Cougar PRIDE Families,
It’s going to be another great week at Casis! Last week, our ‘Solar Eclipse Viewing Party’ was simply amazing and we’re so glad to have experienced such a momentous happening together. ‘Spirit Week’ Activities (Decorated Doors, Dress Up Days, and Spirit Rally) were also a lot of fun for our students and staff. And a good time was had by all at the adult ‘Celebrate Casis’ event as well. We do have so much to celebrate about our school and we are so very thankful to the Parent Coordinators and Volunteers for making every event activity so special. This week will contain more exciting and important activities: STAAR Test and our last Prospective Parent Tour. A lot of the upcoming happenings in the months of April and May will bring closure to this school year, as we also plan for the next school year. We will also continue to focus on student learning growth and enrichment opportunities, as well as on safe and secure practices. Please see important information for the week below.
Mr. Tinnon
23-24 STAAR TESTING DATES
The following dates will be designated for STAAR Testing:
- Tues., Apr. 9 – STAAR Testing (3rd– 5thReading/Lang. Arts)
- Thurs., Apr. 11 – Make-Up Day
- Tues., Apr. 16 – STAAR Testing (5thScience)
- Wed., Apr. 17 – Make-Up Day
- Tues., Apr. 23 – STAAR Testing (3rd– 5thMath)
- Thurs., Apr. 25 – Make-Up Day
Please mark your calendars for these dates. The campus will be closed on Testing Dates.
3rd– 5thSTAAR TESTING DAY PROTOCOLS
3rd– 5thSTAAR TESTING DAY PROTOCOLSMark your calendars!Spring testing days for theSTAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness)tests have been scheduled forTuesday, April 9(3rd– 5thReading Language Arts),Tuesday, April 16(5thScience), andTuesday, April 23(3rd– 5thMath).Please note that parents will not be able to visit our campus for lunch or other activities on these days, due to strict testing protocols.3rd– 5thParents are asked to make sure that(1) students arrive to school on time [with their laptop], (2) they have not scheduled any types of special outside appointments, (3) students have eaten a good breakfast, and (4) students have gotten plenty of rest the night before testing.We appreciate the compliance and cooperation of everyone, as we support these students in doing their very best on these state assessments.
RECOGNIZING PARENT VOLUNTEERS
We will recognize all of our wonderful parent volunteers onFriday, April 26at8:00a.m., following the General PTA Meeting (Community Room). We truly appreciate our school families and how they support our learning community throughout the entire school year. All volunteers are invited to attend this special reception and be recognized for their hard work and generosity this school year. We LOVE our parent volunteers!
PARENT FEEDBACK FOR NEXT YEAR CLASS PLACEMENT[Please Read Carefully]
PARENT FEEDBACK FOR NEXT YEAR CLASS PLACEMENT[Please Read Carefully]In an effort to create balanced classes for next year and to foster a positive school-home partnership, parent input is taken under consideration. And while not guaranteed, parental feedback about placement is strictly based on input letters, not verbal interactions or promises between parents and staff. Know that Administration does not keep placement input from previous years, therefore, if there is important student information to be considered, please provide that information in the current year’s parent input process.Feedback is due by Friday, April 26.
A letter regarding placement for next year isnot required, however, if parents have extenuating circ*mstances or significant concerns, please see the following guidelines:(1) A separate letter (emailattachmentORhard copy) MUST be submitted. Limit to one-page (10-12 font size). Due to the amount of input received every year, general email communications WILL NOT be accepted. (2) Specific teachers or classmates CANNOT be requested. All teachers on our teams are skilled and competent individuals. (3) Share traits and characteristics of your child(ren) that describe their learning styles/needs. (4) Share the type of educational setting and class dynamic that you feel will best meet your child(ren)’s needs. (5) Email attachment OR hard copy MUST be sent to the Principal, NOT the Classroom Teacher.Please note that I DO NOT schedule meetings to discuss next year placement. Thanks for all of your support, as we strive to make the best placement decisions for your child(ren).
CAMPUS ADVISORY COUNCIL 2024 – 2025 MEMBERSHIP
There will be some parent openings on our Campus Advisory Council (CAC) for the next school year. The membership term is for two years. If you’re interested in serving on this Principal advisory organization, please consider applying. The campus CAC meets on the first Tuesdays of each month after school. Please visit the district website for more information about CAC(CAC in AISD)and if interested, please submit an application(CAC Application).The deadline for application submittal is Friday, April 26.New members will be notified in May and the two-year term will officially begin in the 2024 – 2025 school year.
NEW ENROLLMENT SYSTEM NOW OPEN
NEW ENROLLMENT SYSTEM NOW OPENAISD has moved to a new unified enrollment system for families interested in their neighborhood school, transfer schools, application-based programs, or Pre-Kindergarten. The move to this new “Enroll Austin”system is meant to make enrollment more accessible and equitable by providing a more streamlined platform all in one place. Registration will be split into two periods: (1)Priority Registration Period(Nov. 8, 2023 – Feb. 6, 2024) and (2)General Registration Period(April, 2024 – Summer, 2024). Visitwww.austinisd.org/enrollto access the enrollment application or go toportal.austinisd.organd find the “Enroll Austin” tile. If families have questions, please go to theFind Your Seat Call Centerat(512) 414-SEAT (7328)between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the weekday. Want to learn more? Please explore theEnroll Austin FAQs.
FAMILY LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS
AISD’sSpecial Education, Section 504, and Dyslexia Departmentsare sponsoringEmpower Hour Sessionsfor families throughout the 2023 – 2024 school year. These one-hour sessions are designed to provide valuable information, resources, and support to families on various topics. Both virtual and in-person sessions are available. We hope that families will avail themselves of these community learning and engagement opportunities.
SEL & EQUITY PRACTICES
SEL & EQUITY PRACTICESIn Austin ISD and at Casis Elementary, we believe that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is at the heart of equity-centered systems and structures. Our goal is to use and grow our social and emotional skills, while creating brave, respectful, collaborative spaces that support all students, staff, families and communities throughout our district and in our learning community. Throughout the school year, we will teach specific skills-building strategies to our students, in order to develop important character traits, like respect, empathy, compassion, and friendships. Mindfulness strategies and principles will also be a common core of this instruction as well. Administration, Teachers, and Support Staff will all be working with students throughout the school year to develop a strong social/emotional foundation, that includes building a lens of fairness and equity for all, no matter the differences among us.
The SEL word for the months ofApril & MayisIntegrity.Integrity is when you are strong enough to do what is right, even when it’s difficult, and even when no one is watching. It can be hard to do the right thing when your friends aren’t making the same choice. It’s important to act with integrity in our community. When we do, it makes our school a kinder, more inclusive, and more just place for everyone!
The Equity word for the months ofApril & MayisJustice.Justice means people behave in ways that are fair, equal, and balanced. When we work to create a more just and equitable community, we interrupt stereotypes or biased language, we are allies and friends, and we work to make things fair for everyone. When we all work hard for justice, we create a kinder, safer, more welcoming community for all.
Following is a resources sheet for the months of April & May that will help support these two important concepts, both at school and at home.APRIL/MAY RESOURCES SHEET
- April –National Arab American Heritage Month
- April –National School Library Month
- Tues., Apr. 16 –STAAR Testing – Science (5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**
- Wed., Apr. 17 –Prospective Parent Tour at 9am
- Sun., Apr. 21 – Sat., Apr. 27 –Earth Week
- Mon. Apr. 22 – Fri., Apr. 26 –Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week
- Mon., Apr. 22 – Fri., Apr. 26 –School Volunteer Appreciation Week
- Tues., Apr. 23 –STAAR Testing – Math (3rd– 5th) **CAMPUS CLOSED**
- Fri., Apr. 26 –Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast at 8am (Community Room)
TRAFFIC SAFETY PROCEDURES
TRAFFIC SAFETY PROCEDURESPlease adhere to the guidelines in your particular arrival/dismissal area (Front Circle Drive or North Parking Lot). SeeArrival & Dismissal Planhere. We continually ask for your patience and cooperation in exercising safe practices in your area.
Additionally, please see the following reminders/updates:
- Walkersshould use crosswalks at all times.
- Bikersshould park bikes at bike racks and walk bikes through crosswalks.
- Driversshould ALWAYS be aware of our foot and bike traffic.
- Driversshould consider TURNING OFF ENGINES when not moving forward.
- Avoid Parking in the Casis Village,if conducting school business.
- Front Circle Drive & Hillviewareavailable for parent parking during the day.
- TheNorth Parking Lotis designated for staff parking only.
- Vehicles using theNorth Parking Lotduring arrival and dismissal (3rd– 5th) should be aware of all walkers who are using the parking lot crosswalks.
- Vehicles cued on Northwood forCircle Driveafternoon pick-up shouldremain in one moving line to avoid double-parking.
- Vehicles who need to enter theNorth Parking Lotfor morning/afternoon drop-offs/pick-ups of 3rd– 5thgraders maysafelyby-pass the ‘Circle Drive’ vehicles to enter the parking lot.
We ask that everyone exercise extra caution and patience. Adherence will help to maintain safety for all. We truly appreciate everyone’s compliance with the above requests.
