Family Connects

Welcome to the first Family Connects newsletter for the 2024-25 school year! This is Bastrop ISD's bi-weekly e-newsletter featuring District news, announcements, resources, and more.

School starts on Wednesday, August 14, and we are so excited to kick-off the 2024-25 school year with all of our students and staff. Make sure to visit our Back to School website for important links and resources to get you started for the new school year!

August 12: Elementary Meet the Teacher, 4:30 - 6 p.m.

August 14: First Day of School

August 20: BISD Board Meeting, PAC, 5:30 p.m.

September 2: Student & Staff Holiday (Labor Day)

Bastrop ISD is proud to announce that Elizabeth Eagan, our dedicated Special Education teacher for students with visual impairments, has been named the Region 13 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Read more...

Bastrop ISD is pleased to announce that all schools will offer free breakfast and free lunch to all students under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2024-2025 school year. All Bastrop ISD schools qualify to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to ensure students receive nutritious meals at no cost to families.

Parents will not need to complete the comprehensive free lunch application this year. Instead, you will fill out a simple socioeconomic form during online registration. Providing accurate socioeconomic status benefits your child and the district. BISD receives critical federal, state and grant funding based on the completion of the socioeconomic forms.

Although initial meals are free, students may choose to purchase additional food. Prices and payment options can be found here.

Campus Menus

View breakfast and lunch menus on our website at www.bisdtx.org/menu.

The Eagle Bites Food Pantry will reopen on August 21 from 3:45-5:45 pm at Cedar Creek Elementary, Portable 13. This Feeding Futures Food Pantry is open every Wednesday, to all Bastrop ISD families. Please bring a reuseable shopping bag to gather items at the food pantry.

Questions? Call 512-772-7180.

As we gear up for another great school year, we wanted to highlight how important student attendance is for academic and social-emotional growth in each and every student in Bastrop ISD. Parents can play a significant role in improving their child's school attendance. Here are five tips to help boost and maintain good attendance:

1. Establish a Routine: Create a consistent daily schedule that includes regular bedtimes and wake-up times. A well-rested child is more likely to attend school regularly and be attentive during class.

2. Prepare for the Day: Get school clothes and supplies ready the night before to make mornings less hectic. This can help reduce stress and ensure that the child is prepared and motivated to attend school.

3. Communicate with the School: Stay in touch with teachers and school officials. If there are issues affecting your child's attendance, such as health problems or family issues, communicate with the school to find solutions and support.

4. Promote the Importance of School: Help your child understand the value of education and how regular attendance contributes to their future success. Share positive stories about school and learning to build a positive attitude. Draw comparisons between other areas of life, such as sporting events and parents’ work schedules, to understand that consistent punctuality and attendance are lifelong skills that all successful individuals must develop.

5. Encourage Participation: Get involved in your child’s education by attending school events, helping with homework, and showing interest in their school activities. When children feel supported and valued in what they do at school, they are more likely to attend regularly.

By implementing these strategies, parents can help foster a positive attitude towards school and improve their child's attendance.

Returning Students: Returning Student Verification is required for all students that are currently enrolled in Bastrop ISD and returning for the 2024-25 school year.

New Students: Parents must complete New Student Enrollment for any child that is new to Bastrop ISD or if they have not been enrolled in the previous six months.

Visit www.bisdtx.org/registration for more details.

Monday, August 12 from 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Meet the Teacher Night will occur at all Bastrop ISD elementary schools from 4:30 - 6 p.m. on Monday, August 12. For more information or questions, please contact your elementary campus.

Dates & Times Vary

Our secondary schools are hosting orientation events for incoming 6th, 7th & 9th grade students. Dates, times and details for each orientation vary and information specific to each campus can be found on our website. For questions, please contact you campus.

ELEMENTARY (Grades PK - 5)

BootUp 1:1 is a Technology Initiative in Bastrop ISD that assigns Chromebooks to all 6th through 12th grade* students for use at school and home.

Device Protection Plan

We are proud to provide devices for all students and require parent partnership to support the effort. The Bastrop Protection Plan is an affordable way to ensure that families are protected in the event of accident, damage, theft, or loss. The fee is only $25 for the first child in the household and a discounted $15 for each child after that. Returning students that had no claims in 23-24 school year can carry over their fee for the 24-25 school year.

*This year Cedar Creek Elementary 3rd- 5th grade students will be part of the BootUp 1:1 Initiative. CCE families will receive additional communication from the campus.

Bus information will be available in your Skyward Family Access* account beginning August 2, and our transportation call center will open on August 5. Please be patient and expect buses to run behind the first couple of weeks of school.

Is your student signed up for bus service?
In order to receive bus transportation beginning the first day of school, you must complete online registration/verification through Skyward by August 11. When completing registration indicate that you need transportation on the directory form.

*If you cannot login to your Skyward account please do not contact the Transportation office, instead contact registrationhelp@bisdtx.org.

Is your child up to date on all immunizations required to start school on August 14? Visit bisdtx.org/shots for more information on immunization requirements. If your student receives immunizations over the summer, please email them to vaccines@bisdtx.org

Medication safety is of the utmost importance Bastrop ISD and a doctor’s order is required for any medications brought to school, both prescription and over the counter. If you need to request a doctor’s order, we encourage you to do so now to make sure you have the necessary documentation as we start the school year. Visit bisdtx.org/medication to print the Physician Authorization form.

Bastrop ISD has multiple opportunities available for parents and the community to volunteer and mentor in our schools. Visit our website at www.bisdtx.org/volunteer to learn more and complete the required application.

A volunteer application must be completed and approved if you plan to attend school field trips with your student.

Is your contact information up to date?

We use the contact information you've provided in your Skyward account to connect with you via email, text and phone calls. It's important to keep this information updated at all times to ensure you don't miss important communications from your campus or the District.

Follow Bastrop ISD and your campus on social media!

Follow our social media accounts for news, updates, student achievements and more! Visit our social media website for a list of pages to stay connected with us!