Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! As we move further into the month of September, we are all falling into our school routines. And as we continue to refine our new school year processes, please know how much we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of everyone. Our Learning Community must work as a unit to ensure that safe practices are natural and everyday occurrences at Casis Elementary. Please see important information for the week below.
Mr. Tinnon
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
CHECKING STUDENTS IN & OUT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
We certainly understand that students will have occasional appointments during the school day. For the safety of your child(ren) and for accountable documentation purposes, please know and adhere to the following campus protocols:
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Students will not be sent to the office prior to parent arrival.
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Plan accordingly and arrive early enough to anticipate some delay in your child(ren) coming to the office.
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When bringing your child(ren) back to school, please accompany them to the main office to check them back into school.
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A note documenting the reason why the student missed part of the instructional day should be submitted to the Attendance Clerk (hard copy delivered or emailed tocasis@austinisd.org ).
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and compliance with the above safety and security standards.
STUDENT HANDBOOK & STUDENT SUCCESS GUIDE
Please see the most updated editions of our campus Student-Parent Handbook and the district Student Success Guide for this school year. In alignment with AISD, both of these documents act as guidelines for our school community practices and policies. Please review and reference them throughout the 24 – 25 school year.
EMERGENCY DRILLS ON CAMPUS
Student and staff safety are a top priority in the district and at schools. At Casis Elementary, we will have monthly rotating drills that practice safety measures that are taken, in the event of campus emergencies. Here’s a visual poster that is in every classroom, explaining all of the drills that will take place during the school year: Safety Poster. If parents happen to be volunteering or visiting during any of our monthly drill exercises, they will be expected to participate and follow the group that they are closest to at the time. It’s important for students to be aware of our safety measures and to participate in these practice drills. Please know that staff members are expected to speak about the topic of safety, using child-friendly language and terms, so as not to cause undue anxiety or stress around these required drill activities. For more information about safety protocols in AISD, visit: AISD Emergency Management website.
GIFTED & TALENTED INFORMATION SESSION
The Gifted & Talented referral window is now open and will remain open until October 7. Parents may submit a referral HERE for the English link. Additional languages can be found here. Note: Prior to submitting a referral, it is recommended that parents notify their child’s classroom teacher. Slides from last week’s Parent Information Meeting and more district-level information can be found HERE. Additionally, the AISD Advanced Academics Team will host two virtual information sessions for families Tuesday, September 24 at 6pm and Wednesday, September 25 at 12Noon via this zoom link.
FAMILY LEARNING & ENGAGING SESSIONS
AISD’s Special Education, Section 504, and Dyslexia Departments are sponsoring Family Empower Hour Sessions throughout the 2024 – 2025 school year. These one-hour sessions are designed to provide valuable information, resources, and support to families on various topics. These sessions will be recorded and accessible on the AISD Special Education website. We hope that families will avail themselves of these community learning and engagement opportunities throughout this school year.
CASIS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS – READY, SET, GO!
Our After-School Programs have either already begun or will be beginning very soon. If you have not signed your child(ren) up for any of these extended/enriching programs, but are still interested, please be sure to sign up right away. You can see a listing and description of our offered after-school programs HERE. If you have additional questions, prior to signing up, you may reach out to the program sponsors. Please know that seats are limited in most of these after-school clubs.
Administrative Coffee Chat for September
Casis Administration will host a series of meetings during the school year, to engage with parents about various school topics and happenings. During these informal meetings, Mr. Tinnon, Ms. Davis, and Ms. Navickas will share school information and dialogue with parents about school topics of their choice. The goal of this platform is to build our shared knowledge and make community connections. Our first ‘Administrative Chat’ will take place on Friday, September 27 at 8:00a.m. in the Casis Community Room. We look forward to having some very authentic conversations with our learning 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 September is Empathy. Empathy is a feeling or understanding of what someone else is feeling. Focusing your attention on a person’s face or body can help you know how they’re feeling. When you have empathy for others, you can say or do many things to show your care or concern.
The Equity word for the month of September is Equity. Equity means that everyone gets what they need. Equality is when everyone gets the same thing. Think about someone that wears glasses. Equality means everyone has to wear the same glasses. Equity means everyone wears the glasses that are just right for them. Everyone has different needs and circumstances. It’s important we recognize each person’s individual needs and honor them.
Following is a resources sheet for the month of September that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home. SEPTEMBER RESOURCES SHEET
IMPORTANT DATES
September – National Hispanic Heritage Month
Fri., Sept. 13 – General PTA Meeting at 9:30am (Community Room)
Mon., Sept. 16 – Fri., Sept. 20 – Celebrate Freedom Week (Texas)
Fri., Sept. 27 – Administrators Coffee Chat at 8:00am (Community Room)
Fri., Sept. 27 – American Indian Heritage & Orange Shirt Day
TRAFFIC SAFETY PROCEDURES
Please adhere to the guidelines in your particular arrival/dismissal area (Front Circle Drive or North Parking Lot). See Arrival & Dismissal Planhere. 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.