Casis Weekly (4/22/24 - 4/26/24)

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Cougar PRIDE Families,

It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week, our second round of the STAAR test was a success and we hosted our final ‘Prospective Parent Tour’ of this school year. This week will contain more exciting and important activities: Earth Week activities, the final round of the STAAR Test, and our annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. A lot of the upcoming happenings in the months of April and May will bring closure to this school year, as we also plan for the next school year. 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


Staff Recognition (AISD RAVE Award)

The following Casis staff member received an AISD RAVE Award: Kathleen Hyles (4th Grade Teacher). A parent nominated Ms. Hyles, describing her as an amazing teacher who is a ‘student of her students’. She is a keen observer of her pupils, their abilities, and their social and emotional needs. She sees them as individuals and is able to tailor her teaching to each child. She fosters a sense of respect, kindness, and community in her classroom that is unique and special. Ms. Hyles teaches to the ‘whole child’ so that they can be their best. Congratulations and kudos to one of our stellar educators, Ms. Kathleen Hyles. She’s simply the best!


SCHOOL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK

Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26 is School Volunteer Appreciation Week. It is important that we recognize the creative, tireless, and heartfelt work of our parent volunteers, during this appreciation and recognition week. The educational work of staff is very challenging, but is made that much easier, with the helping hands of our parent volunteers. Our Casis community is enriched and enhanced, hugely due to the selfless support and generous contributions of our parent community. We take our hats off to all of our Casis Parent Volunteers! We will recognize all of our wonderful parent volunteers on Friday, April 26 at 8:00 a.m., following the General PTA Meeting, in the Community Room. Hope to see you there!


ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS’ APPRECIATION WEEK

Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26 is Administrative Professionals’ Appreciation Week. Join me in acknowledging the work of our Clerical Team – Shelly Guerrero: Book Keeper/Principal Secretary, Kesha Fabry: Registrar/Attendance Clerk, and Sammy Huffaker: Office Clerk. These individuals are the central nerve system of our school and help to hold us all together. They are the front line, face, and voice of Casis, as they assist, take calls, answer questions, purchase school items, order supplies, register children, and perform countless other tasks that help our school to run smoothly. Throughout this week, we want to appreciate them and the important role that they play in our learning community. We appreciate our Clerical Team and recognize their hard work during this week and everyday!

NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL


23-24 STAAR TESTING DATES

The following dates will be designated for STAAR Testing:

  • Tues., Apr. 9 – STAAR Testing (3rd – 5th Reading/Lang. Arts)
    • Thurs., Apr. 11 – Make-Up Day
  • Tues., Apr. 16 – STAAR Testing (5th Science)
    • Wed., Apr. 17 – Make-Up Day
  • Tues., Apr. 23 – STAAR Testing (3rd – 5th Math)
    • Thurs., Apr. 25 – Make-Up Day

Please mark your calendars for these dates. The campus will be closed on Testing Dates.


3rd – 5th STAAR TESTING DAY PROTOCOLS

Mark your calendars! Spring testing days for the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) tests have been scheduled for Tuesday, April 9 (3rd – 5th Reading Language Arts), Tuesday, April 16 (5th Science), and Tuesday, April 23 (3rd – 5th Math). Please note that parents will not be able to visit our campus for lunch or other activities on these days, due to strict testing protocols. 3rd – 5th Parents are asked to make sure that (1) students arrive to school on time [with their laptop], (2) they have not scheduled any types of special outside appointments, (3) students have eaten a good breakfast, and (4) students have gotten plenty of rest the night before testing. We appreciate the compliance and cooperation of everyone, as we support these students in doing their very best on these state assessments.

DONATE BOOKS FOR CASIS’ ANNUAL BOOK SWAP

Please consider donating any unwanted books, regardless of reading level, to the Casis Library. These books will be available for trade in our annual Book Swap event in May. Books that are not selected by students will be donated to classroom libraries and/or local charities. The deadline for these donations is Friday, May 3. If you have additional questions, please contact our School Librarian, Courtney Ewing.


PARENT FEEDBACK FOR NEXT YEAR CLASS PLACEMENT[Please Read Carefully]

In an effort to create balanced classes for next year and to foster a positive school-home partnership, parent input is taken under consideration. And while not guaranteed, parental feedback about placement is strictly based on input letters, not verbal interactions or promises between parents and staff. Know that Administration does not keep placement input from previous years, therefore, if there is important student information to be considered, please provide that information in the current year’s parent input process. Feedback is due by Friday, April 26.

A letter regarding placement for next year is not required, however, if parents have extenuating circumstances or significant concerns, please see the following guidelines: (1) A separate letter (email attachment OR hard copy) MUST be submitted. Limit to one-page (10-12 font size). Due to the amount of input received every year, general email communications WILL NOT be accepted. (2) Specific teachers or classmates CANNOT be requested. All teachers on our teams are skilled and competent individuals. (3) Share traits and characteristics of your child(ren) that describe their learning styles/needs. (4) Share the type of educational setting and class dynamic that you feel will best meet your child(ren)’s needs. (5) Email attachment OR hard copy MUST be sent to the Principal, NOT the Classroom Teacher. Please note that I DO NOT schedule meetings to discuss next year placement. Thanks for all of your support, as we strive to make the best placement decisions for your child(ren).


CAMPUS ADVISORY COUNCIL 2024 – 2025 MEMBERSHIP

There will be some parent openings on our Campus Advisory Council (CAC) for the next school year. The membership term is for two years. If you’re interested in serving on this Principal advisory organization, please consider applying. The campus CAC meets on the first Tuesdays of each month after school. Please visit the district website for more information about CAC (CAC in AISD) and if interested, please submit an application (CAC Application). The deadline for application submittal is Friday, April 26. New members will be notified in May and the two-year term will officially begin in the 2024 – 2025 school year.


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.


SPRING LOST & FOUND REMINDER

As we go into the final months of this school year, we want to reunite as many lost items as possible with their owners. Because a large number of our families have made sure that their student items were labeled, labeled, labeled (First & Last Name), it has been much easier to reunite those items with the students. During these last months of April and May, students should be encouraged to regularly check the Lost & Found Bins that are located in the front and back of our school. During morning drop-offs or lunch-visits, Parents are encouraged to regularly check for lost items as well. Casis Parents, Michele Karp, Morgan Gaddis and Mary Polan, are our ‘Lost & Found Coordinators’ and we truly appreciate their support and leadership in this area. Thanks in advance to everyone for your cooperation and vigilance.


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

 

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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