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Eagle Update: March 8, 2024
Barton Hills Elementary
Hello BHE Families:
Happy Friday and Happy Spring Break. I hope you all have a great week and find time to relax and enjoy some time together. We will see everyone Monday, March 18th and start our last 9 weeks of the 2023-2024 school year!
At our assembly this past Monday, we recognized students for participating in the Austin Area Regional Science Fair on Saturday, February 24th, and the AISD Elementary UIL Event on Saturday, March 2. We are so proud of these students' hard work and thank them for representing our school.
Austin Area Regional Science Fest:
- 3rd Grade: Bruce Wilde, Bob Stafford & Gus Chisholm, Emery Spies
- 4th Grade: Vivian Harris, Rafael Cruz, Hazel Hunter, Davis Cooper, Margaret Faust
- 5th Grade: Maya Roehm & Shelby Kate Stafford, Aria Bautista, Alice Johnson, Lilah Lopez and Vivian Grey
AISD UIL Elementary Event
- 3rd Grade Spelling Team - Emery Spies (7th place), Leo Garner, Mara Kealey, Jensen Rider (alt)
- 4th Grade Ready Writing Team - Allie Stevens (4th place), Frankie Fiorilio, Vivan Harris, Sawyer Wixom (alt)
- 5th Grade Social Studies Team - Martine Mishkin (2nd Place), Pepper Grabowski, Maia Lambert, Isla Palermo (alt)
- 5th Grade Number Sense Team - Martine Mishkin (6th Place), Calvin Bhargava, Charlotte Eshelman, Ford McCallister (alt)
Here are the highlights of this week's newsletter:
- Does your Spring Break include a Spring Clean?? We are participating in the Schoolwide Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge. Collect all those plastic bags and bring them to BHE after Spring Break..we want to win! Share with friends and neighbors too!
- Thursday the 21st is Silly Sock Spirit Day
- New COVID-19 Guidelines effective Monday, March 18th
- If you haven't completed the Ninja Anywhere waiver, please see repeated info below.
- Our P2 focus will be Perspective - understanding the world from multiple points of view
Thank you, as always, for being a part of our Barton Hills Community!
Kati Achtermann
Our Goal Mosaic Progress
March 11-15 Spring Break
March 29 - Student and Staff Holiday
April 8 - Solar Eclipse Day (we have plans :)
April 9 - Spring Individual and Class Picture Day
April 11 - 3:30 CAC meeting in Library
April 12 - PTA Spring Fling
April 16 - STAAR ELAR Grades 3 - 5
April 17 - STAAR Make-Up Day ELAR Grades 3 - 5
April 18 - STAAR Science Grade 5 only
April 19 - STAAR Science Make Up Day Grade 5 Only
April 24 - STAAR Math Grades 3 - 5
April 25 - STAAR Math Make Up Day Grades 3 - 5
April 26 - Field Day!
Coach's Corner
Notes from Coach Mueller
Monday: Marathon Kids, Focus Marathon Kids, Track Day (Weather Permitting, may move throughout week).
TUESDAY- Volley. . . Volley skills, Setting/Passing skills, Underhand/Underhand Serve Practice games, and activities related. Sleeping/Stress Management Lesson.
Wednesday- Volley. . . Volley skills, Setting/Passing skills, Underhand/Underhand Serve Practice games, and activities related.
Thursday- Volley. . . Volley skills, Setting/Passing skills, Underhand/Underhand Serve Practice games, and activities related. Muscular Strength Lesson.
Friday- Ninja Anywhere Day! All students who have a signed waiver will participate in a 40 minute block of time - there will not be a regular PE schedule on this day.
Quick note/reminders:
- 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.
- If your student has a Doctors/parents note that requires them not to participate in PE. Please email to both their classroom teacher and while I am out cindy.reyes@austinisd.org (front office).
- Activities and Lessons might change depending on situation on weather, supervision, and/or understanding.
Plastic Bag Recycling Challenge
New COVID-19 Guidelines
On Friday, March 1, 2024, the CDC updated their COVID-19 recommended guidelines for isolation to align with their overarching Respiratory Virus Guidance. Excerpt below:
Prior Guidance: The previous COVID-19 guidance recommended a minimum isolation period of 5 days plus a period of post-isolation precautions and was created during the public health emergency.
Updated Guidance: The updated Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends that people stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after both their symptoms are getting better overall, and they have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
In light of this update, Austin ISD will be changing the district policy for staff and students to align with the updated CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance. As such, effective Monday, March 18, 2024, AISD Health Services and Nursing will recommend (but not require) students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 to be out for 24 hours after the date of test positivity. Masking upon return to school will remain optional, but recommended for 5 days if symptomatic.
Access to Healthy Foods during Spring Break
With many Austin ISD students living in food insecure households, access to healthy food may be challenging when the district is closed. Families can use the community resources below to find free meals in their area while Austin ISD offices and schools are closed for Spring Break:
United Way for Greater Austin - ConnectATX (www.connectatx.org)
Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.
Parent Empower Hours from AISD and VELA
Vela
Vela is a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering parents to become their child's greatest advocates. Through an AISD & VELA partnership, we are offering a 3-part interactive virtual series for parents to gain knowledge, identify strategies, and find resources to support their child's special education services and individual education program (IEP). This opportunity is available in English or in Spanish! Parents, staff, and community members can REGISTER to participate in one, two, or all three sessions.
Additional Empower Hour opportunities in March & April
Austin Community College (ACC) and Student Accessibility Services (SAS): SAS staff will assist students by identifying reasonable accommodations, establishing and coordinating accommodations, conducting one-on-one meetings in person, online, or by phone, providing access to Assistive Technology, offering disability-related problem-solving and advocacy, and providing information and referrals to additional ACC resources.
March 26: 12-1, 6-7 - VIRTUAL online LINK
Family Empower Hour: Child Find: This session will review district Child Find responsibilities - including referral, timelines, and process from evaluation to the determination of special education eligibility and services.
April 16: 12-1, 6-7 - VIRTUAL online LINK
For more information please contact lisa.vasquez-saldana@austinisd.org or liena.deleon@austinisd.org.
Art Happening with Ms. Gray
Ninja Anywhere is Coming to BHE
The BHE PTA and Coach Mueller are excited to announce that Ninja Anywhere is coming back to BHE on Friday, March 22. Please take a couple of minutes to preview their activities and complete their waiver. A waiver is required to participate and must be completed by March 19. (Students without a signed waiver will have an alternate activity.)
- Watch the 2023 BHE highlight video of Ninja Anywhere activities.
- Complete a waiver for each of your students.
We are so excited to offer this program. Students loved this event last year and we are excited to have them come back!
Step 1: Watch the 2023 BHE Ninja Anywhere Video if you want to see what to expect
BHE Ninja Day March 30 2023.mov (dropbox.com)
Step 2: Complete a waiver for your child by selecting "adult and child": https://app.cleverwaiver.com/render/templateByRefId/5e535d234123a1000d3bc4e7?groupId=ggCbuMjD
Counselors Corner
Positivity Project
This week our school community will be focusing on the character strength of Perspective. Perspective means you appreciate when people see things in different ways. You have the ability to understand the world from multiple points of view.
Perspective is also referred to as wisdom and is distinct from intelligence. People with this strength are sought out for advice because they see the big picture and can make sense of the world’s complexity. This strength of perspective gives individuals the ability to see to the heart of difficult matters and achieve clarity. Most importantly, they are honest and behave in an ethically consistent manner.
Perspective helps an individual make sense of the world. It provides clarity on what matters and what does not. Being able to see things from multiple angles helps individuals remain calm and learn from mistakes; they are typically highly self-aware. Reflecting on their own feelings, thoughts, and motives helps them understand and empathize with other people. These individuals are strong listeners and ask great questions. Individuals with the strength of perspective help their group get through difficult or uncertain circumstances because they’re poised and can identify opportunities for success.
To practice and encourage the character strength of perspective with your child, please visit the Positivity Project’s P2 for Families (password: P2), where together you will watch a video, read a quote, and talk about the answers to three questions.
Austin Youth Fitness Spring Clubs
Join Austin Youth Fitness for fitness clubs at BHE this spring!
AYF has been making “fitness fun” for 15 years! Our play-based running, biking, and yoga programs help kids develop strong bodies, minds, and spirits. And we hope your child will join us for some “Fitness Fun & Friendship” this spring!
Tuesdays 3:15-4:15
Session 2: March 19 - April 23
Wednesdays 3:15-4:15
Session 2: March 20 - May 1 (no class 4/10)
Thursdays 3:15-4:45
Session 2: March 21 - April 25
Film Kids Summer Camp
Hello Young Filmmakers!!!
If you’re a current 4th, 5th or 6th grader who enjoys making movies or wants to learn the craft, sign up for Film Kids Summer Camp! We meet in South Austin near William Cannon and Mopac to pitch, plan, film and act in original movies made from our own ideas. Everyone contributes as cast and crew and gets access to their finished films through Vimeo at the end of each week-long session. See the attached flier or go to www.filmkids.org to see dates, other details, sign up and watch past films! Call Brian Cox at 512-567-0778 or e-mail filmkids@filmkids.org if you have any questions. We’ll see you this Summer for some filmmaking fun!
Cell Phone and Communication Devices at School
Many of our students have cell phones and smart watches at school. District policy allows our students to have these devices at school for safety reasons but all devices should be turned off during the school day so as not to be a distraction during learning. Please see the district policy on cell phones and electronic devices linked in our student success guide for more information.
District Scorecard Engagement Opportunities
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees will be working throughout the spring to develop the district’s Scorecard.
Why it matters: This process is done in collaboration with families, staff, students and community members and will guide the district’s work over the next five years.
The details: The Scorecard is composed of goals and constraints.
The goals are a reflection of the community’s vision and the constraints act as guardrails that safeguard the community’s values in pursuit of that vision.
Get involved: The board invites students, families, staff and community members from across the district to share their ideas about the district’s vision to one or more of the below engagement opportunities:
Take a few minutes to complete the Vision and Values Scorecard Thought Exchange by Sunday, March 11.
Participate in one or more of the in-person or virtual engagement meetings. View the full schedule.
Nick Akery Scholarship for Graduating HS Seniors
We are calling all BHE alums who are graduating this spring!
Did you attend Barton Hills Elementary? Apply for the Nick Akery Scholarships - two scholarships of $1,000 and $500 in honor of a much-beloved former BHE Principal.
Qualifications to apply: - 3.0 GPA or higher - Attended BHE for at least two years - Plan to pursue higher education next year Applications are due by Friday, April 12, 2024. Please share if you know a BHE alum who is graduating this year!
Visit this link for application instructions:
2024 Barton Hills Elementary - Nick Akery Scholarship Application
AISD Calendar
AISD Student Success Guide
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/.
School Safety
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.
About Us
Website: bartonhills.austinschools.org/schoool
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013