Casis Weekly (11/6/23 – 11/10/23)

Cougar PRIDE Families,

It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Our school-wide ‘Crazy Hat Day’ on last Tuesday was so much fun for everyone. I enjoyed seeing so many creative and interesting hats, as well as adorning a few of my own. And it was just wonderful to see all of our littles in the ‘Early Childhood Character Parade’ that morning too. And although very tired the next day, it seemed that everyone had an enjoyable and safe Halloween too. This week, we look forward to one of my most favorite school community events, our annual Veteran’s Program. And it’s ‘Book Fair Week’ at Casis!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


LATEST SCHOOL NEWS


SILVER ‘RAVE’ AWARD PIN FOR NOVEMBER

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 November are our Cafeteria Monitoring TeamKatie Navickas, Gloria Ealey, Grace Johnson, and Gail Jones. We are truly grateful and so very thankful for Ms. Navickas, our Asst. Principal, and our wonderful Cafeteria Monitors, for how they take care of our students daily in the cafeteria during lunch time. With the help of our Custodial Team as well, these folks make sure that students’ needs are being met, while their classroom teachers are having lunch. They help with hard-to-open food items, provide napkins and utensils, help clean up messes, remind students of cafeteria expectations, and simply love on all of our students. It is a difficult job to manage all of our students in this setting, but these ladies do an excellent job every day. And their willingness to continue to show up for our kids speaks volumes about their level of commitment and dedication to our school community. We just love our very capable, kind, and caring Cafeteria Monitoring Team!

PICTURE RE-TAKE DAY

Tuesday, November 7, will be Picture Re-Take Day at Casis Elementary. If you would like for your child to re-take their picture or if your child was absent on the first Fall Picture Day, please let your child’s teacher know that you would like for them to get their picture re-taken. You may also get the re-take form from the front office.


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!

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-health/health-education/hsrNote: Permission letters will be provided to parents to Opt-In/Opt-Out of any and/or all of these lessons, prior to the instruction. Mr. Tinnon will also host a HSR Orientation Session for parents on Friday, November 17, 2023 at 8am – 9am in the Casis Community RoomAll families are invited to attend this HSR overview presentation.


FALL PROSPECTIVE PARENT TOUR 2023-2024

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 29 at 9am – 10amCan’t wait to show these potential new families our amazing school community!


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
November – Native American Heritage Month
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
Fri., Nov. 17 – HSR Family Orientation Session at 8am – 9am (Community Room)
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 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.



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