Cougar PRIDE Families,

It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Casis Math Week was a great opportunity to highlight the important connection between home and school, when it comes to fostering strong mathematical thinking and skills in students. I also hope that everyone enjoyed their Friday off and took some time to think about the important work of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. This week will contain more exciting and important activities: Casis Science Fair, New Student Registration Event, and another School Holiday. A lot of the upcoming happenings in the months of April and May will bring closure to this school year, as we also plan for the next school year. We will also continue to 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

LATEST SCHOOL & PTA NEWS

SILVER RAVE AWARD PIN FOR MARCH

The following Casis staff member received an AISD RAVE Award from a fellow staff member and/or parent. Staff members say that Heather Maxwell (2nd Grade) is not only an amazingly gifted teacher, but also an irreplaceable campus leader. She takes the reins and leads by example. She is so well organized and efficient. Ms. Maxwell does an excellent job of co-leading the campus Science Committee and our Gifted & Talented Committee. She also is on the campus Leadership Team, as a representative for her grade level, and does it all very well. Heather’s smile and laughter fills the halls, as well as her highly energetic personality. Parents say that Ms. Maxwell is such a talented teacher, who truly brings learning to life for students everyday. Students in her class are able to come home and clearly articulate the thoughtful and meaningful learning that happens in their classroom. She is truly an inspiring educator, who is helping to mold our future leaders of tomorrow. Heather Maxwell is one of the brightest shining teaching stars of our campus and we love her so much! 

LIBRARY APPRECIATION

April is ‘School Library Month’, Monday, April 3 – Friday, April 7 is ‘National Library Week’, and Tuesday, April 4, is ‘National School Librarian Day’. These times are all set aside to appreciate the work of the School Librarian. And at Casis, we are so very fortunate to have Courtney Ewing serve as our Librarian. Ms. Ewing’s passion and love for literacy is conveyed to all students and the whole school community. She is a strong collaborator with both staff and families, in ensuring that students have a strong literacy foundation and develop a genuine love for reading. In addition to providing regular Library lessons, Ms. Ewing also partners with our parents in some of our most beloved literacy events and campus traditions, like the ‘Book Fair’ and ‘Author Visit’ events. Both of these events were great successes again this year. We love Courtney Ewing and salute her, during this time of recognition across the country and in our school district! 

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DAY

Our Pre-K, Kinder, & New Student registration event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 8:30a.m. – 10:00a.m. in the Casis Cafeteria. Please help spread the word to any new incoming families who plan to enroll in the 2023 – 2024 school year. Parents will get to meet the School Administrators and PTA Leadership, as well as be provided support and information on completing the registration process. Special Note: On this day, there will be some interaction opportunities between PK & K students and PK/K teaching staff, while other new students (1st – 5th) will be taken on a short campus tour. We can’t wait to meet our new up-and-coming Cougar Pride Families! 

REPORT CARDS 

Report Cards for the 3rd 9-Weeks will be available to families in their Parent Portal by Friday, April 7.

CLIMATE SURVEYS FOR PARENTS, STAFF AND STUDENTS

AISD will be administering online climate surveys to Parents, Staff, and Students (3rd – 12th), beginning Monday, March 20. Communication and live survey links will come directly from the AISD Communications Team. These surveys can be easily accessed by computer, phone, and screen readers. Information/instructions to parents on how to opt-out their child (3rd – 5th) was sent in previous AISD family newsletters. All stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey, when received. All surveys are confidential and will remain open until Friday, April 14. 

FAMILY & STAFF ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

The AISD Special Education Department offers families and staff members learning opportunities around goal setting and positive behavior support in Power Hour Sessions. Although the sessions are set up for families with students receiving special education services, any parent or caregiver is welcomed to attend. AISD has partnered with VELA for a three-part series in April focused on Autism. See information below. 

SPRING PROSPECTIVE PARENT TOURS

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 next tour of this school year will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at 9am – 10am. Can’t wait to show these potential new families our amazing school community! 

SUPPORT OUR MUSIC TEACHER

Nicole Stevens, Music Teacher, will once again participate in the ‘Recorders Without Borders’ program this summer in Kenya. As a founding member, Ms. Stevens continues to embrace and embody their mission to facilitate a cultural exchange between U.S. students and educators with those in developing countries through the gift of musical instruments and instruction. For more information about the program and ways to support Ms. Stevens, please see the flyer here: Support Nicole Stevens and informational website here: Recorders Without Borders. Ms. Nicole Stevens is an excellent ‘World Ambassador’ for learning – way to go!

2023 – 2024 REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The online registration process for both the current 2022 – 2023 and next year’s 2023 – 2024 school years will be open concurrently, starting in January, 2023. Families enrolling in the current school year will be able to continue to do so. This process will also apply to out-of-district transfer families as well.

Following are important links, regarding enrollment, registration, and transfers:

(1) Enrollment: https://www.austinisd.org/enroll 

(2) Important Dates: https://www.austinisd.org/transfer/dates-deadlines

(3) Questions: https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk

All current and prospective families are encouraged to begin the registration process as early as possible. This information allows the school district to make impactful and accurate decisions in the areas of school budgeting, staffing, and student services to all campuses in the district. 

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.

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.

2022 SCHOOL BOND PASSED

Austin Voters recently passed all three of Austin ISD’s bond proposals, an investment of $2.44 billion in local schools. The 2022 Bond will fund capital projects, such as upgrades to safety and security, repairing failing building systems, new facility construction and renovations, technology upgrades and other improvements. Nearly every AISD campus will receive improvements with these bond funds, helping the district to save money on repairs and maintenance, thereby freeing up money that can be used to increase teacher pay. This new work on bond projects will begin in Summer 2023, starting with safety upgrades to keep students and teachers safe. While Casis has just completed a fully modernized facility (2017 Bond), our school is also included in the 2022 Bond package and will receive additional bond items. Please see the following link for more information about its impact for our campus: 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 lens of fairness and equity for all, no matter the differences among us.

The SEL word for the months of April & May is Integrity. Integrity is when you are strong enough to do what is right, even when it’s difficult, and even when no one is watching. It can be hard to do the right thing when your friends aren’t making the same choice. It’s important to act with integrity in our community. When we do, it makes our school a kinder, more inclusive, and more just place for everyone! The Equity word for the months of April & May is Justice. Justice means people behave in ways that are fair, equal, and balanced. When we work to create a more just and equitable community, we interrupt stereotypes or biased language, we are allies and friends, and we work to make things fair for everyone. When we all work hard for justice, we create a kinder, safer, more welcoming community for all.

Following is a resources sheet for the months of April & May that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. APRIL/MAY RESOURCES SHEET

IMPORTANT DATES

April – School Library Month

April – Arab American Heritage Month

Mon., Apr. 3 – Fri., Apr. 7 – National Library Week

Mon., Apr. 3 – Fri., Apr. 7 – National Asst. Principals Appreciation Week

Tues., Apr. 4 – Casis Science Fair

Tues., Apr. 4 – National School Librarian Day

Tues., Apr. 4 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)

Wed., Apr. 5 – PK, K, & New Student Registration Event at 8:30am – 10am

Fri., Apr. 7 – School Holiday (Good Friday)

Mon., Apr. 10 – Fri., Apr. 14 – ‘Celebrate Casis’ Spirit Week

Thurs., Apr. 13 – 4th Grade Choir Concert at 5:30pm (Cafeteria)

Sat., Apr. 15 – Celebrate Casis Adult Event at 7pm

Mon., Apr. 17 – Fri., Apr. 21 – Earth Week

Mon., Apr. 17 – Fri., Apr. 21 – Public School Volunteer Week

Tues., Apr. 18 – STAAR Testing – Reading/Language Arts (3rd – 5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**

Wed., Apr. 19 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am – 10am

Fri., Apr. 21 – Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at 8am (Community Room)

Tues., Apr. 25 – STAAR Testing – Science (5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**

Wed., Apr. 26 – Administrative Professionals Day

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.

PTA NEWS