Principal Update

Last week, the Mills Dirt Club met for a workday evening. We worked on trimming trees, picking up trash, and adding the finishes touches to the the circular bench by the bus lane. It was a small, but mighty group of helpers! We are appreciative of your support, as we know how busy the school week can be. Come join us for the next workday on Saturday, October 8th from 9am-12pm.

Thank you for attending parent conferences to discuss and review your child's progress. We have seen so many families coming and going during our teachers' planning times and after school! Our two parent conference evenings are this week, on Wednesday, Sept 28th and Thursday, Sept 29th. If you haven't scheduled a conference with your child's teacher and want to touch base, please reach out during September conference month.

Our next General PTA Meeting/Principal Coffee is set for Wednesday, October 5th at 3:30pm in the Mills library. If you have questions about the Austin ISD Bond (and what it means for Mills), the upcoming APEX fundraiser, more school safety, and want to learn about WatchDOGs, come join us!

We are forming a Mills Elementary Cap 10K Team this year to run this race on April 16, 2023! We want our Mountain Lions to proudly represent during this race, so adults and students are encouraged to sign up and participate. Join Principal Frageman, our PE coaches and their families and other Mills staff and families for this race. Please consider joining our team! Registration costs go up after October 3rd, so don't wait!

Reach out to Coach Lisa Lindberg or 5th grade teacher, Ms. Amy Jackson for details!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VwIlqsr3Qxoz_XwGymgneKYtZPHetXvLP-I5o3pbq-o/edit?usp=sharing

Hello! I’m Mrs. Rock and this is my 4th year teaching Art at Mills! I am a lifelong Austinite, a product of the Bowie vertical team, and I earned a BFA in Studio Art and a BFA in Visual Art Studies (Art Education) from UT Austin. Hook ‘em! As a middle school teacher in RRISD and DSISD, and then as a traveling art teacher in AISD, I have taught at a total of 9 schools over the past 13 years. Art is FUN, I’m passionate about art, and I love seeing what the Mountain Lions create!

My philosophy of teaching centers around helping my students fall in love with making art. Art helps students with fine motor skills, problem solving and making sense of the world around them. Whatever path my students choose, they will inevitably have to be creative problem solvers. It is no secret that a strong arts foundation correlates with academic performance, and it is a regulating activity for mindfulness. Art supports the whole child! Artist Henri Matisse said that creativity takes courage. I'm always so impressed with the courageous creativity at Mills!

My husband and I have 2 boys, one in 4th grade at Mills, and one in 7th grade at Gorzycki. When I’m not helping to shape creative minds at Mills, I am either drawing, watching my boys play baseball (go Astros!), walking, or growing my Fresh Mint Photo Booth business. You can always make art along with me at home with your family- just search for Courtney Rock on YouTube! Happy creating!

Hello Mills Families! I am Caitlin Trueheart the new art teacher! I have been teaching art for 10 years and I am so excited to have joined Mills this year. A little about me: I am originally from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I received my BFA in Media Arts and MA in Teacher Education- Art Education.

I have a very fluffy cat named Westley and a husky-mix named Juno. We live in the neighborhood, and I often take Juno for walks. You are welcome to come say hi! I am married to my computer engineer husband, Max.

In our free time, we enjoy spending time outdoors: hiking, running, mountain biking or swimming together. I also enjoy reading and of course, making art! I love learning new things and am already having so much fun learning about all the amazing kiddos at Mills!

Monday, Sept 26-

Rosh Hashana

Navaratri

GT Nomination Window Open (until Oct 7)

Wednesday, Sept 28-

District Parent Conference Evening

Thursday, Sept 29-

District Parent Conference Evening

Austin ISD Board Meeting, 5pm (AISD.TV to view)

Looking Ahead-

October 3- 13: Short Cycle Assessments #1 Grades 3-5 (Math, Reading, Science)

October 3-7: Custodian Appreciation Week

October 3- October CAC Meeting 3:30pm via Zoom

October 5- PTA General Meeting & Principal Coffee, 3:30pm Library

October 5- Yom Kippur

October 7: Elementary Early Release at 1:30pm

October 8- Dirt Club Workday 9am-12pm

October 14- Student Holiday; Staff Professional Development Day

October 19- Kindergarten Field Trip Crow's Nest Farm

October 24- Apex Fundraiser Kickoff

October 24-October 28 Love Your Brain Week

October 26- Chris Barton, Author Visit, 3rd-5th Grades

October 27- Dirt Club Workday 5pm-6:30pm

November 2- Principal Coffee (HSR Family Orientation)

November 8- Voting Day- Student Holiday- Staff Professional Development Day

November 9- Mills Family Math Night & Book Fair

https://www.smore.com/euda6-principal-update