Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Hopefully more cooler days are on the way. Last week’s Parent-Teacher Conference Day went very well and will continue into this next month, until completed. Plans for our annual October Carnival are well underway, so we’re getting really excited about that. And while learning is certainly our primary focus, we look forward to having a lot of fun too. We will continue building our school community through our positive and productive interactions with one another. Please see other important information for the week below.
Mr. Tinnon
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
SILVER RAVE AWARD PIN FOR OCTOBER
The RAVE (Recognizing All Valuable Employees) program exists to recognize AISD employees who take the extra steps to provide equitable and exceptional experiences for our students, families, staff, and community members. Campus Principals have been provided with ‘Silver Rave’ pins to acknowledge local staff members each month. The recipients for the month of October are our Kindergarten Teacher Team: Megan Moran, Katie Ornelas, Esther Smith, and Lauren Vienne. Since the beginning of this school year, this exceptional team of Casis Educators, has worked with having a large number of students in each of their classrooms (26). This number is above the standard 22:1 class ratio. Administration and the Kindergarten Team will be seeking to hire an individual to help provide support for both the team and the students. We applaud these teachers for their love and care of each of their students. Not only have they done an amazing job of building their individual class communities, but they have done an incredible job of taking care of one another, as colleagues. Everyday this tenured team goes above and beyond to ensure that all of their students receive a quality early childhood learning experience. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and model group to serve our Kindergarten students. We just love our very capable, kind, and caring Kindergarten Teacher Team!
CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION WEEK
Monday, October 2 – Friday, October 6 is recognized as Custodian Appreciation Week in AISD. This week, we recognize and appreciate the hard work of our campus Custodial Team. Casis has been so very fortunate to have an exceptional group of individuals who have taken excellent care of our school over the last few years of challenge, change, and transition. On a daily basis, they work to keep our modernized facility looking new and well-maintained. Kudos to our team: Richard Castro (Head Custodian), Kenneth Brown, Alvaro Hernandez, and Norma Sarinana. We love and appreciate you all so very much!
WALK, BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY
Wednesday, October 4, is ‘International Walk, Bike, & Roll To School Day’. Join children and adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking and bicycling, and in spotlighting the importance of traffic safety. Days like these intend to make routes to school safer for active trips or by encouraging children to be more physically active in their lives. We want to encourage as many Casis families as possible to participate. Get those steps in as much as you can!
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
GIFTED AND TALENTED NOMINATION WINDOW
Parent-referred nominations for the AISD Gifted & Talented (GT) Program are being accepted for K – 5 students from Monday, September 18th – Friday, October 6th. Parents who were unable to attend our campus ‘Information Session’ can view the presentation here: Parent Information Session. Please note that there is only one window for all AISD students in K-5. Parents should first discuss their intent to nominate their child(ren) with their classroom teacher(s). After discussing at the Fall Conference, the classroom teacher can provide you with the link to the google nomination form. Please submit the google form by Friday, October 6th. For more information about the Gifted & Talented program in AISD, see link here: AISD Advanced Academics.
FALL INDIVIDUAL PICTURE DAY
Tuesday, October 10 will be Fall Individual Picture Day at Casis Elementary. All students will have their individual pictures taken and families will have the opportunity to purchase picture packages. Families may pre-order pictures by visiting www.mylifetouch.com (use either your Student ID or Picture Day ID: EVTVS7634). For more information and questions, visit www.lifetouch.com/support-us. Note: This does not apply to any families who have indicated, during enrollment, that their child is not to be photographed.
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 October is Compassion. When you have empathy for others, you can say or do many things to show your care and concern. Showing care or concern for others is called compassion.
The Equity word for the month of October is Inclusion. Inclusion makes sure each person at Casis feels welcome to be their authentic selves. Look around your class today and find each person’s strengths. Think about how you can include people in your class and community in a way that honors their truest self.
Following is a resources sheet for the month of October that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. OCTOBER RESOURCES SHEET
IMPORTANT DATES
October – National Principals Month
October – National Bullying Prevention Month
Mon., Oct. 2 – Fri., Oct. 6 – Custodian Appreciation Week
Tues., Oct. 3 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
Mon., Oct. 9 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Mon., Oct. 9 – Staff Development Day/Student Holiday
Mon., Oct. 9 – Fri., Oct. 13 – Principal Appreciation Week
Tues., Oct. 10 – Fall Individual Picture Day
Mon., Oct. 16 – Fri., Oct. 20 – Transportation Employees Appreciation Week
Sun., Oct. 22 – Grounds Clean-Up Day at 8am – 12Noon
Mon., Oct. 23 – Fri., Oct. 27 – Love Your Brain Week (formerly Red Ribbon Week)
Thurs., Oct. 26 – Casis Carnival Parade at 8:15am
Fri., Oct. 27 – Administrators’ Coffee Chat at 8am (Community Room)
Fri., Oct. 27 – Casis Carnival from 5pm – 8pm
Tues., Oct. 31 – School-Wide Crazy Hat Day!
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 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 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.