Hello BHE Families:

Happy end of March! I hope everyone had a restful Spring Break. We've had a busy week back and Thursday was particularly fun. We had an amazing performance from Austin High Ballet Folklorico who shared dances from Mexico. Then we had our Buddy Lunch! While we had intended to do outside, the weather was less than cooperative so we turned it into a picnic in the cafeteria! I hope your student shared about these two events. Thank you to families sending in pictures for our family bulletin board. It's not too late if you would still like to do that we'd be happy to add your picture!

You may have also noticed that the perimeter fencing project was completed during Spring Break. This means access to the park/playground area of the school is not accessible after school until we unlock the gates. We will do our best to unlock the Barton Hills side access gate by 3:30. Please do not hold open the walk-through gate at the top of the stairs or encourage students to climb over the fence. We want everyone to be safe. Additionally, the back parking lot gate will be closed and locked after 7:30 a.m. The back parking lot should never be used as a drop-off spot for students. We know this will impact some habits and appreciate your help as we all adjust to the changes.

I wanted to draw your attention to our Early Learning Day on Wednesday, April 2nd. This is our time to welcome incoming Kindergarteners for the 25-26 school year and provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about Kinder. If you have an incoming kindergartener or know someone who does, please pass along the information.

Please see additional sections in the newsletter about campus visitors during STAAR testing dates and our Spring Class and Individual Picture day.

And finally we have a student and staff holiday on Monday, March 31st for Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta Day. We'll do our assembly on Tuesday, April 1st (no fooling).

Kati Achtermann, Principal

March 31 - Student and Staff Holiday - Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta Day/ Eid al-Fitr

April 8 - Spring Class and Individual Picture Day

April 9 - STAAR Reading/ELAR 3rd - 5th Grade

April 10 - STAAR Make Up - Reading/ELAR 3rd - 5th Grade

April 11 - Austin High Field trip for Kinder, Third, Fifth Grades

April 16 - STAAR Science - 5th Grade

April 17 - STAAR Science - 5th Grade Make Up

April 23 - STAAR Math 3rd - 5th Grade

April 24 - STAAR Math 3rd - 5th Grade Make Up

May 2 - Austin High Field Trip for First, Second and Fourth Grades

Photo Texas will be here on Tuesday, April 8th for Spring Individual and Class picture Day. Order forms will be coming home next week but if you would like to order/pay online please see the following links:
Online order links:
Class Group: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001230203
Spring Individuals: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001231925

On STAAR testing days our campus will be closed to visitors - including lunch visits for all grade levels. Please note the following days:
Wednesday, April 9

Wednesday April 16

Wednesday, April 23

We will likely have schedule changes on these days as well to accommodate the testing grades. Thank you for your understanding.

Dear Families,

This week, our school community will focus on the character strength of Humor. Humor means enjoying laughter and bringing smiles to others.

Humor helps us see the lighter side of things, making tough times easier and more fun. It doesn't mean you have to tell jokes, but people with humor often notice the funny moments in life and share them with others. Humor can lift people's spirits and help them through challenges. It’s important to help students understand how to use humor in a kind way, to lift others up, and never at someone else's expense.

To practice and encourage the character strength of humor at home, please visit The Positivity Project’s mobile-friendly P2 for Families (available in English and Spanish), where you will watch a video together and discuss a quote and three questions. Below are links to this week’s P2 for Families lessons. Click on the grade level that best meets your child’s needs.

Pre-K–K

Grades 1–2

Grades 3–5

Thank you for your support!

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, families, community members, and staff are invited to attend a three-part, virtual learning series focused on Autism hosted by VELA. Click on the links for more information about these opportunities Autism Learning Series (Eng), Autism Learning Series (Spn) .

Austin ISD’s Tools for Success (TFS) is a series of virtual sessions that aim to empower families by sharing Austin ISD services, programs and community resources.

Dear Barton Hills Community,

I want to ensure that our entire community is aware of the potential risks associated with the recent uptick in reported measles cases in the U.S and globally.

What you need to know

While at this time we have no reported cases in Austin ISD, measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially severe or deadly illness that presents the greatest risk to young children, particularly those that are unvaccinated.

It is uncommon for someone who is fully vaccinated to develop measles. Two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, and one dose is 93% effective. However, breakthrough infections (when someone becomes infected after they have been vaccinated) can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak where high levels of the measles virus are circulating.

Measles elimination hinges on vaccination coverage above 95% to retain sufficient community protection. The CDC recommends that children get two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults should also be up to date on their MMR vaccinations.

Campus Vaccination Rates

Currently, our school has a MMR vaccination rate of 94.7%. Below you can see the rate broken down by grade level. Please note that PreK students are not included in these rates as they follow the Childcare Vaccination Schedule and are not tracked by the state until Kindergarten.

• Kinder – 94.90%

• 1st grade - 97.60%

• 2nd grade –94.90%

• 3rd grade – 93.00%

• 4th grade – 96.50%

• 5th grade – 92.20%

If your child is not up to date on vaccinations or if you are unsure, please contact a health care provider. If you have questions about our records, contact our health room staff, Detra Gentry, BSN, RN, Director, Ascension Seton Student Health Services at Austin ISD], at 512-680-7529|detra.gentry@austinisd.org.

Infections and Close Contacts

If your child develops measles symptoms, including a rash, fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, please keep your child at home and consult your medical provider for further guidance.

If your child is not vaccinated, they may have to quarantine for 21 days if exposed to measles. After exposure, students can return to school if they receive a measles vaccine within 72 hours of the exposure.

For more information about measles, visit our Health Services and Nursing website where we will provide updates. You can also find the latest information on measles in Austin-Travis County at austintexas.gov/measles.

Thank you for your attention to this matter so that we can keep our community safe

***************************************************************************************************

Asunto: Actualización sobre la preparación para el sarampión

Estimada comunidad de la Barton Hills:

Quiero asegurarme de que toda nuestra comunidad esté consciente de los posibles riesgos asociados con el reciente repunte en los casos de sarampión reportados en los EE. UU. y a nivel global.

Lo que deben saber

Aunque en este momento no tenemos casos reportados en el Austin ISD, el sarampión es una enfermedad transmitida por el aire, extremadamente contagiosa y potencialmente grave o fatal, que presenta el mayor riesgo en niños pequeños, especialmente aquellos que no están vacunados.

Es inusual que el sarampión se incube en una persona con un cuadro completo de vacunación. Dos dosis de la vacuna contra el sarampión, las paperas y la rubeola (MMR, por sus siglas en inglés) tienen un 97% de eficacia para prevenir el sarampión, y una dosis tiene un 93% de eficacia. Sin embargo, las infecciones postvacunación (cuando alguien se contagia después de haberse vacunado) pueden ocurrir, especialmente en comunidades con un brote en el que altos niveles del virus del sarampión estén circulando.

La eliminación del sarampión depende de una cobertura de la vacunación del 95% para retener suficiente protección comunitaria. Los CDC recomiendan que los niños se pongan dos dosis de la vacuna contra el MMR, comenzando con la primera dosis a los 12 a 15 meses de edad y la segunda dosis a los 4 a 6 años. Los adolescentes y adultos también deben estar al día con sus vacunas contra el MMR.

Tasas de vacunación escolar

Actualmente, nuestra escuela tiene una tasa de vacunación contra el MMR de 94.7%. Abajo pueden ver la tasa separada por grado. Tenga en cuenta que los estudiantes de PreK no están incluidos en estas tarifas, ya que siguen el Calendario de Vacunación Infantil y no son rastreados por el estado hasta el Kindergarten.

• Kínder: 94.90%

• 1 grado: 97.6%

• 2 grado: 94.9%

• 3 grado: 93.00%

• 4 grado: 96.5%

• 5 grado: 92.20%

Si sus niños no están al día con sus vacunas o si ustedes no están seguros si lo están, por favor, comuníquense con un proveedor de atención médica para ponerse al día. Si tienen preguntas sobre nuestros expedientes, comuníquense con nuestro personal de enfermería,Detra Gentry, BSN, RN, Director, Ascension Seton Student Health Services at Austin ISD], at 512-680-7529|detra.gentry@austinisd.org.

Contagios y contacto cercano

Si sus niños tienen síntomas de sarampión, incluyendo un sarpullido, fiebre, tos, secreción nasal y ojos rojos, por favor, déjenlos en casa y consulten con su proveedor médico para que les dé más instrucciones.

Si sus niños no están vacunados, es posible que tengan que hacer una cuarentena de 21 días si se exponen al sarampión. Después de la exposición, los estudiantes pueden regresar a clases si se ponen la vacuna contra el sarampión antes de que pasen 72 horas de la exposición.

Para más información sobre el sarampión, visiten nuestro sitio web de Servicios de Salud y Enfermería, donde proveeremos actualizaciones. También pueden encontrar la información más reciente sobre el sarampión en Austin-condado de Travis en austintexas.gov/measles.

Gracias por su atención a este asunto para que podamos mantener segura a nuestra comunidad.

Are you looking for a summer camp opportunity? We get lots of requests to share summer camp information with parents. BHE does not endorse any of these camps - we are providing the flyers as a resource for you. Please click on the link below to see some of the offerings.

Austin ISD invites all Gifted and Talented students to participate in a district-wide showcase! Projects may be entered into the showcase through April 11, 2025. This year's theme is "This is Our Story!" Please see the flyer below for more information and click on the button for the Showcase Website!

Austin ISD’s Tools for Success (TFS) is a series of virtual sessions to empower families to learn more about Austin ISD services, programs, and community resources. Please see the link below for the topics and dates.

Austin ISD trustees approved the calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years during its Regular Voting Meeting Dec. 19.

The final calendar version for both school years were developed by the Calendar Task Force and include faith based and cultural observances and staff development days:

• This includes Spring Break aligning with the University of Texas calendar (the third week of March).

• For the 2025-26 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 19 and the last day of class will be May 28, 2026.

• For the 2026-27 school year, the first day of class for students will be Aug. 18 and the last day of class will be May 27, 2027.

• The total number of student instructional days is 169.

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.

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

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