Eagle Update: February 9, 2024

Hello BHE Families:

Happy Parent Teacher Conference Day. Thank you for taking the time to meet with your child's teacher and catch up on all the great work they have been doing. We also want to say a big thank you for your support of the fifth-grade-sponsored Barton Hills Bash! Funds from that event support the fifth-grade trip to the Outdoor School in just a few short weeks.

Have you heard about our school-wide goal mosaic? We are working as a school to complete a tile (sticker) mosaic picture. In order to add a square, students (and staff) set a goal to meet. Once they meet that goal, they get to add their name (or initials) to a round sticker and then add a color block to our mosaic. We can't wait to see how it comes together!

Here are the highlights of this week's newsletter:

• Friday is a spirit day - it's College and Career Day! Wear your favorite college shirt or dress in your future career.
• Monday, February 19th is a Student/Staff Holiday (bad weather make-up day)
• Our P2 focus will be Love - perfect for this week!.

Thank you, as always, for being a part of our Barton Hills Community!

Kati Achtermann

February: African American Heritage Month

February 16 BHE College and Career Day

February 19: School Holiday (Bad Weather Make-up Day) - No School for Students or Staff

March 1 - Book Character Day and Parade

March 2 - Grounds Work Day

March 11-15 Spring Break

Starting in January, we learned about MLK and created drawings based on their dreams for themselves, the world, and their future. We have also been busy making art inspired by Black History Month.

• Kindergarteners learned about Mae Jemison, who was the first African American woman ( and a Texan!) in space and they drew out of this world space oil pastel art. They are currently finishing up another project inspired by the work of folk artist Clementine Hunter.
• First graders explored the work of American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat, through chalk pastel drawings.
• Second graders made colorful drawings inspired by abstract artist Alma Thomas.
• Third grade finished creating paper collages inspired by the quilts of Gee’s Bend which we will turn into a paper quilt.
• Fourth Grade read “Tar Beach” by artist and author, Faith Ringgold, and will also create a paper quilt using their drawings.
• Fifth Grade is having fun creating altered book art out of the many old books discovered in the art room cabinets and are very eager to begin creating some recycled art sculptures from other reusable items stored in the cabinet. We are learning about the work of outsider artist Tyree Guyton who uses trash and junk and turns it into large art installations.

Lastly, all grades helped make and count over 1000 paper origami hearts as a message of peace, in honor of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students responded so well to the project; they took origami paper home to bring back to add to the collection of hearts. We aspire to help continue his legacy of a “Beloved Community,” as a society where “ caring and compassion” and equal rights for all can flourish by spreading compassion through education. The final work will become a mural and consist of the 1000 paper hearts arranged to spell out the word “peace.”

Stay tuned for displays of these new works this spring!

PE ‘s Focus for Next Week:

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

TUESDAY- Gymnastics/Parkour, Yoga, Agility, Balance & Flexibility, activities related.

Wednesday- Gymnastics/Parkour, Yoga, Agility, Balance & Flexibility, activities related.

Thursday- Gymnastics/Parkour, Balance & Flexibility, Agility, activities related.

Friday- Fun Friday, K-5th Grades Student Lead activities and games inside and outside. (Weather Permitting, may move throughout week)

Quick note/reminders:

1. 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. Coach Bergman will be the lead instructor for PE during this period I am out, there will be a substitute to assist PE classes 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.
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. Activities and Lessons might change depending on the situation on weather, supervision, and/or understanding.

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.

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!

Straight Talk '24: Navigating the Smartphone Era
February 12, 2024 | noon-1 p.m. CST

Through all the uncertainties of parenting in the digital age, one thing is for sure: Smartphones are here to stay. They've unlocked a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and convenience. But for our children, smartphones have also introduced a bevy of complications for their development and well-being.

Straight Talk '24: Navigating the Smartphone Era is a livestreamed event featuring top-notch panelists discussing how smartphones are impacting our children's minds, bodies, and classrooms. Councils (district-level PTAs) and local PTAs without councils are encouraged to host watch parties throughout Texas to enjoy this event together.

We hope all attendees will leave feeling more educated about the physiological effect of cell phones on children; more knowledgeable of recent research and studies on smartphone use; more understanding of pressures our children are facing; and more empowered to navigate how we use smartphones in our families and schools.

Click the button below to find and join a watch party near you! If you can't make it to a watch party, you can register to watch live here.

"Save the Date" for our annual Book Character Day on Friday March 1st in the morning (time TBD). We will have a parade with costumes based upon your favorite book characters. More details to come but start planning now for your favorite dress up attire based upon a book! Thanks! Ms. Ewing

Importance of voting as it relates to the 2024 Texas Primary

• Voting in a primary lets you impact who will be elected in November to national, state and county offices.

• Only 14% of eligible Texans vote in the March primaries, and that’s when most races get decided.

• If more voters cast ballots in the primaries, leaders will be elected who better reflect the spectrum of ideologies and will work across the aisle to make government more functional and representative of the vast majority of Texans.

Polling information

This link takes you to polling locations and times for both early voting and election day for the 2024 Texas Primary.

Voter education programs

Want to vote in the primary but not registered to vote? Click here to fill out an application and to learn more.

Review the Voting Guide for the 2024 Texas Primary.

Enroll Austin Call Center: On January 17 and 18, Austin ISD will be offering extended work hours and additional staff from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm. (512) 414-SEAT (7328)

Austin ISD will host an Enroll Austin Registration Clinic for families at AISD Central Office (4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Rd, Austin, 78704) in the Board Auditorium on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 9:00am - 12:00pm.

• Families will receive one-on-one support of the new registration process

• Representatives from the departments of Enrollment and Attendance, Multilingual Education, Early Learning, Communication and Community Engagement will be on-site to support families

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

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