Principal Update

We sincerely thank you in advance for your support of this school wide fundraiser. Students will raise funds for laps run, or families can donate a flat amount to support the various school improvement and student progress initiatives APEX supports.
The theme this year is 'X-Factor.' https://apexleadershipco.com/apex-x-factor/

Please keep these dates in mind:

• APEX Kickoff Pep Rally Oct 25, Cafeteria: 1:15 PreK-2nd Grade & 2:00pm 3rd Grade-5th Grade (Students only)
  
• Fun Run Nov 3, During Grade Level PE times, (PreK/ECSE 11:30am): Parents/caregivers Invited- come cheer on your Mountain Lion!

**Please complete this Google Form for each individual who plans on attending the Fun Run Event: https://forms.gle/mD3tC5X4WJLW2uBe7

This December, all Austin ISD elementary schools will be teaching the updated Human Sexuality and Responsibility content.

This year, parents must opt in for their children to participate in the Kinder-5th Grade health lessons. Please take time to familiarize yourself with the content and lessons which can be viewed at the link below.

Once the district provides the Parent Permission Forms you will have the option to opt in/out of each individual lesson. Students who opt out will be provided with alternative district-created lessons which will cover Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills.

We will be holding a Mills Parent/Caregiver Information Session on November 2nd from 5:30pm-6:30pm via Zoom to share information and answer any questions you may have regarding the district's requirement that schools teach HSR.

RSVP for the parent/caregiver info session here: https://forms.gle/VT9nNXGSfD51Whw99

Zoom link will be shared with parents/caregivers after RSVP

View the HSR lessons here:

https://www.austinisd.org/pe-health/health-education/hsr

Pre-K: continuing our exploration of music through our bodies. Students are also learning about instruments of the orchestra and will be making DIY instruments very soon.

Kindergarten: participating in different activities that involve self regulating with music. Kindergarteners do yoga & calm their bodies to music!

1st Grade: Refining our five voices (speaking, whisper, calling, singing, and thinking) with the recent addition of our spooky voice. We are currently working on decoding rhythmic patterns and connecting rhythm to our bodies.

2nd Grade:History in music. Discussing “Music with a message” across several grade levels. We have covered several historical figures such as Francis Scott Key, MLK Jr., Maya Angelou, and Muhammed Ali.

3rd Grade: review of music terminology including measure, bar line, and meter. We have progressed from reading four beat groups to reading two measures in a row and decoding rhythms over a bar line.

4th Grade: learning about solfege and melody using whole body learning and xylophones.

5th Grade: decoding rhythms with sixteenth, eighth, and quarter notes, and quarter rests, and adding solfege to our rhythm practice to incorporate vocal skills along with Curwen hand signs. We are getting ready to start our ukulele unit very soon!

Monday 10/24

Love Your Brain Week Kickoff

Mindfulness is Your Superpower! Wear something to represent your fave superhero (no costumes)

Tuesday 10/25

Gratitude-Tuesday: Wear crazy socks today!

Wednesday 10/26

Wellness Wednesday: Wear your favorite team shirt or workout clothes!

Chris Barton Author Visit for 3rd- 5th Grades

Thursday 10/27

Thoughtful Thursday: Wear a wild hairstyle

Dirt Club Work Evening, 5:00pm-6:30pm

Friday 10/28

SEL School wide Assembly

Feel Good Friday: Wear your pajamas or a Mills shirt

Looking Ahead

November 1- Dia De Los Muertos

November is Kindness & Compassion Month

November is Native American Heritage Month

November 2- Principal Coffee (Human Sexuality and Responsibility Caregiver Info Session), 5:30pm-6:30pm via Zoom (RSVP above)

November 3- APEX Fun Run (parents/caregivers invited)

November 4- Report Cards available in Parent Portal

November 7-November 11 Book Fair

November 8- ELECTION DAY-Student Holiday- Staff Professional Development Day

November 9- Mills Family Math Night & Book Fair

November 11- Veteran's Day Assembly

November 14- November CAC Meeting

November 16- Educational Support Professionals Day

November 16- Pre-K Thanksgiving Performance 8am

November 16- UIL Campus Meet, 3:30pm-4:30pm (3rd-5th)

November 17- Thanksgiving Lunch

November 21- November 25- Fall (Thanksgiving) Break

https://www.smore.com/16kjc-principal-update