January 2025

Baldwin Bobcats

Dear Baldwin Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break and are ready for a fantastic new year. We ended last year on such a high note with one of my favorite events: the Multi-Cultural Fair. A huge thank you to all who were able to participate by setting up booths and allowing our students to learn more about your cultures and countries. Even after 9 years here, I still learn something new every year, and it was such a joy to speak with so many of you. Your involvement truly makes this event special, and we appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your traditions with us.

As we prepare for the new year, we have so much exciting learning ahead of us! I want to remind everyone that the school day begins promptly at 7:40 AM. The tardy bell rings at 7:40, and students should be in class by that time to ensure they can settle in and be prepared for their lessons. Please make every effort to have your child at school on time. Consistent attendance is important for your child’s success, and our school funding is based on the number of students present, so we want to ensure that everyone is here unless they are sick.

Mark your calendars for January 17th, when we will host a Principal’s Coffee. During this event, we will have a small group demonstration of Take Flight, a program focused on helping students with their reading skills. We will also share valuable information about our curriculum and how we assess reading levels. I hope you can join us for this informative event.

This month, we are focusing on perseverance. Perseverance in school looks like students continuing to try their best, even when something is challenging. It’s about understanding that mistakes are part of the learning process, and it’s okay to not get everything right on the first try. When students persevere, they don’t give up. Instead, they keep pushing forward, asking for help when needed, and working through difficulties with determination. As a school community, we will encourage students to face challenges with a positive attitude, knowing that hard work and effort lead to success.

Thank you for your continued support, and let's make this a fantastic year full of growth and achievement!

Warm regards,

Jennifer Murray

Principal, Baldwin Elementary

1/6 - Teacher workday

1/7 - First day of spring semester

1/13 - CAC Meeting @ 3:30 pm

1/15 - Science Fair judging

1/16 - PTA Meeting @ 5:00 pm

1/16 - STEAM Night & Science Fair viewing 5:30 - 7:00 pm

1/17 - Principal’s Coffee @ 8:00 in library

1/20 - Student/Staff holiday

1/29 - Staff workday/Student holiday

1/31 - Class pictures

Spring Dates:

February

2/3 - 2/7 - School Counselor Appreciation Week

2/10 - CAC Meeting

2/17 - Student Holiday/Staff PD

2/19 - Spring Pictures

2/24 - 2/28 - Food Service Appreciation Week

2/27 - 5th grade musical

3/3 - 3/13 - APEX

3/7 - Kinder Rodeo

3/10 - CAC Meeting

3/13 - APEX Fun Run

3/13 - End of 3rd 9 weeks

3/14 - Staff/Student Holiday

3/17 - 3/21 - Spring Break

3/31 - Student/Staff Holiday

4/1 - Kinder photos

4/3 - 3rd grade musical

4/4 - 2nd grade Market Days

4/7 - 4/11 - Assistant Principal & Librarian Appreciation Week

4/9 - STAAR Reading grades 3 - 5

4/14 - CAC Meeting

4/15 - Choir Performance

4/16 - STAAR Science grade 5

4/18 - Student Holiday/Staff PD

4/21- 4/25 - Administrative Appreciation Week

4/21-4/25 - Book Fair

4/23 - STAAR Math grades 3 - 5

4/24 - Family Fitness & Art Show

5/1 - 1st grade musical

5/5 - 5/9 - Teacher Appreciation Week

5/6 - Career Day

5/9 - Field Day Grades 3-5

5/12 - 5/16 - Nurses Appreciation Week

5/15 - 4th grade Wax Museum

5/16 - Field Day K - 2

5/20 - 1st grade Biomes

5/26 - Memorial Day - no school

5/27 - Senior Walk

5/28 - 5th grade Kickball Tourney

5/29 - Last day for students

5/29 - 5th grade EOY ceremony and pool party

5/29 - Class parties

Family STEAM Night

Gifted & Talented Updates

STAAR Save the Dates

Please don't forget to avoid scheduling appointments on these dates.

Upcoming Lockdown Drill

On Monday, January 13, 2025, our teachers will conduct a lock-down drill review. The goal of this exercise is to familiarize students, teachers, and staff with the procedures to follow in emergency situations. During the drill, students will not be required to hide or wait for doors to be unlocked. Instead, their teachers will discuss the necessary procedures and protocols.

We kindly ask that you talk with your child about the upcoming drill. Explain that it is a precautionary measure designed to keep everyone safe and reassure them that there is no real emergency. Emphasize that the purpose of the drill is to ensure everyone is prepared and confident in the event of an actual emergency.

Thank you once again for your support and for helping make the first semester of school so successful. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Author's Visit

Author Mari Mancusi will present her Texas Bluebonnet award-nominated book, New Dragon City, to our 3rd - 5th graders on Monday, January 27. Order an autographed copy for only $10!

Celebrate your child's birthday with a Birthday Book!

Did you know that you can donate a book to the Baldwin Library in honor of your child's birthday? Your child will choose from a carefully curated collection of books, and we will place a bookplate with their photo inside the cover. This is a wonderful way to support the library and celebrate your child! Please visit this link to purchase a birthday book

Having Fun Isn't Hard When You've Got a Library Card!

Did you know that your child can access eBooks, databases, streaming media, and more from the Austin Public Library? They sure can! If you opted in during registration, your child already has a library account.

Go to https://library.austintexas.gov/ and log in with their username and password.
The username is AISD followed by Student ID Number (ex: AISD10123456)
The password for student accounts is aisd4books

Also, a helpful tool is the Libby app on tablets and mobile devices or accessed on computers at https://libbyapp.com/. You can help your child access thousands of great eBooks and audiobooks through the app. The app will guide you through connecting your child's APL account. If you have questions or need help, please contact APL at lib.studentcards@austintexas.gov.

Guidance Insights from December

Our December guidance lessons with grades K-5 wrapped up our study on anxiety, how to recognize feelings in my brain, body, and behavior, and what coping skills I use to keep myself calm and regulated to be my best self. One important thing students learned about the “what ifs” is that oftentimes those thoughts are about things they canNOT control. When we work to recognize the things we can control and release the things we cannot, often our worry decreases. Students created a worry stone in grades K-3 to keep with them as a coping fidget. 5th graders made worry dolls, and 4th grade will create their worry dolls shortly after we return in January after break.

Here are a few visuals we used in our lessons you may find helpful at home. Here is a podcast related to worry. https://www.flusterclux.com/episodes/. This website from Lynn Lyons - anxiety expert, same person from podcast above, has articles/links that may help you if you need more information.

https://www.lynnlyons.com/blog-managing-anxiety-disorders-kids-teens-lynn-lyons/. Baldwin counselors are always here to help support your student as well.

Did you know?

Baldwin students are taught Character Strong lessons in their homeroom classes by their teachers. We have already covered character traits this school year. Students learn examples, practice scenarios and even learn songs related to the skills they learn. At the end of the month, the character trait is an award given to one student in each classroom at our school assembly. In January, students will learn about our sixth trait, perseverance. For more parent information, use this site https://www.characterstrong.com/familystrong.

Attention: 5th Grade Parents

Important Upcoming Dates to be aware of:

January 10th, 2025: Baldwin 5th graders visit Small Middle School (only for students who are zoned to SMS)
January 31st, 2025: Baldwin 5th graders visit Gorzycki Middle School (all of 5th grade will attend this)

Please check out our Baldwin Middle School Transition site for all the latest information regarding middle school information sessions and applying for magnet programming.

https://sites.google.com/austinisd.org/baldwin-counseling/middle-school-transition?authuser=0