The Connection

This week, we honor and appreciate the incredible school counselors who make a difference in the lives of our students every day. Your dedication, guidance, and compassion create a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. Thank you for being the driving force behind our students' success!

February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Anna ISD is a leader in CTE programming. Each program provides or leads to opportunities to earn an industry-based certification, practice skills on a job site, design and make products, and compete in co-curricular events. We also offer all AHS staff and students the ability to make their learning come to life through the effective use of the Design Thinking Process in the Makerspace at AHS and in our Makerspace courses (6-8). We genuinely believe that we are making it possible for our students to "Discover Their Path." #DiscoverYourPath

Anna ISD's CTE & STEAM program at a glance:

• Programs

• High School

• We offer 28 complete Programs of Study (Paths) at Anna High School

• This includes 12 Dual Credit Programs with Collin College and 13 Embedded Work-Based Learning (WBL) courses. Our WBL program partners with local businesses for student internships.

• Student-Led Programs in Graphic Design and Coyote Vision!

• AHS is home to one of the only embedded Public-Ed STEAM-Makerspaces

• The space has student Maker Tech Assistants (MTAs) who are responsible for training students and staff throughout the district on industry equipment.

• Collin College uses our Mock Hospital to teach dual credit instruction for Health Science Programs (CNA and EKG)

• Middle School

• We offer

• Three levels (6-8) of Makerspace Courses infused with STEAM-based components and Career Development for specific Trades.

• Two Levels (7-8) of Pre-Engineering that develop skills for our future Engineering students.

• Certifications

• We prepare and administer over 40 industry-recognized certifications to our students at AHS and both Middle Schools. Over 61% of our 2023 graduates earned a TEA industry-based certification: Anna ISD CTE Industry Certifications/Credentials Earned.

• PLTW Nationally Recognized Distinguished Campuses (AHS (3-Peat) & SCMS)

More about Anna ISD CTE & STEAM

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Staff

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Advisory Committee

• Anna ISD CTE Industry Certifications/Credentials

• Anna ISD CTE Program of Study (POS) Sequences

Follow Anna ISD CTE & STEAM

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Linkedin

• Anna ISD CTE STEAM Facebook

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Twitter

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Youtube

• Anna ISD CTE & STEAM Webpage

Accountability in our state is currently paused, but that doesn't mean our stakeholders should be left in the dark about how we are doing. There are so many great things going on in Anna ISD; we want to take this time to shine a light not only on how our students are doing on state and national assessments but also on how we are doing in extracurricular activities, how we are doing financially, how we are doing with facilities, and more. Our community deserves full transparency on everything that matters and makes up our district. We are launching a Community-Based Accountability Task Force to develop, monitor, and evaluate our district on targeted pillars. Our Board of Trustees has four Board Goals that will be used as our pillars:

1. Safety- Safe learning environment to include behavioral and mental health
2. Accountability- Improve performance on standardized assessments and College, Career, and Military Readiness
3. Coyote Culture- Preserve traditions, offerings for extracurricular programs, recruit and retain highly qualified staff
4. Community- Champion a supportive relationship with the community to include all stakeholders.

We are looking for staff, students, parents, and community members who are passionate about this district to serve on this task force. The dates and agenda for the meetings are listed below:

If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please complete the Google Form here.

Anna ISD is excited to partner with L.I.F.T. R&R to host a community nonprofit resource fair, bringing together 40 nonprofit organizations that service the Collin County community. We hope to connect families with the resources and services they need and foster collaboration, support, and awareness for the incredible organizations serving our area.

Nonprofit leaders and representatives will be available to share information, answer questions, and discuss how their organizations can help you and your community.

Whether you want to become a volunteer or network or need free resources, informational materials, and giveaways, we can’t wait to see you there!

In the event winter weather changes on a regular school day, we want to make sure you are prepared. Parents will be notified through text, phone calls, social media, and local news stations, and any changes to the regular school day will be posted on the district website.

**Extracurricular activities will be canceled on school closure days.

Delayed Start

A delayed start will begin 2 hours after regular start times.

Buses will run 2 hours later than regular bus times.

All employees should report to work 2 hours after the regular workday.

Breakfast will not be served on campus for delayed start days.

WHAT IS A COYOTE SALUTE?

It's our monthly employee recognition program. A Coyote Salute is awarded to individual staff members, and a Collaborative Coyote Salute is awarded to a group of staff members that have done something EXTRA special and beyond their regular job duties.

WHY:

We want to intentionally honor staff members who have gone the EXTRA mile for our students.

WHO:

Think of teachers using innovative teaching strategies or support staff members who go that extra mile to make our children feel safe and loved. This award is not limited to individual recipients. Collaboration encourages professional growth and student success. We would also like to honor teams of staff members who collectively worked on a positive project or had a fantastic outcome on something important to our students.

HOW:

Any Anna ISD employee, parent, or community member may nominate AISD staff members who have gone above and beyond their specific job duties by filling out this form. From your nominations, a recognition committee will select the recipients for a Coyote Salute and the groups for a Collaborative Coyote Salute.

WHEN:

You may nominate staff anytime you see someone or a group that goes above and beyond their regular job duties. Staff members who have been selected for a Coyote Salute or Collaborative Coyote Salute will be notified by the Administration and recognized at an upcoming board meeting.

• Register to be a volunteer at your child's school. Volunteer Application.
• Click on the Families button on the homepage of the website for a list of quick links.
• Join your school PTA or Booster club. AISD is grateful for the support of these parent leaders.
  

In the know: In addition to this eNewsletter, which typically comes twice a month, there are other ways to keep up with all the great things happening in Anna ISD:

• Ensure your information is current with your school, so you receive text message alerts, phone calls, and emails.
• Visit our website annaisd.org
• Follow AISD and your campus on social media. Facebook Twitter Instagram
• Download our mobile app

Tell us why you 💜 AISD.

February 15 ............... Board Meeting

March 11-15 .............. Spring Break