Eagle Update: November 17, 2023

Once again, we've had such a great week at BHE! Thank you for supporting our Fourth Graders with their Market Day Fundraiser - it was a sellout! We were so happy to host our annual Turkey Day Lunch on Thursday. Then, on Friday, students had the opportunity to learn about Native American Tribes and Dances with a performance by Great Promise for American Indians Intertribal Dancers. The show featured Grammy-nominated Ottertrail singers. Ottertrail is also featured in the upcoming Marvel movie Echo. Ask your student about the "snake" and "eggs!" They will also be at The Austin Powwow and American Indian Festival tomorrow.

There are several items in this week's newsletter I wanted to draw your attention to:

• This week, you should have received an email from your classroom teachers regarding the Human Sexuality and Responsibilities Lessons taught in December. Please respond to the email and contact your child's teacher with any questions.
• There will be a parent orientation for the Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons on Wednesday, November 29th.
• PTA will host a coffee talk on Monday, November 27th at 7:45 AM
• Our Winter Fine Arts Night is coming up. Please see the Save the Date Flyer below and details will be sent from Mr. Trevino after the Break.
• Our P2 Focus for the week of November 27th is Kindness, which means you are generous to others and are never too busy to help out. You enjoy doing good deeds for other people.

Kati Achtermann

November 20 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break

November 27 - PTA Parent Coffee - 7:45

November 29 - 7:45 Parent Orientation for Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons

December 1 - 8:00 School Tour for prospective parents

• PTA Movie Night

December 5 - Individual Picture Make-Up Day

December 15 - 8:00 School Tour for prospective parents

December 20 - 2:00 Jingle Bell Run (details forthcoming)

December 22 - January 8 Winter Break

January 9 - Students Return from Winter Break

PE ‘s Focus for Next Week:

Monday: Marathon Kids, Focus Marathon Kids, Track Day (Weather Permitting, May move throughout week)

TUESDAY- Intro to Jump Rope/Rhythm Skills and Activities.

Wednesday- Intro to Jump Rope/Rhythm Skills and Activities.

Thurs: Intro to Jump Rope/Rhythm Skills and Activities.

Friday: Fun Friday, K-5th Grades Student Lead activities and games inside and outside.

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 either garrett.moreno@austinisd.org or philip.mueller@austinisd.org along with their classroom teacher.

Thank You

Tuesday was our 2nd Marathon Kids Rally Squad. We want to thank all who came out and cheered on our Eagles. We completed over 360 miles as a school. Please look out for information on the Jingle Bell Run in the coming weeks.

Dear BHE Family,

As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, please consider sponsoring a family for the Families Helping Families Program. Barton Hills families can adopt another Barton Hills family for the holiday. In the spirit of giving, Families Helping Families is a confidential program designed to assist families in the BHE community during the holiday season. If you have questions, please email Ms. White at Stephanie.l.white@austinisd.org. Your family will be asked to provide a family gift card of at least $50 as well as a $20 gift card for each child in the family. You are welcome to sponsor part of a family or an entire family. If interested, please fill out this Google Form by December 5th.

Kindly,

Stephanie K. White, M.A., MEd., CSC, LPC

GT, ESL and National Board Certified

Counselor, Barton Hills Elementary School

On Friday, December 1st at 5:30 PM PTA will be hosting an outdoor Family Movie Night on the blacktop and park hillside. Bring something to sit on and enjoy "Elf" on the big screen. Popcorn will be available.

For the school year 2024-2025, we have made a change to the math offerings for middle school. In the past, there were three tracks of math offerings for math: on level math, advanced math, and accelerated math. The mathematics standards for the on level and the advanced courses are the same; there is no difference between the courses. The accelerated math course sequence is the one that will lead students to Algebra I their 8th grade year. For all other middle school courses (ELAR, Social Studies, and Science), there are only two tracks per grade level but for math, there are three. The three tracks of math per grade level are problematic as it goes against what research says is most beneficial to all students.

Please see the attached letter for more information and optional Zoom meetings for parents to review this information and ask questions.

An age-appropriate human sexuality and responsibility unit focusing on conscious, healthy, and respectful choices will be taught to all Austin ISD students. The unit is taught to students in kindergarten through high school in the months of November/December and during the months of April/May for students enrolled in the high school health education course for the Spring semester. Lessons for all grade levels meet the updated health TEKS and new state laws.

On Wednesday, November 29 from 7:45 to 8:45 am, we will have a Parent Orientation in our cafeteria with Mrs. Achtermann and Mrs. White. The purpose of this meeting will be to:

• Inform about state and local Human Sexuality and Responsibility education curriculum policies

• Including information regarding Opt-IN processes

• Share Human Sexuality and Responsibility lesson overviews

• Answer any questions you may have

If you are unable to attend, all HS&R Lessons can be accessed on the AISD Website at: https://www.austinisd.org/pe-health/health-education/hsr/lessons

The Austin Powwow and American Indian Festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Travis Expo Center (7311 Decker Ln. Austin, TX 78724). The event includes traditional dance competitions, singers, musicians, artists, craftsmen, and a Native American market and food court. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE. Adult tickets can be purchased online for $7 or at the gate for $10, cash only.

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.

AISD Weather 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.

• Updated AISD_Temperature Weather Guidelines_2023-2024

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