Panther Print

Hi Panthers,

We are looking forward to a week of learning and celebrating all things holidays and winter this week! Students (and parents!) are invited to wear pajamas on Thursday. We will celebrate with a special read-a-loud with a member of the admin team. Please see your teacher's weekly newsletter for more information.

For families still participating in remote only learning, please complete the Intent for Spring Semester if you have not done so already. I know there are many "ifs" attached to this intent. If your goal is to return in January, please complete the form as such. You can always change your mind and continue remote learning.

While we are anxiously awaiting the return of Ms. Muehling, we are equally sad to lose Mr. Foyt. We could not have made it through this difficult time without him. For me personally, he was a constant source of comfort, calm, and laughter, allowing me to best support our community. If you can, please take a moment this week to thank him for his dedication. He will always be a Panther!

I am wishing you all a peaceful and safe break. Thank you for a beautiful semester!

With thanks,

Emily

Hi Panthers,

The semester is ending, and the year 2020 is coming to a close. My stay at Bryker Woods is also winding down. The sweet children - eager to learn, that you send to our school, the dedicated teachers and staff, and this community’s generous and caring spirit make this a special school. I feel fortunate to have spent the past three months here.

Ms. Murr and I are currently planning for the next semester. Many of you have notified us of changes for your children for the spring. If you are a remote learner and are planning on returning to campus for the spring, please let us know, so we can plan accordingly.

December 18 and January 5 are District of Innovation days, so it is a student holiday. Our students return to campus on January 6.

I have loved my tenure as the substitute principal at Bryker Woods. Working with the teachers, staff, and the Bryker Woods community, and getting a chance to serve your children has been gratifying. I hope one day to visit Bryker Woods again and meet all of you in person without a mask.

I wish you and your loved ones the best ~ David

Monday, Dec. 14th:

• CAC Meeting, 3:15 pm CANCELED

Thursday, Dec. 17th:

• Last day for students! PJ Day and special celebrations!

See January Panther Print

We will begin to celebrate our amazing Panthers every Friday with our Panther Proud awards. Our Panther Proud Awards are a way for us to shine the light on the MANY wonderful things our young panthers do every day. It could be showing empathy, responsibility, respect, being an upstander, speaking out, showing perseverance, or many other skills. We would like to honor our students and celebrate their hard work.

Any grownup that works with our Panthers is able to nominate a student. Please fill out the following Panther Proud Award Nomination and they will be read during Friday Morning Announcements.

Panther Proud Award Nominations

If you need to request a device, please reach out to Ms. Kettler.

carly.kettler@austinisd.org

Video Tutorial: How to Request Technology on the Parent Portal

Family Technology Q&A

iPad Home Screen/Layout Settings by The Time of Day

Beginning Friday, September 25, Austin ISD iPads have settings restrictions that vary by time of day. From 7:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, apps will appear in the current pushed layout. Outside of those hours, the apps will revert to any customized layout caregivers have set, AND they will be able to delete apps they have added. (Note that the iPads have 32GB of storage, and currently 13GB is taken up by District-required content.)

Lost/Stolen student devices:

Families should follow the procedures outlined here.

Student devices in need of repair:

Families can take iPads, Chromebooks, and hotspots in need of repair to either your school or to one of the Curbside locations, where they can be swapped out as long as supplies allow.

“Power wash” Chromebooks to Update Zoom:

Students may notice that Zoom is out of date on their Chromebooks. Students and caregivers that Chromebooks must be “power washed” (restored to Austin ISD default settings) for Zoom to update automatically. Here is a step set as well as a link to a video.

MackinVia and Dreambox added to iPads:

The MackinVia and Dreambox apps have been added to iPads. Apps on the student iPads will soon be organized into logical folders to streamline student access and hide infrequently used apps and system apps.

Students use the Canvas Student app to access BLEND (and then Seesaw)

A video in English demonstrating this process can be seen here. A video in Spanish is in progress and a link will be provided as soon as it is available.

Student iPad Security and Student Safety

Please note: District-wide safety restrictions can be seen on the iPads under Settings> General > Device Management > JamfSchool MDM Management Profile > Restrictions. Families may see other options under Screen Time, but despite appearances, no Screen Time setting can be less restrictive than the General Restrictions pushed by the District. A flyer for distribution is available here.

Handbook for BLEND/Seesaw

• Sign up for a PTA Committee- BW PTA Committee Signup Sheet
• Reach out to our PTA president for additional information- jennrustgi@gmail.com

• AISD Covid-19 Updates
• AISD Summer Meals Sites
• BW Website
• AISD Asbestos Letter (see attachment below)

Email: kristina.muehling@austinisd.org
Website: byrkerwoods.austinschools.org
Location: 3309 Kerbey Lane, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2054