Tiger Talk

Dear Friends and Families:

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful community we share here at West Cypress Hills Elementary School. This season is a special time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives—and I am especially thankful for the partnership, support, and kindness that each of you brings to our school every day.

Your involvement, whether through volunteering, attending school events, supporting our teachers, or simply encouraging your child to do their best, plays an essential role in helping our students learn and grow. Our school thrives because of the collective effort of families, staff, and community members who care deeply about the success and well-being of every child.

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I hope your family enjoys this time together—sharing laughter, stories, and moments of gratitude. Let us all remember the importance of kindness and connection, both within our school community and beyond.

On behalf of the entire staff of West Cypress Hills Elementary, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful, restful, and safe Thanksgiving holiday. I look forward to seeing our Tigers when we return to school at 7:40 am on Monday, December 1.

With appreciation,

Amy Russ, Principal

Dear West Cypress Hills Elementary School Parents and Guardians,

A critical component of school safety is the classroom response to an incident on campus. The Standard Response Protocol, or SRP, is a proven method of creating shared language and actions among students, staff, and first responders during a school emergency. Since its adoption in August 2019, students across our district have received an introduction and overview of the SRP including classroom practices and drills.

Our staff and students will take part in a lockdown drill on Friday, November 21, 2025, at approximately 9:30 am. As a result, parents, students, and visitors to our school may see law enforcement officers, safety vehicles and/or other emergency responders onsite during this time. Once the drill has been initiated, teachers will immediately suspend all instruction, and students will receive further directions from their teachers regarding the drill.

Once the drill has been completed, all instruction will resume as scheduled. The drill is scheduled to occur at approximately 9:30 in the morning and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Our teachers and students have been advised of the drill and are prepared to participate.

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and support during this time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Amy Russ, Principal

Tigers demonstrating PAWSitive behavior are nominated by WCHE staff members to receive a coveted PAWSitive Office Referral. Each honoree receives an award certificate and an All Star Burger coupon for a free kid's meal. Recipients of this honor this past week are:

Samara Ahmed

Charlea Clemons

Keilana Garcia

Emmett Leach

Dominic Mangino

Wyatt McGuire

Rhett Varner

Congratulations, Tigers!

Tigers demonstrating PAWSitive behavior are nominated to have their names added to our WOW Board. WOW Board members are then eligible to win a fun brag tag and Buddy Pass. The Buddy Pass entitles each WOW Board member to enjoy lunch on the stage with a buddy of his/her choice.

The photo above is of our WOW Board #8 for the 2025-2026 school year. Congratulations, Tigers!

Does your family need support?

Let us know how we can assist you by completing this form by November 25.

First Annual LTISD Sneaker Drive

We’re excited to kick off our first annual LTISD Sneaker Drive! This districtwide effort brings our community together to provide new sneakers for children in need, helping every student step confidently into a brighter future. When purchasing shoes, parents and families are asked to please consider selecting sizes that align with their child’s current grade level to ensure the best fit for recipients. Every pair makes a difference! We will be adding collection bins to our foyer for this.

Food Bank Information for Families in Need

As of now, due to the continuing federal government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that full November 2025 SNAP benefits will not be issued unless new appropriations are approved. In Texas specifically, approximately 3.4 million to 3.5 million SNAP recipients are at risk of losing benefit issuance starting November 1.

Because of this disruption, demand for emergency food assistance will likely spike. Here are some available alternatives:

1. Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB)

CTFB’s “Find Food Now” tool – clients enter their ZIP code to locate free food pantries/mobile distributions.

2. Integral Care Food Pantry

Location: 3000 Oak Springs Drive, Austin, TX 78702

Distribution occurs weekly every Wednesday from 11a-1pm

3. Additional Local Food Pantries (Travis County)

The county lists multiple community-center-based pantries available to residents here (typically free, once every 30 days). https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/apply-for-assistance/food-pantry

LTISD Virtual Parent Workshop Series: Youth Vaping: The Problems and the Solutions

The Texas School Safety Center will be hosting an informational workshop for parents focused on the risks and realities of youth vaping. The session will provide up-to-date research, practical strategies for prevention, and tools to help parents engage in meaningful conversations with their children about the dangers of vaping. Families will leave with resources and guidance to support healthy decision-making and reinforce a safe, drug-free learning environment.

Topic: Youth Vaping: The Problems and The Solutions

Date: November 16, 2025

Time: 6:00 pm

Presenter: Kellen Kruk, Tobacco Youth Prevention Specialist, Texas School Safety Center, Texas State University

Location: Virtual, Zoom link will be provided after registration is submitted

Registration Link: Virtual Parent Workshop Series: Session #4

To apply for a LTlov Green Santa gift box, please fill out this form and submit it.

After you have submitted your Green Santa application, it will be reviewed and then you will receive a Family Number via email or text. Your Family Number will be required to pick up your Green Santa Gift Box, so please ensure you have provided a valid email and cell phone number on your application. An LTISD Student ID Number will be required for all school aged children.

In response to Senate Bill 13, our Board of Trustees has established the Lake Travis ISD School Library Advisory Council (SLAC.) The purpose of the SLAC is to formalize a collaborative process between librarians, parents, and community members in the ongoing development of strong library collections that support student achievement and meet state standards. This process helps ensure transparency, parent involvement, and a strong library program that strengthens student achievement while nurturing a lifelong appreciation, habit, and love of reading.

The SLAC works with librarians and district staff to develop a recommended list of library materials for procurement, including donated titles. At least 30 days before the Board’s vote, the proposed procurement list will be made publicly available for parents and community members to review and provide feedback. The Board will review these recommendations, consider any proposed changes, and make the final decision to approve or reject the materials. The SLAC will also recommend procedures for handling challenges to library materials and review challenges according to law before making recommendations to the Board.

Visit the SLAC webpage to access the Proposed Titles for Library Procurement List, Proposed Titles for Library Procurement List Feedback Form, and the Library Materials Challenge Form.

For questions or additional information regarding SLAC reviews or library material challenges, please contact Tasha Barker at watersbarkert@ltisdschools.org, or at 512-533-6036.

Contact Coach Williams or Coach Mayes to share the good news about new shoe-tying talents!

Ho Ho Ho!

Friday, December 12, 7:40 am, we have an opportunity to enjoy a Tiger Rally in the Gym. The Lake Travis Middle School Band, Choir, and Orchestra will be performing for us.

Thursday, December 18, 7:40 am, Tigers will be singing jolly holiday songs in the Gym at our Tiger Holiday Rally. Families are welcome to come and sing along with us!

Friday, December 19, Tiger classroom holiday parties will be taking place according to our holiday party schedule.

If you'd like to join us for any/all of our holiday events, avoid waiting in line to obtain your badge by providing us with your RSVP by 10 am on Thursday, December 11.

By 1:30 pm 12/01/25......Yearbook Cover Entries Due Mrs. Cornell

11/01 - 11/30/25.........Native American Heritage Month

11/01 - 12/05/25.........Sneaker Drive

11/10 - 11/21/25.........StuCo Collecting Coats for Kids

11/17 - 11/21/25.........Book Fair Shopping Days

11/18/25.....................Book Fair Shopping 8 am to 6 pm -- Kona Ice after school!

11/19/25.....................Book Fair Shopping 8 am to 3 pm

11/20/25.....................Book Fair Shopping 8 am to 3 pm

11/20/25.....................Celebrating Parent Involvement and Tiger Buddies

11/20/25.....................LTCL Bookmobile at WCH Park 3 - 4 pm

11/21/25.....................ROAR Day! No Visitors on Campus Except for Book Fair Shopping!

11/21/25.....................Book Fair Shopping 8 to 9:30 am & 10 am to NOON!

11/21/25.....................Lockdown Drill @ WCHE 9:30 am

11/21/25.....................1st Grade Lunch is 12:20 - 12:50 pm Today!

11/21/25..............Extreme Science Experience K-2nd: 1:15 - 1:55 pm & 3rd-5th: 2:05 - 2:45 pm

11/21/25.....................Unclaimed Lost & Found Items to be Donated!

11/24 - 11/28/25.........Happy Thanksgiving! No School for Tigers!

11/30/25......Recycle Unpainted/Undecorated Pumpkins 1 - 2 pm @ Rough Hollow Welcome Ctr

12/01 - 12/04/25.........Penguin Patch Holiday Shop

12/02/25.....................Meteorologist Visits 2nd Grade 9:45 - 10:45 am

12/03/25.....................Dr. Null's Live Update @ 6 pm

12/08/25.....................Tiger Student Council Meeting 3:00 pm

⛄12/11/25.....................By 10 am, RSVP for Upcoming Holiday Events!

12/11/25......................LTCL Bookmobile at WCH Park 3 - 4 pm

⛄12/12/25......................Tiger Rally in Gym @ 7:40 am - Families Welcome!

12/15/25......................Tiger Student Council Meeting 3:00 pm

⛄12/18/25...........Tiger Holiday Sing-A-Long Rally @ 7:40 am in the Gym - Families Welcome!

12/19/25......................Early Release Day for Tigers - No Extended Care Today

⛄12/19/25......................Classroom Holiday Parties

12/20/25 - 01/06/26.....Student Winter Break - No School for Tigers!

01/07/26.......................Tigers Return to School 7:40 am

WCHE Student Arrivals Arrival Map

WCHE Student Dismissal Dismissal Map

Food and Nutrition Services (FANS)

Email: WCHPrincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://wche.ltisdschools.org/
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools

X: https://x.com/wcheprincipals