News for the Nest
February 7, 2025
A newsletter for Clayton families from school leadership and the PTA
News from School Leadership
THIS WEEK
Saturday, Feb 8 🎂Happy Birthday, Ms. Heape!🎂
Monday, Feb 10
- 5th Grade: GMS Choice Sheet Night
Tuesday, Feb 11
- 3rd Grade Field Trip to The Capitol
- Tuesday Choir Pizza Party after school
Wednesday, Feb 12
- Mix It Up Lunch (no lunch visitors, please)
- Wednesday Choir Pizza Party after school
Thursday, Feb 13
- 1:30pm Jazz Workshop (3rd-5th Grade)
💗Friday, Feb 14💗
- Wear Clayton spirit wear
- PTA Staff Appreciation
- BUY-A-SPOTS released at 4pm
Looking Ahead
Feb 17 - NO SCHOOL (Parent-Teacher Conference Day)
Feb 21 - 8:00 am School-wide Assembly to celebrate Nan Clayton's 90th birthday and Black History Month - Students wear red for Nan Clayton 🍎
Feb 28 - Dress up in western wear for TX Independence Day
Mar 3 - 4th & 5th Grade Field Trip to the Symphony
April 5 - Clayto's Playland Spring Carnival
Clayton's Buy-A-Spot Fundraiser is Coming!
What are Clayton Buy-A-Spots?
Classroom Teachers, Special Area Teachers, Principals (and more) will host special events that you can sign up your student for. Limited spots- first come, first served. Each spot is $25. All proceeds go directly to the school.
Most events happen before or after school in March. Movies with treats, Crafting, Nature Hikes, Kickball, Special Breakfasts, Edible Art, and so much more. There are all kinds of fun & creative events that our staff comes up with.
How do I sign up?
You sign up through a Sign Up Genius. At 4pm on Wednesday, February 14 (Valentine's Day) that Sign Up Genius will be...
1) Emailed out (same email address that the News for the Nest goes to)
2) Posted here on the Clayton Website
3) Posted on the Cardinal Corner Facebook Page (this is a non-school facebook page but we will post there bc many families have access to it)
How do I pay?
YOU MUST SIGN UP FIRST.
The preferred method of payment is through the online school payment system: https://nanclayton.myschoolcentral.com
Alternately, you are welcome to send an envelope with cash or check (made out to Clayton Elementary) to the front office. The envelope should include: Student/s full name, amount included & list of B-A-S you are purchasing.
Need to know - Read each spot description carefully
*Some spots are open to all students, some are limited to current students, current & past students, only past students.
*Make sure your student is available for that Buy-A-Spot's day and time, we are unable to refund.
*You can only sign up YOUR student, no purchasing for friends.
Mix It Up Lunch
Mix It Up Lunch is coming!
We are so excited to have Mix It Up Lunch on March 12th! Students will mix it up at lunch and sit with someone new! Please no lunch visitors this day to allow your student to participate! Ask your student who they sat next to and what they learned about their new friend!
Field Day: Purchase, Donate, Volunteer
Lost & Found: Need to Know
From Our Counselors
All About the Brain
All About the Brain!
Check out this video about the parts of the brain and their role in regulation.
Counselors seeking topics for Coffee Talks
Seeking Volunteers for Career Day in May
Click on image to access form
Valentine's Day is Feb 14 - please do not send treats or candy for the class
Many students have food allergies. Please do not send food or treats for the class on Valentine's Day. Teachers will send out information regarding card exchanges. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
ICYMI (see below for repeat info)
Big Changes to PreK enrollment process and timeline for 2025-26
Summary: Clayton will continue to have a Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year-olds for the 2025-26 school year. Families can apply for PreK earlier this year, compared to past years. Enrollment for PreK opens February 5. A significant change to be aware of is that parents across AISD will be able to rank their top three schools, and seats will be allocated based on a random lottery system. There will be no waitlist or priority selection. Families will be notified of the lottery outcomes on March 14, 2025.
Further Information: In February 2025, Austin ISD is launching an Early Bird Tuition-Based Pre-K4 enrollment period for families that do not qualify for free Pre-K4. This initiative will provide families the opportunity to enter a randomized selection process for a limited number of Pre-K4 seats in order to better plan for their child care needs.
Please note that families who qualify for free Pre-K are guaranteed a seat for their child. These spots have been reserved and will open for applications on April 1, 2025. Learn about the qualifications for free Pre-K >
Austin ISD families interested in an Early Bird Tuition-Based Pre-K4 seat can apply to up to three (3) Pre-K4 campuses from February 5 – March 7, 2025. Seats will be allocated based on a random lottery system, and there will be no waitlist or priority selection. Families will be notified of the lottery outcomes on March 14, 2025.
2025–26 Early Bird Pre-K4 Guidelines
- Students must be four years of age on or before September 1, 2025 to apply
- Students must live within Austin ISD boundaries (i.e. no out-of-district transfers)
- Pre-K4 Dual Language programs and Winn Montessori are excluded from Early Bird Pre-K4
- Programs follow the Austin ISD School Year calendar
- Full-day curriculum runs from 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Monthly tuition for full-day Pre-K4 is $550
- Families selected for Early Bird Pre-K4 will be required to submit a deposit to secure their seat, which will be applied to the first month’s tuition
News from PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION!
2nd Annual CLAYTON ROCKS Adult Fundraiser!
03.28.2025
6:30 - 10:30 PM
Central Library
710 W Cesar Chavez
Spring Carnival Save the Date!
Graduating Senior Alumni Scholarship
Black History Month Kids Day at the Carver!
Next PTA General Member Meeting Tuesday February 18th!
2025 Summer Camp Fair!
**SEEKING COFFEE SPONSORS!**
After a buzz-worthy inaugural year of the Clayton Caffeination Station, Nan Clayton PTA is teaming up again with community partners this school year to help keep the teachers' lounge stocked with the essentials... caffeine!
Local businesses (or Cardinal families!) can sponsor a month of coffee and tea in the staff lounge, and Clayton PTA will thank you by prominently recognizing your business in a variety of ways. Win/win!
Please see the attached Google form for all the details, or reach out to staffappreciation@nanclaytonpta.org with any questions.
Thank you for your help in supporting our amazing Cardinal staff!