| Happy almost Halloween!Hit the reply button to send us your kids Halloween costumes, or tag us on Twitter or Facebook. Our favorites will be featured in the newsletter next week.And now to the news |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Scott Thomas Oct 29, 2021
Smart Brevity count: 6 mins... 1612 words
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Happy almost Halloween!
Hit the reply button to send us your kids Halloween costumes, or tag us on Twitter or Facebook. Our favorites will be featured in the newsletter next week.
And now to the news
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1 Big Thing: One application for all our programs
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Weve streamlined our application process for programs across 熱えapp so you only have to fill out one.
Why it matters: Before, if you wanted your student to apply to LASA High School, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, and an Early College High School program, youd be filling out three different applications.
Getting started: Youll need your 熱えapp portal login credentials.
Yes, but: Some programs may require an essay, report cards or other materials. Check the application or reach out to the program for details.
Go deeper: Explore our programs泭at our new , which details information on these programs and more.泭
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For instance, did you know that we have a at LBJ Early College High School?泭
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Or that your student can earn two years of free college before they even get their high school diploma?泭
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You can also read more about the cybersecurity program at Northeast Early College High School later in this newsletter.
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2. Its time to talk budget泭
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Were starting budget discussions earlier this year so we can be sure were all on the same page on big decisions for our district.泭
Why it matters: We typically start discussing the budget in the spring semester with community meetings. However, oftentimes the big decisions have been made.泭
Big picture:泭I wont lie were in a tough position when it comes to the budget. Weve approved deficit budgets for nine of the past 11 years, meaning weve dipped into our savings year after year.泭
Go deeper: Dip your toe in the budget waters next week at the Budget 101 virtual meeting.
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Youll learn the basics of our budget, including how schools are funded and how campuses make decisions about staff and programs.
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and join us Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.泭
What's next: Well have community conversations in January, so keep an eye out for more on that.泭
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3. Coats for Kids now accepting donations, requests for coats泭
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Winter is coming and its time to get our kids bundled up.泭
Why it matters: 泭Coats for Kids brings our community together to give free coats to kids each year.泭泭
Go deeper:泭Coats for Kids is sponsored by the Junior League of Austin in collaboration with 熱えapp.泭
Big picture: Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch can register to get a free coat.泭
Get involved:泭 to any 泭or to the Junior League. Every $20 pays for one coat.泭
If youre competitive, theres also a campus competition for the elementary, middle and high school that donates the most coats.
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4. Have it All: STEM learning center to house cybersecurity and more
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Students can now take advantage of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning center that will house the cybersecurity program at Northeast Early College High School.
Why it matters: The center will support a program that allows students to earn two years of free college. Its all a part of the Pathways in Technology Program (what we call P-TECH).
Its not just cybersecurity, the center includes a working data center, virtual reality and esports areas.泭泭
What theyre saying: Our scholars are embarking upon careers in the STEM field that have yet to be created, said Creslond Fannin, executive director of Early College High Schools & Pathways in Technology.
By the numbers:泭The demand for jobs in the cybersecurity industry is increasing, .
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Employment in information security is projected to grow 33 percent from 2020 to 2030.
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According to the computer and tech jobs are the most in-demand. In 2020, the tech industry grew by 3.5% in Austin even while total jobs fell by 2.9%.
Dive deeper:泭If youre interested, fill out the
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5. Covid Update: Vaccines almost here for K-6 students
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Not only are cases continuing to decline, but were right on the cusp of having vaccines for our 5-11-year-old students.
Why it matters: Vaccines are the best way to protect against COVID-19. The more people we can get vaccinated, especially our younger students, the better.泭
Go deeper:泭Tuesday, an independent泭泭for emergency use authorization for ages 5-11.泭
Yes, but:泭The FDA and CDC emergency use authorization are big steps toward getting our students vaccinated, but there will still be work needed on the state level, such as deciding where to send vaccines.泭
What's next:泭If approved, were hoping we can begin offering vaccines at our campus-based clinics starting the week of Nov. 15.
Flu shots are also important.泭
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All campuses are hosting flu clinics泭this fall and virtual learners are more than welcome to attend.泭
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Flu shots are free泭and we encourage you to get your flu shot before winter break.泭
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Find a flu clinic泭on the 熱えapp website.
Scotts thought bubble:泭Its hard not to feel optimistic, but weve been here before, and letting our guard down led to the most recent spike. So lets continue to wear masks, get vaccinated, and avoid large crowds when we can.
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6. 熱えapps own selected as Bilingual Teacher of the Year
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Travis Heights Elementary teacher Luz Alvarez-Sims was named the 2021 Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year.
Why it matters: Were proud of our educators and are thrilled theyre being recognized for their skills and talent.
About the award: The recognition was given by the Texas Association for Bilingual Education. They said they selected Alvarez-Sims for泭her dedication to the needs of emergent bilingual students and her outstanding leadership.
As the fourth-grade bilingual teacher at Travis Heights Elementary, Alvarez-Sims teaches students in English and Spanish and focuses on the importance of cultural diversity.
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Alvarez-Sims, a 14-year veteran, began by teaching bilingual classes in middle school for six years then moved to teach fourth-grade, which is where shes stayed since.
What theyre saying:泭泭Serving as a bilingual educator has given me the opportunity to create equitable and welcoming environments for our comunidad, she said.
Dive deeper: Learn more about Alvarez-Sims and the award on our website.泭
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7. Lets Talk Question of the Week: Can we opt out of testing?泭
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Families can ask us anything via泭Lets Talk, our two-way question and answer platform. Each week, we highlight some of the questions we get that might help you.
Someone who hid their name asks: Can we reduce the number of assessments our students are taking or opt-out of them?泭
Answer:泭Opting out or reducing the number of tests isnt in the cards right now,泭but泭theres no reason to stress about them either.
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These assessments, including short-cycle assessments and MAP Growth, are just a way for us to collect data on how our students are doing coming out of the pandemic.
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Weve also reduced the number of short-cycle assessments compared to previous years.
Even more important:泭these tests provide data on an individual student level, allowing teachers to craft lesson plans or reteach on specific areas of focus.
Submit your own questions via Lets Talk by going to泭泭or texting 512-886-6434.
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8. Extra Credit: links for the week
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熱えapp Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde and district advocate Gloria Vera-Bedolla were among 32 local Latino leaders honored at the Habla con Orgullo awards this month for their strong representation of the Hispanic community.
Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders was featured by as泭a place where they can learn academics, but also where they can learn how to pave their own paths.
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