Hello BHE Families:

Can you believe we've reached the last week of our school year? This will be the last Eagle Update of the 2024-2025 school year. We have a 3 day weekend and then will finish out with just 3 days next week. Just a reminder that while high schools do have early release days for final exams next week, we do not ;).

As we approach the end of the school year, it's warms my heart to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished since we started school in August. From the first day to the last day this year has been filled with curiosity, creativity and growth. We've had joyful learning celebrations, exciting field trips, inspiring author visits, special assemblies, Fall Carnival, more field trips, days with too much water, a day with no water, picnic lunches, a Health and Wellness Fair and more.

The journey wasn't always easy and there were some bumps along the way. This makes me even more proud of our students for their hard work and perseverance, and incredibly grateful for our dedicated teachers and staff whose passion and commitment made all of this possible. And while we're close to the end, we still have some wonderful moments ahead, including our Student Talent Show, Senior Walk, Color Run, 5th Grade Celebration Walk, and more.

As a reminder, we are scheduled for the construction of our Secure Entry Vestibule this summer. The construction window is from May 31st to July 31st. We will be moving our office to the green portable for the summer because the construction plans will be creating a new entry path through a secure vestibule where the front doors and conference room are now and include a re-design of the current office space. Our phone number will remain the same (512)-414-2013 and you can email bartonhills103@austinisd.org. Please know that our office staff will be out from June 4th - July 10th so there may be a delay in checking voicemails and/or emails.

Last, but certainly not least, to those families who are moving on to new adventures at the end of this school year, we wish you all the best. And to those returning next year — we can’t wait to welcome you back for another exciting chapter of learning and discovery! Thank you, as always, for being a part of this beautiful community! It's been our privilege to be a part of your child(ren)'s learning adventure!

P. S. .please make sure to check the lost and found in the next 3 school days! Anything left after the last day of school will be "rehomed."

Kati Achtermann, Principal

May 26 - Memorial Day - Student and Staff Holiday

May 27 -

• We will recognize August Birthdays at this Monday assembly
• 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

• If you are needing assistance this summer with food, camps, and counseling please refer to these links:

• AISD free summer meals

• AISD Food Service Resources

• Summer Camps and Resources

• Free Summer Counseling Support Available Through TCHATT

• Prime Time Free Summer Camp

• English Flyer

• Spanish Flyer

Every year we say goodbye to some of our awesome team who are moving on to a new chapter in their professional careers. Please join me in thanking the following folks for their service to Barton Hills and wishing them well in their new endeavors:

Claire Halbert: Ms. Halbert is retiring! she has been an educator for more than 30 years and serving students and families at Barton Hills. She has had the honor of teaching some second generation BHE families! We want to thank her for all she's done for our campus community and wish her the best (and lots of rest!).

Nathan Kennedy: Mr. Kennedy is stepping away from his role as a classroom teacher to explore the myriad possibilities available to him.

Chloe Willemse: Ms. Willemse is stepping away from being a teaching assistant so she can be a full time teacher at another school here in Austin. She is excited to continue her journey supporting students in a new role.

Whenever we say goodbye to staff we have the opportunity to meet new staff!

Mina Patel: Ms. Patel is making the small jump from 3rd grade to 4th grade where she will teach math! We know her energy and enthusiasm will be a perfect fit for our students and this team.

Kate Goodin: We hit the jackpot when Ms. Goodin said yes and joined the first grade team! Her love of her students and knowledge of curriculum were evident to us during the hiring process. She is an experienced educator and builds a strong, positive, and welcoming community for her students and we're excited for our students to learn from her.

To avoid deeper budget cuts and ensure every student has access to a high-quality education, Austin ISD will consolidate some schools starting in the 2026–27 school year. Consolidation means merging campuses, which could include school closures, boundary changes and policy shifts—but it also means stronger programs, better staffing and more resources for every student.

With enrollment down by 10,000 students over the past decade, we’re left with 25,000 empty seats and a $100M+ budget gap. Consolidating schools allows us to invest more fully in fewer campuses—strengthening academics and support services district-wide.

We want your input. Families and staff received a unique survey link by email on May 13. Community members can take the general survey at https://tinyurl.com/AISDConsolidationCommunity.

Please complete the survey by Friday, June 6.

Your voice will help guide the process and shape a stronger future for all Austin ISD students.

Find out more at austinisd.org/consolidate

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 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