Eagle Update: April 14, 2023

Hi Barton Hills Families,

Next week, the state testing window opens and BHE students in grades 3-6 will be testing for the next 3 weeks. You can view the dates and tests below for each grade level and subject area. Please note that the campus will be closed to visitors on these testing dates, including coming for lunch. We will also be altering Essential Area schedules on these days. If you have a student who is testing remind them to do their best, that you are proud of how hard they have worked this year and that their worth as a student is not measured by one test. They should get a good night's sleep the night before the test and eat a good breakfast the morning of.

We've seen such growth in our students this year and we are extremely proud of how hard they have worked.

Thank you as well for all of the plastic bag donations. The picture above was taken of our count at 9:00 in the morning and then even more bags came in! We'll let you know if we won!

Thank you to everyone who has already registered for the 23-24 school year! IAs always, please also read the calendar and Latest Information sections below - there's good information to know! Thank you for all of your support!I

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

A cross-departmental team of central office staff is seeking input and collaboration as we draft the district assessment plan and calendar for SY 23-24.

Beginning this summer and continuing through the 23-24 school year, we will engage in a transparent and inclusive process to develop a comprehensive assessment framework for Austin ISD. As we solidify the assessment plan for next year while this framework is in development, we will make every effort to minimize the amount of district mandated assessments and to provide rationale and purpose for those we do require. There are many requirements related to assessments that make this a challenging task.

The assessment planning survey is anonymous and can be accessed using this link: https://bit.ly/AISDAssessment2324 The survey will be open for responses through May 1st, 2023.

Austin Free-Net is partnering with Austin ISD to offer free or discounted internet service to families who qualify through the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program.

What is the Affordable Connectivity Program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program allows qualifying (income-based) households to choose the internet service provider of their choice and receive a significant discount to their internet bill (with current service packages in place, this is resulting in FREE internet).

Who is eligible?

Households who participate in free/reduced school meal programs are eligible to participate. If the entire school receives free meals, all households are eligible. The FCC estimates that 150,000 residents in Travis, Hays and Williamson counties are eligible but not enrolled.

How can my students and families enroll?

Austin Free-Net is dedicated to assisting all eligible Austin ISD students and families in enrolling in the Affordable Connectivity Program and can provide individualized support throughout the entire process. There is no expiration date, but take advantage of this great opportunity and current funding is still available. Please refer to these flyers and reach out to Austin Free-Net with any questions.

• Website: austinfree.net

• Phone: 512-236-8225

• Email: access@austinfree.net

• Address: 2209 Rosewood Ave., Austin, TX 78702

About Austin Free-Net

Austin FreeAustin Free-Net is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists community members with technology resources and has been boots on the ground in Austin for over 28 years. Austin Free-Net specializes in basic digital inclusion and is a "one stop shop" for affordable devices, internet, training and support, especially focusing on marginalized communities including people of color, low income, veterans, seniors, immigrants and people experiencing homelessness, but their services are available to all. All public services are free and available in both English and Spanish.

If you still need to order Spring Pictures, we will accept completed order forms/payment in the office until Tuesday, April 18th or you can still order online:

Online order links:

Class Group: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001004595#login

Spring Individuals: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001004202#login

We know that there are times students need to leave school early. However we will not call students to the office before their parent/guardian has arrived on campus. Please allow extra time for us to call your child to the office - on days where we have special events, field trips, etc. it may take our office staff some time to contact the teacher and for your child to get to the office for dismissal especially if they are in a portable or in the middle of transitioning between activities like Recess, Art, music, PE, library, counselor, etc.

You may wonder why registration starts so early, but it is essential for several reasons. The district uses the number of students registered at each school to decide how many teachers we need, how many students we're serving and impacting our budget for the following year. If we need more teachers, we want to start looking early! Mrs. Achtermann also looks at the registered students to decide how we can best support our new and returning students in the classroom.

The best part is it only takes about 5 minutes. Can't remember your username and/or password? Try the forgot username/password prompts. If that does not work, you can call the Parent Help Desk at (512) 414-9187 option 2. You can also call or come into the. office if you need assistance or have questions. Ms. Reyes, our Registrar, is happy to help. Our goal is to have 100% of our returning students registered by the end of April!

As we prepare for the FY2024 Budget year, please join us in conversations about Austin ISD’s 2023-24 budget. There will be several occurrences between January and May to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the district's priorities, plans for staffing and programming, and how you can get involved in the budgeting process with your campus.

An updated calendar is available at https://www.austinisd.org/budget

Do you know someone wanting to start their career with AISD? Please share this information with them!

While we are still finishing out this school year, we also begin some planning for next school year. One of the most important tasks we do is to create the classes for the following school year. In an effort to create balanced classes for next year and to foster a positive school-home partnership, parent input is taken under consideration. And while not guaranteed, parent/caregiver feedback about placement is strictly based on input letters, not verbal interactions or promises between parents and staff. Know that administration does not keep placement input from previous years, therefore, if there is important student information to be considered, please provide that information in the current year’s parent input process as outlined below. Feedback is due by Friday, April 21, 2023.

Input process: A letter regarding placement for next year is not required, however, if parents have extenuating circumstances or significant concerns, please see the following guidelines: (1) A separate letter (email attachment only) MUST be submitted. Limit to one-page (12 font size). Due to the amount of input received every year, general email communications WILL NOT be accepted. (2) Specific teachers or classmates or portable colors CANNOT be requested. All teachers on our teams are skilled and competent individuals. (3) Share traits and characteristics of your child(ren) that affect their learning. (4) Share the type of educational setting and class dynamic that you feel will best meet your child(ren)’s needs. (5) Email attachment MUST be sent to the Principal (kathryn.achtermann@austinisd.org), NOT the Classroom Teacher. Please note that I DO NOT schedule meetings to discuss next years placement. Thanks for all of your support, as we strive to make the best placement decisions for your child(ren).

May 8 - 12 Teacher Appreciation Week

May 11 - Spirit Day - Hawaiian Day

May 11 - 5-6 Showcase Night

May 12 - Field Day

May 18 - 6:00 General PTA Meeting/ Teacher Talent Show

May 22 - Student Talent Show Day

May 24 - Color Run (more details to come)

May 25 - Student's Last Day of School

April 19: STAAR Reading- Grades 3,4,5, 6

April 20 STAAR Reading Make-ups- Grades 3,4,5, 6

April 25: STAAR Science- Grade 5

April 26: STAAR Science Make-ups- Grade 5

May 3: STAAR Math- Grades 3,4,5, 6

May 4: STAAR Math Make-ups- Grades 3,4,5 6

*Please note that the campus will be closed to visitors on these dates.

The district permits students to possess personal cell phones and other telecommunication devices for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off and put away in a student's backpack during the instructional day. Personal devices such as Apple Watches can be permitted but may NOT be used for texting, recording, taking photos, making phone calls, allowing other students to make phone calls, playing games, etc., during the school day. We also need parents to be good role models and not text their children during the school day. If your child has an Apple Watch (or similar device) and inappropriate use is an issue, they will be asked to turn it off and put it away in their backpack or the teacher may take it up during the school day.

Please remind your student that personal telecommunication devices should not be used during the school day. If you need to message your child during the school day, please call or email your child's teacher or the front office.

During standardized testing, all communication devices (including watches) will remain turned off and put away.

The following changes have been approved by the Board of Trustees.

• Changed the Elementary Parent Conference Day / Secondary Professional Development Day / Student Holiday on Monday, September 25, 2023, in recognition of Yom Kippur

• Add a Staff Development / Student Holiday to Monday, November 13, 2023, in recognition of Diwali (Nov 12).

• Add an Elementary Parent Conference Evening to a single Elementary Parent Conference Day / Secondary Professional Development Day / Student Holiday on Friday, February 9, 2024

• Add a Staff Development / Student Holiday to Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in recognition of Eid al-Fitr.

These calendars maintain the necessary number of instructional minutes for students, and the number of required duty days (180) for teachers. The calendar would provide 84 instructional days in Fall, and 89 instructional days in Spring, for a total of 173 instructional days. The calendar adds one additional professional development day prior to previous years.

As we head into the new semester of school, a few reminders about traffic and safety. It takes all of us to make arrival and dismissal a safe experience for our students. When you have 350 students arriving and leaving at the same time, it's always a good idea to pack your patience or leave earlier if time is a concern.

• The front circle drive is the place for drive-through drop off and pick up. If you need to get out with your child for any reason, please park in the neighborhood and walk up. Please do not use the front parking lot or the back parking lot.
• Do not use the right turn lane on Barton Hills Drive to drop off or pick up students. Parents have been dropping off students in the right turn lane to avoid waiting in line for the circle drive and then either pulling a U-Turn or pulling back out into the driving lane, causing several near-miss accidents. No one wants to start their morning or end their day with that!
• Crosswalks are to be used to cross the street for students and parents.
• When driving, please follow all stop signs and signals from our crossing guards.
• School Zones are hands free zones!
• School grounds are also dog -free zones - at drop off, pick up and during school events.

Together we can ensure our students start and end their day safely! Thank you!

We know parents are excited to support our school through volunteer opportunities - and we're excited to have you! ALL school volunteer opportunities will start with the classroom teacher or sponsoring staff member. For example, volunteer opportunities for the Library will be coordinated through Ms. Ewing; classroom gardening, field trips chaperones, classroom guest readers will be coordinated through the classroom teacher. Once teachers are ready for volunteers the following will happen:

1. We will set up the volunteer opportunity on the APIE website.
2. Teachers/Event Sponsor will email parents the name of the volunteer opportunity and directions for completing the background checks.
3. Mrs Ewing will let you know when the background check is complete
4. You will bring your driver's license to Kathy Carr in the office for verification
5. Once verification is complete, Mrs. Ewing will let you and the classroom teacher know you are cleared to volunteer.

If you have questions about the volunteer opportunities please contact your child's teacher.

If your child needs to leave early for an appointment, please notify your child's teacher and the front office. When you arrive at the school, you can come to the front door or call from your car and then we will call for your student. We will not call for students until you are here. With our new schedules (and a new phone number system) please leave PLENTY of time (at least 10 minutes) from the time you call us to the time your child is ready to leave. If you have an appointment right after school, it is best to pick up your student no later than 2:45 to avoid the dismissal crunch. **If you have not had your driver's license scanned into our Raptor System in the last year, we will ask you to bring in your driver's license to the office***

Masks:

With the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, students, staff and visitors are not required to wear face masks when on school properties, unless they have tested positive for COVID-19. Note: Per CDC guidance, individuals with a positive COVID-19 result will be required to wear a mask for five days after returning from quarantine/isolation.

• Masks are not required, but are encouraged at any time of the school day or in any school space.
• Masks are optional at all times.Face masks will continue to be provided for any student, staff, or visitor upon request.

• All students, staff, and visitors will be allowed to make their own choice.
  

Close Contact and Contact Tracing

• Campus administrators will notify all families of positive cases on the campus using a standard notification letter. Individual classroom letters will not be sent home.

• With masking now being optional, all students and staff at the campus may be considered close contacts when there is a positive case identified.

• Campus Administrators will not be required to track close contacts.

• Any asymptomatic individual (except those who have tested positive) may remain at school as long as they are asymptomatic.

Testing Availability

• Testing sites are located at specified district sites and can be found on the COVID-19 district webpage.

• All sites will accept insurance, medicaid, and self-pay.

• Site will be updated whenever vaccines are available.

Temperature Guidelines

• Temperature guidelines have been established in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students participating in outdoor activities at Austin ISD.

• The listed temperatures, heat indexes, and wind-chill factors are designated figures for terminating and/or modifying outdoor activities including: Athletics, Fine Arts, PE, and recess.

• AISD_Temperature Weather Guidelines_2022-2023
  

We love our BHE PTA!

Website: https://bartonhills.austinschools.org/
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013
Facebook: facebook.com/BartonhillsPTA
Twitter: @bheeagles