School Pictures
Thanks to Emily with Captured Austin for taking student and staff portraits this week. Our students were definitely well-dressed and smiling big! Once the proofs are ready, we will send you a link, where you can access your password-protected proofs and make your purchases online, directly with the photographer. Orders (prints, class photos, canvases, and other packages) will be sent directly to your home from the photographer. For any students who were absent, we will have make-up pictures on Wednesday, May 26th from 8:30-9:30 am. Due to a cap and gown backorder, we will also have our 8th Grade Cap and Gown pictures at this time. We look forward to seeing these beautiful, modern school portraits soon!
8th Grade Sex Education
This week, our 8th grade students participated in two additional sex education workshops with Linsday Fram. Their sessions covered STD and pregnancy prevention as well as sexual media. Students ended the class with an anonymous question box. It was an informative and educational time!
COVID-19 Vaccines Open to Ages 12+
As you are likely aware, individuals 12 and older are now able to get their free first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations will be taking place this weekend during a drive-through vaccine clinic at the Exposition Center (7311 Decker Lane, Austin, TX 78724) from 9am to 5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. While currently not required by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, families with children aged 12-17 are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine as soon as possible. The consent of a parent or guardian is required for ages 12-17 and the parent or guardian must be present, and in the vehicle, when they arrive at the Exposition Center. Alternatively, families may sign-up for vaccination through UT Health Austin.
Exemption from Certain Quarantine Requirements
Under new guidance from local health authorities, schools may exempt students from certain quarantine requirements once they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you elect to have your child vaccinated in the coming months, please send proof of vaccination to the AIS Reception so that it may be included in their student file. This guidance will evolve in the coming months, so please continue to review the Friday Flash and any special school communiqués pertaining to vaccinations and quarantine requirements.
AIS Community Vaccination: One-Minute Survey
To help us have a better understanding of the level of vaccine protection in the AIS community, please a brief moment to complete this AIS one-minute quick survey. Having this data will help us continue to make data-driven decisions regarding virus-protection protocols while maintaining our school’s commitment to being informed, prepared, and safe.
French Ministry of Education – Accreditation for 5e/4e (7th and 8th)
A huge MERCI goes out to all community members who played a role in supporting our move toward full accreditation of our middle school program by the overseas arm of the French Ministry of Education (Aefe)! After three full days of virtual visits with Ms. Isabelle Polizzi, Inspector for the Ministry of Education, our leadership team was provided an oral report of her findings which included many highlights of our truly excellent program. She will make a written report to the Inter-ministerial Commission on School Accreditations that will meet in Paris in June 2021 to make a final determination on accreditation for our school’s 7th and 8th grade programs. With the achievement of that milestone, AIS will be the only school in central Texas to be fully accredited from K-8 for by both regional (ISAS) and international (Aefe) accrediting bodies. Bravo !
MAP Spring Testing Session begins next week
Students will be completing their final MAP testing of the year over the next two weeks (May 17-May 28). Please be sure that students eat a healthy breakfast and get plenty of sleep in order to do their best!
MAP Family Workshops - 5/17 thru 5/21
MAP assessments are conducted three times per year in GS (Kinder) through 4e (8th). In order to receive results from MAP assessments, at least one parent or guardian is required to attend a MAP Family Workshop. If you have attended a workshop in the past, you are not required to attend a new one—though you are welcome to if you would like a refresher! Due to the pandemic, these workshops will be offered virtually throughout the week next week. To see the available time slots and sign-up to attend a session, please visit this sign-up link. See you there!
May Board Meeting - Tue., 5/25 6:30 pm
The AIS governing Board of Directors will convene virtually on Tuesday, May 25th at 6:30 pm. AIS community members are welcome to join the Open Session of the meeting. Comments and questions are reserved for board members during the program, however, there is a public comments section at the conclusion of the Open Session to provide feedback.
Picture Make-up Day - Wed., 5/26, 8:30 am
Make-up Pictures and 8th grade graduation photos will be taken from 8:30 - 9:30 on Wednesday, May 26th.
8th Grade Graduation - Fri., 5/28 5:00 pm
We are excited to host our annual 8th Grade Graduation in celebration of our Class of 2021 on Friday, May 28th at 5pm! This event will be in person outside for parents/guardians and siblings only, and anyone else can feel free to join us via Zoom using the information below. Email principal@austinis.org if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you soon (either virtually or in-person!).
Memorial Day/No School - Mon., 5/31
The school will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 31st.
Elementary Achievement Ceremonies
We are happy to announce that we will have modified, in-person CM2 Promotion Ceremonies for our two CM2 classes for students and their parents/guardians only. Due to the large number of students and families in CM2, limited spacing, and remaining distancing requirements, however, we will not be able to accommodate a combined program for the two classes. Both ceremonies will take place under the portico on the respective days, where it will be nice and shaded. We will also stream the ceremony via Zoom for family and friends to view at home. Invitations for CM2 families will be sent out on Monday and Zoom information will be included in next week's Friday Flash.
- CM2a Promotion will be on Tuesday, 6/1 at 5:00 pm
- CM2b Promotion will be on Wednesday, 6/2 at 5:00 pm
Parent-Teacher Organization Meeting - 6/3 5:30 pm
Please join other community members for the last virtual PTO meeting of the year on Friday, June 3rd at 5:30 pm. More details to follow. There are open PTO executive committee positions for next year. If you are interested in giving back to the school and supporting fellow parents, guardians, and faculty, please reach out to ais-pto@austinis.org.
Report Cards - Fri., 6/4
Report cards for the final semester will be sent out on Friday, June 4th.
Spirit Week - 6/7 thru 6/9
Stay tuned for more details about celebrating Spirit Week for our last week of school.
Save the Date-End of Year Spirit Night at the Drive-In - Tue., 6/8
We hope you can join us for a special community event to celebrate the end of the year: a Drive-In Movie at the Blue Starlight Urban Drive-In in Round Rock on Tuesday, June 8th! Entrance to the drive-in will begin at 8 pm and the movie "Tom & Jerry: The Movie" 2021 will begin at dusk between 8:30 - 9:00 pm.
- Tickets will be $50 per carload - with a maximum of 60 cars/200 people.
- You can opt to pre-order a Snack Combo for $10 which includes a drink, popcorn, & candy. Some limited refreshments will be available on-site at full price.
- Purchase your admission here (per carload)
The following COVID protocols apply. All guests must remain in vehicles except for restroom use and refreshment pick-up. No open hatchbacks. Masks must be worn outside of vehicles or when windows are cracked down below 75%
Last Day of the 2021-2022 School Year - Wed., 6/9
Wednesday, June 8th will be the last day of the academic school year.
AIS Yearbook Pre-Orders
It's the time of year to pre-order your AIS yearbook! In order to secure your yearbook, please order before the deadline of May 28th! Your yearbook will be shipped directly to your home address this year!
School Supplies for 2021-2022
Be on the lookout for school supply lists and ordering options for our class school supplies for next year. We will send out this information in early June.
KidztoProz Summer Camp at AIS
Our partners, KidzToPros, will host their summer camps at AIS and have included a May discount on their camps for a $100 off. Register at www.kidztopros.com and enter code FLY100 during checkout to receive $100 off each camp, just for AIS students. Camps include many offerings from sports to robotics for students aged 4 to 14. For registration information or any questions, please reach out to the KidzToPros.
Save the dates
Mark these important upcoming dates on your calendars.
- 5/17 MAP Assessments begin
- 5/17-5/21 MAP Parent workshops
- 5/25 May Board Meeting
- 5/28 4e/8th Grade Graduation
- 5/31 Memorial Day - No School
- 6/1 CM2a Promotion Ceremony
- 6/2 CM2b Promotion Ceremony
- 6/3 PTO Meeting
- 6/4 Report Cards Sent
- 6/7 - 6/9 Spirit Week
- 6/8 Spirit Night at the Drive-In!
- 6/9 Last Day of School!
- 6/14 - 8/4 Summer Camps
