov. 8 – Student Holiday/Staff Work Day (Election Day)
Wed., Nov. 9 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am
Fri., Nov. 11 – School-Wide Veteran’s Day Program at 8:15am (Cafeteria/Gym)
Wed., Nov. 16 – Education Support Professionals Day
Fri., Nov. 18 – HSR Family Orientation Session at 8am – 9am (Community Room)
Mon., Nov. 21 – Fri., Nov. 25 – School Holiday (Thanksgiving Week)
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.