AHS BULLDOGS COMMUNITY NEWS

From the Desk of Ms. Cortez, AHS Principal...

We’ve had two full weeks of school, and our students are doing a tremendous job of meeting our expectations. We completed our grade level assemblies last week, in which we reviewed important information with our Bulldogs about our expectations. We appreciate your support in making sure your child is following our guidelines, including getting to school on time, getting to their classes on time, and being in dress code.

Attendance:

Attendance is extremely important. Please make sure that your child is attending school every day, unless they have an illness. When a student is absent, the parent or guardian should send an absence letter to our Attendance clerks at AttendanceAHS@fortbendisd.gov All notes should be sent electronically. Students should be getting to their classes on time. Please be advised that attendance and tardies are used to determine eligibility for semester exam exemptions. Student must be in attendance 90% of the time in order to receive credit in a course.

Laptops:

We started distributing student laptops this week, and as of today. For the rest of next week, we will continue to distribute laptops to students who still need them. As with any new initiative, there have been a few hiccups, but most of our students have received their laptops. More information will be forthcoming regarding tech support, getting certain applications added to the computers, unblocking certain educational websites, etc. For now, we just want every student to have their laptop in their possession. Once they have been issued a laptop, the expectation is that the students bring them to school, fully charged, every day.

Many parents have asked about purchasing insurance for their student’s laptop. Insurance can be purchased on the FBISD RevTrak page. Please click on the top $ symbol to get to the correct spot. (see image below)

ID Badges:

On Friday August 16, we started distributing student ID badges, plastic sleeves, and lanyards to every AHS student. The expectation is that students will have their ID badge on, around their neck on a lanyard, every single day at school. These ID badges were pre-printed by the ID badge company using student pictures that are uploaded in Skyward. In some cases, we may not have a pre-printed badge for a student. If that is the case, we will get a badge printed as soon as possible. We are also working on getting IDs for our new students.

On Monday, August 26, students who ride the bus will have to scan their ID to enter and exit the bus. If a student does not have an ID by Monday and rides the bus, he/she will still be able to enter and exit the bus by giving the bus driver his/her name to enter manually into the ID badge system.

Thank you for your patience as we work to get over 2,700 students an ID badge. Eventually students will use ID badges for purchasing lunch and checking out Library books as well. It is important that students wear their ID badges every day and try not to lose them. There will be a fee to replace a lost ID badge, and consequences for students who refuse to wear them or forget on a regular basis. More details on fees and consequences will be coming soon. The focus right now is to just get the badges distributed to all.

Ms. Rachel Cortez - Campus Principal

Mr. Kyle Lovetinsky - Associate Principal

Assistant Principals

Ms. Adaun Udechukwu/Mr. Ricky Oliphant (A-Cha)

Mr. Brent Duvall (Che-H)

Mrs. Meraj Khan (I-Mi)

Dr. Sharon Delesbore (Mo-R)

Mr. George Long (S-Z)

Ms. Monica Navarro (Lead) (A)

Ms. Amanda Wade (B-E)

Ms. Julie Masters-Garcia (F-Ke)

Mr. Irvin Casely-Hayford (Kh-Ne)

Vacancy (Ng-Se)

Ms. Kaley Dean (Sh-Z)

CCMR Advisor - Ms. Kristin Richter

AHS Social Worker - Ms. Ana R. Siddiqui

Testing Coordinator - Mrs. Paige Tomlin

Subject: College Board Accommodations Request

Attention Students with Existing Documented Accommodations!

If a student doesn’t already have College Board accommodations, and they would like their 504/Special Education accommodations considered for AP, SAT, PSAT exams this school year, please complete the attached consent form to request the accommodations from College Board. Then, email the completed form to Irvin Casely-Hayford, AP & SSD Coordinator, at Irvin.caselyhayford@fortbendisd.gov .

Please note that the accommodations request process could take up to 8 weeks for College Board to render a decision, after the request has been submitted to College Board.

Use this form

For additional information, you may visit

https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/support/advice-students-families

Beginning this year, students in Fort Bend ISD will complete NWEA MAP computer-adaptive assessments three times a year to gain information about what students know and what they are ready to learn next. MAP also gives insight into how students are growing academically, allowing you to track your student's progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. Families will have access to their child's results after each testing window. NWEA MAP is replacing Renaissance 360. For more information, visit the NWEA Family Toolkit linked here.

Our FIRST FRESHMAN Dawg of the Week is Maximiliano Cortina. Maximiliano demonstrates he is Grateful for Others by taking with those who sit alone at lunch.

Vina Bui represents the First Sophomore Dawg of the Week. Vina shows that she is Determined for Greatness by being very helpful to others.

The FIRST JUNIOR Dawg of the Week is Azlaan Noorali. By making sure the hallways were operating how they were meant to be and helping those who seemed to be lost, Azlaan demonstrates World Class Leadership.

And representing Seniors as their first Dawg of the Week is Elena Jackson. Elena was observed being both a World Class Leader AND Determined for Greatness. She helps teachers, brings good spirit to every class, is nice, kind, and helped many of our new students.

Great to have over 30 representatives on campus to share about opportunities after graduation.

Student Leadership 101 Applications

re-opened through August 27th

Calling all 11th Grade @Austin High School! Apply to join the Student Leadership 101 Cohort. This a dynamic initiative by the FBISD Board of Trustees, is a two-year commitment (junior and senior years) where you will interact with peers from all 12 high schools while engaging in leadership opportunities.

What’s in it for you?

· Explore: Dive into monthly seminars where you’ll witness leadership in action across diverse fields, such as youth advocacy, service, local government, business, and healthcare. 🌐

· Connect: Meet influential leaders from our community, expanding your network and gaining valuable insights. 🤝

· Empower: Discover your unique role in shaping our schools and community. 🌟

· Collaborate: Learn effective collaboration strategies from seasoned leaders. 🤝

Why Leadership 101/102?

· Cohort: Represent your high school and join a diverse cohort of future leaders. 🌟

· Inclusion: Promote diversity and inclusion within FBISD. 🌟

· Impact: Equip yourself with essential leadership skills to make a difference. 🌟

Ready to lead? Application open until Tuesday, August 27th at 11:59pm. Apply now! 🚀 Please reach out to Angela.Espinosa@Fortbendisd.gov with any questions. #FBISDStudentLeadership101

https://forms.office.com/r/yL1pWSaB8G

What's YIP? Youth In Philanthropy

In advance of the 2024-25 school year, parents are asked to log into "Family Access" to update their student's information forms. These forms are required for all students, both returning and new to FBISD.

Dear FBISD parents and guardians,

On September 1, 2023, House Bill 114 (HB 114), will go into effect to address the serious issue of vaping/e-cigarette use among students. Under this law, any student found in possession of any kind of vaping/e-cigarette device on a campus or at a school-related activity including bus transportation, will face disciplinary consequences including a placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP)*.

FBISD assures you that the district is committed to providing a supportive climate and safe learning environment that promotes students in accepting responsibility for their learning and behavior.

To be proactive, here are the ways your student might be impacted by the new law:

• If your student possesses an e-cigarette (even if it contains nothing) or any component, part or accessory for any vaping device while on school grounds or at a school-related event, they will be recommended for a mandatory placement in DAEP.

• When receiving disciplinary consequences for this offense, your student is not able to participate in any school activities. Furthermore, they may face removal from specific student clubs or organizations as stipulated by each organization's rules and regulations.

• Students with offenses that qualify for DAEP placement are not eligible for final exam exemptions for that school year.

Please speak with your student about the dangers of vaping and the new law. If your student is struggling with substance abuse, including vaping addiction or peer pressure to engage in these activities, FBISD counseling services are available to provide supports and resources to address such challenges.

As partners, FBISD and parents can work together to ensure student success. Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your campus directly.

* Based on DAEP program capacity, students may be placed in a campus-based discipline program.

Students and Parents,

#AttendanceMatters and Tardies Count: Please encourage your child to arrive to all classes on time. The following consequences are issued as a result of excessive tardies.

Dear AHS Parents,

Welcome back to another Exciting Year at Austin High School, Home of The Bulldogs!!

We would like to share some information with you regarding Morning Student Drop-Off.

The best time to drop your student off at AHS with little to no traffic is usually between 7:00 AM and 7:15 AM. After 7:15 AM the traffic flow becomes heavy and students risk being late to 1st period.

Areas for Drop-Off: Front Circle and Student Parking Lot Area (Northside of the Building)

Please Do Not Attempt To Drop Your Student Off on The Bus Ramp Side of the Building, That is Not Allowed, this area is for School Vehicles and School Personnel Only!

Please Drive Safe and Have A Great Bulldog Day!!

• • Seniors & Juniors:
    

    As we return for the 2024-25 School Year, Senior students will have the opportunity to purchase Preferred Parking for $75; all other student parking (for both Seniors & Juniors) will cost $50.

    To purchase parking, all seniors and juniors must have:

    • Completed the online application
    • A Valid Texas Driver's License
    • Valid Insurance showing the student's name as an insured driver
    • No outstanding fines on the AHS Fine List
    • Must be on record as a Junior/Senior by August 2024

    Students who have purchased their parking permits for the 2024-245 school year can come and pick them up on Wednesday, August 7, 2023 in Office 108 between 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

    Students who don't pick up their permits before school starts should not drive to school until they have their permit!

    To pick your permit up, you must bring:

    • a copy of the 2024-25 Student Parking Rules & Regulations (signed by a parent or guardian); and
    • a photocopy of your receipt.

Are you ready for some football, volleyball, and water polo?!?! Their seasons have begun! We invite all parents and community members to come and support our Bulldogs in elevating our school pride! Please see the schedules below for dates and locations. We look forward to seeing you there!

Two Location in One Day...Let's Support NJROTC on August 31st!

Email: adaun.udechukwu@fortbendisd.com
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/ahs
Location: 3434 Pheasant Creek Drive, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-2000
Twitter: @AHSBulldogs