Tiger Talk
07/24/24
We are so excited to welcome new-to-LTISD Tigers and to welcome back our returning Tigers for the 2024-2025 school year. If your Tiger is a new-to-LTISD student and you have not already done so, please be sure to complete the online new student enrollment. If your Tiger is a returning student, please, if you have not already done so, complete the online returning student verification.
We have our Kinder evaluations and play date coming up Friday, August 2. Then we'll enjoy the LTEF Kinder Car Parade and Corral on Sunday, August 11. The very next day, August 12, is our Meet the Teacher Day when you are all invited to come to our school with your school supplies (if you did not preorder through schoolkidz.) Kinder Tigers meet their teachers at 9 am, 1st and 2nd Grade Tigers meet their teachers at 10 am, and our 3rd through 5th Graders meet their teachers at 11 am. We'll provide more details about our Meet the Teacher Day soon.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 14. Parents are welcome to walk their Tiger(s) to class that morning (doors open at 7:20 and the school day begins at 7:40 am) and then join me in the Library from 7:50 to 8:30 am for a Principal's Coffee.
Meanwhile, we hope that you are enjoying your summer and that all of our Tigers are working on their summer reading.
Warmest regards,
Amy Russ, Principal
Dear Lake Travis ISD Parents/Guardians,
We hope this letter finds you and your family well. As we continue preparing for the 2024-2025 school year, we want to inform you about an important change to our district protocol regarding smart devices used by students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.
New Smart Device Protocol
Beginning on the first day of instruction, Wednesday, August 14, students in PK-8 grade will not be permitted to use smart devices during the school day. Smart devices include cell phones and wearable technology such as smartwatches, earbuds, and other personal devices. The school day is defined as the period from when students enter the building in the morning until dismissal time at the end of the day. During the school day, smart devices must be turned off and out of sight.
Reasons for the Change
This decision was made after careful consideration and consultation with our district’s School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) which includes students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members. Furthermore, the responses gathered through our Spring 2024 Stakeholder Survey align with and support the implementation of this change.
- Enhance Focus on Learning: Restricting the use of smart devices will minimize distractions in the classroom, allowing students to fully engage with their lessons and participate actively in discussions and activities. This uninterrupted focus is crucial for academic success.
- Prevent Bullying: By limiting access to devices during instructional hours, schools can effectively deter opportunities for cyberbullying and other negative student behaviors.
- Improve Social Interaction: Encouraging face-to-face interactions among students will help them develop essential social skills such as effective communication, empathy, and teamwork. These skills are vital for personal growth and future success.
- Promote Physical Activity: Without the temptation of cell phones and wearable technology, students are more likely to participate in physical activities during recess and lunch breaks. This not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also helps improve concentration and behavior in the classroom.
- Support Digital Wellness: By reducing screen time during the school day, we aim to promote a healthier balance between online and offline activities. This is essential for students' mental and emotional well-being.
Implementation and Consequences
The implementation of this protocol seeks to nurture smart kids, not smart devices. To ensure compliance with our smart device protocol, we will implement appropriate consequences for any violations. These include:
- First Offense: Smart device will be confiscated; the student may pick up the device at the end of the school day
- Second Offense: Smart device will be confiscated; parents may pick up the device at the end of the school day
- Third Offense: School consequences in accordance with the enforcement of campus rules
We understand that this change may require some adjustment, and we are committed to supporting our students and families through this transition. More information will be provided by our campus administrators as we approach the start of school.
Family Contact Information
We recognize that smart devices are often used by parents and students for important communication. In the event that you need to contact your student, parents can always reach the school office, and we will ensure that messages are relayed to your child.
We Appreciate Your Support
The change in our district protocol regarding smart device usage by students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade will have a positive impact on our school community. Together, we can create an environment that fosters learning, personal growth, and well-being for all students. If you have any questions or concerns about this new protocol, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s campus.
Sincerely,
Paul Norton
Superintendent of Schools
Your Kindergarten Teachers Send Greetings!
Hi families! We are looking forward to another amazing year in Kindergarten at WCHE!
The purpose of the Kindergarten Entry Evaluation is to assess your child's social and academic skills, as well as, assist administration and teachers in placing your child in the most conducive classroom environment based on your child's needs. WCHE Kindergarten and other grade level teachers and staff will be conducting the evaluations.
Our Entry Evaluations are Friday, August 2, 2024. Sign up here. On Friday, August 2, please bring your child to the designated room number that is assigned to the time slot for which you have signed up your child. Please pick up your child from that same room at the designated end time.
*When you sign up, please enter your child's first and last name in the comments section of the signup form.
We look forward to meeting all of you!
-WCHE Kindergarten Team
We are pleased to announce the opening of Returning Student Verification for the 2024-2025 school year. This process is required to be completed for all students who will be returning for the 2024-2025 school year. If your child will not be returning to Lake Travis ISD for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact our WCHE Registrar, Ms. Becky Wright, and submit the appropriate withdrawal form.
To complete the Returning Student Verification process, log into Skyward Family Access (link button below) and click on the “Returning Student Verification 2024-2025” tile.
And, please let us know if you have any questions.
With warmest regards,
Amy Russ, Principal
Requesting LTISD Bus Transportation
Returning Students WITH Prior Service:
All students who received transportation services this past spring (January 2024 to May 2024) do not need to re-register for the 2024-2025 school year. Your child's ridership will be assigned according to the established routes from last year. However, if you have recently moved, you will need to update your contact information in Skyward Family Access using the "Address Change" tile. This form must be reviewed and verified by the campus registrar before any changes are accepted.
Returning students who did not utilize transportation this past spring will need to register for services for the 2024-2025 school year. The form is available in Skyward Family Access and includes a simple checkbox asking if transportation services are needed for the student (see tile below):
Students new to the district who have completed enrollment in Skyward Family Access for the 2024-2025 school year and have elected for transportation services as a part of that process do not need to re-register. Please note, the form can be completed and resubmitted multiple times, so it is normal for parents to still see the Bus Registration tile in Skyward Family Access.
Route Assignments, Updates, and Activation Timelines:
Ridership will be assigned according to the routes established in the spring of 2024. For all students who utilized transportation services this past spring and for new registrations entered by July 31, 2024, route assignments will be posted by August 7, 2024 in SMART tag and at Infofinder. Please allow three to five business days to obtain route assignments for any new registrations requested after July 31.
If your Tiger is absent on the first day of school, please contact our Registrar, Becky Wright, to establish enrollment and a start date. Transportation routing will be reactivated once your child is present at school during official attendance time. Please allow three business days for this to occur.
While the LTISD Transportation Department strives to accommodate all registered students, transportation services are provided based on available resources including driver availability and route capacity. At this time, LTISD is unable to provide transportation to neighborhoods that did not receive services last year.
If you have any questions regarding your registration or need further assistance, please contact our Transportation Department at 512-533-6070. Thank you for your cooperation and support as we all work together to provide safe and reliable transportation for our students.
Although the deadline has passed for ordering WCHE supply kits online, it's not too late to shop for supplies! We have lists of the school supplies for 2024-2025 so that you can purchase supplies on your own from any source convenient to you. Please bring your supplies with you to our Meet the Teacher event August 12.
If you have a concern about the affordability of school supplies, please feel free to reach out to our School Counselor, Mr. Boren. We often have a limited supply of kits available, and he will be happy to discuss this with you.
West Cypress Hills Elementary
Email: WCHPrincipal@ltisdschools.org
Website: https://wche.ltisdschools.org/
Phone: 512-533-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools