Hello BHE Families:

What a busy but great week we had. Third through Fifth graders took the first of the STAAR assessments this week! We are so proud of their hard work. We had an amazing author visit in collaboration with Book People, and we had the first of our fun Austin High Field Trips.

Looking forward to this next week STAAR testing continues with the 5th grade Science STAAR on Wednesday and there is a student holiday on Friday (school staff have professional development).

Please remember that school starts at 7:40. We open the doors at 7:30 for students to head to class so they are ready to start at 7:40. If you hear the announcements as you are dropping off students or our Safety patrol has already headed in, then the 7:40 bell has rung! Our front line can get backed up particularly between 7:30 and 7:40. You can help us be efficient and safe by having students exit on the passenger side of the car, pull all the way to the crosswalk when the line moves, making sure your student has all their things ready to go and drivers do not exit their cars and are giving their full attention to the line (i.e. not on phones). Thank you for your help.

And finally, Ninja Anywhere is coming back to BHE. All students must have a signed waiver to participate - please see the information below.

Kati Achtermann, Principal

April 16 - STAAR Science - 5th Grade

April 17 - STAAR Science - 5th Grade Make Up

April 21 - Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

April 23 - STAAR Math 3rd - 5th Grade

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

April 30 - Health and Wellness Fair

May 1 - Ninja Course Day (see details above)

May 9 - PTA Cultural Arts performance - Mariachi Band

May 16 -

• Kinder Celebration (8:00)
• Austin High Field Trip for First, Second and Fourth Grades (10:30 - 12:30)

May 20 - Field Day

May 22 - PTA Meeting and The Famous BHE Teacher Talent Show (5:30 PM)

May 26 - Memorial Day - Student and Staff Holiday

May 27 - Student Talent Show and Senior Walk at 2:15

May 28 - Color Run (afternoon - schedule TBD)

May 29 - Last Day of School For Students

• 8:30 5th Grade Celebration and Hall Walk

The BHE PTA and Coach Williams are excited to announce that Ninja Anywhere is coming back to BHE on Thursday, May 1. Please take a couple of minutes to preview their activities and complete their waiver. A waiver is required to participate and must be completed by Friday, April 25. (Students without a signed waiver will have an alternate activity.)

• Watch the 2023 BHE highlight video of Ninja Anywhere activities.
• Complete a waiver for each of your students.

We are so excited to offer this program. Students loved this event last year and we are excited to have them come back!

Step 1: Watch the 2023 BHE Ninja Anywhere Video if you want to see what to expect

BHE Ninja Day March 30 2023.mov (dropbox.com)

Step 2: Complete a waiver for your child by selecting "adult and child":

WaiverFile | Online Waiver Form Entry

Wednesday April 16

Wednesday, April 23

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

Dear Families,

This week we have a spiral review week of the following character traits:

• Fairness. Being fair means treating everyone the same and making sure things are fair for everyone. When you’re fair, you try to understand how others feel, which helps you be a great friend and work better with others.
• Humor. Laughter is super powerful —it can make us feel happy and even help us stay healthy! When you make someone laugh, it spreads good feelings to everyone. Laughing together can make us feel less stressed and even help us focus and have fun with our friends. But it’s important to use humor in a positive way and never to make people laugh at someone else’s expense.
• Other People Mindset - Identifying and appreciating the good in others. Sometimes, it’s easier to notice what’s wrong, especially when things are difficult. But when we look for the good in others, it makes our friendships stronger. Let’s try to notice the kind of things people do and appreciate how they’re trying their best!
• Perseverance. Perseverance means sticking with something, even when it’s tough. It’s like when you’re learning something new, and you keep trying until you get better. It’s brave to keep going, especially when it feels hard, but every time you try, you’re getting stronger!
• Self-Control. Self-control is when you stop and think before you act. Even when things are exciting or challenging, having self-control helps you make good choices and be kind to others. It’s a superpower that helps everyone get along!

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.

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