We were so excited to see everyone at our Meet the Teacher yesterday! Seeing all of you makes us even more ready for Monday morning! We look forward to a great start to our new school year. This is just a quick reminder that:

• students will be saying goodbye to parents at the front doors - we will have many adults available to help students get to their classrooms. I
• if you could not bring school supplies to Meet the Teacher, we will have a drop-off table in the front of the building, and we will get them delivered to the classrooms.
• Pre-ordered school supplies have not yet arrived (see more info below)
• there are no lunch visitors for the first two weeks of school.
• Students will have PE every day with their grade level and Art and Music on a rotating basis which is the same as last year. The cafeteria and a portable space can be used during PE times, especially during these exceptionally hot days.

For more detailed first day information please see below. Have a great weekend, and we will see everyone on Monday morning at 7:30 (doors will open for breakfast at 7:15 and on the first day only all students can go to classrooms at this time).

Kati Achtermann

August 14 - 7:40 First Day of School

August 24 - Back To School Night

September 4 - School Holiday - Labor Day

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/.

Unfortunately, we have not yet received our pre-ordered supplies. We are currently working out logistics with the suppliers and getting it all sorted for you. Our current plan is to distribute supplies directly to classrooms as soon as they arrive. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Here is a quick outline of some things to expect on the first day of school. This list is not exhaustive but does cover major points you will need to know for the first day of school.

REGISTRATION:

• Please do not wait until August 14th to register! Our registrar, Ms. Reyes, is on campus from 7:15-3:00 to assist you before August 14th!

• If your child is not fully registered, they will not be placed in a classroom until that process is complete. Make sure to turn in all required documents.

• On Aug 14, our front office staff will begin helping with new registrants or those that need assistance finishing registration at 8:00 am.

• We ask that you wait until 8:00 am so that our staff can help with arrival, we can avoid overcrowding in the office and allow our staff and students to start their day.

ARRIVAL:

In the morning:

• NOTE: School starts at 7:40.

• We will open our doors at 7:15 am for breakfast.

• if your child is being dropped off by car, you will enter into the front drive. Please pull up along the front drive and there will be staff to open doors and welcome your student inside.

• There may be tears and that is ok! We promise that your student will be loved and well taken care of and will come home with lots of fun and exciting stories from the day!

• We do ask that as parents, if your child is upset, to understand that sometimes it is harder for the student if parents linger. We respectfully ask that you say your goodbye, then allow our teachers and staff to assist to make sure your student has an amazing day!

K Arrival:

• Since parents will not be allowed inside the building, K teachers will gathering students in the cafeteria and they will walk to class together. waiting to greet their new learners and parents. We will have multiple staff members ready to escort students to their classrooms to begin their day.

DISMISSAL:

In the afternoon:

• Students will have staggered times for dismissal. We will start releasing students around 3:00 at the beginning of the year as it generally takes longer to learn the systems.

• Kinder, 1st, 2nd and 5th grades will dismiss in the front. 3rd and 4th grades will dismiss off Briarcrest Drive at the back gate.

We ask for grace and patience as we navigate through the first week or two. In all interactions, staff and parents alike, we are modeling valuable life skills for our students and children. We are always happy to help and assist and we appreciate your understanding and support as well.

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.

• AISD_Temperature Weather Guidelines_2022-2023

The Calendar Task Force is charged with developing and recommending an instructionally sound calendar for the 2024-2025 school year that focuses squarely on the district’s academic mission and Strategic Plan. The Task Force shall place the needs of all students first and foremost, but shall also consider the needs of parents, the community, and district staff.

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

Instagram: bheeagles