The Austin Gazette

Austin Elementary is committed to the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional success of all students. Students will develop a healthy sense of self and consideration for others, recognize diversity with understanding and respect for others, successfully manage their emotions and behaviors, and make responsible decisions. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where students thrive and reach greater heights than ever before.

Part of our work includes a daily morning meeting in each classroom. Students will participate in daily brief discussions with their class and learn about self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.

How can you help at home? Ask your child about their Cub Connection morning meeting and what they discussed in class.

It's time to get ready for our annual Fall Festival and Auction. We are working on collecting items for our auction over the next seven weeks. Don't forget, our Fall Festival is a major fundraiser for the PTO. Examples of a few things our PTO has purchased:

• Inflatable GaGa pits and lots of equipment for PE classes
• Recess equipment
• Our Austin Cub fence sign
• T-shirts for every student!
• Rewards and prizes for our Cub Buck Store
• Inflatables for Field Days
• Supporting teachers with fun treats, breakfast during Inservice, and Teacher Appreciation Week
• ...and SO MUCH MORE!

PTO is challenging classes to donate items for the auction baskets. Each week we will collect for a different basket and the class with the most participation will win a prize!

This week we are collecting items for a BAKE/COOK basket. The class that collects the most items for the basket will receive a PARTY COOKIE. Send your donations no later than Friday, August 30, 2024. Thank you!

Need ideas?

• Utensils
• Measuring cups
• Baking dishes
• cake molds
• oven gloves
• kitchen towels
• cake decoration
• Tupperware
• Cookie mix
• Cake mix
• Kitchen decorations

We are ready to welcome family visitors to lunch. Our students have worked hard the last eight days to learn lunch routines and rules. We want our students to have relaxing "downtime" where they can be social with their friends and take a break from the hard work they do all day. Please observe the following Do's and Don'ts to keep our lunchtime a successful:

Do

• Sign up ahead of time. We are a big campus and we have limited seating for visitors. We welcome 4 families per grade level.
• Sign up for only one slot per family, even if you are bringing more than one visitor.
• Encourage independence. Allow your child to attempt tasks, like opening packages and cutting food. Of course, step in when you need to. Ketchup packets are so hard to open!

Don't

• Invite other students to join you. We know your child has friends, but we must have parent permission before allowing other students to each lunch with a family.
• Sign up for more than two visits per week. This allows other families opportunities to visit.
• Bring food or treats for other students.
• Stay longer than your child's lunch. We know saying goodbye is hard, but students should be encouraged to return to class immediately after their lunch time.

To increase our accuracy and keep our students safe, we are changing how we take dismissal changes. Starting September 3rd, all dismissal changes must be made through email to our Austin@conroeisd.net account. Here's how:

• Email austin@conroeisd.net
• Include your child's name and grade level
• Attach a picture of your driver's license or ID to verify your identity
• Changes must be made before 2PM on the day of the change

Get in the habit now! We will accept email, notes, and phoned in changes until August 30th. Starting September 3rd, all changes must be emailed to austin@conroeisd.net.

You can receive notifications about your child's bus, including departure and bus stop arrival times? Sign up for the SMART tag Parent Portal!

We have limited space available for parents at lunchtimes. A Lunch Visitor sign up link will is below for you to schedule lunch with your students. We ask that you limit your visits to no more than twice a week so other parents have the opportunity to schedule times with their students.

Did you know there's an app for that? The MealViewer app allows parents and students to see the lunch menu for the day, week, or month. It includes pictures, nutrition information, and even information on allergens all from your computer, tablet, or phone. You can also find more information about school meals at Austin by visiting the Conroe ISD Child Nutrition Website.

Don't forget! You must complete an application every year if your child receives Free or Reduced meals.

Eating breakfast at school? Students must be in the cafeteria by 7:45AM.

Child Nutrition offers meal service for breakfast and lunch to the children of Conroe ISD from EC-12th grade on a daily basis during the school year. Per CISD Board of Trustees Policy CO (Local), students are allowed 15 days (breakfast and lunch) to charge their meals. Once the 15-day charges have expired, the student is no longer allowed to charge.

What does this mean for you? Students will recieve an alternate meal after 15 days of charging. Breakfast is cereal and milk. Lunch is a sandwich and milk. Please complete the online application for free or reduced lunches if you think you will have difficulty paying for meals.

• Store bought treats only.
• When bringing birthday treats, please remember they must be left in the front office. The classroom teacher will distribute them at the end of class.
• If you have questions about what is allowed, please call the front office 936-709-8400.
  

All medications must be kept in the clinic. If your child needs medication during the school day, you must check it in with the school nurse. Medications cannot be transported on the school bus.

Accidents happen. Please make sure your child has a change of clothes daily.

Are you following our social media accounts? We often send out helpful reminders, pictures of kids in action, and upcoming events...delivered right to your newsfeed!