Hello Friends,
There's still time: Austin ISD Open Enrollment ends Oct. 15. Elections don't roll over. Learn more on the Benefits website.
Reminder: Austin ISD schools and offices are closed Monday, Oct. 13 in observance of Indigenous People’s Day.
The month of October recognizes our outstanding principals and transportation employees. The week of Oct. 6-10 is Principal Appreciation Week while the week of Oct. 20-24 is Transportation Employees Appreciation Week! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the district and our students.
Let’s get started…
Q&A Sessions on School Consolidations
Last Friday we released the Austin ISD Draft Consolidation & Boundary Plan, along with email communications to every school in our district about potential changes at their campus, including:
Boundary changes for 98% of schools
13 school building closures
1 program relocating to a new campus
6 schools repurposed for programming with no school zone.
The board of trustees reviewed the plan at its Oct. 9 meeting and heard more than an hour of public comment on the draft plan. Read our Board Bulletin for more information on the meeting.
What’s next?
We are now working on socializing the draft plan and actively seeking feedback from the community to identify any potential gaps, blind spots or necessary transition considerations. This crucial feedback loop is essential for refining the plan to ensure it is comprehensive and ready for implementation and final approval to the Austin ISD Board of Trustees on Nov. 20.
There are several options for the Austin ISD community to share their feedback:
Join the conversation by attending one of four Question & Answer Sessions in October and November, leading up to the Board of Trustees vote on the plan at the November 20 meeting. Two sessions will focus on geographic areas of town while the other meetings will cover a districtwide conversation.
Virtual Q&A Session #1 - South Austin: Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Register for the meeting*
Virtual Q&A Session #2 - North Austin: Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Register for the meeting.*
Virtual Q&A Session #3 - Districtwide: Monday, Oct. 27, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Register for the meeting.*
Q&A Session Session #4 (In-Person) - Districtwide: Saturday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Delco Activity Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Dr, Austin, TX 78724.
If you prefer to submit your comments now, please submit a comment card online by Oct. 28. Austin ISD staff are currently reviewing submissions and compiling common themes and frequently asked questions.
*Virtual meeting registrations are limited to 1,000 people. Meetings will also be live-streamed on Austin ISD's YouTube Channel.
We value your feedback and encourage you to thoughtfully consider the plan in full and add your voice to the process. The draft is a starting point, and we will continue to engage with our community and refine the plan over the coming weeks as we move toward the November 20 board vote.
Navarro ECHS teacher named 2025 Secondary Bilingual ESL Teacher of the Year
Navarro Early College High School’s Mirtha Tabasco was named the Texas Association For Bilingual Education’s 2025 Secondary Bilingual ESL Teacher of the Year.
Why this matters: This honor is awarded annually to an outstanding bilingual/ESL teacher who goes above and beyond to support emergent bilingual students and exemplify the leadership that strengthens bilingual education across Texas.
What they’re saying: “You see the impact that you’re making (as a teacher),” Tabasco said. “Kids are coming back to the community, coming back to the schools they were a part of, to make a change and be an example and a role model for the other kids that are the next generation.”
Tabasco will be honored at the TABE state conference during the Teacher of the Year Luncheon later this month.
Watch the moment as Ms. Tabasco was celebrated in her classroom.
Don’t get hooked: All you need to know about the latest phishing attacks
We’re seeing an increase in sophisticated phishing attacks within the district, including campaigns targeting students.
What is phishing? Phishing is a form of cybercrime where attackers send fraudulent communications—like emails, texts, or fake websites—to trick people into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, bank account details, or personal data.
Why it matters: The latest phishing attacks are spoofing Austin ISD accounts and sending fake emails to staff and students. Students have strict conditions regarding who can contact them, so by spoofing Austin ISD staff accounts, staff and families could receive an email that appears to be a legitimate Austin ISD email.
Please be cautious, aware and diligent. Consider the following tips to keep you and others safe:
If you shared any personal information with the bad actors and they contacted you, please report to Austin ISD Police via their online contact page: https://www.austinisd.org/police/contact-us
Get involved…what’s happening at Austin ISD this October!
Looking for ways to support Austin ISD students and staff this month? Here’s what’s on our radar!
Join the school consolidation conversation and share feedback on the Draft Consolidation & Boundary Change Plan at one of the five Question & Answer Sessions leading up to the Board of Trustees vote on Nov. 20.
Does your pet need its annual shots or flea and tick medication? Navarro Early College High School’s Animal Science CTE Program is hosting a low-cost pet clinic. Part of the proceeds supports the Lanier FFA at Navarro. No appointment is necessary.
Bring your pets 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Navarro ECHS Ag Building (1111 Fairfield Dr., Austin TX 78758).
Join the 2025 Texas Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers College Fair! Austin ISD juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to visit with college, career and military representatives and explore over 100 college and university options in one place.
Join the fun 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Delco Activity Center (4601 Pecan Brook Dr., Austin TX 78724).
Parents and caregivers, join Austin ISD Special Education for a special in-person Employment Panel focused on helping you learn how to support your student’s journey into the world of work. Representatives from Goodwill, Texas Workforce, and Austin ISD Job Coaches will share valuable information about job training programs, employment opportunities, and more!
Learn more at the event, 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 25 at LBJ Early College High School (7309 Lazy Creek Dr, Austin, TX 78724).
Austin ISD's Career & Technical Education Team, in collaboration with Workforce Solutions’ Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, is hosting the Healthcare Community Expo. You can expect highlights on in-demand healthcare jobs and career opportunities.
Happening from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, October 25 at the Burger Activity Center (3200 Jones Rd, Austin, TX 78745).
Join Austin ISD's Special Education Dyslexia Team for a FREE documentary screening. "The Truth About Reading" is an 80-minute documentary that explores illiteracy in America.
Happening 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27 at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (2309 Panther Trail, Austin TX).
For more calendar events visit Austin ISD Calendar of Events.
Join us for the 6th annual Trunk or Treat at the Nelson Athletic Complex! This free event is 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Nelson Athletic Complex, 7105 Berkman Dr, Austin, TX 78752
Austin ISD In the News
It’s fall - kinda…I’m so ready for the fall temps to come our way. Here are some fun Fall events happening around the city: Boo at the Zoo, Viva la Vida Fest and Austin Symphony Orchestra Presents: Halloween Children’s Concert. See more through the City of Austin events page.
ICYMI: Listen in on the Austin ISD News Briefs in a quick audio format through the Austin ISD Podcast streaming on Spotify and Apple. In addition, Appitol News is now published monthly. You may find the latest news updates on the news section of the Austin ISD website.
-JJ
Have a story idea? Share it with us! https://www.austinisd.org/communications/request-services/story
For questions or comments you may email me at jorge.maldonado@austinisd.org
For languages other than English and Spanish, we use an AI-powered translation tool. As a result, there may be some contextual inaccuracies or other errors. We apologize for this. Please email translation@austinisd.org if you are in need of clarification. To change your preferred correspondence language, contact your school's front office.
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