Mills Elementary School
Sept 3, 2024
A Note From The Principal
Dear Families,
We look forward to a packed and joyful week ahead! Are you curious about systems, schedules, people, ways to get involved, and how things run at Mills? Join us this week to get answers to your questions! Hop onto the Principal Q & A Zooms on Sept 4 (see zoom link & flyer below) and then attend Back to School Night on Sept 5!
During Back to School Night, you'll get to learn more about the grade level curriculum, a day in the school life of your Mountain Lion, as well as get information on grade level/campus events and celebrations. Our Essential Areas teachers (PE, Art, Music, STEM, Cultural Studies) will be available to chat with you and answer questions about essential areas classes, too! *Please note that BTS Night is an adult only event.
There will also be a new way our families will be receiving campus updates beginning September 9! We'll be transitioning away from Smore newsletters and creating newsletters via Thrillshare. These newsletters/bulletins will be shared with our Mills families via your existing emails, phone numbers on file AND the Austin ISD app! Keep reading below for detailed info!
New Way to Receive Communication from Austin ISD & Mills!
Important Update:
New Way to Receive News from Mills Elementary School
For years, we have used this SMORE platform for our newsletters. However, we're transitioning to the new AISD app! You'll begin receiving text and email notifications.
What’s Changing?
Goodbye SMORE, Hello AISD App! The AISD app will now be our primary method for sharing information about Mills Elementary School.
New Newsletter Format: Our campus weekly newsletters will be created in Thrillshare and sent directly to Parent/guardian email AND the AISD app beginning September 9th.
How to Stay Updated
Current Parents and Staff: Download the new AISD app and follow Mills Elementary School to get all updates.
Other Community Members: If you're a stepparent, grandparent, future parent, or simply interested in Mills Elementary School, download the app and follow us to stay informed.
Action Steps:
1. Download the AISD app today. Look for the AISD apple with the white background.
2. Follow Mills Elementary School within the app.
3. Set Mills as your default school in settings
Austin ISD Mobile App
A new mobile app for Austin ISD is now available for download!
Users can stay up-to-date with events, documents, news from administrators, student stories and emergency notifications.
Safe Driving Reminders During Arrival & Dismissal
Mills is an Austin Ed Fund Grant Recipient!!
Austin Ed Fund was established as the Austin Public Education Foundation in 1993 to receive and disburse grants for the support of education and educational projects of the Austin Independent School District. Since 2001, the Austin Ed Fund has facilitated more than $46 million in support of Austin ISD students and teachers.
This year, Austin Ed Fund awarded Mills Elementary with $7,500 to support our initiative of strengthening Math instruction and Math interventions for students at all grade levels!
Gifted & Talented (GT) Nomination Information
The GT Nomination Window is officially open.
The Advanced Academics Department has lengthened the nomination period this year. The window will remain open until October 7. Parents or teachers may nominate. Parents are encouraged to reach out to the classroom teachers if considering nomination, especially in kindergarten. The flyer has specific details and Austin ISD will be holding a Parent Information Session.
Please reach out to Assistant Principal Courtney Cartlidge if you have any questions regarding nominations.
HEB Excellence in Education: Nominate a Mills Educator
Let’s lift up and recognize Austin ISD and our campus staff for the exceptional work being done to serve students! The H-E-B Excellence in Education program awards cash grants to finalists, winners, and their schools. A nomination starts a journey that can lead to impactful benefits for the schools and districts in your community.
Nominate a Mills staff member for the HEB Excellence in Education Award! Nominations open until October 7, 2024.
Absent? Follow These Protocols
Follow the link below to complete the form to notify the Mills front office and registrar of your child's absence. Once you complete and submit the form, the front office will be notified by email.
https://www.austinisd.org/attendance/report-absence
New: Parent/guardian notes for illness may be used to excuse a total of 8 absences for the school year. If exceeding 8 parent/guardian notes, parent/guardian are encouraged to communicate with campus principal or assistant principal to discuss the reason(s) for absences and whether future parent/guardian notes will be accepted.
Lunch Visitors are Welcome Sept 9
1) Always check in with the front office and bring your ID. You are welcome to bring outside food OR buy an adult lunch from the Mills cafeteria.
2) Only eat lunch with your Mountain Lion (do not invite other students) at designated tables in the lunch room. Adults do not sit at student lunch tables. You are also welcome to go outside and eat on the picnic tables in the front of the campus.
3) Students need to return to their class as they are lining up at the end of lunchtime.
4) Lunch is 30 minutes long for every student. If you need your child's lunch time, please email the teacher or contact the front office.
School Day Start and End Times
7:40am- The elementary school day begins. Students should be in classrooms by 7:40am. The district will count any student tardy who is not in the building by 7:40am. School administrators will contact families to request a meeting if consistent and multiple tardies become a pattern.
3:10pm-The elementary school day ends. If you are picking your child up early and checking out, please do so before 2:45pm.
Ready to Volunteer on Campus?
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
Dates to Remember
9/2- No School; Labor Day Holiday
9/3- MAP Growth Fall Assessment Window Opens
9/4- Principal Zoom- Questions & Answers/Back to School Updates with Principal Frageman 9:30am & 4:30pm https://austinisd-org.zoom.us/j/86000587537
9/5- Back to School Night for Families 5:30pm-6:30pm Kinder-2nd Grade; 6:45pm-7:45pm 3rd-5th Grade
9/9-Campus Advisory Council (CAC) September Meeting 3:30pm
9/10- Library Volunteer Orientation 8am Mills Library
9/12-Principal Coffee & PTA General Meeting 7:50am, Library
9/27- Ann Patchett Author Visit for Kindergarten-3rd Grade Students
10/2- 4th Grade Field Trip
10/3- Student Holiday/Staff Professional Learning Day
10/9- City of Austin Walk to School Day
Mills College Colors Day 8.30.24
