Panther Print

Happy Summer, Panthers!

Thank you for all of the involvement with our Reopening Conversation Circles. I know that some families were not able to join due to the meeting reaching its capacity, timing, resources, etc. If you were unable to attend or would like me to be aware of your thoughts, ideas, and concerns for reopening next year, please email me and I will compile these thoughts and communicate with others in AISD. Your thoughts are important to me!

I know there are many unknowns about the reopening of next year at this time and that can lead to many different emotions for students, parents, caregivers, and staff. As I learn more I promise to share this information and can hopefully ease any big feelings. At this time, school will begin on August 18. We are unsure what school will look like but are looking at various options; face to face, remote learning, and a hybrid model of both scenarios. I have included the latest communication from Dr. Cruz below.

Below you can also find some additional adult resources and education opportunities around talking about race as well as the summer learning resources for students.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Peace, Love, Panthers,

Ms. Muehling

Thursday, August 6

• Kinder Orientation (Virtual) 10:00 AM

Friday, August 7

• New Panther Orientation (Virtual) 10:00 AM

Tuesday, August 11

• Welcome Back Teachers

Wednesday, August 12

• Class Lists Posted on LT 4:00 PM

Friday, August 14

• Meet the Teacher (details coming soon)

Tuesday, August 18

• Students First Day

Thank you for your patience as we work on plans for the upcoming school year. I’m writing to bring you up to speed on what we have been working on to support our 81,000 students and 12,000 staff members.

When will school start?

August 18 will be the first day of fall semester. While we aren’t completely sure what it will look like, we plan to follow the board-approved calendar. We are making plans to offer in-person and online instruction in order to be flexible for students and their families.

Safety protocols for the upcoming year

As we plan for the upcoming school year, we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety for everyone. We recognize that we are a large organization and we want to do our part to decrease current COVID-19 cases and not contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in Austin.

AISD will take the necessary precautions to provide our students and teachers with the safest on-campus learning environment possible.

New precautions may include the following items starting fall 2020:

• Staff and students (ages 6 and older) wearing facial coverings
• Commonly used surfaces and areas will be thoroughly and frequently disinfected
• Frequent hand washing practices will be implemented, including easily accessible hand sanitizer dispensers stationed across each campus
• Measures will be implemented for students to maintain six feet between each other to encourage social distancing
• Students and staff will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at campuses
• Staff will receive extensive training on new health and safety protocols related to COVID-19
• Students and staff will be encouraged to stay home if they, or anyone in their household, have tested positive for COVID-19 and/or are showing any symptoms

Special Education

The Parent Newsletter will continue every other week to provide families with learning activities, behavior strategies and ideas to help support you and your child. Be sure to check out the latest newsletter.

Different learning tools

This pandemic made it so that teachers and students had to quickly shift to using technology to enhance learning. This fall semester we will be prepared for both in-person and online learning. As we discuss different ways for your students to learn, you will hear the words “synchronous” and “asynchronous”.

• Synchronous means students are all online with their teachers at the same time going over a lesson. Students are connecting with each other and their teacher and receiving immediate feedback.
• Asynchronous is also known as “self-paced” it means that lessons and resources will be posted online and students can complete assignments as their schedule allows.

Help for Families through P-EBT

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program could provide Austin ISD families a one-time benefit for eligible families to buy food. Families could receive up to $285 per child, which can be used in the same way as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to pay for groceries.

Families must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible for the benefits.

• Children who are certified for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2019-20 Texas school year.
• Children who attend a school that offers free meals to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision program. See the full list of Community Eligibility Provision schools here.
• Children who received SNAP food benefits for March 2020. This program is intended to provide food security for families, in addition to the free meals offered at district meal sites. P-EBT is a coordinated effort by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas Education Agency.

Quick links to info on website

Be sure to keep up with changes by checking out the following Austin ISD websites:

• Austin ISD Learning At Home
• COVID-19 Updates
• Summer School
• Summer Vision 2020 Newsletter

We’ll be in touch,

Paul Cruz, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Austin ISD

Registration Link

DATE

Friday, June 19, 2020 – 9:00 am to 10:30 am

We’re opening a door for Austin ISD parents and caregivers to start a conversation about race in our community.

We’re calling it RaceTalks, and it will begin with a 90-minute conversation on Juneteenth, June 19. We will gather each month for a conversation, with a different focus each time.

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

Juneteenth, Friday, June 19 9–10:30 a.m. Zoom link: https://bit.ly/RaceTalks OR https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpfuyorTMtEtagfI39IizWOFR6McO8VZ2m

Initiated by ACPTA, Austin ISD Race Equity Council and Parent Engagement Support Office

Newsletter

Newsletter

Are you interested in learning more about AISD's Superintendent search or giving community input? Learn more on our AISD website!

Superintendent Search

We are working with Sprouts on creating a plan that ensures a safe delivery. Delivery and items are uncertain at this time. We will keep you up-to-date on all orders and availability. If you have questions please reach out to Denise Wolfe- denise.wolfe@austinisd.org.

Ms. Wolf is on summer break until July 22 and will return emails and answer questions upon her return. Thanks!

Celebrate and Learn about Juneteenth

Teaching Tolerance Article and Lessons

Please review these resources as they will help you move toward Remote Learning.

• AISD Covid-19 Updates
• Remote Learning Plan/Handbook
• Meals
• Telehealth
• AISD Learning-At Home
• Let's Talk (Ask Questions)
• AISD Communications
• Technology Support

Vida Clinic

Our school based mental health partner, Vida Clinic, is offering teletherapy services to the Austin ISD community beginning Wednesday, Mar. 18. These services will allow adults and students to access quality mental health services right from their own homes. To learn more or schedule services, contact our Vida Clinic Care Team at 512-518-2209 or go to https://vidaclinic.org/.

Integral Care

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, Integral Care has a 24/7 Crisis Helpline at 512-472-HELP (4357). You can also Text TX to 741741 to connect to Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text. Integral Care is also working with NAMI Central Texas to make sure the community has resources available during this challenging time. They will be posting helpful tools on their website, including tips and tools for managing stress and how to talk to your children about this uncertain time.

Email: kristina.muehling@austinisd.org
Website: www.byrkerwoods.austinschools.org
Location: 3309 Kerbey Lane, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2054