School Matters
May 2021
Governor's Executive Order prohibits government entities from mandating masks
We are aware of Governor Greg Abbott's Executive Order 36 issued May 17 directing TEA to "revise its guidance such that, effective 11:59 p.m. on June 4, 2021, no student, teacher, parent, or other staff member or visitor may be required to wear a face covering." As you may recall, the Lake Travis school board is scheduled to discuss the District's current face covering protocols at its May 19 regular meeting. We will notify you of any board action that may impact our current COVID protocols prior to the June 4 mandate.
Student and family COVID vaccines opportunity available
Please follow these steps to schedule your vaccine(s):
Step 1: Schedule an appointment
- Pfizer (12-17 years of age): https://f.everydayrx.com/210658660489971
- Invitation code: P12LHC
- Johnson and Johnson (18+ years of age): https://f.everydayrx.com/210875183602959
- Invitation code: J18LHC
Step 2: Immediately after selecting an appointment, you will receive a link to a
consent form. Please complete the consent form.
Step 3: Please take a moment to read the Fact Sheet(s) prior to receiving your
vaccine.
Pfizer Fact Sheet - https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Johnson & Johnson Fact Sheet - https://www.fda.gov/media/146305/download
Update on virtual school option
In March, Lake Travis ISD released a parent questionnaire to gauge interest in a potential virtual campus option for the 2021-2022 school year. The District received approximately 2,800 responses of which roughly 70% indicated they did not have an interest in pursuing a virtual campus option. Parents who indicated an interest in a virtual school option shared various concerns which would ultimately prevent them from enrolling their child in a virtual campus including:
- limited options for programs and courses that are not conducive to an online environment;
- commitment to a semester or to a full school year;
- restriction from participating in UIL events;
- requirements to participate on a physical campus as needed; and
- requirements to apply and meet certain skills or criteria.
Because of these concerns, coupled with the fact that we do not yet know if either the legislature or the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will allow us to provide virtual learning next year, Lake Travis ISD will not offer a virtual campus option for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Furthermore, with increased access to vaccine administrations for our staff and students, lower transmission rates of COVID-19 in our classrooms, the improvement of conditions overall, and because TEA has not approved a remote learning at home option for the 2021-2022 school year, we will return to in-person instruction and activities for all staff and students this fall.
District to reclaim all WiFi hotspots on loan, Chromebooks for non-returning students
The Lake Travis ISD Technology Department must reclaim all District-issued WiFi hotspots prior to the end of the current school year. Hotspots and power cords should be returned to the student's campus front office where they will be placed in a container for collection and check in.
Additionally, students in grades K-5 grade must return Chromebooks to their school's front office. Students in grades in 6-7 who will not be returning to LTISD must check in Chromebooks to their school library, while students in 9-11 who will not returning to the District, and seniors not attending summer school, must check in their Chromebooks to Room K100 at Lake Travis High School. Unless attending summer school, all current eighth graders must return Chromebooks to their campus library.
- All Elementary level Chromebooks will be disabled on June 1
- All LTISD issued hotspots (students and staff) will be deactivated on June 2
For complete details on WiFi and Chromebook returns, please visit our End of Year Chromebook and Hotspot Returns webpage.
TEA approves Missed School Days waiver due to winter storm closure
District celebrates Better Hearing and Speech Month
Speech-Language Pathologists, better known as SLPs, are highly trained professionals who evaluate and treat individuals with speech or language difficulties.
With the theme “Building Connections,” LTISD joins the The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to celebrate May as National Better Hearing & Speech Month in recognition of the critical role SLPs play in both school and clinical settings.
At Lake Travis ISD, our SLPs utilize strategies that promote good communication skills which lead to success in speaking, thinking, reading, writing, and learning. During a time of challenge and change, our SLPs continue to skillfully translate and deliver speech and language services—both virtually and in person—engaging students and coaching parents through innovative and interactive therapy sessions.
The following Speech Language Pathologists serve students across LTISD:
- Miranda Bradford - LWE
- Whitney Dittman - RHE/WCHE
- Ana Duque - LTE/Bilingual
- Eileen Green - HBMS
- Marne Grgurich - LTE
- Leigh Han - LTHS/18+
- Sydney Jenkins - SHE
- Kimberly Kight - BCMS/LTHS
- Chloe Kruedewagen - BCE
- Elizabeth Liles - RHE
- Bianca Lopez - LTE
- Yvonne Loredo - BCE
- Anne Massey - LWE
- Kathryn McWilliams - LTMS
- Laura Miller - SHE
- Kira Moler - WCHE
- Kristi Payton - Lead SLP
- Haley Root Watkins - LPE/LTE
- Andrea Wilder - LPE
- Christine Wilson - LTE
Results of May 1 Board of Trustees Election
Meal accounts with negative balance settled May 17
LT Fine Arts Signing Day 2021
In-person attendance will be limited to student-artists and family members. A livestream of the event will be available for public viewing on the Lake Travis ISD Fine Arts Facebook page.
Lake Travis High School Commencement Ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 28
In-person attendance will be limited to graduates and family members. A livestream of the event will be available for public viewing on https://www.ltisdschools.org/graduationlivestream.
Please note, this webpage will not be active until May 28.
District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year announced
Lake Travis ISD 2020-2021 District Teachers of the Year:
Elizabeth Terrell (SHE)
Kendall Sealy (HBMS)
LTISD District Secondary Teacher of the Year
A look back at National School Nurse & Texas Public School Paraprofessional Day
Wednesday, May 12 was both National School Nurse Day and Texas Public School Paraprofessional Day. Together with the National Association of School Nurses, LTISD applauds the work of our school nurses to improve the safety, health, and academic success of all students. This year’s theme, “Championing the Whole Student,” is reflective of the significant roles school nurses have in healthcare within their school communities. In addition to the incredible responsibilities and demands placed on them by the pandemic, school nurses have the unique skills to plan and implement care for students with chronic and medically-complex conditions and prepare school staff to recognize and respond appropriately to potential emergencies.
At LTISD, the following school nurses provide critical services to more than 11,100 students:
- April Hicks - BCE
- Margaret Freudenburg - LPE
- Christina Colwell - LTE
- Neal Shotwell - LWE
- Teresa Mitchell-Monroe - RHE
- Bobbi Roberts - SHE
- Dana Hensel - WCHE
- Cheryl Rhodes - BCMS
- Sue Meyerhofer - HBMS
- Cynthia Williams - LTMS
- Molly Hinds, Luanne Belville and Tara Thompson - LTHS
- Tiffany Shreve - Transportation
- Becca Harkleroad - Lead Nurse
Additionally, in 2001, the Texas Legislature formally designated the second Wednesday in May of each year as Public School Paraprofessional Day in recognition of education paraprofessionals. On this day, we recognize our LTISD paraprofessionals who make important contributions across our schools.
A look back at Teacher Appreciation Week
May 3-7 was Teacher Appreciation Week across our District. With less than two weeks of school before summer break, it is fitting that we take a moment to recognize and applaud the commitment and work of our 685 professional educators districtwide.
Aside from our front line healthcare professionals, first responders, and those in the service industry, the expectations and demands that have been placed upon teachers this year are simply unprecedented. Yet our teachers continue to rise to the challenge each day, doing whatever it takes to make sure more than 11,100 students across our district are connected, engaged, successful, and most importantly… healthy and safe.
LTHS trio earn gold, silver medals at UIL state track and field meet
Junior Jack Mann captured a gold medal in the pole vault, clearing the bar with a personal-best 16 feet, 4.75 inches.
View the full UIL track and field state competition results.
LWE students compete in national math tournament May 13
Lakeway Elementary School 5th grade teacher Vanessa Malone wanted to provide her students with an opportunity to challenge themselves in mathematics while also working on effective collaboration in a remote learning environment. Ten students volunteered, meeting virtually one to two times weekly via Google Meet, to work on math problem sets. The students compete as 'The Machines,' their class mascot.
Ten students, two teams of five students each, participated in the Texas Math Perennial Tournament April 17. The results for the Texas Math Perennial Tournament individual categories are as follows:
- Ran Zitny - 1st Place
- Justin Chen - 2nd Place
- Avery Hua, Clara Hua and Jennifer Su - tied for 3rd Place
Team 1
Clara Hua, Justin Chen, Jennifer Su, Trajan Koberg, Ran Zitny
Team 2
Avery Hua, Holly Tracy, Anya Durrani, Raiyan Hasan, and Kevin Thakkar
The two teams participated in the live national competition which was held virtually on May 13. They earned eighth place in the National Math Competition.
The results for the National Math Perennial Tournament are as follows:
Team 1: 8th Place (Ran Zitny, Clara Hua, Justin Chen, Trajan Koberg, and Jennifer Su)
Team 2: 15th Place (Avery Hua, Raiyan Hasan, Holly Tracy, Anya Durrani, and Kevin Thakkar)
Individual Winners:
8th Place: Justin Chen
10th Place: Avery Hua
14th Place: Ran Zitny
17th Place: Clara Hua
This was Ms. Malone's her first year sponsoring a team and plans to participate in the future.
LTHS student-athletes to compete in UIL tennis state tourney
Congratulations to the following Lake Travis High School student-athletes who will compete in the UIL tennis state tournament in Helotes, Texas May 20-21:
Jacqueline Creel and Juliana Creel
Valerie Alexeykina and William Wang
A look back at School Lunch Hero Day
Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, responding to state and federal audits, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, our Food and Nutrition Services (FANS) team has a lot on its plate. To celebrate their hard work and commitment, Lake Travis ISD joined the School Nutrition Association in recognizing Friday, May 7 as National School Lunch Hero Day.
School Lunch Hero Day is a chance to showcase the difference school nutrition professionals make for every child who comes through our cafeterias. Now more than ever, we are fortunate to have an outstanding, student-centered food service department.
Led by FANS Director Ryan Mikolaycik, we have an amazing team that is committed to serving our students across our 11 cafés every day. Our café managers are:
- April Billingsley - BCE
- Michelle Visco - LPE
- Mike Villegas - LTMS
- Gloria Torres - LWE
- Dolores Arriaga - SHE
- Corinne Stewart - WCHE
- Shana Jones - BCMS
- Kylene Goebel - HBMS
- Sheila Bussemey - Support Manager
- Courtney Sain - LTHS
- Gina Zachmann - Annex
- Sandy Padilla - LTE
- Rachel Stewart - RHE
Not sure if driving a bus is right for you?
For more information, contact Kristal Smith at smithkr@ltisdschools.org, or at 512-533-6423.
Summer Squires registration is open
For more information visit https://www.ltisdschools.org/summersquires.
LTHS student-athletes sign letters of intent
Swim
Norah Carr - Loyola University in New Orleans
Kyle Valdez - Arizona State University in Tempe
Track & Field
Jacob Tracy - Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
Palmer Rasmussen - Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista
A look back at Administrative Professionals Day
Wednesday, April 21, was Administrative Professionals Day. There is no better time to highlight the hard work and dedication of our administrative professionals, both in our schools and in our administrative offices throughout the district. These individuals do so much to help our campuses and our district offices operate efficiently and effectively.
Now more than ever, we applaud their can-do and positive approach, their attention to detail, and their focus on customer service for our staff, students and families. Their hard work does not go unnoticed.
LTHS student-athlete named Capital Area Tennis Association Male Junior Player of the Year
A+ FCU presents 2021 first quarter check for cash back program
Representatives from A+ Federal Credit Union recently hand-delivered a ceremonial check in the amount of $4,816.45 to Katie Kauffman, LTISD Director of Development and Corporate Relations, as part of the Lake Travis ISD Visa Debit Card Cash Back Program. This was the first-quarter cash back reward of 2021.
This is the fifth year of the partnership. In August 2016, A+FCU and LTISD launched a student-designed card that rewards the District when A+FCU customers make purchases using the LT debit card. Donations are made each quarter, and the amount varies based on customer use of the card. The custom card is available through the Cash-Back Checking program at the A+FCU branch in Bee Cave.
Lake Travis Education Foundation celebrates annual gala "fun gala"
The Lake Travis Education Foundation hosted a one-of-a-kind "UnGala, FunGala" May 8, an in-person and virtual fundraising event for the entire Lake Travis community.
"High5 in Lakeway provided the perfect setting for an amazing evening of philanthropy and fun," said Katie Kauffman, Executive Director of the Lake Travis Education Foundation. "Although this year has been like no other, the needs in our schools remain. We are so fortunate to live in a community that consistently supports our students and teachers of Lake Travis."
LTEF developed a series of videos which initially aired during the gala including "Who is LTEF," "LTEF Dreaming Big," and "Rise Up LTEF." Each video was produced by Jon DaSilva of Roadrunner Pictures and is hosted on LTEF digital and social media platforms.
For more information, visit the LTEF website for more information.
Returning student verification begins July 15
Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools/
Twitter: @ltisdschools