What another fabulous week. Thank you for supporting our fourth graders for their Market Days. It was like Black Friday in the BHE halls :). Also a huge thank you to our parent volunteers who ran the STEM stations on Thursday. You were a tremendous help so that teachers could circulate and help students. And a huge shout out to our PTA for sponsoring " A Day of Drumming." I hope your student shared about this amazing event from Thursday.

On Monday, December 2nd parents will receive an email from their child's teacher regarding the Human Sexuality and Responsibilities Lessons that will be taught in December. Parents much choose to opt in or opt out of these lessons. Please fill out the form promptly so teachers can plan accordingly. If we do not receive a response, it is considered an "Opt OUT" and your child will participate in alternative lessons.

And finally, our BHE Science Fair will be happening in January. The Science Fair is open to all who want to participate. Please see more detailed information and a link to all the guidelines.

I hope everyone has a restful and happy Fall Break! We'll see you on Monday, December 2nd.

Kati Achtermann, Principal

December 2 - Human Sexuality and Responsibility Parent Opt In/Out letters sent to parents

December 6 - 8:00 School Tour for Future Parents

December 9 - 4:00 School Tour for Future Parents

December 10 - Fall Picture Retake Day

December 12 - 3:30 CAC Meeting

December 16: Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons Begin for K-5th Grades

December 17 - Fine Arts Night (more details coming)

December 19 - Spirit Day - Pajama Day

December 20 - Jingle Bell Run (schedule will be coming)

December 20: Last Day of School for First Semester

December 23-January 3: Winter Break!

January 6 - Staff Development/Student Holiday

January 7 - Students Return from Winter Break/First Day of Second Semester

January 10 - Spirit Day - Sports Team Day

January 20 - MLK Jr. Day/ Student and Staff Holiday

Inclusive Schools WeekTM is celebrated annually the first week in December by families, schools and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. The Week highlights and celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population. Learn more at www.inclusiveschools.org.

Science Fair season is approaching, and we’ve got the information to set our scientists up for success. Our Barton Hills Science Fair will be held on January 16th and is open to all who wish to participate. Twelve 3rd - 5th graders will have the opportunity to move on to the City of Austin Science Fair in February. CLICK HERE for guidelines and project how-to's.

Hello everybody!

Mr. T here! All of your kids have been practicing how to dance the Gobble Gobble Turkey Wobble (GGTW) and are very excited to share it with their families! I am giving BHE families an opportunity to be part of the 2024-2025 BHE (GGTW) dance party video. Below is a link to a One Drive Shared folder titled "GGTW 24-25" where you can upload a video of you and your children dancing along to the GGTW. This is completely optional for you and your child to do and it will not affect your child's grade if you choose not to participate. The video will be shared only with members of the BHE community. The last day to submit a video is Monday, November 24th.

Families Helping Families is a program designed to provide assistance for Barton Hills’ families during the holidays. We would like to invite you to participate in the confidential program if you feel your family might need assistance during this holiday season. We also invite sponsors to fill out a form if you would like to help a family this year.

Please review and fill out the form below if you would like assistance or to sponsor a family.

Questions, please email Stephanie White @ stephanie.l.white@austinisd.org

Click this link if you need Holiday Assistance

https://forms.gle/2gLP8FUKj7wdoTqz7

Click this link if you would like to sponsor a famil

https://forms.gle/zvKJbWDhMgEn8TU27

Kindly,

Stephanie K. White, M.A., MEd., CSC, LPC

GT, ESL and National Board Certified

Counselor, Barton Hills Elementary School

With many Austin ISD students living in food-insecure households, accessing healthy food may be challenging when the district is closed. Families can use the community resources below to find free meals in their area while Austin ISD offices and schools are closed for the fall break:

• Central Texas Food Bank (www.centraltexasfoodbank.org)

• United Way for Greater Austin - ConnectATX (www.connectatx.org)

• Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.

Enrollment during this period is open to all new and returning Austin ISD students. Students interested in admissions- and campus-based programs must complete their enrollment and any campus-specific application requirements on or before February 4, 2025

https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

Austin ISD invites families, staff and community members to a virtual conversation about the district’s plan to reduce the $92 million deficit over the next three years. Find out how we’re considering reducing costs and share your input on the proposed plan.

District leaders are committed to creating a sustainable budget plan while also being cautiously optimistic about the possibility of additional funding coming out of the next legislative session.

• With a three-year cascading budget plan, the hardest cuts would be pushed to future years for possible implementation.

Conversations will be in English and Spanish.

• 6–7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 Join via Zoom

• 11 a.m.–noon, Saturday, Dec. 14 Join via Zoom

The Austin High Band is holding a Tamale Fundraier. Use the QR code above or click on this order form link:

The Austin Powwow and American Indian Festival will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Travis Expo Center (7311 Decker Ln. Austin, TX 78724).

The event includes traditional dance competitions, singers, musicians, artists, craftsmen, and a Native American market and food court. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Parking is FREE. Adult tickets can be purchased online for $7 or at the gate for $10, cash only.

We are happy to share the new and updated process to be a volunteer with Barton Hills. AISD changed the system for volunteer registration and background checks so it has taken us a little longer than usual to get the information out to you. All BHE volunteers who will be in contact with children must complete a background check. Background checks are good for one year. If you’re a new volunteer or haven’t done a background check in the current school year, please click the link and follow the directions below. It’s quick and easy!

To begin the volunteer approval process, please click on the link below.

Austin ISD Volunteers

Questions? Contact our Administrative Assistant, Kathy Carr, at mary.k.carr@austinisd.org.

We are excited to share the details of our upcoming Family Empower Hour sessions which provide valuable information and support to our students' families. The Family Empower Hour schedule is also available on the external AISD Special Education website. Families can also access recordings from previous offerings, as well.

The Responsible Use Policy is now in place. Acknowledgement and adherence to the RUP is applicable each time anyone uses an AISD device, logs into our network and/or accesses the AISD portal and related applications. Please take time to review the K-5 Responsible Use Policy

Please see information below on the AISD Student Success Guide for the 24-25 School Year:

Education in this community represents a significant commitment of financial and human resources. The benefits a student derives from this investment depend very much on the student's attitude toward learning and the student's adherence to high standards of behavior.

The Student Code of Conduct that follows is the district's specific response to requirements of Chapter 37: Discipline; Law And Order of the Texas Education Code. The law requires the district to define misconduct that may or must result in a range of specific disciplinary consequences.

This code is an outgrowth of collaboration among district and campus staff, parents, and other community members and was adopted by the AISD Board of Trustees. It provides information and direction to students and parents regarding standards of behavior as well as consequences of misconduct. In the case of conflict between the Student Code of Conduct and board policy, the Student Code of Conduct will prevail.

• Please send in documentation of student absences using the School Absence Form on the AISD website or complete a paper form (pick up in Front Office).
• We, DO NOT accept phone calls or voicemail messages as documentation for a student's absence.
• Please have medical offices submit documentation of your student’s visit to “bartonhills@austinisd.org”.
• Please allow up to 72 hours (3 business days) for attendance to be corrected.
• Set up notifications for your student’s attendance and grades via Parent Self Serve.
• Students attending family trips during scheduled school days will remain coded as an unexcused absence. Car problems, traffic, or oversleeping will not be considered as an excused absence or excused tardy.

A student is tardy if he/she is not with their homeroom teacher when the 7:40 bell rings. If you arrive late to school, your student will be required to come to the office for a tardy slip before going to class.

What to do if your student must leave school early:

• When you arrive to Barton Hills to pick up your student, please be prepared with your photo I.D. Your student will be called to the attendance office to leave campus.

• Please do not plan to pick up your student from school 30 minutes prior to dismissal (ie 2:40 PM).

• You must sign the student out in the office. Leaving for any part of the day will result in an unexcused tardy. Students leaving for a medical appointment must bring a note from the doctor to excuse the absence/tardy.

For more information visit the district's attendance page.

AISD is launching a new App. Please see the flyer for QR Code

Maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for our students is our top priority. It is important to us that our safety protocols are in place AND that our students, families, and staff continue to feel a positive and welcoming environment each day. Please help us keep everyone safe.

Arrival:

• We will continue to have a secure morning arrival with families/caregivers saying goodbye before students enter the building. Parents/Caregivers may walk students to the front walkway during car drop off/walking drop off. Staff members will be outside and inside ready to greet, welcome, and support our students as they enter the building at 7:30. Parents will not be allowed to walk students to the classrooms and portables.
• The front doors will open for breakfast at 7:15 am. At 7:30 am, all students will enter the building.
• The first week our Kinder students will meet their teachers in the cafeteria before going to class. The teachers will be there to meet them and then walk together to the classroom.
• IMPORTANT: There is NO parking in the drive in front of the school between 7:00 - 8:00 am. This lane is reserved for drop off only. If you'd like to walk your child to the front door, please park in the neighborhood and walk to school together. Thank you!
• If you need to bring something to your child after they have entered the building, please leave it on the labeled cart outside the front doors with a clearly marked label. Please call the front office to let us know you are leaving an item (lunch, water bottle, device, etc.) and we will get it to your child.

Exterior Doors:

• All exterior doors will remain locked at all times during the school day. Portable classroom doors will also remain fully locked all day.
• Staff will check each exterior door weekly to ensure they close and lock as intended.

Dismissal:

• All kindergarten students will be dismissed with their homeroom teacher at 3:05pm.

• 1st- 5th grade car riders, walkers, and bikers will be dismissed from specific outdoor locations with their homeroom teacher at 3:10pm.

• Older siblings may join younger siblings at the younger sibling location.

• Third Base After School Care students will go to the cafeteria.

• *See map below for dismissal locations by grade level.

• Students must leave by 3:20 at the latest.

• Please see map below and note that areas in RED are NO Parking Zones - even for drop off and pick up.

Visitors:

• Visitors are welcome at Barton Hills for the purposes of student support. This may include scheduled parent teacher conferences and meetings, registration, pre-arranged volunteer opportunities, and other scheduled events.
• Lunch Visitors: You may come have lunch with your child. You must sign in at the office prior to going to the cafeteria. Please note that if you plan to have lunch with your students, you will need to plan to eat outside or at a separate designated table. Provide lunch only for your child. Do not arrange to purchase lunch for a group of students and then have your child pass it out. You may only have lunch with your own child - please do not invite other students to join you. *No lunch visitors for the first three weeks of school so we can work on routines and expectations.
• The main front doors are the only entry doors to the campus for visitors. The door buzzer/office communicator is on the right side wall by the front doors. Please push the button to communicate with the office and, once verified, we will buzz you in to the building.
• All visitors MUST sign in at the front office upon arrival AND sign out at the front office when leaving. Please remember to bring your photo ID with you when visiting campus. We will be using the 360 system to scan licenses and print out Visitor tags.
• IMPORTANT: Families, please do not ask a staff member to hold a side or back door open for you to enter the building. All students, parents, and visitors must enter through the front entry doors. Thank you!

Staff Training, Campus Drills, and Threat Assessment

• Our staff will be trained on safety prior to students entering the building.
• We will review safety plans and practices throughout the year.
• We will continue to hold all required safety drills with our students. Most of the drills will be announced drills so our students aren't surprised or alarmed by them.
• Barton Hills has an established threat assessment team comprised of administration, counseling and teaching staff. All members of the team have received Threat Assessment training from Texas State. Licensed Mental Health Providers and School Resource Officers are on call to assist when needed.

Phew! I know that's a lot to digest, but wanted everyone to know we're prepared for a strong, safe, and productive year.

AISD Weather Guidelines

• Temperature guidelines have been established in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students participating in outdoor activities at Austin ISD.

• The listed temperatures, heat indexes, and wind-chill factors are designated figures for terminating and/or modifying outdoor activities including: Athletics, Fine Arts, PE, and recess.

• AISD_Temperature Weather Guidelines

• BHE Eagle Ultimate Frisbee Team
• Thursday, 3:15pm-4:30pm
• September 26-November 14 (8 weeks)
• Barton Hills Sports Field
• Sliding Scale Registration Options
• More information and registration at www.tusculti.com

Website: bartonhills.austinschools.org/schoool
Location: 2108 Barton Hills Drive, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2013
Facebook: facebook.com/BartonhillsPTA
Twitter: @bheeagles

Instagram: bheeagles