Mills Elementary School

September 30, 2024

A Note From The Principal

Dear Families,

Fall Parent/Caregiver-Teacher Conferences will take place in the month of October, with the official Elementary Fall conference day held on October 14. Students have the day off that day, and families will be invited to sign up for conference sessions with your child's teacher. These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for you to meet with your child's teacher, discuss their progress, and learn more about how we can work together to ensure a successful school year.

Please be on the lookout for more details, including the specific dates and sign-up information. We encourage all families to participate in these important conversations, as your involvement plays a key role in your child’s academic and personal development.

During the conference, teachers will be sharing information about your child's:

1. Social emotional progress and personal development.

2. Academic performance- District assessments and grade level assessment data given at the beginning of the year. Prior year STAAR scores will also be shared if applicable.

3. Ways for you to support at home to build academic and social/emotional growth.

Student Digital Citizenship and Smart Devices

We recognize that cell phones/smart watches have become an integral part of our daily lives and serve as important tools for communication. However, it’s essential that we maintain a healthy balance between technology use and our students’ focus on learning.

As you are aware, the Mills Family Handbook and district requires that students are not on and/or using their cell phones/smart watches during school hours. During instructional time, students are expected to keep their cell phones turned off and stored away in backpacks. A student may have their smart watches on their wrist, however, they are to be powered off and/or turned onto ‘School Mode.’ This helps minimize distractions and allows students to engage fully in their learning. If your child has received a warning about using their cell phone/smart watch, teachers and/or administrators may contact you to pick up your child’s phone or smart watch.

We encourage families to have conversations about the responsible and safe use of texting, social media, and screen time. This could include conversations about proper/healthy ways to communicate on phones and social media. These topics are included in the district's Responsible Use of Technology guidelines found here: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/policy.

We appreciate your support in helping our students foster a joyful and safe learning environment. If you have any questions or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our school counselors or teachers.

You can review the district Responsible Use policy of technology here: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/policy

Special Meeting Monday 9/30 to Discuss School Funding with our AISD Trustee

Our school board trustee, Dr. David Kauffman, will be holding a special meeting tonight, September 30, 2024 at 7pm to discuss school funding and Proposition A.

We encourage you to attend to learn more about district funding, Prop A and the upcoming election.

Please register in order to receive the Zoom link.

https://forms.gle/oKTESmHbqjh6yYJN7

A Note from Mills PE Department: Fitnessgram

CATCH Family Fitness Night is October 16!

Every Fall, we open up our doors to host a Family Fitness and Fun Night. This year, CATCH Night will be held on October 16, from 5pm-7pm! We'll have a plethora of wellness games and activities for families to engage with along with many vendors/booths here to share their wellness offerings! We'll also be raffling off a number of great prizes and experiences!

We encourage you to pack a healthy picnic and have dinner on campus during CATCH night as well! This will be a great way to mix and mingle with other families and share in family fitness and wellness at Mills!

Dates to Remember

10/2- 4th Grade Field Trip

10/3- No School for Students / Staff Professional Learning Day

10/4- No School for Students and Staff

10/7- October Campus Advisory Council Meeting

10/8- 5th Grade Super Fun Book Club after school

10/9- City of Austin Walk to School Day

10/11- October Principal Coffee: Dyslexia Awareness and Dyslexia Documentary Viewing in the Mills Library, 7:50am

10/14- Elementary Student Conferences/Student Holiday

10/16- Family Fitness 'CATCH' Night, 5pm-7pm

10/21-10/25 Book Fair

10/23- STEM/Maker Space Family Night

10/25- Kindergarten Field Trip

10/25- PTA 5th Grade Monster Mash

10/29- 1st Grade Glow Show Art Program, 1:55pm-2:40pm

10/30- 3rd Grade Music Program 8am & 9am

10/31- Halloween

11/1- Student/Staff Holiday- Diwali

11/5- Student/Staff Holiday Election Day

https://www.austinisd.org/sites/default/files/dept/ctfc/docs/Calendar_2024_2025_4.pdf

Ready to Volunteer on Campus?

https://austinisd.voly.org/

Welcome to Austin ISD's new volunteer management platform! All Mills Elementary Volunteers must complete the application through the link above.

Thank you for your interest in supporting our students and schools.

Volunteer Opportunities at Mills! Contact the front office to learn more: 512-841-2400 or email susan.jetton@austinisd.org or kristi.thomason@austinisd.org

Lunchroom

Teacher Work Room

Front Office

Roaring Readers (help students with literacy)

Classroom

WatchDOGS

Spanish Program Volunteer

Landscaping