| Happy almost break!Before you leave to spend time with family, mark your calendars for our High School Fair Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Eastside Early College High School and International High School (900 Thompson St.).And thanks to everyone who came to our Middle School Fair last weekend!Remember, you can learn more and apply for all of our programs at www.AustinISD.org/haveitall.Let’s get into it. |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Scott Thomas ● Nov 30, 2021
Smart Brevity™ count: 5 mins... 1288 words
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Happy almost break!
Before you leave to spend time with family, mark your calendars for our High School Fair Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Eastside Early College High School and International High School (900 Thompson St.).
And thanks to everyone who came to our
Remember, you can learn more and apply for all of our programs at .
Let’s get into it.
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1 big thing: We’re finalizing the scorecard
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We’ll soon have a new way to track how the district is meeting its student performance goals — a scorecard.
Why it matters: Accountability is important and families need to make sure we’re doing what we set out to do: prepare every student for college, careers and life.
The draft scorecard measures key goals identified by the Superintendent and Board of Trustees, including reading and math scores for economically disadvantaged students, teacher and student wellbeing, and college, career, and military readiness.
Students who are identified as economically disadvantaged are the primary focus of the draft scorecard’s goals because we know when that group succeeds, it’s most likely that all students are succeeding.
Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said the district was looking for “the highest lever” in which to measure student outcomes and 86 percent of students in Austin ISD who are economically disadvantaged are Black or Hispanic.
What’s next: The board will continue to refine the draft scorecard at its Dec. 2 information session and plans to vote on a final scorecard Dec. 16.
Dive deeper: You can see the full draft scorecard here, but know that it’s likely to change before a final vote.
Scott’s thought bubble: Let’s be real, the story of Austin ISD has been the story of two school districts for a long time.
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2. Welcome back, virtual school families
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It’s time for our virtual school families to come home.
Why it matters: About 2,600 students across more than 100 campuses were enrolled in our virtual program since the start of school, and that program is wrapping up Dec. 17.
Because we have a unified curriculum, we’re expecting students who are rejoining their home campus to be up to speed with their in-person counterparts.
Yes, but:We know our Austin ISD families and students will do everything possible to make these students feel welcome, many of whom haven’t been in a physical school building for almost two years.
Dive deeper: You can read more about the transition plans and resources for our virtual families on our FAQ page.
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3. Austin ISD Teacher Receives International Recognition for Innovative Instruction
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An Austin ISD teacher who is also a published children’s book writer and celebrated TED-Ed video creator has notched up another recognition — The Outstanding Young Persons Award by Junior Chamber International in Taiwan.
Why it matters: Joy Lin is a celebrated international figure who is helping educate students here in Austin ISD. She currently teaches students who are in the state hospital or homebound.
Lin first gained recognition for herincorporating math and science lessons with superheroes and their powers.
She’s gone on to publish eight children’s books, present at TED-X and give annual lectures at San Diego Comic-Con.
What they’re saying:"My life mission is to reach as many science teachers as possible to make the curriculum more interesting and engaging," Lin said.
Dive deeper: Learn more about Lin and her life at our website.
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4. Myth busting: About those bathroom doors…
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Our very own Cristina Nguyen (who writes the staff newsletter) has a new job — Myth Buster. This will be an ongoing series where she digs into some of the rumors swirling in our community and tells it to you straight.
Here’s how it’ll work:
I’ll let Cristina take it from here:
This myth has traveled so far that it recently made international headlines, including:
Austin, Texas, high school removes bathroom doors due to safety concerns
The truth: The exterior doors to the bathrooms were removed, but all stall doors are still there—just like an airport!
Dig deeper: This isn’t happening in isolation.
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The Office of School Leadershipsurveyed 18 high school campuses earlier this year on bathroom doors.
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Half of the schoolseither do not have exterior doors on the bathrooms or prop the doors open.
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New campuses, like Eastside Early College High School and International High School, don’t have doors at all. All bathrooms are gender-neutral stalls that lock.
The bottom line: We’re not making students use the restroom out in the open.
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5. Pancho Panther Finds His New Home
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Don’t miss this hilarious (and informative!) looking for his new home among our modernized schools.
His first stop…Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders.
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Our COVID cases are up again this week on all counts.
Student cases increased by 33%, going from 36 to 48 cases.
Yes, but: Our total cases still represent only 0.07% of our total in-person students and staff.
The big picture: We can’t say it enough: mask up! Get vaccinated! We can beat this thing.
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7. Let’s Talk Question of the Week: Vaccine and Testing Info
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Families can ask us anything viaLet’s Talk, our two-way question and answer platform. Each week, we highlight some of the questions we get that might help you.
The Question: Will the 11 testing hubs be open during Thanksgiving break?
Answer: No. All facilities will reopen after the break, so our testing sites won’t be open.
Go deeper: Our vaccination sites are also restarting during the break.
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Check out our schedule to get your booster or your child vaccinated.
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We’ve got another districtwide 5-11 vaccine clinic this Saturday, Nov. 20 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Austin ISD Central Office (4000 S. I-35, Austin, TX).
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If you miss one of our clinics, don’t forget to with your doctor, pediatrician or pharmacy.
P.S. Did you see the feel brave getting the COVID vaccine? These dogs are adorable, but also highly-trained professionals through the Austin Dog Alliance.
Submit your own questions via Let’s Talk by going toor texting 512-886-6434.
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