The Knight News

Dear LTMS Families,

School is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome your students to campus! Whether it’s your first year at LTMS or you're returning for another great year, we are honored to partner with you for the 2025–2026 school year.

This week’s newsletter is packed with important details to help you and your student feel ready and confident for the first day of school. From schedules and supplies to arrival procedures and helpful reminders, we’ve got everything you need to make the start of school smooth and successful.

Our team has been hard at work preparing for an incredible year, and we can't wait to welcome your students with open arms, smiling faces, and all the support they need to thrive.

Thanks for being part of the LTMS family, let’s make this year our best yet!

Go Knights!

Ms. Hudson

8/11: 6th Grade Knight Games 8:30-11:00 (Students Only)

• Drop off in the front
• Pick up on the stadium side

8/11: Round Up (All Grades, families welcome) 1:00-4:00

8/13: First Day of School!

MONDAY, August 11th from 8:30 to 11:00 AM

This is a very special event just for 6th grade students to come and have some fun with their new teachers, meet new friends, and get a sneak peek at the campus before school starts. The event is run by our LTMS staff members and is designed to provide our new 6th graders with some great information about what to expect as a middle student. During this event, we will introduce them to new friends, participate in team-building games together, and spend some time getting a feel for becoming a Lake Travis Middle School student.

Please sign up your 6th grade student HERE

ROUND UP (Grades 6-8): MONDAY, August 11th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

All students and families are welcome to attend this event. Please understand that all schedules are tentative and subject to minor adjustments up until the first day of school. Students will be able to access their schedule and locker information through the Skyward app. Hard copies will be available in the student houses, if needed. (No sign up necessary)

Students and families may tour the building, visit the PTO booth in the cafe, speak with Food and Nutrition as well as Transportation in the cafe and of course, find their locker, and walk their class schedule. This is an important day for kids and parents to familiarize themselves with the building and facilities.

Suggested Times:

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

4:10 pm: Students are dismissed

Students in all three grade levels have been assigned required summer reading texts. Note that Honors and On-Level students have a different number of required texts.

• 6th Grade Summer Reading List
• 7th Grade Summer Reading List
• 8th Grade Summer Reading List

The Returning Student Verification Form is required to be completed by the primary parent/guardian as listed in Skyward for all students who will be returning for the 2025-2026 school year. If your child will not be returning to Lake Travis ISD for the 2025-2026 school year, please contact your child’s campus registrar and submit the appropriate withdrawal form. Please note, your account in Skyward Family Access will be limited if this form is not completed by August 1, 2025.

To complete the Returning Student Verification process, log into Skyward Family Access and click on the “Returning Student Verification 2025-2026” tile (refer to image below).

Please note, you will be required to verify and update information on your student, family and residency. Current proof of residency documentation (fully executed lease agreement, signed closing documents, most recent property tax statement, mortgage statement, or property deed in parent/guardian’s name), AND a current utility bill (water, electricity, or gas with parent/guardian’s name) are a required portion of the online form.

While returning students are automatically enrolled for the coming school year, student information must be verified and/or updated annually. Once you have submitted the online form, the tile will no longer be available in Skyward Family Access under the student’s profile. One form must be completed for each student. You can view the online forms that have been submitted by navigating to 1. Main Menu > 2. Online Forms > 3. My Online Forms History (refer to image below).

Keep an eye out for important communication regarding Athletics and PE clothing from our Boys’ Athletics Coordinator, Coach Eilers, and our Girls’ Athletics Coordinator, Coach Abrams. They’ll be sharing everything your student-athlete needs to know to be ready for the school year.

📅 Parent Athletic Meeting
Date: August 7th
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: LTMS Gym

Incoming 6th Graders

These students will receive their Chromebook on Monday, August 18th. This will be facilitated by teachers during class time. Students are not required to have a device before this day.

New Students 7th and 8th

These students will receive their Chromebooks and chargers during the first 3 days of school. These students should go to the LTMS Tech Depot from 8:30-9:30am or during Grow Time.

Returning 7th & 8th Graders

These students will need to bring their fully charged LTISD Chromebook and charger that was already assigned to them to school starting on the first day of school.

View the LTISD Chromebook Handbook here. We highly recommend purchasing the LTShield Chromebook protection plan.

If you have any further questions regarding technology support, feel free to reach out directly to any of the following:

Technology Helpdesk: helpdesk@ltisdschools.org or call 512-533-6565

Returning Students WITH Prior Service

All students who received transportation services this past spring (January 2025 to May 2025) do not need to re-register for the 2025-2026 school year. Your child's ridership will be assigned according to the established routes from last year. However, if you have recently moved, you will need to update your contact information in Skyward Family Access using the "Address Change" tile. This form must be reviewed and verified by the campus registrar before any changes are accepted.

Returning Students WITHOUT Prior Service

Returning students who did not utilize transportation this past spring will need to register for services for the 2025-2026 school year. The form is available in Skyward Family Access and includes a simple checkbox asking if transportation services are needed for the student.

Newly Enrolled Students

Students new to the district who have completed enrollment in Skyward Family Access for the 2025-2026 school year and have elected for transportation services as a part of that process do not need to re-register. Please note, the form can be completed and resubmitted multiple times, so it is normal for parents to still see the Bus Registration tile in Skyward Family Access.

Route Assignments, Updates, and Activation Timelines

Ridership will be assigned according to the routes established in the spring of 2025. For all students who utilized transportation services this past spring and for new registrations entered by July 31, 2025, route assignments will be posted by August 6, 2025 in SMART tag and at Infofinder. Please allow three to five business days to obtain route assignments for any new registrations requested after July 31.

If your child is absent on the first day of school, please contact your campus registrar to establish enrollment and a start date. Transportation routing will be reactivated once your child is present at school during official attendance time. Please allow three business days for this to occur.

• School bus rules are available on our district website on the Transportation page.
• All students will be issued a complimentary Smart Tag badge to start the school year. Replacement badges are available at your campus office for a fee. Smart Tag badges from the last school year will work for this school year.
• Middle school campuses do not use Smart Tag for dismissal purposes. Students are responsible for getting to their location on their own with adult supervision in each area.

It is our priority to keep students and staff safe and focused on high quality education. Therefore, we respectfully require that all visitors sign-in at the office upon entering through the front doors and wear a visitor’s badge while in the building. The badge verifies that you have checked in the office, presented proper identification and made clear the purpose for your visit. In addition, you must have a pre-scheduled meeting with your child's teacher in order to have a parent-teacher conference.

For the first two weeks of school, we will not have visitors for lunch. This allows students time to adjust to school procedures as well as build relationships with classmates.

Deliveries of forgotten items to students should be limited, so that important instructional time is not interrupted. Parents needing to drop off a lunch or other school items to their child will be able to do so by dropping the labeled item(s) in the Main Office. Items will be delivered to the students as soon as possible.

We do not allow lunch deliveries from outside vendors (Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Door Dash etc.).

We will provide an exceptional educational experience for your child, but he/she must be here on time and stay all day for us to do so. The entire school day is needed to deliver the full instructional program.

Arrive before 8:50 am and stay until 4:10 pm every day. If your student is arriving late or leaving early, they may only do so through the Main Office.

ENTERING FUTURE ABSENCES

Parents can enter future absences into Skyward Family Access. This short video will provide you with instructions on how to enter an absence for your child. Once you log into Skyward Family Access, select the “Attendance” tile to enter an absence.

DOCUMENTATION OF ABSENCES

Documentation such as doctors notes for absences can also be uploaded through Skyward. To do this, please log into Skyward Family Access and select the tile labeled “Attendance Documents Upload”. This form will allow you to upload supporting documentation for absences.

Any absences or early release requests submitted for the same day will be accepted prior to 2:00 pm through Skyward. Students will not be released after 3:40 pm until dismissal at 4:10 pm. All supporting documentation must be received within 3 days after the student returns to school.

Please email ltmsattendance@ltisdschools.org with any questions or information regarding your student's absences.

Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs

• Must be dropped off and picked up by a parent/guardian in the health office.

• Must be in the original container, unexpired.

• Parent or guardian must complete and sign the “Request for Medication Administration” form, found HERE (Spanish version)

• Physician signature required for: all prescriptions given more than 10 school days and all nonprescription medications

• Must remain in the health office, not with the student (except for asthma medication and epi-pens with written permission signed by the physician…Spanish version).

Immunization Information

• Texas Law requires all students to be current with their immunizations or have an up-to-date exemption form on file with the school nurse prior to the first day of school. These records must be in the nurse’s office by August 7th to ensure your student will receive their schedule of classes. Any student whose immunization records are incomplete or who does not have an exemption on file with the school nurse will not be allowed to attend classes.

• Entry into 7th grade requires proof that your student has received the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.

• All new students enrolling must complete registration with all required documents and immunizations. This must be submitted before the first day of school. The nurse will contact you for any missing immunizations.

Special Health Conditions

• If your child has a severe allergy, asthma, other chronic medical condition, or requires medication at school please notify the nurse , so she can create a plan before school begins. (Parent Forms),

• Immunization records and emergency care plans may be scanned and attached to email at spendolinis@ltisdschools.org

MORNING DROP OFF

Car Rider Drop Off

All LTMS students (grades 6-8) are to be dropped off at the Main Entrance in the front of the school. Parents, as you enter the front loop, please pull as far forward as possible in order to allow as many vehicles into the front loop drive at one time.

Please, DO NOT drop your student off in the faculty and visitor parking lot. LTMS does not have staff available in the morning to monitor the crosswalk for safety.

Thank you for your cooperation in this process and keeping students safe in the morning.

Additional Information

• Please have your child/children ready to exit the car prior to entering the drive
• Pull all the way up to the sign that says, “Pull Up to Here” in a single line near the sidewalk to drop off your child/children
• Allow your child to exit anywhere on the sidewalk, rather than waiting until you are directly in front of the doors
• Stay in your vehicle once you enter either drive, just as your would at the airport
• Please allow enough time for morning traffic (especially on rainy days)
• All car riders should be dropped off from the car rider lane only
• For the safety of your child, do not let your child exit your car and walk between parked vehicles, as this is not a safe option
• The car loops are one way at all times, both morning and afternoon
• Being on time allows your child to begin their school day without feeling rushed

Other Transportation Options

• Walkers and bicycle riders will enter the building through the Main Entrance front doors
• Bus riders will be dropped off at the back entrance by the café

• AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

  There are 4 dismissal options:

  • Bus Riders
  • Car Riders
  • Walkers
  • Bike Riders

  
  

  Bus Riders

  ONLY buses pick up at the back of the school building. Please do not enter the bus lane at the back of the school. Bus riders will exit the back doors of the main hallway. Buses will transport ONLY eligible riders. Bus riders MUST have their SMART Tag on each day to ride the bus.

  
  

  Car Riders

  6th and 7th grade car riders will be picked up at the main front entrance. (See Below)

  8th grade car riders will be picked up in the side of the school by the tennis courts. (See Below)

  
  

  Cars will be directed into both lanes of the loading zone. Please pull as far forward as possible and do not leave a large gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. The next group of cars will be held up to wait at the Traffic Control spot by a staff member.

  
  

  Students are to watch for your vehicle and move down the sidewalk anticipating where you will stop.

  
  

  Please wait to proceed from the pick up location until motioned forward by Traffic Control.

  
  

  Working together with the number of cars that are coming through, pick will be completed by approximately 4:25pm.

  
  

  Please communicate with your students to make sure that they are watching for your vehicle in order to move to where your vehicle stops. This way we do not have to call out names, which slows up the process. Thanks for your cooperation in making this process safe and efficient.

  
  

  Walkers and Bike Riders
  

  Exit out of any exterior door. Only walk/ride on sidewalks or cross at the striped crosswalk on Bee Creek Rd. Bike Riders and Walkers must use the crosswalk at the very front entrance/exit area to the school off Bee Creek Rd. This is the safest place to cross.

  
  

  
  

  Please view the maps below for the different dismissal locations

What’s NEW in Food & Nutrition Services (FANS) for SY 2025-2026

• For the 2025-2026 school year, middle school breakfast and lunch meals will increase to $2.05 and $3.50 respectively. For more information, please visit our Menus & Meal Prices webpage.

• We’ve updated our online menu platform! You can now find school menus, nutrition facts, and allergen information on My School Menus.

• To help reduce food waste and promote sustainability, students will now self-serve bulk fruits and vegetables in the café.

Free and Reduced Price Meals

• Households can access Free & Reduced Meal Program applications online starting August 1, 2025. Information about the program and applications are located on our website at Free and Reduced Meal Program.

• Households must complete a new Free & Reduced Meal Program application each school year to ensure continuation of benefits.

• Annually, a small sample of applications will be randomly selected for income verification. Notice of verification selection and instructions will be sent to randomly selected households in late Fall.

• For SY 2025-2026, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive breakfast and lunch meals at zero cost.

• To receive meal benefits, students must select a complete (or full) meal from an eligible serving line.

• Please refer to our Menus & Meal Prices tab on our website for more information about which meals are eligible for free and reduced price meal benefits.

• Please refer to the Complete/Full Meal Information tab on our website for more information on how to select a complete (or full) meal.

Lunch Accounts

• To add funds to your student’s meal account, MySchoolBucks will be available starting August 1, 2025. The MySchoolBucks service charge is $3.50 for all credit card transactions and $2.75 for all electronic checking account transactions. There is a $240.00 maximum deposit per transaction. Please visit MySchoolBucks for more information.

• Free prepayments are accepted via cash or check in all FANS cafes. Checks should be made out to LTISD FANS. For proper account credit, cash or check prepayments must be in a labelled envelope with the student ID# and full name.

• Deposits to accounts made in person will be available for use immediately. Deposits made via MySchoolBucks, including deposits that are established via the MySchoolBucks auto-replenish service, could take up to 24hours to process.

• You may sign up for MySchoolBucks or download the free app to make payments, view transaction history, and utilize other features.

• Students will not be allowed to purchase snacks or a la carte items (anything besides a CLASSIC meal) without a positive balance on their meal account.

• Chick-Fil-A sandwiches will be sold once a week. Students must have a positive balance in their meal accounts to purchase Chick-Fil-A.

• If you would like to limit purchases on your student’s meal account, Lunch Account Restriction Forms are available on the Food & Nutrition Service webpage.

• Lunch account restrictions roll over from year to year. If your child already has restrictions in place, there’s no need to submit a new request unless you want to make a change. To modify or remove restrictions, please contact your campus cafeteria manager.
  

Meal Accommodations and Special Dietary Needs

• Information regarding Special Diets and Meal Accommodations can be found on the Food & Nutrition Service Meal Accommodations page.

• Vegetarian menus and special menu items are available by request from the FANS Dietitian Marissa Bell, MPH, RD at bellm@ltisdschools.org.

Here are a few things we are proud to offer this year in the FANS Café!

• Unlimited fruits and vegetables with every complete meal (more info linked here)

• Fresh for Less initiative! We use strategic pricing and menu placement to promote full meals, healthy snacks, fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-rich options.

• Clean Label initiatives! We prioritize products free from artificial dyes, high-fructose corn syrup, and MSG.

• A continued commitment to fresh, locally-sourced, and plant-forward menus.

• Participation in the Good Food Purchasing Program! We make strategic food purchases that support local economies, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, a valued workforce, and community health!

For more information, visit the Food & Nutrition Services website, call 512-533-6037, or email foodservice@ltisdschools.org.

About House Bill 1481
Beginning this school year, House Bill 1481 requires all Texas school districts to prohibit student use of personal communication devices during the instructional day. The law defines personal communication devices to include:

• Cell phones (smartphones and flip phones)
• Smartwatches and smart accessories (such as Apple Watches, Fitbits, smart rings, and glasses)
• Personal laptops and tablets
• Gaming systems with messaging capabilities
• Pagers and radios
• Any device capable of digital communication

Exceptions will be made for documented medical needs and special education accommodations. Please note, district-issued devices will continue to be provided for instructional activities.

The new law is designed to reduce classroom distractions, boost academic focus, promote in-person interactions, decrease cyberbullying and online conflicts, and support student well-being—goals we began addressing with our own efforts last year.

Built on Experience, Guided by Community Voice
Lake Travis ISD is not starting from scratch. In August 2024, after careful consideration and input from our district’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)—which included students, staff, parents, and community members—we implemented a similar personal device protocol in grades K–8. That decision was also guided by strong feedback from our Spring 2024 Stakeholder Survey. The response to our smart device ban was overwhelmingly positive. Students adapted well, reported fewer distractions, and parents were highly supportive of the shift.

What This Means for Students
Students in PK-12 grades will need to either leave their personal communication devices at home or keep them powered off and securely stored during the school day. This applies to all parts of the instructional day, including:

• Classroom instruction
• Hallway transitions
• Recess and lunch
• Locker rooms, field houses, and gyms
• Restroom breaks

Implementation and Consequences
To comply with HB 1481 and maintain consistent expectations across campuses, LTISD will apply the following consequences when a student uses a personal communication device during the school day:

• First Offense: Device is confiscated; the student may pick it up in the office at the end of the day.
• Second Offense: Device is confiscated; a parent or guardian must pick it up in the office after the end of the day.
• Third Offense and Any Subsequent Offense: Device is confiscated; a parent or guardian must pick it up in the office after the end of the day. Additional school consequences may be assigned under the Student Code of Conduct.

Staying In Touch During the School Day
We recognize that smart devices are often used by parents and students for important communication. In the event that you need to contact your student, parents can always reach the school office, and we will ensure that messages are relayed to your child.

We Appreciate Your Support
Much like our successful implementation in grades K-8 last year, we believe the new law and its ban on smart device usage by all students will have a positive impact on our school community. We appreciate your continued partnership as we work together to put student well-being and academic growth at the center of every decision. If you have any questions or concerns about this new law, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s campus principal. Together, we will make this a fantastic year for all students!

District Dress Code Prohibits the Following:

• Exposed undergarments, chest, midriff, or buttocks
• Crop tops, strapless tops, halter tops, backless tops, and shirts with spaghetti straps
• Shorts, skirts, or dresses that expose any undergarments or private areas of the body
• Clothing advertising tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, violence, or material that is offensive
• Spandex or form-fitting attire that does not cover buttocks

Items That Do Not Belong at School:

• Weapons, including pocket knives
• Tobacco, tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes
• Drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia
• Skateboards, rollerblades, or shoes with wheels

Wearing school-issued Smart Tag ID card on a lanyard is an expected part of the dress code. Students must wear their ID card over the front of their clothing (not on their backpack) and must have this to purchase lunch, check out library books and get assistance at the Tech Depot. This is critical to the safety and security of our building. All staff and students must wear their IDs during the school day. We appreciate your assistance reminding your students of this important requirement. Should they lose their badge or need a replacement, these can be purchased at the front desk anytime during the school day or before school.

For a more detailed list, see the LTISD Secondary Student/Parent Handbook.

While our campus leadership team works collaboratively with all students and teachers, the following information should help you reach the appropriate administrator or counselor for your child's grade level should a concern or question arise. We are committed to serving our students and appreciate the opportunity to work together with families to support our students.

Principal:

Rebecca Hudson

Administrative Assistant:

Leslie Adams

Assistant Principals:

Ms. Rizzoli Kierdorf

Ms. St. Clair

Mr. Boren

Counselors:

Ms. Casares-All 6th grade students, 8th grade students A-H

Ms. Rojas -All 7th grade students, 8th grade students I-Z