Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week was an amazing week of carnival activities. Rain or shine, our school truly did go to the ‘Next Level’ in showing that we are a “Super Casis World”. The On-Line Auction, Student Raffle, Lego Build Contest, Spirit Wednesday, Pep Rally pivot, and the Carnival itself, were all huge successes and so enjoyable. And our school staff truly appreciated the delicious breakfast, free wristbands, and food vouchers that were provided. Special thanks to our exceptional Carnival Co-Coordinators (Tara Taraba, Kathryn Ary, Chelsea Combs, and Kathy Block), their excellent Sub-Committees, our wonderful parent volunteers, and our outstanding Custodial Team. And while I didn’t experience it myself, I also heard that this year’s newly located ‘Haunted House’ (Maker Space) was also a rousing success – thanks to those volunteers as well. Everyone showed true Cougar ‘PRIDE’ with their teamwork, cooperation, and hard work, to make sure that we all had an unforgettable experience. Please see important information for the week below.
Mr. Tinnon
LATEST SCHOOL & PTA NEWS
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 Tuesday, 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 BENEFITING THE ST. JOHN’S COMMUNITY CENTER
Casis Elementary is holding its annual Food Drive benefiting the St. John’s Community Center. Our one-week food drive will take place from Wednesday, November 8 – Wednesday, November 15. All of our food donations typically help the food bank families for several months, so the more we can donate, the better! Collection bins will be located in the front courtyard each morning. Students will bring their donations during morning arrival and items will be tallied by grade level, in order to win a grade-level party during P.E. class. The most needed items include peanut butter, canned food, pasta, and rice. 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 PTA Coordinator, Jessica Pieratt.
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
VETERANS DAY RECOGNITION
Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, persons who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. We celebrate and honor all Veterans on this special day!
SCHOOL-WIDE VETERANS PROGRAM
We will have our annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 10 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 always look forward to the annual hosting of this traditional community event at our school!
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 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 months 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
Tues., Oct. 31 – School-Wide Crazy Hat Day!
November – Native American Heritage Month
Fri., Nov. 3 – PTA General Meeting at 9:30am (Community Room)
Mon., Nov. 6 – Fri. Nov. 10 – Casis Book Fair (Library)
Tues., Nov. 7 – Fall Picture Re-Take Day
Tues., Nov. 7 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
Fri., Nov. 10 – School-Wide Veteran’s Day Program at 8:15am (Cafeteria/Gym)
Mon., Nov. 13 – Staff Development Day / Student Holiday
Mon., Nov. 13 – Fri., Nov. 17 – Teaching Assistant Appreciation Week
Mon., Nov. 20 – Fri., Nov. 24 – School Holiday (Thanksgiving Week)
Wed., Nov. 29 – Fall Prospective Parent Tour at 9am
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.
PTA NEWS