ECHS OWL Update
August 11, 2024
Early College High School News
Mission Statement
Our ECHS Owls are taught to have H.O.P.E.--faith in the premise that they can create OPPORTUNITY and a better future through EFFORT, HARD WORK, and PERSONAL COURAGE. This idea of H.O.P.E. is woven into the fabric of our ECHS family.
Greetings ECHS School Community!
Hope this message finds each of you and your families doing well and enjoying the close of summer vacation!
We just completed a great week of team building, professional development and planning that included time for sharing, learning and collaborating together as an ECHS staff. We have been focused and planning together for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year! Once again, within today’s Campus Reminders, our ECHS students and parents are being provided with the 2024-2025 RRECHS Student/Parent Handbook & Acknowledgement form. As soon as possible, PLEASE take time to review and read completely.
We are gearing up for the start of the 2024 - 2025 school year and it was really wonderful to greet so many of our ECHS OWLS & families on Friday (August 9th) for the Back to School Bash! If you weren’t able to make it, NO WORRIES. Schedules not picked up at the ECHS Back to School Bash can be picked up the first day of school. They are also viewable in the Home Access Center.
As we prepare for the start of this school year, our top priority will consistently be the well being, belonging and safety of our students, teachers, staff and families. We look forward to welcoming our ECHS Owls on the First Day of School, Tuesday, August 13th!
More reminders for the first day will be shared very soon!
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
GO OWLS!
Dr. Wilson
UPCOMING Events:
August 13th: First Day of School
August 26th: First Day of ACC Classes for the Fall Semester
CAMPUS REMINDERS:
IMPORTANT: 2024-2025 RRECHS Handbook & Acknowledgement Form
We are gearing up to begin the 2024 - 2025 school year and look forward to greeting our ECHS OWLS very soon! To ensure we are all on the same page regarding campus expectations, the following information is being provided for everyone to review thoroughly before the first day of school. This correspondence highlights our 2024-2025 ECHS Student-Parent Handbook, 2024-2025 Acknowledgement Form and expectations for our students while at Austin Community College. All our students, parents and staff are asked to please take time to review and read completely.
Students attending Round Rock Early College High School are given a unique high school experience, focused on academics with a rigorous course of study, enabling them to earn an Associate’s degree from Austin Community College at the same time they complete their high school diploma. This is an awesome opportunity for our students that comes with a significant amount of responsibility as well.
In accepting to attend Round Rock Early College High School, students are committed and responsible to follow all the rules, regulations, policies and procedures for Round Rock I.S.D, Round Rock Early College High School and Austin Community College.
Please take time to review the 2024-2025 Round Rock Early College High School Student/Parent Handbook and the following 2024-2025 Student & Parent Acknowledgement Form. Each RRECHS student and parent shall print and sign the statements to acknowledge that they will be responsible for reading and following the rules, expectations, and policies and procedures contained therein. Please know, failure to read and sign the RRECHS handbook and Student & Parent Acknowledgement Form does not excuse the student from any consequences if they are in violation of any policy and procedure.
We hope this information is helpful and thanks in advance for your timely attention.
NEW Drop Off & Pick Up Location
Beginning this school year 2024-2025, our ECHS Drop Off and Pick Up location has moved.
Due to several construction projects happening on campus, one being OUR BUILDING, student drop off & pick up will be located in Parking Lot K & L. In addition, bus drop off and pick up will take place along the drive near the 8000 building.
Please see the map below.
What school supplies will students need for this school year?
All ECHS students will need to be prepared each day with their laptops and chargers. As well as having access to the items below as a starting point:
Pens
Pencils
Highlighters
Composition Notebook
Notebook Paper
Sticky Notes
Graph Paper
Crayons/colored pencils
Glue Stick
OPTIONAL Supplies for ECHS students:
Calculator- TI-84
Computer Mouse (if desired)
***PLEASE NOTE: ECHS teachers will also share their syllabi with the students and highlight any other school supplies needed for their classes.
Student Schedules
Schedules not picked up at the Back to School Bash can be picked up the first day of school. They will also be viewable in Home Access Center beginning August 8th.
Transcript Requests
Transcripts can be requested here. Please allow up to 2 business days for processing after payment is submitted. You will receive an email after the transcript is sent electronically, or when it is ready for pickup.
District-Wide Transcript Price Increase - On July 1, 2024 the price for transcripts increased to $5.00 each. This includes both electronic and certified paper transcripts.
ECHS “OWL”standing News!
It was wonderful to greet so many ECHS students, parents & families during our Back to School Bash 2024! SHOUT OUT to the entire ECHS staff, PTSA president, Mrs. Lynch and PTSA Treasurer, Mrs. Reass for making this event a success! KUDOS to our ECHS student volunteers, including representatives from the National Honor Society, for assisting wherever it was needed!
We are looking forward to a great school year beginning on August 13th!
Felicity M.(ECHS Senior/Class of 2025): MITES & US Naval Academy Summer Programs
"This summer, I had the opportunity to participate in two prestigious programs: MIT’s Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) and the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar. At the Naval Academy, I experienced life as a Midshipman, worked out with Navy SEALs, took STEM classes, and made new friends along the way!!
At MITES, I explored computer science and astrophysics through challenging coursework. I also had the chance to attend one-on-one admissions sessions with MIT admissions representatives, connect with leaders in the STEM community, and make new friends there too!
I am extremely grateful for these opportunities and excited to apply what I’ve learned back at ECHS. I’m also looking forward to helping underclassmen navigate their own academic and extracurricular journeys- I'm always here (and excited) to help!"
ECHS Staff August Professional Development Days
We just finished a great week of team building, professional development and planning that included time for sharing, learning and collaborating together as an ECHS staff. We have been focused and planning together for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year!
It’s Tax Free Weekend! Take advantage of this weekend to order ECHS PTSA Spirit Wear for you and your family!
Thank you to everyone who came out for the Back To School Bash on Friday! ECHS PTSA sold quite a bit of spirit wear and memberships. As of today, August 11, our membership has already hit 105 members!!! This means we’re more than halfway to our August goal of 207 and we’re not quite at the halfway point!
ECHS Homecoming 2024!
Have you heard the news? ECHS PTSA is hosting our first ever Homecoming Dance this year! If you’re a PTSA member and interested in being a part of the planning committee, please contact us at president@echsptsa.com
Helen Holmes (Students whose last names begin with M-Z)
Valerie Laugier (Students whose last names begin with A-L)
2024-2025 School Year
ACC Accommodations
Do you have a 504 or IEP? If you want to receive accommodations in your ACC classes, remember to visit the ACC Student Accessibility Service page and click on the orange button (REQUEST SAS SERVICES) and complete the form. Submit your most recent 504 report or IEP. ACC reviews your high school accommodations at an appointment, determines what they can offer you, and submits a notice to your professors.
The appointment must be repeated each semester.
If in doubt, speak with your ECHS counselor soon!
Accommodations are not retroactively applied to past assignments.
Wellness & Student Voice at ECHS!
Are you interested in fostering a positive school culture at ECHS? Get involved with Project Culture. . .Join the Wellness Team to promote mental, physical, academic, and social health, or join AISA (Active Input in Student Affairs), our Student Voice Group supported in part by our PTSA!
2024-2025 is sure to build upon what we have started and solidify our school culture through, not only mental and physical wellness, but also belonging. Community is the cornerstone of innovative schools. It’s what ensures that everyone feels emotionally safe and is thriving. To foster belonging, we emphasize student-to-student support, and relationship building. To get involved, contact the following sponsors:
Wellness - Mrs. Foerster & Mrs. Holmes
AISA - Mrs. Reass & Mrs. Holmes
Check out our YouTube channel and the fantastic videos the student Wellness Team has made!
Mental Health & Other Resources for 2024-2025
Crisis resources for anything related to mental health, dating violence, and substance use. This includes a 24-hour hotline and text line.
Community resources including financial, food, medical, dental, and mental health assistance.
More student and parent resources can be found on the district Counseling Services and Behavioral Health websites.
RRISD Health Services website for info and medical forms:
https://roundrockisd.org/health-services/
RRISD Covid website:
ACC UPDATES:
ACC RESOURCES
ACC library - Resources now online
Need more study resources tips, meet with an Academic Coach
FREE online tutoring here.
DISTRICT UPDATE:
Dr. Azaiez, Superintendent of Schools, August 9 welcome back message
Aug 9, 2024
Dear Round Rock ISD community,
On Tuesday, we’ll welcome more than 47,000 students back to our schools! The start of a new school year is always one of my favorite times of the year. Every day is exciting as we get closer to the day our educators, families, and students return.
Students are at the heart of the decisions we make and the actions we take. It starts with all of us — schools, families, and community — to inspire and motivate our children, and to encourage them to work hard, make good choices, and find a direction that fills them with pride and accomplishment.
In my first year of teaching, I taught sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade science. I was excited to share my love of science and hopefully inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.
Teaching is a craft, and I was just beginning to hone mine. I was learning how to teach, communicate content, manage students, and differentiate instruction across three different grade levels. I was able to navigate that challenging yet rewarding year by connecting with my new colleagues, seeking their support and collaboration, sharing best practices, and receiving encouragement from some amazing teacher leaders. Looking back, I realize how invaluable a mentoring support system would have been.
One of the best things about our district is the robust support and mentoring systems we have for our teachers. These systems are designed to welcome our new educators, create a sense of belonging, improve teaching skills, retain high-quality teachers, and help students excel.
Last year we worked alongside teachers, students, families, and community members to craft our district’s five-year strategic plan and determine the priorities that will guide our efforts to support and empower every student and staff member in our district. At the top of that list: We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all students and staff, ensuring they feel valued and included in our school communities.
We’re also focusing on Pre-K and early literacy programs so that we can work together to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. We’re emphasizing advanced math instruction to challenge and inspire our students, teaching and preparing them to be ready for their future in college, a career or in the military.
Maintaining an unwavering focus on student outcomes is a group effort. It requires the dedication and partnership of all of us, working together to create an environment where every student can thrive. Together, we can provide the best possible opportunities for our students’ growth and success.
Thank you for choosing Round Rock ISD.
Respectfully,
Dr. Hafedh “AZ” Azaiez
This Week’s Inspirational Quote:
Have you seen Early College High School on Facebook and on Twitter?
Early College High School is on Facebook and Twitter!
Please like us on Facebook @RRISDECHS and follow us on Twitter @ECHS_RRISD to see what is happening at ECHS!
In an effort to maintain our good health, safety and well being; we are ALL encouraged to please continue following the current restrictions instituted within our school district, city, state and nation.
Please take care of yourselves!
Round Rock ISD Early College High School
Email: web_master@roundrockisd.org
Website: https://earlycollege.roundrockisd.org/
Location: 4400 College Park Dr, Round Rock, TX 78665, USA
Phone: 512-704-1650
Facebook: facebook.com/RRISDECHS
Twitter: @ECHS_RRISD