Casis Weekly (3/4/24 – 3/8/24)

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Cougar PRIDE Families,

It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week’s ‘Prospective Parent Tour’ was well-attended and a lot of fun. This week will be ‘Class Picture Day’ at Casis and we can’t wait to see all those smiling faces. March is here and Spring is upon us! During our upcoming Spring Break holiday, I hope that everyone will spend quality time with family and get some well-deserved rest time for yourselves. As we continue our work together this second semester, there is still much to learn, to do, and to look forward to. Upon our return, 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 NEWS


CONGRATULATIONS REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS

The following students represented Casis Elementary, by entering their projects in the Elementary Division of the Greater Austin Regional Science & Engineering Fair, held at the Palmer Event Center in February. Our 1st Place Winners were: Audrey Allen, Blakely Bowen, James Box, Edie Hull, Elaine Lee, Claire McCarthy, Ada Mapes, Simon Navarro, Emmett Raaberg, Walter Rein, Wyatt Roberts, Tomas Romano, Story Springer, Theo Springer, Neil Stading, Astrid Wilcox, and Nico Zalles and our 2nd Place Winners were: Freddie Forsyth and Henry Rehwinkel. We are so very proud of these students for their representation, participation, and placement in this year’s Science Fair events. Go Casis Scientists!


CASIS STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AISD ART SHOWCASE

In honor of National Youth Art Month (YAM), the AISD Visual Arts Department invites the community to view selected student art pieces from across the district this month. The theme for this year’s event is “Art Saves the Day!” and the following 5th Grade Casis Students are participating: Blakely Bowen, Hailey Duesing, Paige Edmonds, Liesl Pitre, Simone Said, and Naomi Wang. All art pieces will be on display at the AISD Performing Arts Center (PAC) located at 1500 Barbara Jordan Boulevard, beginning March 1 – 30, 2024. Please see the 2024 YAM Student Exhibition Schedule here. There will also be a special reception at the end of the month to celebrate all of the student participants and their art work. We’re so proud of these Casis Student Artists!


SILVER RAVE AWARD PIN FOR MARCH

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 March are our Campus Interventionists: Allison Deyoung, Kendall Levy, and Myan Nelson. This team of specialists supports identified students in the areas of their reading and math needs. They regularly collaborate with classroom teachers and make sure that students receive the additional remediation support that will help them the most. And the information that these Interventionists provide to both parents and teachers is so valuable in monitoring performance and making decisions about next steps in their educational planning. We offer our deep appreciation and heart-felt thanks to these exceptional educators for all of their hard work and effort. Ms. Deyoung, Ms. Levy, and Ms. Nelson are all amazing at what they do and so very deserving of this month’s recognition. We’re ‘Casis Cougar Proud’ of these Campus Interventionists!

NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

SPRING CLASS PICTURE DAY

Wednesday, March 6 will be Class Picture Day at Casis Elementary. Please watch for a hard-copy flyer in your students’ Friday Folder(s). You may also see an informational flyer here: MyLifeTouch, which hasordering and school ID information as well. For more information, please see the company website here: www.mylifetouch.com. Can’t wait to see all those smiling faces!


COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONS

Now through Wednesday, March 6, the Austin ISD Board of Trustees will be hosting a listening tour. The goal is to develop the district’s Scorecard. Please, visit austinisd.org/board/scorecard-engagement for the full schedule including locations and virtual meeting options. If you have ideas that could shape the district’s vision and values for the next five years, please share them.


AUSTIN SEL AND CP/I DAY

In conjunction with International Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Day, Mayor Kirk Watson has proclaimed Friday, March 8, 2024 as Austin SEL & CP/I Day. The 2024 theme for this year’s national SEL Day is “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders”. Please see the following SEL & CP/I Resources for staff, students, and families. And for more information about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness (CP/I) in Austin ISD, see the following district website link: https://www.austinisd.org/sel-cpi.


AISD PRIDE WEEK

The week of Monday, March 18 – Saturday, March 23 will be ‘Pride Week’ in AISD. The District is committed to providing all individuals a positive learning environmentthat enhances personal safety, promotes respect, dignity, and equality. Each AISD school is tasked with creating systems that teach and support positive adult/student behaviors that respect the rights of all individuals and challenges all levels of bias, prejudice, and bigotry. We strive to ensure a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment in all schools. As a ‘No Place for Hate’ school district, we appreciate the lived experiences of all and foster harmony among different groups of people. AISD Pride Week empowers schools to promote respect for individual and group differences.In Elementary schools, Pride Week means that (1) All are welcome, (2) Everyone should be able to be who they are, (3) Differences are awesome, and (4) Love makes a family. At Casis, we’re excited to participate in this district-recognized week and will engage our students in various learning activities with our teachers and staff. Campuses will use district-provided resources from the following BLEND Course: AISD Pride Week Community Course. Please contact your classroom teacher about their specific Grade Level Team plans for this special week. You may also get more district-level information about Pride Week here: AISD Pride Website. We’re ‘Casis Cougar Proud’ to celebrate AISD’s Pride Week!


NEW ENROLLMENT SYSTEM NOW OPEN

AISD has moved to a new unified enrollment system for families interested in their neighborhood school, transfer schools, application-based programs, or Pre-Kindergarten. The move to this new “Enroll Austin” system is meant to make enrollment more accessible and equitable by providing a more streamlined platform all in one place. Registration will be split into two periods: (1) Priority Registration Period (Nov. 8, 2023 – Feb. 6, 2024) and (2) General Registration Period (April, 2024 – Summer, 2024). Visit www.austinisd.org/enroll to access the enrollment application or go to portal.austinisd.org and find the “Enroll Austin” tile. If families have questions, please go to the Find Your Seat Call Center at (512) 414-SEAT (7328) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the weekday. Want to learn more? Please explore the Enroll Austin FAQs.

 

FAMILY LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

AISD’s Special Education, Section 504, and Dyslexia Departments are sponsoring Empower Hour Sessions for families throughout the 2023 – 2024 school year. These one-hour sessions are designed to provide valuable information, resources, and support to families on various topics. Both virtual and in-person sessions are available. We hope that families will avail themselves of these community learning and engagement opportunities.


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 March is Accountability. Accountability means you are responsible for your own actions. When you make a mistake, it means being honest with yourself and others. You can own your mistake by naming it, apologizing, and making a plan to do better next time. Taking accountability is an important part of living in a community.

The Equity word for the month of March is Belonging. Belonging means you belong to a family, group, neighborhood or school. At Casis, we work hard to make sure everyone feels a sense of belonging. You can help others feel like they belong by honoring their unique identities, welcoming them to your space each morning, and including them during games. How do you feel when you belong? How do you create belonging for others in your community?

Following is a resources sheet for the month of March that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. MARCH RESOURCES SHEET

IMPORTANT DATES

 

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

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