Lamar Middle School

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Dear Lamar Community,

I hope everyone is staying dry this evening. It feels like a good night for some pizza, sodas, and a movie.

STAAR Update

We administered our first STAAR exam of the year on Tuesday, April 20th. We are happy to report that on-campus systems were effective and there were no glitches with the on-line system.

There will be a change to the STAAR schedule in May. Previously, May 14th was scheduled to be a remote asynchronous learning day for those students not taking either the Algebra EOC or the 8th grade Math STAAR. Those exams will still be administered on May 14th but all students will be welcome on campus. The schedule for non-testing students will look much like it did on Tuesday for the Writing test. Specific details will be communicated soon but I wanted to announce that all students who wish to participate in on-campus learning for the day are welcome. I have spoken to a few parents who made arrangements based on May 14th being asynchronous. As a reminder, attendance for remote learning can be earned through engagement.

Human Sexuality and Responsibility Update

Due to the unique demands placed on schools and teachers during the COVID-19 crisis for students attending both in-person and remotely, the Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) unit will not be taught to students enrolled in grades K-8th grade during the spring semester of the 2020-21 school year.

Students who are currently enrolled in the 2021 High School Health Education course will have the opportunity to participate in the Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR) based on their primary caregiver’s decision to opt-in or opt-out. Health teachers will provide the HSR content during class to students as independent learning. This allows opt-out students to complete alternative lessons anonymously while still in class as well.

For more information regarding Austin ISD Human Sexuality and Responsibility curriculum, please visit https://www.austinisd.org/pe-health/health-education/hsr.

Events This Week

We celebrated Earth Day early last weekend with a work day in the Butterfly Garden. Ms. Wagner and Ms. Wu planned a socially distanced day to provide a bit of spring cleaning in the gardens with a handful of students. Students in Aquatic Science learned about the importance and endanger of the Coral Reefs.

In addition to the events that Austin ISD hosted for Pride Week, today was Pride spirit day on campus. Staff and students were decked out in rainbow colors, t-shirts, and stickers showing their pride and allyship.

With the verdict in the Chauvin trial being announced on Tuesday evening, teachers created space in Scottie Seminar for students to process and reflect on their emotions. “What’s My News” is an open-ended approach for students to consider what is on their minds, whatever the topic. This activity allows the needs of the students to guide conversation and support. As always, counselors are available for students who would like individualized and/or individualized support.

We continue to be committed to creating identity safe spaces for our learning community at Lamar. This week was a reminder of the work that needs to be done as well as celebration of progress made.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Megan Tesano

Principal

Austin ISD is proud to offer a choice between remote learning and face-to-face instruction for the 2020-21 school year. See below for the timelines regarding switching from one instructional model to another.

• Transitioning from on-campus learning to remote off-campus learning will occur when a student/parent or guardian chooses to do so.
  
• Transitioning from remote off-campus learning to on-campus learning:
  
• The first request will occur as soon as possible, but not to exceed five school days.
  
• The second request will occur at the beginning of the next grading period.

If you would like to submit a change in your student’s learning preference, please complete the Learning Preference Change form located here.

Students may begin entering the building at 8:03 am through the following locations:

• Main entrance on Wynona for students arriving by car, walking, public transit, or bike
• Bus loop on Burnet Rd for students arriving by AISD school bus

Upon entering the building, all students must pass a health screening that will include a temperature check. Additionally, students should complete the self-screener using the AISD App on their phone or the tile in the AISD Cloud.

• AISD App: a successful screen will result in a green screen (can be a screenshot) and may continue to the “fast pass” lane for a temperature check and wristband.
• AISD Cloud: a successful screener will show a green check and may continue to the “fast pass” lane for a temperature check and wristband.
• Students who do not show a green screen or green check will go to the standard line for a temperature check and to answer the screener questions. Those students who pass the temperature check and screener questions will be given a wristband to enter the building.

It is important for the health and safety of all staff and students that everyone answers the screening questions honestly and accurately. Should your child receive a red-screen, please stay home and engage in remote learning for the day. You may call Nurse Brittany at 512-414-4505.

As a reminder, school starts with Scottie Seminar at 8:25 AM. We encourage students to arrive on-campus before 8:20 so they have enough time to complete the screening process prior to the tardy bell. Students will report directly to their Scottie Seminar room in the morning unless they are participating in AISD breakfast, in which case they may go to the cafeteria to eat prior to reporting to their Scottie Seminar class.

Breakfast and lunches will be eaten in the cafeteria. Meals for all students are free through the end of the school year. Students who do not bring a lunch will be provided one as we will not have the staffing abilities to accept and deliver food dropped off during the day. Students who choose to bring their lunch should pack something that does not require the use of a microwave as this service will not be provided for health and safety reasons.

Students should bring the following items with them each day:

• Copy of class schedule(if you can't print one out, we can provide one for them)
• Charged device and cord (labeled with name)
• Headphones (labeled with name)
• Mask - bandanas, “gaiters”, and masks with valves are not allowed (disposable masks will be provided for students who arrive without one)
• Refillable water bottle (labeled with name) & optional snack
• Hand-sanitizer
• Personal tissues
• Necessary materials for classes

I would like to remind you that our On-Campus Learning option will remain in effect provided that your child meets the Austin ISD requirements: wear masks appropriately at all times, social distance (6 feet) whenever possible, handwash, use PPE requirements set by the campus. Students who repeatedly refuse or fail to protect the welfare of others on the bus or campus may provide school officials reason to appropriately return them to remote learning in order to ensure the health safety of all other stakeholders on campus. Our school values your support of our policies during these challenging times.

Austin ISD is proud to offer a choice between remote learning and face-to-face instruction for the 2020-21 school year. See below for the timelines regarding switching from one instructional model to another.

• Transitioning from on-campus learning to remote off-campus learning will occur when a student/parent or guardian chooses to do so.
• Transitioning from remote off-campus learning to on-campus learning:
• The first request will occur as soon as possible, but not to exceed five school days.
• The second request will occur at the beginning of the next grading period.

If you would like to submit a change in your student’s learning preference, please complete the Learning Preference Change form located here.

Our workday on Saturday was a success! What better way to start out Earth Week! Thank you to everyone who participated in this event!

Students who participated: Esme G., Reed A., Adrian B., Aubrey P., Noah Su, Isabelle Y. , Chiara M., Phoebe S., Elizabeth P., Camilla M., and Nettie R.

Teachers who participated: Anna Wagner and Delanie Wu

Community Family Members who participated: Michelle B., Elise S., Dennis M., Barbara R., Laura S.

Hello Lamar Families,

Please reference below for important information about our upcoming garden workday! Butterfly Garden Workday Interest Form:

Our next workday will be on May 1st! Garden workdays are a wonderful opportunity for students to meet their science teacher in a different context than a Zoom/classroom environment. Students can see their campus (perhaps for the first time), make new friends, and get some sunshine! If your student is interested in participating in a Butterfly Garden Workday, please fill out this Google Form by Friday, April 23rd: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-7W7kBAr2B6HjN7fSfVo-SDpQbIpciL5UvXPQvQn2D1Aezg/viewform

In order to allow for more students and family members to participate (Yes! Families are invited too!), there will be a morning and afternoon shift, with a 10-person maximum at each shift. Everyone will be wearing a face mask and 6ft social distancing will be encouraged. As always, reach out if you need anything!

Kind Regards,

Ms. Wagner

Every day is Earth Day at AISD! This week especially, we hope that everyone in our

school community will take a moment to think about how they can make the earth and our community a better place and perform an action to do so. This year’s website offers fun ways to engage and take action from school and from home. Enjoy!

This year, the City of Austin and AISD are launching the Earth Day Youth Climate Challenge. Students, teachers, and staff can pledge to take action all year to make our earth and communities more sustainable. Together, we can make a difference! Post your pledge to Twitter and Instagram @AustinISDGreen, #AISDGreen!

https://www.austinisd.org/earthweek

The Thief can become the Relief: Coral Reefs

A timeless testimonial

By: Avi Zeifman

Coral Reefs are like the forests of the ocean. They provide habitat for a massive 25% of marine life. That's over 250, 000 different species of animals that live in these luminous holts. For thousands of years, the four types of coral reefs have been acting as a buffer; protecting coasts from intense damage from the ocean waves, providing the oxygen that we receive from the sea, acting as subjects to be sampled and used for important medicines, and being a nursery to the creatures that humans need to fish, directly improving economies and feeding people. Although some may look at these reefs and see nothing but a pretty clump of twisted, bright structures, truly, they are the reason why we are as successful as we are today.

These scrupulous and convoluted ecosystems are compounded by many colonial marine invertebrates that we like to call, Coral. There are two types of Coral that form these reefs: hard and soft coral. Hard coral is made of calcium carbonate exoskeletons, and has a stiff body. Soft corals can move and be manipulated by touch and are what some like to call “Oceans Plants,” as they can resemble trees and grass.

The four types of coral reefs are known as: Atolls; a ring-shaped form made of corals, harboring many creatures in the center, Barrier Reefs; parallel to the shore and pierced by several channels that give access to the lagoon, island, or continent beyond it, Patch Reefs; small blips of coral clumps that are close in proximity to each other, and found in shallow waters like lagoons, and Fringe Reefs; similar to the barrier reefs in form, but typically smaller, and almost immediately on shore.

Coral reefs should be seen as something completely essential to our Economy, planet health, and societal well-being, it seems that our race has neglected to protect it, and instead, damaged it massively. There is an increasing amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, coming from the bodacious amounts of Fossil fuel/Coal burning to power our train engines, cars, airplanes, home heating systems, and power big manufacturing companies. Carbon Dioxide is not a gas that likes to blend with other gasses, especially Oxygen, eliciting it to remain adamant on staying in our atmosphere.

Because of denigrating deforestation, the number one source of carbon Dioxide intakes on our planet, is getting more minimal by the minute, forcing our aquatic plants to be a buttress for our world. Said aquatic plants are almost exclusively Coral reefs, giving them more severity in their importance to our world, as the Co2 in the air will start to cause holes to form in the atmosphere, making global warming speed up on gargantuas scale. So it is quite the curiosity as to why in the world we would be killing more than half of the coral that saved us from this detrimental event.

Anthropogenic threats to coral reefs are one of the biggest problems we have in this world. Some include: Pollution from land-based runoff and direct pollutant discharges from factories, dumps, and inconsiderate characters who think that it is a wise idea to simply toss their trash into the precious waters. When these trashes get thrown into our waters, nutrients increase for fast-growing algaes and other organisms which smother coral, and cut off their supply from the sun, making their photosynthesis process come to an immediate halt.

Leaking fuels, anti-fouling paints and coatings, etc. that enter the water can also affect the baby corals in these reefs. Petroleum spills may not always appear to affect corals themselves because the oil usually stays on the surface of the water, and evaporates into the atmosphere in days. But, if an oil spill occurs while corals are spawning, the eggs and sperm can be killed as they float to the surface before they fertilize. This makes pollution not just kill the full-grown coral, but the hopes of starting anew after the old ones die.

It seems that for the greedy ones in our society, the fact that corals provide us so much just isn't enough. Coral has now become a popular object to be ripped out of the sea floors, and peddled like some kind of tourist trinket rather than a quintessential part of our ecosystem.

As well as my previous reasons for decrease in Coral, certain fishing methods have triggered coral deaths as well. Things like blast fishing and cyanide fishing, sound bad enough without me having to go into detail about, but I will for the sake of everyone's understanding of how sadistic and outlandish these methods are.

Blast fishing is when heavy explosives are set off to scare fish out of hiding places in reefs. This method indiscriminately kills nugatory species that aren't even edible and can and stress corals so much that they release their zooxanthellae. Because of this, mass sections of reefs will be destroyed without care.

Cyanide fishing is the technique of spraying or dumping pure cyanide -which most know is one of the strongest and most lethal chemicals known to mankind- onto reefs to knock out and capture live fish. This kills coral polyps instantly and causes the reef habitat to wither away quickly. Over 40 country’s reefs are affected by blast fishing, and more than 15 countries are known to use cyanide fishing.

The increasing rate of greenhouse gases from activities including but not limited to the deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels I mentioned before, cause ocean temperatures to rise. These changes lead to more coral bleaching events, increased storm destruction, and more.

All of this is so horrific, that sometimes it seems like it is nowhere near ammenable, and too late for us to fix anything, and in a way it is. If all of these events that are murdering our precious reefs come to a halt today and forever, we would still have hundreds of years to go in the process of atonement for these reefs. So far the malignant effects of bleaching and destruction have reached a point where they are over the worst it can get. It's a global tragedy and going to kill our generations if we do not stop now.

Some things every single person reading this can do, to personally contribute to the well-being of not only these coral reefs, but also our younger generations, are much simpler than you might think.

Do you grow flowers, fruits, trees, herbs, grasses, etc.? If you do, then it is important that I tell you to stop using fertilizers to support these plants. The fertilizer runoff into the ocean harms waters due to the high nitrogen and phosphorus levels in them. Causing pollution to the perfectly stable corals that lie near the shores.

Do you drive everywhere you go? That would be fine if you are to be using an electric car which doesn't run on fossil fuels in gas. The fact is that we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it is not much of a tax to get a small workout in by walking or biking to your destinations in your area. If that is not something you are comfortable with, public transportation, which helps put these damaging gases to the maximum use, is always a valuable option. Hey, you can make a couple friends whilst simultaneously helping our ecosystem by using these public transportations.

Do you leave your lights and heater on when it is not completely necessary? If the answer is yes then it is time for you to stop. Not only is it completely ridiculous to leave air conditioning running when the weather is perfectly acceptable, it is also something that is expensive. When your parents remind you to turn the bathroom lights off, they are not only saving themselves from high taxes, but their request will also help motivate you to conserve the energy you use that emits Co2 into the atmosphere. I myself have taken a liking to basking in natural lights rather than the harsh and artificial lights in my house. I've found it easier to fall asleep and enjoy sunsets through the days and nights.

Recycle!! One of the many lessons we were taught from a young age was to throw away trash carefully, and under no circumstances dump anything that could be recycled. Litter, dumps, and trash that blows out of untopped trash cans are destroying are reefs. If you have something with the recycle symbol on it, do not think for one second about slipping up and trashing it.

All of these things I have informed you about will help greatly, but the most important part about conserving our environment is not just being the person who does these things, but also spreads the word about it. Below I have listed instagram pages which you can visit and share with your friends about that inform others of the issues we face without any change. Please share with friends, family, and followers. Thank you!

@savethereef

@impact

@greenpeace

@oceana

@get.waste.ed

@brinkleydavies

Read "A Well-Worn Window Seat," our Novel Excerpt Contest Grand Prize Winner (13 and under age group)!

In February, we challenged you to submit a 400-word excerpt from your NaNoWriMo novels. From over 600 fantastic entries, we chose two Grand Prize Winners and four Runners-Up. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did! (For more excerpts, check out this forum thread.)

"A Well-Worn Window Seat" by Julia B.

Many people mistakenly believe that the record for the 50-meter dash was set by Irina Privalova in 1995, however the real time was set by Eleanor Franks as she slid down the hallway and into the principal’s office.

Ellie had never been to the principal’s office. It wasn’t like she got into trouble (not that she had time for trouble), and she wasn’t one of the girl-scout types who carried a clipboard wherever they went and guilt-tripped your mom into buying cookie dough she didn’t need, but didn’t not need. She knew plenty of those. She used to be one of those.

She spun around the doorway. The PA system had said, in the grainiest voice possible, that her mother was here, and that could only mean one thing: Grandpa.

“What happened?” she demanded. Grandpa was something special, an inhabitant of a different world that was somehow lonely and bursting with people and places and things and ideas that you could coax out of him with a beer and basketball on the couch.

Ellie wouldn’t let anything happen to Grandpa.

“Miss Franks, please refrain from running in the halls.” The principal, Mr. Travis, was intimidating, but he was so tiny that Ellie at her relatively short five foot four could tower over him.

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Mrs. Franks, we have her excusal slip right here. Give me a moment…” He wandered off in search of her pink slip.

“Ellie, it’s Grandpa. He’s in the hospital. The rest of us are over there right now.”

“Well—well, is he going to be okay?” She couldn’t stand this limbo. Grandpa was alive, Grandpa was dead. She had no intention to let her precious Grandpa become fate’s Schrödinger’s cat.

“It seems like it.” Ellie’s sigh of relief was enough to wake up Mrs. Tafferty, their sickly sweet school nurse, who was napping in her chair like usual, and that was a feat she could put on her resumé.

Mr Travis returned, holding the elusive excusal slip. Ellie’s mother placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her like, “Quit bouncing your leg like a crazy person,” so she did.

“Take a few deep breaths while you’re at it,” her eyes added. The eyes were usually correct, so she followed those instructions as well.

The only time Ellie hadn’t listened to those eyes, her little brother Cody lost a lot of blood.

Special guest judge Christina Li had this to say about "A Well-Worn Window Seat": "It had an incredible first line and set up the story really well! Definitely one of the most memorable story beginnings I’ve read."

Julia (aka Josie) B. is a voracious reader who likes to draw comics, play the drums, shoot hoops, and spam famous poems in chats to her friends when she’s not at school. Her favourite genres are romance and action, which is unfortunate, as she actively roots for the love interests to fight to the death for the affections of the main character. She plans to spend the summer finishing and editing her novel.

We have begun the process of selecting 7th graders to invite to next year’s chapter of Lamar National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). Students who meet the criteria below, will be receiving an invite to apply to be a part of NJHS next year as 8th graders.

• Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

• No ISS/HSS of two days or more

• 90% attendance (no more than 10% unexcused absences)

The invitations to apply will be sent through *STUDENT EMAIL on Monday, April 26th. Students will be given two weeks to submit their application. We will then gather teacher feedback for applicants and meet as a committee to confirm chosen NJHS members. We expect that students will receive notification of acceptance no later than late May.

Do not hesitate to contact Ms. Kestner (ann.kestner@austinisd.org) with any questions...especially if you feel like your child should have received an invite on April 26th but didn’t.

*Again, please make sure your child is checking their STUDENT email. This can be done by logging into the portal and clicking on the Gmail tile. ALL NJHS correspondence will be sent through student email.

Thank you,

Ms. Sanders & Ms. Kestner

Want more information on NJHS? https://www.njhs.us/about/

Next Up: HERO DAY (4/28)

Dress up as your favorite hero

STAAR days are not included. We can't wait to see everyone's wacky attire in the upcoming weeks! Parents are welcome to participate!

LAMAR VISUAL ARTS FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

APRIL Donations Bring MA(n)Y Creations

By supporting the Lamar Visual Arts program, the students and teachers are positively impacted allowing greater opportunities to learn, to teach, to imagine and to create! Art supplies are essential to this program and are top priority. AISD only provides an estimated $7.00 per student per year for art supplies! This amount is to cover pencils, markers, paper, paint/brushes, glue, clay, pastels and much more. The teachers estimate that the actual costs of art supplies per student per year to be closer to the amount of $45.00. You can do the math! Our fundraising efforts this year will go to support the art supply needs first and foremost. Click on the link below to read more.....

https://www.smore.com/67x9m

Every year, to celebrate LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families Austin ISD hosts its own Pride Week, a time to highlight the district's commitment to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

This year's weeklong celebration is April 19–24, which aligns with GLSEN’s student-led National Day of Silence on Friday, April 23.

Lamar staff & the school GSA Club, helped the campus get into the spirit by handing out rainbow masks, stickers and flags! Here is what AISD has left in the week to participate.

• Friday, April 23 - Reflection Day
  All Day = GLSEN’s Student-Led Day of Silence
  Join us by texting SILENCE to 21333 or by visiting www.glsen.org/day-of-silence
• Saturday, April 24 - Connect and Celebrate
  9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. - Virtual Pride Conference: "Celebrate, Inform and Inspire"
  Presentations have been created for ALL ages
  Zoom Pre-Registration Link: https://bit.ly/32bWvNi

ATTENTION GLOBE TREKKERS!

Calling all Scotties – past, present and future! Want to cross a dream destination off your bucket list? Lamar students, parents and staff to travel to Perú for a 9 day tour that will take place June, 2022. Get ready to wrap yourself in culture and history! The tour includes a city tour of Lima, Sacred Valley, and Cuzco, as well as a day at Macchu Picchu to explore the “Lost City of the Inca”. Click on the Itinerary link to find out more – Perú: Land of the Inca

Want to find out more?

If you have any questions, or are interested in traveling please contact me: Lori Saucedo, Spanish Teacher, lori.saucedo@austinisd.org.

Itinerary:

Scroll down to the Important Attachments to see the Itinerary

*If your child has been immunized, please turn in your child’s UPDATED shot record

by May 17, 2021.

*State law requires that all students receive the Tdap and MCV vaccine BEFORE they enter 7th grade.

Email record to: brittany.bartek@austinisd.org

Fax record to: 512-406-6543

Please contact the health room if you have any questions at 512-414-4505. Thank you!

Why is it important for my child to take the STAAR?

STAAR assessments are an important tool for evaluating how much our students have learned in a given year. While we believe that a teacher’s assessment is most important, we recognize that data from STAAR can help us evaluate how our students are learning. We hope to have as many students as possible participate in STAAR this spring and are working to provide the safest testing environment possible.

Who takes STAAR?

STAAR is required by state law in,

• Grades 3–8 mathematics,
• Grades 3–8 reading,
• Grades 4 and 7 writing,
• Grades 5 and 8 science,
• Grade 8 social studies,
• High school Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History.

Who Takes TELPAS and why is it important?

Texas annually assesses the English language proficiency of students who have been identified as English learners (ELs) in four language domains—listening, speaking, reading, and writing. TELPAS evaluates the progress that each EL has made in becoming proficient in the use of academic English.

Can students take the STAAR or TELPAS assessments from home?

No. To participate, a student must be physically present on campus.

What adjustments have been made to make on-campus testing safer for students?

The Texas Education Agency has made a number of adjustments to help school districts provide a safe on-campus testing environment, including the option to expand the test window to space out testing. Austin ISD mandates that all students, staff and visitors on campuses wear a mask, pre-screen for symptoms through the AISD app and practice social distancing when feasible. Additionally, each campus principal will have the ability to create a testing plan based on campus space and availability of staff.

Will STAAR results be used for grade promotion for students in grades 5 and 8?

No. The Texas Education Agency waived the rule stating that students must perform successfully on STAAR math and reading at grades 5 and 8 to be promoted to the next grade level. Instead, Austin ISD’s promotion policies will apply.

Is successful completion of End of Course (EOC) assessments at the high school level in English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and Social Studies still required for graduation?

Under current law, students are required to perform successfully on EOCs to meet graduation requirements. Although students may have future opportunities to take EOCs prior to graduation, we believe it is important for students to participate in EOCs at the immediate conclusion of the course to have the best chance of success.

If my student completes an EOC course this spring but does not take the EOC assessment, can the EOC requirement for that course be eliminated by an Individual Graduation Committee?

No. Under current law, a student must attempt an EOC assessment at least once before an Individual Graduation Committee can consider alternate criteria to satisfy the EOC requirement.

What if parents decide that on-campus testing is not a viable option for their children?

In that case, we respect your decision to continue to participate in remote instruction on testing days and your child will not take STAAR or TELPAS. For high school students, please note the above EOC graduation requirements.

Will campuses receive a state accountability ratings (A-F) for the 20-21 school year?

No. TEA has stated that A-F ratings will not be assigned for 2020-21 because of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, STAAR results and accountability reports will be prepared for each campus and district and the reports will be available to the public.

As a reminder, online registration for the 2021-2022 school year opens on January 4, 2021, in the Parent Portal.

​For additional information regarding online registration, please visit our Parent Portal website ​at www.austinisd.org/enroll. And if you need assistance, please call the Parent Support line at 512-414-9187.

If you are interested in submitting a transfer for the 2021-2022 school year, ​information will be made available in the near future. Information will be posted at the transfer website at https://www.austinisd.org/transfer.

​As always, if you need assistance, please submit your questions through Let's Talk: https://www.austinisd.org/letstalk (Student Transfers). ​We are here to serve you.

Also, if you need to submit a records request, there is a new online form available: https://www.austinisd.org/student-services/records-request or https://www.austinisd.org/student-services/records-request-spanish.

Thank you​ again for being a part of the AISD Family.

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 @ 7pm

We will continue to engage in racial conversations as we explore our own racial autobiography. We will continue to discuss white supremacy, our own perspectives, and experiences around race and racism. Come prepared to listen and share. Let’s agree to stay in the conversation to talk about race and move to action. Be the change.

Continuaremos participando en conversaciones raciales a medida que exploramos nuestra autobiografia sobre la raza. Continuaremos la discusion sobre la supremacía blanca, nuestras propias perspectivas y experiencias en torno a la raza y el racismo. Ven preparado para escuchar y compartir y moverse al acción. Aceptemos permanecer en la conversación para hablar sobre la raza. Sea el cambio.

JOIN US ~ Unase a nosotros

REGISTER FOR ZOOM HERE

Free day camp experience to middle school aged girls. Rosendin is the title sponsor and I am co-chair of this camp to introduce girls to the construction industry through hands on instruction and having female instructors. We have 25 spots. All campers will receive meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks), their own personal protective equipment, and when they graduate they’ll receive their own set of Milwaukee Tools including tool bag(see pic) . Parents or legal guardians will have to drop off and pick up campers from the Carpenter’s Training Center in Austin off I-35. The camp will take place July 19-23, 2021. This camp is open to all middle school girls. See flyer below.

McCallum High School

2021 SUMMER BASKETBALL CAMP

Monday, July 12 - Thursday, July 15

9:00am - 12:00pm for Boys and Girls entering 6th – 9th grade

Coach Daniel Fuentes and the McCallum Boy's Basketball team are hosting a summer basketball camp for boys and girls at the McCallum High School gym. The camp will include basketball fundamentals, training stations, 3 on 3, and scrimmaging.

• Registration fee: $100 + online fee per camper

• Basketballs will be provided by McCallum, Camp T-shirt is included

• Participants must provide their own transportation.

PLEASE NOTE: All participants must have an updated Physical (dated after 4/15/2021), as well as all necessary online forms submitted prior to the camp. All forms can be found at https://www.austinisd.org/athletics/forms

You can email all completed physical forms to Trainer Matt Johnson at matthew.johnson@austinisd.org

For questions please email mccallumbasketball@gmail.com.

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../mccallum-high-school...

Announcing McCallum Girls Volleyball Summer League-

Forms & Payment due April 30th

McCallum High School is hosting a volleyball summer league to prepare for the 2021 High School season. Incoming freshman girls are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Google document with rules and sign up form attached. If you have questions please contact Varsity Coach Amy Brodbeck at amy.brodbeck@austinisd.org

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13GhfjSEdh4pc0FpcDEBzMaMekcwY_9pm-rOJYFx1vdY/edit?usp=sharing

When: June 7 - July 1 & July 12 - July 22 (Off every Friday and the Week of July 5 - 9)

Camp is six weeks total with an off-week July 5 - July 9. Camp will be Monday - Thursday each week and campers will always be off on Friday. There will be two separate sessions each day:

1st Session: 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Designed for all male athletes currently enrolled at McCallum High School.

2nd Session: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Designed for incoming freshmen and all other middle school athletes who will attend McCallum High School.

This session will also be designed for female athletes currently enrolled at McCallum High School.

**Please make sure everyone knows that ALL camps this summer will require a new physical dated after April 15th. In the past, the previous year's physical counted, so this was not necessary. However, since last year's physicals were waived, a new one will be required for this summer. It will work for all next year as well. I have included a link on the registration form for the physical paperwork. The new forms will be posted on April 15th.​​**

Please see the form in the attachments at the end of the newsletter

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

suicidepreventionlifeline.org

1-800-273-8255

Austin ISD is committed to sharing information about COVID-19 with our staff and community. The Austin ISD COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated by noon each Tuesday, starting the week of Sept. 21. All lab-confirmed positive cases on campuses will be communicated directly to the campus community. Individuals who may have been exposed will be contacted directly and provided information on the next steps, including a quarantine timeline if needed.

• Curbside delivery will be available every Friday from 8am-4pm at the front of the building for students & employees working from home.
• Classroom delivery will be available throughout the week for the time being.
• Students or employees will submit their request(s) via this google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJWdFxYto3UWYXcmCvHBR9uwnfPOXdwxzsfy-9rf0XGOQf4A/viewform?usp=sf_link.
• We will also place a book drop at the front of the building (under the awning) for students who just want to return a book they still have from last year. Students can also drop an item in the book drop right outside the library as well.

Please remember that attendance counts each and every day. In fact, part of our state accountability rests on maintaining high levels of attendance. We ask that you make sure to document any absences via email to sandy.mark@austinisd.org

To know more about absences, click on the Lamar website here

Front Office: Lupita Gutierrez Cisneros- 512-414-3217 or maria.gutierrez2@austinisd.org

Attendance: Sandy Mark- sandy.mark@austinisd.org

Registrar: Jackie Cannon- jacqueline.cannon@austinisd.org

Technology Questions: Dennis Willenberg- dennis.willenberg@austinisd.org

Fine Arts Academy Coordinator: Kerren Campa - kerren.campa@austinisd.org

Counselors:

6th Grade: Judith Berrean- judith.m.berrean@austinisd.org

7th Grade: Natalie Preston- natalie.preston@austinisd.org

8th Grade: Laura Rotondo- laura.rotondo@austinisd.org

SEL Counselor: Starlet McWilliams:starlet.mcwilliams@austinisd.org

Principals:

Principal: Megan Tesano - megan.tesano@austinisd.org

6th Grade AP: Marisela Bowen- marisela.bowen@austinisd.org

7th Grade AP: Natalie Adams - natalie.adams@austinisd.org

8th Grade AP: Jeremy Raymond-Watson- jeremy.raymond-watson@austinisd.org

For questions about the reopening( numbers of students, schedules, lunch assignments etc), please email your students Assistant Principal or Principal Tesano. Emails can be found above.

Website: lamarmiddleschool.org
Location: 6201 Wynona Avenue, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: (512) 414-3217
Facebook: facebook.com/LamarMiddleSchoolCommunity