Anderson High School

Weekly Community Update

Volume III, Issue 13 - Week Ending 11/14/2025

Preview:

Principal's Message
Congratulations Trojan Marching Band!
IB Information Meeting - Thursday, Dec 4th
Expect Respect Taking Referrals
National PTSA Reflections Program
Tutoring Center Schedule
Saturday School Schedule
Upcoming Events
Kudos!

Hello everyone! One more week until Thanksgiving break!

If you were at the pep rally on Wednesday night, you heard me say this, but it bears repeating: every day is a good day to be a Trojan, but boy howdy, there have been a lot of good things happening in Trojan country lately.

I know it seems like every day is so busy and packed with so much to do, so much hustle, and so much information coming at us all the time. It seems like we just started the school year, and it's already almost Thanksgiving, which really means we're already almost at winter break. Selfishly, I have regularly been reminding myself to slow down and take in how proud I am of our students and how humbled I am to be in the position that I am. And I hope your students get that chance as well - these high school years move quick, so it's always important to slow down and enjoy the time they have here at Anderson.

On that note, our first round of the Texas 5A football playoffs will be against Friendswood in Austin at House Park! Kickoff at 3pm! Come support your Trojans as they make their run for the state championship!

On a completely different note, the district just released its Salute! Awards form! It's really powerful when community members nominate our amazing staff members for Salute! Awards, so if you think any of our amazing counselors, food service workers, custodial staff, clerical staff, professional staff, librarian, teaching assistants, or assistant principals are deserving of a special pat on the back or recognition, please fill out this form!

Congratulations Trojan Marching Band!!!

The Trojan Band and Guard went to San Antonio to compete against the top 5A bands in the state with their spectacular show, Thrown to the Wolves. Here is a link to their show: https://youtu.be/0wLKyLey9zk?si=Yy3iAvXMNDjQZF7w.

Among stiff competition, they came in 22nd out of 38th, earning a spot as one of the top 10% of 5A bands in Texas. Congratulations to these hard working students. And thank you to the entire Anderson community who came out to cheer them off and cheer them on. They felt the love and it made a difference for them.

IB Information Meeting - Thursday, Dec 4

Please join us for an information meeting on Thursday, December 4th. This session is for any prospective students including current Anderson sophomores and families of 8th graders considering priority transfer to Anderson for IB. Come and find out what IB is all about. We will have current IB students and teachers available to meet and answer questions. This is a great way to help understand IB’s inquiry based curriculum.

Thursday, December 4, 2025 6:00 - 7:00pm in the AHS cafeteria
Anderson High School, 8403 Mesa Drive, Austin 78759

Park in the staff lot on Cima Serena and look for a gate close to the theater next to the cafeteria to enter. There will be a representative at the gate.

Expect Respect Group taking referrals!

Expect Respect is a program from the SAFE Alliance that has served the Austin community since 1989. Students learn skills to promote safe and healthy friendships, family, and even dating relationships. The program offers a space where a small group of teens come together to practice assertive communication, problem-solving, stress management, and personal safety. Support is provided weekly at school and is free of charge. These confidential services are provided by highly trained Expect Respect Counselors or Facilitators during the student Advisory period. If your student gives their assent to participate, they will meet with the Expect Respect group once a week through the beginning of May, for approximately 50 minutes during the school day.

Parent/Guardian consent for the group is needed before Expect Respect staff can meet with your student. If you would like to consider this opportunity, please fill out the consent form at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ER-Parent-Consent. If you have not already done so, you will also need to give general consent to Anderson High School at this link Mental Health Services Consent Form in English

An informative flyer is attached. If you have any questions, please contact Janna Griffin, Anderson Counselor, at janna.griffin@austinisd.org.

National PTSA Reflections Program - "I Belong"

National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for students to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

This year's theme for the 2025-2026 program year is “I Belong.”

Students submit their completed works in one or more arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Multiple submissions are welcome! See category specific rules.

Anderson High School entries will be judged in a blind process, and selected entries will move on to the Texas PTA level. Entries chosen from Texas PTA Reflections will move on in the process, where they may be chosen for state-wide and national honors. It's a great way to showcase your creativity (and looks good on your resume!).

The google form for submission is HERE. Linked in the google form is the PTSA submission form as rules and other details. And don’t forget: Students and/or a Family Member must be a current Anderson PTSA member for the 2025-2026 School Year by the November 7th entry deadline.

HERE are the CATEGORY SPECIFIC RULES

Questions? Feel free to ask Jenna Martin at reflections@andersonptsa.org

Tutoring Center is Open!

If you're looking for a quiet place to study and receive help on academic work, you have access to free tutoring from Anderson teachers and NHS tutors TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS in the library from 4:45 to 6:00.

After tutoring, there is a late bus that will take students home. Students MUST be in the tutoring center in order to ride the late bus home. Bus stops for the late bus are listed below.