OCTOBER CAMPUS UPDATES

Brentwood Families-

As we embrace the beauty of fall, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth our students have achieved so far this school year. Each day, I see them engaging with their lessons, collaborating with peers, and developing new skills. It’s truly inspiring to witness their enthusiasm and determination!

This month, we have some exciting events on the horizon. Our incredible PTA is working hard to put together our annual Halloween Carnival, which promises to be filled with fun activities, games, and treats. We hope to see all families join us for this spirited celebration...please check the PTA website for more details or the Carnival group on Konstella.

Speaking of Konstella-please make sure you have signed up! If you need support signing up, please reach out to your child's teacher. While this newsletter has a lot of information, things to come up and we will use Konstella to help send additional information or reminders out. Our new district platform is called Thrillshare. This platform will be used when there is a need for more formal communication to the community.

Coming up, please remember that the District has set aside October 14 for Parent Conferences which means no school for students that day. Our teachers will be reaching out (if they have not already) to set up a date and time to hold a conference with you.. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and to collaborate on their continued growth. We truly believe that we must work together so that every student can reach their full potential.

Lastly, a friendly reminder to ensure your child arrives at school on time. Our school day begins promptly at 7:40 AM, and being on time helps set a positive tone for the day ahead. Last month I shared important details around the importance of student attendance. Not only is it imperative for student success but it also is how we receive monies from the state.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let’s make this October a month of learning and joy!

Warm regards,

Jessica Saenz-Hosack

Principal

Please always make sure to check the PTA website for additional events and details!

• October 7-18: Music in the Morning
• October 7-11: Principal Appreciation Week
• October 8: CAC & PTA Board Meetings
• October 10: PTA General Body Meeting
• October 14: No school for students (Parent -Teacher Conferences)
• October 14: Indigenous Peoples' Day
• October 21-25: Transportation Employee Appreciation Week
• November 1: No School (Diwali)
• November 4-8: School Psychologist Appreciation Week
• November 5: Staff Development/No school for students (Election Day-make sure to VOTE!)

Dear Austin ISD Families,

As we enter October, we are proud to announce that this month is dedicated to Bullying Prevention. At Austin ISD, we believe that every student has the right to feel safe and supported in their school environment. This month, our schools will focus on raising awareness about bullying, educating students on its various forms, and promoting kindness and inclusion within our community.

Understanding the Difference: Bullying vs. Conflict

It's important for families to understand the difference between bullying and conflict. Bullying is intentional, repeated behavior that aims to harm, intimidate, or control another person. It often involves a power imbalance, where the bully seeks to assert dominance over the victim. Conflict, on the other hand, is a normal part of relationships and can occur when two or more individuals have a disagreement or differing opinions. While conflicts can sometimes be hurtful, they can often be resolved through communication and mutual understanding.

Why Bullying Prevention Matters

Bullying can manifest in many ways, including physical, verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. It not only affects the victims but can also impact bystanders and the overall school climate. Our goal this month is to empower students to recognize bullying, speak out against it, and support one another.

Weekly Themes and Activities

Throughout October, each week will feature specific themes and challenges designed to engage our students in meaningful conversations and actions. We encourage parents to discuss these topics at home and support their children in completing the weekly challenges. Here’s what we’ll be focusing on:

• Week 2: Understanding Bullying (Invite someone sitting alone to join you)

• Week 3: Bystanders vs. Upstanders (Be an upstander when witnessing bullying) & On October 16 we will wear something Orange to show your support for bullying prevention and for students who have been bullied.

• Week 4: Cyberbullying Awareness (Spread positivity online)

• Week 5: Gratitude and Appreciation (Thank someone who has shown kindness)

How Parents Can Get Involved

• Discuss: Talk with your child about bullying and encourage open communication. Ask them about their feelings and experiences at school.

• Model Kindness: Demonstrate kindness and empathy in your interactions, reinforcing the importance of treating others with respect.

• Support School Efforts: Encourage your child to participate in school activities related to bullying prevention and be active in fostering a positive school environment

We want to ensure that families have access to tools and information to support their children effectively. Below are some valuable resources:

• StopBullying.gov: A comprehensive site with information on bullying prevention, types of bullying, and how to report incidents.

• National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources and tools for schools and families to work together in preventing bullying.

Thank you for partnering with us in fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students. Together, we can make a significant impact in preventing bullying and promoting kindness within our schools.

Bulldog artists have settled into the studio and every artist has put together their sketchbook and made a large sticker to decorate the front.

The kinder, first, and second grade artists drew self portraits on their stickers and colored using their choice of crayons, markers and colored pencils.

The third, forth, and fifth grade artists were “hired as graphic artists interns” to design their stickers using the letters of their name. They reviewed the color wheel and chose color that would make their designs stand out.

The sketchbooks look great now and are set up and ready for all our planning and practice as well as our beloved collection of artist trading cards. The sketchbooks come home at the end of the school year and are a keepsake and reminder of everything they did in art every year.

The kindergarteners are off to a great start learning the elements of art. We have started with line and they created really fun 3D line sculptures. They are filling up the showcase in the hall near the art studios. Take a peek if you are in the building!

The second and third grade artists are creating Talavera Tile designs that will be painted with watercolor paint in traditional colors. It is a great lesson to focus on both geometric and organic shape and also highlight Hispanic Heritage with the traditional Mexican tiles. We are excited to be offered some space at Brentwood Socal House to display some of the students' work. The tile paintings will be hanging mid October through December If you are there enjoying a cup of coffee or tea or their lovely baked goods, make sure to take note of the students' work hanging on the walls.

Our fourth and fifth grade artists are working on a mola art project inspired by the folk art of the Cuna people who live on the San Blas Islands in Panama. Our artists are using paper and glue but we have learned about the traditional work which is done with layers of colorful fabric. We are getting the same effect in a less time intensive way by layering bright color paper. Most of the artists have chosen the same traditional theme of animals and nature but there are a few artists who have followed their own ideas for the central shape. By the time we are done each paper mola should be filled with colorful layers of geometric and organic shapes just like the traditional molas.

Dear Brentwood Parents,

The aim of the physical education program at Brentwood elementary is to develop and improve students’ personal fitness and motor skills by providing developmentally appropriate activities through purposeful, creative, and enjoyable activities. The PE coaches are looking forward to providing your child with an exciting and rewarding year full of joy and movement.

So far in PE, the focus has been establishing efficient routines and procedures, getting to know one another and learning how to collaborate, starting our first fitnessgram test with 3rd-5th grade, and having fun. There are a few areas of support we need from you to help us maintain a fun and safe P.E. environment. If your child is unable to participate in P.E. for any reason please send a signed note explaining the limitations and expected duration of the problem. Any illness or injury lasting more than 3 school days will require a note from a medical professional.

Closed toe athletic shoes should be worn on the 3 days your child has PE, please no boots, sandals, or Crocs.If you are not sure what day your child has P.E. feel free to review the schedule below. Thank you so much for your support in making this a great year!

Monday Tuesday/Thursday

All classes

Tuesday/Thursday

Kinder-Ash/Jones/Carter 5th Beck/Mistrot 2nd-All classes 4th-Nazarro/Jolliffe 3rd-Crossley/Scott/Shirk

Wednesday/Friday

Kinder-Ralson/Thompson

5th-Stockton/Vandermost

1st-All classes

4th-Zoldey/Coronado

3rd-Brandenburger/Vincent

As always, there are lots of exciting things happening in the Brentwood Library! Library classes are in full swing across all grade levels, our Fall book fair is in the books raising $3200 for the library, the first batch of Birthday Book Club selections were made this week, and our first author visit of the year is coming up in less than two weeks. Read on for more details on upcoming and ongoing events.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT WITH CHRISTINA SOONTORNVAT ON 10/18 (K-2ND)

On Friday, October 18th, three-time Newbery Honor Award winning author and former Brentwood parent Christina Soontornvat will be visiting virtually with all K-2nd grade classes to share her very timely new book, Leo’s First Vote! “In this kid-friendly picture book introduction to voting and elections, Leo's father teaches him about the importance of every single vote, and how to use their voices to uplift their community” (from the publisher). In conjunction with Christina’s visit, we will be selling copies of Leo’s First Vote! through local bookstore Black Pearl Books (

• LINK: https://shop.blackpearlbookstore.com/gift-registry/o-NguwcVKbM).

Books must be ordered by this Friday, 10/11, to guarantee they will arrive in time to go home on 10/18! Check out the attached flyer for an ordering QR code. NOTE: Since this author visit is virtual, books ordered through this link will not be signed. However, Christina will be coming back to Brentwood in November for an in-person author visit with 3rd-5th and is happy to sign them then!

STORYBOOK CHARACTER PARADE IN APRIL 2025

In 2023-24, the Storybook Character Parade was held in October. This school year the parade will be returning to its traditional spring timing of April 2025. More details to follow later in the school year.

CELEBRATE YOUR CHILD'S BIRTHDAY BY DONATING A BOOK TO THE LIBRARY IN THEIR HONOR! How does the Brentwood Birthday Book Club work? During their birthday month celebration, your child will come to the library and choose from a special batch of brand new books to become their Birthday Book. (August and September birthdays will be celebrated in October. Summer birthdays will be celebrated on half-birthdays.) Your child's Birthday Book will receive a bookplate with their name and birthday, and they will be the first person to check it out from the library. The book will then become part of our library collection. A photo of your child and their Birthday Book will be shown in the library and emailed to you. Questions? Call 512-414-2039 (ext. 52594) or email erin.tigelaar@austinisd.org and kate.slaten@austinisd.org. If you would like to participate, please follow the steps below: 1. Complete this form (https://forms.gle/Jg9reTYE4CWw98F99) to let us know whose birthday you are celebrating (one form per student). 2. Pay $15 for your child's birthday book through MySchoolCentral (https://brentwood.myschoolcentral.com) (click on 24-25 Birthday Book Club). If you have not used MySchoolCentral before, you will need to set up an account.

What is Prop A?

Prop A is a ballot initiative asking voters to approve funding for teacher salaries and additional funding for our local schools. Prop A would bring an additional $41 million annually to Austin ISD. Attached are flyers with information that give more specificity around what this proposition can do for AISD if it is passed.

PROP A FAQS

PROP A FOR TEACHER PAY

PROP A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION (English)

PROP A ONE PAGER (English)

PROP A COMMUNITY PRESENTATION (Spanish)

PROP A ONE PAGER (Spanish)

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month! AISD sponsored events include the 10th Annual Central Texas Dyslexia Conference and Hopeville Screening at the PAC! Please see the linked flyers below for more details and information!

CTDC flyer- English CTDC flyer- Spanish

Hopeville Flyer- English Hopeville Flyer- Spanish

Nominations for the 2025 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Awards are now open. Humanities Texas will present a total of fifteen awards in three categories:

• Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award -This award recognizes exemplary contributions of teachers of humanities subjects in Texas elementary, middle, and high schools. (12 recipients)

• Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award -This award recognizes outstanding achievement in the teaching of Texas history at the primary and secondary levels. (1 recipient)

• Award for Outstanding Early-Career Teaching -This award recognizes exemplary contributions of early-career humanities teachers in Texas who have completed three or fewer years of teaching. (2 recipients)

All award winners will receive a $5,000 prize, with an additional $1,000 for their schools to purchase humanities-based instructional materials.

To nominate a teacher, please complete the online nomination form available on the Humanities Texas website. Nominations will be accepted through December 9, 2024. Humanities Texas will contact each nominated teacher with instructions on how to apply for the award. Applications are due February 3, 2025.