Dear Baldwin Community,
As we step into November, it’s hard to believe how quickly the year is flying by! Regardless of the weather, I’m embracing the autumn vibes and the gratitude this season brings. I am truly thankful to be part of a school community that cares deeply for its students and their education. A big shout-out to our incredible staff who work tirelessly every day, and I feel honored to serve as your principal.
November is a busy month, and I encourage everyone to join the Baldwin 187 calendar if you haven’t already. This tool will keep you updated with all important dates and events.
Daylight Savings: Don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends on Saturday, November 4th. This means darker mornings, so please ensure your children aren’t waiting outside the school alone. Students should wait in their car until the safety patrol opens the door for them. Doors open at 7:15 AM, and the tardy bell rings at 7:40 AM.
HS&R Review: Human Sexuality and Responsibility Lessons for students in grades K - 5 will begin in December. These classes are designed to provide age-appropriate information that fosters understanding and respect for oneself and others. As in previous years, parental consent is required for students to participate, so it's essential for parents to review the curriculum before making a decision. I invite you to join me on Monday, November 4th, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the library, where I will provide access to the curriculum online. This will be a great opportunity for parents to ask questions and gain insights into the material being taught. If you're interested in attending, please email me at jennifer.murray@austinisd.org with your child's grade. Additional information will be shared later this month as we prepare for instruction to begin the week of December 9th. Your involvement is key to ensuring a positive experience for your child!
Election Day: November 5th is Election Day! Please take a moment to cast your vote—every vote matters! This year, we decided not to hold a mock election, but it’s important to remind our children that voting is a personal choice. Kids often hear what you say and may repeat it, so let’s encourage them to be respectful of differing opinions and engage in thoughtful discussions about the importance of civic responsibility. Thank you for setting a positive example!
Veterans Day: Join us for our Veterans Day program on Monday, November 11, at 8:00 AM. We invite all veterans and active-duty members to attend this special event, which will be sponsored by the student council. To ensure we can accommodate everyone, please fill out this form to reserve your seat. We look forward to honoring and celebrating our heroes! If you have a veteran that you would like to honor please feel free to fill out a form for our Veteran’s Wall. It will be displayed in our foyer for all to see!
Thanksgiving Lunch: Mark your calendars for our annual Thanksgiving Lunch on Wednesday, November 13th, during your child's lunch period. Only guests of students will need to purchase a meal ticket prior, while students can enjoy a discounted lunch as they go through the line. We kindly ask that no outside lunches be brought in, as we want to highlight our amazing cafeteria staff and the wonderful meals they prepare for us. Please purchase your tickets by November 5th, arrive early, and get ready for a delicious lunch! Additionally, we ask each guest to bring a canned food item to support our 1st-grade food drive for the local food pantry.
Care and Share: The Baldwin PTA is once again sponsoring “Care and Share,” which helps our families in need during the holiday season by fulfilling wish list items. Please consider supporting this wonderful program. More information is available on our PTA website or at the Care and Share giving tree in the foyer.
For many years Baldwin has utilized Developmental Reading Assessments (DRAs) to gather valuable insights into your child's reading abilities and to determine appropriate starting points for instruction. Over time, our understanding of effective reading instruction has evolved significantly. Our teachers have undergone extensive training through the Reading Academy provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which has deepened our knowledge of the science of reading.
Through this training, we have learned the importance of explicit, research-based instruction in reading, particularly in areas such as phonics and phonemic awareness. As a result, we will be transitioning to assessment tools that better align with our current instructional strategies. These will include, but are not limited to, MAPGrowth testing, fluency checks, DIBELS, and Waze.
We are committed to monitoring your child's reading progress and ensuring you are informed about their development. To support this, I will be hosting a presentation on reading and the new assessment tools at my Principal’s Coffee on January 17, 2024 at 8:00am. This will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about our approach and how you can support your child's reading journey at home.
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of community and connection. This is a time to think of one another and recognize the unique contributions each person brings. By working together and spreading kindness—whether through simple acts or supportive gestures—we can create a warm and welcoming environment here at Baldwin that uplifts everyone.
Warm Regards,
Jennifer Murray
Principal, Baldwin Elementary
