Coyote Connection

We are so excited for the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

Our First Day of School is Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Please help us celebrate by tweeting and posting first day pictures and include #iheartaisd and tag us @anna_isd.

Back to School Reminders

• Leave extra time for drop-off and pick-up for the first 10 days of school.

• Bus Transportation for pick-up and drop-off may be delayed as new routes are added so that students are transported to and from school safely.

• School start times

• Elementary.........7:30 am - 3:05 pm

• Middle................8:25 am - 4:00 pm

• High....................8:25 am - 4:00 pm

As the new school year approaches, the safety and security of Anna ISD students and staff are at the forefront of our minds. Anna ISD strives to continually assess any areas of concern for improvement. We have taken the following steps to increase safety in our district:

Door checks are part of a series of requirements mandated by the state in the wake of the Uvalde tragedy. Before the start of the school year, districts are also required to:

• Conduct partial school safety audits

• Review emergency plans

• Review access control procedures

• Train all staff, including substitutes on safety procedures

• Ensure all threat assessment team members are trained

• Schedule all mandatory drills for the school year

Anna ISD has hired an additional full-time police officer and plans on adding two part-time officers this year for a total of six Anna ISD police officers. We have also partnered with local first responders and the Collin County Emergency Management to work more efficiently during a time of crisis.

Every staff member in Anna ISD is committed to making our schools as safe as humanly possible.

• Every staff member has been trained about what to do in case of an emergency or active threat.

• Every campus is audited by our police department every year, which is beyond the requirements of the Texas Education Agency which only requires a campus audit every three years.

• Every exterior door has been examined by our maintenance staff and police department to ensure that the locking systems are operational.

• We conduct weekly door checks.

• The district policy mandates that all instructional classroom doors be locked.

• Campus staff monitor the halls during arrival, dismissal and passing periods.

• Every campus has controlled access to enter the building.

• Every visitor must check in with the front office and provide a driver’s license to enter.

• We strive to have at least one defender on each campus.

The defender program has been in Anna ISD since 2017. It is designed to train vetted staff members to carry a handgun while on district property. Members of the program must go through extensive training and maintain program requirements including those listed below:

• Employed by AISD for a minimum of two years

• Current license to carry in the state of Texas

• Pass a police psychological

• Pass firearms simulator scenarios

• Attend certification program

• Attend practice sessions every other month

• Attend mandatory summer training annually

• Follow all regulations of the program

In addition to our highly trained police force, there are several layers of less obvious security measures on every campus.

• More-than 500 cameras in the district, monitored by Anna ISD PD

• Bullet-resistant glass in strategic areas

• Strategic patrol schedules and routes

• Additional response measures that are in constant operation that we cannot reveal because of the need for secrecy around these security assets.

Earlier this month AISD leaders launched the ‘I 💜AISD’ campaign. This campaign will lead the charge for the district’s engagement efforts with the entire AISD community, as it works together to spread a positive message. AISD Makerspace Integration Tech Spec Emily Burk said, “I love AISD because innovation and student voice and choice is supported for our students.” Tabatha Kramer, Rattan Elementary assistant principal said, “I love AISD because it feels like a family and even with the growth that we are experiencing it is still a warm and welcoming place to be.” You can see more testimonials like these on the Anna ISD website, just click on the I 💜AISD icon at the top. You can also add your own testimonial by filling out the testimonial form available on the I 💜AISD webpage.

August 17....................First Day of School

September 5................School Holiday

September 23..............Student Holiday

September 26..............Student Holiday