Eagle Update: December 1, 2023

Welcome to December! Lots is happening in the next 13 days of school before Winter Break, including our Winter Fine Arts show, Pajama Spirit Day, and our annual Jingle Bell Run! Before we jump in to all the December events, we want to thank our parent volunteers who assisted on STEM day! Students had the opportunity to explore the connections between math, science, and engineering - did you know that 3 eggs can hold up a stack of 20 books?

Thank you to our amazing BHE community for donating 602 pairs of socks!!!! We wanted to beat last year's collection of 180, and WOW - did we!

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

• Tuesday, December 5th will be individual photo retake day.
• Our Winter Fine Arts Night is coming up. Please see the details from Mr. Trevino and Ms. Elert
• Science Fair is coming! Please see the information attached below.
• AISD Enrollment for the '24-'25 School year is open. There is a new system for enrollment and transfer requests.
• Our P2 Focus for the week of December 4th is focusing on the Other People's Mindset of Supporting Others When They Struggle. This means when other people are struggling, we do our best to help them out.

Kati Achtermann

December 5 - Individual Picture Make-Up Day

December 15 - 8:00 School Tour for prospective parents

• Pajama Spirit Day

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

December 22 - January 8 Winter Break

January 9 - Students Return from Winter Break

Our Special Education teachers and staff are invaluable members of the Austin ISD family, making profound impacts every day. Their dedication and compassion shape the lives of many, guiding students through challenges and towards success. We know that behind every achievement, there’s often a Special Education staff member who has made a significant difference. Now, we want to hear these heartwarming stories through the Austin ISD Office of Talent Strategy’s Honor Stories platform

Here’s how you can join this celebration:

Promote: Encourage students, alumni, and caregivers to share their uplifting stories about a Special Education staff member who has impacted their lives through our Honor Stories submission form.

From Coaches’ Moreno and Mueller

PE ‘s Focus for Next Week:

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

TUESDAY- Continue Jump Rope/Rhythm Skills and Activities.

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

Thurs: Continue 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.
3. Here is some quick information on the Jingle Bell Run on Wednesday, December 20th. This is an end-of-semester celebration. Parents are encouraged to come out to the track during their student's scheduled time to encourage their students. Students will complete laps around the track with some obstacles as parents encourage them with jingle bells provided by Mr. Trevino. After time for laps are completed, PTA will provide Hot Cocoa as refreshment.

• 1:30-1:45 4th / 5th Grades at Jingle Bell Run
• 1:50-2:05 2nd / 3rd Grades at Jingle Bell Run
• 2:10-2:25 K / 1st Grades at Jingle Bell Run

Picture Retake Day with PhotoTexas is Tuesday, December 5th, starting at 8:00 am. There will be an opportunity for students absent on the first picture day or for anyone needing a retake. If your student was absent or needs their picture retaken, please let your child's teacher know, and they will send them to get that done.

Online Order link: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001057858#login

Dear Barton Hills Parents,

As we approach the festive holiday season, we are excited to extend an invitation to you for our upcoming Fine Arts Night at Barton Hills Elementary. Please join us at 5:15 p.m. for an evening filled with joy and creativity as we celebrate the remarkable talents of our students.

From 5:15 p.m. - 5:50 p.m. students and parents can walk around the halls, take pictures with their art, and share their beautiful work from this semester! Each student will have multiple artworks on display.

Please see the attached letter for a full rundown of the show!

The arts play a vital role in nurturing creativity and self-expression in our students. Fine Arts Night provides a platform for our young artists to share their passion and hard work with the school community and, most importantly, with you, their supportive parents. We encourage you to join us for this festive celebration, where you can witness firsthand the dedication and talent that our students bring to the stage. It's an excellent opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the joyous spirit of the season.

We look forward to sharing this delightful evening with you and celebrating the magic of the holidays through the artistry of our talented students.

Schedule for Music Showcase

December 12th

Kinder, 2nd, and 4th

December 13th

1st, 3rd, and 5th

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.

We are excited to announce the Barton Hills Science Fair for 2023/2024. It will be held at Barton Hills on January 18, 2024. All grade levels are welcome to participate, however, only Grades 3-5 are allowed to participate in the citywide science fest. Teachers have started conversations in class about science fair projects. The link for all instructions is below. Please reach out to your classroom teacher with any additional questions.

https://austinscience.org/

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.

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