News for the Nest
October 24, 2025
A newsletter for Clayton families from school leadership and the PTA
Upcoming Events
๐งกTake Care of Clayton Week ๐งก(details below)
๐Fall Book Fair Week๐
Monday, Oct 27
- ๐งก Wear your favorite sports gear
- ๐ Book Fair! 8:00am-4:15pm
Tuesday, Oct 28 ๐Happy Birthday to Ms. Scheffke, 5th Grade Teacher!๐
- ๐งก Pajama Day
- ๐ Book Fair! 8:00am-4:15pm
Wednesday, Oct 29 ๐Happy Birthday to Mr, Lucidi, 2nd Grade Teacher!๐
- ๐งก Silly Socks & Hilarious Hair
- ๐ Book Fair! 8:00am-7:00pm
- ๐ ๐ป ๐ PTA Trunk or Treat 5:00pm-7:00pm ๐ ๐ป ๐
Thursday, Oct 30 ๐Happy Birthday to Ms. Luz, Life Skills Teacher!๐
- ๐งก Super Hero day
- ๐ Book Fair! 8:00am-4:15pm
Friday, Oct 31
- ๐งก Wear a costume (guidelines below)
- ๐ Book Fair! 8:00am-12:00pm
- Wear Clayton spirit wear!
Sunday, Nov2
- Dia de los Muertos (bring in pictures, see below)
- Daylight Savings (clocks go back and hour)
Nov 3-17 Art Fundraiser: Original Works
Nov 3 5th Grade Field Trip to Paramount Theater
Nov 4 NO SCHOOL (Staff Development)
Nov 6 Fall Picture Retakes (details below), 2nd Grade Field Trip to Austin Zoo, Science Fair Session
Nov 11 Veteran's Day Assembly (sign up below)
Nov 12 PTA General Member Meeting (presentation on Online Safety, details below)
Nov 13 3rd Grade Field Trip to Laguna Gloria (Bock, Cotton & Crenshaw)
Nov 14 3rd Grade Field Trip to Laguna Gloria (Alvarez & Franklin) & Culture Night! (details below)
Nov 17 Term 1 Report Cards emailed to parents and guardians
๐ Halloween Costumes Allowed ๐
Students may wear Halloween costumes on Friday, October 31 if they choose.
Items NOT allowed are:
pretend weapons
decorative face masks
accessories you hold in your hand
inflatables
Dia de los Muertos: We Want Photos
Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is a holiday paying respects and remembering friends and family members who have died. Clayton will have a display in the school foyer through mid November. Please bring in pictures you want displayed (to the front office) by Friday, Oct 31- be sure your student's name is on the picture so we can get it back to them.
Book Fair Is Here -- Get your eWallet ready
This year we're all "Wild About Clayton", and our book fair is following suit with a "The Wild Reader" theme. The fair always brings added excitement about books and reading, and our profits directly fund our library clerk, Susan Stevens. Consider checking our teacher "wish wall" , where you can purchase a teacher-selected book to help build their classroom library.
We're excited that we'll be open during PTA's new Trunk or Treat event, so you can pop in after your visit.
We accept cash, credit, and the Scholastic ewallet. (Remember to log in and "roll over" unused funds from previous fairs into the current fair.) Here are our hours; we hope to see you here!
Monday (10/27) 8:00 - 4:15
Tuesday (10/28) 8:00 - 4:15
Wednesday (10/29) 8:00 - 7:00 (Come to the Trunk or Treat & stop by the Book Fair!)
Thursday (10/30) 8:00 - 4:15
Friday (10/31) 8:00 - NOON
With appreciation from your Clayton Librarian,
~ Dana Sposeep
Calling all Veterans!
Calling all veterans in the Clayton Community! We want YOUR veteran to participate in the Annual Clayton Veteran's Day Program. Your student will introduce the veteran and then they can sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
Complete the below google form no later than 2:30pm on November 7th.
All community members are invited to enjoy the program
8:00 - Veterans can start arriving and meet up with their student in the library and enjoy some coffee and breakfast goodies (bring your driver's license in order to sign in at the front office)
8:30 - The program will begin in the cafe/gym
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Reach out to Jennifer.daughtry@austinisd.org if you can help out that morning.
Bowie High Starlight Theater Presents: Theatre for Young Audiences
After School Program: ATX Ballers Fall Session 2 Sign Up
Fall Session 2 is from Oct 28-Dec 16. Sign up HERE
Counseling Corner
Zones of Regulation: The Blue Zone
Previously, we learned that the Zones of Regulation as a way to tune into our bodies and understand how we are feeling so that we can regulate appropriately. The Blue Zone is the lowest level of energy and alertness. It serves us well when we want to fall asleep or relax, but can be challenging when we need to focus or work. Some examples of emotions we might experience while in the Blue Zone as tired, sad, or sick.
How to spot the Blue Zone:
Heavy limbs or muscles
Lower energy level
Slow heart rate or breathing
Difficulty focusing
Foggy thinking
When we need to move from Blue into Green because the environment requires more focus and energy, we use strategies that up our energy levels to accomplish this.
Strategies to try in Blue Zone:
Get a drink of water or have a snack
Stretch
Go for a walk
Talk with a friend or trusted adult
Do a preferred activity.
Campaign to Prevent Bullying
October is dedicated to Bullying Prevention. At Austin ISD, we believe that every student has the right to feel safe and supported in their school environment. This month, our schools will focus on raising awareness about bullying, educating students on its various forms, and promoting kindness and inclusion within our community.
Understanding the Difference: Bullying vs. Conflict: It's important for families to understand the difference between bullying and conflict. Bullying is intentional, repeated behavior that aims to harm, intimidate, or control another person. It often involves a power imbalance, where the bully seeks to assert dominance over the victim. Conflict, on the other hand, is a normal part of relationships and can occur when two or more individuals have a disagreement or differing opinions. While conflicts can sometimes be hurtful, they can often be resolved through communication and mutual understanding.
Why Bullying Prevention Matters: Bullying can manifest in many ways, including physical, verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. It not only affects the victims but can also impact bystanders and the overall school climate. Our goal this month is to empower students to recognize bullying, speak out against it, and support one another.
How Parents Can Get Involved:
Discuss: Talk with your child about bullying and encourage open communication. Ask them about their feelings and experiences at school.
Model Kindness: Demonstrate kindness and empathy in your interactions, reinforcing the importance of treating others with respect.
Support School Efforts: Encourage your child to participate in school activities related to bullying prevention and be active in fostering a positive school environment.
We want to ensure that families have access to tools and information to support their children effectively. Below are some valuable resources:
StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive site with information on bullying prevention, types of bullying, and how to report incidents.
National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources and tools for schools and families to work together in preventing bullying.
Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students. Together, we can make a significant impact in preventing bullying and promoting kindness at Clayton.
In Case You Missed It...
Fall Picture Day Retakes
Clayton Garden Club Sign Up & Wishlist
Join Mrs. Phillips & Mrs. Walker on campus after school each Friday! We will alternate between weeding, planting, watering, harvesting, labeling, composting, refilling bird feeders, picking up trash, and feeding the turtles at the Clayton Pond.
Students will stay on campus after dismissal & meet Mrs. Walker & Mrs. Phillips in the front foyer. We'll eat a quick snack before we start our activities. Parents are welcome to volunteer with us! Students will be done at 4:15PM and can be picked up at the front of the school or dropped off at Clayton Crew.
Please include your child's name, homeroom teacher, any food allergies, and pick up instructions on the sign up.
News from PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION!
SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TRUNK OR TREAT!!
๐ป ๐ป๐ฌ๐ป๐ Spot sign up below ๐๐ป๐ฌ๐ป๐ป
Remember to sign up for a country booth & be a part of Clayton's Culture Night!
Do you want to help teach our community more about your amazing culture or a culture you are passionate about?
We look forward to seeing all the amazing countries represented on Culture Night!
PTA General Member Meeting
๐ October Teacher Appreciation ๐
Reflections Art Program - Submissions Due Monday!
This is about heart, creativity, and having FUN!
Deadline to submit is October 27, 2025
Questions? Email acpta1@nanclaytonpta.org
Letโs get creative!
Volunteer Opportunities at Clayton!
Complete the form below to indicate interest in volunteer opportunities you want to be in contact about further!
Below is also a link to a list of volunteer opportunities at Clayton this year!
Local Business Partnerships for Teacher Appreciation
Email Erika Fletcher at staffappreciation@nanclaytonpta.org if you are interested!
Partnerships will include providing goodies, snacks, etc. to teachers and staff during our monthly appreciation events! All partnerships will be shared on social media outlets, printed for teachers to see, and in the News for the Nest!