Stay In-the-Know: This Week’s Top News You Can’t Miss
- The Casis Community Picnic is this Wednesday evening March 12th, 5-7pm. See you there!
- Spring Break starts early. No school on Friday!
- Check the Lost & Found at the front of the school before Spring Break. Items will be donated after this week
- Celebrate Casis tickets are on sale now. See more below
- Participate in our school-wide plastic bag recycling challenge. More info below
Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week’s ‘Class Picture Day’ went very well. This week, we’re looking forward to our Community Picnic, sponsored by our PTA, right on our school grounds. This year’s event will be a lot of fun for both kids and families. During our upcoming Spring Break holiday, I hope that everyone will spend more quality time with family and get some well-deserved rest time for yourselves. As we continue our work this school year, 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
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
SUBSTITUTE OF THE MONTH
AISD is now receiving nominations from campuses for ‘Substitutes of the Month’ and we’re so very proud to share that the following individual is being recognized for their exceptional service and support on the Casis campus.
- Carole Dale is a former Casis Parent and recently began subbing for our school this year. She is always positive and dependable. Ms. Dale is willing to substitute on very short notice and has helped us out of so many jams, just this school year alone. It’s notable that we can ask Ms. Dale to jump into any classroom and work with every type of student, which she gladly does without any hesitation.
We’re so fortunate to have such an exceptional and committed Substitute Teacher on our campus. Carole Dale has received a recognition certificate and her name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a surprise gift from AISD. We love our Casis Substitutes!
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY
Please remember that our Spring Break will begin early on this Friday, March 14, so everyone will get an extra day of spring vacation this school year. Yay!
CASIS HEALTH ROOM CORNER FOR MARCH
Public Health Update – Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. AISD and Ascension have released helpful resources for the most up-to-date information around the recent Measles outbreak throughout Texas. Generally, please be mindful of sanitizing and disinfecting frequently, covering your mouth when coughing, and frequent hand washing. Also, consider current vaccination status and the possibility of exposure. Following are important links for more information: (1) AISD Website (Click on Measles FAQs), (2) DSHS Recent Exposures Information, and (3) Center for Disease Control (CDC) Research. If you have any questions about health guidelines in the school, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Health Room Staff, Natasha Gosek (School Nurse) and Alicia Henry (Clinical Assistant).
SCHOOL PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING CHALLENGE
Casis Elementary is again partnering with our local Lake Austin H.E.B. store and will be collecting plastic bags, beginning Monday, March 3 – Friday, April 4, 2025. This program is meant to teach that we can all have an impact in protecting our treasured Texas land, water, and air for future generations. All participating schools will receive a $150 gift card for an Earth Day (4/22/25) celebration. And the top 3 schools with the highest bag count in the Central Texas Region will win HEB gift cards, ranging from $250 – $500. During the above collection dates, there will be a Recyclable Collection Box at the front entrance of our school. We’re so very proud to partner with our Lake Austin H.E.B. in this worthy effort and hope that many Casis families will participate!
AISD PRIDE WEEK 2025
The week of Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28, will be ‘Pride Week’ in AISD. Every year, to highlight the district’s commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all, Austin ISD hosts its own Pride Week. We believe that when students feel safe and can show up as their full selves at school, they’re better able to engage in learning and achieve academically. This year, pride-themed activities will take place outside of instructional time, such as before or after school, during morning meetings, lunch, or advisory periods (secondary). All Pride Week activities will be voluntary for both students and staff. Pride Week district-wide themes will be (1) Monday – All are welcome, (2) Tuesday – Differences are beYOUtiful, (3) Wednesday – I am beYOUtiful, (4) Thursday – Our community is beYOUtiful, and (4) Friday – All the colors [School Spirit Day]. At Casis, we’re excited to participate in this district-recognized week and each grade level team will be sharing their plans for how Pride Week will be celebrated at their grade level. If parents prefer that their child(ren) not participate in the shared activities, please let your teacher know, so that alternative arrangements/activities can be provided. You may also get more district-level information about AISD Pride Week here: AISD Pride Week 2025 Website and AISD Pride Week 2025 FAQs. We’re ‘Casis Cougar Proud’ to celebrate AISD’s Pride Week!
REPORT CARDS
Report Cards for the 3rd 9-Weeks will be available to families in their Parent Portals, beginning Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
24-25 STAAR TRAINING & TESTING DATES
The following dates will be designated for STAAR Testing:
- Tues., Apr. 8 – STAAR Testing (3rd – 5th Reading/Lang. Arts)
- Wed., Apr. 9 – Make-Up Day
- Tues., Apr. 15 – STAAR Testing (5th Science)
- Wed., Apr. 16 – Make-Up Day
- Tues., Apr. 22 – STAAR Testing (3rd – 5th Math)
- Wed., Apr. 23 – Make-Up Day
Please mark your calendars for these dates. The campus will be closed on Testing Dates.
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 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
March – Women’s History Month
Wed., Mar. 12 – Casis Community Picnic at 5pm – 7pm
Fri., Mar. 14 – Professional Learning Exchange Day & Student Holiday
Mon., Mar. 17 – Fri., Mar. 21 – Spring Break
Mon., Mar. 24 – Fri., Mar. 28 – AISD Pride Week
Tues., Mar. 25 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am – 10am
Mon., Mar. 31 – Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day & Eid-al-Fitr (School Holiday)
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.