Hornet Herald

I want to first and foremost address the senseless and terrible shootings in Georgia this past week. We stand with our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and condemn all violence and hateful rhetoric toward any people of this nation. We appreciate the diversity of our nation and contributions diversity brings. In Austin ISD and Kealing Middle School we will continue to strive daily to build a student population that is inclusive and accepting to all.

Secondly, I hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy the break. This was probably my most restful Spring Break ever, I have never slept so much in my life. In between naps, I was able to spend time with my family, relax, and reflect on my first couple of months in Austin ISD and Kealing Middle School. I feel rejuvenated and cannot believe we are in the final months of the school year. We have a few major events coming up in the next couple of months and need parental support more than ever. The BTO Stakeholder Engagement Plan is listed below. It details our efforts to get as much feedback as we can to inform our decision making with staffing for next year. Please feel free to create a BTO Jamboard and share with Principal Wilson (Jerald.WIlson@austinisd.org). Please complete the AISD Student Registration Plans Survey (it was sent out to families March 8th, 2021). To round out our educational experience Spring sports will continue (please read the Track & Field and Tennis Announcement below), Fine Arts Concerts are scheduled, and STAAR testing is scheduled to begin April 6th (7th grade Writing), and resume May 6th - 12th. We will send out more communication regarding testing on campus later this week as we are finalizing details.

Monday - March 22nd - B Day

Tuesday -March 23rd - A Day

CAC BTO Focus meeting, click here to register attendance , Click here to join meeting

Wednesday -March 24th - B Day

PTA BTO Focus meeting, click here to join

Thursday - March 25th- A Day

Friday - March 26th - B Day

Saturday - March 27th

AISD will partner with the Central Texas Food Bank to provide access to healthy food while campuses are closed for spring break.

AISD curbside meal sites will serve free seven-day meal packs prior to the break on Thursday, March 11. Families may pick up an additional seven-days worth of meals at the Food Bank’s mass distribution event:

Date: Tuesday, March 16
Location: Toney Burger Stadium, 3200 Jones Road, Austin, TX 78745 (entrance is located on the north side of facility off the eastbound Hwy 290 frontage road)
Time: 9 a.m. - Noon

In addition to the seven-day meal packs, the Central Texas Food Bank will provide attendees with an assortment of supplementary food.

Seven-day meal packs are free for any child younger than 19 as well as those older than 19 who utilize special education resources or who are enrolled in school to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.

Parents or caregivers may receive meal packs without children present by providing documentation — such as a birth certificate, student ID card, report card, or attendance record — at the meal service site. Children do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive meals.

Meals feature foods that are cooked and prepared by staff in AISD kitchens. The healthy meals include protein, grains, fruits, vegetables and milk. Seven-day meal pack components will be chilled and served cold to be taken home and reheated.

AISD will also provide free caregiver meals for adults with accompanying children or with the documentation listed above. Caregiver meals are prepared by local restaurant partners and feature healthy foods that complement the menu served to students. Caregiver meals are made possible through funding from the City of Austin and the AISD Crisis Support Fund, established by the Austin Ed Fund.

AISD will resume weekly seven-day meal pack distribution at curbside meal sites on Thursday, March 25.

Meals are available until all packages are distributed.

Join Bike and School Day on May 5. AISD’s transportation and sustainability teams have partnered with Ghisallo Cycling Initiative for students to learn about biking, engage in physical activity and celebrate sustainable transportation in Austin.

Students can participate by using the Bicycle Skills Challenge at Home program, a guided lesson plan for students to learn and practice bicycle safety and riding skills. The program is a modified version of the advanced bike rodeo clinic that the Ghisallo Cycling Initiative provides through AISD physical education programs. The dual-language, 30-minute program in English and Spanish can support both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

SIgn up for the KMS Bike & School Program here!

Benefits

• Schools will be selected by receive free bikes and helmets to raffle to participating students.

• Students learn bike safety and riding skills so they can safely bike to and from school, for fun and recreation, or to get wherever they want to go.

• The fun, interactive lessons are aligned with TEKS and can help youth engage in physical activity and improve their health!

How to participate

• Contact cycleacademy@ghisallo.org to confirm participation and receive the materials. Ghisallo Cycling Initiative team members will drop off bikes and helmets to selected schools.

• Ensure the students complete the knowledge quiz through BLEND or preferred learning platform or collect answers in the classroom.

There will be a virtual Model UN conference over zoom (hosted by LASA students) on Monday, March 29th (A-day) from 9am to 1:30pm. Participating students will need to make up work for class that day, but they will be excused from their zoom classes.

There will be an informational zoom meeting on Tuesday, 3/9 at 2:30pm (during club time). If you are interested, please email Mr. Shoaf at william.shoaf@austinisd.org. He will add you to the blend class and provide you with the zoom link for the Tues 3/9 meeting. During the meeting you will be signing up for committee and country assignments. We hope to see you there! -Mr. Shoaf and Mr. Hendrex

AISD to Continue Free Meals through the 2020-21 School Year

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recently announced an extension of current school meal programs through the 2020-21 school year. Through the federally-funded program, all Austin ISD students will receive free school meals through June 3, the last day of school.

For students participating in remote, off-campus learning, free 7 day meal packs will be available each Thursday at more than 40 curbside locations throughout Austin. While Austin ISD plans to continue curbside service as long as needed, meal sites are subject to change as more students transition to on-campus learning.

Curbside meal sites and more information can be found here

Austin ISD is committed to putting health and safety protocols in place that will prevent the occurrence and/or spread of COVID-19. However, we must be prepared to quickly and effectively respond to and communicate a lab-confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 at a school or other Austin ISD facility.

The Austin ISD COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated by noon each Tuesday, starting the week of Sept. 21. All lab-confirmed positive cases on campuses will be communicated directly to the campus community. Individuals who may have been exposed will be contacted directly and provided information on the next steps, including a quarantine timeline if needed.

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