Cougar PRIDE Families,
We had an amazing first week back at Casis! It was also wonderful to see all of our families at the prior week’s 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 and parent volunteers, who have stepped up to support our school in so many needed ways, as we opened another 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
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
STAFF NEWS
We’d like to welcome Patricia South back to the Casis Learning Community, who will be filling the additional Special Education Teacher position that was allocated to us over the summer months. Ms. South was an excellent Special Education Teacher at Casis about 8 years ago and made the decision to take on other educational challenges. Since leaving Casis, Patricia has worked at the Rawson Saunders School and an IDEA Public School. We are so excited that Patricia has returned to Casis and will again serve students in our Special Education program. Ms. South is such a thoughtful and talented Teacher. And we know that she’s going to do an exceptional job for our learning community. Welcome back Ms. South!
STAFF RECOGNITION (AISD ‘RAVE’ AWARD)
The following Casis staff member received an AISD RAVE Award from a parent. The parent stated that Jaynelle Nestle (4th Grade) was an absolutely fantastic 4th grade teacher for their child last school year (2022-2023). She was kind, supportive, and overall just excellent. Ms. Nestle is the ‘total package’ for all students. She deserves so much praise and accolades. Jaynelle Nestle has been a Casis Teacher for many years and is highly regarded by students, staff, and families alike. She works hard to challenge all students by meeting them where they are. The connections that she makes and the care that she takes in her classroom creates such a close-knit classroom community. Jaynelle also takes on various leadership roles on our campus that enhance our whole learning community. We all agree that Jaynelle Nestle is an exceptionally talented and kind educator, who deserves this district level recognition. Congratulations and kudos to Jaynelle Nestle!
STUDENT HANDBOOK & STUDENT SUCCESS GUIDE
Please see the most updated editions of our campus Student-Parent Handbook and the district Student Success Guide for this school year. In alignment with AISD, both of these documents act as guidelines for our school community practices and policies. Please review and reference them throughout the 23 – 24 school year.
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
ANNUAL NOTIFICATION LETTERS
Austin ISD is mandated by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) to provide written notification regarding the availability of asbestos management plans for District facilities. Note: This notification is required, even if our facility does not have any asbestos-containing building materials. The school district is also mandated by the Texas Structural Pest Control Act to provide written notification of the types of pesticides used, and their scheduled application, on school grounds. Please see links to these Annual Notification Letters here.
COUGAR P.R.I.D.E. FRIDAYS
Your child(ren) will start coming home with blue half-sheets of paper, titled ‘Casis Cougar P.R.I.D.E.’ This incentive program is connected to our school-wide expectations. Every Friday, classroom teachers will be able to select two students to come to the office and be recognized with a certificate and some goodies. This gives Administration an opportunity to interact with as many of our kiddos as possible in a positive way. When your child(ren) brings their items home, please reinforce how proud they should be of themselves, as well as taking the opportunity to discuss the school-wide expectations of P.R.I.D.E.
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 month of August is Respectful. Being respectful means thinking about how others want to be treated and treating them that way. Being respectful helps you learn and it helps teachers teach.
The Equity word for the month of August is Identity. What makes you who you are? Your identity can be internal or external character traits, your beliefs, values and/or religion, your interests and hobbies and your culture. It is important to have an open mind when talking to others about their identity and to respect people who are different from us.
Following is a resources sheet for the month of August that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. AUGUST RESOURCES SHEET
IMPORTANT DATES
September – National Hispanic Heritage Month
Mon., Sept. 4 – School Holiday (Labor Day)
Tues., Sept. 5 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
Mon., Sept. 18 – Fri., Sept. 22 – Celebrate Freedom Week
Mon., Sept. 25 – Elementary Parent Conference Day (Student Holiday)
Fri., Sept. 29 – 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 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 areavailable 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 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 safely 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.