Stay In-the-Know: This Week’s Top News You Can’t Miss
- Get ready for a 4-day weekend. There’s no school this Monday & Tuesday, February 16th and 17th
- The Author Visit is tomorrow and volunteers are needed! Sign up below
- Show some love to Austin State Supported Living Center this week by dropping a Valentine or other donated items in the labeled box out front. More details in the PTA section
- PRIDE Reading Program volunteers needed. More info below
Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Our rescheduled Prospective Parent Tour went well last week. As February continues to fly by, we’re so excited to celebrate the 100th Day of School on Tuesday, February 10. What a milestone in our school year! And of course, on that same day, the kids and staff are most excited to welcome Bob Shea to Casis Elementary for our annual Author Visit Day. Spring Conferences are also underway during this month. Wow, what an action-packed month! As we continue our work together this second semester, 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
UPCOMING SCHOOL HOLIDAY
Monday, February 16, will be another Student Holiday (President’s Day). Staff will also be off on this day, as an AISD Professional Learning Exchange Day (PLED). We hope that everyone enjoys the time off.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Elementary Parent Conference Day is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 17. At Casis Elementary, these important meetings will be scheduled during the month of February. Conferences scheduled in the Spring may be traditional (parent-teacher), student-led, or optional, based on the grade level and student progress/performance concerns. No matter the format, Teachers will still share information about student progress/performance for all students. During this month, please know that conferences may be requested by either the Teacher or Parents.
NEXT 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 next tour of this school year will take place on Tuesday, February 24 at 9am – 10am. Can’t wait to show these potential new families our amazing school community!
ADMINISTRATIVE COFFEE CHAT FOR FEBRUARY
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. Beckham, and Ms. Davis 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 next ‘Administrative Chat’ will take place on Friday, February 27 at 8:00a.m. in the Casis Community Room. We look forward to having some very authentic conversations with our learning community.
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
Following are some other enrollment support resources that families might find helpful: (1) Enroll Austin Family Support Manual and (2) Enrollment 101 Slide Deck. If families have additional questions, you may also go to the enrollment website (Enroll Austin Website).
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 February is Honesty. Here’s the Family Connection Newsletter – Honesty for this month’s theme. We are so excited to be ‘Character Strong’ at Casis Elementary!
IMPORTANT DATES
February – National African American Heritage Month
Tues., Feb. 10 – Author Visit Day (Bob Shea)
Mon., Feb. 16 – Student Holiday / Staff PLED Day
Tues., Feb. 17 – Elementary Conference Day (Student Holiday – Lunar New Year)
Fri., Feb. 20 – PTA General Meeting at 12Noon (Community Room)
Mon., Feb. 23 – Fri., Feb. 27 – AISD Food Service Workers Appreciation Week
Tues., Feb. 24 – Prospective Parent Tour at 9am – 10am
Fri., Feb. 27 – Administrators’ Coffee Chat at 8am (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.