Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week, our Prospective Parent Tour was once again well attended. And our 2nd annual Casis Community Picnic was a great coming together. The weather certainly didn’t stop the fun and the guest magician was such a crowd pleaser. This week will contain more exciting activities, like our New Student Registration event and our 4th Grade Choir Concert. As we continue our work together this second semester, there is still much to learn, to do, and to look forward to. 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
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION
Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5 is ‘National Assistant Principals Week’. This time is set aside to recognize and appreciate the role of some of the hardest working people in the school system. As a support to the Principal, Teachers, and Students, the work of the Assistant Principal is never ending. At Casis Elementary, we’re so fortunate to have Ms. Katie Navickas as our Asst. Principal. Ms. Navickas is such a kind and knowledgeable individual, with many years of great instructional and administrative experience. She joined our learning community last year and has done such a wonderful job of integrating into our school family. We salute Ms. Navickas, as our wonderful Assistant Principal, and say, “Thanks for all that you do for us”.
LIBRARIAN APPRECIATION
April is ‘School Library Month’ and Thursday, April 4, is ‘National School Librarian Day’. These times are set aside to appreciate the work of the School Librarian. And at Casis, we are so very fortunate to have Courtney Ewing serve as our Librarian. Ms. Ewing’s passion and love for literacy is conveyed to all students and the whole school community. She is a strong collaborator with both staff and families, in ensuring that students have a strong literacy foundation and develop a genuine love for reading. In addition to providing regular Library lessons, Ms. Ewing also partners with our parents in some of our most beloved literacy events and campus traditions, like the ‘Book Fair’ and ‘Author Visit’ events. Both of these events were great successes again this year. We love Courtney Ewing and salute her, during this time of recognition across the country and in our school district!
STAFF RECOGNITION (AISD RAVE AWARD)
The following Casis staff member received an AISD RAVE Award: Keith Statler (Spanish Teacher). A parent nominated Senora Statler, expressing gratitude to her for inspiring a love for language and the exploration of cultures. She is planting seeds for students to learn about and love a variety of things that they might not otherwise experience. And something that a lot of parents may not know is that Ms. Statler also supports both students and staff in the area of technology, as our Campus Innovation Coach and Student Device Manager. We are so very appreciative of how she embraces so many different opportunities and roles, in order to help us all have a better educational environment. We all agree that Sra. Statler truly deserves this district-level recognition, and then some, for her undying dedication to our school community. Congratulations and kudos to our sensational stupendous Spanish Teacher, Ms. Keith Statler!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION DAY
Our Pre-K, Kinder, & New Student registration event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, 8:30a.m. – 10:00a.m. in the Casis Cafeteria. Please see flyer here to help spread the word to any new incoming families who plan to enroll in the 2024 – 2025 school year. Parents will get to meet the School Administrators and PTA Leadership, as well as receive important information about completing the registration process. Special Note: On this day, there will be some interaction opportunities between PK & K students and PK/K teaching staff, while other new students (1st – 5th) will be taken on a short campus tour. We can’t wait to meet our new up-and-coming Cougar Pride Families!
REPORT CARDS
Report Cards for the 3rd 9-Weeks will be available to families in their Parent Portals, beginning Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING CHALLENGE
Casis Elementary is partnering with our local Lake Austin H.E.B. store and will be collecting plastic bags, beginning Monday, March 25 – Friday, April 5, 2024. This program is meant to teach our youngest leaders about the importance of taking care of our Lone Star State now. The goal is also to encourage both children and adults to help our environment by bringing in plastic bags. During the above collection dates, there will be a Recyclable Collection Box at the front entrance of our school. International Earth Day is Monday, April 22 and Earth Week in AISD will be Sunday, April 21 – Saturday, April 27, 2024. We’re so proud to partner with our Lake Austin H.E.B. in this worthy effort!
CLIMATE SURVEYS FOR PARENTS, STAFF & STUDENTS
AISD will be administering online climate surveys to Parents, Staff, and Students (3rd – 12th), beginning Monday, March 25, 2024. Communication and live survey links will come directly from the AISD Communications Team. These surveys can be easily accessed by computer, phone, and screen readers. Parents and Staff will take the survey through shared email links (Family Survey Link), while Students will access a survey tile in their AISD Student Portal (“Take Panorama Survey”). All stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey, when received. All surveys are confidential and will remain open until Friday, April 12, 2024.
SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING AT CASIS
The Austin area will be in the path of the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 and all AISD Schools, including Casis Elementary, plan to participate in a ‘Viewing Party’. All campuses have been provided with eclipse viewing glasses for every student and staff member. Additionally, every school has also been provided with (1) an Eclipse Information Guide, (2) Safety Slides, and (3) Elementary Learning Activities, to help prepare all schools for this very special event, prior to April 8. Here is a Solar Eclipse Flyer and some Eclipse Activities for Caregivers, provided by AISD, to share with students at home as well. The entire school will gather on the turf outside the cafeteria (designated sections by grade level) during our optimum viewing time (1:34pm – 1:40pm). Please know that this event will not allow for parents to gather with us on the turf. And if any families choose for their child(ren) not to participate, we will honor those requests. We’re so excited to experience this once-in-a-generation scientific event together on our school campus!
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 months of April & May is Integrity. Integrity is when you are strong enough to do what is right, even when it’s difficult, and even when no one is watching. It can be hard to do the right thing when your friends aren’t making the same choice. It’s important to act with integrity in our community. When we do, it makes our school a kinder, more inclusive, and more just place for everyone!
The Equity word for the months of April & May is Justice. Justice means people behave in ways that are fair, equal, and balanced. When we work to create a more just and equitable community, we interrupt stereotypes or biased language, we are allies and friends, and we work to make things fair for everyone. When we all work hard for justice, we create a kinder, safer, more welcoming community for all.
Following is a resources sheet for the months of April & May that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. APRIL/MAY RESOURCES SHEET
IMPORTANT DATES
- April – National Arab American Heritage Month
- April – National School Library Month
- Mon., Apr. 1 – Fri., Apr. 5 – National Assistant Principals Appreciation Week
- Tues., Apr. 2 – PK, K, & New Student Registration Event at 8:30am – 10:00am
- Tues., Apr. 2 – CAC Meeting at 3:30pm (Community Room)
- Thurs., Apr. 4 – National School Librarian Day
- Thurs., Apr. 4 – Fourth Grade Choir Concert at 6pm – 7pm (Cafeteria)
- Mon., Apr. 8 – Fri., Apr. 12 – ‘Celebrate Casis’ Spirit Week
- Tues., Apr. 9 – STAAR Testing – Reading/Language Arts (3rd – 5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**
- Sat., Apr. 13 – ‘Celebrate Casis’ Adult Event at 7pm
- Tues., Apr. 16 – STAAR Testing – Science (5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**
- Wed., Apr. 17 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am
- Sun., Apr. 21 – Sat., Apr. 27 – Earth Week
- Mon. Apr. 22 – Fri., Apr. 26 – Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week
- Mon., Apr. 22 – Fri., Apr. 26 – School Volunteer Appreciation Week
- Tues., Apr. 23 – STAAR Testing – Math (3rd – 5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**
- Fri., Apr. 26 – Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at 8am (Community Room)
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.