Parents urged to speak with children about school threats, review Standard Response Protocols
On October 3, the Lake Travis Police Department made its third arrest in as many days in connection with threats and school safety matters across the district.
"Since September 13, school threats and other safety concerns have occupied our full attention and resources, resulting in some very trying times for our students, staff, parents, first responders, and community," said LTISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton. "As parents, your help is not only important to us, it is much needed."
Mr. Norton urges parents to speak with their children and remind them that school threats have very serious consequences.
"Rumors should not be spread; instead, they should be reported immediately," he added. "If students see something, they should say something. As a reminder, our Cavs Who Care tip line is available to all students, staff, and parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mr. Norton also recognizes that the recent threats and concerns about school safety can be unsettling for students.
"Students are encouraged to visit with their school counselor for any emotional or mental health assistance that may be needed.
The superintendent also asks parents to review the District's Standard Response Protocols, a set of actions which provides guidance to schools and first responders for clear and consistent emergency response.
"With your help, we will continue to foster a safe learning environment for all students and staff," Mr. Norton concluded.
"Lake Travis ISD Matters" podcast returns
Lake Travis ISD has released the fifth episode of its award-winning podcast, Lake Travis ISD Matters.
In light of recent school threats across our district, guests Paul Norton, Superintendent of Schools, and Andy Michael, LTISD Chief of Police/Director of Security, provide an overview of the Standard Response Protocol, define roles of law enforcement/first responders and District administration, and discuss communication during an emergency.
"The purpose of the podcast is to take a deeper dive into matters that are important to our school community," said Marco Alvarado, Executive Director of Communications & Community Relations and host of the podcast.
LTISD, local nonprofit huddle up for student mental health initiative
In observance of World Mental Health Day on Thursday, October 10, Lake Travis ISD and the Engage and Heal Foundation are teaming up to support Snaps for Mental Health, a student-led initiative sponsored by the Lake Travis High School Breathe Initiative.
"With the recent threats to our district, it's crucial that we come together as a community to promote school safety," said Lake Travis ISD Superintendent of Schools Paul Norton. "One way to do this is by supporting student-led efforts that engage our community and can help us heal. We're proud to work with groups like the Engage and Heal Foundation who are dedicated to building a stronger and healthier, student-centered community."
Snaps for Mental Health is designed to highlight mental health challenges experienced by athletes in the LTISD community. LTHS senior/football long snapper and LT Breathe Initiative ambassador Robby Belmarez will attempt to secure donations with each successful long snap made during the 2024 varsity regular and post-season.
Since 2019, the Engage and Heal Foundation—an Austin-area nonprofit organization dedicated to erasing the stigma of mental health challenges facing high school students and young adults—has made a $20,000 commitment to LTISD, supporting the Ropes Course and online counseling for students, teachers, and parents.
“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from LTISD,” says Engage and Heal Foundation President Amelia Floyd, “and our champions in the community, like the LT Breathe Initiative students who are eager to lead the Snaps for Mental Health campaign. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that one in six U.S. youth aged six to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 14. This is a true crisis we all face, and young lives are at stake. We are here to make a difference, start conversations, and stop the suffering.”
For more information about Snaps for Mental Health, visit www.betterunite.com/engageandhealfoundation-snapsformentalhealth.
October is "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month"
During the 88th Texas Legislature, Gov. Abbott signed several laws to combat the escalating national fentanyl crisis, including House Bill 3144, which designates October as "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month" in Texas. To help fight the fentanyl problem, parents can:
- Talk to your children; tell them ANY pill they get from a friend or purchased online or off of the street could be a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl.
- Remind children to only take medication prescribed by a doctor, purchased at a pharmacy, and approved by parents or guardians.
- Watch and share this video from the Office of the Texas Governor.
Additionally, effective May 2024, the state mandates that administration of medication during the school day requires a signed Request for Medication Administration form with signatures from a parent/guardian AND a medical provider. This includes but is not limited to ibuprofen or acetaminophen, oral or topical allergy medication, insect bite cream, and burn gel.
Parents can visit our student health services webpage for details and may also reach out to their child's school nurse with any specific concerns.
Wednesday, October 16 is "Unity Day"
In recognition of Bullying Prevention Month, Wednesday, October 16 will be observed as "Unity Day" across LTISD. All students and staff are encouraged to wear orange as a symbol of support, kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Sponsored by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, the effort sends a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying and that all students deserve to be safe in school, online, and in the community.
Early voting in November 5 General Election begins Monday, October 21
Early voting in the November 5 General Election is right around the corner. During early voting, you can choose to vote at any polling location in Travis County. The Travis County Clerk's Office has provided a list and map of early voting locations on its website. However, early voting locations within LTISD boundaries will include:
- Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave, 78738
- Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center, 607 Ranch Road 620 North, Austin, 78734
- Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, 78734
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. On Election Day, the LTISD-area polling locations will include:
- Bee Cave City Hall, 4000 Galleria Parkway, Bee Cave, 78738
- Briarcliff POA Community Center, 22801 Briarcliff Drive, Spicewood, 78669
- Lake Travis ISD Educational Development Center, 607 Ranch Road 620 North, Austin, 78734
- Lake Travis ISD Transportation Center, 16101 State Highway 71, Building A, Austin, 78738
- Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway, 78734
- Travis County Sheriff West Command, 3800 Hudson Bend Road, Austin, 78734
For more information, visit the Travis County Clerk's website.
LTEF delivers big on check day
The Lake Travis Education Foundation recently provided LTISD with $450,000 to fund grants and classroom projects for the 2024-2025 school year.
A ceremonial check was presented by Tonya Boggan, 2023-2024 LTEF President (holding check on left), and Claire Kinnersley, Director of Corporate Relations and the Lake Travis Education Foundation (holding check on right), during the September 18 meeting of the Lake Travis school board. Other members of the LTEF board are also pictured, including Dave DeLira, Tom Wiri, Kyle Morgan, Amy Hanken, Christy Black, John Severance, and Aimee Riebold.
The Lake Travis Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting LTISD's pursuit of educational excellence through empowering teachers in the Innovative Educator Grant process and funding scholarships for graduating LTISD students in their post-secondary journey. Founded in 1985, LTEF has provided more than $4.7 million in funding to support Lake Travis ISD.
Preliminary designs of the Cavalier Stadium Renovation and Women's Field House Addition now available
On November 7, 2023, Lake Travis ISD voters approved Proposition A in the District’s 2023 bond referendum—a $143 million package to fund new construction for stadium facilities serving students at High School #2, as well as renovations and upgrades at Lake Travis High School and LTISD's three middle schools.
City of Bee Cave hosts ice cream social to commemorate "Texas Teachers Day"
The City of Bee Cave and the Lake Travis Education Foundation celebrated "Texas Teachers Day" in the best way: with free ice cream.
On Saturday, October 5, teachers, parents, and students came out to the lawn at the Hill Country Galleria for the inaugural "Texas Teacher Day" Ice Cream Social. The event included a balloon artist and a special performance by the Lake Travis High School Cheerleaders. The Cavalettes, Red Rubies, and the LTHS Cavalier mascot were also on hand to show their appreciation and support for LTISD teachers.
"We are grateful to our friends and neighbors at the Hill Country Galleria for donating gift cards to our Lake Travis teachers," said Claire Kinnersley, Director of Corporate Relations and the Lake Travis Education Foundation who served as co-host of the event.
LTHS named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll for second year in a row
The College Board has announced that Lake Travis High School has been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP) School Honor Roll for the second year in a row, earning Silver distinction.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
At Lake Travis, 62% of seniors took at least one AP exam during high school, 51% of seniors scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 21% of seniors took five or more AP exam. Additional information about the 2024-2025 AP program at LTHS includes:
- Number of AP Courses Offered - 35
- Sections Taught - 134
- Number of AP Teachers - 38
LTHS also earned the AP Access Award, which honors schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework. Jen McNeil, Campus Testing Coordinator at LTHS, said, "Allowing greater access to our low-income students is a big part of why we were honored with the AP Access Award, along with the increased enrollment from underrepresented minority students."
“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” says Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance–they represent the best of our AP program.”
October is "Dyslexia Awareness Month"
In recognition and support of October 2024 as "Dyslexia Awareness Month," Lake Travis ISD and the International Dyslexia Association share a vision of a world where students with dyslexia are identified, understood, and have the tools to succeed.
According to IDA and the Texas Dyslexia Handbook, dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
LTISD’s highly-trained campus dyslexia specialists work directly with identified students. Additionally, they support their campuses to increase understanding and support for struggling readers:
- Sally Hernandez, Dell Pounds, Verenice Rodea, and Elisabeth Sanders - Lake Travis Elementary School
- Tracey Bradley and Alice Johnson - Lakeway Elementary School
- Emily Gullo and Amy Ledbetter - Bee Cave Elementary School
- Meredith Glasser and Erin Modde - Lake Pointe Elementary School
- Michaela Buddle, Stacey Lewis, and Amy Wilkinson - Serene Hills Elementary School
- Jennifer Aubele and Colea Podoloff - West Cypress Hills Elementary School
- Claudia Carpenter and Taylor Engelking - Rough Hollow Elementary School
- LuAnne Ainsworth - Itinerant Teacher
- Monica Wommack - Lake Travis Middle School
- Sharon McMichael - Hudson Bend Middle School
- Zoe Swift - Bee Cave Middle School
- Clover Yordanova - Lake Travis High School
- Diane Tilley - Lead Dyslexia Teacher
October is "National Physical Therapy Month"
To celebrate the impact of physical therapists, the American Physical Therapy Association has designated October 2024 as "National Physical Therapy Month."
At Lake Travis ISD, school-based physical therapists (PTs) are part of a team of service providers who support a student’s ability to access their educational environment. As specialists in movement, PTs assist a student’s physical participation in a variety of settings throughout the school day. Using their unique expertise in movement and function, our school-based PTs ensure a free and appropriate education for students with disabilities to prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.
The following Physical Therapists serve students across LTISD:
- Heather Amitrani
- Brooke Barisich
A Look Back: Texas Education HR Day (Oct. 9)
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 was celebrated as “Texas Education Human Resources Day” in recognition of our human resource professionals across the state. From recruiting, selecting, resourcing, and retaining highly-qualified staff, no one does it better than our very own HR department.
Now more than ever in times of change and challenge—as they continue to provide critical resources and support for more than 1,300 employees across our District—it is important to recognize our amazing team and the critical roles each of them fill:
- Jessica Blair - Administrative Assistant for Human Resources
- Shena Crawley - HR Specialist
- Dolma Diaz - HR Specialist
- Susan Fambrough - Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
- Kim Heinen - HR Manager
- Adrienne Murray - Certification Specialist
- Tiffany Toomey - HR Specialist II
- Myra Wright - HR Specialist II
A Look Back: National Instructional Coaches Day (Oct. 6)
Sunday, October 6, 2024 was celebrated as "National Instructional Coaches Day." At Lake Travis ISD, we employ a total of 17 instructional coaches districtwide (9 Elementary, 4 Secondary, 3 Special Education, and 1 Instructional Technology). These hard-working individuals perform a number of critical functions to support teaching and learning. They not only coach teachers and provide professional development, they also help write curriculum, analyze data, model lessons, review and provide instructional resources, and assist with team planning at multiple levels.
These coaches are also responsible for the planning and execution of multiple initiatives districtwide. They design and lead new professional orientation and back-to-school professional development for all staff at the beginning of each school year. In addition, coaches organize our Trailblazer mentor program to support new teachers at each campus.
The following Instructional Coaches deserve a big shoutout:
Elementary:
- Cecilia Fierro
- Wendy Gorfain
- Diana Jackson
- Meagan McGarrity
- Annie Powers
- Amy Puga
- Karen Purdy
- Megan Swank
- Lindsy Trapani
Secondary:
- Tara Banton-Foxhoven
- Lauren Feist
- William Davis
- Tana Wheeler
Special Education:
- Lyndsey Prosceno
- Clare Birdsall
- Megan Butler
Technology:
- Lisa Johnson
Keeping Connected
Use the LTISD Keeping Connected document to learn about the various ways to receive District and campus-level news, emergency notification, and other information. The document is also available in Spanish.
Stay in the know on the go with our District mobile app for iOS and Android. Follow LTISD on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. Learn about Peachjar, the innovative flyer management system that sends District- and school-approved digital flyers directly to parents via email.
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Lake Travis Independent School District
Email: info@ltisdschools.org
Website: www.ltisdschools.org
Location: 3322 Ranch Road 620 South, Austin, TX, 78738
Phone: 512-533-6000