Stay In-the-Know: This Week’s Top News You Can’t Miss
- Welcome to Casis Mr. Rondie Rice! He will be a new Special Education Resource Teacher
- Make sure to purchase your Yearbook. Link in the PTA section below
- Get ready to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Casis on March 5th!
- Interested in serving on the PTA Nominating Committee? See more info below
Cougar PRIDE Families,
This first school week of 2026 will be a great week at Casis! It’s great to see everyone return back from what I hope was an enjoyable and relaxing winter break. As we continue our work together this second semester, there is still much to learn, to do, and to look forward to, as we get 2026 started. 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
NEW STAFF NEWS
We welcome Mr. Rondie Rice to the Casis Learning Community, as our newest Special Education Resource Teacher. Mr. Rice has over 8 years of experience working as a Teacher in AISD Special Education programming at both High School and Elementary levels, so we are so fortunate to have him join our school family this semester. Rondie started with us the week before the Winter Break and is already acclimating very well. We look forward to the contributions that he will make to our staff, students, and school. Welcome to Casis Mr. Rondie Rice!
BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH
January is School Board Appreciation Month. The theme for 2026 is “Our Future Is Public”. We thank and celebrate all of our AISD Board Members for their work and commitment to public school education. These elected officials play a vital role in our communities and schools. Our District 5 Trustee, Lynn Boswell, has strong Casis community ties and is a valued partner with our school, as our area representative. Please join me in recognizing Ms. Boswell and the entire Board in the role that they fulfill in our school district!
2026 – 2027 ENROLLMENT DATES & DEADLINES
Enrollment for the 2026 – 2027 school year is about to begin. Austin ISD’s goal is to re-register all 64,000+ PK-11th grade students who are currently enrolled students, as well as to register all new students by the end of May, 2026. Please see the following enrollment windows, by rounds/programs:
- Round 1 (Special Programs Enrollment): 1/12/26 – 2/6/26
- Round 2 (General Registration & Transfers): 2/16/26 – 4/10/26
- PK3 & PK4 (Pre-Kinder Registration): 4/1/26 – 5/22/26
- Round 3 (General Registration): 4/13/26 – 5/27/26
If families have questions, you may go to the enrollment website (Enroll Austin Website).
SCHOOL HOLIDAY (MLK DAY)
The next upcoming school holiday will be Monday, January 19 (MLK Day). Whether you plan to participate in some service-oriented event or just relax with family, I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to think about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the fundamental human rights and values that he represented, and the legacy that he left behind. Happy MLK Day!
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 January is Perseverance. Here’s the Family Connection Newsletter – Perseverance for this month’s theme. We are so excited to be ‘Character Strong’ at Casis Elementary!
IMPORTANT DATES
January – School Board Appreciation Month
Mon., Jan. 5 – Staff Development Day / Student Holiday
Tues., Jan. 6 – School Resumes
Tues., Jan. 13 – CAC Meeting – CANCELLED!
Mon., Jan. 19 – School Holiday (MLK Day)
Mon., Jan. 26 – Fri., Jan. 30 – Holocaust Remembrance Week
Tues., Jan. 27 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am
Fri., Jan. 30 – Administrators’ Coffee Chat at 8:00am (Community Room)
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.