Stay In-the-Know: This Week’s Top News You Can’t Miss
- It’s cold outside! Make sure to pre-order your Casis sweatshirts. Deadline today
- The last day to drop off Holiday Helper gifts is this Thursday, December 11th. More info below
- This week is AISD Inclusive Schools Week
- Forest Club meeting this Saturday, December 13th, at 9am
- Ordering holiday cards? Look for the code below to save money through Minted and get a portion donated back to Casis
Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! The Make-Up Picture Day went well this past week and the month of December is quickly moving right along, as we all await the soon upcoming Winter Break. We’re excited that this week will be our annual Science Fair and will highlight some great student learning. There will also be a flurry of other 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
STAFF NEWS
Makenna Frisch will be joining our learning community in January, as our newest Special Education Resource Teacher. Ms. Frisch is moving from Stephenville, Texas and has been a Classroom Teacher and Special Education Teacher for both 1st and 2nd grades. We’re so excited to add Ms. Frisch to our school staff and to our Special Education Team. We can’t wait for everyone to meet and to begin working with Makenna Frisch, in the next semester!
AISD INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK
The week of December 8 – 12 is Inclusive Schools Week in Austin ISD. This year’s theme, “Children First — Building a Stronger Tomorrow,” is inspired by the Maasai greeting Casserian Engeri (“And how are the children?”). It reminds us to prioritize the well-being and sense of belonging for every student. We’re so very proud of the inclusive culture that we foster at Casis Elementary on a daily basis and we are particularly proud of our school’s legacy of service to students with special needs. We know that all children are General Education students first, no matter if they are served through Special Education or Gifted & Talented programming. And our goal is to always meet students where they are, as well as to support all of their needs, no matter what those needs may be – academic, social, or emotional. We are the Casis Cougar PRIDE family and we proudly celebrate Inclusive Schools Week!
BIKE SAFETY & RULES AT CASIS
Student bikers have not been consistently following important bike safety rules on both campus and city streets. All students must walk their bikes while on school grounds and use the provided bike racks to secure them, but many forget and leave their bikes propped against walls or on the ground, which creates safety hazards—especially during busy morning and afternoon times when foot traffic is high. Riding through campus at these times is particularly unsafe for smaller children and other pedestrians. Additionally, there have been reports of students riding their bikes in city crosswalks and performing stunts, such as popping wheelies, doing donuts, and weaving through Casis Village and the crosswalks. These actions are not only disruptive but also very dangerous. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about treating bike riding as a privilege and not a right, and to remind them about the importance of safe, respectful conduct at all times when biking to and from school.
CHARACTER STRONG IMPLEMENTATION & PRACTICES
This year, AISD and Casis Elementary are implementing a new Character Education and Behavioral Support program called Character Strong. This program is meant to provide students with the necessary skills and strategies to be the very best humans that they can be in the world. Students will hear morning messages and receive lessons from their teachers about topics like respect, gratitude, honesty, courage and more. Teachers will be providing weekly lessons and sending home monthly information to families about the different program topics learned each month. The lessons derive from a program called, “Purposefull People”. Here’s a Family Introductory Letter about Purposefull People. Each month we will cover a different Character Strong topic and resources will be shared to help families have meaningful conversations at home about the learned trait. Here’s an Overview of the monthly topics that will be taught. The Character Strong trait for the month of December is Empathy. Here’s the Family Connection Newsletter – Empathy for this month’s theme. We are so excited to be ‘Character Strong’ at Casis Elementary!
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon., Dec. 8 – Fri., Dec. 12 – Inclusive Schools Week
Mon., Dec. 22 – Fri., Jan. 2 – Winter Break (School Holiday)
January – School Board Appreciation Month
Mon., Jan. 5 – Staff Development Day / Student Holiday
Tues., Jan. 6 – School Resumes
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.