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Eagle Update: March 1, 2024
Barton Hills Elementary
Hello BHE Families:
Happy Friday. What a fun Book Character Day with our fabulously fun Parade. Thanks to everyone who was able to come cheer on our Book Characters.
It may seem a long way off, but you might know that on Monday, April 8th, we will experience a total eclipse. As the total eclipse is a once-in-a-generation scientific event, and our school is in the path of totality for about 2 minutes, we are planning for all students to be outside at that time to view the eclipse with the proper eyewear. Parents will be welcome to join us, but you will need your own protective eyewear. As the event gets closer, we will have more specific times and locations. We are so excited to be able to share this event with our school community
Here are the highlights of this week's newsletter:
- March 7th is Big Art Day! Please see the information from Ms. Gray.
- March 5 - 8th is our Book Fair in the Library. Proceeds from the sales go directly back to our Library.
- If you haven't completed the Ninja Anywhere waiver, please see repeated info below.
- Our P2 focus will be Spirit Week - we will continue to work on goal setting and creating our Goal Mosaic.
Thank you, as always, for being a part of our Barton Hills Community!
Kati Achtermann
Our Goal Mosaic Progress
March 4 - 8 Book Fair in Library
March 7 - 3:30 CAC meeting in Library
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
** Coach Bergman's last day was today. Next week we have the amazing Coach Thomson and Coach Paige***
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- Fun Friday, K-5th Grades Student Lead activities and games inside and outside. (Weather Permitting, may move throughout week)
Quick note/reminders:
- Beginning on 8FEB-8MAR Coach Mueller will be on leave from school due. This is due to military training. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this time. If you need to pass information in regard to PE please first reach out to your student’s home room teacher, then reach out to the front office.
- 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.
Art Happening with Ms. Gray
It is March-Happy National Youth Art Month! YAM is a celebration of the visual arts and Texas has been a leader in YAM celebrations and events since it began. The Texas Art Education Association sponsors a number of programs during the month of March. Save the date! The annual Youth Art Month Show is currently on display at the AISD Performing Arts Center and the closing reception is March 30, 2024.
Here at Barton HIlls ES, all grades have been hard at work creating over 1000 origami hearts, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, to form the words “Teach Peace” which we will present at Monday’s assembly. This work will be installed in the school soon. Thursday, March 7th marks Big Art Day! Stop by the cafeteria during lunch 11:00-12:15 to add to our paper mural with the prompts “Why is art important?” and “What is your favorite thing about art?”
- Kindergarten artists are learning about Georgia O’Keeffe’s flowers and landscapes paintings in honor of Women’s History month.
- 1st grade artists are learning about Frida Kahlo and the fauvist works of Henri Matisse in their colorful self-portrait paintings. We also studied one point perspective.
- 2nd grade students love combining science, math, and art to our climate change drawings which are drawings that using geometric and organic shapes and depict fish who have eaten plastic and other polluted items.
- 3rd graders just finished scratch art works which highlight their skills in positive and negative space.
- 4th graders took inspiration from 5th grade students, and have been reusing old books to create altered book art by adding their own designs, stories, drawings, and paintings.
- 5th graders have been excited about creating additional altered book art but this time practicing different folding techniques to create book sculptures. We are seeking donations if you have any pocket size paperback books that have lived a good life and might want to be turned into art. There is a donation box outside the art room.
Follow us on Instagram @BartonHIllsArt
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 Spirit as we work together on our Goal Mosaic, celebrate, and Big Art Day!
Have a wonderful week!
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.
It’s My Park Day – Saturday, March 2nd from 8AM-12PM!
Updated with Links (get a free t-shirt!)
Parents – your school park and campus need you! Let’s work together to beautify Barton Hills Elementary Park! The PTA Greenworks Committee will be gathering on Saturday, March 2nd from 8AM – 12PM to work on various projects to beautify the school grounds and we need your help.
This time we are an official Austin Parks Foundation Project, so please sign up to record your support and you will receive a free t-shirt! https://austinparks.givepulse.com/event/420604-Barton-Hills-Elementary-Park-Clean-Up%21. We can also confirm volunteer hours via the site!
Show up with work gloves, a smile, and a wheelbarrow (if you happen to have one). Other tools will be provided. Please contact Keith Hegner (keith.hegner@gmail.com) if you have any questions or want to volunteer any special skills or tools. We hope to see you all there!
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
Current COVID Protocols
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.
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