Eagle Update: January 26, 2024

Hello BHE Families:

Since returning from Winter Break, we were so happy to have our first whole week of school - even with the surprise of no electricity on Thursday afternoon and some uncertainty about school even this morning. A short shout out to the principal at Zilker, AJ Pitts, who was ready to open the Zilker campus to us should we put that contingency plan in place. And - if Zilker or another campus, ever finds themselves in a similar situation and needs a space, we will gladly do the same for their community.

Here are the highlights of this week's newsletter:

• Friday, February 2nd is "Bee" Kind day at BHE! Wear your yellow and black and any accessories that will help us Buzz about Kindness
• Our Fifth Graders are putting on the BHE Bash this year. See the flyer for all the details!
• Save the Date for Book Character Day - coming March 1st
• Austin ISD’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution to promote a culture of voting. I've included information about the 2024 Texas Primary as part of this effort. The 2024 Texas Primary Election is March 5, 2024, and the last day to register to vote is February 5, 2024.
• Our P2 focus will be a spiral review of the following skills: optimism, perseverance, social intelligence, supporting others when they struggle, and creativity.

Thank you, as always, for being a part of our Barton Hills Community!

Kati Achtermann

January 29: Bluebonnet Voting Party Day (3rd - 6th participants)

January 31 - 100th Day of School!

February: African American Heritage Month

February 2: Wear Red for Heart Health

February 8: Lunar New Year Celebration

February 9: Parent/Teacher Conference Day - No School for Students

February 19: School Holiday (Bad Weather Make-up Day) - No School for Students or Staff

March 1 - Book Character Day and Parade

PE ‘s Focus for Next Week:

Monday: Fitness Monday . . . Activities that help improve Cardio/Flexibility/and Muscular Strength

TUESDAY- Gymnastics/Parkour, Jumps and Rolls, Balance & Flexibility, Muscular System, activities related.

Wednesday- Gymnastics/Parkour, Jumps and Rolls, Balance & Flexibility, activities related.

Thursday- Cont. Gymnastics & Parkour, Jumping / Parkour / Flexibility activities related.

Friday- Fun Friday, K-5th Grades Student Lead activities and games inside and outside. (Weather Permitting, may move throughout week)

Quick reminders:

1. With cooler temperatures now in the forecast, students are encouraged to dress accordingly for outside temperatures. Jackets/sweaters are encouraged to be worn. Students need to remember to take them after PE is over.
2. If your student has a Doctors/parents note that requires them not to participate in PE. Please email to both their classroom teacher and philip.mueller@austinisd.org.

Please join us for a night of games, food, and dancing. BHE Fifth Graders are putting on a bash to raise money for their trip to the Outdoor School in Marble Falls. Check out the flyer made by one of our very own fifth graders for details.

"Save the Date" for our annual Book Character Day on Friday March 1st in the morning (time TBD). We will have a parade with costumes based upon your favorite book characters. More details to come but start planning now for your favorite dress up attire based upon a book! Thanks! Ms. Ewing

Importance of voting as it relates to the 2024 Texas Primary

• Voting in a primary lets you impact who will be elected in November to national, state and county offices.

• Only 14% of eligible Texans vote in the March primaries, and that’s when most races get decided.

• If more voters cast ballots in the primaries, leaders will be elected who better reflect the spectrum of ideologies and will work across the aisle to make government more functional and representative of the vast majority of Texans.

Polling information

This link takes you to polling locations and times for both early voting and election day for the 2024 Texas Primary.

Voter education programs

Want to vote in the primary but not registered to vote? Click here to fill out an application and to learn more.

Review the Voting Guide for the 2024 Texas Primary.

Enroll Austin Call Center: On January 17 and 18, Austin ISD will be offering extended work hours and additional staff from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. (512) 414-SEAT (7328)

Austin ISD will host an Enroll Austin Registration Clinic for families at AISD Central Office (4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, 78704) in the Board Auditorium on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 9:00am - 12:00pm.

• Families will receive one-on-one support of the new registration process

• Representatives from the departments of Enrollment and Attendance, Multilingual Education, Early Learning, Communication and Community Engagement will be on-site to support families

We are calling all BHE alums who are graduating this spring!
Did you attend Barton Hills Elementary? Apply for the Nick Akery Scholarships - two scholarships of $1,000 and $500 in honor of a much-beloved former BHE Principal.
Qualifications to apply: - 3.0 GPA or higher - Attended BHE for at least two years - Plan to pursue higher education next year Applications are due by Friday, April 12, 2024. Please share if you know a BHE alum who is graduating this year!
Visit this link for application instructions:

2024 Barton Hills Elementary - Nick Akery Scholarship Application

AISD Technology remains committed to providing students the devices they need to fully participate in blended learning environments. Device distribution, however, can be costly. Our warranties do not cover loss or intentional damage, an increasing issue the district is experiencing.

It’s essential that we minimize costs associated with device loss and damage. This ensures the sustainability of the bond-funded program.

We have reviewed our internal student device loss and damage incident data and now need feedback from staff and families to inform our next steps. The Everyone:1 Student Device Feedback Survey begins January 11, 2024, and is open to faculty, staff, and AISD families.

Please see below for the current COVID protocols for the 23-24 school year:

• People who have tested positive for COVID will need to isolate away from school for five days .
• The day of testing is considered day zero.
• People who have tested positive may return to school on day six IF they are symptom free and fever free without medication for at least 24 hours.
• Upon return to school, people who have tested positive must wear a mask for the next five days.
• The school is responsible for confidentially reporting the positive case to the district health team. Notification letters to the community are now optional.
• Masks continue to remain optional for both students and staff. We do have masks on campus if you would like your child to have one.

The Austin ISD Student Success Guide (Student Code of Conduct) is now available on the Austin ISD District website for students, parents, and guardians to review. One important legislative update is that ALL e-cigarettes (THC and Tobacco) are prohibited. House Bill 114 requires a student to be placed in the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP) if the student possesses, uses, is under the influence, sells, gives, or delivers marijuana, THC, or an e-cigarette (new) while on campus, within 300 feet of school property, or at a school-related event. Under Austin ISD guidelines, this is a 20-day DAEP placement. Parents and guardians are strongly urged to talk to their students about this new policy and review the Student Success Guide to help keep our schools safe for students and staff. For resources to use when talking with your student about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes visit https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/.

Maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for our students is our top priority. This means that we'll continue with some of the practices we put in place last year. It is important to us that our safety protocols are in place AND that our students, families, and staff continue to feel a positive and welcoming environment each day.

Arrival:

• We will continue to have a secure morning arrival with families/caregivers saying goodbye before students enter the building. Parents/Caregivers may walk students to the front walkway during car drop off/walking drop off. Staff members will be outside and inside ready to greet, welcome, and support our students as they enter the building at 7:30. Parents will not be allowed to walk students to the classrooms and portables.
• The front doors will open for breakfast at 7:15 am. At 7:30 am, all students will enter the building.
• The first week our Kinder students will meet their teachers in the cafeteria before going to class. The teachers will be there to meet them and then walk together to the classroom.
• IMPORTANT: There is NO parking in the drive in front of the school between 7:00 - 8:00 am. This lane is reserved for drop off only. If you'd like to walk your child to the front door, please park in the neighborhood and walk to school together. Thank you!
• If you need to bring something to your child after they have entered the building, please leave it on the labeled cart outside the front doors with a clearly marked label. Please call the front office to let us know you are leaving an item (lunch, water bottle, device, etc.) and we will get it to your child.

Exterior Doors:

• All exterior doors will remain locked at all times during the school day. Portable classroom doors will also remain fully locked all day.
• Staff will check each exterior door weekly to ensure they close and lock as intended.

Dismissal:

• All kindergarten students will be dismissed with their homeroom teacher at 3:05pm.

• 1st- 5th grade car riders, walkers, and bikers will be dismissed from specific outdoor locations with their homeroom teacher at 3:10pm.

• Older siblings may join younger siblings at the younger sibling location.

• Extend-A-Care/YMCA After School Care students will go to the cafeteria.

• *See map below for dismissal locations by grade level.

• Students must leave by 3:20 at the latest.

• Please see map below and note that areas in RED are NO Parking Zones - even for drop off and pick up.

Visitors:

• Visitors are welcome at Barton Hills for the purposes of student support. This may include scheduled parent teacher conferences and meetings, registration, pre-arranged volunteer opportunities, and other scheduled events.
• Lunch Visitors: You may come have lunch with your child. You must sign in at the office prior to going to the cafeteria. Please note that if you plan to have lunch with your students, you will need to plan to eat outside or at a separate designated table. Provide lunch only for your child. Do not arrange to purchase lunch for a group of students and then have your child pass it out. You may only have lunch with your own child - please do not invite other students to join you. *No lunch visitors for the first two weeks of school so we can work on routines and expectations.
• The main front doors are the only entry doors to the campus for visitors. The door buzzer/office communicator is on the right side wall by the front doors. Please push the button to communicate with the office and, once verified, we will buzz you in to the building.
• All visitors MUST sign in at the front office upon arrival AND sign out at the front office when leaving. Please remember to bring your photo ID with you when visiting campus. We will be using the RAPTOR system to scan licenses and print out Visitor tags.
• IMPORTANT: Families, please do not ask a staff member to hold a side or back door open for you to enter the building. All students, parents, and visitors must enter through the front entry doors. Thank you!

Staff Training, Campus Drills, and Threat Assessment

• Our staff will be trained on safety prior to students entering the building.
• We will review safety plans and practices throughout the year.
• We will continue to hold all required safety drills with our students. Most of the drills will be announced drills so our students aren't surprised or alarmed by them.
• Barton Hills has an established threat assessment team comprised of administration, counseling and teaching staff. All members of the team have received Threat Assessment training from Texas State. Licensed Mental Health Providers and School Resource Officers are on call to assist when needed.

Phew! I know that's a lot to digest, but wanted everyone to know we're prepared for a strong, safe, and productive year.

Website: bartonhills.austinschools.org/schoool
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013