Blazier Elementary School
Website: https://blazier.weebly.com
Location: 8601 Vertex Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 5128418800
Twitter: @BlazierBlueJay
Message from Principal Peña
Hello Blue Jays!
Here we are! Ready to start a new school year!
I want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding as we navigated unknown territory in the spring. It was new and uncomfortable at times but we came together as a community and made the best of the situation. Watching everyone work together made me a very proud principal!
So, where do we go from here? On September 8th, we will start the year with remote, synchronous learning for at least the first four weeks of school. Our teachers have been working very hard to create lessons that are engaging and exciting!
Taking Attendance
This year when we launch the at-home learning phase of the school year, it will look different than it did last year. With more devices and hotspots in our students’ hands, we will now have the capability to meet as a class daily in LIVE sessions (synchronous). This means that attendance will be taken each day and assignments will count towards your student’s grade.
For your student to be counted “present,” they will need to be visible on ZOOM (or any other program the teacher uses) and the teacher will mark the student accordingly as RS (Remote Synchronous). If your student cannot make it to the ZOOM session, due to any number of reasons, they can still receive credit for attendance if they log in throughout the day and complete an activity/assignment for the class. When this happens, your student will be marked RA (Remote Asynchronous) and will still be given credit for attendance. Obviously, we want your student present at the designated time so our teachers can deliver content and provide clarification, extra support, or just positive reinforcement and encouragement. Also, it will give students time to interact with their classmates which I am sure they are all missing!
Soon teachers will share the Virtual School Schedule for Remote Learning with you. Please start planning your days now, as well as your student’s workspace at home, for when we return to online classes on September 8th. Fridays will be different than Monday through Thursday to allow time for our teachers to plan and create lessons, for our students to catch up on any asynchronous assignments (homework), and for teacher office hours. We also plan on this day being an opportunity for teachers to engage in a little fun with their students. It will also give students an opportunity to engage in extra learning through the use of various platforms (IXL, RAZ Kids, Learning Ally, etc.).
Safety First!
The Virtual Learning model is the only proven model that promises student and staff safety 100% of the time. The only way to completely avoid the spreading of the Corona Virus on campus is by limiting the interactions among several adults and students. The vast majority of our staff will be doing their part to end the spread of this horrific disease by working from home.
If your student is without technology or access to the internet, there is an option to come to campus ONLY to pick up your technology and/or hotspots. We know that there may be students who still are without access to devices. This is why we will allow the student to return to campus, adhering to strict social distance guidelines and safety protocols, until we can get them access to a Chrome Book or other device so they can work from home. Again, this is ONLY for students without devices or access to technology and will only be used as a last resort until we can give them access to said devices.
Next steps after the first 4 Weeks
After the first 4 weeks of 100% online learning, we plan to start gradually phasing students back into the building for those that choose to return physically to school starting on October 5th. HOWEVER, parents can still choose to stay in Virtual Learning and not physically return to school. For those choosing to come in, this transition will look very different than the traditional school day we have been used to. Usually, our students transition several times a day from class to special areas, recess, library, computer lab, and for lunches. While this is our typical approach for a typical school day, it also means that students interact with hundreds of different individuals in close proximity multiple times each day. Therefore, for the safety of our students, staff, and families, on-campus learning will look different until circumstances improve.
We will create cohorts of students who will remain together in one classroom for the majority of the school day. Cohorts will be assigned to a teacher or a small group of educators who will support their learning and ensure they are following all safety protocols. Lunches and breakfasts will be served in the classroom and breaks will be built into the day to support social and emotional learning and outdoor experiences whenever possible. During this time, 100% of content will still be delivered via online, but this approach will allow students to have safe, socially distant interactions with peers and rely on educators for support.
I understand this is a lot and things are constantly changing. Change seems to be the only constant we can count on. Being flexible and understanding during this time is going to be of utmost importance until the COVID-19 situation improves. I also understand this is not a simple task, but what I have learned through all of this is that the Blazier community is resilient, empathetic, patient, and we are amazing problem-solvers. All of which are important character traits we are hoping to instill in all of our students!
Please know that we are one community and we will rise together and come out of this stronger than we were before. Thank you for trusting your children to us and for trusting that we are doing what we can to ensure the health and safety of your children as well as their academic, social, and emotional wellbeing.
Your proud principal, Leti Peña
Blend for ALL
Communication and course content will be delivered on one system for grades PK-12: BLEND (Canvas). Through this one tool, students and parents will:
● Receive all communication about course assignments
● Be able to watch videos
● Access lesson content
● Submit assignments
● Receive feedback on assignments
● Communicate with their teacher(s)
● Access Seesaw, a supplemental tool for grades PK-2
Your family can access BLEND through the parent portal. Video instructions are available in English, Spanish, Pashto, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Burmese, Dari, and Arabic.
Click here to access the videos: Parent BLEND Support
We will be hosting two Parent Blend Orientation sessions (Aug. 27 @ 6 pm and Aug. 28 @ 11 am). Both presentations will be the same so there is no need to attend both sessions. We look forward to seeing you there! Parent Blend Orientation Zoom Links. Please see flyer attached below.
Our counselors are here for YOU!
Do you need to check in with Ms. Franco or Ms. Guerra? They are available and here to help! Please click on the "Blazier Counseling" button below for ways to contact our counselors. You can also email them at the email address below:
Counselor - Brenda Franco: brenda.franco@austinisd.org
Counselor - Mindy Guerra: dianira.guerra@austinisd.org
Blazier Intermediate School OPEN SOON!
Although AISD school buildings are closed, our amazing construction team is finishing up the great work on our new and innovative building. Furniture is being delivered daily! Come back here for pictures of our new building! For now, take a look at the video below for a VIRTUAL TOUR!
Get the New AISD App Today!
We are excited to tell you about the new app from AISD. Eventually it will be the one stop shop for all things from the district. On the app, you can follow our school so when we have important information to share, we can send an alert and you will always be in the know! Download the app today, on the menu click School Directory, find Blazier and any other school you wish to follow and click the follow button.