
Crockett Cougar Chatter
CROCKETT COMMUNITY CONTINUOUS LEARNING UPDATES 4.1.20
Letters to our Community
Crockett Students,
We cannot express enough how much we miss you! As educators we prioritize relationships and thrive on the energy, creativity, and kindness you bring with you into the building each day, so this has been an emotional and logistical adjustment for us too. This is why we are so excited to resume learning with you next week! Even though we all wish we were together in person, we are excited for the opportunity for us to connect and come together as a community in a different way.
We know that there will be some uncertainties and questions along the way, and you may need individual support for your current situation and learning needs. We are going to collaborate with you on a plan for academic success moving forward. Please extend the same grace and kindness to your teachers as they adjust to a new way of teaching and learning, as well as changes in their own home lives. We will all be learning together.
Again, we are here for you and will be providing information regularly moving forward. Make sure that you are checking your email, Remind, and BLEND as much as possible for updates from your teachers, and contact us if you are having issues accessing this information. You can also follow us at Crocketths.org, as well as on Twitter @austincrockett and Instagram @crockettcougars. Wishing you and your family a virtual “Great Crockett Day!”
Graduating Class of 2020,
We are so proud of all the hard work you have done to get to this point, and how you continue to persevere and adapt to our rapidly changing world. We know many of you are anxious and scared about what lies ahead. Together, we will get through this. We will be reaching out to each of you within the next two weeks to answer questions you have about your graduation status and make a plan for your success. At this time, we are still waiting on the district to finalize the grading policy for the district. When the Austin ISD Board of Trustees has approved the policy, we will send it out as soon as we get it. We are aware that many seniors and their families are anxious about the possible cancelation of prom and the 2020 graduation ceremonies. We are unsure of the status of prom at this time and AISD is working with the City of Austin to provide commencement ceremonies in some form. We will provide further updates as information is available. Again, thank you so much for your patience, flexibility, and resilience during these difficult times.
Crockett Parents and Families,
First of all we want to thank you for your continued support. The COVID-19 outbreak has placed an unprecedented burden on our Crockett community-students, families, teachers, and staff. We have been overwhelmed, however, with the outpouring of support we have received during this difficult time. Moving forward, we will continue to support our students and staff with this same dedication to supporting each other. Over the past few weeks, our staff has been working diligently to reinvent school for our students, while taking care of our families at the same time.
As we get back to teaching and learning, we ask for your patience and flexibility as we adjust to this new way of teaching and learning. Please communicate your concerns with your child's teachers, counselors, and administrators, as needed. Without the face to face interactions we are accustomed to, it will be extremely important that we maintain open lines of communication. At this time, email, Remind, and BLEND will likely be the best ways to communicate with staff. Additionally, you may access district communications at the AISD COVID-19 webpage: https://www.austinisd.org/covid19 .
We miss our students and are very excited to get back to teaching and learning. Together, we will continue to ensure that our Crockett Community is Always Victorious!
With hope and love,
Crockett Early College High School Administration
Crockett Continuous Learning Schedule
Below is the schedule for Crockett students starting April 6th
The periods listed below will be live study group times where students may connect as a community, gain clarity around the week's expectations, and get questions answered.
Teachers will provide a live study group for each of their periods during the time listed at least once per week. For example, period 1 could meet Monday OR Wednesday at 11:00 OR Monday AND Wednesday at 11:00.
Please refer to your teacher’s BLEND course on when they will be meeting, instructions for how to join the study group, and for assignments.
We will also be sending out a master schedule that lists all teachers’ availability and live study group times.
Attendance during the period time is encouraged, but not required if your child is unavailable.The learning will be able to be completed without attendance during this period time.
At this time, we are still waiting on the district to finalize the grading policy. We will send out the policy as soon as the Austin ISD Board of Trustees has approved it.
If your child's circumstances allow it, please make sure your child is regularly checking their email and logging onto BLEND. Your student’s emotional, mental, and physical safety are a priority for us during this time. This work comes secondary to making sure you and your child are safe and healthy.
Austin ISD Will Remain Closed Through Monday, May 4
Texas Governor Abbott announced that all schools in the state will remain closed through Monday, May 4. Austin ISD will of course, follow the executive order, as our campuses will remain closed at least until that date. Please know we are being proactive in our plans regarding the possibility that campuses may need to be closed for the remainder of the school year.
While today’s announcement means the educational setting will continue to look different for several more weeks, we want our students, families and staff to know learning will continue. Having all students learn from home is a newer concept for our organization, however, we are committed to providing environments where our students thrive, read and excel. In addition to continuing a focus on academic achievement, we are working through specifics regarding what this means for the many other services we provide. We are committed to providing updates as determinations are made.
Most importantly, the health and safety of our students and staff will remain core to our decisions in this rapidly changing and unique situation. We thank you for being a member of the AISD family.
PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR HELPFUL RESOURCES
Crockett ECHS is using BLEND to amplify and support teaching, learning, and communication
Here are some key things to know:
BLEND is our district's version of Canvas LMS(Links to an external site), a tool that the University of Texas and other K-12 districts, colleges, and universities around the country are using to support instruction. This is why BLEND email/text notifications say "Canvas."
Teachers are still getting comfortable with BLEND and are using it to varying degrees.
ALL Parents/Guardians have "Observer" access to BLEND. This means that when they click on BLEND through the portal or download and set up the Canvas mobile app, they will automatically be able to view any published content for their child's courses.
Parents will ONLY be able to see individual responses and teacher feedback for their child, not for the entire class.
TEAMS is still the grade book of record. Parents should still access overall course grades through Self Serve, but if a teacher is using BLEND to grade individual assignments, parents can view those assignment grades in BLEND.
Parent set up Walkthroughs for BLEND
These links will take parents to short screencasts that demonstrate what BLEND looks like from the parent "observer" view.
BLEND Tour
This link will direct parents to another BLEND course with very detailed information about how BLEND works. The course is available in English and Spanish.
Helpful BLEND information
These printable documents provide parents/guardians with key information about BLEND.
Multiple Languages Supported
This page contains helpful BLEND (Canvas) guides in multiple languages.
BLEND (Canvas) Guides - Guías - 指南中文版Zoom Meeting Tips for students and families
Zoom tutorials to help students, parents, and families prepare for April 6th launch date for online learning.
A Message from Communities in Schools
Hi all,
The CIS team misses our Crockett students, families, and colleagues! I know this time can be unpredictable and stressful, but we are ALL here to support you in any way we can. Although we are keeping a physical distance from each other, we want to stay engaged and connected during this time.
The CIS team will be checking in with CIS students and families by phone, email, and following up by mail when we are unable to make phone contact. As we reach out to families, we will offer words of encouragement, a connection, and assess if family needs are being met. We also aim to engage as many students and families as possible in ongoing virtual case management and support sessions via phone or Zoom. We are prioritizing ongoing services for our current CIS families but we will communicate about the ability to enroll new families into CIS as we know that new needs are arising daily.
CIS has compiled a list of resources available for families, including healthcare and basic needs. We can help with making referrals and navigating the supports that are available. We will be updating these resource lists regularly.
- CIS Shared (All Central Texas) COVID Resources
- Regional resources: Travis County, Hays County, Bastrop County (Elgin info here), Caldwell County
Our students, families, and colleagues can reach out to the CIS team through phone call or email. We are always here for our Crockett community!
Tara Domasco, CIS Program Manager, 512-766-987 tdomasco@ciscentraltexas.org
Nathan Leshin, CIS/XY-Zone Coordinator, 512-766-9483 nleshin@ciscentraltexas.org
Advanced Coursework Updates:
Early College High School/Dual Credit - ACC started back on March 30, 2020. All courses will be administered online. All students who are in dual credit courses will be contacted to ensure they have the technology needed to continue their work.
Advanced Placement - The examinations will all be taken at home in the form of free-response essays or short-answer questions. The College Board is providing free video review lessons for students. Our teachers will also support students by providing online instruction.
UT OnRamps - The courses will restart on April 6, 2020. UT has adjusted the curriculum so students will be able to complete the coursework by the end of the semester. Our teachers will continue to support our students online. College credit will still be available for students.
International Baccalaureate - The May 2020 examination sessions are canceled. Students will be awarded a Diploma or a Course Certificate based on each student's coursework. More information and guidance is forthcoming.
College Examination Updates:
TSI - The examination must be taken in a certified testing site. There is an option for students to take the examination at home. The High School Office is investigating whether the option is viable.
SAT - The March and May examinations have been canceled. The June 6 SAT is still scheduled. Khan Academy will be available for all students to prepare for the examination.
ACT - The April examination has been canceled. The next scheduled exam is June 13, 2020.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Austin ISD
Austin ISD Crisis Support Fund
Telehealth Options for Families
Board Resolution - Emergency COVID-19 March 13, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC on COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDC on COVID-19 in Texas: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
CDC Confirmed Cases of COVID-19: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Videos
CDC Handwashing Videos (English/Spanish)
The City of Austin
City of Austin COVID-19: http://austintexas.gov/article/cdc-updates-coronavirus
City of Austin COVID-19 FAQ: http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19
School-Based Mental Health Services - VIDA CLINIC
Austin ISD's school-based mental health partner, Vida Clinic, is now offering teletherapy services to the entire Austin ISD community. These services will allow adults and students to access quality mental health services right from their own homes. To schedule an appointment, visit vidaclinic.org/virtualvida and contact our Vida Clinic Care Team at 512-518-2209 or by email at vidacare@vidaclinic.org.
El centro de salud mental en la escuela de Austin ISD, Vida Clinic, ofrecerá servicios de teleterapia a toda la comunidad de Austin ISD. Estos servicios permitirán a adultos y estudiantes acceder a servicios de salud mental con alta calidad desde sus propios hogares. Para programar una cita, visite vidaclinic.org/virtualvidaesp y comuníquese con nuestro Equipo de atención de Vida Clinic al 512-518-2209 o por correo electrónico a vidacare@vidaclinic.org.
Laura Rifkin Banks, LCSW
Director of Program Development
Vida Clinic
512.953.7467
Virtual Care for Kids
Austin ISD Families,
Due to the threat of COVID-19 Virtual Care for Kids is expanding the partnership with AISD to include at-home telemedicine care to serve our families and reduce the spread of the virus.
Virtual Care for Kids has agreed to waive all copays for all AISD telemedicine visits.
In addition, students with Medicaid will receive free care. If your child is uninsured and doesn't receive free/reduced lunch, the AISD Crisis Support Fund (https://austinedfund.org/crisis-support-fund/) is providing vouchers to families to receive telemedicine care for free.
Before we can treat your children, you need you to register them at
https://urgentcarekids.com/aisd/. We urge parents and guardians to act now and not wait until you have a medical need.
To see a provider visit: https://virtualcarekids.com.
We have pediatric providers on-demand and we are currently keeping wait times below two minutes. Please do not expose your family to COVID-19 by leaving your house, these visits are accessible FROM HOME on any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
We understand that this is an alarming time for many people in the Austin community, and we never want the economic status of a family to prevent them from receiving the medical care they need as we practice social distancing. Our goal is to increase access to care for families while also limiting exposure to COVID-19 and we feel that providing care virtually is the best way to accomplish that.
Please help us stop the spread and flatten the curve by sharing this information on social media and through email with your friends and family. By avoiding medical facilities and limiting exposure, you may save someone’s life.
Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Paul Cruz, PhD
AISD Superintendent
Tracy A. Spinner, M.Ed.
AISD Director, Comprehensive Health & Mental Health
UIL Updates
Please visit the link for UIL scheduling information.
UIL Announces Extended Suspension of All UIL Activities — University Interscholastic League (UIL)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. AUSTIN — The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is extending its suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Texas. All contests, practices, rehearsals and workouts will remain suspended until further notice.
Crockett Early College High School
Principal
Email: kori.crawford@austinisd.org
Website: crocketths.org
Location: 5601 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2532
Twitter: @AustinCrockett