Panda Parent Newsletter
Welcome Anita Uphaus ECC Vol. 3 #8 April 2026
Happy April, Panda Families!
As we move further into spring, our campus is full of energy, growth, and exciting learning opportunities. This time of year always brings a renewed sense of motivation for our students as they continue to build on the progress they’ve made throughout the school year.
April is a busy and important month for our campus. Students will be engaged in meaningful instruction, hands-on activities, and preparing to showcase all they have learned. We encourage you to continue supporting your child at home by reading together, practicing skills, and maintaining consistent routines.
We also have several fun and engaging events planned this month, along with opportunities to celebrate student success and recognize the hard work of our staff and families. Be sure to check communication from your child’s teacher and the school for important dates and updates.
As the weather warms up, please remember to send your child to school dressed appropriately and ready for both indoor and outdoor activities. Attendance remains incredibly important—every day counts as we head into the final stretch of the school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are helping our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We are proud of all they are accomplishing and look forward to a strong finish to the year!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Dimas
Parent Support Specialist
Linda Perez-Parent Support Specialist
(512) 414-5538 or by email at linda.c.perez@austinisd.org
As your Parent Support Specialist, please reach out for:
- Finding resources you may need
- Become leaders in our school
- Become a Parent Volunteer
- Doors open: 7:10 am
- Arrival Time: 7:10 thru 7:40 am
- Tardy Bell: Rings at 7:40 am (Scholars must be in class)
- Dismissal Time: 3:10 pm
Bus Information
“Where's The Bus” App for Families
Every Day Counts!
Attendance/Grades: Regular attendance in all classes is an expectation of all Austin ISD students. State law and District policy state that students must be in attendance for 90% of the instructional days for a class to receive credit. A student who misses more days than allowed by AISD policy, excused or unexcused, may not be given credit for that class unless time and/or work is made up for the absences. Students will work with the grade level administrator to complete the appropriate steps to reach compliance.
Parents: Making sure your student is in school and on time every day is the law. For more information visit the district's attendance page.
Tardies
● If a student arrives after 7:40a.m., they must report to the front office to sign in & receive a tardy pass to class.
If you need to pick your child up for a doctor's appointment, do so by 2:30pm.
No pick ups after 2:30pm due to preparation for end of day dismissal. Thank you!
Notify your child's teacher in advance. Parents cannot call in advance to have students retrieved from class, so plan to arrive early.
Parents need to be prepared to provide driver’s license when signing a student out from school.
Make sure you get a school note from the doctor’s office. The doctor’s note must be reported to
School Absence Note / Nota sobra la ausencia | Austin ISD .
If you have any questions, please contact our Attendance Specialist Martha Salinas @ martha.salinas@austinisd.org.
Breakfast In the Classroom
Breakfast is served daily in the classroom from 7:30-8:00 a.m. Breakfast & lunch is free for all scholars.
Parent Coffee Chat
We will have our next Parent Coffee on April 24th 8:30 am. Please join to learn more about all the great things going on at Anita Uphaus Early Childhood Center.
Our next CAC Meeting is April 23rd @ 3:45 pm.
March was such a fun month in the library as our students took part in our luchador‑themed Battle of the Books / Lucha Libros. We started with eight favorite titles we’ve read together throughout the year, and each week students voted in a March Madness–style tournament to see which books would move on.
In the end it came down to two finalists: Broken by X. Fang and Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds. Along the way, students learned so much about how voting works — waiting patiently for their turn, going with their own feelings about a book, and remembering not to tell friends how to vote. They also discovered that sometimes your choice wins and sometimes it doesn’t.
But the best part is we’re all winners, because we got to enjoy every one of these stories together as one big school family. The school‑wide competition helped us build a joyful reading community, one great story at a time.
Counselor News
Hello Panda families!
I hope you have had a wonderful start to this Spring season. As we step into this new season and the last few months of school, I wanted to share some information on how to build meaningful connections with your child.
Please see the information below:
Positive relationships are the foundation for a child's psychological, cognitive, and social growth. While balancing daily responsibilities and financial pressures can make bonding feel difficult, creating strong connections does not have to be expensive or complex.
Key Benefits of Strong Connections
- Enhanced Development: Boosts social-emotional skills, communication, and cognitive ability.
- Increased Resilience: Provides a secure base for children to manage stress, regulate emotions, and face challenges.
- Lifelong Skills: Fosters essential life skills such as self-regulation, problem-solving, and confidence.
Simple Ways to Connect
Meaningful bonds are built through "mini moments" rather than just long, uninterrupted periods of time.
- Show Genuine Interest: Give full attention when a child shares something; ask curious questions to help them feel seen and heard.
- Incorporate Play: Use daily routines like bath time or commutes for singing and jokes to send a positive message of belonging.
- Provide Emotional Support: Respond with warmth and calm during difficult moments to build trust and teach emotional regulation.
- Establish Boundaries: Set predictable, respectful rules that help children feel secure and understand expectations.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Taking time for your own well-being allows you to be more present and engaged when connecting with your child.
Growing a strong connection with your child takes time—and that includes time for you. As a parent, it is easy to feel that every ounce of energy should go toward your children, but taking care of your own well-being is one of the best ways to support theirs.
When you find small ways to bring joy and relaxation into your own life, you’re able to be more present and engaged during those "mini moments" of connection. Whether it’s 10 minutes of uninterrupted time or simply pausing to listen when they have something to share, every positive interaction helps build a secure bond.
Remember, these small, consistent connections are the foundation that helps your child reach their full potential. By giving yourself "permission" to pause and recharge, you are modeling the healthy relationships you want them to build for a lifetime.
*Information obtained from the Positive Parenting Program
Families,
CLI is a platform used in PK3 and PK4 that provides take-home activities in both English and Spanish.
CLI es una plataforma utilizada en PK3 y PK4 que proporciona actividades para el hogar en inglés y español.
https://cliengagefamily.org/
Monday is Uphaus T-shirt day (if your scholar has one).
Friday is Colleget T-shirt day (if your scholar has one).
- The first step is to register here: https://austinisd.voly.org/
Please note: if you are planning to volunteer for any event at school you must go through a
background check.
- You can also contact our Parent Support Specialist, Ms. Linda Pérez, at 512-414-5520, Ext. 58514 or linda.c.perez@austinisd.org
Please support the Uphaus PTA
PTA is an organization of parents and teachers coming together to advocate for our children and students. Membership is for the year $10.00. Join today!
