Mills Elementary School
August 31, 2026
Dates to Remember
- September Character Strong Word of the Month: RESPECT
- September is National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Sept 2 Principal Coffee, 3:20pm Library, The Chicken Coop & Outdoor Learning
- Sept 3 Back to School Night for Adults PK-2 4:30-5:30/ 3rd-5th 5:30-6:30
- Sept 4 Color Colors Day! Come to school sporting your college or school colors!
- Sept 7 Labor Day No School
- Sept 8 Mills De-Device Night, Waterloo Ice House, Escarpment 5pm-7pm
- Sept 11 Principal Coffee, Library 7:45am-8:45am, Gifted & Talented Program Information for Families
- Sept 14 Campus Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting- 3:30pm for CAC members
- Sept 17 Fall Picture Day 8am-11am
- Sept 21 Student Holiday/Staff PLED Day/Yom Kippur
- Sept 22 Teaching Assistants Appreciation Week
- Sept 28 Custodian Appreciation Week
Meet the Chickens! Sept. 2
Ever wonder what's clucking behind the scenes at Mills? Join us on Wednesday, September 2, right after school in the Mills Library to learn about our sustainability goals and how we're expanding outdoor learning opportunities for our students. After a brief discussion, we’ll take a walk outside together to visit the coop and meet the chickens!
We Take All Threats Seriously
At our campus and throughout Austin ISD, maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive environment for every student and staff member is our highest priority. We are reaching out today to ask for your partnership in reinforcing an essential lesson at home regarding campus safety and the impact of our words.
Both Austin ISD and our school administration take all verbal threats with absolute seriousness. Words such as "kill," "gun," or any references/language to harm carry significant weight in a school setting. Even when spoken in jest, play, or casual conversation, these terms cannot be brushed off as jokes.
To ensure the physical and emotional safety of our entire community, our campus strictly follows Austin ISD Policy and the district Student Code of Conduct:
Immediate Administrator Investigation: Every reported statement or threat is investigated immediately and thoroughly by campus administration.
Parent & Caregiver Notification: Parents/caregivers of involved students will be notified promptly following any report.
District & Law Enforcement Reporting: In accordance with Austin ISD protocol, safety incidents are reported to district officials, and law enforcement, including the Austin ISD Police Department. District police will follow up with parents/caregivers and school administration when necessary.
We ask that you sit down with your child to discuss the power and responsibility that come with their language. Please help them understand that violent terminology, regardless of intent, causes real fear, disrupts learning, and carries firm administrative consequences.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and shared commitment to keeping our school community safe and thriving. Please feel free to reach out to campus administration if you have any questions.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YAT5TdfCn14UoV8lSW2-KyeT9E87JgqqwvILvA2P9WA/edit?usp=sharing
Essential Areas Newsletter & New Team Members
We are so PROUD!
Mills Elementary has once again demonstrated excellence by earning a TEA "A" rating! Most notably, we maintained all 6 Academic Distinction Designations, placing us among just two elementary schools in AISD to achieve this extraordinary milestone. Congratulations to our dedicated students, staff, and families!
District Notification Letters: Pesticides & AHERA
AISD Gifted & Talented Nomination Info
The GT referral window opens on August 18th and closes on October 16th. Please join Nic Ryan, one of our assistant principals and GT administrator, on September 11th at 7:40am for our parent coffee in the library to learn about all things GT, including the referral process, testing, and programming.
New to Mills? Read Important Info Here
Presentation for New Incoming Families: New to Mills Presentation.
Arrival& Dismissal Spots on Campus: Campus Map
Front Office Team Contacts:
Enrollment/Attendance/Doctors/Medical Notes: Courtney Cartlidge | courtney.cartlidge@austinisd.org
After-School Clubs & Volunteering: Ara Doffing | ara.doffing@austinisd.org
Health Room / School Nurse/Medication : Shannon Mickelson | shannon.mickelson@austinisd.org
Donations to Mills, Fundraising, Finance: Daniela Kuhn | daniela.kuhn@austinisd.org
Campus Handbook
Questions regarding our campus handbook? Please reach out to the Mills Administration Team.
2026-2027 AISD School Calendar
Mills PTA Corner
Learn more about our amazing PTA here! MillsPTA.org
Join the Mills PTA today! Joining the PTA doesn't require any time commitment, but your membership directly funds classroom resources, fun school events, and staff appreciation throughout the year. Head to JoinPTA.org to sign up today!
Box Tops Helps our Campus!
Did you know that you can scan your box tops and money goes directly to Mills? It's more than just cereal box tops: brands like Annies, Chex Mix, Totinos, Yoplait, and even Nugget Comfort all participate. There's an app now and it's super easy to scan your receipt and see what qualifies. Our PTA has a goal of $1,000 this year and we have only $7.90 towards that goal so far - we need your help!
It takes about 3 minutes to download and set up the app so that your purchases go directly towards Mills.
You can use the following QR code:
After School Club Offerings
U.S News & World Report- Top Texas Schools
It's always a GREAT day to be a Mountain Lion and we're extremely proud to be recognized as one of the top schools in the state by US News & World Report: https://austin.culturemap.com/news/city-life/best-elementary-middle-schools-list/
Never Miss a Campus Newsletter
Aug 24- https://app.smore.com/n/93r84g-mills-elementary-school
Aug 17- https://app.smore.com/n/f12sm-mills-elementary-school
Aug 10- https://app.smore.com/n/dq3ru-mills-elementary-school
Aug 7- https://app.smore.com/n/6quae-milo-s-messenger
July 28- https://app.smore.com/n/6yx8k-mills-elementary-school
July 7- https://app.smore.com/n/q3sy0-mills-elementary-school