Eagle Update: November 3, 2023

That was a fun, although brief, taste of winter this week! And with that, of course, came more jackets that ended up lost and found. Please frequently check the lost and found, as the pieces change daily :). And please consider taking a moment now to put names in coats and jackets - we'll be ready for the next cold front. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour this weekend to end daylight savings time.

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

• On Monday, November 6th, the Austin High Honor Band and Drum Line will share their music and talent with us after the Morning Assembly. Several members are former BHE students and they are excited to return for this event.
• On Friday, November 10th we will have a special Veteran's Day Assembly, and I included the Assembly RSVP this week!
• In the Coach's Corner, we will have our next Marathon Kids Rally Squad on Tuesday, November 14th. RSVP Links are available by grade level.
• In keeping with Austin ISD Board Policy EHAA, the Human Sexuality and Responsibility (HSR)
• curriculum will be taught this fall during your child’s science class. More information below about a Parent Orientation Opportunity.
• Our Positivity Project focus this week is the character strength of Bravery. Bravery means you act with mental, moral, or physical strength, even when you know things are difficult or scary.
• Middle schools periodically send information about tours and showcase evenings. I've created a separate newsletter with that information and there is a link in the "For Your Information" section.

Kati Achtermann

November 4 - It's My Park Day at BHE (Fall Grounds Work Day)

November 5 - Daylight Savings Ends - Fall Back!

November 6 - Austin High Drumline Assembly following Monday's assembly

November 10 - Special Veteran's Day Assembly (see information and RSVP link below)

November 13 - Student Holiday/Professional Development Day

November 16 - Turkey Day Lunch

November 17 - 8:30 Native American Pow Wow Performance/Assembly

November 20 - 24 - Thanksgiving Break

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

PE ‘s Focus for Next Week:

Monday: Marathon Kids, Focus Marathon Kids, Track Day

TUESDAY- Continue Basketball Skills with activities and games to help with skills taught.

Wednesday- Continue Basketball Skills with activities and games to help with skills taught.

Thurs: Continue Basketball Skills with activities and games to help with skills taught.

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.
3. Marathon Kids Rally Squad(#2) –Tuesday November 14th Come cheer for your child and their classmates as they run laps for Marathon Kids towards our first campus goal of 8,000 miles. This is a 15-minute time commitment to show our support for the BHE students as they work towards completing a marathon. There is limited space for each grade, K-3 grades are 25 parents and 4th-5th grades are 40 parents. Click below the appropriate times slot for link to RSVP for Grade (Just like Monday Assemblies).

5th Grade time slot 8:15 – 8:30 AM

4th Grade time slot 9:05 – 9:20 AM

2nd Grade time slot 9:55 – 10:10 AM

1st Grade time slot 12:50 – 1:05 PM

3rd Grade time slot 1:40 – 1:55 PM

Kinder time slot 2:30 - 2:45 PM

Dear BHE Family,

Families Helping Families is a program designed to provide assistance for Barton Hills’ families during the holidays. We would like to invite you to participate in the confidential program if you feel your family might need assistance during this holiday season. If you choose to participate this year, your family will receive a gift card for food along with a gift card for each child, under 19, in the family. We will make sure each child at BHE receives a gift card and if there are enough sponsors we will assist with children not attending BHE.

The counselor will provide a sponsoring family with the age of each child and no other identifying information. Gifts cards will need to be picked up at the school from Dec. 18-19.

Please review and fill out the form below by November 10 if you would like assistance.

Questions, please email Stephanie White @ stephanie.l.white@austinsid.org

Kindly,

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

GT, ESL and National Board Certified

Counselor, Barton Hills Elementary School

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

Help us celebrate the service of our veterans both in our BHE community and beyond. Use the link below to access the Padlet and then follow these directions:

1. Hit the yellow + button at the bottom right.

2. Add an image and a blurb about a Veteran that is important to your family.

3. Include their name, branch or service and any service details you'd like, and a photo if possible.

4. When complete, hit the publish button.

Keep in mind, unless you log in, you will not be able to edit afterward.

Friday, November 10th we want to celebrate and honor our Veterans. We will have a special assembly in the cafeteria starting at 8:00 a.m. If you have a Veteran in your family, we would love the opportunity to meet them and thank them during this time. We ask that if you will be joining us, you arrive no later than 8:00, stand in the back of the cafeteria (limited seating will be available for those needing seating), and leave through the front doors at the conclusion of the assembly. We look forward to honoring our Veterans.

Lynn Boswell. AISD District 5 Trustee, will host an informal information session for District 5 families to ask our opinion on issues that are important to us in the search for a new superintendent. This will be over zoom, as we know everyone has busy schedules. The Zoom link is below:

Topic: D5 Superintendent Process Listening Session

Time: Nov 6, 2023 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88432358446?pwd=SVIwMnZ5Mk1kWW03TGlRSFVibks5QT09

Meeting ID: 884 3235 8446

Passcode: 790406

Save the Date: It's My Park Day

• When: Saturday, November 4 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Where: Meet at the BHE upper picnic tables near the orange portable building. There will be a job list and help from Greenworks team members to get you started!
• What jobs: Moving and spreading compost and possibly mulch, beautifying existing planters/beds, trimming bushes/plants, cleaning up branches, planting plants, and more.
• What to bring: Show up with work gloves, a smile, and any tools (labeled with your name) that could help with yard work. We need a couple of wheelbarrows, but have many other hand tools.

Please contact Keith Hegner for questions. We hope to see you all there!

Our fabulous PTA Greenworks Chair, Keith Hegner, has secured funding and AISD and City of Austin approvals to revitalize the Soccer field and give the neighborhood back a beautiful green space. On Saturday, November 4, new sod will be installed on the soccer field area, and a temporary fence will be erected. The area will be closed off until late November.

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.

Our Teacher's lounge needs 2 replacement counter-size microwaves. Ours have served us well, but they are tired and ready to rest ;). We would gladly take a donation of a gently used or new microwave - it doesn't have to be fancy - we want to help our staff spend more time eating than heating their food. Thank you!

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