It's hard to believe we are already well into the month of November and the calendar is going to continue to fill up with both academic projects and extra-curricular activities. Please keep your eye on the calendar to make sure you're keeping up with the many good things going on in our Barton Hills community. With that in mind, I want to draw your attention to just a few things included in this week's Update:

• Monday is our special Veterans' Day Assembly. We will start at 8:30 and there is a special RSVP below.
• There is a parent orientation for our Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons on Tuesday, November 12 at 5 pm for those interested.
• We will have our annual Thanksgiving Day Lunch on Thursday, November 14th There will be a special menu; tickets will need to be purchased in advance, changes in the schedule, and an RSVP so we can print out visitor badges and be efficient. Please be sure to read the information below and use the special RSVP if you plan to attend (in addition to purchasing your food tickets online).

As always, thank you for your support of our school and community.

Kati Achtermann, Principal

November 11 - Special Veterans' Day Assembly

November 12: Human Sexuality and Responsibility Parent Orientation - 5:00 - 5:30

November 14 - Turkey Day Lunch! (more info coming)

November 21 - STEAM Day and Day of Drumming during PE Times for students

November 25 - 29 Fall Break

December 16: Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons Begin for K-5th Grades

December 20: Last Day of School for First Semester

December 23-January 3: Winter Break!

Families Helping Families is a program designed to provide assistance for Barton Hills’ families during the holidays. We would like to invite you to participate in the confidential program if you feel your family might need assistance during this holiday season. We also invite sponsors to fill out a form if you would like to help a family this year.

Please review and fill out the form below if you would like assistance or to sponsor a family.

Questions, please email Stephanie White @ stephanie.l.white@austinsid.org

Click this link if you need Holiday Assistance

https://forms.gle/2gLP8FUKj7wdoTqz7

Click this link if you would like to sponsor a family

https://forms.gle/zvKJbWDhMgEn8TU27

Kindly,

Stephanie K. White, M.A., MEd., CSC, LPC

GT, ESL and National Board Certified

Counselor, Barton Hills Elementary School

HSR lessons are taught to those students in grades K-12 whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have provided written permission by way of the opt-in or permission letter. This letter is sent home by the student’s campus classroom teacher three weeks prior to the beginning of the HSR unit. Implementation is slated to take place annually in December.

We will hold a parent Orientation on Tuesday, November 12th at 5:00 pm in the library. The purpose of the session is to detail the process of implementation of the HSR program and the permission process.

We would like to honor any BHE connected Veterans on Monday, November 11th, 2024. Please plan to arrive between 7:30 and 8:15 to check in at the office and enjoy some refreshments. Students will connect with their Veteran guests at 8:20 and the assembly will begin at 8:30.

Remember to wear red, white, and blue!

There's a proposal to expand MoPac south of downtown, and your voice is needed at a meeting on November 12! This would be a major project that would impact every family who uses MoPac to get to or from school and work. That includes families who have or will someday have students at Austin High.

The proposal has been developed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and the project would stretch from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane.

The details about impacts to traffic near Austin High and access between MoPac and the campus are especially important for our community to understand and weigh in on. Your input can help ensure all aspects are considered, including potential impacts on travel time, traffic, and safety - including the safety of new high school drivers.

There are a few ways to learn more and make your voice heard:

• Attend a meeting at Austin High on November 12 to talk with the MoPac South team about details about the plans and to share your input. It's an open house that runs from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and it's open to the community.

  
  

• Attend a virtual open house online, where you can see the materials online beginning at 5:00 on November 12.

  
  

• Share your comments about the project no later than December 29. You can comment at the meeting, by email, by mail or online. An online comment form will be available beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, until Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (No link is available yet.) You can also email MoPacSouth@ctrma.org or send a letter to Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, c/o MoPac South Environmental Study, 3300 N I-H 35, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78705

  
  

• Learn about the project's history, follow developments, and sign up for updates at https://www.mopacsouth.com/

Enrollment during this period is open to all new and returning Austin ISD students. Students interested in admissions- and campus-based programs must complete their enrollment and any campus-specific application requirements on or before February 4, 2025

https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

The Austin Powwow and American Indian Festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Travis Expo Center (7311 Decker Ln. Austin, TX 78724).

The event includes traditional dance competitions, singers, musicians, artists, craftsmen, and a Native American market and food court. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE. Adult tickets can be purchased online for $7 or at the gate for $10, cash only.

The Austin High Band is holding a Tamale Fundraier. Use the QR code above or click on this order form link:

The School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is a school board-appointed advisory group of individuals representing different community segments. By law, most of the members must be parents of students enrolled in the district who are not employed by the district. The AISD SHAC comprises parents, community members, students, and school staff working together to improve the health of all students and families through coordinated school health programs. Texas law requires all school districts to have a SHAC, and that notice must be posted at least 72 hours before each SHAC meeting “on a bulletin board in the central administrative office of each campus in the school district” (TEC Section 28.004).

The SHAC typically holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month, with the exception of December and July. The meetings are from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and are held on the 2nd floor of the AISD Headquarters Building located at 4000 S. I-H 35 Frontage Rd. Austin, TX 78704 or virtually.

SHAC Meeting Dates and Locations

• SHAC Agenda November 7, 2024 (English)

• SHAC Agenda November 7, 2024 (Spanish)

DATE

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 - 9:00 am to 11:40 am

This year, we're excited to announce a new addition to our TFS program! For the first time ever, we'll be hosting a live event where families can meet our TFS presenters and other community members in person. There will be a panel discussion on important topics like parental stress and Austin ISD's emergency plans.
This will offer an opportunity to build meaningful relationships between families, schools, and the community.

Location: Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
We hope to see you there!

Everyone is welcome!

Please use this form to register for this event.

Este año, ¡hay una gran novedad en nuestro programa TFS(Tools for Success)! Por primera vez, tendremos un evento en vivo donde las familias podrán conocer en persona a nuestros presentadores de TFS y a otros miembros de la comunidad. Habrá un panel de discusión sobre temas importantes como el estrés de los padres y los planes de emergencia de Austin ISD.

¡Será una oportunidad única para crear relaciones significativas entre las familias, las escuelas y la comunidad!

Lugar: Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library, 710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701

¡Todos son bienvenidos!

Favor de utilizar este formulario para registrarse para el evento.

We are happy to share the new and updated process to be a volunteer with Barton Hills. AISD changed the system for volunteer registration and background checks so it has taken us a little longer than usual to get the information out to you. All BHE volunteers who will be in contact with children must complete a background check. Background checks are good for one year. If you’re a new volunteer or haven’t done a background check in the current school year, please click the link and follow the directions below. It’s quick and easy!

To begin the volunteer approval process, please click on the link below.

Austin ISD Volunteers

Questions? Contact our Administrative Assistant, Kathy Carr, at mary.k.carr@austinisd.org.

We are excited to share the details of our upcoming Family Empower Hour sessions which provide valuable information and support to our students' families. The Family Empower Hour schedule is also available on the external AISD Special Education website. Families can also access recordings from previous offerings, as well.

The Responsible Use Policy is now in place. Acknowledgement and adherence to the RUP is applicable each time anyone uses an AISD device, logs into our network and/or accesses the AISD portal and related applications. Please take time to review the K-5 Responsible Use Policy

Please see information below on the AISD Student Success Guide for the 24-25 School Year:

Education in this community represents a significant commitment of financial and human resources. The benefits a student derives from this investment depend very much on the student's attitude toward learning and the student's adherence to high standards of behavior.

The Student Code of Conduct that follows is the district's specific response to requirements of Chapter 37: Discipline; Law And Order of the Texas Education Code. The law requires the district to define misconduct that may or must result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences.

This code is an outgrowth of collaboration among district and campus staff, parents, and other community members and was adopted by the AISD Board of Trustees. It provides information and direction to students and parents regarding standards of behavior as well as consequences of misconduct. In the case of conflict between the Student Code of Conduct and board policy, the Student Code of Conduct will prevail.

• Please send in documentation of student absences using the School Absence Form on the AISD website or complete a paper form (pick up in Front Office).
• We, DO NOT accept phone calls or voicemail messages as documentation for a student's absence.
• Please have medical offices submit documentation of your student’s visit to “bartonhills@austinisd.org”.
• Please allow up to 72 hours (3 business days) for attendance to be corrected.
• Set up notifications for your student’s attendance and grades via Parent Self Serve.
• Students attending family trips during scheduled school days will remain coded as an unexcused absence. Car problems, traffic, or oversleeping will not be considered as an excused absence or excused tardy.

A student is tardy if he/she is not with their homeroom teacher when the 7:40 bell rings. If you arrive late to school, your student will be required to come to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.

What to do if your student must leave school early:

• When you arrive to Barton Hills to pick up your student, please be prepared with your photo I.D. Your student will be called to the attendance office to leave campus.

• Please do not plan to pick up your student from school 30 minutes prior to dismissal (ie 2:40 PM).

• You must sign the student out in the office. Leaving for any part of the day will result in an unexcused tardy. Students leaving for a medical appointment must bring a note from the doctor to excuse the absence/tardy.

For more information visit the district's attendance page.

AISD is launching a new App. Please see the flyer for QR Code

Maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for our students is our top priority. 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. Please help us keep everyone safe.

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.

• Third Base 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 three 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 360 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.

AISD Weather Guidelines

• Temperature guidelines have been established in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students participating in outdoor activities at Austin ISD.

• The listed temperatures, heat indexes, and wind-chill factors are designated figures for terminating and/or modifying outdoor activities including: Athletics, Fine Arts, PE, and recess.

• AISD_Temperature Weather Guidelines

• BHE Eagle Ultimate Frisbee Team
• Thursday, 3:15pm-4:30pm
• September 26-November 14 (8 weeks)
• Barton Hills Sports Field
• Sliding Scale Registration Options
• More information and registration at www.tusculti.com

Website: bartonhills.austinschools.org/schoool
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013
Facebook: facebook.com/BartonhillsPTA
Twitter: @bheeagles

Instagram: bheeagles