Stay In-the-Know: This Week’s Top News You Can’t Miss
- No school tomorrow November 5th – Read more about what our students are learning about the election below
- Coats for Kids Drive happening this Thursday and Friday – See below for details and volunteer opportunities
- School Veterans Day Ceremony next Monday November 11th at 8:15am – Details below
- The Book Fair is starting next week! Links below to add money to student eWallets
- General PTA Meeting next Thursday November 14th at 9am – with guest speaker, O. Henry Principal, Marlo Malott
Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Our school-wide ‘Crazy Hat Day’ on last Thursday 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. I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and safe Halloween that evening too. We’re happy to announce that ‘Book Fair Week’ is coming to Casis! Mark your calendars for November 11 – 15. November will also continue to be a month of various 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
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL HOLIDAY / STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
Tuesday, November 5 will be a School Holiday / Staff Development Day. We hope that all families will enjoy their day off, as staff engages in professional development activities that will enhance and increase the learning environment, allowing students to continue to have an exceptional learning experience at Casis Elementary and in Austin ISD.
ELEMENTARY GOALS ON ELECTION DAY
Our campus Social Studies & Equity Committee is leading our staff in how we approach this year’s November Elections. Rather than focusing on candidates by holding mock elections, our goal is to engage students in understanding the election process, as it relates to collaborative problem solving and moving forward towards a common goal, even when you have different ideas about how to reach the goal. As a committee and as a school, we recognize the polarizing nature of this election and the need to develop collaborative problem-solving skills with our students and community. Therefore, we are using common language and understanding around the question: How do we work together to solve problems in our community when we have different ideas about how to solve them? Teachers will tailor discussions and activities, based on the age and understanding of their students. If you have any questions, please reach out to your classroom teachers.
REPORT CARDS
Parents can expect ‘1st 9-Weeks Report Cards’ to be available in their AISD Parent Portal by November 6.
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 VETERAN PROGRAM
We will have our annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, November 11 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!
FALL PROSPECTIVE PARENT TOUR
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 Tuesday, November 19 at 9am – 10am. Can’t wait to show these potential new families our amazing school community!
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/hsr. Note: 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 22, 2024 at 8am – 9am in the Casis Community Room. All families are invited to attend this HSR overview presentation.
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.
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
Tues., Nov. 5 – Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
Mon., Nov. 11 – Fri., Nov. 15 – Casis Book Fair Week (Library)
Mon., Nov. 11 – School-Wide Veteran’s Day Program at 8:15am
Wed., Nov. 13 – Casis Book Fair Family Night at 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Thurs., Nov. 14 – General PTA Meeting at 9am (Community Room)
Tues., Nov. 19 – Fall Prospective Parent Tour at 9am – 10am
Fri., Nov. 22 – HSR Family Orientation Session at 8am – 9am (Community Room)
Mon., Nov. 25 – Fri., Nov. 29 – School Holiday (Fall Semester Break)
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.